It's Begun

My applying for jobs that is. I've been hitting the job websites every few days for some time now. I wanted to know what kinds of jobs were out there so that I could get a feel for the market in which I would soon be applying. And now, after being out of the workforce technically since the end of May 2010, but officially since mid September 2011, I am applying for these jobs.

I was working on my resume for one of my classes and ended up stumbling upon a position that would be great for me. I got some good feedback on my resume from both my instructor and a friend who works in HR and I ended up applying for it. Honestly, I didn't think much of it. I was shocked when I got a phone call asking me to come in for an interview!

I've applied for a few other jobs in the past week or so as well. I'm really optimistic about these jobs. I'm really excited about getting back into the workforce. Boxing Day sales were good to me and I was able to buy a bunch of new work clothes. And I'm excited to make my own money again. Not just to ease the current burden on honey. But being a dual income family again will allow us to purchase and move into our forever home. We can expand our family. We can do what we want.

An Almost Full-Time Walker

It's been a few weeks since our no longer a baby baby took her very first steps. Took a bit, but she is getting more confident every day. While she still prefers to crawl as it's faster, she is toddling around without even thinking about it. Pretty cool!

But now I'm concerned for how much longer I can keep her confined in a stroller or shopping cart without her wanting to get out and walk on her own. If we are in a baby clothing store, she wants to get out and play not just sit. The logistics of grocery shopping with a toddler who would rather walk than sit in the cart escape me.

Frightening how fast she is growing up.

Shoes

So we went shoe shopping today, the baby and I. Everyone needed new shoes. I need a new pair of black heeled boots for winter, hubby needed runners and my girlie needed rubber boots(and any other cute shoe I might come across)

First stop, for the baby. Seeing as she is now a walker and adventurous at that, I figured it would be best to have some rubber boots for the fall. But I looked pretty much everywhere and even online. I found some online but they were SO expensive for something that was only going to be worn for a month of two. I had all but given up actually. But I ran into a store and happened to come across them, on sale to boot. At first I thought they were probably too big, but nope size 5! Super cute leopard print with pink trim. Love em!

Then for hubby. I found a cheap pair of runners that were also on sale. He doesn't need anything fancy and he's not that hard on his shoes. They'll work.

Then there is me. Store after store there was nothing. The one pair that I eventually found that looked right didn't feel right. So I go home empty handed. It's apparently too difficult to ask for a pair of black leather boots that go up at least an inch over the ankle with at least a slightly chunky heel with either a square or pointed toe.....sigh

Temptation to Shop

There seem to be some wicked sales lately that I desperately want to buy things from. I've picked up some fun things from A Children's Place and Old Navy to get me through fall and winter but I know I don't have quite enough yet. My mom keeps telling me not to buy anything else for the baby because her birthday is coming up. But it's just so hard to resist buying cute jeans and tops for her.

In the past week I've kept myself to one pair of 18 month jeans and one 18 month bathing suit. But I was just on some online sites and it was nearly impossible to resist a buy one get two free t-shirt sale! Only a month and a half to her birthday party. Hopefully I can make it that long.

Wild Brake Chase

I spent most of yesterday trying to hunt down brakes for my car. I drive a newer domestic sedan, how hard can it be? Darn near impossible actually unless I wanted like racing quality which would cost me big bucks. After three places(four if you count the fact I had to go back to one twice) I finally got what I was looking for. Made for a very angry baby in the process.

I still need to get a transmission flush and my spark plugs changed but that will be done at a dealership. Mental note to get a rental as to avoid more angry baby.

Bargains, Bargains at Once Upon a Child

I fancy myself a bit of a bargain hunter. I comparison shop through flyers, I coupon and while my kid is dressed better than me, I don't pay anything remotely full price for anything she owns. Today was a great example of that.

Once Upon a Child has opened up in my city. I was super excited when I saw the ads announcing it. We have pre-owned children's clothing stores here already. But one I find quite low budget(cheapo, out of style, no name brand stuff mostly) and another is really only good prices if you can get it on sale fro kids stuff, but great prices on mat clothes. So I went down with a mental list of things that I need for 12-18 month clothing for fall.

I was pleasantly surprised. The store was bright and clean and well laid out. Sizes and type of clothes were all clearly marked and even organized somewhat by colour. The toy section was fairly orderly with prices very visible. I particularly liked how clean and new even the older toys looked. The smaller toys were neatly packaged in bags and the play kitchens even came with bags of food.

So what was my bargain? It was one of the play kitchens! I can't find my tape measure, but it doesn't even come up to my hip in terms of height, so it's perfect for my tall 10 month old to reach everything. It has a microwave, oven & stove as well as a small cupboard with four open shelves. It's in excellent shape, with all the knobs still attached and the stickers on the oven and microwave doors not peeling and still looking new. Best part? It came with approximately 50 pieces of play food and play dishes and cutlery! So cool! And the price for all of this? $16!! Amazing!

I also picked up a pair of Baby Gap jeans in 12-18 months and a Joe Fresh Hoodie for just over $10 after tax.

I'm very happy with what I've seen so far. The staff is friendly and accessible. A bathroom and changing rooms for older kids to try stuff on where available and they even had a completely blocked off play area for parents to let their kids play so they can shop in peace. They also have a loyalty card program that encourages people to shop green. You get an extra stamp for not using a plastic bag. I also very much like the fact that despite being a used children's shop, they will not sell used car seats as there is no way to totally verify that the seat has never been in a car accident. And they will not take cribs manufactured before June 2011 due to recalls, just as they won't take any other item(stroller/high chair etc) that may have been recalled. Great business practice.

Overall, I'm thrilled that we now have this store where I live and I will for sure be patronizing them in the future.

Farmers Market Fun

Every Wednesday and Saturday there is a farmer's market about 7-10 minutes from my house. It's been there for years but was just too far from my old place and I worked Saturdays but I always wanted to check it out. So last Saturday we did and we went yesterday too.

Saturday it was hot and very busy. But I got a lemonade and a couple of cucumbers as I didn't have much money left from the pittance I get for mat leave. But yesterday was the day after payday so with cash in hand we made the short drive.

Wednesdays are a bit different. You don't have to pay for parking and there are not nearly as many vendors set up. But for less than $10 in fresh veggies it was fantastic. I got some onions, snap peas, cucumbers and potatoes. Plus it was easier to maneuver the stroller as there were not the same crowds. It's too bad I didn't bring the baby's swim stuff as they have a spray pad right next door. Such a good way to cool down on these hot summer days we've been having.

I'm going to miss doing things like these once summer is over. I fear I'll be so busy with school and having to work a day or two a week and trying to keep up with the housework and the general demands of being a mom that I'm just not going to have time anymore for outings. At least I'll be going back after summer. So we have the next few weeks for family outings.

Ready for Winter

In the mail yesterday came my last piece of winter gear for baby this year, my Geox boots! I bought them 2nd hand off a girl on a forum I frequent along with a few other items. So now I have outerwear for fall and for winter and I feel prepared for the change of seasons.

It seems almost like sacrilege to be preparing for colder weather when it's actually nice and warm here and it's warm for such a short period of time. But I'm a bargain hunter and couldn't pass up good deals when I saw them. It pays to buy clothes when they are out of season. In total her winter jacket, mitts, hat, scarf, boots and snow pants should have cost close to $200. All but the boots were bought new(although the boots are in EUC) and cost me about $100. So I'll talk about and buy winter gear when it's sunny and 25 outside for that kind of savings.

Shopping for the Future

I've come to the realization in the past few days that my baby is not going to be a baby this fall and will need new clothes. The weather will get colder and she will get bigger and her 6-12 summer clothes will be the next to go into the box and wait for me to have another girl.

I've got a few things for me to wear this fall/winter. I have lots of long sleeved shirts and a pair of jeans and I got a great deal on a winter coat/snow pants/hat/mitts last spring. I have a few fall jackets as well. But I have no hoodies, jammies or enough pants and I would like a few more shirts too. And shoes! She'll be walking! I'll need something on her feet.

Cue a gal on a message board I frequent. She put up massive albums of baby girl clothes for sale. For $85 shipping included I picked up two pairs of Geox shoes. If you no nothing about this brand, well they are quite expensive. The runners I bought which should fit her by fall and still have lots of wear left in them would cost anywhere between $50-65 new. Then I got a great pair of boots that will fit her by the time the snow falls.  I have no idea how much these would cost brand new but I can't imagine it under $75.

Then I got a super cute fleece vest with a fur lined hood and a hoodie dress with matching tights. These are both Gymboree brand and are in excellent condition and because Gymboree is typically very expensive I wouldn't be surprised if the retail value of just those three pieces is around $100. So I think I got a steal of a deal.

Now I'm not done ;) I'd love to head to the states and buy the rest of her fall/winter wardrobe. If not, there are some great second hand stores(like consignment boutiques not Value Village) where I can get some nice stuff for cheap. And Sears often does BOGO for sleepers.

So I guess I'm set, if not now then fairly soon. Why don't I feel that way?

Stuff I've Come to Like

If you are anything like me and were(still are) living under a rock, you might not know anything about the wonderful world of etsy and could be wondering what that awesome giveaway I linked yesterday could be all about.

After having my daughter, I grew more concerned about hand made items. As much I am a slave to the commercially available products, I found myself wanting things that were different. Etsy fit that bill. I've purchased bibs, dresses and makeup as well as gifts for birthdays. All things that I could find at the mall, but these were all unique. Then I found items that I've never even seen in stores, like a belt that keeps too big pants on babies and toddlers and leashes to keep toys like Sophie the Giraffe securely fastened to the stroller or shopping cart(SO handy when your baby discovers dropping things for the sake of watching them fall).

I've become known as a bit of an online shopper extraordinaire in my mommy group. So I'm often asked where I get my products. So I share with you some of my favourite shops and items from etsy. You'll notice that they are Canadian as I like to support Made in Canada.

Toddler Belts from Alligator Snaps
Perfect for when pants fit in length but not in the waist. The current jeans my daughter is wearing are held up by a pink and black belt. Great seller!

SewDarnChic
One of my go to sellers. I've purchased many things from her including my wetbag that we use for swimming lessons and a carry it clutch that is great for coupons(another new discovery of mine) and shopping lists. She has a sister shop that sells really cute kid stuff that I'm sure I'll be visiting once the baby is older.


BabyChunkyCheeks
Another go to seller of mine. She makes the cutest dresses and her drool bandanas are far superior to any commercially available bib. I know at least two people who have ordered from her after asking me where I got them.

I will caution you, the wonderful world of etsy and online shopping in general is rather addictive. I just added up my etsy purchases since January 4, 2011 which is the day of my first purchase, I could pay off the balance of my Sears card and then some! And that's just etsy! I also frequent MamaBargains, BabySteals, mySwimBaby, and BabyHalfOff just to name a few.

My husband would probably kill me if he knew this. At least he agrees that our daughter looks cute.