Mr Kipling strikes... but very disappointingly

The actual excitement when I heard that one of Mr Kipling's "free cake" machines was heading to Nottingham, I cannot describe. I hunt down the location and am presented with this:

It was just as the promotional video said it would look like. However, I was a bit miffed to say the least. I had turned up at 8am- thought I had better get there early just in case there was a crazy rush for early morning cake (!) only to discover that there was no queue (thank goodness I suppose) but that there was no free cake! At 8am in the morning! Surely not all the cake had been consumed? According to the dispenser one cake would be dispensed every minute between the hours of 7am and 10pm. Well this dispenser had clearly failed... unamused. Tesco's cherry bakewell anyone?

Ok, so I wasn't really that concerned about free cake, although I wouldn't have said no, I was more interested in the whole concept. There were to be several of these cake dispensers around the country to mark the launch of Mr Kipling's individually wrapped cakes (a long time coming! But means that I now have no excuse to eat two at a time!) The idea of these cake dispensers was actually pretty clever. The consumer had to actively engage with the dispenser to get a free cake (promotion bonus points). There was a buzz created at round the concept and people began to strategically plan new routes home in order to come across one of the dispensers. However, there was MANY massive flaws in this promotional strategy. What was to stop the same person, keep on receiving free cakes? What if they had run out? Like the one in Nottingham. Who was keeping an eye on the activity of the dispensers and those using them? Basically, to put it bluntly the dispensers were open to MAJOR ABUSE. 

All in all, a very innovative idea, but maybe stick to handing out free samples in the street? A much more controlled promotional environment and less likely to be taken advantage of by... cake lovers...

TK Maxx- My new favourite place EVER!

So where do you find Michael Kors heels for £40? TK Maxx! I could not believe it when I came across these absolute beauties today:

I had no intention of buying anything. In fact I was just passing time before I had to leg it down to the station to go home for Easter! But when I saw the name Michael Kors emblazoned on this pair of heels, in my size I simply could not leave the shop without them. They were mine! How had no one else spotted them? I was simply amazed that they were even on the shelves!

I don't often visit TK Maxx as it reminds me of a jumble sale and I can never find anything worthwhile. Well... my perceptions have completely changed. The buyers for TK Maxx have definitely upped their game and in all honesty I am impressed. Maybe I will be brave enough one day to have a rummage amongst the rails of clothing... but until then I can admire MY Michael Kors heels. Delighted.

Models- must show health record and meet weight standards

Many countries have tried to ban the use of photo-shopping models claiming that they are bad role models but no country has gone as far as Israel. Yesterday I read an article on NY mag about how Israel has passed a law which states that models must show full health records and not be under the recommended BMI for their weight and height.Israel has a fairly small fashion industry and so it will be interesting to see the results and outcomes of this law, and whether it will have any implications in the fashion industry worldwide.

Anyone with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of below 18.5 is considered to be underweight. Likewise anyone with an index of 25 or more is said to be overweight. BMI measures the ratio between weight and height to be determined. Athletes, whom are seen as being "fit and healthy", are often considered "overweight" in terms of BMI as muscle weighs more than fat- so it really can only be seen as a guideline.

This new law in Israel seeks to put a stop to the use of underweight models who are seen on the big stage and are looked up to. Is super skinny beautiful? In a world which is struggling to determine what is beauty and has the extremes of people being excessively overweight and extremely underweight it is a brave move by Israel. I hope that this sort of attitude is adopted worldwide to help stop the obscuring of what true beauty is, and to help young and old people alike come to terms with their body. Self esteem is a massive issue in this debate and this move by Israel will hopefully make people see themselves in a different light. Yes it is nice to be slim, but it is the balance of being healthy and exercising in moderation which needs to be considered.

It will be very interesting to see where this story goes.

Full story found here: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2012/03/israel-passes-law-banning-underweight-models.html?mid=twitter_thecutblog

Marks and Spencer update

Marks and Spencer's update on Twitter to my comments. 

Brand loyalty and all that stuff... Marks and Spencers for life!  

Marks and Spencer- Social Media dialogue

This is a copy of the conversation I had with Marks and Spencer today via Twitter. I wrote the original comment not thinking I would get a reply. I was truly shocked when Marks and Spencer actually replied to me! 

The original tweet was in response to the fact that this morning I had been on the Marks and Spencer website browsing their sale, which was pretty insignificant as most sales are, and went on to looking at their shoes section. If my memory serves me correctly, a few years ago Marks and Spencer had really upped it's game in terms of following fashion trends and trying to appeal to a wider audience i.e. younger people. This was in response to falling sales and declining profits. This new approach adopted by Marks and Spencer lasted for a couple of seasons. Me being slightly obsessed by shoes, I was particularly impressed by their shoes. However, this season M&S seemed to have slipped up big time in trying to appeal to this younger market. Their collection currently on their website seems far too safe and conservative, and slip back in the direction of their old days. A long time ago I would never have dreamt of buying things from Marks and Spencer, but I honestly do not mind purchasing from them if the clothes/shoes are on trend; I don't mind paying that little bit extra knowing that I am buying quality from a well know British establishment.

Marks and Spencers have tried to convince me that all this will change and that I can make a difference by communicating with me via Twitter. I am very impressed. Twitter and other social media sites have broken down the long winded barriers of communication and have set up a two way dialogue where consumers feel they can have a say and their opinion will be listened to- after all it is the consumers that determine a brand's future! Let's hope things pick up for the better and that we see an improvement in their approach to appealing to a younger audience. They are definitely going the right way about it in directly communicating with their consumers. Fashionable shoes please Marks and Spencer! I hope my tweet falls on open ears!

Blogger's event

The only picture I have of me at the event :)

Midland Blogger Event

It was super lovely to meet everyone yesterday at the Bloggers event, even if I was only there for half an hour. It was definitely worthwhile and I totally did not want to go to work... But that's just life! Lots of cupcakes, Innocent smoothies, and goody bags packed to the brim with hair products and a copy of more! magazine. It was absolute heaven. Having a blog has it's benefits- get to meet fabulous like-minded people and eat cake!

Go and check out the blogs of some of the people I met yesterday :)
http://ispywithmylittleye.blogspot.co.uk/
http://hollieanne.wordpress.com/
http://www.wordsbysarah.com/
http://quarterlifetalesofanniebean.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.meimeisays.com/

Pete Doherty for The Kooples

So the other day I was just browsing a couple of my magazines looking at the latest adverts and the one that caught my eye, and I suppose you can say that's a good thing, is the new The Kooples advert, featuring the one and only Pete Doherty. Do not get me wrong, and please do not think I am a complete snob (!) does Pete Doherty reflect the attitude of The Kooples? Well not really! He has recently been released from prison and has such a flippant attitude to life that I do not think he is a good role model for a brand to adopt. Yes he may be impeccably turned out in the adverts, preened to perfection by The Koople's styling team, but it is almost as if The Kooples are praising his hell raising ways. I understand to an extent why he was used- to symbolise rebellion, the underdog, badboy, which all in turn in today's society make you "cool" but there are different ways for a brand to be cool and having clearly unreformed (always in trouble with the law) people is not the way to go about it. Also I thought the point of The Kooples was to show stylish, on trend couples, or have I completely missed the boat here? I do question what the world has come to and feel The Kooples are being innovative but far to risqué... Doherty would not be my first person of choice to aspire to be like. Who are The Kooples aiming their brand at? The debate continues...

Songs of Innocence and Experience

So a new exhibition opened in the Bonington Gallery at Nottingham Trent University this week: Songs of Innocence and Experience. I really did not know what to expect. A series of mini movies was what I was presented with on entering the space.

The films all had headphones which made you go up and engage with them. It soon became apparent that the theme of the exhibition was about scepticism, looking at false idols, freedom, and dedication. There were films depicting subculture/pagan rituals, song, music- really trying to evoke emotions from you about what you believe in, being spiritual in anyway or not. One particular piece was the central focus of the exhibition: Concerning the Difference between the Delights of Pleasure and True Happiness. (Maybe a bit of a long winded name- states what Judd wants to get across in the film) It had no headphones for you to listen from, but instead it played the soundtrack at a murmuring hum level  which invited you to get right up to the film. On sitting down in front of the work you quickly become almost hypnotised as the hum becomes just noise and kaleidoscope patterns emerge before your eyes.

Did not know what to expect from Judd's work. A very worthwhile visit.

Songs of Innocence and Experience runs until 5th April, and is open to the public free of charge.

http://www.benjudd.com/

MARCH

As stupid as it may seem but I have only just fully realised... It is March! Already! Two months ago I was in New York. It is absolutely crazy at how quickly this year is going. Before I know it my first year at university will have ended! All I can think about is that I will be in Lanzarote- that will get me through any time when I am feel down. Today in Nottingham it is such lovely weather and I feel like going to the park but instead I am stuck in my room doing work (and blogging woops!) Might go to the pub in a while to watch the 6 nations match- England vs France! Sunny days come few and far between in England, especially up North here in Nottingham- maybe in London where there seems to be a micro climate. The moral of this story is to do my work when it is set instead of the day before it is due so that you can enjoy the weather and being outdoors while it lasts! Anyway hope everyone is having a great day out in the sun... So jealous! x

Playing with photoshop

You'll have to bear with me... still relatively new to the whole photoshop thing. Here's some work showing my skills. (Please note I do not claim ownership of the original photograph)

EMTEX designer forum

So I went for an interview for an internship here today and was amazed that few of my friends have heard of it! The designer forum, located in Nottingham town centre provides space for small businesses and by far one of it's most popular services is the trend library. For a relatively small fee (than if you were to by the resources out right) you can have access to their library whenever suits you. They also provide some workshops in Abode Creative Suite for a competitive price. There is the option to be alerted to various job openings and events run throughout the year. This is an actual gem in Nottingham. It started when there was funding for this sort of thing, but now relies entirely on membership to keep it running! This is definitely something to get membership for and take full advantage. There is discounted membership for students. Something I am going to look into when I have the money! Head to their website for more info: http://www.emtex.org.uk/

East Midlands blogger event

Soooo unbelievably excited about attending the East Midlands bloggers event 17th March in Nottingham. Just ordered some new business cards so I hope they arrive before then so I can give them out when I socialise. Being new to the blogging scene I hope to also get some advice from the pros! There are goodybags and a chance to write for BMI baby as a blogger! Cannot wait. Shame I have to work later on in the day! If anyone is interested in attending then check out the facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/102612979868787/ it is at the Orange Tree pub in Nottingham which I must say is a pretty cool place to be these days. http://www.orangetree.co.uk/ A lot of love for this hang out. Will keep you posted on how it goes and I hope to see some of you there :) If anyone reads this at all that is! Haha!