Gently Used Clothes?

Sorry it has been awhile. Adjusting to the new additional to our family, he is 8 months now and I am still adjusting! Yes, I am still using cloth diapers but that is another post, I'll get to that later. Tonight I want to focus on what people think gently used clothes are and to clear up any confusion. As most of you who have been following me and my company know that I have been trading clothes for 8 years. I have seen pieces pass down 4 times between my cousin and I, and guess what, they will be passed down 2 more time because we both just had baby boys. The items look new! Why? Let me tell you why. We take care of them! If you want to receive nice things for free you should give nice things. Why would someone want your clothes that are stained, worn, faded or have holes? Would you want that? My saying, "I will not give you anything I wouldn't put on my kids." Yes, I understand we live in a world where everyone is busy, busy, busy. But if we all did our part our lives would be some much easier. Someone also told me that when you have a lot of clothes it's easier to keep them in good condition because you are not washing them all the time. Good point right! But wouldn't you want to keep the little bit of clothes you have and take even better care of them so that may be you can trade them, pass them down, sell them. Or not...lol

Here is a list of Dos and Don'ts when being a part of a trading community: 

• Do wash your items, no one wants your dirty clothes.
• Do check for holes, missing buttons and stains, it is best to check for stains under a bright light.
• Don't give them your garbage, having someone picked through it and then telling them to throw it out.
• Do go through your children's closet on a monthly basis to see what they have outgrown that way you will not have so much at one time.
• Don't get offended if someone looks at you like you are out of mind when trying to give or trade  your garbage.
• Don't try to give away run down shoes (sole torn, scuffs, funky). Please not they should go to the garbage. 
• Do make sure your items smell fresh and clean.
• Do try to keep sets together.
• Don't expect to trade items that you know should be in the garbage and receive brand new items. My saying, "Bring the best, receive the best." No questions asked!
• Do check the bottom of my blog for tips on how to wash your children's clothes to keep them nice for trading. 

Setting the standards for all... I know it's hard, I have three boys but let me say, I don't spend a lot of money to keep them looking nice, may I add they look nice all they time. Did you ask why? I trade and always is the best condition!

Good Night,

Clothe Diaper Challenge Part 2

I am so excited because today my cloth diapers from another company came and I already have some thoughts as I compared the two brands.

So far I have purchased the following two brands:

• Awesome Blossom 
• Simply Cloth 
• Just purchased a bumGenuis, organic all in one diaper today. 

Before I go, let me just say that the Forever In Blue Jeans diaper from Simply Cloth is super cute!

Now, how cute is this!

Be back soon,

~DQ

Cloth Diaper Challenge

Today, the cloth diapers that I order my soon to be newborn came. I have decided with this one I would try cloth diaper because first, I would like to save money and second, I want to do my share in saving our planet. However, I did use the biodegradable diapers with my second born and it was starting to get too expensive. So, this time I am taking the challenge.

1. Find out which cloth diapers work best for me.  Which has the best quality, the cost, and style.

2. How long I would last washing and cleaning cloth diapers. Will I become overwhelm and quit using them or will I love them and use them until my little one is potty trained.

So take a ride with me and please if you have any helpful tips, I would love to hear them. The challenge begins in about 9 weeks if not sooner....lol

Mommy Time!

One of my other passion is making sure us mommies are being supportive and getting mommy time! It is very important that you as a mom or parent get that time in. How can you take care of your family if you do not take care for yourself? Whether, it is taking 15-30 minutes of quiet time, going to the salon/spa or just going to the doctor, take care of yourself!

For me lately it has been hard to get my "Me Time" in. Being 30 weeks pregnant with a 7 and 4 year-old, who are boys...I am always exhausted! But I try to get my "Me Time" in. I may schedule a girls night or a date night with the hubby. When I start to get a little frustrated I know it is time!

Find a moms support group...I am part of one and it is great! A meet up group or a good book to read. If you are in the Chicagoland area, attend a TKC Trading Party where you can connect with others moms while trading your children's clothes. It is always pleasant to learn something new from another mom.

Well, that is my spill for today. I feel a nap coming on!

This would be a great "Me Time" activity!

~DQ

How To Make Your Children's Clothes Last Longer...Laundry Tips

Wouldn't you like for your child's clothes to last just a little bit longer? Of course you would!
Let me give you some tips on what I do to get my child's clothes to last.

Here they are....

• Wash dark clothes or all in cold water
• Wash button-down shirts, polo, graphic tees, sweaters and all gentle clothing on delicate cycle and hand dry. Sweaters should lay flat to dry. 
• Switch your dryer setting to delicate temperature 
• Fabrics such as fleece and polyester should be wash inside out

This shirt has been pass down 3 times
and will pass down again. 

Using these tips for many years, the clothes that I pass down are in very good condition and looks true to size. It doesn't hurt to try! At the bottom of  

my blog is the non-toxic way to remove stains. It's all toxic-free in my house. 

Do you have any tips? Would love to hear them!

~DQ

Thank Goodness For Hand-Me-Downs!

So, Tyler my youngest son saw that it was wet outside and decided he needed his rain boots. The last time I checked their was a hole in one of the boots and I told him that he should't wear them.  Of course, he says to me, "Well, I need a new pair." I replied, "Ok, Tyler let me see what I can do." Tyler already knew what style of rain boots he wanted, the color, size and design. Did I mention he is only four? Later, while eating breakfast we were searching the web for sales for new rain boots. He was specific that he wanted red fireman rain boots with only a small amount of yellow... his two favorite colors which sounded like the pair he already had. After checking out a couple of stores online and no luck we came across one website with many choices. Tyler saw more than he could handle, he even asked for two pair.

Here is where I was saved... I have an oldest son and of course TKC. I never buy Tyler much. I knew their were a pair of rain boots in our fantastic bin of clothes Tyler will eventually grow into but I thought that they will be too big.  I said, Tyler go get your rain boots and try them on and I went to dig up the other ones. And after all that, his rain boots were pretty much too small and he could fit the other pair I found. No, they do not look like the rain boots he wanted but he didn't ask any questions about it. He said "these are nice...they have spikes", with excitement..lol

Saying all this to say, always double check before you make a purchase. Remember the three questions, is it really needed? Can I find it cheaper someone else? Can I get it for free? Our children always want what they can't have and at the end of the day all he wanted was a pair of rain boots and that's exactly what he got.


old rain boots

new rain boots

What Do You Do with Your Children's Clothes?

How much money do you spend on your child's clothes? Are you the parent that shops at high end departments store? After your child has outgrown those clothes you purchased, what do you do with them?

Our landfills our covered with billions of textiles we throw away and most importantly thousands of dollars  a year is being spent on items our children will only where a couple of times, if that! Our children grow so fast. I have to say that right after I purchase a new wardrobe for my oldest child, the next two months he can't fit them anymore. Yes, I must admit I am a recovering shopaholic, before my second born, I did buy a lot of unnecessary things for the only child and we are all guilty of that. However, I found someone to past those clothes down to and thankfully when I had the next baby boy I got those clothes back with more.

Becoming a mother...stay-at-home mother with only one income, made me look at things from another light such as how we spend our money, what we are spending our money on and planning for the future, which is our children. At the end of the day our children will not remember all the materialistic things we give them but they will remember the quality time we as parents spend with them and that is priceless!

So, before you purchase something new for your child whether it is clothing or toys. Ask yourself, these three questions. Do they really need it? Can I get this cheaper somewhere else? Can I get it for free? I guarantee your answer will be yes!

Save your time, your money and our environment today!
~DQ