Cooler Destinations for Summer

Warm days call for cool drinks and snacks, especially when you’re away from home enjoying the sun or getting work done! Our selection of insulated lunch totes, kids’ snack bags and family-sized cooler totes for large parties and gatherings is just the solution you’ve been in search of!

 

We made finding the right size and type of cooler tote easy for you by pairing our recommended styles with popular Summer destinations. Check out our handy graphic to find the best insulated cooler to help you chill out this season!

1. Heading to the beach or pool?

We recommend: The New Horizons Tote + Clear Clip Pouch  The tote will hold your beach towels, book and other “stuff” which the clear clip pouch can keep your suntan lotion from melting in the heat.  I love the canvas fabric on the tote which is also a great solution when hitting the farmer’s markets or flea markets this summer.  The washable fabric makes it easy to care for if it gets dirty.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Adjustable Sling Backpack: carry essentials hands-free!
• Fresh Market^® Thermal: holds ice to keep food & drinks cold!  This large thermal is also a great way to see your ice cream from melting on the way home from the grocery store.  Pack all of your frozen items in it with the refrigerator items on top and your will be surprised how solid the freezer items still are when you get home even on the hottest days.

 

2. Off to the office?

We recommend: Thermal Tote OR Around the Clock^® Thermal .  Not sure which one to pick, it all depends on what you take for lunch.  A visual is a “6-pack” will fit in the Around the Clock Thermal with some room to spare.  The Thermal Tote is great for the kids for their school lunches.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Zipper Pouch: great for office supplies, small electronics and more! 
• Everyday Essentials Tote: lots of pockets to keep your work items organized!  This is the NEW favorite for the beach, the gym, school, crafters and teachers.

 

3. Off to a lake cabin? Leaving for a camping trip?

We recommend: Large Utility Tote + Essential Storage Tote   You can never enough of either one of these bags!  The large utility tote is a must have for everyone – beach, grocery shopping, sports equipment, car clutter and so much more.  Did you know TWO Essential Storage Totes will fit in a Zipper Pouch?  This makes them easy to store.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Journey Backpack: when you want to do a little hiking or biking!  The best part is this has a thermal pocket to keep your drinks and/ or snacks cool.
• Move It All Bag: don’t forget blankets, towels and extra clothes!

 

4. Taking a road trip? Family vacation by car?

We recommend: All Packed^® Duffle +All Packed^® Mini Duffle  Where will you be traveling to this summer?

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Takealong Weekender: more stylish than sporty oversized travel bag!
• Expanding Travel Case: lots of room for your toiletries and cosmetics!

 

5. Family picnic in the park? Neighborhood backyard BBQ?

We recommend: Round About Cooler Tote The NEWEST Thirty One thermal.

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Picnic Thermal Tote: more vertical design holds ice and taller items!
• Fresh Market^® Thermal: Holds ice and is large enough for two 9” x 13” pans! Yes, it can do HOT or COLD!

 

6. Planning a kids’ playdate? Taking the kids to the zoo? 

We recommend:Cinch Sac

OTHER GREAT OPTIONS!

• Tiny Utility Tote: a handy storage basket for toys and other playtime essentials!
• Snack & Go Pouch: Food safe snack bag for kids to keep treats in when away for the day!

Not sure which thermal or tote is perfect for you?  I am happy to help you find the right combination for all of your needs.  Believe it or not, each bag has over 31 uses so one bag may actually solve more than one of your dilemmas.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Toothpaste and Clean Underwear

Have I got your attention?  Every since Thirty One’s National Conference two years ago, I have been trying to focus on the fact

“Success is a journey, not a destination.”

I have heard it forever BUT I usually think of it as the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.  I loved a recent blog post by Dana Phillips of Team Connections.  She shared about the various things we need when we pack for a journey and translated it into the journey we take in our business.  Here is the packing list she shared:

So what do we need for the journey?  Is there a packing list for the journey of success?  I came up with some “essentials”.

Knowledge:  the toothpaste.  All the knowledge you have and all the ability you have to obtain more knowledge is a valuable asset on your journey.

Resourcefulness:  the toothbrush of success.  You have it packed with you every day.  Just remember to use it and use it with knowledge.  Every day we need to practice figuring out ways to make our lives and the lives of others, better, easier, more fulfilling.

Self-Awareness:  don’t forget to floss!  Think about it.  Being self-aware is getting down to the nitty-gritty of your strengths and weaknesses; discovering actions you can take to improve.

Positive Attitude:  This is like underwear.  Most of us wear it, but clean is more comfortable.  All of us have an attitude, but positive is more comfortable.

Planning:  We need a few changes of clothes in case the weather changes.  We all need to be ready to adapt to change.  Being prepared to be adaptable can make our journey more successful.

There may be more things you need on the journey, but I think it is safe to say that you have everything you need to succeed inside of you.

I believe you have all that you need to pack for the journey right now.  Just make sure you pack for success every day.

So, what do you think?  The truth is we have everything we need for success, it is just a matter of unpacking it and using it!  Which one do you struggle with most?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

Weight Loss Magic Wand

Have I got your attention?

That picture is the closest think that I have to a magic wand.  Believe me if I had one, I would have used it by now.  I am still recuperating from the week-end long food fest called Thanksgiving as we get ready for the next food frenzy – holiday parties.  UGH!  Make it stop!!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there were a magic wand that we could wave?  Suddenly the pounds would melt from our flesh and we would be the perfect weight.  Suddenly, we would reach our personal or business goals with little or no effort.  I don’t think anyone would choose the rigors and demands of a diet (or work) over a magic wand.

My journey with losing weight started when I was younger – spurts of crazy/fad diets like the grapefruit and egg one to hours spent in the gym drinking diet soda to keep me going.  I am sure that we all have some stories, right?

Why am I telling you this, right?  Because success is a journey.  It is not a magic wand or a magic pill.  Whether your journey is in business, or self-help or yes, even weight loss.

When I had my daughter, 27 years ago, I was a hefty 295 pounds. Some are shocked until I show them pictures. There aren’t many of them but there are a few. I didn’t see how heavy I was. No, I didn’t have on rose colored glasses but it was just who I was. When I went into recovery (a story for another time) I was probably the only person to loose 11 pounds. Still, I didn’t see a problem. I guess it finally hit me when I saw a picture of myself and my daughter at my niece’s wedding. WOW! That is my BEFORE picture.  I actually came across another one the other day that is now hanging in the cabinet as a constant reminder when I open the door.

I joined Weight Watchers and things began to happen. I was not one of those people who got it right away. Eat less was easy, move more – not so easy since I had grown to dislike exercise. See it has been a process for me.  Yes, I reached goal weight – down 108 pounds.  Then I thought “I got this”.

The truth is that we may never really “get it”.  Those words always set us up for a slide back in one way or another.  The pounds slowly come back or we begin to slip into old behaviors.  For me, I am back to being 18 pounds from my goal weight.

I am still committed to the process.  Remember it is the journey NOT the destination that makes the difference.  Whether your goal is 10 pounds, 100 pounds or a goal in your business, it can be done. Slow and steady wins the race.

Don’t think that because you don’t reach your goal in “x” amount of time, it isn’t worth it. Don’t compare yourself to other people.  You don’t know their journey and they certainly don’t know yours.

Look at me, I am still a work in progress.  Let’s take this journey together..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day.