Tiny Talk and the Adventures of Plastic Mommy

Second-hand. Used. Recycled.

What do you feel when you hear each of these words? 'Second-hand' might bring back painful memories of wearing an older sibling's (or cousin's) bell bottoms that were so last year, while 'used' might conjure up images of a slimy car salesman dishing up a lemon for your first car, yet once you throw the word 'recycled' into the mix, the whole mood changes. 'Recycled' has happy vibes, with images of sparkling clean water, green, green grass, and smiling children frolicking in bright sunshine. Truth be told, you are probably thinking that the day you don't buy your kid(s) brand-new off-the-rack clothing is the day you finally accept poverty as your fate. Sadly, this mentality can cause you untold dollars of un-necessary clothing costs as your little ones grow up, especially when they are in the toddler stage of outgrowing everything before it wears out. Today, I'd like you to go back and reformat your perceptions on gently-used clothing. Replace words like 'used' and 'second-hand' with 'recycled.' By purchasing recycled clothing, instead of new items from Big Box Retailers, you'll be saving a lot of green and supporting small businesses run by ordinary moms and dads, like Little Hands Boutique. Want to see how you could save by changing the way you think about second-hand clothing? Check out our Price Wars series:

• Price Check: Why Little Hands Beats Big-Box Discount Stores
• Price Wars 2: Essentials for Your Baby Girl
• Price Wars 3: Why Little Hands Has the Best Deals on Quality Outerwear
• Price Wars 4: A Holiday Showdown

11:53 PM
Categories: kid's clothing, saving money, the Budget Stretcher. Author: AJae

If you've been watching major retailers' new commercials for this holiday season, you might be noticing a theme- X retailer claims to have lower prices than their competitor, with slogans similar to this: "X retailer's prices will save Christmas." But I beg to differ- not only are they over-exaggerating real price cuts, especially when you are looking to outfit your little ones for the holidays, the reality is that the 'savings' you will get from shopping at X retailer(s)...will be practically nothing, because most holiday outfits are a one (or two) time use only item. Let's face it, why should you waste money on pricy little get-ups when your little munchkins will outgrow them long before they get another chance to wear them?

Little Hands has the best deals on holiday dress-up items this season, hands down! (No pun intended.:)

$6.99 (LHB)
$24.99 (BB-R)

Savings: $18

$7.99
$36.00
Savings: 28.01

Total Savings: $46.01

8:29 PM
Categories: Holiday 2008, price check, saving money, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Jacket and boots season is upon us and if you've been fretting over outgrown coats and jackets, we've got wonderful news for you-this season, give your wallet a break with quality, brand-name gear from Little Hands Boutique. The past two weeks, we've shown in a piece-for-piece match-up that gently used toddlers and infants clothing is often the better deal than the original, full-priced item, and this week will be no different. Little ones tend to outgrow items long before they wear out, so when you shop at Little Hands, you're definitely getting a bargain.

Take, for instance, this boys jacket from a BB-R (big box retailer):

Or, for your little lady:


Next week, we're starting the holiday magic early with a Little Hands-style celebration of how much money you'll saving on your dress-up items for your little ones this season (a.k.a. the "how to have more money for gifts without expanding your credit line" guide). Don't miss out!

10:38 PM
Categories: price check, saving money, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Last week, we compared three essential items for your little guy's wardrobe in a price check that pitted our prices against various big-box retailers. This week, we're proving that LHB has the best deals for toddler girls, too.

Exhibit A, the cute top:

$2.99, LHB

$16.50, BB-R

(Savings: $13.51)

Exhibit B, her new favorite boot:

$7.99, LHB

$29.99, BB-R

(Savings: $22.00)


Exhibit C, the adorable but durable jean:


$29.50

$4.99

(Savings: $24.51)

Total Savings: $60.02


Coats and outer gear are up for next week's pricing face-off, so to ensure you don't miss any of our budget saving advice, don't forget to hit that subscribe button before you click onward in your online travels today. See you next week!

9:34 AM
Categories: bargain hunting, price check, saving money, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

This week's Budget Stretcher was inspired by the current wallet-shrinkage crisis. With the economy looking ominous, you need to be sure that you are using your family's money wisely, and with that in mind, we've assembled a few essential items for a bare-bones price check that will prove for once and for all that Little Hands Boutique is the smarter choice.

Little Hands faces the lowest price budget brand from a big box discount retailer (W*l-M*rt, etc)

Jeans:

The Graphic Tee:






Bottom line? We've got the best priced gear to keep your little ones outfitted for any occasion.

9:53 PM
Categories: kid's clothing, price check, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Or, 'You Know You're the Parent of a Character Fanatic if...'

• You're sick and tired of the words:

"Cars!"
"Dora"
"High School Musical"
"Hannah Montana"
"[Insert favorite t.v. show or sports team here]'"

• Your impulse purchase budget is always being spent on pricey brand-name versions of ordinarily inexpensive children's clothing
• You can't enter (and successfully leave) any clothing related store without (a.) purchasing said character items or (b.) witnessing a character-related meltdown from said fanatic child

As much as you are probably wishing that we are about to reveal a top-secret 10-step program to cure the character fanatic(s) in your family, but sadly, there is only one way we can soothe your pain while you wait for this phase to pass: find budget friendly solutions for your Character Cutie's apparel.


$9.99

$8.99


$0.99

$2.99

11:56 AM
Categories: Dora the Explorer, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Whether you are dressing up your little ones for Halloween or just for fun, costumes can be an unnecessary strain on your budget, but that shouldn't mean they'll have to sit out the party. This year, instead of wasting your money on cheap, ill-fitting costumes from a major party retailer, set aside an afternoon with your little munch-kins and get creative. Stock up on some cheap craft supplies like loose dyed feathers, glueable gemstones, pompoms, finger paints, and other small, lightweight objects. Add some large paper bags, construction paper, disposable paper plates, or paperboard for the mask base (for a sturdier base, you can make a paper mache mask), glue, a bit of thin elastic or regular string to secure the mask(s), markers and crayons, and get ready to get messy!

First, using the pencil, mark the approximate locations of the mask-wearer's eyes, nose, and if desired, mouth. Cut away the material to leave holes and punch out two small holes right around eye-level on either side. Next, glue, paint, feather, and decorate to taste. Allow to dry fully and then tie the string or elastic to the mask.


------------------
Other Fun Costume/Dress-up Ideas:

This little dress ($6.99) combined with a dollar store tiera and wand could be the perfect outfit for a princess or belle of the ball:


Your budding jungle explorer, safari kid, or Indiana Jones treasure hunter will appreciate this accessory (and at $2.25 , so will your budget).

This hat would be the perfect for a soldier or hunter costume:

9:09 AM
Categories: craft projects, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Keep those adorable little toesies warm this season with affordable, quality shoes at bargain prices from Little Hands Boutique. Check out a few of the shoes and boots we've found so far:

10:00 AM
Categories: bargain hunting, shoes, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

1. Get ready for cooler weather and save energy costs by making sure your furnace and other appliances aren't inflating your utility bills unnecessarily.

2. Buy in-season fruits and vegetables, and trade in those name-brand toaster pastries for the generic kind. Most brand-name products aren't much better than the grocery store's brand, anyway.

3. Play the money jar game.

4. Cancel all those expensive cable movie packages, and tune in to the basic channels' newest delights. (Psssttt...a little secret-fall's series are definitely worthwhile!)

5. Shop at Little Hands Boutique!

This Baby Togs button-up is only $3.99.

An IZOD zip-up hoodie is $3.99.

2:54 PM
Categories: kid's clothing, saving money, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

If fall's cooler weather has hit your area already, you're probably in need of some cute vests. Before you go to the mall and pay full retail for something that won't even fit next season, check out this week's great deals. The Carter's vest on the left is an unbeatable $4.99.

This sweater vest and button-up shirt in festive fall orange is perfect for any little man and is a steal at only $5.99 (for the whole set!).

This little set, beautifully embroidered, will delight any little girl (and her mommy, as it is attractively priced at $7.99).

And last but not least, take some time out of your busy fall schedule to relax and pamper yourself with our teatime giveaway- a gorgeous stainless steel teapot and gourmet green teas. Ends September 17th!

9:54 AM
Categories: the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae

Suit up and dance through fall's rainy days, splash in every puddle--share all the new wonders of the fall season with your little ones. This Dino Rain Coat will keep your cutie looking great at budget stretcher prices.In the spirit of the season, here are some fun fall activities to try.


Pick Apples (or Pumpkins...)

Head to your local nursery, apple orchard, or farmers market and pick out your own little piece of fall's bounty. Don't forget to bring the camera to snap some adorable pictures of your angel(s) wrestling pumpkins or climbing haybales.


Make Your Own Fall Story Book

Buy cheap notebooks at the dollar store and decorate the covers with construction paper and common household trash like pieces of popsicle sticks. This idea can be great for several age ranges, as older children can write about their fall experiences and what they are learning, while younger children can go for a more multi-media approach and tell their stories with pictures and collages. Go for a walk around your neighborhood and collect interesting leaves and sandwich them between heavy books or other flat, hefty objects. When dry, the leaves can be glued as is in your journals or used for leaf rubbings. Take a leaf and place it on a table or desk. Cover it with a blank piece of paper. Use pencils, oil pastels, charcoal,or crayons and lightly rub over the top of the paper with the leaf underneath until the impression of the leaf shows, and voile`, you'll have your own leaf in any color you wish.

Go Indoor Camping!
Grab some thick sheets or blankets, drape over a few tall chairs, secure the ends with clothespins, and get ready to go camping in your new "tent." Don't forget your sleeping bags and other essential camping gear. With a flashlight or electric lantern, you and your little ones can curl up and tell tall fall tales. And what would camping be without S'mores?



Here's a quick and easy recipe for microwave S'mores:

• 20 whole graham crackers cut or broken in halves
• 20 marshmallows
• 1 jar premade chocolate frosting or one recipe chocolate frosting
  

After layering the ingredients, pop them in the microwave for a few seconds, watching carefully.

12:02 AM
Categories: cooking, dessert, recipes, the Budget Stretcher, Toddlers. Author: AJae