It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Well, for type A, OCD, ADD people like me that is. It's consignment time baby!

I, for one, love that time of the year where I can finally unpack those bins of outgrown, barely worn clothes and slap tags on them. Where I can bribe my kids with visions of new toys if they will just release their death grip on a toy that 20 minutes prior they had not touched in 6 months. Where I can see the vision that my husband "might" be able to park in the garage again (but alas, this usually lasts about 14 days until I start cleaning out the next batch of consignment items). Where I am already making bets with anyone that will listen of what I hope my check will be.

Yes, it's the most wonderful time of the year.

As many of you know, I've been a participant of some kind in consignment sales for the last 12 years. I started out as a shopper, then a consignor, then a volunteer, then an owner and now I'm back to just volunteer/consignor, but man, oh man, I love it. I love that my kids can look amazing for a fraction of retail. I love that the people I meet at these little events have become some of my dearest friends. I love that I am literally making money on many of my kids old items.

I decided to write today's blog to inspire those of you that have never even come close to relating to the first few paragraphs I just wrote. You may be someone who just had a baby that still thinks that buying new is the only way to go. You may be someone who currently just donates all your kid's old stuff to local charities and not thinking another thing about it. You also be someone who has 9 billion tubs of your kids outgrown stuff in the attic, garage, etc. and the thought of even opening pandora's box is enough to make you want to suck down a migraine pill.

Let's face it: participating in a consignment sale is a ton of work. Yep, I said it. Everyone glorifies it like it's the easiest thing in the world, but it's not. The hard work is the reason that many moms choose to dump their like new Gymboree in boxes priced for $.25 each at garage sales. It's also the same reason that they dump off trash bag after trash bag of their kids items to charities. Who has time for all that work? Well, I've made time because I've figured out a few things, the most important being:

When I consign, I no longer have to budget for kids items. I just use the money I've made to buy the next season of goodies.

Now, some of you reading that will think, "that's just not possible" but I'm here to tell you IT IS! Not only is it possible, but many times, I end up not spending as much as I just made; therefore, I walk away with a new wardrobe for my kids and MONEY to buy other stuff that the precious darlings will NEED ;)

To help you get started, I will be blogging over the next 24 hours on ways to overcome the feeling of being overwhelmed and turn that feeling into motivation. If you will follow the next few posts step by step, not only will you declutter your home, you will also find that you will have a nice little check in your mailbox in about 6 weeks :) So, stop procrastinating and commit to making some money and diving into the consignment world!

Nicaragua BOUND Baby!

Well, the hubs is going on a little trip. It's kind of a last minute thing, but he felt his heart stirring a few weeks ago about a trip our church had planned to Nicaragua. It's through this group: XMA

Basically, he's going on a no frills mission trip to Nicaragua from June 23-30. They basically go into the most remote places to teach peeps about Jesus. It's dangerous but the danger excites J. It thrills me, let me tell you!

Why am I writing this? Well, we've paid everything except the final $950 due Sunday. Yes, as in 5 days. God has totally provided the first $750 and we've already had $175 in donations towards the $950, but I'm hoping by raffling off some pretty amazing items tomorrow we can raise the rest.

How can you help? Well, help me spread the word. Feel free to post this link to everyone you know as we will be updating tomorrow with the raffle items including an American Girl doll and a piece of artwork from Pitter Patter Art. If you want to donate something cool for the raffle, shoot me an email to breaf@matildajaneclothing.com. I am humbly asking for some help with this and trust that no matter what, God will provide for Jonathan to go on this trip! Check back Thursday morning at 10am for all the scoop on the raffle! THANKS!

The Best Kept Secret

Don't you love when you find a place where you find everything you are looking for when it comes to your child's wardrobe? Don't you love when people ask you about your child's adorable outfit and you smile because you know you got it for a great deal? Yep, I do too.

Sometimes when you find those hidden gems, you almost don't want to let people in on your little "secret." Well, I'm letting the cat out of the bag....

I've found a great newer sale where you can literally find everything you need not only for your kid's summer wardrobe, but you might find a few gems for yourself. It's Encores and More Murfreesboro.

Now, you and I both know that here in Nashville, you have about 8 million sales to consider when it comes time to selling your children's old goods, but when it comes to shopping, it's not too often you find that diamond in the rough. You know that sale where you go in KNOWING you are going to completely blow your budget, you are going to find adorable outfits, killer shoes, and some amazing toys that you plan to put up for birthdays, Easter, etc. but they are so great you can't stand it and cave in and give it to them. Where you score a pair of boutique shoes for your little girl's Easter dress for $5. Where you find brand new Matilda Jane for pennies on the dollar. Yes, it's hard to find, but I promise you, I've found it!

Encores in Murfreesboro is rather new to the scene, but let me tell you they are coming in like a lion. Their first sale was in the fall and I put about half of my stuff in it just to test the waters. I was amazed that I sold just as much, if not more than some of the mega sales around town. Yes, even the one I used to run.

This time for the Spring sale, the owners have outdone themselves. In the fall, they never dreamed they would have the response they did and quickly filled up their space. It was definitely a tight fit, but people walked away singing it's praises and begging for more so the owners answered the call and got a nice, HUGE location this time. It's at the Mid-TN Expo center in Murfreesboro and there are literally RACKS AND RACKS of amazing clothing, tons of toys, adult clothing and home decor and did I mention TOYS!

Tomorrow is the last day of drop off, but they still need workers and the best part starts Wednesday: SHOPPING! Go check it out and let me know what you think. I know you are going to love it. Trust me, I'm picky and don't put my name behind many things, but I'm telling you that you will kick yourself if you miss this sale. The owners sent me a few pictures to show off the goodies they have in so far and I was blown away. I'll share a few below.

The best part about this sale in my opinion? Oh, how about hundreds of NEW WITH TAGS boutique outfits and Gymboree sets, loads of brand new shoes, and much more. They get a lot of boutique overstock and the Gymboree selection is amazing. So...come on down and shop! Say hello while you are there as I'm working all day Wednesday so that I can shop the worker sale Tuesday night. I'm not missing this sale, that's for sure!

How adorable is this table and chairs?

 Check all the girls shoes AND all those cozy coupes in the background!

 Need some Matilda Jane? Um, yes, please. Yep, this whole rack is at Encores Murfreesboro!

Sweet Leslie

I wish I wasn't typing this. I wish I had answers for what I'm about to type, but I don't.

Our sweet Leslie Armstrong passed away last night. For those of you that worked, consigned, or shopped at Encores North, I'm sure you saw or interacted with Leslie. She was that sweet redhead who checked you in during dropping off, cut your tags at check out and always had a smile on her face.

Here's some of the pics I will cherish forever. The first is Alicia Pelham, Natalie Dohanos, me and Leslie on a cruise we took in October 2010:

This pic was taken at the Encores North sale when we were still at Goody's. This is Leslie and Katy Oakes. Man, she had a great smile:

Probably one of my favorite memories..the first time we all went to dinner and thought it would be a good idea to ride in the back of a pickup truck. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life:

This was the sale held next to Aldi's. Leslie was so excited because she found out the day of worker presale that she was having a boy, sweet Mason.

Same sale...Leslie needed some new maternity clothes so Pam Davis and I thought we could help her out :)

On the cruise: we were going for a glamour shot style portrait and obviously, having a great time.

Sweet Leslie, you have impacted me more than you will know. You were a true friend and I will miss you so much. Scrapbook retreats and sales won't be the same. My heart is broken.

Spring 2012 selling season is HERE!

Hard to believe 2012 is here! With a new year comes the stress of suddenly getting ready for the next sale. I know for me, it's hard to be thinking about pulling out spring/summer clothing when it's 30 degrees outside.

It's been a while since I posted so I thought I would update you on what I am planning on doing this consignment sale season. As you all know, I sold Encores and More North to the owners of the original Encores in January 2011. Many have asked how it feels to not have the sale and to be honest, I really don't miss the sale itself, I miss the people. I loved getting to spend so much time working with ladies I loved and respected. I also LOVED to see just how far the blessings from the sale could reach. I consider it a great honor that I got to run Encores North for as long as I did.

I am still buying out children's boutiques and Gymboree. I will continue to sell that inventory through Encores, but will be doing so at Encores Murfreesboro. Natalie, my sale manager at North when I still owned it, is now running that sale and although she just had her first sale in September, it was really awesome. I love how much she is focused on the community and I loved that I found the brands I loved for my kids there: Mini Boden, Gymboree, Matilda Jane. She was super picky on her adult stuff so it wasn't overwhelming to shop and I even found some Anthropologie there!

I do plan to put my leftovers in Encores North, but since the sale is later than normal, I will be putting all my item in the Boro sale first. So, what about you...where you are consigning this Spring?