Treasures on Argyle

Treasures on Argyle of Camden NSW are offering a marvellous range of Christmas ornaments this year. A great example of the classy designs on offer is the Ceramic Santa & Snowman sweets bags featured below.

Ceramic Christmas Sweets Containers

This product is an interesting piece with multiple uses and beautiful colour and design. They have a wonderful presentation in the shop with a large number of beautiful pieces and really worth going there to see.

Treasures on Argyle of 132 Argyle Street Camden (open Mon – Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm and Sat 9.00am – 1.00pm. Ph 4655 8033), is one of many great initiatives of Lifeline Macarthur.

Through various retail outlets, they sell a variety of different items – new, seconds and preloved – including furniture, household goods, toys, books, clothes, antiques, jewellery, bric-a-brac and nic nacs. Profits generated through these shops help to maintain Lifeline’s 24 hr Telephone Counselling Service – 13 11 14

The RBA is to to review their Credit Card Stuff Up

The reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has announced that it would begin a review of Australia’s credit and debit card systems in mid 2007, with any changes not likely to be in effect until the end of 2008.

Mastercard and Visa International have slammed the RBA’s plan to review Australia’s card payments systems, calling for an independent body to conduct the review, believing that the RBA would not be critical enough of its own regulations and won’t admit its mistakes.

The Card Industry says that Australian consumers have been slapped in the face with $1 billion in extra fees because of the RBA’s ill-considered regulations.

Whilst governments elsewhere are encouraging free markets, Australia’s RBA has been heading towards nationalising the payments industry. Their recent changes passed a windfall saving to merchants, which costs banks have passed on to cardholders.

Independent research by Roy Morgan and Ernst & Young suggests that card holders are now paying double the amount that they paid before the RBA’s regulations, either through increased annual fees or other methods to recover lost revenue.

The review may mean that retailers and other merchants will now get large fee increases.

The botched outcome of the RBA’s recent regulations is another major confidence issue for Australian retailers and consumers who have seen the RBA increase interest rates to swash confidence in the Australian Economy and caused a lot of hardship over debt repayment in the recent months.

Beachgirl collection

The Alfresco Emporium catalogue features some unique and interesting gift ideas such as their 50’s beach girl collection. Collection features a series of four ladies looking very elegant and composed in their then daring swimsuits.

Dreamy Cecilia wears the daring blue two piece swim suit with matching hat and shoes.

Elegant Ellenor holding a beach ball wearing a dark striped one piece swimsuit with a headband to match the neck band of the costume.

Isabella, striking in a red one piece bathing costume, has a hat and slippers to match.

The sultry Lillian wears a stylish and brief black one piece design with the diamonds and dots pattern, and also has a cap and slippers to match.

Beachgirls from Alfresco Emporium

Wonderfull nostalgic collectible ornaments. See their online catalogue for home shopping and many other Christmas gift ideas

Established in April 1998, Alfresco Emporium has today become one of Australia’s leading suppliers of lifestyle and dining products.

Starting from what was no more than a small gift shop in Neutral Bay, Australia, owners Kevin & Janice Hore have proudly developed the Alfresco Emporium identity and experience to offer unparalleled service and products.

Sourcing from around the globe, the eclectic mix of handmade Italian ceramics, French linens and Asian artefacts provide inspiration to those looking for something a little different and unique.
Alfresco Emporium offers a complete service with online shopping, a printed catalogue for mail orders and with three great stores at Northbridge, Mona Vale, and Cherrybrook, if you’re a Sydneysider there is a store near you.

http://www.kiwanis.com.au

December is here and of course it is time to start putting up your Christmas tree. The tree is often the centrepiece for a great family Christmas.

Sometimes we feel invigorated enough to go track down a real tree and have that wonderful smell of pine and the ambience of the natural item in the home.

So have a look for a Kiwanis Sign. You will see it along the roads a few days before they set up their trees on Saturday mornings. The Kiwanis are an international charitable organisation who brings the trees to the public each year. So please support them.

The purpose of the Kiwanis organisation is to improve the quality of life for children and families worldwide. Their Mission: As a thriving organization of men, women and youth, they are dedicated to serving the children of the world and improving the quality of life worldwide.

This year I have noticed a couple of sites in Newcastle NSW where Kiwanis sell plantation Christmas trees. One is at Speers Point Park. The other is appropriately located almost in front Of Santas Warehouse on Hillsborough Road Warners Bay.