Spring Basics For Mom

Once upon a time, I could wake up in the morning, take a shower, eat breakfast, stand in my closet for a while until I decided what to wear, blow dry my hair and put on some make up.  I even had time to change outfits if I didn’t like what I chose!

Alas, now as a mommy, those days are long gone.  I’m lucky to brush my hair and put on something clean as I run around the house trying to get my preschooler ready for school and get myself off to work.  I love fashion, but many times you would never know it by how I look!  So I am always trying to find the best ways to somehow look slightly put together, feel comfortable and do so in about 20 seconds.  I have put together some fashion suggestions that are both on trend, comfortable and especially good for mamas.  Rev up your engines ladies…here we go!

Spring Basics for Mom | The Little Style File

Printed Pants – printed pants have been and continue to be a big trend right now.  Skinny jeans, harem pants, capris – there is a style for everyone.  You can find anything from floral prints to ethnic prints to polka dots, the list goes on.  And why do I think these are super duper great for mamas?  Well, just throw on a t shirt or button down and voila, you look stylish in a matter of seconds with your sassy statement pants.  But I save the best for last – don’t worry if your baby spits up on them, or your toddler spills apple sauce on them, you can just pretend its part of the design!  “No, silly, that’s not poop, that’s part of the pattern.”

Boots – boots are a big trend now as well even for Spring – low, mid calf, high – they all look cute.  Boots easily give an otherwise simple outfit a lot of va-va-voom!  Pair some up with skinny jeans or a cute dress – easy breezy and tres chic.  And you know what, mamas?  They can also make you feel self confident and strong.    So when your preschooler starts having a melt down when you tell her “no, you cannot wear my underwear as a hat to school for show and tell” you’ll be in your boots feeling self assured that you can survive this tantrum calm, cool and collect (and stylish).

Tunics – ahhhh tunics, these are a mother’s savior.  There are oh so many things I love about tunics.  First off, pair them with some leggings or skinny jeans and you look great in a matter of seconds.  However, what’s even better about them is when you are going through that awkward body transitioning period from just having a baby to slowly losing the baby weight; tunics are a great way to hide your little belly.  Not to mention your tush if that grew a bit too!  (mine did!)  So buy a slew of them and enjoy!  You’ll feel cozy and look great.

Statement glasses – big for Spring 2013 are fun statement glasses.  Cool shapes, fun prints and bright colors.  Feeling like you’re outfit looks boring?  Well then throw on a pair of these glasses to zazz things up.  Eyes bloodshot with dark circles from nursing half the night or being woken up by a toddler at 4 am?  Well, get these sunglasses on and just look cool.  No one has to know you’re about to pass out from exhaustion.

 

eco-friendly kids products

Happy Earth Day!  To celebrate, we are sharing our favorite eco-friendly kids products! From shoes to dishes to toys, these are some of our most loved eco-friendly kids products.

eco friendly kids products

1. Eco-Kids Eco Dough || 2. Smiling Planet Plates & Bowls || 3. Kicky Pants Romper || 4. Plan Toys Arabian Rocking Horse ||  5. Keen Shoes || 6. Seedlings Walk to the Beat of Your Own Drum

Share your kids eco-friendly faves in the comments!

Fun Kids Spring Accessories for Boys & Girls

kids spring accessories

Photo Credits: Pictilio. Manus Chau. Silvana di Franco

Accessories can make or break an outfit. They really have the power to take a basic look and step it up a notch to make it notable. I have two little girls who absolutely love bows, sparkles, hats, shoes, necklaces…. you name it! It’s fun for my daughters and me to pick pretty pieces that go with their outfits every day, so we’ve decided to share some of our spring favorites with you today for boys and girls.
I don’t have any little boys of my own, but for the adorable little boys in your life, here are some ideas:
Kids Spring Accessories

4. Sunglasses. || 5. Bow tie. || 6. Hat. ||
7. Socks. || 8. Red HighTops. || 9. Gingham Tie.
The boys I know especially love the cool sneakers and watches. It’s also fun for them to try to look like their daddies with ties and bow ties and Wayfair sunglasses.
Now for the girls: there is no end to cuteness for girls, so this is but a fraction of what I’m eyeing right now for my girls:
kids spring accessories
Sparkles, polka dots, and practicality all make for a fantastic spring accessory wardrobe. My girls love scarves because they’re cheerful and costume-like, and I love that it makes it easy to keep them warm in the springy breezes. The barrettes and sparkly hair ties are an incentive to get them to let me brush their tangles, and the hats do all the work to cover the tangles if none of us want to battle the hair brushing. Shoelaces in appealing colors are the perfect way to spruce up old sneakers and make my girls want to wear them again, and a backpack is an ideal carrier for all the toys they think they need for every excursion.
We love accessories that help make getting dressed in the morning a fresh and exciting time for everyone!
What kids spring accessories are you loving?

Spring Trends for Mom: Florals

This season’s florals aren’t your grandma’s couch cushions or your daughter’s Easter dress. These florals are bright, bold and cheery…bringing a much-needed dose of spring fever!

If you are a little skeptical, dip your toe in with some tasteful accessories. Ready to go full steam ahead? Take a dive with pants or a skirt in an all-over print. Look at the choices below and pick your petals!

Spring Trends | Floral Accessories

Necklaces: Multi Flower Half Moon Necklace- Betsey Johnson Surrey Floral Necklace- Francesca’s Silk Rosette Bib Necklace- Etsy

Sunglasses: Annie Floral Sunglasses- Francesca’s Vibrant Floral Shades- Charlotte Russe Floral Print Aviators- Maurice’s

Scarves: Oversize Floral Scarf- Target Sammiah Floral Print Scarf- Boohoo.com White Floral Print Scarf- Debenhams 

Spring Trends | Floral Pants

Floral Pants: Liberty Floral Toothpick Jean- J. Crew Floral Print Pants- Asos Floral Print Cropped Skinny-Leg Pants- Macy’s

Skirts: Floral and Sequin Skirt- H&M Straight Pull-On Print Skirt- Joe Fresh for JC Penney Arrive-With-Flowers Skirt- White House Black Market

Here are some tips to get you through the season:

*When going with a floral print dress, try one with flowers running just down the middle. It is incredibly slimming!

*If you aren’t sure about the bold florals, try a blurred or watercolor floral print.

*A classic trench with a floral lining is a great way to add a surprise to your wardrobe.

Will you be trying the floral trend this spring?

I Want Candy | Gymboree Clothing Review

It was Spring Break. Like all great moms, we brought our kids to the museum.

The Candy Museum.

The kids couldn’t wait for warm weather to wear their new Gymboree outfits.  Since we were going to be inside the entire day, we let them pretend it wasn’t really 42 degrees outside and set them loose in one of the happiest places in Chicago.

Madeline, Olivia, Mia, Dylan and Elizabeth enjoying their Spring Break together.Gymboree Clothing Review

Candy everywhere!

Candyality Chicago

gymboree clothing review | the little style file

 Super cute coordinating brother and sister!

gymboree clothing review

The girls were so excited to find lollipops that matched each of their outfits.

gymboree clothing reivew | the little style file

Mia and Madeline answered the question, “How much fun can you have with a Super Rope?”gymboree clothing review | the little style file

There was so much to see.  Little candy cottages, dresses made completely out of candy wrappers and shoes constructed from Skittles!

gymboree clothing review | the little style file

The kids found a place to strike a pose and TLSF editors discovered a new motto.Gymboree Clothing Review | The Little Style Filegymboree clothing review | the little style file

 The outfits from the Gymboree Rainbow Cabana Collection are so bright and fun.  The kids loved every piece from their hair accessories down to their shoes.  Gymboree Collections make shopping for families easy.  Each collection has a theme of coordinated colors with pieces that easily mix-n-match.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post, however all opinions are honest and our own.  The Rainbow Cabana Collection is online and in Gymboree stores now!  Also, thank you to Candyality, images by Jessica West Photography.

 

Sister Style | Spring Special Occasion

Hi, my name is Kristin.  And I’m addicted to coordinating my daughters’ clothes.  Wish I was joking.  I get a little smile when they decide to wear coordinating night gowns to bed.

But it’s not really my fault.

It’s genetic.

For the big S-I-X, my mom found these outfits at Mini Boden.  The girls squealed when they opened the boxes to see chiffon rosettes, gold trim and hot pink sequins.  For this installment of Family Style, we are featuring 6th Birthday Sister Style.

Let the swooning begin.

Mini Boden Girls Dresses

The key to coordinating looks is to pull from the same color palate and pick complimentary pieces.  Bonus points if you can let each girls’ personality shine through!

Here is the birthday girl!  Hard to believe my first baby is SIX!

sister style | the little style file

The silly sisters!sister style | the little style file

Mini Boden has a fab special occasions collection out right now filled with dresses perfect for birthdays, Easter, weddings or just a gorgeous portrait session.  Look for a post soon with all of the details of Ellie’s sixth birthday party!

Do you coordinate with Sister Style?  Where are your favorite places to shop for girls?

Spring Forward: Girls Spring Jackets

The snow is melting! While spring fashions have been in stores for weeks, it actually seems like we might get to start wearing them soon.  With the temperatures flucuating wildly, a good coat is still a must have.  Now the kids are ready to ditch the winter coats and think spring!  Here are our favorite girls spring jackets for any budget.

girls spring jackets | the little style file

Shop the looks:

1. Polarn O. Pyret  || 2. Target|| 3. Zara || 4. The Children’s Place|| 5. Target || 6. Tea Collection || 7. Gap Kids || 8. Mini Boden || 9. Old Navy || 10. Gymboree

 

Which is your favorite girls spring jacket?

Emerald City

Have you heard? The Color of the Year 2013 is EMERALD!  We’re here to show you actually it is pretty easy being green.  Here are some fun ways to interpret the Color of the Year 2013 and add it into your little’s wardrobe.

Color of the Year 2013

SHOP THE LOOKS:  1. Gap Kids Neon Printed Leggings  2. Livie & Luca Dawn Fuschia Shoes 3. AikoArt Green Rose Chunky Necklace 4. Tea Collection Lidkoping Leaves Dress  5. Florsheim Kids Kennet Jr. 6. Gap Kids Long Sleeve Shirt 7. H&M Knit Sweater 8. Old Navy Pop Color Pants 9. Crewcut Kids Classic Ballet Flats 10. Mini Boden Track Pants 11. Gymboree Heart Hooded Puffer Vest  12. Mini Boden Rugby Shirt

Do you go green?  What do you think of the Color of the Year 2013?

#Blogher12 & Rue La La

I mentioned it a couple of weeks ago that Kristin and I are heading to Blogher in New York City on August 2nd! We have been busy planning for the conference and all of the private parties that we will be attending.  Of course on the top of our list is, what we will be wearing! We are thrilled to announce that our favorite flash sale site, Rue La La is our wardrobe sponsor! We have been busy shopping all of the awesome boutiques you can find on Rue La La daily!  One thing that has made my shopping experience with Rue La La wonderful is their iPhone application! Everyday at 10:00 a.m. CST they open new boutiques and as a busy mom with two kids, I am not always home at that time in the morning. Their iPhone application makes it seamless and easy to shop in the a parking lot, pool or playground! I love dresses that I can easily dress up or down with a change of a shoe or jewelry for a day or ngiht look. I have found some amazing dresses that I cannot wait to wear while in NYC!

I have  found two necklaces that I adore and can dress up any basic dress perfectly for a night on the town!

A girl of course needs some shoes that make her feel and look great while in the big city!

I have returned two items and Rue La La makes it super simple and easy to do! They provide you will a return shipping label on your invoice. You just put the shipping label on your package and send back to Rue La La! They complete your return and credit your account within 7-10 days of receiving it. It is pretty painless! If you would like to start shopping at Rue La La, you can use this invitation.

Disclosure: We received credits from Rue La La for our Blogher wardrobe.  All opinions are honest and our own.

 

the romper room

Rompers are all the rage this summer and we love them for the elementary and under set.  Rompers are perfect for the park with built in shorts or dressed up with a fun headband and fancy sandals.  Here are top 12 rompers for this summer.

girls rompers

1. Roxy, 2. Cherokee, 3. The Children’s Place, 4. 77 Kids, 5. Mini Boden, 6. Love U Lots, 7. Splendid, 8. Tea Collection, 9. Pumpkin Patch, 10. Harajuku Mini for Target, 11. H& M, 12. Fleur + Dot

Do you love a romper for your little girl?

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