Spring '14 Sales Meeting Prep

Here we go again…another national sales meeting around the corner! We've got a busy week a head of us preparing for next weeks national sales meetings in Atlanta and Chicago. Waiting for final samples to arrive, checking over the new graphics and art applications, fabrics…a retailers candy shop it seems :) It's always fun presenting a new line for the first time. I wish I could give you a sneak peak of some product you'll be seeing hit stores next year but you'll just have to wait a bit longer. Wow do we have some cool stuff coming out. The anticipiation is building! In the mean time....Any good pizza recommendations while were in Chi-Town??? we're a hungry crowd over here at Colosseum!

Trends we love…PATTERNS

It doesn't matter what kind of pattern…they are all hot right now. Polka Dots, Lace, Plaid, Vintage Florals. Here's a little bit of an art lesson today. There are 3 types of pattern categories: Geometric, Abstract, and Conversational. They all pretty much explain themselves but just incase I already lost you at 'art lesson' this should sum it up. Geometric prints are anything, well, Geometric with consistancy like polka dots, chevron, honey comb etc. Abstract would be abstract..there is no clear repeat visible. Splattered paint would be a good example of Abstract. Conversational would be things such as elephant or flower patterns. The best thing about this trend today is you can mix and match as many patterns on your outfit or in a room as you want AND get away with it (95% of the time). We love the pattern trend right now and have been testing it out on our College product.

RUN FOR BOSTON

What are you doing today?

Announcing Colosseum 'Cal'

Welcome Colosseum Calvin, our new team member this year. We formally introduced him to our team at CAMEX a few weeks ago in Kansas City during the blizzard. He had plenty of time to circle around the show and rub elbows at happy hour. 'Cal' will be traveling across the USA this year representing Colosseum. He's already becoming quite the celebrity in industry. He'll be making appearances with our customers, campuses, stores, football games and more. You never know where in the world he will be. Follow photos of him on Facebook to see where he is and what he's up to. Oh…and yes…he is a gnome. I don't know about you but, in my opinion he should win mascot of the year.

Never Enough NEON

Neons are stronger than ever before. If you haven't noticed…Neon's are evvvverywhere. You can't look one direction without being blinded by the bright intense hues on someones sneakers, purse, cell phone cover or even lipstick. Well…we jumped on this trend before the fluorescence fades. Here's a little glimpse of our latest neon collection available in retailers this Spring.

The Holiday's Are Here!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving spending time with family, friends, stuffing their faces and watching the Lions! Of course, then there was Black Friday. (Ramdom Fact: The term 'Black Friday' was used because it was a day that retailers chart had a chance to go from from red lines to black lines). I've been studying the research that shows that the number of people out on the streets battling the Black Friday deals has significantly decreased over the years. Personally, I was never one to go out into the madness…I would much rather continue my food coma, while watching a Christmas Story or recaps of the Thanksgiving Day game and nibbling on left over pumpkin pie…and maybe go for a jog to make myself feel better. This year I have decided to keep a healthy routine going during the holiday season and encourage friends and family to do the same. By working out consistently and doing one minor thing differently every day could keep off the pounds, reduce bloating, make you feel less guilty when eating that extra desert or opting for hot chocolate instead of black coffee and keeping your energy levels high during the Holiday rush. Here are some tips to follow through with:

Happy Halloween!

Found some fun DIY ideas for the Halloween and Football Season. Helmets carved out of pumpkins, an adorable infant football onesie and pumpkin football cakes. Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Helmets: Gut out pumpkin guts, carve front of pumpkin to imitate opens of a helmet, paint your favorite team colors to look like a helmet.

Football Onesie: Buy a solid brown onesie. Cut strips of white felt fabric ( 1 long and 5 short pieces). Use fabric glue to hold pieces down. For infant safety make sure all pieces are securely attached on all ends.

Football Cakes: 
Cake Ingredients:                             Frosting Ingredients:
2 cups flour                                      1/3 cup butter softened
2 tsp cinnamon                                 3 1/2-4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder                   3 Tbl milk
1 1/2 tsp baking soda                       1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
4 eggs lightly beaten
1-15 oz. can pumpkin
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease twelve  oz. egg-shaped muffin cups
2. In medium bowl stir together flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cloves. In large bowl combine eggs, pumpkin, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vegetable oil; whisk until smooth. Slowly add flower mixture to pumpkin mixture, stir until well combined. Scoop mix into prepared muffin cup, filling each about half full.
3. Bake 20-22 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched. Remove from pants. Cool completely. Split cakes horizontally.
4. For frosting, in large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Gradually add about half the powdered sugar, beating well. Beat in milk and vanilla. Gradually beat in remaining powdered sugar.
5. Spread frosting over one cake half; top with remaining cake half. Pipe "laces" on top. Repeat with remaining cakes. Makes 12.
* if you have extra...you can use remaining batter to make cupcakes! :)