Little Lady

I popped into my favorite Kansas City baby store, Lauren Alexandra this past weekend and I stopped right in my tracks when I saw this dress. It's called the Nellie by Persnickety. The pictures hardly do it justice. It's just SO incredibly precious in person.

I am usually not a huge fan of persnickety..sometimes it's just a little too much pattern and color for me. But this dress is just perfect! And paired with these Baby Bloch ballerina's in red?! Ahhhh, to die for!

Strawberries and Cupcakes

I work part time at the most adorable baby store you have ever seen, called Lauren Alexandra. This past week we received a shipment of a new line called Jelly The Pug. Their sweet designs remind me of items my mom would have put me in when I was little. It definitely has a bit of a vintage feel to it.

Part of the Spring line is an apron dress and a baby bubble with the sweetest cupcake and strawberry print. It got me thinking...wouldn't this make for an adorable Birthday theme? Especially if you have a little girl with a summer birthday...this would be PERFECT!

(pictured)
Apron Dress $52
Baby ruffle bottom Bubble $38.50
Both available at Lauren Alexandra Bebe Boutique Brookside location, in Kansas City

Where were these when I was a little girl?

We have a fabulous Crayola Store here in Kansas City that I could spend hours in. I did a lot of doodling and coloring as a child, and I am always fascinated with all of the new colors and gadgets for kids.

While browsing I came across the most fantastic books. They are called Rosie Flo's Coloring Books, which are based out of the U.K. The covers caught my eye, because of the colors and fun illustrations. As I flipped through them I was even more intrigued.

Each book has a "theme" with different illustrations in which your child would add the head and face, legs and arms and then color the body. For me, these would have been a dream! It gives them the creativity to create the "model" and also to give the outfit their own interpretation of pattern and color. They are quite fantastic, and I was tempted to buy one...who knows when a creative moment may strike?

Anybody own these cute coloring books? If so, I would love to know if your child loves them!

Gift Guide: Just for girls (under $40!)

If you have multiple sisters, friends, or relatives to shop for this year, you may want to find some great gifts that won't break the bank.  I have come up with a fun round-up of gifts all under $40!

FOR THE GIRLY GIRL: I purchased this set for myself (while shopping for others) and I love all 3 colors! One dark, one very vibrant pink and a soft neutral...there is something for everyone. by Face Stockholm for J.Crew $12.99 on sale!!!

I would absolutely love if this was in my stocking this year! This Stila lip gloss set comes with 4 of their best sellers and 4 limited edition holiday colors. You get a total of 8 glosses for only $25

FOR THE MONOGRAM/LILY LOVER: How fun are these monogram earrings by Fornash?  You can customize both the enamel earring and initial monogram color. $35 and you have to allow 2-3 weeks for delivery...so order quick if you want them!

FOR THE WORLD TRAVELER: If you have a friend who is always jetting off to a new and fun destination, these Jonathan Adler luggage tags are fantastic. At only $6.95 each you can get a few for each of your friends.

And also for the traveler, I am obsessed with these Lucky Minimergency kits. They are $15 and come with almost anything you may need in a pinch...sewing kit, stain remover, clear nail polish, and a teeny-tiny hair spray.This is great tucked into your carry-on or handbag.

 FOR THE PAPER LOVER: She will adore these bright and colorful personalized notepads. Perfect for the working girl, or a mom on the go. $18 includes a custom monogrammed cover and 200 blank pages.

Any girl would love this Kate Spade calendar.  I have saved my old Kate Spade Calendars and plan to frame some of the pages because they are so pretty! $26 on seejanework.com

 Gloves are always a fabulous gift! Especially when they are as cute and colorful as these On The Spot gloves by Anthropologie. $28

And lastly, a small leather gift always packs a punch. I love these little lizard mini-wallets by Madewell. Great to hold a subway or El-train card or to clip onto a diaper bag.

Anthem of the Ants...serious cuteness for little girls!

I came across the little girls clothing line Anthem of the Ants via  Pinterest. Wow, is this stuff cute or what? It's classic, yet very cute. Give me a bow any day of the week!

you can find these styles and more on the website Lilswanky.com

Little Lamb

If you follow this blog, you know I am crazy about winter hats for kids.  When I discovered these on Etsy, I died. Died. Cuteness beyond compare...

Little Lamb Felt hat for her $48. Made of Organic cotton

Little Lamb Wool $45

And how genius is this? Kids won't wear scarves, so give them a C.Owl! $35

For Sweetpeatoad tot's other darling creations, you can visit her shop HERE

Artwork to inspire...

When designing a room, something as simple as a piece of artwork can inspire your entire theme. I have always been obsessed with Orange and Pink, so when I saw this piece of Art on Serena and Lily, it got me thinking about what I would do if I could decorate a little girls room...

via

via BHG.com

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Lottie da...

This adorable line of little girls clothing by Lottie Da has made pattern mixing an artform. I am in love with all of her color combos and the whimsical fabric choices. For those of you with little girls, eat your heart out...

and her crib bedding is absolutely adorable...

The Party Dress table challenge: Belles and Bows Party

I am so thrilled to be featured on The Party Dress' Holiday Table Challenge today! To see the entire party, click HERE

And thanks to Kelly for letting an "amateur" party planner participate, I had the BEST time. I am slowly learning that this whole party planning thing can be kind of addicting!

Reader Request: Christmas Dresses

I had a reader email me with some suggestions for her 3 and 5 year old for Christmas dresses. I had such a good time researching this, there is not much better than a frilly party dress! Here are some of my favorites...

By Helena

By Chasing Fireflies

By J.Crew

By Adore La Vie

By Adore La Vie

or a bit more traditional...

By Chasing Fireflies

By Kayce Hughes

by Bebe Beth Originals

By The Eclectic Baby

By Hand Smocked