Knowing your market - Burberry Wild Bunch

 

Marketing Strategies that "get" their clients

 

Cosmopolitan Magazine , has run a story on the "Burberry-wild-bunch" . Burberry has had great success from truly understanding their target market. This edgy and sometimes slightly aggressive approach to marketing has been a success for several big players. Nike, comes to mind as one of the companies that pull this product placement stuff off well. Oh and McDonalds and Coke, but we wont go there !

 

The thing I love about Burberry's, pitch is the fact that they use the, not, so famous models. It  would also seem that these particular models themselves, have a sassy personality in real life too. This "real lifeness" is what people are looking for, its just handy that they happen to be good looking models as well.

Classy Burberry , every girl needs a little (lot) of it in her life x

 

 

 

 

 

Labor Government - Budget blowout !

 

Hello !

 

Budget blowout. Lower than expected collection of taxes. I wonder why ? !

 

What makes me even angrier, is that even with this reality they still don't get it. Comments regarding tightening of multinational businesses tax loopholes. That's the answer ! Fucking communist/ socialist bastards. Sorry it really needs to be said.
It's no-one in particulars fault. Well it certainly multinational companies are not to blame for such a huge lack of for sight.

Multinational companies need to be closely watched for a whole heap of different reasons, but lets face it, very few business industry's are doing it easy at the moment. It never ceases to amaze me how political parties such as Labor (victim mentality parties) are always the victims. They are never the contributors to the problem. I find it constantly disheartening that the people (organisations) that work, to make the money, i.e. the taxes, are shown as the bad guys. But that aside.

 

SMALL BUSINESS. I don't have all the stats on it right now. But that's not going to change the fact that we already know that small business has been, and will always be, a major contributor to our economy. With that said, wouldn't it make sense that if small business has gone to the crapper, then tax revenues will be down. Just wait until they see this quarters BAS schedules !
We need to look after our business and manufacturing, and this debacle just shows ONE of the reasons why.

Australian public, are we really letting this just happen ? Because NO. Clearly, NO, we can't trust their political acumen. NO, we can't trust their integrity. No, we can not tolerate this any longer.

NO - CONFIDENCE ! 

 

 

 

 

 

Labor budget blowout

 

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/04/29/01/26/expect-tax-revenue-hole-of-12-billion-pm

Relgion, Cultures, Law and Rape - Australia

 

I believe I am very tolerant, respectful and understanding of all different peoples in this world. I am intrigued and often influenced by many cultures. I would say I generally have eclectic religious beliefs. My children are getting older and asking a lot of questions. They go to a religious school and are also starting to make a lot of statements around these religious teachings. So "parental guidance" begins now. Knowing this would be around the corner, I have had to really dig deep to question myself, my feelings and my understanding, and then, how to explain this to them.  So with much reading and research, I have come to understand this:

Religion, or spiritual awareness is a personal thing

Politics and Laws are not part of religion

Religion and Cultural beliefs should not be a place to hide behind or use as an excuse to harm others.

 

I welcome genuine refugees to this country. I am a member of UNHCR, World Vision, Oxfam and CARE. However, I do believe in what we hold dear in this country - FREEDOM. With this, it is simple, lets not muddy it with politics and other such matters.

 

When you come to a country for protection, you must respect our culture and values first. No-one denies that this will be difficult, God knows the whole situation is one fraught from difficulty. However, you must remember, the very reason why you seek our shore. It is because of our culture, our laws, our beliefs. It is because of these, (and perfect they are not) that you are safe to come to us for refuge.

So, there are consequences. We are failing these refugees, and so to our own community, if we do not have in place a system that integrates these people into our country. We must, and I emphasise MUST, get over the bullshit around whether they come or not, and make clear and very strict guidelines around assimilation. This does not mean they have to lose their roots, for Gods sake, its obvious we are very accommodating in that regard in Australia. And, I know that some will hate this - too bad. Assimilation, is not a bad thing. Recent piece by Mamamia , Melissa Mellham highlights the problems. Or at the very least "grey areas", that can occur when we don't have a program that teaches our newcomers what is acceptable in Australia.

Although, for me, it's quite clear. Esmatullah Sharifi , stalked and hunted these girls, covered their mouths (one victim in particular) and would have been damn sure they were not consenting. I can not believe that a judge is granting a right to appeal. Seriously, if its on the grounds of culture, that makes it even worse. It is basic instinct to know when you are forcing a creature against it's will, and there is no culture in the world you can hide behind for that.

I have friends that have different sub-culture beliefs to mine (around things I hold dear, like the environment). I believe in leading by example and I don't judge them, I love them for who they are and respect their sub-culture, because they are kind people.

 

Religion, Laws from Religion and other cultural beliefs should never rise above our laws. They should never be allowed to be used as an excuse to hide behind. I do not know how long Esmatullah Sharifi , has been in Australia. But I can bet you, it has been long enough to fully understand that it is NOT acceptable to touch anyone, in anyway, without consent.

 

Breath in and breath out !

 

 

 

 

Pig N Whistle Brisbane - Review

On a mini getaway with the family we got to eat in lots of yummy places in Brisbane, So I will share the Pig N Whistle experience first.

Great atmosphere situated on the Queens Street Mall Brisbane. Groovy, buzzing atmosphere created by all the people passing by and through the mall. With a lot of retail eye candy nearby as well. 

My husband order oysters kilpatrick for starter. Delicious ! Well presented, the sauce was perfect, temperature was great, as you can see by the empty plate. We also had garlic bread, just right. I ordered the Bug special for my
main and ordered the kids the lasagna main and a side of fries to share. I usually avoid the kids meals as they are mostly an after thought by most restaurants. At the moment a decent main and a side feeds my boys adequately. Husband had the bangers and mash.
We had some red wine and great service to go with these meals. Boys loved the lasagna, husband devoured the bangers and I immersed myself in the journey that was my bugs. Devine. I also loved that I didn't have to ask for a finger bowl or a scraps bowl.

Review on Urban Spoon

 

It had been a couple of years since I had eaten here (we don't get into the city as much as we used to) And we were not disappointed. Atmosphere great, service great, food stunning - thanks Pig 'N' Whistle we had a wonderful night x
8 out of ten truffles for this one .



King of Kings yum cha Review

Still on our mini city break and we took the kids to yum cha in the Brisbane Valley. I used to go here all the time as a young (and not so young) adult. I loved the buzz, colours smells and of course - the food. It was a little disappointing though. The day we went was during the week, they didn't have a lot of people dining so they didn't have the trolleys going around, it detracted from the experience we wanted the kids to have, but the food was great. Toward the end of the meal the trolleys started coming as it got busier, so all wasn't lost.

Check out Urban spoon for this and more restaurant reviews

I love my dim sum, so it would have to be pretty bad for me to not like it at all. Loved all the dishes we ordered and ate. We always order the Asian greens, kids love them too, so that's a bonus. Everything was as I remembered, even the decor, which was actually nice, sometimes you don't want things to change. Staff were friendly and accommodating, food was fresh and yummmmmy.

 

We also love the Chinese tea (Jasmin). It wouldn't be the same without a pot or two. Oh and of course we must have lots of chili sauce, steamed pork bun, steamed prawn dumpling and to finish the meal, custard tarts. What are your favourites when you yum cha ?

 

As you can see, we enjoyed it all. I give this 8 sun dried tomatoes out of ten. The entrance is a little dodgy and dirty, but everything else was just what I wanted it to be xxx

 

 

 



Mumford & Sons - Babel

 

 

Mumford & Sons, say no more !

Well I can't, I must go on and on. I haven't had music move me as much as this. Since coming across the amazing Nina Simone, many years ago. Don't get me wrong, there are lot's of other artists and songs that I love with much intensity. But. There is something about these lads, and I can't quite explain it. Not everyone in my house feels the same way - fools, (but do they?)

I say to My young lads, listen, listen to the words. Like poetry, a window to the the imperfect, yet perfectly normal man's soul. One in particular:

Hopeless Wanderer (and this is my interpretation)

" So when your hopes on fire

But you know your desire

Don't hold a glass over the flame

Don't let your heart grow cold

I will call you by name

I will share your road

 

But hold me fast hold me fast

Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer

Hold me fast hold me fast

Cos I'm a hopeless wanderer

 

And I will learn, I will learn

To love the skies I'm under "

 

^^

If we know this, if we know the (dare I say) soul of our lovers. As hard as it is sometimes, can we let them grow, can we let them go? Not to leave per say. But, to explore that inner part, that we may never understand. And, if we hold on fast, with understanding and love in our heart and maybe we too can grow old together. "Now, how I long, how I long, to grow old."

 

This can't happen when we feel bitter and angry. So maybe we don't get angry, maybe we let our self explore and let our lovers explore ? Knowing, that we will still be here for each other. We are all broken, we are all full of flaws. So in the end, can we ?

 

We will run and scream

You will dance with me

They'll fulfill our dreams

and we'll be free

And we will be who we are

And they'll heal our souls

Sadness will be far.

(Not With Haste)

 

There is so much more in the words of their songs, I just love them. I can listen, over and over again. And then some more.

 

Thank you, Mumford & Sons xx

 

 

 

 

 

 



Fast fruit - preparing for tomorrow

 

Last night we had a healthy taco dinner (which I forgot to photograph) . I always do my mince with a mix of chicken and beef mince. I just use Aldi's packet with all the ingredients. Its quick and easy, this is one of my other alternatives to getting take-out. I would normally rather use my own herbs without the fillers and no MSG, but I figure I still know pretty much whats in it all. Our accompaniments were: avocado, sheep's feta, Greek yoghurt, taco sauce (that came in the pack), roma tomatoes and lettuce. Very yummy.

For desert I cut up a fresh fruit platter (in the picky above)

I also separated off some of the fruit and cut it up for smoothies for breakfast. So the  smoothies I will be making over the next few days will have a mix of rock melon, banana and grape. I put this cut up mix into separate snap-lock bags an popped them in the freezer. This is going to be part of my "prepared for 2013" strategy. So I can be healthy and less stressed and hopefully lose some weight as a bonus.

Full smoothie recipe yet to come, with lots of pickies.

xx