Editor's Picks: Vacation Nation

If the name "Colleen McKenna" doesn't give it away, I'm very Irish. In addition to being related to leprechauns and Colin Farrell, I also have the privilege of being the fairest person on any beach, ever. I'm not complaining. It's my lot in life and I have accepted it. As a result, I've figured out a few ways to deal with the constant "Did you grow up in a sun-deprived prison?" looks.

1. Wear long pants and sleeves.

2. Move to Vermont.

3. Don't go to the beach.

While these tactics have treated me well for years, this industry has taught me how to enjoy my beloved sunshine without drawing attention to my glow-in-the-dark skin: logos, lots of them. Do you know what draws more attention than a human snowman? A bright yellow towel with a full imprint. Who cares about me when my 40x63" towel shows the logo of an awesome, obviously sun-appreciating brand? If you are not convinced or you prefer skiing to sunbathing, try logo-covered blankets. They're warmer than normal blankets. That's a (made-up) science fact.

For more textiles, read pages 86, 88 and 89 in Promo Marketing's April issue.

In Stitches
C Shop's Classic Cuddle Blanket with Foot Pocket makes couch lounging even more enjoyable. The 16 oz. CuddleSoft anti-pill fleece finished blanket features a 28" foot pocket and an accessories pocket. The 58x50" blanket offers natural whipstitching in camel or charcoal as well as tone on tone whipstitching in burgundy or pink.

Sartorial Sand
The Turkish Coast Fringed Beach Towel from Towel Specialties includes fringed hems and fashion stripes to frame your client's logo. The 40x63" velour cotton towel comes in white with royal, red, orange or lime stripes.

Beachy and Bejeweled
Going to the beach covered in diamonds isn't just for celebrities anymore. Pro Towels Etc. offers the Diamond Collection Colored Beach Towel for gem-loving beach-goers. The 35x60" towel is made of 100 percent cotton terry velour and comes in 15 colors. A 25x50" imprint area is available on the towel.