Endless Vacation Feature

September 3rd, 2008
Travel Gear: Pack It On
Now that some airlines are charging to check even one bag, it’s time to do more with less. Most of these six adventure-ready packs will fit in an overhead bin—and all can be carried comfortably on arrival
WRITTEN BY GRAYSON SCHAFFER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BURCU AVSAR
GO GREEN
Made from recycled plastic bottles, the Mountainsmith
Spot
caters to day hikers—it has a foam-padded back,
easy-access outer pockets and lots of room for packing
extra layers. The iPod pocket seals the deal.
(mountainsmith.com; $60)

POP A WHEELIE
If you were a traveling encyclopedia salesman, Big
Agnes’s Stagecoach Duffel
would be your carry-on.
This best-of-class bag combines heavy waterproof
nylon with rollerblade wheels. The shoulder harness
converts to a comfy two-strap handle.
(bigagnes.com; $150)

LADYBAG
Okay, it isn’t built for trekking. But neither is
your 10-year old. She’s sure to love this cute tote.
(littlepackrats.com; $45)

RUN, DON’T HIKE
Why let a relaxing vacation get in the way of your
training regimen? The North Face Sandtiger, a
low-profile pack with a 100-oz. water sac (similar
to a CamelBak), stays put on trail runs and can
easily tote that perfect beach blanket.
(thenorthface.com; $95)

DOUBLE DUTY
The trail-worthy Mountainsmith Euro LX can haul a
voyage’s worth of gear. Better still, the shoulder
straps and hip belt stow away, transforming it into
an understated duffel that won’t make your hotel
concierge cringe. (mountainsmith.com; $140)

URBAN TOTE
When life calls for lots of style but provides little
space, there’s District Cotton’s one-off Mini. This
11-inch-high shoulder bag is made from recycled
fabric—a defunct South American billboard.
(districtcotton.com; $45)

Good Green Fun!

August 7th, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Cathy Berse-Hurley
CBHstudio
978-449-0222
info@littlepackrats.com
www.sty-aisle.com

What’s The Buzz From the Trade Show Floor?

New York, NY August 16, 2008 It’s the floor itself. The aisle carpets from prestigious conventions and trade shows are being recycled into a fashion-forward line of accessories for men, women and their four-legged companions. Talk about green - this Herculean effort is the epitome of eco-conscious design, literally saving thousands of pounds of carpet from being tossed away.

Thomas Bates, owner of Thomas Bates Design, a trade show exhibitor- realized that the material under his feet was being thrown out after each show.

“I was drawn to the natural durability, cool corduroy-like texture and consistent color palette. It seemed like the perfect material for our company to utilize,” Bates says.

Bates teamed up with Cathy Berse-Hurley of CBHstudio, and now the two manufacturers have launched STY-AISLE™; a line of eco-fashion accessories for people and their pets. The collection will feature messenger bags, tote bags, backpacks, purses, belts and sandals; as well as pet collars, leashes and beds all fashioned from professionally cleaned recycled carpet and unused leftover remnants.

“The vibrant palette comes directly from the aisles of the shows giving us a loads of seasonal options. We added bright, contrasting cotton lining and trim to make the bags and belts pop. It’s a really fun line,” says Berse-Hurley; best known for her Little Packrats line of packs and totes for kids. She will contribute her design, branding and marketing expertise to the venture.

The partnership with Bates, known for his traditional totes and sandals in madras and canvas, will capitalize on the company’s clout in sourcing, manufacturing and distribution. “It’s an awesome combination of our skills and we are thrilled to roll out the collection in time for 4th quarter of 2008,” Berse-Hurley says.

“At Sty-Aisle™ we are on a mission to rescue thousands of pounds of trade show carpet that otherwise would languish in landfills, thereby reducing waste and saving resources. It’s good green fun for you, Rover and the planet!” says Bates. It’s also a win-win situation - giving customers a chance to purchase innovative designs with a green focus while dramatically reducing wasteful material disposal.

For more information and to purchase this product line, visit
http://www.sty-aisle.com

Back-to-Cool part 1

July 30th, 2008

What’s for lunch?
Whether its PB&J or turkey on rye, Little Packrats has cool and colorful carryalls made to match just about any mealtime mood.

Go buggy!
Just in time for back-to-school, kids can reach for their lunch in the new Ladybug tote bag. Suited for snacks, this 9″ x 9″ x 3″ tote can double as a stylish purse.

Whet your appetite…
…for something truly sophisticated. This striking Tallulah Tote will transport a midday meal and so much more.

Crave new accessories for fall?
Little Packrats and CBHstyle present cool carryalls for preschool to high school and playroom to boardroom. Delight your customers with our innovative designs and inventive fabric choices.

New Bags- New Booth!
CBHstudio has moved to DETAILS at THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR. See the American-made collections from Little Packrats and CBHstyle at booth 8539 starting Sunday, August 17, 2008.

Can’t make it to the show?
Check out the entire product line at our company website www.cbhstudio.com Place your order 24/7 using our secure webstore.

Contact Us:
p: 978.449.0222 f: 978.772.2277 e: info@littlepackrats.com w: www.cbhstudio.com

Princess Monkey

July 24th, 2008

Kaboose.com

July 11th, 2008

Thanks to Dierdre Uria and kaboose.com for the POLAR BEAR Backpack feature in their Back-to-school gear guide. See the complete product guide featuring some pretty cool notebooks, crayons and carryalls for kids and moms.

Little Packrats Polar Bear Backpack

This 10” x 14” Polar Bear neoprene pack, which is roomy enough for your child’s binders, books, and gear, features a top zipper and adjustable straps. Your kid will have the cutest pack on the bus, but will also feel proud knowing that Little Packrats made a donation from the sale of the pack to a global wildlife organization dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

Details: The Kiwi Bird Endangered Species backpack is also available, and might be nice for your daughter to carry.

Price: $59.99

Available at: CBHStudio.com

Capitol T’s and Packs

July 1st, 2008

Little Packrats designer Cathy Berse-Hurley has been hired by the Architect of the Capitol to produce exclusive designs for the gift shops in the new Visitor Center Complex in Washington D.C. Products include children’s t-shirts, toddler rompers and three styles of backpacks and tote bags in various patriotic designs.

Decades in the making, the three-level, underground complex, adjacent to the Capitol’s east front, will be the biggest expansion in the Capitol’s history. Capable of holding 8,000 people, the center includes a Great Hall in which will stand the 19-foot, 150-year-old plaster statue of Freedom that was the model for the bronze atop the Capitol dome. The model has been in the basement rotunda of the Russell Senate Office Building since 1993.

The hall, now almost finished, is rimmed by balconies and has a 30-foot ceiling and two mammoth skylights through which the Capitol dome can be seen from the underground space.


From the Great Hall, visitors will be able to enter a 450-seat dining area, two orientation theaters — one each for the House and Senate — a 450-seat congressional auditorium and a historical exhibition hall.

The high-tech exhibition hall, designed by New York museum designer Ralph Applebaum, will feature displays of artifacts and documents, a 12-foot-tall cutaway model of the rotunda and dome and an amber-color glass floor.

The US Capitol Visitor Center is slated to open to the public later this year.

Read more about the project…


Chill out!

June 28th, 2008

When summer heats up, stay cool with a Little Packrats PENGUIN tote bag or backpack. Carry your stuff to the beach, pool, camp or park in an easy-care vinyl tote that stands up to everyday wear and tear. The PENGUIN Backpack has 3-D wetsuit flippers and adjustable straps. It’s the perfect size for snacks, drinks or games for your car trip.

For kids with more serious cargo, the PENGUIN Travel Tote will hold a beach towel, change of clothes or your snorkel gear. Shop Now!

In search of sea turtles

June 25th, 2008

POP-UP Purse

June 25th, 2008

CBHstudio presents the POP-UP Purse, a cool fashion collectible. Packaged flat, the purse pops open to carry just enough for an evening on the town. Inspired by an origami design, this patented purse makes the perfect travel companion.

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Piggy Post

June 25th, 2008

cute pig

Pigs are adorable, lovable, playful and mischievous. Our pig backpack is perfect for kids that share all those endearing qualities. Who wouldn’t want a cute piggy on their back? Little Packrats pig backpack in raspberry, purple and pink appeals to the “kid” in all of us. 3-D ears and spiral tail will charm animal lovers of all ages. 9″ x 9″ x 3″ Piggy Backpack features everyone’s favorite “this little piggy” rhyme on the reverse. Perfect for summer camp and travel. Learn more at http://cbhstudio.com/piggy-backpack

piggy backpack