text: A fish out of water. . . that’s exactly what I felt like six years ago when I joined a group of about 300 highly-energized and motivated young adults (most of them twenty-something) who had gathered for a few days in central Florida to learn and share their secrets regarding how to sell anything and everything to kids, aged 2 to 12. These were some of the most creative folks I had ever met. They knew the culture, were constantly living on their toes, and were doing anything and everything to get into the pocketbooks of kids and their parents with a single-minded commitment to pursuing that end and justifying any means on the road to get there. My deepest suspicions were confirmed, and it was very depressing. I liken the experience to having watched a marionnette show, when suddenly, the top curtain fell, revealing the people who were doing all the pulling and manipulating on the puppets’ strings.
  The competition for the hearts, minds, money, and life-long allegiance of the youngest of our young hasn’t subsided. In fact, it continues to snowball in its intensity and reach. The other day I ran across a great little article from the Orlando Sentinel’s Sandra Pedicini, “Teen clothiers targeting pre-teen market.” She writes, “Clothing stores aimed at teenagers and twentysomethings are expanding their reach, trying to hook customers barely out of kindergarten with their own teen lines.” With age aspiration and age compression leading pre-schoolers to want to be seen, perceived, and treated like they’re in elementary school – and elementary-aged kids wanting to be at middle-school age, it’s a logical strategy. Add to that the $13.4 billion spent annually on teen clothing, and it makes even more sense. For example, there’s Aeropostale and their P.S. store for kids ages 7 to 12. Visit the P.S. website and you’ll see three happy and fulfilled young Aeropostale billboards. Visit Forever 21’s homepage for their HTG81 brand for children 6 to 14, and you see happy kids sporting the brand.
  Marketing works. It’s worked for years. Today’s marketing experts are bearing the fruit of the successful efforts of past generations of product evangelists. It’s ingrained in the very fabric of who we are. Pedicini quotes branding-strategist Eli Portnoy: “Little kids are so status-conscious about clothing now, more than ever. It was a natural evolution for young college, teenage brands – Why not go after them younger and get them hooked into your brands?”
  Contemporary Christians may pride themselves on the fact that there are no literal golden calves sitting in our midst. But the subtle draw of idolatry weaves itself in and through us without us ever knowing it. . . and we might not see it until we catch ourselves leafing longingly through the piles and piles of consumer catalogs that fill our mailboxes, feeling good when we’re going to or at the mall, or when we allow our young to wear t-shirts emblazoned with “SHOPPING RULES!” or “BORN TO SHOP.”
  C.S. Lewis got it right when he wrote, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” That’s where we need to live. It’s where we must spend everything we have and everything we are.
  thanks for the blessings you send our way in terms of perspective and worldview each day! God bless your ministry and your healing.
  Hi Walt! Thanks for posting this…it is sadly very true. What bothers me even more are the Christians that are doing the same kind of marketing – the ones who are creating “golden calves” and dangling them like carrots before their brothers and sisters in Christ. We do it with our own Christian “brands”, using words like “the secret to…”. I find it hard to believe that God is happy with the ways His people try to manipulate the hearts and minds of others just to make a sale. We expect it from the world, but not from the Church.
  My friend is going home…there is a silver lining (tear!) | An online magazine for Irish women in Toronto
  Something we have talked about in length over the past year concerns the friends we have made since moving to this new place.
  These friends are different to ones you left behind, your childhood friends. These friends are people like you, who have left the comfort of their home friends and are with you in this shared experience. These friendships although formed over a relatively short time in length, are intense.
  On Wednesday my fellow Craicto-er and first Canadian friend, packs up and heads back to the Emerald Isle. Over the last 16 months we have developed a friendship group which is relatively small but fabulous.
  Each of these girls bring something to the group and Claire can be relied upon to bring wine, a great yarn, sound advice and if your lucky a verse or two of Caledonia.
  You can talk freely about your co-workers. Gone are our evenings of scouting out a joint before you can launch into a rant about your co workers. Open a bottle of wine and call her up and rant to your hearts content.
  Think of all the cool things you can show them, or they can show you. If you live in the same city, you probably already know the same places. But if you live in different places, your BFF can show you all the cool stuff in her new town or city that she loves.
  Snapchat is great. You know that cafe that she loves or the rib joint her man friend couldn’t get enough of, it’s now your mission to go there and snap the deliciousness! Be warned though she may be doing the same!
  Silver Lining – it’s another person that can send you your Penney’s fix! She understands that Joe Fresh and that Ardene place does not cut it no matter what people tell you!! *rolls eyes
  Today I want to share with you 2 camera accessories I couldn’t be without. First a Manfrotto tripod with a ball head and second a tripod dolly on wheels. I’ve tried several tripods and nothing can compare to a Manfrotto, they are a bit pricy but you’ll only have to make the investment once. I have a very heavy camera and a tripod that can be purchased at any department store just couldn’t support it, and then add a heavy lens and it’s a recipe for disaster. I certainly wasn’t going to risk having my equipment topple over due to a flimsy tripod so I bit the bullet and forked over the CASHOLA for something substantial.
  The second accessory the tripod dolly isn’t a must but it comes in so handy and you’ll wonder how you ever did without it once you own one. I discovered this little gadget while in college; it’s what’s used in the portrait photography department. All you do is put the legs of the tripod into the given spots on the dolly and tighten the wing nuts. Now your tripod can easily glide around the room for photo taking. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to pick up camera and tripod to move it to a new location, but not anymore. The dolly on wheels is a lifesaver for a fast and easy way to move my equipment.
  I only have wood floors in my home so it makes it a breeze moving it around. I have tried rolling it on low pile area rugs and it does just fine, but as for thick plush carpet I can’t give an informative opinion.
  I was going to have hubby make me a rolling tripod but this one costs less than making one myself so purchasing was the better option. What’s your favorite camera accessory?
  Love that tripod…I do not use mine much as it is not very user friendly and my camera is heavy too!….This will be on my wish list….have a great weekend Dawn!
  Shirley I’ve had tripods like that and you’re right if they’re not easy to use you won’t drag them out.
  Looks awesome, Dawn! I have a heavy tripod that we have had for decades and completely trust it with all of my cameras, both dslr and pocket camera as well. Not sure I would every need wheels, but that’s sure a handy looking accessory to have. I am in the market for a verb small tripod, like a Gorillapod perhaps. Something I can set low to the ground for shooting flowers, bugs, shoes on my feet, etc. Glad to see that you have devices that work well for you…. xo
  Diane I never though I would like wheels either until I used them in school and now I live by them. I have one of those tiny tripods and it’s not sturdy enough for my camera. I normally just prop it up on a rock or book and use my wireless trigger to take the shots.
  Thanks for this Dawn. I have two tripods and do not completely love either of them. I’ll be studying this one for sure. 🙂
  Low-top leather sneakers in bright crimson featuring all-over Nike box graphics throughout. Round toe. Tonal lace-up closure. Logo flag at padded tongue. Padded collar. Signature 'Swoosh' embroidered at sides in snakeskin. Logo embossed at heel tab. Sculpted foam rubber midsole in white featuring signature Air-Sole unit at transparent rubber panel. Treaded rubber outsole in black. Tonal stitching.
  Let's talk about money. Or...money problems. Suze Orman on Oprah yesterday got me to thinking about just how quickly stuff can shift for even the most regular of us.
  When you have money problems that you just really couldn't predict...what do you do? What's your fallout plan? What would you NEVER do regarding money?
  The screenings were off the charts HOT.TO.DEATH! Both sold out and the response was AMAZING! I'm still reeling over the fact that everyone loved it and I love knowing their expectations were blown out of the water! LOL! Everyone was blinking with their mouths open like...WOW! THAT WAS SOOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!
  There is nothing like sitting with a REAL, LIVE AUDIENCE watching your film and absorbing their reaction. I wish I could bottle that feeling and use it whenever I'm in need of a quick pick me up or assurance that we're doing this the right way.
  My brain is a jumbled mess right now because I have all kinds of things going on right his minute but I'll be back to tell you guys more about it. If you were there...let us know what YOU thought and if you had a good time. If you weren't there...let me know if you talked to someone who was and what they thought!
  Thanks to everyone for the total unconditional love and support you always show us and know that we appreciate it more than anything.
  Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab Live Streaming: The primary return fixture of Pepsi IPL 2015 will see table-toppers Rajasthan Royals contend with Kings XI Punjab. Watch RR vs KXIP playing 18th T20 match for Indian Premier League Season 8 on 21st April at 08:00pm India time on Set Max and Star Sports Online.
  In their past match, RR gave the Chennai Super Kings a 8-wicket drubbing, consequently building a reasonable four point lead at the highest point of the standings. RR were compelled to change their mix in the past match to make space for their customary skipper Shane Watson.
  Be that as it may it didn't appear to influence the side as every individual assumed his part to flawlessness; RR confined an impressive CSK lineup to 156 preceding Watson reported himself in the opposition in his first excursion scoring 73 from 47 balls, and in the organization of Ajinkya Rahane set the stage for the run-pursue. RR are not honored with an excess of match-champs of global notoriety and it is along these lines imperative that the group makes the best utilization of the assets accessible, and that was another perspective that was great about RR in the past match.
  Rulers XI Punjab have one win from four excursions. Runner-up in Pepsi IPL 2014, KXIP are yet to locate their best blend, in spite of fielding eight universal cricketers in the XI. They've needed to forget Manan Vohra, who was a reliable run-getter last season, to make space for Murali Vijay. David Miller was compelled to warm the seat in the past match after scores of 23, 24 & 5. They have been aggressive in patches, yet will need to begin ruling the match for the whole length of time of 40 overs to begin heaping on the wins.