Omg- Is that Siri Cruz!?

dress your baby like a celebrity...

 

As a 'stay-at-home mom' (aside of my flower business and babysitting gigs), and a single mom at that, working off one income, I know how difficult it can be to 'keep up with the Jones' per say.

I though, never had an issue doing so.

I'd say I'm pretty good at budgeting, but that's not true.

I'll tell you what my specialty is: SHOPPING! (lol) Yup, I'm really good at it. I love spending money, and I love new things..

but what I love more is a bargain!

My daughter will be 2 in August. Since the moment I found out I was having a baby girl, naturally, I wanted to go shopping and buy her the best clothes a girl can find. At first, I did just that. Designer baby booties and baby bag were first on my list. I have my older sister who has been through this before and warned me that they only wear something once or twice before you're into the next size. But a tutu in every color was in order!

After I had Piper, I realized I wasn't into the 'Carter's' matchy-matchy baby outfits. Just as I dress myself, I love to accessorize my baby and mix and match her outfits. I found that buying a few good pieces per season or per size was benefiting me more, style wise AND budget wise, than overwhelming myself with baby clothes galore (as everyone tends to do, especially for your baby shower.)

So, from about 6-months on I have been building her wardrobe as I do my own. Every season I clean out my own clothes. If it's not something I would buy at the mall today, or havent worn it in the last whole year, it's out! Purge to make more room for GOOD stuff... timeless pieces. In another case, babies grow out of their clothes, and you move onto the next size...

Some of my favorite stores to grab good deals on name-brand pieces for Piper include: TJ Maxx, Ross, Old Navy, Baby Gap, Gymboree, and Childrens Place on occasion. My #1 place to find some 'different' bou-tiquey outfits and accessories is etsy.com.. or amazon.com

So, this is where I start:

Shoes:

• play shoes (Piper wears her 'Robeez' slip-ons for park and play)

• Sneakers: converse are inexpensive and add a little funk

• 1-2 dress shoes- get black, white or a statement color like red or leopard to match tons of dresses
• Fall/Winter: 1-2 Pair of Classic Boots (i.e. riding boots)
• Summer: 2 sandles

Clothes-

• A Skirt
• A cute Blouse/ eyelet shirt
• A dress or two for parties/occasions that season
• 2-3 Cardigans or blazers
• 3 Pairs Of Jeans/pants (black leggins are a must!)
• 4 tanks or onsies (these go with cardigans or blazers)
• 1 light jacket/rain jacket/winter coat (or in my case, a fur vest is a staple item!)
• 2 pajama sets

Accessories-

• belt
• headbands/hair clips
• scarf (Dollar Tree has thin, small scarfs for kids)
• Leggings or Tights (to layer with your summer pieces for fall- if they'll still fit)
• Summer: sunglasses and hat

I've always gotten compliments on Piper's outfits- whether I settled for deep blue jeans and converse sneakers that size or black pleather leggings with a blouse and fur vest, she's always looking hot-to-trot! Her wardrobe definetly outweighs mine these days. Here are some tips and tricks to staying in budget when doing your shopping:

 

1. Consignment and Thrift Shops aren't what they used to be. With the economy the way it is, lots of moms are working to help eachother out. I've found a Ralph Lauren bubble vest for $2.00 and brand new BabyGap zebra flats for $2.00. Worth taking a trip and seeing what's new when it's time to finish your list.
2. Buy big! When I say this I obviously don't mean go crazy. If you see something on the clearance rack (which is the only place you should be looking anyway) which is too cute, grab it for next season or next YEAR. I got Piper an adorable camel colored trench coat on 'Children's Place' clearance rack that I couldn't pass up. She'll be matching Mommy this Fall.
3. Think ahead: make a list. Like I mentioned above about picking up a party dress or two for upcoming occasions, you need to plan ahead. My next shopping trip will consist of Thanksgiving and Christmas (I already have her Halloween costume put away from a clearance rack last year)

If you're anything like me, recovering from being a shopaholic is hard. And recovering from being a shopaholic in which you spoiled yourself in the past is even harder. But remember, your children are a reflection of you!



..don't be shy, and thanks for stopping by!..

*follow me on instagram: everyonedeservesflowers*

'Like' on facebook: everyone deserves flowers.