On the Hunt

Amber was in desperate need of some tennis shoes.  Like she had grown out of both pairs she owned and will have gym next week desperate.  I have been searching for some time for a decent pair of tennis shoes that didn’t cost a small fortune, but that is hard to do once your child moves into size 12.  Apparently, this is the size that every child in my area is currently in.  I would find a pair that we could both agree on; not Hannah Montana or not blinding colorful .  The price would be right, but no size 12 in sight.  It was a, to say the least, frustrating process.  Finally, I gave up and just got her a pair at Stride Rite.  I can count on Stride Rite to have, at least, one pair that won’t blind me, Amber will agree to wear and in her size.  I am not fond of the price, but when you have run all over town and come up with nothing you take what you can get.  Saucony is quickly becoming a favorite tennis shoe that I like.  Sam got a pair in our earlier quest for new shoes.  I may have to look through their website to see what they offer for myself.  Not right now, I am all shoe shopped out.  I know hard to believe.

We were, also, on the hunt for some dress shoes to go with Amber’s Easter dress, now, dress for the May wedding we will be attending.  She wore a pair of multi-colored sandals that we found at Target for Easter, but I am not sure if I like them for the wedding.  This brought up a debate that I fear we will be having for a long time to come.  My almost 7 year old picked out nothing but heels and not those barely there heels, at least, an inch high heels.  Not to mention that most of the styles looked like they were meant for a night out on the town and not for little girls to wear with their little girl dresses.  I envisioned many trips and falls in Amber’s future if I were to allow her to wear heels, especially for an outside wedding.  So I have decided to put that little crisis on the back burner until I have recovered from the tennis shoe hunt.  It seems Amber is pushing her way to big girldom and I am pulling her back to little girldom.  One of us is going to lose and I think it will be me. 

On to some good news.  Remember when I said that you can still dress your children in style while on a budgetand the best place to do that was at the consignment shop?  Well, it is not the only place.  I did mention that if you keep an eye out you can get brand name new clothes at cosignment shop prices.  That was proven today at Gymboree.  It is the first day to redeem Gymbucks and they are having a 60% sale on spring clothes, as well.  I didn’t find much for my older kids, but I found tons for the new baby.  Thank God, for ultrasounds and discovering the sex before baby is here.  Although, if the doctor was wrong she is going to have one angry mamma on her hands and a bunch of pink clothes thrown in her face.  

I got $209.50 worth of clothes (one polo shirt, not shown, for Sam) for $60 including tax:

That box in the back is a gift box of 7 long sleeve bodysuits.  It was priced at
$49.50, marked down to $16.99, but rang up at $13.49.  That is about $2 a bodysuit.
And as you know newborns live in these things for the first year of their life.
The rest was priced anywhere from $4.99 to $11.99 plus my Gymbuck.
Not bad for a 30 minute rummage through the sale rounders and a couple of whiny kids.

 

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Deck the Halls with Tulle and Cotton

As I promised, and maybe forgot, here are some more selections of holiday outfits for the little ones.  As usual, the girls have many options, whereas, the boys had 2, on a good day.  This time I bring you a selection from Gymboree, I understand that the store is not for everyone, but if you need a little help with putting things together then this is the place for you.  Gymboree is based on outfits and not just pieces.  They are more then happy to tell you what goes with what, from head to toe. 

Let’s get started with the boys, since they have the least amount of options:

 
This is my favorite out of the 2 that were on the website. 
You can’t go wrong with a good red sweater.

Truthfully you could go with any pants with the sweater.
Although, if you are going for dressy and maybe something to hide the stains,
black is probably best.  Corduroy gives a little more to the pants, than just basic
twill.  It definitely screams winter, especially if their thighs rub together.

Now, for the fun and more options, the girls:

How cute is that sweater? That bow screams I am more than a holiday sweater.
Okay, I think that was my audition for Queer Eye for the Straight guy.

And what else screams Christmas?  A plaid skirt, of course.
How I wish this skirt came in my size.  Well, it does, but not as twirling.
Big girls like to twirl, too.
Anyway, this skirt is perfect for the sweater and with black tights and black maryjanes,
you can’t go wrong. 

If you are looking for luxury and a little more elegance for your little Princess,
then this should fit the bill and not send you to the poor house, like say, a tiara.
I think the plaid sash makes this dress.  I think to add a little more to it, I
would go with red shoes.  Teach that girl from the start about how to accesorize.

This next selection is only for you daring mothers, out there, or those that don’t have such a fetish about keeping white, well white:

This makes me cringe just looking at it, but it is so pretty.
If I were to put this on my daughter, she would be informed that if she were to eat,
she would eat naked or, at the very least, with a tablecloth around her.
If you are looking for something trully different for Christmas pictures or maybe
if you are hoping to lose your child in the snow, then here is the dress for you.
Otherwise, I would put it in a frame and admire from afar.

All the above clothes were found at Gymboree on SALE.  See it pays to be a last minute shopper.  Now, go forth and be Christmassy like.

 

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Consignment Shopping

Consignment shopping takes a little bit of time, but can produce some great rewards.  In order to get the best out of a consignment store, you should go to as many as you can in your area.  It is true that the more upscale neighborhoods have better offerings.  You should, also, know the general price at the different children retail stores.  Recently, I found a pair of Children’s Place jeans at a consignment store for $9.99.  Well, I know that if I waited for a sale, I could get new jeans for either that price or just above.  There is no reason to pay for second hand clothes when you can get new ones at or slightly above the price.  Now, on my next trip to another consignment store I found a pair of Ralph Lauren jeans for my son for $9.99.  I don’t think I could ever find those jeans for that price, even at the outlet mall, so I snapped them up.  There are many things to be found at great prices at these stores, like, big toy items, baby furniture, accessories and books. 

These stores are a good place to bring your no longer needed baby items, too.  Again, you must try different stores; some pay better than others.  Clothes never bring in the big bucks, because there is usually an over abundance of supply.  Strollers, furniture, some toys and highchairs will bring you more money.  I have found that in my area they are no longer taking carseats due to liability issues.  It was suggested to me to find a women’s shelter to donate my carseats.  It seems a shame to throw them out, as long as they are not pass their expiration dates.

Overall consignment shopping can be a good experience as long as you don’t expect to find designer kids’ clothes at rock bottom prices.  You must be reasonable when walking in, but that doesn’t mean you have to lower your standards.  I wouldn’t buy anything stained, because if the previous person couldn’t get it out then I know I won’t be able to either.  So, I examine everything carefully and make sure I really want it.  There are usually no returns or exchanges.  Also, most consignment stores sell some new stuff.  Retailers sell items that couldn’t be sold in their stores.  These items will be priced higher than the other stuff, so be careful not to pay at or over retail price.  If you are looking for play clothes, clothes that you don’t mind if you kids lose or destroy and for those one time outfits then the consignment store is where you can find it. 

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Baby Sale at Gymboree

Gymboree is having a baby sale (sizes from newborn to 5T). It is a good time to stock up on some winter basics for baby.  The sale ends on Thursday, September 13.  Happy shopping.

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