Our latest poll asked where you find better deals.  The results were split right down the middle. 

Shopping in stores can lead to deeply discounted finds.  As sale items are depleted, merchandise is sent to smaller racks at the back of the store.  In turn, the price drops even more.  This is when hunting for the hidden treasure becomes fun.  It’s also helpful to be able to see and feel the merchandise in person for any flaws or imperfections.  

LoobaLee Tips for Saving in Stores:  Use coupons!  

• Some retailers give coupons with purchase such as Gymbucks, Kids Kash and Crazy Cash.  All are to be used on future purchases.  
• Look to magazines for deals.  The current issue of Parents Magazine & Disney Family Fun are said to have 20% off coupons from Gymboree.  
• Shop catalogs for extra savings.  Our last J. Crew catalog had a 20% off coupon.     
• Check out the stores website for deals.  p.s. from aeropostale (ps4u.com) currently has $10 off an in store purchase.

Hunting for deals online is a little different.  You typically won’t find small quantities on sale but sometimes you need to act quickly so the item you must have doesn’t sell out.  The plus in shopping online is that merchandise isn’t handled by customers like sale items are in stores.  Packages typically arrive nicely packaged a bonus for those who are shopping for gifts on a budget.  The savings really adds up is when you are able to use online coupons and free or discounted shipping on top of markdowned prices.    

LoobaLee Tips for Saving Online:  Do your research!

• Share your email with your favorite store.  We have received free shipping offers consistently from Lands End and occasional gift with purchase offers from Garnet Hill and Boden.
• Follow retailers on Facebook and Twitter for insider discounts.  77 Kids has started a fan Friday deals exclusive to their Facebook fans.  Hartstrings has sent out discounts good for only a few hours for their peeps on Twitter. 
• Search for deals online.  Sites like retailmenot.com and couponcabin.com keep up to date with current offers from thousands of retailers. 
• Check our Daily Jubilee blog twice a week for current discounts, coupons and free shipping codes on your favorite children’s stores.
• Shop LoobaLee for one of a kind kids clothing at fantastic prices!

Which ever way you decide to shop for deals (we recommend both), we hope it helps make a little extra room in your family budget while allowing your kids to look great. 

Happy hunting!  

  Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

Agoo Apparel was established in 2006 by a mom who was inspired to design children’s clothing that would make life easier by being both practical and beneficial.  The key concept was to develop a line that looks good and allow more outside play time for little ones while keeping them safe from harmful UV rays.

Agoo does just that!  Their athletic wear is stylish enough for grown ups but made for babies and kids on the go.  What sets Agoo apparel apart is all in the fabric.  The performance material used in their fashions are designed to wick away moisture, are stain reaistant and offer UV protection.  A dream for parents who want functional fashions and kids who demand comfortable clothing.

If you are unfamiliar with Agoo, now is time to try them out during The Bigger Than Boxing Day Sale.

Save 60% on all remaining Fall active wear by using coupon code AGOO60P at checkout.

In addition, shipping is free on any order over $50.

Hurry, the sale ends January 31^st while supplies last.  What else would you expect from the best in kids active wear!

^{Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!}

For those of you who earned Gymbucks from Gymboree (10/15-01/10) and/or Crazy Cash from Crazy 8 (11/26-1/10), the ten day redemption period began yesterday and runs through January 24.  While both discounts equate to 50% off your purchase ($25 off $50 at Gymboree or $20 off $40 at Crazy 8), it’s easy to get carried away and overspend.  Here are a few things to keep in mind as you gather your plan for redemption.

To ensure easy redemption, be sure the original receipt or web invoice accompanies the coupons while cashing them in the respective store.  Online redemption is simple, just type in the unique coupon code (and pin at Gymboree.com) and your purchase price will be adjusted.  Keep in mind that discounts are applied as a percentage on each item so if a return is in your future, part of the discount may be lost.  Only one $20 coupon can be redeemed at crazy8.com.  If you have $40 or more in Crazy Cash, you need to call customer service (1-877-427-8998) to place your order and apply the savings.

The Tips:

• Buy sale items to get a greater percentage discount.  Gymbucks and Crazy Cash can be used in conjunction with sale prices and/or promotions such as buy 1 get one at 50% off on accessories.  If you shop smart, which we know you do, that can equate to 75% off or more on retail prices.  
• Do not overspend!  It’s easy to get carried away but if you stick with the amount of Gymbucks or Crazy Cash you have to use, your savings will be maximized.  Remember, you already spent money to earn the coupons so your total savings is much less than 50% overall.   
• Plan ahead.  If you’re purchasing in stores, browse online first to formulate your shopping strategy.  A little thinking ahead can make the experience go so much smoother.   
• Use the 5% Gymboree Visa discount and/or enrollment bonus (currently $10) during redemption.  This is the only additional promotion that will be honored during redemption. 
• Use your Gymboree Rewards card to earn points to save on future purchases.  Not a member?  Click here to learn more.

The Tricks:

Gymboree wants you coming back for more.  When you spend $60 now through January 28 (online) and January 31 (in stores) you will earn a Rise and Shine coupon good for 30% off regular prices merchandise purchased February 5-7.  This Rise and Shine sale is predicted to run in conjunction with the Baby Sale (select items marked at $10 & $20) which begins February 4-16.  

If your kids need more clothing and it’s in your family budget, this is a great opportunity to save.  However, if it’s not in your budget and the kids are not in need, it’s okay to let this deal pass you by.   It might help to know that you can use a 20% off coupon found in the January issue of Parents Magazine (valid through 2-28-10) if you change your mind. 

Still hungry for more on Gymbuck redemption?  Read our four part series below:

Using Gymbucks Part 1: The Rules
Using Gymbucks Part 2: The Strategy
Using Gymbucks Part 3: The Madness
Using Gymbucks Part 4: The Rewards

  Loobalee.com:  Your premier site to buy and sell quality kids’ clothes!

When it comes to quality kids clothing, Hanna Andersson tops our list.  The styles are kid friendly, classic and comfortable. Additionally, Hanna garments wash wonderfully and hold their value on the resale market. 

Now, you no longer have to wait for your favorite Hanna’s to go on sale! 

With the new all the time pricing, top sellers are now more affordable thanks to lower costs incurred by their suppliers. Prices have been lowered on a range of items such as baby sleepers, boys polo’s, girls playing favorites dresses, bucket hats and the versatile survivor jacket (all pictured below).  Shop items marked with “very güd price” or shop the very güd store to see the entire selection. 

These friendlier price points with the same quality commitment will keep you smiling and keep your wallet a little fatter.

Here’s a look at the Spring 2010 collection with more very güd priced items compliments of Hanna Andersson’s Facebook page.

Loobalee.com:  Where you can buy and sell your children’s clothing on-line and outfit your kids for virtually free

Our latest poll results indicate that over 65% of your kids have over 7 pairs in their closet.  While it’s fun to have just the right shoe to complete his/her look, it’s important not to skimp on quality.  

Children’s feet grow fastest during the first year of life (to nearly half of it’s adult size).  Proper foot development is instrumental to your child’s gait and posture and can even effect one’s personality if problems occur.  This is why it’s so important to choose a shoe that is well-made and fits properly to ensure healthy feet in the future. 

When a child begins to walk, barefoot is best (indoors of course).  This allows the foot to develop its musculature and strength and lets their piggies master grasping techniques.  As children grow more independent, shoes are necessary and should be checked for size and fit on a regular basis (every season is a good rule of thumb).

When buying shoes for your kids, it’s important to keep the following list in mind;  

• Always have your child’s foot measured.  Since little fit are constantly growing, it’s important that shoes are not too big nor too small.  Leaving a little extra room for growth is fine, just be sure it’s not more than one size larger than their current size.  
• Choose leather or canvas.  These fabrics breathe better than synthetic materials which makes them a more comfortable and healthier choice for little feet.
• Choose a shoe with proper cushioning.  Kids feet need support as they actively hit the pavement on the playground and wood floors in the gym at school.  If your kids are in athletics, be sure to provide the correct shoe for the sport.  
• Choose shoes with flexible soles.  Flexibility at the ball of the foot is important to avoid injury.  Choose shoes that are pliable and provide traction to avoid slips and falls. 
• Make sure they are comfortable.  If you want the shoes to be worn, be sure your child approves of them.  Shoes that fit correctly from the start will not need time to be broken in. 

Having a shoe for every outfit isn’t necessary.  However, it is wise to have at least three in your child’s closet.  A pair for play, an everyday shoe and one that won’t embarrass you when you take them out for dinner on Sunday (like the boys shoes pictured here by Primigi). 

Have something to add to this story?  Share it with us in the comment section below.

Loobalee.com:  Where you can buy and sell your children’s clothing on-line and outfit your kids for virtually free

We’ve made it easy for you to determine when the best time is to make your online holiday purchases at your favorite kids clothing stores.  

Order deadlines to take advantage of free standard shipping offers are quickly approaching .  While we are likely to see more complimentary expediated shipping deals as the holiday gets closer, it’s best not to wait til the last minute to do your online shopping. 

We hope the chart below will help make your holiday a little less hassled!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Holiday Shipping Deadlines >  

Help us keep our information thorough and up-to-date.  If you have additional information to add, please leave us a comment below.  

&

 Loobalee.com: Where you can buy and sell your children’s clothing on-line and outfit your kids for virtually free!

This weekend is your last chance to donate your used and outgrown children’s (and family) coats as part of Lands’ End Big Warm Up.  Simplydrop off your coat(s) at a participating Sears store and, in return, they’ll give you a 20% off coupon to spend at Lands’ End (online).  Offer ends Monday, 11/30.

You can turn right around and use your 20% off coupon on new coats, snowpants, or boots for your kids.  We highly recommend Lands’ End outerwear.  It resells well and it last and lasts.  Our contributing editor, Tina, has 4 kids and the same Lands End snow suit went through all 4 kids and 6 winters!  Not only that, it’s still in great condition!

If you haven’t checked out their promotional website and video, it’s a must-see!

Today And Tomorrow! You can also save 25% on EVERYTHING at Lands’End.com!

ALSO TODAY we’re featuring Kids Outerwear on our LoobaLee home page.  If you’re in the market for a new kids outerwear after you donate, check out what our seller’s are offering.  All weekend long – thru Monday, 11/30 – we’re offering Shipping Refunds on all orders!

]]> http://www.loobalee.com/blog/last-chance-to-donate-used-kids-coats-this-weekend/feed/ 0 http://www.loobalee.com/blog/black-friday-shopping-tips-part-ii/ http://www.loobalee.com/blog/black-friday-shopping-tips-part-ii/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:00:13 +0000 Tina http://www.loobalee.com/blog/?p=2351

After you have enjoyed your left over turkey sandwich, it’s time to start thinking about holiday shopping.  You don’t need to get in the car and venture out to take advantage of Black Friday deals.  In fact, you don’t even need to leave the house.  Simply grab a cup of Joe to compliment your slice of pumpkin pie and log on. 

In this blog, we will share our favorite tips for getting the most out of your Black Friday online shopping. 

Become a Fan on Facebook or Twitter.  Social media is a great way to find deals and free shipping codes just by following  or becoming a fan of your favorites on Facebook and Twitter.  Some will release coupons or events early just for their fans.  Gymboree, Crazy 8 and Hanna Andersson will even give a sneak peek of new merchandise before it hits the marketplace.

Share your email address.  If you have a favorite site that you shop often, be sure to join their email list.  This is a great way to get insider information and receive a heads up of big sales in advance.  Often times you will find pleasant surprises in your inbox like exclusive click through coupons that will save you money.  If you don’t want your inbox flooded with junk, create a new email address specifically for online shopping.  

Shop ahead of time.  If you know you know what you are looking for, fill up that shopping cart in advance or create a wish list.  The kids can even get in on the fun by shopping for what they want for the holiday.  Most retailers save your shopping cart for several days or until the item(s) sell out.  This way, when the big sales event begins, you are ready to check out and move on! 

Research online deals.  If you know where you’d like to shop, check online coupon sites such as Retailmenot.com.  This a great website that keeps up to date with coupon and discounts codes, including a section dedicated specifically to Black Friday deals.  Be sure to check our own Children’s Clothing Sales blog twice a week for the latest and greatest discounts on children’s clothing.

Look for free shipping deals.  The down side of online shopping is paying for postage but this time of year free shipping offers are fairly common.  While many require a minimum purchase, usually $100 or more, sometimes you can find deals that require no minimum at all.  Check freeshipping .org, a great resource for finding deals on shipping.  Also, be sure to take advantage of our free shipping offer on LoobaLee!

Shop rebate sites.  Why not make your holiday shopping money go a little further.  Sites like Ebates and UPromise give you money back when you shop through their site.  While the rebates typically range between 2% and 10%, even bigger rebates are offered on hot shopping days like Black Friday. 

Shop Cyber Monday.  If you have a house is full of company or you don’t find what you were looking for the day after Thanksgiving, don’t fret!  The Monday after Thanksgiving is dedicated to online shoppers.  There will be plenty more enticing promotions to take advantage of from the comfort of home.  Check cybermonday.com for a list of upcoming online savings.

Happy black Friday shopping!

Any suggestions you’d like to share?  Leave us a comment below. 

For in-store shopping suggestions, check yesterday’s blog, Black Friday Shopping Tips: Part I 

Loobalee.com:  Where you can buy and sell your children’s clothing on-line and outfit your kids for virtually free

It’s hard to believe that Black Friday is just a few short days away.  This year, over 57 million shoppers are expected, which beats 2008 figures by 16%.  With that added competition, we thought we’d offer a few suggestions to maximize your holiday shopping.

Many kids clothing stores will run Thanksgiving and Black Friday through Cyber Monday specials.  Watch for our regular “Children’s Clothing Sales” blog post this Thursday — we’ll let you know where to shop for the best deals at major children’s clothing retail stores, both on and off line.

And, whether you’ll be shopping for kids clothes or for other items this Friday,  you can still expect some great early bird discounts both on and off line -  but don’t count on a plethora of merchandise to be available as has been the case in years past.  Stores want to liquidate holiday merchandise by season’s end so be sure to pick up the definite items on your list.  At the children’s retailers, we are already noticing many popular styles and sizes are sold out.

In our Black Friday Shopping Tips, Part I we will share a few shopping tips for surviving the in-store frenzy… for all items on your list.

Research online first. When you plan to shop Black Friday sales in stores, check the ads first either in the newspaper or by visiting their website (many are available now).  Check blackfriday.com for advertisements to big box retailers like Toys R Us, Target and Sears.  Doing a little research prior to your shopping trip will help you to compare prices at multiple retailers without the leg work and will help you prioritize which stores to visit first.  Some retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City allow you to purchase online and pick up in stores.

Read the fine print. Be sure to read black Friday ads carefully and be aware of while supplies last, one per customer, no rainchecks and only 5 per store limitations.  If an item is a great deal, chances are they will sell out fast.  Many door buster deals are simply a way to entice you through the door hoping you will part with more of your dollars while you’re there.  Be prepared that the item you seek may be sold out before you even get there.

Check store hours. To take advantage of door buster deals, it’s good to know what time to bust the doors down.  You can start as early as midnight on Thanksgiving morning at Toys R Us, move to Old Navy which opens at 3 a.m. and have plenty of time to make to Macy’s at 5 a.m. when they open their doors.  It sounds incredibly ambitious, but if you’re up for the challenge, retailers will be open for business.  Visit bfads.com for a listing of store hours.

Make a list and check it twice! Shopping with all the crowds can be fun but it can also be overwhelming at times.  It’s important to have that shopping list in hand to make sure you get everything you planned and in the correct size and color.  It can also be a great tool to help avoid overspending.  Check iblackfriday.com to create your shopping list while viewing ads from over 50 popular stores such as Macy’s, JC Penney and Kohl’s.

Have fun! It can be challenging (and exhilarating) bumping elbows in large crowds and waiting in long lines but remember the reason for your shopping excursion.  It’s a time to celebrate.  The holiday spirit can be contagious so why not be the one to spread the joy?

Have anything to add?  Leave us a comment below and stay tuned for online tips in tomorrow’s blog, Black Friday Shopping Tips: Part II.

Loobalee.com:  Where you can buy and sell your children’s clothing on-line and outfit your kids for virtually free

If you are a parent of two boys or two girls, passing clothing down the line is a snap.  But if you have one of each, sharing garments can be a bit more challenging.  The key is in the color and pattern choice.  While it’s easy for girls to sport red and blue, it’s a bit more complicated to dress little boys in pink and lavender.  It’s best to stick with well made basics so you’ll get more mileage from your kids clothing.  Here are our top five fall/winter items that are easy to pass down from brother to sister (or sister to brother) with ease…

1. Sleepwear:  Pajamas are the easiest and most practical clothing items to pass down.  Usually pj’s that are washed and worn over the course of a season are nice and soft and the recipient typically doesn’t mind the hand down.  Sleepwear can be almost any pattern or color (although pink ballerinas may not be your son’s top choice).  Our pick:  organic striped long johns by Hanna Andersson. 
2. Rain gear: There are so many fun patterns to choose from when it comes to rain coats and rain boots but these often get minimal wear.  To get more for your money, choose solids and gender friendly themes, like animals or critters.  Our pick:  the Bee and Frog collection from Kidorable. 
3. Denim:  One thing that always gets better with age is a great pair of jeans.  Denim is a universal material that can be worn girls and boys alike, especially when they are little.  Blue jeans for infants and toddlers are designed to accommodate a diaper so the cut is neutral.  When choosing a pair, stick with unembellished, no fuss jeans.  Our pick:  boyfriend jeans from babyGap.  Jean jackets and basic denim shirts can work for kids of any age and is a must have in your children’s wardrobe.  Pair a nice denim jacket with flannel for boys or glam it up with a pettiskirt for girls.  Either way,  you’ve got a great look.  Our pick: denim jacket from Gymboree.
4. Snow pants and Snowsuits:  There really is no need to have snow pants in the same pattern of your child’s winter coat.  For the occasional wear snow pants and bibs get buying a good quality solid pair that can be worn for several seasons’ by all of your children works best.  Stick with solid black, gray or navy blue.  These colors typically work well with both boys and girls winter jacket styles. Our pick:  insulated squall pants from Lands’ End.  Snowsuits for infants and toddlers are often outgrown so fast and can be pricey.  Be cautious when choosing for the first child, it’s tempting to buy the cutest girlie or boyish snowsuit for top dollar but if you’re pretty sure you’ll be adding more family members at sometime in the future, stick with neutral colors and patterns and girl (or boy) them up with the perfect hat. (Check Baby Melons for some adorable options.)  Our pick: hi-loft fleece coveralls from L.L. Bean.
5. Turtleneck’s and Basic Tee’s:  Basic layering pieces are perfect for passing down the line of children.  Turtleneck tops really don’t change much in cut and t-shirts are a great basic.  Neutral colors such as white, cream and black are perfect for wearing under sweaters and button down shirts.  If they get too beat up, use the tee’s for sleep shirts.  Who doesn’t love to cuddle up in a well broken in t-shirt?  Our pick:  cotton turtleneck from Ralph Lauren and the long sleeve no pocket jersey tee from J.Crew’s crewcuts.

There you have it, our top 5 fall/winter kids items to be passed down.  Remember if you buy good quality garments and take care of them, you can recoup some of your initial investment by reselling them in the future.  

Let us know if you’ve got some great ideas for sharing clothing among siblings in the comments section below.