Don't Knock It 'til You Try It

So during this time of economic hardship....yeah, yeah, yeah, well...we're always trying to be frugal - economy or not. But I've never "stooped" to this level. And will a lot more now!!

First, let me say, I am not "brand loyal" to many things. Maybe pepsi and I have some favorite brands of jeans, but I really could care less what the labels on our things say. Second, we've been blessed with lot of nice children's clothing. My mother-in- law used to work at an adorable children's boutique and would shower her grand kids with lots of cute clothes. Not to mention the hand-me-downs from the older grandchildren!!! It was through her generosity that I learned all these different brands of cute children's clothing lines. I still do not know all of them, but can usually recognize or spot them with ease now.

Now, I certainly do not have a "standard" to which I dress my kids. They wear walmart clothes, target clothes as well as nice "boutique outfits". If they are the pricier outfits, they were either hand-me-downs or bought at a %75 off sale!! But recently, the hand-me-downs are starting to run out. Which means...dun..dun..dun.....we have to actually start buying seasonal clothes for out kids!!! Uh oh. I mean, I just haven't had to shop for seasonal wardrobes before.

Needless to say, we're starting to find some frugal ways to dress our kids. I love the clearance racks anywhere. Whether it be target or a cute store we've picked up clothes for them there.

But the other day, Robert suggested I go to the Jimmie Hale Mission Bargain Center to shpe for the kids. My first gut reaction was, uh....NO! My reasoning being, I'd rather find newer clothes that would last longer. (What was I thinking!)

So last weekend we started redoing the girls room. Really, recycling old matching headboards that were my brothers and turning them into cute white headboards for twin beds in the girls room! We just needed some cheaper bed rails. (They were going to be $40 each at a "clearance center") As I was driving home Saturday morning, I decided to pull into the Jimmie Hale Bargain Center. I mean, I was just going to look and see if they had bed rails. And then get out quick.

But when I walked in, and realized how neat and organized everything was and how kind the workers were, I decided to look around a little. I cruised the kids racks and was blown away with the deals I was seeing. A Bailey Boys outfit (retailing for probably $50) for $1.99!!!!!! What!?!?! That can't be right! Flap Happy shorts (around $25) for $0.99!!! WHAT!?!?! I should buy these even though I have no one to fit into them!!

And then I finally made my way to the bed rails. $14.99 a piece!!! OH MY GOODNESS!! I walked out of there with 6 outfits, and 2 bed rails for less than I would have paid for ONE bed rail at a "clearance center".

Below are 2 of the outfits I got for Lillian. The blue, $1.99 Baily Boys outfit. The pink corduroy was $0.99. I'm thinking of getting them monogrammed for $4 bucks a piece. Still cheaper than I could have made it!!


Can you see the ruffles on her bottom!?! So cute!!


Landon and Olivia also got some pants and shirts. Some cute cords for Landon!! And play jeans for Olivia.

I didn't see and kids clothing over $1.99. Incredible. The kind workers told me they get stuff in everyday and you just have to frequent the store to find the deals. And you bet your sweet bottom they will know me after a while!!

So, I will never "knock" a place before I at least go in. You just can't judge a book (or store) by it's cover (or location or name!)!!


**One more thing. I think the reason it was bearable for me was because it wasn't like a TJMaxx or Ross, where the racks are so jammed pack with stuff that you have to use all your might to move the clothes just to look at them. It was easy to spot the good stuff. And the kids racks weren't so tightly packed. :-)