A Growing Partnership

For the last year SlouchBack has grown tremendously as a fun “must have” product for the college dorm.   Much of our success has been through creative partnerships that we have developed with like entrepreneurs all trying to provide either a product or service to an exciting market.  One of the first companies we began sharing ideas and resources with was Design Your Dorm, a web based program that allows you to design your future dorm room with all its furnishings in a 3D view. When satisfied with your layout a simple click of the shopping cart would ensure that all of those hand picked goodies would be delivered to your dorm on move in day.  It was an easy match as their growing user base was able to see how the placing a SlouchBack in their dorm would allow for significant more space than the futons and chairs they offered.  As we approach the summer months we are planning to continue to work together as a group of young entrepreneurs trying to present our unique products and services to the future college students.  To learn more about the founders behind Design Your Dorm and to play around with their fun 3D imaging platform head over to http://designyourdorm.com

High School Graduation Gift Ideas for Grandparents

High school graduations are always a time when parents and grandparents are most proud of their children’s and grandchildren’s achievements. These 10 gift ideas will help grandparents (and other family members or friends) determine the ideal graduation gifts for the graduate. It’s usually up to the parents to buy the big ticket items like a car or television unless the grandparents have the financial resources to do so.

These graduation gift ideas are things that are relatively affordable and many of the gifts will have long-lasting meanings to the graduate.

Keepsake Frame for Diploma - A very nice frame for their diploma would give the high school graduate a way to display their accomplishment. An engraved frame with the grandparents’ names on it would be a great way to personalize this graduation gift.

Comfort for their new Home…Dorm Room - A comfortable, compact piece of furniture makes the perfect high school graduation gift of comfort for your grandson as he embarks on his new journey of college.  An item that is guaranteed to fit in any size dorm room and makes the perfect graduation gift from grandparents is the SlouchBack.

Pre-paid Debit Card - Most high school graduates will appreciate a debit card that they can use to purchase items as they prepare for college or for other things they may want upon graduation.

Gift Cards - Gift cards are always popular and it is a great graduation gifts idea for grandparents to give the high school graduate. Gift cards can be purchased at many college bookstores to help the graduate purchase textbooks and other items for college. Of course a gift card from an electronic store will allow the graduate the opportunity to select the specific gift that they want. They are one of the best graduation gift ideas for grandparents. Now every time the student uses the card he will be thanking grandma for the great gift.

Photobook - A photobook takes the photo album a step further by incorporating family photos of the grandparents, the parents, the graduate, and other family members into a bound coffee table photobook.  With kids everyone so wound up in the digital world this is a good opportunity to take it back old school and give them something they will treasure and hold onto.  Make sure to include photos of the grandparents and parents when they were young. Publishers of photobooks such as MyPublisher or  Shutterfly, and other sites offer a great way to preserve the memories of the family into a book that will be treasured for years by the high school graduate. It’s a great way to educate them on the family lineage and history and is another good high school graduation gift idea for grandparents.

A Trip - For those grandparents that can afford to send the graduate on a trip, this would be an ideal high school graduation gift for grandparents to give to the graduate. Even if paying for the entire trip is cost prohibitive, the grandparent can sponsor portions of the trip for the graduate such as paying for the hotel room, gasoline, or airfare.  To make it even cooler you could plan for it to overlap with a day or two with a trip you are planning.  Nothing could be as cool and exciting high school graduation gift as enjoying a lunch in a foreign country as your grandson or daughter learns a new culture.

Luggage - This may be an item that is not often thought of until the last minute but most high school graduates that plan on attending college will appreciate receiving luggage. And if you also gave them a trip, then this gift will be very timely. This high school graduation gift coming from a grandparent is the perfect opportunity to give something they will enjoy and use for years to come.

Investments - This high school graduation gift idea for grandparents is something that can be used to start the graduate on the path to establishing their own savings, mutual fund, or stock market account. It can include things such as savings bonds or other financial instruments.  It is a great way to start them off and hopefully they will be to add to it themselves if they have a summer job or job while in college. It will also help them learn how to save and invest while at the same time building a nest egg for their future.

A Special Luncheon or Dinner - Another high school graduation gift idea for grandparents would be to sponsor a luncheon or dinner for the graduate at a nice restaurant and let them invite several close friends. This would help to make the graduation special for the graduate and their closest friends. The number of invitees would be based on the budget of the grandparents.

Cash - The old favorite is the high school graduation gift that most graduates will not mind getting from the grandparents. I’ve yet to see a graduate that did not appreciate hard, cold cash.

I hope these 10 high school graduation gift ideas for grandparents will make the process of giving much easier as high school graduations occur.

High School Graduation Gifts for College Bound Students

Is there a college bound high school senior in your life who needs a special graduation gift? Here are some suggestions for useful and memorable gifts.   

Need some ideas for a special graduation gift for a college bound high school senior? Finding a great graduation gift won’t be too hard, as most incoming college students need everything! What high school graduates en route to college need are practical items that will help them get set up in their new dorm room and new college campus. They also need comfy things to help prevent them from becoming homesick college freshmen. Here are some gift ideas to help you find a special high school graduation gift for an incoming college freshman.

• Cheap dorm room furniture. Dorm rooms are impersonal, boring spaces. Inexpensive, practical furniture can make a homesick college freshman’s dorm room feel much more comforting. Here is some inexpensive dorm room furniture

• Dorm room necessities. College freshmen need practical household things like a set of towels, a set of sheets, warm blankets, a coffee maker, a bathrobe, a clothes hamper or laundry basket, hangers, and basic cups and plates. The student can always raid Mom and Dad’s linen closet in search of old towels, but a brand new set of matching towels will be so much nicer. Here’s an idea: fill a laundry basket up with practical dorm room stuff and put a ribbon and bow around it.

• Practical warm winter clothes. If your high school graduate is headed off to a cold college campus, he or she will need warm winter clothes for those long treks around campus. Here are some warm winter clothes that will come in handy.

• Electronics and accessories. In case you haven’t been around a college campus lately, they’re filled with kids talking on their cell phones or listening to their iPods. Their rooms are filled with video game consoles, DVD players, and computer systems. Find out what kind of electronic stuff the student doesn’t have and wants, and you’ve got a great graduation gift.

• College school supplies. No, a college student doesn’t need a lunch box or a Trapper Keeper (although some will appreciate these). Get some practical “grown up” school supplies to send your student off to their adult adventures. Consider a professional day planner or a monogrammed pen.

• “Around campus” stuff. College students spend an awful lot of time walking or driving around campus, so they need on-the-go items. A great backpack is a must. Other useful items include insulated lunch bags, eco-friendly bags and water bottles, and a sudoku puzzle book to play with between classes.

• College sweatshirts and other college stuff. A unique gift? No, but it’s a practical gift. Bulky college sweatshirts never go out of style.

• Practical gift certificates. Most college students will put gift certificates to good use. Consider gift certificates to bookstores, electronic stores, clothing stores, and restaurants.

College Exam Care Packages

Spring is here and Finals are right around the corner.  To show your support for your college student nothing is better than sending them a nice college care package.  Typical exam care packages include; candy, popcorn, and baked goods.  The problem with these college care packages is they all lack proper nutrition, and instead of energizing your college student it makes them full and lazy. 

This fall instead of sending over a box of calories send them a SlouchBack.  Designed to provide comfort while reading and studying in bed you are guaranteed to prolong their study sessions.  No more aching backs from crummy dorm chairs, or loud study halls, now your student can study from the comforts of their room.  The SlouchBack is the ultimate college care package weighing only 9 pounds it is extremely compact and is the perfect study necessity. Get yours today at http://SlouchBack.com  and receive FREE SHIPPING!

Dorm Room Ideas

Spring is here and that means High School graduation is right around the corner.  When shopping for the perfect High School graduation gift for your future college student look for a great dorm room item.  The best dorm room ideas to give for a High School graduation gift is something think compact.  Dorm rooms are getting smaller as over crowding is becoming a  common trend at every school making it more important than ever to think, can they store that?  When designing furniture for the college dorm we decided to use inflatable technology to provide instant comfort without taking up any space.  Check out the SlouchBack to see how you can have an instant couch for your dorm room.  SlouchBack is the perfect dorm room idea for a High School graduation gift.

Great extra seating for the Super Bowl

SlouchBack Floor seating

We are excited to announce that Thrillist.com and WPIX 11 featured the SlouchBack on air this morning in a segment “A super cool gadget for Super Bowl Sunday”

The Slouchback - $99.99 - For extra seating - Can turn any flat surface into a couch like seat - Comes with a built in pump that’ll inflate in 30 seconds - an interchangeable microsuede cover with insulated cup (beer) holders on both armrests.  Don’t wait out and order today to ensure you will have plenty of extra seating for all your guests.

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Ps: we will have the video up as soon as its available!

WPIX 11 and Fox and Friends

We are excited to announce that SlouchBack will be featured this week on two TV morning shows; WPIX 11 and Fox and Friends.  The first to air will be WPIX between 5-6am on Wednesday February 3rd and Fox and Friends on Friday February 5th. We would like to thank our dedicated fans especially the team at http://Thrillist.com who decided our product was perfect for their feature. We look forward to hearing what are satisfied customers and new guests have to say and encourage you to leave a message in the comments below.

Best regards,

Team SlouchBack

ps: We will posts links to the videos once they are live.

Read a recent customer review

SlouchBack customer review

12/16/09

I was very happy with the quick turnaround of the order.  I wanted the SlouchBack before Thanksgiving and it came within 3 days, just in time. I use it to convert a trundle bed into and extra bed because I already have daybed.  My grown boys laid on it and watched TV and Grandkids jumped all over it as well.  I can think of many uses for it and we have been telling our friends how easy it is to put together and take down.  I think the engineering in the unit was well done and many extras were thought out before marketing.  That is not a bad compliment, since I am a professional Quality Engineer.   Thanks for a great and useful product.

Katherine F.  Amazon Customer Review

Comforts of home with our top dorm decor suggestions

When you’re getting organized to move out to school, it’s important to choose dorm decor items that will add comfort to you dorm room. If you’ve already gotten a lot of advice from your friends, your parents, your school, and your relatives, be sure they’ve thought of your comfort.

Ultimately it’s up to you how you’ll live in your new “home away from home” and how you’ll try to decorate it. Comfort in this small space will be one way to make a tiny dorm room feel homey and inviting. Planning your dorm decor with comfort in mind is a great starting place.

Here’s our list of comfort items that add to your dorm decor and provide a welcoming home away from home, even when you’re studying at 3 a.m.

1. A big rug will soften the look and feel of hard institutional flooring and make it more inviting to lounge or exercise on the floor.
2. A featherbed mattress topper or mattress pad can really improve the comfort of a dorm bed. They’re fluffy and comfy, and available in either feathers or fiberfill.
3. Good lighting is essential. Have focused task lighting at the desk, by a chair, and near the bed, so you can read and work anywhere.
4. A SlouchBack is a great three person-reading pillow that instantly transforms your dorm bed into a comfy couch.  With interchangeable suede covers there is one for every dorm decor.  The armrests are over sized and come with insulated cup holders that double as pockets.
5. Closet accessories are made to solve storage problems. Evaluate your space, then choose from peg racks, over-the-door shoe racks, belt and tie holders, and hanging shelves to organize your clothes and accessories.
6. Shower Caddy is essential and provides a great way to transport all your personal belongings to and from the shower.  Look for one that has holes in the bottom allowing the water to drain.
7. Handled laundry and shower totes are made to organize and carry just about everything. Keep a big one on the floor of your closet to collect laundry, and use another to hold bathroom supplies. Then grab and go!
8. A large bulletin board or white board is essential for notes, photos, schedules, and assignments. It can help you get organized, show off mementos, and serve as a message center.
9. Filing space — another must-have . Whether you use a file crate or full-size cabinet, it will go a long way in organizing your completed schoolwork, letters from home, insurance papers, pay stubs, tax info, scholarship applications, and more.
10. Wall Decor can be another touch of home. Use artwork to reinforce your room theme or highlight special interests… make a collage out of favorite photos (using color photocopies)… hang favorite posters — whatever feels like “home” to you.
11. A full length mirror is another wonderful convenience. Use it to check your outfit and decorate the edges with photos, tickets, and memorabilia.

Add dorm decor comfort items to make a dorm room your “own” and you’ll love living there! You might not even miss Mom’s cooking so much!