Hold the Shopping Bag

Remember when I thought I had found everything I was looking for inside the pages of a Hanna Andersson catalog?   Well…being the obsessed good shopper that I am, I just had to look around a bit more before I made such a huge commitment.  And look what I found at Gap.com:

Okay, you have to admit this just screams Christmas elegance at a good price, only $39.50. 
So you guessed it, I have changed my mind and this will be the dress that Amber will wear in our Christmas photos.  After I find the right shoes and stockings, of course. 
The bigger question is will this dress be suitable for a May wedding?  My inner self is screaming no, but my wallet is screaming, in Tim Gunn style, Make it work! *sigh*

And of course it comes in black and the classic plaid:

However, I think the Russian red (love the name of that color) is the best for the season.  The plaid makes it seem a little more casual. 

So there you have it.  Never stop at the first store, keep going until you have exhausted every possibility.  This must be why people hate shopping with me.  Amateurs!!

 

 

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Tales from my Shopping bag

I had unofficially started looking for the kids Christmas outfits, recently.  I say unofficially, because I was just browsing in my usual spots and finding nothing.  So hope started to fade and desperation started to set in.  I want pictures and those need to be done soon or they won’t be ready before Christmas and I might want to send out the pictures as cards, too.  I can’t say for sure, because who knows how these little heathens darlings will behave during the photo shoot.  The pressure is on, though, and I need to find some great looking outfits before I wake up with cookie crumbs on my chest and a 2009 hat on my head.

I was getting really disappointed looking at my old haunts, because everything seem to mirror last year.  If I wanted last year’s looks then I would just use last year’s pictures.  I wanted something different and new.  I have talked about Hanna Anderrson before and generally I will tell you I like them.  However, I don’t tend to buy from them much, especially during the summer, because not much wows me.  Then comes the holidays and Hanna Andersson out does itself.  If they keep this up, I will continue to go to them for my holiday and winter needs.  Which is not much, considering our winters down here in the Deep South are practically swimming weather when compared to Sweden. 

I had casually thrown my new Hanna Andersson catalog in my bag before I left for carpool on Friday, thinking I would browse through and hopefully find something suitable for the kids’ holiday outfits.  How surprised was I when I found myself slumped in the driver seat of my car, ignoring Sam tearing through the rest of the vehicle while I drooled over every outfit in the catalog.  I quickly grabbed my pen and marked up practically the whole thing.  Later that evening, I would do what I normally do, go online and fill up my Internet shopping bag with everything that my little heart desires and fall dead from the shock of my ending price.  Sadly, much of the tights and ankle tights would have to go to make room on the credit card for the pretty, twirling dress for Amber, snugly sweaters for Sam and that one pullover that I had to have for myself.  Besides, I can buy quality tights and ankle tights, locally, at better prices.  Although, no one beats Hanna Andersson for patterned tights.  Nothing for the hubs, unless he would like me to get him his own big boy sized green and red striped long johns for Christmas morning.  Somehow I think I would be struck down by lightening before he ever fought to get those on. 

Now, on with the pictures.  Again, most of what I have found is for Amber.  Sorry, it is a cold hard fact that girls have way more options than boys.  Also, I had done a good job already of getting Sam long pants on sale during the summer, so all he really needs is shirts.  I was more concern with his Christmas sweater to match whichever dress I managed to decide on for Amber than anything else. 

Casual, everyday:

This is the dress Hanna does best.  It takes on short sleeves in the summer and long in the winter, but mostly it remains a comfortable, twirly girl’s dream. Add tights and the right shoes and it is the perfect outfit for almost any occasion.

I am not sure what it is about this dress, but I am in love.  The pattern is beautiful and it looks warm and toasty.  Paired with boots or some of Hanna’s pretty embroidered ballet flats and this dress is ready for a day at school or running through the forest. Hmmm, we don’t have many forests where we live, but the swamp can get a bit nippy during the wintertime. 

This is the perfect sweater for everyday.  It is great to wear over a light top to take off when you enter the suffocating heat of any indoor area around here.  It seems we have two temperatures: Africa hot when it is cold out and Antarctica cold when it is hot outside.  Somehow those pesky thermometers have perplexed us Southerners for a long time.  Anyway, not only is this a pretty sweater, but it is practical and I can probably get 2 winters out of it.

And because I loved it so much, I got one for myself.  In black, of course, because I am a grown up and pink was never my color. 

The perfect denim skirt to round out the bunch.  Great for long sleeve t-shirts or sweaters. Pair with some tights and ballet flats and this girl is all set for her hectic day at school.  Again, for us, this skirt may even see the light of summer.

Now for the long await ballet flats, I keep going on about:

I love ballet flats, but can’t wear them myself.  They tend to make me look shorter, which is something I don’t need help with.  So, I get them for Amber.  First she loves the fact that they are called ballet flats and second she, like most women, loves pretty shoes. 

Amber wanted the light pink ones, at first, but had to settle for the brown ones, because the pink and darker pink was not available anymore.  Her first lesson in seeing something you really want only to have someone take it away.  It is a cruel world out there, especially when it comes to shoes.  So we added the brown ones to our bag, which I am find with because I believe they will go with more things in her closet.  Besides, she still has the pink color in there, so all is not lost.

At one point, while I was shopping on the site, Amber came up and started pointing out all of the different things she wanted.  I had explained to her that we may not get everything that I was clicking on.  Well, when we came upon these shoes, she practical blew herself off the sofa.  She just had to have them and sadly I just have to get them for her.  I know, I know, setting her up.  Hey, what else are mothers good for but to set you for liking nice and expensive things then shoving you out in the world where you will have to get them yourself.  It is a cruel cycle, but can’t be avoided.

Christmas dresses:

I love this dress and it was my first pick for Amber’s Christmas dress and then the glaring white scared the crap out of me.  Also, I am worried about how it would show up in pictures.  I am not sure I want a blob of white staring out at me.  It is a beautiful sherpa dress.  However, I tend not to buy things just to look at them, so this one will have to remain in the catalog for us.

Again, I love this dress.  It screams classic Christmas, which is why we have done it a couple of times over the years.  As much as I love it, I just couldn’t do the plaid, again.  I needed something more and different.  However, still a very pretty dress that definitely screams Christmas.

Here is the dress I think I have decided on.  Yes, it still screams Christmas and many of you may have already been down this road, but we haven’t.  I love the snowflakes and the Santa affect.  I guess it would be perfect if we lived where snow felled and reindeer was our transportation.  I am still uncertain, but I, like the others, love it and we haven’t done this style, before.  It may just be a winner.

And last, but not least, the boys:

I was thinking this sweater to go with Amber’s dress and then I get a vision of nothing but red and think maybe something else might be better.  However, this is a classic sweater that can be worn throughout the winter season and goes great with dark jeans, cords or khakis. 

I think this one might be the winner to go with the red dress that I will most definitely, but not entirely sure, get for Amber.  It is perfect, she looks like Santa and Sam is her little reindeer.  Okay, maybe a little hokey, but I like it and that is all that counts. 

So there you have it, what I have found on my whirlwind shopping trip through Sweden where I didn’t have to leave the comfort of my sofa.  I tell you this Internet shopping thing is so great.  Now, if only my credit card and husband were so understanding.

 

 

 

 

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Deck the Halls with Tulle and Cotton

As I promised, and maybe forgot, here are some more selections of holiday outfits for the little ones.  As usual, the girls have many options, whereas, the boys had 2, on a good day.  This time I bring you a selection from Gymboree, I understand that the store is not for everyone, but if you need a little help with putting things together then this is the place for you.  Gymboree is based on outfits and not just pieces.  They are more then happy to tell you what goes with what, from head to toe. 

Let’s get started with the boys, since they have the least amount of options:

 
This is my favorite out of the 2 that were on the website. 
You can’t go wrong with a good red sweater.

Truthfully you could go with any pants with the sweater.
Although, if you are going for dressy and maybe something to hide the stains,
black is probably best.  Corduroy gives a little more to the pants, than just basic
twill.  It definitely screams winter, especially if their thighs rub together.

Now, for the fun and more options, the girls:

How cute is that sweater? That bow screams I am more than a holiday sweater.
Okay, I think that was my audition for Queer Eye for the Straight guy.

And what else screams Christmas?  A plaid skirt, of course.
How I wish this skirt came in my size.  Well, it does, but not as twirling.
Big girls like to twirl, too.
Anyway, this skirt is perfect for the sweater and with black tights and black maryjanes,
you can’t go wrong. 

If you are looking for luxury and a little more elegance for your little Princess,
then this should fit the bill and not send you to the poor house, like say, a tiara.
I think the plaid sash makes this dress.  I think to add a little more to it, I
would go with red shoes.  Teach that girl from the start about how to accesorize.

This next selection is only for you daring mothers, out there, or those that don’t have such a fetish about keeping white, well white:

This makes me cringe just looking at it, but it is so pretty.
If I were to put this on my daughter, she would be informed that if she were to eat,
she would eat naked or, at the very least, with a tablecloth around her.
If you are looking for something trully different for Christmas pictures or maybe
if you are hoping to lose your child in the snow, then here is the dress for you.
Otherwise, I would put it in a frame and admire from afar.

All the above clothes were found at Gymboree on SALE.  See it pays to be a last minute shopper.  Now, go forth and be Christmassy like.

 

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Holiday Dressing

It is that time of year, again.  Time to find the perfect outfit for the little kiddies to wear to parties and holiday pictures.  I try to get the most out of our holiday clothes.  I let the kids wear them to church throughout the month, to any and all holiday parties we attend (whether dressy or not; noone minds when the kids are dressed up in their holiday best) and for those all important holiday pictures that are treasured always. 

Our first stop on the holiday search is Children’s Place.   I was never a big fan, especially of their older girl clothes, but lately Children’s Place has become a good place to find holiday outfits at good prices.  I tend to be a Gymboree fan, but their holiday outfits are a bit pricey for how much they are used.  On the other hand, the dress I bought for Amber last year still fits and she may end up wearing it, again, this year.  Given the choice I would probably buy from Gymboree, but when on a budget Children’s Place is a nice alternative.

My recent trip to Children’s Place peaked my interest and I needed to know more, so I went to their website and found some nice outfits that might fit the bill for great holiday outfits:

This dress just screams Christmas.

This skirt is perfect for a more tone down look.  You can pair it with a black turtleneck, black tights and black maryjanes making the skirt the focal point.  Or you can pair it with a muted red cardigan with a crisp white shirt.  Either way any little girl would love to wear this skirt in all it sparkly goodness.

Nothing says Christmas for a boy than the classic red sweater vest.  There are so many possiblities. 

You can pair it with

 or

It depends on the look you are going for and maybe what his little or big sister maybe wearing.

Another good thing about Children’s Place is that all these looks are available in sizes across the board with only minor adjustments (like sleeves on the dress for infants as opposed to sleeveless).  I am always disappointed when I find something I love in either big kid or infant section and they are only available in that size.     

Remember that if you are matching for photos, choose similar colors and mix it up.  If your daughter is wearing all red, then don’t do the same for your other child.  Maybe give your son a plaid shirt with red in it and find a complmentary color for the rest of his outfit.  You will end up with a much better photo instead of a blob of color.

I will be bringing other holiday outfits from other stores in other prices ranges, later. 

 

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Halloween Costumes

Halloween costumes have become a source of dread for me.  It seemed simple enough when I had one kid and she was an infant.  I made all her decisions, so she was a pumpkin, a black cat and then she started having opinions and all my ideas of Halloween went out the window.  I have this notion that you should be scary, according to your age group, for Halloween.  I would never give my young child a gushing head wound, unless that is what she really wanted, but I had to bite my tongue when Amber announced that she wanted to be Tinkerbell.  Tinkerbell is not scary.  We are suppose to blend in with the undead and get as much candy as possible.

I have accepted that Amber chooses her own costume, with my guidelines, and it will most likely be something from a Disney movie or be covered in glitter.  Maybe, I could give her a knife and she can go as Psycho Cinderella.  Do you think the undead will notice?  As one with kids will tell you, it is not about you, anymore, it is about them, so we solider on.  Besides, I still have Sam to do my bidding and he will be a bat if it kills me and him.  The boy has a problem with things on his head, which makes being the perfect bat a little difficult.

Another issue for us, in the Deep South, is the weather.  I am sure the good people up North have this same problem, but their concern is more about making sure their little darlings don’t loose a limb to frostbite while ours is more of not having one pass out from the heat.  The costume manufacturers tend to have more options, at least for babies and toddler, for the cooler months.  It would be nice to find a bat costume that consists of just the wings and not full body cover.  It would, also, be nice not to spend a small fortune on a costume that Sam will wear maybe once or twice, only if I can talk him into playing Cinderella and the bat with his sister.  These are the days when I wish I kept up with my Home Economics studies.

I have scoured the Internet and all I can find are complete body cover or thread bare half costumes that don’t appear to be worth the money.

We want candy, not heat stroke.

I would get this one, if it was okay to staple the hands and booties to Sam’s hands and feet.  Something tells me that is not right.  So really we would be paying for the cape and a onsie, even then the cape is a not a sure thing. Plus this costume is “Coming Soon”.  What,  they think 3 weeks before Halloween is still too early? 

These costumes can be found here. 

I realize that Halloween is big for some people, but we are in it for the candy and a few cheap scares.  We will enjoy our Halloweenie goodness for as long as the kids will allow us and, yes, I might indulge in some of their costume ideas in the coming years.  However, for this Halloween Amber will be shopping her vast collection of dress up clothes and Sam will be happy with whatever I find at the local Party City. 

One good thing about Halloween entering the stores in September, you can find many Halloween costumes, decorations and candy going on sale, now.  Of course, the big blow out sale will happen once Halloween is over, but don’t wait too long most of the good stuff will be gone well before the 31st.  Keep your eyes on those costumes.  You may get a great deal on a costume for next year or dress up clothes for the rest of the year.  We have found the best dress up clothes for Amber during and after Halloween.   

Tripping down Halloween memory lane:

My sweet little pumpkin, when she couldn’t talk and express her disgust for anything I like.

Our example of going overboard.  Not only did we search all over the city for this costume, we even had a photo shoot in one of our local graveyards.  I wouldn’t change a thing.  I love these pictures.

Pretty witch and her demonic force. 

Last chance at the witch theme, recycled pumpkin and Dad in his uniform for the day.

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