Hey Friends!
I hope you are having an excellent Spring Break. Enjoy having those babies close this week! That's exactly what we are doing.
I want to also tell you about where we'll be next week. Twice a year, a company called "Just Between Friends" has an enormous consignment sale at the Mesquite Rodeo (southeast of Dallas). This is where I buy 80% of my kids' clothing. All of the clothes are inspected to make sure they don't have holes or stains, so you can be sure you are buying something nice.
You are not going to believe how huge this sale is. There is more than just clothing,too. They also have baby gear, toys, shoes, games, bedding, even maternity clothes. And the prices are amazing. Last fall I got a car seat, 3 winter coats, 3 puffy vests, about 8 pairs of shoes, a tricycle and several outfits, all for around $150. My mom, sister and I call this sale "the gettin' place" because it's where we buy everything.
So when is it? Next week! The sale opens to the public March 21st, and the last day is March 24th. You might want to go more than once, especially since Sunday most items are 1/2 off the tagged price!
Why am I sharing this amazing secret with you? Because it's not a secret. There are hundreds of moms who are taking advantage of these bargains, and I don't want my favorites, my readers, to be left out!
Here are some tips for navigating the sale:
:: Get there early (the first day) and allot plenty of time. My sister and I tried to do it in an hour, and we felt very rushed.
:: Have a list and budget planned before you get there. This is a little tricky since you can't predict what you.'ll find, but I always go in with a plan. Last time I planned to get the car seat, the trike, and three winter coats with $150. I ended up getting much more, and I only went over my budget by about $8. It pays to pre-plan.
:: Go with a buddy. When I get there and see all the amazing prices and cute stuff, I tend to get a little giddy, and start collecting everything that will fit my kids. It helps to have someone there to remind you what you came for, and help narrow down your stash.
:: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Like I said before, this might take awhile. Go with a "flea market" state of mind. There are treasures to be found.
:: If you are running out of time, get in line. The line will be very long, so figure that time into your total. I've always been impressed with how fast the volunteers get the line moving, though. There are many lanes open, and they tend to move quickly.
(You might feel a little overwhelmed by the photos above, but let me assure you of this. I have been to several of these sales in different locations, and the Mesquite one is the biggest, cleanest, well-organized one of them all. My favorite by far.)
Hope you can make it! Hope I see you there!
For more information, visit their website or like them on facebook!
They also have info on consigning and volunteering.
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I was asked to post about the JBF sale in return for compensation, but all of the opinions, tips, and ideas are fully mine. You will not be disappointed.