Markdowns!

The markdowns I mentioned yesterday are done. A crazy huge amount of clothing went from regular price to 1/2 off!

Get busy shopping.

The Hired Help

I hired some new "seasonal" help today. Don't worry ... Jason and I will still be around, this help is here to restock, price, hang, and put out merchandise. My new employees range in age from 4 to 9, and work in close contact with the already-on-the-payroll 14 year old.

Why am I using cheap* child labor (which, apparently, I can get away with because they're family)? Let's see ...

• 13 big boxes of Melissa and Doug, just in time for the holidays ... some great new toys and puzzles as well as restockings of our favorites
• 2 large Rubbermaid tubs filled to the brim with great clothing, including girly dress-up ballerina wear, Lilly Pulitzer dresses, boys suits, and much, much, more
• Pants ... we got ahold of some pant hangers and put out over 60 pairs of pants/shorts/skirts today
• Markdowns ... new markdowns on clothing will be done by Monday
• Toys ... yesterday I couldn't walk to the backroom because we'd taken in so many wonderful toys, including some Thomas train items. I can walk now as all the toys are priced and put out in our full, but very organized and tidy, toy room
• 26 pairs of Bobux arrived yesterday as well ... most sizes and designs are now fully stocked

*The labor worked inexpensively ... total cost for 5 laborers @ 2.5 hours of work was $23.75, but they insisted on being fed dinner at Crisper's which cost $38.00!

This End of Bonita Beach Road

I received word this morning that the deli next to me, Taste, is going to be open for lunch (I'm not sure about dinner) starting in January. "Yum" is all I have to say about that!

Have you met our other neighbors yet? A few months ago our plaza became fully leased. First came a shop selling electric bikes and bathing suits, and then a women's resale shop. Both are worth a visit.

I read in the News-Press yesterday that the Toucan Grill is going to be reopened as something else by the owner of Wyld's. And there is now a post office in the plaza behind Toucan Grill, back in the corner business (a rubber-stamping shop) where the postal station was a few years ago ... I forget the name of the former business but it was a shells and touristy stuff shop, always full of customers.

This end of the road is picking up again.

Along the same subject line, please support local business. I know it's nice to go to Coconut Pointe or Target to do your shopping and dining but it's the local businesses that add to the character of Bonita Springs. Here's a really nice article that sums it up much better than I ever could. And if that doesn't sell you on shopping local then consider the difference in service at your locally owned store (like Ditto Kiddo) and the big guy (like Target, which, for some things, I like as much as the next guy) ... we know your name and we really care.

Tis the Season

It's so hard to get a picture of the front window. Plenty of glare in daylight, and not enough light at night. Sigh ... The window itself is pretty (I think so ... but then I did it). The mannequins are standing on wrapped black, white, silver, and red boxes with pink and white ribbon, and then they are surrounded by pink, white, and red hanging balls.



We've got our garland up, windows decorated, cinnamon candles lit, and Christmas music playing. Inside, it feels like the holidays are approaching ... outside it's 80+ degrees ... the best of both worlds.



We have a beautiful rack of Christmas wear and accessories, everything from pajamas to party dresses.

Homemade Baby Food

I made baby food for all of my kids, most especially the last three. In fact, I don't think Adam or Kaden ever ate a jar of storebought baby food. I did buy the rice cereal though because it's a great thickener and I tried different recipes for baby cereal at home and didn't have success until they were old enough to advance to oatmeal and the like.

Mia, the third child, wouldn't touch baby food. No way, no how. Never took to it ... she wanted solid food. At 7 months old she was eating pizza from the restaurant in our plaza. But that's a different story ...

And why am I posting this here, you wonder? Because with all the money you'll save you'll be able to shop more at Ditto Kiddo (and I just think it's a good idea).


Here are some links for homemade baby food recipes/hints/tricks, etc. If you don't what you're looking for ask ... I may have an answer to your question.





Wholesomebabyfoods.com

Baby food recipes

National Network for Childcare: Baby Foods

More baby food recipes

Amazon.com - search for baby food recipe and plenty of books come up!

Bon Appetit!

Great Gifts at Great Prices

Just a few of the gazillion terrific gift ideas to be found at Ditto Kiddo right now.

Cribs

We have three cribs available at Ditto Kiddo today. First, the beautiful brown crib on the left. We actually have two of these, identical. The crib is a mission style crib that easily converts to a toddler bed, day bed, and full-sized bed headboard. The crib comes with a drawer underneath for added storage.

The crib is priced at $109.90, and the ecru Classic Pooh bedding set is $69.90.

Additionally we have a blue Ragazzi crib, priced at $149.90.

At this time we have two mattresses available, both priced at $24.90.

Have a Seat

Worn out from Thanksgiving and Black Friday?

Well, stop in and have a seat in one of our dreamy gliders. Feel free to take one home too ... prices range from $149.90 to $199.90 ... unbeatable for top-brand gliders with ottomans (and the $199.90 one reclines too ... pure decadence, I tell you, pure decadence).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy a wonderful day with your family.

If you brave the Black Friday crowds tell us about your finds!

We'll be open our regular hours Friday - 10:00 to 4:00, with our usual awesome deals throughout the store.

Strollers

It has been brought to my attention, after 8 years, that strollers and other items cannot be placed outside the store, not even on our own walkway (darn it!).



After much deliberation, and a good look at our available selling space, we have decided that we will no longer be accepting or carrying any strollers except jogging strollers, umbrella strollers, and bike trailers.



But of course there's a wonderful upside to this! All strollers are on sale this week for 30% off! At this time we have quite a few single strollers to choose from, as well as 2 double strollers, and one jogging stroller ... so hurry in and head out with your new set of wheels.

It's the holiday season ...

It's the holiday season
With the whoop-de-do and hickory dock ...

Really? Already? Please tell me I'm not the only person who still believes it's late summer.



Ah well, I guess there's no denying that the holidays are right around the corner, starting with Thanksgiving this week.



We've started our Christmas/winter/New Years/holiday decorating at Ditto Kiddo, so come by and see what we've done! We should be finished by Tuesday ... if all goes according to plan.



Some gift ideas for your friends and family:

Melissa and Doug toys, especially the art easel and puzzles - remember, there have been NO Melissa and Doug recalls

Because I'm Me handbags, unique gifts for the women you know

Sassy infant toys

Baby Bracelets ... at just $8 they are beautiful attached to the bow on your present!

New Melissa and Doug Toys - Just Arrived

Recalls

Lots of recalls, from cribs to toys. Check here.

Thank You

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and kind words over the last week as Jason and I mourned the loss of our grandmothers.

All is back to normal now. I'll post an update on merchandise soon.

While there are many craft shows this time of year we must endorse this one (because Because I'm Me is participating in it!):

Make plans to attend the 3rd Annual Reflection Lakes Homespun Holidays Bazaar on November 16th and 17th from 9 am to 5 pm. Crafters and Artists will fill the Reflection Lakes Club House with over 50 tables of holiday decor and gifts. If you need directions to the clubhouse or questions, call 357-8444.

The show is in South Fort Myers.

See you there!

Cribs

Ragazzi blue crib: $149.90
Mattress: $29.90
Cream/tan bedding set: $39.90

I'm crazy about this crib. Ragazzi makes great kids products, very attractive and built to last.

When this crib came in we had it leaning against a display with a blue Blue Jean Teddy bedding set. It matched perfectly. Then I noticed it matched Classic Pooh bedding perfectly ... and two Pottery Barn sets (including one girls' set) perfectly ... and I love it with this tan set. That alone is enough to make me nuts about it.




White crib $99.90
Matress: $19.90
Bedding Set: ?

Pretty, easy to assemble white crib. Drops on both sides. Classic.



Simplicity Natural wood crib: $79.90
Bedding Set: ?

This is the crib that was recalled. It has now been retro-fitted and is ready for a new home!

The crib converts to a toddler bed and a full-sized bed frame.



Simplicity white crib: $99.90
Mattress: $19.90
Guess bedding set: ?
Pottery Barn sheet: $2.50

This is another Simplicity crib and is involved in the recall. We've ordered the retro-fit kit for it and it should arrive within two weeks.

The crib itself in in excellent condition. It converts to a toddler bed and full-sized bed frame.

Jogging Strollers

Great for a jog, a walk around the neighborhood, a trip to the beach ...

As you can see, these are all single jogging strollers and all are in excellent condition. They range in price from $79-$99. Hurry, these won't last long!

Oh what a busy day!

New stuff, new stuff, new stuff ...



Just when you've decided that all I do all day is sit around and eat bon-bons (I don't, but I can't deny that I've been eating pink m&m's ... to help fund breast cancer research, of course) ... I present some of the new items that have come in this week.



There is plenty more, like two white cribs ... pictures to come in the next day or two. Speaking of cribs, we've received the parts for the recalled Simplicity crib we have and it's ready to go to ... a pretty, simple light wood crib.



To change the subject completely, the kids and I kept very busy this afternoon doing markdowns ... lots and lots of markdowns, so come on in and check out the clearance racks.



We've also received a number of holiday dresses and outfits, enough that they are on their own rack. Now is the time to get these items, at our prices they don't last long.



At closing today we accepted a Little Tikes Climb and Slide Castle, as well as a neat Little Tikes water table.



We just happened to drop in to the Diamond District today. Seriously, not somewhere we go every day but so worth taking a look ... the diamonds are breathtaking. My gentlemen working there were so nice, really nice - not fake nice, and helpful.

The reason I'm telling you this is because as we were parking we noticed a new business, Kid Zoo. It's one of those kids play places ... looked interesting and worth checking out, and it's nice that it's in Bonita.

Clothing ... oh yes, lots of clothing.

If you've got a boy in a size 3 or 4 we've got clothes for you! Actually, there's a great selection in every size but the preschool boys rack is especially full, and all great brands like Gap, Gymboree, and Ralph Lauren.

Also, our larger girls clothing selection, sizes 8 and up, is exceptional. Roxy, Gap, Limited Too, etc.



High chairs ... we currently have six, including two Peg Perego. Baby swings ... also 6, including two cradle-style by Fisher Price.

Oh yeah, how could I not mention this sooner ... we have 3, yes THREE, single jogging strollers from $79.90 ... I'll try to post photos in the next day or two.