Wash Wednesday: Let Me Wash that Outfit!

Judah is in that stage where he dresses himself. And he takes after his dad....plaid shorts with print color shirt! But we can work on his fashion sense over time. I am just glad he is finally starting to pick out his own clothes and even put them on himself except for a little help with the sleeves or untwisting the bottoms. I even want to get him his own hook to learn to hang up his clothes to wear again.

What we really need to work on though is getting the clothes off to wash them. Every kid has that one outfit that they want to wear day after day over and over. Well ours right now happens to be of all things a pair of "Buzz, Buzz, Lightyear" $1.00 consignment pajamas tops and shorts.

Our next favorite is Judah's John Deere shirt and socks. As you can see in the picture he combined his two favorite outfits. Even so on Easter Judah had to wear his blue water shoes with his black suit and pink tie. Each time this happen it creates quite a stir and a memory (for the pictures).

So what do you do? You tell them you have to wash them because they wore them yesterday and then slept in them overnight. Then you tell them you have to wash them because they spilled lunch on them and they got muddy from playing outside.

Either way it is a battle. But I did manage to get them off this morning on the condition that I would wash them today...how about you?

Tip Tuesday: A Review of Pajama Jeans and Bed Bath and Beyond Coupons

You've all seen the infomercials for Pajama Jeans. If you haven't take a look.



Okay, now you know what I'm talking about. But can they really look like jeans? Can they really be as comfy as pajamas?

I found a 20% off at Bed Bath and Beyond coupon that expired in 2007. To put it into perspective, that was two babies ago. And yes, it still worked. So don't throw those old "expired" coupons away. They do still work.

Coupon in hand, I trekked to Bed Bath and Beyond and was going to "treat" myself to a pair of pajama jeans.

I found my size, took a deep breath and headed to the register. Here goes nothing.

As soon as we got home, I had to try them on. They fit. They were a little snug, but they had to look like jeans, right? I ran them through the washer and dryer and put them on again. They fit.

Are they as soft as my favorite pajamas? No. But they're softer than jeans.

Do they look like jeans? Yes. I feel comfortable wearing them shopping, taking Liam to the bus stop etc.

The front pockets leave a bit to be desired. If you're as addicted to your smartphone as I am, the pocket is a little small for it.

But, like pajama fabric, if you get something on them, the smell lingers. Accident while changing a diaper? It will smell until it is washed, even if you wipe it off right away.

Can I see myself wearing them to bed? No. But I did have a good nap in them yesterday.

So what do you think, fellow moms? Are pajama jeans a sign of "giving up" or just "giving in"?

I think when winter rolls around, these things are going to get a workout.

Tip Tuesday: Purchasing a Garment!

Over vacation last week, my sister-in-law and I had a conversation regarding people buying clothes. Living in a bigger city, she meets all kinds of people, including those who have their brand new clothes tailored. We both mentioned that the only time we have had something altered was for a formal event or an expensive business suit.

This conversation totally reminded me of a project I repeatedly entered at 4-H fair, a purchased garment. For several years on the first day of fair, I stood in the "clothing" line awaiting my turn to have my purchased garment judged. Aside from my actually sewn projects, this display was relatively easy, and the thought process I learned has stayed with me longer than any sewing I ever did.

When I purchase a garment to wear today, I still mentally go through my check list upon inspection. If the item of choice meets all the requirements, only then will I allow myself to consider it a "purple ribbon" purchase.

1. Item. The first step is to consider what item of clothing you need depending on the occasion or event and any related accessories. Focus on this specific mission while shopping by not getting side tracked on something else that will take away time looking and money from the budget.

2. Budget. Set aside a budgeted amount depending on the garment needed. Allow enough for your specific need as a formal dress will cost more than a shirt.

Look at it by how much would you spend to wear that garment each time you wear it. Multiply that amount by how many times you will think you will actually wear it and that is how much you can spend. You will also know that a purchase was good by taking the amount spent divided by the times worn leaving a reasonable expense.

3. Complete the Outfit. Never buy a separate. Always have a something to match completing the outfit. Should you need a shirt to go with a skirt, then consider this in your budget.

4. Mix and Match. Stick to neutral, traditional items (especially for your professional wardrobe), that can be mixed and matched into several different outfits. This will allow you to be universal with your clothes and save you money and closet space.

5. Accessories. Include the price of specific accessorise into the price of the outfit, allowing room in the budget. If you need a specific color of shoes, then this will be included with the price of the outfit.

6. Fit. Never purchase clothes that do not fit. The likelihood of actually altering clothes is slim. Make sure the clothes flatter and enhance your look.

7. Design. Consider the design elements of the garment before purchasing. Do the colors go well with your skin color? What direction do the stripes go?

8. Fabric. Consider the appropriateness of the fabric for your particular need and lifestyle. Linens are an excellent choice in hot weather. Likewise, wool is guaranteed to keep you warm in frigid temperatures. Find fabrics that are easy to care for and will last a number of washings.

9. Quality. The garment itself should be sewn correctly. Therefore, do not purchase a garment that looks cheap and is falling apart. Do the seems match up accordingly? Is the hem sewn properly? Are their holes in the pockets?

10. Instructions. Always look at the washing instructions before purchasing a garment. If you do not have money or time to dry clean, then find a washable garment. Likewise, kids clothes should be easy to clean.

For more frugal tips, visit Learning the Frugal Life.

Wash Wednesday: Keeping those Adorable Clothes Looking Great!

One of my favorite chores is to wash Judah's clothes. Every since his birth, I have delighted in washing and folding his clothes. His load contains little, adorable clothes... man clothes only on a smaller version...bib overalls, little swim trunks, hooded sweatshirts, and footed pajamas. I never get tired of doing his laundry as I love to sort items and fold endless amounts of new clothes, consigned clothes, and borrowed clothes from cousins.

Even this morning, we ran an errand to a local consignment shop to find some much needed summer clothes. We are also glad for the garage sale season upon us that offers countless of opportunities to find cute bargains.

On the other hand, I detest towels, sheets, and sweatshirts. These items take up so much room in your laundry room while you wait to do a load. Plus, it seems like you have multiple loads before you complete their washings. Judah's clothes still make it in one load, thus freeing up a lot of space in the laundry room.

Sometimes, though I get lazy in washing his clothes. I forget to put a bib on, leaving crusty yogurt and black spots on his pajamas. I have also had my share of wet banana stained clothes sit in the laundry room collecting mold. Do not forget about the occasional blow outs that seem to know when the kids is wearing your favorite outfits. Even now, Judah's daily schedule consists of paint, grass, and food stains on his clothes. We get busy though and I forget until wash day comes....Oops....

To keep these clothes looking adorable (and well, usable) I learned to wet his stained, messy clothes down immediately after the messy event. I then apply and smear GOOP, my favorite stain cleaner, over the stained region after it has dried. I hang the garment up and pop it into the washer the next time I do a load of his clothes.

You know GOOP is a heavy duty cleaner when you find it in the automotive section at local department store. Then my father-in-law uses it orange GOOP for his greasy farm hands when he comes indoors to wash up. And as a bonus, the product is non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe to use on children's' hands. And they even make GOOP for on the go.

Most often than not, I have had excellent luck washing the stains out of his clothes even after letting them mold for a week. Thankfully, I have only had to throw a few away because the whole garment was stained and unfortunately these were his cousins (sorry).

I guess I try harder on his clothes because I do think they are adorable and fun. And I want to keep them that way! After all, they are so cute!

Wash Wednesday: You've GOT to be Kidding Me

So I'm in the process of sending my oldest to kindergarten this fall (how? when? wha?) and pricing clothes for him.

I'm discouraged at what I've been finding. Really? Why would anyone buy, much less make dry clean only kids clothes? My kids get messy with a glass of water. I know my kids don't look like the ones in the photographs at Children's Place...then again, I'd never pay $70 for a pair of jeans for my kid. I love my kids but at the rate they're growing, they might not fit into the jeans when we get home.

That's why I've fallen in love with my local consignment stores. I can usually find some great deals (they even have a dollar bin) and I don't get too bent out of shape if they decide to color their "new" shirt, turning it into a play shirt or night shirt.

But dry cleaning for kids clothes? Not my boys. I believe I still have a suit that is crumpled up in a "to be dry cleaned" bag from my political days. That would mean "before kids". Yeah, there's NO way I'm buying dry clean only clothes for my boys.