It’s been a while since we did one of these, so I rounded up a few things I’ve been loving (and a few things you’ve been asking about) recently! Hope you like browsing through these items as much as I loved putting them together! Happy Almost Summer, y’all! The countdown is ON…
Drunk Elephant starter pack Just a few of my fav DE products in one cute starter pack. Plus, it’s only $4 more than buying the lippe balm by itself (which is a staple in my house!) For more on Drunk Elephant & how I use it as part of my skincare routine, click here
This is my exact evil eye bracelet from our Greece trip last summer, but if you’re looking for a cheaper/easier option to purchase, I love this one and this one.
Little blue dress Bought this little number and have been loving it! It’s perfect for summer- and it’s only $22!! (note: it runs a bit on the roomy side. I ordered a medium & small and kept the small)
Veja Sneakers I’m loving these simple, classic sneakers for spring/summer. I just got myself a pair and I’ve been wearing them non-stop.
Quay Sunglasses I’m OB-sessed with this blackout cateye design…and for the price, you can’t beat it!
*For lots more of my Summer Fashion Favs, click HERE !
1 My Tory Burch Miller Sandals have been a fav for a few years now. I prefer the patent version over the leather because I find them better suited for the beach/pool
3 These are cheapie knock-offs to the Steve Madden Greece sandals
4|Steve Madden Greece Sandals. I got these last summer and absolutely love them!
5 I bought something similar last summer when we went to Greece and wore them almost every day!
6 Wish List item. I think these are so simple & classic and would go with anything!
7 Just bought these and I had to exchange for a half size bigger because they were too tight- but I LOVE the look of them! Can’t wait for my new size to arrive!
8 Wish List! I think these are adorable for dresses, white jeans, etc.
9 Ok my hair dresser had these on the other day and I made her give me all the deets and then ordered them right from my chair. They’re so cute!!!
10 Another wish list pair. I think these are the sweetest slides ever- that tiny blue & white stripe detail is so adorable!
13 I actually just bought the sole society version of these, but they are all sold out, so I found these- super similar and shhhhh! I might even love them more!
14 Target “wish list”! In love with these simple two-tone slides. They’d be great for the beach
15 I have a pair from last year and I just love them
16 These are THE sandals so many of ya’ll asked me about from Sea Island. And guys, get excited…they are from TARGET!! Run…before they’re gone!!!!
Need More Summer Goodies? Check out my other posts here:
Ok, let’s talk Skincare! If we’re being honest, I only started caring about my skin a few years ago…riiiight around the time when my age started showing. Coincidence much? 😉
Anyway, I had NO idea where to start, what kind of skin I had, or what the heck “ferulic acid” was, aside from the fact that it sounded like it would melt my face off (newsflash- it WON’T!)
So where did I start?
First, I booked myself a facial at a trustworthy spa.
I was lucky enough to get an extremely knowledgeable esthetician who listened to my concerns, answered my questions, and didn’t push products and treatments on me. She walked me through what I should be doing for my skin and suggested a few key products. I then went on to research and learn more myself…it’s been overwhelming, but totally fun at the same time!
While getting a professional spa treatment was great, I understand that it’s not always an option– and that’s totally ok, too. Lucky for us, my amazing friend Samantha, who happens to be an esthetician, has been kind enough to chime in on my routine & products!
**And before we get started, here’s a quick (& embarrasing) BEFORE & AFTER of my face (I can’t believe I’m showing you these!)Left was taken a year ago when I first started my skincare routine (I’ve added/changed products over time) The photos on the right were taken this week. Look at how the pigmentation & dullness has faded and how much more consistent and hydrated my skin looks now! I have no makeup on my face in these photos (Although I had lash extensions in the “before pics”) and my skin has not been edited and do I even need to state the glaringly obvious: “NO filters applied!”
Ok, now let’s get YOU started on your own face transformation! I hope this little guide we put together helps you find some new products and establish a routine that works best for your skin!
*A NOTE* You might notice my love of Drunk Elephant products below. While I haven’t perfected “clean product usage”, I do try my best to select products that are natural, organic, and paraben-free over other comparable products and to buy brands that are “ingredient conscious” as often as possible! One of my fav parts about Drunk Elephant is that they give you testers of their products in most of their full size product boxes. I collect them for when I travel!
AM and PM SKINCARE ROUTINE
Ok, here is a no-nonsense cheat sheet of my basic skincare routine steps, to give you a little overview before we dive in….
Now let’s get down to business and break these steps down!
STEP 1. Cleanse
What I Use– Well, I USED to just splash cool water on my face in the morning…until Samantha came into my life. She taught me the importance of morning cleansing (and DOUBLE cleansing in the evening) and introduced me to my new favorite products: Eminence Stone Crop Cleansing Oil and Tata Harpers Purifying Cleanser (Both natural & organic!) But, why TWO cleansers? Read below…
Samantha Says-
Morning- I regularly apply acids & retinols to my skin during my night time routine, so it’s important for me to get in a quick cleanse in the morning to remove products and any build up of dead skin cells. I usually reach for my Eminence Stone Crop Cleansing Oil – keeps my skin soft and hydrated without compromising my acid mantle, but gently removes all the rest. Steer clear of face washes that foam as these usually contain surfactants and will strip your skin of essential moisture and can create an alkaline surface that’s favorable to bacteria – ew! If I’m in a rush and don’t have time to wash, I do a quick wipe down with Bioderma Micellar water on a cotton round. This removes heavy emollients, sweat, and shedding skin cells from the night before & will help your daytime serums & treatments be most effective.
Evening- I double-cleanse in the evenings if I’ve worn makeup or SPF that day (so, basically always). I start with a balm or oil cleanser – my Eminence Stone Crop, or I also really love Clinique’s cleansing balm (the balm, not the oil!) – and then follow that cleanse with either Tatcha’s Deep Cleanse, Tata Harpers Purifying Cleanser, or I just use my oil cleanser again. I have combination, aging skin, and neither of these cleansers leave my skin feeling “stripped” or tight, but they’re both equally as effective for my husband who has combination skin and loves that “clean” feeling. win-win!
2. chemical exfoliants (ie Biologique Recherche Lotion P50 ). I swear by P50. But if you can’t get your hands on it I would also recommend AH Liquid Gold, Pixie Glow Tonic (affordable option & sold at Target!), or Dr Dennis Gross Peel Pads (I take these when I travel, because they’re convenient and fool-proof). Be sure to wear SPF and/or cover up if you apply these in the daytime to avoid skin damage- or just save them for night!
Toning is one of the most important steps for prepping your skin for the serums and moisturizers you use after. Toners were originally thought of as a second cleanse – to remove any remaining makeup/sebum/cleanser – but toners are SO MUCH MORE than that. A toner can either help to rebalance your skins neutral PH and provide additional hydration, or you can use acidic toners that help to exfoliate the skin, and challenge it in a safe (and non-abrasive!!) way. Think of acid toners as the new “St. Ives Apricot Scrub” exfoliator for your skin- but, like, WAY better for your skin! When you apply an acid toner to your skin, you put your skin in an acidic PH state, make the pores act like little vacuums; pulling anything applied to it more effectively and deeply. This method is frequently used by estheticians during chemical peels, applying vitamin A/retinol to the skin when its at its most acidic state to drive it deeper into the epidermis.
What it does- Ok, yes…CE Ferulic is a SPLURGE for sure, but I seriously love it so much & it lasts forever! “It features an antioxidant combination of ferulic acid, pure vitamins C and E, and it enhances your skin’s protection against environmental damage. It helps neutralize free radicals induced by UVA/UVB, infrared radiation, and ozone pollution. It also improves signs of aging and photodamage, and reduces the appearance of lines and wrinkles while firming and brightening your complexion.” [taken from DERMSTORE] If CE Ferulic isn’t in the budget, try Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum instead! But definitely apply some form of Vitamin C every day! Next, The TLC Serum I use at night has glycolic acid (a natural exfoliant) so it resurfaces dull skin and gently lifts dead skin cells away for a clear, smooth, and even looking complexion. I like using this one at night because it enhances the performance of other products by clearing the way for maximum absorption [info taken from Drunk Elephant & Allure.com ]
Samantha Says– I have a rotation of serums that I interchange depending on what my skin is telling me it needs – for hydration I use Hydrafacial brand, for additional exfoliation Sunday Riley Good Genes never fails me for added exfoliation & pigment concerns, and for tissue repair Kate Somervile Deep Tissue Repair with Peptides is a creamy treatment that can be used in this step or as your moisturizer. Listen to your skin and switch up your treatments, or even better, COCKTAIL your serums together to feed your skin what it needs. I’m a mad scientist in my bathroom mixing multiple serums together – have fun with it!
What it does–The Derm-e is a silky, lightweight formula that re-hydrates, detoxifies and replenishes nutrients during the day. The Water Drench is a serum so you only need a tiny bit to make your skin glow & feel hydrated all day, without the heaviness of a lotion based moisturizer. I. FREAKING. LOVE. THIS. STUFF!!! The Drunk Elephant Protini’s formula “delivers younger, revived-looking skin, almost from the first application. Lines, wrinkles and signs of sun-damage appear reduced; depleted skin feels strengthened and moisturized.” Sign me up! Love this stuff for my night time routine!
Samantha Says– Hi. My name is Samantha, and I’m addicted to Skinbetter Science Intensive AlphaRet overnight cream for my nighttime moisturizer. This retinol + glycolic + lactic acid blend is POWERFUL. Goodbye wrinkles, texture, dullness, and frankly, my thirties! It also contains antioxidants, peptides, ceramides, and more. Holy. Grail. For another moisturizer option, Jordan hit the nail on the head here…Drunk Elephant Protini is really, really, REALLY good. It’s very rich, and best suited for a “normal” to dry or aging skin type. Kate Somerviles Goat Milk moisturizer is another favorite.
My oily girls – if you don’t like the heavy feeling of a moisturizer AND an SPF during the day, feel free to skip a moisturizer altogether! Instead, use a hyaluronic acid serum (like Peter Thomas Roth Water Drench Hyaluronic Cloud Serum to boost hydration and then go straight to your SPF. Side note: if you’re oily and you’re skipping your daily moisturizer and then cleansing at the end of the night with a cleanser that suds, STOP. Oil cleansers will change your life!
STEP 5: Facial Oils (I typically only use oils at night!)
What it Does- The Marula oil is “Like rehab for your skin, this wonder-working, luxury facial oil…helps to moisturize, rejuvenate and nourish skin while restoring a youthful glow. Straight from the “pip” of the marula fruit…Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is untouched by any chemical or fragrance, natural or synthetic and remains in its purest form.” [Drunk Elephant] The Sleeping Oil is a Retinol & Blue Tansy based oil. I use it a few times a week in the place of my other oil, because- duh…this tired mama needs some retinol in her life! (I only use facial oils at night because they tend to be a bit too heavy for me to have on all day.) Other Options- Le Prunier Facial Oil (LOVE! Could replace the Marula Oil), Mad Hippie Facial Oil, Honest Beauty Organic Facial Oil
Samantha Says- I apply Luna Sleeping Night Oil over my night cream to lock everything in and keep my skin hydrated but still working for me. This is a great retinol starter if you’ve never used a retinol or for anyone who finds that other retinols are irritating to their sensitive skin. A bottle lasts for what feels like forever.
What it does- Love this stuff! The Umbra Tinte has just the slightest amount of tint, with an spf 30 protection. I use it as my “foundation” every day! I love using the supergoop spray on-the-go when I need to reapply sunscreen without messing up my makeup. Other Options- La Mer SPF 30 Skin Tint OR for a non-tinted option, get Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer
Samantha Says– If you are staying home all day, no need to apply spf. If you’ll be outside (overcast days included!) or even in your car for more than 15 minutes, apply sunscreen. I like NeoGen Day-Light Protection 50+++. You need to reapply your sunscreen every 2-3 hours if you’re in direct sunlight (ie beach days, sitting at the park, etc.). I avoid moisturizer/sunscreen combo products because I invest in really high quality (and often times $$$) skincare and don’t want those ingredients being diluted by sunscreen. I don’t need to wear SPF all day, everyday so applying it separate from my moisturizer just makes sense for me.
And the last, BEST thing you can do for your skin? Water, water, water! Drink up, ladies! Nothing will work better than hydrating your skin from the INSIDE, OUT!
Need some help digesting all that info?
I know it might seem like a lot, so here are some little cheat sheets for you. Print them out, stick ’em to your mirror, and voilà…just like the spa at home. 😉
And here’s a blank copy of my chart for you to download, print & fill in with the products you’ll be using. It’ll helpful to keep in your bathroom for reference the first few weeks until it becomes second nature: Blank Skincare Steps Chart
Have Questions?
Check out this fun segment below!
I chatted with a few friends while putting this post together and asked Sam if she would be so kind as to answer a few of our most burning questions! Hope this helps!
A:
1. A proper cleanser that removes makeup & spf but isn’t drying or irritating (if you don’t know if your cleanser is right for your skin take the 2 hour challenge – wash your face and apply NOTHING, wait two hours, then assess your skin. Is it tight and dry? If so, switch to something that isn’t stripping your skin of moisture, ex: an oil or milky cleanser, not something that suds.)
2. Sunscreen! Sun damage is SO aging and preventing it is so EASY and inexpensive. The neutrogena spf at Target will do just fine! If you’re investing in good skincare and not applying spf you’re just wasting your time and money.
3. An oil or cream, preferably one that contains antioxidants and other skin boosting ingredients. If you’re washing your face and not following up by feeding your skin the moisture it needs you’re going to have dull and often times wrinkly/crepe-paper looking fine lines caused by surface dehydration.
A:
This is a tough one because it’s very age related, but if you already have the items above and are looking to really invest in your skincare I would say that anyone over age 30 should start using retinol in their nighttime routine, and if you’re currently using physical exfoliants (St Ives Apricot scrub, anyone?) to instead invest in a good chemical exfoliant/toner/serum like P50, Drunk Elephant TLC, Sunday Riley Good Genes, etc. Physical exfoliants can be so so damaging to the skin, and many of the chemical exfoliating serums mentioned above also contain other great ingredients for your skin and benefit a wide range of skin types and conditions.
A:
YES!!! I sleep on a SLIP pillowcase every night, and I’ve even splurged over the years on extras for my daughters and husband because they’re just so great!! You spend a third of your life in bed, and if you’re like me, you sleep with your face squished against the pillow just begging for wrinkles. Silk pillowcases reduce friction by more than 40% and that benefit spans beyond just your skin – less tangled, damaged, bed-head hair is another perk! Cotton pillowcases are also far more absorbent and I’m not investing in quality skincare just to see it absorbed by my cotton pillowcase. 😉
A:
This is a rabbit hole…
Are you only breaking out around your time of the month? Are your breakouts around your chin area (a usual sign that it’s hormonal)? Are your “breakouts” deep under the skin or on the surface with visible white heads? Looooots of factors here. (Please feel free to message me personally if you have specific skincare concerns, I am happy to help you in a more targeted way here!!)
If you’re already using a retinol and chemical exfoliant toner/serum and still having significant breakouts I would start first by determining if your “breakouts” are true acne or a reaction to products you’re using (overexfoliating, overly dry and stripped skin, or an allergy, etc). Second to that I would eliminate dairy. I did this after having my second daughter (she had allergies) and was SHOCKED by the dramatic change in my skin.
Acne spot treatments are great for treating what’s already there. Salicylic acid is an oil-eater and exfoliant and is best used on black and white heads, as well as those bumps that don’t seem to come to a head. Benzoyl peroxide treatments are best for those big, red, puss filled zits as it kills bacteria.
A:
Ok, here’s the deal. The concern is with overexfolition, and PH. Vitamin A (retinol), the holy grail of skincare, is an antioxidant and works on a cellular level supporting cell production, collagen, and fibroblasts that keep your skin firm, plump, and visibly less wrinkly. Acids, on the other hand, work on the surface of the skin to slough away dead skin cells. While retinol does cause cell turnover, it is not an exfoliant. If you are noticing significant redness, dryness, peeling, and irritation, CUT BACK; alternate using retinol every other night until you’ve built up more tolerance, or find a formula with a lower percentage of vitamin A (an over the counter retinoid like Luna Night Oil is a great place to start) What you really need to know is that keeping your skin hydrated and protected from the sun is the most important thing you should do because as your skin sheds the “adult cells” and reveals new “baby cells” they are fragile and the sun can cause loss of firmness, pigmentation, and wrinkles, and that goes against everything we’re working towards!
Vitamin C + retinol is another concern people have, but fear not. Vitamin C remains stable at a low PH level and previously the concern was that retinol would be ineffective at that PH but that myth has since been debunked. So mix away!
You can follow me on my skin specific Instagram @heyskingirl (I have been inactive recently while getting settled into our new home state, but this was just the motivation I needed to get back at it!), my personal account @samantha.m.hawes or email me at samanthamhawes@gmail.com
**Tip: Things getting pricey?! Try the Drunk Elephant “The Littles” kit. You get to sample eight products for under $100! Also, I built up my collection over a year…don’t think you need to go buy everything at
Ready for MORE?
For my favorite skincare tools, masks, eye products, etc. check out Skincare: Part 2 where we chat about face tools, eyes, lips, masks and more!
The following BLOG was originally written for & posted on the ZoZu Baby November Newsletter. Click HERE to read more from The ZoZu Baby Blog!
Hi friends! It’s Jordan from @jordan.and.co here again to talk to you about how we style our ZoZu products. We all know ZoZu Baby is one of my absolute favorite bow brands and one of the reasons I love it so much is because it’s not JUST a bow shop. In fact, some of our favorite items from ZoZu Baby are the knee socks, the tights, and the scrunchies!
I’d love to share a few of the ways we style our ZoZu!
–Knee socks are one of my favorite accessories on little girls! I love how they look with everything from cute, preppy maryjanes to funky booties!
–Zozu Baby Tights are such good quality! I love the cute colors and the ribbing! In the winter both of my girls wear tights almost daily (because they are not a fan of pants). Quinlin wears white or navy tights with her uniform and Cub wears All. The. Colors! Again, I love that tights can be worn with anything! Q wears hers with her plaid uniform & saddle shoes, and Cub wears hers with everything from skirts and rain boots to cute jumpers and t-straps!
–Zozu bows are a staple in our house. I’m a big fan of the Voyager Style because my girls wear their hair up a lot and I think the voyager style works best on the top of their heads to accent pigtails (unless we have a pigtail set to wear!), buns, or a ponytail! When I style their hair down, I love the look of the Pioneer style bow clipped over to the side- but of course we wear all the styles all the ways! If you’re just starting a bow collection my best advice is to start with 10 bows: get 5 solid colors and 5 patterns- then build from there. Stripes, polka-dots, plaids, and bold florals are always my favorite patterns for building a collection. Once you have your basics, you can add fun prints for holidays or special occasions!
-Let’s talk scrunchies! I personally love to use Zozu scrunchies as a way to dress up my messy mom bun! For my girls, my favorite way to style the scrunchies is over the girls buns for ballet class! They are seriously the perfect little accent! The velvet scrunchies are so gorgeous but I think the pioneer scrunchies are my absolute favorite!
–Headbands are Zozu Baby’s latest venture and they are pretty darn adorable! When we are having a rushed morning, my favorite thing to do is to run a brush through the girls’ hair and slap on a bow headband. OR…also perfect for when their hair desperately needs to be washed so you throw it up in a simple pony tail. Nothing says “This was totally the look I was going for” like a big old adorable headband to polish the look! Amiright?
–Bowties…for all the little men in your lives!! I can wait to style my three kiddos in their matching Zozu bows, headbands, and bowties this Christmas! This is my current favorite sibling set:
-The “Extras” are a little hidden ZoZu gem! Click on this category next time you are shopping and you’ll find two of my secret favs: the hair ties (so good for pony tail days…or messy bun days!) and the alligator clips! I always buy a few extra alligator clips…want toknow why? Because when a bow I really want is sold out, I buy it in the nylon headband version (usually available), cut off the nylon when it arrives and slip in one of my extra alligator clips. Voilá…the “sold out bow” you wanted! Shoot…did I just give away my best bow-buying secret?!
Bascially, I adore the WHOLE ZoZu collection and depend on each and every item when styling my girls every day! What’s your favorite way to style Zozu?
Pour the hot coco and put on your favorite Holiday movie….it’s Christmas Jammie time, people!!! Christmas pjs are my absolute FAVORITE and I’ve rounded up some of the sets I’m loving this year! Why now? It’s only mid-November! Well, because just like with popular gifts, some of these pjs will sell out…and if you want matching sets for your family (or just for your kiddos), it’s smart to stock up now. Then you’ll have them tucked away for whenever you’re ready to deck your halls…and your babes! I’m allllll about getting things done early this year so that I can actually enjoy December!
One note…just make sure you look at BOTH the girl and boy lists because there are a TON of pjs that are unisex and I was just too lazy to put them in both categories!
Ok friends, here it is- the 2018 Kid’s Gift Guide! I’m SO excited to share this guide with you and I truly hope you find that perfect something for your perfect little someone! Happy Shopping!
ABC Puzzle (1) We’ve had a similar puzzle for years and all the kids have played with it in their toddler years!
Woodland Treehouse & Critters (9) One of our very favorite toys. It’s pricey but definitely stands the test of time. My girls use to love it and now Max does!
Jellycat Kitty (10) I bought all my kids a jellycat as babies and to this day, they are my kids favorites
Mini Buddah Board (11) Max loves playing with this at restaurants! You just paint with water on the board and it dries in seconds.
Pretend Play Purse (13) I love how realistic all the items look. Ardyn would probably still play with this!
Puppet Theater & Puppets (14) She may not be old enough to put on her own shows yet, but what a fun toy to pay together- boost those imaginative skills!
Baby Einstein Hape Magic Touch Wooden Piano (not pictured)- This thing is SO cool! The keyboard is wooden with “touch technology” instead of keys! Click the link & check it out! Getting it for Max!!
Hunter Boots (not pictured) When in doubt these are always a GREAT gift idea!
Little Live Kitten (3) I’m not a huge fan of toys like this…mostly because the kids are interested for 0.5 seconds and then they usually end up not getting played with ever again. However, we always cave for Christmas if it’s the top item on their wish list.
We LOVE our Magnolia house but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t completely obsessed with thisCastle Doll House (5) & the Royal Family (2)!! If you’re looking for something more whimsical, please get this so I can live vicariously through you! (You may need to trade in the crowned jewels themselves to pay for it!) 😉
Binder Organizer(8) – This would be SO fun to fill with cute crafts/games/art supplies to use as a restaurant/travel/car “quiet” toy bag! Q will LOVE this! *UPDATE*I searched and searched for a boy version of this binder but THIS was the only one I found that looked like the right size. You’d need to buy the pencil cases separately.
I know there are SO many brands of cute kitchen sets out there and so many fun kitchen set “renovations” on pinterest but I just love the Pottery Barn sets the very best. THIS ONE (1) is my ultimate favorite! It has so many cabinets and so much playing space!
Have an empty closet or corner in your play area? This door frame “playhouse”(6) has been a favorite in our house! This Cafe Tent (7) is also SO cute if you have more space!
Mom & Me Journal (3) Q has been writing me notes a lot lately so I’ve been wanted to try this idea for a few months now. I’m so excited to try this with her!
Student Planner & Stickers & highlighters (9) My little Nerdy Birdy has been asking for “a planner with stickers like mommy” since the school year started. She currently writes all her homework etc. down in a notebook every week so I figured it’s time for an upgrade!
Me Museum Book (10) Quinlin absolutely LOVES books like this
Apple Pencil (11) Q has been begging for one of these!
Craft Case (12)We buy one every year and fill up our craft cabinet with these supplies. The girls love it! I love this craft cabinet (13). We bought it a few years ago and just keep filling it up with supplies!
Binder Organizer (14)– This would be SO fun to fill with cute crafts/games/art supplies to use as a restaurant/travel/car “quiet” toy bag! Q will LOVE this!
Personal Water Cooler(1) My girls ALWAYS need water before bed and I love that I can fill this guy up with filtered water, stack a few cute reusable cups next to it, and put it right on their dresser!
Oil Diffuser (2) We use a lot of oils in our house and I almost always have my diffuser going in the kitchen. I love this cute pineapple one for a big girls room. Great for diffusing a “pick me up” blend in the morning, a “focus” blend during homework time, or my personal fav- a “sleepy” blend at bedtime!
Puffin in Bloom Book Collection(3) Ok we’ve had this set for a while now and it’s the perfect, most beautiful gift idea for an older child (or great for displaying in room until they grow into them)!
Mouse in a Box(4) Q has one of these on her bedside table and Cub has been begging for her own!
Crosley Record Player (6) This has been such a huge hit for the girls at bedtime. I buy lots of old records from Etsy and from used book stores. To see how we use it, check out my blog post on Quin’s Big Girl Room!
Dream Catcher (7) How beautiful is this? My girls have a recent obsession with dream catchers and their ability to “protect them from nightmares”!
Unicorn Piggy Bank(8) I feel like every kiddo needs a piggy bank- a place to collect loose change, those $5 chore earnings, tooth fairy dollars, etc!
Rainbow Purse(9) You guys remember when I shared Mandi Smethells with you about a year ago? She made me the most gorgeous rainbow for Q’s room makeover and it’s my most favorite piece in Q’s room. Well, now she has a purse collab with Anthropologie!!!! How cool is that?!
Bluetooth Speaker (10) I like putting lullabies/instrumental music/stories on for them when they have a hard time falling asleep. I love this speaker!
Viofit Jr Activity Tracker (11) I feel like Q would think this was the coolest thing in the world…and I would think the “chore tracker” was the coolest thing in the world!
Boon Nightlight and Flashlight (12) My girls are so into reading/looking at books at bedtime, I think they’ll LOVE this two-in-one nightlight and flashlight for their bedside tables!
Fill it with legos to create a cute lego travel kit! Q asked for this Classic Lego Mixed Box for Christmas.
Fill it with small notebooks, cards, stationary, fun pens and stickers (from Arts & Crafts Section Above!) to create a cute travel art/writing box!
Have fun with it!
Playing Cards (7) How great are these little feminist cards?
Chess/Checkers (1) Q swears she learned to play chess at school and wants a set for the house. I’m getting her this cute wooden one but I’m slightly nervous that she’ll ask for help!
Super Genius: Letters (4) | Addition (3)| Reading This is one of our favorite card games to play and I love that there are different levels for different ages!
Rummikub (6) This used to be one of my favorite games to play with my grandma. I’m excited to teach Q to play.
Monopoly Jr (5)– I can’t even lie to you…I do not enjoy Monopoly. But this looks like a version I can handle! 😉
Jump Rope (1) My girls always love getting classic gifts like this!
Pulse Light-Up Skates (3) Q got ice skates for her birthday this year and has since been begging for big girl roller skates. These are pretty awesome! I’m also OBSESSED with these winged skates! (2) They just remind me of Adventures in Babysitting!
Tokyo Bike (4) (This little bike is pricey- but I just love the look of it. So classic…and I feel like it would last forever and a day.)
Playhouse to Makeover (5) (I’ve been wanting to do this little project for a while now and the girls have been asking for a playhouse, so I feel like Christmas is the perfect time to get it done!) NOTE: This playhouse has been painted and made over…it does not come this way.
Pedal Go Kart (6)- My in-laws bought these for the girls last Christmas and they were a HIT!
Pony Rider (7) I kind of want to get one just to see my kids riding down the street on it! Hahah!
Wooden Balance Board (8) I feel like all three of my kiddos will love this and the play possibilities are endless.
Hunter Boots (24) When in doubt these are always a GREAT gift idea!
(See also “Toddler Girl Toys” for more ideas)
Here’s the deal you guys, I am so out of touch with what older boys are into these days. I complied a list of what I thought were some “out-of-the-box ideas” for you…assuming you’d have all the sports equipment, video games, etc. under wraps all on your own. I may be clueless, but thought these were fun ideas and I should mention- I plan on getting my girls some of these items and I encourage you to shop some of the categories above for your bigger boys as well, depending on their interests! There’s some great stuff linked up above that’d be perfect for boys AND girls!
Electronic battleship (5) Q learned how to play battleship in Hawaii so I had to add it to the list. She’s going to be so excited about this electronic version!
Don’t forget the extras! I love to get gift tag stickers with our family’s name on them so that I can use them for neighbors, teachers, and family/friend gifts! I also get “Santa” stickers made up so it’s easy to slap them on all the kids’ gifts and they can recognize which are theirs on Christmas morning. I typically get a sheet of sticker tags that read “To: Quinlin Love, Santa” (for each child) and then a set of tags that say “Share Gift!” (I’d say about 75% of the girl’s Christmas toys are “share” gifts!) My fav go-to spot for ALL stationary/labels/stickers is Joy Creative Shop! {use code HOLIDAY20 for a discount!}
I have probably one of my most favorite giveaways going on over on my IG page right now. I participate in limited giveaways, and I always try to make sure that I’m giving away items that I TRULY love and would buy myself. So, I’m super excited about this one with several of my favorite brands…
* Elephantito Shoes– These shoes are QUALITY and they are so classic and timeless. Q has been wearing them since she was little and now Cub wears her hand-me-downs. I got these silver mary-janes because with the holidays coming up- I knew we’d get SO much use out of these beauties! Elephantito has so many adorable styles for boy and girls…and even the cutest pair of leopatd booties, so if the mary jane look isn’t your thing, don’t worry- they have lots of cute options.Elephantito is giving away $250 shop credit!!
*Busy Bees Kids– I’ve done giveaways with them before so you guys know how much I LOVE this brand. Classic style play AND dress up clothes with a bit of pretty flair. I love, love, love these clothes and am so happy with the items we got from their Fall collection. For Cub I picked this floral dress which is no longer available but I’m obsessed with this one and this one too! For Q I went with this ballerina ruffle skirt (which she LOVES!) and I love that I can dress it up or down. I also snagged this navy barn coat for Q and I’m 1,000% obsessed with it. It is so soft and cozy but so beautifully tailored. I think I need to go back and get one for Cub, too! Seriously, I love Busy Bees so much and they are giving away $250 shop credit AND a fall photo styling consultation with their head stylist!
*Monogram Mary– has THE cutest monogrammed items and apparel in her shop! Remember Max’s sweet, tiny monogrammed backpack from the Back-to-School giveaway? Yup- that was Monogram Mary! And her Fall stuff is just SO cute! Monogram Mary is giving away winner’s choice of a monogrammed rollneck sweater. (I got the navy one for Max with the classic “M” monogram. I’m so excited to get him in it!!!)
*Nordstrom– Because, honestly, us Mamas need to treat OURSELVES sometimes! We are giving away a $200 Nordstrom gift card to the lucky winner!
Seriously, you guys….how good is that?!!
To enter head HERE and follow the directions. All you need to do is:
Follow the 11 of us mamas & shops that the giveaway account is following
Like the giveaway photo and comment “done”
That’s it!! Good Luck, friends! I hope one of YOU wins!!!!
As I aimlessly roam the aisles of clothing stores, I notice my cart is FULLLL of cute outfits for Cub from the toddler section and I’m left wondering if I can squeeze Q into that dreaded “biggest toddler size” so they can match. Nope…legs are too long, zippers won’t zip. So, I brace myself as I walk into the “big girl section” where the clothing designers are intent upon transforming my newly seven-year-old into a teenager. Or so it seems…
Sound familiar? I’ve heard SO much from you guys about hating shopping in the “big girl section” for your little girls; how the clothes are too old, or just not as cute as the toddler section. And while I can’t fully fix the cuteness factor (they are baby clothes, after all) I DID do some digging to prove that we CAN have a pleasant experience shopping for our big (but still little) girls, too.
I put together seven looks that I would 100% put Q in and would EASILY be able to coordinate Cub with.
And guess what, you guys? Here’s the best news: Every. Single. Solitary. Item. linked on this post is from…get ready for it…Old Navy & Target! Yep…right down to shoes and accessories! Woo-Hoo!! Listen, I’m not ready to quit my small shops on Instagram, but let’s be honest…I live at Target so I might as well be able to snag some clothes for Q while I’m there, ya know?
So, yes…while the day our littles outgrow the toddler section, is a MOST dreaded day, it only confirms one thing that we should probably come to terms with (insert ugly tears)… they are, in fact, not toddlers anymore. BUT, if you still want to dress them like they are off to second grade and not sophomore year, here are a few looks you might like!
Tip: All the big girls are into graphic tees these days, so I always look for simple ones (you know, sans glitter and cartoon characters) You can always polish it up with cute accessories! When Q has “jeans” day at school, I would totally put her in something like this!
Tip: Not many people know this but did you know Pink Chicken has a line at Target?! It’s called Happy by Pink Chicken and it’s exclusively online. If you are looking for sweet girly dresses at a fraction of the price, this is basically the best news ever for you! 😉
Tip: Layering can basically transform any outfit! I love this sweet little sweater but the outfit just came together when layered the denim collared shirt underneath, dont you think? And riding boots with skirts…yes please!!
Tip: One word- OVERALLS! Sad about your babe getting bigger? Slap on some overalls and boom- she’s instantly little again! Haha! Of course, let her feel more grown up by pairing them with some funky accessories!
Tip: floral dresses are always a win when it comes to dressing Q. She loves them, I love them. It just works. Plus, pairing with a denim jacket just makes it even cuter!
Tip: Ok, this might sound weird, but check out the uniform section! Those little pleated skirts and jumpers are cuuuuute and can totally be dressed up or down to make the perfect little girl outfit! Add some cute knee socks (and hello…scrunchies from Target?!) and you’d never know that skirt was intended for a peter pan collared shirt and a cardigan (which, by the way…I’m totally into as well!) 😉
Tip: Striped dresses (and denim jackets) are a wardrobe staple for us. I was able to dress this cute little number up for a fun Halloween-themed outfit just with Target accessories. And isn’t it totally reminiscent of the sweet “small shop” twirl dresses you know I love so much?!
Extra, Extra! See guys? Shopping for our big girls can be totally fun…it just requires a bit more digging and playing around. I hope this helped you not feel so stumped and deflated when you’re walking the aisles of Target & Old Navy. Keep your eyes peeled people…the gems ARE out there! (Helllllooooo pink corduroy overall jumper up there. I see you!!!!)
Hi friends! I hope all your little ones have had a great start to school! I’ve gotten a bunch of questions asking about how we decorated Q’s backpack this year so I thought I’d link a some of them for you. Q picked out this metallic State backpack with the intent to flair-the-heck out of it, but you can totally add some fun personalization to ANY backpack! We went with the enamel pins because I was nervous about ironing-on patches to the metallic, but if you have a canvas pack…I think iron-on patches are a super cute way to go! Here are some of the items we used:
Metallic Backpacks
Q wanted something “plain” that she could decorate, but something that was still “fancy”. She loved this metallic gold backpack immediately.
We found most of our pins at hobby lobby and local boutiques but Amazon has a fun assortment that will be different from what everyone else has! I also found some cute stick-on patches that work great as well if you want to avoid ironing & sewing!
We had been given an acrylic name keychain with a tassle on it for Q’s birthday and she really wanted to use it on her backpack…you know, in case she couldn’t tell her pinned-out, gold backpack apart from anyone else’s at school! Anyways, I think it looks so cute! We added a giant pink pom that she had on her backpack last year and called it complete. I’m sure it will get added to throughout the year…until it’s so laden down with flair that she can hardly hold it up any longer! Ha!
Personalized Totes (We used these last year and they were perfect for smaller girls who don’t have much to carry into dance class. We needed something bigger this year.)
Update:
*We’ve learned along the way that these sweet mini bags just don’t cut it as you get more serious about dance. Dancers joining a team or company where they are required to go from one genre class to the next will need a larger bag. Q upgraded to her company-issed black dance backpack, but here is a cheaper option. Water bottle slots are key! 😉
Dance Shoes
Splurge:
Ballet- Bloch They’ve come out with “string/tie” free ballet slippers. We purchased some this year and if you hate tying those tiny little strings into knots or bows like I do, these are totally worth the extra $9!
Tap- Capezio We are lucky enough to have a Capezio store right by us so we always run in to get new dance shoes every year. It’s kind of a fun tradition for my girls to get fitted together.
Steal:
Ballet- Target ballet shoes ( I grabbed Cub some of these last year last minute and they lasted the whole season!)
Tap- Target Tap Shoes (Ok I just totally dropped the ball last year when none of Q’s hand-me-downs fit Cub and I ran to Target to get all of her shoes. These were fine for the year. But they aren’t THAT much cheaper than the Capezio and the velcro strap kept putting pulls in her tights!)
Update:
*I’m not sure if this is for every studio, but at ours, we learned last year that the ballet shoes required for higher level ballet dancers are the canvas ones, not the leather. Like the Bloch ones linked above! Also available HERE .
Transition Shoes
Splurge:
Mini Melissa– We’ve been buying MMs for years now and they are our FAVORITE shoes to wear into and out of dance class…can’t be scuffing up those tap shoes and slippers, now!
Steal:
Old Navy Pink Jelly Mary Janes – They may not be as soft or durable as Mini Melissa, but these bad boys are sweet and CHEAP…not to mention bringing back some totally 80s vibes.
“Pro”:
These Dance warm-up booties are great transition shoes! I love them for when Q has multiple classes to go to and she can slip these on OVER her dance shoes in between classes. They are designed to fit over ballet & jazz shoes so that you can get your kiddos fully dressed for dance (dance shoes included) and then run in/out of the studio (while keeping your dance shoe soles protected), and then just slip them off right before class. We’ve recently changed over to these booties and the “no more changing in/out of dance shoes in the lobby” has been a game changer! They come in lots of colors. The sizing can be tricky though. Q is in a shoe size 1, and wears the XL (but I think she could’ve gotten away with the L). Ardyn is a shoe size 11 and she wears a M.
When in doubt…my girls throw on their rain boots when we are headed to dance class! Favorites here: one | two | three
Tights
Splurge:
Capezio– I’ve found with dance tights, more is MORE! The more expensive, the better the quality, the longer they last! I splurge for a few nice thick pairs and they last SO much longer than the thin cheapies!
Steal:
Target Tights – Use in a pinch and be warned…they’ll rip after one wear and I can’t stand the seams that show.
Dipug Tights – Found these on Amazon & giving them a try…stay posted!
Update:
*If your little one dances multiple genres, invest in nice transition tights. Q pulls the foot down for ballet, then folds it up for contemporary and acro when she dances barefoot. The capezio “ballet pink” transition tight are my favorite.
Leotards
*I used to do all the fun leotards from my fav small IG shops, but Q’s dance studio has a strict dress code/uniform by class/level so we have to stick to the basics now. I’ll tag some of my fun IG leotard shops below for you!
Splurge:
Capezio is my go-to for quality/basic dance clothes, but that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price! I find capezio deals on zappos and amazon!
Steal:
Zulily always has the BEST deals on dance clothes!
Target their “less blingy” leotards are pretty cute! These skirted ones are sweet for tiny dancers!
*EDIT: Our studio does NOT support the bun maker, OR any fun accessories. Haha! I was very sad to learn this…especially after perfecting the donut-bun on my girls’ hair! Q is required to wear a low, flat ballet bun–NO bows or accessories. But I’m including some for you just in case!
Look Four Shopping List: 
Jordan & Co 