Oh, my. I wonder who at Bayer’s ad agency thought that these charming images of spit-roasted children, ripped, apparently, from the virtual pages of a DailyCandy email (DailyCandyHell?) would sell burn ointment to Egyptians? Yes, it’s a speculative ad, not a real one, but still…Perhaps the secret lies in this comment from octopusink, over at Gawker:

You have to consider the target demographic. While in the US, the cannibal mother market is considered more niche, in Egypt it’s pretty mainstream. Anyone who’s ever tasted an egyptian child knows why.

Thanks for the clarification. I think.

From Copyranter via Gawker

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This year,the Munchkinrequires a backpack for school. So of course, I go to Target to check out the selection. I have a shameful addiction to Target that I don’t like to talk about, but I will admit going there to look at backpacks. And uh, maybe ten or fifteen other things. It’s a disease, I’m telling you.

Anyhoo, I was singularly unimpressed. I didn’t like the quality of any of them, and the garish graphics of The Hulk and Spiderman and whatnot didn’t win me over either. I have this really big problem with buying something like a backpack, which will be used the entire year (and possibly beyond) and then having a character on it that is suddenly “uncool” or that he doesn’t like anymore.

I decided to go online, just to see what there was, out there in backpack land. And then I found this:

The Solid Classmate Backpack from Land’s End. For about nine bucks more than what they charge at Target, this is as its name suggests, solid. The construction is fabulous, the shoulder pads cushy. There are lots of fun compartments, even a secret velcro one. It comes in a lot of colors, and also happens to come in sizes for kids ages 4-7, which was very important to me. Nothing worse than a backpack almost as big as the kid carrying it.

I highly recommend this backpack, and if you hurry, you can use code INSIDER and PIN 534534534 to get free shipping.

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Say hello to Tavi, a 12-year-old fashion blogger who is the very embodiment of superfantastic. While your common-or-garden tween angst appears to have put a temporary crimp in the blogging style, we have hope that she’ll again take to her keyboard and, with time, perhaps realize that no, Katie Holmes should not have worn black socks with those gladiator sandal heels.

Until such time as she makes a triumphant return to the blogosphere (ETA 36 hours) we can trawl the archives, enjoying such gems as: My New Best Friends

Normally I would say I want to kidnap them, but since we’re possibly the same age I shall instead befriend them. We’ll make secret clubs and eat soup we made out of tree bark and run around with mops on our heads and eat bugs. You’re extremely jealous you’re no longer 12 years old, aren’t you?

Damn straight.

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Tough economic times are hitting everyone, including teens looking for the perfect back-to-school outfits.

The LA Times recently reported that “Thrifty Chic” is now the new cool. Teens are shopping at places such as vintage clothing stores, Ross, and Wal-Mart for their fall wardrobes. The harder it is to find the clothes, the more they will appreciate them. Or, at least that’s the theory, anyway. Vintage items are the most coveted, as it is possible to score stylish, well made clothing for the same price as a new, more cheaply made garment.

I have to say that I fully embrace this new turn of events. I don’t have a teenager (yet) but it’s about time kids realized that demanding their parents buy them multiple pairs of 7Jeans (retailing for 150.00 and up) every year was just a biton the conspicuous consumption side of things.

Let them think they have stumbledupon something novel, something new that only their generation has thought of.Let these teens discover for themselves the thrill of the hunt, the quest for that perfect boyfriend sweater or Jackie-O inspired wool dress.

This quote from the article warms the cockles of my shriveled little heart:

Wearing frayed shorts, ankle boots and a T-shirt that said “L.A’s Wasted Youth” on the front, Maddy moved methodically through the store, eventually spotting exactly what she wanted: a tan Member’s Only jacket for $35.

“I’m so happy,” she said, heading for the fitting room. “I’ve been looking for a Members Only jacket forever.”

You know, I can’t wait to tell my 90 year old grandfatherthat he is totally on-trend.

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Love home-made pancakes and waffles, but just don’t have those lazy three minutes to throw the ingredients together? Well fret no more: the organic Batter Blaster is here!

Yes, this is real. Aerosol pancake batter.

God, I’m a sucker for ridonkulous retro commercials.

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