Good afternoon and welcome to today’s webchat. Our guest today is columnist, Emma Gold, who’ll be discussing innovative products and how they can help women. |
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Marcia wants to know: |
What do you think are the best innovative products out for women at the moment? |
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Emma Gold said: |
Under wired bras are a marvellous invention for busty ladies. I couldn't live without my mobile phone or my laptop. Friends tell me ceramic hair straighteners have become essential. I'm also a big fan of acrylic nails. They're changed my life! They've given my fingers freedom. |
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Suzie wants to know: |
It seems to me that the wish list innovations, are all focused on saving women time and giving them more personal freedom. Would you agree? How important is personal freedom to modern women? |
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Emma said: |
Time is the biggest luxury that we all have now. I think the survey also shows that women are feeling fed up doing most of the chores. The toilet has become a battleground for the sexes. The contraceptive pill was voted in the survey as the most important scientific innovation. I'd agree, I've learned it's no use relying on promises made by men in the heat of the moment. |
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Ruth wants to know: |
Despite all these new innovations in the home that enable either sex to keep house, why does it always come down to the women to cook and clean, when most of them are working the same hours as men? Why aren't more men picking up some of the slack? |
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Emma said: |
Sometimes I think women are suckers. We need to teach men how to treat us. I've recently house trained a boyfriend, and leave notes on the toilet lid saying "Please put me down! I don't mind if they don't cook, as long as they offer to take me out for dinner. Otherwise, I'm on strike! Women should take industrial domestic action more often. |
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Gorilla Girl wants to know: |
If you were to invent one product that would greatly improve your day-to-day life - what would it be? |
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Emma said: |
I'd like to invent a pill that inspired men to give me massages as often as I like, without expecting one in return! I would like a car that reverses in a straight line! And an under wired bra that is machine washable AND comfortable. |
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Denise wants to know: |
I know this chat is all about inventions that women can't live without, but have any of them been designed by women? Are women responsible for any major inventions and if so, which ones? |
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Emma said: |
You're right; women aren't responsible for most modern inventions. They have, however, invented a few key items. You may not be surprised to learn that a woman, and the bra invented a dishwasher. But there are some surprises too, windscreen wipers, monopoly and bullet proof vests. Also, Heady Lamarr, the Hollywood screen siren invented a torpedo missile system! There is the British Female Inventor Awards, which was set up about 5 years ago, which is encouraging women to patent great new ideas! And the biggest surprise of all, for those of you who believe women can't read maps, is that the indispensable A-Z was invented by a woman, Phyllis Pearsall, MBE. |
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Donna wants to know: |
I think timesaving devices i.e. microwave meals/ hoovers are making us lazy and fatter. We do half the housework we used to and it shows! Do you agree? |
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Emma said: |
Can I just say, I'm not sure I want to come round to your house! Is there dust everywhere? I would however, let you make me dinner as I also can't stand microwaves. I think they encourage us to eat those toxic ready-made meals, which are then nuked. It can't be healthy. Also, you can't beat the smell of cooking wafting from the oven. The Always Freshelle survey revealed that a self-operating vacuum cleaner would be a big hit with women! Be honest, wouldn't you love one?! |
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Teena wants to know: |
As a writer, what can you not live without when you're working on a new book? |
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Emma said: |
Anger and bitterness. With my novels, I was motivated to write by a sense of revenge against those who'd done me wrong, mostly men. Now, however, the radio, cups of tea and regular games of solitaire keep me going. |
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Jenna wants to know: |
Hi Emma! I loved your book Easy! Are you working on any new material? |
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Emma said: |
That's so lovely to hear, glad you enjoyed it! I'm not writing any more novels at the moment but, you could always try my second book "Hard", which features the same feisty heroine. I met Mr Right and I can't bitch about him! |
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Sally wants to know: |
If you had to go into the Big Brother house what 'can't live without it' items, would you pack in your suitcase? |
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Emma said: |
Could I pack my therapist? A pair of ear plugs, some valium, a vibrator (cause there's no one there that I fancy) and just in case I have my period, my favourite new product de toilette, Always Freshelle. |
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Libby wants to know: |
Is it true that expensive products are always the most innovative/best? |
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Emma said: |
I couldn't disagree more. Often, the most expensive products contain the most chemicals. I've gone back to basics. Coconut oil, which is dead cheap, makes the best after shower moisturiser. I think there are better things to spend your money on, like shoes! |
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Bella wants to know: |
"If innovations save us time, do you have any other tips for how to save time when you're late. I'm late to work every morning and need to get it sorted before my boss wises up to my tardiness. |
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Emma said: |
You could say to your boss that instead of working 9-5 you'll work 10-6, then everybody's happy! Failing that, you could always set the alarm hideously loud and horribly early. I sympathise. |
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Roisin asks: |
Emma, from one sassy modern woman to another, tell me, how are we supposed to keep cool in this sweltering heat? I'm determined to create the image of being effortlessly cool in these stifling conditions. Can you help? |
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Emma said: |
I think anyone who wears all white automatically looks and feels cool. It also happens to be the look of the summer. Shop online, sleep naked, wear open toed shoes, ditch the tights and invest in a new fan. You can never have too many fans. And women, if it's your time of the month, you've GOT to try Always Freshelle, which comes with a wipe that leaves you feeling refreshed. |
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