Mini Fashions Mini Prices

Be Kind, Consign

I’m back!  I’ve been on maternity leave.  Now I have three(!) kids to clothe from head to toe and want to do it without breaking the bank and while keeping them in style.  So, I decided to visit a new place.  Newport Kids is an upscale resale kids store.  I visited the other day to see what it was like and even brought in some items to consign to get the whole experience.

Ashley is the owner of Newport Kids and she took my items to be consigned.  They have 6600 consigners and have a list of clothing brands that they do and don’t accept.  This is not a store where you are going to find second hand Walmart or Target clothes.  They take brands from Gap (on the low end) to Gucci and Marc Jacobs.  What is so different from this store than I have experienced before is that you don’t get paid or get store credit right off the bat.  They have consignment software and even an app, to keep track of your clothing in the store and when it sells, you can choose to take store credit or have a check sent to you in the mail.  Here is the best part:  Instead of the 10-20% that you might get from other consignment stores, you get about 40% of the sale price!  While I was there I browsed for a short while (since baby #3 wasn’t much of a shopper) and I picked up a Gap dress for my daughter AND a pair of brand new Volcom skinnies for my son for only $12!

Newport Kids is running a great sale right now where all clothing is at least 20% off and some go up to 75%.  These are the kind of prices that make you pay your bill and bolt out of the store because you feel like you are almost stealing! It’s not just clothes either.  They carry high end baby equipment and children’s items.

You can visit Newport Kids at 1775 Newport Boulevard, Suite A in Costa Mesa.  Happy Shopping!

Reverse Psychology

You know how we are told over and over again that when we go grocery shopping we should shop the perimeter?  The best and freshest items are always along the perimeter of the store, so that is how you should shop, right?

Well, that is only for the grocery store!  Don’t, and I mean don’t, do the same at the department store!  Here is the thing, the stores put the newest and highest priced items along the perimeters (aka closest to the walkways).  That way, they are easiest to see and pick up.

Another thing those department stores try to do to tempt you is say it’s on sale.  Well, I want you to really evaluate that sale.  Sometimes you will find that the original price is over inflated just so they can say it’s 50% off.  So check out that little dress or romper and consider if you would even have considered buying it at $40 and if you feel like it is really a deal for $20.  Does that really seem like a good deal or are you being tricked?

If you are looking for a deal, squeeze you and your shopping cart into the back corners and look for that sale rack.  Get yourself over to the area where it says an ADDITIONAL percentage off.  That is where you are really going to find your deals.  You may have to search and you might have someone else vying for the same items, but that’s OK.  Isn’t the victory even better when you have had some opposition?  Happy shopping!

Stocking up!

Summer is officially over and it is time to pack up our sunscreen and bathing suits.  It’s a little sad, but with how epically hot it has been and how very pregnant I am, I don’t mind saying adios!  Ta ta, toodle loo!  Goodbye summer, take your heat and humidity with you!  Next year, I might even look forward to June Gloom.

Anyways, as your kids are back in school, sneak back over to your favorite stores and browse the sale rack.  You are likely to find lots of summer clothes for cheap.  Shorts, flip flops, bathing suits, tanks and tees.  You may be thinking that you don’t need this now and want to steer towards long sleeves, jeans and sweaters.  However, this is the time to stock up!  Snatch some of these things up now in a size larger than your kid is now (maybe two if you have little weeds) and when summer comes next year, you can pull out the cute tanks and bathing suits you bought your kids and be extra proud at the price you paid!  Happy shopping!

In the Loop

So you want to know when all the sales are, but you don’t want to case the mall every week?  I don’t blame you.  I enjoy the mall, but I have a life as well.  Not to mention, two and a half kids, a husband, dishes, laundry, meals to make, doctors appointments, and so on.  Really, does the list end?  Anyways, you want to be in the know of all the sales without having to be there physically, so what do you do?  You need to be there virtually!

I know, what a lame answer!  Let me explain.  When you are shopping in person or even if you browse online, sign up for the e-mail lists from your favorite places.  I know you are thinking, seriously, that is going to lead to a ton of junk mail! So what I suggest is two things.  First you can create an e-mail address specifically for all these e-mails.  You can keep your personal e-mail private and keep these e-mails separate.  The second thing I would suggest if you choose not to create a second e-mail is to adjust your filters on your current e-mail.  You should be able to have these e-mails sent to a separate folder and you can check them when you feel like shopping.

The payoff?  Many companies will send out e-mails with discount codes, inform you of sales (duh), give better discounts for the people that receive their e-mails, tell of new shipments and styles, and even invite you to special events.  So sign up now and stay in the loop.  Happy shopping!

And you thought that was a good deal…

So the seasons are changing.  I know for all of us in OC it feels like we are still in the middle of summer, but the rest of the country is getting ready back to school and therefore, fall clothes are hitting the racks.  In fact, Nordstrom’s is having their big fall preview sale right now.  I bet you are thinking I am going to recommend you head there for deals right now.  Actually, I’m not!

When there is a big sale at Nordstrom’s, the place you go is Nordstrom Rack!  Right now, the shelves are FULL.  Nordstrom Rack is a fun place to shop normally, but when there is a sale at Nordstrom’s, the variety and prices at the Rack are even better.  Head over and get some back to school clothes for the kids and maybe a cute pair of shoes for mommy too!

Happy shopping!

Outlet Tips!

It’s summer! I know we are all out and about for vacation and one of my favorite vacation activities is shopping. Outlets are so fun, but if you aren’t traveling far, you can find great outlets for you and your kids just south of OC in Carlsbad. They have great stores for your kids. Gap Baby and Kids, Gymboree, Osh Kosh, Carter’s etc. Before you shop, make sure to follow these guidelines:

Don’t get sucked into the idea that this is an outlet, so therefore the prices are great. Not true! Make sure you really evaluate the price and decide if it really is a deal before buying.

Check the tag! Some stores (like Gap) will make clothes of a lower quality just for outlet stores. Usually, they will have a different tag than you would find in their normal stores. They will not wash or wear as well as their normal merchandise.

Set a budget. Don’t get all crazy and come home with bags full of stuff you really don’t need or can afford because you got caught up in the feeding frenzy of outlet shopping!

Think ahead. Sometimes you will run across an amazing deal, but the size is just too big. Well, kids grow, so if it is really a great deal, buy that cute outfit and keep it for next year. Just make sure the seasons and sizes will match up. You don’t want to buy a parka that will fit during the summer!

Happy summer and happy shopping!

Run!!!

It’s that time of the season where stores are clearancing out their clothes to get ready for the new season.  That means lots of cute clothes for CHEAP!!!

Here is what you might find at the mall this week:

Janie & Jack-Up to 60% off

GAP Baby/Kids-Full sale racks with an additional 25% off the sale price.

Gymboree-Everything in the store at $13.99 & under

Crazy 8-Everything in the store at $11.99 & under

Children’s Place-Monster Sale=40% off sale prices plus other promotions throughout the store

So time to jump in the car and snatch up what you need before it is gone.  Happy Shopping!

There’s an App for That!

Ever wanted to feel on the inside when it comes to deals?  You want to know about a secret discount?  Well, there is an app for that!

I ran across the GeoQpons app a while back and it has saved me big money!  Download it to your phone and you will find that not only does it give you discount on big brands nationwide, but you can also find discounts at your local mom and pop shops nearby!

Open up this app when you are shopping and you will be able to tell the cashier a code or show them a coupon on your phone to get discounts.  I can almost always get an extra 15% off at Children’s Place, Justice will run deals of 40% off (this is not during their sales, so you really are getting the secret deal), Gap, Gymboree and MANY other brands are on there.  It doesn’t stop there.  You need other things besides children’s clothing?  The app is good for anything from Home Depot to 1800flowers to Firestone and Netflix.  Get it and save money people.  Happy shopping!

Mini Toms?

Have you seen those adorable mini TOMS?  So cute, right?  I love the look and the idea of the charity behind it, however, with one more on the way and prices on everything going up, I can’t justify the price.  So what do I do?  I find a great knock off, like these:

I just happened to get these the other day at H&M in grey.  So cute and considering that my kids grow like weeds on Miracle Grow, I didn’t mind spending $9.95 on them!  There are larger sizes and more color options available.  Happy shopping!

A Pleasant Surprise!

Mommy guilt.  I think all of us feel it at one point or another, right?  I always feel it when I buy one kid something.  I feel like I am going to give the other one a complex (aka envision them on a therapists couch in about 15 years), so I feel the need to get the other one something even if they don’t need it.

So I was at Target the other week and picked up a few bargains for my daughter (can’t beat clearance!) when I realized I had nothing for my son.  Therapist couch in mind, I headed to the other side of the aisle to see what I could find.  I saw the Shaun White line that Target has been carrying for a while now.  I had never bought any before, but since I needed to even things out I checked them out.

The styles were cute!  Monsters, stripes and my son’s favorite, cars!  I picked up two of them and although I thought they looked cute, I didn’t have a lot of hope for how they would wash and wear.  In fact, I didn’t want to recommend them to my friends until I test drove them.  Well, I can tell you from many washes and wears, they are great!  I got a bright aqua and a black top and not only have they kept their colors, they are still so soft.  Actually, they have washed and worn better than some of the surf shirts I have spent more on for him.  Honestly, for less than $10, it is a great buy for your little dude!