What's New at French Toast for Back to School 2015

Big news from French Toast.

They have relaunched their Active and Casual line of clothing. Matthew Buesing advised that "You will find this line to be very school-centric as well as versatile for any occasion in a child’s life. It is a great complement and natural extension to our school uniforms. Leveraging our past success as leaders in school wear, we now provide a uniform for a kid’s life.”

French Toast can now become a one stop shop.  You can order all of the school wear for the kids and pick up some weekend wear too.  The kids will love to wear these fashionable items and you save time and money shopping with a brand you know and trust to hold up wash after wash. 

“French Toast has a 30 year heritage in the classroom. However, we are evolving the product line to be a part of a kid’s life at different times of the day. Once you combine style with our 50 wash tested durability and features like Power Knees™, you have a versatile product that moms love and kids want to wear." 

French Toast’s Chief Marketing Officer, Kevin Mitchael

Here are a few of the new items you'll find available online:

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New for girls is a Short Sleeve V-Neck Tee shirt in a variety of fun colors. They also come in a Long Sleeve V-Neck Tee for when the weather turns cooler. The short sleeve is 5.98 and the long sleeve is 6.98.

Polyester blend jersey
Tag-free
V-neck, Decorative ruching at neck
Rounded hem
Machine washable, Imported





Girls will love this Short Sleeve Graphic Tee featuring a cute cat. It is nicely priced at $7.98.

Cotton blend jersey
Tag-free Crew neck
Screenprint with glitter
Machine washable, Imported





I love this Football Graphic Tee. Pair this with a pair of jeans and your ready for the weekend.  It retails for $8.98:

Polyester blend jersey
Tag-free Crew neck
Screenprint with glitter
Rounded hem
Machine washable, Imported





For boys, one of my favorite items is this Long Sleeve Striped Hangdown Polo.  It retails for $14.98.

100% thermal cotton sleeves
Cotton blend pique top
Tag-free
3-button placket
Machine washable, Imported





This Long Sleeve Contrast Henley is made from a soft cotton and a cool color contrast, this is a perfect everyday top he just won't stop wearing. It retails for $9.98.

100% cotton with cotton chambray placket
Tag-free
Crew neck with 3-button placket
Machine washable, Imported

This Long Sleeve Chambray Pocket Shirt is a fun plaid with contrasting solid pockets that make it a hit at $16.98.

100% cotton chambray
Front button closure with 2 front pockets
Machine washable, Imported

5 Ways to Use Name Labels for Back to School

Have you completed your back to school shopping yet? After we get the kids outfitted with new clothes and shoes, we then stock up on the school supplies and sports accessories the kids need for the year.  When all is said and done, how much have you spent on all that stuff?

According to the National Retail Federation's Back-to-School Spending Survey, the average family with children in grades K-12 plans to spend $630.36 on electronics, apparel and other school needs.

Yikes $630!  And here's a another dose of reality - Kids loose stuff!

The best thing you can do to help ensure the stuff you just bought will make it through the school year is to label it.  Spend another few bucks on some quality name labels and label the stuff most likely to get misplaced.

1. Add stickers to the school supplies.  The pencils and pens, notebooks, pencil case, pencil sharpener, scissors, and the planner. 
2. Shoe Tags - I pull then right on the insole of the shoes. The stickers coated with a protective coating work much better than a plain paper label.  Any shoes that kids will tote in their backpack for an after school activity gets a tag.  Then, don't forget about the shoe they will changing out of too.  Tag the school shoes, sports shoes, dance shoes, rain boots, etc.
3. While I don't tag all pf my daughter's clothes, I always tag the ones she will take on and off during the day. Sweaters and jackets are most likely to get left behind at recess, on the soccer field, wherever.  I prefer stickers that include both her name and our phone number.  I believe folks are inherently good, meaning that, if they are the one that finds your kid's jacket and you give them a way to identify who it belongs to, they will make an effort to contact you.  Jackets and coats are often the most expensive item on the back to school shopping list, so it well worth the effort to label it.
4. Definitely tag the lunchbox, the water bottles, and the thermos.  Again these are the items that sometimes get left behind.  So again, I recommend a label with both the name and phone number.
5. Finally the backpack.  The kids carry it around everyday and it holds all that stuff.  If it goes missing so does everything in it.

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Tinyprints is currently having a sale where you can Save 40% off address label, gift tag and name label orders using the code 0808DEAL at checkout.  Get your order in now before the kids start loosing stuff!

What's New at Lands End for Back to School 2015

The Lands' End Back to School catalog arrived in my mailbox this year in June when my daughter had 3 days left on the school year.  Kids in Virginia get out of school later than kids in most other states, but the back to school shopping season also seems to start earlier each year. 

When I browsed the catalog and found a few new or updated items that are definitely worth passing along. Below are a few of my favorites:

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Boy's Perfect Shirt

Boy's Perfect Shirt

Mom's of little boys will be happy to hear about the new Boys' Perfect shirt.  It sounds so awesome, my husband will want to try one.

Features:

• The armholes have been redesigned to give him more room to move.
• The easy care fabric resists wrinkles so he can wear it straight from the dryer.
• It has a comfort collar with an elastic tab button so it is never too tight.
• They added stain release to the cuffs and the collar to keep them looking great.
• The shirt wicks moisture, dries quickly and helps balance body temperature. 

Girls Performance
Zip-front Cardigan

School Uniform Girls' Performance Zip-front Cardigan

Last year, we reviewed the Girls' Zip-front Drifter Cardigan. It became her favorite go-to sweater all year long. New this year, Lands' End is offering a similar zip-front sweater. The collar on this one is smaller, more like a traditional cardigan and the fabric is a cotton blend. We're definitely going to have to try it out this year.

Features

• Resists fading and pilling for long-lasting color and comfort
• Easy-care blend feels soft as cotton
• Fully-fashioned construction for a great fit
• Full-zip front
• Easy-moving raglan sleeves
• 60% cotton/40% rayon-modal
• Machine wash/Imported

Girls' Button Front
Solid A-line Jumper

Girls' Button Front Solid A-line Jumper

We reviewed and loved the School Uniform Girls' Button-front Ponté Skort last season. The quality held up so well, my daughter will be able to wear it again for another season.  This year, Lands' End took the button look and put it on the classic jumper. 

Features:

• Easy-care convenience
• Functional front placket
• Top-of-knee length
• 65% polyester/35% rayon blend
• Polyester lining
• Machine wash/Imported

Boy's Performance Button
Front Cardigan Sweater

Boys' Performance Button Front Cardigan Sweater

This classic button front sweater is still available in the 100% cotton version, but now it is also available in a easy care cotton/rayon-modal blend.

Features:

• Easy-care fabric resists pilling, fading & shrinkage
• Rib-knit placket, cuff & pocket trim
• 60% cotton/40% rayon-modal
• Machine wash/Imported

(Photos used with permission from Lands' End)

Classroom Brand Polo from Schoolbelles

(c) 2015 Rene Shonerd
All Rights Reserved.

This is a sponsored post.  Schoolbelles provided me a sample polo to use as a basis of this review. No additional compensation was provided for this post.



(c) 2015 Rene Shonerd
All Rights Reserved.

The folks at Schoolbelles sent a Classroom Fitted Jersey Polo for me to review. This is a classic polo with the following features:

• 3 button placket front and matching banded sleeve
• The colorfast poly/cotton blend is made for easy care wash and wear.
• 60% Cotton/40% Polyester textured pique.
• It is available in eight different colors and is available in all sizes from extra small youth through triple extra large adult.
• At Schoolbelles, the youth sizes are priced at $13.75 and the most adult sizes are priced at $16.75.

Schoolbelles carries this product in their value line of products. They tout that these items are carefully created to be fashionable, durable school uniform tested in real world situations with real kids. Assuming your child doesn't have a crazy growth spurt, I have no doubt this item will last a full school year or longer. My daughter is just outgrowing size 7-8 shirts.  While they still fit across the shoulders, they are too short when she lifts her hands over her head.  The shirt she is wearing in this photo is a size 10-12 which is a big jump that is running a bit big on her in the shoulder.



(c) 2015 Rene Shonerd
All Rights Reserved.

We've tried quite a few brands of polos over the past 3 school years while my daughter has been wearing uniform and I have been reviewing schoolwear. Based on my past comparisons of pricing between vendors, I have found most retailers price polos between $5.50 and $18. Based on the weight of the fabric and feel of the texture of this Classroom brand polo, it is above average in quality and fits nicely at a competitive price just outside my target pricing range. At their full list price, it is as labeled - a great value. If you pick up a few of these polos when Schoolbelle's is having a sale, you can feel confident you are getting a great deal.

You can find this on Schoolbelles's site by using the green General Catalog tab on the left hand side.  Select Girl from the gender drop down, then click the "Shop" button.  Click to browse the Polo Shirts where you'll see this polo listed as style number 8730.

It comes in a variety of colors.  You can get it in white (as shown here),  light blue, navy, royal blue, maroon, red, dark green, and black.  It is also available in a range of sizes to sit everyone - from Youth Extra Small through Adult Triple Extra Large.

Schoolbelles was recently featured in the Retail Round Up Series. Please use the school code S7001 when shopping online, when placing an order over the phone with customer service at 1-888-637-3037, or when shopping in one of their 13 retail locations across the mid-west..

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. To keep in touch and learn about their future sale notifications, Like their Facebook page and join their mailing list.

What's New at Children's Place for Back to School 2015

I spent some time on the Children's Place site browsing for new items in the Uniform Collection.  The largest number of new items are the PE wear, or more casual clothing that is appropriate for Physical Education class.  I noticed and shared these items back in January.  In case you missed it, go take a look. 

I also found a few pieces that appear to be new for this Back to School season. 

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Girl's Skater Skirt

I just love, love the look of this girls skater skirt. I just wish it also had built in knit shorts.  Since it doesn't, you'll also need to wear some bike shorts under it.  It is an above the knee length in a pull on style.  The fabric is blend of 75% polyester/20% rayon and 5% spandex ponte.  It is available in dark gray and navy.

Uniform Pullover Box Pleat Jumper

I also love the easy look of this Uniform Pullover Box Pleat Jumper. The pullover style has single box pleat at center lower bodice. Like the skater skirt, the fabric is the same blend of 75% polyester/20% rayon and 5% spandex ponte in dark gray an navy.




For the boys, they also added quite a few casual pieces like sweatpants, fleece pants, pull-on cargo shorts, crew neck sweatshirts, and short and long sleeve basic tees in all the expected uniform colors earlier this year.

Otherwise, not many changes in the boy's department.  I haven't noticed this Uniform Rain Jacket until now, so it might be new this season. It is basic enough to be a unisex rain jacket.

Uniform Rain Jacket Features:

Made of 100% nylon twill

Lined in 100% polyester taffeta

Treated for water resistance

Snap button front over zipper closure

Front envelope pockets

States with a Tax Free Holiday for Back to School 2015

If you're planning to do your back to school shopping at the mall or the traditional brick and mortar stores, you should plan to take advantage of the back to school tax holiday in your state.  Below is a list of states that will be offering a tax free holiday this fall:

State	Items Included	2015 Dates	Information Links *
Alabama	clothing - $100 computers - $750 school supplies - $50 books - $30	August 7-9	http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/
Arkansas	clothing - $100 school supplies	August 1-2	http://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/
Connecticut	clothing and footwear - $100	August 16-22	http://www.ct.gov/drs/
Florida	school supplies clothing - $100 supplies - $15 computers - $750	August 7-16	http://dor.myflorida.com/
Georgia	school supplies clothing - $100 supplies - $20 computers - $1,000	July 31 - August 1	http://dor.georgia.gov/
Iowa	clothing - $100	August 7-8	https://tax.iowa.gov/
Louisiana	all TPP - $2,500	August 7-8	http://www.revenue.louisiana.gov/
Mississippi	clothing & footwear - $100	July 31-Aug. 1	http://www.dor.ms.gov/
Missouri	clothing - $100 computers - $3,500 school supplies - $50	August 7-9	http://dor.mo.gov/
New Mexico	clothing - $100 computers - $1,000 computer equip. - $500 school supplies - $30	August 7-9	http://www.tax.newmexico.gov
Ohio	clothing - $75 school supplies - $20 instructional material - $20	August 7-9	http://www.tax.ohio.gov/
Oklahoma	clothing - $100	August 7-9	http://www.tax.ok.gov/
South Carolina	clothing school supplies computers other	August 7-9	http://www.sctax.org/
Tennessee	clothing - $100 school supplies - $100 computers - $1,500	August 7-9	http://tn.gov/revenue/
Texas	clothing, backpacks and school supplies- $100	August 7-9	http://comptroller.texas.gov/
Virginia	clothing - $100 school supplies - $20	August 7-9	http://www.tax.virginia.gov/

Source

What's new at the Gap for Back to School 2015

The folks at the Gap sent me a note to share what's new this season for Back to School.  The Uniform line is updated in quite a few ways:

• For girls, they have added more femininity:  Applying knowledge from the fashion collection successes, they are proud to offer more feminine details in the dresses and polos.

• They updated the fits for clear differentiation and distinction between the fit offerings such as the girls classics, straight, or skinny fit chinos and the boys relaxed and straight fit chinos.

• With colors, they changed navy standard to read as true navy rather than dark navy.  For boys, they added gray and black into the bottoms assortment for boys; and for girls, they added black into the bottoms assortment, and added pink into the knit offerings, changed gray standard in gym styles, added pattern to ponte pants.

• They also changed up product details with the polo shirts.  The boys polo placket is cleaner and the silhouette is slightly slimmer and the new high low hem gives it a more fashionable look .  The girls polo placket is narrower and elongated, the body is slightly slimmer, has interior neck tape. 

• They improved the feel of the fabric in the gym and sweaters.

• They also have some new items such as fashion sweaters in girls, fit and flare dress in girls, fashion polo in girls in a new jersey fabrication, varsity jacket in both boys and girls.