This week is Lebowski Fest in New York. It’s an annual festival that actually originated in the hometown of our global headquarters, Louisville, Kentucky.

The festival has stopped in towns like Austin, Chicago, Las Vegas and San Francisco over the years.  Fans of the cult classic movie enjoy bowling, costume and trivia contests, and of course, a screening of The Big Lebowski.

We’re proud to have The Big Lebowski as one of our CafePress Entertainment partners. Whether you plan to attend Lebowski Fest or not, you can find (and create your own) amazing designs to celebrate your dedication to The Dude.

Did you know that April is Jazz Appreciation Month? (It’s also Procrastination Awareness Month. Does that mean you should put off your sax practice?)

We have a great selection of jazz related gear. Whether it’s honoring jazz artists like Miles Davis or translating the freedom and improvisation of jazz into bright visuals, we’ve got designs that will be a great way to share your love of the original American music genre.

So kick back, put on some Wynton Marsalis, maybe check out Ken Burns’ excellent Jazz miniseries.

Our product spotlight for the month is on custom shower curtains. Since April is known for showers, it seemed appropriate to take a look at some of the unique, fun and stylish designs in our collection of shower curtains.

Looking to freshen up the look of your bath this spring? Custom shower curtains are a great way to make a big visual impact without the trouble of paint or the expense of changing out fixtures.  If you’re a designer, they’re a great canvas for big, bold designs.  Here are a few of our favorites. Check ‘em out!

Ready to return to a time of primal danger and thrilling heroics? Ready to return to… 1993? (Hey, those flannel shirts and grunge concerts could be dangerous!)

We love it when classic, fun movies come back into theatres for a whole new generation to enjoy.  The idea of going to see Jurassic Park again, this time with eye-popping 3D on an enormous IMAX screen, has us shaking with excitement. Or maybe just shaking… those velociraptors were pretty darn scary the first time around.

If you want to get geared up for the new release, not to worry. We’ve got you covered.

You voted, we listened. The organizations chosen for this year’s Autism Awareness Month campaign are…  Autism Speaks and Autism Self Advocacy Network.

All this month, find inspiring designs to show your support of friends and family members with autism. We’ll donate a portion of the proceeds of all items tagged “AUTISM2013” to the cause. Proceeds will be split equally between the two organizations.

Here are a few of the most popular items. Show them off, start a conversation, and raise awareness for someone you love.

At CafePress, we’re always looking for great new products to help you express your identity. This time, we’ve really outdone ourselves—with our latest custom product, personalized ID cards.

These cards cause a stir everywhere our customers show them off!

See what our satisfied customers have to say about this exciting new product here:

NEW! Personalized ID Cards.

You could win $100 to spend at CafePress!  Winners will be selected daily.  Both new and current users are eligible; simply use our new Design & List service to enter.

Here’s how:

1) Upload an your artwork to the CafePress Design & List service and tag it with some keywords.
2) We’ll automatically apply your design to our great products like t-shirts, drinkware, caps, bags and more.

Daily winners will be picked at random.  Read below for complete rules and information.

ENTER NOW >>

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DESIGN & LIST SWEEPSTAKES OFFICIAL RULES

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.

1.            HOW TO ENTER:  The CafePress Design & List Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) begins at 12:00AM PST on August 9, 2012 and ends at 11:59PM PST on August 16, 2012 (the “Sweepstakes Period”).

To enter, you must:

• Upload an image to CafePress through the Design and List service (http://members2.cafepress.com/CnL/GetStarted).
• Tag the image with relevant keywords. AND
• Complete the account registration process.

There is no limit to entries; each entrant may enter an unlimited number of images during the Sweepstakes Period. All entries become the sole and exclusive property of CafePress and receipt of entries may not be acknowledged or returned. Proof of submission will not be deemed to be proof of receipt by CafePress. By entering the Sweepstakes, entrants fully and unconditionally agree to be bound by these Official Rules, the CafePress’ Terms of Service, Content Owner Agreement, Content Usage Policy, Privacy Policy and the decisions of CafePress, which will be final and binding in all matters relating to the Sweepstakes.

2.            DRAWING:  During the Sweepstakes Period, for every 2000^th image uploaded to the Design & List service a potential winner will be randomly selected from the pool of entrants. A maximum of fifteen (15) winners will be selected during the Sweepstakes Period.  Limit one win, per person. Odds of winning in each drawing are estimated at 1/2000. The potential winners will be notified by email. The potential winner may be required to execute and return a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability and (except where prohibited) a Publicity Release within three (3) days of issuance of notification.  If a potential winner does not contact CafePress within three (3) calendar days of the first notification attempt, return prize documentation within the required time frame, or in the event of noncompliance with these Official Rules, such prize will be forfeited. Upon prize forfeiture, no compensation will be given, and an alternate winner may be chosen by CafePress, in its sole discretion.

3.            ELIGIBILITY:  Open to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are eighteen (18) years or older at time of entry. Void where prohibited by law.  Employees of CafePress, its respective parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, participating advertising and promotion agencies and prize suppliers, and the members of their immediate family and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible to enter.

4.            PRIZE:  Fifteen (15) winners will each receive a $100 CafePress Gift Certificate (approximate value $100 USD).

5.            CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:  No transfer, assignment or substitution of a prize permitted, except that CafePress reserves the right to substitute a prize for an item of equal or greater value if the offered prize is unavailable, in CafePress’ sole and absolute discretion.  Prizes may not be redeemed for cash.  No portion of any prize may be sold, bartered or exchanged by winners.  All prizes are awarded without warranty of any kind from CafePress, express or implied, without limitation.  All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.  All taxes are the sole responsibility of the prize winners.  All prize details are at CafePress’ sole discretion.  By accepting a prize, winner agrees to hold CafePress, its respective directors, members, officers, employees and assigns (collectively, “Released Parties”) harmless for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Sweepstakes and/or acceptance of any prize.  CafePress is not responsible for any typographical, printing, technical, human or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize. The Released Parties are not responsible if a prize cannot be awarded due to delays, technical problems or interruptions due to acts of God, acts of war, natural disasters, weather or acts of terrorism.

6.            INTERNET:  The Released Parties are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, telephone or other communications malfunctions, errors or failures of any kind, lost or unavailable network connections, website, Internet, or ISP availability, unauthorized human intervention, traffic congestion, incomplete or inaccurate capture of entry information (regardless of cause) or failed, incomplete, garbled, jumbled or delayed computer transmissions which may limit one’s ability to enter the Sweepstakes, including any injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer relating to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading any materials in this Sweepstakes. If for any reason the Internet portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Sweepstakes, CafePress reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes.  In such event, CafePress reserves the right to select winners from eligible entries received as of the termination date.

7.            USE OF DATA: CafePress will be collecting personal data about entrants online, in accordance with its Privacy Policy, unless otherwise set forth in these Official Rules. By participating in the Sweepstakes, entrants hereby agree to CafePress’ collection and use of their personal information and acknowledge that they have read and accepted CafePress’ Privacy Policy.

9.            ADDITIONAL TERMS:  Any potential winner may be requested to provide CafePress with proof that such winner is a United States resident and was at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of entry.  All winners will be required to sign a release for the use of their name in marketing and advertising materials distributed by CafePress, including the announcement of the winner.  Any automatic, programmed, robotic or similar means of entry are prohibited. CafePress reserves the right at its sole and absolute discretion (i) to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes; and/or (ii) to disqualify any individual it finds, in its sole and absolute discretion, to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Sweepstakes or website. CafePress may prohibit an entrant from participating in the Sweepstakes or winning a prize if, in its sole and absolute discretion, it determines that said entrant is attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes by cheating, hacking, deception, or other unfair playing practices (including the use of automated quick entry programs) or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other entrants, CafePress or users of the CafePress Service.  Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Sweepstakes is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, CafePress reserves the right to seek damages from any such entrant to the fullest extent of the law.   In the event of a dispute as to any online entry, the authorized account holder of the email address used to register will be deemed to be the entrant.  The “authorized account holder” is the natural person assigned an email address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted address.  Entrant may be required to show proof of being the authorized account holder.  Trademarks of companies other than CafePress are intellectual property of the trademark owners and are used for identification purposes only.

12.          WINNERS LIST: For a list of winners, mail a self-addressed envelope to: CafePress Inc., Attn: Public Relations, 1850 Gateway Drive, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94404.  Mail must be received by August 30, 2012. List will be sent once all prizes have been awarded.

13.          SPONSOR:   CafePress Inc., 1850 Gateway Drive, Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94404.

With Valentine’s Day on the minds of many today, there is a definite rift between those who are all about the love, and those who could care less about the holiday.

Take my visit to the local Trader Joe’s during lunchtime today, where I saw about six men crowded in the flower section, examining bouquets. With love in the air today, how could they not visit the corner full of beautiful blooms?

Or do you feel the urge to burn through all the flowers, chocolates, balloons and hearts galore today with lasers shooting from your eyes?

Well, you’re not the only one – but you don’t share the sentiments of most people for this holiday. According to the CafePress Cultural Barometer®, which tracked the sales of Valentine’s Day gear off of CafePress.com over the last four years, love reigns supreme in the minds (and hearts) of our users. Observe our infographic: since 2008, pro-Valentine’s Day products have outsold anti-Valentine’s Day gear, 75% to 25%.

So what say you on this dreamy 14^th day of February? Are you a lover or a fighter?

Once upon a time, there was an extremely tall, slightly awkward, ginger-haired comedian who loved to make people laugh on his late night talk show.

Yes, you probably guessed I was talking about Conan O’Brien. Tall, red-haired men are few and far between.

But what you may not know is that Conan has a CafePress shop – and yes, the Team Coco shop is just as great as you’d expect – designs featuring the Ginja Ninja, Dancing Taco and Mr. O’Brien’s pretty mug plastered all over the place. If you have a design in mind, create one yourself at the Team Coco Fan Portal (and remember to take a gander at the design rules, too).

Plus for today and tomorrow only, we’re having a Conan Flash Sale! Snag two styles from the Team Coco collection for only $10*. Make sure to get yours before the time runs out – literally. We’re timing you with a countdown clock. (Just think of it as Conan yelling absurdities at you while holding a stopwatch as you’re trying to run your fastest lap around the track.) He may give you extra points if you’re wearing his Team Coco t-shirt while crossing the finish line.

So snatch up your $10* Team Coco t-shirt before this sale ends tomorrow! And we’re positive he’ll keep those belly laughs a’coming. Are YOU on Team Coco?

*Offer only applies to featured t-shirts, while supplies last. Excludes bulk orders. Discounted price is set forth on the website, no coupon code required. Promotion starts on February 8, 2012, at 12:00 a.m. (PST) and ends on February 10, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. (PST). Discount cannot be combined with other coupon code offers.  All orders must be from the CafePress Marketplace.  Offer valid online at CafePress only, and may change, be modified or cancelled at anytime without notice. This promotion cannot be applied to past orders.

The GOP field is dwindling, and like in nature, its survival of the fittest – and only the strongest will survive in this race.

Earlier today, Rick Perry made the announcement that his presidential campaign is over – making him the second candidate in a week to drop out of the race (Jon Huntsman left the race on Monday). Perry also made a point to endorse Newt Gingrich, one of the four remaining candidates in the race.

That leaves Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum and Ron Paul to duke it out on Saturday in the South Carolina primary. By Sunday, there may be another candidate we see drop out of the race.

While Romney may seem like the frontrunner, new news from Iowa shows that Santorum – and not Romney – was the actual winner of the caucus of their state by less than 40 votes. This may throw a wrench into what Romney saw as an initial victory, and may in fact boost Santorum moving into this Saturday.

Out of the remaining candidates, whom do you foresee winning? And who are rooting for to go against Obama in November? Keep up with our Cultural Barometer elections Meter graph for all the latest info in politics.