Busy Mom Reviews

Enjoy a virtual getaway with Lands' End. At The Island you can shop lots of different swimwear collections and share your finds through built-in share tools for Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Digg and email.

Also, TONIGHT May 12, 2009 at 8pm ET Fashion expert, swimsuit authority and Life & Style contributing editor Rachel Zalis and Lands’ End swim expert Michele Casper will answer all of your swimsuit-related questions via twitter.

* Follow @LEprAmanda, @LEprMichele, or @LandsEndPRKira to review discussions and comments on May 12 between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. EST OR join the chat by including the #getaway hashtag in your tweet

To celebrate the launch of The Island, Lands’ End is providing a promo code for free shipping starting Monday, May 4, and ending Monday, May 25. Simply enter the promo code and pin number below at http://www.landsend.com/ checkout and you will get receive free shipping off your entire order.

Promo Code = ISLAND
PIN = 5262

Don't forget to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a real island getaway for four to the Barbados Island Experience!

Contest ends May 31, 2009.

Old Navy has long been a favorite brand of clothing around here. As a matter of fact, when Busy Girl was a baby, there wasn't one in town, and was known to travel around to go to one.

So, when I got the opportunity to be an Old Navy Enthusiast, I enthusiastically said, "Yes!". Actually, I was standing in Old Navy when I go the call. Now, I'm not exactly sure about what the year has in store, but I'm looking forward to it.

Please know that I'm not being paid to participate (though we will get some things gratis), nor is there a requirement to blog about the brand, I really do enjoy it, and that's why I accepted the invitation. That's all.

So, to kick off the season, we were treated to a back-to-school shopping spree. One evening last week, a big black SUV arrived and whisked us off to our neighborhood Old Navy:

We were greeted by Cory when we arrived and Old Navy has fixed up a very fancy dressing room complete with snacks for us:

All 3 kids were treated to personal service, even above and beyond the call of duty:

Actually, it wasn't until this very moment that I realized I didn't take any pictures of them in their new stuff, so I guess I'll have to turn in my blogger card somewhere.

At any rate, the kids got quite a few things for around $300 (total). All three kids needed jeans. Busy D. (age 7) surprised us with his preference for dark rinse jeans, while Busy Girl (age 15) declared her new skinny jeans the "best ones I've ever had".

Busy Boy's (age 13) wardrobe was in need of some upgrading to an "older" look now that he's in 8th grade. He is kind of between boy's and men's sizes, but he got a hoodie as well as Green Bay Packers and AC/DC graphic tees. His sister made him get a respectable button up shirt for dressier occasions.

Old Navy also has great boy's polo shirts as well as khakis and school uniforms.

Do check out Old Navy for kids' back-to-school fashions and accessories. We found some great values, and my kids of all ages were very pleased with their results:

A special thanks to Cory and the Old Navy staff, we had a blast!

I've said many a time that we are huge Lands' End fans. In fact, my mother was probably their number one customer, and I'm pretty sure she's running a Lands' End storefront somewhere in Heaven.

We have quite the collection of Squall jackets, in fact, the collection is something of a walk through Lands' End history. So, when I was asked to review the Kids' Sport Squall Parka, I was all over that.

The Sport Squall Parka has a windproof, nylon shell and is lined with fleece. It has a hood and reflective trim on it, important for those dark mornings waiting for the school bus. There are lots of pockets and it's generously sized and these coats last forever. We've been able to pass down older models through 3 kids several years apart.

My kids love these coats because they are warm, but not bulky (Or, "puffy" as they call it.) In fact, my 8th grader has proved you can get more than one of them in a school locker (see also: coats, learning to bring them home) and they are easy to maneuver with the car seat belt.

They're currently only $48.65, so now's a great time to pick some up for Christmas gifts.

No compensation other than the product sample as described about was received for this post. We think these jackets really are that good!

When I got asked to check out these boots from Earth Footwear, I didn't even make the connection.

When I was growing up, Earth Shoes were a symbol of "hippies", the funny looking (for the times) shoes that were higher in the front than in the back. They were supposed to be good for you, they "made your legs work" or something like that.

I had no idea this was the same company when I first heard of these boots, and all the other cute shoes, but it is, and they've been around for a long time.

Today, Earth Shoes have the same unique design, a 3.7 degree incline (the toes are higher than the heels) to realign your body and make walking more natural. The "anti-high heel", if you will.

The incline is said to help with toning your legs and the box even says, "Burn more calories with every step". I've not had mine long enough to study these benefits, but I figure it can't hurt anything, so why not? I felt a little tightness in my calves, but nothing uncomfortable or distracting.

Here's some more about Earth Footwear fitness benefits:

I received a pair of the Women's Acclaim Boots for review.

I am in love.

The Acclaim is a black, tall boot with adjustable buckles at the top, and the calf is even a little stretchy. It has the Earth Footwear 3.7 degree incline, but that part is on the inside, so the boot doesn't have an angled look to it on the outside. It has Earth's anatomic arch support, and BioFoam cushioning.

I have a lot of trouble with plantar fasciitis and with my knees, and so far, this boot has given great support, and I have been wearing them without any problems, and I've gotten lots of compliments on them, too!

These boots are true to size, but they may be wide-ish because I have wide feet, and there's plenty of width for me.

Aren't they great? Want to win some?

The giveaway:

Prize: One (1) pair of Women's Earth Footwear Acclaim boots (value: $189)

1. (Required): Leave a comment here telling me what you'd wear your Acclaim boots with

2. For an extra entry, tweet about this contest (I'm @busymom), and be sure to leave a separate comment with a link to your tweet.

2. One (1) winner will be picked randomly via Random.org from the comments.

3. Contest is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older

4. Winner(s) has 24 hours to get back to me, otherwise another winner will be drawn.

5. Hurry! Contest ends November, 22, 2010 at 10pm CST.

P.S. : I'm also giving away some Carmex Lotion, it works great, just like the lip balm.

Please be sure to come say hi over at my blog, Busy Mom Blog.

No payment or compensation other than the product sample as described above was received for this post.