17 July 2010
Category: Uncategorized
Hot Dog!! Today is national Hot Dog Day! If for some unfortunate reason, you do not know what a hot dog is (let’s hope not), allow me to provide you with a brief history of this ball park delicacy, and perhaps even some fun facts! How does that sound?
Sausages go way back into history, and are even mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey as far back as the 9th century B.C.! Though there is some controversy concerning the origin of the hot dog, it is one of the oldest forms of processed food that is still enjoyed today. And no one disagrees with that!
The North American hot dog that we enjoy today comes from a widespread common European sausage brought here by butchers of several nationalities.
Flash forward to the year 1893. In that year sausages seemed to be the standard fare at baseball parks. In 1901 the phrase “hot dog” was coined by a concessionaire at the New York Polo grounds. It was a cold day in April, and one of the vendor’s cold foods were not selling well, so he decided to sell “dachshund sausages” that were piping hot. A nearby sport’s cartoonist was not sure how to spell “dachshund” so he simply wrote “hot dog”! The cartoon was a hit and the name “hot dog” was born!
Hot Dog Facts!
- Sports cartoonist Tad Dorgan is credited with the coinage of the term “hot dog” in 1901 at the New York Polo Grounds.
- The first words that Walt Disney’s immortal creation Mickey Mouse ever uttered in a cartoon were “hot dogs” (in “The Karnival Kid, 1929). The cartoons he was featured in were silent ones up until that point.
- New Yorkers consume more hot dogs than any other city, beating out Chicago and Los Angeles.
- According to a study in 1999, Americans consumed 7 billion hot dogs or 818 hot dogs every second during the Hot Dog Season.
16 July 2010
Category: Uncategorized
Lately we’ve been asking our customers who ordered group designs to send us their pictures so that we can show them off a little…okay, maybe more than a little! It’s been absolutely amazing to see how creative and artistic our fans are, and I can’t wait to share their design photos with you! Who knows, maybe some of them will inspire your next group design! Enjoy:)
This group photo was sent to us by Mika. Mika’s husband and his friends have taken a camping trip together every summer since they graduated from high school. To commemorate the 10th (or 11th) summer of their camping trip, Mika designed these awesome “Camping Trip 2010” tees, and the guys loved them! What a good wifey! We can’t wait to see the tees she designs for them next year!
If you would like your group to be featured on our blog, simply post your picture to our Facebook page, or send us an email with your photos attached.
13 July 2010
Category: Uncategorized
July is family reunion month! During July, there are many holidays that are celebrated; some are just for a day, or a week, and others for the entire month. Family reunion month is a great time to hold your family get-together! The weather is great, which means there are plenty of options in terms of outdoor activities, and ways to keep the kids entertained. You could have a water-balloon toss, play horse shoes, backyard volleyball, and barbecue, have a scavenger hunt, and more! The possibilities are endless, and each family has their own traditions.
Family reunions are great because many families are spread throughout many different states and they may not get to see each other too often. So during this get together you can all come together and see the family that you have not seen, and get to see how all the children are growing up, as well as catching up with family you get to see a little more frequently. You can even commemorate this special event by creating custom tee-shirts like these!
7 July 2010
Category: Uncategorized
Women of America can rejoice, for today is Chocolate Day! Chocolate Day is always on July 7th, and it provides us with the perfect opportunity to indulge in our favorite chocolates in large proportions (just in case you need an excuse to do so). Chocolate is America’s favorite flavor in candies, ice cream, cakes, breakfast cereal, toppings, and a whole host of desserts. Unrivalled in popularity, it certainly deserves its own day!
If you need some suggestions as to how to celebrate this sweet day of confection, allow me to suggest some additions to your menu.
Breakfast: Try a chocolate cereal and/or two or three chocolate-covered/chocolate-filled donuts washed down with some hot chocolate or a mocha latte!
Mid-Morning Snack: Chocolate candy bar (with or without nuts) to hold you over until lunch.
Lunch: A tall glass of chocolate milk is a must, perhaps with a piece of chocolate pie or chocolate pudding for dessert.
Mid-Afternoon Snack: Try healthier options (kind of) like chocolate covered nuts or raisins!
Dinner: Sip on some chocolate liqueur before dinner (if you are an adult), and try either chocolate flavored coffee or chocolate cake for dessert.
Interesting Fact: Did you know that chocolate is a vegetable? It comes from the Cacao tree found in rainforests.
4 July 2010
Category: Uncategorized
“In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.” ~Franklin D. Roosevelt
It’s Independence Day! Each year on July 4th, Americans celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which officially established the original thirteen American states as a separate entity from the British Parliament. Many Americans celebrate the birthday of the United States by flying the American flag, having cookouts, fireworks, and family gatherings. Sometimes communities will sponsor their own special events like parades, carnivals, and fireworks displays.
This is all pretty common knowledge to us now, but do you know other cool patriotic facts like the bird that Benjamin Franklin preferred over the Bald Eagle for our national bird? Or how many hot dogs Americans will consume today? Read some Independence Day Trivia and find out!
Independence Day Tivia
- Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird, but was outvoted when Thomas Jefferson and John Adams chose the Bald Eagle.
- An estimated 150 million hot dogs will be consumed today!
- The 4th of July was not considered a national holiday until 1941.
- The national anthem is set to the tune of an old English drinking song called To Anacreon in Heaven.
- The first 4th of July party held at the White House was in 1801.
- Oddly, the majority of our patriotic paraphernalia (flags, fireworks, emblems, etc.) are produced in China. Nearly $349 million dollars are is used each year to import the products.
1 July 2010
Category: Uncategorized
What better way to ring in the month of July by celebrating the day that Canada became a nation! July 1st 2010 marks the 143rd celebration of Canada Day, formerly known as Dominion Day. On this day in 1867 the British North American Act united the British colonies of Upper Canada, Lower Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia into one unified country. These colonies became the first four provinces of Canada. Lower Canada was renamed Quebec, and Upper Canada was renamed Ontario. Thus, Canada became its own kingdom that day, but the British Parliament kept limited rights of political control over the new country that were shed by stages over the years until the last vestiges were surrendered in 1892 when the Constitution Act patriated the Canadian constitution.
Typically Canada’s birthday is celebrated much like we celebrate the 4th of July; with outdoor pleasures such as barbecues, picnics, fireworks, community sponsored parades, free musical concerts, and more! So if you are Canadian or your family is Canadian, wear your colors with pride today! Happy birthday Canada!
23 June 2010
Category: Uncategorized
It’s summer time. That means no school (for some) and lots of relaxing by the pool (hopefully) for most. For the ultimate chill-sesh you will probably need your iPod, a good book or gossip magazine, your towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and of course, your itsy-bitsy-bikini! The bikini is a part of our poolside attire that most of us take for granted, and we never really think about life before the bikini. However, it has actually only been around for about 64 years now. In fact, when it was first created in France, it was considered so scandalous that the models refused to wear it, and the original designer had to enlist a stripper instead. Below is a brief time line all about how the bikini evolved to the beachfront and poolside staple it is today
4th Century: It was not uncommon for Greek and Roman gymnasts to dawn what we would call bandeau tops and bikini bottoms that would not look out of place at the beach today.
18th Century: In the 18th century, it was fashionable to keep the skin white and untouched by the sun. So, when it became popular to flock to the beaches with the invention of railroads and convenient transportation, ladies dressed accordingly. They would often wear bonnets, shawls, and gloves as they approached the bathing machines (like a cabana on wheels), and would often sew weights at the bottom of their dresses to prevent them from flying up with a gust of wind.
1915: Thanks to Australian swimmer and silent film star Annette Kellerman, American women began embracing the one-piece knitted maillots to beaches.
1940’s: Two-piece bathing suits jump on the scene, with actresses such as Ava Gardner, Rita Hayworth, and Lana Turner all wearing the halter top, high waist suit. Interestingly, the bottoms had to cover the hips, naval, and bottom, and even that was controversial!
1940’s Cont’: At this time, “hot” women were known as “bombshells” and any woman that was intensely attractive was “atomic”. So, when two French designers created even skimpier versions to the two piece, they were given explosive names. The first was the atome, and the second was le bikini, referring to where the United States began atomic testing-Bikini Atoll.
1960: After bashing the French women for their “scandalous” and indecent tastes in swimwear, women in the United States embrace the bikini, and gradually accept it as acceptable beachwear.
1970’s: Models like Cheryl Tiegs began to change the way women decided who should wear a bikini. Before, it was common for curvier women who were busty and soft around the middle. Teigs and other models who possessed an athletic figure then set the precedent for what is still in vogue today. However, more and more designers are creating bikinis for all shapes and body types.
Today: Looking at a beach or poolside these days you will notice that bikinis are even more popular than one-pieces with younger (and sometimes older) women. Bikinis can be worn by women of all shapes and sizes! After all, it’s not the suit that makes you sexy…it’s your confidence!
If you want to make a splash by wearing a completely original bikini, check out our customizable swimwear and make your own bombshell design!
21 June 2010
Category: Uncategorized
Although it’s been feeling like summer for weeks now, June 21st officially marks the first day of summer! Often referred to as the “Summer Solstice”, this marks a major celestial event resulting in the longest day of the year, and the shortest night of the year. On the day of the solstice, the sun appears to stand still, which is where it gets its name; A combination of the Latin terms “Sol” meaning “sun”, and “Stice” meaning “to stand still”.
Early Celebrations of the Summer Solstice
For centuries civilizations have been influenced by the sun, and have celebrated the Summer Solstice in a variety of different ways and by a variety of different names. Some call it “Midsummer”,(Shakespeare, anyone?), “St. John’s Day”, or the Wiccan “Litha”.
Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids so that the solstice sunset, when viewed from the sphinx, sets directly between two of the Pyramids. Also, Stonehenge in the United Kingdom has been associated with the winter and summer solstices for about 5,000 years.
Druids celebrated this day as the “wedding of Heaven and Earth”, resulting in today’s common belief that it is “lucky” to have your wedding in June.
Fun Facts
Midsummer celebrations for Pagans went a little something like this: They would celebrate with bonfires and couples would leap through the flames, believing that their crops would grow as high as they were able to jump. Better hope it was pretty high!
Pagans were also known to wear protective garlands made of herbs and flowers on Midsummer, as this was thought to be a time of magic where evil spirits were likely to appear. The most popular and “powerful” plant used for protection was St. John’s Wort; hence the name “St. John’s Day”.
The Midsummer moon was referred to as the “Honey Moon” for the mead that was made from fermented honey that was part of the wedding ceremonies performed at the summer solstice.
Today’s Celebrations
The most notable celebration of the Summer Solstice is in England at Stonehenge and Avebury where thousands gather to welcome the sunrise on the Summer Solstice.
If you are not going to be near Stonehenge at sunrise to celebrate the beginning of summer, maybe a day at the pool or a cookout with the family will suffice as a nice kick-off to summer! Enjoy!
20 June 2010
Category: Uncategorized
What is Father’s Day, you may ask? Well, the idea of Father’s Day was conceived when Sonora Dodd, of Spokane Washington was listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. She wanted a holiday to honor her father, William Smart, a Civil War widower who raised his six children on his own.
On June 19th, 1910 the first Father’s Day was celebrated in Spokane. This month was chosen because it was the birth month of William Smart. Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when Richard Nixon signed a public law that made it permanent.
What it has come to mean to us today: Even though Father’s Day has been around since 1909 and some of the traditions have changed, the basic sentiments of this holiday are the same. At its heart, Father’s Day is about family, with the focus on dad. You can say “thanks” to your dad by making hand-made crafts, cards, his favorite meal or dessert, a photo album, or anything else that lets him know that he is appreciated. This holiday is not meant to be about extravagant gifts and cards, but about the paternal bonds between fathers and their sons and daughters.
When is it celebrated? Father’s Day is always celebrated on the third Sunday in June.
Quotes about Dad: “A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again.” — Enid Bagnold
“If the new American father feels bewildered and even defeated, let him take comfort from the fact that whatever he does in any fathering situation has a fifty percent chance of being right.” — Bill Cosby
“It doesn’t matter who my father was; it matters who I remember he was.” — Anne Sexton
Suggestions for things to do with/for Dad on Father’s Day:
- BBQ: What dad doesn’t like to play grill master while enjoying the outdoors with his family? Keep it simple and intimate with a backyard celebration of good food, and maybe toss a football or a Frisbee.
- Zoo: The zoo is another great place to take Dad on Father’s Day, whether you have a young family or the kids are a little older, you can never grow too old for some fun in the sun at the zoo!
- Baseball game: An all-American game of baseball is a sure way to please an athletic dad. You could even surprise dad with a screen printed baseball tee, or any other Father’s Day designs like these.
18 June 2010
Category: Uncategorized
“I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives everywhere it exists” –President Barack Obama
Gay and Lesbian Pride Month is celebrated each year in the month of June. In June 2000, President Bill Clinton deemed the month of June, “Gay and Lesbian Pride Month” to remember a riot in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan that is often considered to be the catalyst for the gay liberation movement in the United States.
At that time, American gay and lesbian citizens faced a legal system that was much more anti-homosexual than other countries. In fact, very few establishments welcomed openly gay people in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and those that did were often bars. The riots at the Stonewall Inn are frequently cited as the first instance in American history when people in the homosexual community fought back against a government-sponsored system that persecuted sexual minorities.
As a result, June as become a month of acceptance and welcoming of diversity, regardless of sexual orientation. Gay and lesbian groups celebrate this special time with picnics, pride parades, parties, and memorials for those lost due to HIV and AIDS. Gay and Lesbian friendly companies also make great contributions to the events that take place this month. They provide rainbow products, banners, and even sponsor many of the events themselves.
The impact and support that has transpired from these events is nothing short of phenomenal, and has raised awareness for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community immensely. If you need any Gay and Lesbian Pride apparel check out our selection HERE or design your own!
