Britain's Next Top Model: The One With The Ishoos

Previously on Britain's Next Top Model, there were haircuts and tears and meh.

This week, we start with a go see challenge (a bit early, no?) for Miss Sixty where the girls go in one by one and strike a pose (apparently there's nothing to it). Everyone is predictably... rubbish. But for some reason, Julian from Models 1 (the agency that gets the winner) picks Susan out as "not being right". Amba got her knickers in a twist that people had copied her pose. Bitch, please - it wasn't a pose to be proud of in the first place.

Next to William Tempest. This at least involves some walking as well. Which they all still suck at. PRACTICE! How many freaking times do you have to be told?!?!!??

The girls get home to Charley and Grace waiting up for them like chastising parents. And to get rid of one of the girls based on the decision of the guys from Models 1 - Susan. Quite why she got picked out above some of the others is unclear given that there are other girls who were worse.

Anyway, onto a shoot with ElleBot with some RED products. ElleBot switches into HHPOF! mode to coach the girls through the posing and to get a better look at them as potential models. She doesn't seem very impressed by any of them which would be a fair assessment.

Yay house fight! Kirsty cooks a roast for everyone except Harleen who's a veggie but doesn't complain and Amba who's... difficult and complains a lot. Most of the girls seem to have a problem with her because she whinges a lot and comes across as aloof. There's always one....

Oh god now they've stolen the idea of posing for an ishoo - this time it's anti bullying. And whaddya know, they've all been bullied and want to raise awareness. Of course.*

Nicola Roberts pops up and is confronted by Delita telling her that they're related by friendship or something. To Nicola's credit, she smiles sweetly while clearly thinking Delita is a mental.

Tiffany's still bitching about her hair and uses that as her inspiration for her pain and anguish. Delita is apparently the only one who hasn't been bullied but she's still as rubbish as ever. Amelia gets told to stop moving and is a bit confrontational about having been told that before. Nicola didn't look impressed by such attitude.

Amazing how they all get matched to something that has affected them huh?

Judging now with Nicola as the guest judge. I bloody love her by the way.

ElleBot tells the girls that Susan's departure was a lesson in the cut throat nature of fashion... I'm still not convinced that it was done in the best way though.

Alisha's photos were fabulous. I'm liking her more now.

Julian accuses Nicola of being boring in a kind of bullying way. Way to understand the ishoo, Julien...

Charley picks up on Tiffany hating her hair.

Joy has a fab picture again.

Personality void Amelia is told again what she needs to do.

And total non surprise, there weren't that many good pictures this week.

Delita's not even in the bottom two?!?!!? What kind of crazy ass shiz is this?!?!?!! Instead it's down to Amelia and Harleen. Harleen gets sent home. This doesn't make sense in any sort of way.

Next week, chocolate! Carnaby Street! Beyonce!

Photo of the Week

On July 7th, a Soles4Souls team of 14 volunteers and staff traveled to Port-au-Prince Haiti to distribute shoes to almost 2,000 children and adults living in extremely difficult circumstances since the earthquake in January. When time allowed, we washed the children's feet as a way to say "we care about you."

Highlights from Barefoot Open House

We had a great turnout at our Barefoot Open House this week! We're thankful for all of our partners and supporters who took time to stop by and check out our new place. Here are a few photos from the event.

Trevett McCandliss from Footwear Plus Magazine with Soles4Souls employees Elizabeth and Isabelle. Trevett designed the shoe that was featured on the cover of our Five Year Anniversary Publication.

Bethani Hemphill adds another pin to our map of shoe distribution locations. She and Shaun Daugherty recently returned from a distribution trip in American Samoa.

Founder, Wayne Elsey entertains our partners from Cole Haan 

Thanks to Barefoot Wine for sponsoring the event and thanks to everyone who stopped by to see our new headquarters!

Britain's Next Top Model: The One With The Makeover DRAMZ!

Makeover Week. We all know this is the only episode that is guaranteed to provide the necessary drama.

It started off tamely enough with a challenge from "style icon" (since when?!?) Miquita Oliver to create an outfit from Rokit's warehouse. Oh to be able to rummage through there, right? I'm not entirely sure where this idea that models have to be able to put outfits together to be successful has come from. Surely that's what stylists are for? And no, don't think for a moment that Kate Moss does it all herself.

Delita rendered Miquita speechless. She's amazing in her ridiculousness. Anyway, Amba won the challenge with a fairly safe look, winning 5 extra minutes for her and 5 minutes taken away from Kirsty in the photoshoot.

Next the girls got to see ElleBot do a shoot for Marie Claire before she sent them on their merry way to Daniel Galvin to be transformed. We were promised less hair, more hair and blonde hair. Marvellous.

Kirsty got the blonde, Harleen got the length and everyone else got something in between. Tiffany got the chop. Know how we could tell? She spent ages saying how much she hates short hair and cue tears! ElleBot tried to justify it with bone structure and cute pixie-ness. You can tell this is her first season doing it as she's still being nice and patient. HHPOF! Miz Tyra has got to the the stage of just telling them to get on with it. Alisha got her ratty weave chopped out.

And oh my but isn't Charlotte beyond annoying. Harleen and Joy look much better. Tiffany looks fab - she has a rare face that can rock short or long hair. Though obviously she can't see that yet.

Post makeover and a shoot for Links of London. Delita and Joy failed to deliver variety. Charlotte may be annoying but she did think about what she was doing.

I'm so undecided about Susan. She's really bouncy and.... nice but I'm not convinced she's a model.

And so to judging. Which is really far too tedious. Julien either needs a new insult writer or to learn to read the autocue better. He's more wooden than his Cuprinol Man twin.

And so Rachelle was dismissed. Curious. There was no stand out bad photo this week though. Apart from Delita. Really what is she all about? What info does she have on them?

Next week, go-sees and SHOCK! AND DRAMZ! with an unscheduled elimination....

Letters from Haiti

Dear friends,
     The goal of my letter is to thank you for the shoes that you brought for us.
     I want to say thank you for the shoes that you brought for us and for helping measure us for the shoes. The shoes are magnificent, marvelous, and we are proud of you. You gave us shoes and you brought them all the way here. It is for that, that we wish to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you again for all you have done. I cannot find the words I must use to thank you.
   I hope you have a good year.
                             Your friend,

                             Josué

Subject: A thank you

From: Samuel

To: My friends

Very dear friends,

     Hello. Today I write you just to thank you for your good deeds toward me.
     My friends, I thank you a lot for having thought of me; even if I spend all year thanking you, it would not be sufficient to repay you. So I can only say thank you and thank you.
     And thanks be to God. That is all.

These are just a couple of the letters we received. The children were so grateful for the shoes and our lives were forever impacted by their stories, smiles, and love.

Will you join us in changing the world one pair at a time?

Want to see more pictures from our Haiti distribution or get more information about ways to help?

Poverty, Homelessness, & Hope - A Recap from Our Haiti Distribution Trip

     Every day I receive questions about the Soles4Souls distribution trips and impact they have on my life. The emotions from each trip are different, personal, and, at times, hard to express.

     My job as Experiential Manager at Soles4Souls is to plan distribution trips all over the world for volunteers to join our team and help those in need. I have traveled on numerous mission/humanitarian trips and anyone that has traveled on a mission trip understands the emotional impact each trip has on your life. My job is to allow others to experience a truly indescribable experience. It is something that one has to see first-hand to ultimately understand the feelings and emotions.

      As we flew back from Haiti on Sunday, I listened to our volunteers share their experiences with others on our plane. I started to cry. All 14 individuals on our team represented different states of America including: California, Tennessee, Alabama, Colorado, Wisconsin, and Texas. Strangers became family and formed friendships that will last forever. I listened to our volunteers tell unique stories of individual children receiving shoes. In Haitian schools, children are required to wear a uniform and shoes. We saw a little girl that had two right shoes on, another with two different shoes, and numerous pair with shoes that were entirely too small. Most of the shoes were so old that they were falling apart. These children were so thankful and could not believe they were getting NEW SHOES!

     I’ve seen poverty all over the world and it is very easy to feel hopeless even while striving to make a difference. I’ve seen the rubble, homelessness, and starvation. As I heard the volunteers share I was reminded of HOPE. I listened and remembered the children’s faces in their stories. From this trip I realized that as we give the gift of shoes, these children give us much more. Our participants’ lives are forever changed from a simple act of kindness.

     I encourage you to join Soles4Souls in our mission to improve the lives of children around the world by providing shoes, a luxury you and I take for granted. Click Here for more information on future distribution trips and other ways for you to get involved.

S4S + Bebe = $25 OFF

It's a simple equation. Soles4Souls is partnering with Bebe to offer a spectacular deal while giving you the opportunity to help others.

Join us on July 16th from 5-8pm at Bebe in Green Hills Mall in

Nashville, TN for an evening of shopping 

benefiting our newest division, Clothes4Souls.

Here is what you need to do. Bring in a pair of used jeans and Bebe will return the favor by giving you $25 OFF a new pair of jeans!

Join us for a night of fun and shopping & stay tuned for future partnerships that will help us to continue to change the world one pair at a time!

This event is all part of a nationwide partnership that begins July 15th and lasts until July 31st!

Britain's Next Top Model: The One With Male Models! And Flesh! And Lingerie!

Previously on BNTM.... Seriously, the dramz are out in full force with this series already despite nothing really happening.

The lucky 14 have been sent to London for a pose off with Charley Speed. Posing with props. Mmm. So that means thinking about what you're posing with and holding it and arching apparently. Poor Charley, he ain't no Benny Ninja. And the girls ain't no posers. Apart from Susan, who I want to like but kinda want to slap at the same time because she is quite clearly A Drama Student.

Delita is deliciously deluded (no I will not stop with this until she is gone!) about her ability, insisting she was like La Moss.

Julien MacDonald woodenly wanders into view and proffers some gold catsuits for the girls to catwalk in. The amount of bad posture and bad walking is horrifying. Amelia was good but not because her and Julien are Welsh like she seems to think. And why do so many of these girls not know how to walk in heels?!?! Does no one understand that you have to practice these things?

Joy continues her bizarre displays of attitudinal problems. If someone says you need to work on something, you need to work on it. Not just dismiss it out of hand as irrelevant. Contrary to what she believes, she does not know everything.

Amelia and Kirsty were picked to walk at London Fashion Weekend and were pretty good to be fair.

Ugh pigeon chested male models. Who bizarrely invoke squeals (again, maybe it's contractual) And you know what half nekkid boymen mean? Nekkidness! Or rather more specifically a lingerie shoot for Fred and Ginger. The one goo thing about throwing them in at the deep end is that they have to get to grips with it. Despite all of them saying at the audition stages that they have absolutely no issues with nudity, when it comes down to it, nearly all of them do. Models spend a lot of time with not many clothes on so you kinda have to be ok with it or you don't work.

Joy and Kirsty had to lez it up which Joy couldn't quite get to grips with. Harleen worried about what her mum and boyfriend would think about her rolling round in her undercrackers.

Oh Delita... even with a mountain of instruction, her poor brain can't cope with more than one instruction at a time. Tiffany looked lovely - very sultry 60s.
I love Hannah. She's not a model but she's fab. Especially when stood next to the personality void that is Amelia. I don't like Amelia.

Susan and Amba had fab pictures as did Tiffany. My favourite overall though was this one from Joy and Kirsty


Hannah got down to the last two with Delita. And gallantly quit while she was ahead. Elle was simperingly nice about it. HHPOF! Miz Tyra would've cut a bitch for taking the place from someone who really, REALLY wanted it.

Anyway, next week..... MAKEOVER DRAMZ!!!! You know it's the only episode that counts.

Two Men Inspired to Make a Difference

Mete Pete Johnson and Chris Lockhart.  These two men have discovered a passion for helping others by using the resources provided to them by Soles4Souls and their connection with the Florida based organization called REHOPE.

[ME]: What inspired you to travel to Colombia to give shoes to children in need?

[Chris and Pete]: A long time friend had been working with kids she had taken off the streets of Bogota, or would have soon ended up there.  Knowing this, and being at a point in our lives where we felt like it was time to give back to others, created our desire to help the kids.    

[ME]: Did you travel with an organization or was this something that you chose to do on your own? 

[Chris and Pete]: We started out on our own and over time we connected with REHOPE, who we are currently working with.  REHOPE has all the groundwork in place to make a difference but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done and money to be raised.

[ME]: How long were you in Colombia?

[Chris and Pete]: We have made several different trips, each trip being only a few days long. We have so far spent 26 total days in Columbia and have carried in over 1,200 lbs of shoes and clothing.

[ME]: How many pairs of shoes did you give away? 

[Chris and Pete]: Approximately 300 pairs so far.  We did not start working with Soles4Souls until the last 100 pairs, but with the quality of the shoes we received, and ease of working with Soles4Souls we wish we had started the partnership earlier.   We hope to deliver many more pairs in the future as we develop more outlets in Bogota, and as the orphanages we are currently working with grow. 

[ME]: How did you select the children that you give shoes to? 

[Chris and Pete]: REHOPE has several foundations and orphanages they work with that have children in need.   They also work with community leaders and church pastors to reach out to families that are less fortunate. 

[ME]: How do you think that the people you gave shoes to will be affected by your donation? 

[Chris and Pete]: Most of the children did not have quality shoes and some had no shoes at all.  With shoes no longer being a pressing need, the foundations we are working with in turn can focus on other needs such as food and shelter. More importantly, by giving the children shoes an instant bond is created. The hope and feeling that someone cares for them long outlasts the pair of shoes.

[ME]: What was the most moving experience of the trip? 

[Chris and Pete]: We enjoyed seeing the smiles on the kid’s faces.   They were truly impressed that we would come from North America to bring them shoes.  These kids get little attention so being given shoes was a great blessing to them. 

[ME]: What did you gain personally from going on this trip? 

[Chris and Pete]: Lifelong friendships and bonds are made with each trip we make. The heartfelt gratitude and appreciation we receive is very rewarding. It is nice to know that something that cost us so little can mean so much to others.  Also, it is hard to convey – but there is a perspective that one comes away with that is invaluable.  There was a true joy experienced in the trip that one has to witness on their own. 

[ME]: Would you consider going on another trip? 

[Chris and Pete]: Absolutely!  We will be returning to Columbia in August, and plan on visiting as much as our schedule and resources allow.  We are excited that Soles4Souls is branching out to distribute clothing in the future as well.

[ME]: Will you encourage others to go on trips, either with SoleSoles4Soulsouls or on their own? 

[Chris and Pete]: Yes. We feel we can do more by spreading the word about Soles4Souls, and REHOPE within the flight department at FedEx.  Many pilots and dispatchers have already given donations or helped to carry in supplies.  There are many opportunities that go beyond shoes, yet shoes are very much needed.  It is our goal to reach out to other airline employees, provide information, and give them the opportunity to give back, as well as experience the joy that we have experienced.

More Information About the Two Men and REHOPE

Pete Johnson worked in the transportation industry for many years, giving him the opportunity to travel.  He has been to many destinations, yet was looking for someplace new to go while helping others at the same time.  Traveling to Bogota was a stark contrast to what would be considered more popular destinations, yet in many ways was incredibly much more fun and fulfilling.   He has discovered an excellent way to reach those in need, while having a great time.  At the same time being very much appreciated by the recipients of the shoes and clothing we have brought those in need.  It takes little in a third world county to make a difference.

Chris Lockhart feels called to do more to help others based off of events that have happened in his life.  Inspired by his friend, Pete Johnson, and the work he was doing in Bogota, Chris gained the courage to leave his comfort zone and  go out to try and make a difference in the world.  Having travel benefits because of his job, he was fully capable of fulfilling his calling to help others.  And with a passion for photography, he has captured moments that he hopes will show others the many needs in the world and like him, they too will be inspired.

REHOPE was started based off of the vision of helping children in Colombia. It all started in December 2006 when members from the church of Abatel located in Tampa, Florida and FedEx employees collected food, clothing and money for these children in need. We began by periodically sending donations to programs that serve children in several countries. Our vision is to impact the lives of 400 neglected children and young adults that are homeless, abandoned in the streets and living in forgotten environments by providing them with food, education, health care, guidance, love and a home in the outskirts of Bogotá Colombia.   Please see http://rehopefoundation.org/  or e-mail pete.johnson72@yahoo.com for more information.  

Be Inspired

As a group from Soles4Souls boards their plane to Haiti today, they all have different intentions.  Some are going for the first time and looking to gain a first-hand account of Haiti’s situation, some are going to capture the roller coaster of emotions in Haiti on film, some are going to simply help others, but all in all, everyone is going to help rebuild the spirits of the people in this destructed country by providing them with shoes.  For Katie, who is in charge of planning all of the Soles4Souls trips, her hope is that people will truly see what a pair of shoes can do for someone’s life.  We will be keeping you all updated about their trip via our twitter @Soles4Souls and have hopes that in some way, you will be touched by what this group of people are doing.  Maybe, just maybe, you too will want to join Soles4Souls on a life-changing trip. 

Britain's Next Top Model: The One Where There's An Actual Top Model

So Britain's Next Top Model starts with some kind of weird film trailer type effort with platitudes from such press luminaries as The Telegraph, OK! and Grazia which I'm pretty sure were used to describe ANTM and not BNTM but still, it's all POW! POW! POW! ELLE!

In case you were under any illusion that the pretenders to HHPOF! Miz Tyra's crown were mere also-rans, think again. Elle Macpherson's introduction (complete with Executive Producer credit) shows that it may well have taken 5 seasons to get here but now they're really actually rather ready to find a top model. Obviously though in that grand tradition of Top Model antics from around the world (a top model from any of them? Anyone?)

In case you weren't sure which version you were watching, the 25 girls that are to be further whittled are in The Countryside, waiting at a bus stop curiously emblazoned with a TfL logo. I didn't know Zone 40 existed. First sob story - Kadian. Not only a single mum but run over! With a metal plate in her arm! And a scar! She's a SURVIVOR!

Charley Speed and Grace Woodward are introduced as new judges - good call. Grace is pretty aces at her job and we can now look at Charley instead of Jonathan Phang.
As per their contracts, there's a lot of shrieking at every statement and then even more for - lo! - there is Elle! An actual freaking supermodel!

(I'm just putting this out there now but Elle MacPherson has squiffy eyes. How has this never been noticed???)

First task to whittle the girls down was a head shot with Grace. We already get our first reference to smiling with your eyes though clearly this girl hasn't learnt properly from HHPOF! or she'd know it's just SMIZING now.

And because we're all about diversity (except when it comes to anyone over a size 8) look! A lesbian! Who reminds me of Lluvy from Season 4 of ANTM.

Joy is the current one who thinks she knows it all, complete with "Whatever bizatches" attitude.

Obviously next we have walking. And why for the love of god can none of them walk properly!?!??!!??! Will they never learn?!?!?!?!?? It's not just a case of Pow! Strut Pow! Only Amba admitted to having practised walking. Except for cute but useless Hannah. Oh bless her. She couldn't walk in heels, she couldn't walk out of them. I love her. She's a klutz, not a model.
Simone (token plus size?) had a Naomi fall but got up and got on with it which was the right thing to do.

The new format is a lot closer to ANTM now with the swimwear interview with the panel and all the talk of wanting it more than air/life/water/food/a kitten.

Bwahahaha! Julien Macdonald, Fashion Designer! New judge! Didn't appreciate his comments about plus size models but he was fab on Project Catwalk - he's kinda like a woodenly scripted Janice. Only less fabulous.

Time for a photoshoot and the obligatory group them together to make it easier to weed out the ones who don't 'pop'.

Joy has a hissy fit about her outfit. Oh my.... apparently they'd styled her like that on purpose. Uh-huh.

So then it got down to the nitty gritty of the final 13. And I have to say I'm surprised. Oh but twistaroo! A 14th! Oh my!
So, after 90 minutes of being assaulted by all the newness, these are my current top three:
Joy
She may be a whiny bitch but she takes a good picture and quite frankly, what more do you want?

Tiffany

Sultry and kooky and hella cute.

AmbaMy current tip to win. Which means now she probably won't.

If you need more BNTM goodness, and quite frankly who doesn't, then check out their website at www.bntm.tv

Kid's Prove That Age Doesn't Matter When Helping Others

Students at Long Valley Middle School in Long Valley, New Jersey have collected over 1,500 pairs of shoes in the past year.  Awesome!  That is 1,500 people  who might avoid contracting deadly diseases, who might have the possibility of getting a job, who might now be able to attend school, and whose lives might now be saved.  

Our Guide to the Best 4th of July Weekend

The Soles4Souls guide to having a great 4th of July weekend:

           

Shop: Remember that you can donate $1 when you shop at Finish Line and receive 30% off at Puma when you take in a pair of shoes to donate to Soles4Souls.

Be Outdoors:  Play a game of flag football with the family.  Or horseshoes.  And 4 Square is always a fun playground favorite to play with the little ones. 

Snap Photos: If your outside digging your toes in the sand or running your feet through the grass, snap a photo.  We love seeing our fans go barefoot to honor those who don't have shoes. 

Eat Delicious Food:  Get creative when grilling out this weekend.  Serve your hamburger like this:

designed by Olle Hemmendorff of Sweden

 or if you want to go for something a tad more simple, how about foot long hot dogs. And every burger needs to be complimented with fries, so how about these Shoe-String Fries.  And for dessert test out this recipe for Shoestring Potato Cookies

1 (12-ounce) package butterscotch flavored chips

3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter 

4 ounces shoestring potatoes (approximately 1/2 of a 9-ounce can) 

1 cup raisins

 1.  Melt butterscotch chips and peanut butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.

2.  Meanwhile place shoestring potatoes in a mixing bowl. Pour butterscotch chip mixture over shoestring potatoes. Add raisins. Mix gently until combined. Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto wax paper. Chill until firm. Makes 20 cookies.

Turn Up the Music: Purchase AJ Jansens' single, Bars, Scars, and Old Guitars.  All proceeds go to Soles4Souls.  Check out the song Erasable by The Carter Twins, as they are huge supporters of Soles4Souls.  

Relax:  Everyone should take great care of their feet.  Treat yourself to a foot massage.

And most importantly, follow @WayneElsey on Twitter