Fun in the Sun #7: Chic Monkey Boutique Review & $25 GC Giveaway

Summer time not only means warmer weather, but also more opportunities for family trips! No matter if it's a trip to Grandma's or a vacation across the Country, I love planning our family getaways! The problem is, I do not enjoy the packing part. That's why I'm always on the lookout for high quality and functional bags that make traveling easier. Thankfully I have found that and more with the Chic Monkey Boutique!

In 2009, the Chic Monkey Boutique was born. Then owner, Cristie, had a vision of being able to offer the expensive trendy baby items she saw all in one place at affordable prices. In April of 2010, she decided to open her own photography business and sold Chic Monkey Boutique to her mom. The goal is still to have a one-stop-shop where moms can find affordable, high quality baby products....some of which are even handmade! Their line of products has grown to now include items not just for babies, but also kids and beyond. You'll even find fashionable accessories for moms, monogrammed gifts, and much more! And the best part...it's all in ONE place!

For those who have been reading here for awhile, you may remember me talking about The Chic Monkey Boutique and reviewing a couple of their great products! Offering everything from baby and kids products to monogrammed gifts and items for the home...they have something for everyone. With summer just around the corner I knew they'd have plenty of the items I look for, and couldn't have been happier to learn we were going to have the opportunity to review one.

Knowing how difficult it can be to find good quality travel bags and how much they are needed this time of year, I was especially interested in Chic Monkey Boutique's great monogrammed bags. With everything from large duffel bags, totes, and lunch totes to cosmetic cases, backpacks and laptop cases...they have something for every type of travel you may be doing this summer.

The Chic Monkey Boutique sent us their Black with White Dots Large 20" Travel Bag.

Features/Benefits:

• Large and small zipper compartments on outside
• Two open and one zipper pocket on inside
• Measures 20"L x 9.5"W x 11.5"H
  

When the Large 20" Travel Bag arrived, I was looking forward to checking it out. Upon pulling it out of the box, I was immediately impressed with the great quality. The material is thick and durable, letting me know this is something I will be able to use for a very long time! Oh, and did I mention that it's super cute too?! I love the black and pink colors with white polka dots. It's absolutely perfect! If a person wanted to, they could even get a monogram on it!

The size is also really nice! Measuring 20"L x 9.5"W x 11.5"H, it's the perfect size travel bag. I wasn't sure how much it would hold, but after taking it with us over Memorial Day weekend, I was shocked. The inside compartment is deep and holds a lot more than I expected it to. We had several pairs of clothes for each of the kids, diapers, wipes, etc and had room to spare.


There is also a zippered pocket on the inside where I kept my keys and Kaden's pacifier and two open compartments that worked out perfectly for diaper cream and more!

As if this wasn't enough storage space, there's also a nice large zippered compartment on the front of the bag which we used to keep our sun blocks and lotions. There's a smaller zippered compartment along the back as well.



We were able to easily carry everything we needed this past weekend thanks to the large travel bag from Chic Monkey Boutique. It's really perfect for day trips, weekend trips...even longer trips where you're flying. I plan to use it as a carry-on from now on. Not only is it the perfect size, but the print makes it stand out.

We used the carrying handles the few times we've used it, but when we take it for a longer trip somewhere and have more luggage to carry...the shoulder strap will come in handy as well. I really love all of the features of this bag and feel like it's made with all kinds of travelers in mind. It's going to be perfect for our future summer travels. I can't wait and feel great carrying it as it's trendy, cute and fun!

As I mentioned, the monogrammed bags are just one of so many great products offered at Chic Monkey Boutique. With baby #3 on the way, I am especially drawn to their adorable signature minky blankets!

These top of the line blankets are made with a high quality satin and/or minky. They are supposed to be super soft and sure to please baby. I love that they can be personalized and the variety of styles to choose from. Since we won't know what we're having until the baby is born, I'd love to have something neutral like the green and brown Mod Dot Minky Baby Blanket. So cute!

I would highly recommend Chic Monkey Boutique and their high quality, unique items for baby, kids and beyond.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a $25 GC to Chic Monkey Boutique!

Mandatory Entry - Visit Chic Monkey Boutique and let me know an item you might use your gift card on if you won.

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

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the Chic Monkey Boutique $25 GC Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry - Like Chic Monkey Boutique on Facebook

3. 1 extra entry - Follow Chic Monkey Boutique on Twitter

4. 3. 1 extra entry- Sign up for the Chic Monkey Boutique E-mail Newsletter (bottom of homepage)

5. 1 extra entry- Follow the Chic Monkey Boutique Blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

6. 3 extra entries- Grab our Fun in the Sun Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

7. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Chic Monkey Boutique) 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:

Fun in the Sun 7: #WIN a $25 GC from Chic Monkey Boutique! http://bit.ly/kJlUXx Ends 6/24 #giveaway

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 Fun in the Sun 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 will end June 24th and is open to the US and Canada!

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