Start Improving that Home of Yours

The past year has brought a recession and with that we have all turned to cost-effective measures like clipping coupons, eating in instead of ordering out, and turning down the thermostat while layering up in sweaters. This year instead of spending money on a hefty vacation, my family decided to put our dollars into something we’d get more years of enjoyment out of – our home. We added a large deck off of our family room, which enabled us to spend many summer evenings watching the fireflies in the backyard and laughing with good friends and lots of snacks. Some deck furniture and a nice gas grill completed the effect and gave us a new sort of family room for the milder months. And that makes me think of a home improvement tips calendar. Sometimes the simplest things like a new coat of paint, an inexpensive coffee table, or some different light fixtures can really make a room feel comfortable, homey, or bring that touch that adds some balance and makes your home feel like, well, your home. What better way to invest in your life than to include some new touches so that your home is more a reflection of you.

In the Winter Months, I'm Just Scraping By

Winter seems to rear its ugly head earlier and earlier each year. This year, it pounced before autumn had officially finished up. But the days of icy car windows had arrived even earlier than that. Back in November, I heard the grunts of my husband as he trudged outside into the brisk morning only to shout angrily and then open up the garage anxious to find an ice scraper to help remove the frost from his windshield. To keep things simple for all drivers in my household, I stock our vehicles with at least two 10 inch heavy duty polar ice scrapers in each car. Why two you ask? Well, you never know when you might break one overdoing your back window. Plus, you might drop one in the snow on a dark wintry night and not be able to find it. Or else you might be like me where you chauffeur two youngsters around who will play with anything that they can get their hands on – and will then proceed to hide anything that they can get their hands on. Be safe, not sorry. Trust me, when I say that you must have two of these handy ice scrapers in your car.

Make Mine Red.... or White.... I'm Not Fussy

Before we know it, the time will come to ring an old year out and a new year in. Most people celebrate the start of a new year with some version of bubbly whether it’s champagne, sparkling cider, or a bottle of wine. I’m a fan of wine to unwind after a long day or to share a bottle with a group of friends while we nosh on appetizers. But a little pizzazz to the party never hurts. When you’re handing out the wine stems, give me the light up wine glass. A girl has to have a little fun once in awhile! I like to lay claim to my glass and not mix it up with the others on the table, so a wine petal set keeps me aware of which one of those glasses of merlot is mine. Did you toss the cork after you opened the bottle? Not to worry as there’s nothing like a frost classic wine stopper to make your cabernet look sexy. Never go to a gathering empty-handed. I recommend showing up with a bottle of pinot or zinfandel in a Koozie karrier wine tote. You’ll be the life of the party.

Gift-Giving without the Visions of Visa Bills Dancing in Your Head

The stress is on as all of us head to the malls or boot up the computer to do some last minute shopping before the holidays arrive in full force. My suggestion to make holiday gift-giving a bit more simple is this: make a list of each and every person you have to buy for. Then, as you purchase your presents, next to each individual’s name write down what you bought and how much you spent. Cross off each name once you’ve bought the appropriate gift. It simplifies gift-giving and allows you to see what you are spending BEFORE January’s Visa bill makes an appearance. Oh, and allow me to share a favorite gift that you can give to just about anyone on your list: your parents, your secretary, that neighbor who takes in your mail when you are on a business trip, your son’s teacher, even yourself! It’s the Holiday Snowflake Basket. Another great gift for the person who can’t get enough java is the Retro Christmas Coffee Collection. Got a tea lover in your life? Then may I suggest the Retro Holiday Tea Collection? And if visions of sugar plums are dancing in your head, try the Nutcracker Suite, a drum stock-piled with yummies for the season.

I've Got Mail.... for You

The holidays are coming up pretty quick and that means that soon your mailbox will be piled high with greetings from friends, family, and acquaintances that you haven’t heard from since the holiday season of 2008. There’s just something about late December that makes people want to send tidings of comfort and joy and share news from all around with those they haven’t touched base with in 12 long months. You shouldn’t be any different. Get out your greeting card list, check it twice, write a little note, include the proper postage and send holiday greetings to everyone from your college roommate to Aunt Susan to your old work buddy who now lives on the West Coast. Count your blessings with a Speaking of Peace card or if fun and the Caribbean is more your thing, send thoughts of island drinks with a Palm Trees card. And while you’re writing out those cards, do something nice in the spirit of the season for someone else – like sending some cards to a nursing home where the greetings can be distributed to those residents who don’t receive any mail. Your simple card will surely put a smile on a stranger’s face.

They Jingle and Jangle, but for the Life of Me, I Can't Find Them

I figure there must be many, many people out there like me – people with way too many keys in their life and not enough hands (or brain cells) to keep track of where they are at all times. Usually as soon as I walk in the door, I toss my keys on the kitchen counter or the table, forgetting the fact that there is a basket conveniently located by the front door with the sole purpose of holding everyone’s keys as they enter. Then, when I need to go someplace, I visit the basket by the front door and become instantly frustrated because lo and behold – no keys! I head to my purse, but it’s a dark abyss in there. I have a better chance of finding the cure for the common cold in that nightmare of a bag then finding my keys. So, for Christmas this year, could someone not only get me something that I so desperately need but also desperately want? A spiral wrist coil will do the trick. And should you be so kind as to present me with this inexpensive yet so obviously in need of gift, would you please give it to me in a bright color? This way, if I happen to take it off my wrist, the neon yellow will attract my attention, even from the dark confines of my purse.

I'm Making a List... I'm Checking It Twice so I Don't Go Broke

Everyone’s looking for a good deal these days. While the economy is recovering from the recession, people are still unwilling to dig really deep into their pockets and money is spent on the basics. Yet, the holidays are fast approaching and while we might all spend a bit less than we did in previous years, gift-giving won’t die out. That usually means we shop around for the best prices, clip our coupons faithfully, and head to the stores or online when we see great sales. Even with less greenbacks in your wallet, you can still buy presents for those who are tops on your holiday gift list. And when you shop online, you miss out on the huge crowds, the hot stores, and the long lines. Plus, you can enjoy your ho-ho-hoing while seated comfortably on the sofa with your laptop while you hum “Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.” Here are some great suggestions for gifts that will get smiles all around, won’t break the bank, and can be ordered online:
• Method tote.
• Travel umbrella.
• Giant calculator.
• Cyber frame.
• Rox box
• Multi tray desk organizer set.
• Foot therapy kit.

Watch Your Carbon Footprint

These days everyone is chatting it up about going green. Celebs like Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Gore warn us of what’s coming if we don’t reduce, reuse, and recycle. But for most of us, it’s much easier to chuck that plastic bag from the grocery store into the trash than use it again. Isn’t it much harder to think environmentally friendly than it is to be an energy hog? Think about all of the Styrofoam coffee cups, plastic wrap, bags, and wrappers you toss daily. Start out small in an effort to conserve and the task will seem less daunting. Unplug your alarm clock and use the Elements solar powered clock instead. Stop tossing those brown lunch bags into the can each day and switch to the recycled prospect lunch cooler. A birthday just isn’t a party without balloons, but those traditional ones are environmentally destructive. Try a kinder alternative with our latex balloons in basic colors. Do your part by releasing more oxygen into the air with an air plant set. For even more ideas to give Mother Earth a gentle pat on the back, check out the Goingreen 13 month calendar which not only contains ideas to get you in the green, but is printed on recycled paper.

Mom, What's for Dinner?

If your family is anything like mine, they probably get really tired of the same old culinary fare that is slapped on their plates each evening during the dinner hour. There are only so many chicken cutlets and slices of pizza that my kids can eat before they are bored. And that’s when I have to switch things up and add some subtle changes – anything too earth-shattering causes them to run screaming from the kitchen. The best thing to do is experiment with new foods and new recipes. If your kids like to be with you near the sink and stove, have them help out with mixing and adding ingredients to dishes. Does your husband make a wicked chili that’s the talk of the town? Let him make a large cauldron of it and then serve it in different ways as leftovers – top baked tortilla chips with it for tasty nachos or use it as a filling for tacos. For more fun ideas to tease the palates of those you love, open up one of the following cookbooks for inspiration:

• Barbecue Cookbook
• Easy Does It Cookbook
• Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook
• Recipes for Healthy Eating
• Holiday Recipes Cookbook

On the Road Again.... but with the Essentials

If you’re like most people, you spend a fair amount of time in your car. In fact, you might spend more time parked behind the wheel some days than you do parked on your couch. You sit in traffic on your way to work, drive the kids to soccer practice, take a trip to the mall, head to the grocery store, jump in the car to take your sick baby to the pediatrician. Don’t forget the countless other times when something needs to be done, someone needs to get somewhere, and when you have to accomplish any variety of task or errand. You’re probably in your car so much that you don’t even think about it. So, shouldn’t you have a few things in your glove compartment or center console to make things easier when life takes you to the open road? Here are a few suggestions:
· Mini car clipboard – for when you have to jot down a phone number off a sign.
· Car-shaped sunglass holder – to hold what else but your favorite shades!
· Car trash container – which holds all those fruit snack wrappers and used coffee cups so nicely.
· Automate car kit – for all the essentials you never thought you needed.
· Microtek visor CD case – the only way to cradle your beloved CDs.

Soup's On

The crisp autumn winds make one’s thoughts turn to foods that really warm the tummy and add a bit more sustenance than the lighter entrees of summer. There’s nothing like a warm crock of chili on Sundays – perfect for chowing down while in front of the TV during the big game. A chilly evening calls for something tasty like chicken noodle soup or ham and bean soup. All must be served with a loaf of crispy, hearty, warm bread. Keep your delectable soups, stews, and chili hot with an Aztec soup mug. It’s your own personal crock! Or you could settle in with a soup spoon mug. Both come beautifully equipped with a nice spoon which is not only perfect for sopping up every bit of tastiness in the bowl, but also saves you the trouble of rooting through drawers trying to locate utensils. Chilled straight to the bone? Only some steaming latte will bring warmth back to your life. We recommend a latte mug, so you feel like your right in your favorite coffeehouse. The best part isn’t that you’ll be toasty in no time. It’s that you’ll save yourself a bundle by sipping at home in your pajamas by the tube.

I'm a Bit Puzzled

I’m a well-known crossword puzzle junkie. Actually, I only like the puzzles from one specific writer, because I find his particularly entertaining and mind boggling. The only time that really works for me to do a puzzle is late at night – usually 11 PM or later. That’s when my kids and husband have been in dreamland for a matter of hours and the house is finally quiet. It’s my time. And I love to do a crossword puzzle at bedtime, because it helps me to unwind and makes me sleepy. Plus, I feel that these puzzles help to sharpen my mind and I learn new words and definitions. I do need a few important things on hand to ensure success with my crossword puzzles. These are a mini book light, so that I don’t disturb the sleeping beauty next to me; a Cambridge pen, to give me lots of smooth writing on the paper; correction tape, for those rare moments when I make an error; and a fleece throw, which keeps me toasty on chilly fall nights. Yes, I do need quite a few things to make my crossword puzzle time perfect, but hey, it’s my time. Shouldn’t these quiet moments be perfect?

Pink: It's Not Just for the Ladies Anymore

Are you seeing pink? Of course you are! It’s October and it’s breast cancer awareness month. Wondering why the 10th month of the year turns to the shade of pink as the leaves start to fall? With the exception of non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. But men can also get this disease. And talk to just about anyone, and they can name more than one person whom they know who has been touched by this cancer. The good news is that improved treatments have given patients a better fighting chance. The bad news is that too many women (and men, too!) are still getting diagnosed every year. Throughout the month of October, wear something pink and show your awareness of breast cancer. Here are a few suggestions on how you can get in the pink: toss your lunch, snacks, or favorite book into the ribbon tote, stay handy with our 26 piece pink tool set, make sure you can always unzip with the large ribbon Quik-Zip zipper pull, and make sure your breath is always squeaky clean and fresh with awareness ribbon mints. And remind the ladies in your life to get their mammograms.

My Cup Overflows with Bills

Let’s face it. If you are anything like me, you dread those specific days during the month when you must sit down and write out your bills. I can’t even enjoy the money when it’s in my checking account, because it isn’t technically mine. That account is simply the holding cell before the mortgage man, the credit card lady, and the public utilities dude come knocking. But I’ve learned that there are ways to make the bill paying process a bit less taxing, if not all together easier. First, I find a quiet spot in my house – whether it’s the kitchen table when the kids are at school or my bedroom when they are home – to park myself for this chore. Then, I make sure I have all the right tools that I need to ensure my success: a sport grip calculator, a swerve pen, a mini book light, stamps, and address labels. Oh, and if necessary, keep a light bulb stress reliever handy, too. It never hurts to have something foamy to squeeze the life out of as you are writing out that mortgage payment.

Did You Call Me?

In today’s modern world, everyone has their own phone, and we aren’t talking your Aunt Ethel’s rotary that she had attached to her kitchen wall. Go into your grocery store, and there’s no doubt you will see that grandmother in the frozen foods talking on a hot pink phone or the preteen boy texting his friends while he hangs out near the cookie aisle. Those cell phones aren’t just a must-have these days; they are actually a must-need. Think about it. You send your elementary school aged daughter around the block to play with a friend. When you don’t hear from her in 15 minutes to know she arrived, you can call her cell. Your husband is stuck on the highway with a flat tire? Again, no problem. He can call a tow truck, the police, or even you for assistance. There’s a lot less worrying today because cell phones let us stay in touch. Keep your cell phones at the ready with all the accessories possible including:

· A throne cell phone holder.
· A hands free cell phone lanyard.
· A wind up flashlight/cell phone charger.
· A cell phone light in the color black.
· A phone screen sweep.

I'd Rather Write It than Type It

There is one product that I simply cannot live without. If I have a dental appointment, it goes into this product. The dates for conferences at my kids’ school are in there. A scheduled dinner with my favorite college buddies goes in as well. It’s the same story for days when school is closed, the nights I have dance class, and the scheduled games for the boys’ baseball team. No, I’m not talking about my BlackBerry or the schedule in my cell phone. It’s not even the scheduler wizard on my laptop. I prefer the old fashioned day planner to any new fangled contraption. I want to be able to see what’s coming up, whether it’s next week or three months from now. Call me an old fart, but there’s something gratifying about looking through my monthly pocket planner and seeing what I’ve accomplished in any given month or what’s pending for the next week. Even my sons get in on the action. They like to page through and see when their next day off is or count down until the first day of summer vacation. It’s hard to believe that something so simple can be so helpful.

Sticking It to Your Jag

If you’ve been hibernating under a rock for the past year or so, you might have missed the new must-have for every car, minivan, SUV, and flat bed truck. It’s the magnet! No, magnets are NOT just for your fridge anymore. In fact, your favorite vehicle is the hot spot for magnets. You can advertise your love for various vacation destinations (think OBX for the Outer Banks of North Carolina), your affinity for causes near and dear to your heart (a pink ribbon for breast cancer), and the support you have in your heart and on your car for a beloved sports team (Go Phillies, anyone?). Take your magnets to the streets, people! You’ll show them off a bit more than say on a refrigerator where the only ones likely to spot your yellow ribbon (which is really not a ribbon at all but a magnet) are your fridge repairman, your kids, and your mother. Show the love everywhere you go with a ribbon magnet with round cutout, an oval car magnet, or a rectangle car magnet. Remember, your heart (and your car) doesn’t belong to just one cause or sports team, so decorate with various magnets to give those behind you something to read while sitting in traffic.

Zip It If You Must

It’s only natural to reach your hand into the closet and pull out a light jacket when you are heading out the door. You never know how the weather might turn on you in an instant. Spending an evening at a soccer game to cheer on your local team? Nights on the bleachers can get a bit nippy, even in September. Got plans for a ladies day out shopping and brunching? Nothing rains on a shopping parade like a nasty storm cloud. Hoping to get in 18 holes with three of your closest buddies? Watch that wind on the back nine or you’ll end up blistering like a lobster. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Even when you suspect that the weather will be fantastic, Mother Nature might change her mind and quickly. Here are a few favorite jackets to keep close by – like on the passenger seat or hanging in your coat closet – so that you never step foot outside without a covering that is not only comfy but stylish, too:

· Men’s Tournament Jacket.
· Ladies Tournament Jacket.
· Sport-Tek V-Neck Wind Shirt.
· Sport-Tek Coach’s Jacket.
· Sanded Jersey Fleece Pullover.

That Big Yellow Bus Is on the Horizon

The waning days of summer are upon us. Parents everywhere are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel – it’s time to ship the younger set back to that wonderful building where they reside from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM five days a week. But are those little people ready to go back? They probably will never be mentally ready but you can get them physically ready with all of the products they need for educational success. Here’s a quick guide for what your kiddos will need to start the school year off right. But we have upped the ante a bit and made this list one part necessity, two parts fun:

· Eight piece crayon set.

· Pencil/crayon sharpener.

· Scent-sational pencils.

· Daisy 5-color highlighter.

· XO Skeleton backpack.

· Front zippered cooler bag.

· Stress ball water bottle – football.

· Earth-saver journal notebook.

Give Some Fun Stuff Away

Do you own a business? If so, you might give out promotional products to your clients and potential customers. Obviously, you cater those giveaways to your business. For example, country clubs will often give their players golf tees and a ball marker or Titleist golf balls. A traditional office business or bank tend to distribute Rosewood pens and padfolios. That’s all fine and dandy, because your corporate name, logo, and phone number gets out there to the masses. But what if you change it up a bit and make the giveaways a little more fun and exciting? Instead of just handing out golf balls to those about to tee off, what about a zip sun kit that is stocked with all the necessities for a day out in the sunshine? Everyone can use a Koozie lunch sack or a mesh laundry bag, which might be more readily accepted than another pen or key ring. Plus, when you vary the promo items that you give to your potential customers and favorite clients, you are keeping things fresh and fun. And that’s the purpose of those promos in the first place! To keep your name in the front of everyone’s mind!

That Ketchup Spot on Your Shirt Keeps Looking at Me

The saying goes that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Well, you’ll never get a second chance if you show up to that job interview with a big ketchup stain from lunch on your blouse. Second chances don’t come for people who arrive for that first date with a grape juice – or wine – spot on your golf shirt. And when you’re in a hurry, it never fails. You’ll end up with a dab of something on your white shorts, that linen jacket, your sister’s sweater that you borrowed, or the new tie that you just put on. Instead of trying to find a new outfit or braving it with the glaring stain calling unnecessary attention, make sure you have Bye Bye Stain Remover handy. It gets out fresh food and beverage stains without making you head back upstairs to change your clothes or get flustered dealing with another load of laundry. Got a big appointment coming up? Job interview? Date? Night out with the girls? Grab your Bye Bye Stain Remover and keep it close. It just might be a girl’s – or guy’s – best friend!

Soaking Up Rays... Just Lube Up First

Don’t even step one of your toes onto a beach this August unless you are slathered in sunscreen, wearing a hat, sunglasses, body armor, and in a plastic bubble. Okay, okay, you don’t have to go that far. But sun worshippers beware. The harmful rays from that hot, solar blob in the sky can not only weather your skin to an unpleasant leathery condition, but it can also be hazardous to your health. More and more young people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year – and most of the time this horrible disease is entirely preventable. Use a sunscreen with a decent amount of SPF, limit your exposure to the sun during the most intense hours during the day (usually between 9 AM and 3 PM), and wear clothing and sunglasses to protect your precious skin and eyes. Make sure you’re always ready for the sun by keeping sunscreen on hand in your glove compartment, gym bag, purse, diaper bag, or briefcase. And you don’t need a gigantic bottle either – just grab our 2 oz SPF 30 sunscreen spray or a few Coast sunscreen packets to lather up. Remember, use about a shot glass worth of sunscreen for one body application and reapply it every two hours. See, you can have your sun and worship it, too.

Let the Music Invade Your Summertime Soul

This summer wherever you might be – on the dunes playing volleyball, reclining next to the pool that belongs to your favorite friend, driving long-distance to see loved ones, or firing up burgers on the barbie – music has probably wheedled its way into your sunny day adventures. Pour your margaritas and listen to Jimmy Buffett or the Beach Boys. Rocking with your best friends during a backyard game of baseball and some cold ones in the cooler requires a little something heavier – think Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, or Van Halen. And for those lazy summer nights sitting on the dock of the bay or on the top step of your deck, try Coldplay, the Killers, and U2. Sure, when you were a kid, you never went anywhere without your Walkman or boom box, but today you can make sure you never hit a commercial with your digital MP3 player fully loaded with lots of summery tunes. And while you’re at it, grab the sound pod travel speaker so that all your cronies can sing along. It’s not our fault though if your ears bleed from your pal Chuck’s terrible rendition of “Layla.”

Pull Out the Checkered Tablecloth!

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Hamburgers and hot dogs. Wine, cheese, and slices of fresh fruit. What do all of these tasty treats have in common? Besides being wonderfully delicious to nosh on, they are all yummy foods to take along to your favorite spot in Central Park, the beach at dusk, that cozy bench near the river, or even in your living room for an impromptu picnic. Our busy lives often have us grabbing a bagel and coffee on the go to eat in the car during the morning rush hour or else swinging by a drive through for a warmed over sandwich that was on a dollar menu. Not exactly the best choices for our tummies or our souls. Award yourself a little down time with the treat of a picnic – complete with our picnic kit – to make a meal in the park as easy as say, a walk in the park. This kit has everything needed to make lunch or dinner or brunch or breakfast or midnight snacks exceptional except the food – that’s all on you. Oh, and it doesn’t come with ants either.

Hey, Where'd You Get that Lid?

There’s nothing more American than apple pie, a Chevrolet, and your mother, unless of course you count nearly every person’s favorite pastime – baseball. Even if you didn’t qualify to be a Phillie, a Pirate, a Dodger, or a Marlin, you’ll still want to hang in the dugout wearing a baseball cap –it’s your choice to wear it sideways or backwards – with your pals. Whether you are a gal or a guy, you’ll look great wearing an embroidered cap or take your look up a notch with an embroidered retro cap. Don’t leave your buds in the dust though – these caps are so well-made and yet so inexpensive, you’ll be able to afford them for your entire team. In fact, you might love the head gear so much you may find yourself purchasing a baseball cap in every color to complete your outfit each day of the week. But if your team isn’t tops in the league, keep in mind that a baseball stress reliever is what every all American needs to squeeze away the pressure of another blown save.

Now Jot this Down

Ever notice how when the phone rings and someone’s about to give you a number to jot down, you can’t find a pen and paper? You search every drawer in the room trying desperately to come up with some paper – even a scrap of an old menu or a piece of a food store circular – and a pen, but to no avail. Your search is completely fruitless. It can be super frustrating, so don’t do it anymore. Instead, keep a stash of paper and a pen next to every phone in your house and in places where you know you’ll need them – like on the kitchen table or by the front door. Instruct everyone in the house to LEAVE these important tools in their places to avoid another incident where you can’t find a pen and paper again. Here are some suggestions for what to leave next to the phone: a Post-It fat pad and a prism pen. Or for complete convenience use the notable flip jotter with pen. No more missing or rolling away pens because this one is attached to the pad!

Need a Refill?

Tequila? Check. Margarita mix? Check. Blender? Check. Salt for the glasses? Check. Shot glass? Um, where is that thing? Don’t let this happen to you! Friends are anxiously awaiting their drinks and you are without shot glasses. Or maybe those friends are anxiously standing by the keg while you open and slam kitchen cabinets trying to locate beer mugs. Friends don’t let friends stand by aimlessly while looking for the proper drinkware. With summer here, get yourself and your tiki bar ready with an assortment of products that will make any bartender smile. Opt for fun bar products like the 1.5 ounce blinking shot glass, 12 ounce margarita glasses, the wine petal set, and cool gel glow ice cubes. Sure, you have to make sure your bar is well-stocked with the beverage goodies, but it doesn’t help to only have the mixer ingredients and none of the necessary tools. Don’t be caught in this embarrassing situation. Be prepared ahead of time and friends won’t ever be without a drink in hand!

Pack It Up or Pack It In

Chances are you have a trip (or five!) planned for this summer. Heading to the beach? Hopping on a plane to visit relatives? Gassing up the car to take a long drive to visit ballparks or museums out of state? Wherever you go and whatever you do, make sure you’ve packed the essentials for that long trip If you are packing the car, you’ll need bottled water, lots of snacks to keep the kids happy, sunscreen and bug spray, and your trusty GPS. Air travel can be a little trickier since there are requirements that you must follow. Just don’t forget the things that are essential for your various getaways. Plan ahead and make a list of necessities so that you can check them off as you gather the items. Also, pack a day or two before you leave so that you don’t forget any of the basics. And to make your life easier, here are a few things you shouldn’t leave home without:

· Deluxe travel toothbrush kit
· Air safe toiletry kit
· Kids ID tags
· Patterned luggage spotters
· Compact mending kit

Get Out and Play!

School’s out. The kids are home. The economy has left a lot of people with fewer dollars in their pockets so more children are home this season unlike other summers when they headed off to camp. If you are looking for inexpensive yet fun things to do with your kids, think outside the box. Head to a local farm and pick your own produce – your youngsters will learn where their food comes from while spending a day getting down and dirty. Take the troop to see a second-run movie at your local theater. Play in the sprinkler. Have an evening picnic in your backyard. Bake a homemade chocolate cake. Camp out under the stars on your deck. Create a scavenger hunt of sorts complete with a treasure map and clues. Then, let your kid dig for buried treasure with a box filled with some simple toys like: nutty putty, light up yoyos, 2 inch juggle balls in a bag, bubbles, 3 inch silver sparkle spring, puzzle magic cube, magic answer ball, and flyers. And once that treasure trove is found, have a seat on the grass and blow bubbles together or ask teach each other how to juggle. The economy might be poor, but you will soon discover how very rich you truly are.

Keep Your First Aid Kit Handy

Ever stand there in your kitchen chopping onions for dinner when you suddenly slice your finger and not that slippery vegetable? Or how about when you finally get those perfectly diced onions into the frying pan only to spray yourself with hot grease? It is a trial and tribulation of being a cook. Spend too much time in your kitchen and sooner or later you will find yourself the victim of some horrible culinary injury. Then, you search high and low for some ointment and a bandage only to discover that those well chopped onions have burned in the greasy pan while you were off on a scavenger hunt of sorts. Instead of setting yourself up for wound care disaster, be prepared with an express first aid kit within easy reach – like one of your kitchen cabinets. It’s easy for you to find when you’ve injured yourself in the kitchen and also centrally located for when one of your kids returns from the outside with a scraped knee. Oh, and after you have cleaned your cut finger with an alcohol swab and bandaged it nicely, do yourself a favor. Forget reaching for the knife again. Pick up the phone and order out for a pizza instead.

Get the Kitchen Organized for the Party Season

Summertime means lots of get-togethers with friends and family members. Whether it’s a weekend barbecue with your friends from the neighborhood, an impromptu weeknight dinner outdoors on the patio, or a big shindig complete with 100 of your closest relatives, summer is the season for entertaining. Make your parties and soirees simple – ask every guest to bring a favorite appetizer or dessert, set up a buffet on a large kitchen island or on the dining room table so that each person can help himself to goodies when a case of the munchies hit, and choose easy menus so that you aren’t spending most of your time watching the pots on the stove and missing out on schmoozing with attendees. Keep your kitchen well-stocked with the items that will simplify your parties and not make you go diving into drawers. Here’s a quick list of stuff to keep on hand:

· House jar opener
· Icon beverage wrench
· Two tone coasters
· Supreme pie and dessert saver
· Deep-tone beverage napkins
· Elite wine stopper
· Ice cream scoop
· Pizza cutter

There. Now, your kitchen is officially ready for summer! Get partying, people!

We All Scream for Ice Cream

With the economy in a slump this year, you might imagine that you’d have to give up some of your favorite things this summer. But if you plan ahead and are willing to make some simple changes, you can still enjoy this season without parting with too many buckeroos from the wallet. Take ice cream for example. What would summertime be without everyone’s favorite frosty dessert? But you don’t have to sacrifice great taste and good fun because everything is pricier in 2009. Forgo the ice cream truck that is making its nightly rounds in your neighborhood – the frozen treats aren’t that good anyway – and keep trips to the ice cream parlor to once or twice monthly ventures for special occasions. Instead, stock your freezer with a few favorite flavors of the cold stuff and stuff your pantry and fridge with various toppings, sprinkles, whipped cream, and cherries. Don’t forget to have a few Top This ice cream scoops on hand so that each family member can dive on in. Then, get your Family Sundae Nights scooping! Once you’ve built the creation of your dreams, corral everyone outside to watch the sun set and the fireflies dance on the lawn. Isn’t this more memorable than a frozen, tasteless cone from that ice cream truck?

What Memorial Day Really Means

When most people think about their Memorial Day plans, that Monday afternoon is usually filled with barbecued meat, a few cold ones, and good friends gathered together. Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff to summer and people spend more time roasting weenies than actually recalling how this sober holiday came about. Memorial Day got its start during the Civil War and was first called Decoration Day when Southern ladies laid flags and flowers on the graves of Confederate soldiers. The very first official Decoration Day was observed in 1868. Memorial Day has evolved over the years and is now observed on the last Monday in May, but it encompasses the deceased from all major wars, not just the Civil War. So, this year, take a moment on Memorial Day Monday to reflect on those who have served and died for our freedom. Hang your American flag with pride. Wear a flag silicone bracelet to show your spirit. If you spot a soldier in uniform, thank him or her for the service given to this country. And remember, you are free to eat your hot dog under the American flag because of those who left their souls on the battlefields around the world.

It Just Ain't a Party without Balloons!

Tis the season for festivities of all kinds – graduations, weddings, cookouts, Father’s Day, Fourth of July celebrations, and the like. With the summer not far away, there are plenty of parties to look forward to in the coming months. From the simple – think of a barbecue with a few close friends – to the sophisticated – like a catered graduation party – nothing spells out celebration more than balloons. And balloons aren’t just for the tyke set anymore. You can easily spice up any party with balloons without dipping too far into your wallet, yet these balls of helium add a party-like atmosphere for even the simplest of gatherings. Include a rainbow of colorful latex balloons for a party without a theme or use the colors of your favorite sports team or school to brighten up your soiree. Stick with black balloons as a gag for a milestone birthday party. You can mix it up with some round mylar balloons, too. Tie these beauties to a chair for your guest of honor or use them as a bright and inexpensive centerpiece to your table. Decorate your mailbox out front so that your arriving guests know exactly where the party is. And remember, balloons rule!

Why Not Bag It?

Everywhere you look – whether it’s on TV or on online – someone somewhere is telling you what you can and cannot eat. Lately, it seems like everything is bad! Forget the pizza, burgers, and wings – too much sodium and fat. The delectable devil’s food cake that is calling your name has too many calories and carbs. Even your beloved iced cappuccino from the local convenience store is weighing you down. So, does man or woman really have to live on bread and water alone? Not at all! Instead of heading out to a fast food burger joint, pack your own lunch. Opt for tuna salad or turkey breast made with low-fat mayo on whole wheat bread with some romaine lettuce or coleslaw mix. Pop up some popcorn and munch on that instead of chips. If water is too boring, flavor it with fresh fruit like strawberries or lemons or add a splash of your favorite juice. Still bored? Add some low-calorie beverage mix to your water bottle for good taste. Don’t brown bag your exciting and tasty lunch – pack away that noon meal in your hot pink or black Koozie lunch sack. It’s insulated, so that tuna salad will stay fresh and cold, perfect for noshing.

Baskets of Cheer (and then some!)

Mother’s Day is coming up quickly. Dads and grads will be feted throughout the month of June. Weddings are also big during this time of year. With all of these soirees to attend, what do you give for gifts? Sure, you could tuck a check into a nice card, and while money is always acceptable, it doesn’t take a whole lot of thought on your part. Want to give a present that will be both thoughtful and memorable? Try a gift basket that is tailored to the recipient. If your father can’t open his eyeballs in the morning without a cup of joe in hand, a coffee collection gift basket complete with various gourmet javas is just the thing for dear old Dad. Each time he takes a sip of hazelnut, he’ll think of you. Fondly. Need a basket that is a bit more upscale and sophisticated for a bride-to-be or for a couple who has just purchased their first home? A fresco fruit tote will be just the thing. Now, doesn’t a lovely gift basket sound so much more fun to give than a measly check?

Rain, Rain Go Away...

Sure April showers bring May flowers but that doesn’t mean that you need to be outside in that cold spring rain without ample protection from the nasty spring weather. Pull out an umbrella and step out onto the sidewalk. Don’t stay indoors – especially if a warm rain is falling. Enjoy a long walk while you take in the newly blooming tulips and watch robins build their nests. Not to worry, you have your trendy telescopic folding umbrella keeping your head dry while the vinyl rain poncho covers your clothes. Become five years old again and jump in pavement puddles for fun! Here’s a tip to ensure that you are always prepared for the worst weather. Keep an umbrella near your front door in a handy location – hidden at the top of a coat closet or hanging on a hook inside. Stash another one in either your glove compartment or the middle console of your car. Rain ponchos can easily be tucked away under your seat. That way, even when you are on the move, if the skies darken, you’ve got cover.

Play Ball!

The winds of change are blowing in – thankfully – and the weather is finally turning warm. Aside from the daffodils and tulips blooming, how do you know it’s truly spring? Drive by any local field in your town and you’ll spot a first sign of the season with kids grabbing their gloves and heading out to field some ground balls. Others are warming up, ready to take their turns with the bat at home plate. There’s no better way to savor the beautiful rebirth of the trees and flowers than taking in a baseball game. Whether you are at the major league ballpark cheering on your favorite team or simply sitting on the steel bleachers at the local field rooting for the seven-year-olds who are up at bat, show your fan appreciation with your #1 foam hand and a glow in the dark megaphone. And remember, even if you are only hanging with a bunch of pint-sized players as they try to hit that ball off the tee, you could be watching history in the making. Today’s littlest ball players might someday be playing in the majors, so offer up your cheers loudly.

I'll Take a Side of E.coli with that Roast

If you’ve ever been to the grocery store to pick up a few staples like milk, bread, and eggs, you probably haven’t thought twice about reaching for the closest shopping cart to toss your items in. Grocery carts are notoriously filthy even though you can’t see any of the germs that have latched onto the handle and every other square inch of that hunk of a metal cage. Think about it – not only are you touching the handle that a sneezing woman just had her hands on, but the cart has held numerous packages of raw meat and chicken from countless other people. You could have salmonella, E.coli, and lots of other nasty germs stuck to your hands before you even make it to the first aisle! After the groceries are bagged and packed up in your trunk, but BEFORE you open your car door, reach into your pocket and fumigate those germs away with your mini sani-mist pocket sprayer. You’ll say adios to those disgusting germs and prevent yourself from getting a nasty bug. These little sanitizers are perfect to keep in your glove compartment, purse, pocket, or to pack in your kids’ lunchboxes, so that they can “wash up” before munching on that PB&J at school.

BYOB (Bags, That Is!)

Mother Earth has suffered more in the past 100 years than she probably has for the past 10 centuries. Imagine a world without penguins, polar bears, life-giving rainforests, coral reefs. Will these beautiful things disappear so that your grandchildren only learn about them in history books? It is our responsibility to prevent further damage to our environment. You are probably wondering, “But I’m one person. What can I do to possibly make a difference?” The answer is quite simple. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth. Shut the lights when you leave a room. Replace your old light bulbs with the energy efficient fluorescent ones. Recycle. Choose biodegradable cleaning products and laundry detergents. Stop using plastic bags when you shop and invest in some ecologically friendly Goingreen Grocery Tote. Stick them in your car so that they are waiting for you when you drop by the store after work for a few groceries. If you prevented five plastic bags from ending up in a landfill every week, you’d have saved the planet 260 bags over the course of one year. Now, that’s something the polar bears can smile about.

Getting Teed Off

With the sun peeking through the clouds and the weather warming, humans start emerging from hibernated states to welcome the new season of spring. Some will find themselves on the jogging trails. Others will take their kids to local parks for some good, old-fashioned seesaw and slide time. Still others will hit the links – truly one of the best ways to enjoy the emergence of spring. Find yourself in a foursome on the green? You might feel a tad rusty after a long winter of being cooped up in your house with nothing to lift but the remote control. But you have nothing to worry about. Show off your pink spirit with some Wilson Hope Ladies Golf Balls or Nike Power Flight Golf Balls if you are less in touch with your feminine side and get into the swing. Once you’re on the course, you’ll feel as though you’ve never left. And a beautiful day spent outdoors with three other of your best guy (or gal) pals will remind you of how grateful you are that you’ve come out of hibernation. May spring bring you lots of holes in one!

Thawing Out

Once you step foot into the month of March, your thoughts turn to springtime, St. Patrick’s Day, the Ides of March, and such. But you probably had no idea that this third month of the year 2009 has received a very important moniker. March is National Frozen Food Month! I’m not sure why it’s March and say, not July, when frozen food would be more refreshing, but hey, go with it. Dine on frozen burritos, mini egg rolls, and chopped spinach and then round out your meal with some vanilla ice cream topped with frozen strawberries. Of course, what’s the best way to eat that frozen food? Defrosted, of course! But we can’t have you shoving your beautiful hands into a 400 degree oven. Not to worry, because you have your therma-grip oven mitts to come between your 10 digits and the brutal heat. Preheat that bad boy oven and clean out the freezer this month or enjoy a dinner of all sorts of frozen appetizers for a little fun. I don’t recommend you try that mystery meat that’s been hidden behind the bagels for the past four years, though.

Top o' the Morning to Ye

With March in full swing and the winter months seeming endless, it’s no reason why those Irishmen (and those who aren’t!) look forward to that motherland holiday sandwiched in the middle of the month. And no, I’m not talking about the Ides of March. It’s almost time to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day – or St. Paddy’s Day if you are truly Irish – with green beer, corned beef and cabbage, parades, and shamrocks. Contrary to popular belief, celebratory parades actually were first held in New York City, not in Ireland. While the thought of March 17 usually conjures up images of drunken customers at various pubs and taverns, the day was considered religious in Ireland for years and pubs were closed. The great thing about St. Patrick’s Day is that you are welcomed wherever you go – whether you are Irish, Greek, Italian, Chinese, or from another culture. You don’t need to actually be Irish to celebrate. Toss on your St. Patrick’s Day top hat and lift your giant beer mug for a pint. Drink up with your favorite Irishmen and remember the old Irish saying, “In Heaven there is no beer, that is why we drink here.”

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Those New Year’s resolutions might have come and gone like the months of January and February but if you look closely at the calendar, bathing suit season is not far away. Those love handles might not look so lovely when you’re strolling on the beach and that flab won’t be really fab as you plop down in a chaise lounge. There is still plenty of time to head to the gym, start jogging, and get your bod into fantastic shape for the coming summer. All you need is the right tools and I’m not talking about rice cakes and barbells. Keep your insides fully hydrated with lots of water – add a slice of lemon or orange for a bit of freshness – and drink up! Fill up your new 24 oz. Water bottle regularly throughout the day and especially when exercising. Step out into spring with a Custom Imprinted Pedometer which will tell you how many paces you’ve walked – experts say to shoot for 10,000 steps a day – and you’ll be feeling fit and fresh in no time flat. You don’t have to bench press 300 pounds to see results. Just a few alterations to your daily routine can get you in shape. So, walk on people, walk on.

Goodbye Darkness My Old Friend

Those electric and heating bills can really drag you down in the winter months. Turning on the lights in the evening while you crank up the thermostat only bulks up those lovely bills that visit your mailbox once a month. But here’s something good to look forward to – daylight savings time (DST) is fast approaching. In fact, this year DST will wind its way into our lives on Sunday, March 8. Remember the old saying – spring ahead, fall back – to jog your memory as to which way to wind that big hand on your clock. DST may actually have a positive effect in your house that results in more green in your wallet. Besides seeing more daylight during your waking hours, you’ll probably be less apt to turn the lights on until later in the evening. So, less light in the house during the dinner hour could equate to more dollars in your pocket and out of the electric company’s hands. Get yourself ready for DST to start with a great swivel clock or silver world clock. Just remember to move those big hands ahead to welcome in DST.

Put Pen to Paper

This month we celebrate the bicentennial births of two men who changed the course of history. In fact, these two great minds – Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin – entered the world on the same day, February 12, 1809. And while they were completely different, their ideas led people to do some serious thinking. Even those who come from humble beginnings – Lincoln was born to two illiterate farmers – can go on to teach lessons worth noting two centuries after their births. What will you leave the world with? Is that bestselling thriller novel just waiting to jump out of your brain? Do you have the ability to find a cure for a crippling illness? Could you become the next ambassador for peace? Whatever gift you can offer, offer it to the world. And don’t waste your ideas because you didn’t have a pen and paper on your nightstand when that brainstorm woke you out of a sound sleep at 4:00 AM. Treat yourself to great tools like an Aficianado pen to get those thoughts down immediately. Perhaps someday your great novel or your graceful speech will have given many a reason to really think. It’s your time to get ready for greatness.

I Heart You!

Not sure how to show your sweetie how much you love him or her? Hey, just because Valentine’s Day is fast approaching does not mean that you have to wait until February 14 to show the special one (or ones) in your life how much he or she means to you. Valentine’s Day is just one day out of 365 that for some reason or another became the token 24 hours for love, hearts, and those silly colored candies with words stamped on them that say U R GR8. But you can tell your loved ones how deeply you care about them on any day whether it’s May 17 or October 1, right? Why let a bunch of cupids insist that February 14 is the day of love? Whenever you choose to celebrate love give something that you know will make the recipient smile. Think sweet like a Chocolate Bar with Stock Valentine Wrapper to whet the appetite or a Heart Magnetic Photo Frame that you’ve slipped a favorite picture of the two of you. And know that when you’re heart is in the right place, your sweetie will be appreciative.

Do You Want Cream with That?

On a cold wintry night who doesn’t love a warm, frothy mug of steaming hot chocolate? Marshmallows, of course, are optional. Or maybe that blistering cocoa is a bit too childlike for someone with your grown up good taste. Still everyone from little kids to middle aged people to empty nesters likes a mug of something toasty and warm that soothes you right down to your toes and comforts deep into your very soul. Does the smell of brewing coffee remind you of that weekend you spent in Vermont? Does a steaming mug of ginger tea bring you back to your grandma’s warm kitchen? Not only are hot beverages soothing but many of them – namely, tea and coffee – offer health benefits as well. So, you can have your tea and drink it, too! Now isn’t that a great reason to pour yourself a big cup of java in the morning? And it doesn’t hurt to have a cute mug with a sassy saying on it to perk you up with that AM joe.

Squeeze This!

The stress of watching the stock market rise and fall like the tides is enough to make anyone's stomach do flip flops. Should you move your money out of your mutual fund or will you just spend the rest of your days watching that money drip out of your IRA? It is enough to make you reach for an antacid while sticking your head back under the pillow when the alarm clock goes off at 6:30 AM. Not to worry, not to worry. Forget the alarm clock and consider the one stress reliever that doesn't cost $85 per 50 minutes or make you contort into an odd position called downward dog at the local rec center. Try out a stress reliever that fits in your hand and lets you squeeze away your anger, frustrations over the stock market, and disgust at having to see your in-laws again this upcoming Sunday. And remember that even if your own car gets repossessed, your little hot rod of a stress reliever will always be there for you -- maybe not in your garage or with a cute blonde in the passenger seat -- but there on your night stand or desk, just waiting for that next Nasdaq dive.

Drink Up!

With the winter cold settling deep into your bones and the forecast calling for snow, the furthest thing from your mind these days is a comfy chaise on the back deck, cocktail in hand, with a couple of good friends watching the sun set, the kids play, or the fireflies dance. Summer’s warm evenings and fruity drinks seem like light years from the reality of brutal January nights which are usually spent indoors with an electric blanket cranked to the highest setting. Yet, no one ever said you couldn’t have a margarita in the middle of the winter and dream of warmth, sunshine, and beaches. Invite a few friends over, get out that blender hidden deep in the cupboard, whip out your margarita glasses, and let the drinks start flowing. Heck, put on your favorite pair of sunglasses to get the full effect. You’ll be reminded as to why summer is so much fun and how winter doesn’t last forever.

Pooches Rule

Once again, everyone’s favorite yet incorrigible pooch has sniffed his way to the top of the box office. Marley and Me is still sitting pretty since its Christmas Day release. Not bad for a dog who demolished more sofas and tore more curtains than a twister pounding its way through Kansas. If you had the chance to catch the movie – which is based on real life writer John Grogan’s years with, obviously, a very misbehaving lab named Marley, you were probably laughing at the antics of the dog, who despite all the bad publicity, really was lovable and well-loved. The flick may have even made you a bit lonesome for your own pet – who was happily waiting at home while you noshed on popcorn and devoured an entire box of Sno-Caps. Don’t you feel guilty now? If your conscience is about to do you in, don’t fret because we have great things like pet food scoops, dog leashes, and collar reflectors to show your favorite canine that even though you were out for a few hours, you still know who’s the top dog.