A Star Is Born!

It's been a very exciting day! The Wondawedge made it's first appearance on the Today Show! Surrounded by Hoda, Kathie Lee, Bobbie Thomas (and a handsome model), we were honored to be one of three products recommended for weekend getaways and tropical vacations.

Whether you're planning a tropical getaway or camping in the backyard with the kiddos, the Wondawedge is just the ticket for kicking back in comfort!

Link to video clip

It's Just A Jump To The Left......

For me, Halloween is the official start of the holiday season. I absolutely love it! I trick or treated until I was 14 when the neighbors finally told me to give it up. I love to wear costumes and sacrifice a pumpkin for the sole purpose of making a really cool night light.

One of my favorite Halloween traditions is to watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

I've seen it 127 times and have pretty much got the dialog down to an art!  Now while this isn't a scary movie (although I'm sure Susan Sarandon was terrified it would ruin her career), I thought it would be cool to list my top 10 scary movies of all time. I'm not into the blood and guts movies or teen slashers so much; I prefer a more subtle approach to fear.....

10. Psycho (duh...)

  9. The Exorcist (I saw this at a drive-in theater when it came out. I haven't eaten pea soup since.)

  8. The Omen (That kid was just downright creepy...)

  7. Seven (Gave me nightmares for about two weeks. Kevin Spacey redeems himself in The Usual  Suspects) 

  6. An American Werewolf In London (It's "fright light" but I just love it!)

  5. The Shining (Heeerrrrre's Johnny!)

  4. Halloween (Best movie scream)

  3. Jaws (Did for the beach what Psycho did for the shower...)

  2. Silence of the Lambs (Hollywood's most loveable villan, Hanibal Lector)
  1. The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Happy Halloween! Be safe and watch out for all the trick or treaters! I'll be sitting through my 128th viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show....except when I have to get up to do The Time Warp!

Cat Scratch Fever

Today, I’m going to take the WondaWedge inside since I took you to the beach last time we visited. (Yeah, like anyone is reading this...)

In addition to my job as the social networking force behind the WondaWedge, I also have a job that allows me the luxury of working at home. As a result, I spend a lot of time on the floor with my laptop. I have said it before and I’ll say it again: not only do I work for the company that sells the WondaWedge, I’m also a satisfied customer. If and when I’m on the floor working, I’m propped up against a WondaWedge and it’s a heck of a lot more comfortable than just sitting back against the couch.

I also have lower back and sciatica problems so having the extra support really helps whether I’m working or kicking back, watching a movie. There is always at least one inflated WondaWedge at my house that I keep one on my bed at all times with my other pillows propped up in front of it. This is my reading sanctuary at the end of the day.

The only problem I’ve had using the WondaWedge indoors is the fact that I have cats and they like to cuddle….

Everyday I Write The Book

I've decided that I'm going to make better use of this whole internet marketing thing. Everyday, I'm going to blog about one particular use for the WondaWedge. Why? Because I can. Because I am lucky enough to have a day gig that lets me use a little of my creative power to bend the unsuspecting public to my will. And it's better than being a Walmart greeter.


Let's talk about the beach. I've always been amazed at the amount of stuff that people are willing to take from their homes, load into their cars and then schlep across the sand. Between the kids, the ice chests, umbrellas, lawn chairs, buckets, cameras, towels, hats and flip flops, I find the whole process exhausting.


While I can't remedy all of these, I can at least help and recommend that you leave the patio furniture on your patio where it belongs and pack up a few Wondawedges instead. About the size of a book when deflated and folded, you can make your day at the beach a whole lot easier.


The Wondawedge inflates pretty quickly using good old fashioned lung power if you can still breath after hauling all that other stuff. Once inflated, plop yourself down on the attached mat, kick back and enjoy the day. Sand won't penetrate the mat like it does a towel or blanket and you'll be a lot more comfortable.

After the sunburn and the hot dogs, it will deflate and fold up easily for the long trip back to the car. You'll be so glad you left the furniture at home.



(Blog title respecfully borrowed from Elvis Costello)

The Chill of An Early Fall

I'm not sure if you've noticed, but sometimes I steal song titles and lyrics for my blog titles. The Chill of An Early Fall was a hit for George Strait but I always preferred Gretchen Peters' version as she was one of the writers. I love the way some songs and lyrics always come back when the seasons change.

Today was the first time in a long time that I can remember waking up and thinking it was kind of cold.We turned on the heater at the office this morning and now we have the air on. This is Texas, after all!

We had a great summer, the popularity of the WondaWedge continues to grow and we've had some very interesting customers over the past few months from all over the world. From people that took us to Bonnaroo and ACL, to outdoor movies and even a space shuttle launch, we are quite literally supporting you every step of the way! And we thank you for supporting us. Growing with a small company has its rewards and at the end of the day, I'm happy to be a part of something small and non-corporate.

We're always looking for product reviewers and other bloggers to talk about us; other online retailers and catalogs. If you're one of our followers, please spread the word. And let us know if we can help you. It's more fun when we're all in it together!

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Little Guy Accessory: The WondaWedge

I ♥ NY

Whew! We just got back from a whirlwind trip to New York where we attended the The Holiday Lookbook event. What a terrific way to showcase your product in front of a media only crowd. The WondaWedge was a huge success amongst the other exhibitors as well as with the journalists and bloggers that stopped by. We're looking forward to seeing those reviews!

Many thanks to Alex at Shiraz Events for being so helpful.

Just a reminder that this is Breast Cancer Awareness month and that we donate 10% of the proceeds from the sales of our "Think Pink" Wondawedge to breast cancer research. This year, we will be making our donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. 

The Summer Wind

It's hard to believe that summer is drawing to a close. Labor Day Weekend is a mere three weeks away and everyone is trying to get in those last minute summer camping trips and beach excursions. Before you know it, there will be Halloween decorations up, the leaves will start to turn and we'll be soon be cozying up to the fire.

Just because the summer is coming to a close doesn't mean we stop selling the WondaWedge. With all the things you can use it for indoors, it's good to keep a few on hand. It makes a perfect dorm room accessory and is great for kicking back while gaming, reading or watching a movie.

We're still offering free shipping through August 31. Visit our website and redeem coupon code FS at checkout.  Be sure to look for promotions on our "Think Pink" Wondawedge during the month October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Encourage some shops in your area to stock the pink WondaWedge during this important month!

Keep visiting our our website, our facebook page and this blog.  Enjoy the rest of your summer and be safe!

Ground control to Major Tom.....

From a happy customer. (Those are the best kind!)

I spoke to you a couple of months ago inquiring about the Wondawedge. We ordered 6 of them for myself, my husband, our son and daughter-in-law, and their 2 kids. We bought them to use at a NASA space shuttle launch in Florida. I want to tell you that they were great. They took up very little room to pack, which is a consideration with the restrictions on luggage weight today. They were also very easy to inflate by mouth. We arrived at 10am for a 2pm launch, and were outside on the NASA causeway in the 95-degree heat and bright sun for 4 hours. We were able to put the Wondawedges on the ground and had wonderful back support for the entire time. And after the launch, we were able to quickly pack them up to leave. I have enclosed a few pictures of the setup and use. Thanks for a great product that met our needs. We hope to attend another launch and will again take the Wondawedges with us!

Animal House

As the end of summer approaches, I find myself looking forward to that first hint of fall in the air. I love the smell of burning leaves, wearing a sweater for the first time in a year and trading in my flip flops for a pair of boots.

And of course, it's time to send the kiddos off to school again. Hooray for you! Maybe this is the year your beloved son or daughter heads off to college for the first time and you have too many memories of John Belushi in the movie, Animal House. Fear not, parents! Chances are that most kids these days don't even know who Belushi was and hopefully, they think Animal House is a home for wayward pets.

"Look, Mom! No togas!"

Camping! Camping! Camping!

It's time to dust off the sleeping bags and check the supplies for the camper.

This is "Penelope Painbox."

My boyfriend found her at a yard sale about two years ago and we've spent hours restoring the galley.  He's an artist and uses it to paint on location and I just like playing house in it!

One of our favorite spots in the hill country is Paradise Canyon.  It's only about 30 miles from San Antonio near the cute little town of Castroville.  It's small, clean and absolutely stunning!

Below are some great links to some of the finest camping spots in Texas. Now get outside!

Top 50 Spots in Texas from greatoutdoors.com

http://www.texasoutside.com/

http://www.texascampgrounds.com/

http://www.favoritefamilyvacations.com/

Glancing At The Stars

Drive-in theaters have almost all but vanished. Most have been razed or turned into sites for swap meets.
But outdoor movies are becoming in vogue lately. There are a few drive-ins left and I’ve posted the links to them as well as to some of the outdoor movie events across the country.

My favorite outdoor movie spot is right up the road from us in Wimberley, Texas.  The Corral Theater  is not so much a drive-in but a walk-in. You can bring your chairs (and yes, there are some of us who take WondaWedges), blankets and coolers and watch a movie under the stars. 

  The Corral Theater, circa 1975

The first movie I saw at the Corral was City Slickers starring Billy Crystal.  There were horses in the field next to us and every time the horses on screen whinnied, the horses next door responded in kind. It was a very magical night and remembering it now makes me realize how truly special The Corral is to this community.

Let us know if you have a favorite outdoor movie spot!

Links:
Fremont Outdoor Movies
Boulder Outdoor Cinema
Hollywood Outdoor Cinema
McHenry Drive-In
Door County Drive In
Wilderness Theater

A Soft Place To Fall....

It's been several months since the earthquake in Haiti and like most big news, Haiti has moved from the forefront and been replaced with a new disaster du jour. I think a lot of us have disaster fatigue. I know I do - between the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the horrible flooding in Nashville last week, it takes its toll. I get to the point to where I can't turn on the television or read the news on the internet. I've made my small donations when and where I can but it seems so miniscule when you look at the big picture.

Then today, we got this email from Gina Epifano. She's is a Physical Therapist that volunteers with the  University of Miami's Medishare Hospital in Port Au Prince. It made me realize that even the smallest of donations can seem huge. Imagine being in a hospital bed with no pillow.  Imagine not being able to simply prop yourself up in bed if you're in pain. Or not being able to elevate your legs. A pillow. I can't even go out of town for one night without my favorite one. It's so difficult to imagine that the things we take for granted are still considered luxury items in some parts of the world.

Here is the email from Gina. She is hoping to raise money via a garage sale and raffle May 30 to purchase several WondaWedges from us at our cost. We are also donating a number of them that are irregular or were used as samples to her cause. If you'd like to help Gina out by purchasing a WondaWedge or two, please let us know. We will be shipping them to her May 25. She is returning to Haiti June 12.

From Gina:

Hello, I am a physical therapist that volunteered in Haiti's earthquake relief effort at University of Miami's Medishare Hospital in Port Au Prince last month. I am returning to the hospital in June to volunteer again. The patients at the hospital sleep on cots, and pillows are at a premium. There is no way to elevate the foot or head of the beds. I would be happy to send you pictures of the patient tents. They have fabricated some cardboard wedges but these do not last very long before ripping. I am interesting in bringing your product with me to Haiti to give to the patients of the hospital. I would like to know if you would be willing to donate any pillows or if you would give me a reduced price. I am hosting two fundraisers in the upcoming weeks to raise money to purchase your pillows. Any help you can give these wonderful people will be greatly appreciated.

You can check out the hospital at http://www.projectmedishare.org/

R&R!

 Aahh... reading and relaxing. One of my favorite summer things. When I was a little girl, our public library provided a mobile library called the Bookmobile and it made a regular Saturday stop in my neighborhood.  I loved the way it smelled! The combination of all those books in such a small space with the air conditioning quietly humming along was an incredible comfort in the Louisiana south. I have always been an avid reader and I would chase the Bookmobile more often than I would chase the ice cream man. Or the mosquito truck.(Different story for a different day...)  For me, there were far more delights and mischief amongst those cool pages. Here, I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder, Tolkein and "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott (which I've read a hundred times) and Trixie Belden. It was where I fell in love with the wonderful poems of Shel Silverstein.  

Do you have a summer reading list? If so, share it with us! Here are a few on my list.

 Deliver Us From Evil (David Baldacci)  

A Visit From The Goon Squad (Jennifer Egan)  

The Help (Kathryn Stockett)

 Lucid Intervals (Stuart Woods)

This Time Together (Carol Burnett)

The Bedwetter (Sarah Silverman)

Half-Broke Horses (Jeannette Walls) 

If you never read her debut novel, The Glass Castle, DO IT!

I'll be poolside, if you're looking for me....

From Sammi's Blog of Life!

http://www.wordsearchpuzzledreams.com/2010/04/wondawedgecom-review-and-giveaway.html

A "Sweet" Review.....

http://camping.about.com/od/campinggearreviews/gr/wondawedge.htm

The Old College Try!

http://starimpulse.blogspot.com/2010/04/wondawedge-review-and-giveaway.html

Thanks to Kelly for the terrific review!

Backslider's Whine

I’ve reached the age where my brain thinks I can do certain things but once my back gets involved, all bets are off. And I really don’t want to be one of those people who constantly complains about every little ache and pain. That would make me my grandmother. But I digress…

We’ve been marketing the WondaWedge for awhile now. It’s great for the beach, camping, RVs, outdoor concerts, etc., and the reason that it works for all of those things and more is because it provides back support. I don’t care how old you are. Who wants to sit on a blanket and slouch for two and a half hours while you watch a concert or an outdoor movie? When’s the last time you were comfortable reading a book at the beach? And why on earth would you want to lug a chair around and then spend the afternoon sitting like you’re waiting for a bus? It’s the beach! You’re supposed to be chilling out and relaxing!

So, boys and girls, don’t slouch – sit up! Get yourself a WondaWedge and take it to your next outdoor event or activity. If you slouch, you’ll stay that way. At least that what my grandmother says….

Great review from an RV-er!

http://www.greatrvstuff.com:80/2010/04/space-saving-wondawedge-also-helps.html

Pilates With Dawn

I did get [the WondaWedge] and it is working out well. I'm actually using it in my pilates class...I am pregnant and can no longer lie on my back to do the core work. The instructor and I looked for foam wedges but they were very heavy and much more expensive (especially shipping). I decided to google "inflatable wedges" and found you all... I like the fact that it's lightweight (and adjustable since it inflates) and the attached mat fits nicely under my pilates mat to hold the wedge in place.
:),

Dawn M.

From Aruba, With Love

Hi,

I just returned from a week in Aruba and I used the WondaWedge when I went outside of my timeshare to some of the local beaches. I love it. It is comfortable to rest on. It was easy to blow up and the various positions are great. I did find that I had to let some of the air out of it to lie on my stomach to read,but other than that it is a great product. The most important feature for me was that I could put it in my luggage and take it with me without it adding weight to the luggage.

I found it after seaching on "google" for "collapsable beach chairs". I kept changing the terms of the search and as the results narrowed I finally got your website.

Thanks for providing an awesome product!

Lisa W.

Musical Chairs

We've been Googling different music festivals and I’m finding that most of them have one thing in common: No Chairs Allowed. And if you can bring in chairs, they need to be low to the ground and most of them look pretty uncomfortable. Some festivals allow you to bring blankets but that isn’t exactly a comfy alternative.

The WondaWedge is a compact, lightweight (1.3 pounds) inflatable lounger with an attached mat that is great in any outdoor application where you plan to sit for an extended period of time. If you’re going to a festival that has on-site or off-site camping, The WondaWedge is great in a tent.

So quit hauling those chairs! Throw a WondaWedge in your backpack and enjoy the show!

Three Cheers for The Little Guy

We are so excited and proud to announce that you can now purchase the WondaWedge through the online store at Little Guy Worldwide! I was a fan of the teardrop camper long before I came to be employed by Cypress Creek Marketing (the global distributor of WondaWedge). My husband and I have a homemade teardrop camper we purchased at a garage sale (!) that we've lovingly been restoring off and on for a couple of years now. There are pictures on this blog. I can honestly say that not only do I work here, but I am also a satisfied customer. I encourage all you teardroppers, RV-ers, campers and outdoorsy types to visit the Little Guy, say howdy to Joe Kicos and check out a WondaWedge for yourself.

Great Reviews!

http://www.afrugallife.org/2010/02/product-review-wonda-wedge.html

http://www.thepenny-pinchingmama.com/2010/02/wonda-wedge-review.html

http://www.inomommy.com/index.php/2009/11/19/the-wondawedge-pregnancy-pillow/

http://www.thecoolpepper.com/pillow-talk/


http://www.pregnancy.org/review/wondrawedge

Think Spring!

I think by now, most of us in the US have "weather fatigue." We're tired of the cold, the rain and the snow and we're tired of bundling up just to go to the mailbox. In central Texas, the end of February means that spring is just around the corner. The are tiny buds on some of the trees; the South by Southwest Music Conference is just around the corner and I'm digging in my closet for sun dresses and flip flops! We're starting seeds for our vegetable garden and I look forward to homegrown tomatoes.

I love the beginning of winter and I always look forward to wearing sweaters and boots but I love the beginning of spring and summer equally. I'm ready to take our little teardrop camper out for a long weekend at one of the many gorgeous state parks that Texas has to offer. My camping checklist always includes great food and wine, a good book or two, some bug spray and a comfy pillow. I'm a WondaWedge kind of gal but you know that by now!

It's not too early to think about your spring and summer events. So dig out those flip flops, get out in that garden and plant something! Plan a weekend picnic, fishing trip or go camping with friends and family. Don't forget the bug spray and don't forget your WondaWedge!

Camper von Kitty Cat

Boudreax the cat is a happy camper!

'tis the season!

Music Festival season is approaching! South by Southwest, Jazz Fest, Bonnaroo, MerleFest... just to name a few... and these barely get us into June! There are hundreds of wonderful outdoor music and arts events that take place every spring and summer and I always catch at least two or three of them.

I've put the WondaWedge to the camping test. In April, the proving ground will be the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. I'm really looking forward to Jazz Fest this year in a newly energized, post Superbowl New Orleans!

Comfort and Joy

I have a “thing” about pillows. Not like the thing I have with shoes but pillows are almost equally important to me. I like to read in bed and until recently, had to build myself a small pillow kingdom to get just this side of uncomfortable. I also enjoy being outdoors and taking off in my teardrop camper but sitting up against a rounded wall in a four by eight space can prove to be frustrating.

And then I discovered The WondaWedge. The WondaWedge is an inflatable pillow made from “suede” vinyl with a permanently attached mat. I put it in my teardrop camper and my pillow problems were solved! I can read or watch a movie without cramping my neck or my style. (Yes, I have a small television and DVD player in the camper. I am, after all, civilized!) Because the camper is so small and doesn’t have a flat wall or a headboard, the WondaWedge is the perfect solution. When I get claustrophobic I can take it outside and prop myself up next to a fire with a glass of wine and a guitar. It makes star gazing a lot more fun, too. Camping is no longer uncomfortable!

I’ve discovered that the WondaWedge has multiple and practical uses. They’re terrific at music festivals or any outdoor venue that doesn’t allow chairs. And you don’t have to worry about spills because they clean up very easily. Because the WondaWedge is compact, it’s easy to carry it in a backpack or tote bag. It weighs only 1.3 pounds so you never have to haul a cumbersome chair to the beach again!

Expecting? Well, expect to be uncomfortable in that last trimester! Many expectant mommies use the WondaWedge to ease some of their discomfort before the big day and then continue using the WondaWedge to assist in their recovery and in nursing their little bundles of joy.

In recovery applications, it’s great because users are able to set their own comfort level – something you just can’t do with a conventional pillow. With all the pillows available on the market, the memory foam, the water pillows, feather pillows, etc., it’s hard to believe that something so simple could have so many terrific uses!

Whether it be recreational, physical or medical, the WondaWedge is definitely a “must have,” and makes a great gift. I love the fact that after use, I can deflate it and store it in a small space. And I’m all about the small space. The biggest problem I have is choosing which one of the eight cool colors I like best!