Bravo, Blind Tiger Pub! Bravo!

New TOMS courtesy of Blind Tiger Pub in Charleston, SC!

I got a pair of shoes because I used a bathroom.

Okay, maybe that’s not entirely true, but essentially it is. Here’s the scenario. I used Blind Tiger Pub’s bathroom after it had just been cleaned. Normally, I would be very excited to be the first one to flush, but in this case, my TOMS ended up being bleached from their cleaner. Did I expect new shoes? Not really, but if they gave me money to entirely resolve the situation, then fanfreakintastic. I told the staff and then a few days later, I spoke to the owner. I explained to her what happened, mainly because I felt the floors should be mopped better so it wouldn’t happen to someone else. First, she scored points for saying they shouldn’t be using bleach in the first place because it’s harmful to us AND the environment. Then, she told me they were going to write me a check so I could get a new pair of shoes. I didn’t even have to ask! I was super impressed with how she handled the situation. Now, I shall sing their praises everywhere I go and give them more of my business. Listening and resolving a customer situation in a positive way only builds the relationship. I wish and hope all companies follow in Blind Tiger Pub’s footsteps, minus the bleach.

Cycle Dog Leashes and Collars

My dog Cooper is not a cycle dog per se. He will not go near my bike, cause in his eyes, my bike is some sort of dog eating monster. Same goes for roller-blading. Tried that once and he tripped me and ran away before we even left the driveway. But he sure does like to run with me and watch me drink beer at least, which happens to be a perfect combination for him to wear Cycle Dog instead.

Cycle Dog makes dog collars and leashes, and now belts for humans, out of recycled bike tubes. As if that is not awesome enough, the collars and belts come with a bottle opener. The only thing you need to work on is training your dog to fetch you a beer. Then, you can officially be best friends. Regardless, Cycle Dog is making a difference by helping us and our pets reduce our carbon prints.

There are over 60 million bike riders in the US. Just because they lost their training wheels doesn’t mean they don’t get flat tires. I got a flat once and unfortunately, my tube most likely ended up in a landfill. Lanette Fidrych, founder of Cycle Dog, is collecting these tubes so they don’t harm the earth more than it already is. Nowadays, bike shops and individuals send her their tubes, helping her grow her business and customer loyalty base further. Below is what she sorts in an average day. I know what you’re thinking. It must be like Christmas! Crazy isn’t it?

To learn more about Cycle Dog, check out Motto Agency‘s Behind the Brand Interview.

Cycle Dog Website
Cycle Dog on Facebook
Cycle Dog on Twitter

Hoodie + Koozie = Hoozie

Not much needs to be said as you can look at this picture and see how genius and amazing the Hoozie is.

Think of all those times your friend accidentally took your beer, someone knocked it over, or you misplaced it. Those were sad days. Now, our prayers are answered and we will never lose sight of our beers again. Not to mention we now can hold 3 beers at once and be like, the coolest person ever.

They don’t have a lot of colleges or professional sports teams just yet, but become a fan of them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter to create the demand for your team to help make it happen! Watching sports, grilling out, playing corn hole, and loitering will be so much more awesome wearing a Hoozie. Let’s just hope you don’t catch yourself in a Hooz-up and someone robs you.

www.myhoozie.com
www.facebook.com/myhoozie
www.twitter.com/myhoozie

Pennies Make a Comeback

Finally, a use for pennies! After all these years, good ole honest Abe has taken to decorating walls and floors. Let’s just hope the majority are heads side up, cause otherwise, that place will be capital H haunted with bad luck for life.

Floor at the Standard Grill in the Standard Hotel New York

Penny tiling at Paul Smith’s boutique in Paris.

Wine for Trees

Trinity Oaks plants a tree for every bottle of wine sold. I’ll drink to that. There’s my good deed for the day and I get to enjoy a buzz. Cheers!

Um, interesting Umbrella

You know what they say. When it rains, your old man snores. Initially, this was going to be a blog post about the beautiful Possum Umbrellas, but then I discovered some crazy umbrellas and rolled with that instead. Stay tuned for Possum. Until then, check out these ridiculous umbrellas to make you look awkward and attract attention to yourself.

Okay hold on one second while I blow up my cloud umbrella. Cause that’s convenient. And look at the coverage! Amazing. Simply amazing.

Hate to see what happens when it hails. UFO Umbrella? No thanks, but the girl sure looks special with it. Good thing it’s only available in Korea.

THEY OPENED THE UMBRELLA INSIDE?! Oh dear heavens, they’re screwed. But I enjoy the concept of the Lover’s Umbrella and would totally get this one. Especially when I want to charm old people to receive a quarter for my parking meter.

I’m not sure what’s more offensive; the plaid, the dog umbrella, or how happy the lady is while the dog in her sack relieves himself on her since she isn’t letting him walk and go to the bathroom. And no, you’re not getting a link to where to buy it, because newflash, they are dogs and dogs don’t need an umbrella.

Let’s face it. We all secretly want to be ninjas. You just need to live in Seattle to be one year round with this Samurai sword handle umbrella.

It keeps your head and shoulders dry, but what about your knees and toes? Regardless, Nubrella, a hands-free umbrella is a classy idea even though you’d look like a tool. You could pretend you are an astronaut or you could even hot box when you take a smoke break. Imagine the possibilities.

Behind the Brand: Snow Beverages

The vitamins in Snow Beverages make me strong. Consider yourself warned.