Marie Claire on "Fat" People: Belligerent or Brilliant?

I just happened to stumble upon an interesting debate today while casually glancing through my Twitter feed. I happened to notice that Marie Claire was a trending topic. I thought to myself, "That's weird - do people even read that magazine anymore?" And more importantly, "What's going on there that's such big news?"

It appears a blogger at Marie Claire posted an article titled, "Should 'Fatties' Get a Room?" Sure, even at first glance of the headline this article is already pissing off readers. Well, I don't want to get into that. Agree or disagree, this could turn out to be one brilliant stunt. Sure, Marie Claire may still have subscribers, but are they as in as Elle, Glamour, or InStyle? I don't even know if I've noticed Marie Claire in the checkout aisle at the grocery store in recent months. This really got the internet marketer in me thinking...

One of the tweets that stands out in my mind in particular is one that read, "Who the heck was still reading Marie Claire anyway?" This is what makes this ploy (if it truly is one) brilliant. Think about it... the title itself is controversial in and of itself. Using the term "fatties" definitely catches attention. Then after you read on, and are inevitably infuriated over the blogger's insensitivity and judgment, you (well maybe not you specifically, but enough of "you" to start the buzz) tweet about it, protest on the mag's Facebook wall, and create a media frenzy over one poorly thought out article.

Can you remember the time you last saw even one of your favorite brand's as a top trending topic in the world on Twitter? Just in the time I've spent writing this post (about 20 minutes) the mag's Facebook page has gained 15 fans. Even if they only "liked" the page to be able to protest on the Wall - they're still "fans."  Imagine the gigantic spike in traffic their website is seeing today. Just think, if they're selling ads on their website based on impressions the page gets- Marie Claire may have hit the jackpot.  Sure the brand will have to bounce back and spin it "PR style" but I know one thing for sure... Marie Claire magazine isn't dead...

Again- NOT condoning the content or point of view of this article. I just want to wait and see how this faux pas can affect their overall brand and reputation. In the age of Twitter where news is instant, the brand really needs to step up to the plate and address the situation before it gets really out of hand and they can't recover from a reputation perspective.

I challenge you to think beyond the content of the now infamous blog post - What's your take on this? Not on the hatred and disgusting display of insensitivity, but if it truly is just a PR stunt - brilliant or belligerent?

Random Tuesday Thoughts

It's been a while since I've done this so here goes...

I've been sick all weekend. Today is day 4 with this hideous cold. The worst part about it is that I'm hosting the bachelorette party for one of my very best friends this weekend. That's right, husband and baby are kicked out for the weekend. This party is equally important to me as my own bachelorette party was. So it really sucks that I'm not feeling 100%. I want to make sure we're all able to enjoy it- including me! I've been dosing up on Nyquil and cold medicine. Which has definitely helped me sleep, but that's about it. I think I feel about the same as I did before.

Additionally, this past weekend was Mother's Day. What a way to spend it... sick! I did enjoy myself quite a bit though.  My sisters and I made brunch for my mom. Then I had about an hour of quiet time while Josh was napping. It was wonderful! After that, we zipped over to my in-laws' house for dinner. It was so nice! I love spending time with my families.

It's so different than it was just a few years ago. Ok, maybe more than a few... When I was in my late teens, I dreaded, just like every other teen, having to spend a day with my family. My friends were so much more interesting!

It's amazing how things change as you get older and you begin to realize which people in your life are truly the most important.

How Did You Find Me?

So I was checking out some of my stats today and almost busted a gut laughing so hard at the keywords people found me with. I mean, it all makes sense when you think about what some of my posts are about, but take a look for yourself:

"large boobs" asian blog  - This must be a combination of this post (about how your boobs change with pregnancy) and my Wanchai Ferry Asian meals giveaway... very weird search query though....

am i traumatized - you might be if you read my blog regularly (this one's probably for the post "That One Time I Traumatized my Baby")

ever pooped with the door open?  - gotta be related to this post about comfort in your relationship

filling rubber pants with pee

is a always pad like a diaper - aren't they all? this post is more for actual diaper pads

mommy in rubber - that's just weird

pee pee rubber panties

"irritating in-laws" - bet this person was suprised when they saw my post actually described how much I love my in-laws!

in-laws are cheap - nothing I've written says that, but I thought it was funny :)

So, how did you find me?

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Well today's random thoughts were mysteriously deleted from my "to edit" list... nice...

My little baby was actually crying for Mama from his bed yesterday morning. It was the cutest thing ever. Then on the way home from the sitter last night, I saw him from the rearview mirror waving his hand at me and saying "haaaaaa." It was SO cute! I love it! It's those little things that happen everyday that make me love being a mom. Everything he does. It's just so cool to watch him learn.

My little man is a little monkey. He's so strong for 10 months. He's walking. Not too steadily yet, but he can get in a good 12 - 14 steps before he needs to sit down (or tumble down). This is another reason he needs to wear a helmet. It used to be that he was just so wild that he'd fling himself into the side of the changing table or hard spot of the couch (I still don't know how he managed to do that). A helmet with a faceguard.

He was walking at my in-laws' house today and was making it quite far, so I just let him go. And of course he stopped in the doorway and fell at just the right angle to knock his noggin on the side of the door frame. He had a line shapped goose egg that turned black and blue. Luckily his bangs covered it up and you couldn't really see it after the swelling went down.

Last week he had a bruise on his nose for a while. He was smart enough to pull down the mobile above his crib and take it apart. Like a little engineer he dismantled each peace and wove the part holding the animals at me like a victory flag when I walked into the room.

He's such a little stinker...

Random Tuesday Thoughts: Tidbits of Awesomeness

I'm sitting here on my stoop. Yes, stoop. Our front porch is enclosed so I'm out on the three little steps leading to the porch door. The sun is setting making the sky a creamy shade of peach with gentle whisps of grayish blue clouds here and there. The neighboorhood is quiet. Just the gentle rustling of the leaves in the breeze and the sound of crickets filling the cool September air.

Ok, now that I have you all relaxed it's a great time for some random Tuesday thoughts!

My 10 month old took his first steps this weekend! I'm such a proud mommy. :)

He has fully mastered the concept of chewing. His six little teeth do all the work. He puts his Cheerios in one at a time and bites through each one with his little front teeth. Crunching away. So cute!

I got on the scale yesterday for the first time in about a month. I was sure I'd gained a few pounds which is why I had avoided the scale for so long. Turns out, I am ten pounds lighter than I thought I would be. Haha!

Do you ever pick up your baby, who has obviously laid a massive turd, and hold him with your one arm, thinking the entire way to the changing table "I'm just smooshing the poop around and it's going to be even harder to clean up."

I like fall. I've been eating that chili I made for about 4 days straight.

I ate my weight in chocolate chip cookies last night. Yes, this was after I weighed myself.

Random Thoughts Tuesday

My kid needs a helmet. How do you think it would look for me to have a helmet on my baby at all times? He bangs his head on everything. He's so wild he sat up (suddenly) and smacked his little forehead right on the changing table. In the bathtub, same thing. "Joshua, sit down.... Joshua, sit down! Sit DOWN, Joshua!" Bonk! Even with my hands braced around him to prevent him from slipping. He stands up, I put him down. Up. Down. Up. Down. Constant. He usually loves bath time but today is another story all around. I put him in the tub. He started screaming as if there were molton lava coming out of the faucet. The water was even on the cool side because it's hot in here. So I splashed around a little to show him that this was indeed the same place he has been to everyother night for the last nine months. It worked. Then out of nowhere, another scream. He shoots up, throws his hands around my neck and looks at me with that "mommy, save me!" look. Great... that phase...

He usually goes to bed pretty good, too. Not tonight. He's up there screaming his little head off. I'll go back up in a few minutes to calm him down, but he's staying up there. He sounds like an angry cat. I used to be able to just give him his bottle or put on his music and he'd be fine. I'm now listening to the sounds of the crib jumping around. How does this super human nine month old baby manage to move the crib? He's a freak of nature. I went up there. Calmed him down. He immediately blew his nose on my shirt... The second I walked away, he was screaming again.

Wait, it's quiet now... (KNOCK ON WOOD!)

Did you child go through this "mommy, I need you" phase? How long did it last? What are some ways to ease the neediness (if there even are any)?