Event Review: Hartstrings Warehouse Sale

    So I’ve been like a moth to light with sales lately, hence I couldn’t stay away from the Hartstrings Warehouse Sale at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center despite having a child in tow who had just received her 4 month shots (she was sleeping…she’s quite a trooper).  After perusing the Hartstrings website, I notice how darn expensive their clothes are originally.  I had my eye on this little strawberry dress until I saw the price tag. Take a guess how much....

If you guessed $40, you'd be right!  Who buys this stuff full price?  They can only wear it 3 months (if you're lucky). So you can see how a sale that promises 50-70% off ticket price, might appeal to me (and many other mothers). 

However, by the time I got to the sale, a mere 2 hours after the doors opened, all the real discount items from the previous season were picked clean.  The new stuff was out on the racks, but there wasn't a whole lot to choose from for infants.  In fact, it was disappointing how little there was for my baby girl.  We found a cute pair of lady bug pants, but after eyeballing the line that stretched for a mile, we decided it just wasn't worth it. 

The sale would be more of a bargain if you had older kids, as the selection was more diverse for toddlers on up.  However, even with half off, these outfits are seriously overpriced.  I'd pass along the info to a rich relative who loves to shop for your baby! 

Restaurant Review: Freskada Mediterranean Kuzina

Thanks to a loyal reader, I was tipped off to one of the BEST Greek restaurants in the area: Freskada Mediterranean Kuzina which hides out in the Main Street at Exton Shopping Center.  When you first enter the restaurant, it looks a little bit too classy to be baby friendly.  There's bottled water on the tables, marble floors and columns, and the waiters are dressed better than I was.  However, it was incredibly baby friendly as my review will show.  Honestly, I can't wait to return as the food was incredible.  Even the salads were top notch.  Also it's just a hop, skip and a jump from Babies R' Us! 

Stroller Accessibility: 5 There shouldn't be a problem getting a stroller in there, but I'm not sure you want to take the stroller to your table.

Dirty Diaper Changing:  5 This was one of the nicest public (or private) bathrooms I've ever been in.  There was a roomy private stall with a changing table.  And guess what?  There were liners.  Have you ever seen a changing table with the liners?  I haven't until now.

Family Friendly Environment: 5   I counted and there were SIX high chairs and THREE baby slings.  This place is posed for child traffic!  It seems too nice of place to be this family friendly.  There's even a kids menu. 

Nursing Opportunities:  1  The open layout of the restaurant provides full visual of every table.  Not a discreet place to nurse. 

Please, please, please take a trip out there to eat. You won't regret it!

Restaurant Review: Max and Erma's

So, I’ve been meaning to post this for a while since Max and Erma’s fresh baked cookies call to me in the night. It’s got a reputation for being family-friendly, but is it baby friendly? I’m kind of on the fence on this one. Since I love their food, I really want it to be perfect. However, in all honesty, it does have some disappointments. Or maybe I’m just cranky as I write this. You be the judge.

Stroller accessibility: 3 They aren’t going to allow you to take your stroller to your table, but you’ll get in in the door.

Dirty Diaper Changing: 5 A nice private stall with a changing table is available.

Family Friendliness: 4 You may think I’m crazy for giving Max and Erma’s a 4, but hear me out. Despite having a kid’s menu and all that jazz, I’ve been here three times with the baby and not once has anyone offered me a high chair or sling for the baby carrier. I’ve had to squeeze it in the booth with me, and I find that extremely annoying.

Nursing Possibilities: 2 There are a couple of tables out of sight where I think it would be possible to nurse discreetly.

Ps. I'm trying to compile a list of local restaurants that have changing tables in the bathrooms.  If you know of one I haven't yet reviewed, please comment below.  Thanks for reading!

Event Review: Moms of Multiples Consignment Sale

What I thought was arriving early to the event was apparently not early enough. I showed up at 8:40am (20 minutes before the doors opened), and already the field outside the Church Farm School looked like the parking situation at a Phillies game. The line to get in was probably a mile long (no exaggeration), and I was more than grateful that my husband was back at home babysitting. Thankfully it wasn't raining like the forecast predicted yesterday.

As I stood in line, the lovely ladies of the consignment sale started handing out industrial size garbage bags for shoppers to horde goodies in. It was at this moment I knew I was in over my head. I really only wanted a couple of outfits and maybe a high chair. I felt like I was in line for Filine's Basement Wedding Dress Sale. I expected pandemonium as soon as the doors opened.

However, when "open sesame" time came, the line moved quickly and orderly. By the time I got in I saw many people had already filled their bags to capacity. I immediately went to the closest rack that caught my eye: the clothes. This was a very bad move ladies. You have to head to big ticket items first, and if you even remotely think you want something, you have to grab it immediately or it won't be there next time you swing around.

I did manage to get an awesome carrier backpack (practically brand new) for $40, some small toys, a new baby bathtub, and a few cute summer dresses. I managed to get in the 10 items or less line (which was pretty damn long, but not even close to as long as the other line which snaked around the building).

The sale offered EVERYTHING, even breast pumps and maternity clothes. I would highly recommend going to the next sale on Sept 21, 2011 (more to come on dates/time) but get there EARLY!!!

New Event Alert: The Consignment Never Ends...Just Between Friends

Now that I've been to one consignment sale, suddenly I'm hearing of tons of sales this spring.  I guess everyone is cleaning out their closets.  The next sale I've heard of is Just Between Friends sale at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks April 28th-April 30.  It looks like there is going to be an entrance fee, but I found this poster with a coupon to get in free.  

Check out this video on the sale:



I'm really starting to think I should try my hand at consigning at one of these events. JBF apparently will send you a kit with a tagging gun, hangers, and other stuff you need to prepare.  I know that my little girl has grown out of so much, BUT I have a hard time letting go of those outgrown clothes I have such dear memories with. I put my blood, sweat, and tears into getting out stains in those little footies; I can't bear to part with them!  However, I do have clothes she's never worn or worn only once that I could part with, but I also have a sister-in-law expecting their first child and the clothes are probably going straight to her.  I might just have to wait on being a consigner.

I did see that volunteers get JBC dollars for volunteering that they can use at the sale...so it might be worth it just for the experience.  All I know is after three more consignment sales, I'm not going to need any more clothes for my little one until she turns five!

New Event Alert: Chester County Mother of Multiples Clothing Sale

Just discovered another gem of a consignment sale for baby clothes, toys, strollers, etc.  The Chester County Mother of Multiples Club is holding it's annual consignment sale on Saturday, March 19th from 9am-noon at the Church Farm School in Exton.  That's a hop, skip and a jump away from the Exton Mall on Lancaster Ave.  Considering the website give directions from as far away as Pittsburgh, I'm expecting this sale to be HUGE.  And since it's moms of multiples, they've got everything in triplicate!  Even though I really don't need anything (well, maybe a high chair), I'm going.  You never know what treasures await.  Happy shopping!

Pulling on my Hartstrings

So occasionally I happen across something potentially very cool and this is it:  Hartstrings is have a warehouse sale with 50-70% off their spring collection at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks!  It's two days only: Monday, March, 28th from 3pm-9pm and Tuesday March 29th from 9am-9pm. This time (unlike the St. Luke's consignment sale) I am going right when this sale opens.  Some of my favorite dresses for baby come from Heartstrings, even though I feel like some of their clothes make Callie look like a young republican.  So I hope to see you there, and I'll review the event Monday night to give you a heads up if it's worth the bother. 

Event Review: St. Luke's UCC Consignment Sale

Well, sometimes you can't be the early bird to these things.  I had a early admission pass for Friday night to get into the exclusive St. Luke's Consignment Sale, but a long day of work left me feeling a bit lazy.  So I decided to wait until Saturday morning like the rest of the unprivileged public.  Then baby seemed to forget how to sleep through the night...is this the dreaded 4 month sleep regression I have heard of in hushed whispers around Moms' groups?  Whatever it was, I was NOT in the mood to go to a glorified yard sale at 6:30am after getting only a few hours of sleep.  So I "slept while baby slept" until about 9:30am when I finally managed to get my butt in gear and go to get someone else's trash, but soon to be my treasure.

It was the final hour of the sale, and I'm racing down Rt. 113 to get there in time to clean up on the leftovers.  Little did I know but the cars in front and back of me are also headed to the same place!  I feel slightly guilty for being impatient at the mommy in the car in front of me who drove way too slow.   The parking lot is packed, and there are streams of parents and children loading up goodies by the trunk full.  I'm wondering if there's anything left.

I couldn't believe it, but there was a ton of clothes, toys, books, strollers, baths, and more left over and marked down to 50% off!  I managed to get a stroller for $15, a super cute Easter dress for $2, and three baby photo albums for another $2!  I had my eye on a bouncer, but it was looking too big for my apartment.  My husband and I would have to get rid of the coffee table to get it in the living room.  If I hadn't been overwhelmed by the crowd, I probably would have stuck around longer.  I was really glad I didn't have the baby with me, but there were a million babies in bjorns checking out the merchandise. 

I will definately be back next year, but next time I'll get there early.  I can only imagine what goodies I missed out on!

New Event Alert: Consignment Sale

If you have a baby like my baby, then your baby is growing leaps and bounds!  You probably need more clothes, more toys, more of everything!  Good news.... Saturday March12th is the St. Luke's UCC MOPS Consignment Sale in Trappe!  The event is from 6:30am- 11:30am (the final hour and a half is 50% off).  It sounds like a huge event that you need to get in early to get the good stuff.  If you sign up for their "Shopper Mailing List" you can get a Friday night (3/11) pass to shop before the crowds arrive.  Friday night pass is for 6:30-9:30pm.  I signed up for the Friday Night Pass and am looking forward to getting the good stuff!  Hope to see you all shopping there!

The Great Poop Disaster at Target

Well, from the day I started my baby registry (one scanner gun and a whole lot of fun) I’ve loved Target.  Who doesn’t?  Both the one in Oaks and the new one in Malvern have grocery stores attached and a large variety of baby goods.  You can do all your shopping in one fair swoop. I remember being nine months pregnant and my feet had swelled past shoe capacity.  I walked around Target in fuzzy slippers (the only footwear that would fit) and didn’t feel in the least bit ashamed.  What other store offers this level of comfort?  None.  But how baby friendly is it?

Well, it doesn’t have the convenient “family” parking I’ve grown to love at places like Wegman’s or IKEA, but it didn’t seem to matter.  The shopping carts fit even my Chicco car seat (I’ve found this particular brand isn’t the best at molding to high chairs or shopping carts).  They’ve got everything for baby from diapers (their own cheaper brand) to breast pumps.  They’ve got baby clothes (oh do they have a nice clearance rack too), strollers, cribs….you name it, and it’s probably there.  In fact, second to Babies R Us, they’ve got the best selection of stuff to choose from for a decent price. 

So I’m wheeling the baby around grocery shopping, when all of a sudden I hear the dreaded pre-poop growl.  She hasn’t gone all day, and while I’m thrilled it’s happening, I’m not thrilled it’s happening here.  Let me give you the low down on the Target bathroom situation.  First, I forgot that I can’t take a cart in there, and must leave my groceries in the aisle unattended, I hope no one takes it away.  Thankfully the bathroom has a changing table, but it’s right in the middle of the sink area with absolutely NO privacy.  The only good part was it was located next to a garbage can, which I needed.  So my baby has just had a poop explosion, we’re talking a big old mess.  Her outfit is now unwearable.  In the middle of changing her, she pees everywhere and starts bawling.  Now in a stall, by ourselves, this might not have been so traumatic.  But every darn woman in the place has to comment on my situation or try to touch the baby while she’s soiled and screaming.  I appreciate the sympathy, but really, I got this.  After washing her no longer white footies in the sink, I pack away our belonging and go to find our cart once again.  I smile because I was clever enough to pack the diaper bag specifically for these kinds of disasters, but frown at Target’s lack of diaper changing privacy.  I guess you can’t win them all. At least before I leave,  I can get some more Oxyclean because that new poo-stain is a doozy!