The season of ceaseless weddings is upon us, so Fast Company called up Chris Easter, cofounder of TheManRegistry.com, to find out if today's men take an equal interest in planning their weddings. Easter argues that they can and do--and the rapidly growing revenues of his site are an indication that he’s right. Just don’t expect a special “50 Hottest Bridesmaids” feature on his website anytime soon.
FAST COMPANY: What’s TheManRegistry.com?
CHRIS EASTER: TheManRegistry.com is an e-commerce site and informational resource for soon-to-be-engaged or currently engaged men. The idea was originally, let’s create a men’s gift registry. Registries typically focus on the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom, but there’s nothing aimed at men: grills, camping equipment, man cave stuff. The idea evolved into an overall comprehensive e-resource.
There’s a stereotype that men are less into wedding planning than women.
There’s some truth to it traditionally. But couples are getting married at older ages, closer to thirty than in their early 20s, and so couples are spending more of their own money and less of mom and dad’s money on weddings. If I’m spending my money, I’m going to be more involved, more hands-on with vendors. Our company proves that men do care intimately about planning their weddings and just needed an outlet. A lot of what guys are getting involved in was unheard of 30 years ago.
For example?
A close friend of mine wrote some custom music for the procession. He put his own twist on it.
Did he do it with an electric guitar and smash it at the end?
I pushed for that. It would have made the YouTube hall of fame. No, he kept it classical, but with a bit of a twist. There was a violin.
Until recently Conde Nast alone had multiple bridal magazines. How did they not figure out there would also be a market for grooms?
That was our question. The issue for us is the for-men-by-men approach. There was a website back in the 90s that tried to target the groom, but it got acquired by Brides.com, which took too much of a female approach. TheManRegistry is by men. It’s like reading Men’s Health or Maxim.
A Maxim for married men? That’s not a contradiction in terms?
I give Maxim as an example of a male-centric magazine.
You don’t have a “50 Hottest Bridesmaids” issue planned?
We haven’t gone there yet. We push the envelope occasionally. We’ve had content on wedding sex, what to do if you’re a virgin, sex on your honeymoon. But we take the process very seriously. The wedding day is the biggest day of both of your lives, equally for the groom and bride.
What’s your business model?
The revenue is split between e-commerce sales--we have over 4,000 products on the site--and we’re also ad-supported. The wedding industry is a $40 billion industry, so there’s quite a bit of space to carve out a niche for grooms.
Does anyone take you to task for labeling certain products as being for men? Some women grill, and some men bake.
The Man Registry is about being a man by stepping up and being involved in the planning of your wedding. Being a man can mean a lot of things. Being a man is not about being out with your shirt off drinking beers. It’s about: This is the biggest day of your life, and if you’re not involved, that’s a problem.
This interview has been condensed and edited.
For more from the Fast Talk interview series, click here. Know someone who'd make a good Fast Talk subject? Mention it to David Zax.
Follow Fast Company on Twitter.
[Image: Flickr user ashley.adcox]
Source: www.fastcompany.com
Jaspan Schlesinger LLP Announces New Divorce Evaluation Mediation-Arbitration Practice Headed by Former Supreme Court Justice Anthony J. Falanga - StreetInsider.com
Down for Maintenance
StreetInsider.com is currently undergoing maintenance and should return in approximately 11 minutes. Sorry for any inconvenience.
Source: www.streetinsider.com
Custody battle forces high court to plan teen's life - Times of India
AHMEDABAD: Thirteen-year-old Bhagyesh spends more time in court than in his school. This is due to the unending legal battle between his warring parents regarding his custody.
The courts have been planning vacation for the kid for last three years, as his parents were not ready to compromise on any formula. The matter did not end here. As the case could not be resolved even for visiting rights, the Gujarat high court intervened and decided to send the boy to a boarding school.
Bhagyesh could not go to the school that was finalized by the high court because his father approached the Supreme Court, which stayed the process as for now.
As per case details, Bhagyesh's lecturer mother Nita Patel left her matrimonial home six years years ago, and the kid was looked after by his father Nirmal, an interior designer in Valsad. Four years ago, the mother instituted a case in local court demanding custody of the child. The case is yet to be decided, but the mother got visitation rights and entire problem began with visiting hours.
Bhagyesh, who according to Nirmal's lawyers has been attached to his father from the beginning, refuses to go to the mother., which she perceives this as tutoring on part of the father that the boy is avoiding to see her
. The courts on time and again passed orders fixing in details the time and place for the mother's visit to her son.
The formula for visitation kept changing, and the high court involved lower courts as well as police so that the custody schedules were followed properly. The father also assured courts that he would persuade the boy to go to his mother so everyone did not have to face unnecessary trouble
. However, things could not be sorted out and the mother filed a contempt petition against her husband for not following HC order. Earlier this month, the proceedings began and it was discussed that the boy could be sent to a boarding school. Accordingly, the court finalized a school in Vadodara out of four boarding schools suggested by the father. In March, Justice Anant Dave directed the school to admit the boy from this academic year.
Against this order, the father moved the SC and sought a stay on the HC order. He requested the apex court to grant more time expressing hope that he might be able to convince the kid to go and stay with his mother as per meeting scheduledd by courts.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Late Night: Matthew McConaughey's proposal didn't wow Camila Alves - Los Angeles Times
Newlyweds Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves, recently appeared in full matrimonial regalia on the cover of People magazine, but as the actor revealed Tuesday to Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show,” the marriage almost didn’t happen.
McConaughey explained how he proposed to Alves, his girlfriend of six years and the mother of his two children. At his family’s Christmas gift exchange, he wrapped up her engagement ring inside a series of boxes and made sure she was the last person to go. When Alves finally opened her ring, McConaughey got down on one knee and proposed: “Will you marry me and take my name?”
Alves, however, didn’t exactly leap at the offer to become Mrs. Matthew McConaughey. “The first words out of her mouth were not ‘yes,’ ” the "Magic Mike" star confessed. Sounding rather serious, he added, “I’m not going to say what it was.” (One can only imagine.)
Whatever her initial objections might have been, Alves eventually “conceded” to McConaughey’s proposal, as he so romantically put it. She even got her way when it came to their unconventional wedding earlier this month. Indeed, it was Alves' idea for all their guests to stay in air-conditioned tents in their backyard, rather than hotel rooms, for the duration of their three-day matrimonial extravaganza. Guests feasted on sushi and barbecue, but no word on where they showered.
ALSO:
Source: www.latimes.com
A-level student predicted to achieve top grades is escorted from college by police after 'refusing to stop REVISING' - Daily Mail
|
Barred: Jamie Gagliardi claims he had 'nowhere else to revise' and did not have a computer at home
An A-level student who was 'obsessed with revising' had to be escorted from school by police after ignoring a classroom ban.
Jamie Gagliardi, 18, had been told to stay home from Ifield Community College in Crawley, West Sussex, for one day after interrupting the headteacher during a meeting on Wednesday.
But he went to the college - whose students notched up a 100 per cent A-level pass rate last year - the following morning, claiming he had 'nowhere else to revise' for his psychology A-level on Monday and he did not have a computer at home.
He was asked to leave but began 'causing a nuisance and a disturbance'.
At 8.45am college officials decided that the only option was to call in the police after the teen refused to leave the premises.
The pupil, who is also taking A-level law, English and history, was escorted from the college and his mother was called to pick him up.
Police confirmed that the teenager would not be charged with any offence.
Speaking this week, Jamie said he was given a one-day ban from the college last Wednesday for interrupting the headteacher during a meeting, meaning he was not allowed in the school the following day.
He said: 'I have been punished for wanting to do well.
'I am a hard-working and dedicated student and this could have such an impact on my future.
'The college has overreacted in what is probably the most important week of my school life.
Ban: Staff at Ifield Community College (pictured) called police after Jamie Gagliardi refused to leave the premises
'I have told teachers many times that I do not have a computer at home so would not be able to work at home.'
Bosses at the 1,090-pupil college - rated good by Ofsted in February this year - said the teen is ‘obsessed’ with after-school tuition and the police were called because he was ‘causing a nuisance’ by refusing to leave the premises.
Marilyn Evans, the school’s director of administration, said Jamie was a 'very bright boy', but added: 'He became vociferous and irritated that he couldn't have after-school revision.
'The teacher has already given up her time to give extra revision in half term and during the school day, when she was meant to have free time.
'On Thursday, he was causing a nuisance and a disturbance on the premises.
'He is obsessed with doing after-school revision.'
She added: 'He probably feels that without those extra sessions he won't get the grade he wants, but he will. He is a top student.'
A spokeswoman for Sussex Police confirmed today that officers were called at 8.45am on June 14 to remove a 'disruptive' pupil who was refusing to leave the premises.
Splash: How the Crawley News reported on Jamie Gagliardi's removal from the school by police
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Essex v Kent - Friends Life T20 - South Group - Essex win by 3 runs - Live Score and Update - Bettor.com
Essex v Kent - Friends Life T20 - South Group - Essex win by 3 runs - Live Score and Update
Essex 158/6 (20/20 ov) v Kent 155 (20.0/20 ov) - Essex won by 3 runs
Friends Life T20 this year could not have had a better start to the season than this as all teams are fighting right down to the wire, brining intense competition to the tournament.
Wednesday was no different, as fans exhibited a splendid match between Essex and Kent, which Essex eventually won only by three runs, as Kent gave them a run for their money, at County Ground, Chelmsford.
After being jabbed for 158 runs by Essex, Kent started their run chase with SW Billings and skipper, RWT Key, but before the duo could pose a serious threat, the partnership faltered after belting 23 runs on the wicket of Key, who could muster only five runs.
On the very next delivery of the same over by DD Masters, Kent batsman Azhar Mahmood lost his standing without scoring a run.
Suddenly with the departure of two batsmen on 23 runs, panic had almost crept in the ranks of Kent; however, DI Stevens accompanied by Billings prevented a disastrous batting collapse.
The duo took the score to 64 runs before Stevens became the third wicket to fall, after he smashed an innings of 21 runs.
Billings was then joined by, BP Nash, and without much depth in the batting line-up, the two knew that they would have to steer their side home instead of depending on anyone else.
Both batsmen played fast in order to take the bowlers by surprise, which increased the flow of runs, and before Essex could grab hold of the situation, Kent had amassed 118 runs, but that was the end of the road for Billings as he was picked up by GM Smith on an innings of 59 runs.
On the next delivery, Smith struck again by nabbing Nash, who perished after scoring 26 runs, and then on the last delivery of the same over Smith dismissed GO Jones for one. By this time, Kent had posted a total of 120 runs on the board.
Nonetheless, the game was far from being over as the lower-order kept the pace in the innings and almost reached the target before the side faltered for 155 runs in 20 overs, ending a close run chase on a losing note.
Source: blogs.bettor.com
Totes embarrassing! TOWIE's Lauren Goodger fails to draw in the crowds as just a handful of fans turn up to her fake tan launch in Romford - Daily Mail
|
She found fame as the star of hit reality show The Only Way Is Essex but Lauren Goodger appears to have enjoyed her fifteen minutes.
The reality star was left rather embarrassed after a pitiful number of fans turned up to meet her at a department store today.
Lauren,25, had expected to meet hordes of fans at the Debenhams store in Romford, Essex.
Can't pull in the crowds: Lauren Goodger found herself greeting just a handful of people at the launch of her Lauren's Way tanning range in Debenhams in Romford today
But an onlooker told MailOnline that only ten people turned up to enjoy a moment with the reality star.
A spokesperson for Lauren, who did not attend the event commented: 'We have no involvement with Lauren’s Way so have no idea ourselves however the Lauren’s Way team told us that there were approximately 100 people over the course of the time she was there.'
It was clear that Lauren and her team had expected a large number of people at the event to launch her fake tan range in the store, and barriers were put up in anticipation of the crowds.
No need for the barriers: The team had expected a big turn out at the store and put up barriers in anticipation but they were not needed as only a small number of people turned up
Wasted efforts: There were signs prepared but they were not needed at Lauren's launch today
Yesterday Lauren, who has over a million followers on Twitter, posted: 'I start my tour of Launches in @Debenhams tomorrow looking forward meeting everyone! 1pm I will be at the Romford store ♥.'
While she might not have the most fans the few people that did turn up to spend time with her were glad for the opportunity.
One fan posted: 'Yaayy I just met @LaurenGoodger at debenhams, I'm so excited #MyFavTowieGirl #SheIsStunning http://pic.twitter.com/vUvvdLdw'
Ghost town: While a source told MailOnline only ten people turned up Lauren's spokesperson said 100 people turned up non of whom can be seen in this photo taken at the time of the event
Trim shape: Lauren showed off her trimmer shape in a pair of navy shorts and a cream top at the department store launch
Another was equally excited and tweeted: 'Best moment of my life! I love you @LaurenGoodger xxxxx'
Lauren showed off her slimmer shape in a pair of navy shorts and a blouse for the occasion.
The embarrassing turn out comes just a few days after Lauren found only a small amount of people turn up to a nightclub evening she was hosting.
A clubber at Nu Bar in Essex told MailOnline: ‘Lauren turned up at about midnight to do a planned personal appearance. It was quite embarrassing because only about 60 or 70 people had showed up to see her.'
'This guy tried to get a picture and a kiss and at first she refused. In the end Lauren let him take the picture but he tried to kiss her and she stumbled and then he took pictures of her on the ground.'
Happy fans: The few people that did turn up were delighted to meet Lauren
‘She tried to get them deleted and security had to be called. Eventually the pictures were deleted but Lauren refused to take any more photos with anyone. She left then and we saw her sitting on the stairs for a while.
‘Two girls who were leaving the club were furious, ranting “F*****g Lauren Goodger, who does she think she is? She’s nothing but a s**g.” Lauren must have heard them because they were shouting really loudly.
‘Last I saw of Lauren was when she got paid and left.’
She looks a little awkward: Lauren was armed with a stack of cards ready to sign but she didn't need most of them
Lauren has recently spoken out about how she has suffered bullying over the internet from fans of the reality show.
She has revealed how the horrible messages have knocked her confidence.
Lauren said: '’ll get hundreds of responses to anything I post saying things like "you’re fat", "you’re ugly", or "who are you?"
Some of the more horrific messages read:'I bet your mum and dad hate you' and 'I bet your mum wishes her egg had never accepted the sperm that made you.'
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
New houses in East Sussex with showhome style - easier.com
Fast-acting property-seekers can make a quick move to one of two beautiful showhomes at Taylor Wimpey’s near sell-out Gainsborough Place development of new properties in East Sussex.
The fabulous three-bedroom ‘Chichester’ and four-bedroom ‘Richmond’ show properties have been exquisitely styled by the leading housebuilder’s expert team of interior designers – and now they have been released for sale including all furniture, fixtures and fittings at the development in East Sussex.
Potential purchasers can see the showhomes for themselves at a special Open House Event taking place on Saturday 23rd June, when they’ll be open to view without an appointment for the very last time.
Fiona Creed, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “We’ve already sold one of our stunning show homes in East Sussex at Gainsborough Place and we don’t expect the final two to be available for long.
“The Open House Event on Saturday 23rd June is the final chance for home-hunters to pop into this sought-after development without an appointment, as we’ve now only four plots in total remaining for sale.
“Anyone hoping to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle in one of these sensational ready-made homes at Gainsborough Place should hurry to secure their favourite property – before someone else beats them to it!”
The four-bedroom ‘Richmond’ detached showhome, priced at just £449,995, features a modern kitchen/breakfast room and a spacious lounge, each with access to an attractive conservatory, plus a separate dining room and a guest cloakroom completing the ground floor.
Upstairs, the landing leads to the en-suite master bedroom, three further well-proportioned bedrooms and a family bathroom, while outside the property benefits from a double garage and two allocated parking spaces.
Alternatively, the ‘Chichester’ is priced at only £239,995, while there’s also a pair of spacious ‘Scotney’ townhouses for sale at the development from only £249,995.
All homes at Gainsborough Place are completed to a high standard specification, including energy efficient central heating, double glazing and a fitted kitchen with integrated oven, hob and hood.
To make choosing one of these high-quality homes even more appealing, Taylor Wimpey offers a range of helpful homebuyer incentives suitable for first-time buyers and those with a property to sell.
Incentives can be tailored to customers’ individual circumstances and are subject to availability, with full details available from the Sales Executive.
Gainsborough Place is conveniently located in a quiet cul-de-sac within the village of Wivelsfield, and bordered by picturesque open countryside.
The development is ideally placed for commuters, with the new homes located less than a mile from Wivelsfield railway station, which offers regular services to central London in under an hour, and to Brighton in only 20 minutes.
Crawley and the M23 are 16 miles away, putting the M25 within easy reach, while Gatwick Airport is just 23 miles from the development.
Nearby Burgess Hill is well served by a wide range of independent and high street shops, including Tesco and Waitrose, as well as a good selection of restaurants, pubs and cafés.
Visit taylorwimpey.co.uk for further information.
Source: www.easier.com
Council staff spend £5m in two years, buying make up, fast food and trips to India - Daily Telegraph
Figures published by the Brentwood Gazette as part of an investigation into council waste found officers spent £5,136,145 in 27 months.
Eric Pickles, local government secretary and Brentwood and Ongar MP told the newspaper the amount “strikes him as excessive”.
He said: “People at Essex County Council need to realise that it isn’t Essex’s money, it isn’t the Government’s money, it is the public’s money and the public have a right to know how it is being spent.”
He advised the council to publish all transactions online, adding: “If they do that you are not likely to get money spent on cosmetics and McDonald’s.”
Last month, a report by the Audit commission criticised council staff for failing to provide receipts in relation to purchases made on the card "in some cases".
It recommended: “The Council should issue further instructions to staff explaining they must submit receipts with claims and consider withdrawing procurement cards in response to expenditure being incurred with no receipt repeatedly.”
Since December 2009, the council have spent £3,827 on bars, discos and nightclubs, £644 on cosmetics, £1,915 on hair and beauty shops and £635,960 in supermarkets and grocery stores.
Other receipts show spending on flights with Virgin Atlantic, alcohol from Majestic Wines and trips to Thrope Park, Alton Towers and the London Eye.
A further £53,869 was spent on theatre productions, £51,350 on card, gift and souvenir shops and £67.89 at a fancy dress shop.
Another £3,116 was spent on six people staying at the Nan Lin Hotel in China, and £1,301 for six people to stay at the Taj Lands End hotel in India.
The figures do not include details of former leader Lord Hanningfield, who is being investigated by police for his expenses.
Robert Oxley, from the Taxpayers’ Alliance, said: “Taxpayers will be left gobsmacked that their money has been spent on the council living it up at night clubs plus stays at five star hotels, shoe shining and even hat cleaning.
“Residents will be left wondering why they are picking up bills totalling tens of thousands of pounds at country clubs, florists, bakeries and record shops.
“The receipts suggest officers at Essex County Council have been enjoying the high life at taxpayers’ expense.”
The P-cards, which are intended for low value transactions under £2,000, provided by Barclaycard and have an interest rate of 0 per cent, are currently used by 757 council officers and no council members.
The council’s policy states they must not be used for personal purchases or the withdrawal of cash, with staff instructed to provide receipts for every transaction.
A spokeswoman for Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council has a robust policy relating to spend on P-cards and all P-card holders must be given authorisation by a senior manager to carry out such transactions.
“Like all businesses Essex County Council incurs costs which must be met and P-cards are an efficient way to do this. The P-cards are used by officers working across all the Council's services including schools, children's homes and our country parks.
"Essex County Council is the corporate parent for children aged 15 and under who become looked after when their birth parents are unable to provide ongoing care in either a temporary or permanent capacity.
"Our Looked After Children teams take on the role of a parent for these children and are responsible for their daily care needs while they are under the care of the County Council’s Children’s Social Services.
"Approximately 750 of the 38,000 officers employed by Essex County Council have a card and expenditure on them only relates to a small proportion of our overall budget.”
The total amount spent on P-cards in the 2011/12 financial year was £2.7million, out of ECC’s overall budget of over £2bn.
No cardholders have been disciplined in relation to p-card use since December 2009, a spokeswoman added.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Geek! He needs to get out more!
- Champagne Girl, An Exclusive Bar You Can't Go To, 20/6/2012 18:19
Report abuse