Start Packing GIVEAWAY!!!

I feel that all I've been doing the past few days is packing...ah yes, the upcoming move...light at the end of the tunnel, light at the end of the tunnel. Anyway, on to the product review and giveaway! You all saw the teaser of the adorable SKIP HOP Zoo Pack Penguin backpack last week, right? Well, he arrived (rather quickly - thank you CSN stores shipping department!) and we tested him out with a little sleepover to Nana and Papa's house. Boy, can this little guy really pack a lot! I've always loved penguins...my mom loves owls...my sister loves hedgehogs. Those would make some really cute backpacks, right? We do have the owl zoo lunchie and yes, he's equally as cute...but I'd love to see a hedgehog created. Would get one for the sis in a heartbeat!

Zoo packs from SKIP HOP are little kid backpacks and lunchpacks where "fun meets function". Their product is PVC-free, Phthalate-free and BPA-free - which in layman's terms means no harmful chemical exposure for your itty-bitty. Yahoo! The interior is deep and roomy - it held quite a bit of the trip essentials. There is a designated gray nametag inside where you can write your child's name or iron/sew on one of their name labels - very nice! The side has an adjustable mesh bottle pocket that expanded very nicely to accommodate our (rather large) sippy cup. The padded, adjustable straps were easy to work and very comfy on my itty-bitty's shoulders...no complaints! Get this, there is a pouch on the front that is insulated just for snacks and has a mesh interior pocket for all your little stuff! How cool is that? This little guy measures 10 inches wide x 11.5 inches high x 4 inches deep - very manageable even for a three year old! And the fabric...a breeze to clean - wipes up very easily. A must for toting it everywhere with a toddler/preschooler.

The pack, however, is not suitable for children under 3 years of age due to small parts (zipper pull attachments are cute little fishies) and a long cord (side bottle pocket cord - it's enclosed, but could be pulled out if stretched very very hard) - just wanted to mention that to you who are entering.

One lucky reader will win this same backpack (a $19.98 retail value) shipped directly to you from CSN stores for FREE (I will provide them with the winner's email and they take care of the rest - easy peasy)! Their customer service is top-notch, shipping was uber fast and the variety of options they have to pick from their 200+ stores is outrageous!

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only in the contiguous states (my apologies to my international friends and readers - I am working on a giveaway that will include you soon). Please leave your name and email address in the comment field so I have some way to contact/notify you. Be sure you leave a separate comment for each entry item you complete.You can earn up to eleven (11) entries before the giveaway closes!

All you have to do to enter the giveaway is answer question #1 - easy peasy - that's it!

1. Tell me what is your favorite animal and why? (One entry.)

OPTIONAL additional entries can be made completing these steps - be sure to leave a separate comment for each one you complete:

2. Become a follower of my blog through Google Friend Connect in the left hand column - select the 'follow' button, then leave a comment that you follow. If you already follow my blog, let me know in your comment. (One entry.)

3. Subscribe to my blog feed under 'Subscribe to' and leave me a comment that you did so. (One entry.)

4. Follow me on Twitter @CatherineStern and leave me a comment that you did so. (One entry.)

5. Here's where you can earn up to seven (7) more entries - one per day per person! TWEET about this giveaway on Twitter once a day until giveaway close (5/19) and leave me a comment that you did so. Be sure to include the tag @CatherineStern in your tweet so I can track your entry. (One entry per day!)

Good luck and be sure to check out CSN stores for all your needs - there is something for everyone!

Contest ends at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19th. Winner will be announced Thursday, May 20th and must claim prize within 72 hours or a new winner will be selected and announced. Winner is randomly chosen by www.random.org and odds of winning are based on total number of entries submitted by giveaway end.

This giveaway has ended. Thank you to all who participated! The winner will be announced soon!!!

{ This product review is based solely on my personal opinion and experience with the item sample I received. I was not additionally compensated for this review. }

(Image courtesy of SKIP HOP via CSN Stores)