Consignor Diva

Victory

2010-07-17T13:05:00.000-07:00

I did it! I really did it! Those stairs have been beckoning me for months and I have ignored them. Today I opened that door and took the first step up, up, up to the dreaded attic! Home of everything I don’t want to deal with at the moment. You know how it goes…sell it, donate it, throw it away – not sure - so it goes to the ATTIC! The attic is a scary place in my mind. It never fails that I hear “noises” and just know that some varmints are lurking in the dark, watching me and planning their attack! So I make a lot of noise to scare them and have been known to force my dog up the stairs with me! What a good decision it was for I found some wonderful gems that need new homes.
As I was boxing up my newly tagged items, it dawned on me that I need a list of what I need to replace with the cash I plan to make. That makes sense – out with the old and in with the new-to-us! Here are some ideas that worked for me:
• Find a small notebook to use as your “personal assistant” through the whole process. Here is where you can make your notes on sizes, needs, and wants!
• Shoe sizes! Write down what size shoe/boot that your children need. No guessing when you see the cutest pair ever!
• Take inventory of what each child has for Fall/Winter and Holidays that will fit. If in doubt, sell what they have and buy a bigger size!
• Christmas is around the corner! What do your kids need? What do they want? US News and Business lists the Top 20 Items One Should Never Buy New – video games, large toys, and more. No one but you will ever know where you got those great presents and you will save 70% – 90%!
• Need hair bows for next season? What colors? Let your “personal assistant” know so you don’t buy colors you will never use.
• Study your Gift Closet. What could you add for those birthday parties and class gifts? Books are great! KidsTown get so many books that look brand new! For girl presents check out the items in the toy area where never been opened gift sets are better than bargain priced.
• Now, take out your little “personal assistant”, sit in your favorite chair, and write down what YOU would like to reward yourself with once you get your KidsTown check! My list is getting a little messy with mark throughs as I think of something new every day!
I know it is hot, hot out there and thinking of winter weather clothes is daunting…but just imagine the satisfaction of knowing how much money you saved by being proactive instead of waiting. KidsTown is probably a dirty word to all of the children’s retailers out there! You know those stores are truly hoping that we all procrastinate and wait to pay full retail in the fall! Not me! Despite the scary attic and the even scarier varmints, I am going to gather and tag my way to a BIG reward!

Wipe Out!

2010-07-11T18:34:00.000-07:00

I remember so clearly anxiously waiting for the time when I would no longer have to haul a diaper bag everywhere I went! Not only because they were so heavy and filled with more stuff that I never pulled out – ever- but because they just looked like a diaper bag! Seriously, I coveted the fashionable ladies bopping about with their oh-so-cute purses! It didn’t matter to me if it was clutch, hobo, convertible, or slouch but I just wanted to return to the days of a purse. Freedom!

Fast forward several years (not telling how many) and my closet is full of purses in every size and I find myself regressing to the times when it would be so nice to have an excuse to carry a diaper bag! Boy, I know I would be smart this time and fill it with useful stuff! Imagine reaching in and having all five lipsticks and not just the one that doesn’t match. I would put my water and energy snack in the bottle slot, slip a sweater in for those cool stores with air on high, flip flops to drive, my Bible study materials to work on in car line, and more. This may surprise you but a box of baby wipes would definitely have a place in my bag! Who knew that years after I finished changing diapers and cleaning up “accidents” my need for these miracle wipes would surface again? Now I keep some in my desk at school, in the glove compartment, and in the kitchen. Some uses I read about and some just happened on me by chance but here are some wonderful uses for baby wipes no matter what our age:

1. To remove makeup. They work like a charm and are cheaper than makeup remover. Unscented wipes for sensitive skin are best to use around your eyes.
2. To freshen up on a hot day. Keep a box in your car or sports bag. When you’re hot and sticky, a quick wipe of your face and neck feels great!
3. To wipe crayon marks from the walls. This was a discovery I made when a small visitor left me a gift on the walls. (I think we’ve all been there!)
4. To remove stains from clothes. I have not tried this but heard that if you catch a stain right away, a baby wipe will usually get it out.
5. To wipe off your car console, dashboard and steering wheel. Keep a box of wipes in your car and they can be great for that dust that accumulates on your dashboard or drinks that spill or leak in car cup-holders.
6. To get gum off of shoes. If you have the wipes with a little oil in them, the oil helps that glob slip right off.
7. Public restrooms. Need I say more?
8. To remove the Firm Grip from your baseball player’s hands or from the wherever you put it. This is a great tool for bathing suit bottoms that ride up, V-necks that show a little too much or gap in the cleavage area – spray a little on and press the material to your skin and you are good to go!

No doubt there are more hidden uses for these wonder wipes!

Now if I can just find a way to squeeze a packet in that really chic bucket bag I just bought!

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Here We Go!

2010-07-08T09:16:00.000-07:00

Our first official blog from KidsTown...what to write about is so hard! Really, on our minds is the Fall/Winter/Holiday sale fast approaching. It is in 3 weeks! Wow! Be sure to register and order those bar codes now!
It's funny how so many people think the "consignor industry" is just becoming popular because of the economy. This is so not true! Any good "household manager" (whether mom or dad) will tell you that consigning children's things is the easiest way to cut budget dollars. When you buy and sell at a true consignor event, it is similiar to renting clothes, toys, equipment, etc... because you just bring it back to sell at the next sale! Some of us have been doing this for years - in good times and not.
When you are considering becoming a consignor, be sure to check on percentages back to you, average sales for consignors, marketing for your items, how many people shop the sale, and the atmosphere of the sale. Use that gut feeling we get as parents! Store front consignment stores are so easy but the percentage is usually very low back to the consignor. I can understand this for they have bills to pay! Rent, utilities, phone, and staff are a few.
If you are interested in more information about KidsTown, please visit our web site at consignkidstown.com and check out the pictures of our last sale!