Shopping Woes...

There once was a day when I thought shopping for kids' clothes was fun and challenging. I'd hit end-of-season clearance racks and buy entire wardrobes for my kids for the next year at 80% off. They looked good and I saved money, what isn't there to love about that?

Somewhere around kindergarten age though, my kids started getting a little pickier. Spencer would only wear athletic pants and t-shirts, Cami would only wear skirts and blouses, Emma couldn't wear light colors since she stained everything she wore, Adam will only wear jeans and t-shirts, and even Ellie would love it if I let her wear tutus and princess dresses everywhere.

So my shopping has gradually gotten a little more challenging and a little less fun over the years as the kids have gotten older. I could still choose their outfits, but within much stricter child directed parameters. Sometimes I even had to buy things not on clearance *gasp* because there wouldn't be enough of their type of clothing on the clearance racks to make a whole wardrobe.

Then Cami grew even older and now is pickier about her clothes than she is about eating beans. Not only can she never find anything she likes, but now we have the whole modesty issue where most clothes in her size are too short, too low cut, or sleeveless. Truly she has become the bane of my shopping existence and every time she tells me she needs something new (because she won't stop growing either), I cringe in horror. I now detest shopping for kids' clothes even more than I've always detested shopping for my own clothes.

So Cami is just heading off to her first year of Girls' Camp this coming week {Yikes! I can't be old enough to have TWO kids in the youth program.} and she informs me that there are several items on her packing list that she did not own!

After cringing and realizing that I can't make her wear the same three outfits (the only summer clothes she owns) for her five days at Girls' Camp, that I start preparing myself for hours of torture at Target, Kohls, and the mall.

Then in a moment of inspiration I get this great idea... UNIQUE.

What is Unique you ask? It's an awesome thrift store near our home that puts places like DI and Goodwill to shame. It's clean, organized, and HUGE!

I figured she'd probably still have a hard time finding things she likes, but at the end I'd have spent only a fraction of the money so at least when she outgrows it next month (or decides she doesn't like it) that our bank account isn't quite so drained.

So how did it go?

Exhibit A:
Cute shirt ($2.49) + matching modest shorts ($3.49) + brand new Lands' End water shoes ($2.49) = Whole New Outfit ($8.47)



Exhibit B:
Adorable short sleeved cardigan ($3.49) + white t-shirt ($1.49) + matching khaki capris ($2.49) = whole outfit $7.47



Fun Hello Kitty t-shirt ($2.49) + matching capris ($3.49) = $5.98


Three whole outfits (completely modest, great condition, and 100% Cami approved) for a grand total of $21.92.

Eat your heart out Kohls!