Go to the ATM!

Mommies in the NY/NJ area, it is that time again - Denny's Crazy Sale where you can get summer merchandise for up to 70% off!  They have ALL of you favorite brands on sale and still have a great selection for all ages left.  I found some great Joah Love in the infants' section for 50% off, got a cute bikini for Liv for 40% off, my sister got a a tunic by Lipstick Girls for 50% off, and soooo much more!  I think that 50% off (and up) is final sale and 40% off can be brought back for store credit but at these prices, why would you want to return any of it?!?!

Make sure you bring cash or at least bring your ATM card because credit cards are not accepted for the crazy sale.  In New York, they have stores in Bellmore, Cedarhurst, Commack, Little Neck, Oceanside, Plainview, Scarsdale, and Woodbury.  In New Jersey, they have stores in Englewood, Paramus, and Marlboro (this one is near me).  They also have one store in Huntington Valley, PA and another in Boca Raton, FL, home to many little fashionistas.  Denny's has a great sales staff that will help you with everything from Layette, to getting an outfit for a special occasion, to finding the perfect matching top or bottom to something you bought elsewhere.  If you live near any of these stores and have never been there, leave the kids at home, call up a friend, and get over there!!  No fashionista's wardrobe is complete without a little trend from Denny's!

For the tootsies

After a lot of wasted money, I have finally found my favorite two types of socks.  For a thinner, basic, good for day care sock, go to Target.  A six pack of white or colored socks is under $10 and can be found in the baby section.  For running around the house and any where your fashionista will not be wearing shoes, splurge for Gymboree's bow socks.  They have a scalloped edge and a cute tiny grosgrain bow with grips on the bottom.  They come in different colors every season but I would focus mostly on just white.  I cannot count how many times Olivia tried to run to me and she slipped and fell because she wasn't wearing socks with grips.  They are 3 for $10 but if you can find an outlet, you can get the same socks for 4 for $8.  I stock up each season with about 30 pairs of socks split 50/50 between Target and Gymboree.  You may think I am crazy to have so many pairs of socks but between Olivia taking off her socks and throwing them and the babysitter's house, I lose around 10 pairs a year.  And since there are only two types of socks, there is always a match.

I don't normally like to knock other brands, but the socks I would stay away from are from Old Navy and Foot Locker.  Old Navy has some non-cuffed socks with grips on the bottom but they are thick and I would only recommend them for the winter.  Gap is a safe bet but the only ones I like are the ones that are not cuffed.  They are usually colored to match that season's line.

As a shoe aficionado, you must make sure that with the cute shoes you are putting on your fashionista, there are equally cute socks underneath!

My second favorite Soffe

My first favorite is of course my niece Sophie but I have fallen for the boy beater tanks by Soffe. I found the first one for Liv at Denny's (local kids clothing store for those of you who do not live in NJ/NY area) while looking for something for my niece in the girls section. The tank says size 7 (small) but looked small enough to fit Liv. I got hooked by the adorable blue tie-dye design (you all know I am a sucker for tie-dye) on a basic ribbed tank at under $10 and I figured if she can't wear it this summer, she can wear it next summer. I brought it home, washed it, and put it on Liv the first chance I got. It is a tiny bit long but barely noticeable.

I love how a basic ribbed tank and jean shorts/capris look on Liv.

I went back to Denny's and couldn't find any more. So I went to the Soffe

website and found an abundance of these tanks for only $8.99!!! They didn't have the tie-dye ones available but I got a couple of white ones, a black one, and a pink one. There were a couple of other colors I liked that were out of stock but the ones I got are definitely a good addition to her summer wardrobe.

Check them out under Kids Tops. There are 16 colors and definitely some other cute ideas that are under $20. For the older kids, you cannot go wrong with their basic cotton shorts in almost 50 colors for only $6.99!!! There are some other tie-dyed products in great color combinations too!

www.soffe.com