I heart the John Lewis Christmas ad!

Cutest kid ever!
Last week I lamented how awful I thought the M&S Christmas advert was, and wondered just what John Lewis would pull out of the bag to ensure it was top of the ads this festive season.

Well I have to wonder no longer, as John Lewis debuted their Xmas offering this weekend and the verdicts are in- it is brilliant.

A tear jerker, most definitely, but the humour behind it is just wonderful and what's so great is that you don't see the message behind it coming until right at the end.

Even then, it's a lovely surprise and makes you go all warm and fuzzy inside. So, rightly so for the second year running, John Lewis is top of the Xmas ads.

Here is is then, in all its tear jerking glory...

I hate the new M&S Christmas advert...

It seems I'm on a X Factor trashing mission at the moment, which honestly I'm not, but I really have to say how much I dislike the show taking over the best thing about Christmas.

Yes, M&S in their wisdom have ditched the big name celebs, catchy dance tunes and gorgeous clothes for the X factor finalists all in black singing a pretty soppy tune.

I am gutted. Seriously gutted that this is the route M&S have gone down this year- it just doesn't say Christmas to me, nor does it say M&S quality.

Previous years have seen Antonio Banderas, Wallis & Gromit, Dame Shirley Bassey, David Beckham and Peter Kay all make appearances in the amazing adverts, which for many, as the executive director of marketing at Marks and Spencer rightly pointed out, 'mark the start of Christmas'.

Last year's M&S offerings was one of my favourite to date, as we had Danni Minogue and Lisa Snowdon singing into their hairbrushes, while Peter Kay danced, quite literally on ice.

After main competitor, John Lewis had a sneaky success with Ellie Goulding last year, I'm really looking forward to seeing what they pull out of the bag for this seasonal offering.

Chances are, it can't be any worse than this. Oh well, at least I have the Coca Cola advert to cheer me up...

Here are my top 5 M&S Christmas adverts... (Copyright all M&S)

5. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without...

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4. Ice Party

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3. Christmas Belles

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2. Take That

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1. You Should be Dancing!

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M&S launch 'Nearly Nude' underwear range

M&S's Nearly Naked Range
You really can't knock M&S. Seriously, they have the coolest models and celebs queuing up to be in their ads, they're all about quality in what they make and more often than not, they're matching their high-street rivals in the fashion stakes.

I've always thought of Marksy's as the Clarks of clothes. Comfy, well made and practical. As for fashionable, eh, not so much!

That's all changed however, as now they are the one stop shop for amazing underwear, limited edition pieces and great high fashion at reasonable prices.

They're latest creation- Nearly Naked is pure genius. Underwear which is almost invisible under your clothes and which suit your skin tone.

M&S apparently took over 1000 customer's skin tone readings to develop the range, which starts at £8 for a pair of knickers.

They come in four different shades- fair, honey, olive and dark. Don't know about you, but I feel a underwear splurge coming on! M&S here I come...

Christmas Fashion Adverts: Which is Best?

Marks & Spencer's Christmas Advert 2010
For me, I know it’s getting close to Christmas when all the adverts come on, full of beautiful people looking happy.

The ultimate one has to be M&S, who make it like a massive movie production, but I have to admit this year, I’ve seen a few which may well threaten their crown.

So here’s my Top 5…

M&S: Hiring Peter Kay was a stroke of genius by the M&S execs, who never get it wrong with their Christmas adverts. Quality is the key with Twiggy strutting her stuff alongside Lisa Snowdon and Dannii Minogue, while Peter teaches our gals how to dance. Brilliant.

Boots: I’ve not seen the definitive Xmas ad yet, but the one where all the girls are getting glammed up in the call centre for a night out is definitely a giggle.

Matalan: when I assumed it was a John Lewis advert, you know Matalan have come up trumps with a quality ad. Based around some nosy children opening a box in the garden, everyone is soon kitted out in the most fashionable attire, while snow gently falls around.

Littlewoods: This company is on a roll with Coleen on board and what a great song to play, while a load of woman hunt around a mysterious mansion at midnight for gifts. Unexpected hit, thanks to adding the The Nightmare before Christmas to their soundtrack.



TK Maxx: Innovative, yes, but didn’t they do the whole gifts out of paper last year? Feel free to correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m convinced they have recycled last year’s ad!

So which is your favourite? Cast your vote now!

M&S launch bum lift pants...for men!

Bodymax Frontal Enhancement by M&S. Erm, insert caption here!
What will they think of next?! I do love M&S for exactly this reason, they literally will try anything once.

Ladies and gents, may I present the male equivalnet of spanx, which will help shape your man both in the bum and er, other parts.

Yes, there is an option for frontal enhancement, which is actually what M&S have named this particular pant. There's no ambiguity about it!

It uses an 'integral shelf' to give the wearer what the company has described as '38 per cent visual enhancement in size'.

Are you trying not to giggle right now, because I know I am. However the high-street legend seems confident with its new bodymax range for men.

Dave Binns, head of M&S men’s underwear, told the Daily Mail: "Our technologists have worked hard to engineer two styles that are comfortable to wear and that give real results.

"These pants provide a real confidence boost for men and we think they will prove popular with our customers."

There's already a waiting list for the wonder pant, so maybe this is the surprise stocking filler for your man this year ladies...

Check out the full range here