Sunday, December 18, 2011

Giveaway: Tea Collection Children's Clothing $100 GC {1.18; US} CLOSED

This is a joint giveaway with Hobo Mama and Natural Parents Network. I'm cross-posting it here at Hobo Mama Reviews as well. You may enter at one site only. Please find the section marked "Win it!" for the mandatory main entry and optional bonus entries.

baby and boy at Christmas tree in Diego striped shirts — Tea Collection giveawayTea Collection is offering our readers a giveaway of a $100 Gift Certificate.

Tea Collection offers high-quality, modern children's clothes that are internationally inspired, wearable, and unique.


I'm a little bit drooly when it comes to Tea Collection children's clothing. I admired them from afar for a couple years before finally getting my greedy paws on some pieces. I entered giveaways like this (but didn't win, sigh). I was nearly giddy when Tea offered to let me do a review and giveaway of their precious boys' clothing. (Clothes for girls, women, and babies are also available.)

Tea Collection: The Story

Tea Collection picks a particular global region to inspire the clothing line each year: from Japan to West Africa to Hungary. Right now it's Modern Mexico, and I love the south-of-the-border details. The inspiration often turns toward the graphic and the colorful, lending a stylistic and unique touch to your kids' clothes you don't usually find.

The tagline for Tea is "for little citizens of the world." I admire the "fusion of worldwide cultures and modern design," as the About page puts it.

Decorate the Kids: Get Colorful

Let me admit that I'm not a little green when I look at the girls' clothing that Tea offers. As with most children's clothing, it's even cuter. But, I have two boys, and fortunately, Tea has got them covered with delectable options as well.

smiling boy in Fuerte polo shirt and Fiesta plaid shirt — Tea Collection giveaway


One thing that often depresses me about boys' clothing is how drab it can be. Tea says no way to boring and came through with not one but two purple shirts for my four-year-old! Mikko loves purple, and it's incredibly hard to find boys' shirts in that color. Yea for Tea!

Matchy Matchy: Range of Children's Sizes

Even better? Mikko loves to match clothing with his new little brother, Alrik, who's six months old. I figure that agreeableness won't last forever, so I try to indulge it as I can. Unfortunately, Mikko wears a size 6 or 7 now, and Alrik is still in baby sizes, of course. This makes finding coordinating clothing very challenging.

boy and baby in Fuerte polo shirts, Fiesta plaid shirt, Surplus Playwear Pants — Tea Collection giveaway


Tea to the rescue! Nearly all of the clothing options at Tea Collection start at baby sizes (a Small is 6-12 months) and go up through children's sizes, most up to a size 12. Yup, you could get a baby a romper, big sister a coordinating shirt, and even bigger sister the same one! I can't tell you how excited this makes me.

baby and boy licking cookie decorations in Diego striped shirts — Tea Collection giveaway


(They also have newborn size clothing for smaller babies, beginning at 0-3 months up through 6-9 months.)

Our Clothing: Sized Right

baby sitting and smiling at bookshelf in Fuerte polo shirt and Surplus Playwear Pants — Tea Collection giveawayHere's what we received, all told:


I chose our sizing based on the Size Chart and was quite pleased at the fit. Just for reference, Alrik is about 17 pounds right now, and Mikko is (gasp) 50 pounds.

Size Small is 15-22 pounds, and Medium is 22-27 — I chose a Medium for the short-sleeve polo shirt, since likely Alrik will be wearing that more in the spring and summer. I didn't feel that either shirt looked way too big on him, probably because of the nice elasticity, but there's thankfully plenty of room to grow. The pants were a little snug over his cloth diaper, but not a problem once we wiggled them on. Since they were in the larger size, they needed to be rolled up, but I actually like it when baby pants are too long, because then they still cover the legs when they get hiked up during babywearing.

back of Diego striped shirt at bookcase — Tea Collection giveawaySize 7 is 51-61 pounds according to the chart, and indeed, it looks like Mikko has a little room to grow, but the shirts aren't comically large on him. He's tall for his age, but not at a seven-year-old's height, so I worried about the length of everything — they're definitely longer than the toddler sizes he's been growing out of, but I think that will work in his favor as he continues to sprout up, considering he has such a long torso.

My recommendation is to take the Sizing Chart at its word, but don't be scared to size up if you want to get more seasons of wear out of these adorable clothes!

The Clothing: The Look, the Feel, the Wear and Tear

My first impression of the stripe and polo jersey shirts was "Oh! Sooo soft." I kept reaching out to rub Mikko's tummy and hug Alrik tight as they were wearing their shirts!

The material felt substantial and comfortable, just the way quality children's clothes should feel.

I haven't had much chance to do a lot of wash and wear on the new clothes, but I do have some Tea baby shirts and rompers that I bought for Alrik when he was born. Despite needing to be washed frequently, as baby clothes always are, they've held up magnificently to machine washing and drying and are clearly in good shape to be handed down.

I even love the little red "Tea" tags on the back of each item.

The only problem I've encountered is two little holes in the front of Alrik's Diego shirt. I'm confident that we did not put them there, because I noticed them when he was wearing it for the first time and within the first hour. (We're not in the habit of pinning medals to our baby's chest…) I've just contacted the Tea representative about it to make sure it's not a quality-control thing and will update this post as I find out more.

Holiday Looks for Stylish Kids

I'll leave you with some more photos of our kids wearing their new duds to trim the tree and enjoy our cookie decorating party.

boy decorating Christmas tree in Fuerte polo shirt and Fiesta plaid shirt — Tea Collection giveaway smiling baby in Fuerte polo shirt — Tea Collection giveaway

boy squeezing baby's cheeks in Fuerte and Fiesta shirts — Tea Collection giveaway

If only he knew how many people want to do just that to his own cheeks!

cookie decorating in Diego striped shirt — Tea Collection giveaway baby in Diego striped shirt and bib — Tea Collection giveaway

decorated cookies in Diego striped shirt — Tea Collection giveaway


 

BUY IT!


You can purchase Tea Collection baby, children's, and women's clothing online at TeaCollection.com or locally using the Store Locator. There are several children's boutiques near me that carry the line, so you can drool over the selection in person. This also means you can "shop local" for the holidays.

Tea frequently offers sales, so stay in touch (the Bonus Entries below will tell you how). You can get 10% off your first order simply by signing up for the newsletter.

TeaCollection.com currently ships only to the United States. However, you can find local stores in several international areas.

Today and tomorrow, you can receive 3-day shipping for the price of ground (FREE on orders over $150, $7 on everything else). Use code 3DAYYAY. Hurry with those holiday orders — ends 12/19 at 11:59pm PT!

Some of my favorites among Tea's current collection:

If it's too late for you to give the gift of Tea Collection by Christmas, consider a Tea Collection e-Gift Certificate — much appreciated by any parent!

 

WIN IT!

For your own chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Tea Collection, enter by leaving a comment and using our Rafflecopter system below.

Contest is open to United States addresses only.

MANDATORY ENTRY: Visit Tea Collection's website and tell us one item you would pick if you win! You must enter your name and email address in the Rafflecopter entry system for your entry to count, after leaving a comment on the blog post.

Leave a valid email address so we can contact you if you win. Email addresses in Rafflecopter are not made publicly visible. Please leave the same valid email address in your mandatory comment so we can verify entries. If on Blogger, you can enter it like this to foil spambots: mail {at} naturalparentsnetwork {dot} com

This is a joint giveaway with Hobo Mama and Natural Parents Network. You may enter at one site only, and we'll be recording IP addresses to ensure that there are no duplicate entries. That said, please do visit and enjoy both sites!

BONUS ENTRIES:
See the Rafflecopter entry system for bonus entries to increase your chance of winning after completing the mandatory entry. All bonus entries are entered directly into Rafflecopter. Give it a try, and email or leave a comment if you have any questions!


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Contest closes January 18, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.


 


Disclosure: I received the products specified for review.
Some Tea Collection links are affiliate links.
I try to seek out only products I think you would find
relevant and useful to your life as a natural parent.
If I don't like a product, I won't be recommending it to you.
See my full disclosure policy here.

125 comments:

Mami2jcn said...

I'd like the Talavera Yoke Dress for my daughter.

I'm entering on the rafflecopter with my FB username Mary Happymommy.

Thanks.

Mami2jcn said...

The new clothes would be for my daughter.

Mami2jcn said...

I learned you can enjoy 3-day shipping for the price of ground thru 12/19.

D + 4(A) said...

We love all Tea Collection but one of my fav items is the Happy Hoodie!

TopHat said...

I could get one of the party dresses for my daughter. She is a huge fan of dresses!

TopHat said...

They would be for my daughter, though I might get something for my son as well.

Courtney B said...

i like the lola mini dress

vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com

Courtney B said...

this would be for my daughter

vanitizebaby at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to pick VIDA TALAVERA 5-PIECE SET
my4boysand1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

My little cutie would be the lucky duck to wear these!
my4boysand1@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I like the boys' Little Citizen's Pajamas
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Anonymous said...

My two year old son would be the lucky recipient of the clothes!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Anonymous said...

I learned that any website operator that operates a family friendly website is eligible to join the Tea Collection Affiliate Program.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Anonymous said...

I subscribe to Studio T Blog's newsletter via Alloy Reader
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net

Katrina said...

love the Mística Pajarito Tee

ykatrina at hotmail dot com

PurpleLarkspur said...

I LOVE the Wildflower Mini Dress. So cute!

larkspurpurple (at) gmail.com

kellyr78 said...

I would choose the Talavera Layered Dress for my daughter

KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

kellyr78 said...

This would be for my daughter and probably something for my son too.
KellywcuATyahooDOTcom

Jennifer T. said...

I'd love to get the Tin Ornament Henley for my daughter.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

I'd get something for my four year old daughter and my infant son.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Jennifer T. said...

Their upcoming spring collection features inspiration from Bali.
jtmagmom73(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

I would LIKE to get the KIMONO ROBE
heartnsoulcooking at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My grand-daughter would!
heartnsoulcooking at gmail dot com

Julie said...

First, your boys are so flippin' cute! I just want to reach into those pics and hug them! (from someone else who also gets drooly at Tea Collection clothing - it's so hard to find really cute clothes for boys!)


Although my own little boy just outgrew the sizes on their site, I still have grandbebes that I like to shop for!

One of the first things I'd choose would be the Zocalo Plaid Shirt here: http://www.teacollection.com/product/1F23001/boys-shirts-z-calo-plaid-shirt.html#stucco

I'd pair it up with their roll-up pants for my Grandbebe JoJo!

Thanks for the chance to win!

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

Julie said...

I didn't see the other options for comments, so even though I already entered this in my first comment, I'd be shopping for my Grandbebe Boy JoJo!

knittingandsundries(at)gmail(dot)com

Robyn said...

I really like the playa plaid hoodie!
fiestyred-head @ live.com

Robyn said...

I would probably get something for all 3 of my children!
fiestyred-head @ live.com

Robyn said...

I learned they have a $10 sale going on for girls leggings and boys tops!
fiestyred-head @ live.com

Vanessa C. said...

I would pick the Juárez Stripe Romper . So adorable!!!
vnsscarv [!at]gmail[!dot]com

Vanessa C. said...

My 10 month old baby boy would wear them. :)

Vanessa C. said...

I learned they offer free shipping on orders over $150.
vnsscarv [!at]gmail[!dot]com

Wendy R. said...

I would get one of the party dresses for my daughter!

Anonymous said...

I think I would get the Que Bonita Banded Dress for my granddaughter.
joycemlinek1@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

My granddaughter would get the new clothes. joycemlinek1@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

They carry clothes for infants, children and women. joycemlinek1@yahoo.com

Maude Lynn said...

I love the Cactus Flower Dress!

Anonymous said...

Love this striped dress for girls in the new arrivals section!

http://www.teacollection.com/product/2S12155/girls-dresses-happy-morning-stripe-dress.html#marbled%20grey

Jamie

jamiereeves@yahoo.com

Shooting Stars Mag said...

i really like the Playa Plaid Dress

lauren51990 at aol dot com

Erin S said...

I love the Plaid Playa Top (Erinn Sluka)

Erin S said...

My 3 year old would get the clothes! (Erinn Sluka)

Anonymous said...

http://www.teacollection.com/product/2S12152/girls-dresses-magnolia-batik-dress.html#indigo i love this!! scg00387 at yahoo dot com

Megan Earley said...

I'd get the Casa Azul Ikat Skirt.
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

My daughter has plenty of clothes, so I'd get something for myself!
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

Megan Earley said...

I learned that you can get an extra 25% off for referring a friend
mearley1979 at gmail dot com

spottedjagiwar said...

I love the badak hoodie
spottedjagiwar at yahoo dot com

TEH DOLL said...

Kimono Robe


dollhousecreation(at)gmail(dot)com

Fiddlin' Dandi said...

I like the Diego Stripe romper

honingharmony at gmail dot com

Fiddlin' Dandi said...

My son would be the one to wear the clothes if I win

honingharmony at gmail dot com

Fiddlin' Dandi said...

My son would be the one to wear the clothes if I win

honingharmony at gmail dot com

Tori Gamble said...

Tea Wildflower Mini Dress, so cute!

Kimberly said...

One item I would choose would be the MAGNOLIA BATIK DRESS
kcoud33 at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

The Tea clothes would be for my 2 y.o. daughter
kcoud33 at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

I learned that Tea's Little Citizens clothing collection supports the Global Fund for Children's mission to advance the dignity of children worldwide.
kcoud33 at gmail dot com

Kimberly said...

I learned that Tea's Little Citizens clothing collection supports the Global Fund for Children's mission to advance the dignity of children worldwide.
kcoud33 at gmail dot com

BellaJade said...

I love this piece: Flor de Papel Layered Romper
bellajade34 at yahoo dot com

BellaJade said...

My little sister would wear them.
bellajade34 at yahoo dot com

BellaJade said...

Learned about Bali inspired spring collection
bellajade34 at yahoo dot com

Sara Serna said...

I adore the Marimba Mini Dress!!

Sara Serna said...

My daughter, Quinn, would look adorable in these outfits!

Julie Lundstrom said...

I would like the Chica Cable sweater coat.
julielundstrom@yahoo.com

DeniseL said...

I learned that Bali is the next destination!

The Rosenau's said...

what a great giveaway i really like the Sedap Malam Knot Dress but believe it was a hard decision!
Julianne
juliannerosenau@gmail.com

The Rosenau's said...

my daugher would wear the clothes!
juliannerosenau@gmail.com

cupcake mama said...

I love the little girls Wildflower wrap dress in purple!
mmjohnson555@gmail.com
GFC: Mechele Johnson

cupcake mama said...

My daughter Maybelle would be wearing Tea! It is soooo her!
mmjohnson555@gmail.com
gFC: Mechele Johnson

cupcake mama said...

I leared that you get 25% off for referring a friend! Awesome!
mmjohnson555@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I'd love the Ocotlan Printed Silk Dress!

Anonymous said...

I'd love to get something for myself and my cousin's baby girl!

Anonymous said...

I learned they were featured in Parents magazine

Diana said...

I love the Poeleng skirt
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Diana said...

I learned they were featured in parents magazine
hrddiana556@gmail.com

Diana said...

my granddaughters
hrddiana556@gmail.com

jtedd said...

I would love the Que Bonita Banded dress for my granddaughter.]

Cori Westphal said...

Oh I'd love to get my daughter the Kimono Robe in Navy!

coriwestphal at msn dot com

Cori Westphal said...

This would go for my fashion conscious little girl!

coriwestphal at msn dot com

Cori Westphal said...

I'm a Tea Collection newsletter subscriber but there wasn't a place in the form to put a different email address. I'm subscribed to them with coriwestphal at netzero dot com.

coriwestphal at msn dot com

Julie Lundstrom said...

The lucky duck that this would be for is my son.
julielundstrom@yahoo.com

Julie Lundstrom said...

I learned that the clothes are inspired from their travels around the world.
julielundstrom@yahoo.com

Molly said...

I would pick the Daring Dragons One-Piece, I am expecting my first baby in May. Thank you, Molly Bussler meoleme@yahoo.com

Molly said...

The Lucky Ducky would be my precious baby boy. Thank you, Molly Bussler meoleme@yahoo.com

Molly said...

Tea Collections was started Tea in 2002 in San Francisco. Molly Bussler meoleme@yahoo.com

dailymom said...

One item I would pick if I win would be the GITANA MINI DRESS

Jana said...

I would get the Magnolia Batik Dress, Poleng Skirt and Celuk Embroidered Top

dropcqueen at yahoo dot com

Jana said...

My little girl would be the lucky girl wearing the clothes.

dropcqueen at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

i like the Happy Hoodie
tjranch at ymail dot com

Cassie said...

I love the Poleng Dress.

Jeanna said...

I would choose the Magnolia Batik Dress among a TON of other stuff :)!

Jeanna said...

My 3 year old daughter would wear these!

Ash said...

I'd love to get the Playa Plaid Hoodie for my son

demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

Ash said...

This would be for my son (13 months) and for baby #2 who we're expecting in July!

demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

Carla Kelly said...

I would get the cute Bali Rocks Tee for my grandson and a few others.
My fb name is Carla Warren Kelly. My twitter name is cjkelly65.

Laura Jacobson said...

Oh I would get the Playa Plaid Hoodie. I think its so adorable and I could just see Carter in it!
landfjacobson @ charter.net

Laura Jacobson said...

Carter would wear the new clothes. He is almost 2 years old.
landfjacobson @ charter.net

ericka coello said...

I love the Caballo y 62 5-Piece Set

ericka coello said...

these clothes will be for my son

ericka coello said...

Tea has stores in other countries

Danielle Davis/Grady said...

I would get some of the Polo shirts..I love those & they come in great colors! Thank you!

Danielle Davis/Grady said...

All 3 of my boys would wear these adorable clothes :) Thanks!

Danielle Davis/Grady said...

Ive learned that they have a big variety in all sizes & That they are pretty well priced! Thank you!

Parenting Patch said...

I would pick this adorable red dress: http://www.teacollection.com/product/1F13151/girls-dresses-ciudadela-smocked-dress.html#cordovan

ewhatley said...

They have great sundresses. I might choose the Modernisme Ruffle Dress


mybeachylife at gmail dot com

ewhatley said...

The little princess would love to wear some new sundresses from Tea Collection.

mybeachylife at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'd choose the girls Mis Flores Mis Amores Tee.

Anonymous said...

I'd give these to my daughter.

Tabathia B said...

I love the CORZO CHAMBRAY DRESS
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

Tabathia B said...

this would be for my youngest daughter
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com

John said...

My daughter would love the Sparkle Stripe Mockneck.

John said...

My daughter and son would both find something I'm sure.

Jenni @ Monday Morning Coffee said...

I LOVE the Diego Stripe Romper and the Fiesta Plaid Shirt!

Jenni @ Monday Morning Coffee said...

I would start with getting my 9 month old son something, but I'm sure my 10yr old could pursued me into something as well!

Jenni @ Monday Morning Coffee said...

I learned that not only can your younger kids match the babies, so can the older kids!!

Alison said...

I loved all of the things but mostly loved the Neka Dress! My baby just started walking and would look adorable toddling around in this! lilywhite34 at gmail dot com

Alison said...

the new clothes would be for my 12 month old daughter!

Nichole said...

I learned they clothes are inspired from places around the world. pretty neat!

Nichole said...

the Magnolia Batik Dress would be so cute for my daughter's 1st birthday!

Nichole said...

my daughter is the lucky duck, of course!

Unknown said...

i would get the bird of paradise dress!

hancoci_s at msn dot com

Unknown said...

my baby girl, annie!! hancoci_s at msn dot com

Unknown said...

i learned their name is literally the drink! hancoci_s at msn dot com

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

The Polanco Chambray Dress would definitely be in my cart! househearthandful at gmail dot com

Heidi said...

My 6 wonderful kids are the lucky ducks I love to shop for :)
househearthandful at gmail dot com

Heidi said...

I learned that they have retail stores!!
househearthandful at gmail dot com

Laura B. said...

I would select the Mercado Stripe Dress. very pretty and flexible. Shirt and leggings for early spring, shorten the sleeves for later, and just the dress for super summer heat.

Alison said...

I love the pinata stripe dress