The Beanie Baby first trotted out in 1993, Beanie Babies caught on as collector’s items in the late ’90s.
Manufacturer Ty Inc. kept to a strict, modest business model that drove shoppers bananas: CEO Ty Warner’s marketing strategy called for a limit on production to ensure the toys remained rare and secretive. For a reasonable $5 price tag, grown men were said to have gotten in fights outside stores to get their hands on a Beanie Baby during the holidays.
A baby Panda Beanie Baby
I remember growing up and being shocked by just how much people were willing to pay for a Beanie Baby. As if they where some kind of investment item that would change the world in a few years time. At the end of the day they’re just a child’s toy that was heavily counterfeited.
In 1999, a St. Louis couple were sentence to one-and-a-half years prison and slapped with a fairly hefty find of $150,000 for trying to smuggle counterfeit Beanie Babies from Europe to sell in the USA. Warner — shamed at the craze his products had created — stopped making them shortly after. In 2008, Beanie Babies 2.0 was launched. Owners of Beanie Babies can access an interactive website with their baby’s secret code. (Source)
Now, if you are really serious about investing, its probably worth investing in something substantial. If you look at the Beanie Baby, the truth is that, his/hers value is only fueled by demand for the actual toy. Whereas with something involving the bank, most people want a piece of the bank’s pie, so demand is always high.
The new helpful banking/help for what matters campaigns are aimed at providing us the consumer with a way of being able to talk to the banks and for them to actually be able to help us.
“Buy something she loves and you’ll see her in it time and time again.”
When it comes to choosing the right lingerie for that special person, it’s fair to say that there is nothing worse then her opening the box or bag you have lovingly laid the garments in and finding out that in fact, the gift you have purchased for her is totally unsuitable for her body type.
Your night – probably ruined.
It might be easy picking up a new set of boxer shorts or socks for yourself, but lets not forget; women know what they want and also expect you to make the right choices. Most probably, they will be offended if your choice is hideously unsuitable. One thing is for certain – you can buy lingerie from a lingerie sale, but only if it fits and doesn’t look like it made the sale. Most importantly if you do decide to purchase from the sale rail – get a gift receipt. There is nothing worse then getting it wrong and then her taking it back and finding out you really scrimped on the price.
The excellent video below was created by Debenhams and illustrates just how easy it is to buy the right type of lingerie for your other half.
Buying for her Body Type
This section contains extracts from an excellent article from Ask Men by author Jasmine Leigh, a Sexuality Correspondent at Ask Men – if you would like to send her any praise feel free to email her here.
Tall and Slim
First and foremost, do not forget the legs – a garter belt looks amazing on tall women because it accentuate the legs. Garter belts draw attention to length by cutting the body horizontally, which draws the eye to any curves which have been forgotten. Deep dark colors such Black or Red work best. Remember however that if you decided to buy a garter belt, you will need to purchase the complete set…
Volumptuous and Big-Busted
A corset supports and enhances the bust in a manner that makes most men weak at the knees – it also improves body confidence by enhancing the curve of the waist and importantly for some – flattening the stomach. Make sure you buy a corset which is well made. A corset needs to be tied tightly to actually work – shoddy workmanship will be visible straight away. The moral of the story – You’re going to have to splash the cash
For the slightly bigger and rounder
A negligee is perfect for the more voluptuous women amongst us. Plus it hides a multitude of sins. The key concern for larger women is buying something which flatters. Generally, it’s best to choose a darker colour. Lighter or “see- through” can accentuate feelings of dislike towards her body – this is certainly something you dont want to happen.
Tips for other shapes and sizes
If the person you are buying the lingerie for is generally uncomfortable with their body, its best to “go the whole 9 yards” and include amongst the other purchases a silky robe. Tightly wrapped around her figure, this will help her feel at ease. The softness to touch of silk or satin alone is very sensual and will help those ideas blossom…
Key points
- Nothing should cling to the parts which she would prefer to be hidden, even if you love them. Keep any fabric loosing and flowing, this will enhance the curves.
- Know her best assets. If she is a breasts lady aim to flatter them, if she has long legs aim to flatter them – you know what I mean.
- Dark colours are slimming, while lighter colours draw attention to areas that she might prefer to be kept hidden.
- Shorter women can “gain length” by having slits in the sides of gowns, robes and negligees.
Peter Kay is a funny chap. We all seem to know at least one comic line (of his) and liberally use whenever the occasion rises.
Ironically though, he seems to have kept a fairly low profile as of late. I haven’t really seem much of him over the last couple of years as the Television seems to have been taken over by the deeply sardonic Ricky Gervais and his own unique brand of (un)funny comedy.
So, you might be wondering what this post is all about. And luckily its fairly easy to explain, and of course there might be a slight bit of bias as I happen to have a discount card for the subjects high street stores…
Every Christmas, I am always impressed by the advertising campaigns that are run by Marks and Spencers, the name ubiquitous with the British high street. This years “feel good” advert contains a plethora of “stars” led by the incredibly brilliant Peter Kay.
Stars included in the advert:
- Lisa Snowdon
- Dannii Minogue
- VV Brown
- Twiggy
- Jamie Redknapp
I’m also happy to announce that famous lingerie for women (as if it would be for anyone else!) model Ana Beatriz is heavily involved. Which obviously being a chap, is a good thing.
