ReadySetMom

Reduce, reuse, recycle - and consign

Now that the kids are back in school (Is that a collective cheer I hear?), I've started a closet-by-closet purge of clothing that is no longer being worn. The reasons are typical: Pants and sleeves are too short, shirts and sweaters are too tight, dresses and jackets are out of style or stained or torn.

There is the odd piece that makes me cry, "What was I thinking when I bought that???" and the suits my husband refuses to let go of. Yes, honey, those lapels are a little wide. No, honey, shiny fabrics are not making a comeback.

Heather has written about community organizations that accept donations, which I will probably contact when I'm ready to give away stuff that I've unearthed.

But I've come across some clothing that would be ideal to sell at a consignment store or online. The Ralph Lauren sweater that I bought for my son to wear to a wedding or other fancy occasion, but never got worn because we were never invited to any fancy occasions. The cute sweater dress I got for my daughter that fit her only when she was in her no-dresses-will-touch-my-body phase. The sheer and chic blouse I had hoped to wear on a date night sometime. Alas, it's way too sheer, I'm way too opposite-of-chic and date nights have been few and far between

Anybody know of any good consignment stores for very gently worn or brand new clothes for adults and children? Have you had success selling clothing on Craigslist or ebay? Is anybody interested in a size 42 sharkskin suit?

Kid shoes: where do you shop & how much do you spend?

School starts in three weeks! Not that I'm counting down the days or anything. We've ordered our school supplies, the kids got haircuts this week, and I'm slowly taking inventory of their clothing. It's not pretty. My kids play hard, like most kids, and their clothes -- particularly their shoes -- take a beating. When it comes to shoes I generally stick to the basics: sneakers, waterproof boots, sandals. The hard part is trying to figure out where to buy good quality shoes without paying a small fortune.

I'd say that we buy about 75% of the kids' clothing at resale stores, but shoes are hit and miss. Plus I do get a little concerned about the kids wearing pre-worn shoes...seems like I've read that it's hard on their feet since the shoes have already conformed to the feet of some other kid. I'm not sure if that's valid, but it's a concern. I've bought some great quality used shoes for the kids, however, for far, far less than the cash I plunked down at Nordstrom for a pair of sneakers for my daughter that fell apart one month later (thank you generous Nordstrom return policy). I paid about $25 at Fred Meyer for a pair of Nikes for my son that seem to be holding up really well. But it's always a struggle to try and figure out where to shop for shoes and what kind to get. Neither child has dress shoes.

What about your kids? Are you brand-loyal when it comes to shoes? Favor new over used? How much are you willing to spend on those little tootsies?

Share your secret manicure tips

I don't get manicures any more, but occasionally I'll slap a coat of polish on my fingers and toes when I want to feel pretty.That's usually how it looks, too -- slapped on.

I see moms with immaculately manicured nails. Pale and precise French manicures. Trendy polish in bold dark colors. Delicate flower designs on their toes. And I wonder how they can keep their nails looking so beautiful.

I stopped getting manicures years ago because about 10 seconds after walking out of a nail salon, I would knick, smudge or otherwise mangle my newly painted nails. With dishes to do, laundry to fold and kids to take care of, I feel like I have neither the time nor the lifestyle to have picture-perfect hands and feet. Plus, I vacillate between wanting bright, shiny nails and feeling self-conscious about having bright shiny nails.

Hello, moms with beautiful manicures, what's your secret? Rubber gloves? A live-in manicurist? Indestructible nail polish that costs $50 a bottle?

Flip-flops are fashionable in this family

Remember the White House flip-flop controversy a few years ago? Northwestern University's women's championship lacrosse team was invited to meet President Bush. The official photo marking the occasion showed several of the players wearing flip-flops with their dresses and skirts. The women were criticized for choosing to wear such casual footwear to a visit with the leader of our country.

I couldn't have agreed more. I thought flip-flops were beyond casual and bordering on sloppy. They belonged at the pool or the beach, not in the Oval Office, and especially not paired with nice dresses. I never wore them because that strap between my toes was never comfortable. Plus, if you didn't have a good pedicure (usually the case with me), flip-flops just made it more obvious.

Ah, that was then. Now it's summer and I've been shopping. I now own no fewer than four pairs of flip-flops and I wear them just about everywhere. I blame my kids, who live in flip-flops and Crocs.

What changed? They're much more comfortable and they're much more stylish. And so affordable, as far as shoes are concerned.

I have plain old black $5 Old Navy ones for the pool. I recently bought another pair of black ones that have hot pink piping on the straps. My melon-colored silver-sequined ones look great with skirts.

I wouldn't wear them to the White House, but I've come around on flip-flops as fashion footwear. Have you?