Save on or Snag an Ugg (Discount. Win.)
(At left: Goldfinger—or Lady Gaga— would approve. A Gold Ugg Boot. )
Just a Swatch is to a Watch, Uggs is to an Ugg. That doesn’t make sense, does it? Don’t I mean “like Uggs is to boots?” Recently, I learned that an “Ugg” is a traditional style of boot hailing from Australia and New Zealand. Uggs® brand makes the style of boot and has registered the plural form, and did not “invent” them. They popularized them, and now interpret them in many other ways. So, what are “real” Ugg Boots. Well, a real Uggs® boot is made by Uggs®. A real ugg boot can be made by a number of companies or can be made traditionally. There are multiple companies that make this traditional style of boot that was co-opted by mass production. Whooga is one such company that manufacturers the boots. Although the boots are no longer made by cobblers in the Kiwi or Aussie countryside, the linings are still New Zealand Merino wool.
Want to compare for yourself? Whooga is offering VintageGent Readers 10% off through November 25th if you use coupon code 862VINTAGE when checking out. This is not limited to American or British Readers. Whooga ships internationally. Good on any boot. . Click on the photos for additional colors and options.
Just a word to the wise: Measure your foot in centimeters to arrive at your size. Measure from the back of the heel to the tip of your longest toe.
In addition, one pair of boots are being given away at the end of every month. To enter, simply sign up for the Whooga newsletter.. It is free to enter. However, to ensure that you receive a pair of boots, take advantage of the discount to snag a few Christmas gifts and if you win, expand your wardrobe!
If you order a pair of boots or win, let me know what you think.
contests!, modern fashion | Comment (1)The King of Cannes…Could It Be You?
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of goviral. All opinions are 100% mine.
Millionaire French socialite Jacques D’Azur has been a fixture at Cannes for decades thanks to his Dorian Gray-like painting in his sitting room. Never heard of him? This influential gent has quietly inspired European taste and fashion for over four decades and was even rumored to have a new suit tailored in his hotel suite nightly. D’Azure is far from a wannabe in the cinema industry. Many cinematic legends attempted to muscle each other out to be right by his side, and modern folklore suggests that he is the father of the in-flight movie. Several decades ago, D’Azur brought his personal projector on board and the rest is history.
Sadly, this year, there will be no Jacques. His last transmission came from somewhere near Tahiti. Declared deceased by the French government, D’Azur left behind a fortune. Now, an heir is being sought. If selected as D’Azur’s heir, you will step into his shoes for one weekend.
Step out of a helicopter in a tailored suit, retire to a room at a five star hotel and enjoy first class travel to your destination at the renowned film festival. The good folks at Belgian brewer Stella Artois would be pleased to grant this dream weekend to a lucky entrant. A stipulated in D’Azur’s will, any eligible individual could be named. It could even be you, if you put your name up for consideration, that is?
If you were chosen for the luxury trip to the Cannes Film Festival, what would you do? Pass out. No, I mean what would you do while you were there? Would you quietly sit back and “people watch?” Your helicopter arrival and short walk to your quarters would make it difficult to fly under the radar. You might cause a ripple with the paparazzi who would flock just imagining that you must be someone to watch.
Slipping and Sliding to Vegas
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of KAO Brands. All opinions are 100% mine.
The Temptation is Beautiful Sweepstakes is afoot, and KAO brands is giving away a trip to Las Vegas for one lucky entrant and their three best friends. They cannot guarantee that you will be best friends upon your return. Perhaps it would be best to choose three strangers to go with you in that case. KAO brought us products such as Curel and Jergens creams. It amazes me how many formulations and brands of hand and body lotions there are.
In his book of wit and wisdom, Michael J. Nelson addresses his wife’s well stocked cabinet of creams and gels in the essay “Moist As I Want to Be:”
Only because I was absolutely certain she wouldn’t mind, I recently waited until she was gone, dug through the bathroom cabinets, and took out all moisturizers, creams, unguents, lotions, salves, humectants, ointments, cerates, oils, cosmetics, epithems, embrocations, liniments, and depilatories of a woman who loves in my house (who may or may not be my wife–I shall not disclose her identity). There were approximately thirty-six pounds of “4-in-1 moisturizing cleansers with hydrospheres” alone. Land sakes, how moist does this woman who lives in my house want to be? Is there a point at which you can soften yourself to death?
- Michael J. Nelson, Mind Over Matters
I never believed that softening oneself to death was possible, but Nelson has opened my eyes to the reality. There are folks with serious skin conditions, but barring that, are we all just working to achieve the goal of slipping under doors a la Flat Stanley? While you figure that out, might as well enter the Temptation is Beautiful sweepstakes. If you don’t win the trip, you could potentially win….even more lotions and cream. Therefore, you will truly be able to test the theory if endangerment from being too softened is possible. There is a quiz on the site to determine your temptation style. Are you as cool as a cucumber or are you hot, hot, hot? It doesn’t answer my previous question, but if we are all aware of our relative hotness or coolness, maybe it will help us determine if we need more or less lotion, whether you are a gal or a dude.
Of course, I had to play with it. I guess I am cool as a cucumber. Maybe that’s why I had few dates in college. I wore my Sunglasses at Night. I had a smile that looked either indifferent or botoxed…
Win a Pizza! It’s Pizza Day at VintageGent
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Tony’s Pizza. All opinions are 100% mine.
Ah, remember the halcyon days of grade school, when you were shoved off the gymnasium floor to make room for lunch? The basketball hoop was cranked up and the magical little window cranked open. Voila! Instant cafeteria. Perhaps you were one of those folks who went to the “big school” and the lunch room was only used for…well…lunch. Either way, either you brown bagged it or ate Salisbury Steak. Of course, sometimes Pizza Day happened. It was always on a Friday. For some odd reason, we were a bit crazier on Pizza Days. Was it something in the pizza, or was it because we felt that somehow we were double crossing the teachers by being able to have it? The Pizza riot usually coincided with jeans day, so perhaps denim was the explanation.
My intimate relationship with premade pizzas continued at home. It was a huge deal to go 45 minutes into the city to eat pizza. There was no pizza place in town. In fact, there was no nothing in town. The only place to dine was at the ice cream parlor, and that didn’t work if you were lactose intolerant or wanted more than one food group, so the default pizza came on a cardboard backing and was wrapped in plastic. Mom had to hurry home from the grocery store before the 1/16″ thick pie thawed.
I have moved about and even once lived in an apartment directly above a pizza place, but there is a certain nostalgia for the pre-made pies. When I had a chance to try Tony’s Pizza, I was a bit skeptical to read that it had no trans fats. Even so, isn’t the whole point of eating a frozen pizza not to even think about what’s in it? It would defeat the purpose entirely. Still, it brought me back to memory lane due to its strange shape. It is not square, nor round. Or, I can consider it “square with a beveled edge.” Schools have always been full of awkwardly shaped food items. Remember the Spork?
At any rate, I am giving away several coupons to try a Crispy Crust Tony’s Pizza for free. These aren’t the huge ones, but are the right size for 2 people or one really hungry person.
All you have to do to win is leave a comment on this blog (special gold stars for anyone who wants to share their pizza or cafeteria food memories). You will get your name put in the hat one more time if you Twitter about this contest, using a link to this post. I have a couple of certificates to give away, so step right up while the pizza’s hot.
I’ll make it even easier for you. Here is a short link to use to direct folks to enter and win! http://tinyurl.com/winapizza
I Was Once a Boogie Singer…
This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Popstation. All opinions are 100% mine.
Remember back in the day when you didn’t have to be under 29, you didn’t have to “look like the whole package,” and you didn’t have to stand in line at a stadium hoping to be chosen to be on a reality show to be plucked from obscurity? Where are those shows like the 80s Puttin on the Hits where you could be an average person? (At left, a scene from a 1985 reenactment of the Jett’s “I’ve Got a Crush on You” by the thrilling combination of Stacy, Debbie, and Stacy!) Oh, yeah, and you didn’t have to sing either, you just had to be very good at lip synching. Sorry, those days are gone.
Well, the part about being a regular person with no connections still works in the PopStation contest. You can win without flying to any major metropolitan area. The winner wins a stay at a ritzy hotel in New York City and several days in a recording studio laying down some tracks on your very own album. Those who end up in the Top 100 will also win digital plaques to show everyone on Pop Station how popular your “record” was.
How do you enter? Well, there is something called the practice rooms. You can see lyrics and hear music on your computer, then you can download the Popstation Studio Software and you can record yourself singing the song and making it your own. People from all across the internet who register for Popstation can vote for you. So make it good! I almost forgot, you have to upload the song, and then watch it climb the charts. Publish your own press releases and see your fanbase skyrocket.
You don’t need elaborate props like the “Lion Sleeps Tonight” guy, because no one can see you perform. Of course, unless you put yourself on your album cover. Then they still can’t see you perform, but you could wear a pith hat if you like for whatever foolish reason.
If you enter the contest, write and tell me about it. I’d love to tell my readers to check out your tune!
Cell Phone Cases: The Fashion Swiss Army Knife?
(Here is a great chance to win a prize, ladies and gents. Read on for more details!)
Lately, my cell phone has been causing me a few wardrobe malfunctions. No! That’s not what I mean. It doesn’t have anything to do with the age inappropriate exposure of body parts. It has everything to do with utter fashion failure. I have been trying not to put it in my back pocket. I heard that it could cause my hips to be out of alignment when sitting on it, just like the big Back Pocket Wallet Fear of 1995, which I am pretty sure was started by chiropractors. Instead of shoving it in a back pocket, and insuring me a future with a cane, I have been alternately putting it my jacket pocket, coat pocket, or attache’.
This is all fine and good, until the phone actually rings. We had a cold snap last week, and I was so insulated that I didn’t hear it ring until the fourth ring. My phone actually croaked. I am trying out the “Froggy Night” ring town, so it is literally true. To free it, I pulled the zipper for my winter coat pocket off its track. Totally bustified. The fabric was not only caught, but the zipper separated.
Luckily, I was selected to test out some nifty products from foneGear. I am testing out one of the snazzy cell phone cases with a clip on it. I can clip it to my belt, waist of my pants, pockets, or put it on the strap of a bag if I really wanted to. I was impressed by a few of the features and confused by others. There is no flap to cover the top of the phone, and I was a little perplexed by that. The design is a bit different in that it holds it in quite snugly, so a closure is not needed. I flipped it up and down, and it still did not come out until I pulled it out. Bonus points there.
The other interesting feature is the texture. It is sort of a rubberized texture that harkens to mind a football. It may seem superfluous, but I found that the added texture made it easier to handle. If you choose to plunk your phone into the cavernous wasteland of your desk, attache’, or handbag, you will be able to fish it out quickly amid a sea of smooth and slick technology cases. I think I can use this for business cards and pens, too. It can be used for just about anything.
What I did find a little cumbersome, is that I managed to knock the whole thing off of my pocket when I pulled an over shirt down. The cell phone stayed secure, but the clip and all ended up on the ground. I suggest that you pull your sweater, sweater, or jacket over it, versus having the garment resting on top of it. Don’t worry, you will get to the cell phone quick enough without having all of your garments puckered around it so the world can see it. Whoever decided that cell phone cases should be worn like a police badge needs a review. Since everyone seems to have one now, you don’t need to advertise it.
The only true downside is that the Lions really stink. It is not foneGear’s fault. I chose a Detroit Lions phone case because I always am on the side of the underdog. Also, they are from my home town and I would probably get jumped by family members if I was going to use a clip that supported. Maybe if the Lions bought these cases for $12.99 instead of what they are using, they might save enough money to take some motivational classes.
I also found a University of Michigan model, and I snagged a U of M camera case. I was impressed with the sturdy construction of the case. It was not a flimsy, shapeless affair that I would expect. A semi rigid shape tends to protect a camera better. This would also be a great thing to clip to your belt and take into the movie theater. You could pack up your malt balls, M&Ms, or other confections into a plastic bag and no one would be the wiser as you crunch away. Am I suggesting illegal activity? I didn’t tell you to put the plastic bag inside the camera case, did I? Any conclusions you make are your own.
Right now, all of my attentive and charming readers can try one out for themselves. A fantastic foneGear prize package is being given away, and one of you will win one! They not only have great cell phone holsters and camera cases, but laptop sleeves, chargers, and more. You can be boring and just get solid colors, or you can show your team spirit with NASCAR, NFL, NBA, and Professional Bull Rider’s merchandise. You will win a prize back valued at $45.00, and you will be able to choose your favorite team. There is nothing barring you from choosing your least favorite team, but you probably don’t want to.
TO ENTER:
Follow @fonegear on Twitter and Tweet out a message containing your favorite NFL or NCAA team, the hashtag #foneGEAR and a link back to this post. The post url is http://vintagegent.com/2009/11/02/cell-phone-cases-the-fashion-swiss-army-knife/. That is pretty long, but you can use this short cut: http://tinyurl.com/vintagegent.
The contest ends 11:59 p.m. EST on November 24, 2009, according to the official rules . Entries will not count after this time. In other words, your Fairy Godmother would have turned you back into a pumpkin and your chance will go poof. Good luck!
Lose Those Trashy Trends
LG is throwing down a challenge on their LG Bliss Facebook Fan Page. They are looking for you to “drop off” the most hideously ugly things that you are brave enough to upload a photo of that are currently in your life. In exchange, you will be entered to win a $50 gift card or a new LG Bliss phone. There will five individuals who will win the phone, and fifty second place winners who will win gift cards. Either way, it seems like a sweet deal to me.
One suggestion they make is to upload Ugly-mobiles that are making a “nonstop trip to ugly town,” mutant macines (outdated, hideous electronics), and my favorite, Trashy Trends (fabulously ugly fashion.) Unfortunately, I was not particularly trendy during the 1980s, a decade ripe for potentially poorly fashion choices, particularly because I favored looking for unfashionable 1940s clothing at the local thrift. In this case, I would envy my friends who were fashion victims, and decided that Flock of Seagulls hair was the way to go. They would have a winning photo for sure.
A few years ago, I came across this 70s fashion photo for Mr. Wrangler. Too bad I didn’t keep the whole magazine, but I had found it damaged beyond repair. I scanned the ad to save it for posterity. The gentleman on the right needs no words to elaborate on that look. I keep wondering if the man on the left stole someone’s boots, cut the shafts off and sewed them to his pants. I was wondering if this would qualify, and the rules say I can upload “anything” I find ugly, so I can! Of course, some of you may disagree and say these guys are the epitome of hip. Well, the hip of yesteryear can be the ugly of today.
You can only enter once per Facebook account. In other words, think long and hard and make it good! Contest ends November 6, 2009. Entries are not limited to images; you can upload a video if you prefer. Ugly is in the eye of the beholder, but images of violence or related “ugly behavior” will be disqualified.
If you enter and use a bad judgement of fashion, let me know. I would love to see it. Let me know if I can only look at it in a reflection like an encounter with Medusa, the poster child for ugly itself, or do I dare look at it straight on?
The Rules Aren’t Hazy, Only the Vision
Lasik eye surgery has been around for quite awhile now. In fact, clinics have been performing it for over a decade. Not everyone jumped on the bandwagon. The appeal to the individuals who had it done was getting rid of their glasses. The same reason was what kept some people I knew away from it. They saw it just as a vanity expense. Nowadays, the way technology has changed, many people who were out of the correctable range of vision are finding benefit from it.
By the way, if you think you have a vision problem because clips on TV of Barbara Walters or Barbra Streisand are blurry, you might have perfect vision. A dab of vaseline or a filter was put on the lens to give them a gaussian, wrinkle free blur. Please change the channel to determine if you should see a doctor.
They have contests for everything these days. Would you believe there is an iLASIK Video Contest, where the grand prize is $5,000. Since they can’t really give away a surgery because they can’t guarantee the winner would be medically eligible, you could definitely put the money towards the surgery if you wanted. Three 1st place winners will receive a $2,500 HDTV package. Three 2nd place winners will receive the Flip UltraHD™video camera.
The categories are as follows:
• “My contacts are getting in the way of my good time”
• “My favorite sport or activity would be so much cooler with better vision”
• “You should see life after the iLASIK® Procedure”
Once you make and submit a video, get your friends to vote. If you enter, be sure to leave me a comment, so I can watch it and cheer you on.
Enter to Win a Laptop Everyday
Even if I am a bit old fashioned, I still do something pretty new fashioned. I blog. Unfortunately, my journal doesn’t automatically transfer to the screen. I wish it did. So, I come home and tap away on the keyboard. Sometimes I wish I had a laptop, so I could just sit down and pound the keys whenever inspiration strikes. Right now, it is not in the cards. Maybe if I win the Laptop-a-Day Sweepstakes at Charter.net, my luck will change. Of course, I would actually have to enter to win, now wouldn’t I?
The contest runs through September 15, and it would be foolish to procrastinate, wouldn’t it? The conclusion is a long time off, but since you can enter more than once, it makes sense to do it right this second. And in another second on a different day. You don’t need to sign up for service right now to enter, but you do have to be in Charter’s service area. I was surprised when I typed in my zip and address that I was eligible. See, that means I am destined to win, right? Luckily, you and I can both win, as they pick a new winner every day, so I won’t be greedy. There are other prizes, such as $25-100 gift cards, too.
Charter.net has given away hybrid cars and gaming systems before, you never know what will be next. You can be a fan of Charter on Facebook to stay closer in the loop. What self respecting technology oriented company wouldn’t be on Twitter? You can follow Charter on Twitter, too.
By the way, just because this is a “Back2School” promotion does not mean that you can sign up your preschooler to get a better chance. The winner must be 18 years or older at the time of the contest. So, mom and dad, you have to be the ones to enter. You can let your child use it, though I am sure once you get it, you’ll want it all to yourself. Of course, it is ladylike and gentlemanly to share. However, they should go outside and play, anyhow, right?
New Line and Free Jeans from Armani Exchange
Do you want free jeans? I need to twist your arm, right? Armani Exchange is running a promotion. One pair of jeans will be given away per day in July when you text A|X>. Simply text “DENIM2″ to ARMANI (276264) and you will be in the running. With my luck, I won’t win a darn thing. If you are like me, you will buy jeans anyhow and if you win, it is a pleasant bonus.
Recently, Armani Exchange introduced a new line of Premium Denim starting at $98.00. There are classic looks, as well as styles that you can be sure your friends won’t have. I am glad that designers are finally offering an alternative to jeans that look like you have been dragged behind the southbound end of a northbound horse. Sure, you can get that if you like, but there are other options now. At left, we see the new painted style. The painted jeans are not what was offered a few years ago, when you saw flames or hearts. These are more textural. I still think the jeans give you people the impression that you were in a chemical spill, but then I can be a fuddy duddy sometimes.
At center, is a most unusual ladies style called the “Harem Jean.” They are a variation on the capri, as they are much shorter and feature a faux blouson effect. The VintageGent-ette believes they were made for no one except gals who have skinny legs. Otherwise, they may cut you off and make your legs look shorter than they are, perhaps. Just wear them with an open backed shoe versus tennis shoes. At right, is the J65, the Overdyed Zipper Straight Leg. They grind the jeans to create some of the effects. It will set you back about $145.00, but features an unusual zipper configuration which appeals to the former grunge rocker in me. Truth be told, I was never a grunge rocker. However, I had a particular preference for boots with an infinite number of zippers.
In addition, there is a sale going on where you can afford to buy more jean for your money. However, if the pair you fancy is not on sale, they have another offer. When you buy a non sale item at regular price through July 19th, you will receive a gift card towards a future purchase of $100 or more. You must use the gift certificate between July 30th and August 15th. The offer is both valid in the store and online.
Wanted: YouTube Subscribers. Bounty: $300 Gift Certificate
Remember the club shirts that I posted that said “I Love My Boyfriend” and “I Love My Hubby?” I thought they served two purposes. It is very sweet for ladies to wear them to let the world know about their feelings. It certainly also helps out the guys at the club, so they can avoid rejection and avoid the gals that are definitely not into them and are just out to have a good time. AMI ClubWear, the online store that offers the shirts, is looking for subscribers on YouTube. In fact, they want you to join so much that they are offering you a chance to win a $300 gift certificate for you or your gal!
There are official contest rules. The most important part is that the contest begins at 12:01 a.m. EST on May 28, 2009 and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on June 24, 2009. Although you may, of course, subscribe after that period, you will not be entered into the contest. No one will be notified that their entry is received. Rather, the winner will be notified within three days after the entry period of the contest via email. Also, before I forget: You must be a legal resident of the United States, and be 18 years old or older. International subscribers are most welcome, but you will be ineligible to win.
What would you do with the $300? Certainly, you wouldn’t take a fur coat to Las Vegas like this young lady thought:
Have fun, and check out the AMIClubwear YouTube channel to toss your name in the hat. If you don’t enter, you can’t win!
For Men That Hate Shopping
Just in time for the holiday shopping madness, Sears is competing with the introduction of Sears2Go. Sales updates and the latest deals will be available on your cell phone. There are two ways you can participate. The first is to use your web browser, if enabled, and visit Sears2Go.com directly. The second way is to test SHOP to 73277, and you will get a text message back with the latest specials.
This may seem like a little bit of overload to some people. I, on the other hand, envision this as something that will become very popular with bored men everwhere. Some men love to shop. They are clothes hounds, people watchers, or just like the time hanging around with their favorite gal or to catch up with their family. However, many do NOT like to shop and like to get right to the point to buy what they need. While they are waiting for someone outside a store, they could sit on the bench and find out if what they are looking for is at Sears and then go there next. They can then cut out all the extra time darting in and out of stores in their fruitless search. What’s more is that they may be able to order it right from the bench if they play their cards right. Sounds like a plan.
Win a Bamboo!
When I used to sketch set and costume designs for the theater, I often would use a Wacom tablet. Now, Wacom has come out with something far more sophisticated, the Wacom Bamboo which is much more fluid with translating your actual drawing to your computer screen. Right now, there is a 123rf Search and Win contest where you can win your very own Bamboo. 123rf is a site devoted to royalty free stock images.
Here is how the contest works:
1) Search the site for images you happen to be randomly looking for in 123rf’s vast library of very affordable stock photos.
2) Be on the lookout for a special thumbnail. Completely randomly, lucky winning members of the site will see a thumbnail listing their prize of credits to obtain images on the site or for a Wacom Bamboo. One Bamboo will be given out per day!
There was a contest awhile back to show what the Bamboo can do. This was one of the entries HERE.
Breathtaking, don’t you think? I have sat and watched it work several times now. Imagine what you can produce on the screen directly from your imagination. I can hardly wait to get my hands on one again.
Click the link to check it, register to win…and good luck!
Aspiring Designers: This May Be Your Big Break
Henri Bendel is conducting the famous “Open See” day. Aspiring designers can come from far and wide for a chance!
The official Henri Bendel site says:
Welcome to Open See, Bendel’s legendary designer casting call.
For more than 40 years, Henri Bendel has opened its doors to new and emerging talent from around the world. Open See has launched the careers of countless young creators, including Todd Oldham, Anna Sui, James Purcell, Pamela Dennis, Colette Malouf, and many more.
Held twice a year at Bendel’s Fifth Avenue flagship, admission is open and on a first-come-first-seen basis. Join the excitement! For more information, including the date of our next Open See event, call 212.904.7992.
The next Open See is THIS MONDAY MORNING!
For more information for the event at the 5th Avenue store, call the above number or CLICK HERE.
contests! | Comment (1)Bald is Beauitful…And Profitable
Have you ever wanted to emblazon a corporate trademark on your body? You do? Well, here is your chance!
Air New Zealand is looking for thirty adults to become cranial billboards to tell people all about life-changing journeys to New Zealand. The first criteria is that you have to be an adult. Otherwise, you will really have something to talk to your parents about later. Secondly, you have to be willing to shave your head and tattoo a little ditty about www.airnewzealand.com on the back of it. You won’t get to make up your own, of course. On the contrary you will have to choose whatever the marketing department decides is best.
I am not sure what the other criteria will be as far as it coming down to the shape of the head, the attractiveness of the person, or if they will choose the oddest looking ones.
New Zealand has beautiful rolling hills, sheeps, goats, kiwis, maybe a unicorn, and, of course, lots of Hobbits.
Who would we like to see walking around Los Angeles? William Shatner. We all know he wears a hair piece. Why doesn’t he just admit it? He admits it because we know, but he has never appeared bald in any publication, film, or appearance that we know about. I guess he is not a method actor.
contests! | Comment (0)
