Shop 'n' Share: MMA Elite Men's Graphic T-Shirts at Walmart (#ShopMMAElite #CBias #SocialFabric)

My husband studied karate from the ages of 13 through 19.  Even though he no longer studies, he enjoys following news about the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts).  I have no doubt that someday following MMA happenings will be something one or more of our children, who all currently study taekwondo, will be doing along with their Dad.

When I heard that Walmart had begun to carry MMA Elite t-shirts for men, I thought this would be a great gift idea for my husband, who almost exclusively wears graphic tees when he is not at work.  I checked out the merchandise on MMAElite.net and was very pleased with the designs and logos on their graphic tees.  I really felt like they meshed well with my husband's style, which is a little on the conservative and preppy side.  When I checked out what items by MMA Elite Walmart had to offer online, however, the shirt designs were much less conservative.  They actually embraced the skulls and tattoos styling of popular brands, such as Ed Hardy.  Regardless, the MMA Elite merchandise must be a huge hit because almost all the shirts were sold out online on Walmart.com.  Since this line is also available in Walmart stores, I went to see if any of these graphic tees were available at our local store.  Because of the less-than-conservative styles of the Walmart MMA Elite gear, I thought it would be best to bring my husband along on this MMA Elite shopping trip so he could choose which designs he liked best.

When we walked into Walmart, the MMA Elite apparel was located immediately to our right.  Even though there was an MMA Elite brand sign on the graphic tee wall, we could not find any folded shirts by that brand.  Instead, the shirts were hanging up on face-outs just to the right of the folded shirts.  We had walked right by them and went directly to the section underneath the MMA Elite marketing.

My husband needed a size XXL, which limited our choices a bit.  He did like the look of the slightly more conservative black/grey on grey t-shirt shown below, but he was not crazy about the prominent fleur de lis symbols, which in the mind of this New England Patriots fan represented the Saints.

My husband ended up opting for the dual skulls design shown below.  Although he loves the colors, the design is much larger and bolder than he is used to wearing on both the front and the back.

Of course, our children thought it was the coolest shirt ever and that their Dad was super-cool for wearing it in their eyes.  I hope that Walmart will begin to carry one or two styles of men's MMA Elite t-shirts that are more similar to what I saw on the MMA Elite website.  These shirts are only priced at $9.97 and are 100% cotton.  For that price, I would buy my husband several designs if they were available.  Also, due to the low price, I thought for sure that the shirt would shrink in the dryer after being washed in cold water, but my husband said that he did not notice any shrinkage at all.

You can learn more about the MMA Elite brand by visiting MMA Elite on Facebook and by following the hashtag #ShopMMAElite as well as the MMA Elite Brand on Twitter.


I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and MMA Elite #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are solely my own.

Giveaway & Review: Lee Premium Select Jeans for Men (5 Winners) [CLOSED]

My husband does not enjoy casual shopping. He likes to know exactly what he wants, get in, and get out. He will only try on clothing if he absolutely needs to. That is why when he finds a pair of jeans or khakis that fit, he will gladly buy the same ones again because he already knows what size he needs. Do you know a man who suffers from "Shop Phobia"? Have him check out Mike Rowe (of Dirty Jobs) on the Lee Jeans Company YouTube channel, where Rowe shares his thoughts on shopping from a man's point of view.

Take a minute to learn about one of Mike's "Shop Phobias" . . .

When I first asked my husband if he wanted to try a pair of Lee Premium Select Jeans on for size, he was reluctant. Then when he found out that Mike Rowe (the star of one of his favorite shows) was the brand ambassador for this new line of men's jeans, he was more willing. Although he started off skeptical, my husband had to admit that he likes the look and fit of his Premium Select Jeans very much. They also kept their fit very well after being machine washed and dried.

Visit ShopPhobia.com to learn more about how to tell if you or your man suffers from "Shop Phobia." For a limited time, you can receive $5 off a pair of Lee Premium Select Jeans when you checkout with Code: MIKE5 on Lee.com, where you can also receive Free Ground Shipping on orders of $30 or more.

Thank you to Lee Jeans Company for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon and for providing additional product for our contest prizes.

What you can win:
FIVE lucky readers will each receive a pair of men's Lee Premium Select Jeans (ARV $42 per pair).

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Leave a comment telling me your (or a friend's or loved one's) biggest phobia about shopping. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2)

For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, sign up to receive email updates from Lee. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments telling me you did so.

4)

For 1 extra entry each, if you are a Friend of mine on Facebook and/or if you have "liked" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here telling me so with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 1 extra entry each, follow Lee Jeans on Twitter and/or "Like" Lee Jeans on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.

6)

Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7)

Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8)

Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9)

Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10)

Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, November 15th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Giveaway: Become a Men’s Wearhouse Prom Rep ($100 GC) [CLOSED]

If you or someone you know is prom-bound this spring, then you are in the right place. Men's Wearhouse is reaching out to teens to become a Prom Rep in exchange for discounts on tuxedos and some great prizes just for doing what comes naturally . . . communicate with others through texting and social media.

"This year, Men’s Wearhouse is getting into the Prom spirit by offering teens a chance to text, tweet and talk their way to a free tux, $100 Visa Gift card, and even a Camaro Coupe when they participate in the Men’s Wearhouse Prom Rep campaign. The program offers deep discounts and free tuxes to students who sign up to be a prom rep and recruit other students to rent their tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse. Reps who recruit ten friends to rent a tux from Men’s Wearhouse receive a free tux rental, and female prom reps who earn a free tux rental can give it to a friend or opt for a $100 Visa gift card."

Although the prize was provided by Men’s Wearhouse, Men’s Wearhouse is not a sponsor or administrator of this giveaway. No compensation was received for sharing this information with my readers.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a $100 gift card to Men's Wearhouse.

Limitations:

This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.

How to Gain Entries:

Leave a comment telling me which tuxedo style is your favorite. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND MensWearhouse.com . Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

4) Friend me on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Facebook profile.

5) For 2 extra entries, share the link to this contest post on Facebook. Then leave TWO separate comments with the link to your Facebook profile.

6) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

7) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

8) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

9) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

10) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

<br /> <a href="http://www.3garnets2sapphires.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd206/Busymonkeez/Graphics4Me/NEWBlogButton125x125.jpg" /></a><br /><br />

(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)


Random Drawing:

This contest will be closed on Monday, May 10th, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Pamper Your Man with Karen Neuburger Pajama Pants & a Manicure

My husband is a bug-getter, jar-opener, build-things-out-of-wood kind of guy, but he also likes to be presentable. He is far from being a GQ man, but he does make some effort to take care of himself. Does he go to the salon for facials and manicures . . . no, but he does use product in his hair, puts lotion on his face when it's dry, and likes to have new clothes.

If this sounds like a man in your life, then you might be interested to learn about these two products. The first is men's sleepwear by Karen Neuburger. KN Karen Neuburger for men is an excellent alternative to Joe Boxer. It is for men whose taste include a little bit of sophistication.

What we thought about the KN Plaid Pajama Pants for men:

1) An adjustable elasticized drawstring waist is always a plus in my book. This ensures that the pants will be comfortable whether my husband has gained or lost weight or has just finished a large meal.

2) Although pockets usually make this type of pants look bulky around the hip area, it is always handy to have them. The cotton/polyester blend used for these pants are so lightweight that bulkiness is not a factor at all.

3) My husband is about 6ft tall, but likes to wear his pants just below the waistline. He can usually wear a 31" inseam. These pants were the perfect length for him.

4) These pants washed very well. There was no shrinking, pilling, or misshaping after machine-washing and drying.

5) The weight of these pants were perfect for my husband who is always warm. He only wears flannel pajama pants around the house on the coldest winter days. These pants will work well for him for fall, winter, and early spring.

To view the full line of men's sleepwear and loungewear for men, visit KarenNeuburger.com .

Thank you to Karen Neuburger for providing a pair of sample pajama pants free of charge for us to base this review upon.

*****************************************************************

The second item you might like for your man is the Call Your Buff nail block from Paris Presents' Ms. Manicure. This block has 6 surfaces for a convenient quick way to make his hands look presentable. There are numbered surfaces for filing, shaping, neatening the edges, smoothing, buffing, and polishing.

This nail block retails for just $2.99 and can be found at major retailers, such as Walmart, Target, Kmart, and Rite Aid. My husband is a nail-chewer and was reluctant to have his hands photographed, so I took a photo of my own. As you can see the nail block leaves your nails with a healthy shine (the perfect amount of shine for a man), but not a high gloss that looks as if you are wearing a clear polish.

To view the full line of Ms. Manicure nailcare products or to learn more about other product lines by Paris Presents, visit ParisPresents.com .

Thank you to Paris Presents for providing us with a sample nail block free of charge to base this review upon.

New Lands' End Canvas American Sportswear

Lands' End clothing, accessories, and home furnishings has always been about a relaxed lifestyle. In their new line Lands' End Canvas, they have taken their clothing and accessories beyond relaxed into the realm of effortless.

If you are someone who is looking forward to springtime and is ready to trade in your wool and fleece for some cooler cotton canvas, you should pay a visit to LandsEndCanvas.com . The timeless fashions for men and women include clothing as well as outerwear, shoes, bags, hats, and other accessories. To celebrate the launch of this new site, the first 1,963 customers who spend $100 or more will receive a Free Limited Edition Messenger Bag.

Thank you to Lands' End for providing information for this article and also for sending me a canvas messenger bag as a thank you for helping to spread the word about Lands' End Canvas.

Review: Lands' End Men's SnowSystem Jacket

My husband is a strange breed. He thinks 45 degrees is shorts weather. Unfortunately, we live in New England where the temperature often drops below 45 degrees in the winter and sometimes even in the fall. Still, he despises wearing anything bulky as far as outerwear goes.

The Men's SnowSystem Jacket from Lands' End suits my husband perfectly. It can be worn three different ways . . . with the waterproof outer shell alone, the sporty quilted "PolarThin" inner liner alone, or both pieces together. Even with both pieces together, my husband admits that this men's winter jacket is not cumbersome like most others he's owned.

What my husband and I thought about this Lands' End jacket:

1) I find this jacket to be very attractively designed. The outer shell is stylish and sporty, but more classical, which makes it suitable for men of all ages. The inner layer is more sleek and modern and is not quite my husband's taste. If he were to wear one of the layers alone, he would most likely opt for the outer layer.

2) Although this jacket is lighter than a parka, it is still built for cold weather protection. The air between the outer and inner layers offers extra warmth, similar to the air within down filling.

3) It is very convenient that the neck area is protected so that there is no need for a scarf.

4) Some outerwear manufacturers skimp on the quality of interior hardware, such as the zippers and snaps. This is not the case with this Lands' End jacket. The attention paid to quality of the interior is equal to that of the exterior.



5) The Velcro around the wrists are designed to catch easily, so that someone wearing ski gloves could adjust these straps without removing their gloves.

6) Because my husband gets overheated easily, he was very pleased with the ample length of the pit zips.

7) Two great features that keep the wind, cold air, and ski powder out are the toggle drawstring on the inside hem of the outer shell and the elasticized removable hidden skirt.

8) Other perks about this jacket are the MP3 pocket, which includes a cord port, amply sized pockets inside and out, and this jacket is machine washable, which is an extremely important feature.

My husband is extremely happy with his Lands' End SnowSystem Jacket. He even said that he would not need to take this jacket off when he got in his car as he normally does with all of his other winter coats.

I see that this jacket is currently reduced in price. Even at regular price, this Lands' End jacket is a great value compared to other name brands. A comparable jacket by High Sierra or North Face would cost twice the price of this one. If you or someone you know is in the market for a new men's winter coat, I would definitely put this one on your list of considerations.

To learn more about the SnowSystem Jacket for men, visit LandsEnd.com .

Thank you to Lands' End for providing us with a review product free of charge.