Merchandise Monday: The Season of Love

The Big Day is just around the corner – do you have your gifts lined up for your loved ones? Hinda is here with an assortment of Valentine’s Day goodies for the special gal or guy in your life.

Alex and Ani Love Russian Silver Bracelet

Designed to wear alone or to layer for a customized look (additional bracelets sold separately), Alex and Ani's patented expandable wire bangle is the most innovative concept in jewelry, allowing the wearer, with the slide of a hand, to adjust the bangle for a perfect fit. Alex and Ani bracelets are made entirely in the United States from recycled materials.

Brighton® Lotta Love 16" Adjustable Necklace

The Lotta Love 16” adjustable necklace features a Swarovski® crystal heart surrounded by hand-painted pink, red and orange enamel hearts and the word “Love.” What better way to show your love to someone special? The Lotta Love collection also includes matching earrings, bracelets and key fob (each sold separately). 

Caravelle® by Bulova Men's Silver Bracelet Watch

The Men's Silver Bracelet Watch features stainless steel with serrated-edge bezel, luminous hands, calendar, second hand, double-press fold-over clasp and water resistance to 30m. This classic style is made for daily wear and will look great with any ensemble.

Coach® Love Women's 1.7-oz.

This captivating, floral woody fragrance intimately embraces the romantic, desirable and sensual spirit within the Coach® woman. A fragrance of the heart, Coach Love is all that is modern, enviable and chic.

Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue Men's 2.5-oz.

Drawing upon their native home of Italy, the innovative design team of Dolce and Gabbana has captured the sensuality of the Mediterranean. A refreshing blend of citrus notes combines perfectly with masculine woods and subtle spice to create a distinctive fragrance that epitomizes relaxed sophistication.

Godiva Valentine's Day Bear

On your mark, get set, snuggle! Exclusive to Godiva, this soft and plush bear made by Gund® holds a bag of milk and dark chocolate foil-wrapped solid hearts. Kosher. 8-pieces. Weighs 1.5-ounces. This is just one item in our assortment of Godiva gifts!

Nambe Mini Love Bowl

As a symbol of endearment, this lustrous heart-shaped bowl makes an ideal gift any day of the year. Designed by Sean O'Hara, this bowl measures 4.5” in diameter and is made of lustrous Nambé alloy.

Merchandise Monday: 2014 Trends in Technology

The annual International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) took place from January 7-10 in Las Vegas, and Hinda’s merchandising team hit the show floor to seek out the latest and greatest from the world of consumer electronics. This year, it seems innovations are cropping up in every area of tech, from digital cameras and smart TVs to mobile and sports and fitness. While it’s a little too soon for us to tell which of the newest items we’ll be adding to our ever-growing assortment, we’re excited to share what we learned about what you can look forward to in 2014 and moving forward!

A shift is taking place in the world of digital cameras and camcorders. The rise of smart phones and their superior camera quality have decreased the need for separate digital cameras. Leave it to tech manufacturers like Canon® and Samsung® to offer the features you love about your smart phone, like Internet connectivity, social media sharing capability and rear-facing cameras, right on their latest models. Along these lines, companies like GoPro®, Garmin®, Sony® and Polaroid have all developed a line of action cams – a rapidly growing camera category all its own.

Recent advances in TV technology have turned passively watching into a full-blown lifestyle. In 2014, streaming technology is offered as an embedded feature on TVs. For example, Roku has partnered with select brands to offer Roku TV, which is built-in, eliminating the need for a separate streaming device. And what better way to enjoy all your favorite TV than on the latest 4K television? Companies like Sony and Samsung are now offering the ultra-crisp, life-like picture, which is becoming more mainstream and affordable. Look for massive displays and curved or bendable screens!

We’ve all been there - you’re out with friends or on a trip and forgot your charger. Now your phone’s dead and you can’t snap great pics or check-in via social media. What to do? Never fear, mobile charging is emerging as a category all its own, with companies like Mophie and Intel® offering devices strictly for keeping your favorite gadgets fully operational, making the concept of a dead battery obsolete. In fact, CES predicts that by 2017, the market will reach $7.16 billion, making wireless charging one of the most important categories in consumer electronics. 

Have you seen the new movie “Her” starring Joaquin Phoenix and the voice of Scarlett Johansson? Did you think it was a little futuristic and far-fetched? Well, we may not be too far away from our homes talking to us. The “Internet of Things” category is starting to catch on, with companies like Nest®, Belkin, LG and Samsung jumping on the connected-home bandwagon. This year, stand-out items included a smart toothbrush and sleep monitor that can be controlled via apps, cloud-connected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and plans for 4G-connected car models from Audi, BMW and Chevrolet.

One of the newest technologies on display this year was 3D printing. While it’s still a little too pricey for personal use, it’s becoming a bit more mainstream as businesses are finding various uses for the technology. For example, 3D printing is great for creating physical samples of products and 3D scale models of buildings and designs. Another example of using 3D printing for business? Food! CES exhibitor ChefJet showcased its ability to print using sugar and chocolate to create 3D-printed cake toppers and pastry decorations. What will they think of next?

Another up-and-coming category is wearable technology. By now everyone has seen Google Glass, the wearable computer concept worn on the face like a pair of glasses. It seems the wearable tech trend is only getting stronger with the idea that anything we can put on our bodies can have a wired version. From smart watches and contact lenses to smart onesies for babies, IMS Research expects the wearables market to ship out 171 million units by 2016, up from just 14 million in 2011, according to CES.

Last but not least, sports and fitness are two categories where technology is really starting to make waves. Devices like swing monitors for golf, tennis and baseball and GPS systems for cyclist are being manufactured by Sony, Reebok, Schwinn and other companies to help improve performance and maintain safety. In the fitness realm, heart rate and activity tracker wrist bands from companies like Garmin, Fitbit® and Polar® and sweat-friendly earbuds from Sol Republic and other brands are just two of the recent developments in fitness that are making it easier and more fun to be fit!

There’s nothing like fresh, new technology to kick off the New Year! Of course, this is just a sample of the many brands and exhibitors present at this year’s CES. And as we mentioned, we’re not sure yet which of these new gadgets we’ll add to our assortment in the coming months. However, we can say with confidence that we’re just as excited as you to see what new technology 2014 brings. So be sure to stay tuned to Hinda Blog for all the latest updates and merchandise news!

Your Monthly Check-Up: Feeling SAD?

For many of us, this winter came with a vengeance. Between the sub-zero temperatures of the polar vortex and the feet upon feet of snow, people living in the colder climates just can’t catch a break. Add to this the decreased daylight hours and you’ve got a recipe for SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

According to “Beating the Winter Blues” by Jill Metzler Patton in December 2013 issue of “Experience Life” magazine, up to one-third of people living in the US experience symptoms of SAD, including decreased mood and energy, feelings of depression or sadness or sleepiness/sleeplessness during the colder, darker months.

“For bodies originally designed to rise with the sun and retreat to caves at nightfall, the loss of daylight hours can throw internal rhythms out of whack,” Metzler Patton writes in her article. Our internal clocks are largely controlled by melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycles and is made of the same molecule as serotonin, which promotes feelings of well-being.

Melatonin levels rise in the evening, but the longer winter nights cause the brain to release more melatonin at the expense of serotonin, as explained by psychiatrist Henry Emmons, MD, in the article. Reduced serotonin triggers mood-depleting feelings and behaviors. But there are ways to offset this.

One solution is to use a light box that emits 10,000 lux of full-spectrum light that mimics the sun and resets your body clock. “Bright light therapy is the fastest known established treatment for seasonal depression,” says psychologist Stephen Ilardi, PhD, in the article. Just 20 to 30 minutes in the morning hours and 15 to 20 minutes in the evening can help offset the effects of SAD.

Avoiding sweets is also a great way to feel better when the winter blues take hold, as simple carbs cause a surge of insulin that makes you feel good but doesn’t last. “Eating sugary foods erodes your resilience,” says Emmons, noting that simple carbs spike your blood sugar and lead to crashes. Instead, opt for complex carbs like legumes, beans and root vegetables that help keep your blood sugar stable.

Taking a combination of supplements can help keep the brain in balance, as well. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and walnuts, help the brain use serotonin more efficiently. Vitamin D3 can reduce inflammation and help elevate mood as the body makes less of it during the winter. And Vitamin B complex has been shown to be helpful in treating depression, according to Emmons.

A good workout is a great defense against the winter blues, though making it to the gym when temps plummet isn’t the easiest thing to do. According to Metzler Patton’s article, a 1999 study by Duke University shows that brisk exercise three times per week is as effective as drug therapy in alleviating symptoms of depression. An added bonus: losing weight and getting stronger with regular exercise!

Getting adequate restful sleep is important year-round but especially in the winter months when our body clocks are going haywire. Excessive sleeping, or hypersomnia, is a big facet of SAD, and Ilardi says, “There’s nothing wrong with sleeping nine hours a night” for the sleep-deprived. But more than quantity, the slow-wave, restorative sleep is what SAD-sufferers tend to lack in the winter.

Last but not least, practicing yoga and mindfulness can act as powerful antidepressants. “You can chemically change your brain through mindfulness,” Emmons states. “You have some say in what pathways you reinforce, what neural connections you’re firing and wiring.” Energizing yoga practices can help increase mental clarity and restore your energy during the cold, dark winter months.

Light therapy, nutrition, exercise, sleep and mindfulness are the remedies for helping you through the time of year that can be difficult for many people. Emmons says, “If you learn to pay attention to your body – how it’s starting to change and react to the season – you can listen to what it needs and respond.”

Read Metzler Patton’s full article here.

Merchandise Monday: Sticking with Your New Year’s Resolutions

According to three different sources resulting from a quick Google search, “losing weight” is the most common New Year’s resolution. With two weeks of 2014 under our collective belt, it’s safe to say our resolutions are going strong, right? No? Need a little motivation? Well, Hinda’s here to help!

A new year means new fitness DVDs, equipment and books have been added to our award assortment. Check out a few of these great items that will help you stay on track and motivated to reach your goals!

Gaiam® Jillian Michaels: Ripped in 30

Get ripped with America's toughest trainer! Jillian Michaels: Ripped in 30 is a comprehensive 30-day diet and exercise plan designed to get you in the best shape of your life! Who needs a gym when you’ve got your own personal trainer? 

Health Mark Alumilite Trekking Pole

The Trekking Pole combines the qualities of an environmentally friendly, lightweight, durable trekking pole with all the features of a high-end pedometer. The patented sensor housed within the walking tip counts your steps each time the pole contacts the ground, and the LED unit boldly displays the time, steps taken, total distance and calories burned. Reach new heights with your fitness routine!

Oregon Scientific® Heart Rate Monitor

This easy-to-use, compact heart rate monitor is a watch with basic heart rate measurement and calories burned features. With a simple tap on the lens, you can change the readouts to display relevant information. The included chest belt transmitter is worn comfortably against the skin to pick up heart signals and sends them wirelessly to the watch. Track your stats to reach your fitness goals!

The Book Company “Eat Move Sleep” by Tom Rath

From the author of “StrengthsFinder 2.0,” “How Full Is Your Bucket?,” “Strengths Based Leadership” and “Wellbeing” comes a transformative book and online application that will improve your health for years to come. Quietly managing a serious illness for more than 20 years, Tom has assembled a wide range of information on the impact of eating, moving and sleeping. A New York Times Bestseller.

3...2...1...Happy 2014!!

Here's to a safe, happy and healthy New Year!

 - From all your friends at Hinda Incentives

Worth a Re-Post: Tips for Staying on Track During the Holidays

We posted this last month as our "Your Monthly Check-Up" column for November, in advance of Thanksgiving.

But we're not out of the woods yet! With five shopping days left and the goodie-consumption in full-swing (at least here at Hinda), we though it might behoove everyone to re-post our tips and tricks for tackling the holiday feeding frenzy!

 So enjoy your favorites while being mindful, and have a safe and happy holiday season!

Merchandise Monday: The New Year is Looking Radiant!

Pantone®’s color people announced last week that the official color for 2014 is Radiant Orchid. Not just any old orchid – radiant! Hailing from the purple family, radiant orchid is a bright pinky-purple that really pops. A Google Image search brings up everything from runway fashions to cosmetics to gemstones to photos of the flower itself.

As the color of creativity, innovation and originality, radiant orchid makes a strong impression in the marketplace. According to Pantone executive director Leatrice Eiseman, “It’s encouraging people to be a bit more creative and more inventive, and in today’s society that’s something that we are all striving for.”

In celebration of the New Year’s new color, here are a few appearances of radiant orchid among Hinda’s ever-growing merchandise assortment. Stay tuned for even more great new products of every color as we move into 2014!

Bialetti Trends 3-Pack Sauté Pan Set

The Trends line is sure to bring excitement and fashion appeal. This line is great for home cooks who want to express themselves and demand cookware with flare. Aluminum construction provides quick and even heating and non-stick interiors make for easy clean-up. These pans feature silicone lacquer exteriors and Bakelite handles. Express your style while you cook up your favorites!

Vince Camuto Alex Tote

Sturdy, versatile and stylish, the Alex Tote from Vince Camuto covers all categories! The Alex is constructed from 100 percent leather in a most timeless silhouette and topped it with contemporary hardware that works for any occasion. Features include a front slip pocket with metal turn lock closure, a back slip pocket with magnetic snap closure and a magnetic snap. Truly a statement bag!

David Yurman Amethyst Color Classics Bracelet

David Yurman’s iconic cable bracelet – a twisted helix adorned with gemstones on its finial ends – inspires the vibrant Color Classics collection. This bracelet features sterling silver and 14k yellow gold with an amethyst gemstone on either end. The 5mm cable bracelet fits a medium wrist. This classic style is perfect for everyday wear and transitions well into your after-hours wardrobe.