Bargain Toddler Tuxedos at Syms

Freshy will be wearing his first tuxedo later this month as he makes his manly man fashion debut as the ring boy in Auntie Fashionista's wedding. We aren't sure if Fresh will cooperate or melt into a shriveled up screaming pile of toddler goo at the back of the church. One thing is for sure, he'll look very dapper doing whatever he decides.

Mimi Fashionista spotted classic black toddler tuxedos at Syms stores for just $19.99--what a deal! Toddler tuxedo rentals average around $70, and most places sell basic toddler tuxedos for $50-115.

Check him out!

Freshiola Freshworthy modeling his basic black 5-piece tuxedo

and black patent leather Chikitto wingtip boots.

Dear Mommy Fashionista

I need help finding a dress for my 4-year old daughter to wear in our town fair's pageant. My daughter has fair skin, blue eyes, and blond hair. I am hoping to find a pretty shade of blue (periwinkle or dephinium), but nothing too light or too dark, as she will look washed out. The dress needs to be dressy, but please--no national pageant or lil' dolly styles.

Thanks for your help!

Texas Mommy

Dear Texas Mommy,

What a fun quest you have sent me on! You did not mention a desired price, but since you are writing to me, I will assume you're on a budget. Let's see what I can dig up...

• Blue Bow Dress - Could this dress be any sweeter?? This dress is listed on ebay by the seller ForALittleAngel (bids starting at $9.99, buy it now for $13.99). This seller got great feedback, but I still worry about the quality because the price is so extremely low for a new formal dress.
  

• Rosebud dress - From pinkprincess, this dress is a bit more whimsical, and still cutesie ($34.99). This blue may be a bit lighter than you were looking for. I must say, it's much easier to find beautiful pink dresses--shades of blue are tough!

• Elisa - This crinkle tafetta bubble dress is an incredible shade of turquoise and will be sure to make your daughter be bell of the ball (or town fair!). This dress is also sold at pink princess ($64.99).

• My last recommendation is once again on my favorite website: http://www.etsy.com/. Although I do not see a dress that fits this description, there are many dress makers that sell their goods on this site. Etsy provides an option to open an Alchemy request to describe the item you are looking for and the amount you are willing to pay for it. Custom dressmakers will then place bids to make the dress you are looking for. You will be given the option to accept or reject each bid until you find something that is just perfect for your lil' one.

Best of luck and please share pictures of your little beauty on her big day!

30% Off & Free Shipping at Gymbo

Thought I would share the great coupon I received:

Through Sunday, May 17:

Take 30% off your entire purchase and receive free shipping at Gymboree online:

http://www.gymboree.com/

Enter Coupon Code: CFFRIEND

Enjoy!

Oh where, oh where, have the windbreakers gone?

Oh where, oh where, could they be?

First, I'll tell you where they're not: Macy's, Gap Kids, Gymboree, Sears, Children's Place, Marshall's, TJ Maxx, Target, and Dick's Sporting Goods.

I would like to thank Mimi & GG Fashionista who both helped me on a hunt for a spring play jacket for Chicky. We found many zip-up sweatshirts, rain jackets, and dressy jackets, but had a very tough time locating traditional windbreakers. I have heard from a few other moms (in various parts of the country) that they, too, were having a tough time with this mission.

What we found:

• Kohl's: The two I checked had about 3 infant and toddler-sized jackets on clearance. Online they have a white (how practical) jean jacket for girls. If you're thinking "that's easy, I can bleach it," not so fast--it has bright pink plaid sleave cuffs.
• Burlington Coat Factory: I popped into the Nashua, NH store on Monday night and found a good selection of Carter's, Rothschild, and no-name windbreakers for $19.99 each. I bought Chicky a bright green Carter's jacket with embroidered flowers and gingham trim. These appear to be available in-store, only.
• Hanna Andersson: They have great classic jackets, but they are no bargain at $69.50.
• LL Bean: They sell a Casco Bay soft cotton-lined classic jacket line for $29.50 each (available in aqua, navy, orchid, and orange). They also have some slightly cheaper rain jackets that come in many cute prints and look like windbreakers, but be warned that they are very thin and do not have a soft lining.

Great Buys for the Girlies at Marshalls

I've been to two different Marshalls this week (in different states), and found they both had adorable designer and designer-like girls' clothing.

Some of the items included:

• Floral print Lilly Pulitzer sweaters (compare at $79+ for $29.99)


• Lilly Pulitzer capri pants, sundresses, and skirts (all for less than 50% the original price)


• Adorable spring/summer dress tops with stretch pants for $12.99

What I bought:

Jenny & Me 100% cotton fabric top (looks like a light linen) with stretchy pants that have some gathering with bows on the ankles. $12.99

Good Thoughts for Freshy & Freshy's Fashion Sense

First, I apologize for the shortage of posts over the last couple of weeks. Freshy has been dealing with a minor medical problem, and things have been very hectic around here--so hectic that Mommy Fashionista forgot to get him an Easter outfit (how unlike me). Please keep good thoughts for Freshy.

Also, Freshy would like me to show you all how he thinks 3-year old boys should dress. Yes, I did let him go out in public like this (the dolphin raincoat he was wearing covered the undies). He wasn't feeling well and Mommy Fashionista becomes "Mommy Whatever-You-Want-My-Cute-Freshypants" in times like this.

Freshy is modeling light-up Spiderman pajamas, his favorite Bob the Builder underpants (on the outside), and his sister's two-sizes-too-big pink water shoes. To complete the look Fresh has his (only partially opened to avoid bad luck) dolphin umbrella.

As always, too cool for school, Fresh Man.

Five Tips for a Super Affordable Superhero Birthday Party

Freshy loves Batman, Spider Man, Super Man, and many other heroes. He could not choose between them when it came time to throw his 3rd birthday party, so we went with a generic superhero theme. We threw a small house party that was both affordable and tons of fun for the kids. Here are some tips that made our party a "super" success.

Tips:

1. Create an invitation that is shaped like a superhero logo or typed up like a newspaper headline. Use creative wording to get your guests in the spirit. Ours said "Holy cake and icecream, Batman! Freshy is turning 3! Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to report to Superhero Headquarters for a party." For extra fun you can add the following caveat "Superhero costumes optional." Most of the kids came to our party in old Halloween costumes, superhero pajamas, and really creative homemade numbers. Even some of the adults got in on the action:



Super Auntie and A Man



2. Download superhero theme songs to play at your party (e.g., Batman, Spider Man, Wonder Woman, The Incredibles, etc.). This really brought the party to life and set the atmosphere when guests arrived.


3. For decorations, use posterboard to create comic book-style text star bursts (e.g., pow, bam, boom, zap, and kablam) and hang them around the house or party room. The Minis enjoyed creating these decorations and were very proud to show them off at the party.


4. Create a list of missions (an agenda for the party) to hang on the wall for guests to see when they arrive. This was a big hit at Freshy's party, and it helped keep the party rolling. I used military times, and worded everything to sound like a mission (e.g., the activity coloring sheets was worded "help the superheroes locate their missing colors."). I ended the list with "Collect a reward for completing the missions. Great work supereheroes!"


5. Play some super games! We had a Mr. Freeze dance contest, played pass the kryptonite (we used a glow stick), and pin the webs on Spiderman (store bought). I also had coloring sheets (printed for free off of the internet) for the kids to color while we waited for guests to arrive. The grande finale was a Batman pinata (I told the kids that Batman's evil twin had "captured the energy bits" and he needed their help to free them).

Happy 3rd Birthday, Master Freshy Pants! SMOOCH! Love you to the moon & back!

WARNING: Socks--Not Just Fashion Accessories

Please excuse this next post, as it does not exactly offer any fashion advice. It is more of a fashion safety PSA of sorts.

I will begin by saying Freshy has always had a thing for socks. As a young baby he would work for hours to pull them off of his sticky little toes. As he became mobile, he liked to carry them around in his mouth, like a dog. As he grew into a toddler, he loved to put them on his hands and have "socky" puppet shows. Please heed the following warning, as his almost 3-year old 'tude, has decided to give sockies a new purpose.

CAUTION: Size 7 toddler socks can act as weapons of destruction and disgust.

Here are two examples of Freshy's latest tactics:

A Few Weeks Ago...

Freshy was upset that I too quickly flushed the potty without giving him the chance to. Honestly, I should have known better. There's nothing worse you can do than take away a victory flush from a potty-training soon-to-be-3-year-old. But, in a moment of messy desperation, I went to flush the first half of the clean-up effort to make room for the rest. As soon as I let go of the flusher, panick set in. My face dropped. Sugar, I messed up. His face turned to me, blank, mouth open, he just stared. Uh oh. I knew I had a 5-second window to change his near devastation into content.

I told him he could flush the rest. I told him I was sorry. I tried to play it off like it wasn't a big deal. I told him he could have an extra M&M. I told him he could start over (I know, that's a reach, but usually what he wants to do if I accidentally help him with one of his "big boy" things). I told him a Batman joke. I tried talking about what activities he wanted to do that day.

It was too late. He wasn't buying any of it. Freshy's blank face changed to shades of red and purple as he transformed into meltdown mode. *Cringe.*

"YOU FWUSHED NIE POOPIES!!!!" Uh oh. "Be right back, Fresh!"

I booked it upstairs as fast as I could, 2 stairs at a time, to find one of his really cool pairs of big boy underpants. "That will work. He has been asking for them for days. Come on, come on, where are you Freshy's blue (not red) Bob the Builder pants?"

By the time I found them and flew back downstairs I noticed an unexpected calm in the air. I suspiciously rounded the corner, one brow raised, to find Freshy standing quietly in front of the toilet. He proudly raised his chin and declared "I flushed nie sockies in the toyet." And with his trademark "hmph" he crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me. This time he had the raised eyebrows. Sweet toddler revenge. Perfect.

Well, the good news is the toilet didn't break. Freshy got a speech and a time out. I locked myself in the bathroom and laughed hysterically, yet silently (something I've mastered as a mom), for the next ten minutes.

One Week Later

We were hanging out as a family and Freshy misbehaved (I forget exactly what he did, it was minor) and Daddy-O corrected his behavior. We went back to playing games, and apparently we failed to pay attention to Fresh. Daddy-O took a sip of his drink and suddenly started to gag and spit. Then he screamed Freshy's name (think Fred Flintstone screaching "WIL-MAAAAA"). Uh wa oh.

The cause of the upset.

So, if you have freshies of your own, don't say I didn't warn you. ;)

Attention Easter Fashion-easters

Easter is my favorite holiday. Okay, I admit it, I say that about Christmas and Halloween, too (three-way tie). In any case, besides the real meanings of the holiday, I also love the kickoff to spring fashion!

On Easter I dress the minis very traditionally (and that may be an understatement).

Chicky's attire includes: Straw hats or bonnets, puffy spring dresses, gloves (if she'll wear them), spring dress coats, ruffle socks, and leather or patent leather mary janes.

Master Freshington's attire includes: Shortalls, knee socks, and white leather or saddle shoes. NOTE: If Auntie Fashionista is reading this, I PROMISE he will be in long pants this year-cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in each eye.

Freshy's First Easter.

As you can tell, he didn't care for this beautiful Sarah Louise bubble.

These styles aren't for everyone, I realize, but my shopping strategies should work for most.

Shopping Strategies

• I'm not a big "in store" shopper (I prefer to shop online due to lack of time); However, after Easter and Christmas I always make it a point to drop by a Marshall's or TJ Maxx to check out their clearance holiday clothes. I know, I know...the last thing you want to think about after all the rigmarole of a holiday is doing it again. I swear it saves stress and money in the long run if you just suck it up and make a couple quick stops. I have had luck on a few occasions, finding beautiful dresses, coats, and shoes by designers such as Ralph Lauren, Sarah Louise, and Biscotti. I then buy a size bigger and stash it away for the next year. Mimi Fashionista does the same, and has also had really good luck finding clothes for the Minis at those stores and at Filene's Basement.
• Go to expensive websites and find the clothes you like but cannot afford. Write down the designer and style names. Google them. You'll be shocked at what 20 minutes of clicking can uncover. Also, if you don't have any luck, try a different search engine. I usually use http://www.dogpile.com/ (which compiles 3 or 4 different search engine results).
• Check ebay or other auction sites. I have had amazing luck on ebay. I got Chicky the most beautiful $200 Susanne Lively Christmas dress for $20 (new, never worn!). I have also purchased a brand new $90 eton suit for Liam for $5, and several other designer dresses for $20 or less. Go to websites like http://www.bestdressedchild.com/, find the designers you like, and then go to ebay to search. Enter the designer and size (e.g., "Sarah Louise 4").

Tip: for coordinating sibling outfit ideas, check out http://www.woodensoldier.com/.

Five Tips for a Fabulous & Affordable Dress-up Tea Party

There's nothing I love more than planning a party, and one of the most fun (and also most affordable) parties I've ever planned was Chicky's 3rd birthday dress-up tea party. Here are five tips for planning your own outrageously fun and adorable dress-up tea party, without breaking the bank:

1. Make or order custom invitations.

I am anti-store-bought-write-in invites. I like the invitation to show how special and unique the party is going to be, and to offer a glimpse of the fun to come. I almost always order custom invites or make them myself.

My two favorite sites for good deals on custom invites are http://www.ebay.com/ and http://www.etsy.com/.

Here is an example of a cute invite I found on ebay (similar to the invite I used for Chicky's party): Click to view Suit Me to a Tea found on ebay for $1.25/invite.

Here's a link with cute ideas for homemade tea party invites that look like this:

TIP: Use scraps from old birthday, Easter, and Valentine's Day cards to cut the tea pots!

2. Keep the food simple and pretty.

Instead of cucumber tea sandwiches and scones, I opted for these kid friendly alternatives:

• Heart-shaped peanut butter and jelly, fluffernutter, and jelly sandwiches.
  TIP: Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter, or order a Love Bites sandwich cutter/sealer at http://www.mominventors.com/.
• Sugar cookies (we made dairy-free frosted butterfly cookies)
• Fruit salad (yummy, yummy!)
• In lieu of tea, serve apple juice, grape juice, or punch

3. Use household items to create a beautiful decor.

A fancy table is all that is needed for a tea party. I used a hand-me-down pink floral table cloth. If you don't have one laying around, check e-bay or thrift shops for something in a girly color or lace. A $2 pack of paper doilies can also add to the look. To further decorate the table buy or cut some fresh flowers to place in the center or to scatter in mini vases or other fun containers. Rather than spend $50 on party store paper goods, use stuff from around the house to achieve a fancy feel and save a lot of money. Then, just add the food and a tea set (toy or real) and the look is complete.

4. Add some girly fun with crafts and dress-up activities.

• Put out a bin of dress-up clothes that can be either your own child's princess costumes, fairy wings, tiaras, and feather boas, or your own old high heels, costume jewelry, scarves, etc. In the wording of the invite suggest that the guests wear their favorite dress-up clothes.
• Serve the tea! The "tea party" itself was the biggest hit at Chicky's party. The girls loved sipping tea and passing each other cookies and sandwiches.
• Paint wooden jewelry boxes--I found small wooden boxes with a heart cut-out frame at Michael's for $1. I set up a low table with sponges and various pastel-colored paints.
• Make beaded necklaces and bracelets.

5. Make a tea bag-shaped party favor bag.
Buy white paper bags (lunch bag size) and fold the sides over and the top down and staple. Add a piece of yarn or string, and a tag to hang off the end. Write each child's name on the tag. Pre-assemble the craft kits and place in the bag as their favors.

Dear Mommy Fashionista

Dear Mommy Fashionista,

I am getting married next month, and in my wedding are going to be two of the cutest flower girls a bride could ever wish for. I had an easy time picking out their dresses (made by US Angels):

However, we are struggling to find the perfect shoes. One of the flower girls is 4 and the other is 6. They need a matching pair that runs in both toddler and girls' sizes. I am hoping to find an ivory shoe that is priced within reason (under $40), and a simple yet elegant style. I tend to prefer ballerina flats and Mary Janes. Can you help?

Signed,

St. Paddy’s Day Bride

***********************************************************************

Dear St. Paddy's Day Bride,

Are you sure they are two of *the* cutest flower girls, ever? Well, then, you must be talking about my niece, Peanut, and my daughter, Chicky! :) I would be glad to help you find shoes for our girls.

After scouring the internet, here are some options I came up with:

Pazitos Ivory Ballerina Flats

Price: Average around $70, but available on http://www.snapdragonsbaby.com/ for $39.

Classic, elegant, and a great bargain for a luxury shoe brand:

Bear Feet Shoes Pearlized Ivory Cream Ballet Slippers
Price: $44 and up (depending on the size), available at http://www.bestdressedchild.com/

Slightly over the price limit, but too cute to leave off the list!

Similar, but different (both of these pairs can be worn with or without the ankle ribbons):

Kamara Ivory Ballet Shoes

Price: $34.99 at http://www.sophiastyle.com/

Stride Rite Valerie Junior Ivory with Pearl Accent

Price: $40, available at http://www.striderite.com/ or on many other websites (I recommend extensive searching of the style name to find the best price, as you can usually find Stride Rite sales).

Okay, so this isn't a Mary Jane or a ballet flat, but I thought I would throw it in the mix since it comes in ivory and has the pearl accent that matches the sash on the dress.

Stride Rite Felicia Ivory Pearlized Mary Jane
Price: $38, again, available at http://www.striderite.com/ or on many other websites (don't forget to search for sales!).

You can't get more classic than a plain leather Stride Right Mary Jane!

Ivory Leather Ballet Shoes
Price: $25.50 is the average price, but on sale now for $17.50 at http://www.mygirldress.com/

The bow of these shoes compliments the skirt overlay of the dress, as well as the pearl sash:

Happy Picking!

Mommy Fashionista

***********************************************************************

Having trouble finding the perfect outfit, shoes, or accessories for the perfect price? Send an e-mail to Mommy Fashionista and let her help!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you all have had a wonderful day! Just thought I would pop on quickly and share a couple pictures of the Minis enjoying their prizes.

I made the tutu!

It came out pretty cute, but you can definitely tell it's homemade, and it sort of has a mind of its own. Chicky loved it, regardless.

That is, of course, until she saw Freshy's Batman/Super Man cape. What a big hit that was!

He hasn't taken it off all day.

In true Freshy fashion, he invented his own look with his new accessories. I honestly think he sits and strategizes "hmm, what will look the most ridiculous and get me the most attention." This is what he came up with (and how we brought him out to dinner):

We're so used to Freshy's unique style that we were in our own world, talking, completely oblivious to the fact that we were carrying a bandit-monk-snow-boy into the restaurant. That is, of course, until every woman in the place stopped to flirt with our little Bat guy.

I think it's safe to say the Batman cape was indeed the perfect Valentine's Day gift for Freshy. ;)

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...

...an awesome Valentine's Day gift idea for Freshy--a Batman cape!

Like many other little guys out there, Freshy idolizes Batman (or "Baht-Mon" as he says with a Jamaican accent). He is going to go batty for this present. ;)

Unfortunately, I didn't have this idea until yesterday and my sewing machine is in the shop until Thursday. What I was hoping to create was a black cotton cape with a yellow bat appliqué and a Velcro closure. Since I wouldn't have enough time to sew something like that on such short notice, I did some Googling. My results included a bunch of cheesy store-bought costumes that ranged in price from $20-60. The only stand alone Batman capes I found had tie necks (which are just plain scary to moms of rambunctious little boys).

I decided to check on Etsy, the website of all things handmade. LOOK at what I found by the seller Homemadeheroes:

Reversible Super Hero Capes

You get to pick which design you want on each side, and there's a long list to choose from (we chose Batman and Superman). Each cape is $18 and comes with a free mask. Shipping is only $2, and if you buy more than one item, it is reduced to $1. Talk about a bargain!

If this product is as cute in person as it is online, I will most definitely be buying a few to put away for gifts.

*******************************************************************************


How did Batman's mother call him to supper?

Dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner, dinner, Batman!

Clearance Rack Deals at Hanna Andersson

If you're not familiar with Hanna Andersson, check them out if you like:

• soft organic (I know, like we need more things to worry about, right?) fabrics
• fun patterns
• clothes that fit and wash well
• baggier styles that last for multiple seasons

Hanna's full-priced items are expensive and their online sales are not that hot, but you can totally make out like a bandit if you go to the store and stick to the clearance rack.

To get the extreme (more than 50%) discounts, you really have to shop mid-season. It's fun to add a few new items to the mix, and for shirts and dresses you can always roll the sleeves and get two seasons out of them, or just buy a size bigger for next year.

Mimi Fashionista (grandma to the Minis and the queen of bargain hunting) uncovered the most fabulous deals at the Burlington, MA store this week. Mimi reports that there was only one rack of clearance clothes, but it was stuffed with good deals. The entire rack was "take an additional 20% off" and the items were already marked down 20-60%. Here's a sampling of the goods:

• Sweater Dress: Full Price: $60, Sale Price: $12
• Funky Knit Tights: Full Prices: $22.50, Sale Price: $4

• Ultra Soft Moose Fleece: Full Price: $30, Sale Price: $10

Hai-ya! Kungfu Freshy

• Jersey Dress Top: Full Price $37.50, Sale Price $18
• Stripey Comfy Pants: Full Price $21.50, Sale Price $8
  


• Long Sleeve Golf Shirts: Full Price $29.50, Sale Price $17
  


• Best Jeans for Minis, Ever: Full Price (??--missing tag, but around $30-35), Sale Price $16

I am so appreciative that my mother found these jeans for Chicky. They are soft and they have a normal-height waist (no more bumby exposure when she bends over, yeah)!

Speaking of low rise jeans--why do they even make them for little ones? They are not comfortable or flattering, but actually, they're not flattering on many people (including me and my muffin top...but, who wants to wear Mom jeans? And thank GOODNESS the painted on 80's jeans are not back in their original form). That leaves me with one final thought...

Dear God,

Please do not let skinny jeans become the only fashionable option in 2009.

Forever Grateful,

Mommy Fashionista (& anyone who might potentially bear witness to such a horrendous sight)

Tutu Expensive

Window shopping online, I fell in love with a chocolate brown and pink tutu:

The Tutu

I cannot think of a more perfect Valentine's Day surprise for Chicky....but really, as cute as it may be, I will not cannot justify spending $60 on a Valentine's Day gift for my 4-year old. At the same time, when I come up with such a perfect idea, I have a really hard time letting go of it. I auto-pilot into a stream of self-justifying consciousness. It is completely irrational but seems to make such logical sense at the time.

Well, if I spend $60 on a tutu, she will have it forever, but if I spend $60 on, let's say, groceries, really, what do we have left at the end of the week besides wrappers...other trash....more recycling to do....fat cells....The kids never eat the food I cook anyway, in fact, they actually prefer pasta, which is also quicker to cook on a work night, leaving me more time to spend with them, which *is* what's most important after all...

After snapping out of my tirade, I decide to poke around the web to see if I can find anything. My discoveries are tutu fabulous (I'm overdoing this play on the word "tutu" thing, aren't I?). On Etsy.com I searched for the word "tutu" and found a wide range of styles and prices--some as cheap as $5, some as expensive as $100.

My favorite reasonably priced luxurious tutu finds include:

• Strawberry Dreams by Tiara's Boutique: $25 and comes with a free matching hair bow and free glitter or rhinestone embellishments. This tutu can be ordered in lengths of up to 20" (7" longer than my dream tutu) and is made from the perfect Valentine's Day colors.

• Secret Garden by Trinity's Tutus: $18.50 and comes with a free matching head band. This tutu can be ordered in lengths of up to 12". Not only is this tutu as plush as "the tutu," but it also captures the essence of the color tones with a chocolate brown pastel combo (this tutu uses shades of purples and yellow rather than pink).
  
  


• Roses are Red by Tiara's Boutique: $20 and comes with a free red rose wand. This tutu comes in lengths of up to 12" (fitting babies up to size 8 or 9 girls). It's a bit shorter than the others, but a rich red adorned with a big puffy rose--perfect for a Valentine photo shoot.

Now, if you are ambitious, I also found many sets of do-it-yourself tutu instructions. This style of tutu is made up of many strips of tulle. This look can be achieved using the following no sew technique:

No Sew Tutu Instructions

No Sew Tutu Video Demonstration

I would like to attempt to make this Valentine's Day gift for Chicky. You know, teach her about how gifts from the heart mean more and all that jazz. However, working full-time it can be difficult to find time for all the big ideas I come up with (for example, this blog). So, I will set forth with good intentions to make this homemade gift for my sweet little Valentine, but I'm going to keep that Etsy ace of spades in my back pocket.

These are a few of my favorite things...

...coincidentally (or not?) they are all shoes!

Top 10 Favorite Children's Shoes (in alphabetical order)

1. Angel Baby & L'Amour Shoes: A premium shoe value line offering many of the traditional staples (saddle shoes, classic baby shoes, mary janes, and more) with the added bonus of some fun designs.
   
   
   
2. Chamberi/PetitShoes: Chamberi is the baby line and PetitShoes is the toddler and bigger kid line of these Gorgeous Spanish leather shoes--my favorite makers of crib and traditional dress shoes. The Minis wear these shoes almost every holiday.
   
   


3. Chikitto: An up and coming Euro-inspired line that is hard to find, but as posh as they come.
   



4. Lelli Kelly: Super girly diva shoes and sneakers that are hardy and Chicky-tested.
   
   


5. Morgan & Milo: Very durable shoes and sneakers that come in a wide variety of fun styles.
   
   


6. Pazitos: My favorite shoe designers work at Pazitos, Inc. The sweet baby and swish toddler and kid styles keep me drooling.
   
   


7. Pipsqueaks/Rainbow Steps: Affordable and adorable squeaky baby shoes and non -squeaky older kid shoes.
   



8. Primigi: Raise your hand if you love Italian leather! Our favorite brand of play shoes is a staple at Nordstrom and at any high-end children's shoe boutique.
   
   


9. See Kai Run: Urban-inspired with a modern take on classic styles.
   
   


10. Umi: Right up there with Primigis, Umis offer style and durability, and my Minis have enjoyed dozens of pairs of these comfortable play shoes.
    
    
    A Mommy Fashionista Deal Alert: Click here for a detailed list including brand price ranges, available size, pros and cons, and most importantly, tips on how to find these designer brands for affordable prices!
    

Bienvenue from Mommy Fashionista & Meet the Minis

Hello and welcome! If you are here, you are probably one of my friends or family members who are already well aware of this little obsessive compulsive disorder of mine, where every milestone in my kids' lives makes for the perfect style pursuit.

The things I like to obsess over include (but are not limited to):

• holiday and special occasion outfits
• play-worthy apparel
• classic coats
• perfectly matching over-the-top hair doo dads
• Italian & Spanish footwear (and sometimes Californian, too--they have a knack for fun & funky styles on the West coast!)
• beach wear
• Halloween costumes

The list is really a lot longer than that, but this is just an introductory post, after all. So, I will stop boring you and introduce you to the characters that will from this point forward be collectively known as "The Minis."

Meet Chicky...

For a not so typically all that's pink and sparkly 4-year old girl, Chicky loves to get dressed up and has, since infancy, appreciated a gorgeous outfit (excluding debilitatingly itchy tights).

No princess costumes for Chick. For weeks she told every friend and stranger how she was going to be a "girl dragon" for Halloween. Then she saw this flamingo costume and honestly said "Oh, Mommy, that's the one!"

Chick is very lucky to have a Mimi and an Auntie that love shopping only second to spoiling her rotten. These shopping queens both have a love of classic coats, which is a win-win situation, as Chick much prefers the "straight jackets" (her words) over the puffy ones.

Meet Freshiola Freshington...

Maybe it's bitterness over all the short pant suits, but this little love gives us a real run for our money. When he's not coloring on our couch or trying to use the dog as a jump for his Matchbox cars, he enjoys showing off a sharp set of threads. Unlike big sis, Master Freshington has a fashion sense of his own and insists on having a say in his attire.

Well, apparently he didn't win this day... ;)

"Preppy tough guy"...this is more Freshy's look:

That's all for now folks.