Depends on what you are measuring. Without life experiences, we would not be- well, ourselves. Where we've been, leads us to where we are now and influences where we will decide to go later. I'm posing on the front porch, wearing a dress my mom made me for the 100 celebration of Cary. By "decree" of the town council, men grew beards and residents wore "period" clothing to pay tribute to our roots. My dad is sporting a sparse goatee, which took him way to long to grow. Some would say the picture to the left is better, because I'm looking right at the camera, smiling. I like the picture below. The image to the right captures my curious side. I've always had a thirst to discover. Father's Day is an appropriate time to reflect on my own roots. Thanks to my dad: I like to learn. I'm a planner & organizer. I'm okay in a crowd or alone. Choosing solitude is different than being lonely. Being curious leads to creative solutions. Observation helps shape logic. Forging your own path is normal. Making space at the table is necessary. Thanks to my dad, I grew up in a world where girls do anything they want, without waiting to be included or following illogical rules. Blazing trails requires comfort with solitude, a desire to learn and staying curious & remaining excited about unknown outcomes. For me the before, during & after in my life have equal value; each contributing to the on-going narrative of my life!

Today is National Flag Day, which commemorates the adoption of the first American flag in 1777 by the Continental Congress. Do you know the rules around how & when to fly a flag? Yes, there are rules! Read more here Did you know George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross to make a flag before the Declaration of Independence was drafted? Yep, read this post or read more about the history in this post! Did you know when you need to retire your flag- American Legion Post 124 has put a special flag bin outside the Downtown Apex Fire House to collect your flag and dispose of it properly?

When I was a kid going to the Angus Barn for dinner meant men needed a tie, since then, social etiquette has become more casual. Earlier this week I was in an office for a huge corporation and everyone was in shorts! There is no doubt office attire has changed in the last decade. While casual feels good, wearing a tie is still a way to stand out in some settings. It's always a way to look professional and still show some personality.  The fun part of designing is how tie can weave in logos, text, color and combine additional design elements into a quality piece for that special signature item to reflect your brand. Unify your team. Show appreciation. Gifts for someone special.   Below is a tie we created for the Town of Fuquay-Varina, incorporating both their triangle elements and the town's signature "dash more". Ready to create something memorable for your business or organization?  Ties and scarves are perfect fundraiser or support for a cause - an item to wear in numerous settings!   It's knot as hard as you think to get out of the box with branding!

Nutritional choices like fruits & vegetables are healthy choices and modern kitchen equipment offers possibilities for new ways to enjoy those choices! June is National Fruits & Veggies Month. Do you have a favorites you can't wait to pick up? Today, I scored both fruits and vegetables at my local Farmer's Market this am. Creativity is kind of "our thing". Folding in our our talent & knowledge into each collaboration creates the right blend t o produce, blue ribbon success! Yes- we have blender products & shakers! Including name brands! Just like we designed this flyer, we apply our talent for marketing & strategy to each campaign. When you are not able to join in the showroom to collaborate- search our site for options. I have so many ideas for how to use these products, just ask!

Brands matter and so do your partners. Brand stories begin with a vision and continue with a strong partner. Shared vision, passion and a creative approach to marketing & advertising your story requires thinking beyond the traditional and embracing how products can offer more enhanced value to your message simply by doing more. We love adding more value to your brand identity efforts. What if the ink in your pen offered more value? Yes, uni-ball pens have some unique options. June 10th is National Pen Day. Are you getting the most value for your pen choice? Let's take a look at a few of our favorites: SUPER INK, watch how it works. The trademarked ink locks in ideas, protecting them from water, fading & fraud in Uni-ball pens. Discover one of several options here . Is Breast Cancer Awareness one of your signature causes? Add your logo to the pink ribbon collection. This pen features newly developed uni-ball one ink, with a bead packed pigment that is designed to sit on top of the paper, rather than being absorbed into it, resulting in a darker appearance. It's fast drying and bleed resistant. The clip, functions like a paperclip easily attaching to notebooks or loose papers. The ink matches the color accent. How's that for standing out in a crowd? Tough conditions, require a partner that delivers consistent results in any elements. The Powertank , is the perfect pen for the field, the pressurized ink cartridge allows for writing on wet surface, works in extreme cold, and at odd angles- including upside down! Plus it's filled with Super Ink! Classic favorites include the UB207 and UB307 series of options. The world's first consumer application of high-tech Nano Fiber Ink, which is smooth, dried fast, crisp line intensity so you can write or draw effortlessly even on glossy paper, plus the super plus ink technology which protects against water, fading & fraud. When you're ready for more value- let's talk.

When was the first time you went camping? For me, it was as a girl scout. I thought it was exciting to try something different and be outside at night. We did all the traditional things- smores, camp fire songs & stories- including ghost stories! June is National Camping Month. While I recall getting so excited about the opportunity to sleep outside in my sleeping bag or on the bunk beds in camp cabins. I also recall bugs, heat, musty & mildew smells and "out house" like bathrooms. Sure, I enjoyed parts of the experience but when I tried camping as an adult in my 20's- I knew for me; hotels were my future. I don't like sleeping on the ground, unsure what is lurking the dark, sweating and wondering if I will die on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Maybe partly because of those ghost stories and also because I did know what could be lurking in the woods with more legs than 2! Even no legs- like snakes! Am I judging your love of camping? Nope- if you love camping go for it . The close proximity to nature is still compelling and if I had a air stream version of camping- sure, I might go ! You drive! Did you know camping has seen an increase over the past 7 years? The desire to camp surged during the pandemic, apparently 11 million more campers in 2024 over 2019; perhaps initially as a way to control your variables and perhaps lasting as a time to bond as family. Camping IS a way to connect with others, beyond the actual camp fire. For business, camp products could become part of a one of these programs: As part of loyalty & rewards program Employee & incentives program Retreats & Team building for an HR or training program- removing us from the distractions of our regular routine. Camping is one of our quirky enough to work ways to grow your brand engagement & identity- be yourself. July is National Parks Month and there are plenty of parks in the USA I'd still like to explore- yep, I will want to stay in a local with it's own indoor plumbing and a few more amenities but during the day- I am willing to be more adventurous with my time. Nature does reset my mind and remind me that nature is a larger force. The uncontrollable elements & our response teaches us a lot about ourselves. Camp fires are extinguished as we leave the camp site, but the memories last well beyond the smoke that disappears. When you are ready to start exploring your options, sure, you can go to our website and type in brand names, key words and of course the word camping. However our team brings both experience and different knowledge to projects. For example, we have an avid camper enthusiast on our team and we stock samples of projects that would be perfect for your travels on foot or in an air stream. Do you have a favorite park or camp ground?

I Want Candy!!! Is that song now stuck in your head? The song was written & performed by the Strangeloves- making it to #11 on Billboard charts in 1965. People's crave for candy goes back thousands of years to Egyptians, brought state side to the US in 1851. Google it! June is National Candy Month, the perfect time to remind you why a food gift is smart business strategy. While candy won't actually save your life, life savers and other sweet treats might keep you smiling throughout your workday and isn't more smiles in your workday a lifesaving moment ? Let me help you break down the facts: 61% of Business Gift buyers rank Food Gifts as the most popular Gift Source: Counselor Magazine 58% of Gift Recipients prefer a Consumable Gift Source: PPAI 50% of business gifts purchased for the Holidays are Food Gifts Source: American Express Low cost, high impact Perfect for a crowd USA Made Large Content Area in the Packaging Conversation Starter Easy distribution- drop ship each package or easy to place in conference room, individual desks or mailroom boxes Looking for more inspirations with food? We've got the SMART choices in previous blog posts , in fact our ideas do indeed include a lifesaver , adding smiles to each recipient. Candy is also one of our quirky enough to work ideas. Ready to start a program or design a custom kit? We have some unique ways to utilize food gifts- not all of our insights are shared on the blog. That's the power behind our collaborative moments in the showroom & design studio.

American's love to grill & BBQ! Folks take their BBQ preferences seriously for the balance of vinegar & sauce in their secret recipes. However, finding the right balance beyond the palette for grilling tools is simple. Quality. May is National BBQ month & July is National Grilling Month. Consensus reigns, consumers like quality brands for cooking. Sure, we sell plenty of accessories for grilling & BBQ . Whether you're a pitmaster or a weekend chef for the family- summer promotions with food, that's a HOT idea. Food is a natural conversation starter, which means creating a recipe contest, shipping a secret ingredient for a challenge or gathering employees for a meal creates for team building moments. Kits are a great employee incentive & reward, as well as door prize as a sponsor. Search our site for trusted name brands : Coleman Cuisinart BioLite Meater Lodge Solo Stove BUT, don't assume all our brands will be on the website. For example, Weber & Blackstone- yep, we offer those brands but not through our website. Through collaboration, we learn about your goals & objectives. You've got a promotional partner - put our talents, experience and expertise to work for your brand identity, marketing & advertising. What happens when you can't sleep at 3 am and wanna think about a promotion? Our blog is always up - full of ideas for both grilling, BBQ and entertaining! Our team's in the showroom & design studio M- F, 8:30 to 5:00

Food is always a crowd pleaser! Don't believe me? Check out this post for the full story. Besides, kids are not the only one that likes a treat! Adults do too! Food gifts are a way to create a lasting memory and spark conversation over preferences. For example, 76% of American's prefer sweet over savory; check out this earlier post here. When you consider how many individuals the larger packages can acknowledge, food gifts are low cost. Desk drops are a perfect solution for any occasion- such as work anniversary's, birthday, new hire, launch, a quick break during a long conference, celebrating team success or just to show appreciation. Take a look at some of our favorites: Our blog features reasons to craft food programs- check out these 5 posts: We have Oprah's favorite coffee cake! A few of our partners, including woman- owned here. Charcuterie boards 8 Reasons to give food gifts here A case study from one of our partners here. It's our anniversary month and we are "sweet on you!" If you are considering a food program, ask Olivia about how to try out some samples.

The perfect product solution! When we started the business, we were determined to provide access to samples to help guide the discussion, discover your preferences and make our time collaborating more productive. After 18 years, every new product we discover means making a decision about a sample for the showroom. While we have 3,000 sq ft of showroom space & design studio- you'd be surprised how quickly it fills up! Recently we previewed a few new items that we knew needed to be added to the collection. Black & Blum , is a line we featured in January that offers more value in the construction. There are stainless options that can be put immediately into the oven or air fryer in the breakroom and each of their food kits, has a great seal to keep your food fresh and spill free in that snazzy lunch box you bought from us for the team. Swannies brand dimple tumbler is perfect for golf enthusiasts, plus unique for the ceramic liner. Explore the entire collection of Swannies products here. GROSCHE is a brand that wants to change the world by making sure underdeveloped regions have access to safe, clean drinking water. This convertible, foldable backpack is perfect for summer weather, travel and sports. It condenses down to a small space for packing, but then opens up to fit a lot of gear, including your sports equipment. The lightweight but durable construction makes if perfect for a hike or summer beach stroll with all the necessities. Whatever the reason for your collaboration- tangible touch makes the process easier!

The TravisMathew brand! What exactly does made to meet the moment mean? According to their retail site- " But what does “made to meet the moment” really mean? Is it for the days where everything is going right, the nights that catch you by surprise? Is it for the course, the court, the in between, the run-of-the-mill, the day-to-day, the what ifs, and the could have beens? Is it for the highs and the lows, milestones, the one-of-a-kind, and the unexpected? Is it low-key or loud, crazy or quiet? Maybe it means breaking a few rules. Yeah. It's all of those, or maybe it’s none of them. But that's the point. Whatever it is...we're here for it with apparel designed for confidence, and comfort, no matter where the day takes you. With a focus on versatility, TravisMathew creates products that are crafted to make you look and feel your best, no matter the activity. Inspired by Southern California’s laidback yet active lifestyle, each design leaves you confident, comfortable, and capable—fitting in while standing out. Discover everyday apparel crafted to achieve the perfect balance between innovative design and superior style. For any and every activity." Who's a fan of this brand and why? Explore the collection here . Set up a time to visit our showroom. Brand names are perfect for gifting, recognition and loyalty perks!

Effortless comfort, living free & spontaneous for the moment- well that's the concept behind the Tommy Bahama brand! Where your actually in the islands or simply want to live the island vibes & mentally- we've got the gear for your travels! Tommy is a great brand choice for corporate retreats. Feel as good in the clothing as you will knowing the brand is committed to sustainability efforts and giving back into communities. Read more about the brand on their retail site. Recognized name brands are perfect for gifts, incentives, programs and special events. Are you a Tommy fan? We'd love to know what makes you love this brand. Drop in a comment. Ready to explore options ?