I don't know what it is about promotional t-shirts but I love them.  I think this infatuation started a few years ago when a few of my co- workers and I opened an Italian ice shop called scoops.  We ordered tons of promotional products with t-shirts being the main attraction.  It was odd when people would come in and ask if they could purchase these wonderful yellow t's.  It was then I realized, EVERYONE LOVES PROMOTIONAL T-SHIRTS.  It's also another great way to get your brand out there!

Or should I say "happy promotional products day"?  Cinco de Mayo is a day of Mexican heritage, pride and to commemorate the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American civil war.  ORRRR better known as the day where we eat lots of Mexican food and drink sangria, tequila and coronas.  Everywhere you go on Cinco de Mayo there are promotional products.  From beer companies to restaurants (including my favorite place, MOES, see below) even local radio stations get in on the action.  There are hats and beads and cups and any other promotional item you can think of being passed out on this extremely fun day.  Plus this year, it's on a Saturday!!  Have fun, be safe and enjoy all the swag!!

Last night was the NFL Football draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  All 32 teams were eager to draft their (hopefully) future stars.  The draft has become a huge event over the years.  I think it has to do with the players being bigger and stronger than ever before, thus inadvertently shortening many of their careers, due to the huge hits and countless injuries the players have to deal with.  This in turn causes younger players to be that much more important to their team.  There was also a plethora of promotional products there.  Every player got a new custom cap from their respective teams.  It was an truly exciting event for many young players, and it will continue for the next two days, where many collegiate athletes hope to be drafted into the National football league.  Below is an example of the Jets custom cap.

I have lived on Long Island for almost 20 years.  I have been over 21 for a certain period of time, that I care not mention!  I have been to the north and south forks of Long Island numerous times, but I have never visited any of our wineries.  This is all going to change this weekend.  From what I understand we will taste many different types of wines with the respective snacks they go with.  We are taking a party bus out there, which is sure to have many custom can coolers for the "in between winery beverages".  It's supposed to be great weather so I'm really looking forward to my first trip out there!

Last Thursday night, I attended a Yelp event at the National Hotel in South Beach. The event was called the Jet Set Fete Party and was hosted by Yelp for their "Elite" members (those members that attain Elite status have a certain number of reviews and positive feedback from other memebers, just to give you the gist of it). Since one of my friends is a "Yelp Elite" she was allowed to bring a few guests and Eric and I were lucky enough to be invited. Dressed in our cocktail attire with no idea what to expect, Eric and I were floored when we realized what we were in for! Local restaurants and liquor companies held booths with small and large tastings of their specialties. We got to try out some awesome dishes from places we have never been and as a result of this event, we will be sure to try them out! From Sushi, to Peanut butter and jelly desserts, Cupcake liquor and Grolsh beer, there wasn't a dull moment. With all the treats and delicious drinks, my favorite part of the event was, of course, the plethora of promotional items given out! I love the "Yelpstick" branded Chap Balm. I salute Yelp for throwing a fantastic event! I think I am going to try to become Yelp Elite myself! 

This is an interesting time for sports fans. It's the calm before the storm, if you will. Baseball season is a few short weeks away, NFL hot stove is running rampant (please no Tebow references), the NBA season is in full swing, and although "no one cares about hockey Boomer", the regular season for hockey is wrapping up in another week or so. With the 4 major sports getting ready for some turning point in their seasons, college basketball is at its most exciting time! March College Basketball! It's the time when college basketball diehards and casual fans alike fill out their brackets, spend weekends at the local pubs receiving many logo March basketball products. Every college gives out tons of promotional products to help their students and fans cheer on their hopefuls for winning it all! So whoever you root for, wear your gear proud and good luck!

This past Thursday January 26th, Ken, Laura, Samantha and myself attended the SAAGNY winter showcase 2012.  The plethora of trade show items were amazing.  Any promotional product you could think of was there.  Any item you may want imprinted they had on display.  It really makes you think about how many of these items you come in contact with every single day.  We all had a great time walking the show and are looking forward to selling many of these item to our customers!

This past Saturday Morning was sort of a rough one to get started.  Unlike most mornings, I decided, for hydrating purposes, to go with gatorade instead of coffee.  On the way to the mall, the plastic cup I had put the gatorade in began to spill over in my cupholder.  As i looked for a napkin the closest thing to me was my Promotional Water Bottle. At the next red light all of my delicious Cool Ice gatorade went cleanly into this wonderful Promotional Product, and saved my cupholders from months of gross stickyness.

It is only Monday and I am certainly ready to start ripping my hair out! My theory is that "Mondays" will determine how the rest of your week will be. Fortunately, even through all of the stress I work in an office full of fun promotional products. We have promotional stress balls galore and they perfectly define their purpose. My favorite promotional stress relievers are the promotional sumo wrestler stress reliever and the promotional yellow hippo stress ball. Let the stress melt away with a fun stress reliever!

My wifes family has an ongoing joke that unfortunately is based on true life events.  ".. Hold the Dang Flashlight.. ", this is the PG version of a statement that her Dad has been using for years.  Ever kid growing up had the pleasure of working with Dad on a project.  One brother was always working on the car or getting the boat ready to go bird hunting at 5 am or Suzy had the pleasure of trying to retrieve a favorite pair of earings from the drain.  These projects always required the helper to hold the flashlight.  If you have ever have been in this situation you would know that the beam of light is never in the right spot or if you are too young to help you may find yourself making shadow puppets or using it as a light saber when it was the exact time that the light was needed.  So it was really frustrated for Pop to get anything done.  For his 70th surprise birthday party we had some imprinted promotional tools made up as favors.  One of the favorites was a custom Garrity 3 L.E.D. Lithium Headlamp that was custom imprinted on the band to say " HOLD YOUR OWN DANG LIGHT "