Consignment Shopping Gone Bad

I have talked about the benefits of consignment shopping, especially when buying children’s items, but you have to be careful.  Let me be your example for the day.  Today, I was in the mood to do a little shopping for the new baby and what better place to cure that urge of shopping without spending a ton, the consignment store.  Unless, that consignment store is the last of a dying breed in your area and they know it and start hiking up the prices. 

I admit when I go to thrift or consignment stores I search out name brands.  What is the point of paying $2 or $3 for a piece from Walmart or Target.  You can wait until they go on sale at the stores and buy it new.  If I am going to be doing some searching then I want to find diamonds among the coal.  The problem is the consignment stores know this and take advantage.  I just hate when I fall into the trap.

This was today’s recent score from my local consignment store:

Yellow dress is BabyGap, Polka Dot pink dress is Circo (Target brand), flower and blue dress are Gymboree and the shoes are Stride Rite.

Not only did I break a few of my rules for second hand shopping, the biggest was  spending more than is reasonable.  The other rules were never buying second hand shoes and I never buy shoes for infants.  If you are not walking then you don’t need shoes, socks will do you just fine.  However there have been evil thoughts afoot with this new baby, like, not only the cute shoes, but these headbands.  Also, I bought a Target dress for $5 when I am sure I could have found it for way less, but I am loving the polka dots.  *sigh*  I was shocked at the price tag of $71, but when I get my heart set on something I usually can’t walk away.  That means I paid over $10 for each piece.  I know these styles are probably no longer in the stores, but I am sure I could have gotten a lot more for my dollar if I just waited for the next big sale at Gymboree .  Heck, I just spent around $60 for well over $200 worth stuff at Gymboree a few months ago.  And it was all new. 

So yes, consignment shopping can be a good thing, but know your prices and realize when to walk away.

Read Full Post »

Layering will be the Key to a Happy Southern Winter

Yesterday the weather ranged from 55-65 degrees all day, which meant if you worn a long sleeve shirt and maybe a light jacket you were fine.  Although, some people decided to cry and wrap themselves in wool coats.  I was perfectly happy in my long sleeve shirt and so were my kids.  We went to bed with the a/c off and woke up to a chilly morning.  One would suspect that the way we dressed yesterday would be appropriate for today.  That person would be a damn fool!  Down here in the South, one day will be chilly, then next will start out chilly, but quickly warm up.  The only way to keep up is to stick your head out the window every 5 minutes. 

That is where we found ourselves this morning as we prepared to go vote.  We all dressed in jeans and long sleeve shirts, but as soon as we opened the door we knew we were dead wrong.  It appears that between the hours of 630 and 930 am the weather, in the New Orleans, decided to go from fleece to shorts.  It is not boiling hot, but it is pleasant enough to wear shorts.  So we are in shorts, yet again, after being covered from head to toe just the day before.

Here is the key to enjoying and being prepared during the “wintertime” in the Deep South, LAYERS, especially for kids.  Often times we will leave in the morning when it is very cool and by the afternoon we will be sweating.  If you wear layers, and more importantly put your kids in them, it will make your day go a little smoother.  Layers give you the chance to peel away that which makes you uncomfortable.  If you are out longer enough for it to get dark, which is not that hard these days, then you can simply pile the layers back on. 

Why is this important for kids, because they whine the loudest.  It, also, gives them some control over their own climate control.  Often times, one person will not find it as cool as the next, so if that person has clothing to add or take away it gives them the ability to control their own body temperature.  On babies it is even more important.  In this crazy weather, it is hard for stores, libraries and other indoor areas to keep up.  If you like a happy baby, always be prepared with a light jacket that can be removed or put on easily. 

If you are worried about keeping up with multiple jackets, then do as I have for the past 5 years, keep one in the car, always.  Since my daughter was born, I have always kept a little jacket or blanket in the car for when the weather decided to change.  I guarantee that it will make your life much easier and more comfortable. 

Read Full Post »

The Neverending Battle of Laundry

Recently, I was talking to the mother of a college student who told me of his complaint of how there seems to be no end to his journey.  I told her that if he really wants to see a neverending journey maybe he should try doing laundry, washing dishes or cleaning house.  Yeah, so I am a little bitter, but I think I have found something to make it all better.   Or at the very least make me a hit at any party. 

Go ahead and try it.  It is not hard.  I tried it with my daughter’s shirts, so it can be used on kids’ clothes.  It is a great way to get every shirt the same size, folded, and make those drawers a little neater.  And we all know life is easier when everything has it’s place and everything is in it’s place, or something like that.

Read Full Post »