Shopping Kids Consignment, Part 2

This is the second post in my series on Shopping Kids Consignment. I have recently become a consignment addict (sad really), and I know it can be quite intimidating. SO, I thought I would write a few posts about my thoughts on it to help you out. Here is the first post I did on WHY you should shop consignment.

How to Shop Consignment - what's your strategy?

There are a number of ways to go about shopping with a plan. And it all depends on what you are shopping for, and how motivated you are. First, you need to be aware of what consignment sales are held in your area, and when they take place. I go here to get my info http://www.kidsconsignmentsales.com/

When I go here I see LOTS of sales to choose from. How do you choose?

What are you looking for? Do you have a specific thing in mind you are looking for? The most sought after items at consignment sales are listed below, courtesy of the Consignment Queen

Large Outdoor Sets- Think Little Tykes and Step 2 slides and jungle gyms. These items sell so well, you can even price them upto 75% the original price if they are in excellent condition. I usually price mine at 50% the retail price just so I know I won't have to take them home.

Large Baby Equipment- Swings, exersaucers, strollers, high chairs, walkers, cribs, ect. Cribs saw a decline in sells this past year due to the recalls, however as long as you have a non-recalled/non-drop-side crib, you should be able to sell it for a pretty penny the next few seasons because not only will new mommies be looking for cribs, but a lot of mommies will be looking to replace their cribs.

Large Plastic Toys - Kitchens, tool benches, vanities, doll sets, etc.

Furniture- Bookshelves, kid's table and chair sets, nursery furniture, rocking chairs, storage sets (cloth bins on shelves).

Ride-ons - Tricycles, bicycles, scooters, etc.

Popular Character Toys - This changes from season to season depending on the latest 'fads' (Bratz, Beanie Babies, etc.), however some of the 'timeless' ones seam to be: Thomas the Train, Barbie, Transformers, Super Hearos (Batman, Superman, Spiderman, and any other "...man"), My Little Pony, Pokemon and Little People.

NIB Toys - Especially at the fall sales, people are thinking gifts and love to pick up toys that are New still In the Box .

Books - If you price books correctly you can SELL, SELL, SELL. The best books are Home-school supplies, series (Boxcar children, Nancy Drew, Harry Potter, etc), toddler hardbacks, and characters (Sesame Street, Dora, Thomas, etc.)

NEW Clothes - Girl's size 2T-6X and Boys size 2T and up. Under 2T there's just too much of it! Girl's get too pick about what they'll wear around the size 6 ages. Boys will wear what mom buys them usually, and there's less boys clothes due to the wear and tear they receive.

Namely, these items (especially the carseats, furniture, swings, equipment, etc) go the fastest. Clothing, not so much. So, if you are in the market for these quick-selling items here are my suggestions.

1. try to volunteer to work or sell some things to get the ability to shop early. You will get to shop before it opens to the public, so you get first dibs, and avoid "most" of the crowds this way. Also, you have a great shot at getting what you want. (also, if you are selling you get to see what everyone is bring to sell. Bonus!) New moms also get to shop early.

2. go to the biggest sale. Yes, I know this will be a headache, because that means you are dealing with lots more people. But trust me, it is worth it because you have so much more selection!

Now, if you are the market for just clothes and aren't THAT picky, here are some options:

1. go to any sale on 50% off day (usually the last day or two of the sale). The bigger ones usually have a pretty good selection left. One big one here that is a week long had sellers restocking all week long, so by the 50% off day, they still had a TON of Gymboree, Janie and Jack, Gap clothes left.

2. Go to specific sales on 50% off day. Again, if you are looking for a specific sought-after brand, or specific thing (Halloween, Christmas outfits, etc) You are better to try and shop early. However, if you're not, then do what I do. Here in Nashville, or Franklin rather, there are two consignment sales that ONLY sell high end brands. They won't even accept Children's Place or Old Navy things, only high end brands. So, this one is KILLER to shop at 50% off day. I usually hit both of these up.

3. Go to those other ones. I love shopping the twin consignment sale. I don't want to make them feel bad, but it just doesn't get the shoppers like the other bigger ones get. So, because it is smaller, the selection is HUGE on 50% off days. So, I have lots to choose from and get a great deal. Plus, these sales also have lots of baby equipment left over as well. Its a hit or miss with these though. (think of church consignment sales in nicer, upscale areas).
 
 
I hope this helps! Any questions, hit up the comment section!
 
Some of my finds:

Dress, CoCo Bonbons, and shoes

Head to Toe:  Gap, Baby Legs and Stride Rite Shoes, all consignment



Head to Toe Coco BonBons from consignment, Shoes from TJ Maxx




head to toe consignment. Shes in Coco BonBons, he is in Gap and Old Navy, and Stride Rite shoes




She is in Gap, He's in Polo, all consignment



Who can forget our fun play tent including balls? $12

Macy's/Dept store outfit, Gymboree shoes, all consignment

Gymboree dress, babylegs, stride rite shoes, all consignment

Shes in Children's Place, he's is dept store stuff, all consignment

Gymboree, consigned



Shes in Gymboree, He's in Polo, all consigned

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Steppin' Out Saturday (and Sunday)

So far so good as far as weekends go! It is still hotter than h-e-double-hockey-sticks here. (like a heat index of 104 today, yeesh!) So we are doing all we can to keep cool. And humidity is not a curly haired girls friend, ya'll.

However, all was fun. Jake's parents were up on Saturday, so they took them to their weekly Gymboree class. I met them there later, because I had to head to the very first consignment sale of the year! Yippee! You know how much I love consignment sales! This one was one of two upscale only sales in my area(they only accept upscale brands, no Old Navy, Target, Children's Place, etc). Its a smaller sale, so I went on their 50% off day. There is not alot left, but its also the first sale for the season, so I wasn't in a rush to buy, but I did get some great things!







I bought everything you see, and some really cute red mary jane shoes for Jules for $45. Most of it is Ralph Laren, Gymboree and Gap. Score, people. score!!!! One of the Ralph Lauren sweaters is probably $40 alone. And, I know you can't see it, but one of the outfits is a pale pink veour fur trimed dress with matching tights from Gymboree! Swoon!!

Next we were off to the pool. I will partake in Steppin Out on Sunday instead of Saturday, because I am not yet to the point of showing my bad self in a bathing suit in the blogosphere.

On Jules: Suit: Hartstrings

Its also got a ruffle on the bootie. :)

On Josh: Suit: Ralph Lauren

PeePie!!!

Jules with Mr. Walrus.

Sunday we went to mornng church, and since the babes looked so dang cute here, too, I felt I must post pics.  

On Moi: Dress: Macys Shoes: Target Sunglasses: LV

On Jules: Dress: Gap Shoes: Target On Josh: Button up: Tea Sweater Vest and Pants: Gymboree Shoes: BRU

Everyday, folks. Its like herding cats.

Vote for my little fashionistas!!!

Two Year Portraits

We got the babies' two year portraits done a few weeks ago (ya know, because they're two and all). For the first time EVER, I really didn't put too much thought into their outfits, poses, what I wanted the session to be, etc. I think because it honestly snuck up on me an I still do like to admit that they are, in fact, TWO.

However, I am very pleased with how they turned out. I had a Groupon I bought months ago for Jenn Cady photography, so I finally go her booked. She did a great job. However, because it was a Groupon deal, I only got three edited photos, so I just decided to edit them all myself anyway. I loved them though, and wow, how are these babies two!! Jake at the last second couldn't make it, so we couldn't do a family shot, but I did get a couple snapped of me and the babes (well, of EACH babe, because it was sooo hard to wrangle them in the same shot, much less all three of us in the same shot)

I had a hard time deciding what to put them in. I even went to instagram (@apstribling)to help me decide :)

We went with a preppy look, then with a more dressy/urban look. They of course looked precious as ever :)

On Jules:

Outfit 1- Dress, shirt:Gymboree//Shoes: L'amour(oh how I love these shoes!)
Outfit 2- Dress: Gap (oh how I love this dress!)//Shoes: Target

On Josh:

Outfit 1- Shirt: Old Navy//Vest: Gymboree//Pants: Old Navy//Shoes: Gymboree
Outfit 2 - Shirt and Jeans: Gap//Shoes:Gymboree

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Pumpkin Patch Party at Gymboree

As most of you know, my kiddos are members at Gymboree Play and Music, and have been for almost a year. This year, we found out that they were having a Halloween Pumpkin Patch Party on Sunday. The kids could come dressed up in tehir costumes, and have a big party. There is music playing, and a big arts and crafts section with snacks and such. Their was also a professional photographer there taking pictures (um, thats honestly all they had to say. We were SO THERE)

The babes love Gymboree, so add juice, cookies, and other kids in costumes, and you have a wild time.

Arts and Crafts and Josh (he was obsessed with all the balloons)

Poor Josh - he looked more like a dog than Mickey Mouse

Seriously, I am in love with (and so proud of) her costume! I can't believe I pulled it off!!

Linking up to The Paper Mama

Bubbles!!!

Parachute time! They put all the kids in the center and go round and round.

In General Updates, and our weekend

Apologies in advance for the lack in blogging. My life is just crazy right now! I work for the American Heart Association, and February is Heart Month. So, that means my booty is in uttercrazytown planning events right now that will happen next month. Add that to potty training...and I am lucky I haven't checked myself in somewhere.

I will saw that my sweet Jules is a super star. She had a few little setbacks and accidents, but she has done fantastic during the day. I plan of (hopefully) writing a post all about our potty training journey. I probably will, because it is quite the milestone in the life of that Baby Stribling, and thats what this blog is about after all. but, man, I love that girl, and am over the moon proud of her.

Friday night my sister Ginny came up and we went to see Spamalot at TPAC. I have season tickets, and there are only so many that Jake will agree to go to, so I am usually looking for dates. This one Ginny was really wanting to see, so she came over to go with.

At Spamalot at Tpac

I also had an ulterior motive of her going with me to check our a gymnastics place on Saturday morning (Let It Shine in Franklin, TN). Every Saturday for the past year we have been involved in Gymboree Play and Music. I love it so much, but the kids were kind of outgrowing it, and I just wanted to see what else was out there for them, so I cancelled it. So, now my journey is to find something else for us to do. At two, the kids can be more exposed to different things. Jules can now start dance, which is beyond preciousville, and if I entered her in for classes, it would pose danger, because I would die, DIE of cuteness overload. Plus, I;m not too sure we would enroll Josh, so I was wanting them to do something together. So, I was thinking gymnastics! We have two places here (well, three is you could The Little Gym). There is Let it Shine and MPact that I have heard people talk about.

So, Ginny and I set off to Let it Shine. There were so many things that I didn't like about it, I just was confused. I have heard so many wonderful things about it, so I had high hopes. But, I will not go back there. At least not yet, not at this age. First off, it was HUGE, and chaotic, and just loud and crazy and crowded and a circus. I guess most gymnastic places are like that, but I guess I wasn't expecting quite all the craziness. Second, the teacher weren't all bubbly and sweet and oozing with sugar and spice like my ladies over at Gymboree. These girl were strict, and expected you to follow the rules and wanted my kids to mind and wait their turns and all things they absolutely SHOULD be doing. And I agree with their "schtick" for sure, and love that they have expectations for the kids, however, me and Ginny were nervous wrecks thinking we were going to get in trouble the entire time if Josh and Jules didn't go though the tunnel correctly. The mommy and me part lasted about 30 minutes, then you spent the next parts out in the big HUGE gymnastic arena, - with.everyone.else.like.alot.of.freaking.people.were.everywhere. It was just chaotic, like I said. And then after all of this with out trial class and after we were done, she informed us that "they told you up front that this class is full right"  - "um, no, she actually wasn't sure where this class even met, so no" - So, we couldn't even join even if we wanted to.

Anyway, it just kind of rubbed me the wrong way. I felt like an outsider "new kid in the class" - and not in a good way. So, we'll check out the other one and see if its any more "us".

If anyone has any other suggestions, please do tell! The pics below are from after church on Sunday. I didn't grab any pics from Saturday - I totally forgot.

oh and p.s. I had their 2 year portraits taken this past week too, and I must say, they looked sooooo cute! I can't wait to get them back!

On my super big (weep) almost completely potty trained Jules:
Top: Gymboree//Dress: handmade//Leggings: Baby Legs//Shoes: Target

On Moi: Dress, Cardigan, Boot Socks: HandM//Boots: Journey//Belt: Target//Necklace:Etsy

Had to add this one - cracks me up. Story of my life, people

This boy runs, and runs, and runs, and runs. Challenge number one was getting a picture of Josh and Jules in the same frame. Challenge number two was getting a picture of Josh standing still
On Josh://Shirt: Gap//Pants: Old Navy//Shoes: Gap

Linking Up with Harpers Happenings and Pleated Poppy

Steppin Out Saturday - pretty days and parties

Another really fun Saturday! The day pre-nap was pretty busy for us. We went to our regular Gymboree class, which the babes just love so much. They run around like wild Indians and laugh, and giggle and just have a blast! After that I decided to take them to the park for a little while before lunch, and before it got too terribly hot. They took a super-awesome nap and then Mommy and Daddy go to go out! (Thanks JV and Vicki for babysitting!)

We had a 50th birthday party to attend. (Jake plays golf with him) So we got dressed up and headed to this party. They actually had rented out this place called The Sound Kitchen. I had never heard of it before, but upon entering, it seemed we were in a really special place. The Sound Kitchen is actually a recording studio, and there were autographs and pictures and memorabilia up everywhere. Musicians that have recorded there include Jewel, Carrie Underwood, 3 Doors Down, Jimmy Buffett, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn, Paramore, Bruce Springsteen, Dolly Parton, Los Lonely Boys, Earth, Wind & Fire, Taylor Wift, and oodles more. It was such a cool place!! (Have I mentioned how much I love this town???)

We ate some fab food and drank some mighty fun drinks. Then as the party was in full swing, the birthday boy got up and thanked everyone for coming, and then out walks his fiance in a white dress! They got married right there on the spot a la celebrity style to avoid paparazzi. It was honestly the coolest, most awesome thing ever. I have never been to a surprise wedding before, and I gotta say, it was just fabulous!!! Everyone was so excited and so happy for them. they all of a sudden it went from birthday party to wedding reception!

Father-in law took this one, bad lighting, but still glad he did!

On this weird "tire swing" at the park

Isn't she precious???

At Gymboree!

Walking down her "catwalk" just like the model she is.

Little model himself - striking a pose.

Phone Photo from the "wedding"

Please,

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