Shainsware Review and Giveaway

Shains: Say It, Wear It, Mean It

While attending the Sweet Suite event at BlogHer11, I saw groups of grown women huddled around a table with bowls of colorful buttons which had either letters or symbols printed on them. It looked like they were making friendship bracelets. I decided to give it a try and see what all the fun was about. I must admit I had fun making a bracelet for my daughter. I found out that the company that was responsible for all the giggling, lively chatting, the colorful bracelets and little buttons is Shainsware.

Shainsware is the newest and coolest way to say and wear what you mean. Shains are customizable ec0-friendly fashion accessories for people of all ages and all walks of life. You can customize bracelets, necklaces, key chains, hair bands, belts and much more by arranging interchangeable letters and icons (called elements) to express yourself. They are also made from recycled and recyclable materials.

From the company:

Shains are recycled accessories that encourage and empower people to make their own statements and change them whenever they want! Shainsware, the company, is dedicated to producing eco-friendly products that are useful and empowering. We donate a percentage of net profits to environmental organizations. Shains products are made of recycled and recyclable parts and everything Shains produces is certified lead free. Shains packaging is also recycled and recyclable.

Everything Shains produces is tested and passes all US and European safety standards.

Shainsware has a full product line. My kids and I had so much fun personalizing bracelets and a

notebook. The notebook and bracelets are soft and very pliable. The elements are easy to put in and very colorful. My kids have gone swimming while wearing the bracelets, the elements don't come loose!

My 7 year old son loved the Jane Goodall Save the Animals Kit. This kit comes with the bracelet and 50 formerly endangered species icons.

My 4 year old personalized a bracelet with the Starter kit. This kit comes with a bracelet and 60 elements which includes the entire alphabet and 7 cool icons.

My 12 year old wanted to customize a notebook he can use to jot down ideas and quick sketches. The Notebook kit comes with a notebook with 50 sheet of unlined recycled art quality paper and 60 elements. The Shains Notebook has been names Winner of 2011 Creative Child Kids Product of the Year!

I'd like to share this great product with you with not just one, but 3 giveaways! So that means 3 chances to win and 3 winners!! You get your CHOICE OF:

1. Bracelet Starter Kit with 60 Elements (the entire alphabet and 7 cool icons)

2. Jane Goodall Save the Animals Kit with 50 Formerly Endangered Species icons

3. Notebook with 60 Elements and 50 sheets of unlined paper.

To enter, you must complete the Mandatory Entry Requirements and leave a comment after each requirement is completed.

1. Follow me @SprMama on Twitter

2. Join this site via GFC

3. Visit Shainsware site and tell me what you like best about Shains.

4. Follow @Shainsware on Twitter

5. Leave a comment and tell me which one of the 3 sets you would like if you win

6. Like Shainsware on Facebook (No Facebook account? State in Comment section)

7. Tweet about this giveaway

This Giveaway will end on September 2, 2011 at midnight PST. The winner will be drawn via random.org and notified. The winner will have 2 days to respond. Otherwise, a new winner will be chosen.

Good luck! I know you will love Shainsware as much as we have!

**I was given the three products featured in this post for review by the company. All opinions expressed are mine.

You're going where?

That's what my husband said when I expressed an interest in going to BlogHer. That was November.

I wanted to attend BlogHer in New York last year, but I could not fathom spending that much on myself. So when I found out this year's conference is in San Diego, a 2 hour drive for me, BlogHer was definitely doable. So by December, I had purchased my ticket to BlogHer '11. There was no turning back.

I was excited! I will finally be learning how to grow my blog from those who have paved the way. I will finally be meeting people I've been interacting with on Twitter. I was giddy.

Then came another question from my husband, the devil's advocate: "Do you even know what these people look like?"

And another: "You're going around by yourself?"

These questions brought out all of my high school insecurities. I wanted to crawl back into my protective shell. I was having second thoughts.

I managed to push those thoughts aside and forced myself to socialize. I joined several forums (the ladies at MomSparkMedia forums have been a lifesaver!), and started following anyone who tweeted with the #BlogHer11 hashtag. As I read through hundreds of tweets and posts, I realized I wasn't alone. I will not be the only first-timer at the conference.

I was relieved...until I saw tweets about "exclusive" party invites. It felt like high school all over again. I was a nerd, a bookworm, a wallflower. I didn't go to dances or parties. Once again, I was on the outside looking in. I followed bloggers who were excited about being invited to parties sponsored by brands that I love and have used for years. I read about those who were being sponsored to go to BlogHer. I saw several hashtags which turned out to be other blogging conferences they were flying to or have just attended.

I. WAS. JEALOUS. And then fear crept in. I was so intimidated, I actually disconnected myself from social media. It took me a few days to shake it off. Then my 4 year daughter said, "Mommy, you're going to have so much fun. You're going to be with your friends."

Out of the mouths of babes. She was right.

So, in two weeks, I will be in San Diego attending BlogHer for the first (and hopefully, not the last) time. And I have resolved to do the following:

1. I will attend the sessions I feel will help me improve my blog.

2. I will leave my wallflower self at home, and borrow my daughter's social butterfly personality for a few days. I can't do anything about the nerd in me. Once a nerd, always a nerd. And proud of it!

3. I will hand out my business cards to fellow bloggers and brand reps and put myself out there.

4. Although my blog is a work in progress, I will be proud of it.

5. I will attend the official BlogHer parties. By the way, I did receive a couple of those coveted "private invitations." And I have met a fellow party-hopper, so I won't be alone.

6. And last, but not least, I WILL HAVE FUN!

So if you see someone looking lost and overwhelmed, with a badge that says @SprMama, please come up to me and say hi. I'll say hi back!

See you in San Diego!