Death to Crewcuts

It's no secret I love finding clothes for Claire, even if I never buy them. But this? This is really just self-imposed torture. But yet...I continue to do it. I watch my disobedient fingers type the URL for the crewcuts Web site...insolent, spoiled child of J. Crew.

My eyes were forced to be assaulted by such juicy, magnificent, ridiculous notions such as...

This



And this



And this



And this




And this




The decadent luxury of this scene can only be matched by the expected price tags. If only I didn't enjoy such extravagent luxuries in life like electricity...

My take on fall accessories

This blog is dedicated to Jodi...

I don't think of myself as someone who purposely follows "trends." If I do pick things that are currently trendy, it's most likely because they are what are shown most on the shopping sites I frequent.

So here are my picks for some fun fall accessories to be found at any price range...

SCARVES!!!! I have been a longtime fan of scarves. I see people down here (Baltimore city) on wearing them and it just adds instant style and sophistication, even with a sweater and jeans. Some of my picks...





I think per my quick research, delicate charm necklaces seem to be what's "in." Here's an example of where I go my own route. I like bigger necklaces that are unique and catch the eye. I adore bib necklaces, those hulking things that lay like a bib on your chest. Some of my newest likes:




Belts are something I sadly cannot do myself. Too much belly. But I love the look of belts, especially a big earthy belt with a feminine looking dress...


and a skinny belt over a cardigan and shirt for work or w/jeans on the weekend...




and just really great showpieces like this...



I'm not picky about hats or gloves, but I really took a liking to these ultra-feminine gloves...



There you have it. Happy accessorizing!

And then there's Minhae...

This was a tough one. Minhae has very distinct taste, and if I style her poorly, I'm going to have a slew of voicemails on my phone either berating my laughable fashion sense or simply hanging up on me. She knows what she likes. So with a hint of apprehension, I'm going to give it a shot.

When I think of Minhae, I think of color, color, color. Nothing dull or understated. So naturally, I immediately thought of a brand I like that offers a TON of color called Me Too.

Color me Minhae...




Then I really challenged myself. I went beyond Target in the inexpensive category. I went Kmart. Yep, blue light special time. The shoe selection was sad, but I did my best.

Minhae on a budget...





For the last outfit, after working hard w/my Kmart choices, I went straight to Bloomingdales. This one is bright, gorgeous, and edgy...just like Minhae.

Minhae a go-go...





I'll be waiting to hear if I passed the Minhae test. Fingers crossed!

Christmas in October

After viewing THOUSANDS of dresses (seriously, thousands), I finally purchased Claire's Christmas portrait dress. Yes, this is a big event in my household every year (not that Claire knows or cares a thing about it). Let's put it this way...I had her first Christmas dress bought almost three months before she was even born.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to those pictures right now, but I bought both her first and second Christmas dresses from ebay. The first year was a Children's Place very traditional red plaid. I loved it. I didn't have a formal picture taken of her, as she was not even two months old, but I took some at home---all pictures involved her binky (not much has changed).

Last year's dress was a steal on ebay---a baby gap red velvet jumper with plaid waistband and white shirt for underneath. That picture turned out so lovely.

This year she looks so different, mainly so much more hair!!

I originally had a look in mind and searched and searched and searched and searched...to no avail. I am well known for getting an idea in my head and pursuing it relentlessly until I find what I want. I won a dress I loved on ebay, but the seller wrote the next day to let me know she found a stain she hadn't noticed before. Unfortunately, it was on the collar, so I didn't want to risk it being seen in a Christmas photo I send to many people.

I then found another dress but it has since disappeared from the Web site. Grrrrr.

So over the last few months (yes, months), whenever I had the will and the time, I searched for Christmas dresses from Web sites I guarantee some of you never knew existed. I searched ebay weekly. It's not only exhausting but annoying---I get annoyed that I am so ridiculously picky (and it IS ridiculous) that I simply cannot just settle for something that's pretty. It has to be different. Unique. It has to "speak" to me.

So here were are present day, the beginning of October. Today I found two dresses that I fell in love with. Then I looked at the price tags. Um, no. Well, really, if I'm going to be dumb enough to look on the Saks Fifth Avenue site, I deserve to be made a fool of. So I made my way over to ebay and found another one I loved. I was so excited because I've always done well on ebay...then I looked at that price. Sigh. Really? I know it's boutique, but really? Bottom line, both insanely out of my league. I debated whether to post them...in the end I said what the hay...




Yes, ladies, above would be the dresses that didn't make it past the elimination round for the verdict of "Over $100 for a toddler's dress? Are you high?"

So I stopped by a Web site that I completely forgot about and in less than two minutes found the dress. It is a totally different look than what is above and what I originally had in mind. I am not going to post it. You'll see it in the Christmas cards, where I always enclose a picture of Claire. You may or may not like it, but at least know how long it took your insane friend to find it and humor her.

It's so tiring being me.

Cut to the CHASE!

As if Jessica was magically reading my mind (well, the sane parts anyway), I had already been thinking of posting a fashion blog geared for boys, and in this case, more specifically, a gentleman I know by the name of Master Chase Harper. I had it in mind because while trying to find a specific item of clothing for Claire, I was on the Children's Place Web site. Quite frankly, I never care too much for their girls' clothing. But when I clicked on the boys' side, I loved what I saw!! So strange how they nail one thing and the girls' stuff at times looks kind of cheap. Anyhoo, I present the wardrobe of Chase...

Children's Place...







Target...





And Bloomingdale's, for when Jess becomes fabulously rich and buys not only this but all the clothes on my wish list for Claire...





The funny thing is, I wasn't really excited about too much on the Bloomingdale's site for boys. The expense comes from some stupid label. I happen to love the Target outfit way better!

Fashion Reality

So my last post was ultra-expensive outfits for Claire. That is in a world where I have so much money I don't know what to do w/it (ha, what a dream).

However, my friend Jodi posed a good challenge. Find affordable stuff that is realistic but still cute. Bi-otch, please, Miss Kara can work her magic on any budget.

Cheap chic, courtesy of Target:

Saturday morning at Starbucks w/Mommy:





Daycare duds...




Going to a party...