Fall Mini Fashionista Picks / September 14, 2012 by Katie Brightbill

When the weather gets chilly, I want to shop. Seriously, fall kids clothes are the cutest!! I'm such a sale shopper, so I'll have to wait a bit to get some coupons, if someone handed me a shopping spree specifically for fall wardrobes, here's what I'd pick:

(You could make so many cute outfits just using these 12 items!)

From top left:

1.Gap Skinnies. I love Gap jeans because they make different jeans for different toddler shapes. Sophie is petite, so we love the mini-skinnys.

2. Mini Boden Knitted Jacket. Classic and cozy.

3. Minnetonka Lace-Up Boots. Brown, fringe boots in a mini size? LOVE.

4. Zara Honey Comb Scarf. Comes in bright colors and isn't just for looks... it actually keeps your little ones warm!

5. Gap Crocheted Sweater Dress. Pretty and neutral. Perfect for pairing with fun leggings and boots.

6. Zara Pleated Print Skirt. Soph loves "princess skirts" and would be very excited to own a pink one.

7. J.Crew long-sleeve Eiffel Tower tee. Sparkly Eiffel Tower plus mint green is a total winner in my book.

8. Chooka Plum Rain Boot. My favorite rain boots I've seen for kids. I want some for myself too!

9. Washed Denim Jacket. Goes with everything. Jean jackets are a staple in our house.

10. Peek Prose Flat. Pretty little shoes to dress up an outfit!

11. Everyday Leggings. Polka dots are huge this fall. These would go great with a brightly colored long-sleeve tee.

12. Floral Waffle-Knit Henley. Basic shape with a lovely print.

*And an extra special, happy 30th birthday to my loving and adorable husband Brian.

XO,

Kate

DIY: Stylish Storage / September 13, 2012 by Katie Brightbill

Like many other mothers out there, I'm surrounded by toys, books and stuffed animals. Sometimes I just want a stylish storage catch-all, but I don't want the big price tag that accompanies it! I came up with this super-easy DIY storage idea, using supplies I already had in my house. Here's the how-to for you:

Coffee Sack Storage

Supplies:

- Coffee bean sack (I got mine at my neighborhood cafe)

- Hot glue gun & glue

- Rope or cord

- Cardboard box or basket

1. Turn the coffee sack into itself so it's half of its original size. Place a cardboard box inside to create structure.

2. Flip the sack on its side. Create the rectangular bottom by folding corners over and applying hot glue so it stays put.

3. Hold in place until the glue is dry. Repeat on the other side.

4. Set your sack right-side-up and cut two small slits on one side (to become a handle). The slits should be large enough to insert the rope, but small enough for a knot to hold it in place.

5. Tie a knot on one end of your rope, and feed the other end of the rope through one of the slits and back through the other.

6. Tie a knot on the other end and you have your handle! Repeat steps 4- 6 on the other side of the bag.

Aaannnd voila! A stylish little (free to me!) toy basket!

Didn't I tell you it would be simple?

Love,

Erin

Alt Blog / September 12, 2012 by Katie Brightbill

Last year, I really started diving deeper into the blogging world. I'd been a casual writer on my own little family blog for long-distance relatives, and I read a couple blogs regularly, but I had no idea how big of an influence the blogging community was at that point. Last year, I got a twitter account and started "following" creatives whose blogs I read. It was right around the time that those big name bloggers were returning home from Alt Summit 2011 and writing recaps about their experience.

The recaps were amazing! Incredible talent all meeting in one place, hearing inspiration from brilliant people with huge followings, and building friendships and business relationships in one beautifully styled weekend? I wanted to be able to go to the next year's so.very.badly, but I had no blog to call my own; therefore, I had no reason to participate!

We launched this site officially August 6th (a little more than a month ago!) and the tickets were totally sold at that point. We have been posting daily on here since, and have realized how very much we would have benefitted from the Alt Summit this January, but it was too late! Until now... there's an

Alt Summit ticket giveaway

in the works over on the Alt blog and I would LOVE to win it. All they ask is that we share our favorite post of theirs on our own blogs!

Tricky request... there are so many good ones on there! I decided today to share this one about how very very important it is to celebrate the successes of other people. What a perfect post! In a world that is so bent "me me me" and "being the best" it is so important to find joy in other people's victories. How bitter life would be if we were cranky whenever someone else did better than us! My dad always told us "there will always be someone better," with regard to our talents; meaning, if we were REALLY great at soccer (we weren't), and the star of a team, there is no need to have a big head about it! There's another star of another team somewhere out there who is better. Why should I be caught up in thinking I'm the only one who is good at something or other? Why be upset that someone is accomplishing their goals faster than I am accomplishing mine? No need.

The Alt Summit Blog is full of little written treasures like this, just waiting to be read. Seriously. For blogging inspiration and business advice check out the new Alt blog. Hop on over and see for yourself!

Be sure to read the full post: How to Celebrate Others' Successes

*Kate

Book Pick: Pat the Bunny / September 12, 2012 by Katie Brightbill

Pat the Bunny

on Amazon

I love books. We have cabinets full of children's books and I still feel like we need more supply. The girls would love for me to read books to them all day long! Thank goodness for library cards and a city that doesn't mind if little girls return their books late!

There are a few books that I absolutely LOVE. I always pick them when I'm bringing options to my kiddos. Most recently, Maggie was gifted "Pat the Bunny" when she turned one. It is the most charming little story ever! It was actually copyright in 1940 and just feels like the original. Maggie cannot get enough! My favorite page uses actual sandpaper to depict daddy's scratchy face. Sophie even enjoys "reading" it on her own.

Perhaps everyone already knows about this adorable little treasure of a book, but if you didn't until now, be sure to pick up a copy the next time you're in need of a little gift or you want to surprise your little ones with something new.

* Note: be sure to get the touch and feel version, as opposed to the board book.

Style with Color / September 11, 2012 by Katie Brightbill

I love color on kids. I may not be able to pull of the oranges with the golds with the pinks with the neon greens, but my three-year-old sure can. I try buy basics in cheerful colors, so that even when she does the wardrobe picking entirely on her own, I can be relatively confident that there will be some sort of neutral style balancing her "fun" picks!

On another note, I'm kinda loving her Gap long shorts this year. They've totally kept her knees unscathed on the sunny days.

Styled by Sophie. Photographed by Pictilio. Tank Jcrew, headband Ban.do, Bracelets H&M, Shoes Converse

Banana Smoothie Recipe / September 10, 2012 by Katie Brightbill

I am a huge fan of smoothies. They're delicious and so simple to make! I recently came up with a recipe that is super-quick and tasty, so I want to share it with you!

Ingredients:

- 2 Bananas, frozen & sliced

- A handful of chocolate chips

- 2 cups vanilla yogurt

- 1 Tablespoon ground coffee (optional)

Slice a banana and place the cut slices on a parchment-lined tray. Freeze for at least three hours. It's a great way to use bananas that are a little too soft to eat straight, and it's nice to have the frozen banans on hand when I want to whip up a quick treat.