Poundland To The Rescue?

The discount retail outlet Poundland has set forward plans to open at least 50 new stores and create 2,000 jobs.

I can see the widening eyes off students all over the country as the £1 or less retailer provides big brands at low prices, but what does it mean for the sector as a whole?

As a man of taste and style (ish...) I have to say there is something a little off about stores like Poundland for me. I much prefer to know that what I am buying has come from the latest batch produced. Maybe I am the perfect example of the fresh and fast economy that has seen the growth of organic food and recycled packaging that has dominated the consumer retail sector of late. Marks and Spencer's Simply food being prime example of this growth. 


The fast and cheap culture of the 90's may have died with Little Chef and the development of 'healthy' MacDonals but is it set for a Poundland revival? With around 3 million customers a week, its hard to argue otherwise. Whats more, Piundland are playing the 'we will help the economy stabilise' card, a move that will surely win them more support.

I have to say I am sceptical. I'm not a snob, neither am I too proud to root for a bargain (I'm a car boot sale fan after all) but at the same time, I like to enjoy the entire experience of shopping. It begins with the building and continues through package design, store design, colours, the layout, the smells the sounds... all of which make me feel like I am choosing a product because it speaks to me and who I am.

I'm not saying that Poundland are a bad retailer, far from it, the company employ over 7,500 staff in 263 store nationwide so who am I to belittle that? It is also true that the displays and quality of fixtures and fitters may well be higher than you think they would be but, for me, it just doesn't quite hit the button.

So what's the conclusion? Poundland's top sellers include Kodak batteries, Malteasers and cotton buds so if your idea of a good night in is cleaning your ears out then eating a packet of Malteasers whilst watching the latest Katie Holmes film on your battery powered portal DVD player then head to Peterborough where the next Poundland will open.

If like me, you find it hard to buy toiletries that don't have the vintage European style label of L'Occitane stuck to the front then maybe its not for you. 

I may be paying a visit for AAA batteries however. I all ways did think they were overpriced.

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Piranha Pedicure's all round!

I was slightly shocked to read that the new craze in beauty therapy is the 'Piranha Pedicure'.

Sounds like it will hurt and clip your nails a little too close to the bone doesn't it.

For those of you not quite brave enough to dip your feet below the water line, you will be pleased to hear that there are no real Piranha's involved. Instead the fish used are Garra Rufa, a type of mini-carp no more than two inches long. I can hear a collective sigh of relief from everyone in a ten mile radius.

To get technical about it, the carp feed on dead skin (appetising right?) which sees them eat the scales off larger fish in the wild and skin of women's feet all over London.

Prices vary ranging up to £45 per dip to let the little suckers remove around 2 layers of skin so it isn't cheap. So is it worth it I hear you ask?

The owners of the the Aqua Sheko fish Spa in Kensington would say so. The spa has steadily been increasing its client base and with good reason. The fish offer a non-chemical procedure that comes directly from nature itself and with a definite shift towards natural remedies who can blame the scores of women (and some men I am sure) flocking to the closest fish tank, river bank or sink to dip their toes in the water?

Camden is abundant with fish in tanks so my suggestion would be to head there to witness it before trying. We all like to watch someone else get their feet chewed up before dipping our own feet in I'm sure! As a slight word of warning, check the Spa's credentials before putting your feet into any tank. It has been known through Asia, where the treatment began, for different fish to be used and these fish are not as pleasant. They can leave bruises or tiny cuts on the sole of the feet which, I'm sure you know, doesn't look so good with the new sandals you just bought from Marc Jacobs.

Moving forward, now may be the time to try the fish therapy because who knows what the next wave of therapy will bring. Our fishy little helpers could soon be swimming back to wild only to be replaced by crabs that cut your toe nails or monkey's that paint your finger nails.

Madonna

I am a habitual person. Each morning as I head into the city I purchase 2 newspapers:  1) The Times and 2) The Daily Mail. I buy both papers because I really enjoy reading The Daily Mail but am embarrassed because I feel as a professional woman I should be reading something a bit more “high brow”. The result – I carefully hide the Daily Mail within the front page of The Times. 

I am proud to say that I have progressed since my youthful days 12 years ago when I used to hide The Times within the front page of the FT. I look forward to the day when I will sit proudly with The Sun without reservation.

But I digress…

Today, on page 3 of The Daily Mail is a photo of Madonna with her 13 year-old daughter Lourdes. I can remember when I was only a few years older than Lourdes dancing around in my Mom’s basement, “Like a Virgin” record (yes RECORD ALBUM for those who can remember such a thing) blaring from the speakers, microphone (aka hairbrush) in hand. Eyes closed and I was a superstar. Madonna was my idol. 

That was over 25 years ago.

Madonna and I have come along way since then. She’s 52. I’ve just turned 41. We both found our way from the States to London. We both married English men and divorced these English men. Madonna became the biggest superstar on the planet and a mother. I became a Director and a dog owner. 

I, like Madonna, have looked age in the face and said “screw you”. I will not grow old gracefully. I will botox, chemical peel, microdermabrasion, spin, run, juice, diet, detox my way to 70 and beyond.  I like to think I would never go under the knife but in 15 years’ time…we’ll see. Those who think the battle against aging involves “buying youth” are sadly mistaken. This battle involves huge sacrifice. Madonna has clearly made those sacrifices. And the older we get, the larger the sacrifice.

Happy birthday Madonna. You are a beautiful 52. And you are still my idol.