Single or coupled off, there’s nothing wrong with getting the person you love a token of your love – even if that person is your mom or best friend. But no matter whom it is, why settle for another year of over-priced chocolates and half-wilted red roses? Maybe this year you can impress your loved one with – dare I say it – a present that doesn’t suck?

1. Shoes. Sounds a little Carrie Bradshaw, I know, but women – and men – love their footwear. Whether it’s heels or sweet kicks (check out the new K-Swiss Surf & Sand), you’re sure to be remembered every time they slip on their new favorite pair.
2. Art Supplies. There’s something incredibly romantic about fostering someone’s creative impulses. Why not buy them some art supplies? You have an endless number of options at your disposal. Extra points if you stretch your own canvas.
3. Tickets. Do something really fun that you’ll enjoy, too. Get tickets to a concert or a sporting event and kick back together. Concerts and games are generally a high-energy affair, so you rest assured that it would be a really memorable night.
4. A Cooking Class. Candlelit dinners can seem a bit awkward, even for the most besotted couple. Cooking classes are a fun, relaxed atmosphere, and are a way better option for a couple just starting to get to know one another.
5. A Video Game. Don’t underestimate the utter awesomeness of a great Wii game or Guitar Hero. Video games are a great way to spend time together indoors without zoning out during a reality TV marathon.
6. A Sports Package. Want to be loved forever? Get the fan in your life (be it football, basketball, soccer, what have you – there’s something for everyone) a Sports Package. For a nominal price, they will get all the games on TV. A word of caution: you may not see their face again till post-season.

Good luck and Happy Valentine’s Day!

There was no gear on display but there was no shortage of product to offer the editors who braved the chill to check out the warm-weather gear. For the ladies, summer is all about layering! Inspired by Eddie’s home region of the Pacific Northwest, colorful cardigans ideal for cool summer nights in the San Juan Islands created a candy-colored display.

Also a big trend in the latest collection: crinkle! Perfect for those of us who can’t stand ironing (‘cause who really loves it anyway?), this no-fuss detail is all over Eddie Bauer’s latest collection, whether it’s in a scarf or on one of the brand’s fresh and fun printed crinkle dresses. If you’re not one for dresses, then you’ll definitely appreciate Eddie Bauer’s Linen Beach Short. The summer-friendly material is a no-brainer when the temperature’s climbing.

For the guys, the classic polo was an overall favorite for editors. The Island Wash was a huge hit with visiting editors, who loved weathered look. They loved the soft cotton pique and marveled at its lightweight feel and impressive price point. Another classic for any guy’s wardrobe, cargos are effortless summer favorites that go with almost anything.

You can’t have an Eddie Bauer showroom without paying homage to the founder’s adventurous spirit! Adventure travel was an overarching theme, and with state-of-the-art materials such as Travex, the new Travex Lite fabric (sorry girls, it’s currently available only for guys), and moisture-wicking Cocona, Eddie Bauer makes traveling and getting outdoors comfortable and effortless.

The overall feedback from editors was overwhelmingly positive. The bright colors were a welcome departure from winter grays, and many editors requested samples as soon as possible! To see what Eddie Bauer’s currently offering, check out the brand’s Web site at www.eddiebauer.com.

Below are images taken at Obermeyer’s Apres Event at Earl’s, right in the heart of Denver. All in all – a success!

That’s right, charity.

Okay, so maybe you think of food and funny ads but this year charity is a focus for one of our clients, Ultimate Escapes, a leading destination club.  They are currently running a really cool charitable auction: The Ultimate Escapes Haiti Relief VIP Super Bowl Package Charity Auction.

In an effort to help the victims of the recent earthquake in Haiti, Ultimate Escapes’ charitable arm, Ultimate Giving, has donated two 2010 Super Bowl tickets with the use of a two-bedroom villa.  It is being auctioned off at the CharityBuzz.com “Heal Haiti” online auction site supporting the efforts of the American Red Cross and UNICEF.

The auction is live now (3 bids already, so hurry as it ends on Tuesday) and includes 2 tickets to the Super Bowl in Miami, 2 tickets to the NFL Sponsor Party on February 6 and a 2-night stay at an Ultimate Escapes villa in Miami.  Check it out to support Haiti and feed your football fix at the same time…

Aside from stellar weather, random celeb sightings and brilliant films, we fancied the locals and chose to take a pic with Mustafa the moose:

Believe me, we aren’t complaining. In fact, we’re all so passionate about travel, to us, it’s the best part of the job. But it also means long hours aboard germy airplanes and lots of eating out. And now, while flu season is in full-swing, it’s especially hard to stay healthy when that’s on your agenda.

So, I’ve compiled a quick list of tried-and-true tips for staying healthy while you’re on the road, in the air or sailing the deep blue seas. You know the basics: get plenty of sleep, get a flu shot and wash your hands frequently.  But here’s a few tips you might not have heard, all of which we’ve found useful while jet-setting around the globe.

1. Hand sanitizer. It is your best friend people. Use it! Especially when traveling in third world countries where you may not have access to a clean bathroom everywhere you go. Germ-X makes one that comes in TSA-approved sizes and yummy scents like my personal favorite, Blastin’ Blueberry.
2. Your other best friend when you are traveling abroad? Bottled water. That may seem like a given, but don’t forget about the water you don’t actually drink. Be sure to ask for no ice in your cocktail, and use bottled water to brush your teeth.
3. Afraid airport food will get the better of you while you are on the road? Never fear – pack those little 100 calorie snack packs in your carry-on. They’ll save you when you get that second-layover-of-the-day Häagen-Dazs craving.
4. If you are going to be staying in a hotel for longer than three days, aim for one with a mini fridge, and as an added bonus, a microwave. You can stop by a local grocery store for some quick and easy dining options. Not only will this be easier on your wallet (unless you are a fan of paying $12 for a snack from the mini-bar), it might save you from an unhealthy morning bacon binge at the hotel’s restaurant.
5. Wear socks on days you’ll be flying. Why? You’ll be asked to take your shoes off at the airport, and so will millions of other passengers, many less hygienic than you. I certainly don’t want to come back from a weeklong vacation in paradise with a nasty case of foot fungus, and I doubt you do either!
6. Emergen-C and Airborne rock my socks off. Stick some in your carry-on. If you feel something coming on, self medicate immediately. And even if you aren’t feeling like you have a cold coming on, it’s smart to pre-empt the germs that are so easily transferred from person to person via the re-circulated air on planes. Even in times when we aren’t traveling much, in efforts to counteract the germs our staffers with kids or those that caught something on their last business trip bring into the office, we pop this stuff like candy and it makes a BIG difference.
7. Last but not least, be sure to take your laptop out of its case and place it ALONE in one of those TSA bins before you go thru security. Why you ask? Are there some crazy laptop-loving germs that will somehow infect me if I don’t do this?! No, but there are many angry passengers that think you should know this and are none too happy when the TSI has to back up the conveyor belt, lecture you on proper security protocol and then re-screen your belongings and those of everyone behind you. Forget the flu or a cold, this one might just save you from a black eye. You’re welcome!

As I was browsing the page, I noticed a little blurb at the bottom of each post that tells the reader how long a post will take to read. Literally – down to the second. Peep the image below:

In that example, that post would take you slightly under 3 minutes to read. Does seeing the anticipated reading time investment before you see the actual article empower you in some way? As though you are assuming more control over how you spend your time online by selecting reading material based on how long it will take you to get through?

Or is this kind of information irrelevant to you?

I fall into the former camp. I spend a lot of time reading stuff online, often to the detriment of my poor, dry eyes. Getting a sense of how long an article will take me to read gives me an idea of whether to bother. Unless, of course, that content is irresistible based solely on the headline.

What do you think?

Bazi combines all eight of them into a single free radical fighting, vitamin and mineral-enriched formula.

Turner PR looks forward to educating the media and public on this positive brand and all of its inspiring stories.

Also on hand: Anastasia’s signature AIRWALK RIO CASUAL, a sneaker Anastasia designed exclusively for Airwalk. Twenty-five pairs were given away to the first attendees, but the giveaways didn’t stop there: others were gifted with Airwalk tees and stickers. (Psst! If you’re searching for gift options, Anastasia’s Airwalk is also available for purchase at Payless!)

In total, the group collected more than 200 pounds of trash! That’s more than enough exertion to work up an appetite, so the clean-up wrapped at noon and attendees sat down to lunch and relaxed with Anastasia and the Surfrider crew.

‘Tis the season for giving, so if you’re interested in getting involved with the Surfrider Foundation but don’t have access to one of their clean-ups, Airwalk has made it simple with the Doing Your Part campaign. All you need to do is log on to Airwalk’s Doing Your Part site, where Airwalk gives you $1 to donate. You choose where your $1 goes!

You can opt to give to The Surfrider Foundation or Music for Relief, a nonprofit that provides assistance to those affected by natural disasters. All that’s required is an e-mail address!  Interested in giving more? You can donate via the official websites of The Surfrider Foundation and Music for Relief. So this holiday season, be sure do your part and spread the word about both of these great organizations. Happy Holidays from TPR!

The Big Money Facebook 50
I’m generally intrigued by all of Slate’s lists, and one of their sub-sections, The Big Money team – which focuses on readable, approachable “money” topics – has quickly proved they live up to Slate’s impressive standards. Their list of brands doing well on Facebook gives some great ideas and a few surprises.

There’s an App for That: Mobile is the Next Frontier for Brand Engagement
Hopefully not a surprise to anyone working in social media, Brian Solis’ post on mobile’s increasing integration into social media applications and platforms gives some great examples of “what’s next.”

How to Use Twitter Lists to Create Reputation Management Problems
Michael Gray’s post on the potentially evil use of Twitter to damage brands was fascinating and made me rethink a few strategies.

Google Adds Live Updates to Results
The article everyone is reading right now.