Slacklining

I just sent out my email announcing Black Squirrel’s mid summer sale and I am feeling a bit nostalgic that I have only one more month before my boys head back to school. But when I stop and think of all of the great things that have happened, I get even more excited and determined to take advantage of these last few weeks with my family. Now that camps are over and summer lacrosse has wrapped up we will have the opportunity to spend some time in the Catskills.

I am working on a mental “to do” list of fun things I want to accomplish before September is here. A fun adventure is always on my list. Thanks to my kids, nieces and nephews this item rarely goes unfulfilled. Earlier this summer my 10 year old niece told me about always wanting to try parasailing, so next thing you know, Eliza, Quinn and Aunt Anne are 50 feet in the air attached to the back of a boat. While it decidedly is not an “adrenaline” sport (my nearly seventy year old mother joined us too), it was fun and beautiful and I am glad to say I have tried it. It is a great “one and done” activity.

Also on my list is to sit, relax and read a book. I have definitely mastered the art of sitting (albeit without the reading and relaxing parts) this summer, as I have spent many weekends under the blazing hot sun watching kids play lacrosse. I did have one big thought for the store though, after seeing so many teams in uniforms with all of the trimmings – bags, helmets, t-shirts, socks etc - I am convinced I should start a Black Squirrel Teams (BSQT) division. My goal would not only be to put the kids in some decent looking garb, but plenty of the parents could use a little Black Squirrel touch as well.

Last, but certainly not least, on my list are a few exciting new initiatives at Black Squirrel. I recently attended a few fashion and gift shows and saw some new lines for next spring that I am working on bringing to BSQO. Also, I am getting closer to finally making the BSQO on-line shopping experience a reality.

While I am old enough to know that not everything on my to do list ever gets done – I will and I encourage you to enjoy the last days of summer.

Nut of the Month

So Monday was a fun day at BSQO. One of the Gibbon Slackilines’ Pros, Micki, who refers to himself as a “Slacker,” stopped by the store for the afternoon. Micki is in the midst of a busy cross country tour, performing tricks and introducing the sport of slacklining to thousands of people. Although the sport is just start to catch on the East, it is growing like crazy out West. Micki’s recent tour stops include EMS stores in the North East, Paragon Sports in NYC and other retailers like Black Squirrel Outfitters.



Micki’s advice for beginner slackers was simple:
- keep your head and eyes looking up, not down at your feet
- put your arms over your head slightly bent
- concentrate/focus
- practice, practice, practice (sorry – there are no short cuts)



Micki has been a slacker for over eight years and he is extremely talented. He showed us jumps onto the slackline, on the slackline, from one to the other and most impressive were his yoga poses. In between tricks he spotted quite a few of us as we tried to walk the line. The photos say it all. Hopefully Micki or another slacker will come through Pelham again.


Don’t forget the slackline makes a great gift for $80. We are also carrying the new “funline” which is perfect for young kids ($100).


Keep Practicing!!

Memorial Day Weekend

For my "nut of the month" I am constantly looking for products and ideas that are new and cool, and sometimes I overlook some of my "tried and true" favorite things that, in this case, are literally at the end of my nose. Garth and I have been wearing Native sunglasses for years and I was thrilled to add them to my lineup this year. They are not the sexiest glasses on the market, but we keep coming back to them because they are a hit on so many fronts. I think they look great to start. All of their lenses are polarized which is a key point for Garth, an aspirational fisherman. Most of their models come with interchangeable lenses for any light conditions. They have a fantastic warranty and importantly, the price is right starting at just $89. So whether I am on my bike in low light conditions, on a boat or just knocking around town - these are my go to utility lenses. They are meant to be used and abused. If they break, send them back in, if they get scratched up - change out the lenses. Remember natives when thinking about graduation gifts and father's day -- Black Squirrel carries several styles.

Picking Crabs in St Michaels Maryland

                   

Watching NCAA Lacrosse Finals  

                            

Nut of the Month

I cannot believe it is already the end of May and Memorial Day is here. Being from North Carolina Memorial Day means the beginning of summer. I have learned that for some New Yorkers the summer season does not start until July 4th, but that seems like you are just shortchanging yourself by a month. So when the days start getting long, the pool opens, kids are talking about finals, graduation parties are happening, the weekends are full with fun escapes and we start getting the boys’ clothes ready for camp . . . . then I know it is summer.

While summer is one of my absolute favorite times of the year, it is also one of the most hectic – there is simply never enough time to ft in all of the activities we want to do. One of my tricks for summer weekends is to do as much in advance planning as is possible. For instance, I know that summer means weekends away and the need to have great hostess gifts. I think the key to a great gift is getting something that is unique and always trying to find items that the whole family can enjoy. Whenever I nail this criteria I immediately stock up. (Now that Black Squirrel Outfitters is carrying more of these types of items life is a bit easier for me.)

This Memorial Day we are making what is becoming an annual tradition of visiting good friends down in Virginia Beach. I hope I survive the heat and that the Southerners like our Black Squirrel treats.

Where ever you are have fun and enjoy the long weekend, and the taste of summer.

What could possibly be cool, new or different about a reusable metal sports water bottle? We all have them or have seen them everywhere. Unlike most plastic water bottles, they don’t end up in landfills and users don’t have to worry about chemicals from the plastic. But still – aren’t water bottles a bit boring?

Well, the Hydro Flask is not your typical water bottle, and with our recent hot weather, it is this month’s must have “Nut”. The Hydro Flask is constructed of stainless steel, is 100% BPA-free, and is 100% recyclable. But the real benefit is that the double wall insulation keeps your cold liquids cold for at least 24 hours, and your hot liquids hot for at least 12 hours. Hydro Flask bottles won’t sweat with condensation and come with a lifetime warranty.

Enough of the facts, the real benefit was realized a few weeks ago when we had a 90 degree day in Westchester and lots of lacrosse. Hayne, my 11 year old, filled his Hydro Flask with ice and water, and took it to his game to put it to the test. At half time, he took a sip and, yes . . . the water was cold. A teammate needed some water so Hayne let him have a “water fall sip.” Hayne’s buddy was amazed that Hayne’s water was cold. Again after the game, the friend asked for more water and . . . same thing. The friend then called over all his other teammates, shouting, "Hayne still has cold water!”

The other anecdote worth sharing is a friend who has already purchased three Hydro Flasks for her children, bought a fourth on Saturday for her husband. He had been requesting store-bought plastic bottled water, and she finally told him, “It's time for you to have a Hydro Flask like the kids.” It IS better for the environment, and the water stays cold.

The other cool component is that with every purchase you can direct 5% of the proceeds to a charity of your choosing through FivePercentBack.org.

Try one and taste it yourself.