We’ve decided to try a new format in lieu of our bi-weekly Children’s Clothing Sale charts.  (We’re working on putting all our sale information together in a handy annual guide instead. )

Keep an eye out for Labor Day deals this weekend which should start popping up today and tomorrow.  It’s the last push to clear out summer merchandise and move early fall goods.  Below you will find only the Hottest Deals in children’s retail that we’ve found online and in stores today. 

Fill a Bag Sale at Gymboree.  Get 30% off your entire purchase now through Labor Day.  Shipping is just $5 and your can still earn Gymbucks through September 26.  Now is a great time to look ahead and snatch up Halloween Costumes.  Hint: The Halloween skeleton Pj’s always go fast.

GAP Kids:  Free Shipping on orders over $50 with code GAPSHIP now through September 11.

Labor Day Sale at Naartjie Kids. Take an additional 40% off on entire stock of summer clearance now through Monday. 

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

Today  I vowed to start vlogging!  I’m a bit shy about it and far from great at it… but today I found the courage to at least start!

September 1 is always the start of MY New Year — there is little significance around January 1 in our family except that it marks a new calendar year, and its the end of Christmas vacation.   But September 1 is full of change looking at a whole new school year on the horizon.  And with that… new family resolutions for how we plan to be better this year.

In this first vlog, I share 2 of our resolutions for the coming year… and how LoobaLee can help us achieve them.

I’d love to hear YOUR back to school resolutions! So comment and share below — no matter how big or small.   Or if you have thoughts on those that I shared, let me know.  I’d love the discussion – thanks!   And, wish me luck with my new vlogging adventure!

Wishing a great start to your new year,

Suzanne

Parents know they are huge influence on their kids.  Even when you don’t think they’re paying attention, they are!

Have you ever had one of those moments when you look at your child and realize they are a mini version of you?  Could be in their mannerisms, the phrases they use, the tone of their voice or even their fashion sense.  Imitation is the best flattery and the kids love to flatter… good, bad or ugly! 

Why not take this imiation to the next level and let your kids dress like you too?  Children’s fashion trends feed off of adult styles.    Take this cute little orange trench (pictured left) from Gymboree and the handsome boys ensemble from crewcuts by J. Crew (above right).  Both are styles that could most definitely be worn and loved by adults and kids alike.  The key is keeping these mini adult versions in kid friendly fabrics that wash well and most of all, are comfortable.  Kids don’t want fussy and parents want function.

Little girls and little boys love to emulate mommy and daddy.  As parents, we strive to provide a positive, well rounded example for our kids to learn from.  Why not make your style part of the example?

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

As the back to school season rolls around again, it’s time to put together our shopping list of all the things that are needed.  Backpack – check.  Lunch bag – check.  New shoes – check.  Jeans – check.  Fall coat – check.  Now if only I can get my kids to stop growing so I won’t have to repeat the list at holiday time.

I recall the time period when my son was in middle school.  He grew at least 5 inches in 12 short months.  We bought him bigger shoes and longer jeans every 6 weeks.  And it seems as if he’s not slowing down.  Girls don’t seem to grow at such a fast pace but they certainly have quick and sporadic growth spurts.  This poses the question…  How do you handle the wardrobe needs of fast growing kids? 

Buying a size larger is helpful but the tween and teenage crowd can be fickle.  Things have to look and feel just right.  So, what’s a parent to do? 

One solution is buy pre-owned for this size range.  Many of the clothes in this pre-teen to teen size range are only worn a handful of times and for the most part look like new.  Often times garments are outgrown before the tags are even snipped off.  Shop LoobaLee for tween range clothing.

Another solution (which is always a good idea) is to shop for rock bottom prices on the discount rack.  Snatch up basic jeans and tees for your kids to grow into.  Typically, very small sizes in adult clothing stores are left as are larger sizes in children’s stores.  Remember, this age group can be fickle so choose simple styles that won’t be out of fashion next year.  You can always fill in with trendy pieces which will get worn out by the time your child is done with them.   

What are your tips for keeping up with growing kids?  Share with us in the comments section below.

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

Fall and winter kids clothing is filling up stores and Halloween is making an appearance.  Christmas is not far behind.  

It’s time to get your final back to school shopping gear, basics and necessities in order before they’re all gone.

Smart shopping is the best way to maximize your return on your kids clothing when it’s time to resell.  Check the sales chart below for all of today’s deals and steals.

 
Happy Shopping!!

You’ve heard the term “Upcycle“…. well, today I’m coining the tern, “Upstyle”, which as far as I can tell I made this up.  It’s not in the dictionary, not in Wikipedia, and when I google it, I only get hair updo styling results.   And, all is can find in commerce use is with association a Company selling handbags.   So, yeah!  A new LoobaLee term    Mark this date, August 28, 2010.

How did I think of “Upstyling”?

Today I shipped out a Gymboree Dress that I just sold.  It’s from the “Teacher’s Pet” line, 2005.  I asked the Buyer if she had anything special in mind for the dress.   And, I found out she lives in L.A. and that her daughter often auditions for TV and Commercials (even has an agent!).   She bought the dress as a potential audition / portfolio outfit.   She’s going to pair with modern boots, so it will fit right in with today’s styles!

This makes me think back to the Gymboree lines I loved from the early – mid 2000′s, which was Pre-CPSIA legislation and prior to the current trends I’m seeing at Gymboree.   I just don’t see the quality in materials and manufacturing today that Gymboree drove Gymboree’s popularity.  They used to be indestructible – but, not more!  (that’s another story, however).

Today, I want to encourage you to look at the older lines for some real gems.  You’ll find high quality fabrics, and sequins, rhinestones, and embellishments that are just too expensive for Gymboree to use these days due increased legislation and manufacturing costs.

Take a lessons from the buyer of this dress, and look pieces that you can easily update, or “upstyle”,  with today’s footwear, acessories, or coordinating pieces.   You’ll be glad you did!   And, you’ll find some awesome deals too!  it’s one of those all-around-feel-good kind of things.

Shop our current Gymboree listings here.   Each listings identifies the name of the item’s line, which is easily researched at sites like Gymbohaven.com and other line ID sites.

Hanna Andersson is doing their part to help support the oil spill crisis in the Gulf of Mexico by making a donation to the National Wildlife Federation. 

The National Wildlife Federation has done some amazing work to rescue wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico due to the damaging effects of the BP oil spill a few months back.  To date, over 1,100 mammals, birds and sea turtles have been cleaned and released and 278 sea turtle nests have been relocated.  The oil spill not only poses an immediate risk to the wildlife but has a long term impact on sea creatures in the Gulf and beyond.

You can do your part by purchasing one of Hanna Andersson’s “Save the Sea” cozy cotton tees for just $12.  These adorable cotton t-shirts sport a turtle graphic and are appropriate for boys and girls.  They are available is sizes 80 (10-24 months) to 140 (9-11 years) and are the same Swedish quality you would expect from your favorite Hanna kids-wear.

What’s better than getting new clothes and helping a wonderful cause?

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

Fall and winter kids clothing is filling up stores and summer gear is sparse. Back to school shopping is in full swing and Halloween costumes making an appearance.  Take a trip around the sale rack for deep discounts for next summer and/or fall basics.

Smart shopping is the best way to maximize your return on kids resale clothing.  Check the chart below for all of today’s deals and steals.

�

Happy Shopping!!

As the summer winds down, it’s time to turn our attention to fall.  This is the time of year where kids are getting anxious for the first day of school and excited to re-connect with friends.  It’s a time to get back into the groove of the normal routine again. 

It’s also time to purchase school supplies.  Rulers, notebooks, backpacks, paper and erasers are everywhere.  The sound of pens, pencils and crayons rolling around in shiny new pencil cases is a beautiful sound.  The ringing of the cash register however, not so much. 

Back to school shopping can be expensive with all the binders, book covers, special calculators and gym shoes that need to be on hand for the first few days of school.  Not to mention the list of donated classroom items which seems to get longer every year.  Shop sales, clip coupons and re-use items from the previous year.  This will help keep the school tab a little lower.

Shopping LoobaLee for fall clothing will also help make room in your family budget for more school needs and wants.  We have a great selection of essentials from socks and tights to jeans and dresses.   Don’t forget to browse for sweaters and jackets too.  

You can browse over 3,100 brand name, quality kids clothing items and feel good about sending your kids back to school this fall.  

Shop & Save on LoobaLee!

Here’s a new twist on your back to school shopping in the form of a story.  Ralph Lauren has come up with a clever online shopping experience with a cute story narrated by Harry Connick Junior.  The RL Gang, A Fantastically Amazing School Adventure follows eight adorable kids in equally adorable fashions acting out the story of a not so average school day.  

Watch the story and you can click on any character at any point in the video to take a peek into their closet.  While you’re browsing the closet, you can purchase any of the three looks featured in the video.   What a fun way to shop for back to school for both parents and children alike.

As an added incentive, from August 18 through September 15, Ralph Lauren will donate 15% off all children’s sales to Harry Connick Jr.’s charity, New Orleans Habitat Musicians’ Village  (up to $25,000).

We love the idea of this interactive shopping experience!  Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

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