Christmas 2009

It was an absolutely fabulous first Christmas for our little princess. She got to strut her stylish self all over the South Bay and Bay Areas this year, showing babies all over California that you can look great at any budget! One would expect that a fashionista should be swimming through a sea of designer clothes for Christmas, but I sniff out the bargain trail wherever it may lead. And for Kylie's very first Christmas, all signs led me to Toys R Us. We traded in her Juicy Couture for Leap Frog, Burberry for V-tec. Of course, I could not COMPLETELY bypass making a few fashion forward purchases, after all, my baby still has to look good while getting her intellectual juices flowing.

Kylie with just a few of her gifts, there were too many to fit on the sofa without them falling all over her!
Lacoste Sneakers - $31.50 (Orig. $42)
Daddy had to make sure his little girl is a little bit punk rock and not all girly girl.
She's also a little bit rastafarian.
Cute Velour Juicy Baby robe from her 2nd Cousins Alex and Barbara
Backside view

Juicy long sleeved shirt from her Great Uncle Ken
Super awesome Kettler Princess Tricycle from her Uncle Hardy

I never imagined that there could be any feeling better than the euphoric rush I get when I find the last pair of Juicy sweat pants in just my size at 75% off, in a "normal" color and requires no alterations! Shopping has always been my drug of choice, my pint of Haagen Daaz after a bad day, or the reward I gave myself for a job well done. No matter the situation, bargain hunting always made me smile in a way which nothing else ever could. That is until that fateful afternoon on 3-6-09 when our sweet Kylie set foot into the world. When I look at her precious little face, my smile starts from the inner core of my being and radiates throughout my whole body. She is not only the inspiration for my blog, but for my life in and of itself. I want to give her the world so she can continue to make me smile, and am starting with one pretty outfit (okay, more like 2 or 3) at a time. 2009 has brought our family many blessings, especially my princess Kylie for which this blog would mean nothing without. Here's to fabulous new adventures and more fantastic bargains in 2010!

Oldies but Goodies

These bargains are a bit dated as Kylie's already worn them, but we took great family portraits a few week ago which feature my designer dud finds that I thought would be fun to share.

Burberry Dress - $96 (Originally $160)

This find was on a whim, I had intended to buy her a Burberry dress for a family wedding we were going to and completely unlike me, was willing to pay full price. Just to make it clear, I would NEVER pay full price for anything! Unless I absolutely needed it and/or I am certain there is no way I coud buy it at discount. Anything for Kylie has been my exception to that rule, but the bargain gods were looking out for me that day. The one rack of Burberry baby clothes just so happened to have a 40% off sale sign at Bloomingdale's.

Joe's Jeans Denim Jumper Dress - $23.99 (Originally $78)

This was found on a trip to the Camarillo Premium Outlets. I was actually in search of some True Religion or any other designer jeans for her to wear for the family photo shoot, but ended up with a cuter outfit and better deal! She loves the dress, especially the big clear buttons which apparently became built in chew toys.

Thanksgiving Midnight Madness

This is the very first time I have ever braved shopping at midnight on Black Friday. In my early, inexperienced years as a professional bargain hunter in the making, I naively thought I could go to the mall or the outlets with no list or game plan on Black Friday, and actually walk away with a "deal". I have since become all the wiser to know that it's just another marketing ploy started by corporate retail America to lure unassuming consumers like moths to a flame. Alas, all inhibitions and sensibility are completely compromised when you're in Vegas.

While most find the allure of Vegas to be its flashing lights, 24/7 gambling, drinking, dancing and just down right debauchery, the hubby and I have succumbed to Sin City's other vice, shopping. Blinded by the phenomenal jackpot deals we scored last year at the Las Vegas Premium Outlets, we jumped at the opportunity to blow the equivalent of a small island nation's GNP shopping rather than going to our standard Cirque du Soleil show. The minute our little princess' head hit the pillow, or in this case the playpen mattress, we told my parents to keep an eye out for her and were out the door like our heels were on fire.

Mine and Kylie's favorite store Juicy Couture's Black Friday deal was 30% off everything in the store. Despite knowing I could probably find better deals back in the South Bay, I nonetheless grabbed every article of baby clothing I could get my hands on.



White Juicy Girl t-shirt - $10.48
Striped Terry shorts - $17.49

Juicy Bucket Hat - $13.98

Pink Camo Hoodie - $34.99
Pink Camo Pants - $41.99

Pink Velour Juicy Girl Hoodie - $20.96

Pink Bell Sleeved Dress - $27.98

Long Sleeved Embroidered Tee - $17.45

I sadly had to put many things back due to the brief moments of sanity the hubby snapped me back into when he would ask me why I was wanting to buy clothing to fit a 4 year old when our kid was 8 months old. Even though Kylie will not be able to wear these until she's closer to 2, you can bet she'll be the best dressed kid at Gymboree! Hopefully, I have gotten the Black Friday shopping out of my system now, the hype was just hype as always. Luckily for me, I was sport shopping and not holiday shopping since we professional bargain hunters start the holiday shopping season in July ;-)

I've finally succomed!

For quite some time now, I have thought about creating a blog about all the great bargains and cute designer baby clothes I've bought for my precious Kylie. It makes sense that I would write about this considering a) I love writing, b) I love bargain shopping and c) I love my daughter so why not consolidate my 3 loves into one channel? Well with the challenges of homeownership, being a new mommy and returning to work, sleep was at the top of my priority list and all else would just simply have to wait. Until today, tadah! I unveil my latest hobby, something to do when my princess cupcake is dreaming of juicy couture.

Ever since James and I first agreed we would "let mother nature" decide if we would become parents, I often strolled the stores checking out all the adorable baby outfits I was going to buy my future child. From the moment that 3rd pregnancy test revealed the "+" sign, (I had to be certain there was a legitimate excuse for shopping for baby clothes) I had visions of designer onsies, bibs and binkies floating in my mind. Now that my princess cupcake is 8 months old (I know so fast!), I have amassed a wardrobe fitting of the royalty that she is; all on a budget of course! Slowly, but surely, I will reveal the secrets of my baby bargain hunting for all to see. Stay tuned!