Trendy Tot Tuesday - Spring Haul

It's no secret I LOVE shopping for kids clothes, so much more than for myself.  Well, Lilly is growing out of all of her current sized clothing, so when spring decides to arrive I need to be ready.  Here are some of my purchases for the spring.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

Target Dress

1 / 2 / 3

1 / 2 / 3

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

As for the boys, Joshua gets mostly hand me down's from Matthew.  Matthew wears a uniform for school, and other than that just wears athletic clothing.  Shopping for Lilly is definitely my favorite, so that is usually what I like to share.


Below is my haul of most of the products seen above!

As the weather gets nicer I will probably start sharing more of #whatlillywore on instagram and also start linking back up with Kelly for Trendy Tot Tuesday.

Trendy Tot Tuesday - Easy Preschool Style

First I want to thank the 3 hosts of Trendy Tot Tuesday for letting me be a guest co-host!  Make sure to join Megan, Kelly, and Lindsay for Trendy Tot Tuesday! This week if you link up you are entered into a giveaway to win a $25 gift card to Etsy!

Today I am chatting about building an easy, inexpensive, stylish, and most importantly comfortable preschool wardrobe.

{Lilly ready for the first day of preschool!}

First some tips:

* If you can get by for the first few weeks off of the summer clothing you already have, do it!  All the new fall fashions are sure to go on sale, a few weeks into the school year.  I am in Virginia, so the warm weather sticks around for a bit longer than what I was used to growing up in PA.  Also you get a little bit more wear out of those cute summer clothes!

*Comfort comes first.  I know sometimes you want an outfit for your little so bad because it is just so adorable.  But remember, when they are at school they are learning to be independent.  This means pulling up pants, putting on coats.  They will be getting messy, playing hard, they need clothing to reflect that.  Make sure what you send them in you won't be mad if it comes home dirty.

*Follow policy.  Our school has a closed toe shoe policy.  This is important to remember with them on the playground.  They need to be safe.

*Mix it up.  If shopping at a more expensive store (i.e. Gymboree, Gap) I try to buy a few items that I can mix and match.  So I buy 2 shirts and 2 pairs of pants, but they all match and can be interchanged with each other.

*Know your child.  If your little is about to jump sizes, be aware when collecting a new wardrobe.

Now a sneak peak into Miss Lilly's Fall Wardrobe:

Preschool Ready Girl Styles by happilyahousewife on Polyvore

    1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 4 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 /  9

I love the tunic type shirts because they look so cute with leggings underneath, which makes her more comfortable.  I also make sure all shoes are easy for her to get on and off herself.   

• Trendy Tot Tuesday is a chance to talk about kid’s style, and pretty much anything goes. Pictures of your cutie, talking about their style (that you buy and dress them in, ahem!), a Polyvore board, linking to the new kid’s line at the Gap – anything! All ages welcome, from you sweet pregnant mamas stocking up a closet to the teenagers that probably pick all their own stuff out now 

• This is a hop-style link up – please follow your hosts (Kelly at Modern Camelot, Lindsay at Baby Mama Drama, and Megan at Table for Three) as well as myself! We are in spots 1-4. Also, jump around to meet other bloggers! We hope everyone gains some new followers from this link-up and finds some fabulous new blogs! 

• Please link back to (at least!) one of us, and feel free to steal our badge if you’d like. If you’re a tweeter or instagram-er, use #trendytot

 • Interested in guest hosting? Please email Megan to get added to the list!

Trendy Tot Tuesday: Back To School Shopping

Ever have one of those completely awesome, have to leave the mall before you go in all the stores because you are finding so much, kind of days?  That happened this weekend.  It seems like it is all or nothing when I shop.  I am glad it worked out.  Best part of the day, well other than the deals, was I got to go solo, no kids, no husband.  By. My. Self.

I know I am a complete nut, but I love coming home getting everything out, going through it, having the kids try on, taking off tags and hanging it neatly in their closets....wierdo, I know!

I only ended up in 4 stores I think, at gap I got 14 items (including a pair of jeans for myself) for $100.  I mean that is pretty good.

Left: New Jacket for Matthew (I love TJ Maxx when I can go alone and have time to look!

Right: A Tiny Sneak peak at Lillian's first day of school dress.  I have her first week of school outfits picked out already, and she doesn't start for 2 more weeks.

Some of my favorite finds:

Under Armor via TJ Maxx $14.00

Gap Outlet pink heart pants

Carters Sunglasses $2.00

Gap Outlet Heart Peplum Sweater

{My Little helper putting away clothes this weekend, his new favorite activity tearing apart and making a mess of anything!}

Lastly a final summer OOTD for Lillian.  Yesterday we went to Toddler Time at our local museum, and hit up the playground after.  As you can see she loves her new shades already. 

Anchor Shirt and Shorts: Carters via Kohls / Bow: Unbowlievable / Bracelet: Carters / Shoes: Unknown

Once again I am linking up with Megan, Kelly, and Lindsay for Trendy Tot Tuesday!

School Uniforms: Week Two

Be Sure to check out Week One of the series HERE! 

Ok, so bear with me today, we just got home from our last summer getaway, and drive through the night, 7 hours from SC.  We arrived home at 2am, and I am a bit sleepy today!  

Depending on your schools uniform guidelines, this may vary, some schools only allowing ordering uniforms through a company they are contracted with, some have certain shirts with school emblems that must be worn.  Our new uniform dress code, it pretty straight forward, and we can purchase through any school uniform line.  So make sure you have all information before purchasing uniforms!

Many stores  have uniform lines.  Some which you may not even realize.  I have not tried out the clothing from these stores yet, but as I see what holds up/washes well I will update!

1.  Lands End: I think that this will get you the best quality for what you are paying. Lands End uniforms are very well known for being durable, cute, and classic.

2.  French Toast: This is an online brand that exclusively sells uniforms.  I found that on this site, I am able to find more of the unique pieces that all the stores don't sell.  They also include slim and husky, which I don't think I will need, I just make sure everything I buy has adjustable waist for my skinny boy. 

3.  Gymboree:  This isn't my favorite store for boys anyway, so I don't think I will buy a lot from here, but Gymboree is great quality in my opinion, and I know it will last.  Maybe if I had Gymbucks to use, and had a coupon with a sale, then I would hit it up for uniforms.  Usually I shop here for girl clothing only.

4.  Chaps:  Kohls is my go to for anything.  I love their kids sections, and it is in my top places to shop for my kids.  I Chaps is a brand there that carries uniforms.  I love that in my local store they had the sizes and more importantly the colors that I needed.  No need to order online.

5.  Old Navy: I have heard good things about this uniform line.  I am still unsure.  While I do love Old Navy, I feel like it isn't as good of quality.  When I buy things from Old Navy, they are great, for awhile.  They tend to wear out, especially boys jeans.  So we will see about this one!

6.  Crazy 8:  If you don't know Crazy 8 is a Gymboree brand.  I like the store, and am looking forward to trying some of their uniform pieces.

7.  The Children's Place:  I have always purchased my sons jeans from here.  I think they are the best fit, style, price, and fabric.  I am hoping the same goes for the uniform pants as well!

*8.  Target/Walmart/Kmart:  All of these stores also carry a uniform line.  I am all about how long pieces will last, and I don't feel they have the best durability, but they are great low cost options! Online I did notice that Target sells from the French Toast Line, so it is repetitive there.  The Target line is from Cherokee which isn't my favorite from Target.

Some Tips!

* I found that by shopping online there are so many more options.
* I am noticing that I am sticking with brands that I know and trust.  I am not branching out too much!
* Comparison shop and wait for sales/coupons!

Also, anyone know what's the best brand, have experience with what/where to buy?  I want to hear from you!  Am I missing any great places to shop?  Comment below!

What's In My Diaper Bag

I have now been my new Diaper Bag for 6 months. So I thought today I would do a review and a What's In My Diaper Bag. For a more in depth look, head over to My YouTube Channel and check out my latest video! 

A few weeks before JD was born, I finally after months of searching decided on a bag.  I went with the Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag.  The style is the Sashay Satchel.  I got a simple black bag.  

 

I love how sleek and un diaper bag like it looks.  I got my bag at Nordstrom, but have seen them so many places online. 

I also purchased the stroller clips (which you can see hanging on the side in the photo above)  I keep them on the bag, because it is too hard to keep them attached to the stroller and clip them in every time. 

Here is everything that was in my bag.  I usually pack pretty light, with just the necessities.  I usually throw in a sun hat as well, but for some reason it was missing.  Also missing from this pic are my car keys. 

The bag also comes with a wipes case and diaper changing pad.  I don't use these items with the bag, but did save them to use when we travel.  I use disposable changing pads when I need to change in public, and I use travel size wipes.  

Today I am linking up with Trendy Tot Tuesday!  

Although this isn't my typical post for Trendy Tot, I decided that a good, stylish diaper bag is a necessity for any mom!  

Trendy Tot Tuesday - Week 3

This weeks OOTD is Lillian on a day that we did nothing but housework during the day, and then spent the afternoon at the park.  It takes a lot of convincing to get her to not wear pink, frills, or a dress.  As you can see she had to sneak a bit of pink in with the headband and Crocs.

 

{Shirt: Old Navy /Overalls: H&M / Shoes: Crocs from Nordstrom / Headband: Target, I think}

I love dressing my kids, my boy, my girly girl, and my baby. But I have started to notice that they pay attention, kids at school are now telling my son that his shoes are Nike, instead of me just saying sneakers.  I like to buy good quality clothing.  I just do, but I don't want my kids to become "Label Lovers".  I really don't want to when they are teens have a constant battle over how much is spent on clothing.  And I REALLY don't want my children making fun of, or excluding someone because of there clothing.  Is this something anyone else thinks about or is it just me? 

I ask, because at this point I have no real answer on how to navigate through this. 

Once again I am linking up with Megan, Kelly, and Lindsay for Trendy Tot Tuesday!

Trendy Tot Tuesday - Week 2

Today I am going to break down where and how I shop for my kiddos.  But first and OOTD for Lillian. 

 

{Shirt and Legging Comb: Carters from Costco (I think) / Shoes: Unknown}

Now onto my favorite spots to shop for my littles.  

Kohls is almost always my first go to spot.  I love that they have affordable items for all my kids.  I can shop newborn, toddler, and school aged all right there.  And I think their Jumping Bean line of clothing holds up really well for staple pieces and play clothes.

Gymboree and Baby Gap I kind of group into the same category.  It is where I find special occasion pieces, church clothes, a nice sweater that I know will go with leggings from Target.  The nice additions to an outfit that make them look a little nicer.  

Old Navy is another go to for cheap play clothes.  I also love their swimwear.  Also you can't beat their price for simple plain tee shirts.

Carters.  I mean enough said.  Carters is a staple in ever newborn and infant closet I believe.  I stopped "boy" shopping there when Matthew was around 3, but I feel like I love their older sized girl items, and Lilly still gets a lot from Carters.  And, it is the only place I buy pajamas.  

H&M.  I always forget how much I like their kid clothing.  I barely shop there, but every time I do I love the items I get.

Crazy 8.  A sister store to Gymboree, it is no surprise I like them.  I will say, I almost never find boy things there.

Lands End and Macys.  Again I group these together.  When Matthew isn't wearing a Nike tee and Jeans, I turn to polo shirts which I usually find from Macys.  I also have a feeling Lands End is going to become my new best friend, as our kids school is switching to a uniform next school year (more on that another day)

 

There you have it.  

Once again I am linking up with Megan, Kelly, and Lindsay for Trendy Tot Tuesday!

Trendy Tot Tuesday

 

Trendy Tot Tuesday with Kelly, Lindsay, Megan 

{Top: Ralph Lauren from Macy's / Pants: Old Navy / Shoes: Gymboree}

 As soon as I saw this link up for the first time I knew it was something I wanted to do, and will probably continue to do for a long time.

{Top: Old Navy, it was a 2T dress that I now use as a tunic / Leggings: Carters / Shoes: Unknown}

Kid clothes are so much more fun for me than dressing myself. Dressing my sons isn't that exciting, although I enjoy buying their clothing. Lilly is a different story. I love dressing her, and she loves clothes ( I know I am creating a monster, and I will really regret this in 10 years!).

 {Top: Old Navy / Pants: Old Navy / Shoes: Gymboree}

For this week I thought I would go back through my pictures of her outfits from this winter. If you follow me on Instagram (which you can do here) I post her outfits a lot.

{Top: Gymboree / Leggings: Carters / Shoes: Gymboree}

I am so excited to add this to my weekly list of things to share! I have weeks months worth of kid clothing insight and knowledge (something I am a little too proud of maybe!)

{Turtle Neck: Carters / Sweater: Unknown / Pants: Gymboree / Shoes: Sonoma from Kohls}