Shopping For Babies and Older Kids

This is an outfit from Gap, bought in the infant/boy section. There was a white/girlier version but I love grey on her.

Coming from Paris and having lived in London, two of the best shopping cities in Europe, I was very excited to find out we were having a girl so I could by her cute clothes. Unfortunately, my favorite children boutiques are over 4000 miles away and it is very saddening. ( I know there are sadder things happening in the world right now but still…)

I am, however, very lucky to have family and friends with great taste in clothing located in Europe who have been showering us with cute outfits for our daughter.

When the winter sales started in Paris last January, I couldn’t sleep. I knew that my favorite shops (they have online websites) would be offering great deals for great looking and great quality clothing so after the 5-6am feeding, I turned my computer on and started the shopping frenzy ! I bought from Okaibi, Cyrillus, and Petit Bateau that early morning from size 6 months to 18 months. These boutiques can be pretty expensive but the sales were really good. So I recommend you wait for those amazing biannual deals if you want to introduce some French cuteness in your child’s dresser ! Oh and I recommend Monoprix and DPAM baby as well – they have adorable outfits !

Here on the island (Prince Edward Island, Canada), the choices are very limited. The Children’s place is the first shop that comes in mind (because it is the only shop specialized in children clothing if I am not mistaken) and it has a good selection of clothing for almost always discounted prices. Gap has a very small infant area but the toddler and up section has a bit more selection. Joe Fresh has some cute stuff as well and then, there are department stores such as Sears, Walmart, etc… Luckily, Moncton, which is New Brunswick’s largest shopping centre, is only about two hours away.

I personally don’t buy much on the island as I , as I mentioned earlier, have been lucky enough to be offered clothes from family and friends (from Europe or the Island). But when I need something, I usually start with Gap, then The Children’s place or Joe Fresh. I have nothing against clothes being less expensive (on the contrary !) but I dress my daughter a little more classic than the selection offered by Walmart and other department stores.

My 18-pound parcel is on its way (I had my orders delivered at my mother’s house in Paris) and I can NOT wait.

Saying that, I know some of you (reading on forums and FB) like their young children in comfortable clothes (PJs, onesies…) and I have nothing against it. I just love dressing my daughter every morning with something pretty and cute.

Any other store on the island you would like to recommend? Online boutiques? Please share !

The Couponing Frenzy

For some reason, I always new coupons existed and never paid any attention to them. It seems that couponing has become much more popular over the last couple years:        there has been a lot of TV shows about couponing addicts and ways of saving up.

I probably didn’t care before because I didn’t really need to. Not that I had lots of money, rather because I didn’t have a family at the time. It was just me. Worst case scenario,        I could always go to my mum in times of need. ( I am not saying it was very responsible but it is a fact.)

I heard, read or saw somewhere that young people weren’t too keen on couponing and I was wondering why – because when you think of it, student usually count their pennies – probably because couponing isn’t very glamorous ! I can’t say I find it ultra cool to walk around with an envelope filled with coupons in my cute leather bag but I have started to do it. And guess what: it works and I love it !

There is no better feeling than paying less (isn’t everything costing an arm and a leg these days?) than you would have for the sake of taking the time to look for and print an offer. I am still a rookie at this though and I have room for growth but I have been saving some money and I am hoping to save more and more.

I use a lot of websites such as http://www.smartcanucks.ca, but it is also good to sign up for good deals, offers, and coupons, join shop reward programs, and just ask whenever possible for a promotional offer.

In the very little time I have been couponing (and I am starting slow) I was able to save probably around $175 and it is only been 6 weeks !

What do you think of couponing? Would you do it if you had more time? Or knew how to do? Do you coupon yourself? Want to brag or share about your last discounted buy? Tell us !