Macy’s Fashion Director Challenge + Giveaway (Closed)

by Kate on March 22nd, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

Are you ready to unleash your inner fashionista? The Macy’s Fashion Director Challenge has all the stylish ingredients you could ever need, and if you’re up to the task, you can win!

The Daily Fashion Challenge

Every day on the Daily Fashion Challenge there’s a new task like, “Put together an outfit for the movie premier your friend scored tickets to at the last minute.” Or “You’re meeting Martha Stewart! What do you wear?” Browse the latest styles in tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets, shoes and accessories and build the perfect outfit.

Here’s how the Fashion Challenge works:

  • Build the perfect outfit by dragging pieces to the virtual canvas until you are satisfied with the look
  • Once completed, click submit to enter your outfit into the voting gallery
  • Share your look on Facebook and Twitter and invite your friends and family to vote for your outfit
  • The outfit that gets the most votes each day will win that day’s challenge and a $500 Macy’s gift card

Spring Fashion at Macy’s

The daily challenge is less challenge more fun. Really. It’s totally addictive, too. I played around and made an outfit I wish I had for our cruise next week. How perfect is that Tiered Maxi Dress for warm weather? And, the shoes selection for the Fashion Director Challenge is a far cry from the mom shoes collection in my closet. Certainly lots of fashion eye candy.

If you need some direction, check out the “Fashion Interventions” featuring Macy’s key style makers, including Martha Stewart, Donald Trump, Clinton Kelly, and Rachel Roy.


Shop! Find the best for spring fashion at Macy’s.

Win! A $75 Macy’s Gift Card!

How to Enter: Visit the Macy’s Fashion Director Challenge and check out the Gallery. Leave a comment with the name of an outfit you like.

Bonus Entries - valid only after the first mandatory entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do:

* Make an outfit for the daily challenge. Click “Share It” and post to your Facebook or Twitter. (You may do this every day, just leave a comment every time you Share a new outfit.
* Follow Macy’s on Twitter
* Fan Macy’s on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link every time you do:
Check out the Macy’s Fashion Director Challenge and win a $75 Macy’s gift card @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/cBoYYI
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Be a Shopping Buddy, aka, follow in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS
* Blog about this giveaway including a link to this post – leave 5 comments with your link
* Post the Spring into Spring button on your blog


Spring into Spring blog bash

Disclosure: This giveaway ends April 2 and is open to US residents only. Thanks to Macy’s for providing the giveaway prize. Opinions are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Petunia Pickle Bottom is 10! Celebrate with the Heirloom Bag + Giveaway (Closed)

by Kate on March 21st, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways

Congratulations, Jeanine!

Petunia Pickle Bottom is 10! And, in true Petunia style, they’re celebrating ten years of beautiful diaper bags with a gorgeous limited edition diaper bag called the Heirloom.

About the Heirloom

Available exclusively online at Petunia Pickle Bottom in January 2010, the Heirloom by Petunia fabric is a showcase of Petunia’s most adored and iconic patterns, woven into one from the past ten years.  This exquisite fabric will be featured on the Boxy Backpack silhouette and in a PVC-Free Glazed “wipe-able” exterior.   The striking bag has extensive hand embroidery in hues of tranquil blues and golden yellows on a walnut ground.  Heirloom by Petunia is noted by a custom metal logo plate and dangle (aka “bling”) to celebrate this limited edition keepsake.


Heirloom Details

No detail is unnoticed in the finishing of Heirloom, or any Petunia bag, for that matter.

  • Hands-free backpack or long messenger strap
  • Built-in changing station with detachable changing pad
  • 2 large diaper/wipes pockets
  • 4 bottle pockets
  • 2 organizational pockets
  • Small pacifier pocket
  • Detachable dirty diaper pouch
  • “No more digging” key clip
  • Water-resistant liner
  • PPB monogrammed wipes case
  • Dimensions: 13 X 13.5 X 5.5 in.
  • PVC-Free Glazed “wipe-able” exterior


I have a PPB Touring Tote that my husband got me for Valentine’s Day a couple years ago. I can honestly say I get more compliments on that bag than any other diaper bag or purse I carry. The thing about Petunia bags is that they are legitimately lovely to look at, but more importantly for mamas, they are easy to use and smartly designed. With Petunia, it’s not style over function, but a perfect balance of the two. The result is a beautiful line of parent-friendly diaper bags.

Shop! The Heirloom by Petunia is $210. It’s available for purchase at Petunia Pickle Bottom. You can also find the entire Petunia collection, including Cake by Petunia, Scout and Fawn by Petunia, at www.petuniapicklebottom.com.

Win! The limited-edition Heirloom by Petunia!

How to Enter: Visit Petunia Pickle Bottom and leave a comment with another bag you love.

Bonus Entries – valid only after completing the first required entry. Please leave a separate comment for each you do:
* Fan Petunia Pickle Bottom on Facebook
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link every time you do:
Win a limited edition Heirloom by Petunia diaper bag worth $210 @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/b3k2kY
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Be a Shopping Buddy, aka, follow in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS
* Blog about this giveaway including a link to this post and www.PetuniaPickleBottom.com – leave 5 comments with your link
* Post the Spring into Spring button on your blog


Spring into Spring blog bash

Disclosure: This giveaway ends March 29 and is open to US residents only. Thanks to Petunia Pickle Bottom for providing the giveaway prize. Opinions are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Fall In Love with Fashion – Chico’s Giveaway (Closed)

by Kate on March 20th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaways


In the hopes of sparking some conversation about this post I asked my husband the same question Chico’s is asking: “When did you first fall in love with fashion?” His answer: “When you first made me watch America’s Next Top Model.” Touche, Shopping Dada, touche.

But, seriously, if you look at me today dressed in torn jeans and an old Ohio State tee shirt, you would certainly question my love of fashion. But, back in the day, I knew a thing or two and actually made an effort. I think I really fell in love with fashion in high school. I worked at a small mom and pop grocery store – the best job ever because my good friends worked there, too (including Monica who has helped with reviews recently). Anyway, when it wasn’t busy at the store I would read fashion magazines cover to cover. I read and studied Vogue and Glamour and Allure  so much that upon seeing a dress on a celebrity or cover I knew immediately who designed it. That may not be that impressive, but considering I was a 16 year old in Ohio I think it’s cool. And I certainly can’t do that now. (Unless we’re talking kiddie fashion and then I can spot Tea, Gymbo or Janie and Jack a mile away.)

Chico’s Sweepstakes

Now through the end of the month, Chico’s is asking “When did you first fall in love with fashion?” Submit your story on Chico’s Facebook page and be entered to win a $100 gift card each day, as well as a grand prize of $500 at the end of the month!

Win! Chico’s is giving away this fabulous necklace from their jewelry line, which retails for $158, to one lucky reader.

How to Enter: Share your story on the Chico’s Fall in Love tab and leave a comment here letting me know you entered.

Bonus Entries – only valid after you do the first mandatory entry. Please leave a separate comment for each:

* Fan Chico’s on Facebook
* Follow Chico’s on Twitter
* Follow The Shopping Mama on Twitter tweet this giveaway. You may do this every day, just leave a link every time you do:
Win a fabulous necklace from Chico’s worth $158 @TheShoppingMama http://bit.ly/akGOwL
* Fan The Shopping Mama on Facebook
* Be a Shopping Buddy, aka, follow in Google Friends Connect
* Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS
* Blog about this giveaway including a link to this post – leave 5 comments with your link
* Post the Spring into Spring button on your blog


Spring into Spring blog bash


Disclosure: This giveaway ends March 31 and is open to US residents only. Thanks to Chico’s for providing the giveaway prize. Please see the Chico’s Facebook page for the official Fall in Love Sweepstakes rules.

TGIF: Coupons, Sales, Discounts & News

by Kate on March 19th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Deal & News Roundup, Weekly Features

Janie & Jack Coupon Code!

This is RARE, y’all! I am not exaggerating when I tell you I ordered last night at midnight so I could get the sizes I wanted. (If J&J is like Gymbo the coupon was probably valid yesterday, but whatever.) I got 3 shirts, a pair of pants and a hat for my daughter for, um, $94. Which I realize is still A LOT of money, but it is Janie & Jack. And I can never afford to buy things there but I couldn’t pass up 25% off and free shipping (on orders over $75). Use the code JJENJOY through Sunday, the 21st.

Gap Get & Give Sale

Save 30% in store at Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy AND Gap Outlet and Banana Outlet stores. Print this coupon. Expires Sunday, March 21. And, if that weren’t reason enough to shop, 5% of everything you spend goes to the Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Great Sales

Crazy 8: Friends and Family Sale. 25% off everything and free shipping on orders over $75. Use code CZYEMAIL through Sunday, March 21.

Stride Rite: Save 20% on your order of $50 or more with code SPRING2010. Also receive free shipping if you order 2 pairs or more. Code expires March 28.

Land of Nod: New items added to the Free Shipping section!

giggle.com: FREE shipping on baby essentials. PLUS, spend $50 on giggle Better Basics collection and get $15 off giggle Better Basics Organic Receiving Blanket.

Exclusive Discounts

  • dadoo kids: 20% off with code SHOPPINGMAMA20.
  • The Crazy Dazy: 10% discount off your purchase with code SHOPPINGMAMA.
  • Beba Bean: The Shopping Mama readers receive 20% off with code SM10/07/09.
  • The Studio: For $10 off your purchase use SHOPMAMA at check out.
  • Belle’s Biscuits: Get 10% off your purchase with the code BELLES10.

Amazon Toy Deals



This post contains affiliate links. Shopping sponsors and affiliates is a great way to support your favorite blogger’s shopping habit. After all, she just admitted to spending nearly $30 on a single pair of pants for her 1 year old daughter.

Tea Collection Children’s Clothes Review + Giveaway (Closed)

by Kate on March 19th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Clothes, Giveaways, Reviews

Inspired by the beauty found in cultures around the world, Tea Collection offers fabulous clothes “for little citizens of the world.” If you’re new to Tea Collection, consider yourself warned – the kids clothes are fabulous – and if you’re a longtime fan, you’re going to love this season’s collection (and the giveaway!).

Spring 2010 Collection Destination: Korea

South Korea captivated us, from the bustle and color of Seoul’s city streets to the rugged, natural beauty of Jejudo, Korea’s largest volcanic island. Our Spring collection celebrates the vibrancy, beauty and balance of this extraordinary destination. Come share our journey!

Stylish Kids Clothes

The spring collection is to die for cute and we received a few pieces for Toddler Girl. All I have to say is, patterns and colors and comfort – oh my! We received the Cropped Gypsy Pant ($21) in Raspberry, Hummingbird Sleeveless Tunic ($23) and Chrysanthemum Playdress ($25). The pants are awesome and the cut is different from any other pants. They are full, wide legged pants with elastic that is meant to hit mid-calf. As you can see, Toddler Girl’s are a bit long (not surprising since they are size XL/18-24 months and she’s only 16 months old), but they look perfect and she’ll be able to wear them all summer. The pants pair easily with both the Playdress and Tunic.

The girls clothes we reviewed are all 100% cotton and quite soft. Of course, I love that they are machine washable and easy to care for. I think my daughter appreciates that they are comfortable and easy to play, run and bounce around in. At the same time, the pieces have little touches and details that add sweet girlyness, like ruffled sleeves and color block accents.

Daily Tea Sets

One of my favorite parts of Tea is the daily tea sets. These collections include between 3 and 6 pieces of coordinating tops and bottoms so you can mix and match your separates. In addition to the obvious benefit of having several pieces that look great together (lots of no-brainer outfits), buying a set is more affordable than buying pieces separately.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I could not be more thrilled to recommend Tea. Seriously great clothes. I love the way they look, the style is modern, colorful and age appropriate. I think the daily tea sets are perfect for summer.

Or Not to Buy… I have to admit that I far prefer the girls collection to the boys.

Shop! Tea clothes are available in sizes 0-3 months to 8 years. The Cropped Gypsy Pants are $21, Daily Tea Sets range in price from $55 for 3-piece set to $129 for a 6-piece set. Make sure you check out the spring holiday dresses and dresses under $30.

Win! A $100 Tea Collection Gift Certificate!

Giveaway closed.

Disclosure: This giveaway ends April 2 and is open to US residents only. Thanks to Tea for providing sample products for the purpose of this review and the giveaway prize. Opinions are my own and uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Pennies 4 Penny Online Auction

by Kate on March 18th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Blogging, Life

Last week I posted about Penny, a sweet little 11 month old with stage 4 Neuroblastoma. Penny’s family has private insurance, but it will only cover 60% of her medical costs. As you can imagine, the cost is simply outrageous and a huge financial burden on the family. There’s been a great outpouring of support and there’s going to be an online auction starting tomorrow to help raise money for Penny’s family.

As you can see, there are some amazing prizes up for grabs, including some of my favorites like Sprig Toys, Scandinavian Child, aden + anais and Keurig.

So, make sure you visit www.pennies4penny.org and check out the auction starting Friday at 6am (PST).

Celebrate Math with LeapFrog: Math Adventure to the Moon Review

by Kate on March 18th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Reviews

Did you know Sunday was National Math Day? (Perhaps that’s why Monday was National Napping Day. Exhaustion from all that mathematical thinking!) To celebrate math and get my little one thinking numbers, we received the all-new LeapFrog DVD Math Adventure to the Moon.

Math Adventure to the Moon Synopsis

Join Tad and Lily as they blast off on an exciting educational adventure! Tad and Lily need the perfect collection of things to take to school for their math assignment. When they finally decide on moon rocks, there’s just one problem—how will they get them? With some magical help from their firefly friend Edison, they board a rocket ship to start their quest. Soon the twins learn that math is everywhere, even in outer space! Watch as they use their skills in counting, sorting, skip counting and recognizing patterns to overcome obstacles, find new friends and make the trip back to Earth!

Our Experience

Although we only received the DVD a few days ago, we’ve already watched it several times. And, if it were up to Preschool Boy we would have watched it about 100 times. The DVD is great – it is entertaining for my son and gets him thinking about numbers and math concepts. I have to admit that I assumed the DVD would be good. Here’s why: a month or two ago, we bought the LeapFrog DVD Letter Factory upon the recommendation of a friend after I expressed frustration that Preschool Boy wasn’t catching on with letter sounds despite my efforts. And, literally, after watching it a couple times, my 3 year old finally “got it” with letters and basic phonics. I had been working with him and it just wasn’t clicking. After watching Letter Factory and learning the catchy tune about letter sounds, it clicked. I was impressed.

Numbers haven’t clicked yet. (Sometimes, he asks me what sound the number 4 makes. Or to tell him a word that starts with 2.) I’m hoping that watching the DVD together, talking about it and real life examples will help numbers click the way letters have.

The DVD has the right ingredients – it tells a cute story while working in basic math concepts so your little one is learning while being entertained. For example, counting down from 10 to 1 so the rocket ship can take off. The DVD also counts by tens and sorts shapes and makes patterns, among other things. I’m pretty sure I’m missing some of the lessons because I’m not as interested as my son, but he is definitely engaged and loves the story.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… I’m really pleased with the DVD so far. I think we’ll continue to watch it and I’m sure my son’s math skills will continue to develop. While he hasn’t mastered skip counting or basic addition, based on our experience with Letter Factory, I really think it will help him.

Or Not to Buy… I know purists don’t like TV so they might not like the idea of this DVD. But, it has worked for us and, I think, if used properly can be a helpful learning tool.

Shop! LeapFrog DVDs, including Math Adventure to the Moon, can be purchased at LeapFrogDVDs.com and Amazon.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Lionsgate and the representing PR firm for providing a sample product for the purpose of this review. Opinions here are my own and are uninfluenced by receipt of product. Others may have a different experience.

Thursday Giveaway Linky

by Kate on March 17th, 2010  |  5 Comments  |  Giveaway Linky, Weekly Features

Happy Thursday. Thanks for stopping by to link up and browse some great giveaways.

Speaking of giveaways, Emilie from Baby Loving Mama and I have lined up some awe-some giveaways for Spring into Spring in April. I’d be ever so grateful if you post the button on your blog. And, if that isn’t reason enough, you also get an extra entry into every Spring into Spring giveaway on each blog.

So, link up, and then hop on over to Baby Loving Mama and enter your giveaways there, too.


Spring into Spring blog bash

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