Several CSN Sites Dedicated To Kids Kickoff Giveaways

Calling All Parents -- Many of CSN's sites dedicated to the little ones in your household have just launched a series of great giveaways to kickstart the holiday season of giving.
Be sure to check out the Weekly Sweepstakes on the following CSN Stores sites that feature thousands of products for kids:
http://www.allchildrensfurniture.com/, http://www.csnbaby.com/, http://www.strollers.com/ and http://www.babycarseats.com/ this week and then again every Monday for the forseeable future.
Entering is easy -- just mail a note to our Kids' Stuff Guru (see the rules on our sites).
Also, anyone who makes a purchase on these sites is automatically entered into the sweepstakes. Check out the offerings and feel free to let us know what you think (and even what you might want to see in the weeks ahead.) Something tells me our Kids' Stuff Guru will be "all ears." Oh, and by the way, the KidKraft Table and Chairs you see here is up for grabs at AllChildrensFurniture.com.

Vine Time -- Clock From CSN's Fall-O-Ween Page Featured In Denver Post

If you're seeking unparalleled autumnal accents, look no further than CSN Stores. In our Full-Page Fall-O-Ween Feature, we list affordable items that are perfect for the spookiest holiday of the year -- and what many call the most stunning season. One of those items, the Vine Clock, was also showcased in a recent article in The Denver Post, a Top 20 Paper. See The Denver Post piece here. And then spend a little time with our Fall-O-Ween listing, for more great design ideas.

Angelo Surmelis and CSN Stores on Good Day Atlanta

Check it out: Celebrity Desiger Angelo Surmelis appeared on Good Day Atlanta/Good Day Xtra this morning to discuss his brand new, fashion-forward angelo:HOME furniture line. Angelo mentions CSN Stores several times, and includes some very helpful holiday tips for designing on a budget. You can check out the segment HERE.

To see more on the angelo:HOME line just visit CSNStores.com. Have a great day! =)

Toys That Teach Typifies Top '09 Trend

This month, parents have finally found a way to combine what their children want with what they want for their children. Shopping specialists at CSN Stores – a top three online retailer with over 200 e-boutiques – have spotted an emerging trend within its toys and games category: items that encourage learning, exploration, imagination, and creativity, are virtually flying off of the virtual racks.

For example, from March ’09 – September ‘09, a number of related categories have exhibited a significant spike is sales, including play houses (406 percent), theater (111 percent), toddler development toys (93 percent), puppets (41 percent), and pretend play (18 percent). Our experts suggest these increases can be attributed to a number of factors. One, parents are hoping to get a little more out of their purchases than just a few hours of idle time. It’s one thing for the toy to entertain their two year old, but now toys are available that, for example, improve a child’s color recognition and spatial reasoning - which leads us to the second factor. More and more manufacturers are looking into ways to innovatively and effectively package a learning experience into a fun time.

Because such items have proven to be immensely popular, we have asked our specialists to assemble a top ten list of the best ‘educational toys’ on the market, from pattern cards and puzzles to science kits.

10. Step2 - Art Master Activity Desk - $79.99
9. K's Kids - K's Kids School Bus and Finger Puppets Set - $34.99
8. LeapFrog - Leapster 2 Learning System - $76.99
7. Step2 - Easel For Two with Foam Magnets - $49.99
6. Learning Resources - Pretend and Play Calculator Cash Register - $29.99
5. Fascinations - World Alive Butterfly Kit - $29.99
4. Superstructs - Wacky Machines Building 175 Piece Set - $59.99
3. Lisa LeLeu - Diggity the Dog Puppet Show Book - $24.99
2. KidKraft - Silver Retro Kitchen - $1501.

1. Fractiles - Large and Fridge Fractiles Set - $33.99

10 Best Canine Costumes for a Howling Halloween

In the past year or two, canine costumes have become as much a part of Halloween as the jack-o-lantern, haunted houses, cobwebs, and candy bars. On October 31st, you’re just as likely to see a dog dressed as a pirate or princess as you are a carved pumpkin. In fact, our specialist over at AllPetFurniture.com – the dog and cat-centric e-boutique of online retailer CSN Stores – is tracking a significant spike in sales in the apparel category and is attributing this to our recently added pet costumes. I asked our experts to select their favorites, and they recommended the following new, anticipated top-sellers. Check out our complete selection of costumes here.


10. Anit Accessories - Chef Dog Costume - $21.95

9. Puppe Love – Barkenstein Dog Costume - $21.95

8. Anit Accessories – Lederhosen Dog Costume - $23.95

7. Canine Styles - Tennis Dress in Navy Nautical - $26.99

6. Puppe Love – Shiny Clown Dog Costume - $21.95

5. Anit Accessories - Pirate Dog Costume - $21.95

4. Puppe Love – Killer Whale Dog Costume - $23.95

3. Puppe Love – Lady Butterfly Dog Costume - $21.95

2. Anit Accessories – Matador Dog Costume - $23.95

1. Puppe Love - Taco Dog Costume - $21.95

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month

To honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the many important charities that need funding, CSNStores.com is now offering a number of items from brands that donate a certain percentage of sales during October to a Breast Cancer cause. This Mobile Edge – Women’s Komen Laptop Tote in Black Microfiber with Pink Trim is a new addition to the Caring Case Collection. This attractive fashion accessory is also very functional, offering pockets to organize your work and give your laptop optimum protection. Mobile Edge donates 10 percent of this tote's retail price to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, so it is also a great way to help those in need.

Other items include the J Fit - Pink Mini Elliptical with Handles, an affordable way to work out whenever and wherever. It’s compact and lightweight enough to use at home or the office, and includes handles with heart rate monitor sensors. Part of the J Fit Hope Series, five percent of your order is donated to preventing Breast Cancer and finding a cure.



Finally, for commuters or Moms constantly in the car running errands, there's the Farberware – Susan G. Komen Pink Ribbon Everyday Stainless Steel Mug. A donation is made to the Komen Foundation for each mug sold -- to help eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. Any of these items would be perfect gifts to show your support for people battling breast cancer, as well as their family members. Researchers and the rest of the medical community have made incredible strides in the past few decades, but constant funding is necessary to find a cure.

CSN Stores & the Associated Press Extend Outdoor Living Beyond Summer Well Into Autumn

Yes, in most parts of North America, life has become cooler and more crisp with the occasional warm autumn day. But given what CSN Stores' Trend Spotters have found, people all over the U.S. and Canada are doing their best to extend the summer -- or at least outdoor living -- in the fall.

This article, which cites CSN as a source, was issued by the AP over a month ago and it is still appearing in print and online in a variety of forms.

The latest version just landed in The Toronto Star, Canada's largest newspaper and on yourhome.ca, a popular news site. This article featured PatioHeatersAndMore.com, one of 200+ CSN Stores sites, along with one of our very elegant fire pits. Click here to see the entire story.

To determine how you can extend your time outside in style, click here to check out our impressive selection of fire pits, patio heaters and more.

7 Finds for a Feel-Good Fall Season

Fall festivities are all about creating memories with family and friends, beautiful backyard foliage, warm beverages, sports games, and other energizing experiences.

To help jump start your fall season in style, CSN Stores has compiled a list of 7 Finds for a Feel-Good Fall Season. We combed our 200+ sites and 1 million+ products in search of the most cozy, cool, useful, festive and all around ‘make you feel warm inside’ finds to get you through the fall season and beyond. Take a look:

1. Verilux HappyLite Sunshine Simulator

2. GustBuster Classic Umbrella and Canine Styles Madison Plaid Dog Rain Slicker

3. Back to Basics Aluminum Stove Top Popcorn Popper

4. Paderno World Cuisine Apple Peeler with Cup

5. Menu Pernille Vea Love Thermos Cups (set of 4)

6. PowerWasher 1300 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

7. Baseline Collection of Comfortable Team Sofas, Recliners, Futons Covers, Ottomans, and Chairs

Thanks for reading, and have a fantastic fall season! =)

CSN Stores’ Chairman Steven Conine Makes Boston’s 40 Under 40 List For 2009

Steven Conine, co-founder and chairman of CSN Stores, was honored last night by the Boston Business Journal as one of Boston’s Top 40 Under 40. Conine, who started CSN Stores with Cornell classmate and current CSN Stores CEO Niraj Shah in 2002, is also the company’s Chief Technology Officer. Congratulations Steve!