Category: Lifestyle

Fourth of July Survival Pack

Post author By Elaine
Post date July 3, 2019
No Comments on Fourth of July Survival Pack

Celebrating a national holiday comes with its fun and its consequences. Whether you’re going to be out all day in the sun, or partying ‘til the early morning, let’s make sure your well-equipped for the potential recovery the next day. Here’s your Independence Day survival pack for staying hydrated, safe, and ready for pure, uninhibited fun.

Sunscreen

Skin damage is real, and you don’t want it. Not for your health and not for your appearance! Sunscreen protects from sun damage, premature aging, and skin cancer. You need to be wearing sunscreen every single day, and the fourth of July should be no exception!

External charger

Bracing for a long day ahead, you don’t want to be caught with 2% battery life in a crowd and looking for your friends. You’ll probably want to take an obscene amount of video and pictures to remember this day with family and friends too, so go prepared.

LARQ Bottle

Hydration is key to not getting a heat stroke! If you’re going to be enjoying the hot weather outside, make sure you’re drinking enough water. The LARQ Bottle self-cleans and purifies so you can fill up with confidence at the park water fountain, sink, or at a neighboring restaurant. Don’t leave home without yours!

Cure Hydration

Drinking and being in the sun all day can drain you of energy and dehydrate you. Hydration packets that are packed with electrolytes (without the added sugar) are perfect for hot summer days like this. Carry some Cure Hydration packets with you to stay extra hydrated!

Hat

A hat will help block the sun’s UV-rays from your eyes and your face to add some more sun protection for you. If you’re spending a full day in the sun and don’t have time to apply, a hat is the next best thing!

Sunglasses

The sun’s UV rays aren’t only damaging to your skin but also your eyes. Enjoy your time in the sun without damage to your eyes and wear your sunglasses!

Picnic blanket

Photo by S O C I A L . C U T on Unsplash

If you plan on watching fireworks, a picnic blanket is always a good idea. Your friends will praise you for your preparedness, trust us.

Light jacket

We might sound like your mom chasing after you to bring a jacket, but you can’t deny that there have been oddly cold nights on the Fourth! A jacket or blanket is a good idea to bring so you can stay out later into the night and enjoy yourself without the chill–at least not that kind of chill.

Eat water-abundant foods

Photo by Alex Jones on Unsplash

‘Tis the season to stay hydrated and snack on some water-abundant foods. These include watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple, oranges, raspberries, cucumbers, iceberg lettuce, celery, green peppers, spinach and more! These foods are high in water content–all of which contain over 85% water! They’re also packed with vitamins and minerals that keep you hydrated and well-nourished for your day in the sun. Something tells us we’ll be sipping on a lot of smoothies and getting us some greens on our fourth.

If you’re hosting this year’s Fourth of July shindig, pick up a few of these water-rich foods to keep your guests and yourself hydrated. Bonus points if you can throw a plastic-free party!

Know the signs of a heat stroke

On a more serious note, heat strokes are very likely on hot summer days like the fourth of July. Know how to spot someone having a heat stroke or if you’re having a heat stroke yourself and alert someone right away. Get help or notify someone if you observe these symptoms:

Throbbing headache
Dizziness and light-headedness
Lack of sweating despite the heat
Red, hot, and dry skin
Muscle weakness or cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid Heartbeat (can be strong or weak)
Rapid, shallow breathing
Behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering
Seizures
Unconsciousness

And now, we hope you’re better equipped to tackle a hot summer day like the fourth of July–and every hot day for that matter. Remember to stay hydrated and celebrate responsibly! #DrinkBrilliantly

Tags Wellness

Lifestyle

5 Easy Ways to Declutter Your Desk and Cultivate a Productive Workspace

Post author By Elaine
Post date June 6, 2019
No Comments on 5 Easy Ways to Declutter Your Desk and Cultivate a Productive Workspace

Your office space is probably the place you spend the majority of your time–unless you’re one of those people who can work from your bed; how is that even possible?! Whether it’s at home or at HQ, your office space should inspire productivity, creativity, clarity and overall feel like a space where you can, you know, actually get stuff done.

We’ve all been there–arriving to a cluttered desk with piles and piles of paperwork and random knick-knacks that can get overwhelming. When you see things in disarray, your mind can’t help but feel overwhelmed and stressed. A clear and organized workspace is essential to your productivity and mental health.

Now, here are a few tips on how to decorate your home office or work space for optimum success and minimal maintenance. Did somebody say “desk envy”?

#1 Everything should have a place

Storage, storage, storage.

matching blue plastic desk storage set — Source: Poppin

If everything has a designated space, you are less likely to lose things and less likely to leave a mess, which will likely result in reduced stress!

For that paper

wire crate magazine holder for desk — Source: Amazon

For magazines, newspapers, manuscripts, sketches–any form of paperwork, a filing system might help. If you have a lot of paperwork, you might need some file cabinets. If not, you might be able to get away with a desktop filing system (as long as your paperwork isn’t too sensitive of course).

All the small things

matte black magnetic desk storage set — Source: The Container Store

Keep small office supplies in a drawer organizer or a container with a lid so they are easy to find yet concealed to avoid clutter. Binder clips, paperclips, erasers, loose change–they all have a place and it’s not scattering them across your desk or thrown into a drawer carelessly.

A cup half full

uniquely shaped geometric pencil holders — Source: MoMA Design Store

A pencil case, pencil box, or simply a tall mug will keep your writing tools in one place. If you use a lot of different mediums for your work like pens, pencils and different sizes of paint brushes, you might even want to take it a step further and have them organized into different holders.

clay geometric pencil holders — Source: Container Store

Use this rule of thumb and tailor it to your needs. You can always find a place for things that makes sense for the way you work.

#2 If you don’t use it, get rid of it

We’re all a little guilty of keeping things at our desk for ages and never using them. If you realize you haven’t used something in more than 6 months, consider repurposing it elsewhere or giving it to a friend. There’s no use in letting it collect dust and take up space in your office.

#3 Use a notebook

If you’re the type of person who needs to write things down and are currently doing that on a bunch of sticky notes or random pieces of paper you have on your desk–it’s time to invest in a notebook. Having all your notes in one place not only keeps your desk neat, but it makes finding your notes easier. After all, you wrote them down to try to remember them right? You could also think of it as an archive of all the work you’ve done in that part of your life.

Trust me, I was really resistant towards purchasing one because I have had a ton in the past I didn’t use, but when you get one that you like, that fits your aesthetic and is a good size for your lifestyle, you’ll want to use it and stick with it until you run out of pages.

Do you tend to spill coffee or tea or anything on your notes? What if I told you there was a waterproof and tear-resistant notebook for you that also looks beautiful? Shocking, right? The Karst notebook is made out of stone that has been finely milled to create beautifully smooth pages that are spill-proof and tear-resistant so even the most accident-prone people will have a notebook they can truly take with them anywhere.

#4 Keep your cables in order

The most frustrating thing about a desk area is the cluttered cord situation. You have chargers for everything–even if most of your tech gear is wireless.

So what’s the solution?

matte black adhesive cable management strip — Source: Amazon

Keep cords neat by binding them together or using a cord keeper. If your gear has wireless charging capabilities, invest in a wireless charger to minimize the amount of cords on your desk.

You can also tuck larger cords behind a laptop or monitor stand or keep them neatly bound towards the back of your desk.

#5 Express yourself

Sometimes the problem with an office area is the lack of self-expression that can make your space feel cold and unwelcoming. But on the other hand, a slippery slope is adding too many random things to your desk, so make sure every piece of decor you add is intentional and not overbearing.

Get Sentimental

You can say a lot with the few things that you decide to include, such as photos of loved ones, or a bobble head from your favorite team–no need to bring your entire collection. Don’t want to get too personal? Using elements that speak to you, like wood finished accessories, minimalist touches, or a few your favorite books sandwiched by gold bookends will get the job done without the warm and fuzzies.

Form but also function

Express yourself with functional pieces too, such as a desktop calendar with your pet’s face on it or a mug with your favorite Disney character on it. Or, dare I say, a sleek looking water bottle that won’t cramp your office style and that automatically cleans itself so you never have to worry about the embarrassing stench after forgetting it in the office for a whole weekend.

Go green

modern designer's desk scandinavian desk inspiration — Photo by Christopher Gower on Unsplash

Photo by Christopher Gower on Unsplash

A great way to spruce up any area, especially your office, is adding indoor plants. Plants are great for adding some life into your otherwise cold workspace. Some even help purify the air and are *nearly* impossible to kill. Snake plants, peace lilies, dracaenas, and cacti are all tough plants that will do well in lowlight settings such as in an office space and are forgiving if you forget to water them or overwater them.

Don’t worry, if you don’t have a green thumb, you can opt for some faux plants! They add the same effect without the hassle.

Remember, your workspace should be a place that feels like your own, that inspires creativity and productivity, and that you shouldn’t feel stressed out by on top of your workload. We believe these simple tips will help guide you along your way to a more productive work life. Does your stress stem a little further than from your working environment? Check out our article on how to reduce stress and tips on managing your stress levels for improved mental health.

Tags Design, Interior Design

Lifestyle

Gift Ideas for New Graduates

Post author By Elaine
Post date June 4, 2019
No Comments on Gift Ideas for New Graduates

graduation gift ideas: LARQ Bottle, Vitruvi aromatherapy diffuser, Karst stone paper notebooks

As we go on, we remember… Vitamin C gets us every time. Yep, it’s grad season and as the rest of us are just trying to get through the workweek, some of our loved ones are preparing for the beginning of adulthood or their dream careers. Need some help shopping for a gift for the grad in your life? Lucky for you, we’ve compiled a list of gifts perfect for any grad–whether it’s high school, undergrad, graduate, masters or even med school and law school.

Gift Ideas for Grads

Restaurant Gift Cards

Source: Chipotle

No matter what age group, food is the window to the soul–that’s how it goes right?

Weekender Bag

Source: Dagne Dover

The new grad will most likely be traveling a bit heading to and from school, pulling all-nighters with a study group (hopefully), or traveling for business starting out in their career. A weekender bag is perfect for anyone. This one from Dagne Dover is unisex and features a variety of colors and sleek design your grad will love.

Pour-over Coffee Maker

Source: Amazon

For the coffee addict or soon-to-be coffee addict, this pour-over coffee maker will help get them through long days and nights.

Instant Film Camera

Source: Amazon

What better way to document their journey than to have physical photos they can look back on or scrapbook? An instant film camera is perfect for heading off to a new school, career and beyond.

LARQ Bottle

You know a self-cleaning water bottle is perfect for anyone by now, including your grad! Everyone’s looking for the next cool thing to show off–especially with all their new gear for school or work. It’ll quickly become one of their must-haves in their backpack or commuter bag for worry-free hydration. No more dealing with a stinky water bottle or washing it (they probably won’t).

Wireless headphones

Source: Amazon

If your grad doesn’t have these already, treat them to a pair of wireless headphones. They’re going to be on the go a lot–rushing from class to class or from work to the gym–they’ll appreciate this one.

Programmable Pressure Cooker

Source: Amazon

Make weeknight meals a breeze for your new grad. With a packed schedule, an Instant Pot is essential in their kitchen.

Cookbook

Source: Amazon

Who better to teach your new grad a few new recipes than ya girl Crissy Teigen with her book Cravings: Recipes for All the Food You Want to Eat?

Airline Gift Card

Source: Southwest Airlines

Is your grad going out of state for university? Got into their top pick for residency? Relocating for a new job? An airline gift card is perfect! Nothing says “come back home soon” better than an airline gift card to get them from point A to you.

Stone Paper Notebook

For the accident-prone grad, this stone paper notebook by Karst is one-of-a-kind. Because it’s made from stone (you heard that right!) it’s completely waterproof–spill coffee, tea, water, hard liquor (hopefully not)? Just wipe it off and your precious notes will remain intact. The pages are also tear-resistant and made from recycled stone so it’s way better for the environment.

Engraved Pen

Source: Things Remembered

Get your grad an engraved pen that they can use for taking notes, signing documents, and keeping at their new desk. With refillable ink, this will stick with them over the years.

Tablet

Source: Amazon

Where your grad is headed, they might need a tablet that’s portable, watching Netflix a breeze, and taking notes easy as pie. If you’ve got the money to spend on your special grad, this is the perfect gift!

Aromatherapy Diffuser

You can probably sense the stress coming. At a new school where the stakes are raised, or at a new job where expectations are high, your grad might get a little overwhelmed. To help them reduce stress, an aromatherapy diffuser is a perfect gift–whether they know it or not. Throw in some essential oils to help them on their way.

Tags Gift Guide

Lifestyle

Father’s Day Gift Guide

Pops, pop, papa, dad, daddy, old man, padre, ba-ba–the man in your life who picks you up when you fall, who taught you how to ride a bike, who read you bedtime stories before bed, who keeps you in line when you need to hear some valuable wisdom–if we’re lucky enough to have a father(s) or father figure in our lives, we ought to show them our love even if it makes them a little uncomfortable.

Father’s day is coming up (June 16) and we’re stressing out because… Dad can be one of the hardest people to buy gifts for.

But not to worry, we’ve done some of the heavy lifting to come up with a list of things any dad would appreciate on father’s day. Here are a few things for pops who thinks he has everything:

Gifts for Dad

Photo by Caleb Jones on Unsplash

Ember Temperature Control Mug, $130

via Amazon.com

Does dad constantly babysit his coffee until it’s a weird luke-warm temperature? If so, he’ll love this tech-y temperature control mug that he can use at home or at work! Now, he can enjoy his hot coffee or tea right away or even two hours later. Is dad always on the go? Get him the Ember Travel Mug instead at a pretty $150.

Ettitude Waffle Bathrobe, $80

via Ettitude.com

You can’t beat a luxurious bathrobe like this one when it comes to relaxing. Give pops a little piece of self-care that he’ll actually use. This irresistible bamboo lyocell material is silky smooth and feels like you’re at the spa. Even if he didn’t wear robes before, he will now. Mom might get a little jealous.

LARQ Bottle, $95

We’re not kidding when we say this is a great gift for anyone. We all should be a little more mindful of our health and that includes the water and bottle we drink from. The LARQ Bottle self-cleans every 2 hours to keep your water and bottle clean and bacteria-free. For the father who doesn’t drink enough water, the father who hates cleaning his water bottle, or the father who’s always traveling–give him the gift of pure water at the touch of a button.

Airline Gift Card

via Southwest.com

Does dad love to travel but doesn’t for whatever reason? An airline gift card will be just the thing to give him the extra nudge he needs to get out there, explore, and take a day off for once.

Noise-canceling headphones, $350

via BestBuy.com

Since these are becoming more and more mainstream–especially with the AirPods 2 release–chances are dad doesn’t have these yet, or doesn’t have great quality ones. Does he like to watch movies or listen to music to wind down? Get him noise-canceling wireless headphones so he can sit back in his old chair and sip some wine to his old-school jazz. Does he have a long commute to and from work? Get him a pair of true wireless headphones that he can also use for hands-free calling. Is he a runner or a gym rat? Get him a sports-friendly pair of true wireless headphones that won’t fall off when he’s working out.

Karst Stone Paper Notebook, $12-39

via KarstStonePaper.com

For the father who is always jotting things down on random pieces of paper (then losing them later on), a notebook is a thoughtful gift for him. Not just any notebook, but one that is waterproof and fits any style–and who knows that style better than you? That’s right; the Karst Stone Notebook is literally made out of stone, so it’s waterproof, coffee-proof, tea-proof, and better for the planet. As a company grounded in making sustainable products with thoughtful design, we love Karst for their innovation and beautiful products. For the backpacker dad, get him a pocket-sized notebook and mini pen so he can document his travels–even as he’s wading in a river. For the man of the office, a sleek hardcover notebook is perfect.

Engraved Pen, $41

via ThingsRemembered.com

Engraved pens are an easy thoughtful gift for anyone–we all use them, he won’t lose this one (hopefully), and they’re a great reminder to them that you care every time they use it. This will be a great gift for someone graduating as well as for your dad!

Game of Thrones Puzzle, $60

via Amazon.com

We’re all a little heartbroken about GOT ending, but maybe your dad can relive a bit of the series by putting together his very own GOT-themed puzzle!

Restaurant Gift Card

OK, this might seem like a cop-out but for those of you who won’t be with your fathers this father’s day, a gift card sent in the mail with a thoughtful father’s day card is an amazing surprise he’ll appreciate. Plus, what says “I love you” better than food!

Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker, $95

via Amazon.com

For the dad who loves to cook, he’ll appreciate this gift (plus, you might benefit from a mean meal from this). This device allows you to cook anything from beautifully tender steaks and soft-boiled eggs to perfectly cooked veggies.

Family Portraits

Photo by Blake Barlow on Unsplash

Some parents are big on taking photos–others are not. For a father, it could mean a lot for someone else to want to take family photos. Even if they aren’t immediately excited about the idea, they’ll appreciate it in years to come. I’m talking to the people who rarely get together as a family, the people who never have pictures with their parents, the people who live far away from their parents–this is the gift they’ll cherish.

Wallet, $130

via Nordstrom.com

There are some dads that will buy these for themselves–shoutout to you fashionable dads! But some dads will literally wait until their wallet falls apart to buy a new one. Do the shopping for him so he can experience the luxury of a brand new wallet.

Waterproof Sandals, $40

via Nordstrom.com

With summer just around the corner, get dad ready for his next beach trip with a pair of sandals you’re on board with. If you buy it, he *hopefully* will wear it and *hopefully* get rid of those beat up flip flops he’s had for years.

Athleisure

via VuoriClothing.com

One cannot have too many athleisure clothes and the same goes for your pa. Whether he works out or likes to lounge around on his days off, get him some comfy and stylish athleisure for father’s day to show you care.

Fitness Tracker, $140

via Amazon.com

Fitness trackers are great for people of any age, gender or fitness level. It’s a great way to encourage your father to be more active or for the father who already exercises all the time to track his progress. There are a ton out there with different features like step-counters, heart rate monitors, sleep tracker, and more. Find one that best fits what you think he’d want or need.Father’s Day Gift Guide

Tags Gift Guide

Lifestyle

Our #BrilliantMoms

Woman holding bouquet of tulips photo by Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash

When you think of your mother or mother figure, the memory of her singing to you might come to mind, or of her tending to your scraped knee, or even of her cooking your favorite meal in the kitchen. Moms do so much for us in helping us when we feel weak, to molding us into the people we are today. They may nag and annoy us at times (who’s mom doesn’t?!), but at the end of the day, they love us unconditionally and that’s what matters most.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, so we decided to really tug at everyone’s heartstrings (hopefully yours, too) by asking our LARQ family to share some fond memories with the mothers in their lives.

“My favorite memories are of my mother baking fresh bread in the kitchen. The aromas would permeate every inch of the house, and my siblings and I would all come running into the kitchen to see what she was baking. Now, when I smell freshly baked bread, it always reminds me of my mom.” – Elaine, Content Marketing Associate

“One great thing about moms is that they always keep you afloat, both figuratively and literally. I am forever grateful to have her in my life.” – Adria, Customer Experience Manager

“#BrilliantMom. Where your mom shines so bright she overshadows her sons. Raising two boys (three if you include Augie dog) and kicking booty. Literally. My mom was the first person at our martial arts school to be awarded the rank of 4th-degree black belt (far surpassing my one) and has been training for 20 years. She’s an inspiration to us all and embodies determination, hard work, and a welcoming spirit. Well done mom. She is also an avid painter: @patriciaoji” – Kevin, Director of Business Operations.

“My mom is an optimist and always knows the right advice to give whenever I need it. My mom told me that if I’m ever stuck in a rut, take a trip somewhere and it will change my perspective on things. It keeps me from overthinking and she said it also changes my luck and good things will happen. Sounds a little eerie but I find it to be very true.” – Yvonne, Senior Marketing Communications Manager

“I’m grateful for my mom for molding me into the person I am today with her strength and creative thirst. She always knew when I needed the freedom to grow and the discipline to stick it through a challenge. ” – Justin, Co-Founder and CEO

Whether it’s your biological mother, your mother figure, the mother of your children, or a bestie who’s a mom, celebrate with us by sharing your own fond memories. What’s your fondest memory with mom? Tag us in your #BrilliantMom Instagram stories for a chance to be featured on Mother’s Day.

Not sure what to get Mom this year? For a limited time, add a complimentary Mother’s Day card* with any LARQ Bottle purchase. It’s the thoughtful gift of fuss-free hydration, with bacteria-eliminating tech even mom would approve of.

*Offer valid while supplies last. Limit one per customer. Available to US & Canada only.

Tags Mother's Day