Anyone who watches my Instagram stories will already know a few things about me like;
*Mini, my little girl, is a make-up monster and regularly mauls my make-up.
*I have a serious cappuccino habit.
*I love to shop.
Although, when it comes to shopping, I’ve never really been a high-street, chain-store type shopper.
I’m a ‘buy less but better’, as you’ll see when you read on.
So, who better to team up with than TK Maxx to tell you all about their Kids Event, which is on now until the 18th of August.
TK Maxx has just received a mahOOsive delivery of everything parents like me need to kit out their kids at amazing value and since, em, how do I say this, aaah, ok, I’m just gonna come right out and say it, September is almost here.
I know, I know, how did that happen?
Time sure flies when you’re getting old!
Anyhoo, it’s nearly back to school time folks, so time to get organised.
Just as well then that this TK Maxx delivery includes everything from big brand clothing to back to school accessories, even nursery sets and baby gifts for brand new arrivals, plus indoor and outdoor toys and with everything up to 60% less than the RRP, what’s not to love!
Maxi my four-year old lil fella and his lil sis Mini, who’s two and a half, are both in Montessori so they came along to TK Maxx in Carrickmines with me to pick up some essentials.
When shopping with my two, I know I’ll have a short space of time before they kick off, so I prefer to get everything in one go, all under the one roof which makes TK Maxx ideal for me.
My budget was €100 (€50 for each), but before I tell you what I got, you need to take a look at my top tips when shopping for kids in TK Maxx.
MAKE A LIST
Before I even set off shopping, I go through both Maxi and Mini’s wardrobe and see what doesn’t fit anymore and what needs to be replaced and put it all on a list. Everything in TK Maxx is organised into categories and sizes in each department, so you can focus on exactly what you’re looking for (but if you’re like me, you may be easily distracted and find exactly what you weren’t looking for!).
CHOOSE A COLOUR PALETTE
I keep a very neutral colour palette for both of them.
With Maxi, it’s basically navy and red with a little bit of white and grey. Mini has a passion for pink and would wear only this colour if left to her own devices! I also like a little navy as well for her and again white and grey. That way, when Maxi (who is 20 months older) grows out of something, it can generally make its way into her wardrobe seamlessly. Lucky it’s not the other way around as he’d be in pink dresses full time! TK Maxx is up to 60% less than the RRP so great value means great quality – so mum’s and dad’s, you can be confident your purchases will stand up to wear and tear, through summer and beyond!
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
I always prefer quality over quantity. I simply buy clothes that are made to last in the first place. I’d rather spend a little bit more on a well-made, natural fabric item, than buy three things in a synthetic fabric that just fall apart after one wash. I’m not into ‘disposable clothes’ like I said, Maxi’s clothes get passed on to Mini and quite often they then go onto their cousins. Look for natural fibres, quality stitching and well-sewn on buttons.
WASTE NOT WANT NOT
With my list and capsule wardrobe, I only end up buying what’s really needed. I also love to donate old shoes, clothes and bedding to TK Maxx, in store for their Give Up Clothes for Good campaign. Each bag of donated items is taken to an Enable Ireland store, and could raise up to €20 for children and young people with disabilities. You can donate in any TK Maxx store all year-round.
SIZING
I always buy clothes that are about 6 months older than the kids are, to get a little bit more wear out of them!
DEVIL IS IN THE DETAIL
I adore little details like adjustable waistbands on boy’s trousers or adjustable straps on dresses, so again, they’ll get much more wear out of them.
While Velcro straps on shoes make life so much easier in the mornings!
COMFORT
I always want my kids to be comfortable so that means clothes that fit well and feel good. I tend to look out for soft, cosy fabrics that I would wear myself. I adore anything that’s 100% cotton.
SIMPLE
Stick with simple pieces that are solid or striped so you can mix and match easily. Some patterns are ok but anything with lots of bows, beads, sequins, slogans or logos is not for me.
QUIZ
When you see something you want to buy, ask yourself the following:
– Can I match this to items in my kids’ wardrobe already?
– Will it fit well and is it a natural, comfortable fabric?
– What are the care instructions? Save money and be kind to the planet by avoiding dry-clean only items.
– Is it good quality and in good condition?
TA DAH!
Follow these tips and I promise you, you’ll need less clothes, so there’s less laundry and therefore more time to play with the kids!
Tips sorted, so time to tell you how my shopping expedition went.
I started in the Boy’s section and decided I’d get a shirt first for Maxi.
He doesn’t wear an official uniform but I kind of have one for him in a navy/white/red/grey palette so when I spotted a designer label navy and white gingham shirt, great value at only €26.99, in the age 4 section, I grabbed it as it ticked all the boxes!
✔ 100% cotton
✔ Easy to wash
✔ Beautifully stitched
✔ Maxi’s colour palette so it would go with loads of other things he already has.
Next I spotted a pair of stretchy denim jeans, for only €16.99 (RRP €30) which had a hidden adjustable belt on the inside as Maxi’s jeans never seem to want to stay up!
While I was busy totting up how much €16.99 and €26.99 is, Maxi came running over saying, “Mum look, I found a ‘big boy’ backpack!”
He had been telling me in the car over that he was a big boy now and didn’t want a cartoon character school bag this year!
It was navy and blue with a little red, the perfect colour combo- I obviously have him well trained! At €16.99 (RRP €30), that completed my shop for him as that all came to €60.97.
Mini was busy picking up every pink dress she could get her hands on but we settled in the end for the most beautiful pink broderie anglaise cotton dress with a bow on the back for €9.99.
I’d actually wear it myself, it’s so fab.
Remember if you see something you love, grab it as it might not be there next time and stock varies from store to store, although I saw this in Stephen’s Green as well the next day but in turquoise and a peachy coral shade.
Mini is obsessed with pink and picked up a pretty pink pony for €9.99 and was refusing to part with it so I let her have that as well.
She also spotted the cutest ever pink-of course-backpack with her favourite cartoon character on it so of course I had to get it for her.
At only €9.99, it was significantly less than anywhere else I’ve seen it.
A pair of pale pink leggings, €4.99, for under her dress, so she can wear it when it gets colder and we finally picked up a pack of 7 briefs, €5.99, as we’ve just toilet trained her. That completed my shop for her as that all came to €40.95.
Can you believe I picked up all of this for just €100 (roughly €50 each), not bad for a day’s work!
Only delighted with ourselves and our purchases.
**This is a sponsored blog post in association with TK Maxx**