Savvy shoppers, have you heard?

So I've been meaning to write about JBF Sales for a long while. My sis has asked me to post about it on her blog, but I figure this would give me the push to get back to my own blog.

So if you've never heard of a JBF Sale, let me let you in on it. A Just Between Friends Sale is 'The Nations Leading Children's and Maternity Consignment Sale Ever!' well to me it's just awesome! I discovered JBF about 3 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child and living in Elk Grove. I think I found it while on Craigslist (when I was at work...shhhhh...). It sounded like a great event and I was so excited to check it out. The way I describe it to my friends or fellow moms is Once Upon A Child times a hundred!! You can shop it, sell (consign) at it and/or volunteer. I was a soon-to-be first time mom and needed everything and I love a good sale! What better place to find what I needed? I checked out their site http://www.jbfsale.com/ where I learned all about the event and what to expect. They have pictures which sealed the deal for me...tons of clothes, gear, toys, etc. to choose from, including maternity stuff! Obviously, it was the coolest thing I'd ever seen. I was sold, and after attending my first sale, I was hooked! Now a huge fan of JBF, I've been shopping and selling (twice) ever since!

The Sacramento sale is massive! It's been around for about 7 years, so its well established. It's held at the convention center and can be overwhelming for first timers, but trust me it's worth it! You kind of don't know where to start...the racks and racks of clothes from newborn sizes to teens and maternity and even costumes...the tables and table of toys, video games, shoes, craft supplies, bedding, bath, nursing, decor, safety items...the numerous strollers, cribs, bikes and ride-ons, tummy time mats, highchairs.....pretty much anything you could need for your family from pregnancy to the teen years!! Everything is very well organized and they have big signs for each "department" so it makes it a little easier to shop. TIP: BRING A SHOPPING LIST (with child's measurements)! Once you've browsed every inch if the place you need to wait in the insanely long line to check out :o( but again totally worth it! TIP: Bring dad or a friend along to hold your place in line. You may think you're done and go stand in line, but you are sure to see or think of something else you need or want while you're in line! Oh! Don't forget to bring a 'shopping cart' (a wagon, stroller, rolling luggage). They recommend a laundry basket with a rope tied to it to pull along and toss your bargains in! i have seen a few people leave with a rolling rack full of clothes!!! When you finally reach the registers (they have about 6, sometimes more, at the Sacramento sale) they will scan your items and ring you up. They accept cash/visa/mc/discover and debit cards. It's a great shopping experience! They have a holding area for if you find large items or find so much you can't shop while lugging it around (while you shop for more!). Oh! Also while in line, they have vendors along side the line to keep you awake and help pass the time (and get samples, enter drawings or raffles, learn about new products or services). I forgot to mention that...you can promote your business at JBF sales as well (for a small fee).

Whew!...What else can I tell you about JBF?? ....I love it! ....It's fun!...They are held across the country twice a year (summer/spring sale and a winter/fall sale)...They partner up with local charities and unsold items are donated (per each consignor) as well as some of the proceeds! It's a nice community involved event...If you consign, you set your own prices (you can learn more about the tagging process on their site). You can make so much more than if you sit in your yard and have a yard sale! You don't have to worry about letting that once-worn dress or outfit go for 25cents! ...It's amazing how much you can save! I will write about my recent haul and savings in another post. You can read and see more about the whole shebang at http://www.jbfsale.com/You can find an event near you, sign up for the mailing list, learn how to and become a consignor, volunteer (TIP: Volunteer-it will get you into the sale early and earn you more as a consignor!), and learn how you can promote your business with JBF. You can even learn how to start an event in your community by becoming a franchisee!

I couldn't figure out how to insert a video so click here to see a video of a sale and interviews with shoppers!

As you can tell, I loooooove JBF sales! I get so excited when one is coming up. I urge every mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grandparent, teacher or home school parent, nanny, daycare provider and babysitter to go to the site, check out a sale and tell all your friends! Then go through all your closets and sign up to consign and make some cash! I shopped the Roseville sale one year and spent about $200. Two weeks after the sale ended, I got a check (for consigning) for about $288!This is a wonderful way to support your bargain hunting habit! ;o)

im back....for now

So it's been a loooooooong time since my last post! i am now a mother of 2, massimo, 3yrs and marielle, 4mo. iv'e never been too good at keeping up with this whole blog thing. im going to give it another try for a few reasons. for starters, why the heck not?! maybe someone will find it mildly entertaining or informative. and well also, when i find something to get excited about i like to share my knowledge. i initially started this to rave about certain kid/parenting products that i was excited about....share my expeience and opinion. so my sister, a more consistant blogger and all around web-goer (??), has been encouraging me to get on and post about two things in particular (which i will do in seperate posts, later). so as i will try to post when i can find time and or have something i want to share. please bare with me and my often repetitive and rambling posts! hope you find something for you in it all!