FIVE YR OLD FASHION

It is official.  Carson is five and she fully intends to pick out her own clothes.

We are now at a crossroads.

She wants pink and purple everything, with kitties and puppies and glitter.  I prefer tiny blazers with gold buttons, vintage florals in muted colors and stripes or dots for prints.

Thankfully we have been able to compromise.  The above are a few of the things were able to agree on and both be excited about.

Cobalt jeweled dress, JCREW.  Grey knit blazer, GAP.  Moccasin boots, Minnetonka.  Chambray peplum, Target.  Printed leggings, H&M.  Kitty pullover, H&M. Grey knit and star leggings, H&M. Horse knit dress and graphic top, H&M.  Ponte pant, Target.  Pink puffer, GAP.  Pink MaryJanes, Toms.  Striped tees and dotted tights, GAP.  Cardigan, H&M.

For school clothes my approach is usually lots of layers, cardigan sweaters, knit leggings with tunic tops and skirts, printed tights under dresses, affordable stuff that can be mixed and matched.

Here are some things on my radar for FALL:

O'Neill Girls GIVEAWAY

I'm not the biggest fan of the traditional smocked peter pan collared kid clothes. I recognize that it can be adorable when I see it on other children, but it is far too proper and buttoned-up for any child of mine!

I have always admired a child's sense of adventure when dressing! They have no idea what is appropriate and right, so they simply put on what they love. It becomes a style of their own, a truly unique combination.

That is what I really love about fashion..........it can be a real form of self-expression. Honestly I wish that as adults we had the confidence to do the same!

O'Neill girls is a line of clothing that embraces this sense of adventure and experimentation. The company is rich with tradition, founded in San Franscisco in 1952, and promotes an active lifestyle.

I was lucky enough to be contacted by them and sent some images of their Fall lookbook, and then sent some goodies from the collection! I'm so excited to share!

I think that the line is amazing! Whimsical and sweet, but tough and rugged at the same time. The pieces are versatile: great for mixing, matching, and layering. The fabrics are soft, cozy, and come in great color combinations.

Above are looks for Holiday. Below are images of some of my favorite pieces available now.

Here is the adorable dress that I am giving away. The Gina Dress is jersey on top, woven on bottom, and has a cute bow detail across the back. It is a size small, which is the equivalent to about a 7. With black tights, a pair of boots, and a cardigan sweater.........I wish my Carson was big enough to wear it!

To enter the giveaway simply visit the O'Neill Girls Website here, pick your favorite piece, and 'like' their Facebook page here. Then, leave ME a comment with the name of the piece that you picked and your email address. I will have my little helper randomly pull a name from a basket, and we will announce the winner of the Gina Dress next Friday.

(Comments can be left anytime between now and next Thursday at midnight & please limit one entry per person, thanks!)

all images: O'Neill, (check out the full site with women's clothes here, and a blog here)

PS. Check out my guest post over on Simple Lovely here, and then bookmark it for daily reading because Joslyn's blog is AMAZING!

Ever/After

So last weekend at the shower, there were many adorable presents given!

I gave three baby blankets that I have been knitting for the last month. I love to give to expecting friends something homemade!. I always chose simple soft cotton yarn, non of that fuzzy stuff for me. I prefer neutral colors in natural and breathable fabrics. So, when Casey opened the box of Ever/After clothes I was smitten. Personally, I have a real aversion to the traditional cutesy baby clothes. Ever/After makes maybe the coolest stuff I have seen yet! Honestly, I would wear all of it in my size!

Ever/After is a casual lifestyle clothing brand. They focus on simplistic design with premium fabrics in styles the designers would wear themselves. The best part, 25 percent of the profit from each garment you buy will be donated to the cause of your choice. Simply go to their website, enter the code from your hang tag, and choose between their three charities:

1. Home for abandoned babies in Uganda.
2. Educational support for at-risk children in the U.S.
3. Community Center in Rojo Gomez, Mexico.

Great clothes, good cause.......does it get any better?

Above are my favorites from the website. Sadly the line is not available here in Atlanta, but is in tons of boutiques across the country, Barneys, and Fred Segal. Also, you can order things directly from their website, and currently there are plenty of great things on sale. I can not get over the v neck tee shirt and onesie, so clever! I must find someone to buy that for! Luckily everyone I know is pregnant, so there are plenty of options.

all images: ever/after

Bobo Choses

Maybe the most amazing kids clothes ever made! Simple & clever prints, unexpected color combinations, soft fabrics, and adorable styling......I wish Carson owned a closet full!

The uber-popular Bobo Choses should have their AW 2011 collection in stores any day now!

In their latest project, ACT is a way to create a school for women in Bangladesh with 10% of profits going to the project. So committed are they in the ethical fight that each product contains a label with a code. This code can be entered on their site, so that you can be aware of the exact origins of the product and how you are helping to make a difference.

Fashionable and ethical, hooray! If I only I could afford it.....

The good news: there are lots of summer items on sale here, here, and here.

all images: bobo choses