Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Journal #7

I chose two Loreal advertisements from an edition of Glamour magazine which I thought had many similarities as well as some differences. The first is an ad for Loreal’s new Color Riche: a serum infused, nurturing and protective lip color. The ad is targeting working class women of an age where lip gloss and shimmer is too youthful, which could possibly be from mid 30’s and above. This product is shown as a luxurious buy, worn for special events; so I would say that these women may or may not be married but probably attend many social gatherings where a protective lip color is a must. However, the ad is features in a younger age group, so I would say it is targeting women of all ages who enjoy the look of lipstick. The ad also tells us that there are 72 different shades provided, so women of all skin tones and colors may use the product. In the second ad by Loreal, the product is called Vive Pro Glossy Style which is a mousse for curly hair. Instantly, we can tell that this ad is targeted to any woman with curly hair. Because the brand is Loreal, we can assume that it is catering to a woman with a steady income since the products are usually on the more expensive side.

In both advertisements by Loreal, there is a lot going on in. There are graphics and sentences that may turn people away from taking the time to read it all. However, the graphics are on the large size which attracts people to it and the wording and lettering is alluring enough to hold the reader. Both ads feature Penelope Cruz as their spokesperson and both ads include a quote from her commenting on how well the product works. When people read that a celebrity is using a drugstore brand like Loreal, it will encourage them to try it as well. Loreal is targeting their audience with ads that are saturated with color and layouts that work well in magazines.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Similes and Metaphors

Beneath the feet that help me trudge through the hot sand, is a three day old burial ground honoring the king of the sea. As I walk along the heat-infested beach, I seize the calming peace that has prevailed as a result of the recent death of a whale that has surfaced. Its lifeless shell rests upon the sand as if it has fallen asleep while sun-bathing. In a way, it feels like the beach has appeased its roaring waves to pay its respects to something that once lived within its protection.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

My Obituary

Survived by her fabulous family, friends, and fashion followers, Moneesha Muneet Kaur Gill moved on from her whimsical world at the extraordinary age of 104 ½ years. Where she is now, shall remain a mystery; however, one thing is for certain: her essence will linger in the heart of our wardrobes forever.

She was a quirky, easily-amused individual, full of exuberance and passion for every phase of her lengthy life. Her ambitiously driven personality landed her the role of playing a number of assorted characters throughout her life. Being the youngest of three children so close in age, she looked up to her sister and brother and considered them her best friends. Her father was a man of Punjabi descent and her mother: a beautiful mix of Italian and German ancestry. In her eyes, these two individuals held the world’s secrets in two fists behind their backs, offering a life full of endless paths and choices.

Since the days of her youth, Moneesha was always a family-oriented individual who dreamed of a future full-size household of her own. She married her gentleman suitor of 5 years and they spent the first chapter of their lives together traveling and experiencing the world’s cultures. During the next decade they were joined by 3 daughters and 2 sons, all of whom had multiple children and grandchildren. Her wish for a colossal family tree was finally fulfilled.

After accomplishing her college goals, she practiced her advertising degree in the form of Senior Visual Merchandiser for Betsey Johnson boutiques all over the country. After a couple years of experience, Moneesha was ready for graduate school: The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco, of course. But fashion was not the only thing that dazzled her senses; the thought of beauty, cosmetics, and making people feel good about themselves really drove her to becoming a certified cosmetologist. She was a successful business woman with her own line of color-intense cosmetics and down-to-earth, wearable runway fashion.

Although she never accepted retirement into her lifestyle, she slowly
revolutionized her prosperous and thriving business into a full-fledged charitable trust. The organization contributed to poverty-stricken individuals in countries all over the world. She held fund-raising fashion shows and auctioned off her latest designs to provide food, clothing, and shelter for struggling families of unfortunate events.

Moneesha was always a spunky woman saturated with compassion and love. Her fantastic life was lived to its fullest and she was ecstatic to have so many people take part in it. Thoughts of our dearest Moneesha will remain with us eternally and we shall all live in her lasting words: “Be the author of your own book.”

Friday, April 3, 2009

Journal #3 - NPR Interview Analysis

Terry Gross, the host of Fresh Air, recently went inside the mind of singer, songwriter, and poet, Leonard Cohen to discuss his first country-wide tour in 15-years. Prior to the interview itself, Terry briefly introduced Cohen by naming some of the songs he is famous for, and then playing a song for listeners to enjoy. After the song was finished, she immediately went into asking about certain lyrics of the song and his inspiration for writing it. Terry then proceeded to asking about the difference between the lyrics of his poems and songs and their cynical nature. She would pose questions regarding actual items in the song such as the famous blue rain coat, as well as the validity of the lyrics relevant to his life. Aside from the musical and poetry, Terry wanted to know more about a different part of Leonard’s life: the Zen Center. This is where Cohen spent a small part of his life on a spirituality retreat in significance to Buddhist practices. She spent the final portion of the interview discussing Leonard’s thoughts on beauty and its importance to him. Leonard responded with a negative view on beauty, saying that he felt greatly oppressed by the figures of beauty in his past and present.

Before Terry began with her interview, it was obvious that she had done a hefty size of research on Cohen which resulted in well-put questions and informed follow-up questions in response to his answers. She would listen to the each song, choose a line that caught her interest, and would formulate a question about the inner-workings of his songwriting. It almost seemed as if she was telling Cohen about his own life and, in return, I think the interviewee realized the time and effort that she had put into her interview with him. Therefore, Terry received a more in-depth, personable angle on Leonard Cohen. Terry handled Leonard’s short responses with ease, as she casually attempted to expand on his words and generate his thoughts.

The thing I liked most about this interview was that both individuals seemed as if they were having an ordinary conversation. They did not show the pressures of a formal discussion that was aired on public radio. I learned the importance of researching the topic thoroughly and preparing extra questions and subjects to discuss. Interviewers need to be quick on their feet and be able to handle possible lulls. I feel that Terry did an excellent job in doing just that.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Query Letter

Dear Editor,

In today’s feeble economy, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could all continue to follow stylish new trends and be fashionable, while sticking to a budget?

Designers are persistently conceiving and creating chic fads despite the unfortunate lack of sales. Gradually, consumers have been cutting back on their apparel purchases, and as a result, all clothing companies are suffering.

But there is a way your readers can be hip and trendy while going easy on their wallets. May I introduce to you an article on how to build a fabulous wardrobe around any individual’s specific spending habits.

I intend to search for the perfect combination of incredibly low prices and superb garment quality. Feel free to contact me at any time to discuss a possible piece on "The Fashionable Guide to Fabulous Finds."

Sincerely,
Moneesha Gill