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A LOOK INTO RED BEANS CLOTHING

July 31, 2017July 31, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIO1 Comment

Well it’s late July and pushing 90+ degrees outside, and I’m planning my girls fall and winter wardrobe. I told y’all I do this. A season in advance. I know it’s crazy, but trunk shows are my weakness. Trunk shows allow you to be the designer in creating totally custom pieces you wouldn’t find in any boutique. Everything from the pattern to the fabric and trim is completely customizable.

One of my favorite lines is Red Beans. It’s a trunk show company based out of Baton Rouge, Louisiana and run by two of the sweetest sisters you’ve ever met – Mollie and Glynes. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mollie and Glynes now have 6 children all under the age of 13 – talk about a busy life! Their children are the ultimate source of inspiration for Red Beans clothing. They are a little mix of everything, from fun and funky to playful and curious.

Mollie and Glynes design pieces with their children in mind, creating outfits that can go from play to special occasion with unique styles and durable fabrics made to stand up to the test of childhood. They love colorful, fun fabrics mixed with more traditional patterns for classic style with a funky twist. Wait until you see their latest collection of fabrics and styles – I think you’ll agree that Red Beans is a creative recipe in children’s clothing!

Each of Red Beans‘ pieces can be created in any fabric from the current season’s collection. This is your opportunity to have fun creating personalized outfits, made just for your little ones! What I love about this company is that you can create perfectly coordinating pieces for your littles without being too “matchy matchy.” Red Beans does such a nice job of creating age-appropriate pieces for all of your children.

There are many new Red Beans patterns this season, too. You may recognize some of these patterns as they are classic Alice Kathleen & Company patterns that Red Beans now offers as a part of the Red Beans collection. It is so much fun to see how you create beautiful pieces using the 60 available fabrics Red Beans offers!

As a trunk show company, Red Beans is made up of a network of Hostesses and customers who are just like Mollie and Glynes with lots of heart, and tons of determination. This season, I’m excited to be hosting a show with a couple of friends and would love to help you with your order. We will have the Red Beans and Alice Kathleen & Company trunks in Baton Rouge August 3-5. Our children are of all ages (newborn to age 7), and we have been customers of both brands for years. We are familiar with both trunks and cannot wait to help you customize your little one’s closet. We are excited to finally host and hope you can make our show! In addition to our show, we will be placing phone and email orders.

MAMA'S STYLE

SPOTLIGHT: MIGNONNE GAVIGAN

July 28, 2017August 26, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

As a mama, I’ve told you before that my wardrobe usually takes a backseat to my girls’. While their outfits are usually planned out a season in advance, I tend to dress for ease. I’m drawn to simple pieces that can be worn many ways and multiple times. I also love a bargain; a lot of my clothing comes from Gap, J.Crew, Target, Old Navy, H&M, Zara, etc. On most days you can find me wearing a blousy top and jeans (skinnies or cutoffs depending on the season). While the combination is fairly simple, it’s in the accessories that I like to play up the look … and don’t mind a splurge!

Since having children, I’ve learned to simplify my wardrobe, yet up my accessories game. I’m a huge fan of jewelry genius, Mignonne Gavigan. Y’all, she is the real deal! Her accessories collection is defined by impeccable details. Each piece is handmade. Her craftsmanship and use of luxe materials cannot be matched.

Mignonne Gavigan, known by others as “Maggie”, has worked in NYC as a designer for years. Her “scarf necklaces” made her famous and launched the accessories collection in 2014. Now her collection includes earrings, bracelets, and scarves that appeal to mixed tastes. Her designs are a mix of high fashion, street-style, and vintage finds that come together into a fun, refreshing, and unique aesthetic. Mignonne Gavigan brings couture elements into unique, wearable jewelry designs.

What I love about Mignonne Gavigan pieces is that they easily elevate my “mama” style. They bring a bit of couture to the everyday. While her pieces are perfect for a night out, they are so wearable with a t-shirt, jeans, and sneakers. In this post, I’ve styled two of my favorites – the Rayna Earrings and the Mason Earrings. I love how they take a simple outfit and elevate it to something special.

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Outfit Details: Mignonne Gavigan Rayna Earrings // Le Papier Studio Tiny Silhouette Charm Necklace // DIFF Dime Sunglasses (blue mirror) // Zara striped v-neck top // Gap true skinny jeans // Rose Gold Superga Sneaker

Mignonne Gavigan Mason Earrings // Quay Sunglasses // J.Crew tie-neck top // Old Navy Cuffed Boyfriend Denim Shorts (3″)

By the way, my precious husband took these photos for the post (If you look closely, you’ll see him in the reflection of my sunglasses). He did a great job, didn’t he?!

GIRLS' STYLE

BACK-TO-SCHOOL BACKPACKS

July 25, 2017July 26, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

mood board

“Back to school. Back to school…”

Nothing screams back-to-school quite like a brand-new backpack. Growing up, school supply and backpack shopping was an absolute fave. It was something I looked forward to each year. And as a mama, it’s something I still look forward to. While our school requests that supplies be purchased through school (and as a teacher I totally appreciate this request), shopping for the backpack is something I look forward to a little too much.

The girls’ backpacks must meet the following requirements:

Meet the approval of my girls
Fit their personalities
Be age-appropriate
Be large enough to meet their teachers’ requests
Be durable enough to last the entire school year

What do you look for in a backpack? I’ve completed a round-up of some of my favorite backpacks for this back-to-school season. You can see Beatrix NY, State Bags, and North Face are favorites for obvious reasons!

Shopping Details: State Kane Backpack (Pink/Lemon) // Beatrix NY Percival the Dino Backpack // Garnet Hill Bear Camo Eco Backpack Jr. // State Kane Backpack (Navy/Blue) // Pottery Barn Kids Mackenzie Navy & Orange Backpack // The North Face Youth Recon Squash Backpack (Coastline Blue/Meridian Blue) // Beatrix NY Dolce and Panna the Ice Cream Cones Backpack // Skip Hop Zoo Backpack (unicorn) // State Kane Backpack (Rainbow) // Herschel Classic Company Backpack // The North Face Mini Berkley Backpack

GIRLS' STYLE

SPOTLIGHT: SAL & PIMENTA KIDS

July 16, 2017July 15, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

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Let me introduce you to Sal & Pimenta Kids. They are just about the sweetest children’s line from Lisbon, Portugal. I’m a sucker for European children’s clothing, and If you are anything like me, you will love to dress your children in sweet little angelic outfits with European details. It’s difficult to find brands that are unique, and that you don’t see on children everywhere.

Sal & Pimenta Kids is one of our favorite lines for sweet, detailed swimwear with impeccable quality. In addition to swimwear, they design and sell girls, boys, and baby clothing. It’s a line that you will rarely see when playing at the park. The look is a bit more refined, but in the best way! We love the Europeans.

Designer, Teresa, created Sal & Pimenta Kids 10 years ago. She is mother to 2-year-old daugther Maria. Teresa says, “It has been truly overwhelming watching this small brand evolve and grow step-by-step, now occupying most of my time.” She loves this line and everything related to childhood. Teresa hopes that one day the children who wore her pieces associate them to their “happy and preoccupation-free childhood.” She knows that there is “nothing like childhood and I know that my costumers make an effort to add a touch of magic to their children’s world.”

All of Sal & Pimenta Kids‘ products are handmade in local ateliers by people who dedicate their entire lives manufacturing clothes for little ones.

Outfit Details: Whales Swimsuit

ADVENTURES, GIRLS' STYLE

SUGARY SWEET SUMMERTIME

July 13, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

Nothing says summertime quite like a snowball and heat index of 106 degrees in South Louisiana. The icy-goodness paired with the sweet, sugary syrup gives me all the summery feels. We are lucky enough to have a snowball stand a short distance from our house, and while it’s usually packed, yesterday it wasn’t. The girls and I stopped for a quick treat while running around town. Eloise chose pink lemonade and Charlotte Cate chose strawberry. Their #ootd perfectly coordinated with their yummy treats as well.

Outfit Details: Stella McCartney Kids Amie Floral Playsuit (similar pieces here) // Lali Kids Bloomer Set (similar) // Native Jefferson Shoes (similar) // Old Navy Perforated Slip-Ons

MOTHERHOOD

MAMA TALK MONDAY: PARENTING TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT CHILDREN

July 10, 2017July 10, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIO1 Comment

As my girls grow older and older, their distinctive personalities (and distinctive differences) become more and more evident. When I was pregnant with Charlotte Cate, I remember thinking my girls would be different, but not this different. I mean they are from the same gene pool.

Eloise is seven going on seventeen. She’s sweet, incredibly focused, tough, reserved, independent, particular, intuitive, smart, confident, and yet somewhat sassy. She’s mature beyond her years. She’s trying to find her way in the world. She wants to make decisions for herself. She believes she’s an adult and therefore wants to discipline her sister. She’s learning how to handle things when things don’t go as planned … all with grace and poise.

Charlotte Cate is our fun-loving, free-spirited, rough-play-loving four-year-old. She loves playing superheroes and wrestling and beauty-shop and Barbies. Snuggling is her favorite. She wants to be bigger than she is. She’s super determined and doesn’t give up easily. She believes she can ask for anything until she gets what she wants (and this sometimes works). Yet, she’s sensitive and hates being “in trouble” when she’s disciplined for something.

My girls are delightful in so many different ways. We cherish their differences. But their differences, sometimes, make playing together a bit of a challenge (especially on long, hot, summer days). My husband, the youngest of four children, reminds me that siblings disagree. That this is normal. My co-worker often laughs telling me about growing up with an older sister. But the only-child in me still worries a little that their differences will make it difficult for them to be friends in the future.

I have to remember that my girls need different things from me as their mama. My parenting must adjust to their individual personalities. As simple as this sounds, it’s incredibly difficult in the moment. Patience is something I must practice. While the days are long, the years are short. My hope is that our two girls know the love we have for them and the love they have for each other despite their differences.

Photography by Stefanie Cascio Photography.

ADVENTURES, GIRLS' STYLE, LIFESTYLE

LEMONADE FOR SALE

July 3, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

This past Saturday, we were asked to pop in to Oh Pair’s summer sale. Oh Pair offers affordable, durable, high quality shoes and accessories in an assortment of sizes, widths, and styles to accommodate every parent’s needs. The children’s shoe store, located in Baton Rouge, was offering a “Pop and Save” sale where customers could pop a balloon to save 20%, 30%, 40%, or 50% off their highest priced item. The store also had a sale table with shoes priced as low at $15. Charlotte Cate and Eloise each choose a pair of pink Cienta sneakers for $15. What a steal!

In conjunction with their summer sale, Oh Pair, hosted a Lemonade Stand benefiting Cure for Daisy. Daisy is an amazing 7-year-old in South Louisiana with Juvenile Myositis, a rare incurable disease. She’s raising money and awareness for CureJM. Daisy was diagnosed with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM) at the age of 3. Juvenile Myositis (JM) is a group of rare and life-threatening diseases in which the body’s immune system attacks its own cells and tissues. Juvenile Dermatomyositis is the most common form of JM.

Charlotte Cate and Eloise enjoyed selling lemonade knowing it was benefiting Daisy and those with JM!

Follow Oh Pair @ohpairbr and Cure for Daisy @curefordaisy on Instagram.

Outfit Details: Red Beans seersucker bloomer set // Red Beans seersucker halter top // Old Navy skinny jeans (only $9) // Gold Salt Water Sweetheart Sandals // Gold Salt Water Surfer Sandals

GIRLS' STYLE

SPOTLIGHT: TOOBYDOO

June 29, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

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.”

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.

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

CELEBRATIONS, LIFESTYLE

I HAVE A THING WITH PAPER

June 27, 2017June 28, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

I love paper. Invitations, stationery, gift tags, Christmas cards, LSU Football schedules, Halloween cards, Valentines, etc. The list goes on. I love the design and layout of cards and the feel of thick, luxurious paper. One of my favorite pastimes is designing paper products for myself, family and friends, and clients who have become friends over the years.

I’m a sucker for good design. I find I’m always inspired by the world around me. Font combinations I notice as I’m driving, color combinations seen in magazine and catalog print, beautiful designs in womenswear and children’s clothing, stunning locations which would make for the perfect photoshoot location, etc.

While it’s only June, I’m constantly brainstorming ideas for Charlotte Cate’s birthday invitation (because she’s the next birthday in our little family) … and her birthday is in December. I also find myself thinking about this year’s Christmas card … again, I know it’s only June. I know this is unusual, but it’s me. And it’s what keeps my creative juices flowing.

Below are some of my personal favorites that I’ve designed for our family throughout the years.

Charlotte Cate’s Birth Announcement // antique “CC” monogram incorporated into a hot pink letterpress flat card

Charlotte Cate’s Breakfast with Santa Birthday Invitation // hand-glittered vintage Santa

Eloise’s Picnic in the Park Birthday Invitation // collaborated with Rifle Paper Co. to design a custom silhouette print gifted with each invitation // custom calligraphy // hand-tied with gold bakers twine

Eloise’s Kindergarten Valentine’s Cards // ring erasers were attached to cards

Eloise’s Ice Cream Social Birthday Invitation // hand-glittered watercolor ice cream sundaes

2013 Cascio Christmas Card // tri-fold card designed around Charlotte Cate and Eloise’s portraits done with Fred Frey Photography

2014 Cascio Christmas Card and Moving Announcement // Santa-themed folded card to share our new address and Santa’s new stop // Stefanie Cascio Photography

2015 Cascio Christmas Card //tri-fold card designed around Charlotte Cate and Eloise’s portraits done with Jeannie Frey Rhodes Photography // hand-tied ribbon to coordinate with lettering, “Oh, What Fun!”

2016 Cascio Christmas Card // Custom holographic foil // Eloise and Charlotte Cate’s artwork was incorporated into card design

Eloise’s First Grade Valentine’s Cards // Heart glasses to coordinate with “All the Heart Eyes” emoji theme

Christmas Gift Tags // 3″ x 3″ custom gift tags to coordinate with girls’ portraits and personalities

GIRLS' STYLE, LIFESTYLE

DIY: DIAGONAL PATTERN FRIENDSHIP BRACELETS

June 22, 2017June 22, 2017by KRISTEN CASCIOLeave a Comment

Nothing 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!