Striding into a new school year with Stride Rite {Giveaway Closed}

It’s always special for me to see life come full circle when it relates to experiences with my young son.

Because let’s face it – some traditions are just so special the first time that they’re worth repeating.  Paying these traditions forward is a way to further honor the place they have in your life and in your heart.

This summer, one of those experiences for me was sharing the “swim club experience” of my youth with Roc.  He got to hang out at the very place where I splashed around as a child, and was later perched high up in a lifeguard chair as a teenager.

And now as we tip toe into Fall, it’s Back to School time, which means new clothes, new school supplies and a fresh new start to the (school) year.

What’s super cool this school year is that Roc will be tip toeing (ok — maybe running) his way down his nursery school hallways in the very shoe brand that his mama wore as a child: Stride Rite.

While the brands and fashions may have changed a bit from the 80s, the comfort, craftsmanship and unique sophisticated style that is a Stride Rite shoe still remains.

Back in the Spring, I had the chance to preview the Fall 2013 Stride Rite collection at New York Kids Fashion Week so I had an idea of what I thought would work for Roc’s needs come the Fall.  It was hard to decide from the neon-bright Sauconys or the classically cool Sperry Top-Siders. But I ultimately selected the Made 2 Play™ “Griffin” for their endurance, neutral tones and ability to be dressed high-low if needed.

If you have a little girl, my-oh-my do you have quite the selection!   From embellished boots and hints of neon to sparkly Mary Janes and leopard top-siders, Stride Rite really turns up the fashion.  (Is it sad that I’m eyeing a pair of leopard Sperry Top-Siders from a kid’s collection for my own use?)

I love that my son and I share a shoe brand that was a big part of my childhood and back to school experience.  In a day and age when companies can be fleeting due to the unpredictable nature of our world and our economy, it’s nice to take a little comfort in some brands that are alive and thriving — keeping a rich tradition going as a new set of little feet make their mark in the world.

Thanks, Stride Rite!  And Happy Back to School to All!

{Giveaway Alert:  To say Thank You to the many loyal mom a la mode Facebook Fans, mom a la mode is offering an exclusive Facebook giveaway of (1) pair of Stride Rite shoes of  your choosing to (1) lucky winner. The fine print is below, but you MUST LIKE the mom a la mode Facebook Fan Page to be entered to win.  Visit the Facebook posts related to this promo throughout 9/4/13 to enter the contest and for more details.}

oxox

-mom a la mode

{I was not compensated for this post.  I received a complimentary pair of Stride Rite shoes for my son for review purposes. All opinions expressed here are solely mine.}

 

Giveaway Fine Print:

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

1. Promotion Description: The ‘STRIDE RITE’ (“Sweepstakes”) begins on 09/04/2013 at 08:00 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) and ends on 09/05/2013 at 12:01 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) (the “Promotion Period”). By participating in the Sweepstakes, each entrant unconditionally accepts and agrees to comply with and abide by these Official Rules and the decisions of STRIDE RITE (“Sponsor”), which shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor is responsible for the collection, submission or processing of Entries and the overall administration of the giveaway. Entrants should look solely to Sponsor with any questions, comments or problems related to the Sweepstakes.

2. Eligibility: Open to legal residents of USA who are 18 or older. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Sponsor and their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, retailers, sales representatives, advertising and promotion agencies and each of their respective officers, directors and employees (collectively, the “Promotion Entities”), and members of their immediate families and/or persons living in the same household as such persons, are ineligible to enter the Sweepstakes or win a prize.

3. Winner Selection: The winner of the Sweepstakes will be selected in a random drawing from among all eligible Entries received throughout the Promotion Period. The random drawing will be conducted within 24 hrs by Sponsor or its designated representatives, whose decisions are final. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible Entries received. Winner will be notified by email at the email address provided in the Entry Information on or about 24 hours after the random drawing. Potential winner must accept a prize by email as directed by Sponsor within 24 hours of notification. Any winner notification not responded to or returned as undeliverable may result in prize forfeiture. The potential prize winner may be required to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and release of liability, and a Publicity Release (collectively “the Prize Claim Documents”). No substitution or transfer of a prize is permitted except by Sponsor.

4. Prizes:

1 (#) winner(s) will receive [ 1 pair of STRIDE RITE shoes] (approximate retail value or “ARV”: $50)

5. Only one prize per person and per household will be awarded. Gift cards and gift certificates are subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer. Prizes cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or substituted by winner. Sponsor reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to award a substitute prize of equal or greater value if a prize described in these Official Rules is unavailable or cannot be awarded, in whole or in part, for any reason. The ARV of the prize represents Sponsor’s good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. If the actual value of the prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded in cash. Sponsor makes no representation or warranty concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize awarded. Restrictions, conditions, and limitations may apply. Sponsor will not replace any lost or stolen prize items.
Prize will only be awarded and/or delivered to addresses within USA. All federal, state and/or local taxes, fees, and surcharges are the sole responsibility of the prize winner. Failure to comply with the Official Rules will result in forfeiture of the prize.

6. Online Entry: Enter the Sweepstakes during the Promotion Period online by signing into the entry form and perform the tasks provided. The entry form can be found on the following website at http://www.facebook.com/momalamode.
 Automated or robotic Entries submitted by individuals or organizations will be disqualified. Internet entry must be made by the entrant. Any attempt by an entrant to obtain more than the stated number of Entries by using multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations, logins or any other methods, including, but not limited to, commercial contest/sweepstakes subscription notification and/or entering services, will void that entrant’s Entries and that entrant may be disqualified. Final eligibility for the award of any prize is subject to eligibility verification as set forth below. All Entries must be posted by the end of the Promotion Period in order to participate. Sponsor’s database clock will be the official time keeper for this Sweepstakes.

7. Privacy: All entrants acknowledge that if they are chosen as a winner, certain of their personally identifying information may be disclosed to third parties at least as required by law, including, without limitation, on a winner’s list. All personal information submitted as part of the Sweepstakes may be shared by and between the Promotion Entities, and each of the Promotion Entities will use such information in accordance with their respective independent online privacy policies.

8. Limitation of Liability: Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes or by any technical or human error, which may occur in the processing of submissions in the Sweepstakes. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any misdirected or lost mail, or any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay of operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, Entries. Sponsor is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email or players on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof, including injury or damage to entrant’s or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating downloading materials in the Sweepstakes. If, for any reason, the Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes, then Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. In such event, Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, perform the random drawing from among all eligible Entries received prior to or after such cancellation, suspension, or modification. 
In the event of a dispute concerning who registered online to participate in the Sweepstakes, the registration will be declared to have been made by the authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an internet provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, education institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. A potential winner may be requested to provide Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the email address. If a dispute cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the entry will be deemed ineligible.

9. Winner’s List: To obtain a copy of any legally required winners list or a copy of the Official Rules, send the applicable request and a self-addresses, stamped, #10 envelope to Groupe a la mode, LLC 143 E. Ridgewood Avenue, #493 Ridgewood, NJ 07450. Request must be received no later than 48 hours + 6 MONTHS for the name of the winner and, by the end of the promotion, for a copy of the rules.

1. Sponsor: The Sweepstakes is sponsored by STRIDE RITE. Disclaimer:

Facebook Disclaimer: Entrants should understand that they are providing their information to the Sponsor and not to Facebook.