Athletic models... Not surprised

So the Olympics hit London this summer, and surprise, surprise brands are picking up on this and using it as a way of promoting their products. I first saw this in Chanel's recent advertising which uses athletic models (androgyny at it's essence) on trapezes and using rings. Although not very original, credit where it is due- the photographs are pretty classy....

Another brand taking up the theme is Emporio Armani EA7 

Strong and fit, are the new skinny... Watch out for more of this trend in the run up to the Olympics!

Cobra trying to be like Peroni?

So I've always wanted the lifestyle of those guys and gals in the Peroni Autumn/Winter advert or even those in their Spring/Summer one... They are quite simply the coolest people ever and want to be them. Deadly jealous!

It occurred to me the other day when I was at the cinema that the same sort of aesthetic has been used in the Cobra beer adverts too. They take on this old-fashioned camera look, with chilled out music, and chilled out cool people... All in an attempt to sell an alcohol beverage.

Both brands are selling a way of life. Chilled. You can be cool. Take time out of the day to relax. All by choosing to drink their beer. This I think works well with Peroni- Italian lifestyle is something that people aspire to live like. Will it work for Cobra? This could be the start of a new image maybe... A fresh perspective on an up and coming country- India. I wonder what the next advert will be like...


ADDITION: Stella Artois are into the same sort of aesthetic I suppose. All three brands are appealing to a young audience through the use of nostalgia of the past (wishing we were there) and a chilled out lifestyle....

Breathing

This sounds so cliche but I had no idea what to expect when I went to see Breathing. I randomly picked a film to see and off I went. I didn't look at what it was about... I was not expecting what I saw! Set in Austria, Roman Kopler, calls the Juvenile Detention centre his home. We do not find out until later on in the film as to why he is there, but we get the idea that he has been in there for a long time. His life is extremely dull and pointless. One of the first scenes we see Roman flip at being asked to weld some metal together for a job. He is advised by a gentleman, whom we find out is his lawyer, to look for other work so that his court hearing goes well this time round. Roman finds himself working at an undertakers. Hence the referencing to breathing. The most unlikely job for a 19 year old. We follow him as he learns his trade, as he is further rejected by his peers in the Detention centre because of his job, and as he revisits his earlier life through tracing back his abusive mother. A clever title which explores all aspects of breathing, what it means to be alive and realising that you only get one chance so don't waste it. It is tense, tense, tense from start to finish. Great film. The unexpected has it's advantages.

I think I'm turning into a health freak...

So I've started to drink at least two litres of water everyday and am going to the gym.... Two things I have noticed. From drinking more water my skin is so much more radiant and I get less spots/blemishes- I haven't worn any foundation/tinted moisturiser for over 2 weeks! From going to the gym in the morning  I feel refreshed and energised, meaning that I am getting more work done. Fit for summer!

Sun safe

I have had an overwhelming response to my post about staying safe in the sun (ironic as it hasn't stopped raining since in England!) Anyway, I had a response from the British Skin Foundation (Bevis Man to be precise) about my post and I thought I would just mention some of the points that were mentioned:

"I think people don't always understand what the difference is between UVA and UVB nor what to look for in terms of their sunscreen. The old star rating was a bit confusing too for UVA ratings on the backs of bottles, as a five star UVA rating meant that it had a good level of UVA protection in relation to the level of UVB (ie. the SPF level) protection. So, a sunscreen with an SPF of 25 that had a four star out of five rating for UVA meant that it had a fairly decent level of UVA protection as well as a decent level of UVB protection.


Anyway, this system has now been changed anyway, as UVA protection symbols now don't have stars but the 'UVA' letters inside a circle which shows the sunscreen has a decent level of UVA protection."



And possibly the most important fact that was given to me was this:

"The majority (about 80%) of sun damage you accrue in life is done by the time you're 20!"


Which is actually pretty scary when you think about it!


I will be happy if at least one person has gone away after reading my blog post with a changed attitude about the effects of the sun on your skin. Again, I have to stress I am NOT a kill-joy, just into making changes to my life that will keep me young and healthy. By all means, when we do eventually get some sun, go out and enjoy it but just be sensible...

Fumble with FCP

The name was obviously created to make a bit of a stir, draw some attention. I invited a mate along via Facebook and he said he almost chocked on his dinner when it came up in his notifications "Catherine Wells invites you to Fumble at Stealth" Har har! 

Anyway, so I've just had a quick nosey round as I have a uni deadline in for tomorrow and am desperately broke (story of my life) The event is taking place to raise funds for the 2nd year's degree show- planning ahead (clever beans) I've never been to Stealth before... but what a great venue! There were donated clothes for sale (of which the owners would get a certain percentage back), a BBQ, and a cake stand! Later on there will be an after party in association with a Vice magazine issue launch which looks super cool (soooo wish I wasn't doing this work!) There clearly had been a lot of hard work and effort put into the organising and running of the show- and for a £2 entry fee it really was a worthwhile experience and has given me some ideas for when it is our year to raise funds for my degree show (scary stuff!) 

So this is a quick post just to say well done guys and gals... tremendous effort on your behalf and I hope the evening goes well for you! x 

Steve Madden lovelies

There is one thing you should know about me... I'm a shoe buying addict! I was on my way home and happened to pop into TK Maxx for a browse, knowing that I have NO money to spend... bad idea! I was instantly drawn to the shoe section, and I must say the Nottingham branch of TK Maxx is probably the best I have come across in terms of shoes- no dreary old lady flats... Well known names seem to be on every shelf- Carvela, Ted Baker, Guess, Michael Kors, Dune etc. The buyers for TK Maxx have recently really stepped up their game.

I was not expecting to find anything quite as amazing as my Michael Kors for £40 that I bought a couple of months ago, but I was not disappointed! Steve Madden shoes were aplenty. Not only were they really nice S Madden shoes, but they were very reasonably priced ones at that! Also if I stand corrected, TK Maxx is the only supplier of Steve Madden shoes that I know of outside the US. I discovered Steve Madden shoes when I visited New York in the New Year and from then on I fell in love. There were honestly so many pairs I could have bought to day but I settled on these coral beauties as I felt I would get the most wear out of them as the colour is very versatile. £35 later- will I regret this purchase? Definitely not! I may not be able to feed myself for the next week but oh it will be so, so worth it!

My babies: