This post is brought to you by Target.
So those of you who have been reading this blog for a while will know that back in the day, before I had kids, I was a teacher. What you probably didn’t know was at the end of every year I would hand out the book lists for the following school year and say things to the parents like, “Have fun shopping for all those goodies” or “Here’s your book list for next year. Wish I could get my hands on all that stationery” or my personal favourite, “That will be a great day out during the holidays for you and the kids.” Now surprisingly, those comments were usually meet with flustered looks, loud sighs and even the occasional eye roll. And as someone who was yet to experience the joys of getting her own kids back to school, I had no idea why I got the reactions I did.
Fast forward a few years and BAM! I’ve got two school aged children of my own who both need brand new everything at the beginning of each school year. I don’t know about you, but the first time I was handed a Back To School Book List I nearly passed out with shock. And totally got the whole flustered, sighing, eye rolling thing. I mean, really. Sending the kids back to school can be an expensive exercise and just quietly, the idea of traipsing around various shops with two kids in tow in an effort to get everything on that long and extensive list is not my idea of a great day out.
So when Target offered to send me a couple of Back To School Survival Kits for Bailey and Sophie, along with some gift vouchers to give away to you, I said “Um, yes please” quicker than a mum pulling into the drop off zone on the second day of school.
Now can we just take a moment to discuss these backpacks? Both are from the brand Piping Hot and just so happen to feature the kid’s favourite things (Bailey loves surfing at the beach and Sophie’s favourite colour is aqua) so there will be no nagging from me this year to “hurry up and pack your school bag” because I have a feeling they’ll want their mates to see them carrying these ones. Bailey’s bag is currently on sale for $35 (reduced from $50) and also includes an iPad case, a pencil case and a wallet (great for tuckshop money.) Look, here’s a visual:
Now let’s have a look at what was inside those backpacks shall we? Let’s start with Sophie’s…
From left to right we’ve got one super cute Smash 3D lunchbox ($8), A4 notebooks (50 cents each) and a smaller 48 page notebook for the bargain price of 10cents each! A pack of 50 coloured pencils ($3), a pack of copy paper ($3), the back pack ($25), a hot pink pencil case ($4), a 2 pack of gluesticks (currently on sale for $1 a pack) and a pack of 50 felt pens for $3.
And here’s what was in Bailey’s back pack…
From left to right: A Nude Food Movers 5 Piece Lunch Pack, BPA free and currently 20% off the entire range (the set in the picture is on sale for $9.50), a Smash brand stainless drink bottle (on sale for $8), a blue pencil case ($4), the pencil case, iPad case and wallet that were included in the back pack ($35 for the entire pack) and finally a 42 piece stationery set for the incredibly low price of just $5!
After Sophie had calmed down from all the excitement of seeing the Target Back To School goodies, Bailey had stopped checking out the clever little compartments in his new backpack and I’d stopped muttering things like, “Wow, are those pencils really only $3?” to myself, I asked the kids to pick out their favourite item. This is what they chose:
Good choices kids. That stainless steel drink bottle will keep your water cold for hours and that lunchbox will be the talk of the playground. And what was my favourite item I hear you ask? Well for me, it would have to be the essentials. You know, the pens, the pencils, notebooks etc. Because they’re the items that kids seem to go through the most and often need replenishing throughout the year. All of these items in Target’s Back to School range are so incredibly cheap that stocking up now won’t cost a fortune. I also love the fact that everything required on those dreaded book lists can be purchased at Target. Yep, Target is definitely your one-stop-shop for all of your Back To School needs!
School Shoes:
Now before we get to the giveaway details, can we just quickly discuss school shoes? I picked up these beauties from my local Target for the bargain price of $29. For those of you who love details, I can confirm that they’re made of leather (upper and sock), provide arch support, have dri-lex moisture management lining and a reinforced stitch toe area. They also have a durable slip-resistant soles and according to Sophie are “really, really comfy.” (Always a bonus when it comes to school shoes!)
Back To School Giveaway:
And now for the Back To School giveaway details. The lovely people at Target have kindly put 3 $25 Target Gift Vouchers up for grabs to help you with the cost of your Back To School needs. To enter, simply follow the prompts on the Rafflecopter Widget* below and you’re in the running to win. GOOD LUCK!
Please note: This is a sponsored post. Thank you to Target for the opportunity to be a part of their Back To School blogger program and to share my thoughts on their products with you.
UPDATED 15.01.13
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who entered the giveaway. I’m pleased to announce that the three lucky winners of a $25 Target Australia Gift Voucher are JULIE MASON, NINA DOWNES and LARA @ THIS CHARMING MUM. I’ll be in touch with you via email shortly!
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