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