To splurge, or not to splurge...that is the question.

I admit it...I am a splurger. I enjoy spending ridiculous amounts of money on darling little impractical outfits that my children may or may not ever get a chance to wear. I can't help it. I have a sick addiction to shopping for my kids.
I own an upscale children's boutique, (Thus, going hand in hand with the fact that spending on my kids is my favorite hobby) so I get a first hand look at mommy splurging at it's finest. I always find it so interesting that a mother will drop hundreds of dollars on their children in a flash but hesitate and stew over a $6.00 shirt for themselves. 9 times out of 10, they end up putting that shirt back for the adorable little socks that match that $69.00 cardigan. What is it that naturally prioritizes us this way? I had a baby a couple of months ago. My body isn't what it used to be. Neither is my wardrobe. Usually my daily wear consists of pajama pants and my husbands T-shirts. And my sweet little baby monster princess is growing so rapidly that when I open my eyes after I blink I forget who she is. Her Michelin baby legs are bulging out of every inch of everything she owns. Naturally, we need clothes. I find myself scouring babygap, Matilda Jane, and every other designer baby cloths site that I can think of to find just the perfect baby get up for my sweet little angel. But when it comes to outfitting myself, I try to find some old hand-me-downs some poor preggers herself is trying to pawn off in trades for some stylin' maternity threads on Ebay. Come on Women! Are we ill?!! Who is going to see that hundred dollar onesie? Us? Well maybe. If it isn't covered by a drool bib and a swaddling blankie. And honestly, we all know that it's just going to get pooped and puked on all dang day long, and you know it's true.
Tonight I ran to family dollar for my weekly diaper run. I grabbed my basket, threw in a package of diapers and wipes, then meandered around to the clothing. I was trying to find some long sleeved onesies for my babies chubby little arms. As a walked around the rack I noticed a few cheaply made little outfits that bordered on actually being passable. I took a gander at the price tag...$6! That's right, six bucks for an entire outfit. I'm talkin a headband, a shirt and shorts! That's like two dollars for each piece! Now I contemplated and stewed over these some what dorky white trash baby clothes....then I did it. I just shut my eyes and threw them in my cart. Then you know what I did, I found some for my 3 year old. I loaded up my cart like a binger in a twinkie store. As I was driving home I couldn't help but be proud of what amazing bargains I had found. Seriously, 5 outfits for Kamdynn, 3 for Bentlee, and yes, a $6 shirt of my own. Diapers and wipes on top of that and it was only $67! Now you be honest with me ladies. You can't tell me that you would trade all of this stuff for one pair of babyGAP Skirt-alls, would you? I know it's tempting. I'm just as weak for a baby Biscotti dress as the rest of ya. I think I'll pass on the Biscotti and buy six more packs of diapers. That should cover us for at least the next month. SO here's to all you over-spendin, splurge addicted mothers: A challenge. A dare, if you will. Myself included. I dare you (along with myself) not to purchase another outfit for your child totaling more than $15, shoes included, for the rest of the season. Lets all be a little more rational about this. If we make it to September 1st with out breaking the rules, we are going on a girls shopping spree. And you know what were going to buy? Yup. Clothes for US. Don't you think we deserve it? Me too. I owe myself a little something for packing around this spare tire and set of saggy boobs for the last who knows how long. And in the mean time, I am going to post pics of my kids in their trash store bargain threads. And you have to share too. If you are in, send me pics of your $15 fashion show and I will post some of them (mail to trishajudkins@gmail.com). Oh I all ready can't wait. Save on, splurgie mommies, SAVE ON!