Merchandise Monday: New Brands for the New Year

We’re not yet a month into the New Year and already we’ve been busy adding new merchandise to our award catalog. In fact, we’re excited to announce three new brands we’ve acquired since the end of 2014 – Chic Buds, Gresso and Revelee. Check out the great items we’ve added from these three companies and rest assured this is just the beginning of our 2015 award expansion!

Chic Buds

Battery Charging Bag – Clutchette or Crossbody

The clutchette and the crossbody each hold approximately one full smartphone charge and are compatible with smartphones and USB devices. Made of soft faux leather, satin interior lining with credit card slots and removable and rechargeable battery, as well as battery life indicator lights. Includes USB cord with hidden cable feature.

Slimpower Battery Charger - Pink Stripes or Turquoise

Give your phone a boost without the bulk! This Slimpower battery charger is credit card sized and is compatible with smartphones and USB devices. It holds 2200 mAh - approximately one full smartphone charge. Charge it with a USB - includes two USB cords.

Tangle Free Earbuds with Mic - Turquoise or Navy

Created and inspired by women for women, Luv Buds feature no-tangle flat cords and offers a neat, easy and super comfortable listening and talking experience. Luv Buds have a small design for female ears and feature mega sound, microphone, control button, 3.5 mm plug and three ear tip options. Enjoy crystal clear audio while standing out from the crowd.

Gresso

Aluminum iPhone® 6 Case

This innovative iPhone® 6 Case from Gresso is machined from aircraft-grade aluminum for lightweight strength and features a patented magnetic locks system, anodized protective finishing and full access to ports and buttons. Stylish and sophisticated, just like you!

Valencia Clutch

Compatible with most 5" phones – iPhone® 5/5S, iPhone 6, Samsung® Galaxy™ S4, Samsung Galaxy S5 and more – this clutch is designed with both functionality and style in mind. It's the only accessory you'll need for running errands or dancing 'til dawn. Made of the finest materials, the Valencia clutch features a main compartment for a smartphone, cards, coins and notes and a detachable wrist strap.

Valencia Folio Case for iPad® Air

The Valencia Folio Case for iPad® Air is hand-made in high quality soft leather and features an elegant design with a lovely bow. The inside of the case features a soft microfiber lining which protects the screen from scratches. It’s easy access to all controls and ports and includes an ultra slim case for maximum protection.

Valencia iPhone® 6 Wallet

The iPhone® 6 Wallet is hand-made and features elegant design elements, high quality soft leather and a secure magnet closure. Interior includes separate slots for your ID and cards as well as a pocket for cash. The snap-on case is made of durable, shatter-proof polycarbonate with a matte soft-touch coating attached on the inside to secure your device.

Relevee

Relevee is one of the Helping Hand Partners, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization marketing socially responsible products made by social enterprise in the US and fair trade organizations globally.

Silver Pennies From Heaven Bracelet

This charming bracelet features a series of hand-hammered sterling silver discs representing abundance. 100 percent of proceeds go to Made By Survivors, a tax-exempt charity serving women and children who are survivors of human rights abuses. Socially responsible, fair trade. 

Silver Stepping Stone Earrings

These delightful earrings are comprised of a series of graduating sterling silver discs, hammered by hand on sterling silver ear wires. 100 percent of proceeds go to Made By Survivors, a tax-exempt charity serving women and children who are survivors of human rights abuses. Socially responsible, fair trade. 

Merchandise Monday: Here Comes the Bride!

Green grass, flowers and returning birds are not the only things that come with spring. This time of year also sees an abundance of weddings! Nothing goes better with starting a new chapter of life than the rebirth of nature in all its finest! And Hinda has the perfect assortment of gifts for the happy couple, no matter what their taste or interest!

Alexander Kalifano Vienna Glass Necklace or Bracelet in Light Sapphire, Crystal Volcano or Greige

Any bride will stand out when she wears the crystal Vienna Glass Necklace or Bracelet, which feature elegant design with faceted beads that add big sparkle to any outfit. The elastic bracelet stretches to fit your wrist and both pieces come in Light Sapphire, Crystal Volcano and Greige (all sold individually).

Alexander Kalifano iPhone® 5 Cover with Clear Czech or Rose Crystals

For four generations, the Alexander Kalifano family has been providing incomparable collections of jewelry and home decor products. You’ll feel extra glamorous when you outfit your favorite accessory with this sparkly iPhone® 5 case – whether you use it on your special day or every day!

Apollo Tools 53-piece Roadside/Emergency Tool Kit with Air Compressor

For the couple who likes to hit the road, the 53-piece roadside/emergency tool kit with compressor is a must.  The tools are heat treated and chrome-plated to resist corrosion and the package includes everything you need in case of emergency on your road trips.

Brother® Personal Handheld Labeler

Solve the “whose is whose” argument once and for all! This feature-packed personal labeler easily prints in six type sizes, nine type styles and one font for all different labeling needs. Just input your text and print. At the touch of a button, you can add the time and date with the choice of eight different formats.

Canon® Pixma MG3520 Wireless Photo All-in-One Printer

Print all your gorgeous memories with the Pixma Inkjet Photo All-In-One, which puts excellent print quality and remarkable convenience in one compact package. Its hybrid ink system combines dye ink for vivid colors and black pigment ink for crisp, sharp text – all without a trip to the photo counter!

DeʹLonghi MAGNIFICA Super Automatic Beverage Machine

Perfect for espresso lovers! This compact automatic espresso machine includes all of the features of larger machines in a smaller, more convenient size. Create authentic Italian drinks with the patented frother – simply place a container with milk under the nozzle to create a rich, creamy froth.

Fujifilm FinePix Water, Freeze, Dust, Shock Proof Digital Camera Bundle

The FinePix XP70 all-weather 16mp camera is just what the adventurous couple needs! It's waterproof to 33’, shockproof to 5’, freezeproof to 14-degrees F and dustproof. It features 5x wide-angle optical zoom lens, Full HD Movie, 10 advanced creative filters and Wi-Fi® connectivity!

Smart Solar San Nicola Triple LED Candle Lantern in Bronze

Add some elegance to your outdoor space with the San Nicola LED Candle Lantern. This battery powered triple pillar lantern is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use and features durable poly construction with real glass and metal hanging loop. Set the timer so the lantern lights up at the same time each day!

Uniflame® Outdoor LP Gas Patio Heater

For the couple who loves to entertain, the Outdoor LP Gas Patio Heater is just what you need for chillier evenings when you don’t want to take the party inside. It offers commercial grade stainless steel construction, 40,000 BTUs, a multi-spark igniter for easy starts and quick and easy assembly.

Weber® Performer Platinum Charcoal Grill

The Weber® Performer Charcoal Grill features a Touch-N-Go gas ignition system that ignites charcoal briquettes with the push of a button. Organizational features such as an attached work table, weather-protected charcoal storage, wire shelf and three tool hooks enable you to keep your focus on the food.

Merchandise Monday: Back to School!

Whether you’re heading back to campus or sending your little ones off for the first time, Hinda has everything you need to start the school year right. From tablets and tech accessories to bedding and breakfast-makers, you’ll get an A+ in being organized and ready to hit the playground running!

Brighton® Go ID Zip Pouch-Black

Carry this fresh silhouette as a wristlet or clip it onto your handbag. It features two credit card slots, an exterior pocket and an ID window, a microfiber exterior and zip top closure. Perfect for carrying your essentials to class or going out on the weekend.

Down, Inc.® Signature Down Comforter - Twin

Add the comfort and elegance of down to your bed in the form of this lightweight, twin-sized comforter. Featuring sewn-through construction and a 260 thread count cotton shell, it’s filled with premium domestic white down for exceptional warmth. Don’t suffer through any more cold nights!

Hamilton Beach® Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but mornings are hectic for most people, especially families with children. Enter the Breakfast Sandwich Maker by Hamilton Beach®. Just choose your bread and fixing, and in five minutes or less, your perfectly assembled breakfast sandwich is ready to eat!

iLive™ Sport Over Ear Bud

These sport earbuds feature a secure and comfortable design for active lifestyles. A gold-plated connector resists corrosion and two sets of ear tips provide a custom fit. Enjoy your favorite tunes on the go or at the gym – wherever your busy life takes you!

iLive™ Headphones With Extra Bass

The Headphones with Extra Bass feature precision-tuned drivers and an over-the-ear design that give you studio quality sound. Padded, 3D-swivel earcups and an adjustable headband provide maximum comfort while a gold-plated connector resists corrosion. Jam on!

Speck® Smartflex Case for iPhone®5

Keep all your valuables all in one place with the SmartFlex Card – a slick, supple case for your on-the-go lifestyle. When carrying a wallet is too much, this iPhone® 5 case makes a clever companion. Features rubberized polymer with room for three credit cards, cash and features a camera lens cutout.

Zeki 7-inch Tablet 8GB Memory

Featuring a dual core 1.5 GHz processor, Android™ Jellybean™ and built-in Wi-Fi®, the 7” tablet from Zeki is perfect for navigating your virtual world. The capacitive, hi-res screen represents the most advanced multi-touch technology available today. Great for work or play!

As always, this is just a sampling of the great back-to-school items we have available in our assortment. We’ve got supplies and accessories for all ages and grade levels, so be sure to check out our entire collection so you can start this year off on the right foot! 

Merchandise Tuesday: Accessorize Your Favorite Accessory

They didn’t exist a few years ago, but now you can’t leave home without it. It’s your iPod®/iPhone®/iPad®, and it is your most prized possession, containing all your important data, favorite songs and movies – pretty much your whole life in a lightweight, portable, stylish device.

And now your favorite electronic accessory begs for accessories of its own, and from projectors and speaker docks to cases and solar chargers, Hinda has the assortment of iAccessories you’re looking for.

Brookstone® iConvert® Scanner for iPad® Tablet

Tame the paperwork jungle in your life by getting a scanner for your iPad. The iConvert Scanner captures sharp, detailed JPEG images and saves them directly to the photos folder of your iPad or iPad 2.  Organize and prevent losing all your important documents whether at home, at the office or on the go. Preserve everything from family photos, genealogy records and children’s artwork to meeting notes, resumes, receipts and expense sheets. 

Brookstone® Pocket Projector for iPhone® 4 Devices

The Pocket Projector for iPhone 4 is perfect for on-the-go travel entertainment. Its super-bright LED projector lamp ensures clearer, more brilliant videos and iPhone Slide Shows than other pico projectors. Its 640 x 360 resolution projects up to 50" images and the integrated 0.5-watt speaker delivers the audio. Great for keeping kids entertained with their favorite videos on the road – simply dock your iPhone 4 device and project onto any surface!

Grace Digital MatchStick Kindle Fire Speaker with Charging Dock

The new Grace MatchStick is designed exclusively for the Kindle Fire. Truly enjoy the multimedia apps that the Fire has to offer, such as Netflix, Pandora® Internet radio and even audio books. The full-range stereo speakers and charging circuit unleash the power of the Kindle Fire while keeping it fully charged when you are on the go. Whether you are listening to Internet radio, streaming your favorite TV shows or movies or simply need a quick charge, the Grace MatchStick is your Kindle Fire's perfect companion.

Griffin® AirStrap Carrying Case for iPad®

AirStrap's molded frame with thick, comfortable, contoured grips surrounds your iPad, protecting the edges without getting in the way of controls, camera and ports. Slip your hand under the wide neoprene strap on the back. AirStrap hugs your hand, making your iPad easier to hold whether you're sitting or standing, reading in a coffee shop or checking out the headlines as you ride the 6:45 in to work.

iLive™ Solar Powered Charger

The solar powered charger lets you harness free power from the sun to power your mobile devices and tablets. Set the solar powered charger in direct sunlight to power your device or to store power for later use. The included USB cable and adapters provide power for a multitude of devices, and the package includes a USB charging cable with connectors. Feel good about your carbon footprint when you recharge with the sun instead of a socket.

i.Sound® Twist Bluetooth® Speaker and Speakerphone

The Twist Bluetooth Speaker and Speakerphone features a 30’ transmission range for wireless music streaming, a built-in microphone with advanced noise cancellation for crystal clear speakerphone calls and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that offers five hours of continuous playtime.  The package comes with two speakers, a subwoofer and works with any device that has a 3.5mm audio plug. Now all the great songs you enjoy on your MP3 device can be shared with the masses.

i.Sound® Universal Car Mount

The Universal Car Mount is fully adjustable to display your device at any angle. It provides 360-degree rotation for horizontal and vertical viewing and features a heavy-duty suction cup, hands-free talk, soft padded brackets and both an air vent attachment and a windshield attachment that work with your iPhone®, iPod®, Smartphone or GPS system. Don’t leave home without this handy system.

Speck MagStylus for iPad®

Designed for more responsive drawing, handwriting and gaming on your iPad or other capacitive touchscreen device, MagStylus adds something many other styluses don't: a magnet. The magnet locks your stylus on to your iPad when not in use and enables the iPad's sleep/wake function. The MagStylus features a rubberized tip for maximum control and flexibility.

It’s truly amazing all that you can do with your cell phone, MP3 player and tablet PC these days. Almost makes you wonder what you ever did without it, right? What are some of your favorite gadgety accessories? Which do you use most, and what comes in the handiest in your life? Why not use your device to leave us a comment below?

What an iPhone App Can Teach Us About Wellness Incentives

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For those of you who may be a little app nerdy like myself, there's yet another app on the horizon...but it's not what you think.

Wellness incentives are sometimes a touchy subject. Employee wellness is a contributing factor to productivity and engagement in an office. We've talked about wellness incentives before in this post taking a look into how Dunder Mifflin tried a wellness incentive program based on weight loss. The main problem with Dunder Mifflin's incentive was that it rewarded an overall result: weight loss. They wanted their employees to achieve healthy lifestyles in the process. However, what they didn't anticipate was the dangerous steps employees were taking just to win. The failure was a result of the company's failure to reward healthy behaviors. 

GE's new mobile app has changed the thinking in this regard. Their new wellness application - Morsel - applies this behavior modification process in a new and fun way. Everyday the company sends a little "morsel" to each user. These morsels are small little tips to lead a healthier life. They offer small challenges like "don't put any extra salt on what you eat today." GE describes their new app in this way:

“With health and wellness, a little can go a long way. With this in mind, we’ve developed Morsel, a mobile application that helps people get a little bit healthier, every day. By suggesting simple, daily tasks that anyone can do, Morsel empowers you to take control of your well-being, one step at a time. With fun, achievable goals, Morsel makes a healthier lifestyle accessible to everyone.”

Small goals over time do much in modifying behaviors to achieve specific results. Incentive programs - more specifically wellness incentive programs - will ultimately fail if they only focus on the end results. 

What do you think?