Advertising Done Right: NASCAR, Diet Coke

The second big Sunday of 2013 did not disappoint. From the Daytona 500 to the Oscars, brands had another large stage to showcase their talents.

NASCAR: Twist

NASCAR has been on a branding tear in the past few years, and this seasons spots lived up to their predecessors. From the great imagery to Tony Stewart’s flying helmet, NASCAR’s “Twist” made me excited to watch cars driving 190 MPH – something that hasn’t happened since my childhood.

Diet Coke: Credit

In general, I’m a sucker for Hooray for Hollywood, thanks to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studio’s Great Movie Ride. But the timely spot so brilliantly displays the backbone of the movie industry. Plus, can we talk about how gorgeous January Jones looks as a classic starlet?

Did any of Oscar Sunday’s ads catch your eye? 

Facebook Enters the Valentine’s Day Game

Move over Hallmark – there’s a new Valentine’s Day gift-er in town!

For you last minute Valentine’s, Facebook is offering real gifts for your Valentine (generated from your relationship status).

 

Clearly the wolf tee is screaming Andy’s name, but options range from candy and clothing to bar items and make up.

Would you “gift” your Valentine on Facebook?

 

 

 

 

Nom Nom Nom: White Cupcakes with Buttercream Icing

Prior to starting my Drop 10 Diet for Self Magazine (Oh yeah, I started blogging for them Monday. You can catch up when the next issue arrives!), I knew I needed one last big indulgence, and what better time to indulge then Super Bowl weekend?

I picked up the original recipe from Recipe Girl, and let me tell you – it’s DELICIOUS!

Cake Ingredients: 

• 1 box white cake mix (the recipe called for an 18.25 oz box, but mine was less)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 large egg whites
• Cupcake liners

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Place cupcake liners in cupcake pans.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, flour, sugar and salt. Add remaining ingredients and beat with hand mixer for 2 minutes, or until well blended.

3. Use ice cream scoop to fill prepared cupcake tins- fill about 3/4 full. Bake about 19 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Here’s my little secret – I waited 5 days to ice them!

Icing Ingredients:

• 3 cups powdered sugar (that’s a box and a half!)
• 1 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 to 2 Tablespoons whipping cream
• Pink gel coloring
• Valentine’s Sprinkles

1. In a large bowl, with a hand or stand mixer, cream together sugar and butter on low speed. Mix until well blended. Increase speed to medium and beat for another 3 minutes. You will be beating forever – seriously. It took SO long for me! 

2. Add vanilla and cream and continue to beat on medium speed for 1 minute more, adding more cream if needed for desired spreading/piping consistency. I added another tablespoon or so.

3. Scoop into a piping bag and pipe decoratively onto cupcakes, or spread onto cupcakes as desired.

The original recipe says this will ice about 12 cupcakes, but mine stretched to 24. It was my first time using a piping bag, and good lord did I over fill it!

They went over incredibly well at our trivia night (WHICH WE WON) and Super Bowl Sunday!

Advertising Done Right & Wrong: Volkswagen

OK – this years VW Super Bowl spot is awful. Sorry, but compared with 2011′s The Force and 2012′s The Dog Strikes Back, Get Happy doesn’t cut it.

THIS, however, is great.

BONUS: Proof that Patrick Kane & Jonathan Towes should stick to hockey.

Operation Skinny: 3-Day Military Diet

I’m sure you guys have all seen it on Pinterest – the 3-Day Military Diet – lose up to 10lbs in 3-days! Well, I tried it.

Starting Weight: 162

Day 1: 955 Calories

Day 1 really wasn’t bad. I don’t like coffee, but I had coffee with breakfast with a sweet & low pack. Also added sweet & low to my tea at lunch, and mustard to my tuna. I had canned chicken for my meat, and ate the banana with the ice cream. The apple turned into a snack after dinner. You’re supposed to work out on this plan, so I went to Yoga for 75 minutes.

Day 2: 1205 Calories

Again, not too terrible. I love hard boiled eggs and hot dogs, so I had nothing to complain about. I did load the hot dogs with ketchup, though. Also spent 20 minutes on the elliptical and did arms (note: I love this arms plan. It’s short, but you absolutely feel it!)

Day 3: ? Calories

OKAY – I give. I had a HUGE headache all day. This is the lowest amount of food in the entire diet, and it definitely wore on me. I did breakfast and lunch, but went to happy hour with a friend for dinner. 

Final Weight: 159.5

I probably won’t be doing this diet again (although it’s SO easy), but I am incredibly pleased it got me past the 160 mark. I’m using MyFitnessPal to track my food, which ALWAYS helps! I also like Fitocracy - it gives me a challenge to get more points then the last day!  

Advertising Done Right: Internet Explorer

This ad is everything I could ever hope for after growing up in the 90s. IT HAS POGS. I had SO many pogs.

Unfortunately, I’m still not rushing out to replace Chrome with IE. But, GREAT AD ANYWAY!