Fiskars Classroom Tools…More Than Just Scissors!

I know it’s been a few days since I’ve done a post for our Back to School Blowout, you can blame that on the complete lack of focus I’ve had lately due to the fact that my Lil Man started kindergarten last week, but I promise that I have a couple more goodies coming your way! 

One item that’s always on my kiddos school list is scissors, but not any old scissor will do, oh no, because every parent and teacher knows that there’s only one brand to turn to with your scissor needs…Fiskars.  Since my oldest daughter was in preschool Fiskars has been on her school supply list and it takes using them just once to understand why they are the #1 teacher recommended brand.  So naturally when I decided to do another Back-to-School Blowout, Fiskars was an obvious choice and when they said, sure, let’s do a review, well, that made it even better!

We received several products from Fiskars to review, which is pretty cool, but Fiskars also sent us several of each product…why the extra product you ask?  Well, Fiskars decided to donate them to the middle school that my oldest daughters attend.  I don’t know about you, but that’s a pretty awesome thing to do if you ask me.  Alright now, back to my review; as I mentioned above, Fiskars sent me several of their best selling school products to review including Fiskars Compass and Protractor Set, Fiskars Mess-Less Pencil Sharpener, Fiskars Designer Non-Stick Pointed-Tip Student Scissors (7"), Fiskars Designer Non-stick Pointed-tip Kids Scissors (5"), and Fiskars Softgrip Ruler and it didn’t take long at all before the kiddos were putting them to use. 



My girls loved the trendy designs of the Designer Non-stick scissors—as a matter of fact, they couldn’t wait to take them to school to show them off to their friends.  Prior to this review, Lil Man had a pair of regular red Fiskars scissors for school, but as soon as he saw the Camo on the Fiskars Designer Non-stick Kids scissors, it was a wrap…he had to have them.  I was pretty confident in the fact that the kiddos would love the Fiskars products they tried out and the fact that I’m kind of in love with a pair of the Designer non-stick Student Scissors…hey, I’m a student you know. 


I think it’s important to mention here that Fiskars is the Worlds #1 Scissor brand for a reason, the attention to detail, combined with their commitment to safety and quality is what sets Fiskars apart from the rest.  I appreciate the fact that Fiskars tailors their classroom tools to meet the needs of various age groups, while still maintaining the quality and safety that I’ve always associated with the brand.  I do have to say though, and I’m a little embarrassed by this, I didn’t actually know that Fiskars also offers other classroom products like rulers, pencil sharpeners and more…that’s one of the things that I love most about being a review blogger, the ability to learn something new about a brand I already love. 

I’ve been a loyal Fiskars company for 10+ years for a reason, when it comes to scissors, they’re the best!  If you haven’t tried a pair of Fiskars, well, you just haven’t lived…so what are you waiting for?  Run out and grab a pair for your kiddo (or for you) and check them out for yourself!

Disclosure:  I was provided with product to facilitate my review…all opinions are 100% my own!

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Back-to-School is Bittersweet {and} MIBR’s 3rd Annual Back-to-School Blowout!

I can’t believe it’s August already, I mean, it seems like July 4th was just a few days ago—guess time does fly when you’re having fun! 

If you’re like me, you’re probably counting down the days until your child(ren) go back to school and while I always look forward to the first day back from summer break, there are so many things that are changing for me this fall, making the impending change in seasons bittersweet for me. 

While my husband will be bugging the piss outta me this fall with his classes, which is stressful enough times ten all by itself, I’ll also have children in all three school buildings this year…that’s a big adjustment!  Our oldest, my step-son L, will be a Freshman in high school this year (this boy was 8 when my husband and I got together), two of my girls, Drama Teen and Sporty Spice, will be in the middle school, and my Lil Man,and I’m not even sure I can type this without crying, will be going to Kindergarten…I’m going to need a LOT of tissues for that one.  As for me, well, I’m taking a much needed break from my classes this semester (I haven’t had one of those in a long, long time) and hopefully spending lots of one-on-one time with my darling Lil Diva. 

So while I look forward to enjoying the gorgeous Fall weather and scenery that's on the horizon  (it’s seriously beautiful in Southern Ohio in the Fall) , I don’t look forward letting go of my only boy and sending him out into a world where he’ll eventually realize that it’s not so cool to be a Momma’s Boy (God please let him believe this for as long as possible, preferably until after college). 

Since this post is in serious need of a little sunshine, there is something that’s super awesome about the impending back-to-school hoopla—Misadventures in Baby Raising’s 3rd annual Back-to-School Blowout!

Starting Monday August 13th we’ll be giving you a week jam packed with everything back-to-school; from the hottest shoes of the season to the best products to help mom survive shopping for school supplies and packing lunch boxes.

Mark your calendars…our Back-to-School Blowout begins on Monday (August 13th)!!!

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Back to School with Pentel {Giveaway: 3 Winners)

Remember my admission that I have somewhat of an obsession with writing utensils?  Yes, well I seem to be collecting quite a bit of them lately, but with back to school for both myself and my girls that means some serious ink pen stockpiling is going on at my house!  And just as I have favorite brands of shoes and jeans, I have favorite brands of pens, and one of those brands just so happens to be Pentel!
Pentel has been supplying the world with only the best quality writing utensils for nearly 50 years, they are a leader in innovation and take their commitment to excellence very seriously. 
From the Pentel Website:
“Pentel is the only writing instrument company to receive the Deming Award for recognition of the highest standard of quality. Pentel invented roller ball technology... the smoothest way to express ideas. Pentel pioneered graphite lead and our Super Hi-Polymer® Lead is the market leader. Our automatic pencil inventions remain the hallmark of the industry.
We are as committed to quality products as we are to education and the environment. We sponsor numerous educational programs and donate products to libraries, schools and organizations of need. Our dozen boxes, master cartons and blister cards are printed on recycled and recyclable materials. Pentel is working with you to create a healthier environment. “
Pentel sent me several of their fabulous products to review including the EnerGel Deluxe Retractable Pen, Jolt mechanical pencil, RSVP RT Colors pens, and several other goodies!  While all of the pens and pencils are amazing there are two in particular that I was very impressed with, the JOLT Automatic Pencil and the EnerGel Deluxe Retractable Gel Pen. 
The JOLT automatic pencil shakes the lead out insuring uninterrupted lead flow.  The JOLT features revolutionary sliding sleeve technology that automatically advances the lead for uninterrupted use even if the lead breaks due to use.  The JOLT automatic pencil also features a contoured barrel for added comfort and a clear window which displays the pencils unique spring mechanism in action.  I have to be honest and tell you that I had my reservations about the JOLT (mainly because I don’t like mechanical pencils) but this pencil surprised me, I loved how easy it was to use and how much easier it made using a mechanical pencil.  One of the other standout products in my opinion was the EnerGel Deluxe Retractable Pen.  I am a sucker for liquid gel pens as they seem to write so much more easily and eloquently, but this pen has quickly become one of my absolute favorite writing utensils.   The EnerGel Deluxe Retractable Gel Pen is a top click, retractable pen with 0.7mm metal tip produces crisp, medium lines in black ink. The vivid, super-smooth liquid gel ink dries quickly without smearing, making it great for left-handed writers. Conveniently refillable with Pentel LR7 ink refill.
Between my obsession with ink pens and the need to have an abundance of high quality, affordable, writing utensils around the house for both mine and the girls’ school work, you just cannot go wrong with Pentel! 

Buy it!

You can purchase the Pentel products mentioned above as well as many others in Pentel’s online store!  You can even receive FREE Shipping  on all orders of $20 or more until September 30, 2010! 

Win it:  Mandatory Entry!

To enter this giveaway please visit Pentel and look around, come back here and leave a comment telling me which Pentel product(s) are your favorite!  This is mandatory and must be completed before any extra entries are allowed!

Extra Entries!

Please leave separate comments for each extra entry!

Follow MIBR via Email, RSS, of GFC:  2 extra entries each!
Follow @Allie_23 on Twitter:  2 extra entries
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (2x per day per length of giveaway) Copy and paste or Retweet and be sure to include @Allie_23 in your Tweets:  “Win one of 3 Pentel Prize Packs at MIBR @Allie_23 http://tinyurl.com/26hwwlo!”
Follow @Pentel on Twitter:  2 extra entries
“Like” Misadventures in Baby Raising on Facebook:  2 extra entries
“Like” Pentel on Facebook:  2 extra entries: 
Share this giveaway on Facebook:  2x per day per length of giveaway
Follow MIBR via Networked Blogs:  2 extra entries
Stumble this giveaway:  2 extra entries
Enter any of the giveaways on MIBR:  1 extra entry per additional entry into giveaway
Blog about this giveaway with links to this post:  5 extra entries
This giveaway ends on Monday September 9, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST.  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 his prize and me choosing a new winner.

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Carolina Pad: BTS Blowout {Plus Giveaway}

Whether your children have already started school or they are reluctantly counting down the days until they do—one thing parents and kids everywhere are doing is back to school shopping!  We here at Misadventures want to make BTS (back to school) shopping as easy and stress-free as possible by showing you the latest products, giving you the most helpful tips, and show you how to do it all on the cheap!

One of my absolute favorite companies for BTS products is Carolina Pad, not only are their products sold at Wal Mart (among many other places) they are funky, hip, unique, and affordable!  For those of you who haven’t heard of Carolina Pad let me give you a little bit of their history.  Carolina Pad started in North Carolina in 1954 when Joseph K. Hall Jr. scraped up enough money to start a school supply manufacturing company.  By selling notebook paper with more sheets at lower prices than their competitors Carolina Pad was able to gain a solid foothold in the market.  In 2000 Carolina Pad turned the school supply world upside down when they introduced fashion into the ho-hum world of school supplies.  By consistently offering their customers quality affordable school supplies that are trendy and fun, Carolina Pad is able to stay at  the forefront of the school and office supply industry.

As I mentioned above I really love Carolina Pad’s products, not only do I buy them for my oldest girls for BTS, but I also make sure to pick up a few notebooks and pens for myself for my classes!  Of course, Carolina Pad offers their customers a lot more than pens and notebooks; they also sell  bags and totes, art and craft supplies, personal office supplies, and so much more.  Carolina Pad has so many great collections for BTS and everyday office needs.



Studio C-  Carolina Pad’s Signature brand, allows you to express your style with today’s hottest fashions.
Note 2 Self-  Hip, trendy back-to-school collections. Budget-friendly and stylish.
Notebound-  Durable, functional notebooks for everyday.
Ghostline-  The ghosted grid makes projects easy.
Sasquatch-  Eco-friendly products for those who treasure paper as much as they treasure trees.
U Create-  Creativity products for all ages.

When the girls and I go back to school shopping it is always with a strict budget, and with my girls both insisting they have “the coolest” BTS supplies it’s often a struggle to get the most for my money, with Carolina Pad I know I’m giving them what they want and still saving money…it’s a great feeling! 

Carolina Pad generously sent me several products from the collections from Studio C  brand by Carolina Pad.  Included in the products were:

• 1-subject notebook – MSRP $2.50
• 18 month Planner – MSRP $4.00
• 2-pkt folder (3 pack) – MSRP $2.50
• 1” Binder – MSRP $2.50
• Composition book – MSRP $2.50
• Ideal Book – MSRP $2.50
• Pens – MSRP $2.50
• Pencils – MSRP $2.50 

The items that I received to review (pictured above) are part of  Carolina Pad’s Studio C collection that are available exclusively for the back to school season (July-September) at Wal Mart.  These collections include:  Rock-On, Graffiti, Rising Sun, Peace, Free Spirit, Eye Candy, and Mo Rockin.   I have to say that not only did I love the products because they were from Carolina Pad, I loved them because they were absolutely gorgeous and fit my 11 year olds personality to a tee!  Fun, funky, fresh, and fabulous, those are the words I would use to describe the Studio C products from Carolina Pad.  My 11 year old LOVED them and cannot wait to show them off on the first day of school, Mommy on the other hand is a little bummed that my daughter called dibs on every single product before I had a chance to—not to worry mommy managed to wrestle away a few goodies for herself!  I’m pretty sure your elementary, middle, high school, and/or college student will love this collection as much as my daughter and myself do!  And let’s not forget that at prices like that…we can afford to buy a ton to keep at home for later in the year (something I always do).  And you can check out Carolina Pad’s Facebook and Twitter pages to see all of the cool back to school products and deals!

Buy it!

You can purchase the Carolina Pad products mentioned above, plus so many more at Carolina Pad’s online store or you can visit their website to find a complete listing of stores that carry the Carolina Pad products!  And FYI you can get FREE SHIPPING in Carolina Pad’s web store with the Promotional Code:  AUGUST!

So, Carolina Pad has very generously offered a giveaway for my readers…can you say yay! 

Win it!
 One MIBR reader is going to win a collection of products selected from the Studio C collection!  How totally awesome is that?

Mandatory Entry!

To be entered into this giveaway please visit Carolina Pad online and have a look around, come back and tell me which collection and/or products  you like best for BTS.  This is mandatory and must be completed before any addition entries are counted!

READ THIS…UNLIMITED ENTRIES FOR THE FIRST 48 HOURS!

Since I want to make this giveaway as fun as the Carolina Pad products it represents, I thought we’d shake things up a bit.  For the first 48 hours of this giveaway (from Monday @ 2:00 am until Wednesday @ 2:00 am) I am offering unlimited entries into this giveaway, BUT make sure you read carefully because there are rules!  In order to get unlimited entries into the giveaway you MUST do the following:
1.  Follow the mandatory entry requirement.  Entrants who do not do this will have all entries removed!
2.  “Like” Carolina Pad on Facebook
3.  “Follow” Carolina Pad on Twitter
The only other thing I as is that each of your unlimited entries pertain to either Carolina Pad as a company or one of the Carolina Pad products.  Entries must also be in the form of a complete sentence.  Entries not following these requirements will be removed!

Extra Entries!

Please leave separate comments for each extra entry! 

Follow MIBR via GFC, Email, or RSS:  2 extra entries each

Follow MIBR on Twitter:  2 extra entries

Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (copy and paste the following into your status, or use the retweet button—make sure to include @Allie_23 in your tweets)  I just entered the Carolina Pad Giveaway at MIBR http://tinyurl.com/2v5ratz @Allie_23:  2 Tweets per day per length of giveaway

Follow Carolina Pad on Twitter:  2 extra entries

“Like” MIBR on Facebook:  2 extra entries

Follow this blog on Networked Blogs:  2 extra entries

Share this giveaway on Facebook:  2 extra entries per day per length of giveaway

“Like” Carolina Pad on Facebook:  2 extra entries

Add the BTS Blowout button to your sidebar:  2 extra entries

Add my MIBR button to your sidebar:  2 extra entries

Stumble this giveaway (this post only not the entire site):  3 extra entries

Extra any other MIBR giveaway:  1 extra entry for each additional extry

Comment on any non-giveaway post:  1 extra entry per comment

Blog about this giveaway with a link to this giveaway:  5 extra entries

This giveaway ends on Monday August 23, 2010 at 11:59 EST.  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 his prize and me choosing a new winner. 

Open to US and Canadian residents! 

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