#227. Common Nut

[mechanical-drawing]

19 August 1876

[blackfemmecharacterdependency]

3. Upon Further Research

Simon was fine. That’s what he kept having to tell himself. It wasn’t like he truly wanted to date Grace St. Catherine. He couldn’t even if he wanted to. He had far too many habits and personal ways that made others uncomfortable or annoyed. 

The last woman he attempted to date didn’t like the fact that Samantha had her own room and that she was only allowed to enter it if Samantha had approached her to be friends. If Samantha was uncomfortable, she would mewl about it and he didn’t want that type of upset over someone who didn’t have to live with her adjusting to something she didn’t like. 

The last man he dated had an irrational hatred of the fact that Simon purchased multiple types of milk for different times of the day or different kinds of enjoyment. He never thought he would see someone have such a reaction to the fact that he wanted whole milk for cereal and to warm up at the end of the night before bed, low fat milk for milkshakes and accompanying a grilled cheese or a cheese and egg sandwich, and skim milk for drink mixes and casual throughout the day enjoyment. “Just buy one kind of milk and stick with it!” Truth be told, sometimes, Simon also bought 2% milk whenever he wasn’t feeling that great and nut milk for cooking. He just… couldn’t explain that it made a difference to his consumption and couldn’t understand why it made someone else so frustrated. 

But, it reminded him that he had unique quirks that people found basically unacceptable. Grace seemed like a cool person, but she probably would be irritated to open his fridge and see 6 different types of milk too. Or to have Samantha refuse to acknowledge her and therefore not be able to enter Sam’s Sanctuary… or even just be annoyed that there was a room with cat trees, a little playground, cat toys, waterer, feeder, etc, and a cat that spent most of her time in the windowsill instead of acknowledging all of the luxury that had been collected for her.

Then again, it was unfair to assume what people might not like about you or your life. He couldn’t know for sure. All that he knew was that she wasn’t interested in going out with him. 

That should have been the end of it, but he was very curious about that comment that her coworker made about “another hot date.” Did she have a lot of hot dates? What exactly constitutes a hot date?

Going through her photos didn’t help with that. If she regularly dated, she certainly didn’t like anyone enough to put them on her social media. Though, she did see in one of her comments she said something about VDay “my hands will be full. Worry ‘bout yourself," she’d told somebody who asked if she was trying to get “wifed up for VDay,” as a response to a photo of her in a stunning red dress, captioned with “Beneficiary Gathering #GraceLoveTheKids” She didn’t have a location, so he searched “beneficiary gathering” and came up with SO MANY things. He sighed and went back to her hashtag, wondering if it was common for her. 

She used it pretty frequently! There were photos of her at a children’s hospital, photos of numerous kids, some at some center, some at parks and stuff… She really didn’t put a lot of information into her captions. Most people loved to tell you location and event and every single detail. The fact that she didn’t made her more appealing to Simon. She liked her space. He liked his too. He could relate… but also… he needed to know more. 

It’s not a violation of her privacy if I don’t use anything against her. I'm just intrigued...

.

A few days after the date debacle, Simon found his way back into the coffee shop, this time with Samantha with him. Grace noticed him come in and sit down, but she was at the cash register, helping a customer out. When she finished, she waved to him, but he didn’t seem to notice. He was petting his cat and scrolling something. She let out a disappointed sigh. Of course, Simon had noticed her. Every single detail, including that sigh. That made him a little hopeful that perhaps she would come over and engage. Maybe meet Samantha, even. She didn’t, though. She worked as usual and didn't seem to even glance his way again.

Grace went across the street for lunch. The little deli had a small selection, but they had something that she couldn’t get anywhere else in town - chicken taco pinwheels - and she was hooked on them. She’d order a dozen of them with two pickle spears, homemade potato chips with cracked pepper and sea salt, and ginger ale with cherries. It was one of the highlights of her day to get that very same lunch any time that she worked. When she was leaving today, she almost ran into Simon. She gasped and hugged her lunch to herself. “Mr. Laurent. Sorry. I’m usually pretty aware of my surroundings. You didn’t sneak up on me, did you?” she teased and winked an eye at him.

“You know… People usually call me Simon,” he said, smiling.

“People call you?” she asked. He blushed and laughed. “Of course I’m kidding. It’s just easier to call you that because of the policy and stuff.”

“The policy?”

“At the bookstore. Normally, they don’t care if you get familiar with regulars and they share their names, but since it’s you, we’re not supposed to bother you and were told that we were to refer to you as Mr. Laurent. It’s part of orientation. I remember very vividly saying, “Well excuse me, Mr. Laurent!” She exaggerated the Frenchness of his name and he chuckled at it, then stopped and looked serious. “Because, I’m kind of a goofball. Didn’t mean anything by it..”

“No, no. It’s fine. I just think it’s weird that they do that. I don’t mind being spoken to like a normal person.” That wasn’t completely true. He hated being interrupted if he was working or doing something with a hobby…

“Okay… Simon, then,” she said with a smile. He could only give her one back in return. “And who is our little pristine friend?” She asked. Samantha was on a leash, and standing, staring, almost as though she were waiting to be introduced to this strange new person. 

“This is Samantha.”

Grace stooped down and Simon tensed up. She smiled and said, “Hi, Samantha. I’m Grace. I work at your daddy’s favorite bookstore. I’ve seen a lot of photos of you, and might I say, you are radiant! Exuding opulence! You own EVERYTHING!” Samantha stepped forward and rubbed herself against Grace’s knee. “Oh, you are so adorable, but I can’t pet you right now! I’m holding stuff.” Grace stood up, looking sad as Samantha continued to rub against her shoes until Simon gathered her up. 

“She never does that. Sorry..”

“No, she’s majestic. Maybe Daddy will bring you around to see me again some time, sweetie!” She blew kisses at Samantha, nodded her head to Simon, called out, “See you tomorrow, Chief!” (to which the deli owner waved). 

Simon came up to the counter and noticed the man staring at Samantha. Maybe he shouldn’t have brought her inside of here. “I’m going to have whatever she just ordered, to go, please?” He waited out of the way, just in case having an animal in their eating space might bother someone. 

Her deli order was better than her coffee order, that was for sure, though that wasn’t hard to beat. He shivered thinking about it. He ate in his car and pulled up to a trash bin to discard things. Samantha was sleeping very comfortably in her safety carrier. 

Grace got off of work and danced out of the door, holding her perfume laced coffee. She looked up at the sky for a moment, checked her phone. He looked up too. It might rain. She didn’t seem too bothered, merely curious. She walked through the neighborhood, the wind was blowing her sweater and she was drinking her coffee, speaking to various people as she passed them. How did she DO that? Simon barely liked speaking to the people that he knew. She couldn’t have possibly known most of these people, though maybe she saw them everyday, but that meant nothing. Was she cordial and warm all of the time?

She stopped at a florist and he watched through the window as she seemed to know the guy in the flower shop too. They chatted for a while until someone came from the back with what looked like a package. It was one of those big yellow mailing envelopes and the woman who gave it to her walked her over, away from the counter to speak with her before handing it to her and hugging her. As Grace came out, she said, “Thanks! See you next time…” The guy behind the counter rushed to hand her a flower and she hugged him too. Simon… didn’t like it, even though it seemed perfectly friendly and she seemed like one of those people who probably hugged her friends and stuff. Maybe. He didn’t know enough yet. Hadn’t collected enough information. 

She slipped her package into her bag, handed her presumably empty cup to the guy and he went inside and threw it away for her as she left. Simon lost her once she went into the train station. But, he felt like he collected enough information for the day. He wondered if this was daily, or if she deviated what she did after work. He continued driving past the station and headed home to work on all of his notes and more research. 

One thing that he noted was that aside from her social media, he couldn’t find much about Grace St. Catherine. And, that wasn’t even much to go by, because aside from everything being private, what she shared was still limited. 

But. The guy at the florist shop followed her. Simon checked his page. Heath Farmer *152 Simon didn't think much of it whenever he read the generic name, just scrolled through photos. None of them had Grace in them, but she was in his comments a lot and vice versa. It led to nothing.

He clicked on someone else's page who was speaking with them in the comments. Jalicia Barrett * 227 "Huh." He went to find others that he saw speaking in similar circles and several had no numbers there, but there were quite a few others that did have a number listed, and some were kids or teenagers. Maybe something to do with some of Grace's child benefits? He couldn't find what tied them together… But then he saw someone's page and Grace was actually in photos ON it. "Xander Helstrom *747…" 

His profile pic was a younger photo of himself with pink hair, wearing a chin guard on his face and a bandana on his arm. 

But, all of his current photos indicated he was older now, probably early 20s or late teens. He and Grace seemed close. There was a photo of him with her pet turtle and sliding through the set, it was the day that she bought it. So… they were most likely really good friends, or something else… Simon found himself looking at every interaction between them that he could find. They spoke like they had known each other a long time and from what he could see, this was the only person who had photos of her in her space. Maybe they were in something complicated? He searched Xander's other accounts. His Tweets were mostly about child welfare and social justice. His Facebook seemed similar, but also had memes and photos of himself and memorials for children. One caught his attention. The drawing looked similar to Grace's art style and it was of a little girl with the caption, "In honor of Hazel. She was never a number and she changed us for the better." 

There were several people who commented. "To Hazel, never a number." But, then Simon saw Grace's comment.

"Hazel taught me not to worry and not to rush. She helped give me empathy and a reason to fight. I never would have made it without her. To Hazel, never a number. Always a friend."

Simon looked at the time on his phone. "Crap." It was 2 am. 

He finished compiling all of his notes and went to bed. He was very curious what those numbers meant, but he couldn't dwell on it at the moment. He'd have to sleep well into the day to make up for staying up tonight. Tomorrow, he'd have to leave his car behind. He needed to know what happened when Grace got on the train. 

04. Date Night

[dietsauthority]

How to Get Your Protein Needs Without Eating Meat

Protein is an inescapable part of a healthy diet plan, but not all individuals know that they can satisfy their healthy protein requirements without eating meat.

According to Daniel Pendick, the former managing editor of Harvard Males's Health Watch:

" Protein is vital to health. The really beginning of words-- from the Greek protos, implying "first"-- mirrors healthy protein's top-shelf condition in human nourishment.

You require it to place meat on your bones and to make hair, blood, connective tissue, antibodies, enzymes, and also a lot more. It's common for athletes and body builders to wolf down additional protein to bulk up. The message the rest of us frequently obtain is that we're consuming also much protein.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is a small 0.8 grams of protein per kilo of body weight. The RDA is the amount of a nutrient you need to fulfill your standard dietary requirements. In a sense, it's the minimal amount you need to avoid getting unwell-- not the specific amount you are meant to eat each day."

Moreover, HealthLine explains:

" Healthy proteins are constructed out of smaller sized particles called amino acids, which are linked together like grains on a string. These linked amino acids develop lengthy healthy protein chains, which are after that folded up right into intricate shapes.

A few of these amino acids can be produced by your body, while you have to get others with your diet. The last are called essential amino acids.

Protein is not practically quantity but additionally top quality. Normally talking, animal healthy protein offers all vital amino acids in the appropriate ratio for you to make complete use them-- which makes sense, as animal tissues resemble your very own tissues.

If you're eating pet products like meat, fish, eggs, or milk on a daily basis, you're likely doing pretty well protein-wise already."

Despite picking a premium healthy protein, ensure you also have a couple of small protein meals during the day.

Eggs and also dairy are total proteins, as they include all the important amino acids. On the various other hand, a lot of plant-based healthy proteins are incomplete, indicating that you must consume various type of them in order to satisfy your needs.

Here are the most effective options you can make:

1. Dairy

Dairy products like eggs, milk, home cheese, and also cheddar, are high in healthy protein, and also maximize your calcium levels.

Dairy Protein Calories Fat Fat-free cottage cheese, 1 cup 31 g 160 1 g 2% cottage cheese, 1 cup 30 g 203 4 g 1% cottage cheese, 1 cup 28 g 163 2 g Fat-free plain yogurt, 1 cup 14 g 137 0 g Low-fat plain yogurt, 1 cup 13 g 155 4 g Parmesan cheese, 1 oz grated 12 g 129 9 g Whole milk yogurt, 1 cup 9 g 150 8 g Goat's milk, 1 cup 9 g 168 10 g 1% milk, 1 cup 8 g 102 2 g Swiss cheese, 1 oz 8 g 106 8 g 2% milk, 1 cup 8 g 121 7 g 3.25% (whole) milk, 1 cup 8 g 146 8 g Low-fat cheddar/Colby cheese, 1 oz 7 g 49 2 g Part-skim mozzarella cheese, 1 oz 7 g 72 5 g Provolone cheese, 1 oz 7 g 100 8 g Cheddar cheese, 1 oz 7 g 114 9 g Blue cheese, 1 oz 6 g 100 8 g American cheese, 1 oz 6 g 106 9 g Goat cheese, 1 oz 5 g 76 6 g Feta cheese, 1 oz 4 g 75 6 g Part-skim ricotta cheese, 1 oz 3 g 39 2 g

2. Grains

Grains are rich in protein as well as whole-grain carbs, and also they are outstanding for muscle-building.

Grains Protein Calories Fiber Amaranth, 1 cup cooked 9 g 238 9 g Quinoa, 1 cup cooked 9 g 254 4 g Whole wheat pasta, 1 cup cooked 8 g 174 6 g Barley, 1 cup cooked 7 g 270 14 g Spelt, 4 oz cooked 6 g 144 4 g Oats, 1 cup cooked 6 g 147 4 g Bulgur, 1 cup cooked 6 g 151 8 g Buckwheat, 1 cup cooked 6 g 155 5 g Brown rice, 1 cup cooked 5 g 216 4 g Whole wheat bread, 1 slice 4 g 128 3 g Sprouted grain bread, 1 slice 4 g 80 3 g

3. Legumes

Beans, peas, as well as lentil are all beans, abundant in healthy protein, fiber, as well as iron.

Legumes, 1 cup cooked Protein Calories Fiber Soybeans 29 g 298 10 g Lentils 18 g 230 16 g Split peas 16 g 231 16 g Navy beans 16 g 258 12 g Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) 15 g 269 12 g Black beans 15 g 227 15 g Kidney beans 15 g 225 11 g Lima beans 15 g 216 13 g Pinto beans 14 g 234 15 g

4. Nuts

Nuts are abundant in healthy protein, anti-oxidants, fiber, and also heart- healthy fatty acids. Boost the consumption of almonds, cashews, peanuts, pistachios and also yearn nuts, and note that hazelnuts and chestnuts include the lowest protein.

Nuts, 1/4 cup Protein Calories Fat Peanuts, raw 9 g 207 18 g Almonds, dry roasted 8 g 206 18 g Pistachios 6 g 171 14 g Hazelnuts 5 g 212 21 g Pine nuts 5 g 229 23 g Cashews, raw 5 g 197 16 g Walnuts 4 g 164 16 g

5. Soy

Soy is also a rich resource of protein, so you can openly eat tempeh, soy milk, and also tofu!

Soy Foods Protein Calories Fat Soybeans, 1 cup cooked 29 g 298 10 g Tempeh, 4 oz cooked 21 g 223 13 g Edamame, 1 cup shelled 20 g 240 10 g TVP, 1/4 cup dry 12 g 80 0 g Soy nuts, 1/4 cup roasted 11 g 200 1 g Tofu, 4 oz raw 9 g 86 5 g Soy nut butter, 2 tablespoons 7 g 170 11 g Soymilk, 1 cup sweetened 7 g 100 0.5 g Soymilk, 1 cup unsweetened 7 g 80 0.5 g

6. Seeds

Add seeds to your salads and pasta, as well as you will consume a lot of protein, phytochemicals, and also unsaturated fats.

Seeds (1/4 cup) Protein Calories Fat Hemp seeds 15 g 232 18 g Pumpkin seeds, roasted 9 g 187 16 g Flaxseed 8 g 191 13 g Sunflower seeds, roasted 8 g 205 18 g Sesame seeds, roasted 6 g 206 18 g

[motivatingspeech]

The Story Of Tommy Hilfiger: 15 Things You Didn't Know About Tommy Hilfiger

  The Story Of Tommy Hilfiger: An American fashion designer and Founder of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. 

Tommy Hilfiger was born on March 24th, 1951 as Thomas Jacob Hilfiger in Elmira, New York to jeweler Richard and Nurse Virginia. He was the second born of nine children and was raised a Catholic since launching. His namesake brand in 1985, Tommy Hilfiger has become globally renowned as the pioneer of classic American cool style. Inspired by iconic pop culture and American heritage, the designer and his brand are driven by an ever-optimistic vision to break conventions and celebrate individuality. Today, under Hilfiger’s guidance vision and leadership as principal designer, Tommy Hilfiger is one of the world's most recognized lifestyle brands that, shares its inclusive and youthful spirit with consumers worldwide. In fact, for a period of time, the very colors red white and blue were synonymous with the designer. He pioneered courting hip-hop artists in time before it was common practice, extending his brands reach even further.  

15 Things You Didn't Know About Tommy Hilfiger

1. As a child, Tommy Hilfiger Suffered From Dyslexia. In an interview discussing his book American dreamer, he elaborated on his childhood struggle with reading. He says he just had to learn how to read differently. Saying, he cured himself. It’s not like he took medication or went to a specialist. He says, he forced himself to read each word as it presented itself rather than attempting to speed read like an average person. 2.  Tommy Hilfiger Never Went To Design School He began experimenting with design in the early 70s. At the age of 18, he opened a store called the people’s place in Almira, Washington that sold hippie, supplies like bell-bottoms, incense, and Records. Wildly successful at first, Hilfiger soon had a chain of stores and a six-figure income but a downturn in the economy hit his business hard and he filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1977. That setback only motivated him to work harder. He’s quoted as saying: “I forced myself to learn the nuts and bolts of the business and not solely on the creative side. I got hyper-focused on it. I learned how to read a balance sheet, I figured out how to control expenses and figured out a way to build a business on a shoestring budget. In school, they teach you through case studies of other companies…I had my case study.” 3. He was fired from Jordache after only working one year in 1976. Hilfiger fell in love with Susie, an employee at one of his stores. The couple married and moved to Manhattan shortly after the bankruptcy. they were hired as a husband-and-wife design team by the apparel brand 'Jordache' but were fired after only one year Hilfiger developed a reputation as a hard-working, young designer and was considered for jobs at Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein, what he really wanted though was his own label. 4. He got his chance to launch that brand in 1984. Hilfiger was approached by Indian entrepreneur Mohan Moorjani, who was looking for a designer to head a men’s sportswear line. Moorjani allowed Hilfiger to design the label under his own name. Stealing the deal, the pair announced Hilfiger's arrival onto the scene with a blitz marketing campaign that included a bold billboard in New York City's Times Square, announcing Hilfiger as the next big thing in American fashion. In fact, Hilfiger told a reporter in 1986, that he thought he was the next great American designer, the next Ralph Lauren or Calvin Klein. 5. Tommy Hilfiger has an estimated net worth of over 450 million dollars. It was in 1984, when Tommy Hilfiger Corporation was launched. In 1992, the company went public Hilfiger, sales went up and up from 107 million dollars in 1992 to 138 million dollars in 1993 and 227 million in 1994. By the mid-1990s they were close to 500 Tommy Hilfiger sections within department stores. About half the company's revenues came from sales at three big department store chains. As of 2004 the company already had more than 5,400 employees and was earning an annual revenue of more than 1.5 billion dollars. However, over time the company sales began to decline, which led Hilfiger to sell the company to the private investment firm Apax Partners for 1.6 billion dollars. And in March 2010, he sold Tommy Hilfiger Corporation to the owner of Calvin Klein Corporation Phillips van Heusen for three billion dollars. 6. The first-ever Tommy Hilfiger campaign was legendary. The line of Tommy Hilfiger clothing debuted in the fall of 1985 with an ad campaign that featured no clothes but declared that Hilfiger was the designer on par with Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, and Calvin Klein. The ads did little more than inserting Hilfiger's name in the pantheon. Yet, this was somehow effective. The brashness of the strategy attracted attention in the fashion industry and caused comment by Johnny Carson and other notable people. The first ads were centered on New York City, using print and outdoor media. By 1987, the Hilfiger line was attracting more national attention with advertisements in people. USA Today, GQ, Sports Illustrated and other publications. The entire advertising budget for Hilfiger clothing was only 1.4 million dollars and ads appeared infrequently. However, they sure did make a splash with double-page spreads and because they featured words, logos or Hilfiger space, and no images of clothes or models they stood out from other fashion advertisements. George Louis, who helped create the ads for the firm Louis, Pitts, GGK, claimed in a March 1988 marketing and media decisions article, that he could not make Hilfiger's clothes look any better than anyone else’s, and therefore the ads sold an idea and not a particular fashion. According to one survey, after only two years of his ads, Hilfiger had succeeded in convincing 68% of sampled New Yorkers to name him as one of the top four or five important designers. 7. He received the title of the menswear designer of the year. In 1995 he received the title of menswear designer of the year, which was conferred by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. His once skeptical peers recognized him as one of the best. Hilfiger made a name for himself by prominently putting his name and logo on his clothes and marketing them to urban youth in a way that other American designers had not done. He harnessed a diverse following of consumers with his oversized, street style sportswear and relaxed all-American style of jeans, khakis, and polos, that began to be taken at the end of the 20th century. And to keep that name and logo prominent, Hilfiger invested a great deal in advertising. And the packaging of the product has surpassed any originality in the clothes themselves. He has raised the bar for fashion merchandising and image branding that has come to define American fashion. 8. He was a mentor to Sean Combs’ brand Sean John. When Hilfiger was asked if he had any regrets of helping Sean Combs’ build his business, only to have it take away market share from him, he said, “I’ve always been a mentor to younger designers and people who have asked me for my advice… I also think what’s meant to be was meant to be... I was happy to help young people, who come to me for advice... many people helped me along the way...” 9. He briefly shortened his brand name to Tommy Hill. This was back when he first established the company, but his business partner at the time, Mohan Murjani, convinced him to stick with his full surname to stand out in the business. Seems like that was great advice to follow. :D 10. He’s been accused of copying Ralph Lauren. From the outset, Hilfiger has been compared to Ralph Lauren. He has been criticized for copying Lauren's preppy style but gearing his signature: red, white and blue styles toward a younger market at more popular prices, Hilfiger, like Lauren has appeared in advertisements for his clothing line. Both men have used the American flag as an important marketing tool. Hilfiger has also replicated Lauren's business model. Even, employing former Lauren executives, to help build Tommy Hilfiger, which Hilfiger with backing from Silas Chow and Lauren's novel enterprises, bought from Murjani in 1989. Chow, then incorporated Tommy Hilfiger in Hong Kong following Lauren’s lead in lifestyle merchandising. Hilfiger expanded his franchise by opening a number of stores, whose interiors reflect the all-American-ness his clothing by signing licensing agreements around the world and by offering a range of lines such as underclothing, accessories, fragrances, home décor, designer jeans, women's wear, children's wear, and a higher-end menswear collection. Hilfiger spent fifteen million dollars in advertising to launch his men's fragrance “Tommy”, in 1995. Which at the time was the most money spent on a campaign for men’s fragrances. 11. The brand suffered major declines in the early 2000s. Around the year 2000, his professional success began to dwindle down as he started suffering from financial troubles. His designs started losing their popularity with the hip-hop artists and sales went down by 75%. Tommy may have rested on his red white and blue laurels for too long at the time, because trendier brands like FUBU, dominated urban fashion. While Tommy’s clothes build bargain bins at Bloomingdale’s and Macy's. Hilfiger tried a host of makeover strategies that didn’t work. A women's sportswear collection failed miserably. Sponsorships of Mary J Blige and Sheryl Crow concerts didn’t sell more Capri pants. And while one of its new fragrances performed well, it didn't turn around the company. Though, Hilfiger’s impressive growth had slowed dramatically from the 1990s. The company remained a popular and well-known brand. Along with traditional advertising, the company chose to tout its image using unique methods, including the purchase of the sponsorship rights to Long Island’s Jones Beach Theater, one of the most successful amphitheaters in the United States. and the sponsorship of a 50-foot sailing vessel, the ship was named the Tommy Hilfiger freedom America yacht and would be racing in the challenging 27,000-mile 9-month endurance alone around race, that would launch in New York City in September of 2002. For Tommy Hilfiger Corp., remaining afloat of the highly competitive ever-changing fashion industry would no doubt prove to be just as challenging. 12. Tommy Hilfiger has partnered with supermodel Gigi Hadid. Now going into their collection the collaboration between these two fashion forces has been a blast. The partnership has been equally beneficial for both of them. Gigi Hadid may have helped Tommy Hilfiger sell more bomber jackets, sweaters, and sailor outfits, but their partnership has apparently also been good for the supermodel. The designer said Hadid's social media following has grown exponentially since joining the brand. Hadid, has more than 48 million followers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook today, more than twice the number she had before their collaboration. 13. He is leading the charge of inventory lists showrooms. Located at its global headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the digital showroom revolutionizes the sales experience for retailers by offering them a more engaging and seamless buying approach. The interactive system blends collection information, sales tools and brand content in one seamless touchscreen interface. Hilfiger told the Post that we don't have showrooms packed with clothes anymore. 13 of his 40 showrooms across the world are equipped with the IMAX Theater like technology and iPads, which show off his collection to buyers. the centerpiece of the digital showroom is an interactive 1/2 meter by one-meter touchscreen table, set in a sleek walnut frame that connects to a four-meter high wall to a wall grid of ultra-high-definition 4k screens. Customers can digitally view every item in the Tommy Hilfiger sportswear and Hilfiger denim seasonal collections and create custom orders all with product categories laid out across a single screen. They can view head to toe key looks, zoom in with incredible detail to see unique design features and click on a garment for specific information, such as color offerings and size ranges.   14. Tommy Hilfiger is launching clothing for adults with disabilities. After releasing multiple adaptive clothing collections for children last year the brand is adding a range for adults 37 men's and 34 women styles with modifications like Velcro closures, magnetic flies and adjusted leg openings to make it easier for people of all abilities to get dressed. Tommy Hilfiger collaborated with Magna ready and runway of dreams, a nonprofit that works to broaden clothing options for people with disabilities. 15. Tommy Hilfiger now serves as an ambassador for the brand and doesn’t have all the design responsibilities. He's quoted as saying I'm busier than I've ever been and I'm happier than I've ever been. I don't have the burden of all the day-to-day business... I feel that our leadership is better than ever and is as strong as any leadership in the entire industry... Daniel Grider who's the global CEO is leading the charge and believes very strongly in social media, and being on the edge from a technology standpoint that is one of the reasons why we’ve continued global growth it takes a very special person to have that vision. He’s very strong and confident in making decisions that keep us on the edge of technology. A Bonus fact of Tommy Hilfiger: Tommy Hilfiger used to hand out free clothing according to Ralph McDaniel’s, the creator of Video Music Box. Tommy Hilfiger would show up in predominantly black neighborhoods and open up a trunk with clothes and hand them out. It makes the malicious rumor that the designer doesn't like black people, wearing his clothes look even more ridiculous. Hilfiger's shrewd marketing move paid off big-time, as people who receive free clothing only ended up wanting more of it. McDaniel adds that it was like a drug dealer giving you a free hit. Suddenly, people started purchasing their own Hilfiger, including 90s icons, that made the label a staple in the hip-hop community. Hilfiger famously ended up on the backs of 90 stars like Snopp Dogg, Raekwon and more... Read the full article

[gethealthy18-blog]

Ideal Body Weight Calculator

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/getting-healthy/getting-healthy-women/ideal-body-weight-calculator/

Ideal Body Weight Calculator

What is the ideal weight?

The ideal body weight is the optimal weight as per the height, age, and gender of a person. If the weight of a person is more than that specified for a height, the individual is at risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cholelithiasis, osteoporosis, and infertility (1).

How Much Should I Weigh For My Height And Age And Gender?

As per the National Institutes of Health, following is the ideal body weight chart based on the height of an individual (2).

Height Weight Normal Overweight Obesity Severe obesity 4ft 10″(58″) 91 to 115 lbs. 119 to 138 lbs. 143 to 186 lbs. 191 to 258 lbs. 4ft 11″(59″) 94 to 119 lbs. 124 to 143 lbs. 148 to 193 lbs. 198 to 267 lbs. 5ft(60″) 97 to 123 lbs. 128 to 148 lbs. 153 to 199 lbs. 204 to 276 lbs. 5ft 1″(61″) 100 to 127 lbs. 132 to 153 lbs. 158 to 206 lbs. 211 to 285 lbs. 5ft 2″(62″) 104 to 131 lbs. 136 to 158 lbs. 164 to 213 lbs. 218 to 295 lbs. 5ft 3″(63″) 107 to 135 lbs. 141 to 163 lbs. 169 to 220 lbs. 225 to 304 lbs. 5ft 4″(64″) 110 to 140 lbs. 145 to 169 lbs. 174 to 227 lbs. 232 to 314 lbs. 5ft 5″(65″) 114 to 144 lbs. 150 to 174 lbs. 180 to 234 lbs. 240 to 324 lbs. 5ft 6″(66″) 118 to 148 lbs. 155 to 179 lbs. 186 to 241 lbs. 247 to 334 lbs. 5ft 7″(67″) 121 to 153 lbs. 159 to 185 lbs. 191 to 249 lbs. 255 to 344 lbs. 5ft 8″(68″) 125 to 158 lbs. 164 to 190 lbs. 197 to 256 lbs. 262 to 354 lbs. 5ft 9″(69″) 128 to 162 lbs. 169 to 196 lbs. 203 to 263 lbs. 270 to 365 lbs. 5ft 10″(70″) 132 to 167 lbs. 174 to 202 lbs. 209 to 271 lbs. 278 to 376 lbs. 5ft 11″(71″) 136 to 172 lbs. 179 to 208 lbs. 215 to 279 lbs. 286 to 386 lbs. 6ft(72″) 140 to 177 lbs. 184 to 213 lbs. 221 to 287 lbs. 294 to 397 lbs. 6ft 1″(73″) 144 to 182 lbs. 189 to 219 lbs. 227 to 295 lbs. 302 to 408 lbs. 6ft 2″(74″) 148 to 186 lbs. 194 to 225 lbs. 233 to 303 lbs. 311 to 420 lbs. 6ft 3″(75″) 152 to 192 lbs. 200 to 232 lbs. 240 to 311 lbs. 319 to 431 lbs. 6ft 4″(76″) 156 to 197 lbs. 205 to 238 lbs. 246 to 320 lbs. 328 to 443 lbs.

Formulas For Finding The Ideal Weight

There are multiple formulae to get the ideal body weight. The Devine formula is the most popular and was formulated both for men and women (3).

For Men

Ideal Body Weight: 50.0 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet

For Women

Ideal Body Weight: 45.5 kg + 2.3 kg per inch over 5 feet

How To Maintain An Ideal Weight

To maintain an ideal body weight, one should opt for a holistic approach. A healthy diet, exercise, and stress management are the common areas where people need to focus on to stay fit and healthy.

Healthy Diet

A healthy diet does not mean eating only soups and salads. Speak to a nutritionist to get a customized diet plan as per your body type.

Choose whole grains over refined and semi-polished grains.

Cardiovascular disorders

Choose high-quality proteins for every meal. If you are a vegetarian, combine pulses and cereal protein to get all the essential amino acids.

Include good-quality fat like nuts and seeds, nut butter, and clarified butter in your diet to enhance the taste of dishes and reap health benefits.

Include 3-4 servings of vegetables and 1-2 servings of whole fruits.

Exercise

Aim to burn calories by exercising 150 min/week. If you are a beginner, start your day with walking, followed by low-intensity strength training and/or yoga.

Lifestyle Management

Practice meditation, sleep well, and adopt healthy habits to make changes in your lifestyle.

Limitations Of Ideal Body Weight

The body weight calculator is limited to specific ages and heights. It is not applicable for sportspersons, athletes, and differently-abled people.

This calculator does not predict body fat and muscle mass percentage. It states the entire weight of the body.

Sources

What is the Ideal Body Weight? Public Health Journal, Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/fampra/article/17/4/348/445929

Body Mass Index Table, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmi_tbl.pdf

Universal equation for estimating ideal body weight and body weight at any BMI, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4841935/

Source: https://www.stylecraze.com/tools/ideal-body-weight-calculator/

[emmagreen1220-blog]

New Post has been published on Science Terms

New Post has been published on https://scienceterms.net/biology/angiosperm/

Angiosperm

Angiosperm Definition

An angiosperm is a plant which produces flowers, and typically has a fruit which holds the nutrient-rich seeds containing an endosperm. A variety of common plants, from potatoes to orchids, are some sort of angiosperm. In contrast, the gymnosperm group includes plants like conifers which have exposed seeds. Once thought to be a distinct group, more modern DNA analysis has shown that the angiosperm group actual includes around 8 different and distinct clades.

The most recognizable of these clades are the Magnoliids, including plants like magnolias and black pepper. The Monocots represent species with parallel-veined leaves and three flowers. This includes plants like wheat, palm trees, and bananas. The Eudicots have 4-5 flowers and branching veins within their leaves. This is one of the most numerous plant groups, containing many of the flowering plants you know. Below are many common angiosperm species.

The other groups of angiosperm plants have far fewer species, but have been shown to be genetically distinct from other angiosperm groups. In all, the angiosperm group accounts for roughly 300,000 species. All angiosperm plants, regardless of their wide variety of shapes and forms, share a few common characteristics.

Characteristics of Angiosperms

Flowers

Flowers are a specialized plant organ, found only in angiosperm species. A flower contains two basic parts, the stamen and the carpels. The stamen produce the male pollen grains, while the carpels house the ovule, and eventually become large fruit in certain species.

Angiosperm Seeds

The word angiosperm is derived from the Greek “angeion”, meaning case and “sperma”, meaning seed. This describes the seeds of angiosperms, which are always covered by a tough outer layer. Further, angiosperm seeds are unique in that they have an endosperm within the seed. The endosperm is essentially an infertile ovule which fuses with a sperm from the pollen. The endosperm develops along with the embryo within the seed, and provides nourishment as the seed sprouts.

Fruit

In botany, fruit refers to more than what a chef might consider fruit. Fruit is a term used to describe the situation of a carpel, the female reproductive parts in a flower, surrounding and developing with the seeds. Many “non-typical” fruits, such as squash, beans, and corn are sometimes referred to as other names in the nutrition world. In botany, they are all fruits. And they are all angiosperms.

Although some gymnosperms produce seeds that fall from the plant (think pinecones), this is in no way a fruit. The seeds themselves are exposed, and there are no external structures surrounding the ovule. Some gymnosperm seeds have developed unique adaptations, but these are not fruits and therefore not angiosperm plants.

Angiosperm Reproduction

Like all plants, angiosperms reproduce though an alternation of generations. This means that there are actually two versions of the organism that are multicellular. The first is the version we can see with the naked eye easily. This is the diploid version of the organisms, meaning there are two copies of the DNA present in each cell.

In some nonvascular plants, such as liverwort the two generations are easily identifiable as separate entities. In angiosperm plants, this is not the case. The haploid organism, in the case of an angiosperm, is two sets of cells residing inside the flower.

The ovary of a flower is still a part of the diploid plant. However, inside the ovary are macrosporangia, which have haploid cells. These small, dependent organisms then produce gametes in the form of eggs. On the male parts of the flower, the microsporangia cells produce pollen grains, which contain sperm. As seen in the image below, fertilization then takes place between an egg and sperm.

The megaspore remains enclosed in the carpel, where it will be sheltered from the outside environment. This allows for fast seed development. The colorful flowers associated with these reproductive structures often attracts pollinators, helping ensure fertilization occurs. While most flowers are hermaphroditic, there are many species with separate male and female flowers, and even species with separate male and female plants.

Angiosperm Examples

The Angiosperm Advantage

In the early days of plant evolution, a battle started. Even today, that battle rages on. It is the battle between angiosperms and gymnosperms. Trees like maples, willows, and pretty much anything that loses its leaves in the winter is an angiosperm. The gymnosperms are conifers, the needle-trees that produce pinecones. Gymnosperms also produce the tallest trees in the world. So why are they losing to the angiosperm species?

Though gymnosperms got an early advantage by evolving sooner, the angiosperms were quick to catch up. At one point, most of the world was covered in gymnosperms, and there were vast conifer forests spanning the globe. As angiosperms evolved, their reproductive techniques were much faster and more efficient than the gymnosperms.

Angiosperms could produce seeds much faster, and they often coevolved with specific pollinators. This ensured that they could fertilize their flowers more readily, lay more seeds, and slowly push the conifers out. Though conifers grow faster when they are older, they take much longer to mature. Angiosperm species, by covering the ground and shooting up faster than the conifers, manage to block out any light the young saplings might get.

However, this advantage is also a disadvantage. The fast initial growth requires a lot of water, and a lot of nutrients. Today, a fine line can be seen between angiosperm and gymnosperm parts of any forest. The gymnosperms are confined to areas with high levels of disturbance, and areas where angiosperm species cannot take root. These angiosperm species generally dominate in areas of high water and sunlight, because their reproductive methods are simply faster in these areas.

Agriculture and Angiosperms

Nearly every plant we eat is an angiosperm. With the exception of pine nuts and seaweed, almost every commercial agricultural plant is an angiosperm. We don’t always eat the fruit, as in cauliflower or potatoes. All of these plants produce flowers. Even corn has a recognizable fuzzy top which is a type of flower. All of these plants have covered seeds with an endosperm. That’s typically what we are eating, especially in nuts, corn, and other seed-related foods. And, all these agricultural plants produce fruits. Even potatoes (in which we eat the root, or tuber), have fruits. Potato fruits are actually toxic, which is why we only eat the tubers.

Quiz

Please go to to view this test

Bibliography

Cain, M. L., Bowman, W. D., & Hacker, S. D. (2008). Ecology. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, Inc.

McMahon, M. J., Kofranek, A. M., & Rubatzky, V. E. (2011). Plant Science: Growth, Development, and Utilization of Cultivated Plants (5th ed.). Boston: Prentince Hall.

Bond, W. J. (1989). The tortoise and the hare: ecology of angiosperm dominance and gymnosperm persistence. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 36(3), 227–249. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.1989.tb00492.x

[curryhealthcenter]

JUUL GENERATION

Health Nut Writer: Jane Gannon

Photo: Jane Gannon

Welcome back Health Nut readers, & happy Homecoming week! 

  This week’s homecoming theme is “Montana Strong,” and it is also the Tobacco Free UM football game!

 As you may or may not know….

 E-Cigarettes have OFFICIALLY been added to UM’s Tobacco Free Campus Policy .

  E-cigarettes have been around for over 10 years, so why has the concept of vaping, “blowing up” ( literally and figuratively) across the country NOW?

 Many public health officials blame the increased use of nicotine vapes, on the companies producing them. Officials say the small sleek design, and tasty flavors of e-cigarettes like the JUUL and VUSE promote use among teens. The Food and Drug Administration announced in early September that e-cigarette use among teens had reached "an epidemic proportion."  

 Personally, I don’t think the producers of the products are to blame for increase use, but rather the social constructs that surround the idea of vaping. As a society, we are so quick to join the most recent fads, that we don’t really think about how they will affect us in the long run.

  If you use JUUL e-cigarettes….

  Have you thought about how much it costs you?

  ·      If You smoke 1 JUUL pod a week you will spend 227$ per year

·      If you smoke 2 JUUL pods a week you will spend 419$ per year

·      If you smoke 4 JUUL pods a week you will spend 867$ per year

  Have you thought about what chemicals are in vape juice?

E-cigarettes are UN-regulated by the FDA, meaning that companies do not have to include a list of ingredients on their product.

 Many products do however, list their ingredients online.

 According to the JUUL's website, JUUL pods contain the following ingredients

   Propylene Glycerol

This chemical helps produce the vapor you see when you puff a JUUL. (PG) has been deemed safe for human consumption and contact, but it should be noted this chemical is also used in anti-freeze and in fog machines.

 Glycerine

 Benzoic Acid

 Flavor (Natural and Artificial)

 Here is a list of all chemicals that have been found in e-cigarettes.

  Have you thought about how vaping is effecting your body?

  E-cigarettes and vape pens are so new to the market that nobody actually knows the long-term health effects.

 There seems to be this common agreement that vaping nicotine is “healthier” for you than smoking combustible cigarettes. E-cigarette users inhale fewer toxic chemicals, but are inhaling higher levels of nicotine.

 I’ve puffed a JUUL before and it made me cough vigorously, stung my throat, and definitely did NOT feel “healthy”.

According to the New York Times, the adolescent brain is still developing until age 26. Consuming Nicotine while the brain is developing can alter neural pathways potentially effecting your memory, emotions, and motivation. 

Do we really know how these chemicals will affect our bodies in 40 years?

  Are E-cigarettes going to produce the most nicotine dependent generation the United States has ever seen?

  Only time will tell!

 It is up to each of us to decide what we want to put into our bodies. It is important to think about the risks associated with ANY health behavior before you try it.

If you are struggling with a tobacco or nicotine addiction Curry Health Center is here to help! You can schedule an appointment for a “Tobacco Cessation Kit” through the UM health portal. 

Happy Homecoming & #bewellUM 

[coldsorescured]

Are Milk & Yogurt Good for Cold Sores?

See Are Milk & Yogurt Good for Cold Sores? on The Authority for Oral Herpes Treatments or read the entire post below:

While the perceived benefits are often met with mixed opinions, milk, and yogurt can potentially be good for cold sore prevention and recovery. This is especially true if these selections are consumed when you're experiencing the initial HSV-1 symptoms.

Although natural remedies of any variety can provide subjective results, milk and yogurt are popular because they contain lysine. Regarded as a potent amino acid, it became a popular cold sore treatment prior to OTC options appearing on the market.

In addition to containing lysine, milk and yogurt can help to boost your immune health. Maintaining a healthy immune system is a proven way to prevent recurring cold sores.

Let's explore the complexity of this topic and equip you with the best information to make an informed decision.

How Does Milk & Yogurt Prevent Cold Sores?

Dairy products may be able to reduce and prevent cold sores due to the fact that they contain lysine. While both selections promote positive immune health, lysine is the featured winner.

What is lysine? Simply stated, it is a valuable amino acid. WebMD describes lysine as a foundational tool used to make medicine. As it relates to cold sores, it is likely more talked about than ever before due to it being touted as a cold sore treatment. Most medical and health sites note cold sore healing as its primary claim to fame.

Whether taken orally or applied directly to the skin via an OTC product, such as Super Lysine Cold Sore Ointment, it is found naturally in a host of foods. Milk and yogurt are just two of many selections.

Although research is rather inconclusive, many people who have consumed lysine have reported cold sore relief. Because yogurt contains a notably high amount of lysine per serving, it has been deemed as a natural cold sore remedy.

To summarize...

Both milk and yogurt have been branded as potential cold sore healers because they contain an amino acid (lysine). Greek yogurt, for example, has become very trendy due to its immune-bolstering properties.

Some studies indicate that it can reduce HSV-1 outbreaks while also shortening the period of suffering. However, medical experts also believe that it is unlikely to stop outbreaks entirely. As with all natural remedies, results may vary.

Regarding fast healing, it has been noted that combining lysine with herbs and zinc can be highly effective. An estimated 87% of individuals in a test group noted their cold sores healed within 6 days of a lysine/herb/zinc treatment.

Cold Sore Healing: Lysine-to-Arginine Ratio

Although it has shown subjective promise regarding healing and treating cold sores, one major negative factor does exist. Within the noted examples of milk and yogurt, another amino acid also can negate its positive effects.

Known as arginine, this amino acid, found in the body and foods, can serve as a potential agitator of cold sores. Many experts suggest that arginine can cause HSV-1 to thrive and also spread.

The spreading of HSV-1 occurs due to cell replication caused by high arginine intake. Because many foods and beverages contain both lysine and arginine, the two worlds often clash. Milk and yogurt are two of many selections that are caught in the crosshairs.

To combat this potential issue, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a lysine-to-arginine food ratio chart. The goal is to seek foods that have the widest (highest) lysine-to-arginine ratio. The logic being that limited arginine is less likely to overtake a large amount of lysine, per gram.

Lysine-to-Arginine Reference Info

Noted below, referencing the chart above, are a few notable milk and yogurt selections.

245 grams of skim milk contains 663mg of lysine and 302mg of arginine. (Ratio of 2.195.)

244 grams of 2% low-fat milk contains 644mg of lysine and 294mg of arginine. (Ratio of 2.190.)

244 grams of whole milk contains 637mg of lysine and 291mg of arginine. (Ratio of 2.189.)

227 grams of plain yogurt contains 706mg of lysine and 237mg or arginine. (Ratio of 2.979.) Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plain yogurt has the highest lysine to arginine ratio of any conventional food selection. Only margarine is higher with a 3.0 ratio per 14.1 grams.

227 grams of low-fat fruit yogurt contains 810mg of lysine and 272mg of arginine. (Ratio of 2.978.)

If you would like to view the entire lysine/arginine ratio food chart, please click this link.

http://ift.tt/1OupHCf

Another way to include it in your diet without the major threat of arginine is through supplements. Capsule products such as HERP RESCUE can potentially provide relief. This particular remedy incorporates lysine, zinc, vitamin C, and an assortment of cold sore healers.

Supplement instructions and precautions...

If you experience an outbreak, you are encouraged to take 1,000mg of lysine three times per day. Consumption with a meal is advised.

Do not take supplements with milk or dairy products.

Supplements can potentially produce side effects, most notably gastrointestinal issues. You are advised to discontinue if you begin to experience stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, etc.

Cold Sore Foods to Avoid

Due to the fact that arginine can serve to spread HSV-1, foods that are high in this particular amino acid are discouraged. While the medical community is rather conflicted on this issue, the general idea is that arginine will at the very least be counterproductive.

Listed below are just a few of the notable foods that many experts discourage if you are dealing with a cold sore outbreak.

Chocolate

Almonds

Gelatin

Nuts and Seeds

Peas

Raw coconut

Spinach

Raisins

Gelatin

Similar to other known cold sore triggers, specific food choices can be problematic. This is why it is important to understand the negative effects of arginine if you are consuming milk and yogurt consumption as a method of prevention.

Lysine Cold Sore Treatments

While foods rich in lysine can potentially provide cold sore relief, several OTC treatments include this amino acid. From chapstick, creams, and ointments, it is now a common ingredient in many medications.

Listed below are just a few of the more notable selections that are available to you.

Designed to decrease redness, burning, and itching, the Super Lysine Plus Coldstick is a worthy treatment. Capable of moisturizing your lips, this lysine product goes on clear. This selection is ideal if you are in the market for a cold sore healing chapstick.

If ointments are more your speed, Super Lysine Plus Cold Sore Ointment is available. Providing the same functions as the notable chapstick, this ointment is America's leading herb/nutrient based HSV-1 treatment. In fact, this product is comprised of 14 total nutrients.

Containing a host of vitamins, Basic Organics Lysine Lip Ointment can provide cold sore relief. Packaged in a small jar, this selection can easily fit in your pocket, purse, coat, etc. Serving to moisturize the skin, this product can be quite effective if used at the initial onset of symptoms. Basic Organics Ointment also contains camphor which is often used as a cold sore remedy in its own right.

It should be noted that most lysine OTC products can eliminate cold sores within one week. Many times sooner. Studies have shown that lysine OTC treatments can eliminate 87% of cold sores within a 7-day window. This is virtually identical to the test group study results noted earlier.

Additionally, it should also be acknowledged that you can apply milk directly to your cold sores. While direct application is largely associated with an OTC, milk can be a direct treatment. Using a cotton ball, milk can be absorbed and then dabbed gently on the problem area. This can potentially provide the same lysine benefits as milk consumption.

Milk and Yogurt for Cold Sores

Although the conclusion leans more towards inconclusive, products that contain lysine can potentially provide relief. This goes for lysine-based foods and also OTC remedies.

While you are likely to find more positive stories than negative, nothing is foolproof. Because there is no cure for HSV-1, most any option will contain different levels of subjectivity.

The main objective is to find a cold sore treatment that works for you. This will more than likely be found in major brand products that are available on the market.

For most people, cold sores will clear naturally within 2-3 weeks. If a product can reduce that timeframe by half, then you have likely found a winner. Lysine, for this reason alone, is certainly a worthy option. If you naturally enjoy milk and have a favorite yogurt selection, give it a go.

[robertmcangusgroup]

The Daily Tulip

The Daily Tulip – International News From Around The World

Tuesday 6th March 2017

Good Morning Gentle Reader….. Clear skies greet Bella and I as we leave the house.. as I said yesterday, we find ourselves in a good weather cycle.. I noticed the temperature this morning was 15c with a high of 23c later in the day, so Spain’s normal weather cycle for this time of the year seems to have returned.. Well I’m of too Malaga this morning as my wife Sandra is performing Cataract Surgery and prefers I drive her into the city .. so back to the house for food coffee and get ready for the 100k drive into town and then turn round and drive back to San Pedro as I am on the radio this morning… discussing the world although I imagine we will be talking quite a lot about “The Donald” the radio station is Talk Radio Europe the station with the largest English speaking group of listeners in southern Spain and the program hosted by the indomitable Giles Brown is “View Point”

RUSSIAN POLITICIAN IGOR LEBEDEV REPORTEDLY PROPOSES LEGALISING FOOTBALL HOOLIGANISM… A Russian politician has proposed turning football hooliganism into a sport, according to a report from the Associated Press. Igor Lebedev has drawn up rules for "draka" - the Russian word for fight - which he said would involve 20 unarmed competitors on each side in a brawl. Groups of Russia fans were deported from France after repeated scenes of violence at Euro 2016. Russia will host the next World Cup in summer 2018. Lebedev, who represents the opposition Liberal Democratic Party of Russia, is also on the board of the Russian Football Union. He published the proposal on his party's website, stating: "Russia would be a pioneer in a new sport. Fans arrive, for example, and start picking fights. And they get the answer - challenge accepted. A meeting in a stadium at a set time.'' Following clashes between his country's fans and England supporters at Euro 2016, Lebedev said he "did not see anything terrible about fans fighting".

AMAZON FOREST 'SHAPED BY PRE-COLUMBIAN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES'… The Amazon is the world's largest tropical forest and covers almost one third of South America. Indigenous peoples who inhabited the Amazon before the arrival of European colonisers planted a vast number of trees, a new study argues. They played an important role in the current composition of the forest, says the study. Researchers found that species used for food or building materials were far more common near ancient settlements. "So the Amazon is not nearly as untouched as it may seem," said Dr Hans ter Steege in the Netherlands. Eighty-five species that produced Brazil nuts, cashew nuts, acai or rubber were also five times more likely to be dominant in mature forest than non-domesticated species. The scientists reached their conclusions by comparing data on tree composition from more than 1,000 locations in the Amazon with a map of archaeological sites. In an earlier study, published in 2013, a team led by Dr ter Steege, from the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden, concluded that a limited number of trees was dominant in the Amazon. Half of the trees in the forest belong to just 227 species, according to their research. An estimated eight to 10 million people lived in the Amazon region before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1492, which marked the beginning of European colonisation. Millions of indigenous people died either in clashes with the Europeans or infected by infectious diseases for which their bodies had no defence, such as smallpox. But the researches said the ancient peoples of the Amazon left their mark in the forest. "Past civilizations have had a great role in changing, both consciously and unconsciously, the vegetation in the surroundings of their settlements and along paths that they used to travel," said study researcher Carolina Levis, from Brazil's National Institute for Amazonian Research and the Wageningen University and Research Center in the Netherlands.

THERE’S BLOOD IN THE SAND….. Deterrence, Death and Desperation on the Border. Evidence from decades of harshening policies along the U.S.-Mexico border suggests one thing: Migrants will cross anyway. Just 18 percent of the 1,954-mile border is effectively fenced, but illegal entry remains a deadly endeavor. Between 2000 and 2014, some 2,721 died trying to cross into Southern Arizona alone. Meanwhile, new deterrence measures have had little impact on crossing numbers. And with new enforcement verve, many observers worry that official violence — like the bullets that killed a 16-year-old in 2012 at the border in Nogales — could spread.

DAYS OF ANGUISH OVER A RIVER TRAGEDY IN AUSTRALIA…..  A tragedy involving two young boys who were allegedly attacked by their mother has dominated Australian headlines since Thursday. According to police, the woman tried to drown the boys, aged five and nine, in the Murray River, which divides the states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). The younger boy was found dead two days later. His brother managed to escape but was mauled by a dog and injured, police said. He is now recovering in hospital. As the mother faces charges of murder and attempted murder, grief has swept the community amid claims the tragedy could have been prevented. The 27-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly brought the boys to the Murray River at Moama, a border town 640km (398 miles) south-west of Sydney, late on Thursday afternoon. A court heard she tried to hold the nine-year-old boy under water, but he was able to wriggle free after his younger brother started screaming. The older boy was then attacked by a pit bull dog, which had reacted to the alleged attack, police said. The boy was flown to Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital suffering serious bite wounds.

INDIA HUMAN SACRIFICE: ARRESTS OVER 10-YEAR-OLD'S DEATH….. As news about the incident spread, a mob gathered outside the brother and sister's home. Police in the south Indian state of Karnataka have arrested three people in connection with the "human sacrifice" of a 10-year-old girl. Police told BBC Hindi that the child was killed on the instructions of a "sorcerer" to "cure" a paralysed man. The man's brother and sister have been arrested on charges of abducting and murdering the girl. The sorcerer told them it was the only way to undo the "black magic" that had affected their sibling, police said. A 17-year-old boy has also been arrested for helping to abduct the girl, police said. "There are a few more people who have abetted the crime. We are investigating it from all angles. So more arrests cannot be ruled out," senior police officer B Ramesh told BBC Hindi's Imran Qureshi. The murder was discovered after residents discovered the body of the girl inside a bag. They also found materials which police believe were used to conduct "black magic" rituals. As news about the incident spread, a mob gathered outside the brother and sister's home and began pelting stones. Police had to use force to disperse the gathering… What I find amazing is that India can get 104 Satellites into space but has great trouble over ignorance..

Well Gentle Reader I hope you enjoyed our look at the news from around the world this, Tuesday morning…

Our Tulips today are some incredible pink tulips ....

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Tuesday 7th March 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in ….. Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus

[motivatingspeech]

The Story Of Tommy Hilfiger: 15 Things You Didn't Know About Tommy Hilfiger

  The Story Of Tommy Hilfiger: An American fashion designer and Founder of Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. 

Tommy Hilfiger was born on March 24th, 1951 as Thomas Jacob Hilfiger in Elmira, New York to jeweler Richard and Nurse Virginia. He was the second born of nine children and was raised a Catholic since launching. His namesake brand in 1985, Tommy Hilfiger has become globally renowned as the pioneer of classic American cool style. Inspired by iconic pop culture and American heritage, the designer and his brand are driven by an ever-optimistic vision to break conventions and celebrate individuality. Today, under Hilfiger’s guidance vision and leadership as principal designer, Tommy Hilfiger is one of the world's most recognized lifestyle brands that, shares its inclusive and youthful spirit with consumers worldwide. In fact, for a period of time, the very colors red white and blue were synonymous with the designer. He pioneered courting hip-hop artists in time before it was common practice, extending his brands reach even further.  

15 Things You Didn't Know About Tommy Hilfiger

1. As a child, Tommy Hilfiger Suffered From Dyslexia. In an interview discussing his book American dreamer, he elaborated on his childhood struggle with reading. He says he just had to learn how to read differently. Saying, he cured himself. It’s not like he took medication or went to a specialist. He says, he forced himself to read each word as it presented itself rather than attempting to speed read like an average person. 2. Tommy Hilfiger Never Went To Design School He began experimenting with design in the early 70s. At the age of 18, he opened a store called the people’s place in Almira, Washington that sold hippie, supplies like bell-bottoms, incense, and Records. Wildly successful at first, Hilfiger soon had a chain of stores and a six-figure income but a downturn in the economy hit his business hard and he filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1977. That setback only motivated him to work harder. He’s quoted as saying: “I forced myself to learn the nuts and bolts of the business and not solely on the creative side. I got hyper-focused on it. I learned how to read a balance sheet, I figured out how to control expenses and figured out a way to build a business on a shoestring budget. In school, they teach you through case studies of other companies…I had my case study.” 3. He was fired from Jordache after only working one year in 1976. Hilfiger fell in love with Susie, an employee at one of his stores. The couple married and moved to Manhattan shortly after the bankruptcy. they were hired as a husband-and-wife design team by the apparel brand 'Jordache' but were fired after only one year Hilfiger developed a reputation as a hard-working, young designer and was considered for jobs at Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein, what he really wanted though was his own label. 4. He got his chance to launch that brand in 1984. Hilfiger was approached by Indian entrepreneur Mohan Moorjani, who was looking for a designer to head a men’s sportswear line. Moorjani allowed Hilfiger to design the label under his own name. Stealing the deal, the pair announced Hilfiger's arrival onto the scene with a blitz marketing campaign that included a bold billboard in New York City's Times Square, announcing Hilfiger as the next big thing in American fashion. In fact, Hilfiger told a reporter in 1986, that he thought he was the next great American designer, the next Ralph Lauren or Calvin Klein. 5. Tommy Hilfiger has an estimated net worth of over 450 million dollars. It was in 1984, when Tommy Hilfiger Corporation was launched. In 1992, the company went public Hilfiger, sales went up and up from 107 million dollars in 1992 to 138 million dollars in 1993 and 227 million in 1994. By the mid-1990s they were close to 500 Tommy Hilfiger sections within department stores. About half the company's revenues came from sales at three big department store chains. As of 2004 the company already had more than 5,400 employees and was earning an annual revenue of more than 1.5 billion dollars. However, over time the company sales began to decline, which led Hilfiger to sell the company to the private investment firm Apax Partners for 1.6 billion dollars. And in March 2010, he sold Tommy Hilfiger Corporation to the owner of Calvin Klein Corporation Phillips van Heusen for three billion dollars. 6. The first-ever Tommy Hilfiger campaign was legendary. The line of Tommy Hilfiger clothing debuted in the fall of 1985 with an ad campaign that featured no clothes but declared that Hilfiger was the designer on par with Ralph Lauren, Perry Ellis, and Calvin Klein. The ads did little more than inserting Hilfiger's name in the pantheon. Yet, this was somehow effective. The brashness of the strategy attracted attention in the fashion industry and caused comment by Johnny Carson and other notable people. The first ads were centered on New York City, using print and outdoor media. By 1987, the Hilfiger line was attracting more national attention with advertisements in people. USA Today, GQ, Sports Illustrated and other publications. The entire advertising budget for Hilfiger clothing was only 1.4 million dollars and ads appeared infrequently. However, they sure did make a splash with double-page spreads and because they featured words, logos or Hilfiger space, and no images of clothes or models they stood out from other fashion advertisements. George Louis, who helped create the ads for the firm Louis, Pitts, GGK, claimed in a March 1988 marketing and media decisions article, that he could not make Hilfiger's clothes look any better than anyone else’s, and therefore the ads sold an idea and not a particular fashion. According to one survey, after only two years of his ads, Hilfiger had succeeded in convincing 68% of sampled New Yorkers to name him as one of the top four or five important designers. 7. He received the title of the menswear designer of the year. In 1995 he received the title of menswear designer of the year, which was conferred by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. His once skeptical peers recognized him as one of the best. Hilfiger made a name for himself by prominently putting his name and logo on his clothes and marketing them to urban youth in a way that other American designers had not done. He harnessed a diverse following of consumers with his oversized, street style sportswear and relaxed all-American style of jeans, khakis, and polos, that began to be taken at the end of the 20th century. And to keep that name and logo prominent, Hilfiger invested a great deal in advertising. And the packaging of the product has surpassed any originality in the clothes themselves. He has raised the bar for fashion merchandising and image branding that has come to define American fashion. 8. He was a mentor to Sean Combs’ brand Sean John. When Hilfiger was asked if he had any regrets of helping Sean Combs’ build his business, only to have it take away market share from him, he said, “I’ve always been a mentor to younger designers and people who have asked me for my advice… I also think what’s meant to be was meant to be... I was happy to help young people, who come to me for advice... many people helped me along the way...” 9. He briefly shortened his brand name to Tommy Hill. This was back when he first established the company, but his business partner at the time, Mohan Murjani, convinced him to stick with his full surname to stand out in the business. Seems like that was great advice to follow. :D 10. He’s been accused of copying Ralph Lauren. From the outset, Hilfiger has been compared to Ralph Lauren. He has been criticized for copying Lauren's preppy style but gearing his signature: red, white and blue styles toward a younger market at more popular prices, Hilfiger, like Lauren has appeared in advertisements for his clothing line. Both men have used the American flag as an important marketing tool. Hilfiger has also replicated Lauren's business model. Even, employing former Lauren executives, to help build Tommy Hilfiger, which Hilfiger with backing from Silas Chow and Lauren's novel enterprises, bought from Murjani in 1989. Chow, then incorporated Tommy Hilfiger in Hong Kong following Lauren’s lead in lifestyle merchandising. Hilfiger expanded his franchise by opening a number of stores, whose interiors reflect the all-American-ness his clothing by signing licensing agreements around the world and by offering a range of lines such as underclothing, accessories, fragrances, home décor, designer jeans, women's wear, children's wear, and a higher-end menswear collection. Hilfiger spent fifteen million dollars in advertising to launch his men's fragrance “Tommy”, in 1995. Which at the time was the most money spent on a campaign for men’s fragrances. 11. The brand suffered major declines in the early 2000s. Around the year 2000, his professional success began to dwindle down as he started suffering from financial troubles. His designs started losing their popularity with the hip-hop artists and sales went down by 75%. Tommy may have rested on his red white and blue laurels for too long at the time, because trendier brands like FUBU, dominated urban fashion. While Tommy’s clothes build bargain bins at Bloomingdale’s and Macy's. Hilfiger tried a host of makeover strategies that didn’t work. A women's sportswear collection failed miserably. Sponsorships of Mary J Blige and Sheryl Crow concerts didn’t sell more Capri pants. And while one of its new fragrances performed well, it didn't turn around the company. Though, Hilfiger’s impressive growth had slowed dramatically from the 1990s. The company remained a popular and well-known brand. Along with traditional advertising, the company chose to tout its image using unique methods, including the purchase of the sponsorship rights to Long Island’s Jones Beach Theater, one of the most successful amphitheaters in the United States. and the sponsorship of a 50-foot sailing vessel, the ship was named the Tommy Hilfiger freedom America yacht and would be racing in the challenging 27,000-mile 9-month endurance alone around race, that would launch in New York City in September of 2002. For Tommy Hilfiger Corp., remaining afloat of the highly competitive ever-changing fashion industry would no doubt prove to be just as challenging. 12. Tommy Hilfiger has partnered with supermodel Gigi Hadid. Now going into their collection the collaboration between these two fashion forces has been a blast. The partnership has been equally beneficial for both of them. Gigi Hadid may have helped Tommy Hilfiger sell more bomber jackets, sweaters, and sailor outfits, but their partnership has apparently also been good for the supermodel. The designer said Hadid's social media following has grown exponentially since joining the brand. Hadid, has more than 48 million followers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook today, more than twice the number she had before their collaboration. 13. He is leading the charge of inventory lists showrooms. Located at its global headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the digital showroom revolutionizes the sales experience for retailers by offering them a more engaging and seamless buying approach. The interactive system blends collection information, sales tools and brand content in one seamless touchscreen interface. Hilfiger told the Post that we don't have showrooms packed with clothes anymore. 13 of his 40 showrooms across the world are equipped with the IMAX Theater like technology and iPads, which show off his collection to buyers. The centerpiece of the digital showroom is an interactive 0.5 m x 1 m touchscreen table, set in a sleek walnut frame that connects to a four-meter high wall to a wall grid of ultra-high-definition 4k screens. Customers can digitally view every item in the Tommy Hilfiger sportswear and Hilfiger denim seasonal collections and create custom orders all with product categories laid out across a single screen. They can view head to toe key looks, zoom in with incredible detail to see unique design features and click on a garment for specific information, such as color offerings and size ranges.   14. Tommy Hilfiger is launching clothing for adults with disabilities. After releasing multiple adaptive clothing collections for children last year the brand is adding a range for adults 37 men's and 34 women styles with modifications like Velcro closures, magnetic flies and adjusted leg openings to make it easier for people of all abilities to get dressed. Tommy Hilfiger collaborated with Magna ready and runway of dreams, a nonprofit that works to broaden clothing options for people with disabilities. 15. Tommy Hilfiger now serves as an ambassador for the brand and doesn’t have all the design responsibilities. He's quoted as saying I'm busier than I've ever been and I'm happier than I've ever been. I don't have the burden of all the day-to-day business... I feel that our leadership is better than ever and is as strong as any leadership in the entire industry... Daniel Grider who's the global CEO is leading the charge and believes very strongly in social media, and being on the edge from a technology standpoint that is one of the reasons why we’ve continued global growth it takes a very special person to have that vision. He’s very strong and confident in making decisions that keep us on the edge of technology. A Bonus fact of Tommy Hilfiger: Tommy Hilfiger used to hand out free clothing according to Ralph McDaniel’s, the creator of Video Music Box. Tommy Hilfiger would show up in predominantly black neighborhoods and open up a trunk with clothes and hand them out. It makes the malicious rumor that the designer doesn't like black people, wearing his clothes look even more ridiculous. Hilfiger's shrewd marketing move paid off big-time, as people who receive free clothing only ended up wanting more of it. McDaniel adds that it was like a drug dealer giving you a free hit. Suddenly, people started purchasing their own Hilfiger, including 90s icons, that made the label a staple in the hip-hop community. Hilfiger famously ended up on the backs of 90 stars like Snopp Dogg, Raekwon and more... Read the full article