Me in Melange

DIY knitting...

So I know knitting hats isn't the hardest thing to do, but this weekend I set out on a task to teach myself how to knit a baby hat... with a lot of help from my dear friend, google!  I'm pretty pleased with my results and to learn that indeed, it's not that hard to knit a hat.  Thought I would share... signed, me {CA}

One of my favorite children's stores-Naartjie!

I ADORE this store, the clothes are colorful, wash great (everything is pre-shrunk), they are cotton, and are so darn sweet (they do a lot of the leggings attached to skirts for little girls which I love).  Apparently it is a South African company....and no, I have no idea how to say the name properly.  The tops run pretty true to size, but I find the pants run about a size big.  If you haven't seen Naartjie check it out, they are having some great sales!

 

It's all about mom....

We are super excited to now be carrying Rock n Roll Babies!  This is my first purchase, and OF COURSE I had to pick the mom tattooed baby onesie for little Gia.  I'm pretty sure my other two girls (who firmly have daddy wrapped around their little fingers, might go for the "daddy tattoo" tees so I'm going to take advantage of the fact Gia is still my little bundle of love to dress how I want to!  This company is awesome, they do tons of good stuff for charity, and they seem totally down to earth.  It is the kind of business I love to support--small and a labor of love! (sound familiar) :-)  Signed, ME {lv}

Matchy matchy!

 Rewind to 6 years ago.  Me:  "Who dresses their kids in matching stuff, that is just silly?!" .  Fast forward to present.  Me:  "I can't get enough of the matching kid outfit thing!"

True story.  I was a judgmental know-nothing years ago, and I've now seen the "dress your kids alike" light.  All kidding aside, it is really fun, the kids get a huge kick out of it and it is so darn cute I can't help but grin ear to ear.  To that end I just couldn't resist these new PJ Salvage pjs.  They come in baby, toddler AND kids so it is possible to get all three of them in the same freakin' adorable pjs.  I smell a Christmas card.....  Signed, ME {lv}

Mikey Stars is here!

It is here...Mikey Stars, the very first delivery by Michael Stars of a small collection for babies!  I fell in love with these little sleeveless dresses, both the dip-dye and the solid supima.  I promptly bought Gia one today and we took pictures of her in it with her chubby little legs and arms hanging out (so cute I wanted to take a big bite out of her), and we'll be posting her first fashion shoot on an outfits page soon!!  The collection is still small, but I am hopeful that he'll grow the line because it is really hard to find baby clothing in great colors WITHOUT a bunch of graphics, or "same-old, same-old" kid stuff on them (i.e.  animals for boys and flowers for girls).  I love seeing simple silhouettes in great colors (and fabrics).  These are just adorable, I can't wait to see what Michael Stars does for our little ones this fall!  Signed, ME {lv}

The cutest baby and children's clothing....

Tea Collection is one of my all time favorite line for baby and children's clothing.  I love that they have this mini collection that all mixes and matches.  Lucia is my child that spends 20 minutes getting dressed each morning and refuses to let anyone help her, suggest outfits or guide her in any shape or fashion.  The result is usually disastrous....she leaves the house looking like a deranged and possibly homeless 3 year old.  Sometimes two skirts, at least two shirts layered, tights that never match and almost always  orange or bright pink tights with flowers (no matter what other colors she is wearing).  It is sort of cute, but more shocking.  She tends to wear the same thing over and over again, despite my buying her "outfits" in attempts to help her dress easier.  I'm seriously considering pulling everything out her closet and buying a couple of these mix and match sets and letting her go wild with them--she'll always look perfectly mis-matched!  Signed, ME {lv}

NYT article....

I just finished reading this article in the NYT, Never too Young .....here are the comments to the article and a link to the article itself.  It is about young kids getting spa services (i.e. pedi/mani etc.)  The comments are harsh, and there isn't one that thinks it isn't HORRIBLE to let your young child get a manicure or a pedicure.  All I can say is WOW, I honestly never thought of most of these things.   I've taken my girls with me on special outings to get our nails done.....I didn't realize that so many people out there thought I was crazy, and messing up my kids.  Signed, M E {lv}

The cutest PJ's for little girls!

I ordered these because I fell in love with them and HAD to get them for my kids...I think they are the most adorable little cotton pjs I've ever seen!  I've now bought them for all the little girls on my Christmas list!  They come packaged in a little drawstring fabric bag in the same striped fabric (or polka-dot because there is a set that comes in pink polkadots as well), and they each have a little mini stuffed bear done in the same fabric that tucks into the pocket of the pjs!  Empress Arts Striped Floral PJ Set, $37

Signed, ME {lv}

Fashion scrutiny from my 4 year old!

Quite matter-of-factly as my 4 year old daughter watched me get dressed this morning she asked me why I always wore jeans?   I'll admit, it caught me off guard.  In a different way then when she inquired why mommy's undies went up her butt.  It threw me because it hadn't really occurred to me that she noticed what I wore one way or another on a day to day basis.  Like most child rearing revelations I seem to have, I've reached the conclusion that she is WAY ahead of me and I'm woefully dragging behind.  So....I was left to ponder the question, "why do I always wear jeans?"  I concluded that I probably do in fact need to branch out of my denim uniform, she was right, I do always wear them.  Most importantly though, I was reminded once again that our daughters watch our every move.  They look to us for the "norm", to set their barometer sort of speak.  So, added to my list of things I want to teach her in life is the appreciation for clothing and style, and pride in her appearance.  It didn't seem too long ago she was in the stage where she wanted to wear pajamas all day, every day.  Those days are gone, and now she is starting to identify strongly with clothing, picking out her favorite colors and styles, and noticing mine.  Developing their sense of style, confidence and pride in their appearance starts young, and as mothers it starts first with ourselves, we teach them that behavior every day.  So, in conclusion, I'm wondering if all my reflections might warrant me buying a new pair of pants?    FYI, after she asked me the question (as I was pulling on jeans), I immediately pulled them off and put on pants...just to show her I could!!  Signed, Me (LV)