CSN has a great selection of luggage for holiday travel!

Going on a trip anytime soon?  Maybe a trip to Florida or California to get away from the cold wet weather? Or maybe a business trip after the holidays?  Every January Usborne Books has their annual Winter Retreat (read that as training but retreat sounds even better) and you'll need luggage that will look good, isn't huge and you can carry onto the plane (save a little on luggage cost and carry it on) and of course the kids will need to go to Grandma's sometimes so you and the honey can have the occasional weekend to yourselves.

Look around at different Luggage Stores and you'll find CSN has just the styles & prices you need!

I found this awesome bag which would be perfect to pack full of books for homeshows, literacy events, personal shopping appointments and those once a year 'retreats'.  It's compact, roomy and would fit nicely in the car.

Or maybe you know of a couple getting married soon?  CSN is having an awesome sale on Hartmann Luggage right now - Hartmann luggage is strong, very well made and looks great. 

It's available in several styles, made with soft & luxious black pebbled grain leather and the hardware is a beautiful antique bronze.  (Note the bag above is a Hartmann bag too & it has FREE Shipping - YAY!)

40% Off the Entire Naturalist Collection! Take advantage of this great sale today.

Experience the difference in comfort and durability with the Naturalist collection from Hartmann. Featuring extremely durable fabric with a brown and black two tone dobby weave. Water and stain resistant black interior textured lining.

www.Luggage.com

Giveaway - Connectagons by Hearthsong.com

Our Winner is:  

 95 Debbie Following you on GFC

Debbie has been notified by email and has 48 hours to contact me back.  If I haven't heard back I will draw another winner.  Thanks for your patience!
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Hey everyone - it's Sunday and this weekend has gone WAY TO FAST!  But, I have a fun review and giveaway to share with you courtesy of Hearthsong!

Hearthsong sent a set of the original Connectagons which have 240 colorful octagonal wooden tiles which can be used to build up, out and around in a multitude of different shapes and designs using the 8 slits that are cut into the sides of the shapes.  They also sent me the Geometry Connectagons which are made up of 240 triangles, half circles and squares in bright pretty colors. Both sets have very bright colorful pieces and the designs the kids make are very beautiful.

There are many ways these could be used within the classroom for sorting, mapping, building, science and math skills.  You can work on patterning by designing rectangular cards and drawing around the pieces, an example would be:  square, circle (2 semi circles), triangle, square, circle, what comes next?  You can also use the original set and do the same with the various patterns on the pieces.  Be sure to have the kids match the actual pieces to the card - this helps them visually understand what they are doing.

For older kids who are interested in science, you can have them "design" different chemical patterns (gotta be creative and think outside the box here).  See if they can design different animals, etc.

This toy comes in a series of different themes:   Heart to Heart, Butterflies and Flowers,

The Connectagons come in a wooden box which is very hard to open.  There is an optional bag you can purchase if desired.  I'm planning on giving these to my niece Jenna (age 3 1/2 - 4 at Christmas) and nephew Brett (age 7).  I thought they would be a fun toy to play with on rainy days, sick days, times when it's necessary for a little quiet time (baby napping).  But I am planning on giving a rubbermaid container with the toys to store them in, the containers are just to difficult for kids to use - and I can't see the kids lining up the pieces so they all fit in.  The toy is for children 4+.

Wouldn't YOU love a set of these awesome toys for your home?  These would be a great gift for birthdays, your birthday closet, as a gift from Santa or Grandma and Grandpa.  There are a couple of ways you can get them!

1) Hearthsong has a great offer right now: Save $10.96! Connectagons Special includes Connectagons Set and Connectagons Geometry Set.  To order, click HERE

2) Hearthsong is giving away a set of the original Connectagons and the Geometry Connectagons.  Drawing will take place 9/19, US only please, 18 years and older.  Here are the details:

**Please do individual entries into the contest - if you get 2 entries, please put two individual comments**

Mandatory Entry:  (This MUST be done to enter the contest)
Go to Hearthsong's website and tell me something you learned about Hearthsong.  You can share their cancellation policy, a toy that you would love to own, etc.  Or if you've ordered from Hearthsong, give us a mini review of the toy/item you ordered.  1 entry

Options:
A) Follow Hearthsong on Facebook (1 entry=1comment)
B) Follow HearthsongToys on Twitter (1 entry=1comment)
C) Follow GivingNSharing on GFC, Networked Blogs (1 entry=1comment each)
D) Follow GivingNSharing on Twitter or Facebook  (leave your "handle" in your comment 1 entry=1comment each)
E) Tweet/post on Facebook one or both of these:
"I want to WIN a set of Connectagon's for my family! @ http://ning.it/a015pl, drawing on 9/19, US only"
"Connectagons are the perfect gift for kids! Giveaway at @ http://ning.it/a015pl, drawing on 9/19, US only"
 (Facebook - 5 entries, 1 time only / Twitter - 5 entries each time up to twice a day at least 4 hours apart)
 Please leave your tweet address - I do check before I email the winner!

Finally, check this out!

Enter Here

Disclosure: I received a set of the Connectagons and the Geometry Connectagons for review purposes. No other compensation was received, and opinions are completely my own.