Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Review and Giveaway: Carolina Pad CLOSED



Odds are you know someone who has recently graduated - or is about to graduate - from high school or college. It's been over four years but it seems like just yesterday I wore my own collegiate cap and gown and walked across the stage to nab my long-awaited diploma (almost six years in the making!). While I had already been working full-time for a number of years, many graduates are thrust right from their robes into business suits as they enter the workforce for the first time.

If you're looking for a fabulous yet functional gift for that special graduate, look no further than Carolina Pad.

The mission of Carolina Pad is to "excite customers by bringing extraordinary fashion and innovation to everyday products". The first company to bring fashion to school and office supplies, their notebooks, binders and other products stand out from the crowd. Their collections, with catchy names like Hot Chocolate and Pattern Play, have even been featured on hit shows such as Glee, Desperate Housewives, the new 90210 and Gossip Girl.

I had the pleasure of reviewing Carolina Pad's Executive Series as part of their "Stylish Graduate" promotion. As soon as I opened my package, I gasped with delight when I saw how pretty the products were.

The sleek Padfolio (ARV $12.99) is sure to impress at a job interview or wow at your next business meeting. The patent vinyl cover and vibrant colors make it trendy and durable. It features a refillable, college-ruled notebook and inside pockets for storing business cards or other loose documents. I love the magnetic, faux buckle clasp. Its slim line makes it easy to carry. It also has a generous pen holder, which accommodates those chunky click-pens I like. I've been using my padfolio to keep track of my review/giveaway schedule for this blog and it is perfect for my needs.

The Business Card Binder (ARV $9.99) keeps standard business cards and credit cards neat and organized. Featuring a faux croc design and alphabetized tab dividers, it holds and protects up to 120 cards. I just adore the chic yellow croc pattern. I have been using my binder to organize both my PR contacts and my husband's business contacts. As a small business owner, he attends a lot of networking events and receives a small mountain of cards, which he attempts to shove in his overstuffed wallet. He has misplaced them on so many occasions, frantically searching for an associate's phone number or email address. Not anymore! Now we have everything in one central - and stylish - location.

The Flip Notes Pad (ARV $5.99) is convenient for jotting down notes on the fly. The attractive faux croc design and compact size make it perfect for keeping in your car, purse, or pocket. And it includes a pen so you never have to dig around for one again! I received a flip pad in a light blue croc pattern, which matches my spring jacket perfectly. (How did they know?!) I've been keeping mine in my purse for those times I need to write down directions, exchange my information or simply gather my thoughts. The paper inside is colored to match so no matter how short your notes may be, they will always look sweet.

The Personal Card Holder (ARV $7.99) keeps 24 standard business cards and credit cards just a snap away with a fun, faux croc style wallet. The business card binder is great to keep at home or in the office but if you travel for work or want to make a portion of your Rolodex portable, you will want to store them in this handy case. Outside of the office, it makes a fashionable credit card/driver's license/insurance card holder. You could even use it to carry wallet-sized photos of your family, which you'll indeed want to show off when the opportunity arises.

Bottom line: The Carolina Pad Executive Series is sure to please any career-minded fashionista. The products are posh, practical and best of all - affordable! They would also make a thoughtful gift for graduations, Boss's Day (October) or Secretary's Day (April).

BUY IT: You can purchase the Executive Series and other collections online at Carolina Pad or use their store locator to find a retailer near you. Right now, if you make a purchase of $40 or more in their online store, you'll receive free FedEx shipping!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win the same set of office products I received from the Carolina Pad Executive Series - worth over $35! (Note: if you've won a Carolina Pad giveaway in the past 90 days, you are not eligible. Sorry!)

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Take a peek around Carolina Pad and tell me another product you like. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Carolina Pad on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Need a gift for a special graduate? Win a set of chic office supplies from @carolinapad and @kris10chumley ENDS 6/23 http://bit.ly/dfvs3p

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Become a fan of Carolina Pad on Facebook. (1 entry)

4.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

5.) Sign up for the Carolina Pad mailing list and leave me a comment with the email address you used. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on June 23, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: I received the above products at no charge from April with Carolina Pad to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. The thoughts and opinions expressed are purely mine. Your experience may differ.

146 comments:

Kristen said...

I like the Eye Candy 8 Pocket Organizational folder.

couponboss at gmail dot com

casey aubut said...

I love the new Tiki Lounge Sets!
cassandra@aubut.net

Amber said...

I also love the Sasquatch Collection, especially the three-ring binder!
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Amber said...

I follow your blog publicly with google friend connect
Thank you for the giveaway :)
hurdler4eva(at)gmail(dot)com

Wehaf said...

I like the Sasquatch compositions books!

urchiken at gmail dot com

Jessica said...

Thanks for the information! It looks like they make great products!

I found your blog through the MBC follow me club. I am now following!

I am new at this blogging thing and am in need of new followers, so please follow me as well.

You can find me at:

http://mommyhoodnextright.blogspot.com

Thanks,
Jessica a.k.a Nya's mom

cloud10277 said...

I like the Hot Chocolate 13-Pocket Folder-Pixie.
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Email subscriber
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

Following you and Carolina Pad on twitter
@cloud10277
Tweeted:
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/15322493477
cloud10277@hotmail.com

cloud10277 said...

I'm a fan of Carolina Pad on Facebook
Tracy P
cloud10277@hotmail.com

thaeter7 said...

I liked the "Tiki Lounge notebook"
rally_thade17@hotmail.com

thaeter7 said...

I follow
rally_thade17@hotmail.com

miller lawn service said...

I really like the Sasquatch collection. Especially the Sasquatch Binder.

409cope said...

I like the Dreamsicle Ideal Book the most. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...

I like Carolina Pad on facebook.Shari D cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

409cope said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
409cope said...

I subscribe to Carolina Pad email.cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sara said...

I like the Simply chic journal.
seraphou@aol.com

littlelatina said...

the 8 pocket organizer is nice

bluejenna said...

I really like the Dreamsicle 13-Pocket Expandable Folder

thanks
holtyn@gmail.com

Barb said...

I also like the hot chocolate folder & the eye candy organizers. But, this red set in the pics is amazingly my favorite color! What a great giveaway item.


Barb g.
directorylanesuperstoreATgmail.com

Barb said...

I also signed up for your rss feed delivery by google reader so I won't miss any more giveaways.


Barb g.
directorylanesuperstoreATgmail.com

Barb said...

I liked your product sponsor on facebook for bonus entry! I like your blog name I used to say that all the time as a child to bug my older brother!

Barb said...

Signed up for Carolina's newsletter by email at bgary18ATsbcglobal.net

barb g.
directorylanesuperstoreATgmail.com

www.kiboomu.com said...

While I would love to stop by and shop, I've been very busy with my social networking lately!

Which brings me to the reason for this post:

I am really very sorry that this is a form letter :(

However we spent days following everyone on the Simply Follow list from the Mom Bloggers Club, and out of 690 people, maybe only 10 followed us :(

I don’t know if you joined our blog or not, but if you have a moment, could you PLEASE go over to http://www.kiboomu.blogspot.com and give us a quick follow?

Again, sorry for this form letter, but I am going to to back to ALL 690+ people that we followed and leaving this note. Hopefully we will get a super great turnout now!

BTW I LOVE YOUR BLOG!!

XOXOXO
Wendy

aledol said...

Kendall
Hot Chocolate

aledol said...

http://4tmama.blogspot.com
Fave Fr
button

aledol said...

G ~rd fd

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15388462910

aledol said...

CP FB

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15388462910

txgiggles45 said...

I like the Dreamsicle Personal Book! ;)
txgigggles@yahoo.com

C said...

I love the Eye Candy Mouse Pad!

kaleidoscopequeen at gmail dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15463115186

flossie K. said...

I also like the Simply Chic Bundle. Cute!

aledol said...

http://twitter.http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15524676240/aleshamom4/status/15524676240

sohamolina said...

I like Eye Candy notebeooks and binders.

sohamolina said...

GFC follower

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/15536908830

sohamolina said...

FB liker of Carolina Pad

sohamolina said...

sgned up for Carolina Pad emails with eddiem11@ca.rr.com

Anonymous said...

I need a new planner for the fall and really like the 18 months fashion calendar.

Anonymous said...

Follow on twitter and tweeted
http://twitter.com/momstateofmind/statuses/15551319978

Anonymous said...

I like Carolina Pad on FB

The Dreamer said...

dig the eye candy mouse pads

addeviant006 at gmail dot com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15600124785

Unknown said...

I like the Hot Chocolate Collection.Thanks for the chance.
otterspop@comcast.net

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15672867806

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/15717132976

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15741252041

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15821460265

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15901433918

Chrissyb said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chrissyb said...

I like the Simply chic journal.
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

Chrissyb said...

http://twitter.com/lilbabybootie/status/15971252947
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/15976110419

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/16011830201

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/16050493043

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/16082795193
cloud10277@hotmail.com

chlorinebrain said...

I would also love the Dreamsicle 13-Pocket Expandable Folder

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/16173884568
cloud10277@hotmail.com

Chrissyb said...

http://twitter.com/lilbabybootie/status/16193024686
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

msrodeobrat said...

i like the hot chocolate folders

addictedtorodeo at gmail dot com

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/16237379286

mindy said...

the puppy paws 1 inch binder thanks for the giveaway minsthins at optonline dot net

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/16310006770
cloud10277@hotmail.com

Denise S. said...

I like the Eye Candy Mouse Pad.

Chrissyb said...

http://twitter.com/lilbabybootie/status/16358558866
transamws602(at)yahoo(dot)com

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/16356978139

Darcie K. said...

I love the Executive Series Bundle
dmkayes@gmail.com

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/16400008719

Jolee said...

Like the Sasquatch line A LOT. joleehamlin AT comcast DOT net

Jolee said...

email subscriber. joleehamlin AT comcast DOT net

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/16437593365

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/16478355144
cloud10277@hotmail.com

jbafaith said...

I like the eye candy bundle!

jbafaith2001 at yahoo dot com

jbafaith said...

Fan of Carolina pad on facebook Judy Clark Bradley

jbafaith2001 at yahoo dot com

jbafaith said...

signed up for Carolina Pad mailing list

jbafaith2001 at yahoo dot com

jbafaith said...

I subscribe to your email

jbafaith2001 at yahoo dot com

jbafaith said...

follow on Google Friend Connect

jbafaith2001 at yahoo dot com

jbafaith said...

tweet tweet

http://twitter.com/jbafaith/status/16479751730

jbafaith2001 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I like the Hot Chocolate 13-Pocket Folder-Pixie.
trinitygsd at yahoo dot com

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/16556454483

aledol said...

http://twitter.com/aleshamom4/status/16579252117

jbafaith said...

tweet tweet

http://twitter.com/jbafaith/status/16593297747

jbafaith2001 at yahoo dot com

jbafaith said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ky2here said...

I like the entire Sasquatch line - particularly the journal because of how it looks and also because of what it represents.

ky2here said...

Google friend follower kycouple2000.

ky2here said...

Following both on twitter and here's my tweet:

http://twitter.com/ky2here1/status/16614425097

Anonymous said...

I really like the Eye Candy Bundle.

imin2fun81 at mail dot com

rah267 said...

crazyred61@yahoo.com
I really like Tiki Lounge

jennem said...

At Carolina Pad, I like Whimsical FLower. Particularly the Journal, item 11275.
Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

jennem said...

Public Google Friends follower as jennem.
Jennifer, jennem22 at yahoo dot com

skooterbear said...

sign me up this sounds great thanks

cloud10277 said...

tweet
http://twitter.com/cloud10277/status/16786106151
cloud10277@hotmail.com

sohamolina said...

http://twitter.com/sohamolina/status/16786410425

Amy delong said...

the eye candy 3 ring binder!

ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Amy delong said...

follow your blog
amyd

ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Amy delong said...

fb fan of carolina pad
amyd

ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Amy delong said...

signed up for carolina pad mailing list

ardelong2(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancye said...

I like the Dreamsicle Accordion Folder

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

GFC Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

email subscriber

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Facebook Fan Carolina Pad

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

I signed up for Carolina Pad's newsletter

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nancye said...

I follow Goodie-Goodie Gumdrops and Carolina Pad on Twitter and I Tweeted this giveaway
@NancyeDavis

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/16794861414

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Jonnie (JB) said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jonnie (JB) said...

I follow with GFC

dftrew(At)gmail(dot)com

Rhonda said...

I also like the Tiki Lounge 1 Subject Notebook collection

rhondastruthers atyahoo.ca

Rhonda said...

email subscriber

rhondastruthersat yahoo.ca

Rhonda said...

GFC follower

rhondastruthers atyahoo.ca

Chrissyb said...

https://twitter.com/lilbabybootie/status/16814627433

Valancia said...

Eye Candy flip top notebook.skyxsky27(at)gmail.com

Valancia said...

Subscribed.

Valancia said...

I'm a fan of Carolina Pad on Facebook.
id- Valancia Arrelya

plhill2000 said...

I love the whole Graphic in Nature line.

Melissa B. said...

I like the Hot Chocolate 18-Month Fashion Calendar.

Unknown said...

I like the road trip collection
gerrie DOT shaeffer AT yahoo DOT com

Becky said...

I love the Kendall collection...it has always been my favorite and all the things in it.

susansmoaks said...

the tiki lounge notebook is adorable

susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

follower
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

their fb fan tony l smoaks
susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

signed up for their email

susansmoaks at gmail dot com

susansmoaks said...

following on twitter and tweeted

http://twitter.com/fdp4life/status/16855208529

susansmoaks at gmail dot com

mail4rosey said...

I like the Kendall spiral notebook. msurosey@yahoo.com

mail4rosey said...

I subscribe. msurosey@yahoo.com

Hbomb said...

I like simply chic bundle in yellow
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com

Hbomb said...

I sign up the their newsletter
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com

Hbomb said...

I follow both (@xbeautifulcoma) and tweeted
http://twitter.com/xbeautifulcoma/status/16867658981
xbeautifulcoma at yahoo dot com

thatlittlehouse said...

I like the Dreamsicle tab dividers

hellolove said...

I really like Hot Chocolate 2-Year Pocket Calendar.

winjennifer@hotmail.com

hellolove said...

I subscribed via email. winjennifer@hotmail.com

hellolove said...

I signed up for Carolina Pad mailing list at winjennifer@hotmail.com

Charlene S. said...

I'd like to have the Dreamsicle Composition Book.

motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com

Charlene S. said...

email subscribe

motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com

Charlene S. said...

Signed up for Carolina Pad mailing list.

motherabagail531 at yahoo dot com

Pamela S said...

I love the whimsical flower collection....especially the accordion file. Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)aol(DOT)com

Pamela S said...

Signed up for Carolina Pad mailing list. Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net

Tammy said...

Scrolling Along Executive Notebook Set

tina reynolds said...

I love the hot chocolote series design thanks for the chance to win eaglesforjack@gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

I like the pretty Hot Chocolate Desk Calendar! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Tylerpants said...

Signed up for the Carolina Pad mailing list! tylerpants(at)gmail.com

Unknown said...

I like the Dreamsicle Ideal Book. garrettsambo@aol.com

jbafaith said...

tweet tweet

http://twitter.com/jbafaith/status/16900013843

jbafaith2001 at yahoo dot com

Melanie Montgomery said...

I like the Hot Chocolate 18-Month Fashion Calendar.



clarkmurdock@yahoo.com

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