Lands End — MomStart

Who Has the Best Winter Coat? Gap Lands’ End LL Bean and Nautica Quality Coat Challenge

November 11, 2011 By Momstart 7 Comments

I was invited to take part in a Winter Coat Challenge. The brands were Lands’ End LL Bean, Nautica, and Gap. I have to admit that it was a very close race in my. I tried each coat and found something that I loved out of each of them. The first two were the closest as both Lands’ End and Nautica have different aspects that I like but at the end of the day I narrowed it down to one winner. It was Lands’ End

The Coats:

Gap

Lands’ End

Nautica

LL Bean

The Coat Fit:

Nautica my only issue was that it wasn’t very fitted and the Zipper got caught the very first time I tried to zip it, It was such a challenge to get it unstuck I had to mention it here in the review. The Gap coat was just too boyish and too short for me, but if that’s your preference then it’s a very comfortable coat. I found the Land’s End coat to be my favorite. It’s fitted, long and very soft, the Nautica was a very close second while the LL Bean was weird. Plus my husband said the green from the LL Bean coat made me look like the Mrs Hulk The Incredible Hulk’s wife. In addition to the green the LL Bean coat was really odd with the belt.

Lands’ End won this round having little hooks I can use to make the coat even more fitted. I didn’t notice that feature at first glance so they are well placed.

The Pocket Comparison:

Pockets are pretty important to me. I’m always filling them with receipts and other things that the kids hand to me. Lands End had the most pockets with a secret inside lining pockets. They also had the best angles on the outside pockets. I really felt comfortable resting my hands in them. The LL Bean pockets were a good angle but a little small. Leaving my hands in them wasn’t exactly comfortable and I love to leave my hands in my pockets. Plus I wouldn’t be able to stuff them full of Kleenex and my hands. I found the Nautica pockets to be unique. At first I didn’t notice that they had a top opening and a side opening. I still found them to be a little square but like the difference in them. The difference meant storage and hand room. Nautica weakness in comparison to Lands’ End was no inner pockets. Gap had very comfortable pockets.

I feel this round was a tie between Lands’ End and Nautica because Nautica was so unique and Lands’ End were more comfortable.

The Warmth Challenge:

All the coats seemed to keep me warm, I think all the brands are great brands and as far as keeping me warm I would like anyone of them. The Gap coat was very warm but not long enough, I also felt it was too short in the arms, Nautica was very warm and comfy, LL Bean was warm and I liked the fit, Lands End was very warm, cozy and the sleeves were my favorite part. Oh and I also like the hood warmth and fit.

I like Lands End and Nautica about equal on this one. If I had to pick a winner it would be Lands’ End just because the fit made me feel more secure in the wind. With that extra button closure it gave me the feeling that I was covered more. I like how high up the button zipper closure is and the hood fit nicely. Also the sleeves hugging me closer in the Lands End coat felt nicer. The Gap coat just didn’t fit me well enough, and LL Bean did feel a little thinner in the wind. But I felt that the sleeves cuffs and the higher coverage around the neck were redeeming qualities in the LL Bean coat.

As fast as the hoods keeping my head warm, Gap had no hood. Lands’ End hood was my favorite because the inside of the hood was the softest. Nautica came in a very close second place as far as hood softness and warmth. LL Bean’s hood was rather thin. I love the fur edging but all the coats (except Gap with no hood) all of the hoods were removable.

LL Bean and Lands end were very close in this challenge. I think I prefer Lands End just because the hood, sleeves and fit were just a bit better than LL Bean.

The Price Line Up:

The Gap Coat Retails at $99.00

The Lands’ End coat retails at $179.50

The LL Bean coat retails at $179.00

The Nautica coat retails at $199.00

Now Even though the Gap Coat has the best price, it still depends on what you are looking for in a coat. Is the value in the coat worth the price you are going to pay. With all the features the Lands End coat has, it wins in the

Lands’ End was my favorite in quality, fit, softness. and detailing well worth the value.

The Quality Coat Review was a blind review. In order to give my unbiased opinions, I am unaware of the company that sponsored the effort. While the opinions are my own, I am being compensated through Mom Spark Media for my time. All of these coats are going to be donated to charity.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: Gap, Lands End, LL Bean, Nautica, Quality coat Challenge

Announcing Sears Holiday Brand Ambassador Program

November 11, 2011 By Momstart 11 Comments

It seems that working with Sears in an official capacity is a natural fit for us here at MomStart. I grew up shopping in Sears with my mom. My parents still shop there, and my husband and I have made some major purchases over the years at Sears because they have the best shopping policies for large appliances, including TVs Dish Washers, and tools.

When I started blogging and became noticed as an established blogger, Sears Holding Corporation was the first company to bring us out for a brand trip. There I learned just how fabulous Sears and Kmart brands are and we’ve switched to buying our towels from Sears only. WE LOVE the towels. Over the years, I’ve worked with them and their major brands off an on in a small way and I feel very familiar with Sears as a whole. So I’m really excited to announce my new partnership with them over the next six weeks.

I’m a Sears Holiday Brand Ambassador.

What does that mean? It means I’ll be bringing you all kinds of information about Sears. From great finds, black Friday deals, coupon deals to fantastic giveaways. You know I’ve currently got some Sears giveaways already going on.

50.00 Sears Gift Card #Giveaway http://bit.ly/thR8nt

and the

The Sears Holiday Tool Catalog Craftsman 51 piece MAX AXESS Mechanics Tool Set #Giveaway http://su.pr/39wiPg

Between, Sears, Craftsman, Lands’ End and KMart, you can find all of your shopping needs for the Holiday Season.

We’ll be shopping at Sears and my husband is actually pretty excited about it. I’m also going to be using Sears for gift cards for a few family members that I know shop there all the time too. I see some power tools in the near future for a few men, I see miniature toy power tools in Miles’ future, and dolls in Zoe’s. And more towels for me, very soft towels.

I have been compensated to work with Sears over the next few weeks, but I’ve shopped at Sears for so many years, and will continue to shop there. My opinion is not swayed by compensation.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: KMart Ambassador, Lands End, Sears, Sears Holding Corporation

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

August 26, 2011 By Momstart 18 Comments

Miles 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.

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.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: Back to School, backpack, Lands End, review

Celebrate National Swimsuit Confidence Week Lands’ End Giveaway

May 23, 2011 By Momstart 645 Comments

This week all week long is National Swimsuit Confidence Week. Last year was the first year for me to have swimsuit confidence. I received a swimsuit from Lands’ End and I LOVED it. I loved how it sucked me in everywhere and I think it made me look great, and I posted the photo of myself for all the world to see. Ok, just the few of you that come by and visit my blog. So when Lands’ End contacted me this year and asked me to participate in National Swimsuit Confidence Week I had to say yes.

Starting earlier today, Curvy Girl Guide hosted and will be hosting for the rest of the week a twitter chat with Lands’ End about swimsuit confidence. Not only are they hosting the conversation but they are also sharing their swimsuit photos along with me. Or rather, I’m posting mine along with theirs. See:

I picked out Women’s Regular All-Over Control Slender Grecian Swimsuit, and I think it makes me look taller and slimmer! Even though most of you may look at me and think I don’t have anything to worry about by showing my picture of myself in a swimsuit, and even though I did it once last year, and even though I even vlogged from the shower two weeks ago, I’m still very self conscious of how I look. It’s all about how each of us perceive ourselves and that’s why I’m really grateful to Lands End for hosting National Swimsuit Confidence Week. They are reminding us all that it doesn’t matter what shape our body is. It’s how we hold ourselves up and what we think of ourselves that matters. The 21 women form Curvy Girl Guide are all real women just like me of all different body shapes. All of them are proudly sporting their Lands’ End swimwear helping to build swimsuit confidence for women this summer at the beach and I’m now ready to confidently join them!

Lands’ End makes a great quality bathing suit with the ability to hold you in in all the right places, and since I have a bathing suit from last year too, I can tell you that they hold up to the test of time.

You all have the opportunity to participate in National Swimsuit Confidence Week too, and you can even win some very cool prizes.

To Participate:

Join in the conversation on twitter at #landsend from noon until 1:00 p.m. CDST, where you can find swimsuit fit tips, inspiration from real women and swimsuit giveaways. Also for a chance to win a $500.00 Land’s End Gift Card get the Twibbon. To get the twibbon go to http://twibbon.com/join/I-Have-Swimsuit-Confidence-2 and display the “I have swimsuit confidence!” Twibbon on your Twitter profile photo. Send a tweet to @LandsEndPR proclaiming “I have swimsuit confidence!” #landsend for a chance to be entered to win a $500 Lands’ End gift card. The winner will be announced May 27.

Schedule:

Date Topic Participants

5/23 Swimsuit Coverage @LandsEndPR, @5minutesformom

5/24 Swimsuit Trends for Real Women @LandsEndPR, @MomSpark

5/25 Swim Slenderizers @LandsEndPR, @CurvyGirlGuide

5/26 Bring Your Confidence to the Beach @LandsEndPR, @bookieboo

5/27 Ultimate Swimsuit Confidence Celebration @LandsEndPR, @MomTalkRadio

Join the movement. Show off your own swimsuit confidence by posting a photo in a 2011 Lands’ End Swimsuit. Post the photo on May 23rd 2011 or anytime this week to inspire others to post their photo. You can post it on Facebook, your blog, or just to twitter. Be sure to tag @LandsEndPR #LandsEnd, or the Lands End Facebook Page.

Enter To Win:

100.00 Gift Card to Lands’ End to use for your own Swimsuit Confidence!

To Enter:

Tell what kind of swimsuit you feel comfortable wearing out in public.

Extra Entries:

List this giveaway on any giveaway site, dig, stumble, like or share on Facebook (or use any of the share options listed below)

Tweet or RT this post and include the link to the post & #LandsEnd

Celebrate National Swimsuit Confidence Week Lands’ End #Giveaway @MomStart http://bit.ly/incv9C #LandsEnd

Or Tweet

Enter to Win 100.00 Gift Card to Lands’ End @MomStart #Giveaway http://bit.ly/incv9C #LandsEnd

This giveaway ends June 6th. All rules can be found under giveaway rules.

Disclosure – A product was provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency for the writing of this review; however, opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation

Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: Lands End, swimsuit features, swimsuit review

Lands’ End Summer Dress With Zoe

April 4, 2011 By Momstart 2 Comments

My daughter loves to wear dresses. I buy her pants on the off chance she’ll decide to wear them and it’s 98.9 percent bust with the pants. So, I buy her lots and lots of Summer dresses. We can layer with Summer dresses and then in the Spring and Summer when it’s warm enough she can just wear the Summer Dress.

Land’s End has some great options for Summer clothing and I let Zoe help in the picking process of One outfit from the knit kit . Have a look at what she has to say:

It wasn’t very hard for Zoe to choose which outfit she liked the most from the Tired Knit Dress or Short sleeve jersey dress . She went with neither of them because neither of them were the color purple. She LIVES in purple. Instead she chose the Girls’ Short Sleeve Ruffle Henley Dress because she could get it in SOLID purple.

Lands’ End makes quality soft clothing that I love to wear too. I love to wash it too because it doesn’t shrink. I actually bought the dress quite big for Zoe because I forgot that Lands End clothing does not shrink, so she’s going to be wearing the dress for a while, and I’m ok with that. As long as she doesn’t wake up tomorrow with a new favorite color. You know how kids can be.

Disclosure – The product featured in this review were provided to me free of charge by the manufacturer or representing PR agency. Opinions expressed are my own and are NOT influenced by monetary compensation.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: clothing review, fashion, Lands End, Zoe

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

November 26, 2010 By Momstart 6 Comments

My week was turned upside down by the weather. So last week, on Thursday I went to Costco and got half of what I needed on my grocery list with plans to get everything else on Monday because we were headed to Great Wolf Lodge to participate in the Great Wolf Lodge Eco Moms Conference. Because of the weather, yes I’m going to blame the weather, I haven’t had time to post much. I haven’t even really had time to sit down and think about what I learned last week. I barely even made it out and back on Monday, because I’m TERRIFIED of driving in the snow. So here is how it went…

Monday, my kids had their flu shots and it started snowing. It looked like it was starting to stick but then it decided to stop snowing. Of course, as soon as I get everyone in the van and out the door, the snow returns. I’m freaking out while driving, and my kids are asking me questions, all I can say to them is that Mommy needs to concentrate on driving right now ok!

We made it just fine, and the weather really wasn’t that bad. But I did not make it to the store.

Then it got cold!

The snow turned to ice on the streets

It got colder!

I was glad I had a new coat!

We had two different arctic fronts come down. The wind chill was negative at night

Thursday we had snow, enough snow to make this snow man:

Friday is the first day we left the house since I picked my husband up on Monday. I can’t get much blogging done with my husband, it’s not his fault, I just can’t concentrate when he’s home. I get too distracted.

Oh, Did I mention I was glad I had a coat from Land’s End, the Women’s Quilted Down Parka in purple to be exact. Land’s End sent me the Women’s Quilted Down Parka in the color of my choice just in time. Well, it was actually even earlier than the snow started that I received my new warm coat. I needed a new coat because my older coat did not have a hood, and everyone knows that it rains in Washington State, so how I ever thought I could survive with a coat without a hood I will never know.

Now I have a warm coat with a hood and I survived the frigid temperatures, looked stylish, stayed warm, and dry!

Here are some other great coat options from Land’s End

Lightweight Down Jacket

Women’s Down Vest

Women’s Quilted Down Parka

Land’s End sent me the coat mentioned above free to me, in exchange for this unbiased review.

Filed Under: personal, review Tagged With: great wolf, great wolf eco moms, Lands End, snow, winter coat, Women's Quilted Down Parka

Traveling with Lands End Flight Wise 22” Carry On Luggage

September 23, 2010 By Momstart 7 Comments

Before I traveled to BlogHer 2010, Lands End sent me a suitcase perfect for using as a carry on. I was in such a hurry that day that I was glad I only packed a carry on. I took a red eye into New York and landed with less than 30 minutes for my first event. I grabbed my bag, and caught a cab making it with time to spare.

Lands End sent me the 22” Carry On from their FlightWise Luggage Collection. It is light and very portable. You can squish quite a bit into it and it still won’t weight a ton because the suitcase itself only weighs 5 lbs. Most suitcases feel like they start out as a brick and it drives me crazy. Lands End accomplished this lightweight luggage by taking some of the very hard skeleton out that most suitcases have. This makes the Flight Wise luggage not as hard as other suitcases, but I’ve actually found this to be a good thing. Even though the Flight Wise 22 “ Carry On Upright is made to fit in almost all overhead compartments, the extra squishiness of the suitcase makes it easier squish into tight places.

Overview

The Flight Wise 22” Carry On is sure to be an airline surcharge stopper.

Fits all standard overhead storage
Rolling upright with padded laptop pocket
Telescoping handle slips completely inside bag
Tough, lightweight ballistic ripstop fabric
Two outside zip pockets, two inside
Handy Travel Kit meets all TSA guidelines
14"Wx8"Dx22"H. Weighs 5lbs., 12oz.

Land’s End made this suitcase in a few different fun colors so that finding your own suitcase amongst the masses would be that much easier. You know, if you decided to carry it on. You can also go even one step further with a monogram It! View all thread color options from Lands End. The Flight Wise 22” Carry On Upright retails for 169.

Thank you to Lands End for providing me with the suitcase for this review. I have used the luggage on three other different trips, which means this suitcase has seen at least six different airplanes and I’ve checked it once. So don’t worry about it holding up, it will hold up!

Filed Under: review Tagged With: Carry On Luggage, Flight Wise, Flightwise, Lands End, luggage review

Preparing for BlogHer 2010!

August 1, 2010 By Momstart 14 Comments

I’ve been spending that last week stressing over BlogHer 2010 and not really getting anything done. New e-mail after new e-mail keeps popping in my inbox and I’m left wondering, what do I do? How am I going to be organized enough to get from point a to point b and how will I remember to attend all of my obligations? Am I the only one that feels like I’m running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

I’m trying to find friends that are interested in the same parties that I am so I can hang out with them and have someone to walk around with. I’ve watched too many episodes of Law & Order to walk around New York all by myself. So I think I have Thursday night planned out. Thursday, I’m going to be hanging out with Robyn of Robyn’s Online World and Connie Roberts from Brain Foggles. I hope to stop at Mom Select, The Samsung Event, Team Mom, and The People’s Party.

Then Friday is still up in the air, I need to make some final decisions but Hallmark and Unilever is absolutely on my list. I had to give up a Shopping Spree with ShopAtHome because I already agreed to the Better for BlogHer challenge with Healthy Choice. I really would have liked to do the shopping spree, those lucky girls are going to be in the fashion district with 200.00 from ShopAtHome buying top brands for at cost. I really needed a clone for this trip wth all of the events.

Saturday I have a tentative plan:

ROYO – Mindful Monitization 12:30-1:45
ROYO – Pitch Me 1:45-3:15
Clorox Saturday, August 7 from 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Blogalicious 5-8|
SparkleCorn 7-10
Cheeseburgher 9-12

I still feel So Lost! Anyone want to adopt me for the weekend?

Thankfully, I have a few companies that are trying to help me calm down!

Lands End sent me a suitcase I can use as a carry on.

Ming Wang sent me one three piece outfit that I can mix and match other outfits with.

Healthy Choice has been feeding me lunch every day

If I survive this, I’m going to need a shirt that says, I survived BlogHer 2010 and lived to blog about it.

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: Better For BlogHer, blogher, Blogher 2010, Healthy Choice, Lands End, Ming Wang

Brands Want Bloggers To Make a Connection

May 26, 2010 By Momstart 29 Comments

I’ve been sitting on this topic since I went to the conference in Nashville, you know Blissdom. I really didn’t learn a whole lot there, but the networking was amazing and things that I already knew where impressed upon me in greater detail. It’s over three months later and I’m with P&G and Walmart and we’re discussing what they want those of us that they brought out to Portland this week to do for them. I’ll have another post with the exact details on all that and what I’m doing later, but I need to share with other bloggers what everyone in the blogging community is trying to say, what companies are trying to say; Quality Has More Value than Stats!

Brands want bloggers to tell a story; some brands, yeah, all they want are as many links on as many sites as they can get for free. So if you are a review blogger and you just want free stuff then write up a review and give them a good text link. Oh and that brings up another post entirely, do not use the word “here” and link to it.

Now, I don’t want you to think that I am a hypocrite, because I’m not. I do take on way too many reviews and host a heck of a lot of giveaways, but things are changing. Trends are changing and if you want to grow as I do, you’re going to have to change your ways. I’m going to have to change my ways. Yesterday, I read Lori’s article (she writes at A Cowboys Wife) Why I don’t read or refer your blog, and I felt like she was talking to me. 80 % of what I write is a review or giveaway. I do poor my heart and soul into all of my reviews, and they almost always include a funny family anecdote, but if you don’t get past the title “Product Review” or “Giveaway” then you aren’t going to read it, I’ll admit, I’m not reading your blog for the same reason. When I go to a blog to return a comment, if I can’t find a non-giveaway post then I feel trapped, because I don’t really want to enter your giveaway.

Just to start changing my site, I’m taking advantage of the theme and all reviews and giveaways can only be found by scrolling down to the bottom of my site or by hitting the review, giveaway button. I want my personal stories to be the first thing you find on my site and of a brand/product/company is lucky enough to be considered mostly personal then you are going to find a very endearing story to go along with it. Just recently I did a review for Lands’ End, and I labeled it personal because, I loved it so much that I shared my struggles with my weight, finding a swimsuit every year, and why I hate most swimsuits. I made a connection and more people commented on it than most of my reviews. Ultimately, this is the kind of connection that brands want from bloggers. I’m sure that the larger brands would prefer if I took on less, so their products received more of a spotlight and that everything won a personal post; all I can say is just have patience with me, change is a slow process, and your product has to actually make the cut.

I’m also working with KitchenAid, they would not work with me unless I could guarantee connections with the brand. I own my own KitchenAid, I purchased it and an attachment for it. I love it and use it all the time. It was very easy to make a personal story, because we cook as a family often. So my story was about being in the kitchen with my daughter making ice cream. You know what my daughter said to me that day, she said, “Mommy, it’s a good day!”

Make every day a good day, poor quality into your reviews and make them more about you, what your readers want to read, and connect your readers with the brand you are proud to represent. There are ways to throw in details without just listing the product details on a press release. I want to thank Lori for slapping me in the face virtually!

Filed Under: personal Tagged With: A Cowboys Wife, blogging, KitchenAid, Lands End

Who Has the Best Winter Coat? Gap Lands’ End LL Bean and Nautica Quality Coat Challenge

Announcing Sears Holiday Brand Ambassador Program

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

Celebrate National Swimsuit Confidence Week Lands’ End Giveaway

Enter To Win:

To Enter:

Extra Entries:

Lands’ End Summer Dress With Zoe

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

Traveling with Lands End Flight Wise 22” Carry On Luggage

Overview

Preparing for BlogHer 2010!

Brands Want Bloggers To Make a Connection

Follow Me

Premium Sponsors

Proud to Be

Pages

Meta

Archives

Giveaway Listing Sites

Ways to Save