The Gift of Photography and Learning Your Skills Featuring Scott Bourne and Amelia Lyon

Alyssa Steffes — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Photography is a fantastic hobby that anyone can get into and at any time really. As long as you can tackle an awesome digital camera (an incredibly fun toy, seriously), you got it down.

To get the right eye for certain frames, all it takes is practice. If you’re not impressed with your first “roll,” just keep getting back out there to try it again. That’s what’s so great about digital cameras, you waste no film and have unlimited tries. Plus, technology has advanced so far that today and you don’t have to pay much for a nicer camera that can capture most of the things you want it to.

Finding some inspiration is a great way to start understanding what you’re into and what kind of shots you want to take. By looking through the work of your favorite photographers, you might realize you enjoy vibrant colors, interesting textures, great depth, or maybe all three. You might also get a feel for framing your images and the use of space. These are points to keep in mind, but they are only a fraction of the aspects of photography that you will eventually pick up.

One of my favorites, Scott Bourne, is an award winning photographer that is not only known for his work, but also for teaching others how to improve their own photography. He even has a page set up with tutorials for how to pump up your photo and utilize computer programs. He captures really amazing photos of natural settings, especially birds. He makes it clear what he is shooting and allows the subject to stand out stunningly (like in his photo below). Read more about his story getting this amazing shot here.

(Click here for Scott's twitter)

Amelia Lyon is another one of my favorites who does portraits, weddings, engagements, etc. She works with her space wonderfully, giving her photos a unique twist. Amelia offers a teaching opportunity as well with a workshop for photographers that are eager to learn more about the art. A couple of my favorite shots by Amelia are shown here:

(Click here for Amelia's Twitter).

Finally, if you're debating on a gift for someone, the hobby of photography can be a great one to give. A digital camera is always a useful gift and gesture, and can unleash the creativity in someone that didn’t know it was there. If you know someone that enjoys fine art or someone with a great eye, what better gift than to allow them to exercise their talents?

Honoring Technological Genius, Steve Jobs

Bizi Ferguson — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Today is the late Steve Jobs' birthday. Everyone knows who the creator of Apple is, but what is his real story?

Steve was born to two college dropouts who put him up for adoption. The lower-middle-class Jobs couple adopted him and raised him in Silicon Valley in California (the center of computer technology). Steve immediately took interest in technology and electronics.

Steve went to Reed College in Oregon, but dropped out after his first semester. Being that it was the '70s, Steve was what some may call, a "hippie," and searched for himself in India.

When Steve returned, he met up with his friend Woz who was attending a group of early computer hobbyists. This sparked the idea in Steve to design his own computer. That is where Apple computers, came to be. Apple started out with Steve assembling pieces in his garage and taking his finalized products to stores to try to sell them. His friend Woz had come up wtih the idea for the Apple II which ultimately became the breakthrough computer. The two of them set out to make it the next big thing, until it was threatened by IBM. The threat created a spark in Steve to create a new computer, which resulted in the Macintosh project.

Steve went through several hardships in order to reach his goals. He was denied several times, but through perserverence, he was able to become what he is known for today. From the Apple II to the iPod, iPhone, iPad revelation, Steve was a one-of-a-kind man, especially for a college drop-out.

Unfortunately Steve lost his battle with pancreatic cancer on October 6, 2011 at the young age of 56. He is a hero to many and an inspiration to all. We will never forget the man who inspired the technological era that is the world today.

For more information, check out All About Steve Jobs.

Browse our Internet products.

Browse our Computer Gadgets and Accessories.

Cherish The Comfort of Your Home Before Spring Hits

Jordan Chapman — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Spring is hands down my favorite time of year. To me spring symbolizes a fresh start and the birth of warm weather.

The quicker I can get away from the cold and gloominess the better, but one perk I’ve come to find during the winter months is the comfort of my home.

I tend to hibernate during when the weather isn't pleasing. Finding all the possibile ways I can add a comforting laziness to the great indoors is a constant task.

Great household items that can attribute to this comfort are heaps of blankets, a space heater and seasonally fragranced candles.

Candles can be a great resource for making an area smell fresh and exhilerating after not being cleaned for a week or two.

All of these things combined create the perfect environment for an occasional snooze or long sessions of TV time.

I realize that I only have several more weeks of this questionable lifestyle, but here are some awesome items that I would definitely consider using to increase the coziness and comfort of my home and or cottage.

Turn any Room into a Playroom

David Kemp — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Stumped on what to give your young one for their birthday? How about giving them their very own playroom! At Coolproducts, we understand the novelty of a “kid’s only room”. That’s why we carry 450+ items that make those rooms so special. Whether you want to do it big or just
find something that adds the perfect touch, we're here to help.

Mommy Bloggers that Rock

Shaunna West – Shaunna and her husband created this amazing playroom from scratch! Obviously these two went above and beyond, but take a look around and see if there is anything you want to include in yours.

Laurie Turk – Laurie, aka the Tip Junkie, filtered the very best photos of playrooms that other mommy bloggers had done. Laurie also does a great job adding practical, easy-to-follow instructions on how to install and decorate items.

Jen Jones – Jen, the author of this awesome blog, converted her basement into a sweet playroom. She shares a bunch of clever space saving ideas, proving that almost any area can be remodeled into a play space!

Still want more? Watch this clip and see if you find what you’re looking for

Now for the Fun Part

Now that you’ve established where the playroom will be, it’s time to fill it! Check out our huge collection of toys, furniture and other items your kids are sure to love!

Enjoying Mardi Gras from the Comfort of Your Home

Alyssa Steffes — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Mardi Gras is today, and if you thought that you couldn’t celebrate just because you’re far from New Orleans, I’m here to tell you that you’re wrong! For this exciting holiday, I’ll show you some of the coolest aspects of Mardi Gras, all you have to do is close your eyes and imagine you’re there. It’s pretty easy to just let the music and parades take over in your head and you don’t even have to pay for a flight! Now that is quite the deal.

I’m going to kick this post off with some awesome pictures of floats-in-the-making. These pictures are brought to you by a Laughing Squid post by Rusty Blazenhoff. Last month, Rusty actually got to trip it out to NOLA and took a tour of Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World, one of the largest float manufacturers in the world. I’ve heard the Mardi Gras parade is one of the best in the country (as well as the world), and I can definitely believe it after seeing these amazing and elaborate floats.

(More pictures can be found at the Mardi Gras World Facebook and Twitter!)

Continuing on with the festivities, I’ll talk about some cool ways to incorporate a Mardi Gras theme into your day. It’s fun to mix it up with the holidays and you deserve a break to celebrate, especially when you’re hundreds of miles away from the actual event. Make a drink to commemorate the “party” with these options. They will sweeten up your day and make you feel a little closer to the action!

Find the recipe for this daiquiri here, or check out this Twitter for more ideas!

Mardi Gras is full of some of the more elaborate decorations as well as very colorful. It can definitely go a little overboard, but there are some ways to decorate without breaking the bank or sticking out like a sore thumb. Good décor choices are simple or elaborate masks (which can be very beautiful) and anything with the colors yellow, purple, green and gold. Take a deeper look into the preparation of Mardi Gras in New Orleans here:

Celebrating this holiday is actually quite easy, and you can find the perfect tools to do so by looking through some of these products. They are great decor for the festive family and are must-have holiday pieces to celebrate Mardi Gras for years.

How to Celebrate Presidents' Day

Bizi Ferguson — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Today is Presidents' Day. A holiday that we all know about, but don't really do anything to celebrate. It's not a gift giving holiday or a religious holiday. It's actually George Washington's birthday; the first president of the United States! It may not seem like something you can celebrate since the man's been dead a long time, but today is a day to be thankful for our country and all of the presidents that have made it what it is today. Your children are probably doing something in school to celebrate, so why not do something with them at home too? Here are some fun activities and crafts you can do together, courtesy of Kaboose. They have some really great ideas!

Make Presidents' Day Finger Puppets
Make a Crepe Paper Flag
Make a Powdered Wig out of Cotton Balls (also great for school plays)
Play "Who Is That?" Game

There are also some online games and quizzes that you can do by yourself to test your own knowledge of the presidents!

Check out the website for more craft ideas and activities to do with your kid or by yourself to celebrate Presidents' Day. Be a little patriotic today. Maybe wear red, white and/or blue. George will be smiling down on you.

Browse our political products here!

The Modern Relevance of Johnny Cash

Jordan Chapman — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

February 26th celebrates the birthday of American music legend Johnny Cash. While most artists fade with time, the true influencers in the industry forever leave an impact in music. Johnny Cash was one of those influencers, his music immortal.

Cash had an admirable way of hanging on to his gospel roots while being a notorious rebel for his era. His painstaking lyrics brought truth and reality to every man’s setbacks while simultaneously sticking it to the man. His persona as the “Man in Black” credited his dark, ominous dress and trademarked his baritone voice. The man in black has transcended through every generation by being a relevant foundation in music.

Hundreds of awards give credit to Johnny’s talent. Throughout his career his most notable were more than 15 Grammys and an inductee into the Country and Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame.

Every generation can give thanks to those who paved the way before them. Many songs now exemplify the musical style of Johnny Cash which features country roots, folk influences, mixed acoustic and electric instrumentation and a dynamic male vocalist. He will be remembered for his immense contribution to our country’s style of music and the road of opportunity he paved for many artists after him.

In 2003 American love icons Johnny and June Carter Cash passed away. One of the greatest song covers of all time “Hurt,” was released the same year.

Here is the award winning video to “Hurt”

Beauty Trends for Spring 2012

Bizi Ferguson — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Spring is coming up and if you are like me, you are curious to find out what the hot trends are for the season. To be trendy is to be up-to-date and chic. The bad thing about trends is that they can come and go very fast, so it is important to know when things are in and when they are out of style. Sometimes old trends come back and are new trends again. After doing some research, I have found several of the latest beauty trends for spring this year and I thought I'd share with you some of my favorites.

Retro Hairdos: "Mad Men" is setting a trend! Think Grace Kelly for short hair and Brigitte Bardot for long hair.

Cat Eye Eyeliner: Adele style. Give the eyeliner and extra flick for that wing affect. This image even has a "how-to" tutorial!

Bright Lips: Reds, pinks and corals. Go bright!

Luminous Skin: Fresh, beautiful skin for that youthful glow.

Scarf Headbands: Take a scarf and wrap it tightly, tie it around your head as a headband and voila! (I love this.)

Neautral/Bright Nails: Try going neutral and pale for spring this season. Beige, pale pink, nude, white, tan, etc. If you don't like that idea, go super bright (try matching your bright nails to your bright lips). Both of these looks are in for spring.

Some ideas courtesy of:
Spring 2012 Top Ten Beauty Trends

Nail Trends Spring 2012

Browse our Beauty Products here!

Broadway Today

Jordan Chapman — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Guest blogger - Staci Allen

As we grow older, it becomes more and more of an expectation to be part of the “real world” that everyone talks about. The days of being a kid with the ability to use my imagination for entertainment are more of a distant memory as each birthday goes by. With this realization, I have made it a point to appreciate the moments when I can escape from the “real world” and enjoy life in a different way, which is where my love of musical theater comes in to play.

Whether or not you are a fan of Broadway, bright lights, and stage makeup, everyone enjoys an escape now and then. Watching characters of all kinds come to life before your eyes and feeling as though you are a part of something outside of your daily routine makes the musical theater experience extremely powerful and thrilling. Musical theater revolves around passion, inspiration, and emotion – all things that real life should always be about in my opinion. It’s different than a movie or a TV show, because the stage is right in front of you, and the performers have no choice but to nail everything on the first try. It’s exhilarating just to think about.

The most recent musical I saw was “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” on Broadway in January. The performance brought me to tears of appreciation more than once due to the incredible vocals of Darren Criss and Rose Hemingway. The precision and intensity of the dance moves blew me away, and the humor had the crowd roaring. My next adventure will be at the Music Hall in Kansas City this May when the Jersey Boys roll in to town. I can barely contain my excitement when I think about it: the buzz of downtown KC, the adrenaline pumping from behind the curtain, and the energy of the crowd – everyday people dressed for the real world, yet yearning to escape into a 1960’s fantasy land with the performers…even if it’s just for a couple of hours.

Highlights from "Jersey Boys"

Traveling Tips, Gifts and Advice

David Kemp — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:38:00 GMT

Traveling can be one of the most exciting adventures but you want to be prepared so that you spend your time and resources wisely. I hope this list will ease your mind and encourage you to get up and go. It’s comprised of blogs packed with everything you’ll want to know about wherever you go, my own two cents, and some great gift ideas you won’t want to travel without. Enjoy!

Expert Travelers

Heather Cowper – One of the most experienced and cultured travelers, Heather runs one of my favorite blogs. It’s full of her journeys and the things she ate, saw and did when she was there.

My 2 cents – Heather and I both have traveled to Munich. My highlights were taking a bike tour around the city via “Mike’s Bike Tour”, seeing where the Mad King Ludwin resided, taking a tour of the BMW auto museum, and enjoying a stein of beer at the Hofbrauhaus.
Ciao Bambino - A team of moms created this blog to inspire other parents to take their children with them when they go traveling. It’s full of things that kids of all ages will love in a variety of cities you might have not thought as “kid friendly.”

My 2 cents – I went to London when I was probably 11 or 12 and its still one of the more memorable trips I’ve taken. I saw some soccer games, saw what life was like in a different country and I can’t even imagine how much fun I would have there now with all the Harry Potter exhibits.
Donna Hull – My Itchy Travel Feet, Donna’s blog, is designed to give boomer aged people travel advice. She provides photos and explanations of where to stay, what to eat, what to do and how to do it.

My 2 cents – Having boomer aged parents who travel a lot, I can vouch that this blog is set up perfect for them. If you are traveling in a foreign country and have access to the internet on your phone, the Google Translate app can be a lifesaver!

Travel enough and you may even get to dance with Matt!

Travel Essentials

Of course, you're gonna need a few things before you head out and explore the world. Here are some awesome lugggage items, traveling accessories and gadgets you don't want to leave without!

Getting Healthier by Cutting out Processed Foods

Alyssa Steffes — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

There’s never a bad time to reevaluate your lifestyle, diet and health and make some changes to get on the right track. I know we’ve all been there and it’s tough to make these changes but usually they are the best thing you can do for your body.

One place where you can begin is to try to cut down on processed foods. If you’re already not eating processed foods, even better! These are foods that have the magical ability to last for years and years, sounds pretty appetizing, huh? They are usually the foods that are the hardest to kick, but it’s good to work them out of your diet as much as you can because any food that is processed is automatically deprived of most of it’s nutrients that are healthy for your body. Unfortunately preservatives and sweeteners just want to disagree with everything your body really wants. The good news is fruits and veggies and organics are very delicious! It won’t be a hard battle to fight for long.

I understand what you’re thinking, how is this possible with a busy schedule? I know that completely cutting out processed foods is probably a little too difficult; they are extremely convenient after all. However, cutting down on certain meals in the day will make a big difference. If you want to completely get out of that mode, there are people out there helping people just like you make that switch! Don’t get me wrong, I know how big of a deal it is.

Do this wisely though! If you cut any type of food out of your diet, make sure you are supplementing vitamins, (I.E. if you cut out most dairies, it would probably be smart to start taking a calcium supplement). Also remember that I am not a doctor, but definitely talk to your doctor about any diet change you’re thinking about!

One person that I like to go to for some inspiration is holistic health and fitness guide, Rainbeau Mars (check out her site here!). She’s a successful author, yoga expert and enjoys teaching others about her diet and how to be healthy. For starters, check out this video of Rainbeau where she fills you in on 10 foods you must have in your kitchen that will help you eat healthier.

Health and wellness are not only important for you to keep in mind, but also for those close to you. To give a holistic gift for health and wellness is to show someone you care and also something they will appreciate. Check out this list of unique holistic gifts for everything beyond diets.

Liven Up Your Valentine's Day with These Activities

Bizi Ferguson — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

So today is Valentine’s Day and for some of you that’s exciting news and for others it’s a little scary. Buying gifts for your loved one can be tricky at times because you want to find that perfect gift that they will love. Unfortunately since today IS Valentine’s Day, I am not going to give you gift ideas for your sweetie (because you should have already gotten them by now!). I will, however, give you some fun ideas of how to celebrate your Valentine’s Day with the one you love.

After looking at some lists online, I came up with a combined list of some good ideas.

Have breakfast in bed
Write a love letter and secretly place it in your loved one’s purse, coat pocket, briefcase, car, etc.
Create a romantic destination and serve wine and food from where you are pretending you are. You can also set up props so it looks like you are there.
Slow dance together to one of your favorite songs
Watch old, black and white movies together and share popcorn
Reenact your first date
Do something active together like ice-skating, tennis, etc.
Get a couple’s massage
Stay in a romantic hotel room
Go out for a nice dinner and dress up

Men and women can initiate any of these things and they surely won’t disappoint. Make sure that if you are the recipient of any of these ideas or even of gifts, that you are equally as appreciative of the effort put into the idea. It will mean everything to that person. Even if you don’t go anywhere or do much of anything, Valentine’s Day is meant for you to show the one you love, just how much you love them. As long as you do that in some way, you should be golden and don't forget to say "I love you!"

Just in case you haven't gotten a gift yet, browse our Valentine's Day gifts here!

Wait, George Washington WASN'T the First President?

David Kemp — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Happy 203^rd birthday, Honest Abe, and although we know that you were the tallest president and the first to be assassinated, there are still many things that people don’t know about you or your fellow presidents. So today, in honor of your big day, I’ll unveil some wild and crazy facts about that have been kept hush-hush for too long!

Did You Know

James Madison was 5’4 and just barely 100 lbs. That’s smaller than Napoleon; that’s like the size Justin Bieber was when he came out with "Baby." If Madison stood next Lincoln’s 6’4 stature he'd look like a child. Next to Taft’s 300+ lbs.; dinner.
James Garfield would have won America’s Got Talent back in the 1880’s. His talent: the ability to write in Greek with one hand and Latin in the other, at the same time. That’s two separate alphabets; talk about being ambidextrous!
Lincoln’s son Robert Todd was in a neighboring city when his father was assassinated, an eyewitness to Garfield’s assassination and at the Pan-American Expo that McKinley was at when he was assassinated. Wow, talk about being bad luck.
George Washington was NOT the first president of the United States! John Hanson and SIX other presidents served before Washington! Washington was the first President of the United States under the Constitution but not the first true president of the US.

Abe Lincoln will soon be the first person AND president to land on Mars! NASA attached a penny on the Mars Rover for camera calibration purposes, so whatever the scientific purpose is, Lincoln is getting one stellar ride.

More History to be Found

Love U.S. History or know someone who does? There's tons of awesome merchandise out there just waiting for you to check it out!

NY Fashion Week

Jordan Chapman — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Mercedes Benz fashion week started Thursday February 9th and ends Thursday February 16th. The week long show features the top designs on the runway for fall 2012. The clothes and styles are all very practical and inspired by real people in real places throughout the world.

Here is a schedule of time slots that each designer will be featured throughout the week.

February 9

9AM

NICHOLAS K, STUDIO
10AM BCBGMAXAZRIA, THEATRE
10:30-11:30AM

KAELEN, BOX
11AM

RICHARD CHAI, STAGE
1PM

HONOR, STUDIO
2PM

TADASHI SHOJI, STAGE
2:30-3:30PM

CANDELA, BOX
4PM

CHADWICK BELL, STUDIO
5PM

JOSEPH ABBOUD, PIER 57, W 15TH ST

February 10

10AM

PARKCHOONMOO, STUDIO
10:30-11:30AM

GREENSHOWS presents Fall 2012 Designer Collection Previews, BOX
11AM-12PM

CONCEPT KOREA, STAGE
1PM

GENERAL IDEA, STUDIO
2PM

REBECCA TAYLOR, STAGE
2:30-3:30PM

BRANDON SUN, BOX
3PM

REBECCA MINKOFF, THEATRE
5:30PM

TOMMY HILFIGER MEN'S, 643 PARK AVE
6PM

NICOLE MILLER, STUDIO
6:30-7:30PM

KATYA LEONOVICH, BOX
7PM

CHARLOTTE RONSON, STAGE
8PM

ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY, THEATRE
9PM

POPLUXE, STUDIO

February 11

9AM

RUFFIAN, STUDIO
10AM

LACOSTE, THEATRE
10:30-11:30AM

PORTER GREY, BOX
11AM

JILL STUART, STAGE
12PM

SON JUNG WAN, STUDIO
2-3:30PM

RAFAEL CENNAMO, BOX
2PM

MARA HOFFMAN, STAGE
3PM

HERVÉ LÉGER BY MAX AZRIA, THEATRE
4PM

VANTAN TOKYO, STUDIO
6PM

TIBI , STAGE
7PM

MONIQUE LHUILLIER, THEATRE
7:30-8:30PM

L.A.M.B., BOX
9PM

VENEXIANA, STUDIO

February 12

10:30-11:30AM

LORENA SARBU, BOX
11AM

LELA ROSE, STUDIO
12PM

DEREK LAM, 330 WEST ST
1PM

DKNY, 547 W 26TH ST
2PM

TRACY REESE, STUDIO
2:30-3:30PM

JOY CIOCI, BOX
3PM

CUSTO BARCELONA, STAGE
4PM

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, THEATRE
5PM

FALGUNI & SHANE PEACOCK, STUDIO
5PM

Y-3, 82 MERCER ST
6PM

CARMEN MARC VALVO, NASDAQ, 4 TIMES SQ
7:30-8:30PM

MATHIEU MIRANO, BOX
8PM

TOMMY HILFIGER, 643 PARK AVE
9PM

TIMO WEILAND, STUDIO

February 13

9-10AM

NEGARIN, BOX
9AM

JENNY PACKHAM, STUDIO
10AM

CAROLINA HERRERA, THEATRE
11AM

CARLOS MIELE, STAGE
1PM

ZANG TOI, STUDIO
1:30-2:30PM

EMILIO CAVALLINI, BOX
2PM

DONNA KARAN NEW YORK, 547 W 26TH ST
3PM

REEM ACRA, STAGE
4PM

YEOHLEE, 25 W 38TH ST
5PM

BIBHU MOHAPATRA, STUDIO
6PM

BETSEY JOHNSON, THEATRE
6:30-7:30PM

LEATHER JAPAN 2012, BOX
7PM

PRETE & BRUNO, STAGE

February 14

8:30-10AM

NORISOL FERRARI, BOX
9AM

TORY BURCH, ALICE TULLY HALL
9:30-10:30AM

J.CREW, STUDIO
10AM

BADGLEY MISCHKA, THEATRE
11AM

VERA WANG, STAGE
1PM

DIESEL BLACK GOLD, PIER 57, W 15TH ST
2:00-3:30PM

FOTINI, BOX
2PM

NAEEM KHAN, THEATRE
3PM

DENNIS BASSO, STAGE
5PM

PAMELLA ROLAND, STUDIO
7:30-8:30PM

HAUS ALKIRE, BOX
8PM

NARCISO RODRIGUEZ, THEATRE
9PM

EMERSON, STUDIO

February 15

9AM

WHITNEY EVE, STUDIO
10AM

MICHAEL KORS, THEATRE
10:30-11:30AM

ROCHAMBEAU, BOX
11AM

NANETTE LEPORE, STAGE
12PM

PORTS 1961, NY PUBLIC LIBRARY
1PM

JOANNA MASTROIANNI, STUDIO
2-4PM

LEVI'S, 82 MERCER ST
2PM

J. MENDEL, THEATRE
2:30-3:30PM

SUZANNE RAE, BOX
3PM

MILLY BY MICHELLE SMITH, STAGE
5PM

FARAH ANGSANA, STUDIO
6PM

ANNA SUI, THEATRE
6:30-7:30PM

NOMIA, BOX
7PM

VIVIENNE TAM, STAGE
8PM

B MICHAEL AMERICA, MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 1220 5TH AVE

February 16

10AM

RALPH LAUREN, 275 HUDSON ST
11AM

RALPH LAUREN, 275 HUDSON ST
2PM

CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION, 205 W 39TH ST
3PM

CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION, 205 W 39TH ST

Brand New Ways to Get Kids to Eat Healthy

David Kemp — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

You ever have to bribe your kids or grandkids to eat their vegetables? Try to convince them its “cool” to eat their peas because their favorite Disney channel star can’t live without them? This post was inspired by you, and I hope it will provide some cool new tips and ideas to get those little munchkins eating what you know is good for them.

It Starts with Education - instead of simply telling your child, "this food's good, this food's bad," educate them with fun and interactive games that engage their learning of why certain foods are healthy.

Fitter Critters – In this fun online game your little one is assigned their own critter in which they must maintain their critter’s diet and exercise in order for their critter to win sports events and earn more money for prizes.

The game translates over to the real world, giving kids a better understanding of the relationship between nutrition and physical health, as well teaching them the importance of whole grains and vegetables in their diets! Play for free!
PickChow! – This cool and interactive game allows kids to drag and drop various foods onto a virtual dinner plate and receive a health ranking. The payoff is that it not only lets kids get to pick and choose what they want to eat, but they see a rating for their meal, which correlates with the items on the plate. So if they want a better rating, they have to mix and match in a healthy way!

Look to the Experts – Take it from these dieticians and nutritionists who work closely with figuring out ways to inspire children to want and love to eat healthy.

Maryann Jacobsen – She was motivated to create her blog a few years ago due to the lack of guidance from the internet regarding nutritional diets for kids. She blogs about everything from feeding tips to easy, nutritious meals! Check her blog out here.
Jill Castle – Jill and Maryann collaborate together on various works, and like Maryann, Jill is also a registered dietician focused on pediatric nutrition. She blogs on a variety of topics like how parents should go about rewarding children for eating healthy or healthy recipes for the whole family. Her blog can be seen here.
Jonny “The Rogue Nutritionist” Bowden – A nutritionist with a different spin on everything. Like this clever trick to get children to eat their fruit and veggies.

Reward them with a Treat

Whether its a birthday, a holiday or just plain ole' good behavior, reward your little loved one with one of these awesome gifts!

118 Years of Hershey's Chocolate

Alyssa Steffes — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

If you didn’t know, today is the day that Hershey's, the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America, was founded, just 118 years prior. That’s a pretty long time if you ask me. Not surprisingly, today is also Toothache Day (seriously). So it only seems fitting to eat some kind of Hershey’s candy today, don’t you think?

A site that I really love to check out to get an expert's opinion about candy is the Candy Blog. Its author, Cybele May, blogs about (almost) all kinds of candy and does so with a very honest tone. She tells your right up front what candy she’s fond of and some that she’s just not into (in her “about” section) and it’s clear she isn’t trying to trick anyone! So before you go to the store today to pick up a piece of Hershey’s candy, check out her Hershey’s pages where she rates Hershey’s candy (23 pages of it). Maybe you'll want to try something new!

If you’re someone that’s into baking and wants to make something with Hershey’s ingredients instead, that’s not a problem! Hershey’s provides the stuff you need to do this, including many bags of chips to throw in your dessert. Watch this short video with Hershey's kitchen expert, Linda Stahl, and discover all the flavors of chips Hershey’s makes that are overlooked by many.

Happy a happy Hershey's day and click on the chocolate bar below for some great Hershey's gift ideas!

The Potential of Instagram Among the Boomer Generation.

Jordan Chapman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

By now the nation is well aware of twitter. Besides Facebook it is the biggest social media platform. The social presence of twitter influenced countless companies to encourage Super Bowl viewers to hash tag their brand slogans, but I’m here to tell you that the next big thing in line is Instagram.

Instagram is an iPhone exclusive app that functions similarly to twitter by allowing users to share their lives through picture posts. It even has the ability for users to like and comment on their followers or people they are followings picture posts. The biggest potential I see in this app is its capability of tapping into the boomer generation market segment.

Unlike twitter where celebrities and high profiles rule, the artistic and innovative photographer wields all the power.

With 2 million registered users, it is by far the most stylish, inspirational and unique way to express yourself through social media. Not with words (even though a small caption to your picture posts is an option) but with pictures. Pictures of your everyday life, when published, give an artistic portrayal of your personality.

I have relatively young grandparents out of the boomer generation and they definitely aren’t tech challenged, if anything they’re tech savvy. This is why I see so much potential with instagram and boomers because my grandparents love nothing more than sharing memories or stories of their sons, daughters, and grandkids through pictures. If they were to build their social network on Instragram all of their social media desires would be met!

You’re silly if you think Instagram will remain exclusive to the iPhone. An Android app is in the works and it is now capable of importing full size photos to Facebook with your caption underneath. Same with twitter.

Instagram photo albums on Facebook also allow users to share friends pictures or groups of pictures.

If marketed correctly, this could take the boomer generation by storm! Check out this video thats shot in nearly all Instagram photos! Awesome!

Cool, Healthy Ways to Stay Young

Bizi Ferguson — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:03:00 GMT

With so many people taking extreme measures to stay young these days, you would think that it is nearly impossible to do. That is not the case. There are some easy and natural ways to keep your mind and body feeling much younger as you age. Though some occasional Botox may not hurt you, it is always nice to know that you can stay young naturally.

These atricles give great tips with explanations as well!

All in all, in order to stay young, you must stay healthy. That doesn't just meant that you need to stay fit (although that does help). It means that you need to take care of your body and mind. A healthy mind helps you stay younger as well. Just like the articles say, doing mental exercises help. Often we forget to take a little time for ourselves. Make sure that you have specific "me-time" moments each day to keep your mind fresh. Sleep will also help. Sleep is extrememly important and we often take it for granted. Getting enough sleep (about 8 hours) can work wonders for your body and mind. You can look younger in days if you just go to bed!

Make sure to check out the articles listed above for more specific tips to staying young!

Browse our beauty gifts, health gifts, and relaxing gifts!

Love to Shop? You Gotta Try These Apps!

David Kemp — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Save money and skip the headaches that shopping can cause. Seamlessly compare prices, find where any item is sold around you or online, a tool that allows you to find the greatest gift you didn’t even know existed, this list has that and more!

Savvy Shopping Apps

Coupon Sherpa – This is the king for coupon lovers, it has a number of a different coupons to tons of different stores, including grocery stores! Thanks Laura Willard for discovering this sweet app!
Goodzer – Looking for a specific item but don’t know where to find it? Type it in to Goodzer and it’ll display a number of locations near you where you can buy it. Thanks to Jennifer Bergen of PCMagazine for finding that app!
KeyRing - Feel like you’re carrying a brick in your purse or pocket because you have so many membership cards dangling from your car keys? No more! With this app, simply scan each card’s barcode and next time you’re checking out, just pull up the code on your phone. Your keys will love you for it.
Shop Savvy - So you found an item you really wanna buy but don’t know if it’s THE best deal. With ShopSavvy you can scan the barcode or QR code and suddenly you'll be comparing prices at local and online merchants!
ShopKick – This awesome app saves you money just by setting foot inside a number of different stores. Say you walk in BestBuy, pull out your phone, check-in with your app, and boom! You’re on your way to earning a free gift card just like that! Big props to Amar Toor of Engadget for the above three app ideas!

Gifting Like Never Before

So, imagine you need to get your grandma a gift but have no idea what to get her. The amazing Gift Professor asks you quick and easy questions about grandma and from the answers you provide, he finds gifts that match her interests and personality. Kind of like an e-harmony for finding a gift! You gotta see for yourself how accurate he is!

Scarves: The Best Accessory for All Year Round

Alyssa Steffes — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 16:15:00 GMT

No matter what the weather brings, there’s one style staple that keeps on going strong all year long. Scarves are a must have in the winter months, but that doesn’t mean you have to lose them once spring arrives. These days, scarves offer way more than a warm neck, they are the ultimate accessory, adding pizzazz to any outfit. Plus, pairing a light scarf with a tank top or t-shirt on a warmer day is perfectly acceptable!

Changing up the tie on your scarf will completely freshen up your look each tie you wear it, and if you need a little help, check out this list of my favorite types of ties:

Check out Stacie Grissom's post on The Fashion Spot here to learn more about each style and how to wear them!

For some scarf ties that are a little more simple, easy and most importantly, fast, take a look at this how-to video by Mimi from Luxyhair.com. She makes great simple styles even easier!

Now, if you're completely clueless on what kind of scarf you're looking for or want more ideas on the trendiest styles, look no further than the fashion blog, Scarves & Wraps. There is a new post every couple of days to keep up on the latest trends and each post includes everything you need to know about how to get the looks. Follow Scarves & Wraps on twitter here to keep up with their posts and to just see what they're talking about.

If you're in the market for a new fashionable scarf (or hat and gloves), check out some unique and different pieces by clicking on the button below. There's a style of scarf for everyone.

Awesome Super Bowl Recipes & Party Drinks

David Kemp — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:00:00 GMT

Superbowl time and that means its time to party! Whether you’re an avid football fan, a die-hard Patriots or Giants supporter, or just there for the party, these recipes and party drink ideas are sure to get anyone excited for this year’s Super Bowl.

Super Delicious Recipes

Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese - This blend of spicy-meets-cheesy is a guaranteed party pleaser, thanks @SweetToothCourt for this awesome recipe!
Chorizo & Shrimp Quesadillas w/ Smoky Guacamole- This quick recipe is my personal super bowl winner, thanks a lot @rachael_ray for this champ of a recipe!

Steak Fajita Chili - This is not your traditional chili but it is something that will have everyone coming back for more, kudos to @ChefMcCargo for this out-of-the-box recipe
Want more? Check out these 50 awesome dips and spreads!

Touchdown Refreshments

Lynchburg Lemonade- This giant fishbowl drink is one to share and if you like your
lemonade with a kick then be sure to thank @GuyFieri for this awesome drink idea! Thanks Guy!
Mojito Jell-O Shots - Ok, these aren’t the type of Jell-O shots you drank in college, these are for your sophisticated side. Thanks for the great idea @chefsymon!
Oh, and I almost forgot, beer! This video, courtesy of PopSugarTV, might give you just the idea you were looking for.

Tools to Victory

The last key for your party to be a winner is to have some rockin appetizer dishes to place all your goodies on and in. Don't worry coach, we got ya covered!

The Painter’s Honor to Norman Rockwell featuring New American Paintings

Alyssa Steffes — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Happy birthday Norman Rockwell!

Mr. Rockwell, as you may already know, was a painter who worked in style of realism from the 20th century, and would have been 118 today. He is most well known for his depiction of American life which was always the subject of his paintings. You may be most familiar with his famous series Four Freedoms and Willis Gillis and for his Saturday Evening Post covers, shown below. As much as I love abstract art he’s one of my favorite artists for his clear and to-the-point style of portraying what he saw. His work may not have been the truest representation of American life in the mid 20th century, but it will always hold a feeling of nostalgia for most that lived in that time.

For the Norman Rockwell fans out there that you know of (or perhaps you’re one yourself), here are some prints that make great affordable and nostalgic gifts. A couple of my favorites being, Waiting for the Vet (shown in picture below) and First Down, as well as Freedom of Worship and Model T on the Farm, Boss of the Road, A Sunday Afternoon Farm Scene; all of which would make nice additions to any wall space. Really anyone that loves art can appreciate these prints.

For those that enjoy unleashing your own creative side with the paintbrush, I really recommend checking out the New American Paintings blog for some inspiration. New American Paintings features up and coming artists and their work and it’s a great way to stay in the know about what’s happening now in the world of painting with other artists like you. Find them on twitter here and stay up to date on the most recent New American Paintings news.

Here's a video by Graham Kolbeins in a series done for New American Paintings. This video delves into the creative process with the ever-so-talented Annie Lapin. Annie was the winner of both the Readers Choice Poll and the NAP Annual Prize!

If all this talk of painting has you in a mood to shop painting supplies or prints, click this button below!

Tea: The Cool Thing to Drink

Bizi Ferguson — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Tea is everywhere these days. It’s one of the hottest trends lately. In order to look good this season you must have the right outfit on and be carrying a cup of tea. All right that’s a little ridiculous, but it’s kind of true! No, I don’t mean that you must just be holding a cup of tea to look good, but actually drinking the tea will help you stay healthy while giving you the energy you need to keep you going throughout the day!

There are so many different types of tea out there, but according to a WebMD article by Julie Edgar, purists believe that only green tea, black tea, white tea, oolong tea and pu-erh tea are the real thing. These particular teas fight free radicals, which can contribute to cancer, heart disease and clogged arteries.

All of these teas have specific health benefits. Studies showed that pu-erh tea reduced weight gain and LDL cholesterol. Green tea is high in antioxidants, which can prevent specific types of cancers, burn fat, and reduce risk against neurological diseases. For more specific details about these teas, visit this site.

To get the most benefits from tea drinking, try to stick with brewed tea instead of bottled tea so that you don’t consume any unwanted calories. However, even bottled tea is better for you than many alternative drink options. So, in order to prevent having a Groundhog Day of your last “unfit” year, swap the soda for a cup of tea! You will for sure hope the little guy doesn’t see his shadow so that you can start showing off your rockin’ bod in a swimsuit sooner!

Browse our Tea products here!

Inspiration to Keep Your Relationship Alive

Jordan Chapman — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:00:00 GMT

It might dawn on you at some point that your relationship isn’t the number one priority in your life. Many things can factor into this whether its work, school, kids or other personal issues. You then think of quick gift solutions that express to your loved that he or she means the world to you. While random gifts are great, traditional and cliché gifts will not do. Maybe the answer to your problem isn’t a gift at all! It’s time to kick it up a notch….or two.

Authenticity and originality make going outside the box not only the cool thing to do, but the right thing to do. It’s your responsibility to do this by orchestrating an unforgettable date, day or evening. In order for this to happen you need something outside the ordinary that he or she will remember for a lifetime.

Should you seek inspiration or advice for these types of things? Where would you start?

Seeking inspiration for relationship advice doesn’t mean your relationship is in danger. It just means that you care. Constantly making an effort to see how you can maximize your love for one another ensures happiness and shows your significant other that you are in constant pursuit of it.

While gifts are essential in any relationship, I think that the attention needs to be focused primarily on your significant other. Attention to your loved one on a day to day basis is something that is necessary for any healthy relationship. Thinking of your partner as much as you think of yourself is key. Without this a relationship will struggle to survive.

Here are some great everyday Blogs to keep your relationship healthy and alive.

A few people have shared this with me as something to include in this blog post as a reminder of how special it was with your loved one at the beginning. Very emotional and refreshing to watch, it inspires you to get your love back to its highest level.

Looking for gifts too? Here's a link to great gifts to boost your relationship.

5 Free Apps + Inspiration to Get Fit & Live Healthy

David Kemp — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:30:00 GMT

Did you know that your smartphone can be used as your personal trainer and your dietitian? There are a number of apps created to help you lose weight, stay in shape, eat healthy and track your diet. Along with some health oriented gifts, this list will provide you with some apps and inspiration to help you start and stay living healthy.

Apps

Nike Training Club - This app is like your own personal trainer. It has 85 built-in workouts with videos to show you how to perform each one and allows you to set your custom goals. It’s very detailed and easy to follow; you can listen to the instructions or insert your own music.
RunKeeper – Do you love to run and use your phone as your iPod as you go? Then you’ll love this app, which uses your phones GPS to track where you go and gives you a ton of free data to play with afterwards. It works with the music on your iPod and gives audio cues as you progress through the run!
Lose It! – With this handy-dandy app, you’ll be able to easily track your dieting and exercising with simplicity. You enter in what you have eaten and what types of workouts you have done, and it tracks your progress over time. You can even compete with friends and see each other’s progress.
SparkPeople – this app goes hand-in-hand with its web page, and if you become a member, you’ll be joining a social network of like-minded individuals looking to live healthier. It’s the most comprehensive and offers the most in-depth tracking and measuring your goals. You can become a member for free!
Fooducate – Next time you’re in the grocery store, use this app to scan the barcode and voila! Suddenly, you can compare the product’s highlights with other products and select the healthy choice.

Inspiration

These are a couple of great blogs to read and find inspiration.

Fitnessista – Gina, the sista who loves living fit, is the creator of this wonderful blog where you can go to find ideas and inspiration to living a healthier life. She writes about a number of different things, like training for a half-marathon, or a recipe that will make your mouth water.
CrazySexyLife- The famous Kris Carr manages this awesome blog full of inspiration to become a “new you” and living like you mean it. Check it out, you may like what you see!
MealsandMiles – Meghann writes this blog about, “One girl’s journey through food and running”. It's Loaded with awesome ideas to eat healthier (and cheaper) along with some excellent “aha!” type posts regarding workouts that you might not had thought of.

Great Gift Ideas

Of course you can always buy yourself or someone you love a gift for yours or their health. Check some out! You may even find the perfect gift you didn't even know you were looking for!