Parenting Advice from UltimateMama

Ultimate Cocktail Dress for Mommy - Jill Stuart Strapless

UltimateMama thinks Jill Stuart dresses are "ALL THAT".  So, imagine her joy to discover this cobalt/black strapless Jill Stuart dress on sale at Bloomingdales for $145.92 (from $228).  For an uptown girl to wear downtown!

Grab some basic black pumps and you are a stylin' mama!

Ultimate Clothing Bargain for Babies - Carter's Unisex Baby Gift Sets

Quack, quack!  UltimateMama loves Carter's cotton clothing items for babies.  For only $8 (from $17) the "I Love Hugs 3 piece Cardigan" gift set is an absolute no-brainer! Trust UltimateMama, the recipient will LOVE it!

 

Ultimate Bargain Shopping - Gymboree Rewards 30% off Everything May 12-16, 2010

UltimateMama believes that the Gymboree rewards card is a no-brainer for those with children.  It is free and offers members special benefits, including:

- access to savings and promotions

- email alerts with discounts (online and in-store)

- $5 certificate for ever 250 points accumulated

- And more!

This weekend, those Gymboree Rewards cardholders get to take an extra 30% off any purchase with the special "Circle of Friends" event.

UltimateMama scored her daughter a leopard pink jumper (100% cotton) today for $3.49 (originally over $30). Now, that is what I call SAVING MONEY!

Go online or to a store and sign up today!

Ultimate Clothing Bargains - Swimsuits for $8 at Target

UltimateMama wants you to run to Target right now during its Swimwear Sale (in stores and online) for boys and girls of all ages (infants on up).  On www.target.com swimwear ships for free with a $50 order.

UltimateMama bought her little ones bathing suits on sale for $8 each ($9.99 regular price).  With summer around the corner these are perfect for your children!

Ultimate Ralph Lauren Last Chance Sale - Additional 20% off - www.ralphlauren.com or www.polo.com as of 2/24/10

UltimateMama loves Ralph Lauren clothing for her family as it is stylish, comfortable, practical, colorful, and durable.  UltimateMama appreciates accessible luxury clothing. She always enjoys passing down Polo shirts, sweaters, skirts, pants, and socks from her oldest daughter to her youngest. 

Shop now at  www.ralphlauren.com during the "Last Chance Sale" and receive an additional 20% off select sale items.  UltimateMama recently bought the Cotton Slim Fit Turtleneck in Fuchsia for her oldest daughter for next Winter 2011!  

Ultimate Kids Clothing Bargains at Patagonia - Winterfest Sale Feb 11-16, 2010

UltimateMama wants to give all of you a nice, big HEADS UP that Patagonia will host its Winterfest sale February 11-16, 2010.  Get ready to stock up on fleece jackets and vests and other fine outerwear!  Shop in stores or online. UltimateMama loves Patagonia and will definitely be online Feb 11th!  

 

Ultimate Bargain Shopping Tips

Now you all know that UltimateMama loves to get deals on children's items.  However, one must always know when to pass something up.  Something may be a "bargain" for a reason (bad construction, ill-fitting, unfavorable color, etc.) and is not a "deal" at any price.  Just because something is on sale does not mean you must buy it for your child. 

UltimateMama always loves watching Stacy London of TLC's "What Not to Wear" tear apart those who head straight for the sale racks and buy items just because they seem "cheap" in price.  Sometimes, these so-called "bargain" items make those who wear them look "cheap".  

UltimateMama defines a deal as getting something for her child at a steep discount that she would have paid full price for anyway. If you would have never purchased the item at full price then it is not a bargain at any price.

Be careful of the following "bargains" with children's clothing and accessories:

- 2 words:  Dry Clean

- Anything missing buttons

- Anything that needs hemming

- Color fading

- Buying bathing suits for the following year (unless your kids swim all year long you may want to avoid buying bathing suits on summer clearance racks because it is hard to guesstimate your child's size)

- Buying snow boots or sandals for the following year (same issue with estimating shoe size---pretty hard to do)

- Licensed apparel (your son may love Diego now but be over him in three months; same hold true with your daughter and Snow White)

Ultimate Tip for Children's Bargains

UltimateMama has a little tip for you when looking for bargains on children's clothing, shoes, and accessories - MAKE FRIENDS WITH THE SALESPEOPLE!  It is easy and fun to chat to sales assistants when you are on shopping adventures.  Many times, salespeople will tell UltimateMama about upcoming sales, hand her samples, or give her special coupons to use on future store visits. 

Who doesn't like to make a friend and save a buck?!

Ultimate Children's Place Sale - RUN RIGHT NOW

UltimateMama was just told she was a day late for the spectacular Children's Place sale that is going on right now in stores!  However, she just bought her daughter a "rugby sweater" in blue with multi-colored stripes, a "solid henley sweater" in petal pink and the "favorite jacket" in horizon blue for $3.99 each plus an additional 15% savings with her "Spring Pass" booklet of friends and family coupons!  For all you mathematicians out there, that is right, the final price of each of the three items was $3.40! 

 
Not to mention the FABULOUS deal that a few mothers of young boys received when they found "3-in-1" multi colored blue/black winter jackets for $9.99 from $59.50 originally (plus they also used their 15% off coupon).  Read my lips (or font in this case), the total cost of the winter jacket was $8.50!

UltimateMama will note that it does not appear to be the same sale ONLINE where prices are higher on most items she evaluated!

UltimateMama's only regret was that she did not know about the MONSTER sale yesterday!

Ultimate Costco in Manhattan (and elsewhere) - Costco Opens in Manhattan

UltimateMama was a Costco virgin up until a few weeks ago.  Now, she's a Costco slut.  Once, she thought of Costco as the utopia for suburban American overinsdulgance.  Now, she thinks of Costco as a smart, efficient, and effective way to shop for her family without breaking the bank. 

UltimateMama loves her Manhattan Costco!  Costco recently opened a store on the Upper East Side of Manhattan that is accessible to those without cars! (those with cars can ride up there and park).  One can walk, take a subway or a bus, or cab it (like UltimateMama who was under time constraints with childcare) uptown without a problem. After shopping, you walk out and a limo service is there to load your goods into a towncar and deliver them (with you) to your apartment.  UltimateMama did not even lift a finger!

Check it out at 517 E 117th St (E 116th St and FDR Drive).

What I loved about Costco:

 - Dove soap

- Cheerios (huge boxes)

- Dried fruit (20 packs)

- Desitin

- Canned tomatoes

- Eli Zabar bread

- Carter's clothing for babies and toddlers

- Speedo bathing suits for kids

- Armani shirts for men

- Patagonia fleeces for women

- Organic milk in 3 packs

- Great fruit

- Lots of meat and fish (the veal cutlets were amazing)

- Barilla pasta

- Goldfish crackers

- Kleenix

What I did not like:

- No Triple Paste

- No Pampers Sensitive Wipes without perfume

- No Huggies Overnight diapers

So, go to Costco and stock up on food and necessities today!  Make extra portions of marinara sauce, soup, and stew and freeze some for future happy eats!