The Wednesday Uplink - Home for the Holidays

>RUN DIRECTORY PROTOCOL: INSI.DIR v2.x

>BACKDOOR OPEN

>INITIALIZING CONNECTION...

>USERNAME: eon

>PASSWORD: ********

>WELCOME

All is quiet at AbbyShot HQ. The staff are on holidays and the place is locked up tighter than Fort Knox (you know me, I checked).


I guess it's time for me, as well, to take a little break. Going home for the holidays, as they say. I hope your Christmas season has been a happy one and I wish you all a wonderful New Year's celebration. 


I will be back to keep your Wednesdays interesting in 2011, not to worry! There's plenty of insider info to discover at AbbyShot...

Yours,

Eon

Merry Christmas from AbbyShot!

Christmas holidays have begun here at AbbyShot: We're out of the office from December 24th to January 3rd. Before the team goes off on a well-deserved break, however, we want to take a moment to give each and every one of you this well-deserved message:

Thank you for a wonderful 2010!

Your interactions throughout this year have been phenomenal, whether it was through an email, a phone call, a Skype chat, a YouTube video, a Tweet, or a Facebook "Like"! Your support is what makes the AbbyShot Team continually reach for new heights, and we'll be rewarding you with plenty of new and exciting products in 2011.

We'll be checking for urgent e-mails and phone messages throughout the holidays, and then we'll be back at the office again on January 4th!

We wish you the happiest of holidays and the best New Year's yet!

Stay cool this holiday season,
The AbbyShot Team

Top AbbyShot Blog Posts of 2010

It's nearly the end of 2010, so it's time to round-up the most popular AbbyShot Blog Posts of the year. They have been chosen by the most important people on the planet: you, our readers! These rankings are based on the number of pageviews per post, so you literally voted with your clicks (isn't technology wonderful?).

We've ranked them below in order from #5 to #1 (with #1 being the most pageviews of the year), and video game fans will be pleased with the top choice!

5) Customer Emails: May 2010 Edition

Posted May 26, 2010

Awesome Doctor Who fan photos were a running theme throughout 2010, and in this post Jon, a Canadian "Doctor", remarked that the Tenth Doctor's Coat "literally makes you want to run around yelling 'DALEKS!'". Then he somehow managed to snap a picture in the TARDIS. Mind if we take her for a spin when you're done? ;)

4) Customer Emails: March 2010 Edition
Posted March 24, 2010

This post from March marked our first customer photo of the Martha Jones Companion Jacket (two thumbs up from Linda!) and also includes two stylish-looking Time Lords. One of the reviews of the Tenth Doctor's Coat, from Ari in the US, really captures the timeless appeal of this overcoat: "Friends of mine who aren't Doctor Who fans have complimented me on the way the coat looks, even without getting the reference. Friends who are fans recognize it immediately." Absolutely right, it's a cool-looking coat made even better for those 'in the know'...

3) Customer Emails: February 2010 Edition
Posted February 24, 2010

Here's another Customer Emails Post from early in the year that started strong and just didn't stop gathering those clicks. Proof positive that your customer photos rock! This post featured some of the coolest photos of the year of the Malcolm Reynolds Browncoat. This customer, Bruce, even provided two completely different "looks" in his new Browncoat: The traditional clean-shaven Captain Mal Reynolds look, and a bearded "dare ya to visit the outer rim planets" look. Very, very cool.


2) Tenth Doctor's Coat - First Customer Photos
Posted January 8, 2010

Yes indeed, the VERY first customer photos of the Tenth Doctor's Coat kept on gathering clicks the whole year through (like a gift that keeps on giving!). UK customer Sam sent us some great photos that look like they're taken right out of a Doctor Who Christmas Special. Keep your Sonic Screwdriver handy this time of year, Sam, you never know when you might need to save the world around Christmastime!

And our #1 most-viewed Blog Post of 2010 was...

1) Fiction Fashion Friday - Dante Part 2
Posted July 23, 2010

Wow, blog readers really dig all things Dante from the Devil May Cry game series. And hey, we can't blame you! He's a gun-slinging, demon-killing, all-around awesome anti-hero - with a sense of style! He definitely fits in with many current AbbyShot inspirations. This article was part of our "Fiction Fashion Friday" (a.k.a. "FicFashFri") summer blog series, where AbbyShot analyzed cool clothing from all types of media. This post on Dante's coats from Devil May Cry 3 and 4 quickly became the most popular FicFashFri post and then, soon afterward, the most popular AbbyShot Blog Post of the year! The fans behind our recent product suggestions may be on to something... ;)

So what do you think of this "Top 5" list? Any honourable mentions you'd like to add from 2010? And of course - what types of Blog Posts would you like to see more of in 2011?

To all of our Blog readers and contributors: thanks for making 2010 such a fun year!

Keep on bloggin' in a free world,
The AbbyShot Team

The Wednesday Uplink - Idea Factory

>RUN DIRECTORY PROTOCOL: INSI.DIR v2.x

>BACKDOOR OPEN

>INITIALIZING CONNECTION...

>USERNAME: eon

>PASSWORD: ********

>WELCOME

I see that some of you have been posting your Christmas wish lists on the AbbyShot Facebook page lately. What better time to do so? It seems Dante's coats from the Devil May Cry series remain quite popular (but which version is best?), while I've noticed others are hoping for the Captain Jack Harkness coat from Doctor Who and Torchwood (a gorgeous coat design, indeed), or the Peacekeeper coat from Farscape. Recent buzz has encompassed Vash the Stampede style "two-finger" gloves, as well as continued interest in Cloud's vest from Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children. There was even an enterprising fan on Facebook who posted a photo of a hoodie from the new Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood game...

I have to say it: I like the way you think, folks. Keep your ideas coming. I know that the team at AbbyShot is always looking for your input as to what they could design next for you, and I've heard excited rumblings that 2011 is going to be a phenomenal year for new products being available.

I will continue to be diligent and will try to improve my spy tactics into the new year. I have some New Year's Resolutions for that AbbyBot as well... which I can't wait to put into place. I only wish AbbyShot wasn't closed for holidays from the 24th of December until January 3rd (sigh). All is not lost though... I will be listening for your feedback. 

I look forward to hearing more from you (about the current ideas listed above or your newest and wildest ideas) on Facebook, Twitter, or here on the Blog in the comments below.

A wonderful holiday season to you and yours,

Eon

AbbyShot Looking for Your Feedback on Our Website!

Of course AbbyShot provides "Clothing That's Cooler Than Real Life", we want to be sure that our website remains just as cool too! That's why we're looking for your help.

The AbbyShot Team is planning to upgrade elements of the AbbyShot.com site throughout 2011, and we thought: Who better to ask than you, our customers, who use our website?

What changes or additions would you like to see on the AbbyShot website? Whether it's a small tweak or a huge addition, we want to hear it! We can't promise we'll do it all, though every suggestion will be considered.

We're looking at the website as a whole, including (but not limited to):

• Overall look-and-feel
• Photography
• Order Form
• Payment methods
• Website navigation
• Social media integration

Please send along your ideas to our "info[at]abbyshot.com" email account, and put "Website" in the subject line. We'd love to hear from you anytime, of course. For now we'll take suggestions up to and including January 16th.

AbbyShot website aficionados, now is your time! :)

We look forward to hearing from you,
The AbbyShot Team

AbbyShot Coats Co-Starring in Sci-Fi Web Series!

Keep a close eye on YouTube, sci-fi fans! A fan-made web series is coming soon and it has an AbbyShot connection!

Entitled STAR-haulers, this comedic sci-fi series promises to be an entertaining ride in the vein of Red Dwarf and Firefly. Created in our home province of Newfoundland, Canada, all the main characters in STAR-haulers wear AbbyShot clothing! Well, except for the computer because he's a disembodied head.

Here's the description from their official Facebook Group:

The year is 2110, and a rag-tag group pilots the STAR-hauler REPUBLIC-1 or "Pubby" for short. They carry cargo that no one else will dare take on their ship, and this is their story.

And here is a teaser of the opening title sequence... it looks cool and of course those coats look pretty fab ;)

We'll keep you posted here on the Blog for more news on STAR-haulers!

School for Gifters 18: The Tenth Doctor's Coat

We begin with another quick trip back in time, to our Doctor Who themed interview on the UberSciFiGeek Blog from March 2010...  

The Tenth Doctor’s Coat was very appealing to our team right from the start — it’s such a classic cut and style for a man’s overcoat, with a back vent and box pleat that make it very distinctive. Add in the deep blue lining and the orange trim on the inside pockets and THAT’S when you realize — this is no average coat, this is Doctor Who!

What makes AbbyShot different from most replica companies is that our products stand up to the test of time. Our products are ones which you can wear every day for years to come. And while they are hits at conventions, they are not simply costumes. We take great pride in our attention to detail, and we never forget that our coats are first and foremost pieces of apparel which people wear in their everyday lives. Both the Tenth Doctor’s coat and the Martha Jones jacket are just that… jackets that were worn by their characters time and time again… It seemed like a natural extension of that for which we stand.

It's time for the 18th and final "School for Gifters" post! We end of with AbbyShot's most popular coat of 2010 (hands-down), none other than the Tenth Doctor's Coat.

1. Who should get this gift?
This coat is the ultimate gift for the smart sci-fi fan with a sense of style. Of course it's a replica of the Tenth Doctor's Coat (!), however it would fit right in at a business meeting or walking the streets of a big city. The design is appreciated by fans for sure, though also appreciated by folks who don't know Doctor Who from Doctor Phil. It's a fine-looking coat, plain and simple!

2. How should I wrap the gift?
To echo yesterday's Gifter analysis of the Martha Jones Jacket, this coat absolutely needs to be wrapped up in a blue box. Enough said ;)

3. How should I give the gift?
In the spirit of the Doctor himself, this gift is best given during a day of adventures. Go out to the cinema, go out walking around town to see the Christmas lights, go somewhere fun. Once you give the lucky recipient this coat, it's a guarantee that they'll want to walk just about anywhere to feel the power of this coat as it swishes around them when they walk. There's just something indescribable about the feeling of wearing the Tenth Doctor's Coat...

4. What accessories go with the gift?

So many fun accessories go well with this coat! Of course a sonic screwdriver is a must-have, though we can't guarantee you'll be able to open locked doors, manipulate complicated electronic devices, or short-circuit Cybermen - even WITH the powerful combination of this coat and a sonic screwdriver! The other great accessory to go along with this coat: Converse sneakers, of course!

Thanks for taking this journey with us through the entire AbbyShot catalogue, and hopefully we've given you some ideas to make your Christmas gift-giving even better! If you are looking at some AbbyShot gear for Christmas, keep an eye on this blog post for shipping deadlines. There's still time, even now that there's just a week before Christmas!

Allons-y into the holidays!

All the best,
The AbbyShot Team

School for Gifters 17: The Martha Jones Companion Jacket

Let's take a quick trip back in time, to a Doctor Who themed interview on the UberSciFiGeek Blog from March 2010...  

Martha Jones wore her striking red leather jacket for the majority of Series 3 and it really became a signature part of her look. All the women on our Design Team love the design as well, it goes beyond a “cool Doctor Who replica” and is truly a beautiful leather jacket that women not familiar with Martha Jones still want to wear!

For some AbbyShot coats and jackets the fans tell us that wearing them is like being a member of a secret society. The Martha Jones Companion Jacket is one of those jackets where you really do hide your fandom in plain sight! You walk down the street and 90% of people think you’re simply wearing a cool leather jacket. However, those 10% that DO recognize the source material — they will look at you like you’re a goddess! Be warned.

That's right, today's "School for Gifters" is about that most beautiful of red leather jackets: The Martha Jones Companion Jacket!

1. Who should get this gift?
Do you have a friend who wants to travel through space and time? Does she live a life of adventure? Does she dream of exploring exotic planets and long-ago eras through the doors of the TARDIS? This might just be the perfect jacket for her...

2. How should I wrap the gift?
This jacket would be best wrapped inside a box covered with deep blue wrapping paper. Much like the TARDIS itself, all the best things come in blue boxes!

3. How should I give the gift?
The Martha Jones Companion Jacket is a gift that would be best given during an adventure that involves space and time. Now, not all of us have immediate access to a TARDIS (where are you Doctor?), but there are some cool things you can do until the day a big blue Police Box crashes in your backyard. Take your friend to a planetarium or to a museum, and spring the gift on them there!

4. What accessories go with the gift?
Simple accessories work wonders with this jacket. We would recommend the Ladies Stealth Gloves for a sleek and elegant look. And of course, they'll keep your hands warm as you explore the ice fields on Mars or the planet of the Ood...

Tune in tomorrow for our final episode of "School for Gifters" as we take on the Doctor himself!

Happy Friday everyone :)

School for Gifters 16: The Jenova Trench

It's dark. It's devious. It's delightful.

The AbbyShot Jenova Trench might just be the ultimate gothic coat. Inspired by the trench coat of Sephiroth in the film Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, this gothic design with seven buckles down the front (hm, seven... coincidence? We think not!) has gathered a following all its own. And what a gift it would make...

1. Who should get this gift?
This gift is made for those friends who are in touch with their "dark side". They may like to add a healthy gothic touch to their fashion. This coat looks downright wicked with just about anything (you can even go shirtless - Sephiroth style!), though a shirt and tie looks very VERY cool.

2. How should I wrap the gift?
The wrapping paper for this gift should have a wing design on it somewhere, in tribute to the "one-winged angel", of course. Just don't make this gift hard to open, or it may end up cut in half by a really long sword...

3. How should I give the gift?
This gift is another AbbyShot clothing item best given after a night of gaming goodness. Break out the old PS1 and go back in time to when Final Fantasy VII was at the very height of gaming technology. Get up to the part where... an important main character dies (is it still considered a spoiler so many years later? We're not taking chances! :) and the lucky recipient will already be experiencing a whole mixture of emotions. Seeing this coat will then just push them over the edge into Gifter Heaven!

If you're not in the gaming mood, there's always "Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children" on DVD! Another perfect companion to giving the Jenova Trench as a gift.

4. What accessories go with the gift?
Sephiroth himself wears sleek black gloves much like AbbyShot's Associate Gloves, so of course they would make for perfect accessories. After that you can choose some leather boots and maybe even a sword to go with the coat - the sky is the limit!

We can't believe how fast the month of December is flying! There are only two more "Gifter" posts left (pretty easy to guess which ones now!) and only 9 days left until Christmas. Wishing you the best of luck with your gift buying!

Bachrock2000 Returns: Hilarious AbbyShot Infomercial on YouTube!

While he may have won AbbyShot's Christmas Carol Contest with a fantastic video, Bachrock2000 (aka John B) was not content to sit on his laurels! He recently sent us a hilarious AbbyShot infomercial in the style of the ultimate TV pitchman: Billy Mays! There are also special guest appearances from "Movie Voiceover Guy" and a Leonardo da Vinci painting... you'll just have to see it to believe it!



Thanks so much for the awesome video, John!

The Wednesday Uplink: The Eon Zone

>RUN DIRECTORY PROTOCOL: INSI.DIR v2.x

>BACKDOOR OPEN

>INITIALIZING CONNECTION...

>USERNAME: eon

>PASSWORD: ********

>WELCOME

Busy, busy, busy. I think I may have already mentioned how this place is moving like gangbusters, but it bears repeating. 

I had a quick peek in the AbbyShot Product Development filing cabinet when it was left unattended for a brief minute. I was able to easily see that there are (at least) three big folders, all quite thick, with a "2011" stamp on them. What I couldn't see was any information inside them. I'll have to get into that drawer again the first chance I get. The worst part is that with more employees now working at AbbyShot, it's far more difficult to snoop without getting caught.

I'll keep trying to stay one step ahead of them and that curs-ed AbbyBot. In the meantime, I look forward to hearing from you on Facebook, Twitter, or the Blog. Based on my recent photos and clues, what do you think (or hope) is in these three big Product Development folders?

Yours,

Eon

School for Gifters 15: The Stampede Duster

This episode of "School for Gifters" features one of the most intricate and intense designs AbbyShot has ever taken on: None other than the straps-and-snaps goodness of the Stampede Duster!

This design comes complete with a fully-removable front panel attached with snaps, straps on the arm, straps crossing the back of the coat, AND straps connecting the front panel to the back. Plus it's available in fabric or leather versions in your choice of red or black. Oh, and did we mention it's awesome? ;)

1. Who should get this gift?
This coat would be a mind-blowingly cool gift for an anime fan - you'd just have to be careful to get those custom measurements right! The ideal wearer would be good-hearted but unfortunately a little accident-prone. They tend to leave a path of destruction in their wake (and are quite possibly followed around by insurance agents). The nickname "Humanoid Typhoon" may be an appropriate one. But they're so darn charming you really don't mind.

2. How should I wrap the gift?
This coat, as tribute to its "Vash The Stampede" inspiration, should be wrapped up in warning labels and insurance policies. We're talking disclaimers along the lines of "The Gifter shall not be held responsible for actions / decisions / destruction caused by the wearing of the enclosed."

Once again, LOTS of curiosity will ensue here (and is the key to awesome gift-giving!).

3. How should I give the gift?
This is another AbbyShot gift that would be best given after a night of anime-watching! Setting the proper tone is essential. Ideally a few episodes of Trigun (or the new 2010 film Badlands Rumble!) would be in the mix... ;)

4. What accessories go with the gift?
The Stampede Duster is a coat that works well with a myriad of accessories. Of course some yellow-tinted "Vash the Stampede" style sunglasses would be cool (and big replica guns wouldn't go astray!). To top it all off though, any of AbbyShot's leather gloves would work perfectly!

That's all for today, folks! Three more episodes remain, and 11 days until Christmas...

The YouTube Saga Continues: Veggo3 Returns!

He's back!
After viewing last month's fantastically funny YouTube video review of the Kingdom Hoodie, AbbyShot decided to send a little token of appreciation to customer Veggo3.

We weren't surprised when, a few weeks later, Veggo3 sent us ANOTHER great (and touching) video review. Oh, and did we mention it's also hilarious? Enjoy!

School for Gifters 14: Silent Bob's Coat!

Warning: Getting the following AbbyShot coat for Christmas may cause your friends to say ridiculous things like "Snoogans", "Nooch", or (our personal favourite) "Snoochie Boochies"!

And then you yourself will say very little... well, unless a profound statement is needed!

Yes indeed, in today's "School for Gifters" we're looking at none other than Silent Bob's Coat.

1. Who should get this gift?
This is the perfect gift for a stylish and effortlessly cool "man of few words". He's funny, he's smart, and he says little, but when he DOES speak it means a lot. If this describes a friend (or maybe yourself!) then you've found the perfect gift.

2. How should I wrap the gift?
The ideal recipient for a Silent Bob Coat is probably not one to stand on ceremony and won't expect an intricately wrapped gift with ribbons and bows going everywhere. Keep it simple with brown paper wrapping tied with a regular everyday string. This should increase the curiosity level as well...

3. How should I give the gift?
The ideal place to give Silent Bob's Coat to a lucky friend? Outside a Quick Stop of course! While a store name resembling "Quick Stop" would be ideal, any convenience store will do really. Unless you happen to find a "Mooby's"...

Of course, any pics of you and your friend hanging outside a convenience store while wearing Silent Bob's Coat must be forwarded to AbbyShot immediately because they're sure to be awesome photos :D

4. What accessories go with the gift?
The ideal accessory to go with this coat is definitely a light-coloured baseball cap (worn backwards of course!). Other than that, it's casual clothes all the way!

Thanks for tuning in folks, and be sure to check out today's blog post on our in-stock products and shipping deadlines if you're wondering "Can I get some AbbyShot goodness in time for Christmas?"

Until tomorrow!

Two Weeks Before Christmas: Still Time To Shop!

We don't mean to alarm you, friends, but there's just under two weeks left before Christmas! Unless you happen to have a TARDIS, it's time to get your shopping done :)

Not to worry though:
If we have it in stock then there's still time for your AbbyShot order to arrive before the big day!

Here's the up-to-the-minute recap of what's in stock right now:

• Malcolm Reynolds Browncoat: ALL Sizes (S & XXL Limited!)
• Enigma: S & XL (Limited Quantities!)
• GIG Shrug: M, L, XL (M & XL Limited!)
• Jenova Trench: L & XL (Limited Quantities!)
• Kingdom Hoodie: ALL Sizes
• Martha Jones Companion Jacket: ALL Sizes
• Max Jacket: S, L, XL (S & XL Limited!)
• Silent Bob's Coat: 1 S In Stock!
• Squall Jacket: 1 S, 1 XL In Stock!
• Tenth Doctor's Coat: ALL Sizes (S & M limited!)
• Vereen Jacket: All Sizes (S & L Limited!)
• Plus Accessories: Most Are In Stock Now!

We must warn you, however, that not all sizes or products will last until Christmas! Place your order as soon as you can.

Need to know the absolute deadline to place your order for delivery on December 23rd?
That depends on your location and your chosen shipping method. Here's an overall breakdown for our most popular methods:

UPS Worldwide Method 
(Mainly for large items: coats/jackets, our recommended method)
Canada: Order by December 20th
USA: Order by December 17th
International: Order by December 14th, or December 10th for Australia.

Small Packet/Envelope Method 
(For small items: accessories, hoodies, etc)
Canada: Order by December 13th, if not use "UPS Worldwide" above.
USA: Order by December 13th for Eastern USA, no guarantee possible for Western USA. Use "UPS Worldwide" above to be extra sure!
International: No pre-Christmas guarantee for this method, use "UPS Worldwide" above.

UPS Express Method 
(Mainly for large items: coats/jackets shipped VERY fast)
Canada: Order by December 21st
USA: Order by December 21st
International: Order by December 20th, or December 15th for Australian destinations.

This should hopefully be all the info you'll need, but of course if you have any other questions about pre-Christmas shipping please don't hesitate to Contact Us at any time!

School for Gifters 13: The Kingdom Hoodie!

Today's School for Gifters is brought to you by the number 13 (or should we say XIII?), and not just because this is the 13th episode of our gift-giving inspired Blog series.

Today we'll be looking at the much-admired Kingdom Hoodie. The Enigma trench coat came first, and then AbbyShot's Design Team thought: "Hey, what if we cut this coat off at the hips and turn it into a hoodie?" A magic moment in time: The Kingdom Hoodie was born. Maybe it's time to spread some of that magic around this Christmas?

Today is good timing as well because if you're in the USA this is the last day to order a Kingdom Hoodie for Christmas delivery using our less expensive Small Packet Standard Shipping! Just a friendly reminder ;)

On with the questions and answers...

1. Who should get this gift?
The Kingdom Hoodie design is loved equally by fans of Organization XIII from Kingdom Hearts and by folks who just love innovative and unique hoodies! For the gamer or the stylish person in your life - this is the hoodie that will make their holiday season complete.

2. How should I wrap the gift?
A fun (and sneaky) idea would be to wrap the Kingdom Hoodie inside a normal, boring hoodie! Here's a preview of your lucky recipient's thought process as they analyze their gift:  

"Hmm. Okay. It's a hoodie. That's fine and dandy... BUT WAIT! What's this black beauty hiding inside my hoodie? Oh my... it's the sleekest and most stylish hoodie I've ever seen. It must be AbbyShot's world-renowned Kingdom Hoodie!" 

It'll play out something like that, trust us ;)

3. How should I give the gift?
This hoodie would be an amazing way to cap off a night of gaming, or would fit very well under the Christmas tree for a wonderful morning on December 25th (just get your recipient to try to resist opening the gift until then... ;)

4. What accessories go with the gift?
This hoodie actually comes with its own accessory: The beaded necklace above the chest is removable for two different looks (you can go full-Organization or part-Organization, we like to say!). Beyond the necklace, accessorizing is all about black gloves! We'd recommend the cool neoprene/leather combination of the Stealth Gloves to go perfectly with the fleece of the hoodie.

So there you go, more ideas to mull over for the holidays! We leave you now with a recent Kingdom Hoodie YouTube review that really rocks! Hopefully your lucky recipient (or, well, yourself!) likes the Kingdom Hoodie as much as this recent customer...



 Have a great weekend, all!

School for Gifters 12: AbbyShot Gloves

1. Who should get this gift?

Gloves can be given to anyone at all, but special gloves such as ours must be given to those who want to feel transformed, to feel the power behind the suggestion of the glove. They're also for those who want to complete an ensemble and for those whose hands may be cold. They're definitely for those who want to feel stylish! AbbyShot gloves are for pretty much everyone!


 2. How should I wrap the gift?


Festive paper is a standard, I know, but AbbyShot gloves inspire...so pick what you think would best inspire your intended recipient. Perhaps, gloves wrapped inside a tardis would work, or maybe Max Badges pinned to the outside of the packaging would be an awesome addition.  Maybe a Serenity video box with the gloves wrapped inside would be more suitable?  Whatever the theme, be creative!



3. How should I give the gift?

This is perhaps one of the toughest questions, and we have certainly examined a number of possibilities. It seems as if a common theme might be that of travel...whether it be physical or figurative, transporting the two of you to another time and place would be ideal and very memorable! 


4. What accessories go with the gift?

Accessories for the our gloves would be...our coats! That's right....the two naturally go hand in hand. (Get it?) Whether you want to feel as if you are zipping through time and space or are fighting crime around every corner, when you sport our coats with our gloves, you cannot help but feel transformed!

Well, that's it! We have covered the gambit (ya gotta love the puns, n'est pas?).  Regardless of which AbbyShot product you choose, you will jump to the head of the line in the Gifting category and you will watch your intended be transformed right before your very eyes! As a Gifter, how can you ask for anything more than that?

Stay tuned for tomorrow's lesson.....can you figure out which it will be?

AbbyShot's Christmas Carol Contest Winner!

To tie in with the 2010 holiday season, AbbyShot proposed a Christmas Carol Contest, and we left the rules fairly flexible to let your creativity soar! The prize is a big one: The winner gets to choose between the pleather Enigma or Jenova Trench coats! Each entry had to be a Christmas Carol (either original or a spin on a traditional tune) and the song had to mention at least 6 AbbyShot products. Other than that... we left it up to you to surprise us. And surprise us you did!

Without further ado, the winner of the AbbyShot Christmas Contest is... John B. (aka Bachrock2000)!

John amazed the whole AbbyShot Team with an epic entry for this contest. It starts off like a radio show and segues into a 3-minute Christmas Carol Mini-mix with keyboard accompaniment! There's even a little nod to Assassin's Creed for fans near the end. Oh, and did we mention the whole thing is very funny? For those who can't wait to hear the winning Christmas Carol, however, the song is from 2:28 to 5:40 in the YouTube video...




And here are John's awesome lyrics:

AbbyShot Carol Mini-mix

(Let it Snow!)
The Jenova Trench is frightful
But the Enigma’s just delightful
For all your sci-fi coats and whatnot,
AbbyShot, AbbyShot, AbbyShot.

The Associate Gloves are handy
Driving home to see the family
All their products are really hot
AbbyShot, AbbyShot, AbbyShot.

The Wednesday Uplink - One, Two, Three, Draw!

>RUN DIRECTORY PROTOCOL: INSI.DIR v2.x

>BACKDOOR OPEN

>INITIALIZING CONNECTION...

>USERNAME: eon

>PASSWORD: ********

>WELCOME

I learned three things this week while snooping around AbbyShot in order to bring you great intel! 

People's noses are to the grindstone!  I am but a man with a part to play and what a fun part it is. Everyone is working hard at getting orders out in time for Christmas. So many packages line the tables that it makes it difficult to get a good shot of what is on the table. 


In fact everything is going so well at AbbyShot that they just had to hire another shipper. Between getting current orders out the door and having to quickly replenish products it is amazing that I was able to get a shot at all.  It was made that much more difficult because the AbbyBot is constantly guarding everything now.  May you be put to rest, AbbyBot! Anyway, I did manage to get this snippet for you this week. It is blurrier than I had intended, but I snapped it while on the run.

What do you think it is? I'll be keeping my ear to the ground, and I look forward to hearing from you on Facebook, Twitter, or the Blog...Safety and peace be yours this holiday season.


Yours,

Eon

Customer E-mails: December 2010 Edition

It's the final Customer E-mails Blog Post of 2010 and we want to start with a huge THANKS to everyone who has emailed us their reviews and photos over the past 12 months! You folks (a) rock! and (b) made our days brighter throughout the entire year.

We have two happy customers in long coats this month plus some proud Max Badge wearers, so let's not delay! We'll start with a customer from Sweden who loves his new Lobby Trench coat...

Well my trench coat had arrived about some weeks ago and I must say it was an art of quality. Currently my body differs from most people around but it's almost my size and I can wear it without trouble. But still it's one unique piece of clothing in my closet.

One thing I noticed is that I don't look "goth" in it. I would have expected something like that. But I was soo wrong. Even when I wear it, its look is more matrix than ever. I get lots of attention from people that turn their heads when I walk among them. In Sweden no one has something that even reminds them of this trench coat. Never in my life has one piece clothing turned into this experience, ever.

So I'm more than satisfied with the trench coat! I believe the only one that has this trench so far [in Sweden] is me. So I will be the chosen one in Sweden from now on.

Thanks for fulfilling one of my dreams.

Best regards,
The One.
Stockholm, Sweden

Wow! Thanks so much for your kind words, it means a lot to us to hear about the "experience" that your AbbyShot coat gives you. That is exactly why we do what we do :)

It's not just coats, however, that bring in great reviews! Our Accessories are just as highly regarded. The following email and photos come from the birthplace of Mad Max himself: Australia. This customer was very pleased with the Max Badges she ordered and they were even put to use for a great cause!

 Hi AbbyShot, 

My husband and his friends required your badges as part of their Mad Max theme for this year's Variety Bash, which is an international charity raising money for sick and disabled children. So they were quite important to us. We received the badges the day before the Bash was to start. The guys loved them and they really finished off their costumes.

As promised, here are some photos. The pictures were taken at the Silverton Hotel, an area where a lot of Mad Max was filmed.

Warm Regards,

Jan-Maree.
Australia


Nice! Thanks so much, Jan-Maree. These are like photos taken on "hallowed ground", plus we're truly honoured to be a small part of this important event! And hey, we may have some future Max Jacket customers in the making there... ;)

Finally, for the last customer photos of the year (we can't believe we're typing these words!), we turn to our friend Donn. He continues to impress with even more great Doctor Who inspired photos in his Tenth Doctor's Coat! Donn will have more photo treats for us in 2011, so this is merely a preview! Of course, you can click the thumbnails below for much larger versions.

There's one final thing to say as we finish this post, to properly summarize the year 2010 for all of us: Allons-y!

School for Gifters 11: The Enigma

Today's episode of "School for Gifters" is a timely one, as it happens to be one of the popular pleather coats offered as a prize for our Christmas Carol Contest! If you were thinking about submitting your Christmas Carol for a chance to win, NOW is the time: The submission deadline is tomorrow, December 8th!

This blog post, however, is about the art of gift-giving, and indeed the trench coat known only as The Enigma would make a rockin' gift. "School" is now in session, so let's find out more!

 1. Who should get this gift?
The Enigma, as its name suggests, is best suited to a person who likes to keep a bit of mystery in their lives. They may speak in riddles, or they may just enjoy wearing a long black hooded coat. Of course, supreme fighting skills are a bonus. If the person has an X in their name... perfect!

2. How should I wrap the gift?
How about an Enigma, wrapped in a mystery, inside a riddle? Wait, no... we just completely misquoted Winston Churchill. ;)

The ideal way to wrap this long coat would be in pure black wrapping paper or, if not, a gray and shadowy option would be good as well.

School for Gifters 10: The Malcolm Reynolds Browncoat

Serenity! For some it means green pastures and mountain river streams, but for true die-hard fans it is the most progressive Western ever set in the final frontier... space! This post is dedicated to every fan who likes to fly like "a leaf on the wind"... of course we're talking about our friends the Browncoats!

Giving the Malcolm Reynolds Browncoat for Christmas is bound to make any fan happier than Jayne Cobb at a shindig, so let's see how it stacks up in our "School for Gifters"...

 1. Who should get this gift?
Any renegade who may (or may not) be a bit of a bad boy. Someone who can relate to the importance of resisting oppression. Someone who is noble and fights for those less fortunate. A sort of futuristic Robin Hood, you might say!

2. How should I wrap the gift?
This gift should be wrapped in shiny paper, of course ;) Perhaps some stars would also be appropriate. Wrapping up the Browncoat along with a black market beagle, however? Not recommended! :)

The School for Gifters 9: The Vereen Jacket

The Vereen Jacket is a wonderfully distressed leather jacket fit for any superhuman/mutant kinda being.  Wolverine has been rated as a number one hero on many lists for a number of years, and we're particularly proud of him as he's Canadian like us! It's high-time for a Friday "Gifters" treatment!

 1. Who should get this gift?
Any individual who thinks of himself as a Man's Man will love this jacket. It's a rugged-looking, but extremely well-made garment which can be worn anywhere, anytime... opened or closed, with or without retractable claws. We do have one warning, though. The wearing of this jacket does not mean that you are near-invincible. It does not accelerate your healing processes, so it must still be worn with caution!     

2. How should I wrap the gift?
It doesn't matter how this gift is wrapped if you let on that a Vereen Jacket is inside the packaging.  There is no packaging on earth which will withstand the power of adamantium!  However, a rugged kind of packaging would enhance the power of the jacket within... maybe some distressed paper or burlap wrapped with some twine would give off the "rugged look".

3. How should I give the gift?

Ahhhhh, we love this question for it is all about presentation. Since Logan is an accomplished pilot, it would be ideal to give this gift to someone while on a plane traveling to an exotic destination. After all, you may as well get a lot of enjoyment out of this present too... even more than seeing the joy on the face of the receiver, and perhaps a giant wolf-hug!  

4. What accessories go with the gift?
Anything involving a blade sharpener might be a safe bet.  Forget medical supplies, except for maybe a few pain killers. And of course our t-shirts and fingerless gloves would be awesome additions too!

So, there you have it... even more cool ideas on what to give for Christmas this year! Oh, and drop us a line from wherever it is you're going in that plane!  ;)

School for Gifters 8: The AbbyShot T-Shirt

Here we are at work and loving every minute!  Today's lesson could be considered a "no-brainer"... the AbbyShot T-Shirt!

 1. Who should get this gift?
Anyone who loves to look cool and feel cool should be gifted with the AbbyShot T-shirt! With the classic red on black design and AbbyShot's recognizable logo, you will be able to go anywhere and your fellow "cool" population (those "in-the-know") will recognize you instantly as a person with exquisite taste!  

2. How should I wrap the gift?
The best way to wrap the AbbyShot T-shirt is within an AbbyShot coat, of course! ;) A few days ago we suggested the Lobby Trench as an ideal coat, but you will be the coolest of the Gifters regardless of which coat you choose. Since there aren't any extra shipping charges for the t-shirts when shipped with a coat, we can even manage to enclose the tee for you so that when the coat is undone, the t-shirt will be unveiled! A double whammy Christmas present... can it get any better?

3. How should I give the gift?
Giving the gift is always the most special part, as we are all aware. For this gift I would suggest there be enough space around you (and no breakable objects) because the recipient WILL want to give you a huge hug! You have been warned ;)

4. What accessories go with the gift?
Accessories for the AbbyShot T-shirt are a tough call since there are so many of them. I think I'd opt for either the Ocelot or Maverick Gloves (already popular accessories in our series), because, well... a t-shirt has its sleeves cut off, these gloves have the fingers cut off - it just works!

Well, that's it until tomorrow. Tune in again and see what other great lessons you can learn from the AbbyShot School for Gifters!   

The Wednesday Uplink - The Fabric of Reality

>RUN DIRECTORY PROTOCOL: INSI.DIR v2.x

>BACKDOOR OPEN

>INITIALIZING CONNECTION...

>USERNAME: eon

>PASSWORD: ********

>WELCOME

I just love it when I upset the apple cart. Today was supposed to be another lesson about Gifters, but I have intercepted that post in order to bring you more insider news from AbbyShot.

You'll be happy to know that my hidden camera is back in action, and feeding me some VERY interesting information. I managed to grab a photo that AbbyShot probably doesn't want you to see...

This was the best zoom I could get; it's a fabric sample and then... hmmm... something else. What is underneath there? It looks like a button of some kind. I must get a better shot of this button. Too bad my camera doesn't have a little robotic arm attachment, then I could have moved the fabric slightly. Now I'm giving myself ideas...
 
Anyhow, while I go off to buy a few issues of 'Popular Mechanics', I would love to hear your theories. What do you think is in this mysterious photograph? What future AbbyShot garment could this be? 

I'll be keeping my ear to the ground, and I look forward to hearing from you on Facebook, Twitter, or the Blog...

Yours,

Eon