End of Day One: Living Below the Line

I have officially completed Day One of Live Below the Line…and it was hard. There wasn’t a moment where I didn’t want to grab a snack, drive down to McDonald’s, or whatever to satisfy my hunger.

I will admit…there were many moments where I thought about quitting. Started making excuses about why I shouldn’t take my body and mind through this, including my chronic illnesses of tension headaches and Crohn’s disease.

But, I kept telling myself…

over 1.2 billion people don’t have a choice. Some of them have ailments. All of them have challenges.

And, one of my first steps of making a difference in fighting extreme poverty would be to make it through this week. And, then who knows what the next step may be. But, I know it will be worthwhile.

So…Day One, Consumption: Two pieces of bread, a pack of ramen noodles and water.

Goal #1: Start my fight against extreme poverty.

Check.

Please donate to my cause. All proceeds are giving to Opportunity International and their efforts in fighting extreme poverty. 

https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/addgg4283

-Antionette D. Carroll-

Source: livebelowtheline.com

Help Win 4 Week Volunteer Trip to Africa, Asia or South America

Today is FUNDRAISING FRIDAY. Please support my Live Below the Poverty effort: https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/addgg4283. If I get the highest donations today (only $250 at this moment), I could win an all-expense paid, 4 week VOLUNTEER trip to Africa, Asia or South America to help communities within these areas. I would love this opportunity. Any donation would greatly help.

Source: livebelowtheline.com

LIVE BELOW THE LINE Before I learned about Live Below the Line campaign, this morning I conducted my normal routine: ramble through my purse for $1.50, walk downstairs and purchase my Mountain Dew from the vending machine. Then, I learned that more than 1.4 billion people in the world have to survive on less than $1.50 a day (for everything, not just food). Here I am huffing about the price hike up from $1.35 for my daily Dew, while people have to use this amount for food, healthcare, transportation, housing, entertainment, etc. just to survive. In addition to many other reasons, this is why I have pledged to Live Below the Line for the week of April 29 through May 3. While the campaign only causes for living under $1.50 for food, this makes me think about having this small amount of money to provide for a family, to have a roof over our head, etc. Is it possible? Yes. Should it have to be possible? NO. Ignorance such as my own only hurts us as a society and the human race. Please donate to help educate and support people that don’t have the luxuries that we are so accustomed to. And, better yet, pledge to Live Below the Line for the week of April 29 through May 3. I will be there. Donate and support here: https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/addgg4283  All proceeds support Opportunity International. -from Antionette Carroll’s Live Below the Line Blog
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LIVE BELOW THE LINE

Before I learned about Live Below the Line campaign, this morning I conducted my normal routine: ramble through my purse for $1.50, walk downstairs and purchase my Mountain Dew from the vending machine. Then, I learned that more than 1.4 billion people in the world have to survive on less than $1.50 a day (for everything, not just food). Here I am huffing about the price hike up from $1.35 for my daily Dew, while people have to use this amount for food, healthcare, transportation, housing, entertainment, etc. just to survive.

In addition to many other reasons, this is why I have pledged to Live Below the Line for the week of April 29 through May 3. While the campaign only causes for living under $1.50 for food, this makes me think about having this small amount of money to provide for a family, to have a roof over our head, etc. Is it possible? Yes. Should it have to be possible? NO.

Ignorance such as my own only hurts us as a society and the human race. Please donate to help educate and support people that don’t have the luxuries that we are so accustomed to. And, better yet, pledge to Live Below the Line for the week of April 29 through May 3. I will be there.

Donate and support here: https://www.livebelowtheline.com/me/addgg4283 

All proceeds support Opportunity International.

-from Antionette Carroll’s Live Below the Line Blog

Source: livebelowtheline.com

We just completed the flyer design for the upcoming MLK Celebration Documentary Viewing and Discussion sponsored by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health and the Diversity Awareness Partnership. Don’t miss this amazing (free!) event on April 4 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the UMSL’s new Grand Center, Inc building. See you there. ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY “UMSL: 50 Years of Fulfilling the Dream” is a video documentary created by the joint effort of the Missouri Institute of Mental Health and UMSL’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity in honor of the 50thanniversary of both University of Missouri St. Louis and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The focus of the film is to explore the role and importance of diversity in the university’s past, evaluate current accomplishments and shortcomings, and look toward future progress.  UMSL students, faculty, staff, and alumni from different generations and backgrounds share their personal experiences and insights concerning diversity both on campus and in the larger context of history, American society, and the world at large.
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We just completed the flyer design for the upcoming MLK Celebration Documentary Viewing and Discussion sponsored by the Missouri Institute of Mental Health and the Diversity Awareness Partnership. Don’t miss this amazing (free!) event on April 4 starting at 5:30 p.m. at the UMSL’s new Grand Center, Inc building. See you there.

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY

“UMSL: 50 Years of Fulfilling the Dream” is a video documentary created by the joint effort of the Missouri Institute of Mental Health and UMSL’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity in honor of the 50thanniversary of both University of Missouri St. Louis and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The focus of the film is to explore the role and importance of diversity in the university’s past, evaluate current accomplishments and shortcomings, and look toward future progress.  UMSL students, faculty, staff, and alumni from different generations and backgrounds share their personal experiences and insights concerning diversity both on campus and in the larger context of history, American society, and the world at large.

We just finished a simple e-card/e-invitation design for area non-profit, Diversity Awareness Partnership. Looking forward to the event in April. DAP has some of the greatest staff members you could ever meet and their cause crosses over so many issues of the day. Find out more about the Diversity Awareness Partnership and their efforts here: www.dapstl.org.
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We just finished a simple e-card/e-invitation design for area non-profit, Diversity Awareness Partnership. Looking forward to the event in April. DAP has some of the greatest staff members you could ever meet and their cause crosses over so many issues of the day. Find out more about the Diversity Awareness Partnership and their efforts here: www.dapstl.org.

Source:

Happy International Women’s Day. In honor of the 2013 International Women’s Day, we have created shareable E-Cards. Visit facebook.com/chax365 to share with the women you love, believe are making a change or just need words of support. We must unite as one.

@CHAx365:  I Consider Soap the Most Luxurious Product in the World” // Capitalizing on Your Brand Image for Extended Products and Services

What does one think about when they hear “Target”? Is it a bullseye? Or, maybe a gun range? For most, we would argue that they think of Target, the department store that left the competitor circle of Walmart and climbed the ranks to Nordstrom and Macy’s. Today, Target is known as the hub where you can get a collection of beautiful clothes, accessories and house furnishings. Oh, and while you are at it, let’s pick up the needed necessities of soap, deodorant and maybe a movie. Why go to Walmart? Target gains profit by partnering the wants with the needs.

In a smart move by Target, they extended their products to include groceries. Of course, Walmart beat them to the reveal, but Target can profit on something Walmart cannot:  the want. We go Walmart because we need. We go to Target because we want. Target has successfully taken impulse buying to another level. In many cases, people would come out cheaper buying the same products from Walmart. But, why make the unnecessary trip? The cost of gas, time and effort all but eliminate Walmart’s low prices.

Consulting their established marketing strategy, Target has partnered their high-fashion brand with everyday groceries.

Here enters:  www.everydayshow.com.

In pure genius fashion, Target has repositioned their “normal” products as THE EVERYDAY COLLECTION. In describing THE EVERYDAY COLLECTION, Target introduces it as such:

“Welcome to the most intensely sensible collection of the season. Fresh food. Must-haves for home and for life. All at a signature value. Practical has never been so fierce.”

In making their “everyday” products more fierce, and brand-appropriate, Target continues to solidify itself as the go to brand for high fashion, great eats, enticing interior decorations and life-empowering accessories. All while giving its customers premium products for a luxury value.

Like Target, all brands should capitalize on their brand images, even for products that seem unusual or normal. When preparing for product rollouts or rebranding, businesses should always partner the right strategy and tactics with the overall brand image. Developing an appropriate brand image, and continually supporting its vision, would benefit the company in the long run.

Oh, and don’t forget about social conversations.

In promoting THE EVERYDAY COLLECTION, Target developed the online Tweet-to-Runway show, in which submitted tweets about everyday products (i.e. from @lmalds:  Someone is tweeting right now while shoveling chocolate cake into their mouth. J) were partnered with actual products sold at Target in a live online runway. Tweets were also used in promotions and marketing materials.

Businesses should never forget the importance of social media and including the voice of consumers. Sometimes, this route is the best type of promotion. In Target’s case, they utilized traditional and social media to get their message out. Find out what is right for you and your brand. Then go for it. Innovative, but brand-relevant, campaigns always seem to stand out.

Source: everydayshow.com

2013 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. In honor of the individuals that fought for equality that year, and all movers-and-shakers that are making their voices heard today, the City of Birmingham have planned an impressive year-long, city-wide initiative that, we believe, serves several purposes.  To re-educate the world on the sacrifices and challenges the civil rights activists faced to make the United States an equal nation. To re-ignite the passion for equality, acceptance and understanding, that were displayed so forcefully at this time. To re-promote Birmingham as a place of history and change.  We personally believe that this campaign is definitely a cause for celebration. It will be interesting to see how this campaign moves forward throughout the year.
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2013 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement. In honor of the individuals that fought for equality that year, and all movers-and-shakers that are making their voices heard today, the City of Birmingham have planned an impressive year-long, city-wide initiative that, we believe, serves several purposes. 

  1. To re-educate the world on the sacrifices and challenges the civil rights activists faced to make the United States an equal nation.
  2. To re-ignite the passion for equality, acceptance and understanding, that were displayed so forcefully at this time.
  3. To re-promote Birmingham as a place of history and change. 

We personally believe that this campaign is definitely a cause for celebration. It will be interesting to see how this campaign moves forward throughout the year.

Source: 50YearForward.com