Checking Our List #13: ATG Stores ~ Melissa & Doug Double-Sided Wooden Art Easel Review & $75 GC Giveaway!

I used to find that shopping was a fun and relaxing way to spend a day out. Now with two little ones, that has changed. Standing in long lines and fighting the crowds while one is wanting to eat and the other needs to use the bathroom can prove difficult at times. It's shopping trips like this that have made me very fond of shopping online when I can. I am always on the lookout for sites that make it easy to shop from home at a time that's convenient for me, which is why I was thankful when I came across ATGStores.com!

ATG Stores launched its first website, Lighting Universe, in 1999. Since that time they have grown to include over 500 websites like FixtureUniverse.com, DecorUniverse.com, SportingGoodsCentral.com, and OutdoorLivingShowroom.com. Dedicated to providing a selection of products that offer both value and quality, ATG Stores has multiple categories and 3 million products from brand name manufacturers to choose from. They make it easy to decorate your home and find everything all in one place.

I couldn't have been happier when I learned we were going to have the opportunity to review something from ATG Stores. With so many great products, the hard part was deciding which one! I had fun browsing through their different stores and deciding on the Melissa & Doug Kids' Art Easel!

Features/Benefits:

• Double-sided - chalk and dry erase-boards
• Wooden easel
• Locking paper roll holder
• Child-safe paper cutter
• Four clips
• Plastic tray on each side (adjust to child's height)
  
• Recommended ages 3+
  

When the easel arrived, I couldn't wait to get it set up for Kaelyn to use. She has a small desktop easel that she loves...so I knew this would be a big hit.

I was a little nervous that it would take quite a while to put together when I saw that there were quite a few pieces to assemble, but thanks to the user-friendly instructions, quickly found that it was very easy! In no time we had the Melissa & Doug Wooden Easel put together and ready to use!

I was instantly impressed with the quality. We've owned several Melissa & Doug products over the years so I knew this would be high quality, but did not know it would be this nice! It's incredibly durable and something I know will last us with all our kids. Being an easel, I had a few reservations...wondering if it would easily tip over or wobble. Thankfully, that hasn't been a problem at all! It's very sturdy and something I know is very safe for Kaelyn to use.

Even though I had read that it was 47"x27"x26", for some reason I imagined it would be smaller. It was actually a pleasant surprise, as it's tall enough that Kaelyn can use it now and for years to come as she continues to grow. The trays are actually adjustable, so they can be set to a height that suits your child's needs best. I love when products are made to grow with my kids! There are actually two trays, one on each side.

There is a red tray on the side with the chalkboard. I was pleased to find that it's large enough to hold all of Kaelyn's chalk very easily.

The side with the white board has a blue tray. This one is a little different because it has a specific place for paint containers, paint brushes, and in our case right now....the perfect place for crayons! We're excited to get more accessories for her to use with it and already found some great ones in their Arts and Craft Supplies category!

I love the simple and kid-friendly look and design. The colorful pieces make it a very appealing addition to any child's playroom or bedroom, Kaelyn was drawn to it right away! The wood is sleek and natural looking. It's something that adds to the durability as well as the appearance.

At first I found myself wishing that it came with a roll of paper, however, even without the paper, I learned there were a lot of ways to use this. With it being double sided, there's not only a chalkboard (which Kaelyn LOVES)....

....but also a white board. Using the colorful clips included, she loves to have us clip her coloring sheets and larger pieces of paper to it so she can color with crayons. There's something about standing and being able to create that she seems to really enjoy about this easel. It's been a lot of fun to watch her too!

And, although it doesn't come with the roll of paper, it does have a locking paper roll which makes it easy to put one on if you have it.

Once it's on, you can guide it up and over the easel as shown in the picture below. By simply tightening the wood piece at the top over the paper, it helps it to stay in place so a child can work without having the paper move all over the place. Once finished with their masterpiece, you can use the child-safe cutter (wood piece at the top) to tear it off.

Loosen to get paper through and child-safe cutter

One feature I did not expect but am very happy with, is the fact that it can easily be folded up when not in use. It is quite large, and there are times when we're not using it that it's nice to fold up flat. This can be done by simply loosening the red piece of wood from the easel on each side and removing the paper roll holder. So easy!

We've been very happy with the Melissa & Doug Double-Sided Wooden Easel! It has already provided hours of fun in just the short time we've owned it. I even enjoy working along side Kaelyn..it's something fun we've been able to do together. I look forward to the day that Kaden is at an age where he can do the same!

As I mentioned, the Melissa & Doug Deluxe Easel is just one of so many great products offered at ATG Stores. With everything from stores like NewBabySupply.com and HomeFurnitureShowroom.com to CookingandTableware.com...they are sure to have something for everyone on your list this holiday season! With everything all in one place, shopping is not only easy, but also enjoyable!

Oh, and if you missed our announcement, don't forget that ATG Stores is hosting TWO Twitter parties this month to help get people into the holiday spirit. Xenia and I have the pleasure of co-hosting these parties with them and hope to see everyone there! The first one is November 16th (tomorrow!) 6:00pm-7:00pm PST - #ATGHoliday. The topic is decorating for the holidays! By joining in on the fun and answering our ask questions, you will be entered to win $20, $30 and $40 gift certificates to ATG Stores just in time for holiday shopping! Hope to see you all there!

Buy It: You can purchase the Melissa & Doug Kids' Art Easel for $77 at ATGStores.com.

Win It: ATG Stores has generously offered one lucky reader a $75 Gift Certificate to use on their site!

Mandatory Entry - Visit ATGStores.com and leave me a comment with the link to a product you might use your gift certificate towards if you won. (Note - you must leave the link to the product in your comment for it to count).

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the ATG Stores $75 GC Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 2 extra entries- 'Like' ATG Stores on Facebook

3. 2 extra entries- Follow @ATGStores on Twitter

4. 2 extra entries- Follow the ATGStores Blog

5. 3 extra entries- Subscribe to ATGStores Email List

6. 3 extra entries- Grab our Checking Our List Holiday Gift Guide Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

7. 2 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and ATGStores.com) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

8. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Checking Our List 13: Enter to WIN a $75 GC from @ATGStores and #momsbalancingact! #giveaway http://bit.ly/a7ayLE Ends 12/17

9. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

10. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

11. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

12. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

13. Enter any of my other Holiday Gift Guide giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway begins November 15th and end December 17th. Open to US and Canada (No PO Boxes)! Please Note - you are only eligible to win an ATG Stores blogger giveaway 3 times.

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by ATGStores.com. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own**