Lipstick to Crayons » Baby and Kids

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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The Healthy School Lunch Makeover

lipsticktocrayons — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:05:07 +0000

By Connie Diekman, Registered Dietitian

As a mom, you likely know what your child eats for breakfast and dinner, but what about lunch at school? Typically, kids get about 30 to 50 percent of their calories while at school. The good news is there are several changes happening in school cafeterias across the country this year to make lunch time nutritious and delicious for students.

This year, moms will be pleased to know that school cafeterias are serving more whole grains in unexpected places (like pizza), more fresh vegetables (especially nutrient-rich leafy greens and orange vegetables), lessening sodium content and offering great-tasting flavored milk with fewer calories and less added sugar than in the past.

As the beverage of choice among students, the change to flavored milk is an important one. On average, school chocolate milk is projected to have just 31 calories more than white milk and 38% less added sugar, the result of ongoing work by milk processors with local districts across the country over the last five years.

This school year when kids pick up a carton of flavored milk with their lunch, the majority will be less than 150 calories and will have all the same nine essential nutrients as white milk – including vitamin D, calcium and potassium, nutrients that the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans say children need to consume more of.

As a registered dietitian, I know most kids ages nine and older are far from the recommended three servings of dairy a day, and it’s important to offer a variety of choices, both flavored and white milk, to ensure kids have more opportunities to get the nutrients found in milk, versus choosing drinks with no nutritional value.

The food choices kids make today can have a big influence in shaping their future. Providing wholesome, nutritious meals for students increases their ability to pay attention in class, provides energy for sports and exercise, and reduces the risk of health problems later in life. These nutrients are important for kids’ growth and development, and for many children, school meals may be the best source of real nutrition they get all day.

So remember, nutritious food doesn’t have to be boring! Low-fat chocolate milk strikes a great balance between good nutrition and good fun.

For more information on school flavored milk reformulations, please visit: http://www.whymilk.com/school_milk.php.

Connie Diekman, M.Ed, RD, LD, FADA is a nutrition communications consultant in St. Louis, Missouri. Diekman is the past President of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and is a former chair of the American Heart Association – Missouri affiliate.

She is the voice of the “Eating Right” minute, which airs daily, on WBBM radio in Chicago. She is also a former television nutrition reporter with St. Louis’ NBC affiliate and the local FOX affiliate.

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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:

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 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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25 Percent Coupon Code for Moody Mama’s Maternity Clothes & Fall Fashion Tips

lipsticktocrayons — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 02:42:30 +0000

It’s that wonderful time of year when the leaves begin to change color and the air becomes crisp. Fall is upon us, which means it is time to start bringing out the boots, sweaters, and outerwear. How can you keep on trend and stay out of a wardrobe rut as the weather turns colder? Here are some fall fashion tips based on certain occasions that will help you stay warm and looking chic through the upcoming autumn months.

Date Night

Whether it’s on the weekend or during the week, it’s fun to get gussied up for a night out with your loved one. If you’ve got feminine flair, love vibrant colors, and dresses, there are tons of styles this fall that will float your boat. The prim and proper looks of the 60’s are back, as are rich jewel tones; therefore just because the weather’s changing, doesn’t mean you have to wear pants or succumb to a neutral color palette. This season, rich colors like ruby red and deep violet will quench your thirst for color and body conscious fits will make your feel sassy by allowing you to show off your curves. Looking to not just turn heads, but break necks? Try the Tina Dress from Fierce Mamas. Paired with some tights and a high heel (it’s date night after all…) this look is sure to wow. Still want to feel sexy but looking for a more casual look? Try the Eva Dress with some black leggings and a pair of booties.

Day at the Office

This just in- corporate America has adopted a new policy called pre-maternity leave. That’s right-not only do mamas get time off once the baby is born, but they also can put their professional lives on hold until their morning sickness and cravings have ceased and desisted! We wish, but until that bill gets passed, we have to deal with bringing our bumps along to work everyday. Work it, while you work. Looking good can make your feel better; so don’t hide under bulky sweaters and giant muu-muus when heading into the office. Get a professional and comfy look by wearing a jersey dress with sleek lines, or opt for a knit dress with chic appliqués like the Milly Dress by Fierce Mamas. Worn barelegged with mid-calf boots, or with black leggings and a ballet flat, these styles are versatile and can be worn post work day as well.

Weekend Wear

Everyone has at least one season appropriate staple item in their closets. It’s that piece that goes with anything and can be worn anywhere. (At least that’s what you told your husband when he saw the price tag). Now’s the time to get that fall article and you’ll find it at MoodyMamas.com with their Striped Tunic. Wear it with leggings for a trip to the park with the kids or pair it with some skinny’s and flat suede boots to grab lunch with friends. You’ll wear it so often that you should probably just go ahead and buy two.

So, if you’d like to try some of these fashion items, you can go to Moody Mamas and use the discount code MAILGIFT for 25 percent off (good through Oct. 31).

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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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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.

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Got Questions @ the Flu or the Flu Shots?

lipsticktocrayons — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 02:25:29 +0000

I admit I am one of the early-birds on the whole flu shot thing. My teen and I got our shots on Saturday (Sept. 11) and I plan to have the rest of us vaccinated by the end of this week. And did you know that the shots available this year are a combination of the H1N1 vaccine and two strains of the flu virus?

If you have questions about the flu, the shots, who should get them, where you can get them, what they cost, whether you can get your toddler vaccinated at the local pharmacy or if you have to go to the pediatrician, etc., etc., you can get them answered LIVE on Facebook today.

On Monday, September 13^th, Walgreens will have a licensed Pharmacist answering your flu questions LIVE on their Facebook page. The live chat will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Central time.

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Gap Coupon Codes for Back to School

lipsticktocrayons — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:04:30 +0000

Here is a Gap coupon codes that is valid online and in stores for 25 percent off regular-priced kids and baby back to school styles: GAPBTS25 — expires Julye 25.

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Step 2 Easel for $26 Shipped!!

lipsticktocrayons — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:04:56 +0000

Hurry and you can get this Step 2 pink easel for only $26 — SHIPPED!! (in other words, free shipping, too). I just bought two of them, one for my own toddler and one as a birthday present for my niece.