Baby Fashion: Mini Mod

I think it's kinda funny that I do a pretty horrible job of dressing myself, but I absolutely ADORE dressing my daughter.

Last week, I wear dirty yoga pants and a t-shirt to the children's museum, but I dressed my daughter in Tea, and a boutique headband. It's not that I don't have a sense of style, because I do. I've loved dressing up, accessorizing and being stylish since I was young. And if I could buy a matching set of everything Lil' J has for myself I think I'd look pretty cute. Hmm. I wonder if there are mommy and me clothing lines. Maybe I'm on to something here.

I think the appeal to me about clothes for her too is that they're easy to find online. I always get things a little bigger than I think she'll need so worst case scenario she'll grow into it. It's not so easy to do that with stuff for myself.

Dress from Adelaide's Boutique; Feather Rosette Bow from

 Lately when we go out someone will ask me where I got her headband, or her outfit, if I made it--Since normally it's stuff you don't see in stores. One of these days, when I'm not working a full-time job I want to take up sewing again and learn how to make my daughter some stylish clothes. Like this adorable Junebug dress. I found the tutorial on Pinterest. It doesn't look so hard right? But when do I have time to make something like this? It's just easier for me to pay someone else to do it for me! So for now I'm sticking with hunting for unique styles and steals.

My favorite outfits of hers are definitely from boutiques. Most of those things are one of a kind, and these make up about 90% of her wardrobe. I'm in love with Etsy, but I also find a lot of things through facebook, like MoRiginal Designs for example. I recently signed up for their outfit of the month club and for $90, I'll get two items every month for a year. So it could be two rompers, two dresses, a top and a bottom, it's a surprise, but I love their work and I won't be disappointed. And if you do the math that's like $7.50 or less an outfit.
  
My favorite places to non-boutique shop are actually thrift stores or Ebay. I have no shame getting things second hand, and knowing how few times Lil' J wears her things, I try to get the best deals possible while the things still being cute.

Journey Romper from MoRiginal Designs

A favorite non-thrift non-boutique store is probably Tea Collection I was introduced to them through the blog world and have been addicted ever since. Their dresses are comfy, and my husband's favorite I think because they are so easy to get on and off. A few of the dresses Lil' J has are on sale right now, and I'm eyeballing their new line myself. I also just discovered a new place I LOVE called Zara. Lil' J isn't quite big enough for their stuff but I'm bookmarking a lot of their dresses. You are going to flip when you see the prices for the cuteness. I love Old Navy and Gap too but sometimes the prices are more than I want to spend on something that I'll most likely be seeing other kids wear.

Tutu and Tube Top from Pink Kisses Couture; Rainboots via Ebay; Bows from Walmart

Are you on Pinterest? I made a Baby Fashion pin board and I've been sharing things I love. Here are some of my recent finds:

Top left to bottom right:

Dress with Lace Belt- Zara: $17.99

Marimba Mini Dress- Tea Collection: $30

Coutryard Tile Dress- Tea Collection: $49

Gray Ruffle Party Dress- GAP- $29.95
Dress with a variety of Prints- Zara: $17.99

Dress with Frilled Neckline-Zara: $12.99

Lace Dress with Bow-Zara: $17.99

Striped Dress- Zara: $12.99

Forgive me if I turn into a baby/ toddler fashion blogger. I'm addicted.

How to Find a Deal on Etsy

I'm a girl who loves to shop. But I'm also a girl who knows how to find a good deal and won't get ripped off. I'm constantly posting my finds on my Facebook page and one of my online buddies asked if I'd post about finding deals on Ebay and Etsy.--Cause that's where I do most of my shopping.

It may come across as strange to some people that I shop for cloths and just about everything else on Ebay but it's really pretty convenient. I love getting mail so it's more fun than going to the store. And 90% of the time I'm getting a rockin deal.

I just recently started shopping on Etsy and that's a little more overwhelming to me, but I'm quickly learning tips to finding a bargain.

1. Be Specific: Personally, I get overwhelmed by just searching for random things on etsy, and that's a quick way to buy something you don't need. I use as many key words as possible to get a good amount of return results, but not enough to have to sort through dozens of pages of stuff.

The Groovy Mommy $10

2. Narrow the Results: If I'm searching for something like a "baby dress" and get tons of results, the first thing I do is usually click "sort from lowest to highest" but then the first half a dozen pages seem to be patterns, so I enter a prize range to sort it even more, maybe between $5 and $15, so I can skip through pages of patterns, but scan for the cutest, lowest-prices results.

3. Compare Compare: If you're coming across several items that look alike and are priced similarly, check out things that may be "deal breakers." How quickly they ship (is it ready to mail, or made to order?) and compare things like shipping costs. Sometimes buying multiple items can save you on shipping, depending on the seller.

4. Communicate with the Seller: I almost always write to the Etsy sellers and tell them what I'm looking to buy, and ask specifics about the order, (my husband makes fun of me because I can never order a meal without some exception, I think I'm the same way with buying things on Etsy) sometimes (not always) if you get a really nice seller, they'll offer something extra for a discount.

For instance, I was just going to buy one dress from Sumo's Sweet Stuff for a rockin' deal of $10. But then I saw another one that had just sold that I liked, and decided I wanted to buy two, but then I really liked the headbands and wanted one to match one of the dresses, but the seller was nice and said I could get two for $10, when normally they're $6 a piece. I've found lots of sellers who are nice about my custom orders and offer a discount when I'm torn between something. You never know who will hook you up with a deal so you'll buy more!

So these adorable dresses Lil' J and I took a photoshoot in today are from Sumo's Sweet Stuff. I saw one listed on her shop as a tunic top and asked if she could make a dress like that. She whipped them up so quick and sent my like 10 emails to make sure I was getting what I wanted. Etsy ROCKS!

5. Word of Mouth: I'm constantly finding awesome deals by just asking my friends about their favorite shops. I'm always finding things I wouldn't have found on my own. There are SO many sellers and it's impossible to see them all. Sometimes I'm looking for dresses and end up finding hairbows I love by a seller who also makes dresses.

It's fun to hop around, and ask around for favorites.

What are your favorite Etsy shops? Everyone who comments before November 2nd will be entered to win a $15 credit to Sumo's Sweet Stuff. If you follow her blog or tell me what you want from her shop you'll get an extra entry! Random.org will choose the winner! Good luck!

 

Shopping Spree: The Best Way to Make Up for Shots

No one likes getting shots. Lord knows I didn't. Heck, I still don't. So when Lil' J had her first round last week I about lost it. Ok, actually I DID lose it. She freaked out too but had forgotten about it a couple minutes later. I on the other hand, couldn't get the memory out of my head. She was laughing and cooing one second, the next she was turning red and screaming her head off. And there I was holding her arms down. I felt like a jerk. I told myself I wouldn't, but I cried too.

I promised her I'd make up for it and I did. Right after the appointment with the mean nurse we went to Old Navy's baby sale and had a little shopping spree. We scored BIG!

Two jean skirts, a pair of pants, a sweater dress, two bohemian-style dresses, a pair of sparkly moccasins, a beautiful long sweater, and a jean jacket that she can wear with it all--All for $117!

At first I had put the pants back cause I thought the total was going to be closer to $200 but when the lady rang me up and the total only came to $107 I went back to get the adorable brown pants (and I think the FIRST pair of pants I've bought for her).

Everything I bought (minus the jacket) was on sale for $5-15!

Sadly, Lil' J slept through all the shopping, but she was happy to take part in a photoshoot when she was feeling herself again. I am so blessed to have this little angel in my life!

She measured 95th percentile for height and 90th for weight so I got almost everything in 6-12 month size so she can wear it longer. The dresses I think she'll be able to wear as shirts even when she's older.

If you ask me, she looks good in everything.

What do you think? Like her fall wardrobe?

Oh, by the way, everyone who comments on this post before Sunday September 19th at 11:59pm is entered to win a $100 gift card to Old Navy. If you're a blog follower/subscriber (or become one) you get an extra entry. Also, go here to get a special coupon for 30-40% off. It's a fast one so good luck!

PS: I just took this video of her in her other bohemian dress. I just had to share! We had too much fun. The whole video coming for Wordless Wednesday!

*Thanks Old Navy, for sponsoring the shopping spree & giveaway*