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May 25, 2006

2006 Luxe Pack Conference Beauty PR Packaging at its Best

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This year, over 1,503 visitors came by the 2006 Luxe Pack New York packaging show. The conference was held on May 17th and 18th at the Metropolitan Pavilion where 75 exhibitors displayed their newest ideas and novelties in product packaging. The conference in its fourth year was organized by Indice Monaco, the same organizer of Luxe Pack Monaco and Brazil. The main theme this year was innovative design. New marketing concepts and materials were fused together to form one fantastic display of packaging options. The president of Luxe Pack stated “Luxe Pack is becoming more and more the place to be for luxury packaging”.

Continue reading "2006 Luxe Pack Conference Beauty PR Packaging at its Best" »

May 30, 2006

Zipcar- the Newest Metro Luxury

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Zipcar is the newest “luxury” in Manhattan. Rent a car by the hour or day and feel luxurious with some extra cash in your pocket! Living in Manhattan is quite expensive. These days, you will probably be looked at as an angel if your residence is New York, New York- Manhattan. Real estate values have gone up so high in the past two years that it is almost impossible for the average Joe, John, or Salvatore to live in this city filled with excitement and inflation.

To add to that luxury, imagine owning a car in Manhattan and living here at the same time. Ok, let’s do the math. Your one bedroom apartment costs about $2,500 per month. Your car lease costs $300 and your parking, $400 per month. The grand total of basic living expenses, without food or party comes to $3,200, or $38,400 per year. Whoa- that’s a lot of cash, in fact its more than the average starting salary, before taxes.

Continue reading "Zipcar- the Newest Metro Luxury" »

June 22, 2006

Top 5 Tech Winners and Losers – How Does iPod+Nike, Playstation and Microsoft Rate?


For every new invention that takes the world by storm, there are a dozen more that have crashed. Need I remind you of Crystal Pepsi (theme song Right Now by Van Halen)?

Now Men.Style.com has compiled their top five list of the worst inventions that are “destined for the dustbin.” Coming in first is HD Radio, followed by the Sony Book Reader and Origami Tablet PC (by Microsoft). Rounding out the top five is the Sony PlayStation 3, set to launch in November with a whopping $600 price tag, and the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, which the writer at Men.Style.com thinks doesn't have a large enough audience of interested runners.

On the flip side, here is my top five list of best inventions.

1. XM Radio – This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how we interact with the media. We’re a society that wants information fast. Someday, I predict that we will even have new movie releases beamed into our own homes. There will be now need for movie theatres anymore. So long to the Midnight Movies.

2. The Written Word – Even with all our technology, there is nothing great than a good book. My top picks include A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore and House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (guaranteed to make you scared of the sounds that go “bump” in the spaces between your walls).

3. MacBook – By day I work on a PC, but when the sun sets, I’m a crazed Mac man. Say what you will about Apple, but they are producing some of the most powerful laptops (and computers for that matter) on the market today. The new MacBook comes with the Intel Core Duo making it powerful enough for any blogging, podcasting or film editing you want to do, straight out of the box.

4. Nintendo Wii – PlayStation and XBOX are about to get a run for their money. The new system from Nintendo About the size has three DVD cases, the Wii system will play the new double-layers 12-centimeter optical discs, along with the 8-centimeter Gamecube discs, so there is no need to replace a full collection of games. For you oldschoolers, the system will communicate with the interenet, allowing players "downloadble access to 20 years of fan-favorite titels originally released for the Nintendo 64, the Super Nintendo (SNES) and even the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)." That's right, the Mario we remember from our childhoods is coming back bigger and better than ever.

5. PumpOne – I think Apple and Nike have come up with a great product, but if you’re interested in more than just laps around the block, checkout the new programs from PumpOne. The company is producing some of the best workout programs on the market today. They are viewable on virtually on image-ready handhelds, including the iPod, giving step-by-step instructions and color images. They even have video programs. Currently, there are more than a hundred workouts including yoga, Pilates and strength training, and they are gearing up to launch dozens more, including a Swiss ball workout.

To read more about Men.Style.com’s picks, click here.

October 1, 2006

New Luxury Publication: Advertisers Have To Be Invited

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"Esquire's Big Black Book: An Advertising Party With a Velvet Rope Around It" Esquire magazine, which has struggled for a few years to find a comfortable market niche to call home, is scheduled to launch a new elite coffee-table-book, magazine hybrid, called Esquire's Big Black Book--designed as a luxury style manual for men."

In an interesting twist, Nobody can just advertise. To advertise in the book, marketers had to receive an invitation from Hearst, and each advertiser could purchase only one of the 74 ad pages. Advertising Age reports that all 74 have been sold to advertisers which include Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Bombardier, IWC Watches, Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton.

Our Current Top Luxury Publications
(1). Luxury Spa Finder
(2). Harper's Bazaar
(3). Robb Report
(4). Vanity Fair
(5). Visionaire
(6). Genlux

Continue reading "New Luxury Publication: Advertisers Have To Be Invited" »

October 4, 2006

When Editorial Comes Alive

Many savvy shoppers rely on magazines to help guide their purchases. We often assume that editors know best when it comes finding dazzling new products in beauty, fashion, and perfume. Thus it isn't surprising that one of the newest trends to show up on the frenzied Manhattan shopping scene is the curated magazine sponsored shopping event.

Yesterday New York Magazine hosted a Best Bets Shopping Event. Women lined up to shop discounts from vendors who had been labeled "best bets" by New York Magazine.

It was a hodge podge of potential shopping targets with high end hand bags next to Method soap.

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Admittedly it felt like an event where advertisers were given a chance to hawk their wares to unsuspecting women who had actually paid for the privilege rather than a truly editorial driven event. The event surely generated its fair share of controversy as New York Magazine is not the only one to host a shopping event.

Next month shopping bible Lucky Magazine will host its own Lucky Shops event which is going to be quite a bit bigger and hopefully better. After all it is easier to trust a magazine with one proven vertical, fashion, than a magazine like New York Magazine that plays host to many sections.

October 9, 2006

The PR Business: Cleaning Up Client Relationships When Things Go Bad

Last week I was out for cocktails with a few other business owners in the service industry. One was a skin care manufacturer, the second was a clothing line designer and the third was the owner of a large fitness chain of health clubs.

We got into an in depth discussion about managing client relationships

We were discussing how to repair a client relationship where things have gone wrong, for example clients whose expectations are unrealistic, clients who are abusive towards the staff and those clients who for whatever reason have become dissatisfied with their service.

The Wall Street Journal had run an article on entrepreneurs a few years back where I was quoted by saying “My New Year’s resolution as a business owner is to only work with people, places and things I really care about and that respect my team, work and over-all business ethics.”

1. Choose clients carefully

2. Define the working relationship and set Client Expectations

3. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate...Then Communicate

4. Live Up To Your Own Standards. Give What You Expect, Set The Example.

If you have done all your work working with your clients and have defined what you can achieve and there are still insurmountable problems, then it is time to re-evaluate whether that client is appropriate to have.

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About a month ago we had a client call the office and demand that I get on a conference call. The brand was new to the market, had very little distribution (only one salon in New York) and the consumer awareness was simply not there (she refused to do salon events with us). The owner had worked with two other PR firms before us (our biggest competitors) for about two years who both did not secure the regional and national glossy press that the client was looking for. We were given about 3 months to change her entire media platform and correct the damage that the other PR firms had done during the course of two years. Naturally I slipped off my dress shoes, undid my tie, sat back in my chair practiced my breathing exercises and then took her call.

Continue reading "The PR Business: Cleaning Up Client Relationships When Things Go Bad" »

October 12, 2006

Survival of the Firmest

New York Times shopping critic Alex Kuczynski recently released her new book Beauty Junkies.
A star writer for the New York Times Styles section captures the follies, frauds, and fanaticism that fuel the American pursuit of youth and beauty in a wickedly revealing excursion into the burgeoning business of cosmetic enhancement.
Of course the irony isn't lost on devoted "Special K" fans as she has been known to dabble in the black arts of cosmetic surgery herself. And while the New York Times may be the paper of note, Gawker is doing some interesting noting of its own.



Now the question is does she look better before or after? Of course, anecdotes of Upper East Side women aside, medical ethics and the cosmetic surgery industry is one that is hotly debated in actual papers of note i.e medical journals. I think I would prefer that my information on the subject comes from actual M.Ds and not mere dabblers in the field. Though I do love her ethnographic pursuits of shopping quite a bit. Maybe she should stick to those?

Perfect New York Children

One of my favorite pastimes as a New Yorker is admiring the hosts of perfect children that seem to populate this city. Beautifully dressed parents usher seemingly impossibly well put together children to darling little schools, darling little shops, and darling little play dates. Sometimes it feels like I am watching the urban equivalent of a Normen Rockwall painting: serene, sophisticated, and healthful families in their natural city habitat.

And despite my status as girl who wishes to remain childless (at least for some time) I still fantasize about my own perfect Manhattan child. Now I don't imagine I will produce a brilliant prep school wonder but I do like to imagine all of the accessories that will come with my child. I would only buy a Bugaboo naturally. She (because girls are so much more composed) would eat organic goods bought from Whole Foods and would only use the finest natural, paraben free, beauty products. Zia anyone? Because of course chemicals can't harm my child's brain development.

And of course I would spoil her rottenly. She would get taken to Books of Wonder where we would purchase first edition hardbacks of all the children's classics. We would read Le Petit Prince in Central Park before her lessons at the Alliance Francaise and then meander to Times Square and look for crickets.

And because I can't mention Le Petit Prince without talking about the appropriate product tie-in you know she would be wearing Le Petit Prince Rose. Doesn't that seem right for a perfect New York girl? Oil of Tangerine's peel, Bigarade, Grapefruit, and a delicate touch of sourness extract from the little seed from the tangerine tree. Yeah, OK lunchtime fantasy hour is over now! Hope I didn't scare anyone.

October 13, 2006

Make a Fashion Statement to Join the Fight Against AIDS

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It seems these days that celebs across all industries are teaming up for a good cause. Whether they’re simply donating massive amounts of excess income or using their celebrity status to draw attention to a cause, a large number of celebrities are reaching out to the public in hopes of making a difference. Recently, some have even gone so far as to adopt children in incredibly impoverished countries (Madonna in Malawi, Angelina in Cambodia and Ethiopia).

In recent news, two of the biggest household names have teamed up to raise money to fight AIDS in Africa. Bono, the U2 frontman and ultimate philanthropist (it seems like his name is somehow connected to every charity in this country), and Oprah, the talk show host we all know and love, have combined forces to promote the Product Red campaign. As part of the effort, proceeds from products sold at various retailers, including The Gap, Apple, Converse, Armani, and Motorola, will go to The Global Fund, an organization that fights AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. The Gap will be debuting their Red Line of clothing this week, where half of the profits will go to The Global Fund. Apple has created a new red-colored iPod nano, and will donate $10 from the sale of each item to the cause. The effort has attracted the attention of many other celebrities (several of them posing in Gap ads) hoping to make a difference, including Kanye West and Penelope Cruz.

In explaining the idea of getting consumers involved, Bono posted on his blog: “‘Product Red’ is the consumer battalion gathering in the shopping malls. You buy the jeans, phones, iPods, shoes, sunglasses, and someone - somebody's mother, father, daughter or son - will live instead of dying in the poorest part of the world. It's a different kind of fashion statement.” Good job, Bono- the Product Red Campaign began last spring in the UK and has already raised more than $12 million for African AIDS programs.

October 14, 2006

Breast Implants 411

David Dean, a former account executive for a breast implant manufacturer, witnessed his mother suffer at the hands of two unqualified plastic surgeons, including one who painfully misplaced an implant after her breast cancer reconstruction and another who severed a major facial nerve. After his mother’s tragic experience, David became inspired to create a web-based destination that would hold plastic surgeons to a higher standard, as well as act as an unbiased educational resource for women considering breast augmentation and reconstruction.

This is when he began www.Breastimplants411.com. Breastimplants411.com was designed to help consumers make informed decisions about plastic surgery as well as find and research only those plastic surgeons who have achieved the highest level of certification – Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Continue reading "Breast Implants 411" »

October 15, 2006

When Public Relations Reaches Out To Editors How Much is Too Much? Share Your Story.

I have received fully six invitations to the Maja Ferme "Nymph" Fashion Show.

Normally I am pleased to have a publicist follow up on a subject. As a blogger and online fashion editor it helps to be reminded of new and interesting subjects as we new media types are often inundated with information making it quite possible that things slip through the cracks. In fact, more often than not publicists ignore the new media altogether.

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But I admit I reached a certain point where I felt I had too much information on the Slovenian designer. I received email invitations, personal invitations, and invitations in the mail. Everyday it felt like I was being subtly reminded that I simply must RSVP to the "Nymph" showing. I have actually gotten to the point where I feel slightly guilty that I haven't followed up. Disregarding the fact that it said opportunity to buy clothing after the show in small type at the bottom of the invite as opposed to cocktail reception afterwards which is a sure way to turn off any editor, is it wise to so constantly assert your client to the press? When does it become too much?

I am sure there are many schools of thought on the issue and few publicists would argue that gaining maximum visibility for a client is a bad thing, but is there an ideal level of communication? In this particular case, Maja Ferme may have gotten her wish. I feel I simply must attend the event if her publicist made such an extreme effort to gain my attention. I only hope that there are cocktails afterward.

October 16, 2006

Jane Iredale Global Beauty Celebration

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Beauty Bloggers are welcome, space is limited! Bloggers outside of of the NYC area can register for advanced media kit to be sent day after the event.

In honor of the launch, Pierce Mattie Public Relations is hosting a cocktail party in her honor. In a true celebration of beauty, grace and style, Jane Iredale's GLOBAL BEAUTY event will highlight style influences from Cleopatra to Beyonce in the event of the year! We invite you to share in this iconic celebration. To RSVP, please contact Lauren Branche or Ivy Cartagena at 212/243.1431

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October 17, 2006

Storm Report For Trendsetters: Watch Out For High Concentration Of Style, Designs and Quality From The UK

Few decisions weigh more heavily on a young consumer than that of a watch purchase. We want something trendy, stylish, and edgy but equally we want something that is high quality. We don't need watches that will set us back as much as a down payment on a house, we just want something that fits our fashion or mod that day. Fom men it is a key accessory. And finally they have many affordable option to dress up that pair of jeans and t shirt. Please let me introduce you to STORM Watches.

All STORM timepieces are made with high grade stainless steel in matte, brushed or polished finishes. Models feature Japanese or Swiss movements, are anti-allergenic and use scratch resistant mineral glass.

They have quite the celebrity following as well with a storied brand history starting in the UK.

October 18, 2006

Virtual Simulated Social Worlds: Lifestyle Game Concept Becomes Reality

Don't like the life you have now? Get a second one! Perhaps you always wanted to be a Supermodel, beauty editor, the next Oprah with a twist. We've all been playing simulation games around the office lately with the recent October launch of Desperate Housewives: The game. A company called Second Life, has created something different, it's social networking in that familiar 3D simulated environment that is fun, but can be profitable as well. Users can create, design, own virtual land, meet people, engage in real business opportunities, convert virtual cash into real currency, own IP rights and much more.

More than 900,000 users have signed up to build homes, form neighborhoods and live out alternative versions of their lives in the 3-D, computer-generated world. This is not just for Generation L (liquid generation) audience/demographic, Second Life is sure to attract anyone who was labled a Generation Xer (1961-1981) to todays new Silent Generation (S 2001-). Players spend around $350,000 a day on average or a rate of $13 million a year. I'm sure we'll be hearing more about Second Life in the real world as advertisers and marketers are sure jump at ways to reach out to those who choose to build a second life for themselves online.

October 27, 2006

David Beckham To Strip For Levi's: Remake Of 1985 Laundromat Commercial

David_Becham_Levis_Brand.png We've seen this concept so many times! Not a very original idea, but David is a huge lifestyle brand himself with a high global, even universal Q-rating. David has recently lost the 1 million a year Police sunglasses account to Antonio Banderas.
"Antonio was seen as more of an alpha male. The brand was more keen to have a personality which meant more to US audiences."
Antonio is not my preference. I'm curious who would you rather look at? David Beckham or Antonio Banderas? I remember in 2003 reading Beckhams brand value being around 90 million. His contracts with Pepsi and Adidas are said to be worth 10 million a year. So he can stand to lose the Police account I guess. It will be entertaining to see David drop denim for Levi's remake of it's 1985 laundromat commercial, Beckham will replace singer songwriter Nick Kamen. For David this adds to a long laundry list of advertising gigs around the world. Off the top of my head I can recall, Adidas, Gillette, Got Milk, Marks & Spensor, Pepsi, Snickers, TBC cosmetics (with his wife), Vodaphone, and I recall an oil company and Japanese chocolate brand (don't remember the brand names!). If anyone can add to the list please do, I know I'm missing several.

Continue reading "David Beckham To Strip For Levi's: Remake Of 1985 Laundromat Commercial " »

October 28, 2006

Ford Models, They Look Good And So Does The Website

A fantastic site by Ford Models. I've been wanting to give praise to Ford Models for a long time. This weekend I have the chance, and wanted to point out some of the rich features that sets them apart from the rest. The site is "sticky" complete with "sisomo" options that inform, engage and help the aspiring model, or someone looking for a Ford Model. If you haven't looked at it's VLOG Ford 360 also all on Google Video, take some time to do so.

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We have been doing more than our fair share of casting calls for Models lately. Most big modeling agencies are out of our clients price range, as we generally host events, or publicity stunts, not expensive national print or television work that is backed by big money.

So if you currently are a model, looking for some freelance work send us your head shot or comment here with a link to your book! We constantly have need for all type of looks. If your a casting agent, or know of a good one please comment here or tell us

October 29, 2006

Halloween: A $4.96 Billion Dollar Industry. Tips On How To Get Your Brand Involved

In the past twenty years there has been a change occurring when it comes to Halloween. Back when I was growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, Halloween was a specific children’s holiday. Then in the mid-eighties things began to change and Haunted Houses and adult costume parties began to take off.

Adult costume parties and Haunted Houses continue to increase in popularity every year. What has gone from a one night event, now becomes an entire weekend of parties solely reserved for the young at heart and a month-long event for Haunted Houses and Haunted Hayrides. Even farmers have cashed in by offering haunted labyrinths through a corn maze.

Continue reading "Halloween: A $4.96 Billion Dollar Industry. Tips On How To Get Your Brand Involved" »

Weekend Pulse of the Blogosphere: Nurse Shannon's Links

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From around the blogosphere, here's what everyone is talking about:

Fashion: From The Blogosphere's "Best" Fashion Blogs

+ Fashiontribes offers offers tips on how to create Antonio Berardi’s Fall Runway Show for less.

+ She Finds talks about the latest trend; leggings.

+ The Manolo offers a reader a recommendation on which boots would look best with her sexy witch costume.

+ Almost Girl reports on Fashion Group International Night of Stars. In attendance: James LaForce of Laforce and Stevens, Constance White Style Director of ebay, Valerie Steel and Linda Fargo of Bergdorf Goodman


Beauty: From Bloggers Who Are Passionate About Beauty

+ A Girl's Gotta Spa! reviews Joico's K-Pak Liquid Reconstruction.

+ Dorit Baxter New York Day Spa Blog tells you how to create your own Pumpkin Beautifying Mask.

+ Bon Bons in the Bath gives you step by step instructions on how to achieve the No Makeup--Makeup Look.


Jewelry: Jewelry Industry Posts

+ The Bling Blog talks about the lucky vacationer who found a Canary Yellow Diamond.

+ The Jewelry Weblog wants to know what you think of the new Ethnic Collection from Ethos.

+ The Jewelry Blog talks bracelets.

Fashion: The "Skinny" On Jeans & Celebrity's love for denim

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Wearing denim has always been in style, but celebrities can’t seem to get enough of it. Skinny jeans are all the rage, and if you are a celebrity and have all the means to hire a personal trainer, why not show off your body in the hottest brands?

Lindsay Lohan has been known to strut her stuff in J Brand Jeans, as does Angelina Jolie, showing the world that not every mom has to wear “Mom Jeans.”

Kate Moss is the queen of denim and is known to love Bread Denim. Not familiar with Bread Denim? Come get introduced here.

While the guys love to wear denim, they seem to love designing them even more. Justin Timberlake just launched William Rast, a new denim clothing line he co-created with best friend/business partner Trace Ayala. While Tommy Lee’s tattoo’s were the inspiration for People’s Liberation September launch of “PL for TL” collection at Bloomingdale’s.

Do you have a love affair with denim? Which celebrity do you feel has the best taste in denim?

October 31, 2006

Site Of The Week: Ralph Fallon Custom Home Builder Serviceing The Elite

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Ralph Falon Builders
: At first glance, Fallonbuilders.com looks like a typical offering of Who We Are and What We Do. But instead of a copy-intensive approach it, like many architectural sites, relies on photography to tell the story of this builder’s work. The focus of the site is a 172-image gallery of notable projects. It’s an easy to update, XML-driven and -tagged compilation of photos with a related hierarchical format that connects project attributes. Because the result is the creation of unique, on-the-fly galleries (similar to Flikr and del.icio.us) it offers an interesting and engaging way for visitors to browse. And, because the content is easily updatable, it consistently offers an accurate representation of the company and its craft.

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With its gallery-like presence, it’s neither superfluous nor trendy. It’s a great example of how to use simple and contemporary technology to create a unique experience for a small, niche business.

Dan Coe, creative director
Dave Snowball, interface designer
Mark Potnick, Flash developer
Coexist, site design and development

Jewelry Deco Decadence: Glitz, Glamour and Gin – Accessorize In Art Deco

Opulent, sophisticated, romantic, glitzy, glamorous – Art Deco style epitomizes a sense of youthful and lavish aspirations. The style was bold and beautiful with a sense of sophistcated geometric order; it pushed the limits in it's day as ultra modern and today the hot style being very popular with celebrities and jewelry collectors.

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It has always been, in terms of design, architecture, fashion, etc., among my favorite periods. That said, I am ecstatic this season’s jewelry and accessory trends seem to be taking cue from the art deco, Jazz Age with daring geometric lines and angular shapes, brilliant opaque stones, and plenty of crystal and black lustery detail.

Even the November cover of W Jewelry features a model with a bold 1920s-esque bob. While platinum blond, she could certainly be the striking, edgier 2006 version of Louise Brooks. The November issue of Elle Accessories featured more razzle dazzle deco details than I’ve seen in quite some time. It made me dizzy. I loved it.

Continue reading "Jewelry Deco Decadence: Glitz, Glamour and Gin – Accessorize In Art Deco " »

Pet Care & Luxury Services For Animals: A Rapidly Growing Industry For The Creature Comfort Lifestyle

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The Pet Care industry has been growing rapidly in recent years. The way we treat our pets is mirrored through celebrities such as Paris Hilton, among others, who clothe and pamper their precious pets. No more sleeping on the floor, it’s a posh doggie bed for Fido.

Pets are beginning to be treated more like people then ever before, bringing true meaning to “Man’s best friend.” It seems as we change over to a more healthy lifestyle with better diet and eating habits, so has the way we feed our pets changed. Simple dog food like Pedigree is no longer the only way, but instead it is being replaced with healthier nutritious brands like Beneful or Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance. My two Parson Russell’s (formerly called Jack Russell’s), it’s the Raw Food Diet.

It doesn't stop at dog food. Whiskers, a holistic pet care retail store makes deliveries of formaldehyde free rawhide chews, toys, bedding and vitamins. That's just the beginning. As you want to look your best each day, you also want to take pride in your pet’s appearance. Trips to Petco for your pet’s grooming is no longer just considered a luxury, but now a lifestyle.

Continue reading "Pet Care & Luxury Services For Animals: A Rapidly Growing Industry For The Creature Comfort Lifestyle" »

Counterfeit Nation: Are Your Cosmetics, Prescriptions, Batteries Real, Of High Quality And Safe?

How many of you have purchased something that was a knock off? I admit it, I purchased knock off Chanel sunglasses this past summer from a vendor next to me at a local fair. Imagine my surprise when I came across this blog and the video it shows.

The buying and selling of counterfeit products is costing American businesses $200-$250 Billion dollars a year and the loss of 750,000 jobs according to The U.S. Chamber of Commerce. This is not only the knock off of sunglasses, purses and watches you can find on any New York City street corner, but it also carries over into cosmetics, movies, music and even clothing and footwear like Air Jordans.

Continue reading "Counterfeit Nation: Are Your Cosmetics, Prescriptions, Batteries Real, Of High Quality And Safe?" »

Russ Fons Writes An Ugly Press Release On Beauty Cosmetic Brand Clarins, Perfect for Halloween Night, Booooooo!

I have been in the beauty industry for about 12 years and doing beauty pr for about 7 years. And in all of my years of experience with press releases especially those that that go out on the wire I have never ever seen one as damaging as the one that Russ Fons PR in Las Vegas ran today about their client; National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation (NTEF) and their opinion on Clarins Cosmetics. You can view the horrific release here.

In this release the NTEF states in great detail on the extensive damage and misleading labels of the Clarins brand, so they claim.

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What’s odd though is that John Sheppard the director of the foundation states that you are putting your health at risk if you use these products. I don’t know about you but I see a huge lawsuit taking place from Clarins. I am sure executives at Clairns are beyond miffed about this release. What’s even odder is that all of the ingredients used by Clarins are found in most other top selling brands. One would assume that NTEF is crucifying Clarins based on a personal agenda and not on logic.

However was John Sheppard not aware that Clarins recently acquired Kibio an organic skin care manufacture who has gone into negotiations on creating new products together? I posted about this on my other blog a few weeks back. You can view that post here.

Continue reading "Russ Fons Writes An Ugly Press Release On Beauty Cosmetic Brand Clarins, Perfect for Halloween Night, Booooooo!" »

November 1, 2006

What We're Talking About Around The Water Cooler

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Life Clever (tips fro design & life) by Chanpory Rith: 5 Writing Tips That Don't Suck (via) Copyblogger

A PR Guru's Musings: Q&A on innovations in public relations

John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing "Longs for a good publicity stunt"

BusinessWeek.com: Wal-Mart: A "Reputation Crises" The giant retailer has been trying hard to improve its image and reignite sales

Idea Grove: Introducing Spin Thicket: Media Orchard "Easier way to keep up with the news"

Eric Eggertson:
Mutually Inclusive PR
and Strumpette: Backlash Against Crayon's Second Life Launch

Celebrity Politics: Reaching The People Effectively?

For a long while celebrities have been pretty vocal about their political beliefs. They are not strangers to being used by both political parties to taunt their positions or to help in raising money for their party through their celebrity clout.

Some say that celebrities and politics don’t mix. After reading a recent article by Jeff Davidson on TMZ.com, 90% of me agrees. Many celebrities put their faces in commercials or join a campaign to tell people to vote. Yet, one celebrity in the 2004 Vote or Die campaign turned out to be all lip service. Or there are those who threaten leaving the country if a political figure is re-elected; remember Alec Baldwin? That is what bothers me the most. Celebrities who talk and talk and won’t shut up (and then make money off of their chattering) or those who take a punch during a concert, but quite honestly don’t do a darn thing to help foster change. Am I alone in this annoyance?

Continue reading "Celebrity Politics: Reaching The People Effectively?" »

Nature's Perfect Design, Pearls: Classic, Elegant, Simple

Pearls Of Joy is considering an update of it's header. I can relate to this as I am in need of some updating on my other blogs. Which header do you like best and why? (Vote by commenting)

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Here is a larger image of version one of pearlsofjoy.com. I like that it's simple and clean, not too "glossy," but I do favor version two, I think it reads better upon quick scanning of the header. They could move that burst in my opinion, perhaps all together and have the 800 number in the blue bar top left, but what do I know?

Don't get me started about pearls, young and old, most of the female population shares the endearment with pearls (men, listen up). I believe it is a right of passage when you are a little girl and get into your mother’s jewelry during dress up. The thing most girls want to wear is a set of pearls. Pearls are classic and refined, but exhume simplicity.

On my wedding day, my mother gave me a set of pearls to wear with my wedding dress. Somehow those pearls just added to the elegance of my dress and made me feel like the little girl playing dress up had now grown up.

As we are now going into Holiday mode, the one thing that comes to mind for dressing up for Holiday parties, is wearing pearls with my outfit. It will take me from my normally casual mom look to an upgrade in style.

Continue reading "Nature's Perfect Design, Pearls: Classic, Elegant, Simple" »

November 2, 2006

Second Life: Do's and Don'ts For Big Business

Still warming up to Second Life? I am asked about it almost daily and wanted to get some basic info posted for those friends who read our blog consistently. Backstory is here. Follow the links.


New World Notes

From April 2003 to February 2006, I was a contract writer for Linden Lab, creators of Second Life, primarily hired by the company to cover SL as an embedded journalist in an emerging society-- its controversies, its personalities, its innovations and ambitions, along with larger themes of identity, social norms and organization, and cultural expression important to online worlds in general.

That contractual relationship has ended, but the story continues here. -Wagner James Au

Second Thoughts Do's and Dont's for Big Business.

"Every human being is interested in two kinds of worlds: the Primary, everyday world which he knows through his senses, and a Secondary world or worlds which he not only can create in his imagination, but which he cannot stop himself creating." W.H. Auden

Second Life Herald The Second Life Herald was founded on October 23, 2003, by philosophy professor Peter Ludlow. Its mission, as described the next day, was to observe, record and study "the legal, social, and economic implications" of life in the virtual world. Originally established as the Alphaville Herald and reporting for the most part on life on the Alphaville server of The Sims Online, the Herald soon branched out into coverage of other massively multiplayer online games and virtual worlds -- helped along by the murder of Herald publisher Urizenus (Ludlow's avatar) after Electronic Arts got wind of the stories the newspaper was printing about the scams and cyber-prostitution that were taking place within its game, and the company's indifference to reports of real-world violence.

BreastImplants411.com Not Breast Implants 911! Setting the standard for quality care

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As evidenced by the men in the Wonderbra ad below and the prevalence of super-sized products in the US, Americans often believe that bigger is better. I think at some point all women have thought about breast augmentation, even it was a momentary thought. There are many different breast procedures. Some women only want breast implants while others are looking for a reduction or a breast lift that will create a youthful appearance. Some women consider breast implants to be a necessity and not a matter of enhancing natural given assets.

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Back when I was in high school, I toyed with the idea of a breast reduction. Kids often made fun of me in high school, which lowered my self-esteem. A few seniors called me out by one of my nicknames, “Twin Peaks,” in my high school yearbook. Funny how something that happened 14 years ago can still affect you.

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While I never went through with a breast reduction, a few women in my family did. They were inherently unhappy with the way they looked and it affected them emotionally for years. Once they had their augmentation, it was as if their real self was revealed. They no longer lived in the shadow of their chest size. Their burden was lifted once and for all.

No matter the reason for a reduction or implant, you hear stories from women far and wide about their experience with their surgeons. While there are success stories, it is the disastrous, life-altering surgeries gone wrong that seem to have the greatest impact.

David Dean began BreastImplants411.com (you can read more about David’s story here) because of two unsuccessful breast augmentation procedures performed on his mother. He started his site to help women find qualified surgeons and make informed decisions about their breast surgery. This site has now become the #1 source for women looking to learn more about breast augmentation.

Continue reading "BreastImplants411.com Not Breast Implants 911! Setting the standard for quality care" »

It's Almost Christmas, High Holidays In The Horizon -I'm Going To Need A Vacation!

When was the last time you went on a vacation? A vacation from your vacation does not count. For my family and me it was in July of 2001, which seems like ages ago. We went to Nova Scotia, which was phenomenal, but a little exhausting from planning all of our own activities.

Another vacation of sorts that brings back memories is my honeymoon to the Pocono Mountains. It was a disaster in the making when the h