Thursday, August 7, 2008

Friday's Favorites

This week marks the beginning of what I am calling Friday's Favorites. I am pretty sure I am not the first blogger to come up with this title, so I'm not taking any credit for it. If you know who did, let me know so I can give them credit.

Each week I'm going to pick a theme and share a few of my favorites from that theme, whether it's shoes, hotels, books, products or websites I like. Should be fun!

Since school is just around the corner, I thought I'd focus on a major back to school item for this first edition....backpacks.

For the last couple of years I've bought a new backpack for each child at the beginning of the school year, mostly because the backpack from the previous year bit the dust by the end of the school year. (think broken zippers, holes in the seams from wear and tear) This year I decided to bite the bullet and invest a bit more money into buying a product that will last longer than a year. (I'm hoping for at least 3-4 years)

Enter Land's End.

Not only does Land's End make quality products, they also have an incredible guarantee that states, "If you're not satisfied with any item, return it to us at any time for an exchange or refund of its purchase price." (Land's End School Uniform catalog, page 4)

How awesome is that?

Also, if your school is on their preferred school list your school can earn 3% cash back on certain purchases you make. It's free and you can find more information about it at www.landsend.com/school.

Land's End has backpacks for every age and need. I bought a pre-school pack for my almost 4 year old. It comes in Navy or Pink and costs $26.50.

For my daughter who is starting Kindergarten I bought a Classmate Jr. backpack good for kids ages 4-7. It is also $26.50 and comes in a variety of colors. You can also buy the Classmate backpack for kids ages 7 & up for $29.50.

Lastly, I needed a backpack for my son who is going into 2nd grade. I'm sure he will have more homework this year and in preparing for older grades I went ahead and shelled out more money for the Wheeled Classmate backpack. At $59.50 it is a substantial bit more, but I figure it will last 4 years which is like paying about $15.00 a year which is less than what I've paid the past several years for a backpack that fell apart.

You also can pay extra for the option of adding your child's name, school logo or a variety of designs for $5.00 a piece.

UPDATE: For some reason I am not able to link all the pictures of the different backpacks and insert them into this piece. I apologize. I am so new at this and I'm not sure what in the world I am doing wrong! However, all the backpacks can be found at www.landsend.com/school

Land's end also makes great lunch boxes that range in price from $10.50-35.00. They come in a variety of colors with the option of adding a name or design.

Whew, that was a lot of information. Any thoughts that you have on back to school items? Do you love to shop for school supplies? Have you bought the supplies already? Have you been able to find everything you need? Do you have a favorite lunchbox from your childhood? Let me know. Take care, Julie

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey julie! i find it interesting that you wrote friday's favorites on thursday! :)

i got the lands end class mate lunch boxes for my kiddos and they are huge! i think they won't be hungry this school year! i got the little canister you can put warm stuff in. i do like their wipeability and they are a far cry from sam's old metal superman lunchbox! that's his now to put various cars and other collectibles in as far as i'm concerned!
i do love school supply shopping, i haven't buckled down here to purchase them all though because we're headed to disney in 8 days! eric is on a major spending freeze (seriously i need some culver's!) and it's making me feel guilty! although, we get home sunday and they start school on wednesday, so i don't have time to mess around worrying about spending freezes! :)
i'll skip my new running shoes maybe! :) oh, who am i kidding, i can't pass up some new running shoes! i will need something comfortable to see mickey in! :)
love the review idea! love-case

Kristin said...

I just bought Micah a Lands End backpack this year as well. Decided to bite the bullet on price and spend the money on quality! I love Lands' End. Good Review and I highly recommend.

Tales From the Eurovan said...

Hi Casey!
I'm so new to all this that I haven't figured out quite yet how to write on Thursday night and have it post on Friday!!! I just figured out how to set up comments so anyone can comment! I think I have a slow learning curve! How fun to be headed to Disney! We've thought about it, but aren't quite ready yet. What are you going to do with yourself girl with 2 kids in school? Take care, Julie

Tales From the Eurovan said...

Hi Kristin!
I bet it's almost a given to buy Land's End stuff since you live in Wisconsin! How far away is their headquarters? Do they have any outlets? I saw last night that all the backpacks and lunchboxes are $5 off. Too bad I missed that. I loved SCC on Larry King Live last night. His kids are so beautiful and they handled themselves so well. I thought they did a great job sharing their faith. Loved the whole tattoo part. Take care, Julie

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

I always think of you when I think of Lands End...no kidding either. Great post!

To schedule a post, hit the orange post option button and change the date...that should work for ya. Smiles. A

Angie said...

Hmmm, now you have me thinking. My 10-yo DD has been pouring over the ads every Sunday trying to decide which one she wants (hearts, polka dots, plaid, etc.). Decisions. Decisions.

That price isn't too bad either.

Anonymous said...

i just thought you were just that organized and forward thinking! :)

yeah, 2 kids in school, but our school still has half day kindergarten, so i get to have lulu one more afternoon alone! that will be fun. it'll be hard to be away from sam so long. wish i could homeschool! :) maybe someday, but i doubt it. my DH is adamant against it!

you guys are making me want to pick out lands end backpacks! and i've struggled with it - my kids just want their characters and i feel bad taking that away from them! they just can't get enough of princesses and superheroes! i've finally gotten through to them that there will be no character shoes anymore. i hate to take away the backpacks too! :)
love ya sistah! case