Can you imagine a world in which women are depicted actually working out—complete with the sweat, cuss words, and gumshields—just like their male counterparts? If so, then your vision has come true. A new campaign from Sport England called #thisgirlcan is showing exercise for what it is - no bells and whistles. No glamour or Photoshop required.
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The TV ads and billboards feature no models, no makeup, or cute yoga coordinates. Just real women breaking a real sweat. Actual women involved in team and individual sports. Imagine that!
Moreover, the ads come with catchy, pun-tastic slogans about physical exertion like: "Damn right I look hot" and with Missy Elliott playing in the background, what's not to like?
Personally I can only rejoice at a message that puts fitness for fitness sake above weight loss and beauty.
It's not only relatable, it's about time.
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Of course, some women may be turned off by all that grungy realism, preferring the sleek and flawless images of Taylor Swift et al taking a quaint trip to the gym. I sweat buckets and I jiggle plenty, so clearly I'm not one of those women...
You tell me: Do these ads make you want to go burn off some steam, or do you prefer a more sanitized version of exercise?
Canadian consumers will be stunned to hear that Target Canada has planned to liquidate all of its 133 stores throughout the nation.
The retail giant had only just set up operations in Canada in March 2013, but it was reportedly plagued with poor sales and inventory issues. Some critics also complained of a price discrepancy between Canadian and U.S. locations.
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“We were unable to find a realistic scenario that would get Target Canada to profitability until at least 2021,” said Target's chief exec, Brian Cornell. “Personally, this was a very difficult decision, but it was the right decision for our company.”
I had only visited Target once, at one of its Toronto locations, and found it disorganized and poorly laid out, with lots of bare shelves.
This is what some of our bloggers had to say:
"I wasn't as wowed by Target as I had expected to be, but I liked their women's fashions and home decor."
"I loved it. Like anything crossing over from the U.S., I didn't expect it to have as much inventory or as many deals. But I still enjoyed shopping there, and found great things for me and for the kids. I'm sad to see it go."
"Never any stock, extremely poor service. I'm not surprised!"
"I love Target! I love the clothing and accessories especially the kids clothing! I wasn't upset that it wasn't exactly like the America version, this is Canada we are different."
"They were never able to match the inventory—or the prices—that made their U.S. stores so fun."
"Trips to Target (even just to walk around, but usually buy something) are part of our weekly routine. This does make me so sad."
Despite its best intentions, Target presumably found it too hard to compete with the likes of Walmart, which has long been established in Canada.
Regardless, the closure of the U.S. retailer is is a blow to our economy: 17,600 employees will soon find themselves without work. Mercifully, Target has offered 16 weeks' severance pay to those affected, as it vows to close its doors in a "fair and orderly way."
You tell me: Will you be sad to see Target go?
Image Source: WikiCommons
Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have expanded a recall from September 4th, 2014 on the following models of IKEA VYSSA crib mattresses, date stamped (on mattress label) on or prior to May 4, 2014:
The crib mattresses should fit snugly into IKEA cribs to guarantee a safe sleeping environment. A gap greater than 3 cm does not meet this requirement and poses a possible entrapment hazard for babies.
IKEA Canada has received 10 reports of gaps between the IKEA crib and VYSSA mattress, while Health Canada reported one incident. Two incidents were reported in the U.S. No injuries were sustained in either case.
Customers are advised to measure the gap between the mattress and the end of the crib. If that gap is greater than 3 cm, customers should stop using the crib immediately and return the mattress to any IKEA for an exchange or a full refund.
(NB: New mattresses need 72 hours after unpacking to air out and assume the full shape and volume.)
For further information, customers should contact IKEA Canada by telephone toll-free at 1-800-661-9807 or via IKEA's website. Customers in the U.S. can call IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 or at www.ikea-usa.com.
Since 2010, approximately 63,800 VYSSA crib mattresses were sold at IKEA stores in Canada and online. Around 169,000 were sold in the U.S.
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