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The Leith Agency's weblog.

I was cheered to read that Simon Cowell is planning to harness his tremendous (hmm, now I can’t think of a word) sales machine (?) to help the poor two million and counting earthquake devastated people in Haiti. Until I dove into the article and noticed that this wasn’t necessarily his very own idea. He was, in fact, approached by the PM and asked to so do. And who would say no to that? That would be like saying no to the master. You just wouldn’t.

Luckily for us, we have our very own (but more proactive) Simon Cowell within these very walls. The lovely Claire P is organising a cake sale for tomorrow to raise some money. So do feel free to bake, bring and buy. Alternatively, if you don’t have time for such sugar-infested niceties, go straight to the DEC. Don’t say I didn’t make it easy for you.

Have yourselves a little look at this. Britain Thinks. Peculiarly mysterious as to who’s behind it. My vote goes to a political party…

It warms the so-called cockles of my heart that IRN-BRU is such a charmingly fundamental part of Christmas up here. In the twixt Christmas lull, I was idling over twitter commentary on BRU yesterday and there’s an astonishing amount. Fuelled by the current Carnival in Glasgow.

And today I was happy to find a reverential post from this incredibly cool looking family. Read and marvel at the tiny part we / they play in making Christmas a tiny bit more Christmassy (maybe).

There’s a great article on brand republic today introducing an amazing new Michelle Mone created bra which apparently fastens in “limitless” ways. An infinitely useful invention, no doubt.

However, I draw your attention to this partly because I blogged about M&S reducing their bra costs last year and lovely Martin at AG Barr said he’d been particularly entertained by this post. So it made me think that bra posts must be the way forward. Secondarily, because it’s a fine example of haphazard and sloppy writing. I quote:

Unfortunately a large proportion of these purchases will find their way back to the stores, or languish forgotten in draws due to the fact they are the wrong size, or simply disgusting.

Spot the typo. But I most like the blunt unapologetic reference to the panic-buy dubious taste of womankind.

I thought I’d discovered a wonderful new talent when I spied this young lady featured in the current Skinny. However, it seems that D&AD got there first. Typical.

Nonetheless, it’s a cracking little piece of stop motion animation that she’s put together. Hoedown from Rodeo. Enjoy it.

Those who read this with any degree of regularity will know of my grafitti obsession (though I still have to spellcheck it every time). So can imagine my pleasure when confronted with the back streets (laneways for those in the know) of Melbourne on my recent trip to Oz. I even saw a real life Banksy. Though it looked far too measley to warrant a photo. Here are edited highlights.

A few months ago, over what Julie Allan describes as, a “casual cup of coffee” with one Karen Andre (but I wonder if this is a code name for “bottles of wine at the local” - no offence intended) chat arose about the need for the company to do a bit more for charity. The outcome of this, was a small team getting together and discussing ways in which we could raise money for the lovely people at Erskine, who are not only a great client, but a great charity. They have recently opened a brilliant care home/hospital to help in the rehabilitation of returned service men (http://www.erskine.org.uk/) and the money that we would raise could go towards the purchasing of much needed equipment for the hospital.

Our goal was to hold a few events (something for everyone), and try and raise £3,000 across these events.

Well that’s the background info…

October 2nd saw us hosting an fun filled and eventful Race Night!! The stakes were low, but the banter was high, and the amount raised even higher!

Last night was our ladies night on the trusty Leith barge. We had the boys from Mix Sensations (http://www.erskine.org.uk/) making some superb cocktails, and some delish canapes supplied by Stan Andre (and assembled by his wife our very own Karen).

But is wasn’t all about the drinking & eating, we also had Laura Nolan (http://www.lauranolanbeauty.co.uk/) giving beauty therapy advice and hand massages. Carrie and Lousie giving us all some great tips on choosing the right red lippy and how to perfect the smoky eye. There was also Patzel Jewellery (http://www.patzeljewellery.co.uk/) and some hilarious comedic talents from Ailsa.

Both nights were a huge success, and so far we have raised nearly £2,000.

I look forward to hearing how the golf day, rations lunch and afternoon tea go.

A huge thanks for all those who have supported us and made donations.

I thought I make this small post, simply to interrupt the seemingly unstoppable sequence of posts by the incorrigible Miss Wood. The good news is that there may be some other posters coming along soon to lighten her load …

It’s 09/09/09 today. I do like my symmetrical numbers. Perhaps this makes the day auspicious (or devilish if you believe Derren Brown). Anyway, regular (and attentive) readers of this blog will know that it would not be overstating the matter to say that I despise Aberdeen train station. But today, it excelled itself.

I approached the place with caution – after a great conversation with my taxi driver about his one-time speed habit (the drug, not the vehicular kind though I guess the two might go hand in hand). He was worrying that his 12 year old son was going to ask him if he’d ever done drugs. I urged him to be honest about his authority on the subject. He said that was wise advice. I didn’t reply that it was wisdom (more or less) straight from our Know The Score ad - why dilute the glory?

So I step into the station and there’s a sizeable crowd on the forecourt. And there seems to be some kind of music. I had a fleeting thought that T-Mobile might be at hand. But then registered that the crowd surrounding the men’s choir was unusually smartly dressed. My speeding taxi driver led me to believe that the Flying Scotsman is in town so perhaps this was in-station entertainment for the passengers.

So with “who will buy my wonderful roses?” speeding me to my train, I spy it’s a National Express beast. O happy day. My least favourite train station briefly enlivened and a turgid journey cheered by free (albeit erratic) wifi and shortbread. And a rather fine sun starting to set over the sea. Enjoy the rest of your 09/09/09s everybody.