How often do you wake up in the middle of the night with a brilliant idea but you’re so tired you fall asleep again. At dawn you awaken and your brilliant idea has vanished, nowhere to be found in galaxy of your mind. Frustration infuriates your soul and depression sets in. From there things just get worse…

Well Kyrsten and Kelly Braun have the prescription to solve your hardships; PillowNotes! PillowNotes consist of a pillow that, when this brilliant idea comes to you, you can just open up your pillow and jot it down on the convenient notepad waiting to grasp your memories.

“But how am I supposed to write in the dark? And what am I supposed to write with?,” asks potential consumer Michael Olheiser. Lucky for you Michael, PillowNotes comes with a handy dandy light and a pen built right in the pillow along with your notepad.

You couldn’t ask for a more convenient way to make sure you don’t forget that miraculous dream you had last night.

Kyrsten and Kelly take part in the INPEX convention, Americas largest invention trade show. You might recognize this convention from its appearances on Tonight Show with Jay Leno in his “SOLD” or “NOT SOLD” segment.

Kyrsten and Kelly actually got the opportunity to be on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno representing PillowNotes. The segment can be viewed at their website www.pillownotes.com. So view the show to see if Pillownotes was “SOLD” or “NOT SOLD” and order your own PillowNotes pillow now! They come in multiple colors and designs and can even be customized just for you.

In an immediate release after their broadcast Kyrsten states, ‘“When we went to INPEX, we were well aware of the opportunity to have a taping with Jay Leno’s crew, but had no idea we would actually get on the show. There were close to one thousand inventors at INPEX and only a fraction of them were taped for Jay’s show. Of that total, only around 20 were expected to be featured on up to three episodes. So, we obviously are thrilled that our pitch was broadcast.”’

In this release she also explains how she came up with the idea for PillowNotes, ‘“I actually came up with the idea for PillowNotes in the middle of the night, when I needed my product, but I had to get out of bed, go to the kitchen, turn on the light, get out a notepad and pen, and write down my thoughts. I can’t tell you how many times I forgot ideas because I didn’t get out of bed to write them down. Now that I have PillowNotes, I never have to worry about forgetting things.”’

“Decorative pillows by day and convenient desktops at night; PillowNotes!

Photos by Ger Cha

One of the best perks about going back to school is back to school shopping. The hallways of school serve as runways for students to show off their new outfits, shoes, hair styles, and bags. Everyone wants to have the latest bag, the newest shoes, and wear the coolest brand. This year’s hottest trends are full of bright colors and allude to the 80’s. Como Park students are in on the fashion scene and they flaunt these styles everyday. Here is a list of the most popular trends at Como and their descriptions.

1. Plaid:
The plaid fad has invaded Como Park. It is on shirts, pants, leggings. shoes, and backpacks. It is guaranteed that one can spot numerous amounts of plaid everyday in the hallways. This isn’t your traditional red lumberjack plaid, 2009’s trend spans a variety of colors. Students sport a wide range of colored plaid patterns ranging from bright blues to dark reds and black. If you are feeling this popular pattern you can get your share anywhere. Almost every store offers plaid, from Target to Abercrombie.

2. Vans:
Vans are a type of shoe that usually were worn by skaters but now everyone is rocking the sneakers and slip-ons. Vans come in numerous colors and prints including checkered and plaid. They work with anything from skinny jeans to shorts. Vans even come as high tops that look great with skinny jeans. Vans can be purchased at almost any shoe store and even apparel stores like Hot Topic.

3. DGK:
DGK is a skateboard brand that can be found at Zumiez and Pacsun. It has burst on the scene and has fully invaded Como Park. DGK is infamous for its print screen t-shirts featuring catchy motto’s and mascots like “I Love Haters” and the Kool-aid man. Be hip and pair your shirt with a matching DGK hat. DGK may be a skater brand but here at Como students make it work with Nike high tops and forces.

4. Gladiator shoes: What is Good for Your Sole?
The school year of 09-10 has surely kicked off with style. Everyone seems to be watching E fashion and reading Elle and Life&Style. Because here at Como most have picked up on what’s hot and what’s not. Summer has come to an end but the gladiator trend has not! It seems as if this season every girl knows what’s best for her feet and is showing them off with the “no matter what” flattering gladiator sandal. If you haven’t obtained a pair of these it is a sure must have. This trend has been a great addition to the list of style classics. Just like the classy flat or the casual flip flop; that’s all the gladiator is, classy and casual. Be careful when hunting for a pair, go with a strap just above the ankle. Anything too high can make you look shorter.

5. Polo Shoes:
Polo isn’t just for your shirt, now it’s for your feet. Almost everyone here at Como has a pair of Ralph Lauren Polo brand shoes. You walk down the commons and see at least two people wearing this multi-colored sneakers. The most popular style is the plaid Polo shoe which students pair with plaid shirts for a matching knock-out combo. These versatile shoes can be made preppy or urban. You can’t miss this trend. Become a knock-out and purchase your Polo shoes at Journeys or Macy’s.

6. Coach bags and shoes: Coach or Goach?
Here at Como Park there is a Chex-mix of style, a mass variety of taste and personal comfort. This doesn’t excuse fashion faux pas like socks with flip flops, stripes and plaids being worn together, or the most common, designer IMITATION bags. We witness this mistake everyday. We can understand not spending $140 on a purse, but believe me there are affordable ways to be trendy. First, take care of your knock-offs so you are never tempted to wear them again! I am talking about the two-toned gray backdrop black purse with the G’s on it. We all know this is not Coach or Guess, so dispose of the embarrassment. If you are a name brand feign then go with a chic Kathy bag; they run $50 and up but are worth it. If you could care less about a label then hit up Target and purchase a brown washed leather (light or dark) long strap not quite messenger length bag. Or run to WetSeal; they always have a great steal when it comes down to being stylish and cheap.

7. Distressed Jeans:
Rips, tears, and holes are in! Distressed jeans have been a huge hit for 2009. They have been revived from the 80’s and is a well and alive trend here at Como. They vamp up any casual outfit and add a tough edge. You can make them casual by pairing them with a t-shirt. If you’re feeling dangerous, you can pair them with a black leather jacket. Our mothers may scorn us saying “Why would spend money on a pair of jeans that are already ripped?” but we ladies know that distressed jeans are a style necessity. Distressed jeans can be bought at stores like Forever21 but you can even make your own. All you need is some simple household tools. Place a hard, flat object under an old pair of jeans and take a cheese grater and rub it on the part that you want to be distressed. You can also use sand paper and a razor. Edges of jeans can be pleasantly destroyed by running a razor blade along it.