Halloween 2011: The Night of the Living Sheen
Trick-or-Treaters can never go wrong with a ghost costume fashioned from a thrifted bed sheet or older brother’s graduation frock and a purchased witch hat. Along with perennial classics, each new crop of Halloween costumes brings a new slew of nods to recently-at-the-movies superheros and topical references.
What is everyone wearing this year?
According to the news on the street, which is every Reuters and AP press release, the guy at the local shoe repair shop and a gent overheard at the local pub, among the top three predictable or unusual trends are as follows:
1) Zombies. Did I even have to mention this one? Zombies are the new vampires–well, not exactly “new” anymore, but these things take time… (Speaking of vampires, you apparently have to have “Team Edward” moussed hair these days. A classic Drac with 1,000 pounds of gel doesn’t seem to cut it anymore. Team Bela! No, kids that is NOT a typo.)
2) Charlie Sheen. Really. No “I have dark brown hair so I am going as myself” cop outs. You really have to “sell” this one. The shirt has to be right, a bottle of Tiger Blood ale and perhaps even a thought bubble to carry around with a Sheen-ism. Sadly, you can actually buy a premade Sheen costume and this wouldn’t merely be among the Adult Halloween Costumes for a grownup party, as your 12 year old is on Twitter.
Lady Gaga would be another choice celebrity getup, because you could dress like Carmen Miranda or a telephone and everyone will think you are going for Gaga anyways.
3) Smurfs. This time, Smurfs aren’t only aKids Halloween Costumes a la 1984, but for adults, too. For toddlers, its adorable. The jury is out on Uncle Sid.
Are you dressing up this year, or are your day to day duds scary enough?
Uncategorized | Comment (0)Hit the Freezer Aisle for the Next Three Martini Lunch
This post brought to you by T.G.I. FRiDAY'S. All opinions are 100% mine.
A few weeks ago, there was no posh piano bar with a WiFi signal at 11:00 at night, so I unspiffed myself and limbered down to the local donut shop incognito to take advantage of those laser beams when my signal conked out. Two gentlemen were talking in booming tones about the inner workings of a new health center opening up. Why would one want to divulge the secret budgets in public like that? Anyway, the consumables included a coffee or two, several scoops of ice cream and half a salad. Way back in the cobwebs, memories of uncles and cousins entertaining customers at three-martini lunches seem like something out of Mad Men. Even ten years ago, it was at least T.G.I.Friday's instead of the Steakhouse or the Shake-It Bar.
Now, the budget is even more paltry if deals are made over donuts. Why not trick your potential business partners? T.G.I.Friday's now has dinners in the freezer section of the grocery store. You could buy Styrofoam take out boxes and meanwhile heat up some T.G.I. FRiDAY’S “Entrées for One” in the back. Simply plate them and act as if you are trying to hide the boxes, and guests will think that you spent a lot of green at the restaurant and took the care to order each person something to their individual taste. After all, you can't get Cajun Alfredo from a can. How very thoughtful of you!
All you thoughtful folks can hurry up and vote inr the Fun Freezer contest. Entrants have gussied up their freezer or entire fridge with a theme – from the post it note mosaics to a head to toe end zone theme. While I don't doubt your 50s Frigidaire or your Harvest Gold from Grandma is cool, these are a lot of fun to look at.
Win a $500 Suiting Makeover
This post brought to you by Express. All opinions are 100% mine.
While many of you prefer to hunt thrifts and vintage shops for classic suits from the 40s through early 60s, sometimes you just have to break down and buy something new off the rack. This was particularly true when the first "grownup" job came my way. It was great at first to wear classic clothing, but when the wear or tear of suits five days a week was realized, a new suit came into the closet.
Old wool is infinitely sturdy and cleanable, but a bout with correction fluid was enough to change my mind on using my favorites as work horses. Sure, for important occasion and client meetings, but not for day to day. The dress code seems to have relaxed, but there is still a need periodically to find something that is currently trendy without worrying about doing it in.
I miss, in some ways, getting up and tossing on a suit in the morning just because it was such a "no brainer." The real thinking that went into coordinating yourself happened when you purchased the items to go with each other. Surely different accessories were rotated in and weeded out, but there was a canvas for it all (whether we are talking women's or men's suits), and surely the jacket style was updated periodically if you did not opt for timeless classics. Even timeless classics change. There was not the guess work that goes in to creating a look that is smart, but casual, but doesn't look like you thought too much about it
Need a spruce up? Those folks at Express are having yet another opportunity to distribute a major clothing prize. The winner will receive $500 in suiting. How's that for a quick makeover? It seems right now that with the slim fits, folks who like the slimmer three button suits of the early 60s – very Mad Men. Enter the Express sweepstakes and try one on, or do I have to twist your arm?
Which style of suit do you favor the most? Do you still wear suits to work? If so are you the lone rogue in a casual office? Or are you usually all about denim and only don one on a special occasion, such as your own wedding? Maybe you are the type that transforms themselves in the evening for the piano bar. Comment and let me know.
Toms: An Internet Success Story for a Cause
The shoe manufacturer, Toms has run a campaign to donate a pair of shoes to a child in need for every shoe that a paying customer buys. During their first year of operation, they sold 10,000 pair of shoes, and donated 10,000. Not too shabby! However with good, search engine optimization, including a robust Twitter presence, Tom’s donated one MILLION pairs of shoes to children in 23 countries. Similar success was repeated by One Hope Wine.
Via: Wpromote
Its amazing what can be done with just one shoe purchase or the click of the “Like” button. It seems that internet campaigns are replacing the old fashioned act of going door to door to neighbors to collect funds for a cause. It seems so much easier to raise funds for a cause when the individual would purchase the clothing anyway, but might choose to buy sooner for the cause. What do you think about promoting a cause with your wares
One might say that Tom’s is a large operation and “my little shop needs to be known as the ‘best kept secret.’ I could never handle it.” Well, it is all relative. If you did just a little to increase your linkage and presence, a little shop that sells 3 items a month could sell even 10 items a month…you never know!
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