Halloween

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I loved it as a kid, getting dressed up in costumes and begging for candy. How can it get any better?

I was extremely blessed to have had a grandmother who was a wonderful seamstress. She made every Halloween costume I wore through high school. I was a bunny, a clown, Cinderella (my fave), Raggedy Ann, a lion, Snoopy....It was great.

Sadly, JillyBean wasn't lucky enough to have grandmothers who can sew. Instead, she is blessed with grandmothers who are fabulous shoppers. No homemade costumes for this kid, but still, we've found some really great things for her to dress up the past three years.

This year she is a cowgirl. My mother found the costume and Nana found the red boots. It's all too perfect. What I love, though, is that she sort of looks like I did at her age. My grandmother made a cowgirl costume for me when I was almost two-and-a-half (same age as JillyBean), though it wasn't for Halloween. Instead, I believe that I wore it to the fair. I wasn't lucky enough to have genuine cowgirl boots, though.

Me as a cowgirl at two-and-a-half years old

Jillian as a cowgirl at two-and-a-half years old

Who knows? Maybe I can learn to sew and JillyBean will have some super cute homemade costumes to trick-or-treat in the future.

Consignment Time

It is hard to believe that fall is around the corner and that means that it's consignment season. The amazing Here Wee Grow Again sale begins Saturday, Sept. 26. In addition to providing a great place to shop for children's clothes, toys, and gear, this year's sale features Divine Consign, a consignment sale for women.

While I am very excited to be part of the sale again this season (this will make my third), I am a bit bummed by the timing. The deadline to get all of my items logged in the system is when we will be in Chicago and the sale begins while we are on our beach vacation. On one hand it's good because it has forced me to get started early. On the other hand it's bad because I won't be able to volunteer or participate in the pre-sale for volunteers and consignors. Hmmm...I bet BeanieDaddy would say that's a plus.

I started pulling out JillyBean's stuff this afternoon and am pleasantly surprised by how few things I felt the need to keep. I am getting much better at letting go, though there are still some items I feel the need to keep. I am also very happy that some of her clothes from last year will more than likely still fit this fall. That's why I love buying stuff from Mini Boden. They're sized in a way that she can get a couple of years out of most of the clothes so I don't feel so guilty spending what I spend there (though their sales are really great). Jilly's coveted pink jeans should still fit this year, which is a good thing because I haven't been able to find anything similar.

Silhouette

Amanda Soule has done it again. She has gone and posted an item that I don't think I can live without. Le Papier Studio has some beautiful prints that would look fabulous in any child's room.

We are moving next month and I am going to redo Jilly's room just a bit. I don't plan to do too much at this time since we're not ready to move her to a "big girl bed." But I will have a little more space to change things up a bit and make her feel at home in her "new room."

I am trying to get her excited about the move because I don't want her to feel like she is leaving something behind. This is the only room and home that she knows, since we moved when she was only 6 months old. I asked her the other day how she wants to decorate and she said that she wants a pink room. She was very insistent on that, too. I tried to get her to agree to a green room because I want to paint her new room the same way we had her room in Texas - Restoration Hardware's Silver Sage (I love that color). But she said no. PINK ROOM. I'm pretty sure that we'll stick with the silver sage, but I will be sure to add some pink accessories (her room now is lavender and green). And that is why I think that this silhouette from Le Papier Source would be perfect:

I think that it's absolutely adorable and the little girl in it sort of looks like JillyBean.

Room Decor

Things have been a little crazy the past couple of weeks. Not only did we have Jilly's birthday, but my mom and uncle are here, and we spent a week in Tennessee to celebrate Easter. I'll have more about that trip soon, but the outcome of that trip has led to this post. Actually, this is a post for me to organize an idea or two in regard to decor, so feel free to bypass...

As I mentioned, JillyBean LOVES her hats. Well, she has also developed a little fetish for purses and received two new cute bags while we visited Nana. Aunt Jane gave her a sweet floral purse with a beaded handle (that I may actually use for a wedding in a couple of months) and Nana got her a precious pink straw bag from Hartstrings that has a rose on it. It also matches the beautiful pink linen dress and hat making this complete ensemble:

So, now I find the need for something to keep these hats and purses neat and tidy. I am unsure if I want to get a series of pegs or hooks to hang on the wall or a peg rack.

I really like this from The Land of Nod:
However, Anthropologie is one of my favorite places to shop. I love their clothes but I also like their home decor items. These hooks are great and make for a little more unique addition to Jilly's room:

Hello Spring

I know that we're a couple of days late, but we're so happy that spring is here. That means that swimming pool season is just a few short weeks away, and nothing is better than swimming pool season. It also means a new season of hats for JillyBean. The one above is last year's Easter hat and it still works this year. We have already purchased a new brightly colored striped straw hat for play, a white straw hat for Easter, a sun hat for the beach and pool, and are in dire need of a new Red Sox hat for the upcoming baseball season. That would probably make a great birthday gift. Rarely can we leave the house without Bean wanting to put on a hat. She must get that love of hats from her Great, Great, Great Aunt Arcena (whom she shares her middle name). It's funny because I can't get her to keep a bow in her hair but she would wear a hat to bed if I let her.

I have had every intention to returning this into a daily blog but have not made myself do it. It sure isn't for a lack of things to discuss, I simply have not taken the time to plop myself down in front of the computer each night to record the day's events. In addition, this week has been a little nuts. I had the stomach flu for a day and a half (thankfully JillyBean didn't catch it and thankfully BeanieDad is fabulous and stayed home from work to take care of things), and now I am up to my ears in consignment sale items. Those will be out the door by Wednesday and I plan to return to my regular blogging schedule - promise.

In the meantime, we hope that everyone is blessed with the same gorgeous weather we have had the past few days and are able to enjoy the lovely color that is painting the landscape this time of year.

Sad Day

I was so sad to learn that Baby Style has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This is horrible news for us as we have purchased so many fabulous items for us and as gifts from this wonderful shop. Probably my favorite Baby Style item from is JillyBean's Lulu lamb chair. We propped Jilly up in the chair each week the first three months to photograph her growth then did it each month until she was a year old. Today she sits in Lulu to read to her babies.

I had purchased or received so many things from there - maternity clothes, toys, blankets, my Moses basket, baby clothes, baby shoes. It was always my go-to place when I wanted to find something a little unique.

I hope that they can pull themselves out of this but I'm sure that they won't. I was hoping to snag a few other items for Jilly's second birthday but I suppose we're out of luck.

Not a real entry

This really doesn't count as a blog entry. I'm mostly doing this to serve as a holding place. JillyBean hasn't shown signs of climbing out of her crib just yet but that hasn't stopped me from looking at "big girl" bedding. There are two sets that I've had my eye on for some time and they're both on sale right now. I'm thinking of getting one and holding on to it for when we make the transition.

This is from Pottery Barn Kids. I love the bright pink and the cute monkey pattern really says a lot for her personality:
I also really love this from Land of Nod. It's so pretty and very girlie:
I know that it's two different looks but I can't decide which one I like best. The Land of Nod is so beautiful, but the PBK bedding is so cute.

I'll be back soon to do a Christmas update. In the meantime, I hope everyone has a fabulous New Year.

Hanna

Hanna Andersson has been having the most awesome sale for a couple of weeks and it just keeps getting better. I snagged a cute snowsuit for Jilly for $28 and a cute all-weather jacket for $16. Both are a size smaller than I wanted (would have preferred the next size up so I could be sure that it will work next year), but even if she only gets one year out of them it's a great deal. Unless she goes through a bigger growth spurt than she did last year they should be OK but it would have been nice to have had some wiggle room.

A Little Cheer

Auntie April was here after Thanksgiving to take JillyBean's Christmas pictures. They turned out fabulous. We had some shot near Monticello and a few at the Rotunda at UVA. These are my favorites from each location:

She really needs her hair cut because she looks like a little sheepdog with those bangs hanging in her eyes. We're going tomorrow to make her a bit more presentable for Christmas. I really love the way little Suri Cruise has her hair cut so I'm trying to get Jilly's to go in that direction.

Still, I think that she looks adorable. Auntie likes photos where she's smiling a bit more but I told her that supermodels don't smile and Jilly is getting an early start on a lucrative career.

We used three photos from the shoot in our Christmas cards this year and I think that they're really great.

On that note, I have to say that I'm so disappointed in the lack of cards that we have received this year. I'm hoping everyone got a late start and that I'll get a mailbox full of them in the next couple of days. I LOVE getting Christmas cards and find it hard to throw them away each year. I keep all of the photo cards in a hat box and love looking back to see how the kids have grown over the years.

Lil Prep

This photo is especially for Kappa Prep, who I was thinking of when I dressed JillyBean in her purple and pink plaid pants to attend the Santa parade and tree lighting ceremony Friday night.

Ain't too Shabby

You may recall the cute black and white dress JillyBean wore to Beanie Uncle's wedding. It came from a shop called Shabby Apple and I just love their stuff - for both baby girl and mama. They have great dresses. Well, now through the end of the month they're offering $3 shipping, have a decent sale, and have added some new items.

I adore this little dress for fall:

Yo!

Beanie Mom has fallen out of step this past week. Things have been so busy and she hasn't taken the time to come in and share all of our happenings. So here is a quick rundown of what's gone on the past few days.

The Backyardigans came to town last Thursday and made a special appearance at Barnes & Noble. JillyBean didn't quite know what to think of the "real life" characters but enjoyed hearing them tell stories. Beanie Dad had the task of escorting the gang to the bookstore, so it was a special treat to see him in the afternoon. That evening Beanie and one of her buddies went to the show. She LOVED it and Beanie Mom had a pretty good time as well.

On Friday JB and Mom met some friends from our fabulous Mom's Group at the park. It was a blast playing with all of the kids. Beanie is beginning to show her sense of adventure by climbing up the big slide and going down all by herself - she gets upset if anyone offers her any help. I wonder where she gets that independent spirt?

We came home to find a treat on our doorstep. Beanie Grandma sent a box of goodies that included a new version of JB's true love, Elmo. Beanie wouldn't put him down and loved and cuddled him all afternoon. Of course he had to sit on the couch with her to watch Elmo's World. She even found it in her heart to share her milk with him. Now that's love because she doesn't share food or drink with just anyone. Beanie Dad wasn't too excited about the newest member to our household until he discoved that you can burp Baby Elmo. Boys!

On Monday JillyBean felt the nice fall weather setting in and decided that it was a boot day. Unfortunately she didn't see a need to wear pants, but she seems to have the ability to pull of such fashion risks. It did seem like appropriate attire for a morning ride on Mr. Horse.

Thinkin' Christmas

I know that we have a bit of time until the actual holiday, but I feel like it's time to begin preparing for Christmas pictures. Think about it - if we're going to send out an adorable photo card that our friends will post on their 'fridge and feel guilty to take down (I find it hard to put away these pictures each year - but I never throw them away), we need to get things moving soon.

JillyBean loves to wear hats. It's the strangest thing because she won't keep a bow in her hair but she'll wear a hat all day long. Last year's photo was on the casual side:
So I'm thinking of doing something a little more formal/classic this year. I ADORE this hat and coat and think that they would look beautiful in pictures. Plus, JB's bright blue eyes are sure to pop with this scarlet red:

Ridiculous

Anyone who knows me knows about my love affair with shoes. Especially high-heeled, pointy-toed shoes. The skinnier the heel and pointier the toe the better. So one might think that I would find these high-heeled infant shoes adorable. Quite the contrary; I think they're a bit appalling and also quite ugly (especially for $35 a pop).

Don't get me wrong. I don't think that babies need to shrouded in bunnies, baby chicks, puppy dogs, and lambs. JillyBean tends to wear clothing that reflects today's style but with a juvenile twist. But exposing this "style" to babies is ridiculous. Seriously, I know that they're designed for kids who can't walk so it's just a look, but what's the point? Is this to make the child look adorable or for the mom to get a bit of attention byway of her kid? Leave the heels for playing dress up, Halloween, and that first formal dance. Kids are already dressing too mature too early, so don't start while they're still in the crib.

According to the company's website, the shoes: "May cause...hysterical laughter when in use"
So they're designed so that we can laugh at the child? Nice...Let's help tear down a little girl's self-esteem as early as possible. /snark

One of the cutest things is when Beanie tries to shove her feet into a pair of my Stuart Weitzman heels because she wants to be like mommy instead of mom putting these silly things on because I want her to be a mini me.

Beanie and Beanie Mom prefer Pedipeds like these:

Or See Kai Run styles like these:

What Not to Wear

I knew that this was a recipe for fashion disaster but this is what she wanted to wear this morning:

White onesie, pink polka-dot Baby Legs, pink water shoes.

Thankfully she got so messy (another morning with the chalk) and I was able to make her a much more presentable for a playground play date this afternoon.

Baby Sale

Baby Style has a nice little Labor Day sale going on right now with 40 percent off of a lot of goodies. And to make it even better, you can get free shipping if you spend $49 by simply typing in FREESHIP49 when y0u finalize your purchase.

Also, Hanna Andersson's pre-season outer wear sale is taking place. This one is especially exciting for me since we now live where there is a need for good outer wear. This is such a cute look: