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Do you like shopping the deep-discount shops that have popped up all over the Internet in the last year or so?  When the phenomenon was new, I checked out several of them and always seemed to click away disappointed.  Though the prices were good in comparison to what they listed as the regular price, they were still outrageous within the budget that my family and I work with.  While quality IS important to me, the brand name on the label is NOT and what I discovered was that I wasn’t willing to pay even discounted prices on name brand products when comparable products at full-price, cost less.  The other problem I discovered with these stores was an incredibly limited availability of the products they offered – usually having only one or two sizes, styles or colors actually available to purchase.  Being somewhat disillusioned by these past experiences, I generally just ignore most of the emails and offers I receive, now, promoting those “deep discount” shops.  That attitude almost cost me a fabulous opportunity and proved that you really do have to evaluate such stores on a shop by shop basis.  They are definitely NOT all created equal.

My recent discovery of a website called CookiesKids.com, is the reason for my change of heart.  I did run into a few disappointments at Cookies, when a product my daughter loved wasn’t available in her size, but with some perseverance, we found several products in her size at some real bargain prices, PLUS I picked up an adorable set of Cars 2 pajamas for our grandson.  The number one reason I’ll be shopping there, again? — the prices!  While these are not garage sale or thrift store prices, many CookiesKids.com clothing and shoe items cost much less than typical department store purchases of what turned out to be high quality, name brand clothing.  Some of the regular Cookies prices were still more than I would be willing to pay, but there sale and clearance items were phenomenal!  The website was easy to navigate and the order arrived within just a few days.  I also registered first thing upon entering their site and they immediately sent an email with a discount code that I was able to use on my very first order — even more savings!  I can definitely get excited about that.

My coupon code netted me free shipping and a 5% discount on top of the bargain prices at Cookies! Shipping had been $10 and some change prior to using the code.

One of my favorite things about the Cookies Kids website was their EXCELLENT search feature.  Larissa and I had been browsing the site for 15 to 20 minutes and were starting to feel discouraged, since each time she found something she loved, there was no availability in her size.  Just as I was about to give up, we noticed how deeply the search results could be refined and from that moment on, Cookies was a whole new shopping experience.  By selecting the girls department, then narrowing to the product type (dress, tops, shoes, jeans, etc.) and then further narrowing our search by her specific size, the only options that showed in the results were ones that were still available for her.  It relieved all the stress and disappointment and sped up the shopping process, considerably.

We were able to narrow the results to show only the items we wanted, in the size we needed, that were still available to order. Excellent search details! Love it!

We looked at shoes, first.  Larissa has been asking for a pair of boots for several months, now, but at the speed that kids outgrow shoes, I wasn’t to keen on the hefty price tag.  She actually found several pair that she liked at Cookies and that didn’t provide me with sticker shock.  In the end, she eliminated them from her list, because for her allowed budget, there were other items she wanted more.  -lol-  Decisions!  Decisions!

She really fell hard for this cute ankle boot and $12.99 was definitely a great price. There were two other fashionable and reasonably priced options she considered as well. Be sure to check out my Google+ Album (click on this picture) to see pictures of our whole online shopping experience.

When we finished with boots, we searched for dresses.  There aren’t any super special occasions coming up where she needed a new one, but like her mom, she’s a sucker for pretty dresses, so we had to check and see what was available.  There were several that caught her eye, but one in particular that stole her heart.  It was before we had discovered the excellent search feature, though, so she was disappointed that it was not available in her size.  She decided to save her money for some new tops and we moved on, but not without a lingering moment of mourning for this dress. 

This dress was available in both purple and fuschia and she loved them both. It would have taken her entire budget to make that particular purchase, and for that price, I probably wouldn't have considered it, but she was definitely game. Unfortunately, neither color was available in her size. So, we "pinned it", in memoriam, and moved on to more shopping. You can click this picture to see more of the cute dresses we found while shopping at Cookies Kids!

Some new tops were at the top of Larissa’s “need” list and by now, we had discovered the awesome search feature that narrowed our results down to exactly what was available in her specific size.  She ended up choosing four tops and I am really pleased with the quality of all of them.  The one disappointment was that, even though she selected the correct size, one of the tops arrived too tight to be able to wear.  I’m guessing that that particular brand just runs a little small.  We did have the option of returning the shirt for a refund or exchange, but instead decided to share with a girlfriend we knew could get good use out of it.

This purple striped top was one she was most excited about and actually ordered. Sadly, it arrived too small to be worn, but it made an excellent gift for a girlfriend. (Larissa DID keep the necklace, though. ) Click the photo to see all the tops she purchased and the rest of our shopping trip.

We browsed winter coats, briefly, and it’s a good thing we didn’t stay in that department too long.  There were four coats she felt “completed her”.  -lol-  I’m sure there would have been more, had we tarried.

This really WAS an adorable coat and the price was unbelievable! She was smitten with the buttons and the fur-trimmed hood!

My final purchase was going to be for my two-year-old grandson, a hard-core Cars 2 fan.  By now, I was getting very good with the CookiesKids.com search engine and so I quickly narrowed my search to all size 2 items with a Cars 2 theme.  He’s going to love the pj’s I got!  McMissile is his favorite Cars 2 character and what a stroke of luck, that these adorable pajamas were available in his size!

These Cars 2 pj's, featuring McMissile, were a huge hit with my grandson!

With our shopping trip complete, check out was simple and I saved well over $10 using my free shipping and 5% off coupon code.  I received a confirmation email, right away and an email that my order had shipped on the next business day.  By the third business day, I had received my order.  Larissa was in new clothes heaven and we’ll definitely be shopping at Cookies.com, again!

Our ten-year-old fashionista modeling the new shirt and sweater, from her CookiesKids.com order.

This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias #LuvCookies   A positive review was not required, and as with all Busy-at-Home reviews, the views and opinions expressed are wholly my own and based on my personal experience with the company and products.