2012 E-GUIDE
presented by
The Experts
Dawn Sandomeno
Dawn Sandomeno is married to her best friend, Mark; together they have three boys, ages 11, 12 and 16. She is the proud co-founder of Party Bluprints Inc. and co-author of the book Plan To Party with longtime friend Elizabeth Mascali. Dawn is editor-in-chief of the Party Bluprints Blog where she and Elizabeth share ideas and inspirations for simple and special entertaining at home. Dawn was recently named a Top 10 Home Entertaining Blogger on Twitter - #2 only behind Martha Stewart. Dawn is passionate about social media and you can find her online most days on Twitter and Facebook. This is Dawn’s 14th year of preparing for “Back to School”.
Elizabeth is married to her college sweetheart - they have two teenagers, an 8th and 12th grader. She is a lifestyle & entertaining expert, co-founder of Party Bluprints Inc. and The Party Bluprints Blog, and coauthor of Plan to Party. Together with Dawn Sandomeno she is on a mission to make entertaining simple, fun and affordable while keeping it special. Elizabeth loves to create fabulously fun, beautiful and delicious things (e.g., food, drinks, flowers, music mixes, entertaining spaces, Party Bluprints) and share them - both IRL and online. She also loves photography, traveling, and spending time with her family. This is Elizabeth’s 15th year of preparing for “Back to School”. Connect with Elizabeth on Facebook and Twitter.
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Back to School e-Guide
Elizabeth Mascali
Vera Sweeney
Vera Sweeney is the mother of 2 and a wife of 10 years. Her 7 year-old daughter will be a 2nd grader and her 5 year-old son will be a Kindergartener. She is the founder of I’m Not Obsessed Media, including properties such as I’m Not Obsessed, Lady and the Blog and Babyrazzi. Vera is also cofounder of Getting Gorgeous Events, a company dedicated to bringing fashion and beauty advice to moms. She is a weekly contributor to BabyCenter, She Knows and BlueFly’s Fashion Blog, Fly and Mighty. Vera was named “Top 50 to follow in Social Media” by Restaurant Business Magazine (2012), Babble’s Top 50 to Follow (2010, 2011), and “Top 5 to Follow on Long Island (NY)” by Newsday. This is Vera’s 4th “Back to School” season. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Audrey McClelland is the mother of 4 sons - William is 7, heading into 2nd grade; Alexander is 6, heading into 1st grade, Benjamin is 5, heading into Kindergarten and Henry is 4, heading into pre-K. Audrey’s embarking on the back to back to back to back years of school for her family. In her “spare time”, Audrey writes full-time for MomGenerations.com and hosts Getting Gorgeous Events throughout the country. Her mission is to inspire moms and help them stay chic and trendy, as well as their children. Audrey can also be found on BabyCenter.com, Momversation.com, SheKnows.com, her local news affiliate in Providence, RI, Facebook and Twitter. This is Audrey’s 3rd “Back to School” season.
Audrey McClelland
Back to School e-Guide
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2 cool 4 school
Mom’s Back to School Resource for Style
Elizabeth
I love this NEW look and feel at searsStyle.com – it’s fresh, hip and fun. And they’ve got a party going on over on Facebook and Twitter. There are coupons, deals, weekly giveaways, contests, trendy news and fashion tips – everything you need to kick-off the Back to School season in style, including so many opportunities to save money. The best thing is that everyone is invited to this party. Just follow @searsStyle on Twitter (get the inside scoop and a chance to win prizes ranging from gift cards to trips to VIP passes to backstage fashion shows) and “Like” their searsStyle and Now + Here FB pages.
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Back to School e-Guide
Cliecek mheorree! to s
Dawn
As a child, my mother took me shopping at Sears every Back to School season. Now, after all these years, I have re-discovered SEARS through searsStyle.com and count it as one of my go-to STYLE resources. I follow searsStyle on Twitter for their daily fashion tips and find the @searsStyle handle engaging and fun; plus, I’m among the first to learn about sales and deals. I’m also a huge fan of their searsStyle and Now + Here Facebook pages – well worth a ‘like’. You’ll love the streetStyle posts too. They’re my new addiction!
P.S. Make sure to get your Back to School style on too so you’re ready to celebrate with a Girls’ Night Out when school is back in session ! Back to School e-Guide
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Savvy stAPLES
School Supplies for the Classroom & Home
Audrey
I am obsessing over Elmer’s® Painters Opaque Paint Markers! These permanent, opaque paint markers are a must-have for all moms out there for the Back to School season. I simply love that I can decorate and personalize my 4 sons’ backpacks, jackets and lunch boxes without spending a fortune! They’re so easy to use and they are a fun project to get the kids involved with, too!
Vera
Elmer’s® Glue is an absolute staple in my household. In fact, my school suggests the brand officially on their supply list. If anyone knows which glue works best, it’s a teacher. I know that my kids’ art projects won’t fall apart by the time they come home if they use Elmer’s® Glue.
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Back to School e-Guide
“Oldie but Goodie – Brings back memories of when you were a kid”
Cliecek mheorree! to s
Elizabeth
The first time we used Elmer’s® Washable Disappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, I remember thinking, “ingenious” - it’s goes on purple so you can see where you put the glue and then it dries clear, allowing for some gluing “outside the lines”; plus, it’s washable. It’s the simple things that make a mom with young children happy! Even though my children are teenagers, we still stock up on our favorite Elmer’s® glue sticks for school, home and community service projects – just goes to show you, you’re never too old for a trusty glue stick!
Dawn
I love the NEW Elmer’s® 1st day™ app for my iPhone! I often get caught up in the moment and forget to capture memories with a photo. With the Elmer’s® 1st day™ app, I’ll take photos of my boys, create a slideshow, and share it with my husband at work so he feels like he was there too. That’s priceless and it’s FREE. Plus, for every picture taken with Elmer’s® 1st day™ app, Elmer’s® will donate one product to the Kids in Need Foundation, an organization that distributes free school supplies to students whose families can’t afford them.
Back to School e-Guide
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Quick Thinking
Easy After School & On-the-Go Snacking Ideas
Elizabeth
From toddler to teenager, my son has been a popcorn chicken fan. I love that Tyson® has made it easy for him to help himself to a quick and easy snack after school or practice. All he has to do is remove the bag from the fridge, put it in the microwave for less than 1 minute, and voila - an instant satisfying snack. They’re also a fun and easy snack for my husband and son to make while they’re watching their favorite sporting events on the weekend.
Hot New Product
Vera
On busy days, Tyson® Honey BBQ Popcorn Chicken is a lifesaver for my family. Not only do I not have to worry about defrosting anything because it’s stored in your fridge, but the chicken is bursting with flavor. I never get any push back from my kids when popcorn chicken is on the menu for dinner!
Tyson® Chicken Nuggets (approx. 9 pieces/package) + Tyson® Popcorn Chicken
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Back to School e-Guide
Cliecek mheorree! to s
Dawn
I will be stocking up on this Buffalo Popcorn Chicken from Tyson® when school starts in our house. It’s a quick and simple snack for after school that I can feel good about serving. My boys come home HUNGRY, and in minutes, I can have a substantial, hot snack on the table for them to eat. They love this spicy chicken served with carrots, celery, and ranch dressing (it’s a great way to sneak in some veggies too!)
Audrey
Chicken Nuggets are loved among all of my boys! They eat them for lunch and snacks. I absolutely LOVE how Tyson® has made prepping lunches and snacks so easy for me! Literally, from fridge to microwave in under 1 minute - done! This is total no-mess finger food for your kids. My fridge will be stocked throughout the Back to School season with these new Tyson® Chicken Nuggets. Such a go-to food for us!
(approx. 16 pieces/package) = Available only at Walmart for $2.28 until October 1st Back to School e-Guide
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smart Dress Code
Back to School Shopping
Elizabeth
My teenage son is particular when it comes to choosing his school backpack. He likes a cool, clean look, but needs a sturdy bag to fit his books, binders and lunch. North Face is using a new Sabre Fabric Technology, making it abrasion resistant to withstand wear and tear of everyday use; plus, it has a large main compartment to fit all his school “stuff”. And, we both love that we can order it online for a great price (see Cookie’s great coupon, pg. 14) and have it delivered to our front door. Price: $44.99
Vera
Pleated skirts just melt my heart! Pair this classic piece with a polo shirt and your daughter will be ready for about anything. I am especially a fan of the elastic waistband this line offers. My daughter sometimes has trouble with sizing around the mid-region so this is just what we need. Price: $8.99
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Back to School e-Guide
Cliecek mheorree! to s
Audrey
All-American preppy is a huge trend for boys this Back to School season. Nothing screams preppy like a polo. I am gushing over Cookie’s Kids’ Nautica Polo. Nautica is a quality brand that I trust as a mom, I know a lot of wear isn’t going to wear out this tee (especially with four sons!) I love the breathable cotton for added comfort and a tagless collar. Perfection! Price: $11.99
Vera
Ballet Flats are a girl’s best friend during the school year. My school has a rule that all shoes must be closed toe, limiting my choices during the warmer months. Flats from Cookie’s are both fashionable and practical for moms in my situation. We typically have a few pairs on hand to help add a little flare to any outfit. Price: $14.99
Back to School e-Guide
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smart Dress Code
Back to School Shopping
Smart Tip! Use Cookie’s special promo code on pg. 14 and save more!
Audrey
I love to dress my four sons up every single morning for school. They’re still at the ages where I can have input! There’s one Back to School clothing item that I always make sure the boys are stocked up with polos (or as one of my son’s says “Handsome Shirts”!) Cookie’s Kids’ offers a short sleeve polo from Genuine that is perfect. It’s classic. It’s versatile. It’s a “boy” must-have! (And this is from a mom fashionista!) Price: $4.99
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Back to School e-Guide
Cliecek mheorree! to s
Dawn
Loafers are a fan favorite and staple in our home. With 3 boys, and my oldest son required to wear a dress shoe to his high school, I consider them a ‘must buy’ for Back to School. I love that the boys can wear them to church, holiday parties, or out for a nice dinner and look neat. They love them because they are comfortable and can easily slide them on and off. They are a rare WIN – WIN! Price $24.99
Vera
My daughter is obsessed with Hello Kitty just like I was when I was a child. I always love to get her a few shirts from the line – especially when they have fun sayings like “I love school” in the graphic. I think it’s a great way to get Natalie excited about heading to class. Price $8.99
Back to School e-Guide
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smart Dress Code
Back to School Shopping
Special Promotion for 2012 Back to School e-Guide readers:
10% off + $5 flat rate shipping ($5 flat rate only applies to continental US, but 10% applies to everyone), use coupon code CBBTS, expires on 10/15/12. 14
Back to School e-Guide