Tuesday, August 3, 2010

“Store to sell plus-size clothes for kids - msnbc.com” plus 3 more

“Store to sell plus-size clothes for kids - msnbc.com” plus 3 more

Store to sell plus-size clothes for kids - msnbc.com

Posted: 27 Jul 2010 09:15 AM PDT

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Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Buying gently used kids' clothing helps make the most of abused family budgets - New Orleans Times-Picayune

Posted: 02 Aug 2010 07:42 AM PDT

Published: Monday, August 02, 2010, 2:00 AM

Like most parents, I have a love-hate relationship with back-to-school time.

I love the fact that it means no more teenagers eating up the contents of my fridge all day, every day. I hate the laborious and expensive back-to-school shopping required to get them ready for class.

Fights over which notebooks or pencils they have to have, hearing how one might just D-I-E if she doesn't get that Vera Bradley backpack ... Then there are the clothes.

My sons, one 20 and the other 8 months, don't seem to care what goes on their bodies; if they could get away with going naked, they probably would. But not the teenage daughter. Any mom with one knows about these battles.

Back in the spring, a colleague shared a secret that has changed my life: All of his daughter's clothes come from an Uptown consignment store, the Children's Clothing Exchange. Go today, he said; you'll find everything for the baby and even stuff picky teenagers will like.

Consignment?

Umm, no, I thought. I grew up poor, and I'll never forget when my mamma took me to Goodwill thinking she was somehow going to find some Sears husky blue jeans in my size. I cried, she cried and we never went back again.

As an adult, I donate all the time, sometimes three to four times a year.

But buy my children, my new baby, used clothes? No way.

"There's a big misconception that clean, quality clothes can't possibly be found at consignment or thrift stores, and that's just not that case anymore, " says Linda Moran Evans, beauty and fashion director at Family Circle magazine and a self-proclaimed consignment devotee. "It just doesn't make sense not to shop these types of stores because you're many times getting your children clothing you couldn't otherwise afford and purchasing it in quantity."

This May, I am happy to report, I became a disciple of deals and found my friend and Evans' advice to be right on point. I attended the Clothing Exchange spring sale, thinking at worst I'd be Uptown and would be able to grab a latte on my way back to the office. Two hours and no latte later, I fancied myself a changed woman.

At first I felt overwhelmed among the thousands of pieces of clothing, toys, baby gear and accessories. A store volunteer immediately recognized me as a first-timer. She asked what age child I was shopping for and offered me this advice:

"Take one walk around, look at what's available. Think about what you need now, and if you still feel overwhelmed, come back in tomorrow. We'll be here, " she said.

I got two large bags worth of winter coats, pants, hats, swimming trunks and several fancy old-fashioned embroidered pieces that I'd seen on Magazine Street, but couldn't afford, all for under $100. Half of the pieces I purchased still had their original price tags on them.

Although the next Clothing Exchange sale isn't until Sept. 19, this week, August 5-7, New Orleans native Erica Plaia Harrod brings a new event, a Rhea Lana fall consignment sale, to Metairie. Much like the Clothing Exchange, Rhea Lana purchases high-quality baby- to teen-size clothing and baby toys and gear from parents and grandparents.

"During Hurricane Katrina I evacuated to Little Rock and checked out a Rhea Lana sale because we needed so many things, " said Harrod, who loved the idea that parents could get back 70 percent of what their items sell for. "I was familiar with consignment stores. Locally I had shop at Pickleberry for my own kids, but I had never seen a large sale like Rhea Lana before."

Harrod says many folks are intimidated by the amount of product available and the large crowds. Her advice? Have a game plan.

"If you plan to purchase something large, like a stroller, high chair or crib, go for those items first, " Harrod said. "If you're looking for clothes, know your sizes and figure out if you're looking for Christmas outfits, rubber boots and church shoes. It will take the pressure off of you to feel like you need to look at everything."

Another way to approach these types of sales and stores is to get the know -- or better yet become a part -- of the staff, said Ann McKendrick of the Children's Clothing Exchange. McKendrick and Holly Lapeyre run the Clothing Exchange with a team of volunteers.

"Come early, come often, " McKendrick said. "Every day that we're open for receiving, we encourage everyone to drop in to see if what they want has come in, and if it hasn't, we keep wish lists where parents can write down what they're looking for, and we'll call if we get it."

Fellow New Orleans mom Sherri Cusco says when her children, now 11 and 13, were small, she frequented the sales and got to know some of the staff. Today, she still shops for her daughter and son's play clothes at the Clothing Exchange. In addition to saving families money, she said she loves the lessons it teaches children about recycling and the value of a dollar.

"When the kids were little I would get so many formal outfits that they'd wear just one time, and we'd turn around and sell them back, " Cusco said. "Now that they're older, we get more of the everyday stuff, the trendy pieces and athletic wear. Now when I go, my daughter goes with me. She enjoys picking out her own stuff."

The south shore isn't the only place to find deals, I've learned.

On a tip from a north shore friend, I also checked out Once Upon A Child in Mandeville, which opened last summer but already has a loyal group of shoppers and consignors. In one trip, I bought two baby gift sets, an extra swing and an entire winter wardrobe for my son for less than $80. I also found the staff and fellow shoppers a great help in giving tips and tricks for scoring the best bargains.

"In these times, when people are trying to save as much money, it doesn't make sense not to shop this way, " said Hinson , who regularly travels from Folsom to purchase items for her grandchild. "When I was raising my son, things weren't this nice. Stores didn't necessarily get the type of products you're seeing now. I tell everyone try it ?" you'll see the difference."

Maria Montoya is a mother of three and online coordinator for features at The Times-Picayune. Send her your suggestions to mmontoya@timespicayune.com.

SMART ADVICE ON CONSIGNMENT AND THRIFT-STORE SHOPPING

  • Go with an open mind. Try a store or sale and see if the quality is up to your standards. You just may find that items being accepted today meet a pretty high bar.
  • Shop often. Once you find a store or sale that offers products you like, go as frequently as you can. Merchandise moves in and out fast.
  • Get on the mailing list. Let the staff know you want to hear from them and if there is anything specific you're trying to purchase.
  • Become a consignor or volunteer. Some stores and sales offer their staff the chance to shop special presales.
  • Always know what you need. Looking for coats? Bring everyone's sizes and preferences with you, so you don't feel overwhelmed by the amount of merchandise available.
  • Leave little ones at home. Most stores and sales have little space to maneuver around strollers. Bring older children to let them pick what they like.
  • Always find out what form of payment is accepted. There's nothing worse than finding four bags of good stuff only to learn a store doesn't take credit cards.

STORES AND SALES

Here are some stores and sales that I've shopped in the last year. This is by no means a complete list, so share your tips and info on local stores/sales of childrens' items below in the comments field.

Rhea Lana, New Orleans fall sale scheduled for Aug. 5-7 at 3509 18th St., Metairie. Currently accepting consignors and volunteers to work the sale. Items to be sold include: name-brand clothing for infants through pre-teens; maternity clothes; baby gear ranging from bottles and cribs to car seats, strollers and high chairs; furniture and bedding; and toys, books and DVDs. For more info visit, http://www.neworleans.rhealana.comor call 504.273.9218.

Children's Clothing Exchange, 1900 Valence St., New Orleans, 504.905.5778. Sales held twice a year in fall and spring. Store opens for receiving goods on Sept. 19. First infant clothing (sizes 0 to 24 months) sale day is Sept. 30. All other clothing available on Oct. 2. Go to www.ccexnola.com to get on the store's mailing list.

Once Upon a Child, 4240 Highway 22 Suite 7, Mandeville, 985.792.7512. This store is owned and operated by mother-daughter duo Cyndi Seruntine and Tracie Chaplin Grubb. For more information, see www.onceuponachildmandeville.com, but also call and ask to receive their sale flyers or e-mails.

Pickleberry, 6601 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504.889.2525. Store sells new and used items and also does monogramming. Loads of cute black-and-gold gear for fall. Search Pickleberry on Facebook to see new items in stock.

Kid to Kid, 3501 Severn Ave., Suite 5B, Metaire, 504.455.5865. Wide selection of clothing, toys, furniture and equipment. New and used clothing. Lots of Gap, Abercrombie, Limited Too and Gymboree brands in assortment of sizes.

Children's Repeat Boutique, 3845 Highway 22, Mandeville, 985.951.7660. Offers some higher end items mixed in with everyday play wear ranging in size from 0 to size 12, and a nice variety of baby gear is available.

Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

Clothes For Kids is Looking for Volunteers and Sponsors - WIFR

Posted: 03 Aug 2010 09:36 AM PDT

For the 7th year, The Salvation Army, Rockford Public Schools Homeless Office, and CherryVale Mall are joining forces to provide the 900+ homeless students of our community with one NEW back-to-school outfit!

Location: CherryVale Mall Center Court
Dates: August 6 through 15

Here's how you can help:

  2. Help shoppers select a child's clothing list and receive those donated items once purchased. Shifts are only 2 or 3 hours in length.
  3. Join the "Power Shopping Team" to purchase clothing for any students not adopted through the program. This will take place Monday, August 16 from 6-9 p.m.
  4. Be "on call" to pack clothes during the week of the event.
  1. Go to the Mall, select a student, and purchase the clothing the parents have requested.
  2. Monetary donations can be placed in the kettle at the site in the mall or mailed to The Salvation Army - Winnebago County, P.O. Box 4159, Rockford IL, 61110. Checks should indicate in the memo line "Clothes for Kids". Donated monies will be used to purchase clothing. A letter to be used for tax purposes will be mailed for all donations.

We currently have a good selection of dates and times including Saturdays and Sundays, which many volunteers have requested in the past.

Contact Tina Fewell to volunteer.
Email: Tina_Fewell@usc.salvationarmy.org
Phone: 815.962.7207

Clothes For Kids is looking for help providing Rockford's homeless children with back-to-school clothes.

Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.

"Clothes for Kids" donations still needed - msnbc.com

Posted: 02 Aug 2010 11:46 AM PDT

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A metro ministry providing back-to-school clothes for kids in need is in need themselves. The "Clothes For Kids" program, organized by Skyline Urban Ministries, is still trying to come up with enough clothing to help all the kids who have applied for help. Cheyenne Hutchison, one of those kids, is getting ready for a new school year. While she is sad that summer break is coming to a close, she's excited to be shopping for new school clothes.

Five Filters featured article: "Peace Envoy" Blair Gets an Easy Ride in the Independent. Available tools: PDF Newspaper, Full Text RSS, Term Extraction.
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