Cubicle Downtime

Health, Fitness, Fashion, Celebrities and More!

Thursday, June 29, 2006

Thank You Britney!

For all the young people out there starving themselves, constantly working out, and undergoing surgical means to create and maintain a body like the stars has to check out the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar with a pregnant Britney Spears on the cover. Because of the numerous paparazzi shots taken of her everyday, we all know what she currently looks like. Most of us also saw her recent interview with Matt Lauer, looking like a train wreck; and now just weeks later she comes out with an amazing cover photo in Harper’s Bazaar magazine. Hmmmm… does anyone else see that this is just plain proof of the miracle of airbrushing and touch ups done everyday to normal people, making them look like superstars? I truly hope that our youth will look at this and realize that these glamorous stars are regular people just like us and do not need to kill themselves trying to look and act like them. Thank you Britney Spears for finally doing something correct for the youth of America even though it meant posing naked on the cover a magazine. But whatever works, right??

I also think it is safe to mention that Britney really needs to get her own gig and stop following in the footsteps of Demi, Madonna and Angelina but that is a topic for another time...

Tuesday, June 20, 2006

McDonald's is a bad choice

Build-A-Bear launched its latest plan in growing its empire; now deciding to partner with McDonald’s and provide its Build-A-Bear product in the McDonald’s happy meals. When I heard about this I was completely appalled! How can a business that prides itself on “improving communities and impacting lives through partnerships that support causes that help fight illness for children and families”, put its brand next to McDonald’s and help contribute to what is being called a national epidemic in child illnesses?

By offering ELEVEN unique toys, Build-A-Bear is essentially telling children to come to McDonald’s eleven times and eat more hamburgers and fries so that you can obtain a product not found in the stores! Over the last two decades, the number of obese children in America has more than doubled, according to the American Obesity Association, and about 15 percent of U.S. children are obese today. So how could Maxine Clark, the founder who has made such great marketing decisions in the past for her product, go so wrong? I would love to know the rational behind this decision, one that does not include higher profits for the company at the expense of our children’s health…

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Have your 'wedding' cake and eat it too

It is interesting to watch for new ways advertisers are trying to reach their target markets with the advent of TiVo and other technology-driven devices that now enable consumers the option of fast-forwarding and completely ignoring ads. The latest creation to hit the stands - advertisers to sponsor wedding day in front of a cast of thousands.

A marketing-savvy Long Island couple that had always dreamt of having their wedding on the field of a baseball stadium has found a way to accomplish this feat financially by pitching organizations to help them foot the bill, through the purchase of promotional spots and events to happen throughout the day. The wedding will take place on July 8th, immediately following a Brooklyn Cyclones game in front of about 500 guests and up to 8,000 baseball fans.

When I first read this article I was thinking “What a great idea!” To have your wedding at a location you have always wanted at 80 percent off the total cost would be wonderful! Although, the more I think about it the more I think it is a horrible idea, at least for the bride and groom.

Growing up in St. Louis and being an avid baseball fan, I was very excited when our new stadium was completed this year. However, upon entering during the ‘fan appreciation open house’, I was disappointed to see the numerous, over-the-top ads blanketing the stadium. Everywhere you turn there is a new product or service that is featured. To have this as the center of your wedding day would be a nightmare and an eye sore at that! This day is supposed to by about the bride, groom and their loved ones, not about 1-800-FLOWERS, Red Carpet and a host of 8,000 strangers.

The positives to this event are obviously to the companies that are advertising. They are receiving an immense amount of PR leading up to, during, and immediately following the day because of the sheer uniqueness. Even though the target audience of each advertising company may not be in attendance on the July 8th nuptials, they are bound to hear about the company throughout all the wedding day buzz.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Coffee + Alcohol = Healthy Liver

Attention coffee and alcohol lovers! A new research study from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program in Oakland, California reports that drinking coffee cuts the risk of cirrhosis of the liver from alcohol by 22 percent per cup each day! The research indicates there is an ingredient in coffee that protects against cirrhosis, most significantly alcoholic cirrhosis. However, they are unclear as to which ingredient creates the 'protective layer’ on the liver.

So, do you think instead of ordering an orange juice with breakfast for its health benefits we should now be ordering an Irish coffee? What great news for people who like to couple an upper with a downer. What will they come up with next? Maybe the positive health effects of Red Bull....? Stay tuned!

Monday, June 12, 2006

Brokeback Monday

Happy Monday! Out of pure curiosity and after heavily persuading my husband, I finally watched the controversial, award-winning Brokeback Mountain last night. I have to admit that I thought it was a bit anti-climatic. With all of the awards that it won I was really expecting much more, however, as with many of these controversial movies that receive a lot of media attention, this is usually the case. I also consider myself to be quite liberal, but parts of this movie were awfully graphic for my taste. I had a hard time watching Heath and Jake in such explicit, uncharacteristic roles.

With all the controversy surrounding this movie after it was released, it is interesting to note that this week's issue of Entertainment Weekly does not even mention Brokeback as a controversial flick in their list of the 25 most controversial movies of all time. Many of the movies listed, such as Passion of the Christ (number 1) and The Da Vinci Code (number 13), are movies regarding religion. No movies regarding gays and lesbians are listed which is quite surprising given that the launch of this movie was such a pivotal moment in the history of same-sex relationships. I have a feeling this will spark some controversy in itself. It will be very interesting to watch and see.

Sunday, June 11, 2006

Newest Fashion Accessory?

A photo in the June 7th issue of the New York Post shows Lindsey Lohan wearing what I truly hope is not the newest fashion craze. A $700.00 pink Chanel leather 'glovelet’ looks like something from the 1980's Michael Jackson days. Apparently these things will not hit stores until the fall season but are already demanding a large amount of pre-sales activities. Being from the Midwest, I know our region is not on the cutting edge of fashion, but please tell me this is not a trend that will linger for long!

Friday, June 09, 2006

Welcome to Cubicle Downtime!

As part of my limited amount of downtime in everyday life, I have decided to 'jump on the bandwagon' and create a blog of my own to post current updates and trends in fitness, health, fashion, celebrities, and more. As others who know me recognize that I have a sickness of sorts with staying up-to-date on these issues, I am creating a place where I can log all of this useless knowledge I find so fascinating. Somewhere to go during those times on or off the job where you feel like you should be on a Southwest Airlines commercial and you just 'want to get away'. Someplace where you can read some fun, mindless chatter. Come join me on your next bout with cubicle downtime....