While we were in New York, I decided to schedule some early morning meetings with some of the PR representatives I’ve worked with over the past three years.  One of days, I headed over to The Sak Brand Group Showroom (which just so happens to be right across the street from the Empire State Building) for their Spring 2011 Preview.

The Sak Brand Group is one of the largest handbag companies in the US and offers a variety of designs, at varying price points, in the following brands:  The Sak, Elliott Lucca, freebird, sakroots, Luxy, and Lina.  I actually own a sakroots bag which I adore because it’s stylish, functional, and eco-friendly.  sakroots is the company’s eco-friendly brand and this spring will offer fun, vibrant everyday accessories including handbags, iPod cases, computer bags, yoga mat bags, camera cases, umbrellas, rain boots, and more.  The entire collection is made from eco-friendly materials like recycled nylon and canvas and supports The Nature Conservancy’s Plant a Billion Trees Campaign.  Prints include Peace, One World, and Flower Power and the collection retails for under $139.  Here are a few of the pieces that stood out:

freebird is a highly affordable collection offering carefree, eclectic designs derived from man-made leather.  The brand will debut their hands-free compact nano bag.  The bags were intricately designed with a focus on touch and texture and can be worn as a crossbody, clutch, mini backpack or belt bag.  Some of the design features include hand-stitching, mesh metal and metallic hardware.  The nano bag will retail for $35-$59 and will be available in fall colors like toffee, indigo, and cocoa.

This spring, the Sak will debut a new Crochet collection.  The handbags will feature signature textured weaves and relaxed styles in bright, vibrant colors like papaya, boutique stripe, and pink multi.  The entire collection will retail for under $79.

You can purchase handbags and accessories from the Sak, sakroots, and freebird online and at Macy’s, Nordstrom and Dillard’s.

No compensation was received for this post. I received a thank you gift for attending the brand’s press preview day.

If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, then you know that I’m a sentimentalist at heart.  I just adore boutique-esque, personalized gifts (especially if they involve photography).  And between my shoe and purse collection, I could probably open up a small shop!

Initials, Inc. is a national company that specializes in personalized items, particularly purses and handbags.  Their bags are trendy and functional and feature modern, lively prints and vibrant colors.  The company was started by two moms who, like many of us, wanted to stay home with their children while still contributing financially to their families.  Initials, Inc. launched in 2005 as a party plan company and is a place where women find creativity, flexibility and success.

Selecting and personalizing my Hippie Chic.  I have a lot of purses, but these days I live in a diaper bag.  For those rare days when I don’t have the kids, this bag is perfect for toting the essentials.  It’s roomy enough without being big or bulky and has an adjustable strap.  The Hippie Chic is available in Oasis (which is what I chose) and Cosmo and can be personalized with a name (including font style and color).  (Retails for $39.99).

The Resort Tote is one of their most popular bags and is perfect for toting everything you need for a day out with the kids.  (Retails for $44.99).

I particularly like their other items. Initials, Inc. offers the most adorable Just Like Me Doll.  It can be personalized with your child’s name and is offered in several hair and skin color variations to resemble your child.   (Retails for $34.99).

For more information on Initials, Inc., just visit their website!

Win It! One of you will win a $50 gift certificate to Initials, Inc.  Simply leave me a comment with the name of the item you’d choose (other than that which was mentioned on this review).  Comments will close on May 22, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.  One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. 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.

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 were provided for review and giveaway via MomSelect.

I started thinking about all the changes I’ve made over the last year or so to help make our home safer and preserve the environment my son is growing up in .  I’ve eliminated toxic cleaners from our home, started shopping for local, organically grown foods, ditched the water bottle habit, purchased Energy Star appliances for our home, started using a programmable thermostat, eliminated plastics with BPA, and started bringing a reusable bag to the grocery store.  Whenever I engage in discussion with people about “going green,” two issues usually arise.  Many people think that purchasing eco-friendly products is more expensive (which at times may be true) and that “going green” means giving up style, fashion, and beauty in exchange for a “crunchy” way of life.

*    Each year, an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide

*    According to the EPA, over 380 billion bags are used in the USA every year, which is more than 1200 per resident and it takes about 12 million barrels of oil to make this many bags.

*    Over 46,000 pieces of plastic are floating in our oceans worldwide

*    Each reusable bag you use has the potential to eliminate an average of 1000 bags over its lifetime.

I recently had an opportunity to review a S.H.O.P (Start Helping Our Planet) tote and a pair of earrings from Calypso Studios.  Once you take a look at their gorgeous array of totes and jewelry, you’ll WANT to go green!  Here is a little more information about the company:

Calypso Studios debuted in January 2007 with a line of jewelry and accessories created from the earth’s natural elements: clay, shell and glass. The new line was immediately embraced and praised for the unique designs and mediums. The designs are on-trend and span the ages in both technique and the persons choosing these distinctive and exclusive designs.

The S.H.O.P. totes come in sets of three with fun Island colors, prints, and themes, and the set retails for $20.00 The company collaborated with American artists, such as Lori Siebert, Emma Hand,  Robin Roderick, Tina Higgins, and Andrea Tachiera to provide beautiful art on the totes.

Each tote can carry 20 pounds, which was impressive since they’re so light!  Americans throw away 100 billion bags every year and they end up in our landfills and oceans.  Some companies (i.e. Whole Foods) have eliminated all plastic bags from their stores and give you a small compensation for bringing in your own reusable bag.  There are tons of reusable bags available, but I’ve yet to see one as cute and stylish as those offered at Calypso Studios.  They store compactly (2″ x 3″ to be exact) thanks to the carrying case.  The bags are made of polyester but that is the only information I have regarding the materials used in the making of the bags. I’d love to know how they’re dyed and whether they’re recyclable.

I also received a pair of stunning Black Vineyard Earrings and they retail for $6.00! They are one inch long and consist of glass and iridescent beads suspended on twisted wire. They’re very stylish and look to be hand-crafted (but made well).

If you’re looking for affordable, fashionable accessories, be sure to check out Calypso Studios. The company donates a percentage of sales towards environmental organizations that help with causes of keeping landfills and waterways free of plastic and paper bags.

*Update* I have been conversing with one of the representatives of the company and she was kind enough to provide more information about the company.  If you remember, one of my questions was whether or not the bags were recyclable and what materials the bags are made of.  Here is what she had to say:

We use a lot of recycled glass & lead free materials.

Our SHOP Totes are polyester.

They (the bags) are recyclable in the sense that you are not using paper and plastic bags.

The bags are not dyed.  Rather, an art plate is used to make the bags.

Overall, I’m content with the response I received from the company.  I know there are many companies who claim to be eco-friendly and I want to ensure that the companies I share with you have evidence to support those claims!

Win It! Calypso Studios has been kind enough to offer one of you a S.H.O.P. tote. Just head on over to the site and take a look around.  Come back here and leave me a comment with your favorite!  Comments will close on May 29, 2009 at 10 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. 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.

Add the “Spring In For Summer Fun” banner to your sidebar and leave me a comment (be sure to visit the main party post for more details on extra entries)

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.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

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

Profuse thanks to Calypso Studios and Mom Fuse for this review opportunity!

]]> http://rockinmama.net/2009/05/calypso-studios/feed/ 159 http://rockinmama.net/2009/05/mothers-day-2009-lands-end/ http://rockinmama.net/2009/05/mothers-day-2009-lands-end/#comments Thu, 07 May 2009 16:28:19 +0000 caryn http://rockinmama.net/?p=4681

As I get older, I notice that my taste in purses is changing.  It used to be, that I’d only purchase small purses.  I’d then try to jam everything into that one purse.  Now that I have a child, I am realizing how impractical small, clutch-style purses are for everyday use.  I do enjoy using a small, trendy purse when I’m out with my husband, but that is not the norm these days.  If you’ve ever shopped for a roomy purse, you know that space often results in the relinquishment of fashion.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a trendy selection of totes and handbags at Lands’ End.  I was first introduced to Lands’ End at BlogHer last year and again at Blissdom this year.  The swag bag we received at Blissdom was a cute, pink canvas tote from Lands End.  It’s perfect for the beach!  If you’re shopping for a purse-loving mom, check out Lands’ End’s selection of totes and handbags.  Don’t worry, they have bags in all sizes, styles, and colors.

I received a gorgeous Black Dip Dye Patent Leather Tote that I get compliments on every day.  I smile when they ask me where I purchased it, since they assume it’s a high-end designer. When I think of a tote, I definitely don’t think of something as chic and stylish as this.  You can use this for formal events or casual encounters.  It’s very roomy and I like that it closes with a button, since many of my totes don’t have that option.  The tote has three inside pockets and an outside pocket (where I stick my phone) which leaves plenty of room for both of our essentials.  I don’t even have to carry around a diaper bag!  This particular tote is available in nine colors, five of which are the “dip dye” style (which I prefer).  The patent leather exterior guards against dirt and stains and definitely gives the bag a “dressed up” look.  This particular tote retails for $79.50 but is on sale right now for $49.99 (and it’s worth every penny!).

This giveaway is now closed.  Thanks for stopping by.  The winner is Monique.  Congratulations!

I have more bags than I know what to do with, but that doesn’t stop me from perusing Elliot Lucca’s luxurious collection of bags toted by celebrities.   The company’s “unique vision stems from a synthesis of modernized exotic influences, feminine intelligence and sensual textures.”  Elliot Lucca features soft, lightweight bags made with careful attention to detail.  If you’re looking for a stylish clutch, be sure to visit the site.

Win It! One of you will win an Elliott Lucca Pascale Foldover Clutch.

By entering this contest, you will automatically be entered into the sak and Elliot Lucca databases for future emails.

Simply  head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back and leave me a omment with the name of another bag you’d like to own.  Comments will close on April 27, 2009 at 10 PM PST.   One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. 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 submit an extra entry for each one.

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

Add the Mother’s Day Gift Guide Button to your site.

Visit Amanda and enter her giveaways.

Visit Kristin and enter her giveaways.

Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the Mother’s Day Gift Guide.

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.

Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.

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

Grab a button, spread the word, and come back to join us!

<a href=”http://rockinmama.net/?p=3794″ mce_href=”http://rockinmama.net/?p=3794″ target=”_blank”><img alt=”Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2009″ src=”http://rockinmama.net/images/MothersDay/mothersdaygg2009.jpg” mce_src=”http://rockinmama.net/images/MothersDay/mothersdaygg2009.jpg” border=”0″ /></a>