Not only am I a shopaholic for myself but I mostly do the shopping for my kids. I never stepped foot into a Marshalls before the economy slipped but now that I discovered this place I HAD to share some goodies and amazing name brands that I've found there:
Now first of all..I took a friend there when she was pregnant and we pretty much found everything they had at babies r us on her registry plus more for about half the price! Here's a taste..
1. From a Super Soft Blankets that usually go for over $40 for $9.99 to this swaddle blanket that cost about $11 for $5.99
2. A Baby Gym which sells for $70 for $39.99
3. And Juicy Couture, Ed Hardy and Ralph Lauren onesies for $9.99 and under
4. For my kids I found the shoes I was drooling over: These Keds are still selling in Stride Rite and other stores for $44.00 I got them for $14.99!
These Ralph Lauren Toddler Shoes sell for $44 and where also $14.99!
5. And I couldn't leave without getting something for myself! I found these Juicy Couture Misty Boots for $99! They are still in Bloomingdales and other stores for $249!
Try and tell me Marshalls isn't cute and amazing now! (They also have amazing home stuff too like bedding, kitchen stuff and Yankee Candles for as low as $6.99!
I have no affiliation with them but just a newfound love for them and the money they save me while allowing me to keep my expensive taste. The key is to find a Good Marshalls with the most selection and go there frequently!
Finding boots for a reasonable price for a baby or toddler should be easy. Thinking "Oh they are smaller than my size they should be less expensive" Not true! Ugg, Emu and Bearpaw prices are so inflated when the latter two are just Ugg knockoffs! Comparing Payless to Sketchers to Target to Childrens Place and Nordstrom (I know they are way expensive but I was just curious) the average price range was between $30-$40 and I saw some for over $100+! That seemed steep for boots that will be grown out of in a matter of months. But here are some cute deals I found:
This is just because there are too many unnecessary things sold out there that are targeted to the first time mom who doesn’t want to forget to get anything essential. These things are usually overpriced and/or not essential.
1.Dreft Laundry Detergent. I know a baby’s skin is sensitive but they are still human and they can use laundry detergent that costs less. All Free and Clear and Tide make perfume less dye less detergents for less $$. Plus Dreft doesn’t even smell that good.
2.Bottled Water called Nursery Water that they sell at Babies r us. As if your baby needs special water only made for babies. Are you kidding me? Any filtered water is fine.
3.Bassinets. They can be used until baby rolls over and you need a crib or Pack N Play anyway. They are also too bulky to store in a closet and can cost way over $100. I would say this could be used for a maximum of 3 months depending on the size of your baby. There are a lot of products that may only last 3-5 months but they are not so costly.
4.Steam Sterilizers.You can sterilize just about everything in boiling water for five minutes and then you can wash by hand or put in the dishwasher.
5.Bottle Warmers. All I have to say is WHY? What will you do when your baby is used to warmed formula or breastmilk and you are out and about? Too much hassle when most babies are fine with room temperature formula and fresh breastmilk. Many even don’t mind it cold out of the fridge. To me it just means less $ spent and less time baby cries because you don’t have to sit and wait for the warmer to work AND make the bottle.
6.Bottle Drying Racks. I never had one of these because I used the Playtex Drop Ins and only had to wash the nipples. But all my friends that used them told me they just collects dust and the bottles don’t dry completely making you have to clean them again AND wash the drying rack. (As if you needed more things to clean)
That’s what I’ve got for now. Feedbackon what you think is a Baby Unessential will be posted as well.
1.Swaddle Blanket. These are so simple and you never will get frustrated trying to replicate the swaddle techniques the hospital nursesdo.Kiddopotamus makes a cute little pocket to put baby in and then the sides velcro to make a swaddle. They range from $10.99-$15.99 Depending on the fabric.
2.Pack and Play. These are the best for traveling and using as a bassinet in the beginning then becoming a playpen. You mother in law doesn’t need her own crib with this! Many companies make them but here is a Graco one I've used personally. They range from $149.99 to maybe $199.99
3.Bouncer. These are so entertaining for most babies. You shouldn’t use them for extended periods of time but its great if you want to put baby somewhere fun and close to you while you take a shower or put on makeup. (Yes with two little ones I manage to do this everyday and because of this they are now used to my routine) Yay for mom doing something for herself! You can also take the toys off and feed baby there as just a chair. These average around $54.99
4.Boppy. I actually didn’t think it supported baby to well for breastfeeding and my back was hurting but it has many other uses. You can use it for feeding baby propped up, tummy time, helping baby learn to sit.They cost $29.99 for the pillow and starting at $9.99 for the slipcover design you choose
I usedMy Brest Friendfor breastfeeding and believe it’s the best breastfeeding pillow out there. It supports your back and baby so you can just relax. And it has a pocket for your cell phone or whatever you want to use it for and start at $44.99
5.Medela Breast Shells: if you are breastfeeding these are amazing. You won’t be in pain because nothing will ever touch your sore spots. Plus you can’t see them under your bra. They do make your breasts look a cup size bigger though so that could be a downside when your breasts are huge with milk anyway. But it’s not like you will be going out on the town while your baby is days old anyhow.Just think of it as a Pam Anderson moment. They cost about $13.50
6.Ameda ComfortGel Pads:These feel amazing when you are in pain from breastfeeding. You can alternate with the shells, then these and they last for weeks. Just stick them in the refrigerator and when you are ready for them they will make breastfeeding easy! They also stop embarrassing leaks. You get four for $27.95
7.Pampers Newborn Swaddlerswith the wetness indicator feature. I am not a fan of expensive diapers but these (and Huggies does this too) have a yellow line in the front that changed to blue when baby is wet. It can be very helpful when you are a first time parent and aren’t sure. After you get the hang of it and they move up to size 2 I suggest using cheaper diapers. $0.34 per diaper for Pampers and $0.30 per diaper for Huggies
8. Kiddopotomus Snuzzler This is also the only head support product worth having. it supports the whole body of your newborn and their head won't wobble. And it's so soft and reversible!
This is just because there are too many unnecessary things sold out there that are targeted to the first time mom who doesn’t want to forget to get anything essential. These things are usually overpriced and/or not essential.
1.Dreft Laundry Detergent. I know a baby’s skin is sensitive but they are still human and they can use laundry detergent that costs less. All Free and Clear and Tide make perfume less dye less detergents for less $$. Plus Dreft doesn’t even smell that good.
2.Bottled Water called Nursery Water that they sell at Babies r us. As if your baby needs special water only made for babies. Are you kidding me? Any filtered water is fine.
3.Bassinets. They can be used until baby rolls over and you need a crib or Pack N Play anyway. They are also too bulky to store in a closet and can cost way over $100. I would say this could be used for a maximum of 3 months depending on the size of your baby. There are a lot of products that may only last 3-5 months but they are not so costly.
4.Steam Sterilizers. You can sterilize just about everything in boiling water for five minutes and then you can wash by hand or put in the dishwasher.
5.Bottle Warmers. All I have to say is WHY? What will you do when your baby is used to warmed formula or breastmilk and you are out and about? Too much hassle when most babies are fine with room temperature formula and fresh breastmilk. Many even don’t mind it cold out of the fridge. To me it just means less $ spent and less time baby cries because you don’t have to sit and wait for the warmer to work AND make the bottle.
6.Bottle Drying Racks. I never had one of these because I used the Playtex Drop Ins and only had to wash the nipples. But all my friends that used them told me they just collects dust and the bottles don’t dry completely making you have to clean them again AND wash the drying rack. (As if you needed more things to clean)
That’s what I’ve got for now. Feedback on what you think is a Baby Unessential will be posted as well.
The purpose of this blog is by no means to give advice to others as if I know it all. I am like all other moms figuring it out day by day while attempting to look like I know what I’m doing. I realized that I would have to get creative and figure out how to get things done. Examples of some of these things we moms unknowingly have to figure out are listed below:
Attempting to look well rested (I heart concealer) Using your mouth, elbows, hips and knees as if they were hands (extra hands should be a product at Babies r us)
Trying to fit everything into a stroller basket that is too small
Trying to not let the stroller tip over when removing your baby (because my diaper bag is always heavier than the baby)
Strategically planning all outings around naptime..or pay the price Finding all the elevators in the world
Making anything into a changing table and trying to make sure nobody is looking ( so far I've used my lap, my car, benches and more that I just don't even want to say)
Cleaning all the grossest bodily fluids off of your hands with dignity
Multitask like it’s an Olympic Sport (I can breastfeed a newborn, while feeding a toddler, doing the laundry and the dishes at the same time and take a sip of Diet Coke every now and then)
Suppressing all negative emotions until naptime
And more. The point is we are all at some moment experiencing similar things. I will try to focus on three main things while blogging (although most of my family has ADHD and I tend to go off on tangents) Divas, Diapers and Dollars.
Divas will focus on us the moms! Finally huh? And yes we still have the right to be divas Diapers will address all things baby and toddler Dollars will focus on saving money and being resourceful as well as product reviews You can search any of these three topics and more to find what you are looking for.
I'm a mom of two girls. One is 2 years and the other 7 months at the moment. Everyone thinks I'm crazy for having them so close together. Sometimes I think I'm crazy for doing it too. But I know after the first few years they will be really close. Having more than one child is Totally different that having only one. I've learned a lot and want to share the experience with humor (and maybe a glass of wine)
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