Splurge vs Steal

These one piece bathing suits are adorable yet sophisticated. Aside from the color they are pretty much identical, with a side ruffle topped with a bow and spaghetti strap. Great news- they are both on sale!

                            Old Navy $13                                                       J.crew $42.99

Mixing High End with Low End

If you haven't noticed I love the juxtaposition of tough and sweet. This very demure Junior Gaultier skirt($98.59)looks so cool with a sequin tee from Old Navy($16.94), topped with a J. Crew($59.50) denim vest and finished off with some retro sneakers from Old Navy($16.94). 

One Dress, Three Ways

This beautiful Burberry dress can be accessorized to suit any mood. For a more casual, punk feel go with a jean jacket, some converse and aviators. To take it into fall add a cardigan and some boots. For a fancy occasion add some glitter flats, pearls and a simple headband.

Burberry dress $83, Denim Jacket $39.90,
Aviators $1.99, Converse $27

Cardigan $25.90, Minnetonka booties $39

Pearl necklace $12.50, Headband $11.99, Glitter flats $48 

A Splendid Sale

Every woman's favorite word, and every man's fear. The male species somehow doesn't get that you "saved" money when shopping a sale. All they can say is " you still spent money! I don't care how much it cost originally!" With that being said I've decided to start a new weekly column about sales! Pretty much every department store has a sale at some point and I am not going to tell you shop here and there (although neimanmarcus.com is pretty tempting right now...) Instead, I am going to highlight something that is on sale that is too good to pass up. This week I am going to let you know about the two piece splendid outfits on sale at Saks and Neiman Marcus. Splendid is one of my favorite companies for kids. The cotton is SO soft, and remains that way after numerous washes. The only downside sometimes is the price. Now I am not one to shy away from $50-$70 price tags, but these are play clothes, and on clothing that is going to get filthy I'd rather spend less. While online "window" shopping today I found Splendid two piece outfits for boys (t-shirt and shorts, or t-shirt and pants) on sale for as low as $32! For both pieces! Happy shopping, I am sure it won't last long...

Shop Neiman Marcus and Saks

Who Wears Short Shorts?......

        This season, designers are having fun with shorts. New patterns, prints, embellishments and silhouettes are being explored with this summer basic! What I love about this is all you need is a couple of solid tanks that can be paired with any pair in your daughter's closet.

Gingham Short with Yellow Piping, Target.com, $16.99,

Tie Front Lace Short, Jcrew Factory , $44.50,

Peek 'Morgan' Stripe Short, Nordstrom.com $45,

Old Navy printed shorts, $10

Pretty Poplin Shorts, Jcrew.com, $50,

Denim Shorts with Neon detail, Zara, $35,

United Colors of Benetton Shorts, $34,

Zara bermuda Shorts, $39,

Roxy Eyelet Short, $34, Nordstroms.com,

Dizzy Anchors Shorts, Jcrew.com,

LA made knit bow short, $28 Garnethill.com

Splurge vs Steal

There is nothing cooler on these blistering hot days than a romper. Functional and adorable, these rompers are the way to go. Both are denim, have a button down ruffle front, a thin strap and are gathered at the waist. The only difference -the price! And for something that is gonna travel to the beach , save your money for a rainy day. 

Gucci $175.87 (originally $335!)                                                         Mayoral $53

"You Just Have to Let your Sparkle out"

To quote one of my favorite children's book The Very Fairy Princess , written by none other than Julie Andrews- " I say you can be whatever you want to be, you just have to let your SPARKLE out". I absolutely love everything shiny! Sparkles, sequins and crystal embellishment look chic for adults as well as kids. Kids can have more fun, with sequins being appropriate for day and night. For adults sequins in all colors of the rainbow can come of cheap. Kids however can embrace it and have fun! Pair a sequin t-shirt with jeggings, shorts or a cute a- line skirt. For more fancy occasions try sequins on a dress,or a skirt - but go more monochromatic. Let them shine!

Dolce & Gabban Dress $720,  J.Crew purse $34.50, J.Crew tank top $32.50, J.Crew skirt $58, Zara sandals $35.90, Flowers by Zoe dress $106, J.Crew shirt $54.50, Headband $11.50

The Very Fairy Princess 

by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton 

$10.98 Amazon

Mini Me

 These denim shorts have a fun star-print all over. Pair with a red tank for a mother- daughter patriotic look!

Current Elliot Boyfriend Short,Saks.com, $168

Mini Boden Star Short, Nordstroms.com $30

Boy's Sandals

           In general, boys sandals are not known for being the sharpest. But with summer fast approaching we set out to find you the perfect pair for your little guy. For infants who need more support in their feet, Naturino makes great open shoes that are practical and stylish. If you're looking for a more mature look, these sandals from Zara are a cute option.

Endless.com, Naturino Sandal $50

Endless.com, Naturino navy and brown sandal, $52

Tan Bio-leather sandal, Zara.com, $39,

 White and grey velcro sandal, Naturino.com

Zappos.com, Reef kids sandals $20, Old Navy faux-leather $11

 For older boys, the clunky rubber sandal feels very heavy for summer. Some great alternatives are these flip-flops by Old Navy. The thong has a wider band than regular flip-flops making them more comfortable. These sandals by Reef come with a strap in the back for added comfort.

Nautical Bay slip-on, $29, Endless.com

Sperry Oxfords, $30, Zappos.com

And finally, boat shoes! These look great on boys any age and come in a variety of fabrics and colors that are great for summer.

Where'd You Get Those Shades?

           Adorable bikini,check. Stylish sun hat, check. Chic sandals, check. Outfit complete,right? But where are her shades! Sunglasses don't usually come to mind when shopping for my children. Surprisingly though, many stores and designers do sell them and I must admit, they are an adorable addition to a summer wardrobe. Aviators, both classic and plastic, cat eye, bug eye and wraparounds grace this seasons accessory shelves. Bright colors, floral prints and bling adorn these shades, not to be upstaged by their adult counterparts. Prices range from around $175 to $3. For this particular accessory, I'd go with a couple of pairs of the inexpensive ones. Choose two or three different styles or colors and never be caught squinting again!

Gucci
Children's Oversized Glam GG Sunglasses, Pink/Green/Pink $140

Gucci
Children's Oversized GG Aviator Sunglasses, Transparent/Blue/Orange $140

Children's place assorted styles and colors $3.00- $4.50

Splurge Vs Steal

Both these dresses feature a 3-D petal on the front in a pink hue. The splurge adds a little sparkle, which may make it worth the money for a nicer affair. 

Next Direct $28                                              Charabia $137

Mini- Me Father's Day Special!

Happy Father's Day!!!

For all the men in our lives, we say thanks for everything! Now lets go spend money!

In honor of our hubbys, father to our adorable children, I put together some father - son matching outfits. Enjoy!

Dad's outfit: Jcrew t-shirt $45@J. Crew, Joe's jeans $138@Joe's Jeans, Converse $35.99@Zappos

Boy's outfit: J.crew t-shirt $24.50@J.Crew, 7 for all mankind jeans $79@Nordstroms, Converse $37@Zappos

Dad's outfit : Polo shirt $39.50@J.Crew, Bathing suit $15@ Old Navy, Havianas flip-flops $19.50@Piperlime

Boy's Outfit: Polo $34.50@J.Crew, Bathing suit $16.94@ Old Navy, Havianas $17@ Piperlime

Dad's Outfit : Shirt $64.50@ J.Crew, BOSS Black Pants $175@ Bloomingdales

Boy's outfit: Shirt $14.99@ Target, United Colors of Benneton Pants $49@ Nordstroms

Do or Don't??

We want to hear from our readers!!

This Alice and Olivia dress takes the "mini-me" look to a new level. Using the exact same print, the designer took the look from kids to adult by manipulating the stripe and muting the background color. A sleeve and a belt make it a more sophisticated silhouette.

 So tell us what you think.... would you and your daughter wear this look together?

Alice and Olivia Anita striped belted dress $396

Alice and Olivia Girl's Blouson tank dress $138.60

Going to Great Lengths

As per reader request ( and you know how we LOVE those!), today we are going to showcase the maxi skirt. Very in style this summer, maxi skirts will be your daughter's new best friend. Pair with a tank top or t-shirt, some flip flops and they are good to go. Maxi skirts can accompany your daughter to the beach, a playdate, and are even ok for a rainy day. Maxi skirts are very boho a la Nicole Richie, so embrace that with some gladiator sandals, and a headband. Toughen it up with a leather or jean jacket, some converse hi tops and a high pony tail. The only thing to be cognizant of when shopping for maxi skirts is the length, make sure your daughter is not tripping on the hem.

Clockwise from Left: Ralph Lauren maxi skirt $55 @bloomingdales.com, Hello Kitty skirt $16.99@target.com, Aqua skirt $54@bloomingdales.com, Tie-dye skirt $24.95@childrensplace.com, Pink tie-dye skirt and pattern skirt $16.99@target.com(available in 5 colors), White skirt $28-$37@nextdirect.com, Ella Moss stripe skirt $38.90@nordstroms.com, Peek Eliza skirt $48@nordstroms.com, Pink skirt $25.90@zara.com

Fringe Benefit

They say everything old is new again. Fashion styles from past decades have been coming back. Leggings, tie-dye, belly shirts, neon and fringe have all started to grace the pages of our favorite magazines.Lucky for us these styles have come back more sleek and chic. Fringe is one of my absolute favorites, it can seem overwhelming but keep it simple. T shirts, bathing suits, dresses, skirts and even boots can carry the style. Keep your outfit limited to one fringed piece, and keep your other pieces basic. Your girls are sure to love what their mothers and grandmothers loved many years ago.

Rosy sun-kissed top $36.00 zappos.com

Seafolly kids pebbles fringe tri-kini $36.99 zappos.com

Minnetonka kids 3 layer fringe boots $65.00 zappos.com

L space baby L Ashlyn fringe $68.00 zappos.com

Rock candy Girls short sleeves fringed T $39.00 Lester.com

Rock candy fringe skirt $20.00 Lesters.com

Flowers by Zoe sleeveless fringe tunic $39.00 Lesters.com

Flowers by Zoe one shoulder dress $63.00 Lesters.com

Minnetonka kids thunderbird II $29.00 zappos.com

Splurge vs Steal

Both of these sweaters give off a cute ,collegiate vibe. However, the one on the left is $20 from Next Direct, and the one on the right is Armani for $105 from Saks.

Girls pick of the week

Zara, $19.90

These floral harem pants for little girls are not just my pick of the week, they are my obsession of the season! Harem pants do not always flatter us moms, but they look way too cute on little girls!! The floral print is so much fun for spring and all you need to add is a simple solid tank to complete the outfit.

The Shirt Dress

I sometimes find myself gravitating towards the older girls section of the store even though my daughter is only 2 years old. The clothes are less "cutesy" and more fashion-forward and trendy.
      When I do want to go the trendy route, I've learned how to make some of these pieces work for my daughter. I look for slouchy tanks and tunics in Girls sizes and re-create them for a toddler.
       A size 5 or 6 tank, can be a great beach dress for a size 2 or 3 body. Just add a belt for a cinched waist and there you go! Not every piece will work, and it is important to try on before you commit. If the tank is shorter in the front and longer in the back, it will probably be to short as a dress. On the other hand, if the tank has longer sides, this usually works as a dress.
       Cinched-waist tunics are another great alternative. As long as the cinch hits under your daughters belly-button and the ruffle part of the tunic is long enough to cover a diaper or underwear, you are good to go. In either case, make sure the arm holes are not too slouchy and the shoulders are not too baggy. Just be creative and have fun!

Left: pink leopard tank, Target.com $8.99, HI tank, Target.com $9.99, Striped Chevron tank, 77kids.com $14.60, Braided belt, Zara.com $16.90          
  Right: Striped rope-belted Tunic, Old Navy $14.94, Tonal striped cinch-waist tunic, Bloomingdales.com, $52, Aqua ruffle-waist Tunic, Bloomingdales.com $44

Mini- Me

These shoes are identical! And I am not ashamed to admit that my daughter and I both have them. Oddly enough, they are the same price... Both $49.90 from Zara.

"Spot" Light on Polka Dots

Polka dots on clothing used to be restricted to the younger generation ( the much much younger generation). No longer the case, polka dots are now mainstream and even "trendy" for adults as well. That being the case, young girls over the age of 2 no longer look juvenile in polka dots. So go crazy with polka dots from head to toe , or more simple with an accessory. Polka dots look great with floral prints, neon colors, stripes, and denim. Polka dots read playful and care free, so have fun!

Jenna & Jessie two piece set $39@Nordstroms, Polka Dot Tank $2.90@Forever21, Tom's $28.95@Nordstroms, Bow Dress $8-$10@Next Direct, Skirts $19.90@Zara, Polka dot dress $39.50@J.Crew, Converse sneakers $36.95@Nordstroms, Tank top $22.50@J.Crew. Headband $4.94@Old Navy, Watch $16@Nordstroms, Kiddo chiffon dress $56@Nordstroms, Dress $16.90@Forever21, Splendid bathing suit  $45.90@Bloomingdales,  Trumpette socks $29.50@Nordstroms, Infant stretchie and hat $22@Nordstroms, Juicy Couture bathing suit $37.90@Nordstroms, Dress with bow back $39.90@Zara

Splurge vs Steal

Both dresses feature the same color block pattern, and very similar colors. 


Will you splurge or steal?? 

          

Color Block Maxi $26-$37@ nextdirect.com           Ella Moss Color Block dress $70@zappos.com