Brookstone “Relax Away on Mother’s Day” Sweepstakes

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Brookstone’s Relax Away on Mother’s Day Contest

May 13 is Mother’s Day!  The one day set aside to reward Mom for all of the amazing things she does each and every day. If you could build the ideal day for your mom, or to treat yourself this Mother’s Day, what would it be like? A day to lounge on the beach? A gourmet chef to whip up a delicious breakfast? A relaxing massage or soothing bubble bath? Show us your ideal Mother’s Day and you could win an incredible prize package and support Save the Children through our “Relax Away on Mother’s Day” Sweepstakes on Pinterest.

To enter:

  1. Follow Brookstone on Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/mybrookstone).
  2. In your Pinterest profile, create a new board called “Relax Away on Mother’s Day” and categorize it under My Life.
  3. Pin images, including at least five (5) Brookstone images either repinned from Brookstone’s Pinterest boards or pinned from Brookstone.com, onto your board that reflect the perfect, relaxing Mother’s Day.  Tag each of the pins with #BrookstoneMoms and include a caption explaining how you think each item can be used to help moms relax.  Boards must contain at least five (5) Brookstone images to eligible for the Sweepstakes. See official rules below.  
  4. Email the URL link of your board, your name, email address and phone number to brookstonemoms@brookstone.com for a chance to win one of the Sweepstakes prizes by May 12, 2012.
  5. Only one board entry per person permitted.

One (1) grand prize winner will receive a prize package containing:

Five (5) second place prize winners will receive:

See the complete sweepstakes rules below and check out our Pinterest page to get started. Good luck!

Brookstone Company, Inc.
“Relax Away on Mother’s Day” Sweepstakes
Official Rules

 NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.  ALL FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND MUNICIPAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPLY.  VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

Participation constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules. The “Relax Away on Mother’s Day” Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) begins at 12:00:01 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) on Thursday, May 3, 2012 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (“EST”) on Saturday, May 12, 2012 (the “Sweepstakes Period”). This Sweepstakes is Sponsored by Brookstone Company, Inc., One Innovation Way, Merrimack, NH 03054 (the “Sponsor”), who is solely responsible for all aspects of this Sweepstakes.

 Eligibility: Participants must be legal residents of the 50 United States, D.C., and Puerto Rico, having the age of majority in his or her state of residence at the time of entry.  Entrants must be a member of Pinterest (membership is free) and must follow Sponsor (www.pinterest.com/brookstone) on Pinterest to be eligible.  Pinterest membership is not controlled or guaranteed by Sponsor.  Employees and their immediate family members (parent, child, sibling or spouse) and/or household members of the Sponsor, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, sales representatives, advertising and promotional agencies and any other persons or entities associated with this Sweepstakes (“Released Parties”) are ineligible to enter or win. By participating, you agree to abide and be bound by these Official Rules. Void in the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Military installations in foreign countries and where prohibited or restricted by law.  

How to Enter:

1) Follow Brookstone on Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/mybrookstone). 

2) In your Pinterest profile, create a new board called “Relax Away on Mother’s Day” and categorize it under My Life.

3) Pin images, including at least five (5) Brookstone images either repinned from Brookstone’s Pinterest boards or pinned from Brookstone.com, onto your board that reflect the perfect, relaxing Mother’s Day.  Tag each of the pins with #BrookstoneMoms and include a caption explaining how you think each item can be used to help moms relax.  Boards must contain at least five (5) Brookstone images to eligible for the Sweepstakes.    

4) Email the URL link of your board, your name, email address and phone number to brookstonemoms@brookstone.com for a chance to win one of the Sweepstakes prizes.    Email must be received during the Sweepstakes Period.    

5) Only one board entry per person permitted.   

Use of any robotic, automatic or programmed or similar entry method or more than one entry during the Sweepstakes period will void all entries and result in disqualification.

Prizes: ONE (1) GRAND PRIZE will be awarded following the end of the Sweepstakes Period. The Grand Prize winner will receive a package containing one item available at Brookstone valued at $250 or less, a Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Machine (sku 589796), and a Tranquil Moments Baby Sleep Sound Machine (sku 467019). Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $449.98.  In addition, Sponsor will donate $100 to Save the Children® in Grand Prize Winner’s name.

FIVE (5) SECOND PLACE PRIZES will be awarded following the end of the Sweepstakes Period. The five (5) Second Place Prize winners will each receive a package containing a Tranquil Moments Sleep Sound Machine (sku 589796) and a Tranquil Moments Baby Sleep Sound Machine (sku 467019). Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): $199.98.

The Grand and Five (5) Second PlacePrizes consist of only what is described herein. By accepting any prizes, the winners agree to indemnify, hold harmless and release the Released Parties from any and all liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising from or caused by entering the promotion or for damages of any kind caused by any prize or resulting from acceptance, possession or use/misuse of prize awarded, or while preparing for, participating in, and/or traveling to and from any prize-related activity.

Random Drawing:  All prize winners will be randomly selected within five (5) days of the end of the Sweepstakes Period from among all entries received.  The random drawing will be conducted on behalf of Sponsor by a third-party organization (the “Sweepstakes Administrator”) whose decisions are final in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes. Odds of winning a prize will depend on the total number of eligible entries received. The prize winners will be contacted by email and/or telephone and will be required to sign and return any affidavit of eligibility, release of liability and/or publicity release that may be required for the Sweepstakes within seven (7) days of notification in order to receive prize.  If (i) the winner fails to comply with the foregoing condition of the Sweepstakes; (ii) a prize is returned as undeliverable or unclaimed; (iii) the winner cannot be reached within seven (7) calendar days from the first notification attempt, or (iv) the winner is not in compliance with these Official Rules, the winner may be disqualified and his or her prize forfeited, and an alternate winner of the Sweepstakes may be selected, all in the Sponsor’s sole discretion.

Prize Conditions: The prize winners are solely responsible for all applicable federal, state, and local taxes associated with the receipt of any prize.  If applicable, a winner will be issued a W-9 tax form.  The winner’s entry into the Sweepstakes constitutes permission (except where and to the extent prohibited by applicable law or regulation) for the Sponsor to use and publish said winner’s name, city and state of residence, image, likeness, statements and comments, in all forms of media, in perpetuity, without notice or further compensation.  Prizes are not exchangeable, transferable, or redeemable for cash. There are no substitutions unless specified by the Sponsor. The Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value.

Terms & Conditions: This Sweepstakes is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Pinterest.  By entering this Sweepstakes, entrant agrees to comply with, and that its entry is subject to, any and all terms of condition and use of the Pinterest website.  This Sweepstakes is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.  By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants also agree to release, discharge, indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any and all liability, damages or losses of any kind, including direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages, or injuries to any person (including death) or property of any kind sustained in connection with (i) their entry into and participation in the Sweepstakes; (ii) their acceptance, receipt, possession and/or use or misuse of the prize; (iii) their access to or use of Sponsor’s website or the Pinterest website; or (iv) any typographical or other error in the printing, offering or announcement of the prize.  Entrants further acknowledge and agree that the Released Parties have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the prize, including, but not limited to, its quality or fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement.  By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants further represent and warrant that all images on entrant’s Sweepstakes board (other than images from Brookstone’s website or Pinterest account) are owned by entrant or entrant otherwise has the right to pin such images. Without limiting the foregoing, any person attempting to defraud or in any way tamper with the Sweepstakes mechanics and/or implementation will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sweepstakes Administrator and waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Sweepstakes or these Official Rules. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entrant that Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, violates these Official Rules.  This Sweepstakes is void where prohibited.

INTERNET LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: If for any reason this Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, the Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes in whole or in part, at any time, and award the prizes using all non-suspect eligible entries received as of or after (if applicable) this cancellation, termination, modification or suspension date, or in any manner that the Sponsor deems to be fair and equitable. Released Parties are not responsible for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, the Sponsor’s or Pinterest’s websites or the processing of any Sweepstakes’ entries. The Sponsor and Released Parties are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or telephone lines, computer on-line systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems, human error or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Website, or any combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participation in this Sweepstakes or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, THE SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTEMPT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of a winner based on his or her email address, the winning entry will be deemed submitted by the person in whose name the email account was registered at the time of entry.

Disputes: By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants agree that (i) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or connected with the Sweepstakes, or any prizes awarded in connection therewith, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any and all claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Sweepstakes but in no event attorneys’ fees; and (iii) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses.  All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of the entrants and Sponsor or the Released Parties in connection with the Sweepstakes, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws ofNew   Hampshire. Any legal proceedings arising out of this Sweepstakes or relating to these Official Rules shall be instituted only in the federal or state courts ofNew Hampshire, and all entrants in the Sweepstakes hereby consent to jurisdiction therein with respect to any legal proceedings or disputes of whatever nature arising under or relating to these Official Rules. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein.  The value of the prizes set forth above represents Sponsor’s good faith determinations of the ARV thereof and such determinations are final and binding and cannot be appealed.  If the actual value of any prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash.

Winners List Request: To request the names of the winners, please send a self-addressed, stamped business size envelope, after May 18, 2012, to: Brookstone – Relax Away on Mother’s Day Sweepstakes,One   Innovation Way,Merrimack,NH03054

Sponsor: Brookstone Company, Inc.,One Innovation Way,Merrimack,NH03054

The quick brown fox typed like crazy on its iPad tablet…

iPad tablets and smart phones have come a long way in a short time. A growing arsenal of cutting edge apps makes it easy to surf the web, organize and edit photos and videos, compose music; learn a language, chart the stars, Tweet, Skype and IM. Not to mention a few hundred other useful and trivial things.

So, if our favorite touch screen devices can do everything but change our motor oil and style our hair, why do we all still own laptop computers? Because typing extensively on a touch screen is not as efficient as typing on a keyboard. For serious work—writing, large spread sheets, long emails and blog posts—you need a keyboard. Brookstone recognized this problem early on and developed a Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard Portfolio for iPad tablets.

This multi-function problem solver serves as a keyboard, carrying case, device protector and easel. The wireless Bluetooth® keyboard has a genuine laptop feel for fast typing and operates seamlessly with no docks or cords. The slim and stylish case comes in six colors and features a fold-up design to enable your iPad tablet to sit upright for optimal viewing. The rugged case also protects your iPad tablet without hindering access to built-in cameras and ports.

Brookstone also carries a Bluetooth® Keyboard Case for iPhone® devices. Part protective case, part slide-out wireless keyboard, this innovation will take your iPhone to new heights. The Bluetooth® Keyboard Case for iPhone devices gives you the best of both worlds, allowing use of the keyboard or touch screen while maintaining easy access to cameras, ports and controls.

So, once you get your paws on a Bluetooth wireless keyboard, how will you use it? Write the next great American novel during your train or bus ride to work?  Launch a political rant blog while waiting in the dentist’s office or DMV? Let us know – post your comment here>

FitBit: A personal trainer in your pocket

 

 

This time of year, everyone has a goal, stated or not, of doing more things for yourself in the New Year: getting in shape, eating better, sleeping better, etc. But how many try to track these accomplishments or even go to a personal trainer to get on track?

Now, you can put a personal trainer in your pocket – or on your belt – with FitBit. The Ultra Wireless Fitness Tracker with iPhone App is a small, discreet clip-on wireless tracker that counts your daily steps, stairs climbed, calories burned and quality of sleep, then syncs wirelessly to fitbit.com so you can review the collected data, set your fitness goals and chart your progress.

Connected to your iPhone, FitBit access and feeds data via a free app from the App Store. You can choose to compete with friends, keep your information private or sync your data with other online nutrition and fitness apps.

It comes with a base charging station with USB output, sleep wristband, belt holster and free access to fitbit.com so you don’t have to worry about staying updated or inputting data. It uses the latest technology to track your sleep, exercise and calories and helps you use the data to get the results you want.

With the power of a personal trainer in your pocket and automatic data uploads, you’re left with no excuses to make a change this year.

Are you already a FitBit user? Let us know how it works for you!

Three favorite innovations at the Consumer Electronics Show

A few of us from Brookstone are at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, meeting with partners, scoping out new technology and learning what’s next in the world of gadgets, health technology and home technology.

While there are too many products to list, we’ll start with three from Brookstone partners:

Fitbit Aria Smart Scale: This wi-fi-enabled scale tracks your weight, body fat percentage and BMI that is loaded to the Fitbit site with online graphs and mobile tools to help you reach your goals. (See other Fitbit products at Brookstone.)

Parrot Zik headphones: These Bluetooth headphones use touch, not dials, to adjust sound and select music. They automatically turn off when taken off. (You may remember Parrot from the Parrot AR.Drone, the flying quadricopter.)

Lelo’s Smart Wands: With built-in SenseTouch technology, Lelo’s new line allows users to control vibration intensity only when the wand tip is in contact with the body. (See Lelo products available at Brookstone.)

Sure, there are many tablets, smartphones and TVs to be seen here at CES. But when it comes to innovation and a little bit of clever technology, Brookstone will be looking for those products that have that certain touch.

Get mom the gifts she really wants

Aside

Check out Momfluential's blog at momfluential.net

Because moms are many times the primary gift-givers in a family, they oftentimes get left out of the gift equation. Yes, she might get a $2 set of votives from the holiday gift shop at school or a gift card, but what does mom really want?

Brookstone ambassador Momfluential tells us what moms really want: “Gadgets to solve my problems, gizmos to pamper me, stuff to make my life easier and more comfortable.”

When you can’t think of what to get mom, think of what would make her life easier. A cozy blanket would be great, but remember the foot warmer to make her smile.

There are great gifts for the wine lover, traveler and techie, too.

Before you buy that gift card and call it a day, remember that moms appreciate gifts, too. Or, she just might end up buying her own. As Momfluential states: “If I’m being honest, my favorite stuff at Brookstone is the stuff I want for me.”

Rover: driven by design

In developing the Rover Wireless Spy Tank, Brookstone engineers and designers were determined to make it better than anything else out there in the remote-control market. “My goal was to create something Brookstone-savvy, very robotic, but with a personality,”  said Brookstone product designer Christophe P. “We saw other RC vehicles, and knew ours had to be more stylish, more modern—and definitely be app-controlled. It had to stream video, and we wanted to control it using iPad®, iPhone® and iPod touch® devices. After all, who wants to use a boring remote control when you can use your phone?”

Sports car from another planet? Nope, it’s just Rover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If Martians had sports cars
“My true passion is cars,” said Christophe, who spent countless hours refining Rover’s aerodynamic shape, getting the proportions properly balanced, and making sure the body material had just the perfect amount of sheen. “It’s sportscar-like, but I wanted to give it a futuristic edge.” Christophe explains. “I’m thrilled everyone is so happy with its look. To be able to integrate automotive design elements into an alien spy tank was just a fantastic opportunity for me.”

Follow the arrows… or grab the wheel 
Once the free app is downloaded to your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch, there are two ways to drive Rover around: using standard arrows (like an RC car) or G-Drive, which uses the accelerometer in your device to let you use it like a steering wheel. “I’d say people are about 50-50 when it comes to using arrows versus the G-Drive. I think more, um, mature users go for the arrows, because it’s like an old video game, and people who grew up with iPod touch, with its built-in accelerometer, are more likely to steer Rover that way. I’m not saying which method I like to use.”

Rover has moves… and eyes
Christophe and team knew they wanted to have Rover generate its own Wi-Fi signal, so it could send video back to the driver. This lets Rover be driven out of site from the operator, and gives people a cool low-angle view of their surroundings. Rover’s built-in camera can also capture digital still photos (ideal for catching family cupcake thieves in the act). What’s more, Rover has infrared night-vision so it (and the driver) can see what’s going on in completely dark rooms. “That’s everyone’s favorite feature,” said Christophe. “You say spy tank, iPad and all that stuff, and people become interested. You say ’night vision’ and their whole face lights up. They’re hooked.”

See the Rover in action by watching this video.

It’s true: we’re stressed about stress

Americans are stressing themselves out over their own stress levels, according to a recent survey*. Stress worries 74 % of consumers and this concern is impacting spending habits, as half of those surveyed admitted spending up to $100 each month to address their discomfort. 46 % dedicate dollars to stress relief and 53 % spend dollars on coping  with everyday aches and pains.

With back discomfort affecting nearly eight out of ten people, consumers are exploring new ways to overcome stress and physical discomfort. Massage is high on the list of alternative methods that 31 % of the survey respondents used this year, but even the idea of “getting a massage” can, ironically, bring about stress.

Brookstone research showed many people are uncomfortable about seeking massage from a professional. In fact, while 59 % found a daily massage appealing, the top reasons consumers don’t get professional massages center around price and privacy issues.

Top stated reasons why people don’t seek professional massage.

 

Sweet Relief—Do it at Home
Fortunately, there’s a wide range of DIY massage options to tame stress and sore muscles. As a trusted authority in massage, Brookstone has developed products for today’s lifestyles. We offer handheld massagers, shoulder and neck massagers, foot massagers, and wonderful items to soothe any part of you, anytime, anywhere. Best of all, they give people a cost-effective and private way to experience the benefits of massage.

And that should relieve some of your stress all by itself.

Check out our full line of massagers, and post a comment if you’re a fan.

A massage for less than a latte. It’s possible with our new financing program. Enjoy your very own OSIM® uAstro™ Zero-Gravity Massage Chair for just $3.25 per day ($97 per month).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Brookstone contracted a third party to survey 189 consumers in August 2011 about topics related to personal health.

When counting sheep won’t get you to sleep

“A good night’s sleep” means something different to everyone. You might need eight solid hours to be at your best the next day. Your neighbor may not care about how long he slept, as long as he wakes up feeling rested and reenergized.

Tranquil Moments Advanced Sound Therapy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s (almost) all in your mind.
A quality mattress and pillow help the body to rest, but many of us go to bed with our minds burdened with the stresses of the day just finished and anxiety over the day to come. This is where Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, D.C. comes in.

A practitioner in holistic health since 1980, Dr. Thompson studies the effects of sound on the natural cycles of the human body, and applies his findings for the therapeutic benefit of his patients. That includes helping them to sleep better by helping to create devices like Brookstone’s Tranquil Moments Pro Sound Therapy System.

Making the most of rest
Among the body’s natural cycles are sleep and relaxation cycles, which are governed by Delta, Theta and Alpha brainwaves. Through his research, Dr. Thompson has found a way to “tap in” to those waves with sound programs (he’s also a musician and composer) that encourage high-quality, rejuvenating rest and sleep.

Think of it this way: You know that the right kind of music or sound can help calm you (for me, it’s the sound of waves on a beach). Tranquil Moments takes that effect to the next level with soothing sound programs that your brain waves actually sync up with. As a result, sleep, relaxation and concentration are more highly optimized, healthful and beneficial.

Not just for sleepers
In addition to its four sleep programs, Tranquil Moments Pro promotes healthful rest with:

  • Four programs that encourage healthy relaxation
  • Four programs that support concentration, meditation and focus for peak performance
  • Four therapy programs that help mask ringing in the ears.

Have you tried Tranquil Moments? What do you think? Leave a comment and let us know.  Pleasant dreams!