$190 Summer Casual

$5 left.
Sunday afternoon, with the children in Kiki, Papa, and auntie k’s charge, we sped off for the outlets for our shopping trip. In the time since my birthday I had added in a little extra coin from the holidays and brought the total budget to $190.00. My plan was a new summer casual look to mix and match that could move from grocery store to playground to beach with ease. That summer WORK look, yeah, we’ll get there eventually. A job offer might be a good catalyst for that future trip. Armed with cash and a stack of coupons printed through the VIP program a friend recommended, we had a plan and the day began perfectly with a prime parking spot.

First Stop. Converse. I thought I was going for laceless until I tried them on and ultimately decided on ties instead. With a coupon and a sale I got

- black/navy pair of chucks for 14.99.

We browsed a few more stores that were so HOT that my shopping partner was considering a mutiny, so I moved us along to the big three; J. Crew, Banana, and Gap. They were my targets and I thought I would be able to do well mixing and matching from these three retailers. J.Crew; Land of the nothing under $40 price tag. With a budget and a plan for a new summer look, I wasn’t going to get very far saving 5 bucks on a pair of $60 pants. I was frustrated and Steve was confused because I wasn’t even pulling things off the racks. I asked him several times “what have you done to me?” I just couldn’t justify the $40 or more tags. There once was a girl who wouldn’t have thought twice, but those $40 tags add up quickly and the new kerri, the one influenced perhaps a bit too much over the years by her spendthrift husband, simply couldn’t handle it. So we moved on, thinking we could come back if nothing else panned out.

We arrived in the land of banana and with just an hour left to shop we aborted the mission for the Gap. I knew I had done well there in the past, that I could get a big bang for my buck, and Steve made an executive decision to skip Banana for now to head to what we hoped would be big savings at Gap. That 20% of $75 or more coupon was on my mind. Once inside I grabbed first and thought later, which just about blew my mind. I was anxious and unsure, but Steve helped find cute shoes, searched for sizes, pointed out cute dresses. I went into the dressing room with so much I almost couldn’t carry it all.

- Copper ballet flats, two keyhole tops, a wrap dress, a knit skirt, a denim a-line, a tank, three camisoles, a striped button down oxford and that elusive white cardigan all for 169.58
I’m pretty happy with my choices, feeling a bit of buyer’s remorse this morning, but very pleased with what I was able to find for my money. I feel confident that I can push my daughter on the swings, go out to dinner at the beach, get spit up on or wear connor's first pureed carrots, and attend many a bbq or baby shower all while feeling updated and fresh.

Go for it Beth!

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I might stock up on some entra powerful hand salve for the sure to be dry winter/preggo hands.

children's clothesline fall/winter consignment sale

The Children’s Clothesline Fall/Winter sale was this weekend and we cleaned up! Kiki and I arrived about 20 minutes early and began scoping out the strollers from the car. Within moments of the sale start, Kiki already had a stroller and we were strolling into the Hall in search of other items. I found a barely used Boppy (on my list for baby brother because get this, I never had one with Caroline??) for a song.

We managed to find most everything on my list; 2 winter coats (one for everyday play and one dressier - look at the toggles on that coat!), a holiday outfit, and a fancy dress for Auntie C’s shower. We filled in her fall/winter wardrobe with lots of long sleeve t’s, pants (4 pair including those sparkly cords!), and sweaters (2!). We couldn't leave without looking for SOMETHING for Mac, so that little very hungry caterpillar feetie is now hanging on the dresser in what will be his room.

Special thanks to Kiki for all the schlepping and actually attending with me and to Terri again for helping me plan and execute!

Gap Summer Clearance Code - This Weekend Only

You all probably know about this already, but 25% off is 25% off. Buy ahead for next summer! Or in my case scour the maternity racks.

consignment wrap-up

It was a site to behold for any bargain hunter. As I stood in wait, literally like a cheetah stalking her prey, droves of shoppers hustled in and out of the church hall. My eyes grew large watching sweet children’s tables, gently loved ride on toys, breast pumps, and infant swings being loaded into trunks. The (mostly) women carried laundry baskets and LL Bean totes of spectacular merch with smiles that screamed, “I just scored big!” I was happy for the few minutes by the road waiting for my mother to arrive. It gave me time to refresh my memory about what we were looking for, to remind myself of my strict budget, and to flex my hanger flipping fingers.

We were specifically looking for bottoms and outfits for school. In fifteen minutes flat we had together scoured both the 2T and 3T racks and adjourned to a secluded weeding out area to edit our purchases carefully. We ohh’d and ahh’d together. A woman next to us watched our little fashion show remarking that she wished she could do this with her daughter who lives in Africa. I caught my mother's eys and our silent smiles recognized how lucky we were to be able to do this fun thing together. The shopping gene has most certainly been passed down and I assure you, it has been passed to Caroline as well. She would have been pulling stuff off those racks with reckless abandon. We’ll work on her editing.

All told we nabbed 3 pants, 9 shorts, several outfits, 3 dresses, and a pink eyelet beach hat.

Now I know I wasn’t technically allowed to buy dresses, but two are perfect for a hot day at school; cotton and comfy. The other one, well, I just could not leave it there; A-line with cherries. Cherries.

We estimated our savings to be over 300 dollars. I laugh in the face of retail. Now, the constant reminders to myself that she has enough clothes for the summer must begin. She definitely has all she needs and then some, except for shoes (white sandals, crocs, flips), pjs, Red Sox ts (we can't get them down here), and maybe hair bows. There is always something else isn’t there? And I am all too happy to hunt for it.

children's clothesline consignment sale

I hesitate to even share this. I fear finding myself in that scene from Serendipity where Kate Beckinsale and John Cusack attempt to claim the same cashmere glove. I quiver at the thought of distracting you with some “is that baby burberry over there??” comment to more closely examine an adorable summer dress I know would show off my daughter’s chubtastic legs. Yet, I cannot keep a good thing to myself. So, sorry Terri, I have to share the sale.

What: The Children’s Clothesline Consignment Sale
Where: First Congregational Church - Riley Hall 515 Hanover Street, Hanover, MA
When: March 28th, 2009, 8:00 – 4:00, Half Price Sale 2:00 – 4:00

More Information: http://www.thechildrensclothesline.com/

I'll be there. Will you???

"Swish, Swish"

Could it be? I am the LAST person to send along fashion finds, but here is one worthy of sharing!

This looks very much like last year's coveted by many "swish swish." Wear it as shown, tie it in front, wrap it like a ballet sweater, tie it behind like a bolero or as the name implies "swish" it over your shoulders. Awesome, versatile, amazing sweater found and worn first by the one and only Auntie k.

I have it in ruby and it will be might hard to say no to this pretty light grey for spring.
























Banana Republic Swish Swish

49.99 for light gray heather
59.99 for versatile black