Shopping Again for The Kids

LETS GO SHOPPING!!( But not Spend Money )

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!

HUGE BABIES R US/TOYS R US SALE!

If you need any baby gear or toys this week there are some great discounts!

Click the link below to print out your local stores coupons!

Babies R Us Coupons

Swimming with Babies and Toddlers Checklist

It feels like when you want to have a fun day at the pool or beach you have to pack your whole house with you! Here is a checklist for what to bring, and how to get them for less $$

1. Bathing Suits for everyone.




For moms the Monokini is the hottest thing. You don't have to feel frumpy in a one piece and don't have to show it all in a bikini!

 For girls we found this one for $10! at Old Navy

And for Boys at Old Navy again only $10!

2. Hooded Towels or Cover ups

 These are both from Target for $22.50!

3. Swim Toys for safety






4. Swim Diapers so your little ones don't get the saggy butt look.



Obviously sun block, food and changes of clothes are also essential.

Juicy Couture, Baby Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Gap and Loehmanns Coupons!!

 Lets Save Some Dollars!!!!

Whether it's for you or baby here are BIG discounts for this week at some of our favorite stores!!! Lets Shop!!

  For Juicy online purchases at www.juicycouture.com the promo code is "friends" (in case you can't read the small print) It's good on sale items for women and at Juicy online or any Juicy Retail Store! yay!

	In-store Barcode (For multiple uses)

	This offer is also good at Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Store!

The online Promo Code for 30% off at Gap/Old Navy/ Banana is

BF1VPK74LL46 

Here's a Discount for Payless!

Two ways to save on our newest arrivals; 15% off in-store only, $10 off $50 online only. shop payless now | trouble viewing this email? Womens | Mens | Girls | Boys | Accessories | Brands | Designer | Sale SAVE IN-STORE ONLY – 15% OFF YOUR IN-STORE PURCHASE* To redeem in-store, print this page and present it to any Payless store associate at time of purchase to receive 15% off your purchase. Store associates, please enter coupon code 30322 into your registers. FIND A STORE NEAR YOU SAVE AT PAYLESS.COM ONLY - $10 OFF YOUR $50 ONLINE PURCHASE** To redeem online, enter coupon code 30314 at checkout to receive $10 off any purchase of $50 or more. SHOP PAYLESS.COM

Toddler and Baby Shoes that are sooo cute for a great price!

There is no need to spend over $60 on shoes your child will outgrow in months and may not even walk in! There are so many cute ones out there right now for great prices I had to list some!

These are from Target by Converse for $19.99 for Toddlers

Also from Target for infant boys $8.99

From Payless for Toddlers on sale for $14.99

Also from Payless for Toddlers

Payless Toddler $12.99

Childrens Place for Infants $10.50

Childrens Place Infants $12.50

Childrens Place Toddler $18.50

Childrens Place Toddler $12.50

Baby Blogging: Going to the Mall With a Toddler and/or Baby

With a passion for finding deals and shopping I never thought I would dread going to the mall. After many unsuccessful trips with my toddler and baby, attempting to stop at all the stores I needed to go I decided this calls for a strategy.

Here are 5 Tips:

First off make sure it's NOT naptime and bring FOOD! Lot's of it.

Second, Bring a Stroller! Just in case the toddler is the wandering type and/or you don't feel like running.

Third, Park far away from any play areas, carousels, choo choo trains and such. If you don't you will be stuck there and there will definitely be a tantrum when you want to get your errands done.

Fourth, Strategically plan the order of the stores you will go to. For example you know your child will never want to leave the Disney Store so go there last. Get the boring for toddler stores done first. And they need to still be away from the play areas.

Fifth, Know what you need to buy. Sometimes shopping ahead online helps so you already know the price and what you want.

So that's my 2 cents if you want them. I wonder if other moms plan this way too.

Maclarens Major Stroller Recall!

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Maclaren is recalling at least 1 million umbrella strollers because of a potential hazard to children's fingers. A side hinge mechanism poses the risk of cutting or amputating a child's fingers when the stroller is being opened or closed, the British company said Monday.

The voluntary recall applies to all Maclaren strollers sold in the U.S. since they were introduced in 1999.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety and Maclaren have received reports of 15 incidents in which children were hurt over the past ten years.

The affected models include Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, Techno XLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller, according to the stroller company. The strollers, which are manufactured in China, are sold nationwide.

Maclaren, in cooperation with the CPSC, is providing consumers and retailers free repair kits which will cover a joint on the faulty hinge mechanism.

Consumers should stop using the strollers immediately and call Maclaren toll-free at (877) 688-2326, the company said.

Get 30% off at Gap, Baby Gap, Old Navy and more!!

Yay for new clothes at a discount!

It's only good November 12th-15th

30% off Coupon Code Link

Shopping With Kids or Babies is Very Hard So Are Some Stores With Great Return Policies

Shopping With Kids or Babies is Hard So Are Some Stores With Great Return Policies:

Every time I shop with either one of my children something can go wrong. (Someone has a tantrum, or is tired or hungry) Then I have to grab what I can and get out of the store ASAP!
So I am making this list in case you bought something out of impulse, desperation or is went on sale or you changed your mind. It's hard enough to make decisions as women but with unpredictable babies/toddlers in tow it can seem impossible.

Target: I love Target! Their Up and Up store brand is super cheap and great quality but besides that they will take back anything without a receipt or tag because they track your purchases through the card you used. Paid with cash? No problem they will use your ID and give you a credit and you can do this 2 times every 12 months, you can use other people's ID's too ;). It also doesn't matter how long ago you purchased the item.

Victorias Secret: Since I live in their PINK Collection I go there and shop online A lot! The online store and catalog has a No Sale is Final return policy. That means if you bought it two years ago you can still mail it back and return it! Yay!
The in store policy is 90 days and they will do Price adjustments within 14 days if something just went on sale. It's good to hold onto those receipts and tags since they are extra lenient if you have them.

Nordstrom: Everyone has heard the story (which I don't know if it's true) of the lady that returned a car tire to Nordstrom claiming she bought it there. It's not really like that but you don't need a receipt you just keep the tags and even if it's been three years you can get cash back. With no tags a store credit. I heart them!

Bed Bath and Beyond: They also have no time period, no receipt required and you can get a credit. I once returned a three year old broken lamp and got the full credit for it!

Costco: They track everyone's purchases so no receipt required and you can return almost anything whenever you want to. I know someone who has been getting new patio furniture this way for years!

Kohls: No time limit again. With a receipt full refund without a credit!

Macy's: 180 day return policy just keep the sticker they give you and get a refund.

Start keeping a receipt/sticker/tag box if you shop at any of these stores and keep your merchandise in decent condition. It doesn't have to be brand new and unworn to return it.

Baby/ Toddler Blogging: Sippy Cup Review

After buying so many sippy cups for babies and toddlers it seemed that parents where having trouble cleaning them after a while. The multi valve sippy cups and straw ones are the toughest and can get mold inside that can't be removed. So here are the reviews for Sippy Cups.

We decieded they must be:

Easy to clean

Leak proof (like for real not just say it on the package)

Cute of course!

Inexpensive

And have only one valve so there are no removable parts to clean

These are good for toddlers or 12 months+





These are good for 7 months+ and beginners because of the handles



For a first timers sippy cup about 4 months+

Buying a Stroller is like buying a Car

Shopping for Strollers sucks!

Since shopping for strollers is like buying a car, you need to know what you want and if it's gotten good reviews. We looked for:

1. Easy to maneuver

2. Less than $600 (and btw if you don't need a car seat the strollers are even less by themselves)

3. Large enough bottom basket

4. Cupholders or pockets for mom

5. Reclines for naps

6. Lightweight

7. Fits easily in car

8. Collapses easily

So I polled moms to find out if and why they love their strollers. The prices on Amazon seemed the cheapest and many are available for FREE shipping. These were the ones that received rave reviews:

Keeping mom feeling beautiful without a trip to the spa

Home Beauty Treatments!


I have begun to embrace at home beauty treatments. Pre babies I was a bit high maintenance and I can still maintain some of that for a lot cheaper while at home and I don't need a babysitter. I don't endorse any products I've just wasted my own money on the bad ones so you can reap the benefits of knowing the good ones. So here we go:

1. I love ProActiv facewash kit. It comes to my door right when I need it and I haven't gotten pimples in forever, even in my last pregnancy! If you want to save money just tell them to stretch out your shipments so they can ship to you every 12 weeks instead of every 6 weeks. And you can also ask them to switch what they send you. Like if you go through a lot of cleanser but not the lotion they can give you 2 cleansers and a toner and you can get lotion the next time. Its about $39 plus shipping


2. Daily Self Tanners. These are great because they don't smell bad and don't leave streaks. I like the ones by Jergens and Dove the most. Jergens makes an oil free moisturizer for the face too. You can find these at all drugstores or Walmart and Target. They each cost about $8.






3. Now some people may think I'm crazy for this one but I am in LOVE with my Epilator! Remember those horrible "Epilady" machines from the late 80's?
Well they have improved the technology and I have to say I'm in love. I save so much time by not shaving in the shower, I don't have to buy shaving cream or razors or do it in a rush because baby is crying. It's not messy like waxing so if I'm in the middle of doing it and someone calls or I have to take care of the kids I can just stop and start back up when the kids are napping.
Now I'm not gonna lie. The first time you do it if you've never waxed it will probably hurt like the dickens!!!!
But the results are amazing and in the long run you save money and time. I use the Braun Silk-epil Xpress Wet Dry. It also comes with trimming and shaving attachments. It pulls hairs out from the root and they come back very light and then barely come back at all. You need to exfoliate daily with a sugar scrub or loofah so you don't get ingrowns. I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond so I could use the 20% discount. It was $119 before the discount. But I also found www.Amazon.com had a good price. Trust me it saves $ in the long run.






4. Now for makeup I used to be a MAC junkie. I still have almost every eyeshadow color they make. But their foundation and powder run about $30 a piece. I was also using Lancome mascara for about $30 too. That's $90 on three products! So I asked around to see what people recommended. I found Covergirl Advanced Radiance foundation and pressed powder for about $10 each. they are oil free and have the exact coverage I was looking for. And I am crazy about Covergirl LashBlast Mascara you can get 2 for $10 at Target when they are on special. Its the best mascara I've ever used!







5. This product works really well on days you don't have time for your hair but want it to look great anyway. It also depends on your hairs texture if you need it.
It's by Scunci and it's called "Create the Perfect Pony" I found it at Rite Aid one day and I love it! It costs about $5. You just put the rubber insert in your ponytail and you have a full glamorous ponytail in a few minutes.

Scunci Perfect Pony Tool with 3 No Damage 4mm Elastics (Pack of 3)


6. This last one is the best antiperspirant I've ever used and I don't know why more people don't use it. Maybe because it's packaging looks really 80's but you know when your lifting children, babies, carseats, strollers and everything else it takes to get out of the house with a baby the last thing you want to worry about it sweating. And you can find it at Target or drugstores it costs around $5 unlike Secret Clinical Strength which is $14! You use Certain Dri at night and you won't need anything the following day or sometimes for up to three days! It's amazing!

Useless Baby Products

Useless Baby Products

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.

Starting Solids! How to make them yourself

Preparing baby food is fun, easy and saves a lot of money!

Starting solids is very exciting. Once baby has mastered cereal its time for veggies and fruits. But the first time I opened a jar or carrots for baby the color and smell was a little funky to me. I wanted to make something fresh.

Depending on how much room you have in your freezer you can easily make enough baby food to last a long time. It costs less and you know the exact ingredients since you made it. I still buy prepackaged baby food so I can grab something when I’m on the go but I don’t need very much. And I found that I love the WalMart brand called Parents Choice. They gave me the idea to mix veggies with fruits and it enabled me to give my picky eater some squash or peas even though she refused them when by themselves.

You can start off by either steaming or baking (wrapped in foil) individual fruits or vegetables.

You should peel anything with a tough exterior first. You can bake or steam until soft .

Then you just throw it into the food processor until you get your desired texture, you may need to add a little water to carrots or other firm vegetables.

Then spoon your baby food into as many ice cube trays as you need.

Cover and freeze.

Once frozen pop them out and put them in labeled freezer bags. (I learned this the hard way after mixing up yams, squash, peaches, carrots and pumpkin..is everything orange?!)

Then you can thaw them as needed either in the fridge or out on the counter. And you can mix them up if you want to try different flavors!