It was summer 2009 in the middle of a trip to Boston Common with a comical number of bags meant to help the group of us “relax.” We are outdoors people who have always worked the urban grind and had to find ways to fit in our playtime where we could. After one too many trips to places like Central Park, Boston Common and Golden Gate Park carrying multiple bags, none of which were ideal for our transition back into the city, the Urban Blanket Bag was conceived. Monkey Bed’s ongoing commitment to providing innovative products for busy urbanites is a culmination of my own varied experience from former record label and web 2.0 exec to months spent hiking the Andes Mountain range.
June 28, 2010
The Esplanade
You’re the chief monkey, so why do you always get stuck carrying all the bags? You’re trying to fit in a bit of relaxation, but you’re carrying one bag just for a blanket. Not to mention another for snacks and even a third for sports or kids gear. Getting out to enjoy the day doesn’t have to be such a production. Throw it all in the Esplanade and hit it! Dimensions: 18"W x 14"H x 5.5"D Featuring:
- Machine washable 58” x 68” zip-out fleece blanket with water-resistant bottom including corner rock and security pockets
- Large messenger bag with padded sleeves for 2 water or wine bottles
- Neoprene pocket fits 3 quart size take-out containers or a 17” laptop
- Unique vertical front pocket with key fab
- Innovative double access pocket for user convenience
- Zip-flat format so there’s no wrong way to fold the blanket
- Padded ballistic nylon construction
- Made from partially recycled materials
- Room for lots more!
The Seashore
Toting around your park or beach blanket just got an upgrade. The Seashore features the same 4-person blanket and is the perfect little messenger bag for a day of exploring. The bag’s basic feature set is great for the minimalist looking to escape with their blanket, bottle of wine or laptop and a few odds and ends. Dimensions: 16"W x 11.5"H x 5"D Featuring:
- Machine washable 58” x 68” zip-out fleece blanket with water-resistant bottom including corner rock and security pockets
- 15” laptop sleeve and room for more
- Unique off-center front pocket
- Easy to carry or pack format
- Padded ballistic nylon construction
- Made from partially recycled materials
- Esplanade is 18”W x 14”H x 5.5”D, with the blanket weighs 3.25 lbs, without the blanket weighs 1.5 lbs
- Seashore is 16”W x 11.5”H x 5”D, with the blanket weighs 3 lbs, around 1 lb without the blanket
Inventor: SIMEON MARGOLIS
Simeon’s path to Monkey Bed™ has been a windy one. He was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin the son of transplanted Brooklynites. At 18 and a freshman at Columbia University in New York, he landed an internship at BMG Classics. After two years, Simeon was given an offer no 20-year old could refuse, promptly dropping out of Columbia to serve as an international account executive for RCA Records promoting artists like Dave Matthews, Christina Aguilera, and the Foo Fighters. Feeling the City and his future as an executive closing in on him, Simeon and a good friend did what many of us never have the guts to do…drop off the grid. After 4 years with RCA, he purchased a one-way ticket to Caracas and backpacked through Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Argentina. Wanting to incorporate his love of business with his “off the beaten path” mentality, Simeon realized his entrepreneurial spirit needed an outlet. He finished his undergraduate degree in economics at University of Wisconsin before heading to Boston for Babson College’s award winning entrepreneurial two year MBA program where he graduated in 2007.
“In many ways” says Margolis, “Monkey Bed is the unification of so many of my experiences from living the urban grind, to months spent hiking the Andes, to working with other Babson grads. We get so wrapped up in the day-to-day that we don’t take care of ourselves inside and out. Now more than ever, its important we embrace our inner urban-escape-artist.” “It’s really refreshing to be working at actually creating and selling a physical product.” notes Margolis. “There has been a lot of talk about a return to basics, to making something again.
We hope Monkey Bed grows to benefit a large community of creative and inspired employees, suppliers, and customers. Something people can be proud and excited about.”
Being a “just get it done” kind of person, I thought I’d try to make the first prototype all by myself. Considering I had never sewn before, perhaps that $35 Craig’s List sewing machine wasn’t such a good idea! You can imagine the hilarity that ensued for exactly 10 minutes before getting back online to look for a concept sewer. Luckily I eventually got connected with Deviant 9 Studios in Chico California who did an amazing, collaborative job of bringing my concepts and sketches to life.
These growth charts are works of art designed by noted wildlife artist Ellen McCaleb. Ellen’s work has been featured most recently in ForbesLife, Interior Design, Country Living, and Coastal Living magazines. Because kids grow up so fast, Ellen wanted to design growth charts that grow up with them. Charts that ask to be a part of a family’s décor for years to come.
At Growth Chart Art, we believe in using eco-friendly materials. Our charts are constructed of 100% post consumer wood, printed with soy based inks, and finished with no-voc latex paint.
The ruler is located on the right side of the chart so that names, dates and height lines are the only marks on the front. And, the ruler is customizable so that families of all heights can use and enjoy our charts.
A permanent marker and holder are enclosed so that all you need is a moment to record some family history.
Features: A real piece of art designed by noted wildlife artist Ellen McCaleb
- Constructed of eco-friendly materials – 100% post consumer wood / soy based inks / no-voc latex paint
- Highly durable / wash with a sponge / ink will not fade
- Customizable ruler – perfect for families of all heights
- Portable – moves from house to house
- Made in the USA
- Permanent marker included
- Signed by the artist
One day, my children were tinkering around in my painting studio and admiring a very large (48”) Atlantic salmon. (For thirteen years, I’ve been a professional trophy fish carver. ) My daughter Evelyn, (then five years old) exclaimed, “Nathan (just 22 months), you better eat your protein if you want to grow as tall as this fish!” A light bulb went off. We had just painted over the lead-based paint in our old New England home and painted over my daughter’s height marks. Fortunately, I had copied them down just in case I found a growth chart that when with our décor. I scoured the internet and could not find a chart that was “adult friendly” – something I could look at for years to come. So I made one!
Our family loves nature and loves to fish, so it was only natural that I made us a fish growth chart. I chose a muskie because it’s long and thin and its beautiful olive greens and reds go with our décor. My neighbors loved the idea, so I created more designs and shared them. They ordered charts for their children. Now they order them as gifts for their friends and family.
Inventor: Ellen McCaleb
Ellen McCaleb has made a name for herself as one of the world’s top three trophy fish carvers who carry on the British tradition of trophy fish model making. Her work was recently featured in ForbesLife Magazine, as well as Interior Design, Country Living and Coastal Living magazines as well as the cover of a recent Orvis Fly Fishing catalogue.
In her more than ten years of professional carving, Ellen has produced over 170 carvings and portraits that include such diverse species as tarpon, bluefin, peacock bass, salmon, trout and even a six inch long golden trout. Commissions have come from six continents and nearly fifteen countries.
Ellen’s new venture, Growth Chart Art, a line of fine art growth charts, is a solution to “childish” growth charts. Growth Chart Art was inspired by Ellen’s children and the adults they will become. Ellen lives with her husband Jonathan Fischer and children Evelyn and Nathan in Barrington, NH.
Many designs can be turned into coat racks. I have two muskie growth chart prototypes in my home on which we hang mittens, hats and coats.
jack daniels says:
Jul 2, 2010 at 3:56 pm
Does this come in a horizontal version ? I have some other things that grow which i want to keep track of.
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Kam says:
Jun 29, 2010 at 3:20 am
What beautiful growth charts! Can't wait to get mine!
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Catherine says:
Jun 28, 2010 at 8:56 pm
What a great idea! Something to cherish forever.
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David says:
Jun 28, 2010 at 6:50 pm
What a wonderful idea! So much better than the door post - you can take it with you if you ever move so that you never loose those precious reminders of how fast they are growing. Wonderful design. Quite artistic.
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Sarah says:
Jun 28, 2010 at 3:21 pm
I love this growth chart! They are beautiful works of art as well as practical!! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!
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juan carlos says:
Jun 30, 2010 at 10:37 am
sooooooooooooo pricey!
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Dave says:
Jun 29, 2010 at 6:42 am
So sweeeeeeeeeet!
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katherine says:
Jun 28, 2010 at 8:35 pm
i love this for the beach! so awesome and holds up to the sand well... i have this green one with the striped blanket. stick rocks in the corners, zip up the keys and voila!
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Holly K. says:
Jun 28, 2010 at 8:13 pm
The image doesn't do this justice, we just got ours and it's so great. It looks like an everyday messenger bag with a laptop compartment that can also store food, wine bottle holders, and a front that zips all the way flat. My husband brings it to work … more then meets us at the soccer field with snacks!
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Rita says:
Jun 28, 2010 at 7:14 pm
I totally get this, But, I think that this very cool blanket is really THE PRODUCT, not the blanket and case, I believe.
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