taking it outside....pj day all day

So I am feeling more human, but honestly if I could roam the streets of town in my pjs, I totally would! It reminded me of an editorial that I shot some time ago. It was all about lounge wear as play wear. I know that there were days when my kids would throw rubber boots on, over their jammies, and out the door they would go. Enjoy a little play time, and go outside and make a little mischief!

ahoy matey....my first guest blogger post

Swagger on over to ThredUp to view my first guest blogger post, a little style for a steal!
http://blog.thredup.com

an out take from the shoot that inspired the post

a little more salt water love

I own a pair of salt water sandals, actually I own two pairs one in red and one in brown. They are seriously comfortable, and I wear them all the time. I think my oldest daughter may be a bit annoyed that they look like kid's shoes (which they are), but for me comfort trumps everything! 

I was shooting a job for Billabong kids line, and I had on my red sandals, my little model had the exact same shoes on! We were twinsies, but she was so much cuter in her sandals!

vivi taking a break from shooting in her salt water sandals, www.mysaltwatersandals.com

Even big girls can rock some little girl wear!

lily in vintage romper and new sandals

in the trenches

The holidays have passed, the girls are back in school, my To Do List has multiplied, and I am in the trenches....in a big way. But, being in the trenches, made me think of trench coats, go figure. But I love a trench coat; on big people and on small people. Since so many places are practically giving away fall merchandise, now would be a good time to buy one a few sizes too big! Let the kids wear them, and wear them often.

Here are a few of my favorite images with Le Trench Coat; starting with a wish for the new year.

fur real!?....i think that I can do the math

I was thinking about being warm today, since it was pretty chilly this morning, and I was thinking about high fashion kids brands. You know the brands that only show haute couture during fashion week, and then spin out a luxury brand for les enfants. Ridiculously expensive, yet oh so lovely lines. Then I thought about a fur collar, I don't know why, but I did. I was thinking that a fur collar would look so cute with a simple black or white shirt.

a little faux fur made it better!

•• these are not my images below

Fur Real....spluge vs. steal-

from the top, super expensive, www.etsy.com/shop/Mclovebuddy, and www.nyandcompany.com

it's all black and white to me baby

I think babies in black and white are, oh so chic, and stain free! Don't be afraid of going a little on the dark side with the wee ones. Feather Baby carries a simple fleur de lis print that is super season-less, and super easy to keep looking new!

these dapper dudes are in b&w www.featherbaby.com

fancy feet....a little DIY

Easiest DIY ever! My girls wanted tennis shoes that looked like brogues and saddle shoes. So, off we went to Payless for some plain white tennis, super simple. Stop number two, was the fabric/ craft store for 3 fabric markers; light grey, medium grey, and black. Use a pencil to sketch out the design, and voila some nifty, thrifty shoes!

load up a pair of brogues from the internet, to help you with your design.

super cute and super thrifty!!!

give back....it feels good

With the holidays either upon us, or getting ready to hit (sounds like a storm watch....which it kind of is), take a few minutes to up-cycle, and weed through your children's toys and clothes. Donation sites and centers vary from city to city, but you can google your city and find a place that will take your gently used items and put them to good use. Start with those who need things most, and can't afford bargain prices....shelters. There are women's and children's shelters around the country, and they need kids clothes and toys. Try your local church/ temple or place of worship. Turn uniform pieces back into your child's school uniform recycling program. After the purge, be mindful about what you replace your items with.

Spread a little love, warmth, and joy.

sisters emily and hannah....always lend a hand when you can.

be creative....101

It’s amazing how you can take a skirt, and make a dress out of it, with little to no effort. Old lace pieces make beautiful scarves during any month. Boys blazers are adorable on girls, and can be found at second hand stores for a few dollars. Even boys formal wear pants and jeans make great pants on a girl, especially with suspenders. 

Learn to sew or knit...just a little. There have been times when I can’t find the right item of clothing. The right bloomers or the right colored skirt. I can’t really follow a pattern well, but I have been able to whip out a few simple elastic skirts from muslin that have cost about a dollar. Anything that has a cinched waist can be a cinch to make!

on zoe, boys jeans √, satin suspenders √, and girly t-shirt √....enough said.

when to spend or ka¢hing....101

There are certainly times when investing in a specific items of clothes makes good sense. There are lines of American designed clothing that are worth every penny. Buying the pieces are a smart decision, because of a number of factors. The fits are terrific, the quality is superb, and the clothing can be handed down from sibling to sibling, or to cousins after being worn year to year. Neige Clothing and Flora and Henri provide kids with stunning basics that are timeless and modern at the same time. 

You’ll find that a few investment pieces from certain lines may become "THE IT" basic for many ensembles each week. Good quality clothes will stand up to good, messy playtime! We have friends that have actually requested my girls hand me downs, because the clothes are stylish, impeccably made, and gorgeous. Consider saving for a special piece that you allow your kids to wear as often as they want. Never save clothes for a special day....every day is special!

these two dresses are from www.florahenri.com on top and www.neigeclothing.com on the bottom. both dresses are not the most recent collections, by a long shot, but an investment piece like these are timeless and durable, and meant to be worn!

curating....101

Now that you have a closet or collection of clothes, it’s time to curate. See what works together, see what outfits you can put together, or better yet, allow your kiddo to mix and match pieces. Putting together outfits, from a child’s perspective is the best way to ensure fashionable, and super original ensembles. Don’t underestimate a child’s fashion sense, they are more savvy than most adults, and are naturally fashion risk takers! Yeah, I know there are times when you want to hold a little sign over their heads, that reads something like- "yes I did dress myself today!" But, try not to rain on their fashion parade.

a super neutral pallette on a little lovely!

fab find friday

So this little number below is one super duper, multi-tasker. Not only is it an awesome color, and super classic, it has a funky side too. It's easy on the eyes and the wallet. I found this little beauty for a whopping $2.75 at the local thrift store. I loved the color, the moment I saw it, and I was inspired, because with just the right pieces, it would't look like a uniform at all.

So, I dressed my little friend J-Rae in it, and she looks so hip and way too cool for school. What do you think?

j. rae in her own striped/ sparkly shirt and her own funky jeggings with the school sweater. she also has her own silver converse on too.

thrifting....101

Thrift shopping is the basis for my styling with kids. Most kids items in thrift stores max out at $2.98, and half of the time, it’s buy one, get one free. So, buying second hand is economical, and I think, really fun! Some people think, that the only people who shop in the Salvation Army, have to shop there. But, I can assure you that there are stylists, prop stylists, vintage resale shops, and total fashionistas there as well. It's like digging for buried treasure!

Second hand stores can have enormously long rows of racks, and it can get a dizzying. I’ve found that the "good" items, really do stand out from the crowd. High quality fabrics tend to draw my eye, as do more neutral colors. My girls handed down all the trendy, sparkly, very pink items, and that’s the majority of what I see in the second hand shops. But, high quality sweaters, cashmere, wool, and cotton seem to be begging to go home with someone. Also, grey’s, blacks, and pale beautiful pastels almost have arrows pointing down from the ceiling at them. Many times, I see a great pale pink shirt, and pick it up to find a very expensive European label. I’ve also found plain, never worn, basic Petite Bateau shirts in grey, navy, and white on the racks. Not to mention, occasionally, I score a one of a kind, hand sewn by some incredible seamstress article, and inside my head all I hear is "OMG did I really just find that here"!

zoe showing off her skills in a thrifted tunic and shorts from salvation army , and huarache sandals from olvera st. in downtown los angeles. the hula hoop and white duct tape cost more than the enitre outfit.

ahhh blundstones....how do I love thee, let me count the ways

1- you're so easy going....you go with everything in a girl's wardrobe
2- you're so much fun....we can run and play all day long
3- you're simple....but in the best kind of way, because you just slip on
4- you're so good looking and rugged....such a timeless classic
5- you never seem to age....see photo #2 below
5- you have the cutest australian accent!

kyla looking adorable in a vintage neige dress and shorts www.neigeclothing.com, black knee socks and blunnies, www.blundstoneusa.com. 

Ok, now guess how old these are, come on, just try! Oh, ok, I'll go ahead and tell you. They're 11 years old, they were purchased for $90, which may seem a little pricey. Until, you figure that they were worn by one child through 1.5 years in Canada with sleet, snow and rain, then passed down to the next child for 1.5 years, then used on numerous photo shoots for the past 6 years or so. So, factoring the $90 purchase price over the past 11 years, that's roughly $8 a year. Total bargain!

footwear....101 (or as I like to call it, tennis shoes and tights)

Shoes and accessories can become vital make it or break it items for any outfit. Besides the obvious sparkly shoes that can be had on a dime, there is a world of great shoes waiting to be found in some unexpected places. Black jazz shoes, and dance teachers shoes have international appeal, in that the shoes are basic utilitarian, and very much of the moment. Also, boys shoes look great on girls and basic black oxfords, saddle shoes, plain Keds, Converse, and Toms shoes are trusty go-tos for a well styled outfit.

I’ve found that boys special occasion shoes can be found for a few dollars at second hand shops, with barely any signs of being worn. Because, whoever was the original owner was forced to wear them for their auntie's or uncle's wedding, and that was it! Also, Blundstone boots and black rain boots from KMART and Walmart can be handed down from child to child and can be worn in the most inclement weather, and still look great with any outfit. My daughters wore Blundstones everyday for years, in Toronto.

Tights are the workhorse of leg wear. Black cotton tights can work in most climates, and a finishing touch to any outfit. Tights can be worn with any shoe, look fabulous, and cover panties on the monkey bars and during cartwheels. Knee socks are a great find as well. Knee socks and tights will never go out of style!

seriously, how cute are these boys shoes from www.payless.com, on this little bunny! the outfit was from www.modernchild.net, bunny ears were from the drugstore. love it!

uniforms....101

Uniform supply stores and websites are an underutilized resource for most parents. It’s also amazing at how many uniform pieces are recycled back into thrift stores. Whether you're private or public, school that is, there is something for everyone.

Shirts that don’t wrinkle, with sturdy collars are a great foundation for any outfit. There is a uniform supplier on the east coast that offers a varsity sweater cardigan, with two stripes on the arm, with the addition of a few patches, it looks just like a RL sweater. Also, I’ve found gym tunics and peter pan collar dresses for girls, as well as grey shorts and classic pants for boys.

Uniforms are made to endure daily use and washings, and are such a good buy!

pretty and basic....white peter pan collared shirt, grey pleated skirt and a men's tie as a belt.

caped crusader....real kids wear capes

Oh the days of the broken arms. Just as I'm about to say, "you need to settle down, or someone's going to get hurt," I stopped myself, because I didn't want to be the party pooper. Well, let me condense the story to one simple statement: I made daddy fun drive our daughter to have her arm x-rayed. I knew it was broken, my super special mom instinct, he thought it was fine.

Her purple cast looked fab with her purple cape. She wore the cape every day with the cast; looking for starfish, off to school, to church, to play at the park. The cape got a little less wear before and after the break, but it was always in heavy rotation.

serafina in her purple cape that matched her purple cast. cape by www.johnsonwoolenmills.com, boots by www.tretorn.com

an oldie but a goodie (but it's new)

I mentioned capes. I love capes, and the capes that I have are a girl’s best friend! There are manufacturers that are still producing the same capes that they produced in the 50’s and 60’s. A cape works well over any outfit and girls don’t need to worry about handbags on their shoulders. During bad weather, a child can fit their backpack under the cape. Both of my daughters have broken their arms during different times in elementary school and middle school, and the cape was worn every single day over the cast and sling. Most importantly, they are chic!

lily and friend in johnson woolen mill capes, they cost a little dough, but last forever in durability and style, http://www.johnsonwoolenmills.com/

vintage....101

Vintage finds at thrift stores and flea markets are a great way to enhance a child’s wardrobe. Vintage now includes the 60’s and 70’s when some kids clothes were indestructible, and the cuts were more true to size. The shorts and pants are not low rise, but they have a great classic fit without loads of pleating. I’ve found vintage dresses that look like Missoni and Gucci from the 60’s. I’ve also been able discover really basic navy wool capes (which you see frequently in my personal work), and gorgeous wool jackets, that look very much Burberry kids line. 

Many designers buy vintage pieces as their inspiration for the lines now. But, it is great fun when you pay $5 for something that would retail for 20 times that! You do want to make sure that the vintage pieces work with the edit in your closet, and they’re just not an impulse buy for the “aaah” factor. If the item is the right fit, and your child will wear it, and the colors work, and it’s in good condition, buy it! 

a sweet little thing, in a few sweet little things. vintage 70's buckle shoes (my ex. wore these on his parents wedding day and his mom kept them), vintage wool cape from a local kids resale shop, www.kidstockla.com/, it was a steal....no one wanted it!

rummage sale....or rummaging through mom's closet

An example of a woman's shirt as a dress on a 6th grader. The arm holes were a bit deep, so there is a plain white tank underneath, and a pair of biking shorts, just in case the wind blows. It seems like all girls over the age of 6 wear shorts under every dress (until high school that is), because they care if their undies are seen on the playground (until high school that is!). I get it for school, but not for church, or a nice meal in a restaurant. Oh well, kids these days, and high schoolers- don't even get me started.

the darling francesca de rosa in a blue women's shirt from www.gap.com, with a sparkly backpack from www.gap.com kids, sheer anklets from www.urbanoutfitters.com, black converse from www.converse.com, and a little snack.