CSN Mondays: Super Bowl Gear on EveryGameRoom.com

EveryGameRoom.com, CSN’s ultimate rec room site, complete with everything from ping pong to pool tables and chess to dart boards, features a wide selection of licensed gear. And with Super Bowl Sunday right around the corner, Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Goods are flying off the shelves. From serving dishes to door knockers, we have a number of fun and funky stuff that is ideal for the big game on Sunday.

If you’re a fan of the two teams playing on Sunday, than love for your team is at an all time high. Why not parlay this excitement into a quirky fan purchase, like a licensed Cardinals Shower Curtain or a Steelers Sham. And if your team’s season has been over for a while, than be sure to check out our wide variety of NBA items. There’s always next season…

Family-Focused Fridays, Getting Ready For The Big Game

Welcome back to Family-Focused Fridays on the CSN Stores Blog Network.
If you're a football fan, you're probably already preparing for the upcoming Super Bowl contest between the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here at CSN, we're gearing up for the big game, too, with an entire collection of tailored items featuring both licensed colors and logos from each team.
You can be a true fan fanatic with a team-specific door knocker, sofa, pub table, pub lamp, team darts and even a shower curtain. Here's a great article that just landed in the No. 10 paper in the country, The Arizona Republic, which gives you an idea of the excitement around this fan gear for your home.
If you love the Arizona Cardinals and you want to deck-out your den (or dorm room) with appropriate items, then check them out here.

Of course, if you're a Steelers' fan, then click here to review countless items you might enjoy.

Thanks everyone. Have a great weekend.

Best, Chloe's Day

Tuesday’s Top Ten: The Winter Stay-Cation

The ‘stay-cation,’ the buzz word of the summer, is getting a winter makeover. The phenomenon that encouraged families to stay at home and save rather than embark on expensive, extensive vacations started to slow with the changing of the season. But with winter breaks and annual ski trips on the horizon, the concept of staying cozy and entertained at home versus hitting the road or sky is an increasingly attractive option.

That’s why this winter, CSN Stores (csnstores.com) is promoting its ten trendiest items for the Winter-Staycation – sleds, inflatable igloos, games, fitness equipment, and anything else that will make this School Break Staycation fun for the whole family. So, with the wintriest days of winter still ahead of us, check out these new, affordable indoor and outdoor items that can transform your home into the hottest cold-weather destination around.

10: Aviva - Ice Rink - $29.99, Oval - $39.99 - This neat, innovative item brings a new winter activity to the backyard.
9: Sportsstuff - Sno Fort Winter Outdoor Toy - $99 - This fun and affordable inflatable igloo makes for the ideal snow fort.
8: Mountain Boy Sledworks - 52" Ultimate Flyer Sled - $116.99 - This heavy duty, beautifully crafted sled is the perfect way to show your family that you’re dedicated to having some serious snow-time fun this season.
7: Weslo - AerobicStride 2.0 Treadmill - $159.99 - Featuring two balanced flywheels for smooth movement, this foldable treadmill is both high performance and affordable.
6: My Good Dog - Winter Dog Coat – From $49.99 - $59.99 - With the My Good Dog Winter Coat, you can have your ‘best friend’ outside with you in the snow all season long.
5: Schoenhut - Fancy Baby Grand Piano - $137 - This fun, learning tool from Schoenhut is ideal for keeping young minds active and entertained.
4: Marker - Adventure Everything Boot Bag - $79.99 - Featuring bungee cords that hold jackets and gloves, an expanding section for a helmet and coat, a vented boot section with bottom drainage grommets, and a front audio pocket with exterior headphone port, this bag has everything you’ll need for a 24-hour adventure.
3: Classic Game Collection - Walnut Round 3-in-1 Game Set - $28.8 - This hardwood game set features pieces for chess, checkers, and Chinese checkers.
2: BonJour - 32-Ounce Hot Chocolate Maker - $29.95 - Featuring an automatic battery powered frother that whips hot milk and chocolate, this machine from BonJour is a kitchen essential kitchen for chilly days.
1: Voit - 11-in-1 Let's Play Game Center - $178 – This multi game table features foosball, air hockey, stick hockey, table tennis, bowling, shuffleboard, backgammon, chess, checkers, tic-tac-toe and cards. That’s a lot of indoor games!

Family-Focused Fridays -- Today Show Feature For Pampered Pet

Welcome back to Family-Focused Fridays here on the CSN Stores Blog Network. We've received a great response to the Alessi Corkscrew Giveaway, so if you're still interested in vying for this prize, please write us and let us know. We'll be conducting the drawing for that item by the end of January.

Switching gears, we wanted to let you know about an exciting segment from The Today Show this week, which featured CSNStores.com and something most Dog Parents would love to have -- a Snoozer Pet Umbrella. It keeps those little rascals dry in the rain during their walks. Click here if you'd like to see more of the Pet Umbrella.

Here's a snippet from an article that Fashionista Jenn Falik wrote for the Today Show Home Page, which also appeared on MSNBC.com.

Snoozer Pet Umbrella; $16.99 at CSNStores.com.
Breakthrough: For dogs that won’t dare wear a rainjacket, this keeps them dry and warm so they don’t get sick and/or matted in wet snow and rain. This umbrella works like a leash and clips to collar — bendable handle adjusts to your height. Take a look at the video:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

For more interesting ideas for the Pet Children in your life, be sure to check out the Thoroughly Pets Thursdays archive.

Thanks for reading. Drop us a line on any of the products that make being a Pet Parent easier for you and your pet.

Best, Chloe's Dad

Thoroughly Pets Thursdays and The Feline/Canine Valentine for 2009

Have you ever thought that pets are better at expressing love than some of your exes? Well, you’re not alone. At times, our feline and canine friends seem more reliable, relaxed, and even cuter than those people who didn’t turn out to be “the one.”

It certainly helps explain why cats have become the most commonly owned pet -- over 88 million -- in the U.S. today. In fact, they’re so popular that 55 percent of cat owners have more than one. And dogs aren’t far behind.

That's why “Pet Parents” at CSN Stores have banded together to make sure pets get the love they deserve this Valentine’s Day. This unique list of presents is purrrfect for even the most discriminating cat or canine, and designed to fit any budget. Chances are good that your pet is going to appreciate them far more than your ex ever did…

1. Catnap Red Valentine Pet Sofa -- $130
2. Hometeam Pets Football Pet Bed -- $30
3. Catnap Beetle Luxury Pet Bed in Pink -- $134
4. Canine Styles Dog Polo with Alligators --$39
5. Imperial Cat Fish Bone Cat Scratcher -- $22
6. Snoozer Lookout I Pet Car Seat -- $78
7. Fatboy Doggielounge -- $99
8. ABO Gear Dirty Dog Bath -- $73
9. Teafco Argo Action Petpack Carrier -- $106
10. Prrrounge Modern Cat Scratcher -- $250

Thanks for reading, and please let us know if you have any other great ideas for a terrific pet Valentine's Day this year.

Tuesday's Top Ten – Just Having a Ball

Everybody knows that mid-January is the time to have a ball. Have an Inauguration Ball, a Conference Championship Ball, even a Last Couple Days of Winter Break Ball. So to celebrate the most ‘balling-est’ week of the year, we’ve put together a list of the top ten ‘Balls’ on CSN Stores.

From ping pong balls to tetherballs, we have items that are fun the year ROUND. So bounce to your computer screens, circle round the list, and have a BALL.

10: Wonderworld - Counting Ball Manual Numbers Discovery Set
9: Joola USA Gold Star Ping Pong Balls 120 Count

8: Uttermost - Zuma Glass Bowl and Balls
7: Park & Sun Sports - Island Breeze Dual Sports Net
6: LBL Lighting - Crystal Ball Mini Pendant
5: Mr. Billiard - Wall Eye Pool Ball Set
4: ARTEflorum - Dark Brown Glitter Ball Ornaments Set
3: Draper - Tetherball System
2: Herman Miller – Eames Hang-It-All Rack
1: Wesco - Ball Pool Kit 2

CSN Mondays: CSN and the Champion Juicer on Good Day LA

Great news everybody, Good Day LA, the #1 morning show in the second biggest market in the U.S., showcased CSN Stores and the Champion Heavy-Duty Commercial Juicer in a January 7 segment about ‘new ideas for a new you’ in 2009. The juicer received a great on-air mention from celebrity reporter Kym Douglas, and myFox also placed a link on their Web site, bringing the total estimated audience to 600,000 people. Take a look at a screen shot below and watch the clip online here.

Here’s some more information on the Champion Juicer: “Powered by a 1/3 horsepower electric motor, this Heavy-Duty Commercial Juicer is designed to produce the highest possible quality of juices and foods. It's a difference you can see in the color of the juice: darker, richer colors contain more of the pigments and nutrients you desire, while the extracted pulp is pale in color. And rest assured, it's a difference you can taste!

Shape Up Saturdays and Red Red Wine

Sure, red red wine might make you feel so fine, but it also contains a variety of beneficial components that can help with the fight against heart disease. Studies show that drinking a glass a day, mixed with proper exercise, can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

That's why everyone on the CSN Stores Blog Network has teamed up to make our first giveaway of 2009 the Alessi Anna G. Corkscrew by Alessandro Mendini - so you can open a bottle in style, and start living the new year with a healthier heart. Just make sure you always drink responsibly.

If you haven't seen this unique item yet, you've got to check it out. Here is a link.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS POST YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS ON ANY ENTRY IN THE BLOG, AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED TO WIN. Good luck, and have a great weekend!

Family-Focused Fridays -- Classy Alessi Giveaway

Welcome back to Family-Focused Fridays on the CSN Stores Blog. Our New Year is off to a great start and we're going to forge ahead with a very positive attitude. In the pervasive spirit of embracing change, I wanted to bring up a few fun items with you today. One is a campaign we created to help those who can't make it to Washington, D.C. for the Presidential Inauguration. It offers suggestions on how people can stage their own Inauguration Party at home. Several media outlets have been interested in this idea and here's a new clip from the Staten Island Advance/silive.com outlining a few of the options we proposed.

Patriotic Home Furnishing for the Inauguration
By Maura Grunlund / Staten Island Advance
Monday January 05, 2009
As the excitement builds toward the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama Americans are buying patriotic home furnishings. Plenty of these items are sold at stores all over Staten Island, but if it's cold and you don't want to venture outdoors there's always the Internet.
CSN Stores, an e-retailer for home goods, is offering a variety of politically themed items. Advanced Graphics Celebrity Cardboard Cutouts are life-size standins of politicians such as Obama and future secretary of state Hillary Clinton and symbols such as the Statue of Liberty. Presidential war art such as prints and paintings of Obama and previous presidents also are sold.
Plush Joy Carpets with presidents and other patriotic symbols are available. The web site is loaded with flags and Old Glory theme products.
Cuisipro Red Stars Cookie Cutter Sets are ideal for people baking cookies to celebrate the inauguration. Stuffed animals such as American Eagles are made by Hansa.
A lit God Bless America sign on the lawn would be a bold way to put a message on your lawn.

Maura was kind enough to include many links to these items in her article. But to make it easier for you, you can click here to see a variety of Obama-themed pieces for your own party. You can also search http://www.csnstores.com/ for the other items.

Now, in honor of throwing a party, for the Inauguration or any other occasion, CSN Stores is also staging its FIRST GIVEAWAY this year, by offering this very creative and stylish Alessi Corkscrew. A dark red version is up for grabs, retailing for $54.

All you need to do to enter our random drawing for this piece is to reply to this post (or any other CSN Stores Blog post) and tell us you want it. (Sorry, no CSN Stores employees or family members are eligible.)
Thanks everyone.

Have a great weekend.

Best, Chloe's Dad

Thoroughly Pets Thursdays and a Recap of '08 Hot Sellers

Welcome to Thoroughly Pets Thursdays on the CSN Stores Blog Network. We've finally made the transition into 2009, certainly a lot faster than expected, and everyone is looking forward to a better and brighter new year. We have a lot on the horizon, pet-wise, to unveil as the year rolls forward. For now, I'd like to highlight some of the Best Sellers of 2008. These items received rave reviews on our pet sites by our customers, for value and quality. There was a lot to choose from, so I picked my top 5:

1. Mr. Herzer's Litter Box Cover - $99.99
2. Pet Gear Home 'N Go Pet Pen - $114.99
3. Midwest Homes Critter Nation - $239.99
4. Kuranda Chew-Prood Dog Bed - $62.99 +
5. Snoozer Front Bike Pet Basket - $49.99


To view a full list of our Best Sellers you can click HERE. Stay tuned for more exciting updates in the world of pet furniture and accessories, and thanks for reading!

Work-A-Day Wednesdays -- Bringing Back The Office Birthday Cake

Welcome back to Work-A-Day Wednesdays on the CSN Stores Blog Network.

I just wanted to take a moment and share a very unique and delicious "office cake" with you today.

Jen L., our master chef and foodie extraordinaire, made the cake to celebrate the birthday of the biggest Celtics fan anywhere, Brent.

There's really nothing like a homemade cake in an office to bring people together. Years ago, people made cakes for each other all the time. But given today's busy lifestyle, you don't often see a cake in an office that has true homemade appeal.

Jen's "Go Celtics" cake was so nice-looking, that it took people several minutes to conjure the courage to cut into it. Here it is, along with the Nordicware pan Jen used to help create this masterpiece.

You might want to celebrate your office birthdays in style with a stadium cake like this one for the sports fans.

People are sure to remember it as a very thoughtful and delectable gesture. If you'd like to get one of these pans for yourself, click here for more information.

Best, CSN Blogger

Tuesday’s Top Ten: Fitness Equipment Best Sellers

The first week of January is one of the hottest weeks of the year for fitness equipment. Everyone is optimistic about their New Year’s Resolutions and shedding those holiday pounds. And with everyone looking for ways to save money this year, affordable home gym equipment offers a perfect alternative to expensive gym memberships.

So for this Top Ten, we reached out to our fitness specialists over at FitnessEquipmentAndMore.com for ten of our best sellers. Check them out below and be sure to check out our Fitness Blog, Fitness Focused, for tip, trends, and product spotlights.

10: Body Solid - Manta Ray Squat Attachment - $50
9: Kettler USA - Favorite Rowing Machine - $429
8: Stamina - Magnetic Resistance Upright Bike - $199.99
7: BodyCraft - Xpress Pro Home Gym - $2,399
6: Weslo – Pursuit Upright Exercise Bike - $165.99
5: Stamina - Pilates Magic Circle - $27
4:Stamina - InStride Cycle - $39.99
3: Body Solid - Inversion Boots - $58
2: Stamina - Fold to Fit Equipment Mat - $44
1: Weslo - Pursuit 360 Recumbent Exercise Bike - $185.99

CSN Mondays: CSN Gives Back to ‘The Home’

For this year’s toy drive, CSN teamed up with The Home for Little Wanderers, a local organization that strives to ensure the healthy, emotional, mental, and social development of children at risk throughout Massachusetts. The Home allows donators to order gifts online and ship them to their location, a perfect format for CSN’s web savvy, e-shopping experienced workforce. Employees accessed over 200 CSN sites to find items that were on many ‘Little Wanderer’s Wish Lists.’ Having over 1 million plus products in a variety of categories allowed us to locate certain products that are difficult to find locally in malls.

Once all the toys were shipped and the final numbers were tallied, CSN matched the total value of the contributions. So, on top of all the toys sent, CSN donated an additional $2,000 to be used by The Home for other goods. We formed a great relationship at The Home this season and look forward to working with them in the future. They’re a really, really great organization and we encourage everyone to check them out at their website here: The Home for Little Wanderers. Happy ’09 Everyone.

Family-Focused Fridays, Families Off To A Fresh Start

Welcome back to Family-Focused Fridays here on the CSN Stores Blog Network. I had the day off today, but still wanted to weigh in on a few pressing matters, including the latest news and what's happening with my family as we head into 2009, the last year before a new decade begins. (How many times in life can you say that? Let's make this year really count)...

For the financial world, today showed great promise. With the Dow landing above the 9000 mark for the first time in two months, the optimism many of us have asked people to have seems more realistic. Let's hope it continues, though. Because, like life itself, the stock market will have its ups and downs and people will get discouraged. Let's just hope the downs aren't as dramatic as they were in 2008.

Here at home, this is the first year when I can say I actually kept a fitness resolution going for more than 12 months. In fact, I started working out several times per week at the end of 2007 and just finished yet another major workout tonight. I'm up to six (or seven) workouts per week of at least 340 calories each (for 33 minutes+). Earlier this week, I burned 910 calories in one night -- and can't honestly tell you how long I worked out. I lost track. But over the past year, my record was 1,020 calories in one night, while watching the 2008 Get Smart movie on cable, (so I lasted more than two hours at one time). I've dropped more than 26 pounds (and I've kept them off for a few months). I'm still pushing for another 15 or 16 pounds and I plan to stick with this resolution for as long as it takes. Wish me luck. (And no, this picture doesn't accurately depict my current physical condition, but I'm getting closer every day. Maybe this time next year, I'll actually be flexing my own, finely-toned muscle in a shot like this one.

But, in the meantime, I'm thinking of refreshing my resolution (and my diet) with a new juicer, which could help me fill up even more effectively with fruits and vegetables, to stave off any of those cravings for high-sugar, high-fat dessert items. I have my eyes on this little number from Hamilton Beach at CSNStores.com. It's less than $30. Who knows, maybe I'll make myself smoothies in the office at lunch. Click here if you'd like to check this out for yourself. This could even double as a gift for someone you know who's trying to trim a few pounds in a healthy way and give his/her body a new beginning with the start of a new year.

Now, for people about to start a family or add to it, there's another item that's a real winner. It's this adorable baby book that every infant (and every new/repeat parent) should have to keep today's milestones fresh as tomorrow's memories are made. If you know someone who would love to have this baby book, click here. I can't think of a more thoughtful gift for a couple that's about to become a family of three (or more) at any moment.

With those suggestions, I'm going to sign out tonight. Have a terrific weekend and launch this new year in a way that really gets you (and your family) off to a very positive start. Thanks again for reading. Best, Chloe's Dad

It's time for 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Work-A-Day Wednesdays: Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

Frosty temperatures and sizeable snow accumulation are causing cities across the U.S. to turn into winter wonderland's overnight. In Boston, where CSN Stores is headquartered, we're expected to get upwards of 8 inches of snow today, with even more projected for the weekend.

As the white fluff continues to pile up, and the temperature slides closer to zero, our focus shifts onto staying warm in this winter weather. If you work in the city, suburb, or from home the cold weather is always a factor.

That's why Indus Tools, a company that specializes in unique, small-area heating devices has developed new and innovative ways to help you stay warm this season. Check out the Cozy Feet Heated Shoes Insole, for example. The battery operated insoles fit right inside any shoe or boot, and heat up quickly, keeping feet & toes warm. Now you'll never have to complain that your feet are cold again! Indus makes all sorts of interesting stuff, like a heated footrest that can be placed under your desk.

Let us know your 'tricks of the trade' for staying warm in this winter weather, because you can never have too many! Have a fun and safe New Year tonight, and we'll see you in 2009. Thanks for being a part of the CSN Stores Blog network. =)

Tuesday's Top Ten: Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions.

With less than 48 hours left in 2008, everyone here at the CSN Blog has already started thinking about ‘09. And the best way to prepare for the next twelve months is through the annual New Years Resolution. Though many of these resolutions tend to flame out by the end of February, it’s still fun to start fresh with high aspirations and a positive attitude. So why not devote this top ten to those yearly wishes and hopes that often times look better on paper than they do in reality.

From the ‘lose weight’ proclamation to the ‘quit smoking’ pledge, here are ten of the most popular New Year’s Resolutions for you to consider. And, if in ’09, you hope to shop easier, than CSN Stores is your ticket to a fulfilled and fully realized resolution.

Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions:

10: Travel More.
9: Improve Correspondence with Friends – Write More Letters / Emails.
8: Watch Less Television.
7: Become a Better Cook.
6: Stop Swearing.
5: Get Involved in a Charitable Organization: Give Back.
4: Go Green.
3: Read More.
2: Stop Smoking.
1: Lose Weight.

Have a safe and wonderful New Years Everyone and don’t forget to resolve to check out and comment on the CSN Blog everyday in ’09!

CSN Mondays – CSN Stores and Disney Luggage on Good Day LA

On December 22nd, Good Day LA, the number 1 morning show in the number 2 TV market, ran a wonderful segment on last minute gifts for the holidays. In the middle of their wild and wacky feature, they spotlighted two bags from CSN Stores. These bags are from Heys USA’s brand new line of Disney themed luggage. Ideal for the mini traveler, these bags feature special LED lights within the wheels that light when rolled. Both bags are also available on Lugagge.com.

See the entire clip here and be sure to check out the CSN News Center for other products that are making news!