PlugOut Today

Exploring Yosemite in the Fall

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 18:13:00 +0000

Last week I was lucky enough to be a chaperone on my daughter's 8th grade field trip to Yosemite National Park. We all stayed in the Curry Village tent cabins and our hosts for the week were the Nature Bridge program. I was in a group with eleven students led by a wonderful naturalist named Margaret. We spent one day hiking to the top of Yosemite Falls. It is a strenuous hike with an amazing view at the top. The hike was the most difficult that many of the children had ever done. The rest of the week was spent with the kids getting to explore the park. The kids were not allowed to bring cell phones or electronics of any kind and surprisingly enough they didn't miss having them at all. It allowed them to be in the moment and enjoy being together in this amazing place.

This visit to Yosemite was one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was so much fun to watch the kids explore, learn and bond in such a magical place. I truly hope that the experience was as memorable for them as it was for me.

-Gilly Hegenbart

Media Queen Finds Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Mon, 03 Aug 2015 18:08:00 +0000

Fourth of July celebrates how America gained its freedom. This Fourth of July I gained my own kind of freedom. I was a social media queen and boy was I proud of it! My Snapchat stories were minimum of 40 seconds a day and on special occasions over 100. I posted on twitter about 5 times a day and retweeted more then I can even recall. I Instagramed every three days and that was just what I personally did. I scrolled and scrolled for hours. I stalked so hard that I would find out how my ex’s new girlfriend’s best friend was doing. Well you get the gist, I was obsessed.

I soon began to see the effects of my obsession. I felt this emptiness inside that I would try and fill with all the likes from my recent selfie. My self-esteem was lacking because I was comparing myself constantly to everyone on all my timelines. My closest friends were always yelling at me to put down my phone and would half joke, half not joke, about staging an intervention. I knew I had to calm down a bit but I didn’t know exactly how and, if I'm going to be honest, I was really scared.

So here is how I overcame the obsession. The friends that were always nagging me to put down my phone invited me to their parents house for the Fourth of July weekend. There would be plenty of food, beer, a pool and of course the company of good friends. Sounds perfect right? Well they live in the middle of no where so their house is secluded from society and they get no cell service. NONE. It was the perfect scenario to force me to stop for a second; at least I would be surrounded by friends in my time of need.

Once I was there it was fine; I honestly didn’t think about not being able to update my apps. However, as the day wore on, that little evil voice in my head starting getting louder and louder. “Repost, Reblog, Retweet, Repeat” it yelled! The harder it screamed the harder I gripped on to my friends. The second night was when I had a revelation that will forever change my outlook on life.

After two days of not being able to see what the outside world was doing I realized I had not died. I know, I was shocked too! I also realized that I was actually having a fun time even though no one knew what I was doing at that moment. That night I had the epiphany, I started looking over my life and thinking of all my memories; I realized I was remembering memories I hadn’t even thought about in a while. That’s when it hit me. I spent so much time trying to make every selfie perfect, ever snap story look like I was having a great time, and every tweet even wittier then my last; but in a year would I even remember the moment I was talking about on my media? No, because I was spending too much time documenting it rather then living in the moment. So why do we try to make every moment so perfect? Instead lets just live our lives and enjoy the experience.

This queen is very happy she got dethroned.

~ Amanda Gonyer

Unplug and Celebrate Summer 2015

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 20:34:00 +0000

Sunshine and summertime! June 21^st officially marks Summer Solstice 2015. Say goodbye to thick furry jackets and cold damp days and say hello to polka dot bikinis and warm summer nights. On June 21^st, unplug from technology and try to enjoy the wonderful sights, sounds and flavors our world has to offer. Refuse to be fixed in front of a television set or entranced by your cell phone; instead, celebrate Summer Solstice the right way. By following this PlugOut To-Do list, we hope you not only find peace in a tech-free day but also discover priceless moments and incredible opportunities that may have otherwise been overshadowed by Facebook likes and Twitter posts.

1. Watch the Sky

R Lie down on a blanket and stare up into the sky; what shapes do you see in the clouds and what do you believe is beyond the blue?

2. Sit Outside and Read a Book

R Lose yourself in a world beyond our own while still enjoying the nature of our earthly home.

3. Consolidate your Energies

R Summer Solstice is a wonderful time to realign your energies and find inspiration. Make time to refresh your home (maybe with some new decorations or a totally different layout.) Try readjusting your nutrition intake and find an exercise that works best for you! Lastly, shopping local can really make a difference in your diet so why not try it out.

4. Assess Life Fulfillment and Goals

R What are your dreams and goals in life? What are you doing to work towards achieving them? Have you accomplished your New Year’s Resolution yet? Reassessing your dreams and goals is a great way to remind you of the necessary steps that need to be taken to ultimately better yourself and your life.

5. Renew Your Wardrobe

R Ahhh, there’s nothing like a fresh new outfit to get the endorphins flowing. Take some time to clean out your closet; not only will you feel good about donating all your barely worn clothes, but that means space for new ones too!

6. Plan for Travel

R Summer is the best time for adventure so why not set aside some leave to explore a place you’ve never been before. Whether it’s a camping trip or an amusement park, unplug from technology and reconnect the family with a fun summer get away!

7. Bonfires

R Gather a group of friends, turn on that country radio station and start collecting wood cause a bonfire with friends is exactly what you need to celebrate Summer Solstice. The smell of roasting marshmallows and taste of melting chocolate will sure have you forgetting all about Candy Crush.

8. International Yoga Day

R Summer Solstice is a time to celebrate life; to celebrate the mind, the body and most importantly the soul. Interestingly enough, June 21^st is also International Yoga Day! There is no better way to celebrate the sun and yourself then committing to an hour of rejuvenating yoga moves.

Here at PlugOut, we have high hopes that summer 2015 will be one to remember! Not remembered through Instagram photos or Snapchat stories but through shared experiences and inside jokes. We want to create memories that don’t need a WiFi connection or run on battery; we want to create memories that will last a lifetime and never be overshadowed by Facebook likes or Twitter posts.

- Ari Neuenkirk

PlugOut Hike

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:05:00 +0000

Petaluma Unplugged has been hosting an annual unplugged weekend for a few years now. This year PlugOut will be leading an unplugged hike up to Helen Putnam Regional Park in Petaluma. We are happy to be a part of this weekend. Please join us with your kids and dogs for a fun outing.

The Tech Free Carpool

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 18:22:00 +0000

I have an interesting story to share that relates to all we do here at PlugOut and finding PlugOut Moments. One of my daughters attends a school in another town, so we formed a carpool to drive back and forth. I share it with three other moms and I drive twice a week. The drive is about an hour roundtrip, with the kids only being in the car a half hour in the morning and afternoon. The carpool consists of three boys and one girl ages 12-13.

Our carpool started in August and was a lot of fun right from the beginning. The conversations were always engaging and very entertaining. The kids were very chatty and sometimes I had to contain my amusement while listening to their stories.

This all changed in late November when one of the boys (let's call him boy #1) got a brand new iPhone 6. He started to bring it to school with him and got it out of his backpack as soon as he got in the car. He would then spend the entire drive playing with his phone and talking about games and apps he had on his phone. Shortly after, Boy #2 started bringing his phone in the car as well. The two of them would play with their phones and the conversation pretty much died. The other two (Boy #3 and my daughter) didn't have smartphones and would have some quiet conversations among themselves, but the atmosphere had changed. The fun and interesting conversations had been brought to a screeching halt!

As an adult it was hard to witness what was happening to the group. In my mind I knew that it was because of the phones. The conversations had vanished as the kids were engaged with their screens. I waited until after the winter break and then announced that my car was going to be screen-free. The first day I got some complaints, but really not as much as I had anticipated. Boys #1 and #2 were annoyed at first and wondered what I could possibly be thinking. They didn't see the problem, but the other two kids who were not on phones knew what was happening.

I let the other three moms know what I was doing. I explained that I work for PlugOut and I needed a break from the screens in my car. They all thought it was a great idea and immediately implemented the screen-free carpool in their cars as well. The fun and interesting conversations came back very quickly and nobody ever asks if they can use their phones. I have to say that this was a great decision and I highly recommend it to others who are driving carpools. We all love our technology, but it shouldn't replace interacting with others. Having a real conversation is always more rewarding than being in a cyber world and staring at a screen. -Gilly Hegenbart

PlugOut and Tune In

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Thu, 05 Mar 2015 19:51:00 +0000

“I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.”

- Billy Joel

Music has the power to meet us where we are at. It has the ability to inspire us to feel good, provide us with the words we need to hear that help us cope with life’s biggest struggles and experiences such as love, heartbreak, carefree living, and growing up. It is our companion on a long drive home, a motivator on the treadmill or that last set on the bench press, and an essential comrade to any experience we face in this life. It is the missing puzzle piece that triggers us to be in touch with our emotions. It can allow us to just sit and recollect our past, allow us to be still in the present or look forward to the future. Music can be the reminder to live life to the fullest despite our circumstances.

I think its so cool that you can pick up the guitar and create something that didn't exist 5 minutes ago. You can write something that no ones ever heard before. You have music at your fingertips.

-Michelle Branch

For any musician, the ability to create music is an artistic expression unlike any other; an expression that goes beyond the consumption process of music. This provides the author to broadcast to the world their exact thoughts regarding certain ideas, emotions, dreams, and one another through their own personal perspective. Even in the least experienced musician lies the excitement that results from the process of learning how to create sounds that are unique to the mind that is creating them.

These reasons are why we at PlugOut support and appreciate music as an outlet to regain balance from our technological devices. Our newly released Guitar Tee provides a quality design that one can wear when grabbing their guitar to hone their skills, laying down to listen to newly downloaded music from iTunes, or when going to see their favorite band in concert. Which ever it may be, PlugOut recognizes the amazing effect that music has on each of our lives, and is happy to present you with this design to help find your own kind of happy.

-Logan Stewart, PlugOut Intern

Why PlugOut When Already Plugged In?

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:48:00 +0000

Good Morning!

As January has quickly passed and the new year is well under way, PlugOut is excited to witness the vast amount of growth on our Facebook page and our brand new website.

Looking forward, we are thrilled that our apparel and brand is being seen all around the nation and interest is growing from those who have viewed our page. We are well under way to receive 1000 likes on our page and the renovation of our website has raised a lot of questions about what we stand for here at PlugOut.

With press coverage from local newspapers in the North Bay Area, to followers all across the nation, we feel that it is important to formally introduce our purpose to our followers who are still trying to understand what we do on a daily basis. You may even have found it somewhat ironic that we are promoting and marketing our brand through a social media website to encourage our supporters to PlugOut.

Nowadays, plugging in is the norm, and we realize that our customers do enjoy connecting online and through these means. With this said, our mission here at PlugOut isn’t to condemn the use of technology, social media, and the tools that have enhanced our ability to stay connected more rapidly in this day and age. However, sometimes technology has the ability to warp time and take us away from what really allows us to “find our happy” and live life to the fullest.

Therefore our purpose is to restore balance in our lives by not allowing these devices to get in the way of what we truly love to do outside these realms. A result of taking a part in this change with us may improve your relationships, time management, and even your driving! We provide active wear to live comfortably when we choose to do so (and hopefully this awareness allows us to be more active more often). Our new spring collection is designed to accompany you in activities that you love to do!

This upcoming year it is our goal to spread the idea that sometime during our day, we leave behind the phone and “take a moment” to enjoy life and be present in the moment. We want to promote how to use our devices responsibly, so we can see the true benefits of unplugging. Sometimes it takes that moment to help us realize just how tied we are to our devices and understand how much we need that balance.

We find it so amazing that you are on board with us and our mission and are looking forward to encountering change, growth and happiness in this new year.

-Logan Stewart

PlugOut Intern

The Tech-Free Vacation

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 19:35:00 +0000

There is a new trend in travel, many hotels and resorts are offering tech-free packages. The idea for this blog post was inspired by a recent article I read online http://abcn.ws/15aJHXz. I had also heard that the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite Valley was offering a digital detox package and I had an upcoming trip planned to the hotel. I thought it would be a great opportunity to find out a little about the services they offer and also the cost. It turned out that the Ahwahnee doesn't offer this kind of package. When I asked about it the woman working at the desk said that they don't really need to offer this service because they have poor cell service up there anyway. This turned out to be true and I was not able to use my phone at the hotel. Once again I was having an unplanned digital detox and was forced to leave my phone behind and enjoy the beauty of where I was. I did take the phone with me on a hike just to take pictures. I snapped a beautiful photo of Half Dome from the top of the trail. It turned out I had cell service up there, but not down in the valley. I posted a quick pic on social media and then put the phone away.

I love the idea of a tech free vacation, but I don't feel that I need to pay someone extra money to keep my devices away from me. What are your thoughts on this subject? Would you need someone to lock up your devices for you? - Gilly Hegenbart

12 Days of PlugOut

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 19:02:00 +0000

In honor of the holiday season the PlugOut team has decided it would be fun to set up a daily activity. Our hope is that our daily postings will motivate our fans and friends on social media to join in. Each day we will post a simple activity, it may involve doing something active or maybe it's a kind gesture towards another person. Please stay tuned for The 12 Days of PlugOut. - Gilly Hegenbart

Giving Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 21:56:00 +0000

In honor of Giving Tuesday (December 2nd), I have decided to write a blog post about ways to give back globally and locally and how PlugOut gives back year-round. People talk about Black Friday and Cyber Monday like they are actual holidays - something to mark on your calendar. What about Giving Tuesday? Yes, it is fairly new (this is the 4th one), but I don't hear people talking about it very often. I hope to see this change in the years to come. Giving Tuesday is an annual online campaign that encourages people to give to charities worldwide.
I like the idea of helping on a local level as well as a global level. When it comes down to it, you have to decide what causes or organizations are near and dear to your heart.

Ways to give back

Donate to a global organization of your choice. There are websites such as Global Giving that feature a charity navigation tool to help people find a charity worldwide.
Habitat for Humanity has a global village project that builds houses for people around the world. They use the donations that they get for supplies and to send volunteers to build houses in locations around the world.
As for local charities, I would suggest doing some research on what charities are of interest to you in your community. I appreciate the importance of the Hospice program and they are available in most communities. They have many levels of volunteer opportunities.

Here at PlugOut we give back year-round.

1% for the Planet - We give 1% of all of our sales to the 1% for the Planet organization. We are aligned with other like-minded businesses, and the money raised goes to keeping the planet healthy. The money is dispersed to thousands of nonprofit organizations who are working to protect the environment worldwide.
COTS - Committee on the Shelterless in Petaluma, Ca., provides food and shelter for the homeless. COTS has programs that are designed to break the cycle of homelessness once and for all. Members of the PlugOut team deliver food year round to people in the community who are in need.

-Gilly Hegenbart

Thanksgiving Traditions

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 20:00:00 +0000

Image via clarkmaxwell on Flickr

It’s my favorite time of the year – Thanksgiving. I have always loved the time around Thanksgiving, maybe even more so than Christmas time. It’s a time to step back and reflect on what you’re thankful for, which we sometimes forget to do in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

As with many holidays, your family and friends probably have classic or quirky traditions that they do every year. Traditions are a sort of glue that hold loved ones together, even when they’re separated most of the year. For example, my family always watches the Thanksgiving Day Parade while my mom preps the food. We usually sit down to our big meal around 3pm, which means the food comas have set in by 4pm. For the rest of the evening we sit in the living room and watch all of the Thanksgiving episodes of Friends.

This year, however, we’re starting a new tradition. Our Thanksgiving is fun and relaxing, but we never do anything active. Some families play touch football or go for hikes. Taking a cue from them, we’ve signed up for a 5k Turkey Trot to take place on Thanksgiving morning. That way we’ll get out and get moving before we sit down and give thanks over a delicious meal. That doesn’t mean we’re cutting out our Friends marathon, but we’re creating a new tradition that promotes a happy and healthy lifestyle.

So this year, give thanks for your health and the gift of the outdoors. Grab whoever you celebrate the holiday with and go for a nice bike ride, hike a local trail, or sign up for a Turkey Trot near you. You’ll feel like you worked for your post-turkey nap!

10 Ways to Relax During the Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Mon, 03 Nov 2014 19:11:00 +0000

The holidays are quickly approaching. It is a fun and exciting time of year, but it can also be a very stressful time. With all the added stresses that come up during the holidays it is important to find time for yourself. Here is a list of some ways to relieve stress and allow yourself to relax.

Exercise - Is a great way to relieve stress and release those feel good endorphins.
Go for a walk - Get out and enjoy the fresh air. Rain or shine, a walk is always good for the soul.
Sit in nature - Find a nice spot to sit outside. If it's a sunny day then soaking up a little vitamin D is really good for you.
Read a book - There is something very relaxing and calming about sitting down with a good book.
Listen to music - Whether it is with headphones or speakers, music can take you away from your worries.
Write a letter/journal - We rarely pick up a pen and paper these days, but putting your words down on paper can be very therapeutic.
Take a nap - Give yourself a break and enjoy a nice nap.
Write a blog - Write a blog about something that makes you happy or that you find interesting and want to share with others.
Take a bath - A bath is always relaxing, so take some time to soak.
Gardening - If the weather allows for it, gardening is a great way to get outside. Your plants will be happy you took the time to care for them.

-Gilly Hegenbart

5 Things You Can Do to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 19:31:00 +0000

October is a time of pumpkins, leaves changing colors and Halloween. Perhaps most important, though, is that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! About 12-percent of women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, which is a staggeringly high number. I can’t think of anyone I know who hasn’t been affected by breast cancer in some way or another, whether it’s a mother, friend, colleague or themselves. While we should always be raising awareness about this horrible disease, it is great that there is a whole month that is dedicated to bringing it to the forefront of everyone’s minds.

While that might seem like a dismal thought, there are many ways to help raise awareness about breast cancer research and keep yourself protected. Here are some actions YOU can take:

Perform a self-exam

While in the shower, in front of a mirror or lying down, feel around the entire breast for any lumps or changes in appearance.

Get a mammogram

After the age of 40, women should get a mammogram annually or biannually. This is an X-Ray taken of the breast tissue that can detect lumps before they’re big enough to be felt.

Participate in a breast cancer awareness walk

Organizations such as Avon and the American Cancer Society host walks around the country, which range in length. Individuals or teams can raise money and participate in the walk.

Donate

There are tons of ways to donate money to breast cancer research! You can directly donate to organizations that conduct research, fund a team or individual that is participating in a walk or donate when you’re checking out at participating major chains and grocery stores like Safeway.

Shop

Even big NFL players rock the color pink during October. Retailers big and small sell clothing whose proceeds partially go towards funding breast cancer research. Some examples of where you can purchase these are Ralph Lauren and the NFL Shop.

We've also changed our logo for the month as a small way to support the cause.

We’d love to hear what you’ve done to help in the fight against breast cancer! Send your stories and pictures to info@plugouttoday.com

Fall in Sonoma County

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Tue, 30 Sep 2014 20:00:00 +0000

This blog post was inspired by a recent article in Harper's Bazarre magazine which lists the top fall vacation destinations. At the top of their list is Petaluma, California! I have to say that I was a little surprised by this. Not to say that Petaluma isn't beautiful in the fall, but when I think of fall destinations I think of New England and all of its fall colors. This article made me think about what Petaluma and Sonoma County have to offer for fall visitors. The article talked about McEvoy Olive Oil Ranch and how Petaluma is an "undiscovered"city. I have yet to visit McEvoy Ranch, but it is high on my list of local places to visit. As for Petaluma being "undiscovered," I am not sure about that. It is pretty busy with tourists

on the weekends. Anyway, this article got me thinking about fun fall activities in Petaluma and surrounding areas.

Peter's Pumpkin Patch

Here are my suggestions of fun things to do.

Pick apples at a u-pick farm in Sebastopol (Sonoma County)
Visit any of the hundreds of wineries (Sonoma County)
Hike in Helen Putnam Park (Petaluma)
Kayak on the Petaluma River (Petaluma)
Visit a local pumpkin patch - My favorite is Peter's Pumpkin Patch (Petaluma)
Indulge and grab a pie from the Petaluma Pie Company (Petaluma)
Walk along Dillon Beach (Dillon Beach)
Experience Oktoberfest on October 11 (Cotati)

Send us pictures of your favorite fall activities, even if you're not from the Petaluma area at plugouttoday@gmail.com! -Gilly Hegenbart

Pros and Cons of the new Apple Watch

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 19:01:00 +0000

So by now, you’ve probably heard about Apple’s new Apple Watch. This is Apple’s answer to similar products like Samsung’s SmartWatch3 and the Nike Fuelband. It’s essentially a small computer that you wear on your wrist that has slightly more limited capabilities. It was announced on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at the iPhone 6 release conference. We each chose to take a side and give you our feedback on the Apple Watch.

Pros

· It’s just plain convenient – the watch will host a bunch of Apple’s staple applications, such as iMessage, Maps, and a music player. Notifications from your phone (which has to be an iPhone 5, 5C, 5S, 6 or 6 Plus) are sent to the watch, eliminating the need to constantly pull your phone out an check it. It will also be compatible with Siri, so that there’s not much need to type on one of the two sizes of tiny screen.
· It will speed up the checkout line at more than 220,000 retailers – Apple Watch will have Apple Pay added as a feature in early 2015. Apple Pay is another new announcement from the conference. The iPhone 6, 6 Plus and the Apple Watch with Apple Pay will hold your credit card information as loaded into iTunes, which will allow you to hold the screen up to any contactless payment system and pay for your purchases. No more fumbling around for your wallet while an angry mob forms behind you at the grocery store!
· It will make you fit! – just kidding, but it will be a useful tool to track workouts and daily activity. The watch features heart rate monitors built into the back of the device to get a more comprehensive look at your overall health than just tracking your distance and pace when running. It even knows when you sit down! The information is also sent to the Fitness app on your phone. I think it’s an amazing feature that could help people better understand where their level of health is and what they should be doing to make themselves healthier.

-Hillary Hill

Source

Cons

Cost - $349 (I haven’t owned a watch in a while, but this seems pretty expensive, since you still have to have an iphone and plan.)
Watch requires an iPhone - This means that you have to already have an iPhone in order for the watch to work. Apple says the watch will work with some of its current phones, such as the 5, 5C and 5S. I guess that means that my friends that still have the 4 series won’t be getting one.
Another issue is that it tracks your heart rate. Keeping track of heart rate during exercise is a good thing, but I question who is going to ultimately get this information. Will I go in to sign up for a life insurance policy and have them say “No” and explain that my heartbeat is irregular or is too high too often. I know this sounds paranoid, but it could happen.
The Apple Watch reads your text messages and suggests short replies. That seems annoying.
The Apple Watch will send notifications as a smartphone would. I honestly don’t want a watch that is constantly beeping at me and just gives me something else to have to turn off.
The new Apple Watch isn’t going to be very marketable to younger generations, they never wore watches and probably won’t want to start now.

This is just my opinion. I won’t be running out and buying an Apple Watch. I would love to hear other people’s opinions. - Gilly Hegenbart

PlugOut T-shirt Contest

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Thu, 04 Sep 2014 21:34:00 +0000

Here at PlugOut we have decided to try out a different approach to finding a new design for our t-shirts. Our current t-shirts feature our logo prominently and we want to try something fresh and different. We heard through the grapevine that there are many crowdsourcing sites that allow you to work with designers from around the world. After spending a lot of time researching, we have decided to go with CrowdSpring.

We signed up for an account and gave Crowdspring some information about us and what we are looking for in a new design. The design for our new t-shirt will incorporate our PlugOut message with images of being active while skating or surfing. Now that we have given CrowdSpring our ideas, they will then start a contest and thousands of designers from around the world will submit their ideas. We will sit back and wait to see what cool designs come in. During the contest we will be able to give feedback to individual designers. This is very exciting for us and we will be sure to share the final design choices on all of our social media platforms. We may even give our customers the opportunity to vote on the final design. I will keep you all posted. - Gilly Hegenbart

Labor Day Traditions

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Mon, 25 Aug 2014 21:33:00 +0000

“Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.” - United State Department of Labor

When I think of Labor Day, I think of relaxing and barbequing with family and friends. I am lucky enough to be a part of a grand tradition started by a dear friend. She opens up her home and yard in Lake Tahoe to her friends and family. We call it “The Great American Camp Out” and we all converge on her home for the three day weekend. Some of us stay in tents in the yard, while others stay in the house. Either way it is great fun and something to look forward to as summer comes to a close. Do you have a favorite Labor Day Tradition? Big or small, please share. We would love to hear it.

Sand Harbor - Lake Tahoe

For me Labor Day is the celebration of the end of summer. As a child it was a sad holiday, because it meant summer was ending and it was time to go back to school for the year. As an adult it is a different feeling, I think of Labor Day as a last hurrah of summer. Of course getting the wonderful opportunity to spend the holiday in Tahoe every year really helps.

I have decided to write this blog about Labor Day traditions in hopes of getting some dialogue about traditions that other people may have.

This year, I am going to make an effort to keep the weekend as unplugged as possible. I do use my phone for taking pictures, which makes unplugging more complicated. My goal is to try to make unplugging part of my Labor Day tradition. - Gilly Hegenbart

Find Us At B Street Mercantile!

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 18:52:00 +0000

We are so excited to announce that you can now find some of PlugOut's merchandise in B Street Mercantile, one of our favorite local shops! They have agreed to carry our trucker hats in red and navy blue and our tote bag. We hope you have the chance to stop by and check it out! The shop is located on the corner of B Street and 4th Street in Petaluma, CA.

- Brittany Silva

Cell Phones at Concerts

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:36:00 +0000

Have you ever been to a concert and all you can see is the glowing screen of the person in front of you? Yes, me too. It is very distracting to be a concert goer and all you see are the screens in front of you. At PlugOut, we think it is equally frustrating for the performer. Instead of having a sea of faces looking at them and enjoying their music, they have a crowd of distracted people. These people are either messing with their phones or watching the concert through the screen of a smart phone. I don't know about you, but I have taken a video with my phone at a concert. The quality of the video is so poor, it isn't something that I will ever go back and watch again. I have read about artists who are starting to speak out about concert cell phone use. Some of these frustrated musicians are more vocal than others. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Jack White, Katy Perry, She & Him, and Cyndi Lauper are some of the more outspoken ones. Here's an article from CNN Tech highlighting the Yeah Yeah Yeah's.

After seeing many articles written up about concert cell phone use, the PlugOut team decided to start contacting bands. We sent out approximately 150+ emails to bands and musicians. We asked them to respond via email if they are interested in our message. So far, we have gotten 5 responses back from band agents. We sent our hats, t-shirts and press release to the bands who have gotten back to us. We figured it was worth a shot and it would be incredible if one of the bands would wear one of our shirts at a concert. This got us thinking about the idea of "keeping life hands-free". Now we are looking into doing a t-shirt with this message and maybe an outline of a concert crowd with the audience's hands up in the air. We are hoping to have a few design options and are planning on posting them on our social media, asking our followers for their feedback.

I would love to hear from our readers. Do you have a story about cell phone use at a music concert or show? - Gilly Hegenbart

Photo by Whateverthing

My Favorite Summer Spots

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 19:59:00 +0000

Where do you like to go in the summer? I love to find new summer spots that aren't too far from home. Every June when the kids get out of school I start making a list of things that we want to do while they are home. I have heard it called a "summer bucket list" and I love that term. I have been making one in my head every summer for years.

I live in Northern California about 40 miles north of San Francisco. I feel very fortunate to live in an area with so many amazing places for us to get out and enjoy nature. I have three daughters and it is a goal of mine to get them out to do something fun and active in the summer. With so many days at home, summer can sometimes get "boring". This is a word I never like to hear in the summer, but it happens. My daughters and I have had many summer adventures together. I have decided to compile a list of some of our favorite spots. These are all day trips and the drive is no longer than 1.5 hours from our house. The list is numbered, but only for convenience sake.

Aquatic Park - San Francisco

Russian River - We like to go to a beach with a nice swimming hole at Monte Rio. The girls love to swim, so we make this a regular summer thing.
Dillon Beach - This is our favorite beach. We always bring our dog (dogs can be off leash). It can be chilly, so plan on always bringing a sweatshirt. We have been lucky enough to have had a few warm beach days lately.
Point Reyes National Seashore - There are many places to go out here. Two of my favorites are the Bear Valley Trail and the Lighthouse. Point Reyes is beautiful and I highly recommend exploring it and finding your favorite place.
City Day - We always do a few city days each summer. Here are some of the places we usually hit each summer. NorthBeach - we love to walk around this neighborhood and get pizza. Golden Gate Park - California Academy of Sciences is a really fun day. Crissy Field - great place to walk along the water and if it's chilly stop and get hot chocolate at the Warming Hut. Aquatic Park is another great spot to enjoy the views of the bay. The list of city day activities is endless.
Sonoma - The town of Sonoma is beautiful and centered around a town square, which includes a park and duckpond. This is especially fun for families with young children. When my girls were younger we would spend the morning at Traintown and then have a picnic in the park in Sonoma Square. - Gilly Hegenbart

The Benefits of Plugging Out

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Tue, 24 Jun 2014 18:11:00 +0000

I love my smartphone. Scratch that – I love technology. It’s easy to curl up on the couch and binge watch the newest season of Orange is the New Black. I have lost many hours that I will never get back on Buzzfeed. For a long time, it was not uncommon for me to fall asleep as I scrolled through Pinterest or to wake up and grab my phone off the nightstand to check my Instagram feed.

I did this for years before I realized – or accepted – that the way I used my smartphone was contributing to my restless nights and high stress levels. Even now I catch myself reaching for my iPhone to scroll through my Facebook newsfeed while I’m lying in bed or sitting at Starbucks with friends. No one is perfect. The important part is realizing when your technology use has become a problem and then doing something about it.

However, before you make any changes to your relationship with technology, I want you to be able to make an educated decision about plugging out. Below are some of the many benefits of keeping your laptop away from your bed or leaving your phone in your bag.

1. You will sleep better at night.
I wouldn’t hesitate to go so far as to say this is the most common advice people give in relation to unplugging. If you haven’t heard this before, you probably don’t have a phone or a laptop, so no one has ever felt the need to convince you to keep your phone across the room when you’re sleeping. Several studies have shown that turning off your electronics at least 30 minutes before you go to bed is related to a dramatic improvement in sleep quality.

2. Your interpersonal skills will improve dramatically.
From the minute texting, Facebook messaging, and tweeting became popular forms of communication, people have worried that this loss of face-to-face communication will affect the next generations ability to communicate effectively in person. It turns out those worries were justified. Hiring managers and human behavioral experts have reported that the generations of people who grow up with these new forms of communication are more likely to think it’s okay to use their phones during social and work events and they tend to have a harder time communicating effectively in job interviews.

3. Your stress levels will decrease.
There’s no getting around it: being connected to your text messages, e-mail, and social media twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week is stressful. It’s difficult to relax when your phone or computer constantly has new notifications popping up, letting you know your co-worker needs another favor or your boss sending you another item to had to your to-do list the next. When you step away from technology, even for 30 minutes, and go outside, read a book, or play a game with your kids, you can feel your stress levels decline. Putting down your phone or stepping away from the computer allows you to prioritize, put things in perspective, and let go of the little things that might have been contributing to unnecessary stress.

4. You will be more productive.
Considering how much of what we to do today is online, it might seem counterintuitive to step away from technology in order to get more done. However, anyone who has ever gotten on the computer to respond to a quick e-mail knows how easy it is to get sidetracked and start checking your Facebook newsfeed, which leads to scrolling through an article – or ten – on Buzzfeed. By unplugging, that temptress called the Internet doesn’t have the power to distract you, so you will find yourself being more productive than ever.

5. You will feel more connected than ever.
Disconnecting from technology will make you feel more connected to your life and the people around you than social media ever could. It might seem like checking status updates on Facebook or seeing what everyone is doing via Instagram is keeping you connected to the important parts of life, but it’s actually keeping you from connecting with the most important part: the world that’s right in front of you, not the “world” on your screen.

Have you ever plugged out of technology? What benefits did you see?

- Brittany Silva

The Unplanned Digital Detox

noreply@blogger.com (PlugOut) — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 17:38:00 +0000

(Photo Credit: Gary Hegenbart)

digital detox (n): a period of time during which a person refrains from using electronic devices such as smartphones or computers, regarded as an opportunity to reduce stress or focus on social interaction in the physical world: break free from your devices and go on a digital detox (via Oxford Dictionary)

A digital detox is the perfect way to spend a weekend or longer without technology. Our family and a group of friends recently spent two days in the Redwoods of Humboldt County. There was no cell phone service, so it was a forced digital detox and it was perfect. There were about 45 people and 25 of them were under the age of 15. It was so refreshing to look around and see that nobody was on a cell phone or screen. Instead, they were riding bikes, playing in the woods, swimming, playing an instrument or just talking to each other. This experience was amazing for both adults and children. It wasn’t a planned digital detox, but it sure worked and I think that the experience would have been a little different if there had been cell service available. At first I was uncomfortable not having communication with the outside world, but very quickly got used to it and ended up having a really nice break from technology. I am so grateful that there wasn’t cell service as it gave us all a chance to connect with each other instead of being on our phones. We were all able to enjoy the natural environment and just be outside.

- Gilly Hegenbart