Back to School Must Haves -- #5 A Stylish and Durable Pencil Case from SKRIBLE -- Review and #Giveaway (4 Winners)

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Hopefully you were able to take advantage of tax-free weekends if they were offered where you live.  I know most people here in CT and MA took advantage last weekend of annual tax-free shopping weekend, to buy last minute school supplies and clothes with their kids.  It is crazy how we spend so much money to outfit our kids with clothes and uniforms, on top of a long list of school supplies they need to buy for themselves as well as for the classroom.  My friend shared her daughter's back to school supply list the other day, and couldn't believe it cost her over $200. And, she had three other children, all of who had their own required school and classroom supplies parents needed to pick and send with their kids for the first day back at school.  I remember growing up, that my mom would buy us a few new outfits and a new pair of shoes, to get us started with school.  She did this so that we could see what the other kids were wearing, as well as knew that stores would be putting fall clothes on sale, to change out inventory for winter essentials.  So, we would go to the stores after school began to get more clothes, which saved our family money.  With three kids in school and one income it was easier on the wallet to wait until after school started to get more school clothes.  And, back then schools didn't send home supply lists for each child as well as the classroom.  Oh, and don't get me started on after school sports and clubs that also carry their own required supplies and clothing, on top of fees.  School nowadays and after school activities can get pricey.  Even homeschooling, I spend a lot on museum memberships, class fees, etc.

When it comes to making sure your kids have everything they need for back to school, I wanted to check and see if your made sure to pick up a pencil case for your kids?  I didn't see this on my friend's school supply list, but recommended this to her, as pencil cases have been lifesavers for my girls, to keep their backpacks organized, and prevent pens and markers to bleed through and ruin their new backpacks.  Also, the pencil case is a great place for me to put dues and money they may need for classes, as well as signed permission slips and homework.  That way they don't have to rummage through their backpacks looking for these important papers, pen or pencil.  Instead, they simple have to reach in their bags and pull out their oh so stylish and durable SKRIBLE pencil case.

Thanks to the owner and creator of these super cool pencil cases for kids, I was recently sent samples of her SKRIBLE pencil cases for my girls to try out and enjoy.  

I opted to have her send me her standard one compartment pencil case, along with her "plus" 2 sided compartment pencil cases for review, with the help of my girls. 

The only difference between the two cases, is that the "plus" pencil cases offer two compartments for storage, for kids who have a lot of school supplies to keep organized and stored neatly.

This is Savannah's new The Believer SKRIBLE Pencil Case

This is Bella's new The Warrior Pencil Case from SKRIBLE

I couldn't get over all the different style options available for both boys and girls.  It was hard for my girls to choose the design they wanted, as they said they were all so pretty.  In the end, they ended up choosing The Warrior and The Believer SKRIBLE pencil cases.  Within a few days of putting in my sample request, the pencil cases arrived at our door.  Who knew that a pencil case would make kids so excited?  Both of my girls were all smiles as I handed them their new pencil cases.  Then, they ran off to grab their backpacks so that they could fill their new pencil cases with their pens, pencils, highlighters, ruler, stapler, etc.  And, when they were all done organizing their school supplies, they were quick to show me how everything fit neatly in their pencil cases.

These fashionable pencil cases have super cool designs that will stand out and make your kids' friends complimenting on them and wanting a SKRIBLE pencil case of their own.  I say this, as my girls showed off their new pencil cases to friends the other day and their friends were quick to ask their moms for a pencil case like my girls had.  Their moms then came and asked me what was the big deal with the pencil case, and where I got it.  I couldn't help but rave about these new SKRIBLE pencil cases, and say they are better than most pencil cases on sale in stores, especially with their molded hard shells that feel soft and the heavy duty zipper which doesn't need soap run across to help with continued opening and closing.  I can't tell you how many pencil cases we have gone through in the past, as the zippers were the first to go.  And, if the zippers didn't break, they were a struggle for my girls to unzip and zip back up.  When this happened, I found my girls would just through their stuff into their bags, which defeated the purposed of using a pencil case to keep your stuff organized in your bag.  And, pens would break and leak everywhere, thus leaving us to throw out the expensive backpacks, and start over again.

I am so happy I had the opportunity to check out the fun new SKRIBLE pencil cases with my girls.  They love them, and I love how they will be keeping my girls' backpacks and school supplies organized.  You can learn more about the SKRIBLE pencil cases, including browsing all their different style designs for boys and girls, by visiting www.SKRIBLE.com.  The single cases retail for only $19.99, while the double cases are just $25.99.  These pencil cases are a steal if you ask me.  Once you see the exceptional quality of these pencil cases up close, you will agree with me.

---GIVEAWAY---

I am so excited to offer four (4) Inspired by Savannah readers a chance to win a SKRIBLE pencil case of their choice.  To enter this giveaway, please complete then entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Be sure to leave a comment below after visiting www.SKRIBLE.com telling me which pencil case design you would choose if you won, and who it would be for.  

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Back to School Must Haves -- KleenSlate Hand-Held Whiteboards (Review)

CLOSED. CONGRATS TO DONNA!!!!

With school starting right around the corner, do I have the perfect school supply, that everyone from students to teachers can use.  I am talking about KleenSlate's line of 2-sided hand-held whiteboards, snap in marker & eraser.  

"Originally invented for education, the response paddles have been proven to improve retention and raise test scores, as well as save teachers time and paper while making learning fun! However, they are more than just educational tools.  They are also perfect to have at home, or on the go. Whether you use them to play fun games, cheer for your favorite sports team, write a message, practice school work or to take fun photos, they are a must have... take them with you in the car, on the plain, camping and more. The 2-sided dry erase paddles are fun and easy to use!"

I was sent their hand-held whiteboards to sample and loved them.  There were so many uses for this educational tool. For instance, I used the boards to introduce letters and numbers to Savannah.  Then, when I was tending to her sister, Savannah tried out her drawing skills by doodling on the whiteboards.  She was so excited to show off her artwork, as she ran around the house holding the KleenSlate paddles out in front of her for all to see.  In addition, I pulled out these paddles for family game night and used them to play Pictionary and other fun games.  We had a blast doodling and holding the paddles up in front of us, as we tried to guess people and things were describing, which were written on the front of the paddles.  

 

My husband even found use for these KleenSlate paddles for his Toastmaster's group.  They used the paddles for a variety of ice breaking sessions.  No one in the group had seen or heard about these 2-sided whiteboards, but were so glad they got to try them out firsthand.  The group had invested in other mini whiteboards before, but were disappointed with the quality and ease of use with them.  After a handful of times, they would find the dry erase markers not wiping fully clean from the boards, or showing up that well.  I also find this with the whiteboards we have in the house.  But, after trying out these whiteboards, and putting them through various uses, including toddler handling, they are holding up great! :-)  And, my husband also used the paddles during brainstorming meetings, and found them to be more useful than just pencil and paper. It kept people engaged and eager to share their thoughts in a fun way.

Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mom, I used to go into schools and do health fairs and health-based seminars for the children.  If only I had known about these paddles.  They would have come in handy for the fun games and displays I would set up.  I shared these paddles with friends it the healthcare field and they thought of some great uses for them, including giving to patients who are receiving cancer treatment and are unable to speak, those who lose their voices or can't speak, and to cheer up pediatric patients by drawing funny faces and pictures.  I wish I had them when I was going through cancer treatment a few years back, as the radiation caused me to have difficult talking.  I was scribbling on scraps of paper when I need to ask for something.  These wipe off boards would have been more practical and Eco-friendly. 

Looking for a way to keep children entertained in the car this summer during long drives?  Pick up packs of KleenSlate paddles and have them play fun backseat games.  They will have a blast coming up with games to play with siblings, or simply doodling during the drive.  And, if camping is your thing, these pads can make rainy days fun.  Children can take the paddles out in nature and draw animals and plants they see, play Mad Libs, or just jot down memories of their adventures.  

So, as you can see, KleenSlate whiteboards are so versatile that the purchase of a set will pay for themselves in no time.  You will find so many fun and educational uses for these paddles, as we have.  And, I bet friends and family who see and try them out will want to get a set for themselves.  What are you waiting for?  Head on over to the KleenSlate website to order a pack of KleenSlate's rectangular paddles for only $15.99.


Don't forget to follow KleenSlate on Facebook and Twitter for news and special offers.  

---BUY NOW---

Click here to order KleenSlate products for your family today -- www.kleenslate.com.

--FLASH GIVEAWAY--

One lucky reader will win two 2-Packs of rectangular paddles (retail - $15.99 each), thanks to the folks at KleenSlate.  This giveaway will be a 24 hr. flash giveaway, so enter now for your chance to win this must have back-to-school must have.  

To enter, please do the following, and then email me when you are done.

1) Head on over to KleenSlate and let me know something else you learned about the company or product line.

2) Head on over to Facebook and "like" their fan page -- http://www.facebook.com/KleenSlate

3) Follow KleenSlate on Twitter -- https://twitter.com/#!/KleenSlate01

In your email, please include your Facebook and Twitter usernames so that I can verify your entries.  Good luck!

Rules: This giveaway will run from 12AM EST, July 18th through 12AM EST, July 19th.  Giveaway is open to US residents only, no PO Boxes.  Winner will have 48 hrs. to contact me in order to confirm prize.  If I don't hear from winner within this time, then another winner will be drawn.

Disclosure: I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.

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