Old women, Young men and TVs

Ahhh, caught you looking! While you are here, you might as well read on and share your comments.

If you visit this site often, you will know that we are not afraid to call a spade a spade. We are also not afraid to 'put stuff out there', random thoughts, questions and finds. We try to look at products, services and ideas with an open mind.

If by chance you - reading this - have any influence with marketers, advertisers, agencies, then please, take these thoughts back to your office with you.

As always, there is a reason for today's thoughts. I personally receive and review many magazines and ezine articles. I trend watch, I search, I collect data. The tirade I am about to embark upon began with a bit of fuel from an ad placed in the Saturday edition of our city's paper.

I can only assume that Sony has on their retainer, advertising specialists with a mandate to put more Sony products into the hands of women. This time they are not doing it with pink coloured electronics though, they've gone upscale. Sony is marketing their new BRAVIA LCD TV with the power of female endorsement.

That's right. Sony's newest version of 'pink marketing' (that is ad speak for ploys to get us girls to buy products because they make them pink) is simple, take a full page ad out, use one side to talk tech with the 'guy in our lab' and the other side of the page for the endorsements.

Here is an example: Barbra Atkin, Fashion Director at Holt says 'It's thin, sleek and stylish and adds beauty to my decor'. (just what is she talking about?) Amanda Blakley National Manager of Special Events for Rethink Breast Cancer says 'BRAVIA really brings the in-stadium or front-row experience to your couch while watching anything from sports to fashion shows'. (come on Amanda, how many fashion shows and sporting events do you really watch?) My favorite is from Jane Kerr, Senior Executive of Accenture who says 'BRAVIA HD has transformed the way I watch TV'. (What the heck?) I just don't get it, do you?

I would be willing to bet that Sony dolled out $100,000's of dollars both for these endorsements and for the full page ads. Did they hit the mark? Am I just skeptical? Does it matter to you when you make a big ticket purchase that a woman, selected by the company endorses it? Personally, I think companies need to hire average working women to tell them how to market to our segment. I would also bet that this ad was created by a firm in NYC, predominantly male team, calling themselves 'trendy' and 'in the know'.

Continuing on the subject of marketing to women, I'm going to take a run at a woman's magazine next. (we beat up on the poor boys over at AskMen all the time) This week I picked up a copy of "More". I don't know why, its title was in pink this month - kidding. I'd actually never looked at the mag prior, but caught a title that said 'celebrate your life after 40'. Needless to say, I got my knickers in a knot and paid $5 to take a closer look.

Here's the background. More magazine will be published in Canada starting in the spring of '07, by Transcontinental Media, who have this to say: 'More is the defining magazine of a powerful and empowered generation – a growing community of women over 40 who are more accomplished, more confident, more influential and more resourceful. With features on health, beauty, fashion, food and lifestyle, finance, foreign and national affairs, the arts, travel and more, More gives established women more of what they want to get more out of life.' Currently the magazine is still published by it's source, Meredith Corp. out of Des Moines Iowa.

My gripe about this magazine..... Well first - how many women really want to be reminded that they are over 40? No need to answer that one. How many women want to look like they are over 40? Dido. Now 'More' defiantly pushes the '40' something time of life. Someone want to tell the man to the right that 'he's getting older'? Go ahead and make his day.

As for content, it is pretty diverse. Everything from recipes (as if we have time) to what to do when you are Pink-Slipped after 40. Ads (lots of them) for weight loss solutions, meals in a box, products that lubricate your joints and help you sleep at night oh and we won't forget that unless we invest every penny we have right now, we are likely going to be held up in a hovel by the time we are 60.

I did like some things about this magazine there was the 'Luxe Life' a photo spread about luxury items - I think. Some of the spread showed women (yes, not 12 year old girls made up to look like women) with boobs. No kidding, and arms/legs that were not stick thin. There was another fashion spread on 'accessories', boots, shoes, and belts - pretty to look at though 90% of the pieces featured were way out of the range of most working women (come on, $2900 for a python evening bag).

Overall.... don't waste your $5! It reminds me of Oprah's magazine without the content. I also don't like the whole marketing to women over 40 thing. I just don't think these types of publications get it. It's okay to be getting older, just don't remind us that we are.

I'll leave you with this thought a friend of mine shared 'the media, the retailers and society in general makes us feel old - it is time we fought back and said 'shove it', I'll do what I want until I can't anymore, then maybe I'll consider slowing down!' I like her way of thinking. Have a Hot Cherry Day!

On Men, and their minds

As promised yesterday.... today we are going to take an interesting look at what gets a guy tied up in knots.
For this little expose, we've dug deep, researched large and compiled some interesting findings. If you agree, disagree or have any opinion, please feel free to share it with the rest of us.

Our point of reference is from Journalist Neil Chethik and his book: "VoiceMale—What Husbands Really Think About Their Marriages, Their Wives, Sex, Housework and Commitment".

Chethik used 300 American husbands and in-depth interviews with 70 men in all stages of marriage, here's what he found:

#1) 93 % would marry the same woman again, 82 percent are satisfied with their sex lives, however, men are sometimes "astounded by how long women can go without thinking about sex."

#2) he discovered a parallel between housework and sex; the happier their wives were in the division of housework, the happier the men were with their sex lives.

#3) there is a practical side beyond chemistry that makes a man want to get married. Men look at pros and cons and what kind of partnership he would have with a particular woman. Because of sports, they are schooled in how to be a teammate, how to communicate without necessarily using words, how to work for common goals. If a man can meet a woman who he thinks will be on his side, he's likely to be very attracted to her. Most men are interested in finding that person who is a partner, friend and lover through life.

#4) what attracts men beyond first physical attraction, is someone who is temperamentally positive, enthusiastic and adventurous. Men recognize that women often set the emotional tone of the home. If the woman is exciting and upbeat, that will mean that the home will be that way. The same stands if she's negative, critical and unhappy. The other thing is self-confidence. Men who are looking for women might know they're not [ranked] a 10, but that they have many "10" qualities and they emphasize those qualities. Men apparently know they are not 10s most of the time either, therefore they understand the need to look for what is beautiful about a person.

#5) how Men express emotion is very different from women. When asked, some Men said: "I'll fill up her gas tank when it's low. I get her car washed." There's an expression gap between the way men want to say it, and the way women want to hear it.

#6) why those men who had affairs had them: Most men admitted that it didn't have much to do with their wives or whether they were getting enough sex. It was mostly due to their own struggle with commitment and the tradeoffs that come with marriage. Most men are able to overcome the tendency to want to be with other women—they fantasize [and] sometimes flirt, but the vast majority don't take the next step—they decided that their relationship was more important than the temporary satisfaction they might get.

#7) the most surprising facts about these tidbits of information for the author? 60 percent of men said that their wives had changed them in a significant way and 90 percent said that it was a change for the better. Men recognize that marriage is life-changing, and they usually like their wives enough to be changed by her. Men don't want to be criticized or nagged or complained to, they want to be accepted, but once they feel accepted, they are willing to change.

Can I tell you if 'VoiceMale' is worth reading - sorry, no I can't. It may be an interesting study in the 'inner works and wonders' of our males - but as they would say 'who cares?'

We also dropped in on our friends over at 'AskMen.com' to find out what was really going on in the male brain. As it turns out we were just in time for the release of this year's 'Top 49 Men' as voted on my the readers of the online Mag. The 'Top Man of 2006' - none other than George Clooney. Numbers 2 - 5 were: Jay-Z, Richard Branson ( a personal fave), Lance Armstrong, (understandable) Tom Ford, fashion designer (really???). Rounding out the 'Top 49' and no disgrace at all was Jeremy Piven.

AskMen.com also lists off it's top three searches, these should come as not shock: workout routines, how to stop hair loss and six pack abs. AskMen.com also offers two of it's very own books for sale: 'Doc's Love System' and 'More Dating'. Single women RUN AND HIDE!!!!!!!

To all of our male readers - sorry guys - I've got nothing.

Tomorrow I promise, we'll find someone else to pick on or better still more products, features and services to occupy our thoughts with. Till then - Have a Hot Cherry Day!

'Mall-Rat Curls'? What the heck?

Do you recognize the women to the right? The picture is straight out of 1993 - well, it is Mariah Carey.
Now according to Christopher Turner, 'even the 'mall-rat curls' and ho-hum dress couldn't keep Mariah down'.

Now, I'm not a fan of either Mariah or Christ-o-pher Tur-ner, but I would like to know one thing.... who the heck is he and what gives with the 'mall-rat curls'. Is he just another in a long list of self appointed fashion guru's put on this earth and the pages of magazines and the internet - telling women how they should and shouldn't look, discouraging personal style and directing all women to be as he approves? These guys make me ill.

Which brings me to a funny conversation I had last week with a close friend of mine. She says 'don't you find it funny how the balding, paunchy, poorly dressed, un-kept, bad breathed men are always the pickiest, opinionated, jerks when it comes to women?' I couldn't agree with her more. She also shared what most of us already know - 'us girls are just way too hard on ourselves' - we should really be more like most men and not give a shit.

But, why is that the case. What gives the guy, with a paunch hanging over his pants (which are likely sliding down his butt) and the ketchup stain on his shirt (which is missing a button and looks like the dog slept on it last night) any right to comment on, condemn or voice his opinion

(which is usually something like....'hummm, she a bit on the porky side for me, I like my women a whole lot thinner and better dressed than that one') about the women he encounters.

Now, just for the record - I happen to really like shaved headed guys. I encourage any man who has thinning hair he is fretting about to just get rid of it. Either go super short or take it all off baby. There's this hot older guy, in our gym who....... yeah, you know the rest of the story.

Back to these so called fashion experts. Who the heck are they to say that 'skinny jeans look good on every body type? And, 'you need to have a least a few pairs in your closet'. For what? To take up extra hanger room, jammed in beside other 'got to have, clothes that never look good on this body'. I'm here to tell you, this year's fashion statement 'skinny jeans' do NOT look good on every body type! Oh, and 'Average' is NOT 5'8" 108lbs, size 2/4! Check the stats baby - that's a 12 year old girl and even then, likely not the average.

So, what are we going to do about it? Just rant away, complain to ourselves. No way girlfriend.
Here's what I propose:
#1- the next time you are standing beside 'hiding the fact that I'm loosing my hair' with the paunch and he makes a comment about another women not being up to his standard - ask him just what the standard acceptable is for a man who needs to loose 50lbs and either shave that comb over or get implants.
#2 - develop your own style. Who gives a shit if it's on the runway this year - do you like it, does it look good on you, does it say 'I'm one hot mama'?
#3 - kiss the postman. Why? I don't know, it gets your mind off being pissed at 'potbelly-guy'.
#4 - as my friend Sylvia would say 'don't be afraid to be beautiful!'
#5 - join a group of Hot Cherry Review shoppers and come on out for an evening of trying on those new fashion statement clothes - try before you buy! (email us with your contact info and we'll let you know when it's happening)

In closing, a wee remark to buddy Chris-to-pher (likely a fashion faux pas himself) - I kinda like Mariah’s 'mall rat curls' - better to have curls than no hair at all!

What a guy needs

Okay guys….. this one is for you.

We’ve devoted a huge amount of time to the wants, needs and must haves of all the ‘hip chicks’ and yes, we’ve neglected the ‘other gender’ almost completely. Just the way it happens sometimes.

Well, not any longer, today we are going to give our favorite ‘eye candy cool guys’ some cherry time. I came to the realization some time ago, that it can be pretty tough being a guy and dressing cool. Face it, men just don’t have the fashion attention spotlight on them. It doesn’t mean that they don’t like to dress to impress by wearing cool clothes and this year’s must have shoes, it does mean they simply do not have the kind of access women have.

It doesn’t stop at being an access issue either. Men don’t do ‘trendy’ the way women can and do and that’s where we come in. Not only for the cool guys, but for all of the ‘hip chicks’ that shop for the men in their lives.

When I want to weigh in on issues pertinent to men, I go to the one source that is all knowledgeable – AskMen.com. The site reads like most other ‘men’s’ sites – a bit provocative and a bit long on sexuality. Mixed in are articles on health and fitness, travel, relationship, gaming, cars and yes, some fashion.

I was able to find one article talking about the latest trends in men’s clothing. Some of their insight I could agree with, but this one trend they reported on, still has me wondering who? I don’t think I know a male that would dress like this, let alone citing it as a fashion trend. You make your mind up.

I do agree with the consensus that men’s fashion is a bit of a yawner. You have your black, grey, blue or brown business casual/business/dress pants. You have your brown, grey, blue, black casual cords, you have your black and blue jeans. There is good news though. This year, companies such as ‘the Gap’ have come out with textured pants for guys. Paired with a nice t-shirt, under long sleeved shirt, they work really well. Top it all off with a nice thigh length leather jacket and a great pair of shoes (no not sneakers) and the look is together and ‘different’.

A friend of mine likes the new look and I can’t blame him. The textured cords and jeans work well on most men while allowing for a bit of individuality. He's pictured to the left - these pants really work well - light grey with the darker grey accent. (yes he knows I'm using his picture!)

Another friend of mine is a shoe horse. In particular he seems to really like sneakers. He pairs them with the jeans, shirt over shirt look, loosely fitting on his 6’3” frame. I’d love to see him change it up now and again for a trendy pair of casual loafers and a bit dressier in the shirt department.

Which brings me to another issue with men’s clothing. The shirts. It never ceases to amaze me how many of the almost same shirt a man can have. (their defense of course is, ‘they are all slightly different in cut, texture and colour of white’ – where’d they get that from?) A business associate of mine loves to wear French cuffs. With his suit or as a stand alone shirt. A nice little extra that allows a shirt to stand out and say, ‘I am different’. Try to find one though, my husband took an entire day of shopping to find one that wasn’t white or pale blue.

In closing I just want to touch on one other little issue guys. Your underwear. You know how you notice how bad panty lines look – well, you have them too. If you are wearing pants that tuck a bit in the bum, pay attention to this detail. Boxers are nice under dress pants but for goodness sakes, make sure they don’t all bunch up. Good fitting underwear are important not only for your comfort but for the overall look as well. (if they fit well too, you won’t be adjusting near as much either!)

Do you have a men’s clothing story for us? We are all ears and pictures are very good too.

So, I leave you with this, also from that ‘magazine of authority for men’ advice from an article on ‘how to be a man again’- doing these things apparently will make all the difference. ‘Rent a muscle car, catcall chicks on the street, go to a monster truck rally, eat a heart-attack meal, wear your 2001 Baltimore Ravens Super bowl t-shirt, break a bone, get in a bar fight, grow a beard, cut down a tree, take apart your care engine, sit down in front of the TV for a 48-hour SPEEDtv marathon wearing track pants’.

Okay, we are starting the week off with ‘some of those things that make us shake our heads. Sit back and enjoy, click through the links to learn more.

For the guys, how about a business suit that allows you to look professional in the same time that it takes you to boot your computer? Introducing the ½ suit by ‘Business Bib’. Though they have an online store, we can’t seem to actually find out how much they charge or how many are available, if any.

The ‘Business Bib’ makes the man look like he is ready for any boardroom, just by slipping this ‘slip cover’ on over the top of his briefs and t-shirt. In minutes, he is ready for the conference web call. Don’t believe us, we don’t blame you, check it out for yourself.

This for the ladies. Have you ever had one of those days, running behind, you throw on a wee sleeveless tank, glance at your underarms and discover fuzz? Does anyone notice any ways? We, I didn’t think so, but according to a info zing sent to me this morning, ‘everyone notices’ (needless to say, I’m going to start watching people to see if they are checking out my pits).

There are solutions however, namely a shaving ‘spritz’ that allows you to splash a bit on and shave away. Now, I didn’t believe it and wondered first, why not just shave in the shower, so I followed the link. It brought me to a website for Shave.com – the ‘King of Shaves’. The site itself is actually pretty informative and for both men and women. Who would have thought. They even offer samples as well, but apparently not to Canadians…. Thanks.

Well that’s it for today – we’ll see what we can find for your interest tomorrow. Until then, remember we are always looking for other Hot Cherry Reviews. Want to share your finds with others, send us an email and we will hook you up.

A girl's right to indulge

Anyone who knows me knows my fondness for vintage clothing. The look and feel of days gone by is both fun to wear and an expression of character. There are problems with both collecting and wearing vintage though: ‘the look’ is often very hard to complete, fashion of the past is viewed in many eyes as outdated, accessories are difficult to find in wearable condition and the make-up and hair accessories are not made any more.

Today I found a solution to the last problem. Besame Cosmetics

‘Inspired by the sophisticated designs of the 1930s, '40s and the Art Deco movement, and guided by memories of her glamorous grandmother, Gabriela began crafting a modern line that translated into her own aesthetic vision. Gabriela's goal was to establish a cosmetics line that understood the needs of a modern woman-on-the-go while still providing the look, high quality and feel of the classic beauty.’

Besame Cosmetics offers its wonderfully feminine line of cosmetics online and through selected retailers. Now, shopping online for cosmetics for most is a daunting task. It is very difficult to decide on shades, product weights without knowing how the product looks on. Problem solved. The online site offers ‘trial products’, three application samples for $1.50 each plus shipping.

Other fun and interesting features of this online offering include a ‘Beauty Creator’ which helps you determine which shades will look best on you. A ‘Looks’ section, that allows you to click on a distinctive look and get the ‘recipe’ for it, using Besame Cosmetics and instructions on how to get the classic look.

The products come with raving reviews from all sorts of celebrities and fashion officiators. What astounded me though was how reasonably priced their products were. Certainly top shelf beauty counter but not out of reach. Every now and again, a girl deserves at least a little bit of pampering – there is no shame is feeling and looking beautiful – indulge yourself.

Now, I’m going back to the sample page myself to see what I can give a try to finish that ‘50’s outfit hanging in my closet. Enjoy!

The White Dress shirt

The white dress shirt - men, women, teens - everyone needs to have one. (seriously, you need one at least) Button down, long sleeves, nice collar, no frills, crisp and bright white.

Easier said than done. Finding a proper dress shirt that can either go under a suit jacket or stand alone is a very difficult task. Why - mostly because of the styles of the cut. There are also other elements to consider as well, that can make finding the right shirt just down right difficult.

Once the 'right' shirt has been found, it should be purchased and guarded - never tempt the 'white shirt gods' by laundering your prize shirt with colours.

This entry isn't so much about finding the proper white shirt as the story that goes with it. I found such a shirt after what seemed like an all day expedition. It was a Winners in Ottawa Ontario. It was a perfect fit, perfect style, perfect cuffs - home it came.

I wore the shirt for the first time last week. When I was on my way out of a meeting, suit jacket in hand I noticed a small hole in the sleeve - it looked like a bad tare from a pin or staple. I must have missed it when I tried the shirt on in the store.

I took the shirt home and figuring that there would be no way Winners would take the shirt back, I washed it. (following directions of course) Well, can you imagine my utter disappointment when it came out, shrunk up almost 2 sizes?

I was about to give up and donate it when I stopped and called the Winners I had bought it at. I told the manager my story. She told me bring it back. It was a bonus that I had kept the receipt. "It sounds like you have a real dud" she said, "bring it back in and we'll take care of it". I asked several times - 'really?'

So, kudos today go out to Winners, Bells Corners (Ottawa), Ontario. Now I'll keep you posted on what happens when I take the shirt back, but I don't anticipate any problems.

I am very happy to be able to report this very good instance of customer service. Unlike many shops I frequent, the return and refund policy of Winners is one that every shopper can live with. It is something that other stores should be looking at. Who says we need to shop at a store that says 'no refunds, exchanges or returns' and 'all sales final'?

Winners Canada - www.winners.ca