Trend Watch: Back to Basics

Posted by admin on July 3, 2009

Definition
Returning to a simpler time is what back to basics is all about—when modesty and humility were valued. Practicality is key to those modifying their daily lifestyle and simple pleasures are cherished now more than ever.

Spin
Practicality—Having tons of stuff isn’t practical. It’s fine to have the extras in life–no one’s denying anyone of that–but tons of stuff isn’t fine. Driving around in a military vehicle is the pinnacle of stuff and that’s frankly not cool. We’re going to be making smarter decisions by focusing our purchases on practicality, not unfettered desire.
Minimalism—As we find new ways to go back to basics, we’re going to de-clutter. De-clutter means removing the excesses and useless junk from our lives. In our journey of finding ways to get rid of the excesses, we’re going to re-prioritize what holds value and what can get tossed. It’s our search for cleaner, better lives that gives way to “back to basics”.

Examples

H3—There was a time when people were practical; when someone would ask, “Why are you driving a military vehicle (Hummer) to work?” This trend is re-emerging as the sales of smaller, more efficient cars are replacing gas-guzzlers. Now the coolest crowd of celebrities can be seen driving around in their Priuses. The waitlist for a Prius? Try 3-4 months, depending on where you’re shopping.
Iceland—Icelanders are avoiding imported beers (as they are pricier) resulting in the increase in popularity of local brews. Beer is a simple pleasure Icelanders are just not willing to give up even amid an economic downturn.
Affluent Shopper—Whether you’re making over $100,000 or not, great value is still great value. Affluent shoppers shop at Target, Wal-mart and Home Depot more than any other store (Affluent Survey). Though affluent individuals have more money, practicality is still valued and will continue to be in the future.

To read more about going back to basics, visit Sparxoo.com.

Sparxoo is a business blog that inspires breakthrough by tomorrow’s leaders. We are a strategy consulting firm with a pulse on marketing, branding, and development. See our talented team of experts and our parent company dCap Advisors.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/news-and-society-articles/trend-watch-back-to-basics-1009503.html

Things Mattresses Get Used For Besides Sleeping

Posted by admin on

A frantic daughter and three rubbish dumps placed off limits, is the result of one elderly woman’s million dollar life savings being stowed in American dollars and Israeli shekels in an old lumpy mattress that was thrown out with the trash. That is just one of the recent mattress stories that have led to heartache and sorrow.

June 19 2009

In Italy a man claimed he was using an inflatable mattress so he could get a comfortable night’s sleep. Inside the mattress were hidden several pounds of cocaine.

June 18th 2009

$3,000 was stolen from a Curry Walk resident, Central District police reported. A burglar entered the woman’s home and uncovered the cash neatly tucked under her mattress.

June 18 2009

Happily lazing on an inflatable mattress late at night, approximately 60 yards from the shore, at Presque Isle Bay in the north-west area of the state, forced the Coast Guard to check him out. The man was promptly handcuffed and taken into custody. The police had been looking for him as he hadn’t completed the required probationary obligations from a theft conviction.

June 2nd 2009

In Weston-super-Mare police took a man into custody who had stolen a mattress from a local outlet store, Weston Mercury. The man was taking the mattress home in full view, strapped to his car.

29th May 2009

In South Africa Jessica, a full grown hippo flings herself onto a king-size mattress in her den, when it’s time for her to relax. It is understood that Jessica is the only known domesticated hippo in the world.

May 28 2009

Using a 45-caliber Glock handgun three year-old Ariana Soto shot her two year-old brother, Ruben Soto III, in the chest. The mother of the children was in another room in the apartment at the time of the accident, their father was at work.

The injured boy was taken to Kern Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

The gun was in a holster between the mattress and box spring, said Bakersfield police Sgt Greg Terry. “This gun was for self defense and ready to fire”.

It is a crime punishable by up to three years in prison as a felony, or up to a year’s imprisonment as a misdemeanor, to improperly store a weapon in a way that the parent or guardian reasonably should know “that a child (could) gain access to the firearm”.

Mattress Trivia:

A recent study by the University of California in San Diego showed that more time spent in bed may increase problem-solving ability for a vast number of people.

Of course that is provided you:

• Don’t bank roll a mattress
• Don’t smoke on bed
• Don’t have a hippo for a pet and
• Don’t keep loaded guns handy.

The last snippet of mattress advice comes from a salesman who works for Choosea Mattress. “People must ‘get physical and have fun’ when replacing that old worn out mattress. They have to thrust themselves into the activity with great energy and approach the bed in exactly the same way, as if they were curling up for the night at home”.

Rick and Wendy are CEO’s of YouMe Support Foundation charity that gives away non repayable high school education grants to children who will never have the opportunity to have a high school education without outside assistance.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/news-and-society-articles/things-mattresses-get-used-for-besides-sleeping-1010371.html