When my girls were small and our income was not where we needed it to be, I would head down to the nearest second hand store to dig through the racks of gently used clothing. My girls were much too litttle to realize that they were not wearing the latest "Baby Gap" or 'Macys" off the rack.

Here are some helpful hints;

1. Make it an outing by visiting a park or stopping for lunch before or afterwards.

2.Take them during Halloween. did you know that Goodwill carries some of the coolest costumes available. Thats because once used, few people hang on to them.

3. Turn thrift items into craft activities.

As I was growing up, second hand clothing was something my girlfriends and I frowned upon, unless it was up to us trading off, back and forth jeans & t-shirts. Somewhere in my 20's, it all became cool to me. One of my favorite stops was a vintage shop in Venice, Ca. The best still is picking up a pair of Levi's and a pair of cowboy boots. Always a classic look. So.. to all you moms out there. Give it a shot if you haven't taken the little one out yet.

Just Recycle!