Wednesday 28 October 2009

A week of Celebrities!

Its been a busy few weeks as usual at ZPR, not only have we been gearing up to Christmas and all the gift guides but we have been rubbing shoulders with celebs and politicians including Elizabeth Hurley, Pearl Lowe, and George Osborne!

Peacocks had its Pearl Lowe press launch this week at Sketch which was THE event to be seen at, with paparazzi outside and guests attending the Durex anniversary party claiming to be on our list, it was very much a coveted party. The models looked fabulous in the Pearl Lowe for Peacocks dresses, and Daisy Lowe, Rhys Ifans and Danny Goffey were there supporting Pearl, ensuring there was never a dull moment...

Next on the celebrity list was Liz Hurley making a personal appearance in Selfridges for the Estee Laudee breast cancer appeal. She looked stunning and was really open and friendly to the huge crowds who had gathered to see her. She talked about how important the appeal was to her and then posed for the ever increasingly rowdy photographers!

Katie made us all laugh when she sent round images from the photo-call she had organized at Superdrug. Going with the strap line 'men on the lash' a rather good looking male model arrived wearing eyelashes and goth make-up strutted his stuff on High Street Kensington, proving men in make-up is something us ladies must come to terms with!

Last Friday George Osbourne, Shadow Chancellor, visited our B&Q Bradford store, much to the curiosity of the local customers! He was there not only to meet staff but to chat about B&Q's fantastic training and education programmes plus hear about its plans to help customers green up their homes and the campaign to get VAT cut on green goods.

Stepping away from the bright lights of celebrity life and into the wholesome land of DIY, B&Q is also busy educating kids of Britain with their 'Job Done' scheme. They are taking DIY back to schools to help educate kids who have very little DIY skills with their especially designed curriculum.

And finally........ we would like to say a huge good luck and farewell to Hayley who is about to go into labour any minute!! And welcome Amanda who is stepping into Hayleys lovely footsteps!

Monday 5 October 2009

What with the return of Avocado bathroom suites and mens' tights you might feel that as we get into the final quarter of the year we've lost the plot but no these are serious new trends to embrace!

Along with 'Watch with Granny' - the news that skills from wiring a plug to changing a tyre and fixing a leaking tap have skipped a generation according to B&Q's survey on how we're turning to our Grandparents to learn skills - very poignant given today is Grandparents Day.

We're feeling all Christmasy now that we're in to October and the Telegraph news desk have agreed with a heavy heart that we can finally start talking Christmas highlighting half Xmas trees as a new trend and Selfridges Christmas Grotto has started taking bookings - but hurry there are hardly any slots left.

Meanwhile - sales of Champagne at Selfridges and jam jars at Lakeland are on the increase - are the two linked - champagne and strawberrry jam or are we just all getting pickled!?