Showing posts with label Cool For School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cool For School. Show all posts

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Book Review: Going Blue


Going Blue
A Teen Guide to Saving our Oceans, Lakes, Rivers, & Wetlands
by Cathryn Berger Kaye & Philippe Cousteau
ISBN 13 978-1-57542-348-7

Water is the most important substance on Earth; it is also the most threatened—by climate change, trash, and pollution (such as the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico). Young people across the globe are responding to the world water crisis by transforming their ideas and energy into action and participating in service learning. The call to service is being sounded by world leaders such as President Barack Obama, Jane Goodall, and Philippe Cousteau—grandson of Jacques Cousteau and a champion of the new generation of environmental activists. Teens are answering the call to help our environment by being green, and to rescue our oceans and waterways by going blue.

“Everything you do makes a difference. What can you do to make a positive difference?” —Philippe Cousteau, CEO, EarthEcho International

Be water smart. Go blue.

My Review: My son isn't quite into his teens yet so Going Blue was a little beyond his reading level, though he was still interested in finding out about the oceans and how to save them. Each chapter, or stage as listed below, includes bright photos, facts, charts, ideas and examples. I like how the majority of the book is broken down into lists or shorter blocks of information - I was a teen myself, and even when I was interested in something if it was presented in pages and pages of endless information I was more likely to skip over it than to read the entire thing.
The book is divided into the five stages of service learning:

Stage 1: Find Out → Investigate
Stage 2: Dive In → Prepare
STAGE 3: Get Going → Act
STAGE 4:
Think Back → Reflect
STAGE 5:
Tell It → Demonstrate
If your child is an earth lover like mine, Going Blue would be a good resource to consider adding to your library. You can purchase this, and many other self help and educational books from Free Spirit Publishing.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Thats all!

I posted the last of my Cool for School reviews today, with the exception of one (Tropical Traditions) which I will post in a few days. I have a review scheduled to post shortly after this one, and I hope that you will all check it out because it is something that turned out to be rather personal to me {Don't forget to take an extra entry in my giveaways if you comment!}

I also decided to try something new for giveaways. Instead of listing all the entries in each post I made a new page for Giveaway Rules & Extra Entries. I have seen other blogs do this and thought I would give it a try. If you have any opinions or suggestions on it, good or bad, please let me know!

{Cool for School} Back-to-School Crush Kit


As you know, Back-to-School season is upon us and many kids have already graced their school halls looking for the new trends. Sears has a fabulous collection of crushable styles for Back-to-School and they've put together a special prize package for my readers!

Crush Your Style is available in stores and online from Sears and includes some very cool and trendy styles for both boys and girls! I did not get the chance to review these items, though I would have liked to! Instead, Sears has offered this great Back-To-School Crush kit to giveaway for one of my readers to celebrate what's Cool for School.

Back-to-School Crush Kit includes:

Bongo Power Skinny Denim Jeggings -- $19.99 (Size 7, 9, or 11)
Rebecca Bonbon Girl’s Paw Print Umbrella (not pictured) -- $5.99
Rebecca Bonbon Sequin Tote (not pictured) -- $19.99
Bailey Blue Junior’s Military Strapless Ponte Dress -- $29.99 (size medium)

And...$175 Sears Gift Card!

The total prize package is over $250!

Even though this giveaway may be geared towards those of you with tween girls, you can still enter if you only have boys - that gift card will buy lots of great back to school clothes for them too!

Win it!
One of you will win the Back-to-School Crush Kit as detailed above!
Open to Canada and the US

How To Enter:
Check out all of my Cool for School reviews & giveaways and let me know which one was your favorite! {Also linked by name on sidebar}

Extra Entries:
These entries are optional , and worth 1 extra entry each unless otherwise specified! Please make a separate comment for each entry ~ If you enter all in one comment it will only count as ONE entry! Please leave your email in your first entry if it is not in your profile.
~~~~~

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Tweet about this contest once per day and leave me the link :

#win the @CrushYourStyle Back to School Kit including a $175 Sears gift card from Misfit Momma! http://dld.bz/wkp2 The #giveaway Ends 9/30

This Giveaway is open to Canada and the US and will end on September 30th at 11:59pm Central time. The winner will be notified by email asap and will be posted on my blog once they have confirmed! Please reply to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner! I did not receive product or any form of compensation for this post

{Cool for School} Journal Buddies


Have you ever written a daily journal? Have your children? My kids have written journals at school, but they have never done one that they wanted to do for fun. I have tried giving them blank notebooks and suggesting that they start writing about their daily activities, and while they might have written in it a few times they just couldn't keep interest. I don't blame them - I gave up writing in my own journal for the same reason.

Most journals are simply a book filled with blank pages...but Journal Buddies are much more. These books strengthen self-esteem, build healthy relationships, and encourage creativity in girls and boys, ages 7 – 12.

With the Journal Buddies book, you take the simple and fun self-esteem building activity of sharing what you admire and love about your child and you make the time to formalize this experience and record it in a journal. You do this once a day for 30 days.

Journal Buddies is no ordinary journal book. It is an experience – an unforgettable and lasting experience about sharing, creating, expressing, and improving self-esteem. Best of all, these books give kids a core self-esteem experience that lives inside of them forever.


My Review: I received the Boys version of Journal Buddies for review and am looking forward to filling it out with my son. That's right, unfortunately we haven't filled it out yet. I took a quick look through the book, then I gave it to my son to look through. I asked what he thought and he said it looked like fun, except for one thing - At the beginning of the book are spaces where you add "Date Started" and "Date Finished" and he did mistakenly thought that this meant he had to go on a date, with a girl. Once I cleared that up with him that it only meant the date that you started filling out the journal and the date you finished he agreed that we should work on the journal together since we haven't been doing enough with just the two of us. So what's the problem then? I haven't seen the book since I gave it to him! He said he had it in his room, and I am hoping he didn't take it and leave it at a friends, but we haven't found it yet. (Sorry Jill!)

With that said, I did look through the book enough that I would have no problems recommending it. When our kids get older, and especially when there are multiple children in the home, we do drift apart and I thought this would be a fun way to close that gap between my son and I. Even if this isn't a problem in your house, your child can choose anyone they like to fill out the journal as their Buddy. It can be a friend, another relative, or maybe even their teacher (If they are willing).

Buy it!
You can purchase Journal Buddies from Amazon
Win it!
The Author, Jill Schoenberg, has been so kind to offer a signed and personalized copy of Journal Buddies to one of my readers!
Open to Canada and the US
How To Enter:
For your mandatory entry, please take a look around the Journal Buddies website and tell me something you liked, something you learned, or why you would like to win this book for your child.

Extra Entries:
These entries are optional , and worth 1 extra entry each unless otherwise specified! Please make a separate comment for each entry ~ If you enter all in one comment it will only count as ONE entry! Please leave your email in your first entry if it is not in your profile.
~~~~~

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New: Leave a relevant comment on any of my non-giveaway reviews
Tweet about this contest once per day and leave me the link :

#win a signed copy of Journal Buddies to help build your child's @SelfEsteem from Misfit Momma! http://dld.bz/wkht The #giveaway Ends 9/30

This Giveaway is open to Canada and the US and will end on September 30th at 11:59pm Central time. The winner will be notified by email asap and will be posted on my blog once they have confirmed! Please reply to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner! I received a copy of Journal Buddies for review and no other compensation.

{Cool for School} Spellquizzer


SpellQuizzer is spelling software for children that need help learning their spelling and vocabulary words.Check out the information below from SpellQuizzer.com:

End the nightly spelling practice battles
Getting a child to practice his spelling words can be a struggle. When done manually it's a slow and tedious process for him as well as for you. SpellQuizzer makes it fun and easy. You'll no longer have to struggle to get your child to sit still while you go over his spelling words with him. With SpellQuizzer, students can enjoy practicing their spelling words. SpellQuizzer takes the fight out of the equation.

How the SpellQuizzer spelling software works
Using SpellQuizzer you can enter the child's weekly spelling list and make audio recordings of the words in the list. The software then quizzes the child, playing each word back to him one at a time, checking his spelling as he types in the words. SpellQuizzer corrects him when he types in a word incorrectly, and re-quizzes him on any words he missed once the first pass is completed. Just set up the child's list on Monday, and have him spend no more than five to ten minutes a day letting SpellQuizzer quiz him. By the end of the week he will be ready for his Friday spelling test at school. SpellQuizzer is also ideal for spelling bee preparation.

Spelling software vs. traditional spelling practice
Spelling software helps students learn their spelling lists more quickly than traditional manual practice, such as writing down words by hand, because it is less of a chore for the child. Children today associate computers with fun and writing on paper with work. As such, they are more eager to practice their spelling words using spelling software like SpellQuizzer, than the old way of practicing where they sit at a table writing down their words over and over again. You can make spelling practice even more fun for the student by recording amusing sentences in the spelling software, or using a funny voice when you record your spelling lists.

The SpellQuizzer web site has pre-made free spelling lists that you can download and use with SpellQuizzer or you can simply enter the words that they bring home from school. Users are also able to export and import SpellQuizzer spelling lists to share with other SpellQuizzer users! If you happen to make a mistake as you are entering the words, the spellchecker will warn you to let you know. Since you are able to create your own list of words, SpellQuizzer can compliment virtually any spelling curriculum and even benefit homeschoolers. The entire program is extremely easy to use for both parent and child and takes just minutes from downloading to being ready to use.

I found that it is possible to use SpellQuizzer without a microphone or speakers using a reminder phrase so you can go over your child's spelling list with them, and quiz them with SpellQuizzer this way as well. While using the voice record feature would be easier for your child, this may be a way to challenge them further by testing their memory.


Win it!
Everyone is able to download a free 30 day trial to determine if SpellQuizzer is right for your child, but one of you will win your own Single PC License (RV $29.95)

How To Enter:
For your mandatory entry, please check out The SpellQuizzer spelling program website and tell me why you would like to use this software with your child.

Extra Entries:
These entries are optional , and worth 1 extra entry each unless otherwise specified! Please make a separate comment for each entry ~ If you enter all in one comment it will only count as ONE entry! Please leave your email in your first entry if it is not in your profile.
~~~~~

Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect
Follow me on Networked Blogs
Add me as a friend on Facebook
Like Misfit Momma on Facebook
Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Share my giveaway on your blog for 2 extra entries
Enter any of my other current giveaways for an extra entry each!
Add my button to your blog and let me know where to find it for 2 entries!
New: Leave a relevant comment on any of my non-giveaway reviews
Tweet about this contest once per day and leave me the link :

I just entered to #win *SpellQuizzer* the spelling software for kids from Misfit Momma! http://dld.bz/wjYc The #giveaway Ends 9/30

This Giveaway is open to Canada and the US and will end on September 30th at 11:59pm Central time. The winner will be notified by email asap and will be posted on my blog once they have confirmed! Please reply to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner! I received a registration key for SpellQuizzer for review and no other compensation.

Friday, September 17, 2010

{Cool for School} NutraSea+D


Research has shown omega-3 and -6 to be beneficial for concentration and behavior, improved mood and ADHD in children, all benefits that contribute to a smooth transition back to school. I wasn't able to try out the NutraSea Kids formula, so I was instead sent a 200ml bottle of NutraSea+D to review.

My Dad used to go on and on about taking different vitamins and supplements, Omega-3 being of the ones that he would mention more often than others. How many of us actually listened to our parents when they insisted we take our vitamins? I know I didn't really listen to the numbers and facts he gave me, but now that I have read a little more on Omega-3 I see that it really is as important as my Dad made it out to be.

Ascenta is a manufacturer and distributor of high quality natural health products and an industry leader in omega-3 fatty acids. They are committed to developing dietary health products that improve lives through optimal wellness and disease prevention.


From Ascentahealth.com:
Omega-3 (EPA & DHA) function in the body

- Promotes cardiovascular health
- Reduces inflammation
- Supports mental focus & cognitive function
- Supports positive mood & emotional well-being
- Promotes brain, eye, & nervous system health
- Supports healthy immune system function
- Enhances appearance of skin and hair
- Promotes optimal fat metabolism

More on why you need Omega-3

Overview - NutraSea+D 200 ml

For a healthy heart, brain function and healthy bones and teeth.
NutraSea+D is a pharmaceutical quality omega-3 supplement with added vitamin D3. With a balanced ratio of EPA and DHA combined with 1000 IU of natural vitamin D3 it's an ideal supplement for optimal health and well-being in a delicious apple flavour.

Ascenta's unique green tea antioxidant makes NutraSea+D the most stable and freshest tasting product on the market.

Vitamin D Facts

My Review: I took some of this myself and gave 1/2 tsp to my three older kids, and I am sorry but despite the product description I need to say that there is no delicious apple flavor. It was really quite disgusting taken by itself to be honest and would not recommend trying it that way. Thankfully, it can be mixed into salad dressings, pastas, yogurt, or a fruit smoothie and can be taken without the fowl taste being noticed. My kids had a fit after I made them try it and swore they wouldn't take it again but I was able to sneak it into their foods without them even knowing. It is also available in softgel pill form which I would prefer to have for myself if I decide to continue taking NutraSea+D as a supplement since it does carry many health benefits for my entire family.

Even though we did not like the flavor, I would still recommend this product due to the health benefits it offers. NutraSea Kids is available for those of you in the US, and I hear that this one does taste good even by itself. Unfortunately, I am told they are still awaiting Health Canada’s formal approval to sell NutraSea Kids in Canada. Please check out their Store Locator if you would like to find a retailer.

{Cool for School} We Love Colors


Every little girl likes to look her best at school, and what better way to finish off her new outfit than with a cute pair of tights? I was able to review a couple different pairs of tights from We Love Colors and let me tell you, with so many colors and styles available it does take a while to decide on only two! I eventually decided on two pairs of Kids Microfiber Tights; one in Orchid Pink, and one in Navy Blue.

Both pairs are incredibly soft and stretchy. Straight out of the package they look to be on the small side but like I said, they are very stretchy so no worries. My daughter is into size 6 for most things now, but I asked for size 7-10 just to be sure they would fit and fit they did. They look great on her, I wish I had a pair to give her to match every dress!

The Orchid Pink is a darker shade of pink, you know how they always say colors may vary due to monitor settings...well for me it turned out that they are darker than how they appear on my monitor and we don't really have anything that exactly matches but the thing with colors is that it is fun to mix & match. They look adorable with just about any outfit and you can hardly tell that they are a shade darker than the pink in this dress:


The Navy Blue is just that. A nice dark blue which I specifically intended to go along with this dress (which I was still waiting for it's arrival in the mail at the time). Now, the fashion culprit here is not the tights but the dress. Which is incredibly short for a size 7, but since this is not a review on the dress I'll leave it at that. I really have nothing negative to say about these tights, they fit great, they look great, and my daughter loves them.


I also received a pair of Splash Color Thigh Highs for myself to review. I have a pair of Fishnet thigh highs from We Love Colors, and they fit me just fine but the Splash Color Tights are too tight around my thighs and I am not able to wear them. They are gorgeous though and I really wish I could, they would have rocked under a black dress with the bright colors. There are plus sizes available, but unfortunately not in the Thigh High style. I chose color #7205 which instead of a lot of purple with a little blue like I imagined them based off the website photo, they are mostly blue with only a little purple. For this photo I only had them on up to my knees, and even there they were too tight to comfortably wear. As you can see each leg is slightly different, as the Splash Color tights are each one of a kind.


We Love Colors offers 51 shades of solid color along with an assortment of patterns and styles of tights. If you are looking for leggings, gloves, socks, dancewear, a mini dress, or even ribbons to put in your hair - they've got you covered. Need something for your guy? Why not check out their Men's selection which are of course available in all 51+ colors, including hard to find bright colors on dress nylon men's socks. Any occasion, any outfit, any style, they are sure to have something for you!


Win it!
One of you will win a pair of Kids Microfiber Tights or Kids Microfiber Footless Tights of your choice (color, style, and size)

How To Enter:
For your mandatory entry, you must do one of the following four things. Each one is worth an entry, but you need to do at least one before you can do any of the other entries listed below!

Follow We Love Colors on Twitter
Like We Love Colors on Facebook
Follow We Love Colors blog
Subscribe to their Newsletter (Lower Left)

Extra Entries:
These entries are optional , and worth 1 extra entry each unless otherwise specified! Please make a separate comment for each entry ~ If you enter all in one comment it will only count as ONE entry! Please leave your email in your first entry if it is not in your profile.
~~~~~

Tell me what your favorite product or color is from We Love Colors
Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect
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Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Share my giveaway on your blog for 2 extra entries
Enter any of my other current giveaways for an extra entry each!
Add my button to your blog and let me know where to find it for 2 entries!
New: Leave a relevant comment on any of my non-giveaway reviews
Tweet about this contest once per day and leave me the link :

I just entered to #win a pair of Kids Microfiber Tights from @WeLoveColors and Misfit Momma! http://dld.bz/weMk The #giveaway Ends 9/30

This Giveaway is open to Canada and the US and will end on September 30th at 11:59pm Central time. The winner will be notified by email asap and will be posted on my blog once they have confirmed! Please reply to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner! I received three pairs of tights for review and no other compensation.

{Cool for School} Rock 'n Learn

My daughter will be six next month, and she still does not know how to read. This is something that we need to work on some more at home which I am guilty for not spending enough time on. My boys were the same way at this age, but over the summer between Kindergarten and Grade One reading suddenly became easy for them. It didn't happen that way with my daughter, so I was happy to receive the following DVD's for review from Rock 'n Learn.


Jill and Joey are so excited about starting kindergarten! Your kids will get excited too, as they learn essential skills through fun songs, animated characters, and real children. Skills include colors, counting, tying shoes, following directions, holding a pencil, printing letters and numbers, listening, number recognition and printing numbers through ten, getting dressed, left/right directions, and more.

Ages 3 - 5. Approx. 45 minutes.

Practicing the phonics skills that lead to reading and spelling success is more fun than ever. We’ve turbocharged our best-selling Phonics video program with new, enhanced animation along with sentence and story practice. Catchy rhymes make rules easy to remember. Delayed answers and our “on-screen mouth” let students check their reading and pronunciation. Read-along stories and fun songs provide practice with rules and build reading fluency. Context clues help students develop multiple strategies to read for meaning.

Ages 6 & up. Approx. 70 minutes.

Practice is the key to reading and spelling success—and now it’s more fun than ever. We’ve turbocharged our best-selling Phonics video program with new animation along with sentence and story practice. Volume 2 builds on Volume 1, with catchy rhymes to make rules easy to remember. Delayed answers and our “on-screen mouth” let students check their reading and pronunciation. Read-along stories and fun songs provide practice applying the rules and building reading fluency. Context clues help students develop multiple strategies to read for meaning.

Ages 6 & up. Approx. 78 minutes.
My Review: My daughter really enjoyed these videos. She had fun singing along once she learned a few of the songs and the computer animated graphics captured her attention just like their website says it should. I don't have a fabulous success story to share yet (She won't even dress herself in the morning, which is one of the things that Getting Ready for Kindergarten teaches) but I do feel we have made a good start. My toddler even likes watching these DVD's, and I'm sure she will get great use of them as she gets older too. As we have figured out, learning to read can be stressful -for both parents and our children- but when learning is fun, it becomes easier too.

Another DVD from Rock 'n Learn that I've got my eye on is Letter Sounds, which seems to be our biggest brick wall in my daughters path to reading right now. If your child already knows how to read and is possibly having trouble in another area, Rock 'n Learn also offers DVD's on Math, Science & Social Studies, and even Test-Taking Strategies.

Buy it!
Rock 'n Learn DVD's are available to purchase online, or use their store locater to find a retailer near you!

Win it!
One of you will win TWO Rock 'n Learn DVD's - Phonics Volume 1 & Phonics Volume 2

How To Enter:
For your mandatory entry, take a look around www.RockNLearn.com and let me know another DVD that you would like to own

Extra Entries:
These entries are optional , and worth 1 extra entry each unless otherwise specified! Please make a separate comment for each entry ~ If you enter all in one comment it will only count as ONE entry! Please leave your email in your first entry if it is not in your profile.
~~~~~

Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect
Follow me on Networked Blogs
Add me as a friend on Facebook
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Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Like Rock 'n Learn on Facebook for 2 extra entries
Share my giveaway on your blog for 2 extra entries
Enter any of my other current giveaways for an extra entry each!
Add my button to your blog and let me know where to find it for 2 entries!
New: Leave a relevant comment on any of my non-giveaway reviews
Tweet about this contest once per day and leave me the link :

I just entered to #win TWO Rock 'n Learn Phonics DVD's from Misfit Momma! http://dld.bz/wdhC The #giveaway Ends 9/30

This Giveaway is open to Canada and the US and will end on September 30th at 11:59pm Central time. The winner will be notified by email asap and will be posted on my blog once they have confirmed! Please reply to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner! I received the above mentioned DVD's for review and no other compensation.

{Cool for School} Too Old for This, Too Young for That!


The third book that I received for review from Free Spirit Publishing is one specifically for those in the tween years of both genders and covers many of the issues that our children will face as they grow.

Your Survival Guide for the Middle School Years
by Harriet S. Mosatche, Ph.D., Karen Unger, M.A.

The transition to middle school can be difficult. Most tweens are excited about getting older, but they’re often not prepared for some of the challenges that come with growing up. Physical and emotional changes, evolving relationships, and increased expectations at school can all make for some major adjustments.
Too Old for This, Too Young for That! is a friendly, reassuring guide to help tweens successfully navigate the often-turbulent middle school years. This update of a Free Spirit classic lets readers know they’re not alone and gives them practical tips, tools, and resources for all kinds of situations, including:
  • settling in and getting the most out of school
  • getting along with friends, teachers, and family adults
  • dealing with physical and emotional changes
  • making decisions
  • handling peer pressure
  • setting and reaching goals
  • preparing for the years ahead
Life during the middle school and adolescent development years can seem like one long roller coaster ride—with ups and downs, twists and turns, and sudden starts and stops. Too Old for This, Too Young for That! is a friendly and fun manual for surviving middle school that can help tweens enjoy the ride.
My Review: I think this is a good book for going through with your tween, but my son had trouble getting into reading it on his own. There is still a lot of information here that he was ready to know, and he did keep interest with me reading and discussing it with him. My favorite chapter, or Survival Tip as the book calls them, was on connecting with family which includes 7 Ways to Get Along With Family Members, rules, chores, and even video games. There are seven Survival Tips in total each one either with Tips or Try It activity suggestions and many examples which let kids know they aren't the only one that feels the way they do. Overall a great book for anyone with a child coming into or going through the tween years.


Thursday, September 16, 2010

{Cool for School} Chico Bags


It's always good to have an assortment of reusable bags on hand, I keep a few in my vehicle, in my diaper bag, and clipped onto my stroller so that I will have one handy even when I didn't intend on needing one when I left the house. They can be used for everything from shopping to school books and the best part is that they stay out of the landfills.

For this review I received the DayPack20 rePETe™ from Chico Bags, which is one of the many styles of bags that they have available. It has a lycra pocket on each side which can hold a water bottle, and also two smaller pockets that can hold pens or other small items. The opening on the top is unlike any other bag I have seen and even though it doesn't fasten closed, the weight of the bags contents against your shoulders keep it from opening. It has adjustable shoulder straps and even a loop near the top which could possibly be used to clip your keys onto. The bag folds into itself and becomes very compact, easy to tuck out of the way where ever you like and has a metal clip so that you can attach it to anything you want (like your stroller).

The DayPack20 rePETe™ is the first product in our line of elite, pouch-able, lifestyle packs. The DayPack20 rePETe™ is an advanced, ultra-lightweight backpack made of durable, recycled PET ripstop fabric and is designed for the adventurer in us all. The DayPack20 easily stuffs into an integrated zip pouch, which turns into a hidden pocket when the DayPack is opened into its full size. With adjustable straps, flexible lycra bottle pockets and a unique closure system, this compact backpack is perfect to throw in your suit case or under your bike seat. The DayPack20 has a new sternum strap accessory (sold separately) for added support and stabilization.
Like all ChicoBag™ brand rePETe™ products, the DayPack20 rePETe™ is made of recycled content. This industry-leading DayPack is produced of 95% recycled content and lists the recycled materials used in production on the backside of the pouch. This lightweight DayPack is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, urban shoppers committed to the environment, and those of us dedicated to commuting by bicycle and reducing our carbon footprint.
I love the assortment of colors and styles that are available from Chico Bag. I also own one of their Messenger Bags, and while I prefer the Messenger over the DayPack they are both of excellent quality. They are machine washable, durable enough for a heavy load and look great too. They even have super cute, limited edition Halloween bags available right now or you can request custom made bags too!




Buy it!
Chico Bags are available to purchase online, or use their store locator to find a retailer near you!

Win it!
One of you will win a DayPack20 just like I received (In Brown)

How To Enter:
For your mandatory entry, take a look around Chico Bags and let me know which one is your favorite.

Extra Entries:
These entries are optional , and worth 1 extra entry each unless otherwise specified! Please make a separate comment for each entry ~ If you enter all in one comment it will only count as ONE entry! Please leave your email in your first entry if it is not in your profile.
~~~~~

Follow my blog via Google Friend Connect
Follow me on Networked Blogs
Add me as a friend on Facebook
Like Misfit Momma on Facebook
Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
Like Chico Bag on Facebook for 2 extra entries
Share my giveaway on your blog for 2 extra entries
Enter any of my other current giveaways for an extra entry each!
Add my button to your blog and let me know where to find it for 2 entries!
New: Leave a relevant comment on any of my non-giveaway reviews
Tweet about this contest once per day and leave me the link :

I just entered to #win a Chico Bag reusable Day Pack from Misfit Momma! http://dld.bz/vU4J The #giveaway Ends 9/30

This Giveaway is open to Canada and the US and will end on September 30th at 11:59pm Central time. The winner will be notified by email asap and will be posted on my blog once they have confirmed! Please reply to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner! I received the above mentioned reusable bag for review and no other compensation.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Update on {Cool For School}

Well, I was hoping for today to be the last day for my Cool for School reviews, but I still have a few more to post and I won't be getting them all up tonight! I might get one more up tonight, but I am already tired so no promises. I am not used to having this many reviews to do all at once and am finishing them up as fast as I can. I probably wouldn't have been so behind if I hadn't skipped a few days here and there but I tend to come to a full stop when I get too stressed out at something. Bad habit I know, and probably one of the reasons that I don't have a "real" paying job. That is one thing that I love about blogging, is that I set my own deadlines for the most part...I just need to figure out a better way to stick to them!

I have a giveaway worth $250 lined up as the final post and once that is up I won't be posting quite as much for a couple weeks. I do have some other non school related posts to get up so will work on catching up with those and the ones I got behind on my other blog and then will be starting my Halloween Birthday Bash event for October 1st! Lots of fun goodies coming up!

Please check out my reviews, and if you leave a relevant comment on the non-giveaway reviews you can use that as an extra entry in my giveaways too, have fun!

{Cool for School} Kidorable



Note: I had a bunch of great photos that I wanted to add to this review, and my other computer crashed again. I managed to save this one photo since I had posted it previously in an unrelated blog post so I will try to add some new photos soon!

I received a few things from Kidorable to review; coat, boots, and umbrella. I asked for size 6x in the coat and 13 for the boots and was happy to see that they fit my almost 6 year old daughter with a little room to grow. She loves the coat and boots so much that she has been wearing them even when the sun is shining without a rain cloud in sight! Every morning she ran to the window and was so excited when it finally rained so that she could try out the umbrella and stay completely dry in the rain. As you can see she chose the Lucky Cat design which is one of the newest additions and there are no doubts on how adorable the set is. She spotted the backpack that is also available while we were looking around, and has been begging me to get it for her!


All three pieces are very well made, with bright colors that are sure to turn heads and delight any child who may use them. The rain coat is made out of PVC with a polyester lining with ears on top of the hood, two pockets, and fastens with four snaps down the front. My daughter was hoping the coat would have a tail, and even though it doesn't, the rain boots each have one! The little flap that you can grip to pull the boots on looks like a white fluffy tail to match the kitty face on the toes. Each time she has gone out in the rain with her coat & boots she has come back inside warm & dry, and since the coat is long enough on her that it covers past her knees even her legs stayed dry! Hanging up her coat when it was time to take it off was just as fun as wearing it with the matching wooden hanger that was included!


The umbrella really adds to the set with its adorable Kitty face, paws, and ears. It is made from 100% nylon and is sized just right for little hands. My daughter is able to open & close it on her own and loved having her own umbrella to use instead of having to borrow mine! To complete the set you can also get the backpack which I mentioned above, and even a towel to dry off with after having a bath or a visit to the beach!

Buy it!
Kidorable products are available to purchase online, or use their store finder to find a retailer near you!

Win it!
One of you will win your choice of Kidorable Umbrella!

How To Enter:
For your mandatory entry, take a look around Kidorable and let me know what your favorite design is!

Extra Entries:
These entries are optional , and worth 1 extra entry each unless otherwise specified! Please make a separate comment for each entry ~ If you enter all in one comment it will only count as ONE entry! Please leave your email in your first entry if it is not in your profile.
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Kids getting stuck in the rain? #win a @Kidorable Umbrella and turn those rainy days into fun days! http://dld.bz/vNKZ #giveaway Ends 9/30

This Giveaway is open to Canada and the US and will end on September 30th at 11:59pm Central time. The winner will be notified by email asap and will be posted on my blog once they have confirmed! Please reply to my email within 48 hours or I will pick a new winner! I received the above mentioned Rain Coat, Rain Boots, and Umbrella for review and no other compensation.