Owner: Whirled Events URL:http://www.whirledevents.blogspot.com Join Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2006 20:50:16 -0500 Rating:1 Site Description: Whirled Events is a complete gift giving resource. Visit daily to view the latest on new products, gift trends, and ways to make gifts more personal. With features like Gift Book of the Month and Destination Gifts, you'll have a steady supply of ideas f Site statistics:Click here
A Breath of Fresh Air 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Toothpaste seems to be the "it" product lately in personal hygeine. Being a sucker for the unknown, I've purchased a few of these and have been unexpectedly pleased with the results. Read on for my favorite new releases to keep your mouth sparkling and fresh.- Breath
Palette toothpastes and mouthwashes: Available alone or in kits, Breath Palette offers the broadest and most unique array of flavors that I've seen. There are 31 flavors (one for each day of the month), including Pumpkin Pudding, Cafe Au Lait, and Indian Curry (if any of you have the courage to try this one, please let me know how it is). Feeling guilty about drinking soda at night? Just brush with Cola flavored toothpaste.- Go Smile AM/PM Duo: The Morning Rush and Nighttime Therapy toothpaste combination is available at GoSmile.com. This line of whitening toothpastes was designed by Dr. Levine of New York City, and has brightened the smiles of stars like Cameron Diaz, Uma Thurman, Halle Berry and Christie Brinkl
First Class Bags 1970-01-01 00:59:59 A need for style doesn't stop when your vacation starts. The nearly $18 billion travel goods market can back me up on that one. Women are looking for fashionable alternatives to the basic black suitcase in an effort to stand out from the crowd, and designers are meeting the demand with a variety of colors and styles. With vacation season quickly approaching, travel accessories are the perfect gift for the jetsetter in your social circle. According to Cinda Boomershine, president of CindaB, "the trend going forward is luggage in bright colors with patterned accents." If that sounds a little busy to you, note that Baekgaard's Java Blue rolling luggage outsells navy and black, and is closely followed by red. Casauri offers rolling bags in Balmy Orange, Palm Green, Sky Blue and Sun Stripes.Florals maintain their place in the land of luggage, although the muted tapestry bags of yesteryear are being updated with bright hues and contrasting patterns like gingham and stripes. Vera Bra Read more:First
, First Class
Pick Your Parachute: Gifts to Inspire a Career Cha... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 As many of you know, I started my career out as an investment banker at JPMorgan Chase. It was a valuable experience, one that has influenced me in ways that I continue to realize over time, but banking is a job that I am clearly not wired for. When I finally admitted this to myself (it was something that my coworkers and friends realized long before I did), it was still a difficult decision to leave JPMorgan and pursue my current mission: to change the way people give gifts.I spent quite some time today speaking to a friend that I love and respect. While I'm no psychologist, I know from experience that changing careers, or even jobs within a career, is a frightening thing. We have all complained about work at some point, but for some reason when it comes down to quitting, we have a hard time making the move. Perhaps it's a fear of the unknown, perhaps it's realizing that no matter how bad the current job is, it still has its good qualities. What I do know is that sometimes we Read more:Career
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, Inspire
, Parachute
Trend Report: Spring 2006 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Gift trends closely follow the runway, so to see where home decorative products and functional gifts are headed, here is an update on the latest in spring fashion. For more detail on the following trends, visit Style.com, the online mecca for all things fashionable.- Bold prints: Big, graphic statements mix African motifs and oversize blooms to create an eye-catching effect. Expect colorful, ethnic designs to decorate everything from vases to wrapping paper.- Purity: Lacy frocks and embroidered dresses filled runways at Karl Lagerfeld and Chloe events. White's natural elegance is a cleaner version of last year's earth tones, and play up a more feminine look. This trend will likely express itself primarily in wedding and tabletop decor, with a return to more traditional invitations, place settings and flowers.- Asian-inspired designs: In contrast to the Zen simplicity we've seen in the past, current Asian themes are drawn from box office hits like Memoirs of a Geisha and 2046. T Read more:Spring
Spring has sprung 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Today, at exactly 6:19pm EST, spring officially begins. We are a mere four hours away as I write this. I love the beginning of spring, not only because it symbolizes a departure from the cold (I live in Houston, after all), but because it represents a renewed sense of energy. The winter blahs are behind us and we suddenly evolve into more social beings as our calendars fill with barbeques, rounds of golf, and social outings with friends.It is the perfect time to wake ourselves up and spread our energy to those around us. One of the greatest gifts we can give to others is a sense of adventure, a desire to experience life at its extremes. We must physically remove ourselves from a rut and venture out into the unknown. This doesn't necessarily equate to jumping off cliffs or running with bulls; finding adventure in the little things is what keeps life from ever becoming dull.With the dawn of spring, adopt an adventurous outlook. Let the creativity flow, and most importantly, bring Read more:Spring
, sprung
The Best Gift I've Ever Received... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I was reading an article this morning in Gifts & Decorative Accessories that highlighted ten visionaries in the gift and home accessories industry. At the end of every profile, the person's "best gift" was listed. Here is what they said: - "Courage." Maureen Welton, President of 18 Karat- "First, my family. Secondly, 20 years of love, guidance and friendship from Lester Hughes. He was like my second father, and is a significant part of my success." Mark Moussa, President of Arteriors Home- "It's probably a classic text on leadership by Henri Nouwen." David Kiersznowski- "A handmade thank-you note from my seven-year-old niece. It was beautifully colored and honest, and it spoke from the heart. I wish all of our gifts could be like that." Andy Van Meter, President of Design Ideas- "For my birthday recently, some friends gave me a spa package. It was great. O only thought of myself for eight hours. I did nothing but get pampered." David Gebhart, Owner and CEO of Global Views-
Thoughtful Notes 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Earlier this month, when I was at this wedding (see March 2 post), I got to talking with the other bridesmaids about things we loved about the bride. We all commented that we loved the handmade cards she would make for the most random of occasions. She would cut out every individual letter from construction paper and spell out a message. It wasn't even so much about the message itself, as those were often confined to simple sentences; it was about the time and effort she spent cutting out each individual letter.Yesterday, I received a note from a close friend who had just been in town to visit, saying that she had a wonderful time in Houston and that she had a wonderful time "glomming" at my pad (this is a term that my mother made up and seemed to stick amongst my friends). It was personal, humorous, and made me smile.This is what notes are all about. They rarely take long to write, but they have a way of brightening up someone's day, especially when they are unexpected and inte Read more:Notes
Showing appreciation 1970-01-01 00:59:59 When people go out of their way for you and go beyond the norm, it's important to show them how appreciative you are. During my time in New York last week, a couple of dear friends helped make my week extra special, and I want to show them how much their kindness means to me.To help you all out in similar endeavors, here are a few words of advice:-Send a note promptly. Make sure it's handwritten (unless of course you don't have their mailing address and must send an e-mail, in which case I suppose an exception could be made...but make sure you at least TRY to get their mailing address). Write the note on nice stationery or letterhead, and keep it legible.-Be specific about the things you appreciate. Steer clear of the general, "Thanks for a great time," and let them know how much you enjoyed reminiscing over drinks, being welcomed into their home, etc.-If you decide to include a gift, wrap it. There's nothing that looks so incomplete as an unwrapped gift, and even though it's Read more:appreciation
Budding Relationships: What flowers mean 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Flowers are traditional gifts that can speak to a variety of occasions. From roses to magnolias, we've compiled a primer on what flowers symbolize so you can put together the perfect arrangement for a special event. To help spark your imagination, we've included situations which merit a certain flower arrangement.- Acacia: beauty in retirement- Daffodil: respect and admiration of positivity- Marigold: grief- Agapanthis: secret love- Daisy: loyal love and innocence- Narcissus: appreciation of sweetness- Ambrosia: reciprocal love- Freesia: trust- Orchid: thoughtfulness, maturity, charm- Anemone: sincerity- Forget-me-not: true love and good memories- Petunia: comfort- Aster: love- Hyacinth: remorse- Primrose: attachment- Azalea: encouragement, concern- Honeysuckle: happiness- Stephanotis: happiness in marriage- Bluebell: humility- Hydrangea: appreciation of understanding- Sweet Pea: enjoyment- Cactus: endurance- Iris: wisdom, faith and hope- Sunflower: pride, sunshine- Caladium: great Read more:Budding
, Relationships
Office Gag Gifts 1970-01-01 00:59:59 With April Fools' Day upon us, bring a little humor into the workplace and share gifts with your coworkers. Listed below are five office gifts that are sure to evoke a few laughs:1. Corporate flashcards: Outdo your boss, your boss's boss, and your boss's boss's boss with sixty flashcards filled with phrases that say absolutely nothing. If you study hard, the following will soon make sense to you: "At the end of the day, there's no need to reinvent the wheel; if we capitalize on our synergies and put lipstick on this pig we'll achieve substantial returns." Huh?2. Report cards: Let your coworkers know what you think of them with this personality report card. Perhaps an "F" in "Neurosis Management" and an "A+" in "Candor" will let them know their rants and raves don't go unnoticed.3. Office trophy: Make a coworker feel extra-special for a day by awarding him with the "Employee of the Day" title. There's no need to make someone go above and beyond all month, after all. You'r Read more:Gifts
Back To Basics 1970-01-01 00:59:59 In a high-tech world, the goal is simplicity. Technology is all about finding easier ways to do the things we already do; we strive to quit wasting time with the mundane and to start spending time on the things that count. And so I arrive back at a common theme: at the end of the day (that phrase is for all you corporate linguists out there), we value relationships. Interestingly, technology often acts as an obstacle rather than an aid in building those relationships.For example, instead of picking up the phone to ask a question and to see where mundane conversation can lead, we send an email with only obligatory information to get our message across. We post our thoughts and desires blatantly on online wishlists, leaving little to the imagination. We ask, and often as a result, receive. Yet by asking outright for the things we want, we rarely receive the things we didn't even know we wanted. We have streamlined our lives to the point where the element of surprise is all but ex Read more:Basics
Kate's Rules for Civilized Correspondence 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I adore Kate Spade. If I could sum up my ideal style, she would probably be it. Mix her with Vera Wang, and then it's just right. Interestingly enough, both women are stationery addicts like yours truly, and have beautiful lines through their respective brands.I came across a profile on Kate in a magazine (I can't remember which magazine, and since I tore out the page, it's a giant mystery) recently, titled, Kate's Rules
for Civilized
Correspondence. I thought they were great guidelines that we should all follow.Don't stress about perfection. According to Kate, "There is something direct and real about a crossed-out or added word. It says you are confident and genuine." Or, as in my case, you just change your mind a lot.Dash away. As long as it's legible, don't worry about your handwriting. Reveal a bit of yourself through your penmanship.Give thanks. Send thank you cards within three days, but if you miss this little deadline, send one anyway (and focus on how grateful
Carolyne Roehm's Fall Collection 1970-01-01 00:59:59 One of my personal faves, Carolyne Roehm, who I've covered here before, just came out with her fall collection. In my opinion, she has the most elegant gift wrap collection out there, and has more recently added a broad line of table decor and gifts.Here's a glimpse of her Louis XVI, Tapestry and Luxe collections:
Brownie Points 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Joy, from Oh, Joy! just posted on her wedding favors, which were so personal and well done. They gave guests custom created gourmet brownies made by Mari's New York (her website will be launching soon) in flavors that paid homage to both her culture and that of her husband. One was in Thai Coffee, and the other in Korean Red Bean. The flavors were concocted specifically for the happy couple.Joy is a freelance graphic designer, so she wrapped white slide boxes with a print that she designed herself, and secured them with bands printed with notes to her guests. This is a great example of how you can take something ordinary (brownies) and make them really stand out in the eyes of your guests. Read more:Brownie
, Points
W Hotels: The Store 1970-01-01 00:59:59 W Hotels
have long been known for their hip, trendy vibe, and their online store is no exception to the rule. W Hotel's The Store
offers some really unique items that are perfect gifts with a modern twist.Poetry Block, $22: Create your own message that's meant for the person you give it to.Cityscape frame, $12: Display with some artwork of your own or some favorite photographs to design a custom skyline.Proust Questionnaire, $35: This book of questions has answers from all sorts of big personalities, and the blank questionnaires are great ways to learn more about someone close to you. Fill out one of the pages with your own answers before handing it off as a gift.
Welcome 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Welcome to your complete resource to all things gift related. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Carolyn Goodwin, a custom gift consultant and owner of Whirled Events. I spend my days reviewing the latest products to hit the market (or about to hit the market), sifting through the ordinary and bringing to light the extraordinary. With this wealth of information that I accumulate, I visit companies, organizations and individuals and share my knowledge. My goal is to help companies drive business, to help organizations spread their message, and to help individuals build relationships. Above all, my goal is to help people celebrate life.Yes, I know relationships are not all about gifts, but tell me one person who doesn't light up just a little bit when they get an unexpected package in the mail. In today's world of excess and extremes, our mail is filled with bills and advertisements and demands for our time. A tiny package reminds us that someone out there is thinking about us.I first Read more:Welcome
Personality Match 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Today I'm putting together a gift for the captain of my tennis team. She's a wonderful woman, vibrant and classy and one of those people that can cheer you right up even on the gloomiest of mornings. To thank her for her time and for her kindness and more importantly just for adding a little brightness to our lives, I want a special something that echoes her personality. So I've settled on these beautiful pyramid-shaped teas from Tea Forte. I originally spotted these teas years ago at the Dallas Gift Market. The tea is fantastic, and they come in these gorgeous tins that make them the perfect gift. I love drinking this tea just for the uniqueness of it all - and it makes an otherwise ordinary task extra special. To top off the gift, I'm adding in two teacups with saucers. They're handmade ceramic teacups with bamboo-styled handles, so it ties in well with the Asian-inspired teabags. It also provides for an entire experience to be enjoyed with a friend.It's important to m Read more:Match
, Personality
Gifts for the Chocolate Lover 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Chocolate lovers come in many shapes and sizes (some love it more than others). While chocolate has long been a staple in gift giving, make a real connection with the lover in your life and find the perfect chocolate to fit their personality. Some are available right now; others require a little patience, but stay tuned for some major breakthroughs in the world of chocolate.1. For the chronic dieter with a sweet tooth: Mars Inc.'s answer to our country's weight problem is launching next month. CocoaVia, a line of antioxidant-rich dark chocolates that are thought to have a blood-thinning effect similar to aspirin and may reduce blood pressure. Add to that vitamins and cholesterol-lowering plant sterol injections, and you can relieve yourself of all guilt.2. For the artistic chocolate lover: These chocolate impressionist paintings are sure to please the artist with a sweet tooth. Choose from Van Gogh's "Irises" or Monet's "Water Lilies."3. For the overindulgent chocolateer: Godi Read more:Chocolate
, Gifts
Rich in Faith 1970-01-01 00:59:59 As I was reading the Houston Chronicle the other day, I was shocked and appalled to read a particular article on a birthday celebration being planned for a local pastor's wife. I was first shocked to see that tickets cost $100 to even attend the celebration. Further into the article, the woman's "gift ideas" were posted: monetary gifts, designer handbags (Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton), and gift certificates (Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Escada). And fear not: if you can't make the event itself, the website advises you to "mail gifts to Dr. Bridget E. Hilliard."Without considering the fact that this is a pastor's wife and someone who is positioned to be an example to the rest of us, I really can't imagine posting my personal wishlist on my website. Seriously - what would my customers think if they were searching my company website and I had posted what I wanted for my birthday? It demonstrates a severe lack of class.In this day of online wishlists and generic gift certifi Read more:Faith
Introducing WhirledEvents.com... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 At long last, after much anticipation, the Whirled Events online store has launched. You, as loyal readers of the Whirled Events blog, are invited to receive 20% off all orders through November 5! Simply enter promotional code "whirled" at checkout to receive your discount. Come take a peek - there are some fabulous products, great packaging options, and all sorts of fun things to browse through.The site is going to change constantly, so be sure to check back regularly, as we already have some fantastic plans for the near future. We're working hard to develop a complete gift resource, presenting the latest ideas and trends in gift giving. Be sure to leave your comments to let us know what you think - after all, our goal is to create the best gift giving experience possible! Read more:Introducing
Anniversary Gifts 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Today is my parents' anniversary, and in thinking about an appropriate way to celebrate their 31st year of marriage, I came across this list of traditional gifts to give based on the number of years you've been together. Despite what most people seem to say about this, I love the idea of a guide for gifts. In fact, I think I might compile one for friendship, for dating relationships, and more, just so people have something to work with. Starting from scratch can sometimes be a bit overwhelming, and this makes it a little easier, while still allowing people to be creative.1st- Clocks or Paper2nd- China3rd- Crystal or Glass4th- Electrical Appliances5th- Silverware6th- Wood or Iron7th- Copper, Bronze or Brass Desk Sets8th- Linen or Lace9th- Leather10th- Diamond Jewelry, Tin or Aluminum11th- Fashion Jewelry or Steel12th- Colored Gemstones or Pearls13th- Textiles or Fur14th- Ivory or Gold Jewelry15th- Crystal, Quartz or Watches16th- Silver Hollowware17th- Furniture18th- Porcelain19th- Read more:Anniversary
, Gifts
Eight Gifts for Bloggers 1970-01-01 00:59:59 The holidays are coming, and I can hardly contain my excitement! It's finally cooling off here in Houston, the stores are filled with lights and ornaments and all sorts of wintry wonder, and at the top of my to-do list for today is selecting my holiday cards (and a haircut, but that's entirely unrelated).For all of you bloggers out there, I've compiled a list of my top eight gifts for bloggers. Why eight? I don't know...it just feels right. Give these to yourself, send them to a fellow blogger friend, or tuck these ideas away for a time when someone sends you some link love and you feel the need to show your appreciation.Audio Cable Guys, $24.95: These whimsical little headphone splitters are perfect for those afternoons blogging in a coffee shop, when you're bee-bopping to your favorite tune (Feist's Mushaboom is my song of choice for today), and the person next to you keeps staring at you wondering what you're all happy about. Now you can plug their headphones directly into yo Read more:Eight
, Gifts
Circular Logic 1970-01-01 00:59:59 Do you ever feel like you're just running around in circles, not quite sure what direction you're heading in, but just trying to get the next urgent thing done? In the world of retail, I suppose it's only natural to feel this way as the holidays approach. Regardless, I feel like I should pay a small tribute to the shape that most closely resembles my life at this point in time: the circle.From top left: Circle wrapping paper, ($4); Adina circle chain, ($1,125); Dots file folders, ($11.95); Sputnik table lamp, (323 EUR); Circle vase, ($24.95) Read more:Circular
, Logic
SkyMall: Completely Random Gifts for the... 1970-01-01 00:59:59 I'm a sucker for SkyMall. I can't resist flipping through those pages of gadgets and gizmos while sitting on the plane, and it will literally entertain me for hours. Perhaps that's why I love airplanes so much. Between SkyMall, sleep, sudoku and crossword puzzles (in that order), I can happily pass time on even the longest flights.I dogeared countless pages in this month's edition, and found some fantastic gifts for any variety of people. Here are my favorite completely random gifts for the:friend who lives in outer space:- gravity defying boots, $99.95 - $139.95With their patented T-spring system that transforms walking, jumping, or running into a low-impact bounce, hese boots create an experience that feels like you're floating on air. I've seen these for kids before, but never for adults, which I think is pretty cool. It creates a good workout and I'm sure it would be tons of fun to bounce around the house on these for a day (or two or three or perhaps forever).- fou Read more:Gifts
, Random
Celebs for a Cause 1970-01-01 00:59:59 It seems like every celebrity has their cause these days, and they're appealing to our need to shop this holiday season. Pick your cause and give back - it's the greatest gift of all, and you can give some fantastic presents as an added benefit.Cast of Grey's Anatomy: Warriors in PinkThe doctors at Seattle Grace Hospital proudly support the fight for breast cancer by wearing Warriors in Pink wear and gear. Warriors in Pink is part of Ford's ongoing role as a National Sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure Series. 100% of net proceeds from the sale of Warrior t-shirts, dog tags, cuffs and other items goes to fund breast cancer reesarch, education, screening and treatment.Tea Leoni: UNICEFTea's paternal grandmother, Helenka Adamowska, was a silent film actress who later headed up the U.S. committee for UNICEF, serving as its volunteer president for 27 years. Following in her grandmother's footsteps, Tea has set up an action committee with her father to work against the AID Read more:Cause
, Celebs
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