Lipstick to Crayons » Accessories

Ross Dress for Less Comes to St. Louis/$25 Giftcard Giveaway – CLOSED

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:00:27 +0000

If you love getting awesome, name-brand stuff at ridiculously low prices, then you need to visit a Ross Dress for Less store. And that visit got a whole lot easier for St. Louis-area residents last week (3/3/12) when the nation’s largest off-price apparel and home fashion chain made its debut in the area with two new locations in Chesterfield, Mo. and Fairview Heights, Ill.

I was among a lucky group of women who got invited to a special opening of the store and I left the place with a LOAD of great bargains. Here’s a list of my delightful finds, all for $134.19:

a name-brand (can’t say the brand) dress for me to wear to my Godson’s first communion
a boutique-quality sundress for my teen
two pairs of shoes (also name brand) for my 4-year-old
a name-brand summer top for me
a “sliders” burger basket for my grill
a “Live Laugh Love” wall decal for my family room
an 18×24 wooden framed mirror for my kitchen

As promised, I found the same brand names carried in department and specialty stores priced at 20 percent to 60 percent less at Ross. In fact, the above-mentioned dress would have cost me nearly “$130 at my favorite department store, and I got everything on that list for $134.

Ross Dress for Less stores — more than 1,000 nationwide — have been in business for 30 years and carry apparel, shoes and accessories for the whole family, as well as home fashions. It’s literally a treasure hunt shopping experience.

The Ross “strategy” is “no frills, big thrills.” And that holds true in the store — no fancy displays or staging of the merchandise but thrilling merchandise just the same. Despite the “no frills,” the store was super organized and easy to navigate, and the racks aren’t overstuffed like you find in some discount stores. Plus, the associates were helpful, efficient and informed, even on the first day the store was opened for business. I think that bodes well for the customer service going forward.

But don’t take it from me — try it out for yourself. I was told (and I believe) that the best way to find those treasures at Ross is to visit often and snatch them up when you find them. Enter the contest below for a $25 Ross Dress for Less giftcard to get you started.

Giveaway Guidelines:

To enter the contest, you MUST subscribe to Lipstick to Crayons (subscribe button in upper right corner) and then comment below that you did so (or leave a comment telling me you’re already a subscriber). After completing this mandatory first entry method, you can gain additional entries by doing any or all of the following (but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do):

Blog about this contest.
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (You can tweet daily, but leave a comment for each time you do so).
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.
Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time March 20, 2012. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. The winner will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If the winner does not claim the prize by March 23, 2012, she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO CAROLSUE, COMMENT #39.

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Christian Jewelry Made Incredibly Stylish – and Custom Pieces, too!

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:57:32 +0000

I have a new piece of jewelry that gets more attention and compliments when I wear it than my favorite piece of David Yurman. It’s a beautiful cross on a simple leather cord by kpWired Designs.

kpWired Designs is co-owned by Kim Plank and Maggie Robinson. Kim started the company about five years ago and began by beading different pieces for friends and family. Then she began using wire to create unique designs. As the demand grew, Kim knew she needed help if she wanted the business grow so Maggie joined in the most awesome madness. Together, they create designs that are made from lead-free solder wire, all hand-crafted, with each piece being unique. Many of the designs have a Christian or faith theme, such as this one:

Other designs simply are simply infused with a simplicity that is beautiful, such as this one:

And the prices are extremely reasonable, ranging from about $20 on the low end to the most expensive piece that includes swarovski crystals priced at $50. Kim and Maggie also design rings, bracelets and earrings, and they will do a custom piece for anyone who asks — also within those price ranges. I’ve asked Kim to work on a custom necklace for a group of my friends and she thinks it will cost about $25 for the solder wire design on a leather cord.

Obviously, the pieces are affordable (half the price of sterling, in fact, and they won’t tarnish), and 10 percent of the profits go to single Moms in the St. Louis area. (Kim and Maggie’s company mission is to create beautiful, unique and fun priced designs in the hopes that along their journey they can help struggling, single moms in St. Louis). That’s as beautiful as their creations, in my opinion.

So, if you’d like to order a piece from kpWired Designs, you can shop by viewing the photos on their Facebook page and then email them to place your order at kpwireddesigns@gmail.com. Or, if you live in the St. Louis area, you can email them to book a show or a personal appointment to view the items in person or discuss a custom piece.

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Isotoner smarTouch Gloves Giveaway – Stay connected in the cold! CLOSED

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:00:01 +0000

Almost a month ago I told you about some exciting new gloves from Isotoner that let you operate your touch screen phone while wearing gloves.

Isotoner’s smarTouch gloves allow you use touch screen devices in frigid weather without removing your gloves. You can now operate your phone, mp3 player, GPS device and more without worrying about your fingers freezing!

I also mentioned I have some information on a great giveaway! Isotoner is running the “Give the Gift of Touch” sweepstakes in which you and a friend could win smarTouch gloves and an Apple iPad. All you have to do is send a friend a virtual pair of smarTouch gloves on Facebook. If they click on the gift, both are entered to win.

To enter the giveaway and to see a great video featuring the gloves, visit www.smartouchgloves.com.

Finally, the folks at Isotoner have given me the chance to give away a pair of gloves to two lucky winners!

Giveaway Guidelines:

To enter the contest, you MUST become an email subscriber to Lipstick to Crayons. The subscribe button is in the upper right corner of the site. Once you subscribe (or if you are already a subscriber), leave a comment below telling me you did so, and make sure the email address you provide is the one you used to subscribe. After completing this mandatory first entry method, you can gain additional entries by doing any or all of the following (but be sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do):

Blog about this contest
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (you can do daily tweets, but leave a comment each time you do)
Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
Stumble this post
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.
Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time November 9, 2010. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Winners will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If any winner does not claim the prize by November 12, 2010, she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA residents only please!

Some content for this post provided by representatives for Isotoner.

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS TO LISA, COMMENT #12 AND KELLY COMMENT #20.

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Gloves that Let You Operate Your Touch Screen!

lipsticktocrayons — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 22:21:08 +0000

I’m not very good at the whole ‘touch screen” thing, but have you ever noticed that it’s impossible to operate a touch screen with gloves on your hands — not your phone or the ATM or the GPS or the iPod or even the dang gas pump. Your hands had to freeze off during the cold season in order for you to enjoy touch technology.

Not anymore, thanks to the new smarTouch™ gloves by Isotoner. These gloves, with smarTouch technology, let you stay connected while your hands stay warm because they have conductive thread on the index fingers and thumbs which conveys electrical impulse to the touch screen. Plus, a non-slip palm design improves grip, while ISOTONER’s signature stretch materials provide superior fit and flexibility.

Isotoner and Totes are known for fashion and function and they recognize that there needed to be additional functionality for the growing touch-screen device market, which is expected to double to 362.7 million devices in 2010 (Source: Gartner Group). known for fashion and function. They sent me a pair of these gloves to try, and they really work and are extremely comfortable.

The gloves make a great functional gift for yourself and also make a great stocking stuffer for the touch screen mobile phone “geniuses” in your life – you know, that special someone who can’t part with their phone for more than a blink of an eye. They are available at most department stores for around $29.99. And on Nov. 1, you can enter to win a free pair of smarTouch gloves and an Apple iPad by sending a “virtual pair” of smarTouch gloves to a friend via Facebook. More details on this “Give the Gift of Touch” Sweepstakes will come on Nov. 1, but mark your calendars now to check back here, or subscribe to Lipstick to Crayons (upper right corner of this site) so you don’t miss that opportunity.

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Company Kids Hooded Towel Review & Giveaway – Closed

lipsticktocrayons — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 13:46:56 +0000

Company Kids is one of those stores where you always find something cute and something just a little different from the other places you’ve been shopping. In other words, you find “just the right thing.” From bedroom and playroom accessories to clothes and travel gear, Company Kids gets it right.

Getting bath time right can certainly provide a smoother end of the day and an easier transition to bed time, and Company Kids hooded towels are a perfect “tool” to make that happen.

These towels are large enough to be beach towels (50 inches wide by 30 inches long) and the hoods are so adorable. Kitty cats, ducks, poodles, bunnies, pandas . . . so many cute towels. The towels are colorful, warm, 100 percent cotton and are offered in imaginative styles that kids are sure to love.

The towels retail for $29.50, but if you’d like to win one for free, enter the contest below.

Giveaway Guidelines:

Blog about this contest
Tweet this giveaway on Twitter (you can do daily tweets, but leave a comment each time you do)
Favorite Lipstick to Crayons on Technorati
Stumble this post
Add Lipstick to Crayons to your blogroll or my button to your sidebar
Become a fan of Lipstick to Crayons on Facebook.
Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page.

This giveaway closes at 11:59 p.m. Central time October 14, 2010. Be sure to include a valid email address with each of your entries. Winners will be randomly chosen via random.org and will be notified via email and announced on this post.

If any winner does not claim the prize by October 16, 2010, she will forfeit the prize to an alternate winner who will be drawn at random.

USA residents only please!

THIS CONTEST IS CLOSED. CONGRATS TO MARIA K.

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$10 JC Penney Coupon Code Plus Free Shipping

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:35:01 +0000

Right now, JC Penney is offering free shipping on shoes, and you can use the coupon code LIZ4YOU to get $10 off your purchase. I just bought my husband a pair of winter snow boots using this code and got them for $39, plus free shipping. Enter the code at checkout (pick the checkout option that says promo code.

Thanks STLMommy!

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Free Shipping and Fall Sale at Hanna Andersson

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:26:10 +0000

Hanna Andersson (even more than Gymboree) is my all-time favorite kids’ clothing designer. If you’ve never shopped their collections for your youngsters, you are missing out. The quality and adorable designs are unmatched.

Right now, they are offering free shipping on orders over $100 for a limited time. Plus, customers can save on dresses, tees, pajamas and more during Hanna’s Fall Favorites sale. Click on the button below to enjoy this sale:

Or, you can shop for some Fun Halloween Long Johns, T-Shirts, Treat Bags, & More at Hanna Andersson!

Don’t forget the Pre-Season Cold Snap Sale at Hanna Andersson. Up to 30% Savings On Select Winter Essentials!

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Very Unique Gift for Young Girls and Tweens

lipsticktocrayons — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 02:01:32 +0000

You’ve heard of the friendship bracelet and friendship necklaces. And you’ve probably seen tote bags that can be personalized with paint pens or jewelry kits that girls can use to make personalized accessories. But have you heard of friendship fashion? Or clothing that can be personalized again and again?

Mia My is a one-of-a-kind friendship jacket that allows girls to show off their unique personality and/or their best friends. It’s a stylish white blazer that comes with four yummy scented colorful markers for the girl’s to decorate or for B.F.F.s to sign their chic jacket. And if they want to restyle their Mia My jacket, just toss it in the wash and the ink is gone!

Mia My asked me to review one of their jackets, but my 15-year-old shot me down. “I am NOT wearing any such thing,” she declared. I’m thinking it really is for the tween set and younger. So, I asked my neighbor’s adorable daughter, Ava, to put the product to the test. She was delighted to do so, and what you see here is her third design on the jacket. She wasn’t satisfied with her first two designs, so her Mom washed it and voila — ALL TRACES of the previous design were gone!

Ava loves the jacket because it provides an outlet for her creativity. And she has something that no one else at her school has. Plus, she has some ideas for decorating it for school spirit day, St. Louis Cardinal’s Day, various holidays, etc. What FUN!

What impressed me about the jacket was the quality of the design. It is constructed like a well-made designer piece. The fabric is thick, the seams are sturdy and the cut is tailored and stylish. It’s not the kind of quality construction you can find in just any children’s clothing — this is boutique-quality stuff.

What impressed Ava’s Mom was the fact that no matter how dark she colored her designs, they washed out easily in the laundry. She did say she thought the markers were “running out” rather quickly, but you can buy additional marker sets for $4.99.

The Mia My jacket comes in two different styles, the one you see Ava wearing in the above pictures is available in sizes 4, 5 and 6. And a teen size jacket that ties around the waist is available in sizes XS, S, M, L, and XL. The jackets sell for $49.99, so they are rather pricey for a birthday party favor, which is one idea suggested by the company. I’m sure that would make for some kind of fun birthday party activity, but it would be expensive. Of course, the birthday girl could perhaps receive the jacket as a gift, and then her friends could sign their birthday wishes onto her jacket, and that would be fun, too.

I personally think this would be a great birthday or Christmas gift, so if you’re starting your shopping early this year and want something unique, Mia My has my endorsement.

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St. Louis Moms — You Gotta Sign Up for This!

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:05:25 +0000

If you’re a Mom (or a Dad) living in the St. Louis area, you absolutely must sign up for STL Kids Club Deals. These deals are launching this month, and will work similar to Groupon. STL Kids Club deals will offer special discounts of up to 75% off at the retailers, restaurants and service providers that parents and families in St. Louis use most. In other words, they will cater to the needs and busy lifestyles of families and they will arrive in your email Inbox if you’ve signed up for the deals.

It’s free to join, and you won’t be bombarded with all kinds of spam — just one or two emailed deals a week that you won’t be able to pass up! I have it on good authority that the first deal is amazing! (I won’t tell you what it is, and I’m not sure what day it will be distributed, but it will be this month. You’ll want to be signed up so that you don’t miss out, because I know it will go fast.)

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Mother’s or Grandmother’s Bracelet Review (and Giveaway)

lipsticktocrayons — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:11:40 +0000

I am of the school of thought that art that hangs on walls of your home should have some significance to you. For example, the picture over my fireplace is of the battery in Charleston, South Carolina — the place where my husband proposed marriage. I feel similarly about the jewelry I wear. Certainly, I own a few pieces of costume jewelry that I bought just because they go fabulously with something in my wardrobe. But the jewelry that I cherish is the jewelry that was given to me as a gift or that represents something to me.

That’s why I was so delighted to discover Lily Brooke Jewelry. This jewelry is customized to represent what women everywhere cherish most of all — our families!

Lily Brooke Jewelry creates unique mothers bracelets, baby bracelets, birthstone bracelets, and personalized bracelets. They specialize in designing custom mothers jewelry, personalized birthstone bracelets and custom baby bracelets that are unique for each customer. Each hand-beaded custom bracelet can be personalized to include sterling silver letter blocks and Swarovski or JABLONEX (lead free) birthstone crystals.

I was delighted when Lily Brooke asked me to review one of their bracelets, and I chose a Grandmother’s Bracelet for my Mom with the birthstones of all nine of her grandchildren!! She was so excited to get it that I almost wish I’d saved it for Christmas.

My Mom displaying her Grandmother's Bracelet from Lily Brooke Jewelry

I’ve seen lots of customized jewelry with various stones, and the craftsmanship on this bracelet is top notch. The toggle clasp is beautiful and sturdy (although they offer other clasp choices if you don’t like toggles) and the beads are divine. It really is a piece that I suspect my mother will wear for years and years.

Along with offering mommy bracelets, grandmothers bracelets, baby bracelets and children’s bracelets, Lily Brooke also offers Mommy & Me bracelet sets, awareness bracelets, wedding bracelets,lanyards and charm bracelets.

All bracelets arrive in a signature pink jewelry box and the company ships items for free within one week of ordering. And there are no extra charges for longer names or for grandmother’s who have LOTS of grandchildren.

I know the holidays are still a few months away, but a Lily Brooke bracelet would make a beautiful gift for any mother, mother-in-law or grandmother in your life. And I am absolutely vouching for the quality of the item!

Lily Brooke bracelets are truly for loved ones and make a great personalized baby gift for new baby or as christening gifts. A Lily Brooke baby bracelet is always a cherished gift for any expectant new mother. Whether you are welcoming a baby into this world, looking for Mothers Day gift ideas or honoring Grandma with a birthstone bracelet, Lily Brooke personalized jewelry will be a cherished gift.

Single strand Lily Brooke bracelets (mother’s and grandmother’s) start at $58, but you can enter a giveaway for a gift certificate for a single strand bracelet here. This contest closes on Oct. 1, 2010.