ClintonBrothers.com Blog

This year, our local office branch has been selected to have our office remodeled. Having been appointed chief office decorating advisor, I’m knee – deep in office furnishings research. From executive office desks and office chairs to file cabinets and other office furniture products, I’ve been one busy beaver indeed.

Consider the basic office computer desk. Do we buy an L-shaped workstation desk, a two drawer workcenter office desk, a four drawer mahogany office desk, or a black office desk with a hutch and cabinets?

When it comes to selecting an office chair, I’ve decided to give everyone a choice; everyone at our office prefers something else. Some prefer a swivel chair, others prefer an executive leather chair and yet others prefer a reclining padded desk chair.

What about office décor? I saw some beautiful office wall paintings and office wall décor at ClintonBrothers.com. ClintonBrothers.com has a full selection of silk office plants and floral arrangements.

Also, I need to focus on getting our conference room updated. The oval shaped large conference table seems practical, as it can seat more. We’ll also be purchasing two- dozen or so office or conference room folding chairs. I’d like to set up a little coffee/kitchenette nook with an espresso and coffee maker, a small fridge, and a microwave. At the far end, I think a fish tank or maybe an indoor water fountain would lend a soothing touch, with elegant wall sconces on either side. Do you suppose an indoor fireplace with a decorative fireplace screen would be too ostentatious or perhaps be out of place in an office setting? On the wall I’ll install an extra large DVD screen with speakers, with a pegboard and wipe–off board nearby.

The workstation will be towards the back of the office, with a copy machine, fax machine, collating machine and all additional office and desk supplies.

Since we’ll be upgrading all our current computers to new computers, monitors and keyboards shortly, as well as upgrading our current automated telephone and intercom system, over the next few weeks I need to work on researching the best office computer equipment and office telephone and intercom systems technology has to offer.

Do your new-season resolutions include getting thin? Time to settle down after our summer vacation and start exercising! Now; with the tremendous selection of exercise machines and fitness equipment available at ClintonBrothers.com, improving your shape has never been this easy.

Our expansive weight-loss products include a wide variety of Fitness & Nutrition. Build muscle tone with these wheight management products. Trim excess body fat using the fitness gear and equipment.

Known for its durability and versatility, the Stationary Bike will help you achieve your weight-loss goals. Or, walk off unwanted inches with the superior quality treadmill at clintonbrothers.com, like the Proform CrossWalk 425 Treadmill. The Proform CrossWalk 425 Treadmill, also, has proven to be great for working out abs, thighs, and buttocks.

Did you know that maintaining proper body weight and exercising regularly greatly impacts your overall health? Research has shown that those individuals who sufficiently and consistently work out significantly reduce the risk of having a stroke. You can also reduce the risk of heart disease with an upper-body workout machine, such as the Ultimate Fitness Object. Prevent the onset of diabetes with a lean, mean, Ab Shaper exercise machine.

Whatever your goals, the professional fitness (or spa) equipment representatives at clintonbrothers.com are ready to assist you with any muscle building and body strength questions you might have. With the establishment of a complete exercise regimen by a certified weight loss professional, and the help of our heavy-duty construction exercise machines, you will be well on your way to enjoying a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle!

It’s school-prep time! Time to sort through our stock of musical instruments, see which orchestra instruments need repair, and which band instruments need replacement.
Let’s start with the guitar. Do we get an acoustic/electric guitar package, an electric guitar or an acoustic guitar? Do we need a children’s 30-inch guitar or 36-inch guitar? We could also use a new saxophone. Wow! clintonbrothers.com has an impressive array of the Tenor saxophone, clarinet, and trombone and guitar sets. Check out their Euro-style cello set, school band flute, and the Piccolo with case.
Does our lead singer have a microphone or amplifier? Most music products and music instruments at clintonbrothers.com come complete with a carrying case, an instrument stand, and are perfect for the school band. There are so many orchestral and band instrument choices - the trumpet package, the Alto Saxophone package, and the orchestra approved student voila with case. Let’s not forget to include inventory of our brass instruments, woodwind instruments and stringed instruments.
Music hardware, music software, soundtracks, microphone systems, track recorders, integrated amplifiers with dual wireless microphones, woofers, and loudspeakers are also necessary orchestra products and music and band items for our band. Is the professional CD and cassette recorder combo system too complex for us?
Clearly, the tempting musical instruments selection at clintonbrothers.com makes it difficult for us to distinguish between that which we need and that which we greed!

Giving a gift fills us with joy. Gift giving is an expression of love; it fills the receiver with warmth and enhances relationships. It creates new relationships and cements our existing relationships. Gift giving validates, shows appreciation, and expresses sympathies, caring, thoughtfulness, commiserations, unity and good wishes.
Giving a gift enriches those who give, and those who receive. Many a gift has brought sunshine into a dismal day. It has comforted the lonely and mended a wounded heart. Gifts reach heights that sometimes words cannot achieve.

At clintonbrothers.com, you can select the chocolate gift box or chocolate arrangement that is best suited to the occasion. Whether you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift, Father’s Day gift, Bar or Bat Mitzvah gifts, Valentines Day gifts or New Years and Christmas gifts, at clintonbrothers.com you’ll find the holiday gift that will dazzle your loved ones.
Is someone you know battling an illness? Our get-well gifts, including special gifts and perfumes and fragrances, will bring instant cheer and brighten someone’s day.
At clintonbrothers.com we work with your goals. Is someone you care about groping with loss for a POW or MIA? A bouquet of flowers or thoughtful plant does much to soothe an aching heart. Or, share their grief with a good book or relaxing music CD.
Gifts for happy occasions, like a baby shower or a birth, or it’s a boy/girl gift, can be purchased at clintonbrothers.com, like a bottle of fine wine, or a baby gift package. We feature a charming selection of gift baskets and specialty gifts that will remain etched in their memories forever after.
Did you browse the bridal gifts and bridal-shower items available at online? At clintonbrothers.com, you can choose from a wide variety of bedding and bath products, kitchen and dining products, home electronics, computer equipment, photo gifts, photo equipment and more.
Looking for the “puuurrrrfect” pet gift? clintonbrothers.com has a complete array of pet gifts for your favorite fur ball, like the leather or crystal dog collars, dog bed, pet cushion, pet raincoat, pet stroller and pet carrier. Your precious pooch will love the pet jacket, dog bones, elevated pet feeder, exercise pen, and crate cage at clintonbrothers.com.
Our expansive array of housewarming gifts will convey warm wishes and instantly welcome your neighbor, friend or relative as they settle into their new home. Most of all, the gesture will be cherished for generations to come.

For that appealing gift visit clintonbrothers.com, where our gift product experts are waiting to assist you.

Josh and I are getting ready for our end of summer/pre-Labor Day annual camping trip. Just yesterday, we lugged up our rolling duffle bag from the basement so that we could start packing. I’m in the process of putting a camping gear list together, to ensure us a most memorable camping experience. The list of camping supplies and camping products I’d like to take along seems to be expanding, and I’m afraid that not everything will fit into the trunk of our caravan.

So far, I’ve prepared the sunscreen, insect repellent, and a survival/first aid kit. I got a horrible insect bite during last years camping trip, and I didn’t have anything to treat it with. By the time I came home it was double its size, hurting of course, and I had to have my doctor look at it. That’s why I remembered now to pack Band-Aids and antibiotic ointment, as well.
Next on my list are a small hatchet, a heavy-duty flashlight, small pocketknife, compass, multipurpose knife, extra batteries and an area map of Lake Michigan at Manistee National Forest in Michigan, which is to be our destination. I might also take an outdoor portable metal lantern.
During the day, we’re looking forward to plenty of relaxation time, as well as catching up on our hobbies. One of my favorite activities is bird watching, so I’ll be sure to include my waterproof binoculars (without the tripod). My husband, though, can spend all day fishing; he has already prepared his favorite fishing rod and reels. In case it rains, I think I’ll pack some good games and books such as The Contract Surgeon by Dan O’ Brian, or Left-Handed Law by Charles M. Martin.
I’ve done some research online recently, because I’m trying to decide if we should invest in a camping stove. After all, these camping trips have become a family tradition and I hope we’ll be continuing them for many years to come. In any case, the camping stove I’ve seen at clintonbrothers.com seems compact, yet versatile enough.
What I know I certainly need is a new tent. We’ve narrowed it down to a choice of the canvas tent, hiking tent, or triangular tent, because Josh adamantly ruled out the dome tent and pop-up tent. Seems the guy knows what he wants. I guess I’ll leave the tent to him.
Now for the shelter equipment, I’ve gathered the tarps, blankets and pillows and a sleeping bag for Anita (her oversized sleeping bag). We’ll need some rope when pitching our tent, and a multi-use knife and folding saw to clear the brush at our campsite. Matt, Josh’s friend, reminded us to take folding chairs and also a whistle, in case one of us needs to call for help.
Tonight I hope to gather the cooking necessities, including the matches, can opener, dish soap, dishcloths, potholders and trash bags.
In the waist pouch, I put my cell phone and the Olympus digital camera my parents bought me for my birthday. Surprisingly, there might even be room for our zoom mini camcorder. I can’t wait to capture the memories. My Alpine Trekking Camping backpack is ready to go, with premoistened wipes, aspirin and cash, of course.
Gosh! Good thing Sheryl called. I almost forgot paper towels, clothespins, and most importantly, our swimsuits and cotton towels.
The steel-toe hiking boots we usually pack in last, as it’s the first thing we’ll need to have access to, in order to find a suitable camping spot. Also, our pull-on sweaters are draped over the back of the seats of the car, as it usually gets nippy towards nighttime, which is when we’ll be traveling.
Well, that about takes care of that. I think I’ll go get some rest now. Josh and I will be alternating with the driving, and I’m taking the wheel first. If you think of anything that I might have forgotten, please don’t hesitate to call me and let me know. I’m sure that clintonbrothers.com, the worlds-leading website, will have it at my door in a jiffy.

Although moving to a new home is an exciting stress, I have to admit that I’m kind of apprehensive about the shopping. The basic furniture pieces are already taken care of, such as bedroom furniture and a dinette set, and now I’d like to decorate and add frills to my humble nest. However, if I’m going to splurge on home accessories, factors such as square-footage and available space, practicality, and, of course, my budget, need to be taken into account.

I’ll start with the den; it’s the room I look forward to all day and creates my most pleasant family memories.

A close friend, Susan Schorr, recommends clintonbrothers.com, a home decorating website which she claims will have the answer to my window-treatment dilemmas. They carry decorative window and curtain valances, sheer curtains, Roman Shades and balloon shades, as well as all the necessary curtain hardware including the iron drapery rod with finials. I think I’m down to either choosing the faux-wood 2-inch blinds, or choosing the Wellington Damask pinch pleated curtains. Now, for the sofa, I’m definitely taking one of those contemporary stretch sofa slipcovers such as the stretch grid loveseat slipcover. I would also like a large area rug (Like the hand-tufted traditional Saba area wool rug!) to add that cozy atmosphere. Susan claims that an indoor fireplace, either the Avalon antique white gel feul fireplace, or the Grenoble classic mahogany electric fireplace, will have the same effect. Personally, I love living-room fireplaces, if only to display my favorite photographs, hand-painted statues and sculptures, silk plants, and even decorative clocks. Maybe also one of those pleasant-smelling scented candles.

There is a vacant wall approximately 10 ft. wide opposite the sofa, where I think an accent table or console would look great, topped with a decorative wall mirror. Since this spot is right near the entrance, an elegant coat rack and wrought - iron umbrella stand will definitely come in handy.

Except for a contemporary lighting fixture, such the Brunswick chandelier, I definitely want a striking table lamp, as well as a brushed Nickel or Tiffany-Style floor lamp off the side of the sofa. Speaking of the sofa again, I better remember some comfy fringed, silk, or ruffle throw pillows.

I’m unsure of one thing though, and that’s wall décor. I’m wondering if delaying the purchase of framed wall hangings and wall art for now is such a mistake? I really should take it fully one room at a time, but I feel quite overwhelmed by getting everything I’ve mentioned thus far together. Shopping for ornate home décor and home accent pieces is a lot more difficult than it seems!

Whoever said, “I love my garden, not my kitchen”, hasn’t been to my kitchen! I’m absolutely thrilled with the LG refrigerator and stainless steel gas range, which was delivered last week. I’m looking forward to buying an assortment of other kitchen appliances such as a toaster oven, microwave, food blender, coffee and espresso maker, and the Kitchen Aid or Cuisinart food processor. Actually, since I’m a working mom most of the week, a stainless steel slow cooker would be ideal.

I have a weakness for kitchen linens and décor. Especially for the kitchen décor products I saw while browsing at clintonbrothers.com, like the kitchen and dining chair pads, chair cushions, kitchen linens, elegant serve ware, flatware, dinnerware, cookware, bake ware, and glasses and bar ware.

Come to think of it, I could definitely use some handy kitchen storage solutions like the kitchen canisters, a wine rack, a kitchen cart, food storage products, kitchen shelves, trash cans, and surely, a heartwarming cookie jar.

For the patio, I already purchased a Wolfgang electric grill, although maybe I should have also taken the George Foreman grill? Never mind. I’m on to dreaming about patio sets and furniture, as well as outdoor lantern lighting to set the mood in the evenings.

So long for now, as I suspect these extravagances will leave me quite a bit of time before I replenish my financials, and enable me to go on another home decorating spree!

• Don’t keep checking your bedside clock. Noting how much time has elapsed from when you went into bed increases anxiety, which increases insomnia.
• Avoid bright lights.
• Refrain from major or strenuous activity such as exercising, watching television, or planning an upcoming presentation.
• Stay away from beverages that contain caffeine, such as Snapple, coffee, or select sodas.
• Abstain from alcohol use from at least 1-2 hours before going to bed.
• Decide on a practical bedtime and wake-up time for each day and stick to it. This will slowly program your body for routine and steady relaxation time.
• Plan a pre-bedtime routine and follow it daily.
• Take a warm bath or read an inspirational short-stories book before retiring for the night. Reading a captivating novel is a no-no, as the suspense will keep you reading and awake.
• Set your room at a comfortable temperature.
• Listen to classical, soft music.
• Drink warm milk.
• Purchase room darkeners, or close your curtains or drapes fully.
• Turn off unnecessary noise such as the radio or TV.
• Try a noisemaker or white noise machine, at a comfortable volume setting.
• Try relaxation techniques such as concentrating on the same pleasant thought every night, self-hypnosis, or take deep, slow breaths.
• Have someone give you a gentle massage.

If the above-mentioned techniques fail, don’t hesitate to consult your physician for temporary sleep-aid medication, or visit your local health food store for vitamins. It is known that at least seventy million people unfortunately struggle with sleep related issues, primarily, falling asleep. These sleep-deprived people feel as if they are working with quicksand, as their lack of sleep prevent them from recharging their physical and emotional batteries. This, of course, makes them less productive during the day. Lack of sleep also may cause headaches, stress, and even possibly harm brain cells, and promotes the growth of fat instead of muscle. Research has shown in severe cases, lack of sleep may even cause depression.