Back-to-School with eBags.com

We have another great company to spotlight today for our Back-to-School Blowout and I can’t wait to tell you guys all about them, but first, if you haven’t had a chance to check out our other back-to-school giveaways make sure you enter now…there are lots of great prizes to be won!  All current BTSB and regular giveaways are located on our sidebar for easy access!

One of the most important purchases for back-to-school is the backpack, I mean, a great backpack can mean the difference between sitting at the “cool” table at lunch and eating lunch by yourself—alright, it’s not that serious, but finding the perfect backpack is definitely an essential part of back-to-school shopping and helping find the perfect backpack can most definitely help you rise to “Super Mom” status in 2.5 seconds—I promise!

When I shop for a backpack for my kids there are 3 criteria that I use:

• Is it the appropriate size for their needs?
• How comfortable is the backpack on them?
• Is it “cool” enough that my kids would approve?

Now, while there might not be an exact science to finding the perfect backpack, it is important to shop around so that you find a backpack that fits your child’s needs while also being super comfortable.  I love shopping online for everything, it’s so much more convenient than shopping in-store with 4 kids and shopping for a backpack online is no different than shopping for anything else, it actually makes a little more sense to shop online at a store that specializes in backpacks and other bags, because the selection is so much better than in-store and that’s just one of the many reasons why I love eBags.com!

eBags.com has been the #1 online bags retailer since 1999 for a reason—they have every bag you can imagine and are dedicated to making the customer’s shopping experience as pleasant and easy as possible and that’s most definitely something that makes this busy mommy very happy.  In addition to carrying a complete line of premium and popular brands, including Samsonite, JanSport, The North Face and Eagle Creek, eBags.com also carries every kind of bag you can imagine including backpacks, computer bags, carry-ons and even handbags, that makes it super easy to find exactly what you’re looking for on one site, which again, makes it very appealing to us busy moms! 

We received the eBags Bookworm Kid’s backpack in  Captain Camo recently to review and it proved to be perfect for Lil Man and first grade.  The Bookworm Kid’s backpack is available in 5 different colors and is a steal at just $14.99!  It always seems to be a struggle to find a backpack that is the right size, they all either seem to be much too small or far too big, but the Bookworm backpack is the perfect size for my six year old.  It’s lightweight, durable and offers lots of room for all of his things, without being too big and bulky.  My son loves that the backpack is camo and I love that it has a lot of space and is easy for him to zip and unzip and lug around.  It’s also hard to ignore the price, you can’t really find a nice backpack for less than $20 so the under $15 price tag makes this backpack a homerun! 

(In case you’re wondering, yes, he does have on socks with flip flops—he refused to put his shoes on to take the picture—what are ya gonna do?)

If you’re looking for backpack for your little ones this year for back to school, I definitely suggest checking out what eBags.com has to offer!  Make sure to Like eBags on Facebook and Follow eBags on Twitter for the latest news and deals!

Disclosure:  I received the product above from the company or representing PR firm, all opinions are 100% my own!

Read More

High Sierra: BTS Blowout {Review+Giveaway}

  One of the most important aspects of back to school is picking the right backpack. Finding the right backpack could mean the difference between a good school year and a great school year.  Backpack selection is always one of the very first items of business when back to school shopping for my girls, and they waste no time telling me what is acceptable and what is not.  One of first places we check out when shopping for backpacks is High Sierra.
I have been a fan of High Sierra for a while now; I love their selection of backpacks, the prices are affordable, and the durability of their backpacks (at least in my experience) is unmatched.  High Sierra Sports Company offers a wide variety of bags for adventure travel, business, active outdoor, luggage, school and more; if you are in the market for a bag chances are pretty good that High Sierra has it!  High Sierra’s line of Day Bags (perfect for school) has an array of styles, colors, and patterns for your little one (or you) to choose something absolutely perfect! 
I was so excited when I was given the opportunity to do a review for High Sierra, aside from the fact that I love their bags, I was so excited to tell all of you about them!  We received the Sheridan backpack for our review.  At this point I feel the need to mention again just how many styles of backpacks High Sierra has to choose from; Curve, Benson, Opie, Airhead, Wilder, Malcolm, Ziggy, Caldwell, and the list goes on and on.  When our package from High Sierra arrived I think I was as excited as my daughter was about opening the box.  As soon as we opened the box and my daughter saw the backpack she squealed with joy over how, “super cute” it was.  I have to admit, the backpack was adorable, but more than that the backpack looked super functional. 
Features of the Sheridan Day Bag

Large, multi-compartment design.

CUSHION ZONE padded computer sleeve holds most 17" (screen size) notebook computers. (max. size 16" x 11" x 1.625")

Large front pocket holds accessories.

Core organizer with mesh pocket, pen pockets, and key fob.

Large, gusseted mesh pocket on the side holds a beverage or extra gear.

Comfortable padded Core back panel.

Yoke-style, S-shaped, VAPEL™ mesh AIRFLOW™ padded shoulder straps with Suspension System and integrated media/cell phone pocket.

Attach extra gear with the convenient triangle clip.­­

Aside from the backpack being fashionable I was surprised at how much room it had, the backpack was extra roomy without being too big and bulky for my petite 8 year old.  One of my favorite features of the Sheridan day bag is  definitely the multi-compartment design of the bag, there is room for anything and everything Savanna could want or need to take to school.  I also really like the fact that the day bag has padded shoulder straps, with as much as the kids are required to bring home with them from school these days the padded shoulder straps are a plus.  Of course, the most important aspect of a backpack is whether or not a child likes it, and Savanna loves this backpack. 
So if you’re in the market for a killer backpack for your kiddo for back to school this year, make sure you check out the large selection of affordable bags at High Sierra!  Also make sure to check out High Sierra’s Facebook page where you can find out about great deals, new products, and maybe even a contest or two!

Buy it!

To find out where you can pick up the Sheridan Day Bag and so many other fabulous bags visit www.hssc.com!

High Sierra has offered one of my misadventurous readers one of their High Sierra backpacks! 

Win it:  Mandatory Entry!

To enter this giveaway please visit High Sierra and look around, come back here and tell me which bag(s) you like best.  This is mandatory and must be completed before any extra entries will be counted!

Extra Entries

Follow Me Baby!  Via Email, RSS, or GFC:  2 extra entries
Grab MIBR’s BTS Blowout button:  2 extra entries
Follow me on Twitter:  2 extra entries
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter(copy and paste tweet below or use retweet just be sure to include @Allie_23):  2 Tweets Per Day Per Length of Giveaway
Win a backpack from High Sierra at MIBR @Allie_23 http://tinyurl.com/29n2ez2 Check it out!
Follow MIBR via Networked Blogs:  2 extra entries
“Like” MIBR on Facebook:  2 extra entries
Share this giveaway on Facebook:  2x per day for length of giveaway
“Like” High Sierra on Facebook:  2 extra entries
Stumble this giveaway (just this post):  3 extra entries
Enter any of the MIBR giveaways:  1 extra entry each

This giveaway ends on Wednesday September 9, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST.  Winner will receive a bag (of sponsors choice). One winner will be chosen via Random.org and announced in a separate winner’s post.  Winner will have 48 hours to contact me and claim their prize, failure to do so will result in winner forfeiting their prizes and me choosing a new winner.

Read More

ECOZOO backpack review

If there is one thing my son loves it's backpacks (I have Dora and Diego to thank for that). He tries all the time to carry Taylor and Savanna's backpacks around but to no avail and I see the sad look in his eyes every single time he tries and fails to pick them up. I've looked into buying him his own backpack but most of the ones I've come across are either plastic (yuck) or they are way too big for him.

I found out about ecogear when I was asked to review one of the backpacks in their new kids line called ECOZOO. ecogear offers an array of Eco-friendly bags in many different styles in colors to fit anyone's taste.

We received the ECOZOO Puppy Backpack to review. As soon as I took the backpack out of the package my son went crazy screaming, "Backpack. Backpack!" I think he liked it. I liked the fact that the backpack wasn't too big or heavy for him. I swear to you he's wore that backpack every single day since it arrived in the mail. Let me give you a little information about the product.

• ECOZOO backpacks are constructed of organic cotton canvas.
• They have padded adjustable shoulder straps and they actually adjusted to fit my son (he's 2) and my middle daughter (she's 7)
• ECOZOO backpacks are free of toxic dyes.
• The backpacks are made using sustainable wood and organically grown accessories.

The ECOZOO line of backpacks come in 4 different animals, Panda, Puppy,Pig, and Elephant. They are available at ecogear.com and sell for $29.99.

Read More