All posts for the month April, 2011

‘Binge Shame of UK teen girls.’


Alcohol addiction at any age: A cry for help.

This Daily Mail online headline is shocking.

It’s not that fact that hoards of teenagers are engaging in dangerous levels of illegal alcohol consumption. It’s the use of the word ‘shame’ in the headline: the implication is that these pesky, forward teenagers are drinking dangerously whilst sticking two metaphorical fingers up at authority and the law in general.

But the truth is far more complex than that. A recent TV documentary illustrated a case study of teenage drug use as a direct response to family trauma. The Daily Mail article also ignores the role of the drink manufacturers who market alcohol as a panacea for confidence, allure and sophistication. The very attributes that young girls on the threshold of womanhood feel evade them.

Richard Darlington, author of the Demos report on which the Mail Online editorial is based, lets the lucrative drinks industry off the hook by saying: “Criticising industry for enticing underage drinkers is only addressing the “supply side” of the problem. Ministers need to address the underlying problems of low self-esteem and poor parenting.”

A YouGov survey found that more than a quarter of girls aged 16 and 17 in Britain, said they drank alcohol to ‘cheer themselves up.’

The current series of Channel 4′s Sex Education Show, which I had the pleasure of taking part in, tackles the issue of the increasing sexualisation of girls as young as 6/7 through clothing sales, the highly provocative music videos they can watch during the day and men’s mags at child’s eye height in major retailers. The pressures on female teens are intense: losing virginity, relationships with family, educational choices, relationships with younger siblings, caring for sick or elderly parents, unplanned pregnancies, financial issues in the family, body image…it goes on and on.

So rather than pile ‘shame’ on young female heads, let’s take a collective societal approach. 

Instead of scorn, shame and ridicule, young women need support, nurturing, love and guidance.  In that, we all have a role to play.

‘Nothing tastes as good as skinny.’http://tinyurl.com/3js524d

© Suzy Rigg

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by Radiantlady on April 22, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Health & Lifestyle

Posted by Radiantlady on April 22, 2011

http://radiantlady.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/binge-shame-of-uk-teen-girls/

The ‘Skinny’ tee


In other words: ‘I would rather die than be fat’

Nothing tastes as good…As skinny feels.

Well according to the Skinny tee anyway.

Well, Kate Moss supposedly said this and she’s friends with Phillip Green, Top Shop boss, so there must be a marketing opportunity in there somewhere, right? Yes, of course, let’s put it on Tee-shirts. What, “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels?” ”Yes!”  ”Gen-ius!” ”We print it in different font sizes, coloured tee-shirts, oh, we only need to make them in small sizes don’t we? Ha ha!” So here they are. Here’s the link, just to proof I’m not making this up www.zazzle.co.ukhttp://www.zazzle.co.uk/nothing+tastes+as+good+as+skinny+feels+gifts  Me? I think the full on St. Trinian’s look is preferable. Is sugar your poison?’ http://nyti.ms/hLYgkY Honestly.  © Suzy Rigg N.B. I don’t think this ‘gift’ supplier has anything to do with Kate Moss etc. they simply saw a marketing opportunity and grabbed it.Point to note: they wouldn’t be producing these tee-shirts without some indication that they would sell…  You might like this post: http://tinyurl.com/265xgdt

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by Radiantlady on April 17, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Health & Lifestyle
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Posted by Radiantlady on April 17, 2011

http://radiantlady.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/nothing-tastes-as-good/

No KFC!


NO thanQ

Postscript: Since writing of this verse, I am pleased to say that Richmond Council has declined the planning application of a KFC in a busy high street that is already bursting with takeaway restaurants.

To Messrs: Mr. K, Mr. F & Mr. C.

I’m sorry to say (and I don’t mean to be rude),

But my neighbours and I aren’t big fans of your food,

We know our kids like it, that’s causing us stress, because they don’t care about the state of their health,

They don’t care about salt, they don’t care about fat,

And we know Mr. Kaysee, you’ve plenty of that,

Obesity, cancer, clothes that don’t fit?

Nah, they’re not worried, they don’t give a sh*t

But when they are older, with arteries furred,

Puffing on frames with words that sound slurred

Turning to us with eyes rheumy and grey:

“Why didn’t you tell them to stay well away?

Why didn’t you protest or use your voice?”

“We tried dear children, but there wasn’t a choice

Restaurants like that were on every street,

Where children of your age gathered to eat

Our society became about eating and buying

With little regard for the damage we were causing

I’m sorry dear children, we tried what we could,

But we’d already lost the battle for food.”

© Suzy Rigg

Post script: Since the writing of this verse, I am pleased to say that Richmond Council has declined the planning application of a KFC in a busy high street that is already bursting with takeaway restaurants.

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by Radiantlady on April 15, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Eco-Planet
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Posted by Radiantlady on April 15, 2011

http://radiantlady.wordpress.com/2011/04/15/kfc-protest/

Is your lipstick killing you?


Are you a victim of beauty overload?

Sometimes as a blogger, you stumble across some research information that not only changes your life but could save your life. 

For years my mother used to comment on the amount of highly scented deodorant I used (or was it the queue of unsuitable men at the front door she was commenting on?) Anyway, it seems, that mother was right. There are environmental as well as personal health reasons to limit or avoid the use of synthetic cosmetics, which includes personal hygiene products.

Toxic makeup

Hoping to read about the ill-effects of  lipstick? Hoping to give your ex the kiss of death with a smear of your latest rouge brilliante? I’m getting to that, but while you’re here, you need to know that it’s not just lipstick or deodorant that can contain harmful chemicals, it’s most of the stuff in your bathroom cabinet, shelves or drawers.

“But I need to look good and smell good right?!”  Of course you do, but as a consumer you have right to know exactly what’s in your lippy, deodorant, shampoo etc.

 ”But why should I care?” you say eyes rolling, just like I used to when confronted with uncomfortable truths.  Here’s why:

Whatever is in your make up, lipstick, body lotion etc,  goes directly into your blood stream via that huge protective organ that you shields you every day – your skin! 

Whatever you put on your skin, your skin let’s it right in!!!! 
 
Relax, this isn’t about reverting to being unwashed with blemished skin and bad teeth, although if that’s your thing, I do not judge you. This is about understanding the impact of industrially produced cosmetics (and that includes shampoos, conditioners, serums, hairsprays etc.) on your health. 
 
I discovered many of the hair and beauty products we use daily contain chemicals to lengthen their shelf lives, usually parabens. They also contain chemicals to ensure that they work i.e. make you, your hair, your skin: shinier, glossier, easier to manage, wrinkle-free, you get the gist. And here’s the rub – oh you can have that pun if you want to - they also contain chemicals to mask the smell of the other chemicals. WOW. No wonder some of the ingredients are unpronounceable.

Quote from the Daily Mail:

Many of those (ingredients) are also used in products such as household cleaners, and have been linked to a number of health problems from allergies and skin sensitivity to more serious hormonal disturbances, fertility problems and even cancer.

So the issue isn’t just the chemicals used in your lipstick like – lead? – yes lead – it’s the accumulation of chemicals used in all of the products you use every day. It’s a toxic build up.

 

Whats making you blush?

But in spite of this toxic build up, cosmetic manufacturers will assert that their products are perfectly safe and extensively tested. This may be true for occasional use, but many people use large quantities of these products over many months, years, lifetimes. And not just one product, but a whole battery of pharmaceuticals, literally made by the men in white coats.

A few final thoughts: what happens to the chemical waste products? Are they safely disposed of? Where? In the sea or buried underground? What is the impact on the environment of these complex chemicals?

It’s a huge area and easy to ignore when you’re doing the weekly shop – you scoop up your regular brands almost without thinking.

But we do need to think about this.

Handy hints for health and beauty safety:

1. Start by reading ingredient labels more carefully

2. Explore natural, organic hair and skin products

3. Try alternative products for a short period of time

4. Eliminate one or two products each week, see which ones you can use less of or live without

5. Stick to the same brand across all of your personal care products

6. Talk to family and friends about what products they use and why

Please share your thoughts…

Further reading:

http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/default.htm

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.org/

Daily Mail article: http://tinyurl.com/3ywm6qo

Daily Mail article: http://tinyurl.com/ykmrwu8

© Suzy Rigg
 

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by Radiantlady on April 10, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Eco-Planet
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Posted by Radiantlady on April 10, 2011

http://radiantlady.wordpress.com/2011/04/10/is-your-lipstick-killing-you/

About Conversation Between Friends


I’m Suzy, creative writer, communications copywriter,  PR and marketing professional and mother of two.  I’ve always loved to read, write and talk. A bit too much talking at school, I recall.

Career choice

It was a natural progression to seek careers where I could  learn, exchange ideas, debate, influence and create. With my early career spent in the publishing and advertising industries, I later migrated towards the broader communications mix. I have enjoyed advising blue-chip  companies, charities, government agencies and not-for-profits on internal and external communications issues, helping them find the stories to build their brands and gain customers’ understanding. With extensive campaign, strategy, planning and media relations experience, I genuinely love what I do.

Conversationalist & occasional TV presenter

If I’m fired up about something or genuinely believe in it, I want to tell the world, which I’m told, makes me an engaging presenter. I’m happy to share my business and life lessons with anyone who’ll listen. I’m very interested in education, so watch this space for further updates.

I write daily and have had the pleasure of appearing on Channel 4 TV and Sky as interviewee and presenter talking about my other passions media and fashion! I write articles for a fashion blog and a couple of mumprenuer outfits.

Conversation Between Friends is my first blog and focuses on subjects I am most interested and knowledgable about: public relations, marketing, education, social media, corporate issues, entrepreneurship, as well as health and lifestyle issues. You will also find some poetry.

The soft sell!

If you need to talk to someone about your blog, your business, your web copy or your marketing communications strategy, just ping me an email. Available for a range of writing, PR and marketing communications assignments, I relish working with the written word – in offline and online – to empower, influence and persuade.

Just cast your eye over the list, draft the email and press send. It could be the most important email you send all day.

*Press release writing

*PR and marketing strategy

*Pitch ideas and presentations

*Creative and corporate copywriting

*Private, public sector, not-for-profit

*Enthusiastic* Professional*Passionate

Contact me:

Email: suzyrigg@gmail.com

2 Comments
by Radiantlady on April 3, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in About Suzy

Posted by Radiantlady on April 3, 2011

http://radiantlady.wordpress.com/2011/04/03/about-suzy/

Freelancers’ Survival Kit


This editorial was guest feature in esPResso, issue dated 29th March 2011 here’s the link http://bit.ly/i4up

 

 
Becoming freelance was a deliberate choice I made to keep a foothold in the communications industry, whilst raising a family. Giving up regular income is not for the faint-hearted but there are perks: three weeks’ consecutive leave in summer, the time off between Christmas and New Year. There are career highs too. Briefing a government minister on a news item prior to a television interview, presenting at a new business pitch one week into a contract, and soaking up the atmosphere of Lehman Brothers at a launch event, are memorable. PR is a varied career and being a freelancer enhances the levels of unpredictability many times over!

After four years as a management consultancy PR, I secured a clutch of PR consultancy roles, a wave of public sector contracts, and some private business interspersed with the inevitable ebbs.  Being self-employed means your financial situation can change very quickly. But proactive freelancers can apply techniques to improve their chances of remaining buoyant during a competitive employment market; like the one we are currently experiencing. Applying these techniques regardless of the economic environment is a good idea, as they are effectively business skills and freelancing is a business of one.

1. Gain sector specific skills, experience and contacts. This is attractive to employers as they immediately feel confident in your ability to carry out a specific function. Having a broader skills base such as a second specialism that augments your core function widens your ‘recruit-ability’.

2. Any freelancer worth their salt will have a plethora of resumes, references and a bulging portfolio. An online portfolio which demonstrates your application of social media tools is ideal. Evidence of your experiences and skills as well as the contact details of your last three clients is vital; more so than for permanent employees.

3. Regular contact with recruitment agents, former colleagues and employers is always smart. Letting your network know what you are currently doing and when you will be available helps everyone to plan ahead. Social media has thrown open the doors for freelancers by providing an array of online channels to talk, network, share information and find out about opportunities. It also makes it easier to review trade press and industry news; a vital part of the freelancer’s professional development.

4. And finally, I would recommend finding a platform for self-promotion. Word of mouth networking as well as online is a great way to market yourself; so are speaking opportunities, article submissions, all of the things you suggest to clients!

A summary of the freelance survivor’s kit? Be creative, be entrepreneurial and learn the art of reinvention.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/milknosugarcomms
http://twitter.com/radiantlady

© Suzy Rigg

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by Radiantlady on April 2, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in Communications

Posted by Radiantlady on April 2, 2011

http://radiantlady.wordpress.com/2011/04/02/espresso-freelancers-survival-kit/

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