It’s graduation time and a new breed of American worker is about to leave their own mark on everything you hold sacred!   They are called, among other things, “millennials.” There are about 80 million of them, born between 1980 and 1995, (aged 14 to 29) and they’re rapidly taking over from the baby boomers who are now pushing 60.

They were raised by doting parents who told them they are special, played in little leagues with no winners or losers, or all winners. They are laden with trophies just for participating and they think your business-as-usual ethic is for the birds. And if you persist in the belief you can, they are quick to tell you to take your job and shove it.  Technology is the unique differentiator of this generation – and with companies wanting to reach Millennials – “Mobile” is the must marketing platform as this on-the-move generation are consuming content 24/7!  And you do want to capture this powerful consumer demographic – in 2009, they racked up $467 BILLION in retail spending!

With 75% of these consumers owning a mobile device the key marketing strategy is getting them to interact with your brand.  That’s where Facebook, Twitter and other social media comes in.  Did you know that if Facebook was a country, it would be the fifth largest in the world, and the Millennial generation makes up half of it!

Ok, now I have your full attention and you are saying how do I do it?  From website, to blog, to phone apps and of course Facebook and Twitter – its all about content – speaking the language of your targeted consumer base and offering their favorite things.  This generation loves it when we offer prizes, giveaways, discounts, look books and how-to videos through our clients social media platforms.   They are desperate to interact and get themselves involved – providing an interesting experience for them is what this type of marketing is all about.   If your marketing plans does not include Social Media – its time to get on it – or pretty soon these powerful consumers will be shoveling the dirt over your recently deceased company or brand….

Flip flops and sandals are a summer staple. And what looks hotter than perfectly painted, pedicured toes and gorgeously groomed feet! Luckily, Fruits & Passion offers a collection of foot care products that will keep you footloose and fancy free this summer! While the collection offers a variety of foot care must-haves that are perfect for year-round healthy foot finesse, I am particularly ecstatic about the Pedicure Set. The cute three-piece set (available for $24) includes a Deodorizing Cream, Deodorizing Mist and Exfoliating Paste. The Pedicure Set is travel-size and ready for on-the-go use (I can easily see myself throwing the set into my glove compartment or into my beach tote). Not to mention, I think all of my foot-conscious friends would be thrilled to weave this product into their summer beautification routine (gift idea maybe?)! I also love this pedicure set’s sister product, the Refreshing Pedicure Set (differentiated by its SUNNY yellow and orange packaging), which is even MORE ideal for an active summer season..complete with a LOT of foot traffic! This three-piece set (also $24) includes a Foaming Exfoliant, a Cooling Cream Gel and an Energizing Leg Gel. I’m a fair-skinned porcelain doll, so sun burn during the summer is NO stranger to me…that’s why the Cooling Cream Gel is my newest best friend! And since I’m practically living in dresses these days, my legs are always clean shaven–not without nicks and cuts every once and a while–so the Energizing Leg Gel gives me the shine and flawless look that I need (plus, the horse chestnut, cypress, and linden complex in the gel does wonders for muscle toning!). For more feet-freshening products, check out www.fruits-passion.com

For three solid months, it’s likely you’ll be smelling like greasy suntan lotion, the aftermath of barbecued food and heavy doses of saltwater and chlorine. And let’s not kid ourselves, the intense summer heat leaves us hot, sweaty and unpleasantly stinky messes. Fortunately, the perfume experts at Fruits & Passion have created a fragrance that’ll put some sweet-smelling life back into our summer plans! I am absolutely smitten with the latest fragrance from Fruits & Passion, Viva Eau de Toilette (2.5 fl oz. bottle, $35). The fruity floral perfume is nothing that I ever anticipated liking (I’m not a big fan of flowery fragrances), but one sniff was all it took to make me a believer! I think the key to making this perfume so unbelievably refreshing is the surprising interplay of freesia, peony, and orange blossoms with juicy bergamot orange, pineapple, and grapefruit aromas. With such a light tropical feel, there’s no doubt that I’d bring this perfume island-hopping with me! I’m also in love with the packaging–the Viva Eau de Toilette bottle is designed to be an object d’art piece, with a long curving neck that tapers off to the top. And the light blue, turquoise color of the bottle instantly takes me to a Caribbean destination with crystal clear water and a white sandy beach! (All I need is a pina colada to complete this perfect summer picture!) For more great fragrances and personal care products, visit www.fruits-passion.com!

“Green” and “Eco-Friendly” are words tossed around in every day conversation. But what does it really mean to be green and use eco friendly products? Why should we care? Why is it more expensive? Well…

Some products are poison, especially household cleaning products! These products can easily leak toxic fumes into your home. The majority of products like oven cleaners, polishes and waxes are all dangers to the earth. Not to mention, they are also toxic to produce in factories and even more threatening when tossed in the garbage. This is something easy to change, just look for products that say “non-toxic” or “biodegradable” on the label.

Sponges, mops, and paper towels…all bad! Sponges that contain antibacterial ingredients are double negatives because sponges can’t decompose. We recommend switching to old rags or t-shirts. If the mop you use is re-useable and washable, it’s fine, but if you use a Swiffer with disposable pads, that’s wasteful because you can’t reuse the pads.

The most common product that’s known to be bad for the environment is aerosol spray cans. The reason these sprays are so terrible is because they are pressurized with gases such as butane – basically poison. This gas, along with carbon dioxide, propane and others are considered to be “greenhouse gases”. Greenhouse gases contribute to global warming and smog formation by depleting our ozone layer. By purchasing pump-top bottles instead of aerosol, you are easily being “eco-friendly”.

Looking to get serious about going green? Try the Cucina Household Care Collection from Fruits & Passion – all of their products (glass cleaner, countertop cleaner, dish detergent and multipurpose cleaner) are packaged in biodegradable containers and formulated with plant-based and all natural ingredients.

Yesterday I was talking about Christmas time, today I’m going to rewind a little and bring us back to the present. If you haven’t checked your calendars, yesterday marked the FIRST day of the summer season! Summer is all about being social – there is the Fourth of July, Labor Day and my favorite holidays, Saturdays and Sundays to enjoy. There is no better time of the year to invite friends and family over to lounge around, relax and eat! However, this thought is often followed by a little stress..”oh boy, how many people will be here??..I have A LOT of cleaning to do…Should I just call this thing off?” Of course, any summer soirée should first begin with a tidy house and Fruits & Passion makes it easier with the Cucina Multi-Purpose Cleaner. Fruits & Passion’s collection of household care products should be at the TOP of every domestic goddess’ list, especially the Multipurpose Cleaner for those quick touch ups. Available in three scentual fragrances: Sanguinelli Orange and Fennel, Coriander and Olive Tree and Lime Zest and Cypress (33.8 oz. /$18). I’ve found a favorite in the Lime Zest and Cypress, but the other two smell just as delectable. The best part of the multi-purpose cleaner is that you’re not left with a chemical-induced headache. These perfumed aromas are gentle enough for even the most sensitive noses. They’re also lightweight and designed for easy pouring into a spray bottle (diluted with water for smaller jobs) or direct contact with tile, enameled metal, nonporous surfaces, laminates and acrylic. And after your work is done, feel free to throw the bottles into your recycling bin! Go on, call up your friends, order some food and get a playlist ready.. you’ve got this summer’s fiestas under control!

Fashion and Beauty PR, most especially free editorial placement in national consumer magazines, remains the most valuable way to reinforce a luxury, fashionable image and to sell merchandise, although it is only one part of a multichannel platform that mixes print, online, mobile, TV, social marketing and celebrity seeding.  Major brands are shifting their advertising dollars and plans into the pr bucket garnering a wider depth of exposure and securing those third party product endorsements that today’s savvy consumer is all into.  Smart marketing means you need to be everywhere your customer is and no matter which prong of your multi-platform marketing you are addressing you need to create powerful editorial content that gets your brand noticed and appeals to the demographics of fickle and ever-changing consumer likes and dislikes.   A solid pr program developed by a well-respected agency that speaks several marketing “languages” and has those valuable contacts with the media is key.

Who wants to think about the holiday season when we JUST celebrated Memorial Day and the start of summer?? Well.. Retailers are already in the gift-giving state of mind and Fruits & Passion’s is teasing retailers good senses with a new spiced-up fragrance, Arancia Dolce. Arancia Dolce is a subtle, but intoxicating scent of candied orange that is being infused into three Cucina favorites – the Purifying Hand Wash, Regenerating Hand Cream and Reed Diffusers. Of course, the original scents of Coriander and Olive Tree, Fig and Savory Flower, Ginger and Sicilian Lemon, Lime Zest and Cypress, Pink Pepper and Anise, Sanguinelli Orange and Fennel and Zucchini Flower and Truffle are still available… but we recommend you season your shelves with Arancia Dolce. I’m scensing Arancia Dolce is going to be a holiday hit! Talk about Christmas in July…err June!

Summer is our favorite season, but it’s not always kind to our hair – uncontrollable frizz, greasy roots and flat locks. We put together a little hair care summer survival guide to share.

 Frizzy Hair:

The best cure for the frizz is to add moisture. Look for certain ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner like coconut oil and glycerin – those are the best because they offer the most moisture to add to your locks.  The extra moisture will weigh down the fly aways and give you those sleek summer coils. 

 Color Treated Hair:

Is the sun stealing those gorgeous new highlights you just spent a fortune on? Well, if you’re going to be out in the sun for a long period of time, try a summer scarf or hat to protect your strands from the sun’s harmful rays.  It will help prevent the UV rays from penetrating the hair and stealing your color!

Or try this cool trick—buy a color-tinted conditioner, run it through your hair but don’t wash it out! Clip it up and cover it with plastic wrap for 15 minutes then rinse with warm, and then cool water. This traps the heat in and forces your hair cuticles to open up and absorb color.

 Greasy Roots:

Since greasy hair is really just the result of your scalp sweating and the sweat then getting trapped in your hair, you would think that washing it every day would help…WRONG! Over washing (which is anything more than three times a week) will strip hair of the natural oils it produces and are really the healthiest for it. How to fix this problem? Switch up your shampoo once a week to an “anti residue” one and see if that doesn’t help work!

 Lastly, Flat Locks:

Usually fineness is the result of flat looking hair, but there are some things you can try to boost the volume. Stop wearing ponytails! They only constrict hair and can make it even thinner over time. Try choosing a lightweight shampoo with water listed as its first ingredient. Also, you can get a root booster that will give you volume from the roots.

 If you are looking for a go-to, frizz and fly away swatter product, check out the Nourishing Dry Oil for Body and Hair from Fruits & Passion.  It’s one multi-dimensional product that will protect your hair and skin without any hassle leaving you free to tousle!

“Mirror, mirror on the wall…who’s the HOTTEST of them all??” Well…the votes, points, and tallies are in–Miranda Lambert scores high on US Weekly’s “CMT’s Best Dressed” list!! Miranda Lambert is pictured, center, in the June 28th issue available on newsstands now. The country cutie sported a silver, sequined mirror dress by Jovani that evidently cast a spell on all those who watched the blue carpet event on June 9th. The cocktail-length Jovani dress looked stunning against Miranda’s sun-kissed skin and… her sparkling diamond engagement ring from fiancé, Blake Shelton!

Congratulations, Miranda! Hopefully this is the first of MANY best-dressed awards that are coming Miranda and Jovani’s way!

Of course all eyes will be on the bride during her special day, but what about her partner-in-crime, confidant, best friend and #1 fan… MOM? Usually Dad gets center stage on the wedding day to say goodbye to his little girl, while Mom enjoys planning and preparing for the most exciting, anticipated day of her daughter’s life. Surely the months of scheduling and perfecting the ultimate wedding experience are fraught with the occasional mother-daughter screaming match, tears (both happy and sad) and embraces shared, but on THE DAY, mother and daughter will be all smiles as they each celebrate a new, adventurous and uncharted chapter of life to begin. Such an occasion is undoubtedly complimented by a wedding wardrobe that highlights bridal beauty and gives mom her own head-turning entrance.

The July 2010 issue of Brides magazine highlights Mother-of-the-Bride fashion and our client, Jovani was featured! Out of eight different style dresses that were showcased in the “Mom’s Wedding Wardrobe” feature, THREE were by Jovani. The chosen styles each convey a different, but undeniably classy and impressive short or long look. With simple beading, delicate lace, or subtle floral appliqué, these dresses exude elegant maturity (and with the goldenrod and butterscotch colors, look very regal too!) that will certainly draw attention, but never upstage the bride. Check out www.jovani.com and the July 2010 issue of Brides magazine to see Mother-of-the-Bride(s) style that goes without a hitch!