FarFaria Membership Giveaway #BloggerOp

Family friendly blogs are encouraged to signup to help promote the Avoid the Summer Slide FarFaria Giveaway.  This giveaway is sponsored by FarFaria. The FarFaria app offers more than 600 children’s books for the iPad and Android devices targeting kids ages 2 - 9.

Free Facebook or Twitter Link on Rafflecopter Form for posting this giveaway on your blog.

Prize: 
2 Winners. Each will get a 3-month memberships. (ARV $11.97)

Giveaway Details:
It will run from May 18 - June 1, 2014.
Giveaway will be Open to US Residents 18+.

Your Responsibilities:
Schedule the giveaway post to go live on May 18
Promote the giveaway on your social media at least 6 times during the course of this giveaway.

Sign Up Form

Questions: please contact me at navyplaid@comcast.net

Mother's Day Jewelry Giveaway (AVR $75) #BloggerOp

Thank you for your interest to help promote the Mother's Day Jewelry Giveaway.  This giveaway is sponsored by Watermelan Designs.

Free Facebook or Twitter Link on Rafflecopter Form for posting this giveaway on your blog.

Prize:
1 Winner will get a double strand turquoise necklace with a rhinestone clasp and yellow accents. (AVR $75)

Giveaway Details:
It will run from April 28-May 11, 2014.
Giveaway will be Open to US Residents 18+.
HTML will be sent out on April 26, 2014.

Your Responsibilities:
Schedule the giveaway post to go live on April 28
Promote the giveaway on your social media at least 6 times during the course of this giveaway.

Sign Up Form

Questions: 
Please contact me.

Celebrate Earth Day with eco-friendly products

Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which events are held worldwide to demonstrate support for environmental protection.  Below are a few products from Uniform Mom affiliates that make it easy for our families make smart choices with products for home and school:

Affiliate Links in Use

Thanks for Supporting Uniform Mom

ECOlunchbox is delighted to announce the launch of our Blue Water Bento collection for release in Spring 2014! The first product to market in our colorful Blue Water Bento collection is our Splash Box™ featuring our classic stainless steel lunchbox bottom plus a novel silicone lid. Since ECOlunchbox first introduced to market its line of plastic-free, eco-friendly lunchware in 2009, its mission has been to help families reduce their dependence on plastics by providing high-quality, plastic-free lunchware alternatives.

To learn more about the benefits of reducing dependence on plastics, check out educational information on their website.



The Maggie Bags Small Backpack is wholly made from recycled seatbelts. These bags are available in a diverse spectrum of colors from neutral tans to vivacious lime-greens. The exterior of the bag features Maggie Bags’ patented diamond seatbelt weaving and logo emblem, in addition to two adjustable shoulder straps and a loop for hanging. The top of the bag has a zipper that closes shut. The inside contains a purple satin lining with a zippered pocket, cell phone pocket, pen pockets, and key pocket. The bottom of the bag has four metal studs to protect the fabric from wear.

Maggie Bags Small Recycled Seatbelt Eco-friendly Backpack - $54.00 from: The Ultimate Green Store.

Small and lightweight, the 12oz Klean Kanteen is great when space is limited. The 12oz Kid Kanteen is made from high quality, 18/8, food-grade stainless steel that's totally free of BPA, lead and other toxins. Because stainless steel itself is safe, there is no need to coat the inside of the bottle with a plastic or epoxy lining, which is one of the main differences between a stainless steel Klean Kanteen and aluminum bottles. Rounded corners are easy to clean with no hard angles where dirt, germs or bacteria can stick.

Shop MightyNest.com for non-toxic products and create a healthy home.



Mead.com wants you to celebrate Earth Day with 15% off Recycled Products.
Enter promo code AFMD4ED at checkout.  Offer valid 4/20-4/30/14.

Schoolbelles Side Pleat Skort, a Review

(c) 2014 Rene Shonerd All Rights Reserved.

The folks at Schoolbelles asked me to take a look one of the items from their regular uniform line of clothing. They sent me a gift of a skort as the basis for this review. No additional compensation was received.

(c) 2014 Rene Shonerd
All Rights Reserved.

This skirt is a winner. The Side Pleat Skort with Knit Shorts from Schoolbelles has slight a-line shape which is flattering to most body types. It has two side pleats on the front  and 2 on the back. It has an elastic-back waistband to grow with your daughter and knit shorts built in for comfort and discretion. It has a side zip closure on the left side and a pocket on the right side.

My daughter is just growing into a size 7. Parents of girls her age know that there is a big jump in length between 6/6x and 7 sizing with most retailers; 2 and a half inches difference for this particular item. This size 7 skort is hitting her just at the knee now and it will sit just above the knee as she grows into it. The classic length is a welcome change from the mid-thigh skorts that are currently popular at national retailers.

This skirt is available in navy in girls' sizes 4 - 20. They also offer it in X sizes 6x - 20x which is similar to plus sizing. And they offer PT, or PreTeen sizing, which is recommended for tall girls with a narrow waist that need a longer skort length.

(c) 2014 Rene Shonerd All Rights Reserved.

We took this skort to play in a local park.  Because of the built in knit shorts, it is "playground friendly". As you can see, my daughter had total freedom of movement to climb all over the equipment.

One of the features I admire about the Schoolbelles brand is their "180 School Days - Durability Guarantee". Because they are one of the few uniform suppliers that operates its own sewing factory in Cleveland, OH, they can better control quality and inventory levels year round. For families and schools looking for "Made in America" school uniforms, Schoolbelles is a great choice with a full line of school uniforms in plaids and basic solids.

The fabric in this skirt is a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton twill. The fabric is durable and the quality of the workmanship is noticeable in the details. The pleats are stitched down, so they will stay crisp wash after wash.  It also has a 2 inch hem which could be adjusted, if needed.

(c) 2014 Rene Shonerd All Rights Reserved.

To launder the skirt, they recommend a machine wash and you simply hang it up to dry.  It retails for $39.95 in regular sizes and $43.95 in preteen sizes. While the price point is higher than you'll see at national retailers for similar style items, the quality makes this brand of uniform clothing a solid value that will stand up to the 180 school days guarantee. I bet that this skort will become a staple in my daughter's wardrobe that will last her through the next 2 years. Schoolbelle's also offers a value line of uniform items at a lower price point that works well with most standard dress codes and includes most uniform basics.

Schoolbelles is based in Cleveland with store locations across the mid-west. They were recently featured in the Retail Round Up Series.  Those living near one of their store locations should definitely visit to check out the additional quality items in their inventory. The rest of us can visit their website and order online.  Their website is currently being redesigned and will launch with a new look and feel later this year.  If you're ready to browse their offering online today, I recommend clicking on General Catalog (the navy bar) from the left hand sidebar or to browse items from their list of Full Line catalogs.

Schoolbelles is having a sale beginning today, Wednesday, April 16th through Saturday, April 26th. You can shop online, in-store or by phone at 1-888-637-3037.  To keep in touch and learn about their future sale notifications, Like their Facebook page and join their mailing list.

Winning Moves Games Giveaway (Ends 4/30)

Welcome to the Family Fun Night Giveaway!

Sponsored by: Winning Moves USA

Hosted by: Gloriously Green Gal & Savory Savings

Co-hosted by: Uniform Mom

Games nights in are a great way to get to know your family on a personal level.  Kids will talk, parents will laugh and memories are made!  In our house, we try to have game night on a regular basis.  Winning Moves USA is the leading maker in board games from the top game makers and sent several games to Krista from Savory Savings to review.  Check out her thoughts on this fun mix of board games that bring out the best in your family nights!

How would you like to win a collection of Winning Moves USA board games?  If you would like a chance to win, enter with the Giveaway Tool below.  If you have won a Winning Moves USA giveaway anytime from another blog in the last 12 months, you are not eligible to win this giveaway.  The giveaway will run from April 16, 2013 through April 30, 2014 at 11 PM CST and is open to US residents, ages 18 and older.  Entries will be verified.  Winner will be notified via email (consider adding gloriouslygreengal@gmail.com to your safe list) – winner will have 48 hours to respond and claim prize or another winner will be selected.

Good Luck!

Winning Moves Games Secret Word

Find the Winning Moves
Game of the day
to earn additional entries!

Sunday: 5ive Straight

Monday: Pay Day

Tuesday:  Monopoly

Wednesday:  Pass the Pigs

Thursday:  Trouble

Friday:  Sorry

Saturday: BUNCO

 

Olly Shoes in the Retail Round Up Series

Olly's has locations across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, and Ontario. If you are withing driving distance of a store, take the kids to check out their OllyScan. An OllyScan is a patented, computerized measurement system that takes a picture of your child’s foot and measures it at 6 points to determine their size.I also love that they have a link for School shoes right in the top of the website.

When shopping online, unused purchase can be returned by mail within 30 days.  Olly has a reward program called Olly's VIP members where members get an additional 10% off.

Here is the Olly Story from Founder, Katherine Chapman:

"OLLY Shoes began as a result of my own challenging shopping experiences with my family. As a mother of three kids that ranged in age from newborn to seven, I found it extremely difficult to find shoes that fit my kids properly. My goal was to create a shoe store that made footwear shopping fun for kids - and easy for their parents. OLLY Shoes was born in 2001 and has received an overwhelmingly positive response. We offer a wide variety of athletic, casual, seasonal and specialty footwear, as well as unique accessories and gifts. Come see why parents who shop us consider OLLY the best one-stop kid’s shoe store in the business. We look forward to serving you at OLLY!"

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Thank you for Supporting Uniform Mom

Here are a selection of great looking school shoes I found while browsing their site:

School Issue Semester
Who doesn't want to rock these blue suede shoes?  These are great looking saddle shoes for boys. They are available in navy suede, brown oil and dirty buck.

Price: 44.95

School Issue Scholar

Basic boys's school oxford shoe.
Price: 54.95

Jumping Jacks Tutor

Perfect Mary Janes's for girls.  Available in navy and black.
Price: 59.95

Puma GV Spedial Jr

Basic girl's sneaker in white; perfect for PE.
Price: 49.95

New Balance KX624

Basic boy's sneaker in white, perfect for PE.
Price: 39.95