Cool Kids



 

Were you one of the cool kids? You know what I'm talking about- on the homecoming court, cute, maybe a jock or a cheerleader? I wasn't. I was popular in my own way- but not in the traditional way. I was Dance Line Captain, in the dance club and drama club.... but I also lost a bid to be on the homecoming court and lost some other kind of school crown to a tomboy. True story.

 

So, when I see the cool, cute kids I always declare in my brain "So what! I'm cool/cute/_____(fill in the blank)___ in my own way!" That's the way to do it- right? Celebrate your assets and forget about the rest! Well, it doesn't always go that way. CONFESSION: I get a liTTle blog envy sometimes when I see cool/cute/____(fill in the blank___) blogs."

 

I really love A Beautiful Mess. I mean... REALLY love. It drives me nuts- just how cute they are, their pictures are amazing, their content is rich and they do cool things! And what really stinks- is they have COOL friends too. I mean- how do all the cool people know each other- why can't they share their coolness? That, my friends, is my inner teenager speaking.

 

Adult JoDee knows- I'm just way too busy to be one of the cool people! It must take a lot of work being a cool blogger. Blogging is hard work. I know they make it look easy- but they work hard and I give them a ton of credit! It's like feeding the beast. They feed it a lot! I am just too busy with work, family and training for a triathlon! I check in with you periodically- blab about what's going on in the world and let it be... until the next time. It works for me. The feedback I get leads me to believe you like it too.

 

Oh, and dressing so cool every day?!?It's their way of life! It's gotta be hard! I dress nice for 9-hours a day-- and then I guarantee you- if you see me out in public after work I am in my workout clothes, no makeup, dark circles under my eyes and usually giving the "mommy's-trying-not-to-look-crazy-look" to one of my kids who is acting up. They take turns. It's a Kenney Kids thing. 

 

I give these bloggers... and many more... a ton of credit for being so original.. and hence defining what many people think is cool. I am taking a note from their book... or blog so to speak... and carving my own path to coolness... it's called the "Sleep deprived, News Anchor, Mommy, Wife, triathlete Cool". Do you think I have a chance at being a trendsetter?  Either way- I'd like to thank you for checking in and reading. It really does mean a great deal to me!

 

 

Viral Video: Abercrombie & Fitch Backlash

The backlash continues from revelations that Abercrombie & Fitch will not make XL and XXL clothes for women and CEO  Mike Jeffries statement in an interview with Salon in 2006: "Candidly, we go after the cool kids, A lot of people don’t belong [in our clothes], and they can’t belong. Are we exclusionary? Absolutely." He affirmed that statement just last week in an interview with Business Insider when he said he “doesn't want larger people shopping in his store, he wants thin and beautiful people."

Now Los Angeles-based filmmaker Greg Karber has created this video to change the brand to "To make Abercrombie & Fitch the world’s number one brand of homeless apparel." While this viral video has garnered its fair share of complaints as well. In the video Karber criticizes Jeffries appearance and some say making fun of Jeffries is just as bad as Jeffries decision to exclude big girls.

Well- just Wednesday Jeffries responded to the backlash.

"While I believe this 7 year old, resurrected quote has been taken out of context, I sincerely regret that my choice of words was interpreted in a manner that has caused offense," 

"A&F is an aspirational brand that, like most specialty apparel brands, targets its marketing at a particular segment of customers. However, we care about the broader communities in which we operate and are strongly committed to diversity and inclusion."

"We hire good people who share these values," the statement continues. "We are completely opposed to any discrimination, bullying, derogatory characterizations or other anti-social behavior based on race, gender, body type or other individual characteristics."

What do you think? Do you like Karber's plan to change the brand? Do you think Karber is bullying Jeffries? Do you think Jeffries was right to say he only targets the 'cool kids'? Do you think he was wrong? Do you accept his response and think he didn't mean what he said? Oh... so many questions! Give me some answers. Weigh in.