Tuesdays Top Ten: Ten Best Grad School Gifts

Recent news reports suggest that grad school enrollment is up significantly in ‘09 due to the economy. In response to this trend, we've assembled a top ten list - from trendy messenger bags to affordable desk accessories - for the young professional that is heading back to school.

1: Mercury Luggage - Acadia Messenger Bag - $39.50
2: Marsh - Peb-Tac Plus Bulletin Boards - $24.99
3: Travelon - Single Compartment Messenger Style Computer Case - $49.99
4: Ragar - Black and Silver Ballpoint Pen and Pencil Set - $30
5: Aston Leather - Rolled Pen Case - $43.50
6: Royce Leather - Bonded Leather Padfolio - $40
7: The Memory Company – University Desk Clock - $40 (Available in Over 40 Universities)
8: Cram Globes - Huron Antique Table Globe - $49.99
9: Blomus - Gentleman's Business Card Case with Top - $15.47
10: LifeStride Shoes - Sable in Navy - $40 (Available on ShoesGotSole.com)

CSN Mondays - Launch of V-Dimension

Hey everyone, today we wanted to flag you on a new, innovative line of bags that is perfect for gadget-lovers. Check out V-Dimension…

'Nowadays, wherever there are people, there’s a good chance music can be heard vibrating out of nearby headphones. The movers and shakers that comprise our present and future generations are always on the go. With V-Dimension's revolutionary new line of solar backpacks, messenger bags, and business cases the spirit of music can travel with you everywhere you go.'

'Combining high quality solar backpacks with its innovative new solar technology, the V-Dimension solar backpack can charge any cell phone, iPod/iPhone or PDA with high efficiency. So wherever your destination, the Optical will ensure you will never be left out of touch or out of tune again. Why wear an ordinary backpack when you can step into the V-Dimension? The Source Revolution has arrived.'

Tuesday's Top 5 Tips For An Eggcellent Easter Celebration

Hi Everyone -- We're going a bit rogue here at the CSN Stores Blog (but only in the most entertaining way). Instead of Top 10 Tuesdays, we're going to make this a Top 5 Tips Tuesday. Specifically, I'm going to share the best ways To Make Your Ages-Old Egg-Coloring Tradition An All-Out Neighborhood Bash. (And yes, this is my daughter, Chloe, dressed up like a Fashionista Bunny. This picture really sets the right mood, I think.)

Easter is one of my favorite family holidays. Plus I've just completed a slew of radio interviews from Chicago to Milwaukee and Indianapolis to Columbus, OH. I suggested that we should all do something unexpected this year, expanding what was once a family get-together into an all-out party. Here are a few tips and fresh finds to make this party a new, much-anticipated tradition with a lot of entertainment value and charm:

Tip 1: Make or find easy decorations based on the egg theme. Here are a few suggestions ranging from hilarious to heartwarming and all of them are available at CSNStores.com: Royal Copenhagen Porcelain Easter Egg Decorations – Gorgeous and traditional accents to hang high above the action to avoid breakage. Then to make sure the celebration has a very light-hearted flavor, be sure to "invite" the Advanced Graphics Easter Bunny Stand-Up. This adorable accent stands on its own and is over 5 feet tall! It's a real hit with toddlers and parents who never really grew up... But enough about me.

Tip 2: Make (adult) life easier and get yourself an Egg Cooker. This one from Krups makes boiling eggs effortless and participatory for the kids, too. It's also great year-round for all types of recipes. And for those of you who are trying to start your day with a metabolism-boosting, protein-filled breakfast. There's nothing better than a few hard-boiled egg whites to get the body going.

Tip 3 -- Make your own 3-D bunny cake and decorate it before the party, using it as the centerpiece for your table. Just look at this cake mold -- and the great bunny you can make with it. Don't you think your kids, their friends and their friends' parents will flip when they see this 3-D bunny cake ready to pounce from the table? Okay, maybe they won't flip, but they should find it both interesting and indulgent. AND, by the way, a very well-known food writer in NYC also loves this cake and was kind enough to write about it (and about CSN Stores) at nydailynews.com today.

Tip 4: Use a special mold to create these decorated egg "cupcakes" and then give the kids multi-colored sprinkles, frosting, and small candies they can use to decorate them, before the egg-coloring commences. Just look at how attention-getting these egg-shaped cakes can be.

Tip 5: Have enough glass or plastic containers on hand with vinegar and coloring tablets in them to make the egg-coloring and egg-drying process fast and easy. Then divide the group of kids into Egg Hiders and Egg Finders and conduct several rounds of Easter Egg Hunts, with the groups switching roles along the way. So make this Easter a great one and send us any pictures of your big party.

Best, Chloe's Dad

CSN Mondays - Handy Living 'Jetsons' Collection Launch

Today, we wanted to announce the launch of a fun, new collection from Handy Living. The Jetson’s line features a number of chairs and ottomans that are supported by a pedestal, giving each a futuristic feel.

These high back arm chairs combine modern and contemporary aesthetics for a totally ‘out-of-this-world’ look. On top of that, the furniture’s extra thick polyurethane foam seat and back provides ‘out-of-this-world’ comfort. And, like all Handy Living products, these ship UPS and, thanks to their innovative design, can fit through narrow doorways and stairways. Turn your living room into a scene from one of your all time favorite shows!

CSN Mondays - Huge Fire Pit Sale

Hey everyone, we wanted to take some time to announce a great sale that’s happening over at FirePitsCentral.com. There’s nothing better than spending cool summer and spring nights outside with friends. That’s why we’re offering some of our best selling fire pits at unbeatable prices. We’re featuring a ton of Landmann Pits – a leading manufacturer of leisure products – at huge discounts. Usher in warm weather with these cool, outdoor items. Check them out here and we’ll see you next week with more sales!

Tuesday's Top Ten - In-Green-Briated: Ten St. Paddy's Gifts

Whether you’re stringing the roof up with lights, hand making hundreds of Valentines, organizing an egg hunt, or spookifying the yard, getting into the ‘holiday spirit’ can be pretty taxing sometimes. But thankfully, today, all you need to truly celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is the color green and a nice cold one.

That’s why CSN Stores has assembled a list of our newest, quirkiest green accents and a collection of our most popular beer trinkets and accessories. From green kitchen essentials to classic Guinness prints, we have everything you’ll need to have a merry St. Patty’s Day. Enjoy!

10: George Kovacs - Mushroom Green Table Lamp - $54 (csnlighting.com)
This modern, funky lamp from George Kovacs is sure to be the centerpiece of any St. Patty’s Day gathering. It’s also a fun office accent that will certainly make coworkers green with envy.
9: Libbey - International Beer 12 Piece Drinkware Set - $26.49 (cookware.com)
8: Ashton Sutton - Moss Green Large Vase - $89 (csnstores.com)
This vibrant green vase is beautifully handcrafted in Europe and is perfect for housing flowers on St. Patrick’s Day and all through spring.
7: Art and Cook – Green Kitchen Tools Collection – From $8.99 - $13.99 each (cookware.com)
6: International Traveller - Shiny Green Dots Hardside Rolling Suitcase - $108 (luggage.com)
This trendy suitcase is perfect for the Irish traveler or any flyer that loves the color green.
5: CHH Inc. - Chess Board in Green & White - $44.98 (everygameroom.com)
4: Krups – BeerTender - $199 (csnstores.com)
What St. Patrick’s Day celebration is complete without a free flowing adult beverage? This affordable beer tender features an electronic cooling system that keeps the keg at the ideal serving temperature.
3: iittala - Kartio Glassware Set Moss Green - $92.80 (allmodern.com)
2: Alessi - Whiskey Glass - $21 (cookware.com)
Toast the patron saint of Ireland in the best way possible with this elegant, crystal whiskey glass from Alessi.
1: Jack Daniel's Lifestyle Products - Pub Mirror - $89.95 (csnmirrors.com)
No home bar is complete without this authentic, hardwood Pub Mirror from Jack Daniel’s Lifestyle Products. The famed brand is subtly etched into the glass for a classic, old town bar look and feel.

CSN Mondays - Fatboy Bag Launch

Fatboy, internationally known for their modern, innovative beanbag chairs, has just debuted their first line of trendy bags. A huge hit in Europe already, they are now available in the U.S. and can be found here at CSN Stores.com.

These colorful, unisex bags combine elements from the aviation and extreme sports industry with strong materials and eco-friendly coatings. Parachute buckles, seatbelts, scuba diving zippers and noiseless Velcro are just a few examples of why the Fatboy bags are so unique and popular. For example, the brand new Jumper Bag straps to your back like a parachute and is constructed of a durable, lightweight coated-nylon fabric. The Eetwie, with it's cool shoe sole bottom, is also made of highly waterproof material and is a must-have for boaters and kayakers alike.

Check out these two bags and the rest of the collection here. Check back next Monday for more product launches and spotlights. Thanks for reading.