Kohl's Cares - Help Kids Get Back-to-School Ready

Get your littles back-to-school ready with the newest Kohl’s Cares collection featuring Clifford The Big Red Dog, °available now through September.

Kohls Cares has brought back a big red favorite of mine for the 2016 back-to-school season. I remember reading and watching Clifford when I was little, and now I get to share Clifford + his friends with Aidan + Adisyn!

The collection includes a backpack, creativity kit, toys, and hard covered books to promote summer reading. 

Books and soft toys featured in the Kohl’s Cares back-to-school collection include:

•Clifford’s ABC book, Clifford Takes a Trip book and Clifford soft toy

•Clifford Goes to Kindergarten book and Emily Elizabeth soft toy

•Clifford and the Missing Beach Ball book, T-Bone soft toy and Cleo soft toy

•The Scrambled States of America book

•Clifford Backpack

°Crayola kit

The charming stories of the larger-than-life canine focus on kindness and send a positive message to young readers.

√The Scambked States of America is an amazing book!  With the super imaginative story, the pop-art illustrations, and amazing little characters keep kids interested and inside the book! What an amazing way to learn about the states!

√The Clifford and Cleo stuffed animals are super adorable. For $5 who could beat that? And 100% proceeds go to helping others!

Parents can also feel good about purchasing the pieces that are priced at only $5 each, with 100 percent of the net profit benefiting children’s health initiatives nationwide.

-----

{ To date, Kohl's has raised nearly $300 million through the Kohl’s Cares merchandise program. To reinforce the company’s commitment to children’s health, Kohl’s has donated financial support to hospitals across the country. The donations fund hospital outreach programs focused on children’s health initiatives and address the specific issues needed most in each hospital’s community. These tailored programs provide vital resources to families at no cost and include topics such as injury prevention, asthma awareness, dental care, and fitness.}

Xoxo
-Jess

Cool Gear: Must Haves #BacktoSchool Mason Jar & Bling Lunch Bag

Disclosure: Items were provided for review purposes only. All opinions are my own and honest. 

School started here last week, which was both good and bad. I love having the day to work on my posts, but I miss the munchkins. It means the end of summer, and fall is coming. Summer is my favorite, and I am so not ready for the winter (at all!!) Has school started for your kids yet?

Cool Gear has some of the most amazing items to add to your back to school (or back to work) list. Looking for a coffee/tea mug to take with you when you take your kids to school in the morning? What about a lunch box for work (or school for the kiddos)? Storage or containers for your food? No matter what you're looking for, you'll find it at Cool Gear.

I've always been a fan of Cool Gear Inc. They have the most unique styles and designs anywhere. The first thing I ever used from Cool Gear was the 16 oz. Cool Gear Can in pink leopard print, which I still have. I swear I packed this thing EVERYWHERE and caught the attention of tons, they wanted to know where to get one. They loved it, but they definitely weren't getting mine.. lol.

I was super excited to learn that they came out with a Plastic Double Wall Mason Jar. You know how we southerners like our Mason Jars. So you know I couldn't resist it! They had so many different colors and designs, that it was hard for me to choose! I mean... I want them all.. lol.

I ended up getting the Paisley design Mason Jar, which I don't see how I ever lived without. I fell in love with it as soon as I opened the box. The color is very vibrant, beautiful, and eye-popping. Of course I love the design (it has lime green in it). 

This is just like a real Mason Jar except it isn't glass (and it's decorated). This is made with double walled insulation to keep your drink super cold! The Mason Jar is an essential staple in the south. Whether we're drinking out of it, canning with it, or making our own candles with it. The Mason Jar is amazing for so many things. So, when i seen this look-a-like I was amazed (and no, you can't can with it.. lol).

These Mason Jars are made with recyclable plastic that is BPA and Phthalate free.. so no nasty chemical induced plastic. It's also dishwasher safe. So when you're done, you can just toss it in the dishwasher (top rack). I don't have a dishwasher, so I wash it by hand. I love that its super easy to clean! Makes it tons easier.

               

Unlike other Mason Jars, this one comes with a lid. It has 2 drinking options. You can either sip from the straw, or chug from the spout. Whichever you prefer. If you use the spout part, just take the straw out and plug the hole with the rubber insert. Easy peasy!

Which Mason Jar is your favorite?





































If you are looking for a variety of uniquely styled lunch bags, Cool Gear is where you need to be. They have a cool race car bag for boys, and a variety for girls (or yourself). My daughter Adisyn has always had her own unique style, and she loves picking her own clothes and stuff out. She started Kindergarten this year, and what better way to send her?

I let her choose which lunch bag she liked best and she chose the Bling Bag. There are 3 different colors to choose from, and each color has a different design. She ended up wanting the pink one, because she absolutely LOVES pink and she likes rocking skulls (I'm pretty sure she's half punk rocker/ half diva lol).









               

The Bling Lunch bag is very loved, as you can tell by the look on her face, She adores it, and tries to pack it everywhere. I told her it's just for lunch. She loves it because of the designs, I love it because it's practical. It is fully insulated and has 2 pockets!

It is fully insulated, so that I know her lunch is staying cold while she's at school. No worrying that her drink is going to be warm or her lunch spoiled. It has a Zip top closure to keep everything inside, yet easy for her to get to her lunch.

I love the unique, stylish designs of all Cool Gear items and this bag is no exception, Bright colors, cool designs, and bling. I mean-- what girl can resist that? Definitely not Adisyn (shhh and myself). It has lime green in it, so you know I love it! 

It has 2 outside pockets. A front pocket and a smaller side pocket. The larger pocket in the front is where I put little drawings for her, so that she doesn't get too home sick. (and I sneak in a little extra snack.) The side pocket is for drinks, but I put her drink in the big compartment to keep it cold until lunch time. 

It is designed with an easy clean EVA lining. It's a plastic like material that you can just wipe out if any spills or leaks are made. You could even throw it in the sink in some dishwater and let it soak in the dish rack after it's rinsed. You can't throw it in the wash because of the attached "bling" on the front. 

So, which is your favorite bling bag?

 Connect With Cool Gear

CoolGear website
Cool Gear facebook
Cool Gear  twitter
Cool Gear youtube
Cool Gear instagram
Cool Gear pinterest
Cool Gear G+

Disclosure: Items were provided for review purposes only. All opinions are my own and honest. 

Until next time, 

-Jess

Eddie Bauer Adventurer Backpack Review #2013HolidayGiftGuide

This is one of Eddie Bauer’s most favored daypacks, and I can totally see why. The Eddie Bauer Adventurer Backpack has everything I‘ve been looking for. It is big enough for all of my necessary items, is lightweight, has tons of pockets, and comes in a variety of colors! I can easily carry this backpack around with me all day without it being uncomfortable.



The adventurer backpack is extremely durable and dependable. I don’t have to worry about a strap breaking, a zipper snapping off, or it not having the strength to hold my laptop. It is one of the largest backpacks that they make. It’s built for someone who needs a strong, durable backpack that will meet their needs for years to come!



It has numerous features that make it comfortable and useful, even when the backpack is fully loaded down. The back panel is made out of padded air mesh and foam. This helps keep the majority of the weight from being right on my spine. It is actually relaxing the way that it molds to my back and keeps my laptop or binders from poking me in the back.

The contoured shoulder straps definitely are a MAJOR bonus. Most backpacks don’t offer padded shoulder straps and it shows within the first hour. Without the padding my shoulders would start burning and aching from all the pain. With these straps, I feel absolutely no pain at all because the padding shields my shoulders! They are adjustable too, which makes the backpack even more comfortable.


This backpack also comes with a sternum strap & stowable waist belt. This is what hiking backpacks use to keep the waist balanced off your back. Genius idea, it really helps when you have a heavy load and have a long way to walk to class or if you have to wear it for a long time.



It also has a safety whistle on the sternum strap. The sternum and waist straps definitely make the load seem 10 times lighter when the weight is shifted and balanced, not just put on your shoulders and back. The waist belt is able to be hidden and tucked away inside the backpack, so that isn’t dangling or getting in the way when it isn’t in use.



I love that there are various zipper compartments in a variety of places. This includes a zipper compartment that allows direct access to my laptop. I can slip my laptop in and out of this compartment with ease. I can write while waiting at the doctor, at the park, or wherever and I don’t have to fight with getting the laptop in the main compartment with all my binders and papers! It is just so convenient and makes it easy to get stuff done!



I love that the backpack comes with a Velcro strip to secure my laptop inside very easily. This isn’t an easy task when you have a 17’ laptop. I looked everywhere for a backpack or even carrying case for a 17’ and couldn’t find one of good quality until now. This holds my laptop with ease and secures it. I love the fact that it’s padded as well. It keeps my laptop safe from slight bangs or bumps if someone accidentally knocks into me, or knocks my backpack over!



  I love how spacious the main compartment is. I can easily put my laptop, 2 full sized binders, a couple notebooks, and some books without having trouble zipping it up. It’s very roomy and definitely has more space than a normal backpack! I don’t have to decide between this binder or that one, I can carry it all!



Inside the second compartment is a lot of extra space to fit everything I need to carry with me at all times. I can put my pens in the pen slots and unused index cards in the bigger zipper compartment. I can put my SD cards and USB flash drives in the mesh compartment on the side. My keys on the key fob, and my index cards I’ve written notes on along with my business cards in the smaller card slots!



On one side of the backpack is a mesh drink compartment. I can store my Cool Gear Canned drink, a 20’ coke, or a water bottle. That way my hands are always free, I really like that. I also like that I don’t have to worry about the drink sweating on the stuff inside my backpack. The outside keeps the stuff on the inside safe from the condensation. On the other side is a hidden compartment where you can hide your credit card/debit card/money or whatever!



The outer mesh compartment can be used for anything and everything. During spur of the moments, I usually push my jacket or sweater inside of it. It can be used for smaller notebooks, more supplies (pencils, pens, sketchbook, reading book, tablet).



I am IN LOVE with this backpack! I love everything about it. Especially the fact that they have so many color options. Usually I can’t find a backpack that has my favorite color on it (lime green) and wa-lah! Eddie Bauer hit the spot!

Connect with Eddie Bauer online:
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, & Instagram

Send Them Back to School In Style With Frecklebox Personalized Lunchboxes: Review & Giveaway

The 2013 school year is upon us, how summer flew by so quickly- I’ll never know. It seems like they just got out for summer a month ago, but it’s been 2 full months already. Summer is my favorite season, so I’m sad to see it go.

The kids are really wanting to hurry up and start school. They are anxious to wear their new school shoes, make new friends, and play on the playground. We already had our orientation here, for both kids. We got to meet their teachers and get accustomed to their room.

Whether your child(ren) are starting school for the first time (like my daughter) or returning (like my son), Frecklebox has everything your child needs to make their school year not only educational but fun as well.

One that is a must have besides school supplies on a childs’ back to school list is a lunchbox. You don’t want to send them to school with a Mediocre lunchbox that is going to need replacing in just a few short months. You need something with quality- that will not only last but that they will love!

Frecklebox has a wide variety of personalized lunch boxes for both boys and girls. There are cars, fire trucks, sports, and spaceships for boys. Hearts, unicorns, peace signs, chevron print and cheetah prints for girl.

 

It was truly hard to choose a lunchbox because they are all geared to gender. EVERY single on of the boy themed lunchboxes my son would enjoy. Not only would he love each and every design on the website, he would love that they could all be personalized with his name.

I have always favored personalized items, well.. because they are “personal” to whoever you’re getting them for. When I was younger, I always wanted personalized items rather than plain old regular stuff. That’s the reason, I couldn’t wait to choose Aidan’s and see his face when it came in the mail!

After searching through all of them, I finally settled on the Mod Fire Truck Yubo Lunch Box – Blue. What’s cool about the Frecklebox lunchboxes is that they have 2 different kinds of lunchboxes. They have the old-school type, the metal lunchboxes that can take all the beating and banging a child can give. THEY also have these newer type of lunchboxes which are hard plastic and durable as well.

It was too cute when he seen the lunchbox. He said “yep, that’s how you spell my name.. A.I.D.A.N” now nobody can steal my lunch. We really did have an issue last year with people taking his snack containers. I would go to the school thinking he had just forgotten his stuff, and it wouldn’t be anywhere to be found!

What makes them even more awesome is that everything on the lunchbox comes off! Both sides pop out, and even the handle comes off easy as pie. I love that it is so EASY for me to break down when he brings it home and wash every part of it!  I don’t know how much trouble I had getting the regular insulated lunchboxes clean!

It even comes with Yubo sandwich container and 2 snack containers. This surprised me, I didn’t think it would be anything but a lunch box! Oh, how awesome it was not to have to go out and buy any extras!

I had him test out the containers. They are very easily opened with a slight pull, yet they are snug tight if they are just in the lunchbox. YAY for me, less spills and messes. I imagine if they weren’t snug it could create quite a mess, YET they aren’t on so strong that he can’t manage to open his lunch.

He WAS SO thrilled with his lunch box, and I can say that I am as well. Not only is it high quality but it is easy for him to get IN and OUT of his backpack with ease. It’s easy to wash and easy to snap apart and back together. I love that he can proudly pack his lunch without someone taking it home. I’m pretty sure that there aren’t any other Aidan’s in his class this year (OR last year).

The personalization just makes it 10x better! He loves toting something around that has his name on it! Thanks Frecklebox for designing not only the lunchboxes but putting the smile on the kids’ faces who pack them!

You should also check out their selection of personalized gifts for kids, the holidays are just around the corner—!

The Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Frecklebox:

“One guy’s name is Scott. The other one is Mark. Both guys dove into the baby making business over a decade ago. Even before that, in partnership, they created a printing and distribution business called Progressive Solutions. Both their kids and their company inspired Frecklebox. You see, as parents, these guys take the job of expanding their children’s minds very seriously. And as business people, they’ve been on a relentless mission to explore the possibilities of web-based digital printing. Presto. Frecklebox was born. Hopefully, a great big Frecklehead family will follow.”

 

Jessica Renee