Shopping used to make me feel like I was floating on a cloud of contentment. But that was when I was actually shopping for me and by myself.
See I remember spending hours when I was single and without kids picking out and buying clothes and shoes. I even owned a pair of Jimmy Choos. Oh my the holy grail of shoes.
Now, if I do get to shop it is online and there is a reason for this.
Two words: My Kids!!
Yes, most of the shopping I do is for my two girls. Because kids grow out of their clothes and shoes faster then you can say the word” Grow”.
But trust me, if I didn’t have to shop for them, I wouldn’t.
Why?
Because it is plain torture. Take this recent shopping trip for shoes for them at Payless.
The Shopping Trip to End All Shopping Trips!
(As retold from last summer and still makes me cringe thinking about this particular experience.) Emma, first tried on a pair of gold strappy sandals with a zipper on the back. Very cute. And not so bad, yet!!
Lily tried those same shoes on and didn’t like them. Still sounds civil. Wait for it!
Then, Lily tried on silver with a pink flower on the top of the foot, which was made by Disney Princess (Disney Princesses were on the instep of the shoe).
She liked them (Hell the Princess in her loved them!) and then Emma tried them on, too. But when it came time to try on a different size, all hell broke loose with Emma and she was screaming like I was taking the shoes away and she would never see them again.
Then, in the midst of screaming, she decided she didn’t like the Princess sandals, but liked the original gold, but wouldn’t try on a different size for comparison. Oh no, she was only content with the first original pair and that was that. Her mind was made up. Try fighting with a squirming, loud almost 4 year old. Yes, not so fun!!
And in case I forgot to mention, Kevin came along for this cluster f**k!! He too had his own set of complaints, which varied in not thinking the gold with go along with all of Emma’s clothes (this is when I am sorry I am married to an artist!). Also, he didn’t like or see any sneakers worthy of purchase. And mumbled and complained about this pretty much the whole time.
By the time, I left I was complaining to a random customer, who was shopping in the store.
When I got home, I had to hear on top of everything else from Kevin that I always have to over-share with people in general (because of that last comment).
To which, I replied that I would rather get a colonoscopy then go (shoe) shopping with any of them again!
This Tweet Says It All!
God how I miss shopping for me by myself. I used to be therapeutic, now when I am done shopping, I actually need therapy! Or at least a little quite time!
My prayers have been answered!
How you may ask?
In the form of a new start up company called Dean & Grace, which was created after numerous failed attempts of shopping with kids by stay-at-home-moms-turned entrepreneurs Sara Peak and Whitney Nordmoe when they decided to find an easier way to shop for kids clothes…via text message.
So how exactly does it work?
Dean & Grace sends text message pictures to parents who have opted-in to their shopping club. The text contains a picture of an outfit, along with a brief description including size and price. Customers can reply back with a text to place an order.
A Recent Girl’s Dress Available from Dean & Grace
Sounds heavenly and quite simple, right?
Both owners explain why now.
“As a mom, I always have my phone on me and there could not possibly be an easier way to shop than through text. It’s fast…it’s easy…it’s lazy, and I love it,” shares Co-Owner Sara Peak.
And Co-Owner Whitney Nordmoe adds, ““We want to do the hard work for the parents, and let shopping be fun again by finding unique and quality outfits, sending a picture of it out to our members, and even providing free shipping right to their doorstep. It couldn’t get easier.”
And one return customer even shares, “The auction based format is what makes it exciting. “I’m always checking my phone to see if I got a text from Dean & Grace. I usually want to buy everything they send, it’s all so cute and you can’t find it at a place like the mall or TJ Maxx.”
So how do can you sign up?
Signing up to receive texts is free and can be done through the company’s website, here, or by simply texting “Joindg” to 76000 from a mobile phone. Parents choose their child’s size and gender so they only receive messages appropriate to their needs. They carry sizes from newborn to 5T. Right now there is a wait list, but you can still totally text to be added to their wait list to join.
Once you are a member, Dean & Grace works on the new auction-based shopping format, similar to Facebook auction sales, in which quantities are limited. They will text a picture out of an item that they have limited quantities of each of these items. The first to reply are the ones whose orders are fulfilled.
It is that simple!
I signed up, already received this package and could’t be more pleased it I tried. Emma totally is a girly girl and had a blast modeling this adorable dress that was sent to us from Dean & Grace. Take a look now.
Want to learn even more now?
Check out video below of the two Co-Owners describing their company on a local news program now:
Last but not least if you do text to join, Dean & Grace is offering all Confessions of a Mommyaholic readers 30% off their first purchase by just using the promo code: Janine30. Plus enjoy free shipping with every purchase from Dean & Grace always!
So what are you waiting for? Join now!
For those, wanting to get any and all Pandora charms, please be sure to check out my Pandora article here.
Giveaways This Week~
Amandas Books And More 2nd Blogiversary~
The Prizes are:
- 1 Beautiful set of jewelry by Alli Flair
- 1 Month Free Ad Space on Janine’s blog
- 1 Month Free Ad Space on Tamara’s blog
Contest runs: 11 February to 25 February (2014) Open: Worldwide/Internationally How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below Terms and Conditions: This competition is open worldwide. 3 winners will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. Each winner will receive 1 of the 3 prizes. The first winner will be sent the beautiful set of jewelry by Alli Flair via standard post or airmail. Your host cannot be held responsible for what happens once the package is mailed. The second and third winners will each receive free ad space on one of the two blogs mentioned. The winners will have 72 hours to respond. If any of the winners do not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to morleychristina(at)gmail(dot)com
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Rosey says
buwahahahhahahaha
I'm not laughing AT you, Janine.
buwhahahahahahahhaa
Families are fun. 🙂 We'd have never had such stories getting our Louboutin's or Jimmy Choo's back in the day. Which reminds me, I haven't pinned any boots lately. I'm headed in. hehehe
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Janine Huldie says
Rosey, I know if it would have read this story, I would have laughed, too. Trust me, it was pure nightmare during it, but when I did actually begging to write to share, I kind of was giggling, too. And happy boot pinning now!! 🙂
massholemommy says
Oh wow – it looks like they have some really nice things there!!
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Robin and definitely have some great clothing item option for kids of all different ages 🙂
Dean & Grace says
Thanks!! We are glad you like our items! More spring stuff to come 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Can't wait and now for excited to hear that. And totally my pleasure!! 🙂
Billybuc says
Have a great day Janine. I hope your weather settles down soon. Spring has to be close, right? Right? 🙂
Janine Huldie says
You too Bill and seriously hope the weather does settle down and see spring soon here, because we had more snow this morning. Seriously, I cannot make this up if I try! 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
It took me awhile to get past the shoe shopping nightmare – made me laugh that Kevin was thinking about whether or not the gold sandals would match (definitely the father of girls!!!). Your tweet cracked me up!!! I got to the point when the boys were young that I would buy stuff and bring it home for them to try on – at least then no one (outside of our family) had to witness the melt-downs and it limited the options (much easier to do with boys!).
Dean & Grace sounds like an incredible idea and I love the dress you got from them!
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Janine Huldie says
Kevin, truly is a girls' dad and will say being an artist also doesn't help with the color matching with him either. And I swear that tweet was exactly how I felt in that moment (and side note, I am not scared of much, but that test does scare a bit). That said, glad to hear it isn't just girls who are not easy to shop for, but will say I am sorry you too have experience with this too.
dishofdailylife says
Cleats shopping is the worst for us. My daughter has trouble finding ones that fit and trying to shop with her for soccer cleats is an absolute nightmare. She probably tries on every shoe in the store and sometimes she still doesn't find anything. I won't even go anymore. Her dad can deal with it. I feel bad for the employees who have to take every shoe out only to have it not fit. (She does have legitimate issues…its not that she is looking for a pretty color). But still…
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Janine Huldie says
I think if this were the case here with one or both of my girls shopping for cleats, I would send Kevin with them, too! Seriously, my heart went out to you not hat Michelle and if I could find a way to give you a store that sold cleats over text messaging, I would so do that for you my friend! 🙂
flemily says
Wow – that sounds like a very cool concept! I hate shopping for my boys, although I think it's probably much easier than shopping with girls, especially for those shoes! I had to get my son a pair of dress shoes for an upcoming party and he refused to go with me so I just went to Payless without him and bought the first pair of dress shoes I spotted in his size…luckily he liked them when I brought them home – phew!
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Janine Huldie says
Emily, if only it were that easy here. Seriously, I get more complaints from my gang, even including my husband like I mentioned, too. But love that you went to Payless and your shoe find was a success!! 🙂
tamaralikecamera says
That is awesome! I used to love shopping. Now it's kinda awful. At least Des isn't old enough YET to give me too much trouble. He'll often sleep in his stroller while I shop. Or window shop, these days.
I can't believe how awesome and hilarious it is that Kevin weighed in about the gold shoes and her wardrobe. I'm not even positive that Cassidy can see colors, much less chime in about them!
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Janine Huldie says
Tamara, I had to marry an artist, so he is definitely not color blind and thinks he is the authority on stuff like this, because of his artistic and even fashion sense somehow. And sadly no one falls asleep here in a stroller anymore, but wants to run all over the store while I cans them down! 🙂
stephanie2006 says
That sounds so exciting! Luckily, I usually shop for the girls' clothes without them, except shoes. But we had a similar experience with Lily going shopping for the flower girl dresses. Once she had picked out the dress of her choice (which was not the bride's first choice), she went on strike in the dressing room and refused to change or even come out. Only after the bride promised to get her exactly that dress, she was willing to change back to her clothes, but she watched very carefully that indeed the dress of her choice was purchased 🙂 Little girls!
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Janine Huldie says
Ok, that story just made me smile, because I swear my girls would do this if they had the chance. Little girls definitely can give us a run for our money any day of the week!! 🙂
Amanda Love says
What a fun way to shop. I'm always on my phone as well. Have never heard of Dean and Grace before now and I'm glad that you introduced them to me. I'm a big shopaholic and just love shopping for my toddler. As for shopping with kids, I learned my lesson well in Victorias Secret. 🙂
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Janine Huldie says
That sounds like one hell of a story and totally wish I was a fly on the wall at Victoria’s Secret for that one. But seriously so happy I introduced Dean and Grace to you and know you will love them as much as I do. 🙂
another jennifer says
Wow. What a clever idea. And after a shopping experience like that, it makes sense to shop by text!
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Janine Huldie says
Jennifer, I never imagined that shopping with kids could be like this (before I was a mom), but now that I know I am totally all for shopping by text and so happy to share for other moms who may be in need, too!! 🙂
The Dose of Reality says
I love, love, LOVE that dress. That fabric is FABULOUS. Their entire concept is totally genius! I'd never go in a brick and mortar store again if it was possible. I'm happy to shop for everything on line!!
Heck, I want them to make clothes for me, too!!! They are adorable!! –Lisa
Janine Huldie says
Lisa, I wish they would totally make clothes for me, too. Trust me, I would so be all over this if I could here, too!! 🙂
plutrell says
What a brilliant idea! I am going to share this with my daughter and her mommy friends. Thanks for sharing on the Thursday Blog Hop!!
Janine Huldie says
I was thrilled when the owners contacted me to share and signed up immediately. So, seriously so happy to share and pay this forward to all moms out there who want to shop, but not have to take their little ones with them to stores. So, glad you can pass on and hope your daughter and others can use this now!! Thanks again 🙂
Katherines Corner says
this is such an inspired idea. Your post made me giggle. xo P.S. Thank you for joining the fun ans sharing your sweet blog at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop ♥
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Janine Huldie says
Katie, so glad I made you smile with and giggle with this one. Trust me it might not have been funny when it was happening to me, but as I was writing to share I couldn't help, but laugh a bit, because as crazy as it was, it definitely was kind of silly, too. Thanks as always for hosting and very happy to linkup again!! 🙂 <3
Brittnei Washington says
This sounds like a no brainer for sure! I can't imagine what it will be like to shop with my kids as they get older. I'll admit shopping with JR hasn't been horrible in the grocery store like the horror stories I've heard, but I don't think we've ever shopped together for clothes or shoes. These moms have made it super easy!
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Janine Huldie says
Brittnei, they totally have made it super easy and after some of the more interesting shopping trips I have had (including the one I shared here), I am definitely sold on this one!! 🙂
mamarabia says
Shopping with kids and for kids is horrible!! I would have loved a site like this for my daughter when she was that size! My boys aren't too hard to shop for since I just have to find sizes that fit and after that they don't seem to know they are entitled to an opinion!
Janine Huldie says
Rabia, I seriously couldn't agree more that shopping with kids is just miserable and I can see your point also about just making sure that the clothes fit for boys and they are good to go, but with girls not so much and definitely more picky, at least my almost 5 year old is! 🙂
dianeroark says
Great idea. Thanks for sharing. I am sure this will help many mothers from getting so frustrated.
Blessings,
Diane Roark
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Janine Huldie says
Thanks Diane and seriously so happy to share. Have a great weekend now!! 🙂
Nellie says
What a great concept for a business!! I can relate to the shopping craziness. The wild part is that you have to make sure the kid likes it because if they don't — they sure won't wear it!
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Janine Huldie says
So true Nellie and with Emma it has to be skirts and fesses. The girl will not wear jeans to save my life!
Kristina says
Wow, those are actually really cute! I hate shopping too. I don't have the time or the patience. This is a great idea. Thanks for sharing it with us, Janine!
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Janine Huldie says
Happy to share this and trust me I totally know and feel you pain. Hope you can use this service for your kids, too 🙂
reesa lewandowski says
Oh what an awesome idea!! Love that jumper!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Reesa and hope you join 🙂
April G says
I haven’t been there yet, Janine, but with my girls the same age difference as yours, I’m sure I will. I rarely go kids shopping with the kids and there’s a good reason why. B fights if we don’t turn the way she wants to turn fo r b things that she doesn’t care about. I’m not ready to deal with the things she does care about.
April G says
Oh yeah, thanks for sharing and linking up with Countdown in Style. I hope you have a wonderful week.
Janine Huldie says
Always my pleasure and thanks again for hosting 🙂
Janine Huldie says
April, trust me I can so relate and seriously this service is amazing and perfect for us moms with small kids who you truly don’t want to take to a store and shop with!:)
Tameka says
Neat idea to shop for children.
Janine Huldie says
Thanks so much Tameka!!