27 Dresses

I guess it comes with the territory.

Having a baby girl territory that is.

The dress.

Even cuter when it is sized very small.

At last count, our little miss had somewhere in the vicinity of -

Ridiculous, I know.

It seemed like everyone who ever graciously, generously, kindly, thoughtfully brought her a gift -

opted for the dress kind.

And I don't blame them one tiny bit.

After all, who can resist a girl in a dress?

Especially the polka-dot variety.

Not this girl.

Nothing beats it's cool simplicity.

Especially on a summer day.

And in an effort of making sure each and every one gets some love this summer, (see more here and here and here) we plan on "dressing up".

Even if it's for just an ordinary play outside kind of Friday.

Better to be overdressed I say -- 

Linking it up with Blonde Episodes this week...

What We Wore Wednesday

The Wednesday's just keep on coming. 

No matter how hard we try to slow them down.

Why is it that summer days seem to pass so quickly?

Look who's as surprised as I am.

Tank and pants - Icky Baby
Sandals - Naturino

Dress - Poof!
Heart Earrings - Forever XXI
Peace Necklace - Fossil

Tank - Forever XXI
Skirt - unknown

Diva Baby, Diva Nanny

I suppose it is only fitting that our little miss' new nanny is as high maintenance as she is.
I've known most nannies to be simple women. 
They don't fuss about their appearance.

Our nanny asked for a mirror. A full length one preferably.

She asked me just last week if there was room somewhere to store her coats. As in plural.
This from a girl who arrived here from a country that has never seen winter.
She needed room to house all of her shoes. and boots.
She wears red converse.
And sometimes a (fabulous) big floppy hat.
Sunglasses? Absolutely.
When I asked her recently if there was anything she needed...
she asked for toothpaste.
Sensodyne specifically.
And almonds.
Walnuts.
Breakfast muesli.
And egg whites.
We should all eat as well.

Our nanny has a gym membership.

And works out.

Numerous times a week.

Because she thought it would be boring to just stay in every evening.

Can't say I disagree.

She is a bit of a diva.

And we like it.

Because she just fits.

right in.

Striped All Over

Inspiration.

Did anyone ever look as good in stripes?

Lindsay.

Anonymous.

Our budding fashionista tries her own on for size.

Tennis anyone?

Dress & Headband - Lacoste

Stripe trend.

l.o.v.e.

Happy Friday Fashionistas!

Just a girl. And her swing set.

When we moved from our last home to our present one, we contemplated at length whether to move our backyard swing set with us.

The Original Baby Girl had already outgrown it.

And The King had maybe another good year to enjoy it before he too would just be "too big".

It was a little worse for wear.

And needed to be painted desperately.

Was there even room for it?

For some reason, we brought it along.

Disassemble.

Reassemble.

And there it sat in our yard, begging to be used.

The kids had an occasional swing. (and almost pulled the posts OUT of the ground on numerous occasions)

But for the most part, it was just there.

And then this happened.
We were blessed with someone new to love that old swing set.

(Dear God. Thank you for my swing set.)

Floral T-shirt - Christian Lacroix Junior | Skirt - Original Marines | Kicks - Dr. Suess by Converse

She rocked our world.

It is only fitting that she rocks that old swing set.

What WE Wore Wednesday : Casual

It has been ridiculously hot all week.

So hot, it's a wonder we got dressed at all some days.

We've been all about fresh white and cool denim.

Same time next week?

Have your people call my people.

And that's what we're wearing on Wednesday.

Jump on in

The.pool.is.open

After a lengthy delay...something about a fence being installed...we are now open for the kind of business only a pool can bring.

The FUN kind.

The King will jump.
The girls will lounge. 

Snack.

And ride ducks.

Not necessarily in that order.

The season here is short.

So we plan on enjoying every last minute.

Staying cool and Summer Lovin'.

A little Swift and a Makeover

Notice anything fabulous different around here?

Our sweet blog has been prettied up. Made over. A face lift of sorts.

Thanks to two of the sweetest girls this girl knows.

Please visit the lovely Danielle and the equally stunning Ms. Casey (who needs every last one of your prayers today - read why here).

These ladies can take the ordinary and make it EXTRAordinary. 

Ava Grace's Closet will never be the same.

Love.

The Original Baby Girl and I got all prettied up ourselves last night.

And went to see the incredible Taylor Swift.

We played beforehand.

Taylor Swift,WHAT?!. 

  

We enjoyed some mommy and daughter time.

Which is sometimes hard to come by.

And this girl deserves every last minute.

You don't know our Isabella, but she is PURE joy.

I am honored to be her mother.

Every.single.day

She loved every second of her first BIG concert.

And when they roped off our section so Ms. Swift could do her crowd walk through...

I looked up and said a little prayer. 

A prayer for my Original Baby Girl and a chance for her to have a moment.

One tiny moment.

Taylor walked by. And Isabella reached out.

And touched her.

"I am never washing my hand again mom".

This hangs above our sweet girl's bed.

Because she is a dreamer.

And I am sure last night's were the very best kind.

Etsy Love

Look what FINALLY (thank you again postal strike) arrived in the mail yesterday.

How stunning is this headband?

And how amazing is it that it fits little miss, the original babygirl and me. We are ALL ABOUT sharing.

Take 2.

I fell in love with the vibrant colors. And the bling.

You must check out the amazing Christina's Etsy shop The Olive Tree Boutique and her equally fabulous blog The Olive Tree. 

She sent us one more sweet little goodie. 

Because she's so good.

And so sweet.

ExtremeLY lovely close-up...

Showing some Etsy Love on this lovely Thursday.

The Playdate

There are days where a simple play date can SO make your day.

Playtime for my sweet girl.

And some mommy chat time for me.

Today. And every day. I am grateful for good friends.

And watching an extension of these friendships grow in our children.

Look who came over to play. 

How could anyone resist this face?

They played.

Well...sort of together?

Ava took his toy. 

And got busted.

So he enjoyed her Dora book.

And looked aDORAble reading it. (yes I went there)

Little Aidan went in for the "sit down" hug.

It didn't work out.

So, like any smart guy, he tried again.

And someone was smitten.

Friends forever?
(only if you promise not to take my toys and hide behind the couch. love aidan.)

Linking up with Maxabella Loves...see what everyone else is grateful for on this beautiful Saturday.