Number One Christmas Ad Campaign

....As voted by me. Obviously, that means a lot. So, I've been thinking about this blog post for the last couple of weeks and trying to find an ad with enough spunk + Christmas spirit. At first, I though Best Buy's Game On Santa was entertaining, but where was the holiday cheer for all to hear? Enter Tommy Hilgifer with the models and cow bell. Winner. Enough said, watch this and enjoy my festive friends. Happy Holidays!

George Dawson

In my haze of unemployment I've found numerous things to fill my days: internships, volunteering, reading, coffee chats with girlfriends in similar positions and of course, wedding planning. All have been rewarding and given me a greater purpose in my days, but I have found one stands out from the rest: reading. I have read a bunch of online PR publications and read about branding daily (sorry for the non-share, I will pick up my game). The biggest reading project I've had is Life is So Good, a biography by George Dawson. Far.Out.

George Dawson learned to read at 98 years old. He spent his entire life remembering things because he couldn't read and he couldn't write. If someone gave him directions, it was up to him to remember them accurately. In diners, he would order what he saw other people were eating because he couldn't read a menu. This book brought tears to my eyes. This man worked so hard his entire life and never took one moment that God gave him on this earth for granted. George started work at age 4 at his parents cotton farm. When he was 11 he moved away to work on another farm in a neighboring town to him. Never once in his life was a complaint about his position in life or the fact that he had to work hard.

Every once in a while you get a window into the life of someone else. This is one window I will keep in my mind. I never want to forget how hard this man worked and how much he lived and loved life, because I think there is a beautiful lesson in it. A lesson of being thankful to be given the life you have.

All Shook Up

Dear Blog, 

I apologize for my tardy behavior, constant neglect over the past couple of months, and now my American English. No, I did not leave you for Twitter. I live in America now and found myself in the middle of some culture shock. I absolutely loved Philly until I realized it is now my home. I freaked out, ate, ran, freaked out, did yoga, ate some more and then had a visit from my Mama. I can strongly say I have got my head back into gear and I'm ready to load you up with my brilliant witty posts once again. I even have some ideas scurrying around in my mind. 

I'm looking forward to seeing you a whole lot more. 

Sincerely,

Katie 

Steve Jobs

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

- Steve Jobs (someone who changed the world).


May you rest in peace.

Reebok EasyTone/NoTone

Reebok is paying a pretty sum to the Federal Trade Commission, $25M in fact. Why? Because they lied in the worst possible way. They told women that if they were to wear their Reebok EasyTone, then their butt and thighs would shrink and tone. I mean, way to be cruel. 

We all know the answer to shrinking and toning is the treadmill. We all wish the answer to shrinking and toning was as simple as putting on a pair of shoes, sitting on our butt, and watching Breakfast at Tiffany's while the inches disappear. 

Reebok is paying the largest fine in recent FTC history and in addition, has been ordered to allow their consumers to return the shoe for a full refund. To lie about the effectiveness of a product is foolish for any brand. It will damage a brand's reputation and relationship with consumers. For a sporting brand like Reebok, it's foolish to show flaws in your research and design when competitors like Nike and Adidas are killing it in that arena. 

I agree with the FTC's decision. I also secretly think there are some women on that FTC board who heard about this shoe, bought them immediately, wore them every day and saw no results. Of all the products to lie about, Reebok, a lesson for the future: don't tell women you're going to shrink their butt and thighs! They will find you.

You may ask..."but the Kardashian's endorsed them...doesn't that mean they work?" Umm, no. 

Philadelphia Fine Arts Festival

Philadelphia is a city where imagination and history collide. When you stroll the streets, you feel surrounded by energy and when your eyes gaze up, murals (supported by the city) bring brick walls to life. I feel as though I'm walking through a gallery every time I step outside of my apartment building.

Last Sunday was the Philadelphia Fine Arts Festival in Rittenhouse Square. It was as much a celebration of art as it was of history. The festival began in 1932 when a small group of students gathered to show their work. It has grown into a festival that saw artists exhibitions shoulder to shoulder throughout the entire park, displaying the most beautiful art I've seen.

Artist Ning Lee's work took my breath away. Lee is a contemporary realist using oil paintings. If I had the dollars my wall paper would be replaced with his work, it's majestic.

Three Plums

Roses #5

Eggscape #3

Pomegranates On The Wall

To see more of Lee's work, his website is ningleeart.com.

The Fine Arts Festival was yet another reason why I love Philadelphia. This city takes you on journeys.

A Woman's Voice

In 2015, women in Saudi Arabia will be able to vote during the nation's election. 

The Middle East has been an epicenter of unrest and violence for the past year as communities are rising against dictators, but in Saudi Arabia, King Adbullah passed the new law quietly this morning. With the law, he also announced that women can now be a part of the Shura Council, an advisory body selected by the King. The Shura Council offers opinions on general policy in the kingdom and debates economic and social-development plans and agreements signed between Saudi Arabia and other nations. 

To me, voting is one of the most important acts a person can perform for her community. It's something every person should have the ability to do. It's your voice about how you believe your state/country should progress. It's a symbol of a person's liberty and symbolizes the importance of what they have to say. 

I want to welcome these brave, wonderful women to their voice in 2015.