Back to School with Playmobil

Ever since R. spotted this Playmobil Furnished School Building in a 2010 Playmobil catalog, she has been obsessed with getting it. This year, for her 8th birthday, I gave in. She loves it--so it was worth the price, effort, and back pain from assembly. Like most larger Playmobil sets, it is a lot of work to put together, and there will always, apparently, be teeny tiny pieces floating around (microscropic milk cartons, anyone?) But at this time of year, especially, she and her little bro are having a blast playing "school" with it. This particular set, an update of an older Playmobil school model, contains lots of classic accessories (a spinning globe, a skeleton, a microscope, etc.) as well as some more modern amenities (a computer lab with laptops). The smaller pieces are fun for the kids to help put together. R. especially loves the erasable chalkboard (she wrote, "Welcome to First Grade" on it). I do NOT recommend, however, letting your children "help" you assemble the main structure. Better to wait till they're asleep. Trust me on this! Buy it for $169.99 at Amazon.com.

Perfect Fall Dress

My six-year-old loves the ease of comfy cotton dresses that slip right on over her head. We've never tried Garnet Hill's best-selling knit tiered dress but I think we might this Fall. I love all three patterns they are offering this season- Brown Dot, Aqua Floral, and Chocolate Butterflies. The rib-knit dresses are made of eco-friendly Green Cotton and have extra girly touches like an empire waist, lettuce-edges on each tier, and picot trim. $36 each (two or more for $31 each) in sizes 2T-6 at Garnet HIll.

Bargain Alert: Corduroy Patchwork Jumper

I stumbled onto this Lilypod Patchwork Corduroy Jumper at One of a Kind Kid. Isn't it perfect for Fall? I love the bold mix of colors- it reminds me a little bit of the clothes I wore as a little girl in the 70s. Fully fashioned with lining, side vents with bow, and back zipper. It's a steal at just $29.99 (originally $80) in sizes 2, 4, and 6 at One of a Kind Kid.

Blue Sky Home Series by Susy Jack

I received a generous assortment of brand new Blue Sky Home Series stationery products, designed by stationer Susy Jack. I happened to already know and love this designer (I've met her at the National Stationery Show and will show you other examples of her work later on). For the Blue Sky Home Series, Susy has created stationery products that most moms can not live without, even in the digital age, such as large visual calendars to manage the entire family's schedule, mouse pads, grocery checklists, and, my personal favorite--an over-the-door "Don't Forget" notepad. The Blue Sky Home Series can be purchased in-store at Target or online at the Blue Sky website; the Susy Jack line ranges from just $3.99 to $9.99 making it a very budget-friendly but stylish way to refresh your home organization products this September.

School Memories

Chronicle Kids is having a summer sale with a generous 30% off purchases plus free shipping, now through September 2nd, with code "BACKTOSCHOOL". So this might be a good time to stock up on their excellent collection of books and gifts for kids- and even some items for yourself. What Mom wouldn't love to make keepsake-ing a bit easier this school year with this handy School Years family keepsake album? It's something parents and kids can fill out together, noting special milestones, achievements, friends, and hobbies. There's plenty of pockets (one for each year K through 12) to stock report cards, art projects, and other momentos. At this price ($16.95 before the discount) you can get one for each child. Grab 'em fast...those school papers will be coming home in backpacks before you know it. Visit Chronicle Kids.

Enjoy 30% off plus free shipping at ChronicleKids.com with code "BACKTOSCHOOL" now through September 2nd.

Chunky Crayons

I'm mostly focused on buying school supplies for my first-grader (I can't believe how much stuff a first grader needs these days) but I might also treat my son- who is starting preschool- to this Set of 9 Hexagon Crayons by Pkolino. Sized just right for little hands, these chunky hexagonal crayons come in the usual colors plus shimmery silver and gold. At $2.50 per set, these also would make a great party favor for preschool birthdays. Buy them at one of my all-time favorite toys sites, Oompa.com.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Amazon.com Kids Boutique $50 Gift Certificate

Longtime readers of this blog know how much I love Amazon.com. I've been ordering from it since 1998 (want to take a trip down memory lane? Look at your past order histories at Amazon). But I never really bought my kids' clothing there, until now...



Amazon.com has just introduced its Amazon Kids Boutique which features top designer brands like Splendid Littles, Levi's, and Tea Collection. Not only is the clothing selection great (rivalling any top boutique) but the prices are often discounted, and if you are an Amazon Prime member you will get free two-day shipping on most items. Which is a much better deal than paying full price at other sites, plus hefty shipping fees even on small orders, don't you think?



I recently got to attend a Fall Preview by Amazon Kids Boutique and was very impressed with the brands that they carry--I spotted Hartstrings, Charlie Rocket, and Hatley (including S's farmer raincoat), among others:







The generous folks at Amazon.com gave me a $50 gift certificate to try out the Amazon Kids Boutique, as well as another $50 gift certificate to give away to one of my readers (scroll down for contest details). I bought a back-to-school outfit for S, including new Levi's jeans that he badly needed:





Charlie Rocket Boys Mini Thermal Hoodie (reduced to $18.97 from $38, sizes 2-7)







Levi's Boys Slim Straight Jean (reduced to $24.99 from $40; sizes 2-7)







I didn't get anything for R. this time, but I did see some terrific girls' clothing for back-to-school:



Splendid Littles Girls Tri Blend Stripe Tunic Set in Teal ($62, sizes 2T-6x)







Mimi & Maggie Girls Toddler Village Flower Dress in Rose ($68, sizes 2T-4T)



Go check it out! Visit Amazon Kids Boutique for more top back-to-school threads.





Win it! One MyMomShops reader will win a $50 gift certificate to the Amazon Kids Boutique. The winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on Friday afternoon, September 2nd. Here are the contest rules.



1) Visit the Amazon Kids Boutique and then leave a comment here about what you might buy with a $50 gift certificate. Leave your comment on THIS post (click on "comments" below).

2) You may leave 2 extra entries, 1 if you follow MyMomShops on Twitter (please indicate your Twitter handle), and 1 if you are a subscriber to the MyMomShops newsletter (e-mail me to subscribe).

3) Post your comment by 12pm noon EST on Friday, September 2nd. One entry per person please. U.S. entries only.

4) One winner will be chosen at random (using Random.org) and announced on Friday, September 2nd at 2pm.

5) NOTE: If you wish to be contacted by e-mail if you win, please include your e-mail address in your comment. Otherwise you must check back on Friday, September 2nd after 2pm. If the prize is NOT claimed within 48 hours, the next random winner (using Random.org) will be contacted.



GOOD LUCK!



Please note: I received two $50 gift cards from Amazon.com for this giveaway--one for me to purchase products and 1 to use for a giveaway.

Boys' Elastic Waist Pants on Sale

I know that some of you are looking for boys' elastic waist pants for Fall. Since my own 5-year-old has some fine motor delays, he's not quite adept at buttons and zippers. I'd prefer to send him kindergarten in elastic waist pants. But he now wears a size 6/7 and many brands only use elastic through toddler sizes. If you, too, need to find boys' elastic waist pants in larger sizes, check out the Elastic Waist Pants Sale this weekend at CWD Kids, which includes brands like Mulberribush and Wes & Willy. These all-cotton, preshrunk Twill Pants by Wes & Willy are now reduced to $19.99 from $27) and are available in eight colors from sizes 2T all the way up to 14. Shopping tip: buy boys' khaki-colored pants early in the season. They always sell out first!

Stand-Out School Supplies

Our affiliate Frecklebox.com has become an increasingly popular go-to site for personalized kids gifts, with good reasons (their best-selling storybooks and puzzles make truly unique gifts). Now, just in time for Back-to-School season, they have rolled out a bunch of products to make your kids' school supplies stand out. And, as I learned first-hand taking my almost-first-grader for school supplies, no kid wants a plain old notebook. Try these festive goodies instead.

Busy Bees Personalized Notebook ($9.95 each)

Zoo Animals Personalized Lunch Box ($26.95 each)

Giraffe Personalized School Folder ($4.95 each)


As you see, animal prints are on-trend again this Fall, but there are dozens of other designs available (both girls', boys' and unisex) if these particular ones don't appeal to you. Visit Frecklebox.com.

Now through August 31st, enter code "FBSCHOOL" at checkout to receive 10% off your entire order.

Back to School Sale at Lands End

Unfortunately, I had already ordered all of my daughter's Peter-Pan collared uniform shirts from Lands End, but those of you who still have to order school uniforms will be interested in the Back to School Sale with last-minute savings up to 50%. The shirt shown here is a comfortable staple of my daughter's first-grade wardrobe, and the price cut (regularly $18, now on sale for $11.50) makes a big difference when you have to order a bunch of them (not to mention those pricey school logos which are an additional cost per shirt). Check out all of the sale items (it's not just uniform clothing) at Lands End today and tomorrow only (ends Thurs. August 27th).

Pencils Smencils

It's not on any back-to-school supplies lists, but Smencils make an awfully nice treat for any student this time of year (R's cousins gave her one along with her 6th birthday gift and she loves it) . If you haven't already heard of them, Smencils are scented pencils made from recycled materials- each has a light fragrance that keeps its scent for up to 2 years if you keep it in its original tube (good luck with that, right?) This Set of 10 Gourmet Scented Pencils includes bubble gum, cherry, grape, tropical blast, chocolate, cotton candy, watermelon, orange, very berry and root beer scents with corresponding colors. $14.95 for the set at Target.

20% off Back-to-School at Children's Place

While ordering some new school uniform jumpers (on sale for $18.71) for R. at The Children's Place, I stumbled onto some cute items for S. And with a 20% off coupon (minimum $75 order) from Retail Me Not, I saved a bundle:



Awesome Bro Graphic Tee (already on sale for $7; $5.60 with additional coupon)



Racer Maverick Shoe ($22.95 originally; $18.36 with coupon code)





Striped Rugby Shirt ($24.95 originally; $19.96 with coupon code)



Use code Y4E2011 at The Children's Place for 20% any order of $75 or more. Limited time only.

A Penguin for Preschool

I'm on a penguin kick today, I guess. One of S's favorite birthday gifts is this penguin Zoo Backpack, a brand-new product by Skip Hop . Sized for preschoolers, the backpack is BPA-free, Phthalate-free, and PVC-free, but full of modern style. Four designs are available- dog, monkey, mouse or penguin. Each costs a cool $20 at Skip Hop. A great summer or autumn birthday gift for preschoolers (thanks, Ben & family- S. is wearing his around the apartment all the time!).

Bargain Alert: Little Packrats

Little Packrats is a brand I actually just discovered this week and it turns out they're having a sale at The Mini Social right now. These are super cute preschool sized backpacks that can be used not only for school but also for collecting toys and such around the house (the company founder was a mom/artist who wanted something funky to store her kids' mini toy collections). The backpacks are made in the U.S.A. and are on sale for just $13 each (regularly $40); I like the "Super Mouse" and "Super Bear" designs above the best.

"Swilty"

For the past few seasons, R. has gotten lots of mileage from a pink quilted jacket I bought her in 2007 from Talbots Kids (R.I.P.) Boy, how I miss that store- not only did I depend on it for a good portion of both kids' wardrobes, but it also was just a block away from my home, and the storefront remains empty today (sign of the times, I guess). Anyway, R. called her quilty pink coat "Swilty" (a 4-year-old's take on "Quilty") and sadly it is now too small on her. She is very particular about her next version of "Swilty" (and I could not find the original on Ebay), but luckily she gave a thumbs-up to the cute (and affordable) Girls Quilted Jacket shown here from Old Navy. For this good price ($34.50), is has cute details like corduroy trim and front patch pockets. And by ordering a size up, it will hopefully stay her favorite "Swilty" for another year or too. Available in "Aphrodite Pink" or black at Old Navy.

p.s. The runner up was a Girls' Dory Jacket ($49.50) from Lands End. I also glanced at the Kids' Quilted Jacket ($65) by J. Crew and even Melanie Barn Jacket ($100) by Ralph Lauren but those were getting too pricey.

Back to School at Mighty Nest

If you're interested in healthy, non-toxic products for your family, you should check out our newest affiliate MightyNest.com. This site offers safe, non-toxic products for the entire family, from newborns to Mom & Dad. And as you're starting to think about packing all those lunches again in September, Mighty Nest is a great site to scoop up safer lunchboxes, thermoses, and more. Take a look at my favorite picks:

"Dieter the Monkey" Insulated Lunchbox ($34) by Beatrix. These insulated nylon lunch boxes by Beatrix (a popular brand with celebs) are an adorable option for toting lunches and snacks to school. They're machine washable and PVC/phthalate/lead-free. Plus there's a name tag and handy back zipped pocket for additional storage.


Lunchbot Duo Stainless Steel Food Containers ($17.95). I actually love the look of these Lunchbots just as much for grown-ups. It's much healthier to store your food in stainless steel than in plastic, and both the lid and divided container are made of the highest quality stainless steel. It's also dishwasher safe and BPA, PVC and Phthalate Free.



Butterfly Waste-Free Lunch Set ($44.95). This is not your old tin lunchbox set. All of the components are (recycled cotton sack, napkin, stainless steel beverage bottle, food kozy, and stainless steel food containers) are reusable and waste-free. The pretty fabric comes from India, and other patterns are available too.




Kids Konserve Thermos ($19.95). If your kids prefer warm lunches (mine brought lukewarm hot dog pieces to camp this summer!), this leakproof 12oz stainless steel thermos is your answer. Food will stay warmed for hours, so you can pack that leftover mac 'n cheese, soup, or hot cocoa without worry. Three colors are available.



Take a look around MightyNest.com for other healthy products for the whole family. The site offers automatic free shipping on all orders over $50, and flat-rate shipping of just $5.95 on all other orders.

Little Prepster

A million thanks to S's pal M.A.K. for S's first birthday gift this season, this gorgeous Tipped Pullover Sweater from Baby Gap. It's just his (or my?) style- a little preppy, a little retro, and perfect for layering this Fall. $29.50, sizes 12-18mos through 5 years at Baby Gap.

First Day of School Frames

S. is starting kindergarten this Fall, and given all of the amazing progress he's made to reach this milestone, you can bet I'll be commemorating the big day with photos and keepsakes. I saw these fun Back to School frames in my latest Pottery Barn Kids catalog. I think I like the ruler one the best--how about you? Each one costs $39 (with additional cost for monogramming) at Pottery Barn Kids.

R's Third Grade Backpack

I just saved a bundle on a major back-to-school item--a backpack for R., who is entering 3rd grade. It actually was a last-minute "emergency" purchase because her Disney Princess Backpack, which saw her through last summer, last school year, and half of this summer--finally gave out and literally fell apart at the seams. Which was fine with her, because she's declared, "I'm done with Disney princesses." She is nearly 8, after all. Of course, R. is hard-to-please, so I was a bit worried about buying her a new backpack today without her at my side. But I chose well with Children's Place's pink, bubble-patterned Girls' Backpack, which not only was already on sale (reduced to $12.71 from $16.95), but I nabbed even cheaper with a 15% off coupon. She loves it so much she declared that not only will she bring it to camp for the rest of the summer, but "this will be my 3rd grade backpack, too." Dare I say that was almost too easy (especially after she'd been talking about getting one of those huge, heavy-duty backpacks on wheels)? I think I will buy another one of these too, too. Because at that price (and with the way she treats her gear), I'm not sure it will make it through all of 3rd grade in one piece!

Have any of you purchased/used Children's Place backpacks? How well do they hold up?

Bargain Alert: 50% off Frecklebox Notebooks

You know those cool personalized notebooks that I've used as kids' stickerbooks? They're on sale for 50% off at our affiliate Frecklebox.com (assorted designs, on sale for $4.97; originally $9.95 each). Of course, these are also ideal for back-to-school (even the most reluctant students can't resist a notebook with their own name). Check out all of the new designs for boys and girls at Frecklebox.com.

Enjoy 50% off any and all notebooks at Frecklebox.com now through Wednesday, July 27th at 1pm EST with code NOTEBOOK.