Not that this is some kind of women's magazine, but...

I was in 2 minds about writing this post, not wanting to be promoting consumerism, but I thought it might be helpful, so here goes.

I just received in the mail my latest order from Peter's of Kensington online. This is the second time I have ordered from them and it has been quick and easy both times.

But the main thing is, it has enabled me to buy loved ones presents I couldn't otherwise afford. The shipping costs are very reasonable if you buy more than one item. I just bought 3 items - presents for my mother and mother in law to put away til their birthdays.

To give you an example of the discounts you can get, the best discount I got this time was an item that was 13 down from 109, and it was perfect for Mum. Obviously just in case she reads this, I can't name the item.

Since I'm a previous customer they send me a newsletter every week with select items and this alerts me to any very good bargains.

And, so much easier than driving to Kensington!

Things I wish I knew before buying for a baby.

I typed this up for a pregnant friend so I thought I would sling it on here in case anyone found it useful - also so you can share your thoughts and I could pass those on to her as well - who knows we could maybe get a little manual going.....
NOTE: These are just my opinions after 2 boys. Others having different experiences may think differently!

Feeding
Buy a highchair with as few seams and crevices as possible – forget all the fancy stuff like padding – because you will be cleaning that thing after every meal for about a year and a half.
Bibs – both my boys worked out very quickly how to get these off. Velcro looks easy – and its easy for them too. Get large press stud fastening ones. Or just forgo them later on and accept that kids clothes do get stained.
If breastfeeding, keep those belly band things that you used to lengthen tops in pregnancy – great to fill in the gap and keep you warm when feeding.
Lots of plastic spoons – anything like me and mine, you will leave them behind everywhere.

Nappies and stuff
Sadly, with disposables, only huggies really work well, at least for night. You get your money’s worth from them. Next to that the aldi ones are OK.
Don’t get those special bins – they then charge you through the nose for refills. You will have to take the bag out daily anyway. And you get used to the smell of poo pretty quickly.
With a potty just get a basic cheapie, plus one of those inserts for the toilet.We had a super duper fancy potty for no 1 and my conclusion was it was just harder to clean.
And if you are going to use disposables, when people ask what to give you as a present say nappies!!! And get them to get you the size above newborn.
Change table is worth getting as saves your back.

Clothes.
For babies, the cheap classic stuff is much more useful . Let other people give you the cute going out stuff. Up to 6 months, all in one jumpsuits are easiest and most comfy. 6-12 months, I found leggings and a tee great for a crawler. If your kids are anything like both mine, at night you need warm pjs with feet in – both mine didn’t stay under the blanket – No 1 til about 2, and no 2 is going for the same time. Unless really hot, bonds suits for summer/spring and for winter, the very warm fleecy jobs.

Out and about
Something very light in a stroller, cause you lug that round a lot.
Nappy bag – get something that is practical AND stylish. You will be carrying it everywhere so do yourself a favour and have it look good.
A pouch is very handy IF your bub will go in it (no1 NO, no 2 YES) . And I never got, but wished I had, one of those sling things for very little bub to sleep in while you do stuff.
A portable highchair – didn’t have with first got with 2nd. Fantastic!!!! Just keep in the car.
A travel cot is worth the investment (we didn’t get one and kept borrowing my parents one).

Toiletries.
Depends on the kid, but mine really didn’t use powders, moisturisers, oils etc etc. All I needed for first 6 months was a top to toe J&J wash and nappy rash cream. After that used normal soap and a baby shampoo (DON’T get a cheap baby shampoo- cheap one hurt my kids’ eyes).

Toys
You WILL be given LOTS. Pre 6 months, a baby gym that you can fold up and take with you is great. Just buy off ebay. One thing I found great with both boys from about 6 months was a learn to walker (not the sit in ones, the push along ones) – get one that has another function like converts into a ride on.


Well , that’s all I can think of for now --------hope it helps!

(Just added a picture of a seamless easy clean highchair called the flair highchair, but it is pricy!)

Clothes- bargains

Well, my last fashion post took off in an unexpected direction – I was just amusing myself really, but it seemed to be a starting point for readers to share where they got good bargains – so look here is a post to do that! Please respond with your own good ideas. Here is what I have found:

Kids clothes:
Cotton on kids have regular sales (almost continually! I just stop in everytime I’m near one) which are much reduced (I often find tops for $5 on sale there which are pretty good quality – they seem to hold up pretty well). They are a plainer style than say pumpkin patch, but I like that. Really comfy pjs too. For stores see: http://www.cottonon.com.au/stores.php?kids_state=NSW.

Ebay – I buy a lot of Sparky’s clothes through ebay – I find that buying the more expensive brands second hand works well, as often people saved these for good and they are hardly worn. Particularly found great bargains on 100% wool jumpers for some reason, pehraps because people buy sloppy joes - but I just love knits on kids. You can buy bulk lots too and save on postage – good for play clothes. If you are worried about ebay, I can give some of my tips for using it....

Sales generally. I love it that they are still too young to care about choosing clothes really, so I can buy clothes a year ahead in the sales and put them aside.

My clothes
Outlets such as DFO - are good for things year round on sale (thanks Prue for mentioning this one in your comment – I use it too!) .

I’m signed up to the websites of my fave brands (witchery, kookai, cue, country road to name a few) so that I get informed when a sale is happening. Also, being on these lists often means they send you special offers or vouchers. And signing to these lists is free. You might not share my tastes, but check out your faves online and register for them. For example, I’m not a Colorado wearer usually, but many of you are – if you want you can sign up at http://www.colorado.com.au/home/default.asp#/home .

Partially because I was pregnant last summer, and 2 summers before that was carrying post baby weight, I have hardly any summer clothes – and t-shirts seem to be particularly rare in my wardrobe – but my lifestyle demands lots of tees! I have discovered 2 online places to get tees that I am thinking of trying out (I have bought one as a gift so far!). They aren’t rock bottom prices, but good prices for good quality.

Threadless tees – this is an interesting site where people compete to get their design or slogan on a tee – they choose a few every week based on votes and print limited editions (I am addicted to scoring designs). So these tees don’t look like ones you get just anywhere. Designs vary from witty to beautiful. But they don’t cost too much – I got one for a gift for $25 (which included shipping from US, I think even cheaper if buy multiple). If you prefer plain, the women’s ones for threadless are printed on tees by American Apparel (aussie website for this American company is http://store.americanapparel.com.au/ - cost per tee around $30). According to reputation the fabric they use is wonderful quality – and my sister-in-law backs this up. They have tonnes of different styles all available in a much wider selection of colours than in the shops.

* the picture is a threadless tee I want reprinted -called sailing the high trees.

So - what about you? what are your bargain hunting secrets?