Kids Formal Blog

Kids Formal Newsletter - Feb 1, 2012

2012-01-31T19:04:00.000-08:00

Dear Valued Customer,

At KidsFormal.com, we sincerely hope you have had a wonderful January, 2012! We have certainly been busy here at the “home base” getting things ready for spring to ensure you and your little ones have a great selection of formal wear to choose from in 2012. Below are some of the new items we already have available.

This beautiful knee-length dress is perfect for any spring function whether it’s Easter Sunday or a spring wedding! The pleated bodice features beautiful beadwork on each row while the straps come with a detachable bow for extra charm! Finally, the skirt is tulle, making it light and breezy…the perfect look for spring formal events. The dress is available in white, ivory and pink.

This dress has a slightly more formal look to it than the one featured above, but it’s another dress that’s perfect for this spring. The dress is sleeveless and features a scoop-neck bodice that draws the eye to the elegantly bow-accented sequined waistline. From the sequined detail at the waist, the satin dress flows down to just below the knees. It’s the sequins at the waist that give this dress the touch of elegance. The dress is available in navy blue and red, making it a perfect spring choice!

Finally, this spring dress is one that is not only fun to look at but a delight for little ones to wear! The bodice features lace detail, which works to bring out the organza bow directly beneath the bodice. From the beautiful organza bow, the dress flows out into a stunningly, fun skirt! The skirt contains two layers of shimmering organza, but the fun part is the frilled edges featured on the outer layer. Your little one will love wearing this dress this spring. The dress is available in white and ivory only.

Tips for Improving a Mood Swings in Children

2012-01-23T02:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most frustrating things parents deal with is the constantly fluctuating moods exhibited by their children. Isn’t it amazing how your toddler can go from happily chattering to an all-out temper tantrum the minute you say something he or she finds disagreeable? While you may be doing everything you can think of to ward off these sudden mood changes, there may be one or two additional things you can try. Below is a short list of tips to help mood swings in children.

1.    Make Sure They Get Plenty of Sleep. As adults, many of us have gotten used to not getting a full 8 hours of sleep every night. While this isn’t advisable for adults, it’s highly discouraged for children. Children of all ages need adequate amounts of sleep (“adequate” is different for all kids) and when they don’t get it, it can result in off-the-chart temper tantrums. Some toddlers may require an additional nap during the day too. And, don’t make the mistake of believing that your kids only need extra sleep for special occasions…this should be an “everyday thing.”

2.    Meals and Snacks are Important. Food is the fuel for our bodies and when we don’t get it, we naturally get tired and cranky. These symptoms are often even more pronounced in children. Therefore, make sure you are feeding your children three balanced meals a day with at least one snack between each meal.

3.    Allow Plenty of Time to Wake Up. While there will be times when you are running late and have to wake your child up and leave within 10 minutes, this isn’t a good habit to get into daily. Make sure you allow plenty of time for your child to wake up before you have to leave. Nobody likes to be rushed first thing in the morning.

4.    Decrease TV Time. While the television is a great babysitter, it can cause kids to become a bit lazy and take away from the time available for “exercise.” Exercising is necessary to help kids stay in shape and feel good throughout the day. Believe it or not, exercise energizes the body. Therefore, reduce the amount of time your kids spend in front of the television and increase the time they spend outside playing!

Tips for Finding a Prom Dress

2012-01-23T01:51:00.000-08:00

Two of the most important dates of a high school girl’s life are the two high school proms she gets to attend. These formal balls are often the highlight of the entire school year for high school girls. Many hours can be spent thinking about who their dates might be, where they will go to dinner, and most importantly, what their dresses will look like. Everyone knows that for a girl’s prom to be enjoyable, she has to feel beautiful, which means she has to find the perfect dress. Below are a few tips for finding a prom dress that you love and is within your budget.

1.    Make Your Own. Of course, this is only if you enjoy designing clothes and are skilled enough to sew your gown together correctly. If you do, the sky is the limit for what your dress can look like. You will have the ability to pick out the fabric(s) and patterns you want and can create your own unique style, for much less than you would be able to purchase it for in stores.

2.    Shop In Advance. Most stores hold sales several times a year, but right around prom time isn’t one of them. Why? They know this is when girls have to buy dresses, so they keep the prices high. Therefore, shop dress sales in advance and find the one you love while it’s on sale! Who cares if you bought it right after prom last year?

3.    Shop Online. Finally, if you know what size of dress you wear and the styles that flatter you best, why not shop online for your prom dress? You can find a wide variety of prom dresses online for a fraction of the cost as those found in local stores. Especially, when they are made just as well and look just as nice as those found locally?

Winter Birthday Party Ideas for Boys

2012-01-18T00:57:00.000-08:00

If you have been keeping up with our blog, then you saw the blog post we did about winter birthday party ideas for girls. Obviously, we know girls are not the only ones who have birthdays in the wintertime. Therefore, we’ve brought you a few winter birthday party ideas for boys below.

Boys are different than girls are and require different things for them to have fun. Boys are generally more rambunctious and have more energy to burn off than girls do. Therefore, having a winter birthday party can be difficult for parents with boys. Below are a few ideas to help you get a winter birthday party planned for your little man.

1.    Pool Party – Yes, it’s possible to have a pool party for boys during the wintertime. Most communities have a rec center that has an indoor pool available year around. If you live in a small town, then check with the larger city you live close to. Winter pool parties are a lot of fun for boys and provide a great way for them to burn off extra energy.

2.    Laser Tag – If you have ever spend much time watching little boys play, they learn at a young age how to play cops and robbers, which always leads to playfully shooting at each other with fake guns. Laser tag is an excellent birthday party idea for boys who enjoy these types of games and have winter birthdays. It’s also perfect for large groups as laser tag centers are big enough for a lot of people and the more people that play, the more fun it is.

3.    Pizza/Arcade Party – You’ve probably heard of places like Chucky Cheese’s and Incredible Pizza. These are also excellent locations for wintertime birthday parties for boys. Why? They have everything you need for the perfect party under one roof. You’ve got food (pizza and other similar items) as well as loads of entertainment. Not only are there arcade games, but often times these places will have bowling, miniature golf, go-carts and more.

Above are just a few ideas for winter birthday parties for boys. There are many more. For instance, if you have a young son and are close to a metropolitan area that has a Children’s Museum, you can easily take a small group of boys there. All you have to do is look at the communities surrounding you to get some great ideas for wintertime birthday party venues. You can also ask some of your friends where they’ve taken their kids for winter birthdays to get additional ideas as well.

Wintertime Birthday Ideas brought to you by Kids Formal - Fine Children's Formal Wear Since 1988.

Kids Formal Newsletter - Jan 16, 2012

2012-01-16T16:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Valued Customer,

Hopefully you have had a good New Year so far and are enjoying all that winter has to bring you and your family. For many people, this time of year is when they are able to catch a break as the hustle and bustle of the holiday season has just came to an end. It’s the time of year when you are able to slow down and breathe again before things begin to pick back up again.

At KidsFormal.com, this is the time of year when we begin restocking our inventory with new dresses, shoes, suits, etc. so your little ones can wear the latest styles this coming spring. We also help future brides make selections for their young flower girls and ring bearers as they prepare for their upcoming wedding ceremonies.

While choosing young ring bearer suits the main thing you really need to know is what style you are looking for. Most little boys don’t care one way or another about the suit they are wearing. However, if you have shopped with little girls before, you know that they care about their attire. Regardless of what occasion you are shopping for, the tips below should help you and the young girl you’re shopping with find a dress you both like.

1.    Color – If you are planning a wedding, then you most likely already have a color in mind. However, if you are looking for a spring dress, Easter dress, or another type of formal dress then you have a wider variety of colors to look at. If your little girl likes certain colors more than others, try to limit the dresses you have her try on to those in her preferred colors.

2.    Length – Before you start picking out dresses, consider the event that the dress will be worn to and choose an appropriate length. This will help you minimize the number of dresses your little one tries on – and make your decision easier.

3.    Comfort – Finally, as your little one tries on formal dresses, it’s important that you eliminate the dresses that she dislikes and finds uncomfortable. You want your little girl to enjoy her new dress just as much as you do when she wears it. Therefore, help her pick a dress that she loves and is comfortable in!

If you haven’t checked the KidsFormal.com website in a while, then please do so. We have several new styles of dresses on and are continuing to add more. With spring/summer coming up, there are plenty of occasions for your little ones to dress up for!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at KidsFormal.com

Dresses for Girls in Pageants

2012-01-14T00:54:00.000-08:00

If you have a little one who is interested in competing in a beauty pageant, and you have agreed to let her do so, then you will have to get her some girls’ pageant dresses that are appropriate for the pageant she will be competing in. Girls of all ages compete in beauty pageants, and the rules for the gowns worn vary depending on the various age divisions of those competing.

Generally, dresses for girls below the age of twelve (12) are more frilly and shorter. However, those competing in the older age divisions will be required to have a formal evening gown, which should always be floor length. Regardless of what age division your daughter falls in, there are a few tips that will help you out when choosing the right dresses for girls competing in pageants.

1.    Consider the Category/Event – Each dress purchased for a pageant should have a specific purpose in mind. For example, you don’t want to buy a gown just because you think it’s cute and will look adorable on your little one. You need to buy a dress with a specific competitive category in mind. Dresses for girls in pageants that aren’t purchased with a specific purpose (talent, evening wear, etc.) are a waste of money because they often don’t get worn.

2.    Overall Appearance – You and your daughter may love the look of mermaid gowns, but if your daughter is pear-shaped, then a ball gown is going to look much better on her. It’s important to remember that the overall appearance of the dress is much more important than the particular style. The dress should complement the natural shape of your daughter’s body. Another quick tip for older competitors is that they can easily create the illusion of an hourglass figure if they choose the right dress for their body type.

3.    Don’t Forget Color – It’s important that you choose dresses for girls in competitive pageants carefully and consider the colors. Make sure that the girls’ dresses your little one wears not only complements her skin-tone but also her hair color, nails and the season it is to be worn in.

4.    Price Doesn’t Really Matter – A common misconception that many parents new to pageants have is that the dresses for girls in pageants are always expensive. The truth is that it doesn’t matter if you buy the dress at full price or order it online for half-price, as long as it is appropriate and complements your daughter (in all aspects) it will work!

Newsletter - New Year Resolusion 2012

2012-01-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Valued Customer,

We’re hoping that the start of 2012 has you and your loved ones happy, healthy and enjoying life! The start of a new year is always an exciting time for people everywhere. It’s the end of one year, that may have been good or bad, and the beginning of another year full of promise. The beginning of a new year is a time when many people set new goals for themselves to achieve over the course of the next year.

Perhaps you have already set a few New Year’s Resolutions for yourself? If not, you should take a moment to reflect over the past year and the achievements you reached. Also, think about the goals you had that you didn’t reach or think of new ones that you would like to accomplish this year. If you have never made any New Year’s Resolutions in the past, now is the perfect time to start! They’re fun to do and bring more purpose to you for the year to come.

In addition to writing down a few personal New Year’s Resolutions for yourself, consider getting with your family members (spouse/partner and kids) and making some family goals. This can be a great way to learn what each member of your family wants to do this year…and a way to set common goals that you can work towards together, bring your family closer together over the year. Don’t underestimate the power of New Year’s Resolutions and dismiss them as “just another silly tradition,” they can be fun and powerful tools in your life (and your family’s dynamic when done together!).

Those of us at KidsFormal have a few New Year’s Resolutions of our own, one of which is to bring you a lot of fun and exciting formal clothing styles this year that you and your kids will love. As this is the first of January, we are out of the main wedding season rush and finished with the holiday rush, but we are gearing up for the spring! It won’t be too much longer before you’ll notice our website full of new spring formalwear for both boys and girls – so be sure to keep checking our website periodically. You don’t want to miss out on the new styles (and awesome prices) that we have coming your way!

As a special “thank you,” we are running a special promotion on our website right now. When you place an order on our website, you can receive 10% off your entire order PLUS free shipping! All you have to do is enter coupon code “10plus” at the time of checkout to take advantage of this deal. And, if you have been a customer of ours for long, you know that we don’t always offer 10% off an order PLUS free shipping. So, don’t miss out on this deal!

Again, we hope you and your family have had a wonderful start to 2012 and we look forward to serving you and your children this year with your formal clothing needs.

Sincerely,

Your Friends at KidsFormal.com

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Winter Time Birthday Ideas for Girls

2011-12-23T02:03:00.000-08:00

With the holiday season upon us, we are currently in the middle of winter and will stay here until Spring arrives. While many of us prefer to spend cold winter days snuggled up inside by the fire, life must go on and for many parents, this means at least one birthday party will take place during the winter months.

Winter birthday parties can be more difficult to plan than spring and summer birthdays because of the weather. Your kids can’t exactly play outdoors or enjoy a BBQ with friends and family…it’s just too cold. However, just because your options are limited in the winter time, doesn’t mean that your kids can’t have awesome birthday parties. Below are a few wintertime birthday ideas for girls. (We’ll talk about boys’ wintertime parties soon!)

1.    Hot Chocolate/Tea Social: Young girls love to play dress up, and it’s even more fun when they have somewhere to go! If you have a young daughter (5-7) who is a “girlie-girl” and loves getting all dressed up to go out, then she will love the idea of a having a formal hot chocolate/tea social for her birthday party.

Depending on how many guests you are expecting, you will probably only need 2-3 tables. Make sure each table is covered with a formal-looking table cloth and each place setting has a small dessert plate with a saucer and matching tea cup. (You’ll need silverware also). Announce in the invitation that attendees are to come in formal attire. At the party, you can either serve the girls or show them how to make their own hot chocolate/tea. The tea cups and saucers will make great party favors for the girls to take home.

2.    Ice Skating Party: Another great wintertime birthday idea for girls is an ice skating party. More than likely, you’ve got an ice skating rink within a couple hours from your house. All you have to do to make this party a hit is to call and book your party, requesting a small room for the cake and ice-cream (if they have one available), send out invitations and take the birthday girl and her guests to the rink once they arrive.

3.    S’mores Slumber Party: Finally, as you know, girls love to chatter amongst themselves (no matter how old they are). This is why slumber parties such a success with young girls. They get to spend the night with each other’s company and stay up talking for as long as they like. During the winter months, it can be fun for the girls to have a s’mores slumber party where they roast marshmallows in the fireplace and make s’mores while talking. If you don’t have a fireplace, that’s okay, a microwave will work just as well!

Brought to you by Kids Formal - Fine Children's Formal Wear Since 1988.

Last Minute Christmas Shopping Tips

2011-12-21T10:53:00.000-08:00

As you know, Christmas is this Sunday! While many people don’t consider 3-4 days as “last minute,” I know I get a little stressed if I don’t get my shopping done before the week before Christmas. There’s just so much to do the week before Christmas excluding more shopping. However, does this mean that I haven’t ever got behind and had to shop for my Christmas gifts a few days before Christmas? No, believe me, I’ve been there!

If you are running behind this year and still have some more gifts to buy before Sunday, then you may find some of the last minute Christmas shopping tips helpful.
1.    Take a Vacation Day – If you have some extra vacation days lined up, then consider asking your boss to take one off (perhaps, this Friday) so you can get your last minute shopping done. Most employers don’t mind if the employee has time available to take off.

2.    Make a List – There have been times when I only had a few things left to buy for Christmas and thought I could remember who I was shopping for, but once I got in the store, I forgot and ended up buying more gifts than I needed. Learn from my mistake and make a list of all the Christmas gifts you have and who they go to. Then, make a “Gifts Left to Buy” list to take with you when you hit the stores.

3.    Go Early or Late – There’s no question about it, the stores will get busier with each day leading up to Christmas. However, most of the crowds don’t get to the store until noon (lunch break) and in the afternoon (after 3:00 p.m.). Therefore, if you get up early in the morning and shop before noon, you’ll find the stores are easier to navigate through. This is also true for late at night.

4.    It’s Not Too Late for Online Shopping – It’s currently not too late for ordering a few last minute Christmas gifts online. However, you will have to pay for it. In order to get your gifts here in time for Christmas, you’ll have to pay for 1 or 2-day shipping, which will cost more.

While no one enjoys getting out and battling the crowds for last minute Christmas shopping, sometimes it’s necessary. And, sometimes it pays to wait ‘til the last minute. For instance, most stores hold sales the day or two before Christmas – especially clothing stores. Therefore, if you’ve got to get a Christmas dress for your little girl to wear to church on Sunday, then heading to a department store on Christmas Eve may be a great thing to do!

Christmas Break and the Kids

2011-12-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

For many around the country, today is a significant day for parents. Why? It’s the last day of school until January, marking the beginning of our children’s Christmas Break. Why is this a significant event? It’s a day that many parents dread because they have no idea what they are going to do to keep their kiddos busy for two entire weeks. (Some schools are even out for three this year!) If you are one of these parents, don’t freak out. We’ve got some fun ideas for activities you can do with your kids over Christmas Break.

1. Have a Gingerbread House Making Contest – If you have grade-school age children and older, then hosting a gingerbread house making contest is a great way to keep them occupied for the day. Of course, you can’t go buy a kit at the grocery store and expect the kids to be entertained for hours. No, they’ve got to make them by scratch in order for this to be an all-day activity.

If you’ve never made a gingerbread house from scratch before, you can do a search in Google and find the instructions, recipes and patterns you need. If you and your children have made gingerbread houses from scratch before, then you will probably be able to leave them alone (checking on them periodically is recommended) once they get the pieces in the oven. Baking and building gingerbread houses is not only a lot of fun, but it gives kids something constructive to do with their time over Christmas Break.

2. Have a Fashion Show – If you are the parent of one or more young girls, then helping them put on a small fashion show is a great way for them to spend an afternoon. This is especially fun for a group of girls to do. Additionally, it’s a great way for your girls to get some extra usage out of all those formal dresses they have in their closets!

3. Volunteer – One of the best ways to get your kids in the Christmas spirit while keeping them busy during their Christmas Break is to get them involved in volunteer work. Perhaps you are close to a local food bank that serves meals to the homeless during the day or there’s a nearby nursing home that will allow your kids to come in and sing for 30 minutes? Those are just a couple of examples of places your children can volunteer their time for a good cause, there are many more. Just look in the phone book for more ideas.

4. Get Out and Have Fun – Many parents prefer to keep their kids at home for the majority of Christmas Break, but this can just lead to bored and restless children. So, why not consider going out for at least an hour each day (or every other day) over break with your kids? A few things you can do include: going ice skating, watch a movie, go bowling, take the dogs on a walk, get hot chocolate or a mocha at a nearby coffee shop, etc. Just getting the kids out of the house for an hour will help burn off some of the extra energy they have.

Quick Fixes for Common Fashion Problems

2011-12-15T18:19:00.000-08:00

We have all worn a piece of clothing before that has had some sort of clothing malfunction during the time we’ve been wearing it. For the most part, these malfunctions are small inconveniences that make us feel uncomfortable and make the piece of clothing not pleasurable to wear. Often times, these seemingly complex issues can be fixed rather quickly, when you know what to do. Below are quick fixes for some of the most common fashion problems.

1.    Gapping of Dress Shirts – There are a few ways to fix this problem, it just depends on what you have available to fix it with when it occurs. If you are out and about and notice your blouse gapping, you can easily fix it with a safety pin and no one will notice. However, if you don’t have a safety pin available, you can temporarily fix it with an earring by using the earring and its back like a safety pin. Once you get home, you can permanently fix the problem by attaching a small piece of Velcro on the inside of the shirt in the problem area.

2.    Zipper Problems – The two most common types of problems regarding zippers are when, 1) the zipper won’t glide easily, and 2) when the zipper loses traction and doesn’t stay up. The good news is that there is a solution for each of these issues.

Zipper Doesn’t Glide Easily: To fix this problem, simply take two strips of masking tape and put one piece on each side of the zipper to protect the material. Then, get some WD-40 and spray on the zipper itself. You’ll find that the non-gliding zipper will move easily now.

Zipper Loses Traction and Falls: Okay, so to fix this issue, you will line both sides of the zipper with masking tape, just like for the above zipper problem. Then you will spray the zipper with hairspray that contains lacquer. This will give the zipper the resistance it needs to stay up while you’re wearing it.

3.    Belts – Oh, the joy of belts. Not only do they serve a purpose for holding our pants up, but they also make great accessories too! More than likely, you’ve purchased a belt before that quickly became one of your favorites, but for some reason or another it became too tight and uncomfortable to wear. You can fix this problem by taking a knife or other sharp and pointy object and puncturing a hole at the end of the belt so it will fit looser. On the flip side, if you have a belt that is too loose, poke a hole in at the opposite end of the belt to make it tighter.

Newsletter Dec 15, 2011 - Join Our Photo Contest to Win a Prize

2011-12-15T17:22:00.000-08:00

Dear Valued Customers,

Here we are, only 10 days shy of Christmas Day, can you believe it?! This year has really flown by for those of us here at Kids Formal. I’m sure you’ve noticed how quickly its went by also…especially if you were involved in a wedding or other big event at some point during the year. In celebration of Christmas and the fast-approaching New Year, we are holding a contest for all of our customers to participate in.

Okay, so are you ready to hear about our contest? First, we’ll start with the good stuff – what you’ll win! The first place winner of our contest will win a $50 gift certificate that’s good for anything we have in stock. There will also be two runner-up gift certificates valued at $20 each given away as well. Alright, now for the details:

The contest started at the beginning of the week, but is open until December 31st. To enter, all you need to do is post a picture of your child(ren) wearing our clothing on the wall of our Facebook fan page. Of course, you will have to “like” our page, if you haven’t already in order to enter. The only rules you have to remember for the contest are 1) the child(ren) must be wearing clothing purchased from Kids Formal, and 2) you must be the parent of the child whose picture you’re entering. The winners will be announced on Monday, January 2nd.

Don’t forget that you have until December 31st to get your pictures entered, giving you no excuse not to enter your little ones in their holiday attire this year!

As the year is coming to an end, things are beginning to slow down just a little at Kids Formal. While we love our busy season, we welcome slower months, like December, because it gives us the time we need to get out and find new styles of formal wear for your children to wear next year. However, if you have visited our website recently, you know that we have tons of fine children’s clothing available to choose from. Right now, we are offering an online promotion for a limited time. At the time of checkout, enter coupon code “10plus” and you’ll receive 10% off your entire order PLUS free shipping!

We hope that you and your family have a wonderful Christmas season together that is filled with lots of fun, laughter and joy! As always, if you need any formal wear for the little ones in your family, please come to Kids Formal. We are here to help you with any questions you may have, so feel free to contact us at any time.

Finally, don’t forget to enter our holiday photo contest going on through our Facebook fan page! You just might be one of our winners!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Kids Formal

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

2011-12-12T16:53:00.000-08:00

If you have been subscribed to our blog for long, then you know that Kids Formal does more than just provide customers with fine children’s clothing. We like to give advice in all areas surrounding kids’ formal wear too. As you can imagine, many of our customers are brides-to-be who are preparing for their big day. If you are also a bride-to-be, you may find yourself worrying over every little detail of the wedding on the night before/day of the wedding. While some things are very important and should be worried about, below are a few small issues that generally work themselves out and shouldn’t be stressed out over:

1. Tardiness to the Rehearsal: It is not uncommon for at least one member of the bridal party and/or family to be fashionably late to the rehearsal. Do not stress over this. If one of your groomsmen or bridesmaids is not at the rehearsal on time, then have someone fill in for them and continue on with the rehearsal. Once the tardy person arrives he/she will be filled in on what they missed and (s)he will have the role down perfect by the time the wedding arrives.

2. Dresses and Hair: Yes, you want your bridesmaids to look good for your wedding but there is most likely going to be some type of issue arise surrounding a dress or hair style for at least one of your bridesmaids. Again, don’t worry about this. Your bridesmaids want to look great for your wedding to and will do what needs to be done in order to get the dress or unruly strand of hair fixed before it’s time to walk down the aisle.

3. Wedding Favors: Okay, it’s understandable that you want your wedding to be perfect, especially the reception. However, if you made your own wedding favors, you may find yourself fussing over how they look on the tables. Don’t do this. Your guests will love the presentation of the tables, including the wedding favors. But, more importantly, their focus isn’t going to be focused on the table or the favors…it will be focused on the happy couple!

Tips for Teaching Young Girls Modesty

2011-12-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

If you are the parent of a young girl, then you are probably dreading the day she is old enough to date. After all, you were once a teenager and know the types of things that can (will) go through kids’ minds when they reach this age. While you can’t prevent your daughter from growing up and dating, you can help her value modesty which will help her make better decisions when she starts the dating process. Below are a few tips for teaching your little girl about modesty.

1.    Focus on Your Daughter. More than likely you know parents with daughters who get caught up in the “thrill” of shopping. You might even find it astonishing that girls as young as 2 or 3 have opinions regarding the clothes (and accessories) that they wear. While your little one will develop opinions of her own, part of teaching modesty is teaching your daughter that clothes do not make a person. To do this, focus on your daughter (her interests, achievements, etc.) more than you do the clothes she wears.

2.    Dress Modestly Yourself. The most influential woman in a young girl’s life is her mother. Your daughter will learn a number of things from you such as how to treat others, how to cook and clean and how to dress. If you dress provocatively on a regular basis then your daughter will think this is how she needs to dress, regardless of her age. However, if you dress modestly, then your daughter will lean towards more modest clothes as she grows.

3.    Set the Rules. Finally, remember that you are the parent and at the end of the day, your children need to respect your opinions and values. If your daughter comes down the stairs wearing something you feel is inappropriate, you have the right to make her go change. If your daughter is still a toddler, that’s okay…set your “clothing” rules early to ensure your little one grows up conscious about which styles are modest and which ones aren’t.

December 6 Newsletter - Fruity Peppermint Bark and Tasty Reindeer Treats Recipes

2011-12-06T15:48:00.000-08:00

Dear Valued Customer,

Can you believe that Christmas is only a little over two weeks away? Where in the world has the year gone? Well, this is the time of year when we should be spending as much time with the friends and family members that we cherish the most. Whether it’s getting together with your church group to go caroling, going ice-skating with friends, taking the family out to look at Christmas lights or another fun holiday activity, this is one of the easiest times of the year to make memories with your family and friends. At Kids Formal, we want to help you do that, so in today’s newsletter you will two yummy holiday recipes that you and your kids can make together!

Fruity Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

12 oz. pkg. Nestle Premier White Morsels
½ t. Peppermint Extract
8 Strawberry Starburst Candy Canes

Directions:

1.    Place candy canes in a plastic bag, let air out and seal. Crush candy canes into small, fine pieces and set aside.
2.    Place white morsels in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave (medium) for 1 minute and stir. If needed, microwave for an additional 10-20 seconds and stir. Stir until smooth. You may need to microwave a little longer, depending on your microwave.
3.    Add peppermint extract to the melted morsels and stir well.
4.    With wax paper, line a baking sheet. Then, spread the melted mixture out on the wax paper. Spread until the mixture reaches your desired thickness.
5.    Sprinkle with crushed strawberry candy canes, pressing lightly. Refrigerate until hard and then break into pieces and place in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Tasty Reindeer Treats

Ingredients:

1 Box Strawberry Cake Mix
1 Tub Strawberries and Cream Frosting
1 pkg. Chocolate Almond Bark
Black Frosting Pen
Pretzels (Regular…not the straight sticks)

Directions:

1.    Bake the cake mix in the manner it says on the back of the box in a 9x13 pan and let cool.
2.    Crumble the cake in a large bowl and mix ½ to ¾ of the tub of frosting with the cake mix, until the cake/frosting mixture is a play-doh consistency. (Do not put in too much icing!)
3.    Using your hands, make small cones with the cake/frosting mixture. Make sure the entire cone is somewhat thick, with the top being the thickest and the bottom being pointed and a little thinner. Set aside on wax paper.
4.    Take the pretzels and break them into evenly sized pieces to make antlers. Stick two antlers in the top side of each formed cone (this will be the top of the reindeer head).
5.    Leave the antlered cones alone for a few hours to give them time to dry/set up.
6.    Melt almond bark in a medium microwave safe bowl in the microwave.
7.    One by one, dip the cones into the melted chocolate up to the antlers and place back on the wax paper.
8.    Let the chocolate cones dry.
9.    With your black frosting pen, draw eyes just below the antlers and a black dot on the bottom (pointed tip) of the cone for a nose. You’ll be left with dozens of tasty reindeer waiting to be eaten!

****If you don’t want to make the reindeer, you can simply roll the cake/frosting mixture into balls and have chocolate covered strawberry balls…very tasty also!****

With holiday parties coming up for work, home and school, you and your kids will surely be able to find a reason to make the recipes above together. We hope you have a wonderful time making memories with your family this month!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Kids Formal

Unique Invitations for Bridesmaids and Flower Girls

2011-11-27T23:27:00.000-08:00

Before you can start “officially” planning your big day and shopping for the decorations, dresses and other important items, you need to get your bridal party on board. Most brides rush right out and ask their friends if they will be one of their bridesmaids, as well as the flower girl. However, why not take a more creative and unique approach when asking your women-of-honor if they will accompany you on your wedding day? Below are a few unique ideas:

• Order Champagne - Sounds odd, doesn’t it? Well, this is a unique and fun way to ask your friends if they would be your bridesmaids and help you celebrate your wedding day. All you need to do is order personalized wine bottle labels, purchase the champagne (or wine) bottles, label them and you’re ready to go!

• Bake Cookies – Bring each of the potential bridesmaids a basket of homemade cookies while they are working. A cute idea is to bake sugar cookies and use a bridesmaid cookie cutter. Use decorative frosting to form the dress and facial features of the bridesmaids. Then, get a customized edible stamp that says “Will you be my bridesmaid?” You can do the same thing for your flower girls – these cookies will definitely be a hit!

• Hand Make Invitations – If you’re a crafty person, you can easily hand make your invitations with some craft paper, beads, stamps and calligraphy pens!
Your bridesmaids and flower girls will appreciate the unique way in which you choose to ask them to be a part of your special day. The ideas above will show them that you value them enough to put in some extra time to prepare something special just for them.

Holiday Traveling Safety Precautions

2011-11-23T16:49:00.000-08:00

Are you and your family traveling for the Thanksgiving and/or Christmas holidays? If you are, there are a few things that you should do to keep your home and belongings safe while you are away. There are many thieves out there who prey on families who leave for the holidays, which is why you need to take these extra measures to keep everything safe.

1. Tell a Close Friend Your Plans. The first thing you need to do is tell a close friend or family member what your holiday plans are. Make sure you tell someone you trust who isn’t going to go and tell anyone else. Ask your friend to keep an eye on the house while your away, and if he/she would check your mail while you are gone that would be even better. A mailbox full of mail is a dead giveaway that the homeowners are gone.

2.    Lock It All Up. Of course you know to lock all your doors when you leave town. However, many burglars don’t enter homes through the front or back door. Instead, they look for windows that have been unlocked. Even nearby ladders provide access to second story windows that may be left open. Therefore, make sure you keep your house sealed tight and even lock up any outdoor buildings you have.

3.    Refrain from Changing Messages. Many people think it’s helpful to change their home answering machine messages so callers will know they are out of town but will be back in a few days. While this may be helpful for some of your friends to know, you don’t want to help any burglars out by telling them when the house will be vacant and open for robbery. You should also refrain from announcing your holiday travel plans online (twitter, Facebook, etc.) as well.

4.    Turn Off Phone Ringers. Another indication that you are away from home is when people can hear your phone ringing from outside the home, and no one picks it up. Don’t announce that you aren’t home with a ringing phone. Turn the ringer off when you are out of town so passerbys don’t automatically know you’re out of town.

While our business is providing you with fine children’s clothing, we also strive to provide you with information on our blog that will benefit your family. Hopefully, you have found this post helpful and will use the tips listed to keep your family safe as you travel away from home this holiday season.

Thanksgiving and the Kids

2011-11-20T15:31:00.000-08:00

For the majority of adults who are planning a Thanksgiving Day meal and expecting a large group of people to join them, things can get a little stressful in the days leading up to “turkey day.” However, if you have children, it’s important that you remember to include them in on the action, even though you’re a little stressed.

A lot of people get wrapped up with preparing the food for Thanksgiving and forget what the holiday is really about. It’s not about the food. Instead, it’s about taking time to celebrate everything you have to be thankful for. One of the ways we do this is by spending the day with our friends and family. However, for young children who kind of get tossed aside while everyone is in a frenzy in the kitchen, the holiday may appear to just be about the food…and a couple of no school days.
So, this year why not do things just a little different and include your children in the preparation? Most kids love to be included to feel like they are contributing in some way. And, if you include them and allow them to help with some of the baking (you can bake pies together the night before if it’s too crazy on Thanksgiving) then you will be creating Thanksgiving Day memories with your kids that focus on the true meaning of the holiday.

Boys holiday suits
Girls holiday dresses

A Few Tips for Reducing Holiday Stress

2011-11-17T18:34:00.000-08:00

As you have most likely already noticed, the holidays are going to be here before we know it. While this time of the year is a lot of fun, it can also become a big headache with everything that goes on. However, the tips below will help you reduce your holiday stress so you can thoroughly enjoy everything the holidays have to offer you and your family.

Shop Online

1.   Decide on the “Must Do’s” – In America, there have been so many holiday traditions started that it’s nearly impossible to do them all. For instance, picking out a Christmas tree, hanging lights on the house, sending holiday cards, buying gifts for everyone in the family (and friends), hosting one or two holiday parties, attending annual parties hosted by friends, baking holiday dinners and/or treats and the list goes on and on.

This year, sit down with your family and decide on what activities truly make the holidays special for you. Then, make those activities your priority this holiday season. Learn to say “no” to the other less important things and you will be able to really enjoy the season!

2.   Get Shopping Done Early – Sure, you can catch some great sales by waiting until the last minute to do your holiday shopping, but is the stress really worth it? If you do not have a high tolerance for stress then get your holiday shopping done before the first week of December. This includes everything from gifts to formalwear for the kids. Get it done early and then sit back and enjoy the season doing other, more important things with your family.

3.   Stay Away from the Grinch – We all know someone who is a Grinch around the holidays. These are the people who always find something to complain about and bring everyone’s mood down as a result. During the holiday season, stay away from these people! The last thing you want is to be put in a bad mood because you’ve spent an hour talking to the Grinch. This will undoubtedly rub off on your family and the day will be ruined, not to mention, your stress level will rise too. So, keep company with only happy, upbeat people this holiday season if you want a joyful holiday season this year!

Kids Formal - Newsletter Nov, 15, 2011

2011-11-15T17:28:00.000-08:00

Dear Valued Customer,

Can you believe it’s already that time again…the middle of the month, and now we’re smack dab in the middle of November! As you know, Kids Formal is the number one leader of fine children’s clothing. If you didn’t believe this then you wouldn’t be receiving our newsletter, right?

Since our business is to provide parents with the best quality clothing for their children, we know how quickly children grow and how expensive it can be to keep kids in clothing that fit. Therefore, we understand the importance of getting the most “bang” for your buck when it comes to children’s clothing. This is why the clothing you find at Kids Formal is always reasonably priced and we constantly offer coupons and special promotions through our Facebook page, Twitter and newsletters.

We also understand that finding great prices on your kids clothing and taking advantage of special coupons is not the only way parents can save on their kids’ clothing. Another useful strategy for parents with multiple children (especially those with two or more of the same sex) is to save and reuse clothing. If you save your kids’ clothing then you know that the real dilemma isn’t boxing them up and saving them. It’s remembering where those boxes are and what’s in them when you need them that’s the problem! Below are a couple of tips to help you solve this problem.

1.    Have a Designated Place for Saved Clothing. A lot of parents purchase special plastic totes or containers for their children’s clothing and store in a designated corner of the attic. This makes it easy to remember where all of your kids’ previously worn clothes are at and you can go straight to them.

2.    Establish a “First Glance” System. Another tip many parents have found useful is to establish a “first glance” system where they instantly know what sizes of clothing are in each container just by looking at them once. One way to do this is to put all clothes in a specific age group (0-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 2T, etc.) all in the same colored totes and group them together. This will allow you to go straight to the group of totes with the size of clothing you’re looking for.

3.    Take Inventory. Once you have figured out a way to determine exactly what sizes of clothes are in each tote, take the time to take inventory of all the items in a tote once you’ve packed it. For instance, write down things like: Boys/Girls: long sleeve shirts, jeans, jackets, pajamas, etc. on an index card so you can keep track of the items that are in each tote. This will save you the time of digging through totes looking for specific items.

4.    Move ‘Em Out! Finally, if you are finished having children or an item of clothing has been completely worn out, don’t be afraid to get rid of the clothes. There are a lot of places that take used clothing to help struggling families. Also, if you have a friend with a child younger than your youngest, ask her if she would like some extra clothes. Many people with young children love hand-me-downs, if only for “play” clothes! Getting rid of the kids’ clothing that you no longer need will free up a lot of space in your attic and make it easier for you to find the clothing you still need.

Storing and reusing children’s clothing is an excellent way to save money on clothing every year. However, when you aren’t organized (many of us struggle here), it is possible to spend more money than you need to because you aren’t able to find what you need when you need it. The tips above will help you eliminate this problem.
We hope that you have found today’s newsletter helpful and that you will continue shopping at Kids Formal when you are in need new children’s formalwear. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns as we are here to help you!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Kids Formal

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Having Trouble Picking a Wedding Date?

2011-11-11T17:19:00.000-08:00

As you know, one of the most important things newly engaged couples have to do is pick a wedding date. In fact, that’s really the first thing that has to be done because without a date, it’s practically impossible to plan a wedding! While weddings are always special days to remember, many couples want their actual wedding date to be special which can make selecting a date difficult. Below are a few ideas if you are trying to decide on a wedding date.

The Wedding Date Couple

•    The First Date – If you can remember the exact date of your very first date together, then scheduling your wedding for that date is a great way to honor the date that brought you both together forever!

•    A Family Member’s Birthday/Anniversary – If you are very close to someone in your family, then planning a wedding for his/her birthday is a unique way to recognize how important he/she is to you. Perhaps you have a grandmother and grandfather whose relationship has been an inspiration to you (and your fiance), getting married on their anniversary is another unique way to honor these special people in your life.

•    Special “Yearly” Dates – Every year, it seems like there is an opportunity to get married on a historical date. For instance, this year it happens to be today: 11/11/11 and next year, it will be on 12/12/12…dates like these only happen once every century which is why so many couples gravitate to these days. However, you don’t have to get married on a date like this for it to be a special “yearly” date. For instance, you could get married on October 11, 2012 and it would be 10/11/12. There are many ways to play with the dates if you are looking to make your wedding date special and easy to remember!

Take Time to Make Memories with Your Kids

2011-11-10T18:17:00.000-08:00

For the majority of parents life is extremely busy, especially for working parents. Sometimes we feel lucky just to get ourselves up in the morning, the kids fed and off to school on time. While this is completely normal, it’s important that all parents realize just how important it is to make time for their children.

Think back to when you were a child. What are some of your favorite memories? Was it the hustle and bustle of the morning routine watching your mom and dad hurry to get you and your siblings fed and out the door? More than likely, those are not the memories you hold dear. Instead, you probably remember things like getting up on a Saturday morning to help mom make homemade cinnamon rolls or spending many summer weekends camping with your parents.

Those are the same kinds of memories that your children are going to remember when they are adults, so make sure you take the time to make these memories with them. More than any other time of year, the holiday season is incredibly busy and it’s easy to get lost amidst it all – between the holiday celebrations, winter weddings and birthdays. Therefore, make it a point to slow down a bit and focus on your children. Make some special memories with them that they will hold on to for the rest of their lives. After all, that’s what makes family so special – all the memories we create together!

When to Shop for the Best Deals on Clothing

2011-11-07T01:15:00.000-08:00

As parents, one of the things we constantly find ourselves doing is buying clothes for our children. For most of us, it seems like our kids grow out of the clothes we buy them within a few weeks of the initial purchase. This makes it hard to find the best deals on clothing because when our kids outgrow something, like a pair of jeans, we have to get another pair as soon as possible. However, if you are able to plan ahead (just a little) and know when the best time to shop for clothing is, then you will be able to catch some of the best clothing deals!

1. Shop at the End of the Season. While a lot of parents have heard this tip before, not a lot of them actually put it into practice. It’s a shame because this is one of the best ways to save a ton of money on your kids’ clothing. All you need to do is wait until the end of the season and shop the clearance racks for clothing your kids can wear next year at this time.

For instance, winter is coming up. Every year I wait until the end of winter (late February/early March) to shop for winter coats for my kids. Last year, I happened to find a nice coat that was originally $60 on sale for $8. It was a 4T instead of a 3T, so now my son will be able to wear that coat this winter!

2. Wait Until a Few Days before a Major Holiday. This may sound a little contradictory to the advice just given, but it only applies to holiday outfits that you plan to purchase from a LOCAL retailer. If you want to find the best deal on Christmas dresses for your little ones, then wait until a few days before Christmas to go shopping for it. Yes, it may be crowded and you may have fewer choices, but because most people shop ahead of time, you will most likely find some awesome deals!

Now, remember that this is only for local retailers. If you prefer to shop online, you need to begin shopping for holiday outfits a month to six weeks in advance. You will naturally find better deals online as online retailers have to keep their prices lower than local retailers in order to stay competitive. However, you have to allow time to get the outfits in and altered if necessary. Therefore, DO NOT wait until the last minute to shop for great clothing deals when ordering online.

3. Use Social Media to Your Advantage. I know, this one probably sounds a little out of place, right? After all we are trying to find the best deals on clothing, not learn how to tweet correctly. Right! Believe it or not, the majority of your favorite stores have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. When you connect with them through these social media outlets, you’ll receive regular updates from them…most of the time these updates are coupons that can be used either online, in-store or both!

Additionally, there are a number of people who have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts specifically for the purpose of providing their readers with the best online/offline deals available. Just do a quick search for “coupons, moms and coupons, etc.” and you’ll get some hits. Follow and/or “like” these people and you will be surprised at all the deals you’ll be able to take advantage of. And, the best part about this one is that there isn’t any “special” time you have to do it. The deals come in daily, so anytime is great!

Children's Formal Clothes - Pumpkin Formal Illinois - Girls' Holiday Dresses

Ways to Enjoy Fall and Winter with Your Kids

2011-11-03T13:09:00.000-07:00

Fall has finally arrived, and for many of people on the East Coast, it appears Winter may be coming a little early. While many of us enjoy all of the festivities that go on during the Fall and Winter months, we often get so wrapped up in getting everything done that we miss out on the important opportunities we have to spend time with our kids.

Unlike other seasons, Fall and Winter often drive families indoors as it is just too cold to be outside playing. As many of you know, all of this time indoors together can cause tensions to rise and tempers to flare. However, when you take the time to plan a little bit ahead and have some fun activities that you and your children can do together, this can be a time of fun, laughter and bonding for your family. Below are a few ways that you can enjoy Fall and Winter with your kids.

· Have Family Movie Nights – This is the perfect time of year to start planning family movie nights on a weekly basis. Make these events fun by taking turns picking out a movie and making some yummy treats to be enjoyed during the movie.

· Cook Together – The majority of children enjoy to cook, especially when it’s learning how to make something yummy. So, take advantage of all the time you have indoors with your children and allow them to help you cook. You can help them make a special meal for the family or can just get together on a Saturday morning and begin baking pies and other holiday treats together.

· Play Games Together – One of the best pastimes for families to do together is to play games. There is nothing wrong with the “old” board games, and many children actually get into these games once they are started. However, there’s also nothing wrong with having a family video game night either.

Above are just a few ways that you can have fun with your family during the Fall and Winter months. There are many, many more ways – all you have to do is look for them. It doesn’t matter what you decide to do, the point is to take the time to spend quality time with your kids during these crazy, hectic months!

We enjoy writing this blog and sharing it with our readers. Just a reminder, if you are shopping for children's formal wear for the holidays, please head over to Kids Formal and check out our new collection of Girls Holiday Dresses.

holiday dress for girl Red holiday dress Girls Holiday Dress

Kids Formal Nov 1, 2011 Newsletter

2011-11-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Valued Customer,

Can you believe that it is actually November 1, 2011? The year seems to be going by quicker with each passing day. Well, if you have been following us on Facebook then you know what Kids Formal has been offering a variety of different special coupon codes to help you save a little money on your children’s formal wear this year. We also recently had a random drawing for a $50 gift certificate for one of our new followers on twitter this past week as well. So, if you haven’t liked us on Facebook or followed us on Twitter yet, you better hurry and do that. You just never know what kinds of special deals we’ll be offering next if you don’t!

Since Thanksgiving and Christmas are literally right around the corner, we thought it would be helpful to provide you with a few smart ways to shop for holiday clothing. After all, you can’t go to a Christmas party without the appropriate attire, right?

Shop Early Online. The first rule you need to abide by when shopping for holiday clothing is to start shopping early when ordering online. Most online retailers run numerous holiday sales 6-8 weeks before a major holiday occurs, which you need to take advantage of. Why? If the clothing comes in damaged then you need time to return/exchange it and if the clothing needs to be altered, then you most definitely need time to get the alterations made.

Shop Late, In Stores. If you have decided to do your holiday clothing shopping with the local retailers in your area, then you will find the best deals at the last minute. While this kind of shopping may leave you a little nervous, it’s definitely the best way to save the most money.

Don’t Hesitate to Use Coupons. Even for those of you who are not regular coupon users, holiday clothing can be quite expensive and many retailers offer some great coupons to help minimize these costs. However, you will most likely need to look further than the newspaper to find these coupons. Go online and follow the retailers you prefer on twitter and like them on Facebook as this is where the best coupons are usually advertised. Why? Customers who follow on twitter and like on Facebook are generally the company’s most loyal customers.

Hopefully you have found the tips above helpful in preparing for how to shop for your family’s holiday clothing this year. The holidays can be stressful, but it’s not necessary to stress out about the clothing your family wears this year, especially when you follow the tips above.

Also, as a special ‘Thank You’ for being one of our most valued customers, you can take advantage of this coupon code that is only being offered to those of you who have signed up for our monthly newsletter. You can receive an additional 10% off your entire order at Kids Formal when you enter coupon code “Extra10” at the time of checkout. And, when you order now, you’ll also receive free shipping!

Here’s to a wonderful start to your November!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Kids Formal