Category: Reviews

How many of you are headed to the beach this summer?

Yeah, me neither. I’m rather depressed about it. But that will not stop me from getting some relaxation in where I can – and to me there is nothing, nothing, more relaxing than laying on the beach (or just in the sun pretending to be on the beach) with a good book.

Lands’ End encouraging women to think about what’s in their beach bags. They have partnered with Random House and New York Times bestselling author Nancy Thayer to offer women the best in beach essentials – including a Nancy’s new book and great totes to carry it all.

I have my bag packed and ready to go. To the pool. But that’ll do!

Lands’ End has everything you need for your beach bag (including the bag itself!) – even Lands’ End nail polish by Zoya. For real. Lands’ End nail polish. Kate is currently sporting the “Tracie” color (green), in support of her swim team The Gators. Check out the Lands’ End webpage. You can also win a ready-for-the-beach bag filled with fun stuff at iVillage.

In addition to books and beach towels, this year I’ve added something new to my beach bag – a sun hat. For years my scalp has gotten sunburned over and over again, and I’ve finally decided to try to prevent that from happening. So, hat it is!

What’s in YOUR beach bag?

Every spring I head to Old Navy to pick up a dozen few of their “Best Tees.” The tees have changed over the years – when I first started buying them they were cut short and kind of boxy, and then they got longer but boxy, longer and fitted, etc. They change with the trends. So when I had the opportunity to review one of this year’s tees, I was all over it.

This year, I must say, is the best Best Tee yet.

These shirts are super soft and comfortable, and the fit is quite feminine and flattering. I have the v-neck version, but they also come in crew neck, long-sleeved, cami, and hoodie versions, and prices range from $8.50 to $22.94. Best Tees are also available for men, children and toddlers.

Don’t believe me? Ask Mr. T.

I liked the one they sent me so well that I went to Old Navy yesterday and bought a couple more. (On sale two for $15, score!) They’re having a huge Easter sale right now, so I also bought this.

And this (which I am slightly obsessed with and may have worn both yesterday AND today).

And this.

And also some other things I can’t remember right now. And maybe some things for the kids.

WHAT???? The Easter sale was too good to pass up!

So follow my lead and go to Old Navy to get some Best Tees, and then pick up six or eight other things that catch your eye.

*****
I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Old Navy and received a product sample to facilitate my review, and a promotional item to thank me for participating. Everything mentioned above except the one t-shirt I bought with my very own money.

We’ve reviewed a lot of cool stuff in the 4.5 years we’ve be blogging, but the product I’m reviewing today is special because I totally know the person who invented it – we grew up on the same block. (She moved to Los Angeles and had a successful career in show biz. I moved… around the block.) In any case, she created a great product I think you’re all going to love.

Meet Brooke and John Isbell.

Are they cute or what?

They invented the Dugout Hero, which is a personal dugout organizer for t-ball/softball/baseball players.

As you can see, the Dugout Hero is designed to hang on the fence along the dugout, and it’s the perfect way to keep things organized. Kate’s played t-ball or softball for the past few years, and I’d estimate that the kids and coaches spent more time rounding up gloves and bats and hats between innings than they did on the field. The Dugout Hero gives kids a place to put their bat, glove, helmet, batting glove and water bottle so they know where their stuff is and can find it quickly. It also makes the dugout more organized, so the kids aren’t tripping over gloves when they’re heading up to bat. And there’s also the sanitary factor – the Dugout Hero prevents the sharing of hats and water bottles (just the thought makes me cringe!).

Here’s Kate checking out the Dugout Hero.

I don’t think it’s typically used by people wearing sparkly red shoes, but that’s Kate for ya.

The Dugout Hero is well-made and sturdy, and would stand up to the abuse it would take during a baseball season. It rolls up and fastens with velcro so it can be put in a bat bag for transporting… they’ve really thought of everything.

I like the Dugout Hero so much that I’m going to hang it on the wall in Sam’s bedroom before and after his t-ball season. It’s the perfect decor for a baseball nut like him!

The Dugout Hero can be purchased on their website, so go buy one for every ball player in your life – the little ones and the big ones too. You and/or your husband could be the coolest person on the church softball team, and you’ll be supporting a mom entrepreneur in the process!

The Dugout Hero such a great product that it deserves a wider audience, and you can help make that happen! From now until April 3, the Dugout Hero is competing in Walmart’s Get on the Shelf contest. You can vote through Facebook or via text, so vote early and vote often!

For more information about the Dugout Hero, visit their website and like them on Facebook. And don’t forget to vote!