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.