Being a celebrity sheep

When I think of companies such as Iceland, Morrisons and their advertisements that they use to promote their company and offers, I think of the celebrity faces that front their campaigns. For example, when I think of Iceland, Kerry Katona comes to mind and when I think of Morrions, Alan Hansen pops up. It is obvious that many companies believe that using a celebrity can increase their revenue by attracting more customers by using their idols to draw them in. With the state of the British economy worsening, many companies will be trying to get in on this and use the same methods to try and increase their amount of customers.

However, many companies make feeble attempts at this by using washed up celebrities who are known by only a few select people. To me, this is a silly attempt at trying to increase their amount of business and they should spend their time working on an advertising campaign that is actually clever and capable of selling their business in a good light.

Firstly, I would actually like to question whether using celebrities does actually do any good for a company when they are used to front advertising campaigns. In reality, it is clear that in the case of small companies, using celebrities can obviously increase a company’s profile so that they can reach out to more customers. However, which big celebrities would actually work for a small, unheard of company? Furthermore, if a company has a high profile in the first instance, then using a celebrity will have no effect in this department. The only good a celebrity will do is perhaps to get the general public talking about the advertisement. It is from my experience that many people who see celebrities promoting certain products on television, they do not want to go out and buy that product at all. This method simply doesn’t work.

Leading towards the question in hand, no, using celebrities that are only known by a small number of people will not benefit a company, no matter how big or small a company is. Small companies will only be able to attract celebrities with a low profile so there will not be much of an area in the market that they can aim to tap into. If a celebrity is only known by a small group of people, the chances of these people watching the advertisement is low, thus, the chances of them using the company is even lower. Even if a company with a large profile decided to use a celebrity with a low profile, it still won’t benefit them. If using celebrities as fronts for a company barely works then using celebrities barely known certainly will not work.

It always annoys me when companies use celebrities to give their company advertisement a good image. We all know that the celebrities would probably never use half of the products that they are endorsing so the advertisements are extremely unbelievable for starters! Furthermore, it always spells out to me that a company actually does not have total faith in their products effectiveness and ability to sell. If they are using these little ways to get their product out on the market, then they obviously don’t think that the product is actually that good. If I think this way, then maybe more people will do too.

Finally, I really hope that companies that use low profile celebrities will stop and actually take the time to think about their products, and think of ways to improve them. To me, if a product or a service is good enough it will sell. Advertising is always an excellent tool, but I would rather the companies’ think of an eye catching, well structured advertisement that actually has the ability to sell people on things like Mountain Equipment Jackets or a mountain climbing adventure service.

Easy ways to donate

I smile when I see Betty Boop sitting on the front of my local store since she is sporting a rather nice pink ribbon. It is so easy to get involved these days. The Breast Cancer charity and charity donations, in general, do not only include semi-damp volunteers rattling near empty collection tins on the street. It can take the form of a sophisticated range of clothing from Damart, a delicate pink ribbon-pin suitable for the professional female and a complete range of care products that drives the race for financial assistance.

And then, the internet came to the rescue. It is here that Breast Cancer charity donation efforts have really come into their own. In the past there were so many excuses to not get involved. “I cannot find the information” or “I put the flyer somewhere…” are no longer tolerated. The transformation is staggering. Supporters can create their own websites; drive their own campaigns and raise as much as possible to contribute. Even the charity shops have online representation. Donations online is as easy as saying “PayPal”.

The thing that makes my heart feel all fluffy and mushy inside is the fact that helping this cause is within reach of each and every person. Chefs, cleaners, housewives, children… everyone can get involved. This disease is neither shy nor selective. Kylie Minogue, Sheryl Crow, Cynthia Nixon and Christina Applegate can all attest to this. It is a known fact that women with a family history of breast cancer have a greater risk than the rest of the population. The good news is that more and more women are surviving because of fundraising efforts by the general public as well as the numerous breast cancer charity efforts. Scientists work hard, and will continue to do so, to improve the life of those who lives with the disease, and improve the methods used to treat it.

I would state as a matter of urgency that prevention is better than cure, and thus I wish to impress upon every woman how important it is to do regular self examinations. The earlier you catch the problem, the better the chances of survival. Become aware of your body and listen to that inner voice. It is rather disturbing if you consider that many women still don’t do this, mostly because they did not know how. Book a consultation with your GP and ask him or her to show you how to do this. It is easy and takes no more than 5 minutes.

Beyond that point, get involved and create awareness. Although there are so many ways to get involved, so much money to be raised, there are so many more women who don’t know how to get involved. Start by addressing the issue with your daughters AND sons; husbands and brothers. Although this matter is one that physically affect woman, one must never forget the pain and suffering of those around us. They too need to understand, and find a way to get involved.

As I load my trolley with a few well chosen “Tickled Pink” items, I look down at my own chest and smile at my ‘girls’. They were rescued by the men and woman who generously donated time, effort and money, and for this I am thankful.

Breast Cancer charity donations can make the difference, but only with your help!

Getting Fit with Fitflops

Fitflops have been on the scene now for a few years and are set to be the must have wardrobe item for spring /summer 2009. When Fitflops first appeared the marketing was quite specialised aimed mainly at the health and well being markets rather than the fashion scene. However, Fitflops are now an established fashion ensemble with women ordering a pair in every colour. Celebrities have even been seen without their usual high heels and have embraced Fitflops as the fashion footwear accessory for the new season.

The 2009 Fitflops have been given the full fashion treatment. They still maintain the original technology but now appeal to all the trend setters and followers, with some fabulous new colour and quirky designers. The new season’s Fitflops not only look good but are also great for the wellbeing and posture of the wearer themselves. They help tone the muscles in the legs, thighs and bum, aid posture and there are claims that they can even help relieve backache. Fitflops have inbuilt “micro-wobbleboard” technology and have a multi-density inner core that helps to stimulate the muscles to work a little harder with every step, the wearer is receiving an excellent work out of the leg muscles without having to make any extra effort.

Fashion footwear is not normally known to be good for the feet, however Fitflops are comfortable to wear, aid slimming and look good, a case of the gain without the pain. Fitflops can be worn with any outfit they are lots to choose from, different colours and finishes such as sequins. Fitflops are comfortable and versatile and can be worn as beachwear, everyday casual wear and can even be worn as evening wear, colours and styles are available to suit all occasions and outfits. Hemlines are set to rise this Summer so it is very important to have slim, shapely, healthy looking legs and Fitflops can make this possible whilst also letting the wearer look fashionable.

Designer Shoes – A great investment

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but designer shoes are a girl’s true weakness, there are very few females who do not aspire to own a pair of Jimmy Choos. Why do women love designer shoes, perhaps because out of all the designer accessories or clothing designer shoes are the most accessible and attainable? Designer shoes are expensive but not totally exorbitant in price, a beautiful pair Gucci sling backs can be bought for a few hundred pounds at various outlet and online boutiques. This amount of money is viewed today by most women as an achievable amount to save for.

Designer shoes have a great appeal. There is a designer shoe to suit every foot, whether you are tall, small, fat or thin you can still purchase beautiful designer shoes and they will look beautiful when worn regardless of body shape, and sure to make you feel a million dollars. Moreover, television programmes such as “Sex in the City” or films like “The Devil Wears Prada” all serve to perpetuate the myth that all females love designer shoes. Most people have heard of designers such as Christian Louboutins or Manolo Blahnik, and these are perhaps the must have names in designer footwear but more modern designer such as Kurt Geiger have been very prominent on the catwalks. Latest shoe designs have the emphasis on detail, whether it is fringing, laces, straps or buckles, styles include very high heels, flat pumps and a return of the platform high heel.

Designer shoes indicate taste and hint at affluence, designer shoes are now easy to purchase with many online stores specialising in designer shoes. Many of us would love to have wardrobes filled with racks containing designer shoes, few of us attain this but many of us can reveal a pair of designer heels from the likes of Prada, Fendi or Dolce and Gabbana that have been purchased from an online shop or auction site… After all who’s to know how much you paid for the perfect pair of Audrey Hepburn style Gucci’s!

Choosing the perfect evening dress

Choosing an evening dress can be a daunting experience for any occasion but it can be made much worse if the occasion is a works ‘do’, Here are some basic rules that should be observed for choosing an evening dress for any occasion:

•    The fit – it is essential that the evening dress fits well, no matter what the designer name is if the dress is ill-fitting it will look awful. To ensure a good fit be honest and perhaps seek a second opinion when choosing the dress. Ensure the dress fits perfectly and it will look great.

•    Know what looks good on and stick to this style – it is great to be fashionable and trendy but only if the style suits. It is also very good to personalise a particular look with accessories, jewellery or make-up.

•    Be sure of what the event is and dress accordingly, is it a cocktail event, or a sit down dinner event, is it going to be indoors or outdoors, or even on water.

•    Know your budget- Budget for the whole outfit, including shoes, accessories, jewellery, make-up and perhaps even a hair appointment;

•    Lastly, be aware of the current fashion trends and if purchasing a new dress go for something that is appropriate for the occasion and suitable for you and your body shape.

For spring there are lots of very pretty feminine evening dresses in the shops, and there are styles suitable for formal events or more casual events. Damart are also a popular retailer for beautiful evening dresses.

The in vogue colours range from metallic to pretty pastel pinks, but the you would have to be very confident to carry off the more eye catching cuts and colours, after all nothing is worse than feeling uncomfortable at a formal event. For a works ‘do’ it might be best to avoid anything to revealing or too sheer, there is always the classic little black dress or even if the weather is nice a white dress linen ensemble. This spring accessories are bold but should not be overdone. Remember a shawl or pashmina is always useful, especially when the weather is as unpredictable as it has been of late.