Mama/Daughter Style Series: Holiday

I'm really excited to be kicking off a new series I'm doing along with some fab other mama-bloggers (that I'm sure you know).  Sandy, Kacia, Carly and I all have daughters - and we love to get them and ourselves dressed, so we wanted to share some of our mama-daughter style around key trends, seasons and themes to come, starting with holiday! 
For me, I'm always looking for ways to incorporate my kids into things I love, and one of my favorite things to do is use my creativity towards styling (outfits, home, art, etc).  I knew having a girl would be magical for me, and as she's now started to walk and is more sturdy (aka, not a ball of fabric) - it's been just what I thought it would be to get her dressed. It's so fun!  And just like I am with my own style, I'm all about mixing and matching and trying new things with her, too.  
I am loving these sweet metallic outfits that are oh-so-perfect for the holidays pair with baby yellow converse high tops (SWOON!) on Nora and for me, mixed-leather boots.  I was excited to have the opportunity to style both these mama/baby styles from Rack Room Shoes (and right now, all their women's boots are on sale!), and wanted to add in the unexpected. I especially love the look of sneakers with the extra girly tutu (and the bright yellow, double-swoon!!).
I hope you'll follow along our series, as we have some fun stuff ahead!  You can also find extra posts and sneak peaks via social with the hashtag: #MamaDaughtStyleSeries - and of course, if you wish to join in on the fun, feel free to share your mama/daughter style with the same hashtag!  
{Our Outfit Details: MAMA // Buffalo Check Jacket (similar here + 40% off w/ code GIFTNOW; black & white version for only $33 here!); Dress - oldie c/o London Times (last worn here); Tights; Boots - c/o Rack Room Shoes; Faux-Fur Snood (similar one here, too!); Lips. NORA // Sweater; Undershirt; Skirt; Tights; Yellow Chucks - c/o Rack Room Shoes; Antler Headband}

This series is in partnership with blogger buds, Sandy of SandyALaMode.com, Kacia of CoconutRobot.com and Carly of LipglossandCrayons.com - make sure to check out their posts today to see how they and their sweet daughters are dressing up this holiday season! 
Big thanks to our sponsor of this post, Rack Room Shoes! They have physical locations and online retail for you to shop for the whole family!  Thanks for reading and supporting those that help make this blog possible!

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An Evening of Dancing

This past weekend was a blast. A BLAST! We spent time with friends outside, hit up the pool, got a few naps in... The whole weekend was great, but on Saturday night in particular, we partied it up at the Brownes Irish Market Festival for their 126th birthday. Liam has always loved music, so he was in his element, let me tell you!   We couldn't stop him from dancing once the bands got playing - he danced and danced and danced, which consists mainly of squats, running around in circles and waving his arms around.  Prior to the music, we played in the kid area full of bouncy inflatable toys. Liam couldn't get enough of the slide, which sorta stopped my heart a few times as it was more like a giant plastic drop off and full of older kids, but he held his own and we stayed close to catch him as he rolled down!   You'll see below in the photos by the look on his face... pure joy this night was. Pure joy.  And Sunday, he took a 4 hour nap. Pure joy for all! P.S. Don't forget to enter London TIme's Savvy Summer giveaway, where one lucky person will win $1,000 to help make your summer the savviest! {Outfit details: Dress - c/o London Times, Belt - Target (similar), Sandals - Old Navy (old, similar), Sunnies (old, similar or these), Lips

{dancing on the side stage, pretty sure he thought the crowd was clapping for him}

{the slides at the Brownes Market Irish Fest was a huge joyous hit}

{this little guy had so much fun dancing to She's A Keeper}
I'm linked up with Marionberry Style & MomTrends today!

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Savvy Summer Style in Kansas City

Staying stylish during the summertime in Kansas City can be hard work.  You'll definitely want your favorite anti-humectant hair product and light layers to keep you looking fab and staying cool.  Don't let the 90 degree, humid weather scare you from my hometown. If you happen to find yourself this way, there are a few things and places to help make your summer savvy!
{but first my beauty favs to keep you looking fab in midwest weather}

Fab dresses perfect for day to night summers in Kansas City all by London Times, top off any look with a lightweight Panama Hat (my fav) for extra shade, my favorite hair frizz tamer, lip color and conditioning with SPF and a swim suit you could also wear as a top! {now what to do while looking all pretty?}
Find Shade.  One of my favorite parks located right in the city and full of gardens, ducks and space to spread out for a picnic or to throw the ball: Loose Park. You can take your kids for a great playground and lots of exploring, get a work out in the 1 mile route around the edge of the park or bring your significant other or friends for a picnic.

{Liam loves the flowers} Local Eats. What are you in the mood for? Brunch is my favorite meal of the day and I recently tried {and loved} Rye.  Some of my other favorite places to brunch: Classic Cup, Succotash or Genessee Royale (as blogged about here). Get yourself some friends and hit up any of these spots or others that I've yet to try.

Hit Up a Pool {of course}. There are tons of great pools. I belong to Woodside near the Plaza area - which just renovated their pool area to be even more awesome that it already was.  This club also has group fitness classes (I love the yoga classes), a gym, tennis courts and more. Some other great pool options: Fairway Pool, Prairie Village Public Pool {especially great for kids}, Intercontinental Hotel Pool.

Night Out. After you've successfully spent the day outside, strut your new tan out on the town. I'm not totally down with the nightlife scene these days (toddler mom), but a few things will always be my favorite (whether they're in or not).  Happy hour outside for starters - either Brio on the Plaza for a more dressed up option and closer to lots of other entertainment areas or Blue Moose for a casual, kid-friendly local.  
Of course, dinner at either of those places, or other great patio options: Rye (where I went to brunch earlier also has the most amazing patio and great food for dinner, too) or  Gram & Dun, also known for their patio, fire pit and really interesting (in a good way) drinks!
And when I do get out for the night (like a few times a year), my pick is always O'Dowds! I love the live music they have on the weekends and the rooftop bar and seating area. 
Make sure to check out the other savvy style and tips for other cities as part of London Times Savviest Summer Ever Giveaway! For more info, go here!

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Impromptu Family Walk in a Pretty Pink Dress

After a fun and busy weekend full of outdoor events, birthday parties and shopping, Liam decided he wanted to take a family walk around our neighborhood while still wearing my party dress.  Liam loves the outdoors, from running down the sidewalks to looking at the trees, watching trucks drive by and planes fly above and saying HI & BYE BYE to everyone we pass. He really is in his element.
And I'm in mine when I'm with him... and in a fun dress!  I love a good, fun dress WITH short sleeves! You can find a strapless or sleeveless dress anywhere you look come summer, but it's hard to find a cute short sleeve one. I love this one from London Times and even more exciting... there is a giveaway here tomorrow where one of you luckies will not only win THIS dress (well, not this one that I'm wearing, but a new one) and a fabulous hand bag to help make this outfit go. So check back tomorrow!

 Someone prefers me in the hat... I like him in the hat!

Outfit details: Dress c/o London Times, Necklace - J.Crew knock-off via Ebay, Flats - old from Old Navy, Hat, Rope Bracelet - Junghwa Etsy Shop, Red Bracelet - gift

Remember to check back tomorrow for a GIVEAWAY! You could win this dress PLUS a perfect summer bag to go with it! :)

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A Day Outside {for Mother's Day}

Man, Sundays are the best, but they are even more amazing with the sun is out, the weather just right and when it's Mother's Day -- an extra special day to remember how lucky us mama's are or how lucky we are to have such great mamas!  Whether you're a pet mom, boy mom, girl mom, first time mom, soon to be mom or a women who lends her momness to others, biological or not - hope your day was fantastic. 
We started our day by sleeping in... little man slept till 8:10! Then met my parents for brunch and afterwards went to Loose Park to play, play, play!  We went swinging, we looked at flowers, played in sand, went down lots of slides and just ran around in the grass.  Perfect morning!  Then my little family headed home for a midday nap, where we all partook! Afterwards, we went back to the Country Club Plaza to walk around, shop, eat fro-yo, play in another park, look at fountains and get yummy take out for dinner back at home.  Pretty much the perfect day. What did you do?!
Here's a few shots of our day, spent outside in the great weather with my little man, and my mom, too!

 He was looking pretty good, so he decided to work it - he's such a trendsetter with his outfit move.

 Pink for Mother's Day in my London Times dress!

Liam dancing with Mimi

 My little family on Mother's Day!

My outfit details: Dress - c/o London Times, Blazer - J.Crew (similar), Blouse - Gap (similar), Boots

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