Note: If you are adding your own artistic color to eggs, always be certain you use food-safe dyes when there is a chance the eggs may later be eaten.

Here are a few of the different ways eggs have been and are decorated and colored:

•  Etched:  Traced back to Macedonia, this process involves dying the egg, applying a layer of wax in a design, then bleaching off the color leaving only the wax-covered areas with color.

•  Krashanky:  The Ukrainian word means color,  and these eggs are dyed a solid, brilliant color, often REDD to symbolize the bloodshed by Christ on the cross.

•  Pysanky:  The term comes from the word pysaty,  meaning to write,  and this describes how the egg is decorated. Intricate designs are drawn in wax on the eggs, a process closely related to batik. The eggs are then dyed many colors. Ukrainian artisans are famous for their pysanky.

•  Fabergé:  Probably some of the most famous and most expensive Easter eggs known are those created by Russian jeweler Peter Carl Fabergé in the 1800's. The eggs were made of gold, silver and jewels and most opened up to reveal exquisite tiny figures of people, animals, plants or buildings. A total of 57 eggs were made. These are obviously museum artifacts of high value.

•  Binsegraas:  The Pennsylvania Dutch traditionally wrapped the pith of the binsegraas, a type of rush, in coils which were glued to eggs. Then interestingly-shaped scraps of calico cloth were pasted on the egg. The Polish use colorful rug yarn formed into elaborately-designed coils, although they, too, originally used rushes.

•  Jeweled:  Designs are created by gluing any manner of sequins, beads, flowers, etc., onto blown eggs.

•  Cut-Out or Carved:  Blown eggs are used also for these creations where a portion of the shell is cut away. The exterior is decorated, and the inside filled with a little scene to be viewed through the cut-out section. These can be exquisitely elaborate.

•  Calico or Madras:  Eggs were wrapped in calico or madras cloth and then boiled. The water released the dyes from the cloth and transferred to the egg. Since most modern cloth is colorfast, these are rarely made nowadays. This type of egg is not to be eaten, due to the danger of the dyes.

No matter the style of egg enhancement you choose touse this Easter, make sure you are doing this with the whole family, as even the littlest of artists are sure to enjoy the fun!

While March Madness is technically already underway with the new first round coming to a close tonight, we all know that tomorrow is the REAL kick-off. It’s officially time to get out your brackets and let the games begin.

There are bracket pools out there from every sports site known to man (and woman). But in case you are running behind and haven't gotten your fill from the three office pools, two neighborhood pools, and one family pool you are already in, here are a couple of options:
 

ESPN Tournament Challenge


CSB Sports.com

Who do you think will take the crown?  Post your national champion pick as a comment below. We will give away one shirt to a randomly selected person who chooses correctly.

And remember, tomorrow is also St. Patrick's Day. Make sure to wear your Green REDD so you don't get pinched -- because what could possibly be more awkward than getting pinched while cheering on your great upset pick?

Good luck ‘o the Irish to you!

In the midst of all of the emails, tweets, texts and wall posts of today’s electronic world, I ask you: Is the handwritten note dead?

If you answered “yes,” I will inquire further:

Why?

We may argue that today’s world is too fast-paced and that “snail mail” is too slow. But I wonder if these are excuses. True, there are times that necessitate rapid responses from the recipient and require us to take advantage of speedier ways of communication. At the same time, I contend that there are a few times that always call for a handwritten note, no matter how busy we may be.

Life is not so short but that

there is always time enough

for courtesy.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

1. Expressing Gratitude

Both ladies and gentleman should use handwritten notes to express gratitude. In addition to thanking people for gifts, handwritten notes should be used in business to thank people for their time. I had a professor in graduate school argue that the handwritten note is actually a sign of a successful businessperson: No matter how “important” you may become, there’s always time to write a note.

2. Communicating Sympathy & Condolences

We should also use note cards to communicate sympathy and condolences. In these situations, a handwritten note indicates that the recipient is sincerely in your thoughts – enough for you to take the time to sit down and write it down on paper.

So, yes, a handwritten note may take longer to get there. But along with the "memo," the recipient receives a momento. Your handwriting automatically makes the message more personalized.

Similarly, your choice in stationery design and paper quality is another way to express yourself in a tangible way. 

Redd carries premium stationery cards.

I also recommend Crane Paper and Caspari

When was the last time you wrote a personal note? When did you last receive one?

For most of the US, tonight marks the night where we move our clocks forward one hour and begin Daylight Savings Time. Some grumble (yours truly included), saying we are losing an hour of sleep. On the other hand we should take this as a mark able opportunity to get a jumpstart on spring.   
 

Several things are advised you do this weekend in preparation of the spring (checking your smoke alarm), but I am going to give you a piece of advice for springing your wardrobe into the warmer months of the year. This is something Robert Redd knows a thing or two about… we do make short sleeve knits!
 

So, you took advantage of our Early Spring Sale (if not, don’t worry there are still a few days left), and now you need some pants to go with that Antiguan Blue/GG Green Murdoch that just arrived in the mail.  Well here are a couple of suggestions for you:

Bonobos - At their core a true trouser company.  Many styles for every occasion.  A pair of Easter Island Chinos are the perfect all cotton pairing to your REDD shirt.

Bills Khakis – A great selection of various weights.  For the spring I suggest the Leightweight Cotton Poplins

Mountain Khakis - More option and Colors.  For spring try the M's Lake Lodge Twill Pant. They have a women’s and kid’s line as well. 

Keep in mind, these two suggestions are merely my opinion and you know what they say about opinions…
 

Speaking of opinions, I would love to read about your favorite bottoms to go with our tops!  Leave your comments below.

To accomplish this, we do two things exceptionally well:  Making quality products and telling a superior story . . .

I have made an executive decision to begin writing a Founder’s weekly update on our REDD Blog. Of course, we’ll be covering a lot of the good stuff that happens at REDD and some of the great stuff that happens out there! As a matter of fact, I am going to address all kinds of things, here, there and everywhere!

In this maiden address, I would like to start by thanking our loyal customers and fans. Your support and consistent patronage means everything to us. You have made us who we are today and you will be the shining beacon that brings us to the next level and the next and then the next. We salute you and praise you for your never-ending efforts to live a life well lived and to look good while doing it!

Recently, we have finished some major reorganization at REDD and in that effort have redeveloped some of the best aspects of our brand. You will be seeing them in the coming months. One of the efforts we are committed to is posting a new blog daily…This will be a look at the world through the lenses of Robert Redd and all things REDD Approved! It should be hilarious!

This NEW blog posting effort will begin in earnest tomorrow…we’ll be discussing topics from what other brands looks best with REDD (based on customer feedback, of course), to how to make a mean chili (using some of the worlds best tomatoes, of course), to how to paint with watercolors (insight from our artists friends will be obvious).  All in all, the idea is to bring you pleasure (and to help us with search engine optimization)…

Robert Redd is also committed to engaging with all of our customers and fans regularly.  You can join the conversation by:

Those are just a few of the many ways we hope to be part of your experience in life. The topics we have lined up are all going to be quite amusing and fun. We hope that you will follow us and share your thoughts with us as we trudge the road to happy destiny. Please enjoy, as we share our experience, strength and hope with you!

Here’s to you with future adventures in mind . . .

RRM

Robert R. Matheson

Founder and CEO