The Shopping Mama

Neon Kid Style: GIRLS

by Catherine on May 16th, 2013 | 5 Comments | Shopping

Hi! I wanted to introduce myself really quickly. I’m Catherine, and like Kate I’m an Air Force wife living overseas in Germany. I have a 4 year old little girl and I’m pregnant with a little mister, due in September. I’m so excited to be a guest poster on The Shopping Mama!

With warm and cheerful Spring weather comes all the cute and colorful clothes too! One of my favorite trends this season is the bright pop of neon for kids. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite stylish NEON girl finds for this post.

1. Necklace (Gymboree, $6.57)
2. Sunglasses (Justice, $14)
3. Rainbow Sandals (Zappos, $26.99)
4. Headbands (Carters, $7.50)
5. Striped Tank (Old Navy, $7.94)
6. Bonjour Tee (Gap, $14.95)
7. Basic Tank (Gymboree, $5.99)
8. Floral Dress (J.Crew, $79.99)
9. Color Pop Shorts (Old Navy, $19.94)
10. Jeggings (Nordstrom, $59)
11. Polka Dot Skirt (Boden, $43.20)
12. Glitter Flats (Boden, $40)
13. Round Sunglasses (Gap, $9.95)
14. Ballet Flats (J.Crew, $68)
15. Bracelets (foreverandrea on Etsy, $25)
16. Tankini Swimsuit (Justice, $39.90)
17. Chevron Raincoat (Target, $24.99)
18. Strappy Romper (Carters, $16.50)
19. Striped Maxi Dress (Carters, $18)
20. Yellow One-Piece (Gap, $22.95)
21. Floral One-Piece Swimsuit (Gap, $19.95)
22. Sequin Tank (The Children’s Place, $8)
23. Bow Flip-flops (Gap, $10.95)
24. Jelly Flower Sandals (Gap, $16.95)
25. Colorblock Tutu (The Children’s Place, $16.95)
26. Cardigan (Carters, $12)
27. Organic Cat Romper (Not On High Street, $33.05)

I’m sure you’ll find something fun, that’s sure to pop for Spring (and Summer).

Be sure to come back soon for our favorite Neon BOYS finds!

One Step Ahead Cozy Cub Collection {Review & Giveaway}

by Kate on March 4th, 2013 | 5 Comments | Clothes, Giveaways, Reviews

It may be March (finally!), but unfortunately it’s not necessarily time to break out the spring weather gear. Indeed, we wake up to frost covered grass and a 40 degree day feels warm. One Step Ahead, one of our favorite online destinations for smart gear for kids, has little ones covered with an awesome collection of cold-weather gear called Cozy Cub. And, hey, if you’re lucky enough to enjoy warm weather making this Collection unnecessary, plan ahead for next year!

Cozy Cub Review

Like I mentioned, the weather here is still (bitterly) cold. We have to bundle up every day to walk to the bus stop and Max is usually my biggest concern. He’s been wearing some new gear from the Cozy Cub Collection. The Baby Stay-Put Fleece Hat with Earflaps ($12.95) is a cute fleece hat that keeps his head, ears and neck warm. The Hat is made from a soft, lightweight fleece for baby-friendly comfort. Parents will appreciate the large velcro fastener under the neck and the cute details like the baseball cap style. And, of course, we like that the hat stays snug on baby’s head.

The versatile Cozy Cub Vest is a great option for winter into spring weather. It keeps the core warm with non-bulky insulated and waterproof vest. The armholes are elastic, and the back is longer for extra coverage – perfect for mobile little people like Max. I really like that it’s not too thick, as adding bulk to a little person just adds headache in the winter. (Hello, super tight stroller straps!) I have no doubt Max will wear the Vest year round in Germany. It’s a great layering basic to have!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… One Step Ahead is a great source for kid and baby essentials every season, and the winter is no exception. The Cozy Cub collection is great quality, designed with active kids in mind and, best of all, very affordable.

Or Not to Buy… The pieces are all very basic, without a ton of style or flair, so we recommend buying the essentials and basics here and adding some of your tot’s personality with added accessories (like a fun shirt under the Vest, for example).

Shop! One Step Ahead’s Cozy Cub Collection is currently available with many pieces on sale. Everything is a very affordable price point – the Fleece Hat is $12.95 and the Cozy Cub Vest is $39.95. Shop for versatile three season pieces (like the Vest) and plan ahead for next year.

Win! A Cozy Cub Vest and Fleece Hat!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: Prize may be exchanged for something similar of same value, depending on stock. Thanks to One Step Ahead for providing samples and the giveaway prizes.

Bargain Alert! Consignment Sales

by Maureen on February 19th, 2013 | 5 Comments | Shopping, Shopping

I love shopping for my kids: clothes, shoes, gear … I’m just a wee bit obsessed. I especially love finding great deals on brands I know are stylish and of high quality. Kids grow so fast, though, that they generally grow out of things before they have a chance to wear them out. Want one-stop shopping for selling your own kids’ outgrown clothes and gear and buying gently worn items from like-minded parents? Try a consignment sale.

The Trunk Treasures seasonal consignment sale in San Diego, California

A consignment sale, done right, is not a rummage sale. The items for sale are required to be stain- and damage-free and in excellent used condition. Sometimes you might even find brand new clothes with the tags still attached. Many consignment sales are also particular about the brands they will accept – store brand clothing from Target, Wal-Mart and Kohl’s, no matter how cute, are typically not allowed. The sale is well organized. Clothes and shoes are grouped by size and season. Toys, books, nursery accessories, and gear (strollers, car seats, swings, etc.) are separated into different areas and laid out nicely so that customers aren’t digging around to see everything. It’s almost a traditional retail experience.

Kidsconsignmentsales.com is an online resource for finding consignment sales in your area and, if you’re a sale owner, for advertising your business. According to the KCS website, the advantages of buying and selling at a consignment sale are

Shoppers find better prices at seasonal consignment sales than at consignment shops
The variety and quality of items is better than what is found at garage sales
Consignors usually keep a larger percentage of the price of their sold items
There is none of the hassle that comes with advertising and holding a garage sale

For The Shopping Mama fans in the San Diego area, the Trunk Treasures consignment sale was held this weekend, February 16th-17th, in the Eastlake Design Center. As a consignor, I got to shop the sale one day early and I found some amazing deals! Highlights: brand new Pediped sneakers for my preschooler for $15 and Gymboree jeans for my first grader for $5. My total haul, which included six pairs of shorts, five pairs of jeans, three dresses, several tops, a swimsuit, a winter jacket, sneakers, a pair of sandals, and a set of Thomas trains and track pieces, came to $120.

The Trunk Treasures furniture & gear section

The Trunk Treasures toy section, including a ton of brand new Melissa & Doug

To find a consignment sale in your area, check out the sale finder page on Kidsconsignmentsales.com. A friend of mine swears by the Just Between Friends sale, which is a consignment business with seasonal sales in several different cities.

What is your favorite local consignment sale? Please share details about the sale itself and your haul!

Bargain Alert! Shopping for Kids & Babies at Discount Stores

by Maureen on January 22nd, 2013 | 5 Comments | Life

I’ll be the first to admit that for a long time I avoided shopping at discount department stores like Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, and Ross because I didn’t have the patience to wade through the racks to find the great scores. A few months ago, though, I found some time one afternoon to browse through Ross and I was instantly hooked. Merrell sneakers for my first grader for $19.99 instead of $45? Yes, please.

These days I stop in my local Marshall’s and TJ Maxx at least twice a month to see what I can find. Some recent bargain sightings:

Thomas Wooden Railway trains and track sets for at least 40% off the regular prices
Melissa & Doug puzzles and play food sets for $10 and under
Kids’ Crocs for $12.99 (real Crocs, not knockoffs!)
Zutano onesies and soft pants for $6 each
Tommee Tippee and Baby Brezza feeding accessories at 50% off

Toddler Crocs at Marshall’s

Sweet spring dresses for toddler girls at TJMaxx

The infant section is usually so well-stocked that a bargain-hunting expectant mom could probably buy her whole layette. I always see crib bedding, muslin receiving blankets, Boppies and their covers, baby bathtubs and towels, baby grooming sets, and a ton of onesies and sleepers.

Plus, for the truly patient shopper, there are racks and racks of babies’ and kids’ clothes and shoes. Some of the brands I’ve spotted are Ralph Lauren, Hurley, Roxy and Stride Rite. Occasionally I find something for myself, like the Adrianna Papell dress I’d seen at Nordstrom for $158 … for $59.99. The catch is that there is no guarantee you will find a specific item you are looking for, or even that the same items will be available between one week and the next.

The Adrianna Papell dress for $59.99 – regularly $158!

I’d love to hear from other discount store addicts: what are some of your best finds?

The Best Shirt for a New Dad

by Kate on April 2nd, 2012 | 5 Comments | Shopping

The first time I spotted this new dad and baby shirt set I knew I wanted to get it for my husband. The first time my husband saw it he said, “Will you get that for me as my ‘push present’?” What he pushed? I’m not sure. But it is seriously the most clever and fabulous shirt set ever.

The set is from the The Pecking Order on Etsy, the same store where I purchased the kids’ shirts we used to announce my pregnancy last summer.

Shop! The New Daddy Gift Set is $37.50 for an adult tee and baby shirt or onesie.

Tutu Pour Mon Deux: Design It Yourself Tutu Shirts {Discount Code}

by Kate on March 16th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Clothes, Reviews

We’ve been fans of Tutu Pour Mon Deux for years. In fact, it’s almost exactly two years since we first featured the awesome custom tutu shirts. (If you want a chuckle, pop over to our original Tutu Pour Mon Deux review to see my daughter wearing her custom tutu tank top. She looks so little!)

What is a Tutu Pour Mon Deux Tutu Shirt?

We’ve combined a band of tulle and colorful ribbon and attached it to the bottom of either a sleeveless or long sleeved shirt with a unique image ironed onto the bodice creating a one of a kind, little girl’s tutu shirt. Our tutu’s come in an array of eye-catching colors and come in sizes ranging from 18 months to 6T.

DIY {Design It Yourself} Tutu Shirt

The process of designing your Tutu Pour Mon Deux tutu shirt is really simple. You pick the style (tank top or long sleeve), size (from 18 months to 6T), shirt color, patch, tutu color and ribbon accent. One of my favorite features is that, in addition to the standard selection of patches, you can pick a custom letter or number patch. Wouldn’t this be a fabulous birthday shirt?

My daughter received a long sleeve pink shirt with monkey patch and brown tutu. The tutu material changed from organza to tulle and the result is a more sturdy tutu that seems to hold up to machine washing a little better. We know the shirts are great quality and will last – my daughter wore her first Tutu Pour Mon Deux shirt until I couldn’t squeeze her into it any longer. She’s wearing a size 4T which is a bit on the big side, but she doesn’t seem to notice.

How can you not smile while wearing this shirt?

Smile and dance…

To By or Not to Buy

To Buy… Tutu Pour Mon Deux shirts are adorable, unique, custom and completely fun. Whether you’re dressing a princess, ballerina or rocker there’s a tutu shirt just right for your little one. The quality is great and we love that you have complete creative control to design the perfect shirt. But perhaps the best part? One third of the proceeds of every shirt are donated to Children’s Hospital Boston.

Or Not to Buy… The shirts are pricey, but you’re paying for the custom made shirt and you can feel good knowing a large chunk of the proceeds are going to a great cause.

Shop! Design It Yourself Tutu Shirts from Tutu Pour Mon Deux are $44 for tank tops and $46 for long sleeve shirts. We are excited to offer an awesome 25% off discount code! Code shoppingmama is valid through April 30.

Thanks to Tutu Pour Mon Deux for providing a sample.

Meeting Baby Brother in Funky Monkey Threads Sibling Shirts {Review & Discount Code}

by Kate on March 13th, 2012 | 5 Comments | Clothes, Reviews

Just a few hours after Max was born, my mom helped my kids put on their Funky Monkey Threads sibling shirts and they headed to the hospital to meet their new brother.

They liked their shirts so much, they wore them to school the next day. I can’t say I blame them. They wanted to brag about their new brother and these shirts are the perfect way to do it.

The shirts arrived quickly after we ordered them and were great quality. Not surprisingly, since we’re dealing with two preschoolers, the shirts have already been washed a couple times and still look great. The colors have held their hue and have not faded at all.

When I was shopping around for shirts for the kids, the Funky Monkey Threads designs stuck out to me because of the modern look that clearly announces “Big Bro” and “Big Sis” while still allowing for the personalization of the kids’ names. There are lots of options out there, but the retro mod circles design was just what I was looking for. I couldn’t be more pleased with how they turned out!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The Funky Monkey Threads sibling shirts were the perfect way for my kids to welcome their baby brother. The personalization, quality and design are well worth the very reasonable price. I definitely recommend Funky Monkey Threads and I’ll definitely shop the shirts again.

Or Not to Buy… The shirts are screen printed so it’s a matter of preference versus personalized embroidered shirts.

Shop! Funky Monkey Threads on Etsy has a huge selection of personalized tees, including the fabulous sibling sets. The retro mod circles design shirts we have are $15.99 each. Make sure you check out the adorable collection of personalized Easter shirts (pictured below)! We are excited to share a discount code! Enter “The Shopping Mama” at checkout on Etsy to save 15% off your order. Code expires March 31.