Pretty Real: bargain children clothing

by Unknown

Bargainistas Shop at Marshalls.

This is a random post...I just wanted to talk a tiny bit about being a bargainista. I love getting a good deal and since I'm a reformed shopaholic, it's actually essential for me. But I swear even if I won the lottery tomorrow I'd still hunt for a bargain. And shop at thrift stores. It's in my blood. Now that I'm a stay at home mama, It's even more crucial that I stick to a budget. Sometimes in blog land, it seems like everyone has a ton of money. I don't. And I'm not ashamed of it! I'm actually really proud of the fact that I find 95% of what I buy on sale or clearance or a discount store. I think I'm the only one who loves Wal-Mart. No it's not glossy and pretty and fashionable like Target. But it's cheap. And I dig cheap. But, I also like to look good (although unfortunately that's less of a priority lately) and for my kids to look good and for my home to look good. It doesn't. But I want it to. [Man, this is totally a stream of consciousness. I hope you're still reading!]. So in order to accomplish that I hunt for a bargain. I bring up Marshalls (and TJ Maxx) because I've often been asked where I got something and when I name one of those places, I always hear "Oh, I forget to go there." So this is just a tiny bit of encouragement not to forget. Our latest obsession is buying gifts from there. I'll be honest- we don't typically end up spending less but we do end up buying a couple of items for what we would have spent on just one...so the giftee gets more and that's so fun! In fact at Christmas I bought my niece a my little pony play set from there. It was only $9.99 and I felt like that was cheap so I picked up another gift for her. Later I looked on Amazon and Walmart.com and the exact same gift set was $24.99. Score! Ok, this obviously isn't a tutorial or lesson in getting a good deal. It's just an encouragement to hunt for a bargain and not to forget Marshalls and TJ Maxx. It's also an excuse to brag about these adorable items I scored the last time I was there:

The gray dress is from Marshalls for $9.99. When I saw it I immediately thought of the one on the right which is from Baby Gap and cost $39.95 (of course I got it for 40% off of the clearance price last season). The gray one is lined (the orange one isn't) and seems just as well made!

Oh this brings up a point of advice--shop off season whenever you can! It's been hard for me lately what with the prego chasing around a toddler and then having a newborn on her hands. ;) I really haven't gotten out as much. But if you can swing it, you can find the cutest stuff and pay a fraction of the cost for it. Then you shove it under your kiddos bed till the next season. It can be hard to guess sizes but just err on the side of a little big and try to buy somewhat seasonless or clothes you can layer. For instance, this dress could totally be worn with leggings or a sweater if she couldn't fit it till the fall. Lucky enough I guessed right and it fits her well and will probably work all summer.

This adorable little swimsuit was only $5.99 at Marshalls. Can you even believe that? It's so cute and the cheerful yellow is perfect for my little sunshine.

So I know this post wasn't my most cohesive ever (I have a crying baby in the next room who just doesn't care much about Taste{full}!) but I hope you're inspired and encouraged that your little one can still be stylin on a budget!! For you local ladies, the Marshalls in Bedford has a great selection and is close to Shiloh. (i.e. you can run in after church while the husband entertains the children in the car or in the toy section). ;)

Happy Shopping!