Summer style for the bebe

We are gearing up for some hot weather here in Portland this week. I remember last year when Silas was born and we had something similar happen. It was so rough being stuck inside in a non-air conditioned apartment with a newborn while it was sweltering outside! This time around I have a toddler who is walking and needs to have outside time...guess the situation is the same. Anyways, has anyone ever mentioned how amazingly fun it is to dress your child? It's ridiculous how much joy I get out of it. I know, they will grow out of everything...but I do it anyways. I buy a lot of Silas's clothes slightly bigger and I swear they seem to span a pretty significant amount of time as far as baby clothes go. He has shirts from around 5 months that we are still getting use out of. Here are a few items that are definitely going to be in heavy rotation this summer:

I absolutely love shopping at H&M for Silas. It's super affordable and their jeans/shorts have an adjustable band which means we will be able to keep them around for a lot longer. And of course, we can't forget about the beloved Freshly Picked moccs. These are my favorite shoe for a bebe that has just learned to walk. Not bulky, soft soled, and they just look so damn cute.

Target and American Apparel. The t's on the left are $5 from Target and I absolutely love them. Super soft and inexpensive. The tanks on the right are from my favorite store American Apparel. Not only are they inexpensive ($10, and I got buy 2 get one free!), but they are made in LA and that just makes me feel good. I really like supporting brands that produce here in the US.

Yay for summertime weather :) XO

Bare ankles and Iced dirty chai's

I'm not usually one who gets the itch for warm weather. I love the rain and when winter rolls around I am usually ready for it and I can go awhile without the exclamation of "I am dying for summer!". At this very moment though, I am seriously craving sunshine, dresses and shorts, beach time, river time,  and long summer nights. I'm not sure if this is a reaction to the frigid temps we dealt with on our Michigan trip, or if it's the "late night" (5pm) stroll that Nick and I went on to go get a coffee (dirty iced chai for moi). When we stepped outside it was a) somewhat warm out and b) still light out!  It felt like heaven. 10 degrees warmer and I would have been in ecstasy. Anyways, us kids over here can't wait for this summer and all of the iced coffees and long summer night strolls that are surely to accompany it.

"small business" style

I am guilty. Guilty of buying the majority of my things from big corporate businesses that probably pay $1/hr to people to sew the cute jeans I just had to have. Everyone is. "Made in America" is hard to come by in the clothing industry and when it is...it's $$$. Unfortunate, but true. I am trying to be more conscious of the clothing I put my child in. Does that mean I've boycotted baby gap, target and the like? No. I have developed a taste for things from smaller businesses, though. The majority of these businesses I have come to find through instagram and fellow bloggers. Can they be a little more expensive than the stores at the mall, sure. But, I am supporting a small business owner with my purchase and it makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I am doing something right in this corporate laden retail country we live in.

American Apparel is an easy one to start with. Their stores can be found pretty much everywhere. I love that everything is a nice cotton and looks exactly like the adult items! They are based out of L.A,  treat their employees well and are pretty affordable.

These are a splurge. I won a contest through instagram and was lucky enough to snag quite a few pairs of these adorable moccasins. They have become my absolute favorite thing that Silas wears. Freshly Picked Moccasins is based out of Utah and was started by a stay at home mama!

Baby leggings are the most comfortable and easy thing to put a little babe in. I love that so many etsy shops have popped up offering them in fun prints. These are my go-to item with Silas. Sweet Luka Mo (left and right) and Little Hip Squeaks (middle) are definitely some of my favorites that I support. (Based out of Philly and Brooklyn)

Etsy is a great place to start if you are looking to buy from a small business owner. So many cute and fun things not only for yourself, but for your babe's to wear can be found here. I can't tell you enough how happy I am to have started incorporating things that are "Made in America" into my little mans closet. Being conscious of where your dollar is going is a good habit to start! Happy shopping...'Merica! xo

broke fashionista

with a new little babe and our decision for me to stay home i am sad to report that my shopping habit has pretty much been squashed. this means i've had to get creative. i've bought some basics in the last few months that work really well with some of the things that i already had in my closet. White t's, some dark denim, a grey cable knit sweater, and some red lipstick are going to be my go to's this fall/winter.

Shirt: American Apparel

 Jeans: F21

Sunglasses: Ray Ban

 Ankle Boots: Charlotte Russe (purchased 2yrs ago)

Beanie: My husbands

along with the very limited budget for shopping, I have accepted that at this moment in my life it's best for me to not wear anything too spendy anyways. with the spit up and occasional diaper leak i'm better off wearing things that i'm not too attached to. american apparel and their plain t's have been my go to as well as forever 21 jeans which i'm loving the price of ($10!) since my body is still changing a bit after having Silas.

So here's to you my broke fashionista's, makin' it work and stayin' fly. xo