Right now it’s kind of a twofer over at Kohls when it comes to their Kohls Cares merchandise—on the one hand, they’ve got Vera Wang items in support of breast cancer research; but on the other, they’ve already busted out the Dr. Seuss books and plush for the holidays. The kids’ items are just $5 each, and the Vera Wang items are either $5 or $10. In both cases, 100% of the profits benefit worthy causes, while you get great items for very little money.

Right now, shipping is free on your $50+ order, plus you’ll earn $10 in Kohls Cash for every $50 you spend. (Kohls charge card holders can get an additional 20% off with coupon code TWENTY4U, but it won’t work on the Kohls Cares merchandise. Just including it in case you have some other shopping to do.)

This is a great way to start picking up teacher gifts, stocking stuffers, even a few items for the gift closet. Whatever you get, it’s sure to be a great deal.

I’m trying to be more eco-conscious this year and this cup is a great idea if you drink a lot of coffee or tea (me!) on the go. It’s bright, happy, convenient to hold, and will keep your hot beverage of choice warm and unspilled.

$9.95 @Patinastores

When was the last time you took a close look at your car’s paint job? Probably right after you noticed yet another scratch, scrape, or ding. These paint pens precisely match your car’s color because each one is made especially for your car; you send in the make, year, model, and the manufacturer’s paint code (usually found under the hood or on the door jam) and the company sends you a custom-mixed paint pen filled with the same durable enamel automakers use. Next time you see a scratch, fixing it will be easier than touching up your mani-pedi.

$19.95 through the Herrington Catalog

A friend in New York pulled out this fabulous wallet recently and I had to go find it online. Besides the fact that it looks fabulous (and your wallet should, don’t you think?), it’s got just the right number and type of compartments to hold all your stuff.

$48 @ SaltboxNYC

Who says “utilitarian” has to mean “boring”? This extra-long oven mitt by Built combines form and function with style. Made of neoprene (yes, the same material used to make wetsuits), the mitt is heat resistant up to 500 degrees F, stain resistant, and goes all the way up to the elbow for extra protection. It fits either hand, and it’s slim design means that you can really get a grip when you need to.

$18 at Built.

It’s no secret that we already love Soap.com for making our lives easier, but today I’m going to tell you how to make your purchase there an even greater deal!

It’s time to save more at Soap.com! Here’s how:

1) Today (September 22nd, 2010) only, you can pick up a Groupon for $20 to Soap.com for just $10. (It’s today’s deal for Brooklyn, but it doesn’t matter where you live, I promise.)
2) Use coupon code WORKITMOM for 15% off your first order, if you’ve never ordered before.
3) Follow Soap.com on either Facebook or Twitter to find out what brand is being featured as the Steal of the Day—today it’s 50% off Always and Tampax products, but who knows what it might be tomorrow?

Savings and convenience, on stuff you have to buy anyway? That’s my kind of great deal.

Every day when I pack my daughter’s lunch I also give her a snack. Fruit goes into a plastic container that I’d bought last year but things like pretzels or animal crackers (her faves) I put in a small plastic bag, which sometimes comes back and sometimes doesn’t. This feels wasteful so I went looking for a reusable snack container and found this ultra cute and useful Snack Happened pouch. It’s washable and comes in tons of colors.

$9.95 @ ItzyRitzy

This giant pan (13.5-inches in diameter) will make enough flapjacks to feed a hungry family — and then some. But what’s really impressive about this inexpensive nonstick pan is that, in a rigorous Cook’s Illustratedtest in August, it beat out equipment costing five or six times as much. It’s nonstick coating lasted through more than 76 fried eggs (a Farberware pan lost its mojo after just two), took many a counter-top beating, provided consistently even heat, and withstood being cut on by sharp knives. And at less than $30, it would be a bargain even if it wasn’t such a workhorse.

$24.99 at Amazon.

Playmobil toys are timeless; even the new stuff has a tried-and-true aura. This portable puppet theater comes with six figures, two changeable scenes, and plenty of accessories with which to act out the best play ever — whatever your child decides that is on any given day. It even has music, applause, and laugh tracks to bring the production to life. And if your preschooler wants to take his or her show on the road — to grandma’s house, perhaps, or on a play-date — everything stores right inside the playset, which makes it a snap to take along.

$49.99 at Toys R Us.

OK, now many times do you find yourself fishing through your bottomless bag for your phone? In my case, the answer is many, many times a day. MANY. This cute and cushy (so it actually protects your phone from getting scratched) case can clip to the inside or the outside of your bag and save you endless minutes of time every day. Fashion and utility, my favorite!

$20 @ Etsy