The Perfect Summer Accessory

Summer is certainly one of my favorite times of year.  The perfect weather for picnics, outdoor concerts, wine tastings, maybe even a little canoodling given the right romantic moment.  What is the perfect promotional gift to go with all of the above?  If you guessed a nice quality blanket or throw then you are absolutely correct.

If you are going to give out a nice blanket or throw then there is only one supplier I recommend and that is Kanata.  There are 2 reasons this is the only blanket manufacturer I recommend. First no one can touch their quality.  The second is their packaging.  If you know me at all you know it's all about the packaging.

Explorer

The Explorer is a water resistant polyester picnic blanket with the Kanata high performance fleece interior with a molded rubber carrying handle.  These blankets can be embellished with embroidery, patches, lasering on the fleece or screen printing on the exterior.

ECO Fleece Sport/Travel Blanket

I am also a huge fan of the Sport/Travel Blanket in Eco Fleece.  This functional and versatile pillow/blanket combo comes with a zippered carrying case in Eco fleece with carry handle and micro cord trim.  It is soft, luxurious and with your logo on it will look absolutely gorgeous.  With minimums as low as 12 pieces everyone will love the thought behind this gift.

antique wood suitcase box

As I mentioned, packaging is everything and Kanata does not disapoint in this regard. They have a variety of packaging available like the beautiful antique wood suitcase box or the sea grass basket both shown below.  (By the way all of our employees received a beautiful throw from Kanata for Christmas packaged in the seagrass basket and the basket was every bit as well received as the blanket.)  Take a moment to check out all of Kanata's products including their spa and thank you gifts.

Eco Seagrass basket

Managing Your Task List Without Losing Your Sanity

Sitting at my desk this morning looking at what literally appears to be at least 100 tasks that need to get accomplished today.  My first urge is run out the door and go play in the sun while we are experiencing this great 80 degree weather.  Of course that's the little kids voice in my head the adult voice is telling me to buckle down and get the work done and then I can play. (Keep in mind those are only two of the voices in my head I'll introduce you to some of the others as you get to know me better.)

We all get busy and have times when life and works is hectic, chaotic and just downright stressful.  When I have to buckle down and get a lot accomplished I have a process I go through that I thought I would share with you.

1.  Organize your work.  If you come into the office and start on whatever presents itself first you will never get caught up you'll just live your life moving from one emergency to the next (and usually they aren't even your emergencies there someone else's).  I like to lay out my daily roadmap the night  before. I sit down and lay out the most critical tasks what I have to get done, what I'd like to get down and what really doesn't need to get done right away.  I always pick 6 tasks that I expect to get done the next day so that at least if I accomplish those things I feel like the day has been a success.  Honestly some days only 1 or 2 might get finished but I've learned to cope.

2.  Delegate.  I can't say this enough.  I use to think if it didn't get done by me then it wouldn't get done right.  As your workload and business grow there comes a point when you have to learn to let go and hand projects off to others (of course that doesn't mean you don't still monitor what's going on).  When you have a team in place like I do you can accomplish so much more than you can as one person.

3.   Close the door.  When I buckle down and need to get a lot accomplished I shut the door to my office.  Otherwise I will get bombarded with a dozen distractions (sports updates, what celebrity couple just broke up, and well you get the idea).  I like to turn on some background music to motivate me.  I have a playlist for brainstorming, busy work, and even my "chilax music" when I need a break.

4.  Take breaks.  I find there is no quicker way to burn out than to work non-stop on never ending projects so I like to mix it up.  Take a break between projects. Get up go for a walk around the building.  Go grab a cup of coffee.  

5.  Reward yourself when you accomplish the tasks.  I love to turn things into a game (and also to challenge myself).  I like to set little rewards.  If I get the first 3 things accomplished before lunch maybe a treat.  All 6 things by 3 then maybe it's time to cut out early.

It's Finally Summer Time to Protect Your Skin

Today is already the first off official day of summer.  Coincidentally, it also supposed to get up in the 80's here in Portland for the first time this year.  Bring it on we are so ready to put the rainy season behind us and enjoy Oregon's brief love affair with the sun.

Today I'm focusing on Aloe Up, one of my favorite suppliers of sunscreen and skin care products.  I love the fact that they will create custom packages of whichever products I want them to kit together.  They have come out with a complete line of environmentally friendly called the Jute Collection.  Jute is one of the most environmentally friendly packaging options available today.  

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The small jute bag includes a 2oz spa SPF 30 and Aloe Vera Gel 2oz plus a spa/exercise towel that measures 11 x 20.  Great for spa gifts, pillow drops, cruises and outdoor events. Small Jute bags come in Green and Khaki.  Cost includes one color custom imprinted logo or message. 

I really like the fact that you can choose what items to include in the bags and mix and match.

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The clear front Jute is always a great looking packaging option and includes Serious SPF 30 4oz sunscreen, Serious SPF 15 4oz sunscreen, SPF 15 lip balm and an exercise/spa towel 8" x 26".

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Finally, not being an expert on lotions and potions myself I am told by the ever knowledgeable customer service ladies in my office that Burt's Bees products are some of the best on the planet.  Aloe up has an extensive grouping of Burt's Bee's items.  I really like the Everything kit Jute Envelope which includes soap bark, chamomile deep cleaning cream, hand salve, fresh peppermint and rosemary body wash, coconut foot cream and beeswax lip balm.  All included in a very attractive jute envelope with clear window.

If You're Going to Pack Around Extra Baggage at Least Make it Stylish.

It seems like I'm always grabbing things throwing them in a bag and running out the door.  It could be my gym bag as I head out to exercise, my computer backpack for office or a sample pack as I head out to see clients.  One way or another bags have become an integral part of my life.  I guess I am packing around some extra baggage.

I was glad that my supplier High Sierra stopped in to show me their latest and greatest products this last week.  Long known for their name in the retail and hiking markets as a maker of quality bag products I thought we would take a few minutes today and focus on a couple of the High Sierra products.

Switch Blade 22"Duffel

Speaking of gym bags I like the Switch Blade 22" duffel.  This bag is perfect if you are like me and take multiple classes at the gym. There is wet pocket to throw the sweaty shirt and towel.  A mesh pocket is included  for my extra water bottle as I usually pack at least two. It has a pocket for my weight gloves and elbow brace as well as well as an elastic shock cord and monster hook so I can attach my yoga mat if I'm feeling like getting in a more zen mood. One thing to note about High Sierra's product is that not only do they come in the standard red, black and blue colors you see prevalent in the promotional products industry but also the retail fashion colors and even plaids more prevalent in retail (and yes plaid is back).

Powerglide

Since I spend a lot of time travelling with my laptop and a host of other business gear I like a good quality computer backpack that can take a lot of wear and tear.  It needs to have wheels and an extendable handle as well as being able to be carried like a backpack.  The  Powerglide  is the perfect bag for my needs.  It is able to hold up to a 17" computer with a padded sleeve, headphone port, corner guards and kick plate to protect from abrasion and a host of other features.

24" Pack-N-Go Duffel

Finally I want to take a look at the 24" Pack-N-Go duffel  which is a unique piece with 2 in 1 functionality. It's a regular duffel bag that folds away into a toiletry bag.  The storage pouch turns into a toiletry bag when the duffel is removed. These come in some very nice color choices. Don't forget to check out the complete High Sierra line.

Healthy Employees are More Productive Employees

I love the creative part of marketing.  Brainstorming to come up with ideas and strategies that are new and unique.  I would love to hire my bootcamp instructor as our chief marketing officer as I have yet to meet anyone who can create such awe inspiring tortures with as much creativity as she does.

Last night we had 8 people in class each person lined up in front of a medicine ball ranging from 2-20 pounds.  We each had to do a 30 second plank on the ball then pick it up run across the gym then carry it as we ran up and down the stairs, outside up and down the hill.  Then we had to repeat the process until we had done all 8 of the balls.  Really who thinks these kinds of things up?

Well today since I still have fitness on the brain I thought we would look at some great fitness products for those on the go.  Many companies today are offering wellness programs. What better way to show your employees you care about them than by providing a gift to aid them in their pursuit of health and fitness.

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I like several of the products from Gemline another supplier I have used for years. Wellness products don't have to be expensive or complicated.  For instance, the Motivations Wellness Kit includes a BPA free water bottle, pedometer, fitness journal and carabineer featuring 3 "get healthy" tip cards packaged in a nice storage bag for as little as $7.98.

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For just a little more money you can get the Travel Fitness Kit which includes resistance band with molded handle grips, jump rope, and pedometer.  Perfect for the on the go traveler that still wants to get a little exercise wherever they are at.  This set is also packaged in a very attractive cinch bag.

Avoid those Late Night Work Related Panic Attacks

This hardly ever happens to me anymore but last night I woke up at midnight thinking about several projects I was working on at the office.  Some were tight deadlines some were large dollar orders being produced overseas.  I literally had a brief panic attack worrying about what might go wrong with the projects.  I don't know if any of you have faced this type of panic attack but once the brain gets going it's pretty hard to shut it off.

I used to get stressed out by things I really couldn't control but over the years I have learned how to turn off work when I leave the office.  Today I want to share a few ideas for avoiding those work related panic attacks after a busy day.

1.  Exercise.  Since I started working out every week night I seldom lay awake thinking about things.  Something about exhausting the bodies seems to help the mind sleep as well.  Usually I lay my head on the pillow and 10 minutes later I'm slumbering away.

2.  Read for a few minutes.  I just finished a great book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall which I highly recommend to anyone who likes running.  I've noticed a few minutes of reading right before bed usually lulls my brain into a sense of calm.  Another book I highly recommend is Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living".  This is a great must read for anyone who worries too much.  I can't recommend it enough.

3.  Avoid the computer and smart phone right before bed.  I was just reading an article talking about how the glare of the screen can affect your ability to sleep.  By no means read your work email before bed time.  The last thing you need is to see something in an email late at night that you can't do anything about before tomorrow except worry.

4.  Plan your project list before you go home.  I try to always take the last few minutes of the work day to plan out my morning schedule.  What are the 6 most important things for me to get down when I get into the office?  The better task list you keep and the better you structure your day the less important things slip through the cracks and the less you'll have to worry about when it comes time to go to sleep.

As I can attest to last night no system is perfect but at least these steps tend to help me avoid panicking about work most of the time.

It's BBQ Season!

My daughter turned 18 yesterday, truly a milestone, and I'm just amazed at how fast time flies by.  We had a great barbecue for her and all her friends which now has me in the summer mood.

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Today I thought we'd look at some great summer BBQ products.  Living in Oregon has its advantages and disadvantages.  One of the disadvantages is that even in the middle of June you can have overcast blustery days. If you've ever tried to light birthday candles during wind gusts you'll know what I mean.  Leeds (always one of my first go to suppliers) offers a complete line of igniters sure to get any BBQ or candle lit up.  The Zippo MPL is a great product with refillable butane tank and advanced soft touch ignition system.

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Once you get the fire blazing and the mesquite charcoal burned down to coals it's time to get some food going.  What better way to grill up some outdoor masterpieces than with Leeds Grill Master Set.  Great for a summer time gift with purchase this 12 piece set includes spatula, tongs, knife, fork, four skewers and four corn holders all in a classy aluminum case and one piece gift box.

Don't forget to check out Leeds complete line of Outdoor Living Products.