The Consumer Category
We bring you the chic and unique, the best and most bizarre shopping offers both online and offline. We offer you tips on where to buy, and some of the less mainstream and crazy, individual and offbeat items on the internet. Anything that can be bought and sold can be featured here. And we love showcasing the best and worst art and design.
People as Pixels – Marilyn Monroe to Audrey Hepburn in people paint
PEOPLE as Pixels is a body of work by Craig Alan. He uses people to create images of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, John F. Kennedy and the Statue of Liberty.
Posted: 2nd, March 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
Hog roasts instill ideas of massacre
Posted: 29th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
German farm lets sausage munchers pick which pig dies
WOULD you prefer to eat sausages taken from a single pig – a pig whose name you knew? Dennis Buchmann, has created Meine Kleine Farm (My Little Farm). The farm allows customers to vote for the animal they want to eat.
Says Buchman:
“I think man has lost touch with his food. People eat a sausage like a carrot; without any thought about what goes into it.”
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Posted: 28th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
How did you live without a bikini-style Hen Holster?
HOW did you ever live without a Hen Holster?
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Posted: 28th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
KLM Airline lets passengers avoid sitting next to a fat Muslim
KLM Airline lets passengers scan Facebook profiles to see who else is on their plane. They can then chose a seat to best pester the pretty blonde, avoid the bearded man reading the Koran, get close to a few children, dodge the fat and stalk the famous…
KLM’s Meet & Seat lets you find out about interesting people who will be on board your KLM flight such as other passengers attending the same event as you at your destination. Simply share your Facebook or LinkedIn profile through Manage my Booking. Next, check other passengers’ profile details and where they’ll be sitting. Of course you can also choose your seat.
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Posted: 27th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
EU invests 3million euros in insect farms
CAN insects be the future for cheap protein, that wonderful thing of the post-War years? The European Union is investing 3 million euros in insect farming, otherwise known as ‘not cleaning the kitchen’ and ‘not bothering to bury pets and grandparents but leaving them in the lader / lounge’:
Insects are a natural food source: They are packed with protein and calcium, low in fat, and offer a cheaper option to farming livestock. Compared to most animals used for food, these cold-blooded creatures spend less energy and nutrients, reproduce faster and in higher quantities, and—if farmed—would emit fewer greenhouse gasses.
Do locusts fart?
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Posted: 27th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comments (6)
The complete irrelevance of buying Fairtrade
WE’VE got the usual breathless report on how massively, hugely, Fairtrade sales are growing in The Guardian:
Sales of fairly traded products have bucked the trend of decline in the UK retail market to grow by 12% in the last year. The value of Fairtrade products sold through shops reached £1.32bn in 2011, compared to £1.17bn in 2010, according to figures from the Fairtrade Foundation, as it launches its annual marketing fortnight on Monday.
Whoooo! It’s Massive, Innit?
Well, err, no, it’s not. It’s a pittance, an irrelevance. Retail sales are of the order of £30 billion a month. That Fairtrade value is an annual one. So Fairtrade is actually a huge and massive (£1.32 / £30×12 x 100, umm) 0.366% of retail sales.
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Posted: 27th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
London theatre teaches visitors how to split an atom for nuclear fission – Iranians just £6 entry
In the theatre, THE BOMB – a partial history, a political history of the Nuclear Bomb and its proliferation from 1940 to the present day, will run concurrently with the festival. THE BOMB is presented in two parts: FIRST BLAST and SECOND BLAST, and can be seen over two nights or on an afternoon and evening over the weekend.
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Posted: 26th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
Foamhenge: like Stonehenge but made of Styrofoam (photos)
FOAMHENGE is like Stonehenge, only free, located in Rockbridge County, Virginia, and in event of flooding will float. Mark Cline is ancient man made modern:
Mark says that he can create four or five Foamhenge megaliths in a day, properly shaped and painted. The reason, of course, is that foam is much more easily worked than rock. That is also its Achilles heel. Foamhenge is, after all, really Styrofoamhenge. A sign at the base of the hill cautions: “Please be gentle. It is foam, not stone.”
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Posted: 25th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
If male superhero costumes were designed like female superhero Costumes – pictures
WHAT if male superheroes dressed like female superheroes? Fernacular gave it some thought. And put pen in ink:
My main goals were: 1) Make it so the first thing you think of when you look at them is sex, whether you want to or not. 2) make it so that any male human who looks at this feels really uncomfortable. 3) make it funny, because, well, it’s kinda hilarious really.
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Posted: 24th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
Urban Outfitters says Irish are nation of drunks and emasculates St Patrick
TO mark Saint Patrick’s Day Urban Outfitters is flogging a baseball cap on which is written “Irish Yoga – Downward Facing Upchuck”. It;s illustrated by a man puking on a mass of shamrocks.
A t-shirt carries the mirror “Get Me Drunk And We’ll See.” A jug is labelled “Leprechaun P***”.
Historian Michael Lavery tells the Irish Voice:
“If you allow others to cheapen your culture like this they will find it easier to overlook you in every other sphere from politics to culture. Urban Outfitters are trafficking in out of date stereotypes that have been used to diminish the Irish for centuries and I’m sorry to see it still happening in 2012.”
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Posted: 24th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment (1)
Barney Rosset was a champion of free speech (and dirty books)
BARNEY Rosset was with the Grove Press and Evergreen Review. He died:
Besides publishing [Samuel] Beckett, he brought early exposure to European writers like Eugène Ionesco and Jean Genet and gave intellectual ammunition to the New Left by publishing Che Guevara, Ho Chi Minh and “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.”…
He defied censors in the 1960s by publishing D. H. Lawrence’s “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” and Henry Miller’s “Tropic of Cancer,” ultimately winning legal victories that opened the door to sexually provocative language and subject matter in literature published in the United States. He did the same thing on movie screens by importing the sexually frank Swedish film “I Am Curious (Yellow).”
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Posted: 24th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment (1)
In photos – Central Saint Martins MA Catwalk show for London Fashion Week
LONDON Fashion Week in photos – the Central St Martins Fashion Show at the BFC venue at Somerset House. A bit of Abu Ghraib, a spot of McDonald’s chips and Doogle shoes…
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Posted: 23rd, February 2012 | In: Fashion, Key Posts | Comments (3)
The Guardian newspaper opens its first hotel?
IS the Guardian set to open a hotel? Harry’s Place reproduces an email:
The Guardian is thinking of developing a new hotel concept. An atmospheric place to unwind, broaden your mind and meet others. This would be much more than simply a place to stay and would offer an inspiring break for our guests. The hotel would offer a diverse programme of activities and events including workshops, debates and classes featuring guest speakers, writers, artists, chefs and political commentators.
Or it could simply be a place to relax with others. A stay at the hotel would be a social experience with plenty of communal space. We are in the very early stages of forming this plan and your feedback will be valuable in helping us to shape it.
Based on this brief description, how appealing does this hotel sound to you?
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Posted: 23rd, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
The Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design is learning in Vogue
ANYONE wanting to study how be a fashionista in London can enrol at the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design.
It “operates from the heart of one of the world’s most exciting fashion capitals”:
The Condé Nast College will establish itself as an important starting point for those who want to be tomorrow’s stars of the fashion industry. With outstanding resources, leading-edge facilities and access to experts from the worlds of fashion, style and luxury, the College will prepare its students to work in all areas of this exciting and innovative industry.
In 2013 we will offer two courses the ten-week Vogue Fashion Certificate and the year-long Vogue Fashion Foundation Diploma. We are now accepting applications and look forward to welcoming the first students!
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Posted: 22nd, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
Why the Sun on Sunday will trash the opposition
ANORAK will be buying the Sun on Sunday? Why? Well, today’s puff piece for the paper is brilliant:Following Rupert Murdoch’s announcement, Mary Lou Windsor from Mansfield, Notts, wrote to tell us: “The news of The Sun on Sunday launch has made my day — no, correction — it’s made my year!
“Good luck to you all. Nobody does it better than The Sun’s dedicated, hard-working professionals. I’ll drink a toast to the birth.”
Michael O’Mahoney, from Whittlesey, Cambs, wrote: “I and millions of other readers wish this venture all the best. I hope it will keep fighting for free speech and the truth.” Duncan Sabiston, of Didcot, Oxfordshire, said: “We can now look forward to waking up on a Sunday with our favourite paper. Bring on breakfast in bed!”
When asked about the launch, Labour leader Ed Miliband said: “It’s fine, he’s entitled to launch a Sunday newspaper.”
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Posted: 20th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
The Sun on Sunday – exclusive launch photos and video
THE Sun is to publish on Sunday. The greatest secret in media since news that Katie Price sleeps on her back is out.
Rupert Murdoch will “be staying in London to oversee the launch”.
The internal memo from News International chief executive Tom Mockridge tells staff:
“As you know, News Corporation has made clear its determination to sort out what has gone wrong in the past and we are fundamentally changing how we operate as a business. The commitment of News Corporation to invest in a new edition is the strongest possible message of support we could wish for. This is our moment. I am sure every one of us will seize the opportunity to pull together and deliver a great new dawn for The Sun this Sunday.”
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Posted: 20th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
Shadow sculptures made of rubbish are brilliant (photos)
SCULPTURES made from rubbish produce great shadows. Tim Noble and Sue Webster have gone to work and created these fine monuments to rubbish:
“The art of projection is emblematic of transformative art. The process of transformation, from discarded waste, scrap metal or even taxidermy creatures to a recognizable image, echoes the idea of ‘perceptual psychology’ a form of evaluation used for psychological patients. Noble and Webster are familiar with this process and how people evaluate abstract forms. Throughout their careers they have played with the idea of how humans perceive abstract images and define them with meaning. The result is surprising and powerful as it redefines how abstract forms can transform into figurative ones.”
Posted: 19th, February 2012 | In: Key Posts, The Consumer | Comment
Amanda Knox scores $4m book deal – what do the Kerchers get?
AMANDA Knox, the American cleared of killing Meredith Kercher in Italy, has sold her memoirs for $4 million to HarperCollins. Says the publisher:
“Knox will give a full and unflinching account of the events that led to her arrest and her struggles with the complexities of the Italian judicial system. She will reveal never before-told details and describe how she used her inner strength and strong family ties to cope with the most challenging time of her life.”
Who gets the cash?
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Posted: 16th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comments (11)
Zelda Kaplan RIP: fashionista dies with style at NY Fashion Week
ZELDA Kaplan, died whilst sat in the front row of Joanna Mastroianni’s New York catwalk show. She was 95.
Says Ruth Finley, publisher of The Fashion Calendar, in the New York Times:
“She flopped over in my lap. The show was just starting. I thought she fainted.”
Such is the power of the fashion. (Next year everyone will be doing it.)
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Posted: 16th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment (1)
Peta says it’s okay for vegans hurt women – real men beat the meat
PETA, the People For The Ethical Treatment of Animals – the self-appointed spokespersons for dumb animals (read this) – has a new campaign. Instead of naked women (optional leather) or putting them in cages, this one tells you that it’s ok to hurt women so long as its for their sexual satisfaction:
Think you’re the only one who’s sore because your newly vegan boyfriend keeps bringin’ it non-stop in the bedroom … and the kitchen … and the car … and the shower … and the living room? You’re not alone. Hear how others are coping with their BWVAKTBOOM and going vegan safely.
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Posted: 16th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comments (8)
Faces of fashion – Fashion Barbie Dream House Fall (photos)
TO the Fashion Barbie Dream House Fall 2012 collection during Fashion Week in New York. Next year all the cool kids will be dressed like Barbie. And their great aunt’s living in Boca Raton will wearing her immaculate face. Is that thing off the peg yet..?
More real-life Barbies this way.
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Posted: 15th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
Erotic sausages and other St Valentine’s Day PR
HAPPY Valentine’s Day from Cambridge butchers The Art of Meat. Their press release trills:
Subject: Valentines Day – Art of Meat – Erotic Sausage
Here at the Art of Meat we believe that in these times of austerity we owe it to the general public to try to bring some warmth and joy in all our lives.
Therefore, from Friday the 10th Feb until this Valentines Day we will be marketing and retailing, a saucisson d’amour, a liebewurstor in plain English an aphrodisiac sausage.
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Posted: 11th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comments (5)
Brothel lets homeless stay for free
You get bed and hot water but, as Laskaris says, “Other services are not included.” Adding:
“We are not really doing much business in the current cold weather anyway and it is the school holidays – a lot of people are off away with their families. Lots of our rooms are empty and it seemed a shame not to use them for a good cause. In these cold temperatures nobody should be left out on the streets.”
Posted: 11th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
Chinese shoppers excited about bouncing eggs
THE eggs are bouncing in Shanghai, China. A shopper named Cai says his boiled egg yolks bounce like ping-pong balls.
Good news, indeed, for table-tennis mad China. Now everyone the land over can play the sport of Olympic champions in the comfort of their own kitchen.
Says Cai:
“I’m afraid that I came across the ‘artificial eggs’…I don’t know what I can do. Should I break every egg to see whether they’re real eggs when buying?”
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Posted: 11th, February 2012 | In: The Consumer | Comment
