Monthly Archives: December 2011

BJ’s 2011 Toy Catalog Gives Parents Great Gift Ideas and Great Prices!

Fisher-Price Doodle Bear available at BJ's Wholesale ClubI have to admit that I’m struggling a bit with buying Christmas gifts for the kids this year.  My kids are 12 and 5.  My 5 year old has all the toys she could possibly need because we kept most of our 12 year old’s cool toys and handed them down to her.  My 12 year old just doesn’t need anything.  He doesn’t really play with toys anymore.  He’s into writing, camping, outdoors, stuff like that.  Hard to buy for is what he is!

 

After browsing through BJ’s 2011 Toy Catalog though, I found a few things that I know he would love including a Star Wars LEGO set and a mini basketball hoop for his room.  It’s catalogs like this that make it so that my kids actually get gifts!

My daughter has been asking for a Doodle Bear for about two months so when I saw a Doodle Bear in the BJ’s 2011 Toy Catalog I knew that’s what I had to request for her.  BJ’s sent her a Fisher-Price Doodle Bear and she was beyond thrilled.  The Doodle Bear set includes washable scented markers, 3 stampers, a 3-shape stencil, and a DVD.

Watch as my daughter plays with her Doodle Bear for the first time:

 

 

You’ll find something for everyone on your list in the BJ’s 2011 Toy Catalog.

If you are not already a BJ’s member, you can get a FREE 60-Day Trial Membership now.  Now is the perfect time to check it out with all of the great holiday deals going on!

Disclosure: All opinions are my own. I received the Fisher-Price Doodle Bear free from BJ’s for the purpose of this review. Opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced in any way.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

Ralph Lauren Youth Active Wear, Not Just for Summer

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren Youth Active Wear lets boys traverse the transition between early childhood and adolescence with style, with the quality fabrics, cuts and fashions that are emblematic of Ralph Lauren’s lifestyle brand. For 40 years, Lauren has been successfully spreading his vision of classic American designs through fashion with an upscale look, offered at highly affordable prices.

All the shirts, jackets, hoodies, pants and shorts of Lauren’s sports wear line bear his characteristic attention to detail and style. The Oxford shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, rugby shirts, pullover hoodies and signature polo shirts are constructed with both style and function in mind, with durable fabrics and timeless colors.

Ralph Lauren Youth Active Wear

Ralph Lauren’s line for kids has a year-round style as well. While the line does include holiday sweaters, the bulk of the line can be worn at any time. Lauren’s classic, largely primary color palette adapts to any season. Whether it’s a jacket or hoodie pulled on during a summer storm, or a pair of shorts worn for indoor exercise during the winter, kids will be sure to enjoy the clothing all through the year.

Ralph Lauren’s Active Fleece Zip Hoodie takes a fresh look at zip hoodies, with thoughtful details like long raglan sleeves and ribbed cuffs and hem for ease of movement and a secure fit. Constructed with in machine-washable stretch fleece, the fabric is smooth on the outside and soft on the inside. Available in the classic Ralph Lauren colors Injection Red, Black mask and Sapphire Star, the hoodie features a large center stripe, side pockets and the line’s signature polo player screen-printed below the collar in back.

The line’s Active Short features a relaxed shape, an elasticized waist, drawstring, side pockets and exposed seaming. Made with machine-washable mesh microfiber, the shorts are soft and silky, yet light and breathable. Available in Injection Red or Norfolk grey, the shorts bear the brand’s polo player trademark emblem.

Ralph Lauren’s fashions capture the life style of those who see sports and physical activity as an essential component of a quality, pleasurable life, with designs that effortlessly combine style and functionality. Lauren brings the same focus and attention to his youth active wear line as he does to any of his numerous lines of clothing and household products that are enjoyed all over the world, all the year round.

Connect with Ralph Lauren:

Disclosure: I was provided with Ralph Lauren Active Wear samples for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own and were not influenced in any way.

Alicia Hagan, Editor

 

Huge Deals ‘Green Monday’ Deals at Sears.com 12/12 and Tuesday 12/13 and Win a Craftsman Tool for the special Man in your Life! #Giveaway

Sears will be hosting huge deals on Monday at Sears.com.

On Monday and Tuesday (12/12 and 11/13) Sears.com will be having a huge Green Monday sale – this event will be comparable to “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” in terms of breadth of product offers as well as depth of deals.  Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and now Green Monday! What more can Sears give shoppers?!

Save More Green on ‘Green Monday’ with shopable deals and until 11:59pm CT on 12/13!

These offers will be available and are stackable:

1.       Free Shipping – $99 threshold, use code: REALJOY (some exclusions apply)

2.      Coupon Book – Must be a Shop Your Way Rewards Bonus Member

3.       Save More Green Deals – available on the Hot Deals Page and on Sears.com 12/11 (4 p.m. CT)- 12/13 at 11:59 CT

4.       Sears Card – 5% back when you use your Sears Card (some exclusions apply)

5.       Shop Your Way Rewards – Earn points that can be redeemed later as cash to buy items at Sears (must be a member). Members also gain access to additional deals and other opportunities throughout the year.

Craftsman Nextec 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver
Craftsman Nextec 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver

GIVEAWAY!
Ends December 16th

We are giving a lucky reader a one of the items that will be going on sale Monday, a Craftsman Right Angle Impact Driver (there is a power drill that is also with it but it is not in the picture)!

The Craftsman NEXTEC 12.0 Volt Right Angle Impact Driver is compact and powerful, the right angle design is ideal for getting into tight spaces and handling the tough tasks that your everyday drill can’t reach or handle. This powerful impact driver delivers more torque and works faster than “full sized” 18 Volt drills. The innovative impact mechanism absorbs the twisting action associated with most other drills and applies it to the work piece so your hand doesn’t twist with the tool.

To enter to win, leave a comment below telling us who you want to win this Craftsman Right Angle Impact Driver for and why.  Dad, husband, son, yourself?

Earn extra giveaway entries:

  • Be sure to have completed the mandatory entry first!
  • 1 extra entry – Follow @mommyinsider on Twitter
  • 1 extra entry – Like The Mommy Insider Facebook page
  • 1 extra entry – Subscribe to The Mommy Insider (and confirm your email address via the confirmation email)
  • 1 extra entry (each time) – Tweet this: “I entered to win a Craftsman tool  from @mommyinsider! You can enter to win here: http://wp.me/plszx-2Cz”, up to once every 8 hours.
  • 3 extra entries – Write about this giveaway on your own blog and leave the URL to your blog post in the comments below (can be done once)
  • 5 extra entries per giveaway you enter – Enter any of our other giveaways and/or The Divine Miss Mommy’s giveaways and leave a comment below telling us which giveaways you entered.

Entries accepted through 11:59pm ET, Friday December 16th.

Open to U.S. residents only.

Crayola Innovations, Just in Time for the Holidays – A Crayola Giveaway Too! #MyBlogSpark #Giveaway

When I was a kid Crayola was simply crayons.  Crayola has taken crayons and creativity to a whole new level in recent years.  Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Crayola, we received Crayola’s 150 count Crayola Crayon Tower, Crayola Glow Book, Crayola Ultimate Art Supplies, and the Crayola Jewelry making Boutique.  Coloring is so much more now than it was when we were growing up, and both of my kids have had a blast with these Crayola products.

Inspire hours of wonder, adventure and dreams by giving a child more than presents for the holidays. Crayola brings colorful ideas to life and allows kids to express everything imaginable by making it super easy for parents to find something that will unleash all kids original ideas with their Holiday Gift Guide at www.crayola.com/gifts.

Crayola Innovation Holiday gift guide ideas

Crayola Telescoping Crayon Tower

The Crayola CrayonTower puts an astounding 150 Crayola crayons at your child’s disposal.  The Crayon Tower, has a telescoping design, which enables your child to see their color choices more easily than when they are in a box.   No more having to pour  a bunch of crayons onto the table or floor, which we all know turns into a huge mess!  The crayons in the Crayon Tower are much easier for a little hand to grasp than when they are in a box.  The Crayola Tower comes with a crayon sharpener.

Recommended for children 4+, the Ultimate Art Supply Kit contains 24 crayons, 8 washable broad line markers, 12 colored pencils, 8 washable watercolors, 1 paint brush, school glue, scissors, and colored paper and retails for $16.99.

Crayola holiday gift ideasCrayola Ultimate Art Supply Case

The Crayola Ultimate Art Supply case makes coloring on the road or at Grandmother’s house so much easier.  I no longer have bags of Crayons in my purse.  When the case is open, your child is presented with a neatly organized portable art center including crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors, glue, and there is even a little space for paper.

The Crayon Tower retails for $17.99.

Crayola Glow Book

Really bringing coloring to another level is the amazing Crayola Glow Book. Not only can your child use their imagination but they can also make the pictures move and honestly, what’s better than that when it comes to coloring?  I think the Glow Book builds confidence too.  When my 5 year old first played with the Glow Book, she left the room with it and a little bit later she came back with the adorable animation of a seed sprouting into a flower that she had created all by herself.  The look of accomplishment on her face, was priceless.

Using special glowing-ink markers to draw on each of the four clear pages, kids can choose one of the four tracing guides to create original scenes, signs and messages, and arrange them in their desired order. Then, just hit the lights and allow your kids to wow you with wildly colorful, glowing animated scenes. Variable light settings create colorful, multi-layered effects. The Crayola Glow Book wipes off easily so kids can use their imaginations to create endless glowing artwork! A simple wet cloth will do.

Recommended for children ages 6+, the kit includes one Glow Book with 4 clear pages, 4 animation tracing guides and 6 glow markers and retails for $24.99.

Crayola Jewelry Boutique

My daughter had such a great time creating beads and jewelry with the Crayola Jewelry Boutique.   She was so proud to be designing her own jewelry and even created some beads and pieces for other people!  Crayola put a unique “spin” on jewelry making with a special “jewelry spinner” that creates multi-colored beads using Crayola Model Magic. As kids spin their beads into shapes, they can string them together to create original bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and pendants that reflect their own personal style. Let the designing begin!

Recommended for children ages 6+, each Jewelry Boutique kit includes 8 packs of Crayola Model Magic to mold 160 beads, 5 bracelet charms, 3 pendant charms, 2 shape cutters, a bead dryer rack, 5 toggle sets, 4 earring posts and ear wires, a bead punch, 18 gems, 2 necklace cords, 1 elastic cord, bead glaze, and the Jewelry Boutique Spinner with storage areas and retails for $24.99.

 Connect with Crayola

GIVEAWAY!

We are giving a lucky reader a Crayola Innovative Holiday prize pack containing:

  • (1) Jewelry Boutique
  • (1) Glow Book
  • (1) 150-ct Crayon Tower
  • (1) Ultimate Art Supplies case
Entries accepted through 11:59pm EST December 19th
Open to U.S. Residents. No P.O. Boxes
To enter, leave a comment below telling us why you want to win this great Crayola prize pack!

2 extra entries:

  • Like The Mommy Insider on Facebook
  • Follow @mommyinsider on Twitter
  • Subscribe to my email newsletter or RSS  feed
  • 3 extra entries – Tweet about this contest (up to 4 times per day). Your Tweet MUST include the name of the item being given away, my Twitter handle (@mommyinsider), the hashtag #giveaway, and a link to this post.
    Example tweet:
    “I entered to win a Crayola prize pack from @mommyinsider!  Enter here: http://wp.me/plszx-2CL  #Giveaway”
  • 5 extra entries per giveaway you enter – Enter any of our other giveaways and/or The Divine Miss Mommy’s giveaways and leave a comment below telling us which giveaways you entered.

extra entries:

  • Blog about this giveaway as a separate blog post on your own blog then leave the URL to your blog post in the comments below. Do not copy and paste this post onto your blog though! 🙂
Disclosure: The Crayola Innovative Holiday prize pack, product information and prize pack for giveaway have been provided by Crayola through MyBlogSpark.
Alicia Hagan, Editor

Join me at the ‘Holiday Style’ #SearsChat and Sweepstakes this Monday!

Sears Twitter Party

Your gifts are wrapped and the cookies are baked but is your wardrobe ready for the holiday season?

Join us on Twitter Monday night from 7pm- 8:30pm CT for a Holiday Fashion edition of #SearsChat and a chance to win Sears gift cards!

Sears Holiday Style Twitter Party
The Kardashian Kollection

Our hosts @Sears, @SearsStyle and co-hosts @StacieInAtlanta@Crissy@JollyMom and @MommyInsider (and some other special guests TBD!) will be talking everything holiday fashion. Come share your fashion tips and get ready to look your best at each holiday party this season.

Follow @Sears and @SearsStyle and tweet with us from 7pm-8:30pm CT using the hashtag #SearsChat to participate.

Prizes:

  • Grand prize- $125 gift card
  • One of three $25 gift cards

To Enter for a Chance to Win:

  • Have an active Twitter account.
  • Follow the official @Sears and @SearsStyleTwitter accounts.
  • Tweet “Join me @Sears & @SearsStyle for #SearsChat – Mon 12/12 from 7-8:30pm CT talking about Holiday Style | Details/Prizes: http://bit.ly/tQgwiQ”
  • Post the link to your tweet in the comments on this post (not this post)
  • During the Twitter Party, send a Tweet (containing only appropriate, family-friendly content as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion) that includes the #SearsChat hashtag.

 

Disclosure: Sears has engaged me to help promote and host this party.