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  • The Best Baby & Kids Pajamas Under $20 on AMAZON

    I am that extra mom that coordinates my kid’s pajamas with holidays, books, hobbies, you name it. And because they’re always growing out of their jammies (and we wear them a lot in this household) I’m constantly checking around for good deals on quality sleepwear. Furthermore, Amazon offers some great brands for super cheap and admittedly I LOVE the convenience. Below I’ve listed my favorite brands and what I have found to be the best baby & kids pajamas under $20 on Amazon! Happy shopping (and hopefully sleeping!)

     

     

    Picture of the best children's pajamas under $20 on Amazon

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we may receive a commission if you make a purchase using these links.

    I can’t get enough of these puppy PJs from Spotted Zebra and I just ordered them for my son! Bonus buy – these are less than $10 and come with the short sleeve option which I love.

       

    How cute are these Bunny sets for Spring? Order now in time for the Easter holiday and have the kiddos open their baskets in style, or have the bunny bring them on Easter morning.

       

    We are a books-to-bed family and nothing gets my oldest pumped for reading like pajamas that match the book we snuggle up to at night. Purchase the books along with the PJ set and it serves as an awesome gift as well. Click here for Llama Llama Red Pajama and here for Brown Bear Brown Bear.

      

    Leveret is one of my FAVORITE brands because of the adorable patterns and the no slip footies. My youngest son is beginning to pull up on everything and the extra grip is a safety plus. I’ve ordered several pairs, and in fact have a matching pair for myself! They also come tag-less for littles with sensitive skin. I have featured the mermaid pattern here but be sure to look at the other patterns available.

    Burts Bees – not just the creamy chapstick in your purse! These are 100% organic cotton and also have the no slip footies. More patterns available for this one as well.

       

    These Avauma sets are the most expensive on the list but I love how cozy and simple they are. These thermal pajamas will stay warm on cold nights and hold their structure well through many rounds in the washing machine.

       

    We hope you found some new Pajamas to lay the kids down in at night! Be sure to check out our 10 Easy Easter Crafts and Activities for Preschoolers

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  • Kids Consignment Sales – Part Two: Prep Your Inventory

    Last week, I shared 5 tips for a successful consignment sales and today I am piggybacking off the part one post to share the step-by-step process of prepping your inventory.

    Kids Consignment Sales - Part Two: Prepping Your Inventory | Rock It Mama | Image of clothing for consignment sales

    Take Inventory

    Look through the items you wish to get rid of and take a look at the tips for choosing your items (in last weeks post). As a consignor, the very first step is checking with your consigning rules or policies so you are aware of what is and is not acceptable to sell.

    Here are some of the popular kid items perfect for consignment events:

    • Clothing
    • Shoes
    • Toys
    • Books
    • Games
    • Movies
    • Baby Gear – DockATot, strollers, jumpers, car seats, high chairs, baby carriers, etc.
    • Maternity Wear
    • House Decor Items – varies depending on consignment sales

    Choose items that are in good, working condition and are likely to sell – remember, if you wouldn’t buy it don’t consign it.

    Next you want to make sure to check the recall list on the Consumer Product Safety Commission website for any non-clothing items, just to ensure there are no health or safety problems associated with them. Additionally, if you plan to sell a car seat, always double-check the expiration date – which can be located on the manufacturer label. These items, if expired or recalled would not be acceptable. If in the end you still have items you want to get rid of, but won’t sell, this would be a good time to start a donation pile.

    Gather Supplies

    You will need quite a few supplies for prepping your inventory. Here are my suggestions:

    • Child-sized HangersYou can get these from Dollar Tree, Walmart for pretty cheap. As you continue to consign each season, you will be able to collect them as you go.
    • Large Safety Pins
    • Small Safety Pins
    • Magic Erasers
    • Stain Remover
    • Zip-Ties
    • ZipLoc Bags – Various sizes
    • Cardstock – 65lb
    • Clorox Wipes
    • Clear Packing Tape
    • Scissors
    • Iron
    • Bright Patterned Duck Tape – Optional
    • Febreeze Fabric Refresher – Optional

    Wash and Clean Items

    Everything will need to be washed, wiped down and sanitized.

    • Clothing and Bedding
      • Treat spot stains before washing all items
      • Wash and dry, preferably with baby laundry detergents to prevent irritation, if someone was to have a skin allergy or sensitive skin
      • Iron all clothing for best presentation – wrinkled items will NOT sell
      • Use scissors to cut loose garment thread

    Kids Consignment Sales - Part Two: Prepping Your Inventory | Rock It Mama | Image of loose garment thread

    • Baby Bottles, Gear & Toys
      • Bottle sets sell well at consignment sales. Wash and sanitize all pieces and do not include the nipples
      • Wipe down all toys with Clorox wipes and get in between all the nooks and crannies
      • If your toys can get wet, consider running them through the dishwasher or soaking them in the tub with white vinegar and leave to air dry
      • Magic Erasers can do wonders. Wipe down baby gear with sanitizer and get all the scuffs and marks off using this magic scrubbing tool
      • If toy is battery operated, replace all batteries for potential buyers to test out item

    Kids Consignment Sales - Part Two: Prepping Your Inventory | Rock It Mama | Picture of Crayola Easel before and after cleaning with magic eraser

    Magic Eraser is Your Friend

    • Carseats, Strollers and Highchairs
      • Wipe down and clean with magic eraser
      • Thoroughly clean straps and seat covers
    • Shoes
      • Try to consign like-new shoes only
      • Clean with soap and a toothbrush to get out any dirt, wipe all marks and scuffs with a Magic Eraser and wipe down with a Clorox wipe

    Price Items

    After you have decided how you want to sell your items – whether as separates, outfits, bundled, etc., you are ready to start entering your inventory into the consignment software and print out your tags onto card stock. Always be sure to be as detailed as possible on the tags and to price realistically. And if you are like me and just want to see the items gone, start off at a clearance price and then allow your items to be discounted so they have a better chance of being purchased (which results in less items to pick up at the end of the sale). See our last post here for the consignment pricing guide.

    Tag Your Inventory

    As mentioned in my previous post, presentation is everything! So even after washing, cleaning and replacing all parts, you still need to make sure your inventory is displayed nicely. Here are my top tips for tagging your items.

    Kids Consignment Sales - Part Two: Prepping Your Inventory | Rock It Mama | Image of clothing for consignment sales

    • Hang all clothing so that the hanger looks like a question mark when you look at the front
    • When tagging two-piece items, hang them on the same hangers and have them display front of the shirt/pants/etc on each side
    • Pin clothing with large safety pins on each end with the hanger in between for security and so they do not slip off
    • Pin the tag onto the front of the item with a small safety pin
    • If you are selling multiple outfit pairs together, zip-tie or tape the hangers together

    Kids Consignment Sales - Part Two: Prepping Your Inventory | Rock It Mama | Image of clothing for consignment sales

    Presentation is key, even when tagging your consignment sale inventory

    • Shoes should be zip-tied together with the tag in between
    • Packs of clothing (socks, hats, etc.), toys (Imaginex, Hot Wheels, etc.) or bundles of books should be packaged in a ziploc bag. Seal and secure the opening with clear packaging tape and tape the tag to the front
    • If you don’t have original boxes, place baby bottles and accessories in ziploc bags and tape the tag on
    • Purses, carriers and pumping bags can be secured and tagged using zip-ties
    • Baby gear such as strollers, coloring easels, bouncers and more should have the tags taped to them
    • Optional: Use bright or patterned duck tape to mark your hangers and other items. This is helpful if a buyer sees inventory of yours they want to purchase, they are likely to keep an eye out for more of your items by using this trick. This is also helpful during pick-up at the end of the event and will help you locate your items easier

    Kids Consignment Sales - Part Two: Prepping Your Inventory | Rock It Mama | Image of clothing for consignment sales

    Prep for Transport

    To make things easier when dropping off your inventory to the sale, be sure to first sort your items into categories such as: home decor, toys, shoes, infant clothing (by size), maternity clothing. For storage, pack everything in large plastic bins to prevent wrinkling and disorganization along the way.

    I hope these tips helped you as you prepared your items for your next kids consignment sale! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out and I would be honored to help.

    Happy consigning and good luck!

    Kids Consignment Sales - Part Two: Prepping Your Inventory | Rock It Mama | Image of clothing for consignment sales

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  • Kids Consignment Sales – Part One: 5 Tips for a Successful Sale

    We are officially heading into spring and that means consignment season is upon us!

    Blog Image of clothing saying Consignment Sales 5 Tips for a First-Timer

    Twice a year, I sift through piles of clothing, unused toys, books and baby gear to prep them for our local spring and winter consignment sales. I have found that participating in these events not only helps to declutter our home (Marie Kondo would be so proud), but its a simple and frugal way to outfit our children throughout the year. As a consignor, I’ve actually made a decent amount of money selling old items and then turned that money around to purchase seasonal-appropriate clothing and toys.

    Now the idea of consigning might seem intimidating for a first-timer, but I promise it can be so beneficial to you and your family. And since I’ve involved myself in a handful of sales, I want to share my best pieces of advice for those considering taking the leap. Part one of my consignment post series will highlight 5 tips for a first-time consignor and will hopefully be a great resource to set you up for success.

    Choose the Right Sale

    The first thing to keep in mind when signing up as a consignor, is making sure you choose the right children’s consignment show to participate in. There are a handful of factors that help make this decision easier and they are:

    • Location – Is it convenient to you?
    • Date – Will you have plenty of time to prepare? Are you available during the show days for drop-off/pick-up?
    • Size of Sale – Is the show pulling in a lot of buyers and making it worth your time and investment?
    • Season – Consider the items you want to sell, particularly clothing. Does the season work well for the items you wish to sell? (ie. If you have a lot of winter jackets and shirts, your items will not be accepted at a sale in the spring).

    Give Yourself Time to Prep

    Preparing your inventory takes A LOT of time; so plan accordingly in order to hit your drop-off deadline. You will need at least a months time in advance to go through the items you wish to sell, wash/clean, bundle items (if you plan to do this), list on the inventory software and tag.

    To learn more about the step-by-step preparation process I use, check out this post.

    Choose Items to Sell Wisely

    Go through all your items and choose the ones that are likely to sell at the show. This is also a good time to see everything you want to get rid of and decide if donating the items to a local thrift-store makes more sense. Here are some helpful tips when it comes to choosing what items to consign:

    • Make sure you pick in-season clothing (jackets, long-sleeve for winter / short-sleeves, shorts, summer dresses for spring, etc.)
    • Don’t include dingy, worn/torn or stained clothing
    • Don’t include items that are broken or have missing pieces
    • Older kids clothing, baby gear and outdoor play equipment are the fastest sellers and in high-demand. Additionally, clothing sets or outfits sell better than separates.

    Price Items Fairly

    Generally, children’s consignment events advise to sell at 30%-40% of the retail price, but it is best to refer to the specific consignment sales staff on a recommended pricing guideline. See our pricing guide below!

    Image of Rock It Mama's recommended pricing guide to use for kids consignment sales.

    Presentation is Key

    Presentation means everything at consignment events. When selling your gently-used items, you want to make sure that from a buyers standpoint, the items still look relatively new. Always wash/iron all clothing, wipe down and sanitize any baby gear or products and make sure all electronics have new, working batteries so buyers are able to test them out.

    Images from kids consignment sale Weecycle Wardrobe

    Photos courtesy of Weecycled Wardrobe

    For a more in-depth look at preparing for children’s consignment sales, be sure to check out Part Two – Prepping Your Inventory. And if you plan to consign in any future sales, be sure to bookmark or pin this post for reference!

    Have you participated in children’s consignment sales? What are the best tips you suggest for a first-timer?

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  • Black Friday Shopping Tips & 2019 Deals – Ads Included

    Guys – can you believe it is nearing the end of November already? It seems like the year just flew by and now, with Thanksgiving right around the corner, it also means Black Friday (or week) is coming up too!

    If you are looking for the best deals and savings of the year, this week is the prime time to lock down the items you’ve been wanting to buy. I’ll be honest, I’ve switched to skipping the line and online shopping when Thanksgiving and Black Friday roll around. Maybe I like my holiday dinner too much, or I don’t have the energy to get up at 4 a.m. and stand in line (turkey will do that to you). Yet…there are always those willing to face the massive crowds in order to get those rock-bottom prices and to those I say, “May the force be with you!”

    For those braving the long lines, here are some helpful tips to help you get the deepest discounts and navigate Black Friday like a pro!

    If you are looking for the best deals and savings of the year, this week is the
    prime time to lock down the items you’ve been wanting to buy.

    1. Prepare

    Be sure to sign up for newsletters via email so you get the latest news regarding Black Friday deals. Prioritize your shopping by creating a detailed list by store and then your wish-list items by order of importance. Have a back up plan for must-have items in the unfortunate event that they should sell out.

    2. Dress Comfortably

    Wear comfortable shoes and ditch the heavy jacket and purses if you can. Do consider appropriate wear for standing in long lines outdoors. It might be necessary to bring a hat, gloves, jacket or even a blanket. A cell phone bank/charger is also a helpful tool to ensure a full battery while shopping and referencing your phone.

    Prioritize your shopping by creating a detailed list by store and then your wish-list items by order of importance.

    3. Bring a Friend

    Shopping with a partner is way more fun anyways! Head to the store with a friend (or two) and divide and conquer. Knock out individual sections of the store and use multiple lines if possible. You can also go to separate stores to up your chances of getting what you want.

    4. Keep the Kids at Home

    This is a no-brainer. You will be standing in long lines, running to get items off the shelves, and you don’t want to do that with a kid. Leave them with a family member or friend and enjoy your shopping experience.

    5. Use Gift Cards!

    What’s better than a deal? A discounted-deal. Use a website like Raise to purchase gifts cards at a lower price that you can, in turn, use while shopping.

    6. Reference Your Phone for the Latest News

    Be sure to download apps such as Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Shopkick for any available coupons. You can also check the DealNews app so you never miss a deal. You may also have luck following stores on Facebook and Twitter, as they like to surprise followers with extra savings.

    7. Avoid Price Matching

    Most stores have lowered their pricing so much for Black Friday, that they rarely budge on price matching. Stores who do not price match include Target, Walmart and Best Buy.

    8. Use Your Free Amazon App

    Scan or enter any products to see if you can get them at a lower price through Amazon.com. You can easily purchase it with one click and if you have Prime, well…you know you have guaranteed free shipping on participating items. Win!

    9. Avoid Overbuying

    Just because it looks like a great deal, does not mean that you need to buy it. Go in with a budget, prepare in advance and get the items important to you. Sure, getting caught up in the excitement of Black Friday is easy to do, but impulse purchases are not worth going into debt over – be smart and intentional!

    10. You Can Skip In-store Altogether

    Black Friday sales are not just for in-store sales; a lot of online retailers participate in Black Friday. And unless the item you want is an in-store only deal or door buster, you can probably find it online.

    Additionally, this years Small Business Saturday is November 24th and you may find many businesses in your area participating. Consider shopping small and supporting your local businesses while putting money back into your community!

    Check Out the 2019 Black Friday Deals
    (*Latest update: 11/26/2019*)

    Amazon Deals

    Best Buy Deals

    JCPenney Deals

    Kohl’s Deals

    Lowe’s Deals

    Macy’s Deals

    Target Deals

    Walmart Deals

    Happy shopping,

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