Greatest Hits 2010-11 Vol. 1

Riley hangs out at Saddle Creek for the day when she was 3, before we lived in Omaha. We had just spent months in Los Angeles, so she wore a excessive layered look of Gap, Gymboree, American Apparel, Olive Juice and Zara.
We spent an entire day at Houston Airport in this comfy skinny jean and t set from Zara.
Hanging out at The Grove in Los Angeles in a jean jacket from Baby Gap; skirt, purse and scarf from Zara, Am Appy socks and pink Converse. We went to The Squeegees on this day.
This was Xmas Eve of the roughest year. This was her tree, it's a long story. Being a real trooper in a dress from Crewcuts and a Target sweater and belt.
Dressed up as a hipster (as a joke) in some Target lace leggings, She & Him shirt as a dress, theatre 3d glasses and her signature Riley jean jacket.

Toddler Hairstyles: Are bangs a necessity?

I love fringe. I have thicker side swept (almost straight accross) bangs, so I obviously like the way they look. On adults. I've not been a fan of them on children for the most part after seeing ad after ad of kids where their bangs are cut too high. I think they do not fit kid's typically chubbier faces. I never would've decided to cut Riley a set because of the style...but I couldn't deal with her pushing her hair out of her face ALL DAY anymore. So we took the plunge and chopped away. Hallelujah, her hair is out of her face and I don't have to mess with it all day. Sure there are kids out there who have straight hair that is easily pulled back and tamed, but not this girl- and I feel like a mom-revelation has clicked when I realized why so many toddler girls have bangs. They are totally a necessary evil, like taxes or social networking.

I think they look a little odd, and a little mini hipsterish, but they are growing on me. What do you think?

Clothes: Stella McCartney for Baby Gap. Gymboree boots. (lower) Marc Jacobs tunic.

Wednesday, July 28

The last few days we spent on vacation, in bathing suits. She wore Kate Mack for 4 days straight.

Now that we are home, Riley isn't really sure why she should have to wear actual clothes. Unfortunately, coming home from a trip means I have a bunch of stuff to catch up on and she had to put on something to leave the house.

She came up with this. She also wore her shoes on the wrong feet and had a boa, but threw them off before I could get a picture of the ridiculousness. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle here, guys.

I knew that wearing a petti in public meant adding an extra 5-10 mins in every place we had to "run into". I was right. Riley kept asking why everyone was talking to her today, and I told her it was because she looked like Zsa Zsa Gabor. She laughed (as if she knew who I was comparing her to), and said "Noooo Mommy, it's because I look FABULOUS!"........Er, sure, Ri.


But I would like to say thank you to our wonderful friend Debbie who gave this princess shirt to Riley for her birthday, she loves it :) .....Maybe too much ;)

Shirt: Baby Gap Junk Food tee
Skirt: etsy pettiskirt
Hairstyle: Half up, bow by Sara

Wednesday, June 23

Riley is wearing a Baby Gap top that we picked up yesterday during the sale. I honestly can't even tell you the line name or anything else, it's shocking but I haven't stepped in Gap for months. I've really stuck to the x# of outfits for summer rule I placed on myself, and while I'm proud for not caving....I can't wait to shop for her fall wardrobe! I love the vibrant color, and apparently she is a fan as well, she picked the shirt out to wear today.....and just the shirt. Good thing we weren't going anywhere I guess!

Monday, June 7

This Baby Gap Rainforest dress from last year was saved by the Naartjie ruffle leggings in Crown(Royal? Some type of princess purple). They added the necessary length and took this outfit to a funky place. The colors are a perfect match, and the fabrics are so soft.

Friday, April 9

I don't think my daughter quite grasps the concept of weather/temperature/etc. She wanted to wear this top today, and after trying to explain that it would only be 60 degrees, I tried a different approach and persuaded her to pick out jeans to wear with it. I don't think she was freezing, so that's good....but I'm not a fan of summer tops with jeans. (STILL NEED THE CHAMBRAY SHORTS/BERMUDAS, BTW :D)

This top is from Janie & Jack's Sweet Summer Tea line from the previous summer, the jeans are Baby Gap, shoes are Converse and the flower clip is from LBB on etsy.

Thursday, April 8

I swear something is off with my camera. Or maybe I'm just way out of practice with natural light. Hey thanks, Winter.

This is in the running for 3rd Birthday Pictures Outfit. I just love it more than words. It's the Mim Pi "Who Let the Dots Out" suspender dress with a plain white tee from Baby Gap and a petticoat skirt from Von Maur, for extra kick.

I love the b&w contrast and the girly factor, Riley loves the twirl. I will cry when it no longer fits, I mean it. ISO next size up!

Friday, March 26

Liberty of London (for Target), Baby Gap and vintagey hat from the local street market has been combined today to create a boho chic spring look. Leaving the house, I was pretty dang proud of myself. Until Riley was trying on her new shoes (Lelli Kelly's and SKR's) and the child next to Riley asked her mother if Riley was Amish.


.......Awesome. Nothing against Amish people, but long dresses, buns and bonnets are just not my thing. Needless to say, I was a little annoyed that this tween girl didn't understand my vision for this outfit. Minutes later, I realized she was a kid and while attempting to devalue her opinion in my head, I took the hat off of Riley and left the public eye. I usually ignore any comments about wardrobe as I live in Iowa and don't take much offense to what anyone says here anyway (No offense, for those who live near me and ARE fashion savvy, I still love you ;)).....but I don't want to have Riley get weird looks from other children. So enjoy my failed attempt, you will not see this hat again my friends.


CONTEST INFO: Please enter our randomly generated Coach keychain fashion log drawing by checking out my post from Wednesday and posting your ideas! I'd love to get some more people involved before the deadline this upcoming Wednesday, so be sure to check it out & tell your friends! :)

Thursday, March 18

Another gorgeous day, Spring may finally be making its debut here in the gloomy midwest! There was still quite a breeze though, so to the park Riley wore Gymboree knit pants and a Baby Gap Junk Food Hello Kitty shirt. This has been deemed her "play outfit". I generally let her play in all of her clothing, but this outfit is especially practical for the park- and I don't really mind if she destroys these pants, honestly. The shoes are the M&M knockoffs from Target, and she is wearing a m2m bow that you cannot see but I assure you is absolutely darling. Riley had a blast today! :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Riley wore this same exact dress, The Matilda Jane Damsel in a Dress (Betsey Apron), last year on St. Patrick's Day- and since it was one of two green items in her closet today I decided it would be the perfect day to debut it....again. The differences in one year in the same child are just extraordinary, she's grown up so much.


This time we paired the dress with Gap undershirt & leggings as well as Gap boots....that amazingly still fit. We really need to find these in the next size up. Shameless plug for size 10! The bow is from our good friend, Sara. She's such a sweetheart, always sending us piggie bows and asking for nothing in exchange. We love our bows, Sara! But not as much as we love you :)

Monday, March 15

Gymboree vest and shirt, Gap jeans and flower from our friend Cathy. Bad picture, not a real exciting day here.

Friday, March 12

Today's outfit is a result of the most stubborn toddler ever. Meet Your Highness, the princess miss Riley Cadance. Not only did she insist on wearing this....unique....combination- she decided I was only to address her as Your Highness today. I jokingly handed her the tiara we had purchased recently at Disneyland and she was delighted to wear it all day. Though I probably discourage such behavior, I indulged her for the day. She's off to the grandparents tonight, anyhow. :)

The tiara is from Disneyland, the shirt is from Naartjie, the skirt is the Molly from Matilda Jane, and the leggings and white undershirt are from Baby Gap. This answers the age old question of: What would a two year old wear if she could pick her own clothing?

I'm not loving the answer here. Does anyone else allow their toddler to pick out their own outfits? I'd love to hear feedback on the topic, and Riley would LOVE to know how you like her "pretty outfit" :)

Wednesday, March 10

I'm ready to get back into the swing of things. A lot of things have changed in the past two months since I've posted regularly, but I'm back, and hoping to stay that way. For those of you who have been there for me, your support means the world to me and I cannot thank you enough.








On to the clothes! Outfit of the day: Meet my boyfriend, Marc Jacobs.

You may be in the "buying children designer clothing is ludacris!" camp, but you can't deny how perfectly sweet and simple this dress by the Little Marc Jacobs label is. Layered with a plain Gap undershirt and Matilda Jane brownie ruffle leggings, the "Wow Theory" pulls together yet another favorite of mine.

Designer labels don't have to cost you an arm and a leg if you know how to search for them. Froogle it. eBay it. No one knows, nor do they care. Sure, I could use that same theory applied to dressing a child in general, but don't children deserve the best you can offer them? I mean you wouldn't let a child sleep on an infested, uncovered mattress underneath another child in a crib, would you? Why wouldn't you dress them to the best of their ability and raise their confidence early in the game? I know this isn't the thinking of everyone, but it is mine- hence the blog. Feel free to share your views in the comments. :)

Friday, January 22

Date last worn: N/A
Times now worn: 1

We finally wore the Gap furry dress I just HAD to have when it came out. Wore it to Target today to hear from multiple people that it was on sale for like $4. Cool. Not like I spent $100 on it or anything, but I really need to start watching for better deals at Baby Gap.

We threw on some basic browns underneath, pulled her hair into two buns with bows and pulled on the gap slouchy boots for probably the last time.

ETA: Please don't mind my messy kitchen counter. My roommate/boyfriend-person is a slob, and STILL after living together for 3 years, has no idea how to pick up after himself.

Friday, January 15

Last wear: Monday, October 19th

Times now worn: 2 (can't be right!?)

This is the Matilda Jane Gypsy Blue Molly skirt...I think. I've been out of shopping for children's clothes for a couple months and now it feels like a foreign language. Anyway, we paired it with the Gap deauville corsage shirt again and some brown solid Gap leggings and the Gap slouchy boots (that are getting too small :( )The pink pigtail bows are made by Sara, of course.

.....And yes, this is in a Gap dressing room.

Tuesday, January 5

Last time worn: Never
Times now worn: 1

Bad picture, beautiful dress. Riley is still sick and for some reason I thought it was a good idea to let her wear a dry clean only dress with a runny nose. Someone please send me some of their spare common sense, I seem to have misplaced mine. The dress is Stella McCartney for Baby Gap-- wish we had somewhere fancier to debut this adorable dress!

Monday, January 4

Last time worn: Never.
Times now worn: N/A

I finally scored the infamous Stella McCartney (for Baby Gap) necklace tee shirt. Though the bottom of the shirt kind of irritates me because it seems to have a life of its own....I absolutely love this shirt. The detail is adorable, and Riley loves to ask about all the items it features and talks about it. My poor little baby has a nasty cold right now, but once she is feeling better we will be sure to wear this beauty out and get better pictures. :)

Monday & Tuesday, December 14 & 15

*Monday, Dec. 14*

Last wear: N/A

Times now worn: 1

Junk Food tees have become socially acceptable in our household. I had feared this day would come, and it has. Okay, I know that sounds a little excessively dramatic but I DON'T LIKE CHARACTER CLOTHING. But it's not always about me. Actually, it's never about me save the exception of picking Riley's clothing. Lately, that has even become a battle that princess knows she is capable of winning given the time restraints on dressing some days and my "pick your battles with the stubborn two year old" attitude I've recently adapted. Hence the Fancy Nancy junk food holiday shirt. Riley is pretty convinced that FN and Olivia the Pig are either related to her or her best friends-- and she is all about them lately. Vamanos, Dora. Sorry, Kai-Lan, you no longer make Riley's heart super happy. It's all about the high maintainence girls in books that are so eerily relatable to little Miss Riley.

Anyway, once I got over the fact that the shirt isn't my favorite, I stood in awe of my little baby. Because she is TWO AND A HALF....and starting to look more and more like a child rather than a baby every day. Bittersweet? To say the least.

Last wear: N/A
Times now worn: 1

*Tuesday, Dec. 15*

We ran some errands today on a time limit. I didn't want to get stopped at every single store with "Where did you get her outfit", so I went with some understated attire today. Don't get me wrong, the compliments are nice-- but it's 10 days from Christmas and one of my last days to shop for everyone on my list before then, I'm in a rush and have an uncooperative two year old tagging along. The flower is from LittleBeautyBoutique (naturally- as if she hasn't worn it ten thousand times already), jeans, sweater and boots from Baby Gap, and the shirt is from Matilda Jane's Hotline from this summer. It's super thin and not great for winter, but she had her Gap warmest coat on all day anyway. This looks a little like a mini adult outfit to me, and I think it aged her because she got asked if she was 3 or 4 all day. Doesn't help that she is an amazon child and particularily chatty later in the afternoon I guess.

Friday, December 11

Date of last wear: Tuesday, November 3
Times now worn: 2 (I swear it's been more?)

Today we layered the Gap Corsica dress due to the extreme cold-- it was even chilly indoors with the heater on. The last pic is just a hair update I guess haha. It's really growing now, and I'm loving being able to do it in different styles-- when Miss HM allows, that is.

Bow is from Von Maur, tights and undershirt from Target.

Back to our regularly scheduled programming....

Last wear: Combination: never, this shirt: Thursday, October 22
Times now worn: 1 shirt: 3


Riley refers to this shirt as her "Tower Shirt", and she loves it. I have no idea why, but she even requests the Tower Bow to wear with it. I think she wants to move to Paris, and I'm all for it. This shirt is from Crewcuts, and though I don't really care for the neckline, it's long and soft and Riley likes it so it gets worn. The jeans are from Baby Gap and a perfect fit. The bow is from LexiBugs Bowtique and is a couple years old, so I'm not sure if she is around anymore but we love it!