Rainy Day Gear at SM Kids Fashion

It's been raining off and on these days and when I took out the kids' rain gear from last year, I realized they have outgrown theirs, it was time to get new ones.

I didn't want to spend so much for something they won't be using the entire year. Besides they grow so fast, I thought I'd check out the kids section of The SM Store for affordable ones, and I found the cutest rain gear there, on sale pa!

These jackets are Php399.75 a piece, but with a further 20% off when I bought.

I liked the J. Crew crewcuts-ish vibe of this one (there's a navy and white version too!)...

That I ended up getting one for Xavi, and the pink and white polka dot version for Berry.

There are bigger sized versions for kids ages 7 and up at the girls section too. I love the sweet, pastel colored ones on the left.

Spotted seriously fun rain coats at the characters section too - they had Batman and Superman raincoats! This is for when the kids need superhuman protection from sudden downpours. Ahihihi. 

Is it weird I want it to rain a bit, just so the kids can finally wear their new rain jackets? Heeheehee.

SM Kids Toon Fest 2014

SM Kids Toon Fest is a yearly event by SM Kids that never fails to remind us how fun it is to dress our kids. 

The theme of this year's SM KIDS' FASHION TOON FEST is "Kawaii", incorporating bright colors, graphic visuals and everything cute and lovable, as we all know that's what Kawaii is exactly all about. 

The Kawaii collection is grouped into three categories: Princess, Cutie and Hero. Check these out!

Princess goes with a glitzy slant on the trend with playful tutu skirts and pretty tulle dresses matched with princess tees in colourful pastels. Watch out for those hoodies with built-in tiaras, it’s perfect for today's modern little princesses that want to juxtapose their royal style with a little street flair. 

Character tees, fun hoodies and vibrant button-downs are the highlights of the Cutie category. Garfield, Snoopy, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and the lovable Sesame Street characters provide an eclectic mix of colours, prints and quirky pieces that will definitely be "conversation-starters" at school or the playground. 

Everybody wants to be a Hero—especially if the look comes with head-turning graphics, colourful denims and hip hoodies. Ben 10, The Avengers, Adventure Time and Cars provide items to help show off super style that your kids will surely love and have fun with. 

To see more of SM Kids Toon Fest 2014 fashion, visit the kids section of your favorite SM Store!

SM Kids Welcomes Summer in Style!

Here I am caught on camera in my element.

Shopping really is one of my most favorite things to do, heehee.

These aren't paparazzi shots though, these are behind the scene shots from the SM Kids' Big Holiday Hunt that happened over the holiday break, where we were tasked to complete 10 outfits with a tight budget and in a span of mere minutes.

The Chinita Moms got pitted against...

The Tisay Moms, heeheehee.

But we all shopped equally well because it was a tie! Because as you know, moms are really such great shoppers when it comes to kids clothes. Between the two groups, we spotted so many cute pieces, it was proof that you can dress your kids for whatever occasion by just going to SM, especially if you've only got so much to spend.

Inspired by our finds from the hunt, I did a lot of my holiday shopping at SM Kids Fashion for Christmas. I especially chose a lot of Hello Kitty pieces for Berry's girl friends...

 

Because I wanted to collect the super adorbs Hello Kitty planners!

 

I scored three Hello Kitty notebooks for 2014 - one that I kept for myself, one for my Mom and one that I gave to my friend Melissa Mejia. Collecting Hello Kitty planners was the highlight of my holiday shopping responsibilities. Not that it was a chore, because I really just mostly shopped between SM Kids, SM Baby and Gingersnaps, and it was so easy to score great finds, I did not have to look hard at all.

Summer 2014 is no exception, because SM Kids Fashion makes it so easy for moms to dress our kids in the cutest and chicest outfits for romping about the pool, play dates at the park, or setting out to beach destinations while on school holiday. 

Last week, SM Kids Fashion invited their friends to a mini fashion show at Shine Bakery in SM Aura so we could see for ourselves what's now in stores, including a roster of international brands like Nautica, Maui & Sons and ELLE Kids.

I tell you, we really are spoilt for choice this summer and the seasons to come!

So adorable! I especially loved the embroidered light blue gingham dress and the Maui & Sons rash guard and board shorts. If there's one thing I'm getting for Berry & Xavi each this summer, that's that!

SM Toon Fest 2013: A Recap of Berry's Street Style

With Toon Fest 2013 season coming to a close, here's sharing with you the street style looks Berry & I came up with, using pieces from SM Kids Fashion mixed with our other go to labels.

This is Berry's super favorite, her Minnie Mouse outfit.

Minnie Mouse t-shirt, Minnie Mouse leggings, Girls Edition black tutu skirt all from SM Kids. Tip Toey Joey mary janes 

I love how girly and fun this one is.

vintage-inspired floral print dress from Snoopy at SM Kids, classic Levi's denim jacket and Feiyue sneakers 

Although this one is something I would wear myself too, so I'd say this is my favorite haha.

army jacket from Gingersnaps, striped shirt from H&M, Garfield tuxedo stripe leggings from SM Kids Fashion and booties from a costume for her school program 

These two are fun outfits that Berry put together herself.

pink Babiators, a t-shirt from Pois Belly & Kids, Barbie leggings from SM Kids Fashion and Salt-water Sandals 

Tommy Hilfiger shirt from Ninang Tots & Ninong Ches Yu, leggings from Ninang Ruby Gan, Disney Fairies skirt from SM Kids Fashion, wings & wand from H&M, flower headpiece from Auntie Leona Panutat and Auntie Charlene Carlos, Salt-water Sandals 

While this one is again something I would wear myself, heeee.

Xavi's button down shirt by Carter's, Disney Princess floral print pants at SM Kids Fashion, Salt-water sandals and a strawberry backpack from her friend Izzy

Which one is your favorite? Heehee.

Berry Stylish

Sometimes Berry puts together the most outrageous outfits for "play dress up" days, but in reality, she really just wears easy, fuss free clothes to school that she puts together herself. 

Seriously, whenever she does not like the clothes laid out for her to choose from, she'd tell us what exactly she'd like to match what with what. Here are some of her favorites for school & play:

googoo & gaga t-shirt, shorts from SM Kids Fashion

Top from Gingersnaps, pants from Joe Fresh, flats from Yosi Samra Kids

Top from SM Kids Fashion, skirt from Tarte Tatin

Top & bottom from H&M

My Dad says that when I was Berry's age, I also chose my own outfits and I had my own favorites too. She may look like her Dada, but her love for dressing up definitely comes from me. Heehee.

SM Kids Fashion Find: Disney Princess Floral Pants

Berry wears Xavi's button down shirt by Carter's, Disney Princess floral print pants at SM Kids Fashion, Salt-water sandals and a strawberry backpack from her friend Izzy

When I saw these floral print pants by Disney Princess at the SM Kids Fashion section in Megamall, I just could not resist and had to get them for Berry. It's a break from her usual blue denims, but just as comfy!

I actually spotted exactly the same printed denims at the teen section of The SM Store and for a moment, I was tempted to buy one for myself too! But, with Christmas coming up, I've decided to forego impulse purchases because it's that time of year again when we have to start buying holiday presents, eeeep!

Have you guys started on your Christmas shopping already?

SM Kids Fashion Toon Fest this Weekend!

Don't miss it! Berry & I went to the launch this morning at SM Megamall Megatrade Hall 2 and there are plenty of activities to keep the kiddos occupied.

Catch Toon Fest Street Style only until this Sunday, September 1, 2013.

For more on Toon Fest 2013, click click!

Hollywood Barbie + Toon Fest 2013 + Php1500 GC Giveaway Week 4

Berry is a Barbie Girl, so of course, it thrilled her no end when I went home with these pink, printed Barbie leggings from SM Kids Fashion that I picked up at The SM Store in Megamall. 

Here she is channeling that Hollywood "don't take my photo, but I will project anyway in case this comes out in the gossip rags" look. Teehee.

Berry wears pink Babiators, a t-shirt from Pois Belly & Kids, Barbie leggings from SM Kids Fashion and Salt-water Sandals

Come on Berry, give me a smile! Do it for your fans!

Yay! That's more like it!

If you've been following Berry's series on Toon Fest clothing from SM Kids, and you've been loving the pieces she has been wearing, then check out SM Kids’ Fashion Toon Fest 2013. It's an entertaining trade event where kids of all ages can meet and mingle with their favorite cartoon personalities and explore current trends in apparel. Classic favorites such as Garfield, Snoopy, Robby Rabbit, Barbie, and more are brought to life in clothes perfect for kids to learn and play in. 

Aside from an exciting selection of toon-themed clothing, young visitors can take a stroll around a thrilling Toon City populated by the cutest Toons with various exhibits, games, and merchandise for both boys and girls. 

 

SM Kids’ Fashion is also hosting a Dream Photo Shoot Contest, where kids can come up with their most creative take on cosmopolitan wear, kind of like what Berry has been doing these past 4 weeks! Contestants get a moment in the spotlight, a personal photo session with a renowned photographer, and the chance to become the next face of SM Kids’ Fashion. 

So dear readers, calendar this. This year’s SM Kids’ Fashion Toon Fest will take place from August 30-September 1 at the SM Megatrade Hall 2. I'll be there on the first day for sure! Hope to see you there!

  
Do you want to shop at SM Kids Fashion on us, plus get a Toon Fest loot bag?  Then join Week 4 of the SM Kids Toon Fest Giveaway!

SM Kids Fashion and yours truly are giving a way Php1,500 GCs to a reader per week, to spend at SM Kids anyway you like. We're throwing in a Toon Fest lootbag too, to be claimed during the Toon Fest event any time between August 30 to September 1, 2013.

Just answer the question, "Who is the Toon Fest character that you and your kid/s look forward to seeing the most this Toon Fest 2013?" via a comment on this blog post. 

Don't forget to follow SM Kids Fashion on Facebook and @smkidsfashion on Twitter and Instagram, using the Rafflecopter widget below: 

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See you this Toon Fest 2013!

PS - Congratulations to Cai Entereso for winning our Week 3 Giveaway!

Quirky Cool in Garfield + Php1500 GC Giveaway Week 3

Peek...

a...

boo!

Berry wears an army jacket from Gingersnaps, striped shirt from H&M, Garfield tuxedo stripe leggings from SM Kids Fashion and booties from a costume for her school program

How were the past few days like for you and your family? 

We pretty much stayed home, because the rains were scary strong. Spent our days puttering around, organizing the home, baking pies, and then eventually sorting out old clothes for donations and making arrangements with friends to pick up and deliver goods for MOMSHARE's donation drive for displaced families. Let's all help out any way we can!

We also played dress up a bit. I found these super cool tuxedo stripe leggings by Garfield at SM Kids Fashion in Megamall. Super reasonably priced at Php369.75 only.

If you haven't been going to SM these days, well, I am telling you that you should. There are just so many great finds that won't break the bank. Just check out the Hello Kitty section at The SM Store at SM Aura:

Hello Kitty dresses, shirts, shorts and more... 

 

more Hello Kitty shirts, leggings, skirts, sleepwear... 

While SM Kids is super nice at SM Aura, the best place to go, in my opinion, is still at SM Megamall. The area is really sprawling with great finds. Whether your little ones are girls...

...or boys!

I got the Batman shirt for Xavi for Php200+. The cotton is nice and sturdy and Xavi is fascinated with the shiny bat, teehee.

I find it so much fun to shop for the kids at SM because I love getting great deals on their clothes. They grow so fast that it just makes sense to not splurge on clothes they wear for everyday. The secret to buying at department stores though is that you need to be more discriminating, so that you don't end up with clothes that you'd have to dispose of after a few uses. Here are some tips to keep in mind when bargain hunting for kids clothes:

1. Material. Choose clothes that are breathable, better if made from 100% Cotton. The Toon Fest t-shirts I've bought so far are all 100% cotton and the prints are not the type to flake off. Good quality stuff, enough to last for years.

2. Comfort. Always inspect for fabric that might be itchy (like hard tulle or chemically treated fabrics), zippers or studs that may be uncomfortable or that may poke, and clothes that do not fit right. 

3. Sizing. It is always better to buy 1-2 sizes bigger so that kids can grow into their clothes, rather than purchasing something that might fit perfectly at the store but might shrink in the wash.

4. Workmanship. Cheap is not an excuse for shoddy workmanship and quality. There are many reasonably priced clothing that are well made too. Check if zippers pull up and down smoothly. See if buttons need reinforcing. Look for sturdy stitching.

5. Style. You can never go wrong with classic styles. I think 80% of a child's clothes should be all about the basics. Of course, trendy is a whole lot of fun too! I always throw in a trendy piece into Berry's wardrobe, but I do not spend a fortune on trendy clothes. Berry's neon pink denim shorts, and tuxedo striped leggings range from Php200-Php300 only.

6. Spend on shoes. What I save on Berry's clothes, I channel into her shoe fund. I make it a point to only buy shoes that are well-made, comfortable and sturdy. What's the point of buying so many pairs when she'll only end up wearing 1 or 2 pairs most of the time, i.e. the comfortable ones only? We love Salt-water sandals, Yosi Samra, TOMS, Tip Toey Joey, Superga, Bensimon and Feiyue!

Want to add more to your list of great finds at SM Kids? Then join Week 3 of the SM Kids Toon Fest Giveaway! 

SM Kids Fashion and yours truly are giving a way Php1,500 GCs to a reader per week, to spend at SM Kids anyway you like. We're throwing in a Toon Fest lootbag too, to be claimed during the Toon Fest event any time between August 30 to September 1, 2013. 

Just answer the question, "What is your best shopping find at SM Kids Fashion"? via a comment on this blog post. 

Don't forget to follow SM Kids Fashion on Facebook and @smkidsfashion on Twitter and Instagram, using the Rafflecopter widget below:

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If you joined the last giveaway and did not win, join this round. This could be your chance!

P.S. - Congratulations to Eleanore Teo for winning our Week 2 Giveaway!