SPOTLIGHT: TOOBYDOO

Toobydoo, founded in 2008 in New York, is all about the active kid and the fun of play. It’s about the philosophers Plato and Sartre’s famous quote, “To be, is to do.” Toobydoo also believes in carefree, easy-going kids, as when Frank Sinatra was singing do-be-do-be doo, as a reminder “to be.”

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Toobydoo’s mission is “To be the world’s most inspiring brand for modern kids and their parents.”

We think they are on the right track! Not only are their designs current and modern, but their pieces are designed with children and mamas in mind. Their knits are soft and comfortable for my girls, but the detail and construction in these play clothes exceeds my expectations as a mama. The ruffles, delicate straps, precious ties, and watercolor striped and doted fabrics definitely set Toobydoo apart from the rest.

Toobydoo designs for baby, boys, and girls. For those of you mamas with multiple children, they have some darling sibling sets for all ages. We especially love the Ruffles Dresses, Beach Dresses, and Rompers for girls this season, and they all coordinate so well together.

Toobydoo wants mamas to remember that kids are always asked what they “want to be” when they grow up, and not what they want “to do.” Yet when we grow up, we seem to be much more focused on the doing, rather than the being.

Toobydoo has created a special code for all Mama etc. readers! Use code MAMAETC for 20% off your purchase. 

I’ve teamed up with Toobydoo to give away a $100 Toobydoo gift code! To enter, follow @kwcascio and @toobydoo on Instagram, like my original Toobydoo giveaway post, and tag a friend! Giveaway closes Sunday, July 2, 2017 9am CST. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Instagram.

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IMG_6802IMG_6912Outfit Details: Toobydoo Lucy Ruffles Dress // Toobydoo Mila Romper // Native Jefferson Shoes (similar) // Old Navy Perforated Slip-Ons

 

DIY: DIAGONAL PATTERN FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

IMG_5610Nothing screams summer quite like friendship bracelets. As a child, I have a vivid memory of making these with my cousins and best friends – especially on rainy, summer afternoons.

Last summer, Eloise dabbled in making friendship bracelets. She learned how to make the Chinese Staircase pattern and practiced until she made them perfect. She enjoyed choosing color combinations that she knew friends and family would find special. As school started up, she let the craft take a back seat to homework, soccer, and gymnastics. However, with the rainy, summer days upon us again, she has picked up the craft once again.

This summer, Eloise has learned a new design – the Diagonal Pattern. She’s excited again to choose unique color combinations for whom her bracelets are designed. Her first bracelet, designed for herself, includes neon brights in orange, coral, pink, and lavender. Good choices, Eloise!

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IMG_5593Diagonal Pattern Friendship Bracelet

Materials:

  • embroidery floss
  • scissors
  • safety pin

Directions:

  1. Choose 3 or 4 colors of embroidery floss
  2. Cut each thread to a length of 60-65″
  3. Fold the floss in half and knot to create a loop at one end
  4. Use a safety pin to anchor floss
  5. Loop thread 1 over thread 2 to form a number “4”
  6. Take thread 1 and go under thread 2 then up over thread 1
  7. Pull thread 1 up to tighten (hold thread 2)
  8. Repeat steps 5-7 with thread 1 (you should have two knots now)
  9. Use thread 1 to make two knots on each of your remaining threads
  10. Repeat process with remaining threads until desired bracelet length is achieved

If all else fails, there’s a YouTube tutorial for everything! I hope your little one enjoys this classic summer activity as much as my Eloise does.

 

SPOTLIGHT: EVERBLOOM

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Have you ever tried leaving the house when your little has a queen-sized meltdown because errand-running can only happen in her finest costume? Cue Everbloom. If your little girls love to play dress-up, and often want to leave the house in their costumes, then Everbloom may be your new favorite brand! The collection allows the best of both worlds – whimsical accessories and clothing with amazing details mama can appreciate, yet pieces that still feel like magical costumes to your littles.

Everbloom is a charming collection of accessories and clothing each uniquely hand crafted. Every accessory is made in small batches or one-by-one using the finest materials new and old. Soft bamboo felt, wool felt, colorful wood beads, tiny cotton prints, ginghams, plaids and soft cotton jersey for tops and bottoms. Washed cotton styles with fine embroideries or embellishments add an element of surprise to the collection. This whimsical collection has been a staple in our house for a while now.

Outfit Details: Everbloom pompom headband // Everbloom dot capri leggings // Everbloom wink tank // Everbloom Lola skirt // Everbloom pompom headband // Everbloom dot capri leggings // Everbloom star tank // Everbloom Lola skirt // Everbloom tassel necklace (similar)

 

 

SUMMER BUCKET LIST

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Eloise and Charlotte Cate are officially finished with school, and summer is upon us! Today we wrote out our first-ever Summer bucket list, and we are ready to start checking things off the list! Compiling the list got the girls excited and helped to add some fun to the monotonous rainy days we’ve had over the past week. If you haven’t made a bucket list with your little ones, I highly recommend it!

I can’t believe Charlotte Cate will be starting Pre-K soon! I am trying to soak up every last minute of having the girls home together before they are both in “big” school. Even when they get sick of each other, we are going to make this the best summer yet!

 

SUMMER FUNOutfit Details: Everbloom Girls Cotton Sundress // Everbloom pompom headband // Everbloom dot capri leggings // Everbloom panda t-shirt // Everbloom Lola skirt // Everbloom pompom headband

MAMA+ME: RUFFLE SKIRTS

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Ruffles, usually a staple for little girls, have been popping up in mama’s fashions lately. It started with fluttery, cascading sleeves and has made its way to nearly all pieces in womenswear. One of my favorite trends right now is the ruffled midi skirt. It’s an easy piece to wear as a mama as it allows you to easily chase little ones while still elevating your style.

I love how the feminine, ruffled skirt pairs well with a variety of tops – from poplin button-downs and off-the-shoulder statement tops to simple graphic tees. The look also goes from day to night with a quick shoe change – sneakers to heels. Ruffles are so fun to wear right now! I love the playful, girly touch they add to classic pieces. This look is here to stay!

Shopping Details: Who What Wear for Target Women’s Ruffle Wrap Skirt // J.Crew Collection Ruffle Skirt in Striped Shirting Fabric // ASOS Wrap Midi Skirt in Cotton with Ruffle Hem (Khaki) // ASOS Tall Wrap Midi Skirt in Cotton with Ruffle Hem (Light Pink) // ASOS Wrap Midi Skirt in Cotton with Ruffle Hem (Pale Pink) // J.Crew Ruffle Wrap Skirt in Cotton Poplin

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IMG_2285IMG_2280Outfit Details: Dondolo Striped and Floral Bloomer Short Sets // Gold Salt Water Sweetheart Sandals // Gold Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lo Sneaker // ASOS Pink Ruffle Skirt // Gap White Poplin Shirt (similar) // Mignonne Gavigan Mary Hoop Earrings // Rose Gold Superga Sneaker // Le Papier Studio Tiny Silhouette Charm Necklace 

SPOTLIGHT: DONDOLO

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IMG_2285IMG_2280Dondolo has been one of our favorite children’s clothing lines for a while now. Their pieces are timeless and classic with the sweetest details you’ve ever seen – darling appliques, delicate ruffles, sweet bows, and some of the best floral fabrics around!

Even better, Dondolo is making a huge impact on mamas in Colombia. When you purchase their high quality pima cotton clothing, you are doing so much more than giving your child a timeless look. You are providing jobs to single mothers in Colombia, who stitch the clothing by hand. Proceeds from sales through Dondolo provide articles of clothing to children in Colombia who are deeply in need. Together, Dondolo and their customers are empowering motherhood.

Learn more about Dondolo’s mission here.

We adore these Dondolo striped and floral bloomer short sets for so many reasons. The details are impeccable – pink and white stripes, dreamy floral print, sweet bows, and buttons down the back! I’m a mama who loves a good sister set, and as my girls grow older, these sweet sets are harder and harder to find. I love the bloomer shorts because it gives me the bloomer look I love, while still feeling like shorts and appealing to my growing girls. The sleeveless top is perfect for our hot summers, too – keeping my girls cool and comfortable. Not only are these bloomer short sets precious, but also so practical! We love you, Dondolo!

Outfit Details: Dondolo Striped and Floral Bloomer Short Sets // Gold Salt Water Sweetheart Sandals // Gold Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lo Sneaker // ASOS Pink Ruffle Skirt // Gap White Poplin Shirt (similar) // Mignonne Gavigan Mary Hoop Earrings // Rose Gold Superga Sneaker // Le Papier Studio Tiny Silhouette Charm Necklace 

SPOTLIGHT: GUNNER & LUX

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Let me introduce you to LITTLE LUX, if you haven’t already heard of them. Dad [John] and daughter [Riley] are a precious duo who design and hand-create the cutest kids jewelry.

John began collecting vintage jewelry for Riley when she was born. He knew there would come a time when she would want to play “dress up.” Since neither of her dads wear jewelry, they began collecting a treasure chest full of amazing jewels. As Riley grew and developed her own fashion sense, she began picking out the jewels she wanted to keep.

John decided to craft his first one-of-a-kind adult necklace in early 2013. Riley watched, and soon was helping John create the first Gunner & Lux necklace. His first necklace was a success and began selling on-line and in local boutiques. Riley soon began helping dad craft necklaces. Dad thought it was great for fine motor development too – learning how to tie knots, use pliers and tweezers [as a preschool teacher, I, too, second this!].

Riley later developed her own line of necklaces for little fashionistas called LITTLE LUX. Not to mention, Riley is only seven, y’all. Riley and John, we love you!

PS: Their packaging is AMAZING. Talk about Happy Mail! With your order, Riley and John send a hand-written note, stickers, and other fun swag. To order, visit www.gunnerandlux.com. You can follow Riley and John’s adventures on Instagram @GUNNERANDLUX.

Outfit Details: LITTLE LUX necklaces // Cat & Jack for Target white tank (only $6) // Cat and Jack for Target pink eyelet shorts // Egg by Susan Lazar light wash denim pom short

 

SPOTLIGHT: STELLA COVE SWIMWEAR

SPOTLIGHT: STELLA COVE SWIMWEAR

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To me, there’s nothing cuter than little girls in swimsuits. If you haven’t noticed from previous posts, I have a thing with little girls’ swimwear. As in, I can never have enough. And I always have to have more. Justifiably, we spend a lot of time in the pool, so my girls definitely get their use out of their swimsuits.  Continue reading “SPOTLIGHT: STELLA COVE SWIMWEAR”

STYLING A STUDIO PHOTOSHOOT

STYLING A STUDIO PHOTOSHOOT

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DL-2224 (1)BackI recently posted about beach lifestyle photoshoots and what to wear; however, studio shoots are a bit different in my opinion. Below are a few things I like to remember when styling my family for studio photoshoots.

  1. Coordinating pieces but not matching. Stick with a common color. Or possibly let one piece be the inspiration for the shoot, and coordinate the other pieces to it. While I usually stray from all white or all black for a lifestyle shoot, I think this is a rule that can slide when in a studio setting. In our last two studio shoots, I’ve chosen an all-white palette and a black-and-white palette. In my opinion, black or white pieces, with beautiful textures and details, offer high contrast that really pops in black and white photography. You want your family to shine, and your clothing to compliment the overall look.
  2. Classic pieces. When choosing outfits, choose classic pieces that withstand the test of time. Pieces that you will look back on in twenty years and not regret.
  3. Dress comfortably … especially if young children are involved! This is important regardless the location of your shoot. Remember you will be sitting, standing, running, dancing, etc. You don’t want to be constantly adjusting your straps or tugging on your too-short dress.
  4. Have fun and be you! If you do, I promise you will end up with some beautiful photographs.

Continue reading “STYLING A STUDIO PHOTOSHOOT”

GINGHAM STYLE

GINGHAM STYLE

Have you noticed that gingham is everywhere lately? I’ve always been a fan of the print, both in it’s original, smaller scale and in its exaggerated, buffalo check. It resonates well with my personal style: both timeless and understated in design, yet current with updated silhouettes. I find it’s a pattern than nearly goes with anything and can be easily accessorized and layered.

I’ve been drawn to the print for swimwear specifically this season (as you may have noticed from photos of my recent trip to Rosemary Beach, Florida). I love the color choices out there, too! Below is a roundup of pieces that have caught my eye perfect for mama and me styling.

Shopping Details: Girls’ Cutout One-Piece Swimsuit in mixed neon gingham // Hula Star Girls’ Summer Skies Gingham One-Piece Swimsuit // Carter’s Gingham Swimsuit [under $20!] // Girls’ one-piece swimsuit in oversized rainbow gingham // Gingham off-the-shoulder swim top // Gingham bikini boy short // Vera Moda Gingham Bandeau Bikini with Scallop Trim // Gingham tunic

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Did you see my post a few days ago in that precious off-the-shoulder gingham swimsuit?

Outfit Details: j.crew gingham off-the-shoulder bikini // quay sunglasses // mara hoffman girls bikini // zeroUV sunglasses // tassel earring

Or the same post of the girls in their classic black and white gingham bikinis and my favorite gingham one-piece?

Outfit Details: mara hoffman tie front one piece // oversized round sunglasses // tassel earrings // la coqueta gingham bikini // j.crew factory girls’ round sunglasses // j.crew factory girls’ colorblock sunglasses