A Bargain to GREAT not to Post

Two weekends ago, Steve, myself and Lottie packed up the car and headed to the beach for the weekend.  During the winter months, my sister generally does most of the visiting to our house.  Of course during those nice, hot summer days, we tend to do most of the visiting and take advantage of the 10 minute drive to the beach. 

I have been dying to get to the outlets at the beach for a couple of months now and thought now would be the perfect time.  During the month of April, I don't plan on doing any traveling so am getting it all out of the way now. 

My sister and I got up early on Saturday morning and hit up Tanger Outlets on 17.  It was a dreary, miserable, rainy day out so a perfect day for shopping.  Steve and Anthony were on babysitting duty.  They took Lottie to a British pub for a proper English breakfast where she devoured beans on toast (one of my faves)!

One of the places we visited at the Outlets was The Children's Place.  It really is one of my favorite places to get Lottie's clothes.  Of course me being a bargain shopper, I've always been able to find great deals and am constantly using coupons I receive.  This time around was no exception!  It was a very successful trip!  Everything I bought was between $.50 to $4.99. 

Take a look!

Pretty Pink and Silver Shoes - $2.99 each 

Pink Fur Boots - $4.99

Animal print high tops - $2.99

Silver snow boots - $4.99

Peace sign shoes for Mini Coop #2 - $2.99

Flip Flops - $1.99

Tights for both girls - 2 for $1.00 / Total = $2.00

Matching sweaters (oh yeah, you better believe these girls are going to have a few matching outfits!)

$2.99 each

Sweaters / Flannel shirt - $2.99 each

Matchy Matchy this Winter - $2.99 each

And with a 20% coupon I had, that brings the total to $39.62 with tax.  Can you believe all of that for under $40.00? 

I have to admit that having two girls is really going to pay off financially when it comes down to clothing.  Mini Coop will be getting all of Lottie's hand me downs and I must say that they are all in really good condition.  Thankfully Lottie was never one to have very many poop accidents so all of her clothes (especially the ones under 12 months) are in really great condition.  I know that one day Mini Coop will want clothes of her own, but for the next several years, I hope she gets used to the idea that she will be wearing sissy's!  :) 

If you are looking for great deals on children's clothes, the best time to look for them is during those months when the stores are looking to get rid of their winter / summer clothes to prepare for the next season.  The money you can save can go straight into their college fund or those fun family activities on the weekends!

Also, the churches around the Charlotte area are having their bi-annual consignment sales going on right now.  Last weekend, I went to Harrison United Methodist Church in Pineville and racked up on barely worn / new clothing for the kiddos for $25 (Half price sale).  Everything I bought was between $.50 and $2.00.  You can't beat it, especially with how quickly kids grow out of things.  I also bought Lottie a few Disney books for $.50 each.  It is a great place to get books for little ones especially for parents who are tired of reading the same books over and over again!  I swear if I read one more Clifford book...............  :)

LBD / Little Black Dress

Lottie in her LBD and pink animal print skirt before day care this morning!!!!  Waking up and looking at this sweet face is the perfect way to start the weekend!

Shirt: Walmart
Skirt: The Children's Place
Hair Bow: Walmart

Carter Sample Sale / Consignment Sale

Last Saturday morning, I went to a Carters Sample Sale over in the Matthews/Stallings area.  Carters is such a great brand in clothing / all things baby.  Everything on the rack was $5.00 an item / brand new with tags, straight from the distributor. 

My cousin Ginger is the go to person for all things "SALE".  She is constantly e-mailing me about coupon classes, consignment sales, sample sales, etc.  I love it - because if you know me, I love a good BARGAIN!

Here are a few items I scored this past weekend:

A Pop of Red

2 pairs of stretchy ruffle butt pants ($2.50 each)

The Cutest Pair of Santa Pajamas

A 4 piece set including a sleeper, onesie, sleeper pants and a bib all for $5.00

And my fav.....  Leopard top and pants - size 18 months (they didn't have anything in 12 mths)

Following the Carters Sample Sale, I ran over to First Baptist Indian Trail for their bi-annual consignment sale.  This is the first time I've been to their sale.  I must say, I was NOT impressed.  A lot of the items looked really worn.  One thing I must say about going to these consignment sales is that I ONLY buy items that still have the tags or that you can tell have been worn once or twice.  Also, I only go to the half price sales.  These are usually on Saturdays or the final day of the sale.  For example, if an item hasn't sold on a Friday or first thing Saturday morning, then the consignor has the option to discount it for the half price sale which is really when you get the best deal!  If consignors put in the time to get their items sold, then they will usually discount the item to have the best chance of getting it sold. 

The only thing worth blogging about at the FBIT consignment sale is that I scored a 100% cashmere sweater for Lottie for $2.50 - it looked as if it had been worn once.  The consignor's tag said that it was Kate Spade but I don't know if I am buying that (there was no actually tag in the sweater).  Oh well - you can't beat 100% cashmere for $2.50.

Which Do You Love?

Mudpie Baby

The Children's Place Modeling Contest & Shopping Spree

You read that right - I entered Lottie into a modeling contest through The Children's Place.  I get weekly if not daily e-mails from them advertising sales, new lines, etc.  This past week, I received an e-mail with the words - "Win a $500 shopping spree" - of course if you know me, I am a sucker for all bargains, contests, etc.  (Frugal McDougal) This was no exception.  I submitted two photographs of Lottie in hopes of winning the shopping spree.  Here are a couple of other perks......

• a starring role at our Spring 2012 photo shoot
• travel & accommodations to our exclusive photo shoot location for each PLACEkids model search winner, an accompanying parent/guardian and one gues
• a $500 shopping spree from The Children's Place

If you get an opportunity, please vote for Lottie here:

Place Kids Model Search

The ID numbers are 125180 and 125492

These are the two photos I submitted - going for the cute factor and silly factor

I know what you are thinking - this mama is nuts!!!!  And you are probably right - I just can't help myself! 

Styling and Profiling

Yesterday on my way to pick Lottie up from school, I swung into The Children's Place at the Arboretum to see if I could find another swimsuit for Lottie.  The swimsuit in the pictures below is from The Children's Place and it fits her great.  We have another swimsuit from Target that we tried but it was tooooooooo tight!  It said 12.5 lbs to 18 lbs..............  YEAH RIGHT!!!!  Poor baby had a line going down her side from it being to tight. 

I was so happy when I pulled up to see a sign that said 50% off already reduced prices.  "Yes!!!"

I didn't have much time, but I did get a few cute things.  The onesies were $2.99 each, the romper was $6.50 or $7 and the swimsuit was around $5.00.  I think I might be going back this weekend for a couple more onesies to wear with her jorts this summer.

To view all of their sale items go to The Children's Place