Kaki Shopping

Kids these days have all the fun. There are endless programs on TV to cater for their every facet of development, and as for toys, I can’t even begin to detail all the options that are available. There are educational toys like flashcards and word puzzles, wooden toys which I personally love (especially if they are handmade with love) and then there are also adorable soft toys that baby can hug to sleep. Stuffed Animals that are so cute and cuddly, even I cannot resist holding and hugging them. Check out this very snuggly bashful puppy from Jelly Cat:

Isn’t he totally irresistible?

Well, apart from the cute factor, children’s toys need to be certified safe too, something that Jellycat have placed the utmost priority in. Every baby, toddler and kid will love their Jellycat buddy to bits. And if you need any more ideas for children’s toys, do pay a visit to MonkeyBean Toys, a specialty store for toys designed with the child and family in mind. Just visiting or shopping at the store is bound to put a big grin on your face!

With a kid, you’ll agree with me that buying new clothes will never cease. Trust me, I know I can’t stop…every cute shirt or pants will have me yearning to buy it and it’s really a sense of joy to see my little one in it (even better if people compliment his outfit. Heh.)

So bargains and sales on kids’ clothings are always attracting my attention. Sometimes if I find a good bargain, I stock up these clothes for Chinese New Year or Christmas. Good idea, huh? And now that Lil Danzell is having an “Everything must go” sale for kids’ apparel, I am having a tough time restraining myself again. What’s more, with a minimum purchase of RM120.00, free shipping will apply.

Embracing motherhood has been a truly eye-opening experience for me. Besides learning so many different things about caring for a baby, I also had to learn new or innovative ways to do the regular things I love. Of course, it goes without saying that I adore shopping, and since I am unwilling to give up this luxury, here are 10 tips I have learnt throughout the *almost* two years that I have earned the tag of shopaholic mommy; tips that I would like to share which made my shopping experience a not-so-stressful one. And if you’re not yet a mommy, it never hurts to have that extra bit of information now, does it?

1. Make a list
With a baby/toddler in tow, it’s not advisable to go back and forth if you forget to buy something. So play it safe and make a list (check it twice if you must).

2. Know your way around
If you are shopping at a really huge mall, make sure you plan your route in advance. To do this, you must already know your way around the mall pretty well. Shop for stuff at one end of the mall first and then gradually move to the other end. You don’t get burned out so easily that way.

3. Do your homework
If the store you are visiting has an online store or website, do some surfing around at home before you actually hit the mall. You’ll save a lot of time when you know exactly what they have in the store versus hunting high and low for a particular color or style which they don’t carry anyway.

4. Be flexible
If your tot wants to explore the fitting room together with you, allow that. Trust me, I speak from experience. Better for you to get to try on that gorgeous dress (never mind that he prefers being cramped up in the fitting room with you smiling cheekily at himself in the mirror) than to drag a screaming toddler around in the mall.

5. Be a moomie
Breastfeeding allows you more leeway in what you can bring to the mall. You don’t have to carry an extra bag of bottles, hot water and milk powder. And anytime your baby is hungry, just pop by the nearest breastfeeding room and do your deed. Major departmental stores should all have a baby/breastfeeding room available in the babies’ department. Choose these over the general diaper changing rooms adjacent to the mall toilets for the sake of hygiene and comfort. It is also beneficial to invest in a nursing coverall or to wear a nursing top for moments when you simply cannot find a private area to nurse.

6. Go flat
Running around with a toddler in the mall calls for comfort and kindness to your feet. Choose flat sandals or sneakers that allow you mobility without compromising your style. Slip-ons are fabulous if you intend to shop for shoes. Wearing stilettos is a complete no-no when you are out shopping with a baby.

7. Stroll, sling or harness
If your baby/toddler allows it, use a stroller or baby sling so that your hands are free. Alternatively, a baby harness would also help to keep your kid in full view. Unfortunately I don’t have experience in this arena because I allow my son to run freely. SIGH.

8. I need someone
Try to get someone to accompany you on your shopping spree. Be it your spouse, sibling or parent, it never hurts to have an additional pair of hands for moments when your tot decides to go up and down the escalators just as you are paying the bill. Also, that additional pair of hands would definitely come in handy with the loot you would cart away when you are done shopping.

9. Organize
Keep your purse, cards, keys and whatnot organized in your handbag. Make sure you know where to get them when you need them. Organize your baby bag too and make sure you have an extra change of diapers ready, together with his drink bottle and light snacks if necessary.

10. Stay connected
A cellphone is definitely a necessity and if you are out shopping with a tot on your own, make sure you have your cellphone with you, with enough battery to last the entire shopping trip. You never know when an emergency might crop up and you need to use the cellphone.

Happy shopping, everyone!

When I was pregnant, one of my favorite hobbies was to surf the net for good deals to buy for baby or for me. It was fun to anticipate the arrival of a newborn and there were so many gorgeous baby stuff out there for me to pick and choose. One of my favorite online stores in Malaysia is The Baby Loft. I bought several items from this store, including a baby sling, ice packs for my expressed breast milk, sleeping sacks and nursing bras and tops. Although this is an online store, they also have a showroom in Kuala Lumpur. When I visited their showroom it was in Mont Kiara, but I just noticed that they have moved to Menara Duta now. However, viewing of items in the showroom is by appointment only.

So many things have changed since I last visited the store online. They even have a distributor in the States now! Business must be good And they have also introduced a point collection system where you get to accumulate points when you purchase items from the store. These points can then be used to pay for future purchases from the store.

What I like about The Baby Loft is the intimate and personalized service it accords. I had many questions about baby care and motherhood and I was impressed that all my questions and concerns were addressed promptly and efficiently.

Although I don’t need any items from The Baby Loft right now, it is helpful that I do receive periodical updates on what’s going on in the store in terms of promotions and sales. In fact, the store is having a promotion now to celebrate 5 years of “parenting with passion”, which by the way is the tagline for The Baby Loft. Instead of getting just 2.5% in rebates for your purchases, from now till Nov 11, you will earn 5%!

Congratulations to The Baby Loft! By the way, I just found out there is a Baby Loft blog as well. I foresee many more LOFTY days ahead for The Baby Loft.

Yes, Mothercare has finally come to Penang! The rumor mill has churned out a TRUE story this time! Now, I don’t need to purposely go to KL to buy great baby clothes (with Comfort Pure conditioning on them), I can get it right here! Too bad I won’t be able to make my way to Gurney Plaza today for the grand opening to check out the goodies, but that would mean one less Mommy to fight over that gorgeous dress or that great-looking t-shirt!

But watch out, for I will pay this outlet a visit next week…