Top 10 Graduation Gifts

When I was in college, my roommates & I loved to end our long day of studies by watching Late Night with David Letterman, and our favorite part of the show……Dave’s Top Ten List.

With Graduation fast approaching, now is the perfect time to make Executive Essentials very own Top Ten List to help our many customers find the perfect graduation gift for their sons, daughters, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Executive Essentials Top 10 Best Selling Graduation Gifts:

10. Business Card Holder: Jac Zagoory Atlas Business Card Holder

9. Leather Backpack: Piel Leather Large Buckle- Flap Backpack

8. Leather Duffel:

For Women: Clava Leather Nantucket Duffel

For Men: David King Leather Two Pocket Duffel Bag

7. Monogrammed Leather Padfolio: Bosca Nappa Leather Letter Pad Black

6.   Monogrammed Leather Wallet:

For Women: Bosca Nappa Leather Slim Credit Card Case

For Men:  Johnston & Murphy Leather Slimfold Wallet

5. Leather Handbag:

For Women: Lodis Women’s Business & Casual Totes
For Men: Scully Leather Man Bag Black

4. Leather Messenger Bag: Kenneth Cole Leather Messenger Bag

3. Laptop Briefcase:

For Women: Jack Georges Milano Collection Madison Avenue Tote
For Men: Sante Fe Vaquetta Leather TSA Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag

2. Engraved Pen: Cross ATX Ballpoint Pen Medalist

And the #1 Top Selling Graduation Gift……….(drum roll please)

1. Engraved Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Ballpoint Pen

Executive Essentials is the ideal place to shop for today’s finest graduation gifts, check them out today!

Montblanc Leather

Montblanc Leather is exquisite!  I am a leather snob and the quality of this leather is like none I have ever seen. Made from Southern German full grain calfskin and put through a unique mixed chrome vegetable tanning, semi-aniline dying process, these leather goods stand out above the rest!

The Montblanc line offers a variety of leather pieces including briefcases, backpacks, wallets, portfolios, messenger bags, wheeled luggage and of course pen cases!

I love leather!  My husband often gives me a hard time about my addiction to leather…..handbags,  furniture, coats, seats in my car, wallets, …whenever I have an excuse to buy leather, I do!!!

Did you know leather has a longer life on average, is stronger, more fire resistant, retains its shape, and breathes better than many other fabrics on the market! It’s classic look has stood the test of time and it continues to be conceived as a high-end, quality product that even the fashion industry has grown to love!

Montblanc leather products have a unique deep shine and a beautiful Jacquard lining. The quality craftsmanship and finishing materials used, contribute to the unsurpassed quality and the reputation Montblanc holds as a luxury goods manufacturer!

Take one look at these bags…..their distinction is evident!

Top Ten Corporate Gifts Under $100

The 2010 holiday season will soon be upon us and many companies are searching for the perfect gifts to thank their hardworking employees, while still keeping an eye on the all important bottom line. Executive Essentials is the perfect place for corporate gift orders, due to their volume discounts; monogramming, screen printing, and embroidery capabilities; practice of providing samples upon request; and wide selection of quality products for business personnel, with pricing to fit a 2010 budget.

Top companies that have already chosen Executive Essentials for their corporate gift giving include McDonalds, Phillip Morris, United Airlines, Motorola, Proctor & Gamble and more.

Top Ten Corporate Gifts under $100 include:

1. Bosca Nappa Leather Letter Pad Black
2. Cross Century II Ballpoint Pen Medalist
3. Tumi Meridian Slim Card Case Black
4. Bey Berk Small Globe On Base
5. Parker Sonnet Rollerball Pen Stainless Steel GT
6. Movado Crystal Sphere Clock
7. Kenneth Cole Briefcases – Leather What’s The Bag Idea Computer Messenger Bag
8. Bey Berk Bull Pen Holder
9. Andrew Philips Leather To-do Flip Pad Black
10. Johnston & Murphy Dividends Collection Passport Holder

Remember personalizing with monogramming and engraving can make all the difference! Contact Executive Essentials today!

Top 10 Gifts for Executives and Professionals in 2010

1. Montblanc Meisterstuck Classique Ballpoint Pen Black & Gold
2. Bey Berk Lady Justice Sculpture
3. Movado Rotating Aluminum Desk Cube
4. Bosca Old Leather Collection All Leather Pad Cover
5. Bey Berk Medical Bookends
6. Mulholland Brothers Endurance Collection Two Bottle Wine Carrier
7. Cross Townsend Ballpoint Pen Black
8. Bey Berk Hand Holding Ball
9. Bey Berk Bull And Bear Head Bookends
10. Bulva Vintage Wood & Glass Clock

2010 Holiday Sales Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are upon us, check out the great deals and unbelievable pricing at Executive Essentials this holiday season: sales, sales and more sales; coupons; clearance items; free monogramming; and many free gifts with purchase!!

Hundreds of gifts at unbeatable prices including:

• Amazing closeouts on Kenneth Cole Briefcases
• Clearance Waterford, Jaguar, Ducati Pens and many other fine pens!
• Coupons on Visconti, Dupont, Michael Perchin and David Oscarson Pens
• Deals on The North Face, Jansport, and Ivar Backpacks
• Stocking stuffers starting at $15.00
• Johnston-Murphy Briefcases – Free Gifts with Purchase

Fine Pens! Laptop Totes and Briefcases! Leather Duffels! Agendas, Writing Pads, Wallets, Desk Accessories and more…..all on sale at Executive Essentials! Executive Essentials the holiday gift center for all your favorite professionals.

Happy Holidays from Executive Essentials!

Stress Relief in 2011

As 2010 begins to wrap up I’m sure we’re all looking forward to 2011, I know I am!  A fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning…..right now 2011 has so much potential! Life in the 21st Century can be pretty darn hectic, so when there is a chance to regroup and reevaluate your game plan….. of course you welcome the opportunity!

To begin, there are always New Year’s resolutions, you know: lose weight, get in shape, obtain financial independence, find love, a better job, or maybe just learn something new as you parade through 2011. Haven’t we all attempted these things year after year? In 2011, why not try a different approach….stress reduction! By reducing stress, many of the above mentioned things will simply fall into place……

The best way to de-stress is by getting organized and simplifying your life. How do you do this?…….By purchasing a calendar, a planner or a diary, and never letting it out of your sight! Use a personal agenda to keep track of all your important appointments, phone numbers, birthdays, etc; write everything down in a personal planner; make your lists in a personal planner; carry your personal planner, calendar or agenda with you wherever you go, so you know where, when and how your day is going.

Some people swear by the electronic version, not me.  I want something that I can depend on at all times. Something  I do not have to back up every night, charge every morning or worry where a cell tower is, in order for this device to work! Most importantly I want something that doesn’t act as a vehicle people use to reach me 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! (Another reason we are all so stressed out….we can never escape the madness!)

Now where to find one of these all-purpose, must have organizers!  There are several great options including:  Letts of London, Per Annum, Filofax and Scully.

Carry one of these wonderful little agendas around with you and watch your stress level go down immediately.  You’ll no longer double book, miss all together, or lose important time in your life.  Everything you’ll need to stay organized, will be with you no matter where you’re heading or what you’re doing. For those of you already ahead of the game, these companies offer wonderful 2011 refills as well!

Here’s to a less stressful 2011!  Forget about New Year resolutions, go out and buy a Letts of London, Per Annum, Filofax or Scully personal leather planner today; all available at Executive Essentials at great prices!

Our Own Blue Light Specials

When I was a kid growing up in the heart of Wisconsin, the one thing  I dreaded more than anything was going shopping with my mother. It didn’t matter what kind of shopping it was either; grocery, clothes, Christmas, odds and ends or just browsing — I hated it all. And not because my mother wasn’t pleasant to be around, because she was lots of fun. But, she liked to take her time in stores and I was impatient and easily bored. I mean, how long can any child play, ‘don’t touch the lava’ by themselves before they start to feel their very lives dripping away one minute at a time. I know this is universal too, because I see my kids now going through the same process of gloom whenever I mention we have a few things to pick up at the store. First you get a sigh, then you get reluctant obedience. At the store you get a few minutes of ‘don’t touch the boiling acid’ (a more modern version of don’t touch the lava I can only assume), that quickly devolves into I’m bored. To which I reply, ‘So am I. Now go in aisle 3 and get a 2 pound block of chedder… And stay out of the boiling acid!’

There WAS one store that I loved; K-Mart. Let me be clear, I didn’t love K-Mart more than any other department store because it had better products or design. Because it didn’t. I didn’t love it because it had a larger toy section or better video games. Because it didn’t. It didn’t have cleaner bathrooms or nicer employees. For all intensive purposes it was the exact same store as any other store in my mind. Except for one important factor.

 

Blue Light Specials.

I lived for Blue Light Specials. And when we were in that store I prayed for blue light specials. In most stores, my mother kept a short verbal leash on me at all times while shopping. It had been a policy adopted early in our shopping relationship. I was to stay within the same aisle as her at all times and never stray from sight. But in K-mart, the rules were different. From the moment we entered that store I would be circling her cart looking for the mobile pole with its blue light firmly affixed to the top. I would stay in a near constant state of panic, ready to hear the favored phrase, “Attention K-mart Shoppers, we have a Blue Light Special in aisle…”. When this phrase was uttered over the crackly loudspeaker my mother would calmly smile at me and say, “Go ahead.” She would utter this phrase with a sort of relief, as if HER prayers had been answered.

At her allowance I would bolt off into the store, careening through aisles like a dog on the hunt, trying to catch a glimpse or flicker of blue light off the ceiling as an indicator of proximity. Dashing and dodging in and out of shoppers I would simultaneously look left and right down long sections of goods while at the same time scanning customers body language for any signs of where that sale-giving pole and light were located. Sometimes I found it by sight or sound. Sometimes, just through pure luck. But mostly I found it because they wanted me too. Regardless, I was never disappointed.  And when I’d report back to my mother that we could get $1.50 off a 250 count pack of paper plates, she would smile and tell me we didn’t need that. And I would nod my head, catch my breath and hope we stayed long enough for the next blue light announcement. Good times.

Here at Executive Essentials, we don’t have the Blue Light Special, but we do have a clearance section that has much more to offer than $2 off a king size pack of plastic silverware. In fact, right now you can get up to 60 percent off Waterford Pens like the Kilbarry, Arcadia II and Glendalough. In the fountain pen clearance category my favorite choice is the Honeycomb Fountain Pen in Red from MacKinnon Pens and the Cross Townsend Fountain Pen in Slate. There are also limited edition pens available as well as pen sets. But, the clearance section isn’t just limited to pens.  A great deal of seasonal leather goods are on sale now including attache cases and laptop bags.

 

MacKinnon Honeycomb Fountain Pen in Red

 

So take the time to wander over to the clearance section here at Executive Essentials and see if we have something to complete a collection you started long ago or just to find a new purse pen. You probably won’t have as much fun as I did in Wisconsin all those years ago, but your bound to find much better deals.

College Graduation Gift Ideas : For Him, For Her.

If you’re looking for gift ideas for your soon to be graduated college student then let me be the first to tell you that you have come to the right place. Over the last few weeks, Executive Essentials has gathered some of our favorite pens and talked a little about the unique qualities they contain. We know from years of experience that pens make the best graduation gifts, not only for college graduates but high school graduates as well.  And we will present more pens targeted towards specific majors over the next few weeks. But today I wanted to stray a little outside the pen-box and talk about some unique graduation gifts that Executive Essentials carries.

For those who are new to the world of Executive Essentials (EE), you may not know that we are more than just pen store in Mount Prospect, Illinois. EE carries all sorts of gifts and products that make life enjoyable, easier and stylish. In fact, we have many varieties of luggage, desktop accessories, laptop and tote bags, briefcases, wallets, and purses. An entire selection of fine goods made for the fast paced world of business. With that in mind, I thought it might be a good idea to take a look at some of the non-pen products that freshly graduated students might find useful and fun in their new jobs.

Graduation Gifts For Men:

Acme Blueprint Business Card Case

Acme is a company that loves fun and style and they are experts at bringing this style into the business world without making it goofy and childlike. There are a number of great business card cases made by Acme for both men and women, but this Blueprint Business Card Case is one of my favorites. Paying homage to the profession that Frank Loyd Wright made famous, this sleek, sturdy case is perfect for that young professional in their new career.

Bey Berk Lady Justice Bookends

Bey Berk is one of my new favorite companies. I hadn’t heard of Bey Berk before coming to work at EE, but the more products from them I see, the more I understand how committed they are to quality and design. I was first introduced to them through their great pen boxes and cases. These amazing Lady Justice Bookends and just the thing to hold that newly minted lawyer’s law library in place. These bookends are cast in solid bronze and set upon solid marble, measuring nearly 9 inches tall.

Hartmann Horizontal Prescription Pad

We all know that having a degree to practice medicine is mandatory, but it’s not nearly as important as having completely illegible handwriting. Well, that doctor new to the world might have messing handwriting, but that doesn’t mean he needs to have an unkempt subscription pad. This Horizontal Prescription Pad from Hartmann Briefcases is just the thing to help him keep track of his daily doses. And you might consider a nice pen to go along with it.

TravelPro Executive First Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase

Over the last handful of years that graduate in your life has been lugging around the same messenger bag from class to class. It’s got coffee stains on the bottom, a ripped lanyard with a broken clip, pretzel crumbs mashed into the pencil pockets and some sort of unidentified stain on the back — donut glaze perhaps? Sure, the strap still works, but only because they repaired it with a carabiner. All it’s filled with fond memories (and other unmentionable items) the ratty, old messenger bag just can’t accompany your graduate into the business world. Instead, they need a great briefcase like the one from Travelpro. This amazing bag is made out of ballistic nylon fabric. It has a pocket for your 17-inch laptop, water bottle and is large enough for legal papers. It has locking zippers and is sized to be checkpoint friendly at the airport. Bonus days!

Graduation Gifts For Women:

Hobo International Vintage Leather Rachel Clutch Zinnia

Being organized in the real world takes more than persistence and determination. It takes a good system and the right tools. Not only will this amazing Hobo International Vintage Leather Clutch be a great place to keep your business cards, but its tri-fold frame design has eight credit card slots, an ID window, three bill pockets, a zip security pocket and a detachable cosmetic mirror. It’s basically a graduates best friend wrapped in cowhide and fringed with antique hardware.

Dilana Collection Leather iPad Easel Black

We can argue about this all we want –and people do — but in a handful of years, the Ipad (and the windows version of it when it comes out) will be the replacement for a laptop. The iPad, in general, can make any professionals life much easier on a day to day basis. Not only does it allow you to keep in constant contact with your clients, friends, and family, but the apps available on the Ipad range from insanely fun to hard-to-live-without-once-you’ve-used-it. Once you have something that important in your life (and expensive) you want to protect it. This Dilana Leather Ipad Easel is just the item to keep it safe and make it easier to use.

Winn Slim Ladies Briefcase Black

I mentioned a great briefcase for the men, so I thought I would pull one out of the catalog for the women. There are so many to choose from here at Executive Essentials that it was hard to choose. But I did finally find this Winn Slim Ladies Briefcase.  This great bag has a computer sleeve built in that is good for laptops (and Ipads) up to 15 inches. It comes with a makeup pouch in matching leather, metal feet to protect the bottom of the bag, an adjustable shoulder strap, a full-length zipper and a file folder pocket. She’ll be organized and stylish.

These are just a few of the many great graduation gift ideas available here at EE. The catalog is literally bursting with items to suit any taste and need. So take the time to look around and see if anything fits the character and needs of your soon-to-be-graduate.

Back to School: Reusable Lunch Bags

School is starting at the end of August and the rush is to find cool school supplies for your back to school needs. Regardless of what grade you or your prized student is in, there are basic school supplies that everyone needs. Executive Essentials has a plethora of pens, pencils, backpacks and laptop sleeves to suit any taste and price range. But those supplies only cover the learning portion of the school day and leave out the most popular ‘class’ that is loved by all: lunch.

In nearly every town in every county, there is a choice to be made when it comes to eating at school and that is whether to eat hot lunch or ‘brown bag’ it.  For most kids, the choice comes down to simply whether or not they like what the school is serving on that particular day. Pizza? Yes, please. Tacos? Count me in. Turkey and gravy on white bread? Maybe not so much. And, on those days when your student puts their nose up to what’s on the menu, you head into the fridge to whip up a quick PB&J or another quick sandwich that can get your little Einstein through the day.

But the world of brown bags (and for the most part, metal lunch boxes) are gone. These days, reusable lunch totes and fabric lunch bags are as advanced in their design as backpacks and messenger bags. Many are lined with waterproof fabric, are easily cleaned and are built to keep the cold, cold and the hot, warm. Here at Executive Essentials, we have a good array of lunch bags and totes that can keep your student not only well fed but looking stylish as well.

Scout Bags Dot Bot Brite Doggie Bag Tote

This Scout Bags Doggie Bag Tote is a prime example of style for the right price. It is ideal for school and the beach and is a decorative must-have everyday lunch bag that is irresistible and reusable. The simplicity of this bag is what I like most. Made of coated polyester and fully insulated, this nicely sized lunch bag has a simple handle and a Velcro closure that will secure all items stored inside. A nice feature about this tote is that it expands at the top when opened for easy access to the contents within. Check out this Scout Bags Doggie Bag Tote for the boys as well.

Built NY Gourmet Getaway Lunch Bag

This extremely durable and long lasting lunch bag is made of neoprene and comes with a warranty against manufacturer’s defects. The neoprene fabric allows the bag to stretch so you can really pack it full, although at 13.5″ x 13.5″ x 7″ you shouldn’t need to stuff it too much. The soft grip handle is built right into the bag making it strong and comfortable all at the same time. And what’s even better is this bag is machine washable, stain resistant and comes in black, red or pink. Very cool.

Clava Leather Lunch Box Tote

For those who want to bring a bit of sophistication with them to lunch, I’d suggest this lunch tote by Clava. Made of leather and coming in either brown or black, this stylish lunch tote almost defies the term lunch bag. In addition to being roomy and tall, this rugged tote has an interior pocket to secure smaller items and a double shoulder strap with a 12 ½ inch drop.

Harold Feinstein Lunch Tote Daisy

My daughter (10 years old) just commented that out of all the lunch sacks available at Executive Essentials this is her stand out pick. It may have something to do with the large daisy emblazoned on the outside. She also commented, “it doesn’t really look like a lunch bag.” I agree. This tote created by Harold Feinstein has all the features of a great reusable lunch bag, captured in the style of hand bag. The shape and design are done in polyester and nylon for durability and cleaning. The insulation keeps food warm or cold and it has an exterior zipper pocket for smaller items.

The best part about the reusable lunch totes at Executive Essentials is that they are all part of the back to school sale going on right now. With 14 lunch sacks to choose from your guaranteed to find something you like at price you can afford.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Father’s Day is on June 17^th this year. And, if you take a look at your calendar, you will notice that it is only several weeks away. That means you need to dust off the old idea box lying dormant between your ears and fire it into overdrive if you’re going to find a way to show your dad just how much you appreciate him in time for the occasion. But, don’t worry, because we here at Executive Essentials have a goldmine of ideas that we are willing to share with you over the course of the next few weeks.

 

Bosca Trifold Wallet

Now according to research done by the people that love numbers, it turns out that more phone calls are made and more gifts are given on Mother’s Day than Father’s Day. Unfortunately, the people with all the numbers don’t bother to tell us why it is this way. Do Mother’s just love gifts more? Are they easier to buy gifts for? Do we love them more? I would assume that the answer in most cases is no. Or at least not so much more than we actually buy a gift for one parent and not the other.  Regardless, let’s all get together and raise the numbers and give Mother’s Day a run for their money! (who says that?)

 

Here at Executive Essentials, we have a great line-up of gifts in all price ranges and categories to give to the special dad in your life. From briefcases to inexpensive pens, we have you covered. So make sure you check out what we have below and also come back to see what we outline in future posts leading up to the big Sunday on the 17^th of June.

Father’s Day Pens

 

Think Johnny Cash Limited Edition Rollerball Pen

I’m going to get into this in more detail in coming posts, so check back, but in general, a pen is a great gift for a dad. With so many brands, types and price ranges to choose from you won’t have a hard time finding one that is perfect for that dad in your life. We will, however, have a hard time figuring out what kinds to showcase and talk about.

 

To get you started, I’d take a look at Retro 51 for that goofy dad in your life, Montblanc for that sophisticated father who hangs out in his den all day, perhaps a nice Fisher for a father on the go, and check out Krone Pens for the dad who literally has everything. (Don’t be afraid to request a price!)

Father’s Day Briefcase

Sacks, satchels, cases, bags, duffels, briefcases. It doesn’t matter what he uses, we just know that dad has stuff to carry around. If your dad doesn’t have any baggage at this point in his life, it’s time you gave him some. And we have some of the nicest briefcases on the internet at prices that are hard to imagine.

 

Zero Halliburton Briefcase

Does your old man do a lot of traveling to and fro? Get him a nice TSA approved briefcase from Tumi. Is he a bit more rugged, but still likes to travel in style? How about a nice leather briefcase from Passage 2, with its Indiana Jones-esque appearance.  Is your father an international man of mystery? Well, make him feel like one with an attaché case from ZERO Halliburton. Finally, is he a jack-of –all-trades kind of guy? Then just look through the extensive collection of briefcases and decide for yourself. He’ll be happy with any of them, rest assured.

 

For other great ideas, try looking at our collection of wallets, desk accessories, and leather goods. With such a wide selection, you’re bound to find something that your father will cherish for years. Happy hunting.