Tea Collection's Playground-Friendly Summer Collection for Girls

Although in many parts of the country, school will be ending in a few weeks, here in Massachusetts, our children will be in school well-into June.  It is only April and we have already experienced some unseasonably warm weather.  After our last heat wave, I realized that I should have purchased more playground-friendly and school-appropriate warm weather clothes for my daughter.  When Tea Collection had their last big sale, I ordered several outfits for her to wear this coming fall, but now I need more summery clothes that still look nice enough for school.

Whether you are in the same situation as I am, needing warm weather clothing that will work for both school and summer vacation, or you are planning a family getaway, the many 5-piece sets offered by Tea Collection are a great place to start.  Not only are they stylish and comfortable, but they are well-coordinated and often comes with pieces that can be mixed and matched.  Rompers, shorts, capri pants, and knee-length dresses are the perfect thing, whether in school, on the playground, or on vacation, for an active preschooler like our daughter.


Tea Collection Dharma 5-Piece Set


Tea Collection Bali Love 5-Piece Set


Tea Collection Moon Orchid 5-Piece Set

Out of the four 5-piece sets shown here, I think my daughter would love the "Dharma" the most.  How could she resist the mermaid and a hoodie combination?

Remember to checkout the Tea Collection new arrivals for boys too.  Sometimes I have so much fun shopping for my daughter, I almost forget I have two fashion conscious sons.

Holiday 2010 Giveaway: Fresh Produce Women's Sportswear [CLOSED]

With store locations nationwide and an online store, Fresh Produce is the go-to retailer for those who cherish comfort in their daily lifestyle. This brand has transformed what once was seen as beachwear or vacation-wear into clothing that can be worn everyday.

I was sent an outfit consisting of the Fresh Produce Travel Tunic ($46) and the Travel Capri ($49). Both pieces are made from a 100% cotton jersey knit. To say this outfit is comfortable would be an understatement. The pants are not quite fitting for venturing out in the colder New England weather, but I love wearing this outfit at home, making it perfect for 3 out of the 4 seasons for me.

I had ordered the Travel Tunic in the XL/XXL size. The body is extremely wide and boxy, which is part of the comfort, but even when I only lift my arms halfway, the shirt does lift up to show my mid-section. When I wear this top out in public, I wear a tank top underneath. The other thing about the top is that the seam where the body is pieced together across the middle had a 1-inch split in it. Because the split was on the seam, it was extremely easy for me to repair.

I ordered the capri pants in a size medium. I usually take a 9/10 and they were a perfect fit. They sat right below the waist, which is the way I prefer my pants.

Both pieces washed wonderfully. There was no shrinking, pilling, fading, or misshaping. I find these pieces to be very versatile and can be worn with many of the other casual tops and bottoms in my existing wardrobe.

To view the entire collection of kid's and women's sportswear from Fresh Produce, visit FreshProduceClothes.com . Visit the Fresh Produce store locator to find store locations in the U.S., Canada, The Caribbean, and Mexico.

Thank you to Fresh Produce for sending us complimentary product samples to base this review upon and for providing an additional product for our contest prize.

What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a Fresh Produce Beach Batik Eastcoaster Tunic - a $58 value. (Winner may choose from sizes XS/S, M/L, and XL/XXL and from 5 colors. Subject to availability.)

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:

Browse the selection of Fresh Produce clothing. Then leave a comment telling me the name of one item you would love to own (aside from the 3 items featured in this article). 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 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one post on the Fresh Produce Blog. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented.

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 Fresh Produce on Twitter and/or "Like" Fresh Produce Sportswear 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, December 13th, 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!

Review: Beach Belle Empire Swimdress from Swimsuits For All

SwimsuitsForAll.com specializes in swimsuits for sizes 8 up to 34W. They sent me a Beach Belle Domino Empire Swimdress Swimsuit to review and I was thrilled to try it. Having been a plus-sized girl, it is hard to find clothes that fit right and are flattering, much less swimwear that doesn’t make me want to hide in my house forever. Buying swimwear online is usually something I don’t do because of the differences in sizes, but their size chart contains very accurate measurements for picking the size that will fit your body best. I can honestly say that I love the fit of this swimsuit and I think the cut is very flattering and helps hide all the stuff I’d like to keep hidden. It is also well-made so it will last a long time. I have even washed it and it held up nicely. My only critique on it would be to make the bra area more supportive for those of us who are chestier, but that’s the only flaw I’ve found with it.

If you’re a larger girl like me and are having trouble finding plus size swimwear that is flattering and fits, visit swimsuitsforall.com. This particular swim dress retails for $68.

Thank you to Swimsuits For All for sending us a complimentary sample swimsuit to base this review upon.