Edible Fashion

Italian photographer Fulvio Bonaviaare does not only delectable and endlessly enticing photography but they also point to the growing trendtowards meshing food, art and fashion in one giant grab bag of styles. 
These are taken from his latest book, A Matter of Taste. 

Dangerous Beauty:

Chemicals in Cosmetics linked to Breast Cancer

Every year, more than 40,000 women die from breast cancer in the U.S.

The average woman absorbs 4 lb. 6oz. of chemicals from toiletries and make-up every year. Among chemicals under scrutiny are parabens (para-hydroxybenzoic acids), which are preservatives used in products including soap, shampoo, deodorant, and lotion. Traces of parabens have been found in breast tumor samples, although its link to the development of the cancer is disputed.

GETTING UNDER OUR SKIN

Take the time to read the label on skin care, cosmetic, and bath products. Try to minimize the use of the following:

Lead Acetate

A known carcinogen and reproductive toxin.

Dibutyl Phthalate

A reproductive toxin used in perfumes, hair spray, and deodorant.

Acrylamide

A known carcinogen, mutagen, and reproductive toxin regularly used in manufacturing hair products, hand, body, and suntan lotions.

Ethylene Oxide

A known breast carcinogen commonly used in shampoo.

Sodium lauryl sulphate

Helps soap, shampoo, shaving foam, toothpaste, and bubble bath lather up. It can irritate skin.

Cocamide MEA

Binds the ingredients of many moisturizers. It is also a suspect.

Other potential irritants include benzyl alcohols, which are used to scent and preserve perfume, makeup, and hair dyes.

CONSCIOUS CONSUMING

A mood of personal re-evaluation prevails, as reflected in consumer attitudes.

Always a factor during periods of global unrest, consumers evaluate purchase decisions by a higher set of standards.

Products and services that she can connect with emotionally have a better chance of appealing to her more moderate mood.

Conscious consumption means quality products... with integrity.

Authenticity and genuine quality materials become more important as consumers seek to re-connect with the past.

Environmental issues, humane treatment of workers, and good moral standings become important in her selections.

Consumers look to the past for a new sense of elegance and a return to quality.

Products need to connect with the consumer on more than price alone.

CONSUMER LIFESTYLES

New Consumerism

Consumers have greater expectations when spending money during tough economic times.

Social networking heavily influences the way people are shopping; Whether texting photos of the item and sending it to friends for approval or just shopping "deals," online technological advances are impacting sales.

Staying up to date on the latest trends in media, technology and culture has never been more important to retailers for the way they market their businesses.

Consumers know that they hold the cards when it comes to finding the best deals and expect above average customer service when they do make it out to a store.

Stores are striving to provide positive shopping experiences for consumers by acting as personal shoppers; going above and beyond to find the item that she is looking for, texting clients when alterations are in, and shipping products directly to homes if an item is out of stock is becoming the norm.

"Life's too short for the wrong job"

# FUNNY
Some old (but still clever) European ads.