A shopping blog of cool gift ideas

We all know the “in like a lion out like a lamb” expression for the March forecast, but the weather in the NY tri-state area last weekend was more like a T. Rex than a lion. And of course, only a few days later, as I type, it’s 65 and sunny in the NYC area. 

The point is, for many, over the next month or so, the weather will only be predictably unpredictable. The best way to approach the manic five-day forecasts is just to be prepared. The gift of quality rain gear will allow one to be ready for whatever Mother Nature has up her sleeve. A great choice is the Norgate jacket by Merrell. Merrell’s Opti-Shell material is both breathable and waterproof so you’ll stay comfy and dry. But the coolest thing is that this jacket is it can be stuffed into its own front pocket so it can be easy stashed anywhere. 

Remember, the time to get rain gear is not when it’s raining! Pick up some rain gear as a gift and you’ll probably get a call next downpour from the gift recipient thanking your for your thoughtfulness.

Merrell Norgate Jacket starting at $98.95.

Mountain Hardware’s Monkey Jackets are the oh-so comfy intersection of form and function. You’ll find that others may have a hard time keeping their hands off of the jacket’s ultra-soft “Monkey Phur” fleece. The jacket is light weight, but don’t be fooled, Monkey Jackets aren’t bulky.

The non-pilling, highly breathable Monkey Phur will keep you very warm on the chilliest of days. The jacket also has a trim fit, athletic cut, so it’s great for cold weather outdoor activities. So what could be better than winning a new Monkey Jacket…how bout winning two! Visit our Giveaway page and enter to be eligible for a chance to win a Monkey Man and a Monkey Woman Jacket.

Win to gift it– or win it to get it!

The Original Buff is a must-have summer accessory. So what’s The Original Buff? The Buff is very functional headwear that complements tons of outdoor activities. The Buff is a tubular, seamless sleeve made out of moisture-wicking Coolmax (and has been treated with Polygiene for active odor control). 

Because of the Buff’s stretchy fabric, it can be configured and worn in a ton of different ways to suit your outdoor activity needs. Need sun protection on your neck? Wear it like a scarf and let it block 95% of the UV radiation. Wear it like a wristband, headband to keep sweat at bay. Or just wear it like a skullcap or pirate-style to look cool!

But what makes it the must-have summer time accessory is you can get a Buff that has Insect Shield. So aside from blocking the sun, keeping you cool and looking great, the Buff with Insect Shield has been proven to safely fend off all of summer’s uninvited guests such as mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers and annoying no-see-ums. I’ve been wearing my Buff mostly as a skullcap on twilight runs- a perfect time to be eaten alive. My Buff has kept me cool and bug bite free for a few weeks now. Almost needless to say, I’m a big fan. I love the Buff for outdoor lovers who crave functional accessories.

The Original Buff Insect Shield UV Headwear starting at $27.00. 

Raise your hand if you’ve nursed a mosquito bite (bites) already this summer. Yeah, me too. So how do you combat all the flying (and crawling) nuisances that come with the territory during the summer? Well, you could coat yourself in bug spray whenever you go out, or you could consider picking up some gear with Insect Shield. Insect Shield is a safe (EPA-registered) bug replant coating that is bonded to fabrics used in apparel (like pants, hats, and bandannas) and outdoor products. Insect Shield is proven to repel the summer’s pests such as mosquitoes, ticks, midges, chiggers, and flys. 

I’ve been wearing a few Insect Shield garments for a few weeks now. So far so good- no bites for me and I love that you don’t have to apply (and re-apply) or spray anything on you to get protection. It doesn’t sting. It’s odorless. It’s safe for infants, kids and women who are pregnant nursing. Here’s an Insect Shield video which probably does a better job of explaining how it works.

My choice of Insect Shield gear is the Ex Officio Baja Long Sleeve Shirt. Long Sleeves in the summer? Fear not. The Baja is a very lightweight and breathable top which has UPF +30 so it will keep you safe from the sun. An extremely comfy shirt, no bugs and no sunburn, what’s not to like. It's perfect for outdoor lovers who don't want anything getting in the way of their summer.

Ex Officio Men's Insect Shield Baja Long Sleeve Shirt starting at $69.99. 

For those of you not in the know, today is the Black Friday of the Internet world, often referred to as Cyber Monday or Green Monday (alluding to cash not eco). So what exactly does that mean? Well, after a long weekend of eating leftover turkey, watching countless football games and avoiding another fight with a family member, it's time to get back to the grind. And what better way to celebrate your peace and quiet than to get started on your holiday shopping list in the comfort of your home or office?

Getting trampled for the last hot item on Black Friday is sooo last millennium. There are tremendous deals to be had on the Internet today, and we are here to make finding them a little easier. Check out our Steals and Deals page for some great offers from some of our top merchants. For that person who has everything, try the Wine of the Month club, and get 3 months of free shipping. And don’t worry about catching up on your work today—there will be plenty of time for that tomorrow.

Wine of the Month Club starting at $107.85 with 3 months of free shipping. 

With eco-friendly fashions achieving mega trend status, why not suit up for the school year with a Dakine Project Blue Interval Backpack? Lucky for you (and the environment), we’re giving one away!

Dakine is dedicated to protecting beaches and oceans through project BLUE. It's not a charity, it's a plan of action. $2 of each sale will be donated to the Surfrider Foundation to fund coastline protection initiatives worldwide. Plus, these packs have all you need for Back to School: removable wetsuit bag, insulated cooler pocket, padded laptop sleeve, music cord port, and pockets for everything. This year, raise your teen’s consciousness with more than just textbooks. Or, if you don't want to take your chances with the contest, check out our fave Project Blue gifts here.

Want to win? Post a comment below and tell us how your teen has helped the environment this year by 11:59 p.m. EST Thursday, September 11. One comment per person please, multiple comments will be discarded. Click here to read the official rules.

It's the end of summer and I'm still broiling. But if you love the outdoors like I do, you can't help but face the heat, which is why it's important to stay hydrated for optimal hot weather fun. That's where the Camelbak Octane XC comes in.

Camelbak's awesome packs are an ideal way to take in a refreshing dose of H20 wherever you go. The best part? They’re extremely comfortable and easy to lug (no more hauling around a million water bottles). My Camelbak of choice is the Octane XC. It's really light and fits great, so you'll hardly notice the 70-ounces of liquid you're toting whether hiking, biking or running. For the hardcore hikers, the H.O.S.S. and H.A.W.G. models carry 100-ounces but are equally as comfortable. Any of these would make a great gift for outdoor fanatics whose idea of beating the heat is staying active while in it.

Camelbak Octane XC starting at $60.00

Just because your Olympic dreams didn't work out doesn't mean you can't engage in some friendly competition. Get creative by putting on your own Summer Olympic Games in the backyard. Start with Chuck-O Pro, the classic game of beanbag made easy.This game goes by many names but is fun and easy for any age level.

Ready for a marathon? Throw in Top Toss (where you lasso a set of balls around monkey bars), Bag Ball (skee ball meets beanbag), and a LED Bowling Set for night games. A pro-looking Score Station should help you keep track of who's taking home gold, silver and bronze. And If that doesn't get you pumped for two weeks of grueling competition, I don't know what will!

Chuck-O Pro starting at $99.95

It's been years (I won't say how long) since I've been on Spring Break or a road trip, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate a good cooler. Especially this tailgating style Koolatron Auto Cool Wheeler.

Whether you're hitting the beach, a parade or roadside fireworks this Fourth of July, you can wheel this cooler right along with you. It holds up to 54 12-oz drinks and has a 33-liter capacity so you can beat the heat no matter how large your party. It will even keep its cool after hours of traffic with a 12-volt adapter that plugs right into your car. 

Koolatron Auto Cool Wheeler starting at $88.88