The Shopping Mama

Back to School with Crocs {Review} #CrocsBTS

by Kate on September 4th, 2011 | 5 Comments | Back to School

Crocs is synonymous with the summer season, and the company has expanded their collection to include many styles that are perfect for back to school season. My kids both love Crocs and spend a lot of time in them during the summer. But, many styles with the aren’t exactly school friendly. The new Crocs back to school shoes include 13 new styles for boys and girls from Kindergarten through 8th grade are school-approved – and luckily, also mom and style approved.

Summer On the Inside…

Crocs motto for back to school is “School on the Outside, Summer on the Inside” – and I love it. It’s the perfect description of shoes that are up to the standards of school and look the part, but they are also 100% Crocs which means they’re light and comfortable on the inside.

This cute Summer on the Inside video from Crocs is a great way to get a sneak peek at all the back to school shoe choices. You can even click on the animated shoes in the video to get more information about the style.

Did you see the fun Easter egg hidden in the video? No? Here’s a hint for you…

You should definitely find the Easter egg, click on it and see what happens!

Crocs Sneak Slip On Review

Weighing in at just a few ounces, the Boys’ Hover Sneak Slip-on will have kids feeling like they’re walking on air. Part of our uberlight Hover line, lightweight comfiness doesn’t get any better than this.

I’ll admit I wasn’t sure what to expect when the new Crocs arrived. We’re used to the typical Crocs-shoe material and I couldn’t imagine how that would translate into a slip on sneaker for school. The Hover Sneak Slip-on is truly a hybrid, mixing materials for ultimate comfort and function.

Lightweight, durable canvas upper.
Croslite™ material footbed for Crocs’ signature comfort.
Non-marking Croslite™ material outsole.

The canvas “upper” – or the main part of the shoe – is reminiscent of Keds or another lightweight slip-on. But, on closer inspection you notice how utterly light the shoes are and that the bottom is not typical sneaker plastic. Rather, the sole of the shoe and the inside where the foot rests are made of Croslite, the material you’re used to on other Crocs shoes.

The Hover Sneak Slip-Ons are perfect for a clean, tailored back to school look for boys. I just these shoes and my son loves them, too. I like them because they look great and go with almost anything. My son likes them because they are so comfortable and he can slip them on and off by himself.

“Sneak Summer into School” Sweepstakes

Crocs wants your summer vacation to last a little longer so they’re giving away an awesome family getaway to San Diego. Up for grabs: a trip for four to San Diego including accommodations at an oceanside, family-friendly hotel, San Diego Zoo or Sea World tickets, $200 play money, and a rental car. Click for more information and to enter!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Light I said, I really wasn’t sure what to expect from the Crocs sneaker style shoes, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The shoes are lightweight, which is great for a busy kid making a million steps a day. The style is clean, good looking and will go with a lot of clothing.

Or Not to Buy… These styles aren’t available in a half size. Crocs recommends ordering up if your child is in between as my son his. The result is the shoes are a tad big, but he’s worn them without issue. (And, hey, that means he’ll be able to wear them longer, right?)

Shop! Check out the entire line of Back to School shoes from Crocs – you won’t be disappointed. The Hover Sneak Slip-On shoes are $39.95 and available in three different colors.

This post was made possible by Mom Spark Media and Crocs. I received a pair of Crocs shoes for the purpose of this review. I was also compensated for my time investment and work on their Back To School campaign. As always, thoughts are my own.

Fun Labor Day Sales Worth Checking Out

by Kate on September 2nd, 2011 | 5 Comments | Shopping

Layla Grayce Sales

Save 20% on select DwellStudio items with the code laborday through September 5. Check out all the great items for sale, including bedding and baby goodies here.

Save an EXTRA 10% on Sale Items at Layla Grayce using code saleonsale in September. (Note: I’m not sure if this works with the DwellStudio promotion.)

Receive FREE SHIPPING on Little Giraffe orders over $50.

Magic Beans Sales

The awesome Stokke Tripp Trapp is on sale for only $199 – that’s a savings of up to $65 off the regular price. Shop the sale until September 18, no code necessary.

This weekend only save $25 off the Nap Nanny Chill, making it $104.

Magic Beans always offers free shipping on orders over $75 so you won’t pay shipping on either of these deals.

Land of Nod Sale

Save 15% off bedding and dressers this weekend at The Land of Nod! No code necessary, sale ends September 5.

BabyLegs Sale

BabyLegs 50% off EVERYTHING sale has been extended through September 6. Visit BabyLegs and use code HALFOFF.

Vera Bradley Sale

This weekend 20% off Slate Blooms, Hello Dahlia!, Barcelona and Twirly Birds Navy at VeraBradley.com! The exclusive – and very pretty – Stadium Blanket is only $50 (reg. $65) through September 15. Plus, $5.95 Ground Shipping on all orders at VeraBradley.com through September 18..

Right Start Sale

You can save up to 25% shopping Right Start‘s Labor Day Sale. Save 10% on select baby gates, video monitors and Dutailier gliders. Also, save 25% on the Britax Frontier 85.

Save $15 on the Beaba Babycook – get it for $134.95 until September 5 at Right Start.

Right Start is also offering the Stokke Tripp Trapp for only $199.99 through September 5.

Zoolu! Sales

Great Labor Day weekend sale at Zoolu! – save 25% off your total order through September 5 with code LABOR2011. (Excludes Petunia Pickle Bottom).

Shop quick to take advantage of these deals that end September 4: 25% off all SwaddleDesigns products (no code necessary), 35% off all Twin Sisters Educational Workbooks (no code necessary), receive $10 off your order over $100 with code SAVE100, and Enter code GOMKN 15% off all Munchkin products. You can only use one coupon code per order at Zoolu! so make sure you enter the code that will get you the most savings!

You can always find current sales and savings at Zoolu! by checking the brand new Zoolu! Deals and Steals page. Make sure you read up on the new loyalty program to save repeat customers even more money.

Happy Shopping!

This post contains affiliate links.

Wish-Bone Salad Sampler Party {& Giveaway}

by Kate on September 2nd, 2011 | 5 Comments | Giveaways, In the Kitchen

I’m not a super foodie by any stretch of the imagination, but I know – and love – good food when I taste it. One thing that I’m a tad picky about, and can’t seem to get enough of this summer, is a good salad. I like my salad delicious and refreshing. And did I mention delicious?

Last night we had a Salad Sampler party with friends courtesy of Wish-Bone and had the opportunity to try several new salads with new Wish-Bone dressings.

Salad Sampler Party

We had a great time hanging out with friends, enjoying a variety of several salads with different dressings. We invited a couple families over to sample salads and we also planned a make-your-own pizza station to accompany the salads. But, really? We could have skipped the pizza! The salads were delicious and we’ll definitely be repeating some of the recipes. Because of my kids catching every first week of school germ possible, we had to reschedule the get together a couple times and some of our friends wasn’t able to make it tonight with their Mediterranean Italian-dressed salad.

Feast your eyes on our delicious salads!

I made a Fruity Pear salad based on this recipe for Super Fruity Beet and Pear Salad, but I don’t like beets so I added Granny Apples instead. I know that makes it a totally different salad, but what can I say? I loved the combination of the sweetness of the dressing and the richness of the ~~love of my life~~ goat cheese.

Our friends brought a beautiful Greek Salad that was insanely good. Karen mixed the Wish-Bone Greek Vinaigrette with Greek yogurt and the result was awesome. I’m pretty sure my husband would eat this every day for the rest of his life if given the option.

One of my favorite salads is a good caprese salad – the combination of tomato, mozzarella and basil is just the best – but I’ve never made a Panzanella salad (which usually includes those three yummy ingredients with bread). I was excited to try the Panzanella Bruschetta Salad and was not disappointed. From the first bite, this was delicious. The dressing has a rich flavor that is just so good with the fresh basil and bread.

While I will definitely make some of these salads again, I want to share the Panzanella Bruschetta recipe because it’s super easy, tastes like a million bucks and would be easy to bring to pot lucks and such. Or, just eat a large bowl all by yourself like I plan on doing tomorrow.

Panzanella Bruschetta Salad Recipe

Serves: 4 | Preparation Time: 20 Minute(s)

Ingredients

1/4 cup Wish-Bone® Bruschetta Italian Dressing (add a little more – most of us ended up adding more dressing on the plate)
1 lb. cut-up cooked chicken (about 3 cups)
4 ounces whole grain Italian bread, cut into bite-size pieces (about 4 cups)
5 cups cherry tomatoes, quartered
2 cups coarsely chopped arugula or baby spinach leaves
1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup cubed part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 1 oz.)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves (optional)

1. Combine all ingredients except basil in large bowl. Garnish with basil.

Shop! New Wish-Bone dressings are available in grocery stores nationwide.

Win! A Wish-Bone Salad Sampler Kit, including all four new salad dressings and a salad bowl.

How to Enter: Leave a comment and tell me which salad we sampled – or another Wish-Bone salad recipe – that you’d most like to try.

Earn Extra Entries: Valid only after completing first required entry. Please leave a comment for each you do.

Share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter using the blue buttons below. You may do this every day, just leave a link when you do (and please @TheShoppingMama on Twitter).
Subscribe to The Shopping Mama in email or RSS.

Giveaway ends September 15. Open to US Mailing Addresses Only.

Thanks to Wish-Bone for providing a salad sampler party package and the giveaway prize.

Adorn Your iPhone with Petunia

by Kate on September 1st, 2011 | 5 Comments | Back to School, For Mama

Petunia Pickle Bottom continues to wow us by finding clever and practical places to put their signature beautiful fabrics and patterns. The company recently introduced several new products to add a little Petunia to your every day life. We were instantly smitten with the new Adorn iPhone case and think it’s a back to school must have for moms. Why should kids get all the fun? And, honestly, we can’t imagine surviving day to day without our iPhone so it easily qualifies as a necessary buy.

Meet Adorn

Be polished and practical with the new Adorn iPhone4® Case by Petunia, sophisticated styling for your most precious accessory.

Brilliantly designed to ensure full access to all functions. Snap them up and swap them out as the seasons change.

Pretty iPhone Case

If you’ve ever shopped the Apple store or even your favorite local shop, you may have noticed that most iPhone cases leave something to be desired. Sure, they’re functional. But do they all have to be… so… boring? You’re not boring. And your iPhone case shouldn’t be boring either. Have some fun and turn your smart phone into an accessory with the Adorn iPhone Case.

Adorn is a hard plastic case that fits iPhone 4. It has all the necessary openings and cut outs to ensure access to every function and button, keeping you surfing, chatting and Facebooking with ease. Now, the Adorn isn’t thick or padded or built for superior protection so if you hand over your phone to fussy toddlers prone to dropping your phone this might not be the best choice. But, if you’re looking for something colorful, unique and beautiful you simply can’t get any more stylish than Petunia.

More New Petunia Picks

In addition to introducing Adorn, Petunia has rolled out several new products that can easily be a part of a busy mom’s life. We love Stroll, Petunia’s luxurious plush velour stroller bunting to keep little ones warm in the winter.

Haven is Petunia Pickle Bottom’s pretty version of a nursing cover. Haven has a shapeable neckline to make it easier to peek at baby and folds up on itself into a pocket so you can throw it in your diaper bag (a Petunia, I presume) when you’re not using it.

Shop! Petunia Pickle Bottom accessories are available in a number of fabrics and designs on PetuniaPickleBottom.com . Adorn is $42 and also available at our affiliate Zoolu! Haven is $42 and Stroll is $149.

Thanks to Petunia Pickle Bottom for providing a sample.

September is Craniofacial Acceptance Month

by Malia on September 1st, 2011 | 5 Comments | Parenting

Cleft lip or palate is one of the most common birth defects, affecting one in 500 children in the US including my little cousin, Brody. Unless treated cleft palate can interfere with feeding, speech development and hearing. Family members, friends and those with Craniofacial differences (of which cleft lip or palate if just one) join organizations like Children’s Craniofacial Organization and Cleftsmile.org this month to remind people to look beyond the face to the heart and the true person within.

Unfortunately we live too far away from Brody and his family to see them as often as we would like, but we love to watch him growing into a little man in photos like the series above. He’s clearly had wonderful care. You can learn more about cleft lip or palate and how you can help at SmileTrain.org and the organizations above.

I read once that if you want your child be be comfortable around people who are different looking, sounding, abled, aged, etc than he is, you have to provide him the opportunity to spend time with such people. How do you help your child learn about the heart beyond the face (wheelchair, lisp, etc)?

Fibi & Clo Beautiful and Affordable Sandals

by Malia on September 1st, 2011 | 5 Comments | Clothes, For Mama, Reviews

I’m a California girl born and raised and I WILL wear flip flops pretty much anywhere. I’d probably wear them to work if it wasn’t specifically forbidden in my job description. But I will admit that there are times when classic flip flops are just not going to cut it (date night comes to mind). Even so, I’m all about comfort waaay over fashion. So I was very excited to try the beautiful sandals available from fibi & clo.

New York Style with Texan Heart

fibi & clo was originally started to help founder AnaLiza bring fabulous New York inspired design from her new home in New York City, back to her home state of Texas with trunk shows. Her dream has now expanded and fibi & clo sandals are also available on-line at fibiandclo.com and from Army & Air Force Exchange Service on-line.

Beautiful Comfort

fibi & clo sandals are available in fun styles that range from very bejeweled, to more subtle designs. The New Star sandals I tried are one of the more understated designs while still providing plenty of glamour. All the little stones combine together to create the perfect pop. I realize they look pretty “blingy” in the photo, but they really are the perfect balance. I love that they can easily be worn with jeans or my favorite skirt. (I would also like to say that I am aware the I do not have a future as a foot model, but in my defense, it’s really hard to take a photo of your own feet.)

fibi & clo are beautiful sandals, but as I mentioned, I’m all about comfort. These sandals do not disappoint. They are very comfortable and fit snugly, so they don’t rub, but are not too tight. The website recommended ordering up for half sizes and I am glad I did because they fit perfectly, but a size smaller would have been too small, especially with my pregnant feet. The bottom contains something that gives it cushion, so they are more comfortable than similar sandals I’ve tried. I also love that the sandals come with a card that reminds you to handle these handmade beauties with care, but also promises to replace any stones that might come loose over time. What great customer service.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… fibi & clo are beautiful, comfortable and affordable sandals that look great every day or on special occasions.

Or Not to Buy… My only complaint, and this probably has to do with being pregnant and being a tad heavier than normal, is that the soles of the shoes are not very thick. They are fairly standard for the style and much (much) more comfortable than fashion sandal I wore in a recent wedding thanks to a padded construction, but I can’t help but wish for a bit more.

Shop! The New Star and other styles are available for $45 at fibiandclo.com along with other cute accessories. Military members and family, we can score an even better deal at AAFES online.