Miles Goes to School with Lands’ End On His Back Pack

IMG_3298Miles is headed to his first year of preschool this year and I have very mixed emotions about it. Last year, Zoe went and Miles stayed home with me. So I was able to spend some one on one time with him and I worked too. With him in school I’ll have time to work, but I’ll also miss him. I miss both of them when they are gone and I was driving somewhere yesterday without either of them in the car and it was so quiet. Too quiet.

A friend told me that’s the hardest thing to deal with when they go to school is how quiet everything is. Oh…

He still has two weeks before school starts and his backpack from Lands’ End arrived. It’s awesome!

Kids can now customize their backpacks, lunch boxes and more with monograms, embroidery, heat transfers and numbers. Check out all the features in the photos below and notice how we got his name embroidered on it. Just in case you don’t want to get the embroidery feature, there is a tag on the inside that you can write your child’s name on.

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I’m really impressed with the quality of the backpack. It’s quite sturdy and it’s on wheels so he can use it as a carry on for traveling. What’s even more impressive is that for a child’s luggage, the handle extends super long making it easier for an adult to lug it around. I love the blue camouflage and so does Miles. He’s super excited to use his new backpack and can’t wait for his first day of school. There are pockets inside and even a separate pencil holder that is attached to the backpack so it doesn’t get lost. Drink holders on the sides and plenty of storage for little kids. It’s a fantastic backpack.

 

 

This year’s Back To School line features items that have the following :

Durability: Importance of reinforced seams and adjustable waists for ultimate comfort and durability.

Range of Sizes: A wider variety of sizes are now available for kids. Whether regular size, slim, tall, plus or husky, there are options for every kid.

Personalization: Kids can now customize their backpacks, lunch boxes and more with monograms, embroidery, heat transfers and numbers.

School Uniforms: School uniforms don’t have to be uncool or uncomfortable. Lands’ End offers gender-specific items including feminine tops and cardigans for boys and girls with a wide range of sizes.

To check out more from the Lands’ End Back To School Line visit Lands’ End’s backpack selection. To check out Lands’ End Kids apparel selection. And to check out the school uniforms.

 

We received samples.

Recyclebank’s Green Your School Year Challenge: Step One Back-to-school Shopping

Have you done your back to school shopping yet, are your kids back in school yet? Mine won’t be going back until after Labor Day. That’s just how we swing on the West Coast, or at least in the Pacific Northwest. So we haven’t even thought about getting back to school supplies, but I do suppose that it is time to get into that frame of mind. Both of my children will be in preschool next year, so I’m going to need to be ready for lunches and afternoon snacks. If you know me, I work really hard to feed my children healthy and what better way than to use organic food.

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I’ve been asked to participate in Recyclebank’s Green Your School Year Challenge and it starts today. Recyclebank, the company that rewards consumers for every day green actions. Green Your School Year was designed to educate and motivate families like us to make more eco-friendly school year decisions.  You’re invited to join me and participate too. There are prizes for everyone to win like a $2500 Macy’s Gift Card for a Back-to-School shopping spree, a NOOK Color eReader and much more.

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The first part of the competition is about Back To School Shopping.

First you have to take the pledge. Pledge to buy organic recycled or recyclable products and tweet #greenschools http://ow.ly/61D3z via @recyclebank or share on Facebook. You can do both directly from Recyclebank.’s Green Your School Year site.  Then collect your points. You can decide what to pledge, you could even pledge to carpool. Pledge anything that will benefit the environment.

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Then from there you can also download some valuable tips on how to find out if products you are buying are environmentally sustainable. Check company websites to read their environmental sustainability policies prior to shopping, and make sure that the places you shop support the same environmental initiatives that you do. Get the checklist in order to learn what to look for. Then continue on throughout the day and keep earning points. take a few quizzes. Consider your electronics, do you recycle them? Dispose of Batteries Properly, Sell Used Electronics and Find ways to properly dispose of electronics. These are just a few ideas we’ve written about before. Then you can take more polls and quizzes, while learning all about everything you need for back to school.

Recyclebank is full of great information and tips on becoming more green. Share your tips with me, how would you become more green this school  year.

 

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with Recyclebank.

Back To School Shoes Crocs Sneak Summer Into School Sweepstakes

Back to school with Crocs makes kids run faster, just ask my daughter about her new pink sparkly crocs.

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Since you can’t ask her you can watch her run away:

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Crocs are stinking awesome. I love shoes that you can bend in half because they are more comfortable. They are easier to walk in and they are more natural for developing feet that children have. Experts say that letting you children go barefoot is best, but I’m sorry, I won’t allow my kids to go outside without shoes on. Call me crazy, cause I know I am. So I love FLEXIBLE Shoes and these CROCS are amazing.

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Remember when you were a kid and you got a new pair of shoes? At least for me it was so much fun to get new shoes. I always thought they made me run faster and jump higher. And here, Zoe is showing me the same excitement with her new Back To School Crocs.

As far as the CROCS back to school line goes both boys and girls have some fun options.

Boys Shoes:

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Girls Shoes:

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Let’s have some back to school fun together. This video is interactive. You can click on different things in the video for Easter Eggs. Below is a big clue to unlocking a fun Easter Egg right here on MomStart (well inside the video that is)

 Easter Egg Photo Hint

 

And for the Sneak Summer into School Sweepstakes with Crocs:

You could win a trip for four to San Diego: oceanside, family-friendly hotel, San Diego or Sea World tickets, $200 play money, and a rental car. And since I was just there, I can say it’s a wonderful location and I would love to go back with my family. Good Luck in the contest.

 

 

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. Thoughts are my own.

Back To School Computers With Microsoft Windows 7 & Free Xbox 360

Feels like summer just started for us and is halfway over for everyone else so of course it’s time to start thinking about back to school shopping. Stores everywhere have already started putting out fall clothes and advertising is running rampant for back to school sales and Microsoft Windows 7 is right there with everyone else which is great for families in need of  a new computer in time for school.

To help make finding the right computer easier, Microsoft is showcasing some great Windows 7 PCs and accessories for families on any budget. A Windows PC is the perfect tool to help kids manage class work, stay in touch with family and friends and simply have fun in a way that is unique as they are, and at a price point that won’t break the bank.

toshiba_satellite_e305_1The Toshiba Satellite E305 is a thin light and affordable Blue Label laptop, a Best Buy exclusive PC that retails for $1089. It’s a great choice for students looking for a PC that’s portable enough to carry with them all day, powerful enough to work and play, and stylish enough to impress their friends. Equipped with Intel Wireless Display technology that turns any TV into a wireless monitor, a backlit keyboard and a huge 640 GB hard drive, this laptop makes it easy to stay productive and connected.

 

 

94977-sony-vaio-s-blancThe Sony Vaio SB is great if you’re in the market for a premium PC that looks great, and won’t empty your bank account. This laptop retails for $999. It’s crafted in black or white aluminum and has premium features like USB 3., a backlit keyboard, and switchable graphics. And, with the optional super-slim “sheet” battery, the VAIO SB can stay powered for over 15 hours. WOW that’s amazing.

 

Gateway-ID49C07u-Road-Warrior-Notebook-Half-OpenThe Gateway ID47 is a great value without sacrifice. In Gateway you’ll find style and the latest technology with two beautiful finishes, brushed platinum and ice blue for under $700. And with new technology that packs a 14” screen into a 13” inch body, you get the advantages of a big laptop in a small, portable package.

 

 

Touchsmart-610-left-viewAnd finally, the HP TouchSmart 610 is an all-in-one that takes touch fun to a whole new level. The HP TouchSmart retails for $1099 with the ability to be sued upright like a normal PC, or “recline” it to use the touch. You can browse the web and play games with ease.

Microsoft is offering even more bang for your buck with a limited offer: Purchasing any new Windows PC priced at $699 or more at participating retailers and get a free Xbox 360 console!  An Xbox 360 is more than just game console; it’s a one-stop entertainment hub that’s perfect for any living room – or dorm room – and it makes an excellent companion to a new Windows PC.  For more information check out www.windows.com/freexbox!

I’m a member of the Windows Champions program with Microsoft. I was not compensated to post this information.

Back To School Fall Line Umi Shoes Giveaway

Back to School Fall Fashion with Umi Shoes:

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We’re living in a house of shoe lovers. Ok, so it only takes two girls in a house to fill it up with shoes. I have a ton and Zoe, she’s following in my shoe steps. She actually seems to like shoes more than I do. We took her into a shoe store for the very first time, and she went gaga over the whole process. Mommy can I try that one, oh this one is pretty, and what about that one. She LOVES shoes!

Miles loves shoes too and Umi Shoes has boys covered as well.

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umi-purple_thumbUmi Shoes are one of my favorite brands. Last year Umi sent us the Riley in purple and pink. This canvas sneaker is comfortable, supportive and durable all important qualities for a kid’s shoe. The Riley features a lace up style with vulcanized rubber toe and outsole, which is what helps provide the extra durability. The Riley retails for 50.00

The year before we received the Lauren in Lavender and it was a huge hit as well. They lasted forever and we were even able to wash and dry them in the washing machine which is a huge help for moms.

Umi Shoes are my favorite because of the quality and thought that goes into their brand. They understand how little feet work and strive to put comfort into your little one’s steps. Umi believes that it takes years of experience to make a great pair of shoes and they have that. Umi shoes also believes that caring for little feet also means caring for the earth. They set their standards sky-high. Every shoe they make is tested for safety and durability and meets strict guidelines for child-safe materials. They use non-toxic drum-dyed leathers and other environmentally friendly components. They are protected in recycled packaging.

This year, I picked out some Fall Boots for Zoe and she’s been wanting to wear them everywhere and showing them off to everyone she walks up too. I would love to have this pair of boots too! The Radiant Boot comes in three different color combinations, red, black and brown. I know my daughter loves purple so we went with the red boot with the purple trim. I was right!

Umi Boots

 

My little fashionista here.

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Radiant raises the bar on play time’s cool quotient. Punctuated with vivid floral designs and grommet details, this blissed out boot accommodates any occasion in her social calendar. Signature cushioned fit and back zip closure. Like I said above, she adores these boots. I’ve had to tear them off of her feet because they are supposed to be for school and church only.

Become a fan of Umi on Facebook and Follow Umi on twitter to keep up with the latest on their shoes and little feet.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Rachel B.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received a prize pack and gift card in exchange for this post.

Back To School Savings with Ross $25 Giveaway

Just last weekend, July 16th, four new stores opened in our area and this is great news just in time for back to school shopping!

New Local Locations:

· Lake Forest Park Town Center at 17171 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park

· Sequim Village Market Place at 1055 West Washington Street, Sequim

· Bear Creek Village at 17170 Redmond Way, Redmond

· Burien Shopping Center at 15716 First Avenue South, Burien.

The grand opening events happened during my camping trip so I had to miss it. But the Ross Dress for less savings were still waiting on me when I made it there this weekend with Zoe.

Back to school shopping with my mother often took place in Ross. We were always on a budget growing up and Ross is a great place to find deals on clothing and many other things you need. Ross makes finding savings on the latest styles easy, with frequent shipments of current fashions and brand-name merchandise, so you will always find outstanding values on first-quality, in-season apparel, shoes, and accessories in Ross stores.

Zoe and I went into Ross to start our own back to school shopping memories. We scoped out the deals together. The back-to-school selection includes jeans, tees, hoodies, jackets, and shoes for kids of all ages.

Socks:

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Clothing:

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Shoes:

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Pencil, paper, pad kit:

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Backpacks:

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I ended up using the money to buy some clothes. I hardly ever spend money on myself and I was quite pleased to find two cute dresses for just over 25.00 after tax. Woo hoo, super cute clothes for such a great price.

The stores are open daily Monday through Thursday, from 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and on Sundays, from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

This giveaway has ended. Congratulations to the winner, Idaho Jill.

All rules can be found under giveaway rules. We received a prize pack and gift card in exchange for this post.

OrganWise Guys Back To School Back To good Health Kit Giveaway

Remember the OgranWise Guys Summer Time kit that I posted about? Well, we colored all of the pages read the books and then received the back to school kit. Now, I’ve been extremely busy since getting back from BlogHer, Zoe started preschool, and Miles and I have been having mommy son dates. We’ve been having so much time learning together and I’ve just been really happy spending time with the kids.

What’s been really crazy is that all along, even at the beginning of the Summer, Miles is the one that has had more interest in learning about the organs and playing with the Organwise Guys toys. Zoe has been the one that loves to color the coloring pages and activities, but they both like looking at the book. We recently received the OrganWise Guys Back To School Kit and enjoyed learning even more. Every time I look at it it makes me think of Xmen because the Sir Rebrum, is so close to the name of the machine that Xavier uses in the movie. Anyways, we’re learning about the brain here guys!

I know some of you reading my blog think that I don’t care about my kids health, but I DO! I love teaching them about how important exercise is and how everything in your body works together to be healthy. We’ve been teaching the kids that exercise make the heart stronger, and eating healthy is good for the brain and for the heart. It’s in their own terms and these kits from OrganWise Guys are helping me to teach the kids with pictures and plush. The plush I like to put right up to them and say, this is where your heart goes, and this is where your brain is. It’s fun to see Zoe’s eyes light up like, are you serious?

Imagine if your body could speak to you. Really. Imagine if it could really speak to you. For children, learning has to be imaginative and fun. So, as the childhood obesity crisis persists, teaching children about health and wellness is imperative but it has to be imaginative and fun. See for yourself by visiting http://www.organwiseguys.com/kids.html and listening to The Buddy Song.Imagine if your body could speak to you. Really. Imagine if it could really speak to you. For children, learning has to be imaginative and fun. So, as the childhood obesity crisis persists, teaching children about health and wellness is imperative but it has to be imaginative and fun. See for yourself by visiting http://www.organwiseguys.com/kids.html and listening to The Buddy Song.

Enter To Win:

The OrganWise Guys Back to School Kit:clip_image001
* Monthly Healthy Behavior Tracking Calendar: With the start of a new school year, take on a new healthy behavior each month! The calendar is designed for use beginning any month of any year.

* Sir Rebrum Plush Toy: The brainy but cute professor is also the leading caricature in the Breakfast Skippin’ Blues Video
* School Days Here We Come! Book:
It’s the first day of school and time to meet all The OrganWise Guys classmates and see where they live!
* Breakfast Skippin’ Blues Video: Sir Rebrum is having a hard time remembering his lines in a school play. Can you guess what he forgot to do that morning?

The cast of The OrganWise Guys — Hardy Heart, Peri Stolic (the large intestine), Sir Rebrum, Pepto the Stomach and Sid and Kid Kidney (The Kidney Brothers) along with buddies Calci M. Bone, Windy the Lungs and Madame Muscle, is a collection of friendly, delightfully eccentric characters that are cleverly personified body parts. They invite parents and their children to join them on child-friendly experiences as they learn to incorporate healthy eating and physical activity into their daily lives. $34.80!

organwise

To Enter:

Tell me what your favorite part of the body is!

Extra Entries:

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

OrganWise Guys Back To School Kit #Giveaway http://bit.ly/9PTgIR

Follow/Like Mom Start on Facebook
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Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
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This giveaway ends October 18th, I was provided a sample in exchange for this post! All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Disney Book Group’s Dealing with School Book List

Disney sent us a beautiful book from their company Disney Book Group. The Book they sent was Don’t call me Pruneface! by Janet Ahearn. This new book was released on August 3 and is a cute story about Paul and his new not so good friend. Paul is his grandmother’s little angel and in the book, he does follow all the rules and tries very hard to be nice to his new neighbor. He thinks she is crazy, a lunatic in fact, I mean the girl walks her cat on a leash. Finally one day he just loses it with her meanness and he calls her pruneface. She loses it and goes home sad. Then they decide to be friends. My only issue with the book was that they didn’t apologize to each other. They made up in their own way and I guess I’m going to learn as a mother that is what life is.

Disney put together a list of tips to get through the school year this year. An entertaining mix of fantasy, education, and paranormal, Disney Book Group’s Back to School Survival Guide is a perfect complement to the the school year!

pruneface

 

Tip #1: When the science fair rolls around, please be sure you don’t submit a project that has a gigantic laser eye, can read dogs’ minds, and well, may possibly destroy your city. And if you do… make sure you have a back-up plan!


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Title: Oh No!
Author: Mac Barnett
Grades: Pre-K to 2nd   
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
About the Book: A little girl builds the best science project ever…only to have it destroy the city.  Oh no!

Tip #2: If you ever stumble on a cottage on your way home after school, don’t go in and eat their soup, break their chair, and sleep in their bed no matter how hungry and tired you may be. Bears may live there, and well, in general, that’s just trespassing!

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Title: Rubia and the Three Osos
Author: Susan Middleton Elya
Grades: Pre-K to 2nd
Publication Date: September 7, 2010
About the Book: A
fabuloso retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears!

Tip #3: Take part in extracurricular activities and volunteer. Everything you do helps gain skills in the future. Who knows, you may follow in the footsteps of President John F. Kennedy!
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Title: Jack’s Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy
Author: Doreen Rappaport
Grades: Kindergarten to 3rd
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
About the Book: In due time for the 50
th anniversary of Kennedy’s inauguration (January 20, 1961), this is a moving portrait of a beloved American figure.

Tip #4: Try to get along with everybody in your class and don’t be quick to judge someone’s personality negatively, especially if that person is your best friend. Your classmates may end up surprising you and doing something really nice when you need it the most!

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Title: Clementine, Friend of the Week
Author: Sara Pennypacker
Grades: 2nd to 5th
Publication Date: June 27, 2010
About the Book: Clementine learns the true meaning of friendship in this fourth entry in the bestselling series!

Tip #5: Don’t bully fellow classmates or school guest speakers. They may turn into giant evil food products set on destroying the world!

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Title: Super Chicken Nugget Boy vs. Dr. Ned-Grant and his Eggplant Army
Author: Josh Lewis
Grades: 2nd to 6th
Publication Date: October 26, 2010
About the Book: After his tasty alter-ego felled the Furious Fry, Fern Goldberg went back to being a normal fourth grader. But not for long. Bert Lahr Elementary is about to be thrown into chaos by a mad food scientist and an army of evil eggplants bent on world domination!

Tip #6: On your way to school, be careful that you don’t get kidnapped by pirates and sent to work for a murderous captain. That wouldn’t be too fun.

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Title: Murder Afloat
Author: Jane Leslie Conly
Grades: 4th to 7th
Publication Date: October 5, 2010
About the Book: A coming of age adventure at sea, written by a Newbery Honor-winning author.

Tip #7: As much as a genius or mastermind you may be at something, take time to relax and unwind a little. The last thing anyone needs is to come down with the Atlantis Complex.

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Title: Artemis Fowl – The Atlantis Complex
Author: Eoin Colfer
Grades: 5th to 6th
Publication Date: August 3, 2010
About the Book: Artemis Fowl, the world’s greatest – and youngest – criminal mastermind, returns for another high stakes, multi-continent adventure in this seventh book in the internationally best-selling series.

Tip #8: If you are ever placed in a leadership or spotlight position, whether it be heading a school project or planning someone’s quincenera, don’t be overly controlling. Teamwork is key!
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Title: Amigas – Lights, Camera, Quince!
Author: Veronica Chambers
Grades: 7th to 12th
Publication Date: August 17, 2010
About the Book: Amigas is back to plan another quince and this time the project is even more full of drama!

Tip #9: If recruiters come to your house to invite you to attend a prestigious private school when you never even applied, be a little cautious. You may have special powers.
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Title: Delcroix Academy: The Candidates
Author: Inara Scott
Grades: 7th – 12th
Publication Date: August 24, 2010
About the Book: Join the students of Delcroix Academy in this captivating debut novel with a supernatural twist.

Tip #10: If your school restricts dating, watch out because there may be undead people walking amongst you in the hallways, ready to suck your soul out with a kiss.

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Title: Dead Beautiful
Author: Yvonne Woon
Grades: 8th – 12th
Publication Date: September 21, 2010
About the Book: A supernatural romance about the impossible love between a teen girl and the undead boy whose soul she shares
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We received a product sample as payment for this post!

Sharpie Liquid Pencil Review

IMG_4360I hate using regular pencils. I hate the way they feel, the way they sound when the lead is hitting the paper, to me using a regular no. 2 pencil is like nails scratching a chalk board. I’m not even fond of quite a few of the mechanical pencil makers either. Ok, so call me a pencil snob, I can take it, ‘cause I know it’s true.

Sharpie realized that there are others out there just like me. They also were smart enough to get this out just in time for back to school and regular schedules. On the top of school supplies list is the classic No. 2 pencil. I know, that my husband doesn’t like regular pencils either so I’m sure that as soon as our children can hold a regular thickness pencil we’ll be buying them something like this, but who knows what else will be out in about five years?

Sharpie’s Liquid Pencil just glides across the paper with it’s cutting-edge technology liquid graphite. There is no sound to make me cringe and my hands feel comfortable using the pencil. I also don’t have the urge to drive my nails into the pencil sides. I used to take out my discomfort out on my pencils by dragging my nails along the side digging them into the wood.

The liquid pencil writes like a pen, it can be erased for up to three days and then becomes permanent like a pen. No more smudging with age or breaking  your lead and losing half of it.

Dunkin Donuts Back To School Kit For Moms on the go! #Giveaway

 

Dunkin Donuts is offering a back to school kit for one lucky mom sending her kids back to school. With school already in session for some and just around the corner for everyone else moms and dads will be on the go go go. We start off at the races by getting school clothes, supplies and making sure everything is ready to go for our kids. Then we trek them around to all of their activities before and after school. In order to make sure mom is feeling peppy, Dunkin Donuts has put together a “Back To School Survival Kit”. These kits are exclusive to the bloggers that have been chosen to give one away.

Back To School Kit

Enter to Win:

The Back To School Dunkin Donuts Survival Kit

The kit, which has a total value of approximately $100, features a basket that includes a stylish coffee travel mug, a package of Dunkin’ Donuts regular and decaf ground coffee and a retro “Time to Make the Donuts” t-shirt. It also includes a $60 Dunkin’ Donuts Card so Mom can keep herself running throughout the back-to-school season with delicious coffee, breakfast sandwiches, snacks and beverages.

 

Happy 60th Birthday Dunkin Donuts!

To Enter:

Tell me what your back to school routine is!

Extra Entries:

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post

Dunkin Donuts 60.00 Gift Card Gift Basket #giveaway

Follow me on twitter tell me your twitter ID
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Comment on any other non-giveaway post 
List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig or stumble
Blog About this Giveaway (5 extra entries, linking to the giveaway)
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This giveaway ends September 6th. Dunkin Donuts has decided to make a donation to the charity of my choice! All rules can be found under giveaway rules.