It's that time of year. When you start hearing the little ones complain and the parents sing! Back to school! Bargain shopper that I am, I enjoy cashing in on those Back to School discounts. And if you're anything like me you would want to know all about all of the sales. So.. to save myself from answering, "Why didn't you tell me about the sale?!" emails...
Now through Sunday August 23rd everything on the site, including sale items, is 10% off! In addition to the discount, orders over $75 are eligible for Free Shipping!
www.BrownsCatalog.com

While you're online stocking up on New Balance, Clarks, Birki's, and even Smartwool socks enjoy my favorite Back to School commercial.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

*Just a tip: The Fishpond bags, briefcases and coolers have gotten me through quite a few years in college. Incredibly durable!  

 
  Kid's NB 630 $49.95            Kid's NB 769 $59.95            Men's Clark's $89.90             Women's Aravon $89.90

 I heard someone say once, "If it's worth doing, start now." Since then I have found so many situations in which to apply that way of thinking! But at the risk of rambling I will concentrate on one issue...Exercise. Last week we talked about New Year's resolutions and how easily they slip the mind once other activities roll in with the Spring. If you're anything like me you need constant motivation or you end up back on the couch with your bag of Cheetos watching Golden Girls marathons and the Food Network. So I did a little research to help me keep my "Thomas the Tank Engine" mentality going. Below I've listed 5 steps to help us stay focused.

*BE SPECIFIC
When starting out with a resolution or a goal don't just say, "I want to lose weight." or "I want to run more." or "I want to eat less Cheetos." Set a specific target to reach within reasonable allotted time increments. For example, if you want to lose weight set a monthly pound loss target. If you want to run more set out a specific mileage per week and build on that as the month progresses. If you want to eat less Cheetos.. don't buy them.

*PAT ON THE BACK!
Everyone likes a reward. Once you hit an incremental goal treat yourself. The last time I hit a goal I bought a new pair of shoes. That's a pretty big pat on the back but I was very excited about the achievement... and they were really cute. There may be an underlying addiction there. Hmm.. Next year's resolution in the making. But you don't have to go that far. Get yourself that new bag you've been eyeing in the display window or the movie you've been wanting to buy. Or motivate while rewarding with something new like running shorts/shirt, pedometer, sackpack. Anything to to tell yourself, "Great Job!" 

*SUMMON MORAL SUPPORT
Sympathy pain. Misery loves company. Getting other people involved can have a positive effect on overcoming the toils of the task at hand.  I am in my 1063's much quicker in the morning when I have someone yanking the blankets off and telling me to get my toes on the road. Especially if they will be joining me. Whether they are physically by your side or just supporting you along the way, having someone else know what you're striving for is huge motivation.

*MIX IT UP
A change of scenery is highly motivational. If you feel like you're stuck in a pattern just taking a different route to work can stimulate alertness throughout the day. You need routine but monotony will wear you down. Get out of that ho-hum habit of doing things the same. If you are a runner, take a different path when you have the time to change it up. There are so many different routes you can take and with each you'll see different people and places. Exercising indoor? Work on different areas each day or change up your technique to get a well rounded routine. 

*IMMEDIATE ACTION
Simply, if it's worth doing, start now! Don't use phrases like, "The diet starts tomorrow." or "I'll just run twice as long on Monday." That kind of talk is the first step toward the couch and Friends re-runs.

So... you have 341 days. Get off the couch and I'll see ya on the road!

Let us know your goals with a comment! And come back to let us know you made it! We'll give you a "Pat on the Back."

    Everyone's buzzing about it and many companies are implementing processes and products to conform for a "greener" future.  We recycle here at Brown's and have many products that have eco-friendly materials incorporated, such as Cocona and Bamboo. My newest pair of WR1224's have a Cocona Phantom liner and yes, Cocona is made from coconut shells into a material that is naturally soft, breathable and odor-resistant. The hip eco-sartorial El Naturalista is another line to slip you comfortably into eco-consciousness. Learn about the El Naturalista eco-policy.

   There may be more ballyhoo about going "green" lately but the idea started a long time ago. I was introduced to the concept in the 80's. I had a teacher in junior high school that was educating us on the "footsteps" we were leaving and introducing different ways we could help the environment. This began my desire to "Re-duce, Re-use, Re-cycle."  To this day I have separate containers for everything from aluminum to plastic. And that is where the snare is...plastic. It had crossed my mind when buying a pack of gum at a convenience store or one item at a grocery store and they automatically put it in a plastic bag.  That is such a waste. I don't need a bag to carry an item that fits in my hand! I've done a lot of research lately, stimulated by the arrival of our new sustainable bags, and found some disturbing information on where those plastic bags end up. I also found some cities and countries taking steps to improve the plastic situation for future generations. I've compiled some of that information in a short video embedded below. Or to find out more go to any of the websites accredited at the end of the video. Get your sustainable bags today! And join me in saying to the plastic-pushing economy, "No thanks. I have my own."

Hello again friends and acquaintances,

We've been through this before. Spring is here! Go outside! Around two o'clock this afternoon I stepped outside for lunch and I will admit it, I did not want to go back inside. I am absolutely positive a lot of you are sharing the same sentiment. We want to take this opportunity to introduce you to some new friends. If you are a frequent visitor you may have noticed some subtle changes and additions lately. We have added a few new brands that we are more than excited about. To help incorporate these new brands into our name we will slowly be transitioning from Brown's New Balance to Brown's Catalog, encompassing not only the tried and true New Balance but also Merrell, Rafters, Teva, Keen, Unstructured by Clarks and Fishpond bags.
Any Questions? Of course! Allow me to introduce:

 Merrell's philosophy, "Merrell believes in continuously expanding the outdoor journey of discovery and freedom. Being outside brings us adventure and exhilaration, as well as self-knowledge and fulfillment. It blurs the boundaries between people and cultures, uniting those who enjoy exploring and seeking out new experiences. Merrell believes in encouraging and equipping everyone to get outside. It doesn't need to be complicated-outside is where you find it." So get outside in the ladies Siren Sport or the men's Moab Ventilator hiking styles. Or kick around town in the ladies strappy San Remo.

• Upper webbing is made of recycled PET from plastic water and soda bottles.
• Outsoles are made from 25% recycled rubber.
• Lining is made from 60% bamboo fiber.
• Mid wedges and outsoles are infused with jute plant fiber and cork, reducing the amount of rubber needed for production.

Tread lighter with supportive cushioning in men's and women's Tsunami's.

Yes it's finally here... Mother Nature's feature presentation.
Trees begin to green, flowers begin to bloom and the grass begins to grow. Much like our waist lines have throughout the winter. I'm sure it's not just one of us who got into the routine of ignoring our 992's, sliding into our 801 leisures and hibernating in front of our favorite shows ..even if they weren't new episodes. Hey if the writers could strike so could we... from exercise. But now the only excuse is a lame excuse. With the fresh air in our lungs it's time to drag those running shoes, walking shoes, cross-trainers and even the golf shoes out of the abyss of the back of the closet and get on the way to a fit and healthy year.
Just like the new dress you can't wait to wear out or the new golf spikes you're sure will improve your game, new athletic apparel will kick you into gear. You're going to want to try out something we're excited about. Along with cities such as Portland, San Francisco, Chicago, New York and Boston (all among the top 10 greenest US cities) New Balance is also going green with their apparel. Feel the difference in performance and clear your conscience in the Bamboo and Cocona eco-friendly product lines.
Once you're ready to show off your new Spring "green" attitude you'll want to kick out the old and hit the road in the latest New Balance shoe technology. Check out the features in the 1123 dramatically improved from its predecessor, 1122. If it's a rainy day we're not letting you off that easy. New Balance has incorporated a Gore-tex waterproof lining in the new men's and women's trail running 1110GT. If you prefer not to brave the elements the new cross training 1009 and 855 will be more than accommodating for some indoor gym time. As for me and some fellow Brown's employees we're gonna ease our way back into Spring by packing up some fruits and veggies in our Avalanche Lunch Boxes and hike through some mid-western wilderness.
While we're pacing ourselves out to the perfect picnic spot with the help of the 50003 pedometer, let us know how you're springing into the season. What's the hippest way to fit in your neck of the woods?

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."
~Jim Ryun
(American former track athlete and politician. Jim Ryun had an athletic career that saw him become one of the greatest runners of all time, and the last American to hold the world record in the mile run.)

We know it's hard to get motivated so how about a little push. To celebrate going live with our new Blog feature use the code from the image below for $5 off any regularly priced New Balance athletic model. Our way of helping you turn others green... with envy of the deals you got on the way to a fit and healthy season! 

*Not to be combined with any other offers.