Fashionably Functional Essentials From Jockey *Giveaway*

I find it interesting that I spend quite a bit of time researching and shopping for outerwear and nearly no time whatsoever on what I wear underneath.

Jockey, a company specializing in underwear, activewear, shapewear, is committed to “quality, comfort, fashion and innovation.”  Spring and Fall are the two seasons I go through all of our closets and get rid of items that are worn or don’t fit.  If you’re like me, and haven’t replaced undergarments in a long time, fall is the perfect season to do so.

Jockey offers a variety of comfortable, wearable fashions for men, women and children. One of my favorite collections is their Luxe line, which features invisible seams and ultra-light fabric.  Not only are the fabrics super soft and cozy, I can wear them with more snug fitting skirts and dresses.  Jockey’s Luxe line includes panties, camis, and shapewear.

Speaking of shapewear, I was surprised at how affordable Jockey’s collection is.  And their “No Panty Line Promise” means that no one else has to know what you’re wearing underneath.

If you’re looking for breathable fabrics, check out Jockey’s Naturals collection which features ultra-light styles, body-contouring and a seamless silhouette.  The company uses a Rayon/Nylon/Cotton/Spandex blend to achieve a well-fitting undergarment that stays dry.

When I get home, the first thing I want to do is change into comfy clothes.  And if it’s summer, I want something cool and breathable.  Jockey offers an array of loungewear which offer comfortable, breathable fabrics that are stylish enough to wear both inside the house and out.  Many of their garments feature moisture wicking fabric which make working out in them a breeze.

Be sure to check out their kid’s line of basics which include underwear, T-shirts, camisoles and more.  Their summer sale is going on now with savings of up to 70%.

Win It! One of you will win an online shopping spree at Jockey (valued at $75, shipping included).  Simply leave me a comment with an item you like from the site (something that was not mentioned in my post).  Comments will close on September 15, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow Jockey on Twitter and/or Facebook (2 entries total)

Subscribe to Jockey’s newsletter

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Visit Amanda and leave some comment love on her post.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Product samples were provided which helped to facilitate this review.

Back to School With Lands’ End

I dreaded wearing that navy skirt, white shirt, and black and white saddle shoes as an elementary school child. And yet, as a mom, I actually like the idea of not having to worry much about my childrens’ school attire.

If your child attends a school that mandates uniforms, check out Lands’ End’s Back to School sale where you can save 30% on school uniforms and up to 50% on backpacks and lunchboxes.  Lands’ End offers a diverse selection of fashionable, well-made uniforms.  Many of them can be worn outside of school, particularly if you mix and match the tops and bottoms (this is easier with the boy’s options).

This year, Lands’ End improved their uniform options by making them more durable (reinforced seams and adjustable waists), offering a wide range of sizes (slim, tall, plus, etc.), adding a personalization option (monograms, embroidery, heat transfers, etc.), and ensuring that the line includes gender-specific options.

Lands’ End also offers an incredible selection of backpacks, including my favorite which is a line designed specifically for the preschool types.  Their ClassMate Collection is lightweight and compact for small tots but roomy enough to hold the essentials.  Right now they’re on sale for $16.50 and the matching lunchboxes are just $9.50.

Be sure to check out their Back to School sale going on right now.  To receive your discount, enter the code AUG27 in the Promo section and 9891 in the Pin section.

No compensation was received for this post. A product sample was provided which helped facilitate this review.

Back to School With Marshalls & T.J. Maxx

I try very hard not to pay full price for most things.  I research and price compare, use coupons and shop off price retailers.

If you’re not familiar with off price retailers, let me fill you in!  At sister stores Marshalls, T.J. Maxx, and A. J. Wright, you’ll find much of the same merchandise you’d find in conventional retailers for a fraction of the price.  So how can off price retailers like Marshalls offer in-season, trending fashions at 50% off or more?  Buyers scan the globe in search of the best deals to bring back to the stores (you can read all about it here).  The only small downside to this is that you’re less likely to find the same items from store to store.

Armed with a $50 gift card, I headed to Marshalls to see what deals I could score on school-related products.  Here is a little video highlighting some of the best deals:

I’ve shopped at Marshalls more times than I can count, but I’m always surprised at what I find. One of the things that stood out was the fact that non-wearable items featured current designs and trends.  Toy Story 3 is all the rage and you can find branded merchandise all over the store.  The other thing that stood out was the sheer number of well-known designers represented at the store.  Most of the items I found at Marshalls were at least 50% off, if not more.

As we approach fall, T.J. Maxx offers some tips for transitioning from summer to fall.

Carry a grey leather ruffled handbag with a floral summer frock and sky high booties

Add pizzaz to a neutral-toned outfit with a fedora or beret featuring flowers, zippers or rhinestone embellishments

Change a look with layering pieces such as an infinity scarf or cardigan in faux fur, a printed pattern or cashmere

Don a jewel toned statement necklace or big, sparkly cocktail ring to dress up an outfit

Add edge to a basic sleeveless summer dress with an animal print handbag with faux fur trim

Pair a sleeveless tunic with a wide, dark colored belt, tights and knee high boots

Wear opaque tights with a summer dress or skirt

Pair a metallic purse with a sleeveless black shift dress and a berry colored cardigan

Mix ankle boots and a leather jacket with a summer skirt and tights

This month, T.J. Maxx released their new Totes for Change.  Over the years, T.J. Maxx has raised over $14.7 million to support Save the Children’s U.S. Programs which provide early education, literacy, physical activity and nutrition programs to children.  Proceed from bag sales will be donated to Save the Children’s US Programs.

You can also post a tote to your Facebook wall and the company will donate $1, for every bag shared.

No compensation was received for this post. A gift card was provided to facilitate this review.

Back to School With SIGG

Earlier this morning, I participated in a web chat with Michelle Conlin and several “green” bloggers to discuss her film project entitled No Impact Man.  I have an entire post dedicated to the project, but it definitely had me thinking about what MORE I can do to reduce my carbon footprint.

It seems simple enough… forgo BPA-laden plastic and opt for reusable bottles and food storage products. SIGG, the world leader in reusable, eco-friendly beverage bottles recently introduced their aluminum lunch boxes which are actually fashionable enough to be used for storing all kinds of things (think makeup, jewelry).

SIGG’s products are 100% recyclable and free from BPA or phthalates.  Their bottles are lined so that there is no lingering odor or taste.  The company offers a number of fun, vibrant kid’s designs for boys and girls.  My three year old is finally at a point where he understands the concept of drinking from bottles like this one.  I like the smaller 0.3 L size for tots since it holds about the amount of liquid he’s capable of drinking.

SIGG now offers customization.  You can visit their site to upload personal photos or create your own graphic with their image library to use on their products.

No compensation was received for this post. A product sample was provided by the company to facilitate this review.

How To Pack a Waste-Free Lunch *Giveaway*

A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from a little production called The Today Show!  They wanted to interview me for an online segment detailing my top three tips for health, fitness and being green.  What ensued was a conversation that unfolded about going green this school year.  I can’t honestly tell you what I said…I was nervous and humbled and in a bit of shock about the whole thing.  But what I hope came across was the fact that Americans, in general, need to create less waste and conserve more.

If you think about the typical lunch and what it entails…you realize that one lunch creates a lot of waste.  Paper napkins, plastic silverware, cardboard juice boxes, disposable sandwich bags…

Citizenpip is a company that believes in the power of small changes.  Created by a mom, the company offers muck-free reusable lunch gear in designs that are attractive to kids and easy for parents to use.

People today are much more informed about green issues and open to ideas on how to reduce their carbon footprint.  Switching from disposable to reusable is a simple change with great long-term impact.

Citizenpip offers a complete line of reusable lunch gear and kits that are free from lead, BPA, and phthalates.  Their lunch bags (which come in four designs) are lightweight, insulated, waterproof, and made from recycled materials.  I only wish they had a few more designs.  I adore the lightweight, stainless steel water bottles because despite the fact that they’re not insulated, per se, they manage to keep drinks colder longer.  The containers are surprisingly made from polypropylne, leakproof, and freezer-safe.

Citizenpip offers a starter kit (RV $42) which includes the following:

• 1 insulated lunch bag
• 1 stainless steel water bottle
• 4 airtight airtight food containers

The kit is actually made well but I would have liked for it to include one flatware set.

Right now, you’ll save 10% with the code “rockinmama10″

Win It! One of you will win a starter kit in the design of your choice.  Simply leave me a comment with one fact you learned on the site.  Comments will close on September 8, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow Citizen Pip on Twitter and/or Facebook

Visit Amanda and leave some comment love on her post.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Products  for review and giveaway were supplied by Citizenpip.

How to Save This School Season

As you can imagine, I get a lot of information flooding my inbox on a daily basis.  Part of managing this site is filtering through the information to find what is relevant, fresh, and exciting for you.  With the new school year up ahead, I thought it might be useful to share some tips I received for saving money this season (courtesy of World Vision):

• Become an avid coupon cutter – especially online. Mobile devices and the Internet make it easier than ever to locate discounts and coupons quickly.  If you own a smartphone, make use of applications that assist in finding coupons, discounts and information on local sales.

• Value the dollar. Stop by the local dollar store to take advantage of their selection of low-cost school supplies.

• Research local non-profit organizations. Local organizations like World Vision often host backpack distributions to provide supplies to families in need.

• Search your household. Take a supplies inventory or have a fun scavenger hunt of your home before hitting the stores. It may be surprising to find many left over pens, pencils and notebooks lying around.

• Stick to the list. Most teachers provide school supplies lists, and many students often come to the classroom with unnecessary materials.

What are you doing to cut costs this school season?

{Photo Credit: cienpies}

Modern Baby Product Guide: Personalized Alphabet Canvases by Stuck On You

I love living in our home…the home we purchased with our own money and all of the freedoms that come with it.  I can paint my bathroom magenta and get black out curtains if I want (although the hubby would never go for magenta).  I can hang pictures of places I dream of visiting and tear out the tile in my kitchen without asking anyone (but the hubby, of course).  And we can decorate and redecorate our children’s room every season if that’s what we decide to do.

At present, our daughter is living in our bed room.  But when we’re all ready to move to a big girl bed, she’ll share a room with my son.  Since his room is boy through and through, we’ll have to do some re decorating…perhaps cut the room in half and paint it pink (hehe!).

If you were to walk into my son’s room,  you’d see his silhouette on one wall, trains on the opposite wall, his name on the third.  It’s highly personalized and changes from time to time.  And because we’re a fan of all things personalized, we recently received a gorgeous Alphabet Canvas from Stuck On You for our daughter.

Stuck On You is “the original online personalized label company,” but offers much more than labels.    You may remember that I featured the company during my 2009 Holiday Gift Guide.  I like their fresh, inspired designs and modern, innovative solutions.

Canvases are a simple way to add personality to a room, particularly if you don’t want to paint or wall paper a space.  The 19″ x 19″  Personalized Alphabet Canvases are available in pink or blue and can be personalized with up to 10 characters.  They retail for $79.95 and come ready to hang.

Since the 2010 School Year is right around the corner, you may want to check out their Back to School Specials:

1.  Back to School Super Special Pack ($43.95)

25 Small Vinyl Labels

20 Vinyl Shoe Labels

1 Personalized Bag Tag

25 Clothing Transfers

2.  Tools for School ($29.95-$34.95)

Offered in pink or blue and include the following:

For personalized gift ideas and innovative quality labeling solutions, visit Stuck On You.

No compensation was received for this post.  A product sample was provided to facilitate this review.

Back to School With Box Tops for Education *Giveaway*

Very soon, children will don backpacks and board school buses for that first day back to school.  While my son is still just in preschool, it’s important for my husband and I to be involved with and support his learning environment.

With budget cuts and an uncertain economy, schools are in need of funds and supplies.  Box Tops for Education is an easy way for parents to support their local schools.  When you clip Box Tops from the products you already buy, you’re helping to support and raise funds for your child’s school.  Each Box Top is worth 10 cents for your school and can be turned in directly to your school.  Your child’s school can earn up to $20,000 from each of the four Box Tops for Education program components including Clip, Shop, Reading Room, and My Class Essentials.

Now through August 31, 2010, you’ll find 4 Box Tops on participating General Mills products at your local Walmart.  4 Box Tops include 3 Bonus Box Tops in the form of a bonus certificate and the conventional box tops.  4 Box Tops can be found on over 40 products from 20 brands that are participating to help earn more cash for local schools.  For a complete list of participating brands and products, visit the Walmart website.

Win It! One of you will win a $25 gift card to Walmart.  Simply leave me a comment with the name of a 4 Box Tops product you’d like to buy to help support your local school.  Comments will close on September 1, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.   Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Visit Amanda and leave some comment love on her post.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Gift cards for review and giveaway were supplied by General Mills via MyBlogSpark.

Back to School With Master Lock *Giveaway*

I’m back!  I think it’s been at least five whole days since I’ve blogged, which is longer than I think I’ve ever gone.  And…I’m still in New York City so posting, etc. will be light this week.

If you have a student looking to keep their items safe, Master Lock has developed a list of tips as the school year resumes:

Back-up the backpack
Backpacks are a popular and practical tool for carrying books and supplies but can easily be targeted for theft.  Help deter theft with a secure backpack lock, such as Master Lock’s 1548 carabineer lock or 1533TRI mini combination lock. Students should also remember to keep their backpack and other valuables with them at all times.

Engrave valuables
Permanently marking items with a student’s first initial and last nmae makes them more difficult to pawn, easier to recognize as stolen and easier to identify and reclaim.

Keep personal information private
Limit the personal information shared on valuables, front doors, mailboxes, key chains, backpacks and other items. Your student should not share his or her address or complete name in order to avoid additional risk if an item is stolen or misplaced, or if your student’s living space is violated.

Keep money safe
Before sending college kids out on their own, teach them how to responsibly use a debit or credit card to allow them to carry less cash. When storing money and other small valuables in high-traffic areas, such as dorms and apartments, students should always lock them up in a cash or document box made of durable steel, such as the Master Lock 7113D cash box, 7143D drawer safe or 7142D security chest.

Lock personal items in lockers
Every student should be equipped with a high security padlock to keep his or her belongings locked safely in a locker whenever possible, whether at the gym or in the classroom.  There are a variety of padlocks available, including combination-alike locks so users don’t have to remember multiple combinations and set-your-own password locks so users can personalize their locks and create an easy-to-remember passwords, such as Master Lock’s 1500iD Speed Dial, 1590D Precision Dial or 1534D combination lock.

Safeguard bikes
Invest in one of Master Lock’s high security u-bars paired with a large diameter (3/8-inch or greater) cable. Use the cable to secure both wheels to the bike and the u-bar to anchor the bike frame to a secure, immovable object such as a cemented bike rack.

Always lock doors and windows
Teach students to always lock their doors and windows to prevent unwanted entry. To prevent someone from forcing their way in the room as well as protect against others who still have a key from previous years, students should invest in a door and window security bar, such as the Master Lock 265 security bar or 266D window bar and alarm.

Travel safely
Whether traveling by bus, train or air, a lock is imperative for keeping your student’s belongings safe throughout their entire travel route.  Invest in a TSA-accepted locking device — the one lock airport screeners won’t cut. These locks allow TSA screeners to inspect and relock baggage without damaging the lock. Students should secure both their checked luggage and carry-on bags with a TSA-approved locking closure, such as the Master Lock 4688D TSA-accepted combination lock.

Insure your student’s valuables
Check to see if your homeowners insurance covers your student’s belongings while they reside in either on- or off-campus housing. If not, consult with an insurance agent to determine what additional coverage is necessary.

Be aware and prepared, not scared
While it’s a parent’s job to be overprotective, don’t scare your student into thinking college is a completely un-safe atmosphere. Do teach them to be aware of their surroundings — walk with confidence and pay attention to what’s going on around them, and be sure to review the school’s safety programs and services during orientation or online. Preparation and awareness are the keys to safety in any situation.

Master Lock just launched an online video series and sweepstakes where participants can enter to win daily prizes including an iPod Touch or Master Lock combination locks.  The grand prize is a new iPad with a gift card for a two-year data plan.  For more information about the sweepstakes, just visit their website.

Win It! One of you will win a Precision Dial (offering a resettable combination feature) or Speed Dial (featuring a design that opens on directional movements)  lock of their choice. Simply leave me a comment with the name of a feature you like from either lock. Comments will close on September 1, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Visit Amanda and leave some comment love on her post.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Items for giveaway were supplied by Master Lock.

Back to School With Targus *Giveaway*

In less than 3 days, I’ll be on a plane to New York City!  Because I’m a geek tech mom, I’ll be toting my Palm Pre Plus, MacBook, and my KODAK EASYSHARE M580 Digital Camera.  And they’re all going to be packed nicely in my Targus Unofficial Messenger bag.

Targus offers a wide variety of stylish laptop computer cases and accessories.  My MacBook fits perfectly in their Messenger bag, which is compact, lightweight, and convenient.  The Messenger bag includes two main compartments…one for your laptop and one for your accessories and necessities.  The bag, which is comprised of nylon, features air-mesh padding for ventilation and protection.

If you’ve ever carried a laptop around for any length of time, you know how heavy and uncomfortable it gets.  I like the fact that this bag has a wide shoulder strap (although it would be nice if it was padded) and doesn’t add much in the way of weight or bulk.  The Unofficial Messenger bag retails for $49.99 and is available in Black, Brown, Red, and Blue.

Targus also offers Laptop Backpacks, like their Spruce EcoSmart Backpack which is made from 100% recycled material and can fit laptops up to 17″.  The backpack is roomy with several pockets to hold business cards, pens, an iPod, and more.  The Spruce Collection is made from recycled plastic bottles and free from nickel and PVCs.

If you’re looking for modern laptop bag that’s stylish and user-friendly, just visit Targus.

Win It! One of you will win a Targus bag!  Simply visit their website.  Then come back and tell me the name of the bag you’d choose.  Comments will close on September 1, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.

Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.

Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.

Visit Amanda and leave some comment love on her post.

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Items for review and giveaway were supplied by Targus.

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