Mini Carrie Bradshaw

Amber has really come into her own with regards to her style.  The girl knows what she likes and she will fight to the death for it.  Okay, maybe she will stomp her feet and whine until I buy her the dress SHE likes and not the one I like. 

Long gone are the days where I can force what I like onto her.  She has been putting up the good fight since about 2 years old, but I could still muscle her into the cute baby dresses that I like.  Now, I am simply an old, feeble woman that just needs to get out of the mall and wants the whining to stop.

George had promised Amber a date day for Sunday.  Then we just happened to find ourselves at the mall on Saturday, of course, while there we had to stop at our regular stores and check out the sale racks.  It would be blasphemy to do anything else, like say go directly to the store we were there for, get a baby shower gift and leave.  OH THE HUMANITY!!!  Our walk through JCPenney landed us in front of an absolute adorable dress.  It was brown with large brightly colored dots, a blue sash and a full skirt, perfect for twirling.  Amber was all for it and exclaimed, “This will be perfect for my date day with Daddy.”  And that, my friends, is where I should have stopped.  However, being the shopping mentor for my daugther, I explained that she must be careful not to pick the first dress she stumbles upon.  We would check out other stores and if we didn’t find anything we would come back for this dress.  Well, we did find something else and Amber had to have it.  I admit it is a pretty dress and she looks lovely in it, but I really wanted the brown polka dotted dress.  I put up a good argument for MY dress, but she wasn’t having it, not even when I offered to buy both dresses.  I am assuming this a look at things to come. 

I will admit it ain’t so bad:

Prim and proper.

Now with more sass.
We are going to wait on the Manolo Blahniks for awhile.
Like when she can pay for them herself.

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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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School Girl

Lately, Amber has wore jeans to school most days.  I can understand, because when you are 5 years old there are many things you want to do that are not easily done in a skirt.  Then there are days that require nothing but pants, like horseback riding and P.E.  Her closet is filled with cute dresses, skirts and shirts that all issue a morning tantrum when the suggestion of wearing them rears it’s ugly head.  Most times I don’t put up much of a fight, unless it is something that is totally inappropriate for school or weather, like say boots with stripe shorts and a sweater.  Somethings just don’t go together, EVER. 

I have found the answer to getting her to wear some of those tantrum inducing outfits, ignore my laundry duty.  Who knew that by simply imagining that mountain of laundry doesn’t exist would have such rewards?  It seems that all of Amber’s jeans were dirty or in some state of laundrydom that all she had to choose from was skirts or shorts.  Since wearing shorts to school when it is 50 degress out might look strange, wearing a plaid skirt with tights is very reasonable.  Surprisely, there was no fight when there was a mutal agreement on this outfit:

Cardigan, skirt, ankle tights, and socks by Gymboree. 
Shoes by Hanna Andersson
The cardigan and skirt were bought at ridicously low prices, last year. 

This is how I always envisioned sending my little girl off to school, but had come to realize may never happen.  And in case you are wondering, the skirt has built in shorts.  I am finding this more and more in little girls’ skirts, which is great.  Why can’t they look adorable and still have fun?  However, if you don’t have skirts with built in shorts, try some bike shorts.  I have several pair for Amber in white and pink.  She knows to wear them with all her dresses and skirts.  It says the inevitable occurence of “I see London, I see France, I see someone’s underpants”.
   

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Little Red Riding Hood Never had it so Good

I am a big fan of capes.  Sure I get weird looks when I wear mine, but you can’t beat the feeling of being wrapped up in a warm blanket.  I think capes are easy and warm, but that is because our weather turns from cold to humid within 30 minutes.  It is easier to push a cape aside then a big bulky coat.  I passed this cape love down to my daughter.  I bought her a nice black velvet one when she was 2 years old and it has lasted her to this day.  It is a little shorter, but it still serves it’s purpose as a nice compliment to her Christmas dress. 

Then I saw this cape and knew that I had to have it for Amber.

And to know that it is reversible nearly knocked me over.  The solid side I could see for dressy days and the print side for jeans.

We never spend much on winter coats, but I could see spending a little more on a cape.  It says it will fit up to a 6 year old, but I know that it would fit my daughter well beyond that age.  Well worth the $68.     

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Bad Hello Kitty?

I was wasting time in Target recently, drooling over the many clothes I would love to get my daughter if only she would wear them, and noticed how far Hello Kitty has come.  When I was a kid, Hello Kitty was a sweet and cute little kitty that never spoke a word.  She was all rainbows and ponies, but I think she has gotten fed up with all that stuff and gone on to more exciting pastures.  It seems, now, she has gone a little punk.  Well, as punk as one can get at your local Target.  She hasn’t recieved any piercing that I know of and she is not shouting about anarchy, but she definitely has a new style.

Some items to start your little girl on her way to piercings, bad boys and every father’s nightmare,  but oh so cute:

I want this shirt for me. 

Perfect with ripped up black tights and Docs.

Perfect outfit for that concert your parents don’t have to know about or that boy.

That belt is just too cute.

Perfect jeans and that chain wallet you have had your eye on. 

And no Halloween is complete without a little H.K. witch.

This is all too much, I think I have completely gone to the Target side.  Target I am yours forever. 

Note:  If you haven’t guessed all above clothes can be found at your local Target or Target online. 

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The Good Ole Days

My mother in law use to tell me how she dressed her daughter in puffy dresses whenever they went out.  It was hard for her to understand why I didn’t dress my daughter like she was meeting the Queen of England whenever we went out.  Well, there are a few reasons for that:  I know that most people are paying attention to my children, but I don’t think I should give the impression that I shop at the thirft stores for myself and spend all our money on my child’s clothes.  It was easy to wear the puffy dresses back in the 50’s, because the kids didn’t use carseats.  Have you ever stuffed your child and her dress into a carseat?  I have.  It isn’t pretty.  Then there is the changing of the diaper.  It was hard enough to change a squirming toddler on those changing tables in public restrooms, but to fight with 15 layers of frill plus trying not to get poop all over it was not something I really wanted to experience. 

Then I get emails from Janie and Jack and all those logical thoughts go out the window.  Janie and Jack is Gymboree’s fancier and more expensive sister store.  The clothes echo back to a time when everyone dressed when they left the house.  Think of Donna Reed vacuuming in her pearls and you know exactly what her little girl would be wearing to go to town for a few errands.  Even though, that is not how we do things today, Janie and Jack still have their place.  There are special ocassions that warrant a nice dress.  Considering some of the prices I have seen in the boutique stores Janie and Jack are better priced.  And like their sister store, Gymboree, you can find all matching accessories for your outfit of choice. 

Now, if you live in the Hamptons and need something for your children to wear on the yacht or their ultra exclusive pre-school then this is your store.  A girl can dream, though.  I just need to find an appropriate place for my children to wear something like this:

       

Maybe a nice pumpkin carving party.  

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