11:11 Retro and Unique Cardholders and More! Review and Giveaway

Momma Told Me: I don't understand why people buy fancy checks. Does it make them feel better as their hard earned money is zapped away? The person accepting the check is already thrilled to be taking your money, they don't need to see dogs dressed like people to seal the deal.

Oh how I love my mother! Her dry, sarcastic humor has molded me into the wonderful person I am today! But my mother did have a point. Why shell out an extra $10-$15 for designer checks, I'm not sure the accountant handling them feels any cheerier because they see Dale Earnhardt Jr plastered in the background. And, who's going to see your checks? Do people regularly pull out their checkbook and flip it open to show their friends and family the designs? Then there's the issues that the average person, especially in my generation, only carries a checkbook for emergency situations. Nearly everything has switched to plastic. I know my wallet's stuffed with 4 types of debit cards, 7 gift cards, 2 club cards, a driver's license, 2 medical ID cards, and 9 rewards program cards! So, I propose to you a fashionable checkbook cover, or cardholder is worth more than a box of dusty unused Tweety checks.

About a month ago I received an interesting email in my blog Inbox. I'll be honest, most pitches I receive are wholly inappropriate for Momma Told Me and I often wonder if the person pitching me even bothered to load the front page let alone browse the products reviewed. However, I take the time to read every letter and genuinely consider each product for a possible fit. I'd never heard of 11:11 before, but I know now this trendy line is actually sold at several retailers in the greater Los Angeles area. Before I even realized what the products were about I had decided I liked this brand.

One stop at 11:11's homepage brings you to a tongue-in-cheek display of colorful and retro imagery. To the left is a series of interactive buttons with quirky black and white graphics and at the bottom are various product images. Here and there are witty navigation arrows that label tthings such as 'products', 'email list', 'more buttons' and empty 'space'. In the center is an elementary film school composition meant to be the brand's first commercial. I've added the video at the top of this post because it's worth 3 minutes of amusement. How can you go wrong with a company that pokes fun of itself? Where the CEO sits with a map of the US behind her 'desk' in someone's spare bedroom and casually mentions branded products among genuine delight for a 'triple peanut'?

The website seemed like a good fit for me, the blog, and my followers, but what about the products? Clearly I found something I liked or you would not be reading this post right now! In fact, I found several things I liked! While this growing brand began originally in Brooklyn, literally selling on the street corner, it is now thriving out of local (to me) Los Angeles, CA. Oringinally intended to be a handbag company, this unique and retro focused brand now succeeds predominantly with sales of their tri-fold wallets, notebooks, and card/check holders. The CEO is actually a certified Yoga instructor and is constantly seeking new designs and imagery to bring to the brand's one of a kind style.

I have no idea how Momma Told Me came across 11:11's screen, but it appears this review is a match made in heaven. Boy does this company get me. It's like a vintage design geek's paradise. You'll find all of the 'classic' cheeky images such as the 'Persian Cat With Crown' and Periodic Table. There's also some fun vintage prints such as 'Mom's Money Tree', 'Beefcake Southern Belles', and 'Relax And Enjoy Your Fortune'. If neither of those niche's fit your style, or you need something truly unique for a difficult to shop for friend check out the 'Bacon Weave', 'Hot Buttered Baked Potato', or 'Big Mouth Dental Chart' designs. There's also several 'normal' artsy designs, but who wants to be 'normal'?

I was sent a checkbook cover and cardholders for review and was delighted with the choices. The colorful Periodic Table cardholder speaks to my inner geek, while the Alchemy Union imagery is calm and inspiring. I was not expecting the checkbook design though, and inspected the front for several minutes before opening it flat to reveal the 'full story'. Boy does 11:11 know me and Momma Told Me! I cannot get enough of classic ads and imagery, they could not have chose a more perfect design. This classic print ad reads 'It's fun to fool your husband!' Below is an image of a man holding a biscuit what I learned was actually an early 'I Can't Believe It's Not Butter' type spread! I absolutely adore it!

All three items are superbly laminated and hand sewn with charming cotton thread. The compact cardholders can fit up to 20 business cards, or about 3-4 plastic cards per sleeve and are great as an ID holder or business card holder. I stuff my 'spare' bills in there with my debit card so I can easily find it in my jungle of a purse. The average Cardholder (mini wallet) retails for $11.99 online at eleveneleven.net and is well worth it for the durability and selection. Not to mention you're supporting a growing small business!

What Daughter Says: I've never had a triple peanut, but I have had a quad peanut! If you're perplexed, you NEED to watch the video!

One lucky Momma Told Me follower will win an 11:11 Going Out Pack of (their choice of) (3) 11:11 cardholders!

Mandatory Entry: You must be a Momma Told Me follower, then visit 11:11 and tell me what you like best!

Extra Entries:
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*Make an 11:11 purchase +1 per dollar spent
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Giveaway begins September 29, 2010 and ends 12:01 AM PST on October 13, 2010. Winner will be notified via email, and posted here. Entries valid within the US. Winner has 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn. Prize will be transferred via sponsor.

As required by the FTC: I received no monetary compensation for this review. I received a product sample for the purpose of my review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.