GIRLS’ STYLE

SISTER, SISTER

April 21, 2017May 9, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIO2 Comments

Meet Eloise (7) and Charlotte Cate (4)! They are the inspiration behind Mama etc. Anyone who knows me, knows my intense love of children’s clothing and my desire to go above and beyond to match or coordinate my girls. I spend countless hours “designing” and planning outfits at trunk shows such as Red Beans or Alice Kathleen. I scour Gilt.com daily looking for the perfect complimentary styles. I even love searching the racks at Target and Old Navy to find easy pieces to layer with the right accessories.

Last week’s vacation to Rosemary Beach, FL was no exception. Each day the girls were perfectly coordinated on the beach for three fun days in the sun!

“Dress them up, let them play & take a ton of pictures.” – unknown

Outfit Details: zeroUV sunglasses // lolli swim sweetheart bow back one piece swimsuit // stella cove yellow swimsuit // sunnylife kiddy flamingo float

GIRLS' STYLE, MAMA'S STYLE

MAMA AND ME

April 21, 2017May 9, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIO1 Comment

While vacationing on 30A’s Rosemary Beach, FL, I, too, coordinated with my girls on the beach! While they wore matching suits, I took colors and patterns from their suits as inspiration when finding the perfect “mama” suit to coordinate. Mara Hoffman’s prints are always the best in my opinion and finding gingham, one of this season’s hottest trends, to coordinate made perfect sense. I love the mix of modern and traditional details that make matching feel more 2017 and less Laura Ashley.

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

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

Outfit Details: past season Mara Hoffman coverup // past season Mara Hoffman girls one piece // ombre tassel earrings // rimless sunglasses // le papier studio silhouette charm necklace

GIRLS' STYLE

SPOTLIGHT: TWO SISTERS BOWS

April 21, 2017May 9, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

As a Baton Rouge, Louisiana mom of two girls, I’m a huge fan of Two Sisters Bows. Two Sisters Bows specializes in hand made hair bows for girls of all ages. Their self-proclaimed “perky” hair bows set them apart from manufactured styles.

Owner, Sherri Acosta, founded Two Sisters Bows in 2003. She created an “open loop” hair bow that actually perches on the head instead of lying flat and withstands the accidental ‘stuffing into a dresser drawer.’ Growing more and more popular in local circles, she began to take orders for her bows instead of friends buying the bows off of her daughters’ heads at preschool! Soon she was selling bows wholesale to local children’s boutiques and specialty shops and eventually her own children’s boutique in Baton Rouge, LA. Now, Two Sisters Bows is marketed through sales representatives in the Dallas Market Center, the Atlanta ApparelMart, online and through over 100 specialty shops throughout the country.

Two Sisters Bows believes in using top quality ribbon that is Made in the USA. They also believe it’s essential for their customers to have the choices they want along with the quality they expect. Each of their bows are individually hand made, painted, stoned with crystals and/or embroidered to order.

Two Sisters Bows are a staple in our home. Our favorite bows are the hand painted bows. We have bows for every holiday and occasion. We had a custom bow painted for our trip to New York. We also love the crystal bows. The girls each wore custom crystal bows with their Halloween costumes this year.

1.Rainbow Unicorn bow // 2. Orange Crystals Bow 3. Soda Shop Sweets Bow // 4. Hot Pink Bow

Outfit Details: Two Sisters Bows // Cat and Jack for Target pink eyelet dress // Mes Demoiselles tunic // Ombre pink tassel earrings

GIRLS' STYLE, LIFESTYLE, MAMA'S STYLE

STYLING A FAMILY PHOTOSHOOT

April 21, 2017May 17, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIO1 Comment

Each year during family beach trips, we always make an effort to take our “family beach pictures.” It’s definitely not something my husband, Mark, looks forward to, and it’s something I most definitely overthink. I usually have a vision weeks (okay, maybe months) before our trip, having every last detail planned, but this year things were different. I figured, I’d just “wing” it. I packed everyone’s bags without coordinating “picture” outfits. I figured I wouldn’t stress about it, and if we got pictures, great. If not, that was great too.

While shopping at Outpost, one of my most favorite shopping spots ever on 30A (or maybe in the world), I found the most perfect coordinating outfits for a photoshoot … should one transpire!

Outfit Details: Elina Lebessi blue and white kaftan // tassel earrings // Nellystella Zoe dress // lil’ lemons by For Love & Lemons Little Daisy Bow Dress

What to wear for family photos?

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. Most importantly, outfits should help express and showcase individual personalities.
Stray away from all-white or all-black. We all have been there and done that. Try something more interesting. Add patterns, textures, or subtle color! And if you must do all-white or all-black (because, I know it’s hard not to), try incorporating various textures to give your photos more depth.
Dress comfortably … especially if young children are involved! 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.
Have fun and be you! Rules are made to be broken, so be you and have fun!

Below are a few photos from another beach trip. Notice how my kaftan was the inspirational piece. The girls’ swimsuits coordinated, and they were comfortable. This shoot took place around 7AM, and the girls had the best time with the beach to themselves!