Hot and Sexy in a Caffeinated Sort of Way

I cannot possibly start the day without a cup of coffee, preferably two cups. There’s nothing better on a cold morning than a steamy cup of java, or as I like to call it “liquid nectar of the gods.” My husband puts a pot on for me so that it’s nicely brewed and waiting when I make my entrance into the kitchen. Ah, heaven in both aroma and taste! Fortunately, I can enjoy my coffee at home most days, but for those occasions – my son’s early morning soccer tournament, for example – when I need to be out the door early, there’s the Marilyn tumbler. It keeps my coffee hot and prevents me, the klutz that I am, from spilling scalding liquid all over myself. Plus, it’s curvy in its own sexy way like Marilyn Monroe, which makes me chuckle each time I take a sip. But my favorite part about Marilyn is that she doesn’t hold a mere 12 ounces of java or even just 16 ounces, but a whopping 18 ounces of the piping hot beverage of my choosing. Which means that I have the energy I need to get through my morning. And that is why I simply love my Marilyn.

My Hat's Off to the Beanie

As a kid, it was ridiculously uncool to be caught dead in a hat of any kind, except for when you were either playing Little League or going out in blizzard-like conditions. In fact, the only time I’d don a hat was to go build snow forts or prepare for snowball fights, and only under the threats of punishment from my mother. Once she went back inside, the hot, woolen mess on my head was pulled off and thrown behind a bush. My, how things have changed! Today, hats are all the rage. Even the players on my son’s soccer team wear these promotional items on the field. The kids opt for the knit beanie with stripe, because it can be customized with the team’s colors. You can do the same for your team, group, or event. I bet the recipients will wear those beanies to promote your message. And while we are on the subject of how hats got so popular and so couture, since when did hats start being called “beanies”? Perhaps that is why the lowly hat has become such an icon of style -- because it’s no longer referred to as simply a hat. It’s gotten a massive overhaul as the beanie.

I'm Not Jaded, Just Shaded

I must share a great find with you. Why? Because I simply love it! I have several baseball caps because I am a diehard baseball fan and frankly, I find baseball caps to be all-American, casual, and most people look good in them. However, my new exciting headwear find is the cotton twill visor – embroidered. I like this visor for several reasons: it’s comfortable, it comes with an adjustable strap, it shades my eyes from the sun, and is lightweight enough that my head doesn’t feel sweaty even in the warmest temperatures. My husband gave me one of these recently, and I wear it with pleasure. I really do like the visor, but also because the headwear boasts his employer’s name. I’m only too pleased to market my husband’s employer since that company pays him a decent salary and provides us medical benefits, which in turn, enables us to pay our bills and go to the doctor when we are sick. I’m all about supporting the hand that feeds me, so to speak! You should do the same. And in the meantime, trust me when I say that you need one of these visors.

It's Time to Celebrate!

It’s hard to think about the month of December without imagining great parties, get-togethers, and tons of food and beverages. This is usually the time of year when companies throw celebratory dinners to thank employees for their service throughout the past 12 months. Clients and customers are often invited as well, as a special thank you for their business. Companies usually have promotional products at these dinners or parties and I’ve got a terrific idea for such: the 13 ½ ounce wine glass set. Not only will your guests have the pleasure of using these glasses during the party, but when it’s over, they have a product that they will use again and again at home. Gimmees can customize the wine glasses for you – add your corporate name to these – and this simple, yet sophisticated giveaway continues to market your business well into the new year. Another great thing about these glasses is that they come in sets of four, so you have options. You can either give them to each of your guests as a set or distribute one glass per person. It’s all up to you!

A Marketing Item that Is Just So Darn Tasty

Who doesn’t love popcorn? I can’t think of anyone! I could be sitting in a movie theater, having just indulged in a humongous dinner out on the town, and one whiff of the popcorn being consumed by some stranger sitting across the aisle, will have me running to the nearest refreshment stand for a huge tub of the fluffy kernels. And yes, you’d better add butter and salt to my batch. Or I might be waltzing down the boardwalk in some seashore resort town in July and I can smell the sweet and salty mingle of caramel popcorn from a mile away. Yum! Since popcorn is such a fun and crunchy treat that just tastes of Americana, I am pointing you to a great idea for your clients: the Gimmees’ 1 Gallon Tin with Caramel Popcorn. It doesn’t matter what business you are in – your clients and customers will love this promo item. It’s a great surprise for the holidays in December or at any other time of the year. We’ll add your logo or corporate name to the tin. You just sit back and look like a million bucks while your clients snack away.

Get a Grip!

You would think that it would take a great deal of effort for someone or something to amaze me. But I still am intrigued and impressed by things that make my life easier, and some of those things come in compact packages. Here’s a perfect example: the grip document stand. I like that I can prop up a recipe while I’m baking (how much vanilla does the batch of cookies need?), leave a note for my husband (dinner is in the fridge, honey), or stick a reminder in my bathroom (wash your hands AFTER you flush!). Of course, the grip document stand also is great for the office, whether at home or at your place of business. Once again, this is a promo product that not only adds convenience in just a small space, but is inexpensive and can be easily imprinted with your logo, Web address, or corporate brand. If you plan on leaving me a message, make sure you use this little stand to prop up your note, because I might not see it otherwise. My kitchen table is buried in newspapers, junk mail, the kids’ homework, and every other paper known to man, but I digress…

Santa, You Stress Me Out!

I love the winter holidays. Cookies, snow, ho-ho-hoing, decorations galore, Christmas carols, presents under the tree… Well, you get the idea. I simply love the feeling of a warm house filled with laughter and the amazing smells from the oven that come with those last couple of weeks in December. It’s happiness and magic and childhood all wrapped into one. Except for one really important thing. Sometimes the cookies burn. Sometimes the fully decorated tree tips over. Sometimes the adults argue. The merry ho-ho-ho that we imagine for the holidays isn’t always quite so joyous. And that equates to one thing – none of us is perfect. The moment you try and make your holidays perfect is when things start to go awry. Which is why the Santa Stress-Ease just makes me chuckle and is a lifesaver. He’s adorable and jolly, yet the instant someone ticks you off, you can squeeze him and take out all of your aggression, which is a much better idea than whacking one of your guests with the platter that held the turkey! I’m giving you a heads up on this great promo item today so that you can order one now before the imperfect holiday season arrives.