Cutie with Gwyneth in the Knit Sweater Top

I stumbled upon this image on Style.com of Gwyneth and this adorable little girl (I don't think it is Apple but rather Stella McCartney's daughter whose style I equally admire). I have coveted the Mor Mor sweater we have on tada! shop and I was so inspired, I tried to recreate the look.

Image from here.

Estella t-shirt Kids Lap t-shirt $30, J. Crew MacCalister boots $88, Mor Mor Rita sweater$78, littl by littl charles shorts $48, wovenplay socks $28.

The Trico Field Look

We had heard about Trico Field, a Japanese-designed kids clothing store, and stopped in to take a peek. With locations in NYC and Los Angeles, their products are quite exceptional for both girls and boys. Their layering is what got us most excited! Mixing textures, one on top of another, the fabrics and the design detail are notable. All this said, it is not too surprising that it comes with a high price tag. Whether you buy the look at Trico Field or take it as inspiration and recreate yourself, start experimenting with layering!

Interior of NYC store. Beautiful.

65 West Houston Street

Hadley: Prairie skirt paired with the everyday athletic. It works.

Holly: The layering, of even very basic pieces, adds a lot of personality for a boy. I love it.

Hadley: (outfit 1) An unexpected combo of the laced-edged tee, sweatshirt, military-inspired jacket topped with a Navajo-print scarf and fur-trimmed hat. (outfit 2) Hand-knit scarf, plaid dress, chunkier knit multi-colored tights paired with a very delicate lace-trimmed tee under it all. Wow.

Holly: A colorful oxford (flannel, I believe), wrapped around the waste, pulls this look together with the sporty tee.

Look how they take something as simple as a sweatshirt, and then add the homemade knitted touch. Result is a more interesting and a bit dressier piece. Original.

More interesting layers. Look at how they layer the opposite of what I feel is typically. The tees over the oxford, rather than under. A great sporty look.

Hadley: This was my favorite girls' look. Take a gingham dress, add a chunky knit vest (this one is exceptional with wooden leaf buttons) and jeans. Scarf is such a nice touch, but I just don't see my 7-year-old going for it!

Holly: Triple layers on top mixed with patched jeans.

Yoya Animals

I stopped in at Yoya on Hudson Street today. Their displays are always so creative. Throughout the store, they have these stuffed giraffes and elephants in different colors, patterns and sizes. Bright to pastel, stripes to camouflage, small to large. I think they would be so sweet for a nursery or child's room. I love them grouped in the same pattern and different sizes but they had mixed a Liberty of London floral with camouflage and it looked fantastic! If ever in need of inspiration, Yoya is worth a stop. They also have these bird houses for a nursery wall that are incredible.

Large Elephant and Camel $70 each.

Elephants and Giraffe in pink Liberty of London peacock feather print.

Small $30, Medium $50, Large $70.

I loved this display on the dresser.

Elephants in Liberty of London paisley.

Small $30 and large $70.

Nothing looks too staged and yet the details are perfect: here

the pattern of the elephants compliments the clothing texture and colors.

NOTE: Yoya's web site is under construction, so to order call (646) 336-6844.

The Conran Shop

Holly and I were in NYC yesterday and our meeting locale got me over far enough on the East Side to finally get to The Conran Shop. I've known of it for years but never have I been to the physical store. The children's section is an experience. Talk about curation!

Children's section at The Conran Shop, 407 East 59th Street NYC.

Here are some stand-outs!

Karrlson Steps Alarm Clock Frog $29.

A great gift for a child that is hard to buy for—it has purpose and fun to look at!

CreAtiles Starter Set $250.00now $100.00.

They offer a number of products from this company. Soft with velcro fasteners, perfect for the child with a younger sibling, no worries on small plastic pieces!

Manuella Design Kitty Backpack $55.

I just think this is so cute, and for the pack-rats that children are—a sure hit!

My Food/Mi Comida by Rebecca Emberley $6.99.

I love infusing Spanish into our lives!

Eames Elephant in Grey $290.

In the store window right now, this elephant is exquisite. Expensive yes, but there is no denying an Eames is a work of art.

Gingham!

We have heard that gingham is a big trend in the spring childrenswear lines. We are seeing hints of it in some of the fall collections too....why not add it a little early? Whether the main event or peeking out from a collar, it adds wonderful pattern to any outfit!

Clockwise from top left: Kule by Nikki Kule Kristen Blouse $95, Olive Juice Muriel Dress $44.5o, Bonpoint Donia Dress $155, Olive Juice Juliette Blouse $38.50 under Classic Cable Crew $39.50, Mikalya's Creations Checker Headband $7.50, Dagmar Daley Little Blouse at Sweet William $64.

Berkley Girl's Fall Trends for Tweens

Over and over we hear how hard it is shopping for tween girls. Berkley Girl in NYC "the ultimate tween boutique" according to New York Magazine seems to have gotten it down. With two locations, the store offers a wide selection—from the stacks of tees in the center of the store to the racks of Lacoste, Little Marc Jacobs, Ella Moss and more. Not only do they dress their tween shoppers well, they offer incentives such as a report card program and focus groups to help develop the store. We asked them to share the fall trends they are seeing and what is selling best at their stores and they gave us even better...how to wear them too!

BOYFRIEND SWEATER

BG: "The boyfriend sweater looks great over a t-shirt paired with leggings or you can also pair it with your favorite jeans."

Splendid Boyfriend Sweater $55 and Little Fox Tee $47.

LUMBERJACK PLAID

BG: "This might be the most popular look for back to school! Girls are pairing this lumberjack plaid with leggings and tights, even solid colored denim skirts."

Flowers by Zoe Buffalo Check Dress $82.

PEACE SIGN ACCESSORIES

BG: "These cool peace sign accessories look great layered with other bangles or cute bracelets."

Confetti All Around Peace Cuff $7, Confetti Watch $22, Rockin Robin Leather Cuff $16.

BOYFRIEND BLAZER

BG: "The boyfriend blazer looks great with skinny jeans and nice casual top or even a t-shirt!"

Un Duex Trois Boyfriend Blazer $106 and Tease Teddy Bear Tee $54.

BOW HEADBANDS

BG: "Wear these headbands to add a girly feel to almost any outfit! They go great with multiple looks from formal dresses to denim shirts!"

A. Tierney Headband $12. Mikayla's Creations Satin Headband $11, Mikaylas Creations Saddle Stitch Headband $9.

Berkley Girl, 410 Columbus Avenue, NYC (212) 877-4770 and 1418 Second Avenue, NYC (212) 744-9507. Their online store is launching this fall!

The Color Purple!

I am seeing purple for girls everywhere this fall. As a new colorway for a wardrobe staple to a style all new, it is in every catalog, web site and store I am shopping for my children. Here are some of my favorites.

Clockwise from top left: Salvor Fauna Horse T-shirt at Estella $30-38, Pink Chicken Gemma Paisley Dress at Art Bebe $68, Coq en Pâte Horse Pouchette at Little Fashion Gallery £30.10, Crewcuts Girls' Silk Flower Hair Clip $10.50, Converse All-Star Low Sneakers at MilkShop $26, Baby CZ Purple Check Audrey Dress at Poppy Store $162, Lacoste Girls' Puff Sleeve Polo $45, Livie & Luca Pio Pio Bird Mary Janes at Chi Chi Bean $38, Peek...Aren't You Curious Frida Skirt, $58.

DIY Art at Moomah

I took my two older girls (5 and 6) to Moomah in NYC today. It is this incredible place that is a cafe, a store and a creative playscape all in one. I was in creative overdrive at every turn!

We had lunch first, and the girls rated the "grilled cheeses the best [they] have ever had" (my wrap was delicious too). As we ate, we played find-it games with the artwork on display, which are so incredible and so unique. They are all for sale and not inexpensive but beyond perfect for a child's room.

We then picked out our DIY art project. I say "we" because the girls opted for these diaramas and out of the hair-band project, which I just had to do myself! The projects were age appropriate and the staff were so hands-on including a visit from Supertryker. In the back room with a huge chalkboard, there was an Art & Nature class was going on. Take note, they are adding more classes this fall for both children and adults. I have never seen a place where every detail is perfectly done. The bathrooms alone honestly deserve a post unto themselves! If you are New York anytime soon, it is a really special outing for both children and adults.

The interior.

My 5-year-old's DIY diarama, $22.

My DIY headband for my daughter, $12.

Support Your Local Stores

We had written about Sons + Daughters a little bit ago and were sad to hear that they are closing their doors. While everything on the site is 30-50%, it is a reminder in these times especially to shop your local boutiques as much as possible! 

Red, White and Blue!

A couple ideas for whatever your plans are for the Fourth of July!

Outfit 1: Mini Boden Gathered Floaty Vest $20.00 now $13.00, Maan Bead Necklace at Elias and Grace £20.00 now £14.00, Amelia for Estella Striped Lined Girls Skirt $98.00 now $49.00, Jack Rogers Silver Sandals at Milkshop $74.00. Outfit 2: Bonpoint Gingham Dress, Pepe Matilde Sandal at Elias and Grace £56.00 now £39.20. 

Summer Journals

A friend emailed asking about what to give for her 7-year-old daughter's birthday party favors, saying "I hate being the mom that gives ANOTHER bag of junk." (I include this only because I am guilty of it!) I thought immediately of these great little journals that I saw at Sons + Daughters that can be for boy or girl and perfect for a party favor. Add a fun pen, crayons or for an extra personal touch have your child write each guests name on the front covers. I have ordered a few for my soon-to-be seven-year old as she has been asking for a journal and she was very excited to see not only could she log her summer fun on the inside pages, she got to color the outside cover too!

Blank Bound Books $3.50 each. 

We got ours and I had to share what the finished product looks like as the colors make them! 

Blocks Galore

Our shopping trip to Sons + Daughters in NYC was with great anticipation.  So many friends had raved about their store.  After circling the store several times, I was most intrigued with their wooden blocks !   Very diverse and unique .. skyscraper blocks, an "army of ant" blocks (available in store only), Spiel & Holz blocks, wooden block marble runs and beautiful handcrafted blocks from Vermont (available in store only).   I took the ants home for my boys. 

Blocks display in store. See the selection online.

Sons + Daughters: Rain Gear

Holly and I went to Sons + Daughters, this great little children's store in the East Village today. They have just an amazing assortment of toys as well as unique clothing and so many great options for baby gifts  (their gift wrapping is adorable!). 

I think it must be the week of rain here in the Northeast that inspired me today for my favorites were the wet-weather products!  For a boy or a girl, this IdaT orange rain jacket is bright and cheerful and the giraffes cute but not too cutesy. While it might seem a little expensive for a raincoat, the hood is detachable and it's fleece lined which makes it a great everyday jacket for those cooler days. 

IdaT Giraffe Kids Rain Jacket $65. 

Close-up of the giraffe.

I love the jellies! Someone gave us some for my first daughter and they were the best shoes for rainy summer weather. It is such a welcome change to enjoy watching  your child jumping in a puddle and seeing how happy they are without worrying about their feet being soaking wet! 

Jellies $15. Not available online, call (212) 253-7727 or info@sonsanddaughtersinc.com. 

Girls' Spring Pajamas

Hands down, I think Mini Boden makes the best kids' pajamas. Their nightgowns and top/bottom combos are a staple in our house.  They are comfortable and not only does each child get at least two years wear out of them, after that they are still in hand-me-down condition. I know they are a little on the expensive side for pajamas but they really are worth it. 

Mini Boden Printed Nightie $38. 

Mini Boden Twin Pack Short Johns $48.

And if you are willing to spend on pajamas, runners up are...

Grana & Mau Blue Flowers Nightie $50-52. 

Berkley Girl's Skivvy Doodles Spring PJs $45. 

Go-To Birthday Present

Holly and I were lucky enough to spend the morning yesterday with Sarah Easley at Kirna Zabete. She told us about her favorite birthday gift for a boy or a girl, the Kidsonaroof Mobile Home. We agreed the price is a little higher than we all would spend, but she guaranteed us it would earn us "best birthday gift giver" status!

Kidsonaroof Mobile Home $35. Available at Kirna Zabete. 

French Lessons

It was my daughter Courtney's 5th birthday and this was one of our favorite gifts. The box alone is decoration on a bookshelf, but the puzzles inside are just as nice. The pieces are made of wood and there are three different puzzles included. My five and six year old were able to do it by themselves, which I loved because I got to get lunches packed while they were playing. 

Available at Pomme.

Belated Baby Gift

I have been running behind on baby gifts...I mean really behind. So my new favorite thing to give is just in time for the newborn's 1st birthday! These tees are so soft and the print so subtle and pretty. I had seen it in the blue but just discovered it in pink too! Next baby girl is definitely getting one!

Lucky Fish Wave Baby Burnout Tee, $46. Available at www.sonsanddaughtersinc.com.