Mr. Shannon's Desk

Parents often prioritize instilling respect in their children, emphasizing polite greetings, such as saying "hello" when meeting someone new, using "please" and "thank you," and addressing older individuals with formal titles. However, the question arises: Is the use of formal titles equally important within the family unit? Some parents, like myself, are comfortable with their children addressing them by their first names, viewing it as an expression of respect through actions rather than formalities. Today's kids are not yesterdays kids. In contemporary society, there appears to be a significant generation gap regarding the traditional "respect your elders" adage. While respect...

Ok ok... cold weather may not be your thing. And just because I love to snowboard doesn't mean you do. So let's make this article about BEING OUTSIDE!  Need an excuse to get out of the house? Research continues to demonstrate that being outside and experiencing nature can improve our mental health and increase our ability to focus. Many of us are in front of a screen for much of our day — whether that be a computer, TV, or smartphone. As a result, we spend less time outside experiencing the natural world. Here are some reasons why we all...

Us entrepreneurs all have one thing in common: we have the flexibility to choose where we want to work. Working for yourself means that you can decide where and when you want to work within limits of what would benefit your business. However, even startups should be wary of running a business in their own home. While the work from home life sounds dreamy, it may not be the best option. On the bright side, there are other options available without having to commit to a traditional office space. What Jobs Let You Work from Home? Whether you are a startup business or...

When it comes to fitness, working out doesn’t have to mean going out. You don’t need to trek to the gym to get a good workout. You can accomplish plenty without ever leaving the house. Whether you want to build your endurance, increase your strength, burn calories to keep your waistline in check, or do all of the above, you can do it in the comfort of your own home. In fact, the benefits of exercising at home are pretty impressive. IT IS CONVENIENT. Life is hectic, but working out at home makes it easy to fit fitness into your busy lifestyle. There’s no need...

Call us impatient, but here we can’t wait to get ahead of some of the biggest trends spring 2020 has to offer (colorful leather, Bermuda shorts, and polka dots to name a few). But today we’re focusing on skirts—one of the chicest items to mix and match that you can wear year-round. So what’s the biggest skirt trend to look forward to in 2020? While pleated and leather skirts will still be in the limelight, the unexpected denim skirt is back and cooler than ever. From the S/S 20 runways this year, they delighted us with vintage-inspired iterations, keeping with the season’s up-cycled vibe....

Around the 16th century, a story goes that a very bored French Queen decided to create a game in order to entertain herself. She gathered all the men and women in her court and gave them each tasks to carry out. Men were asked to write poetry and songs, and bring chocolates and red roses to the women. On the other hand, women would dress in their finest clothes, and stain their lips and cheeks a shade of red and sing complimentary words to their men. The Queen called this- the game of love. Eventually, these little practices of chivalry...

When it comes to interior decorating black has gotten a bad rap. People tend to think decorating with black is dark and depressing. But this isn't the case. The reality is that at least a little bit of black is essential in every room. It's dramatic, stylish, and provides a grounding effect that is necessary for every interior. Just like a coating of mascara on the eyelashes, black enhances the colors and shapes around it. Black can be used in any room, in any style. Whether it's a sleek and modern couch or geometric patterned rug, or an elegant and...

Dynamic industry, dynamic solutions Given the dynamism of the apparel industry, there’s a need for dynamic solutions as well. One company in New York has sought to do its part by promoting textile recycling. Wearable Collections, founded in 2004 by Adam Baruchowitz, provides New York City residents with bins to recycle unwanted clothing, shoes and household textiles. Baruchowitz jumped on the opportunity to redirect residents’ clothing waste after learning from a 2004 study that nearly 400 pounds of textiles end up in New York’s waste stream. “As humans, we are more reactive than proactive,” Mr. Baruchowitz said in an interview....

GET BACK TO BASICS With a minimalist style, you and your closet should have one main goal: get back to basics. Much like a capsule wardrobe, minimalist pieces might be basics for some, but the wardrobe workhorses for you. Think thick sweaters, straight-leg black jeans, crisp button-ups and ankle boots.   THROW SHAPES TOGETHER When it comes to picking out silhouettes for your minimalist wardrobe, look to these main shapes: box cuts (perfect for tops and sweaters), shift and A-line (for dresses and skirts) and straight silhouettes (for your pants and jeans!). Items without extra frills, like ruffles or embroidery,...

Few garments have created such controversy as the hoodie . From its association with youth driven communities, iconic sports players and the runways of Paris, the hooded sweatshirt is one of our most iconic wardrobe staples. It’s design has barley changed over the last 80 years. The blank canvas has appealed over the generations, as different walks of life adopted the hoodie as a symbol for music, innovation and rebellion. 1930s: Invention In the 1930s American clothing manufactures began experimenting with fabrics traditionally used in undergarment mills to create what we now know as the hoodie. The apparel company now...