Year: 2015

Friday Five: Must-Have Apps, Supplies

Dana PhelpsBlog, Free Advice, , , , , ,

In honor of our fifth anniversary, we are doing lots of lists of fives. Since I’ve been traveling lately, my list today consists of things that are essential to being productive and keeping sane while on the road.

  1. RunKeeper was the first smart phone app I ever download it. It helped me train for a marathon in 2009 and a half marathon earlier this year. I love it at home, and it is especially useful on the road when I need to keep training but don’t have the ability to map out running routes in advance.
  2. Got to have my tunes. While Pandora is great for background music, iTunes is still my go-to for when I am wanting to get focused on my workout, plug in the headphones and decompress on a flight or for when I want to get my dance on at the end of a long day. Perhaps I’m a tad particular about my tunes. I want them to sound good even when I am away from home. The Bose Soundlink speaker provides excellent sound, is compact enough to add to my carry-on bag and is just cute as a button.

    photo from bose.com
    photo from bose.com
  3. Skype on my phone. Yes, I can video conference back to the office. More importantly, I can see my boy’s sweet face when I’m having a travel-induced bout of missing him dearly. Also, since he still doesn’t have his own phone, Skype allows us to text when he might already be on a video call with his buddies.
  4. Notes on my iPhone is a particularly handy tool for things like having Siri type this blog post as I’m driving, providing a mobile to-do list and allowing me to capture funny quotes as I hear them. Notes can be shared via text and email, so longer content converts easily when needed.
  5. However, there is still nothing like a real notebook. I love paper. I love cute notebooks. I love a lot of products from Carolina Pad, and I along with the other members of the Clairemont team are particularly obsessed with this particular notebook. I love it in Clairemont pink, and we also have it in blue and green. Every time I’m in Walgreens I stock up on these knowing that they are a Clairemont favorite. It fits perfectly in my bag with my MacBook and never runs out of battery power.
fave notebook + fave pens
fave notebook + fave pens

Can I get a high-five for staying productive while on the go? What are your favorite productivity tools, apps and products that get you through your day?

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Trends Tuesday: Behind-the-Scenes with Papa Spud’s

Tracy LathanBlog, Clairemont Client News, Trends, , , , ,

The Triangle Business Journal snapped this shot at the Papa Spud’s media breakfast and ran it as the Photo of the Day.

 

Last week in our Trends Tuesday post, we touched on the growing trend of online subscription delivery services. Let’s be honest…who doesn’t love when something is delivered to your door or when a package arrives. It’s like Christmas morning in the middle of the week!

We are all busy people, and the convenience factor of doorstep delivery is huge. One of our client’s, Papa Spud’s, is a North Carolina CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) service that delivers local, seasonal groceries straight to your door—from fresh produce, dairy and meat to granola, chocolate and jams. For those of us that like to buy local products but don’t have time to make it to the farmers’ market, local fish house or bakery each week, Papa Spud’s is a great option.

Tuesday mornings are a fury of activity at the Papa Spud’s warehouse, and we invited some local media members to see it for themselves. Produce and food items are being delivered, boxes are being packed and sorted and delivery vehicles are being loaded. On the morning of our event we had an unexpected snowstorm, so there was even more activity as the team tried to determine if the deliveries could still be made.

After sampling some tasty treats and coffee,  Papa Spud’s founder and owner, Rob Meyer, shared how the company was started. The media attendees were able to watch the team in action to really see and understand how the produce makes it from the farm to the box on your doorstep, in less than 48 hours. They were able to see firsthand that the demand in the Triangle for locally sourced food products is growing, and that the convenience factor is really attractive for busy families.

Have you tried a delivery subscription service? What products do you wish would show up on your doorstep each week?

 

 

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The Evolution of Maternity Fashion

Sarah HattmanBlog, Fashion, Oh Momma Monday, , ,

Clairemont team member Tracy Lathan 38 weeks pregnant with her first child – and looking as fashionable as ever!

 

There have been more than 31 million births this year and we are only three months into 2015. That’s a lot of pregnant women; however all eyes seem to be on Kate Middleton. As the Duchess of Cambridge is weeks away from giving birth to her second child, people around the globe are monitoring her every move eagerly awaiting the arrival of the next royal baby. Many people, especially women, are curious to see what outfits Kate will wear as she fulfills her royal duties as a pregnant woman. She always manages to step out donned in a chic, classic and sophisticated outfit that is appropriate for her role as duchess and very fashionable.

I have to admit, I am fascinated to see how women approach maternity fashion. Do they work to conceal it or do they flaunt it? Looking back at maternity fashion during the past 100 years, it’s interesting to see how things have evolved.

Constriction

At the turn of the 20th century, all women wore corsets and pregnant women worked to constrain their growing bumps by wearing “maternity corsets” designed to contain their expanding waistlines. By the 1920s maternity corsets were replaced by girdles that confined the hips more than the waist. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the focus shifted from constriction to support.

Keep it Loose

Throughout the years, no matter the style, women found ways to conceal their baby bumps with loose clothing. Even flappers who were know to cut loose and wear fun flirty dresses, opted to hide their bump!

Shifting Perspective

Lucille Ball made a bold move in the 1950s when she publicly showed off her pregnant belly on-screen during filming of “I Love Lucy.”  However, it was Demi Moore’s decision to pose nude at seven months pregnant on the cover of Vanity Fair that really help shift the view of pregnancy and pregnant women from embarrassing to empowering.

Current Trends

These days just about anything goes when it comes to maternity fashion. On again given day, it’s not uncommon to see a pregnant woman wearing form-fitting shirts and another wearing very loose clothing. Fortunately, many of today’s popular styles are over-sized which allows women to forgo “maternity” clothing all together – and spend that money on baby clothes instead.

What is your preference for maternity style? Do you prefer to cover up and conceal or flaunt it?

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Friday Five: 36 Hours in Raleigh

Tracy LathanBlog, Free Advice, In Our Community, Restaurant PR + Hospitality PR,

As you may recall, last March the NY Times ran an outstanding piece highlighting our beloved City of Oaks titled, 36 Hours in Raleigh. N.C. The article featured some the local restaurants, shops and museums that have helped put Raleigh on the map in recent years.

I’ve lived in Raleigh for almost twenty years now (wow time flies), so needless to say I have seen how much our great city has changed for the better. The growth has been steady, strong and smart. I have always lived and worked close to downtown, so keeping up with what new restaurants and businesses are opening and thriving has become a personal passion for me.

A few weeks ago, my college roommate came to visit for the weekend. When she left Raleigh in 2001, there were only a handful of good restaurant options and downtown certainly was not the destination it is today. My husband graciously offered to take the kids out of town for the weekend, so I had the chance to serve as tour guide and show my dear friend how things have changed in a “36 Hours in Raleigh” of our own. So, for today’s Friday Five, here are a few of the spots we visited along the way.

Friday Night – 8:00 p.m.

For dinner on Friday night I chose one of my favorite spots downtown, Poole’s Diner. Time after time Poole’s does not disappoint. My husband and dine here often and always prefer sitting at the bar, which helps trying to get a seat on a busy weekend night. The vibe, cocktails and menu are consistently good. We choose a few menu items to share and it was perfection.

We also had the most wonderful chocolate dessert at Poole’s made with Videri chocolate from the local chocolate factory in the Raleigh Depot. Videri is BYOB and has a great patio, so it’s a perfect spot to enjoy one last glass of wine and some delicious chocolate before heading home. They also offer factory tours and serve up Stumptown coffee if you are in the neighborhood have a chance to stop by in the morning. The owners, Sam and Starr Ratto, have really created something special.

Saturday Afternoon – 2:00 p.m.

We spent the afternoon on Saturday shopping, and since we both have young children, we had to stop in one of my favorite children’s boutiques in Five Points, Progeny Shoppe. Store owner, Lauren Hood, has created a curated collection of modern, hip clothing, accessories and toys for little ones. The store is delightful and it’s almost impossible to walk out empty handed!

Saturday Night – 6:30 pm

 For dinner Saturday night I decided on another favorite of mine, Bida Manda. We started with a moscow mule and shared the lettuce wrap appetizer. The service is always fantastic, and the décor creates a warm atmosphere that draws you in off the street. A creature of habit, I always get the Pad Tai and am never disappointed.

Sunday Morning – 8:00 a.m.

I couldn’t think of a better way to end our weekend than with breakfast at Joule. Joule has quickly become my hands down favorite spot for leisurely weekend brunch, or for a quick breakfast during the week. I love the coffee, the hipster vibe, the vibrant décor and the community table. Obsessed with the grits and sourdough toast with avocado…what a great addition to downtown!

These are only a few of the spots we visited during our weekend tour – there were so many more we didn’t have time for. I was proud to see what Raleigh has become through her eyes. What also became clear along the way is that Raleigh has achieved the best of both world’s…home to an amazingly talented group of chefs, small business owners and entrepreneurs, Raleigh has maintained a local, organic, laid back feel. Nothing fancy, just good people, good times and really good food.

 

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Trends Tuesday: Doorstep Delivery

Cherith AndesBlog, Marketing, Trends, , , , , 1 Comment on Trends Tuesday: Doorstep Delivery

The trend kicked off circa 1910 with the Wells Fargo Wagon, a legendary red coach that hand-delivered goodies to America’s townsfolk. Nearly a century later, the doorstep delivery concept has emerged as one of the nation’s leading economic trends. America has shifted from the traditional brick-and-mortar shopping experience in favor of online subscription delivery services, a new business model that curates and tailors a box of items to fit your preferences. Best of all, your personalized package appears weekly on your porch, as if by magic. Voila.

Subscription Boxes: All the Rage
With manageable shipping charges and forgiving return policies, subscription boxes have permeated nearly every sector of retail. The stalwart Birch Box, for example, boasts nearly 800,000 active global subscribers who enjoy its grooming and lifestyle products. Pet owners pamper their pooches with customized collars and flavored toys from Bark Box, while Lego fans stock their arsenal with Brick Loot‘s specialty items. (Bonus tip: Check out this review from a special Clairemont friend, Pugnacious10.)

What’s the Draw?
What happened to the traditional haul to the mall? Our harried schedules combined with our waning attention spans drive consumers to seek instant gratification. But this burgeoning trend reveals even more about the American psyche. Forbes.com suggests that consumers may thrive off of the adrenaline of a weekly surprise or crave the ego boost of hand-picked packages.

Customize Your Com
Communication trends, too, must respond to the public’s yen for customized experiences. Apple’s app, News360, allows users to hand-craft a newsfeed, and Facebook personalizes its infamous ads based on the user’s recent internet searches. (No doubt my newsfeed will be jammed with Loot Crate‘s promos after this blog.) Our audiences won’t settle for the traditional “spray and pray” public relations methods. From media pitches to tweets, effective communication stands on the three-legged stool of specificity, individuality and tailored timing.

For a Little Retail Therapy…
Then again, some of us just plain like to shop. And if that’s the case, check out these top 20 box picks. Our favorite, however, is our own client’s freshness in a box . Papa Spud’s is a North Carolina CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) service that delivers local, seasonal groceries straight to your door—from fresh produce, dairy and meat to granola, chocolate and jams.

Timely AND tasty!

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