Ever since our sweet Sam came home from the NICU, Miss G has been absolutely obsessed with coordinating her outfits with those of her baby brother. I’m 100% on board with the cuteness that is a little big sister / little mister matchy matchy-ness, but what I learned early on is that it’s not that easy to find coordinating baby / big sibling pieces when you’re shopping at the usual well known children’s stores.
Category Archives: small style
A Local Favourite: Over the Loom Vintage-Inspired Children’s Clothing
When I recently learned about Over the Loom (thank you, Little Miss Mama!), it was love at first sight. The online boutique is stocked full of gorgeous {and affordable!} children’s clothes that have the perfect amount of vintage charm, and to be honest, that was enough for me. What I didn’t know at the time though, is that Over the Loom is a Vancouver-based shop run by a local mama of two little girls. Her dream has always been to open a children’s clothing shop, and with a lot of hard work and an eye for hand-selecting gorgeous pieces, she’s making her dream a reality. Learning that made me fall in love with the shop all over again… I love supporting local businesses, and when they’re run by hardworking goal-oriented mamas? Well that’s even more amazing!
Knowing there was absolutely no way I couldn’t support Over the Loom, I settled in on the couch, cup of tea in hand, and began to narrow down my favourites pieces. Hah – narrowing them down was a near impossibility! After reviewing and whittling my selections several times, I think I was left with 9 or 10 very favourite pieces. Oy. After a couple days’ thought and the help of both Brad and Grae, I managed to narrow it down to just my very favourite top 5 pieces. Here they are…
Small Style {10}
Whew! It’s been a while since I put together a Small Style post… Truth is, I have a bunch sitting in my drafts folder, I just never seem to get around to posting them. Brad mentioning that I hadn’t done one in a while was motivation enough. ☺ So here’s our little lady and her {semi} recent outfit creations…
Bow: Froever 21 / Quilted jacket: Baby Gap / Striped sweater dress: Joe / Navy tights: Point Zero / Fringed boots: Joe
Brimmed hat: Joe / Herringbone jacket: Baby Gap / Cable knit sweater: Ralph Lauren / Skinny Jeans: Levi’s / Boots: Joe
Bow: Forever 21 / Quilted jacket: Baby Gap / Heart sweater: Joe / Blush shorts: Baby Gap / Snowflake tights: Joe / Fringed boots: Joe / Mini scowl: All Grae ☺
Bow: Forever 21 / Running jacket: H&M / Cardigan: American Apparel / Striped leotard: American Apparel / Teal tights: American Apparel / Fringed boots: Joe (this is of course a dance class outfit… I promise my little miss doesn’t usually roam the streets in a leotard!)
Slouched hat: Gertex / Scarf: bought in the Fahaheel bazaar in Kuwait (and stolen from Mama’s closet) / Crossover sweater: Baby Gap / Striped leggings: Baby Gap / Boots: H&M
Jacket: Next (in Kuwait) / Button-up sweater: Levi / Blue tunic: Joe / Black leggings: H&M / Boots: Joe
Striped scarf: Joe (stolen from Mama’s closet) / Striped baby doll dress: Old Navy / Blue tights: Joe // Boots: Joe
Slouched hat: Gertex / Rain jacket: Baby Gap / Striped blazer: Target / Babydoll tank: Old Navy / Black leggings: H&M / Boots: Joe
Quilted jacket: Baby Gap / Ruffled cardigan: unknown (gifted) / Dress: Baby Gap / White tights: Point Zero / Boots: Joe
♥
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Small Style {9}
The weather’s cooled off here on the coast and the rain has visited more than just a few times, so winter coats, toques, and scarves are now in regular rotation. Here’s some of what our little lady’s worn lately…
Toque: Joe / Rain jacket: Baby Gap / Chandelier tee: Joe / Blush shorts: Baby Gap / Tights: Unknown / Glittered flats: Payless
Sweater: Joe / Striped baby doll dress: Old Navy / Coral tights: Joe / Brown boots: Joe
Wool jacket: Joe / Heart tee: Baby Gap / Black leggings: H&M / Knee socks: Joe / Grey Boots: H&M / “Who’s dat?” face: Courtesy of Grae
Pink jacket: Next / Heart hoodie: Unknown / Long sleeve tee: joe / Denim skinnies: H&M / Neon sneakers: H&M / Vintage Kermit: Used to be Papa’s when he was little
Scarf: // Handmade by a friend’s mom / Quilted jacket: Baby Gap / Red tutu: Baby Gap / Polka dotted leggings: Baby Gap / Glittered flats: Payless
Rain jacket: Baby Gap / Floral ruffled vest: Baby Gap / Long sleeved tee: H&M / Leopard print leggings: Joe / Gumboots: SportTek
Flower headband: Zuzuii / Peacoat: Baby Gap / Floral tee: Old navy / Blue leggings: Joe / Brown boots: Joe
♥
Small Style {8}
Autumn has made its way to Vancouver, and scarves, tights, and boots have made their way way into our wardrobes… Not to mention itty bitty ballet outfits. Goodness gracious, I love this time of year.
Sunnies: Joe / Heart long sleeve: Baby Gap / Purple belt: H&M / Denim skinnies: Levi’s / Glittered Flats: Payless
Sunnies: Joe / Denim shirt: Joe / Pink dragonfly leggings: / Multicoloured sandals: Joe
Sunnies: Joe / Flower scarf: Handmade by a friend / Bodysuit: Capezio / Red tutu skirt: Baby Gap / Black leggings: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Striped jersey blazer: Target / Bodysuit: Capezio Black leggings: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Scarf: H&M (stolen from Mama’s closet) / White sweater: Ralph Lauren / Blue leggings: Joe / Glittered flats: Payless
Floral sunnies: Joe / Bodysuit: Capezio / Classic-style tutu: Handmade by Mama / Striped leggings: Baby Gap / Glittered flats: Payless
Hat: Gertex / Knitted tube scarf: Tippyknits (handmade here in Vancouver!) / Pink hoodie: Joe / Striped leggings: Baby Gap / Gumboots: SportTek
Floral sunnies: Joe / Chambray dress: Joe / Tights: H&M / Boots: Joe
Heart long sleeve: Baby Gap / Skinny jeans: H&M / Gold woven belt: H&M (stolen from Mama’s closet because “Gold hearts, gold bet… It matches!” – obviously ☺) / Glittered flats: Payless
Flower scarf: Handmade by a friend / Striped baby doll dress: Old Navy / Tights: Baby Gap / Boots: Joe
Quilted jacket: Baby Gap / Poppy print long sleeve: Old Navy / Denim skinnies: Levi’s / Boots: Joe
♥
Small Style {7}
Whew! I’m on a roll… First Toddler Food post and first Small Style post in a loooong while, and all in the same week! Here’s some of what Miss G wore late this summer…
Striped coral romper: Old Navy / Gold braided belt: H&M (stolen from Mama’s closet) / Multi-coloured sandals: Joe / Recycled milk pouch book bag: www.workofyourhand.com
Felt flower headband: Handmade by mama / Striped dress: Baby Gap / Multi-coloured sandals: Joe
Ruffled tank: Carter’s / Polka dotted skirt: Handmade by Auntie Judy
Red blossom clip: Handmade by Mama / Navy tee: Joe / Red tutu: Baby Gap / Glittered flats: Payless / Scowl face: All Grae ☺
Embroidered Tunic: A gift from Mexico / Black leggings: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Floral ruffled vest: Baby Gap / Babydoll tank: Old Navy / Pink shorts: Baby Gap / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Floral blouse: Joe / Stretchy denim skinnies: Levi’s / Glittered flats: Payless
♥
Small Style {6}
It’s been a little while, but I’m finally getting around to posting another instalment of Small Style…I just love sorting through photos for these posts and seeing all of Grae’s silly little smiles and quirky poses. No matter how goofy she looks, they just melt my mama heart.
Here’s some of what Miss G’s been wearing lately…
Teal cardigan: American Apparel / Pocketed tank: Joe / Striped leggings: Carter’s / Glittered flats: Payless
Straw fedora: H&M / Sundress: Baby Gap / Multi-coloured sandals: Joe
Felt flower headband: Made by Mama / Plaid button-up: Joe / Aqua tank: H&M / Dark denim skinnies: Levi’s / Fluorescent sneakers: H&M
Wool flower hat: Haute Tots / Quilted sweater: Joe / Cheetah print leggings: Joe / Fluorescent sneakers: H&M
Floral sunglasses: Joe / Pocketed tank: Joe / Denim shorts: Baby Gap / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Polka dotted sunhat: Baby Gap / Striped coral tank: Baby Gap / Pocketed denim shorts: The Children’s Place (handed down) / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Rosette hair clip: Stella Blossoms / Striped tank: Old Navy / Denim shorts: Baby Gap / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Floral sunglasses: Joe / Babydoll tank: Old Navy / Coral shorts: Old Navy / Silver flip-flops: Old Navy
Floral sungalsses: Joe / Babydoll tank: Old Navy / Striped capri leggings: H&M / Pink flip-flops: The Children’s Place
Small Style {5}
Whew! Finally getting around to a new Small Style post… I got a question from a reader a little while back that was clothing / accessory related, so I thought I’d share:
Gracen always seems to be wearing a hat or sunglasses, or both. How do you manage to keep them on her?
I’ve got to say, it’s pretty much a non-issue for us at this point. In fact, if we’re getting ready to leave the house and she does not yet have a hat on her head, she’ll normally remind me. I think it’s because she’s never known any different. Since the day she was born, she’s always worn hats. It’s something that I’ve always felt was important, and so I made sure to get her used to them very early on. Still to this day, there are very few times that she goes without one, whether it be summer or winter {although I do often take her picture for these posts before putting her hat on}. Sunglasses are much the same. I bought the tiniest pair of sunglasses I could find while living in Kuwait and started putting them on her when she was just a baby. When she’d pull them off, I’d just put them back on, and eventually she stopped taking them off. Now she asks for them when it’s bright out. I know that’s not much help for those trying to teach their little ones to keep their hats / glasses on, but I think the biggest thing is just to keep putting them on time and time again until they eventually become used to it.
Now, onto some itty bitty outfits…
Quilted jacket: Joe / Floral blouse: Joe / Skinny jeans: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Giant sunhat: Baby Gap / Button-up sweater: Levi’s / Ruffled denim tank: Joe / Blush shorts: Baby Gap / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Crossover ballet sweater: Baby Gap / Striped baby doll dress: Old Navy / Polkadot tights: Baby Gap / Glittered Flats: Payless / Recycled milk pouch book bag: www.workofyourhand.com (ours was made by Beth B.).
Floral sunglasses: Joe / Striped dress: Baby Gap / Tights: unknown (gifted) / Glittered flats: Payless
Ruffled cardigan: unknown (gifted) / White blouse: Old Navy / {Still very big} floral skirt: Old Navy / Brown tights: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Straw fedora: H&M / Floral sunglasses: Joe / Plaid button-up: Joe / Pink tee: Next / Denim shorts: Baby Gap / Pink gumboots: SportTek (can never be too prepared when visiting a farm!)
Black cardigan: H&M (boys’ section) / Polka-dotted tunic (used to be a dress): H&M / Black leggings: H&M / Fluorescent runners: H&M
Coral ball cap: H&M / Striped dress: H&M / Coral shorts: Old Navy / Gladiator sandals: Joe
♥
Small Style {4}
I received a question from a reader this past week, and thought I’d share:
I’m pretty sure you mentioned that your daughter picks out her own clothes in a previous post. How do her outfits still end up looking cute? When I let my daughter choose her clothes, she just looks ridiculous. Any tips?
Well I’m certainly no expert, but here’s what works for us… I usually start by having Gracen pick out any one item she wants to wear, whether it be a top, a skirt, a dress, or pants. Once she’s chosen her item, I normally pick out a few different options that coordinate with her item and complete the outfit (so if she’s chosen a top, I’ll lay out a few coordinating bottoms, or if she’s chosen a dress, I’ll lay out a couple of pairs of tights that go). She gets to choose the next part of her outfit, but from my selections. We do the same with sweaters, hair accessories, shoes, etc. until the outfit is complete. On days when I want her to wear something more specific (like a pretty dress for a special occasion let’s say), I pull out 3 or 4 completed outfits, hang them on her crib railing, and have her choose from there instead of starting with free reign in her closet. It definitely takes a little more time than me just picking out her outfits, but I think it’s important to let her make age-appropriate decisions and she really enjoys it, so for us, it’s worth the extra couple of minutes. And since the end result is something that at least “goes” and is weather-appropriate, there’s really no downside. ☺
I hope I answered that alright… Anyways, onto this week’s Small Style post. Gone are the sundresses, shorts, and rompers… As Gracen’s outfits clearly show, it’s been a crisp, rainy week here on the coast.
Crocheted hat: Made by a friend’s mom / Black cardigan: H&M (boys’ section) / Pink tee: Next / Cheetah print leggings: Joe / Gumboots: SportTek
Crocheted hat: Made by a friend’s mom / Ruffled top: Joe / Striped skirt: Joe / Brown tights: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Crocheted hat: Made by a friend’s mom / Ballet sweater: Baby Gap / Ruffled top: Joe / Ruffled skirt: Baby Gap / Tights: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Plaid button-up: Joe / Pink onesie: H&M / Grey skinny jeans: Joe / Fluorescent sneakers: H&M
Red peacoat: Baby Gap / Plaid shirt: Joe / Leggings: H&M / Boots: H&M
Floral sunglasses: Joe / Poodle dress: Jack & Jill / Fuchsia leggings: H&M / Ruffled flats: Jack & Jill
Hooded cardigan: Levi’s / Striped tee: Baby Gap / Dotted leggings: Baby Gap / Glittered flats: Payless / Cabbage Patch Doll (a.k.a. “Papa Baby”): Mama’s from when she was little
Belted cardigan: Joe / Striped tee: Baby Gap / Blush shorts: Baby Gap / Tights: Unknown (gifted) / Glittered flats: Payless
Crocheted hat: Made by a friend’s mom / Red peacoat: Baby Gap (handed down) / Black tee: H&M / Dotted leggings: Baby Gap / Boots: H&M
Crossover ballet sweater: Baby Gap / Sleeveless blouse: Old Navy / Coral floral skirt: Old Navy / Boots: H&M
♥
Small Style {3}
Well, this week’s Small Style post definitely gives you a glimpse into our crazy Vancouver weather… Some days were sundress and sandal days, while others were full-on hat, jacket, and boots days. C’est la vie! Here are some of the things the little lady wore last week…
Flatcap: Joe / Shrug: Unknown (gifted) / Striped tank: Old Navy / Leggings: H&M / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Flower clip: Handmade by Mama / Dotted blouse: Unknown (gifted) / Pleated denim skirt / Unknown (gifted) / Glittered ballet flats: Payless
Crocheted flower hat: Handmade by a friend’s mom / Rain jacket: Baby Gap / Polkadot dress: Baby Gap / Cream tights: H&M / Gumboots: SportTek
Flower headband: Handmade by Mama / Floral sunglasses: Joe / Striped sundress: H&M / Multicoloured sandals: Joe
Rain jacket: Baby Gap / Black cardigan: H&M (boys’ section) / Grey tee: Joe / Purple belt: H&M / “Cousin” jeans: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Teal cardigan: American Apparel / Ruffled birdie dress: Old Navy / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Flower headband: Handmade by Mama / Long-sleeved tee: H&M / Denim shorts: The Children’s Place (handed down) / Metallic flip flops: Old Navy
Hairclip: Unknown / Floral sunglasses: Joe / Teal cardigan: American Apparel / Striped romper: Old Navy / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Monkey hair clip: Unknown / Denim tunic: Joe / Black leggings: H&M / Glittered flats: Payless
Hooded vest: Joe / Heart print tee: Baby Gap / Jeans: H&M / Gumboots: SportTek
♥
Small Style {2}
Well, I wasn’t sure whether or not I’d do another Small Style post, but I must admit, it was a lot of fun. I absolutely adore the little poses Gracen comes up with. I don’t know what it is, but on the way out the door, I’ll ask her to stop so I can take a quick picture, and she just busts out these little model-esque poses all on her own (well except the muscle girl one below, that is ☺). Where does she get this stuff?!
Here are some of the outfits Miss G sported this week. Now if only she wasn’t sporting a big, icky bruised cheek as well (the result of a run-in with our baby gate, poor thing)…
Floral sunglasses: Joe / Hooded sweater: Joe / Purple tee: Joe / Black leggings: H&M / Runners: New Balance, thrifted / Muscleman pose: Directed by Papa
Crossover ballet sweater: Baby Gap / Yellow tee: Next / “Cousin” Jeans: H&M / Fluorescent sneakers: H&M / Vintage Kermit: Belonged to Papa when he was little
Felt flower hair clip: Handmade by Mama / Fuchsia tee: Next / Floral sundress: H&M / Multi-coloured sandals: Joe
Teal cardigan: American Apparel / Striped tank: H&M / Denim shorts: Baby Gap / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Butterfly headband: Handmade by Mama (available from Littlest Lulu) / Striped tunic: Baby Gap / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Sunhat: Baby Gap / Hooded sweater: Levi’s / Babydoll dress: Old Navy / Multi-coloured sandals: Joe
Felt feather headband: Handmade by Mama (similar available from Littlest Lulu) / Chevron print dress: Old Navy / Glittered flats: Joe
Hair clip: Kulai Klips / Plaid button-up: Joe / Pink onesie: H&M / “Cousin” jeans: H&M / Fluorescent sneakers: H&M / Vintage doll: Belonged to Mama when she was little and Manmaw Sue before that!
Felt heart hair clip: Handmade by Mama / Quilted sweater: Joe / Polkadot dress: H&M / Leggings: H&M / Ruffled flats: Unknown (gifted)
♥
Small Style {1}
After last week’s post about Gracen being featured on Baby Blackbird, I immediately heard from a few mamas asking me if I’d share some more of Grae’s outfits and where they were purchased.
While I love seeing other people’s fashion posts, I must admit that I had myself a little chuckle after reading the requests… Why? Well first off, because most days our 20 month old picks out her own outfit (or at least part of it), and secondly, although I adore shopping for baby girl clothes, it’s not something we do a lot of. In fact, if I’m being completely honest, I’d have to say that we only do it two or three times a year when the season’s about to change and stores have really good sales (meaning that we buy next year’s clothes a year in advance). Slightly crazy, yes, but it’s worked so far for us and has probably saved us a ton of money. Of course, we do buy her the odd pretty dress for special occasions or a pair of shoes when her feet have a sudden growth spurt and jump up three sizes (seriously, this just happened), but most of the time, we just pull out a bin of previously purchased items and we’re good to go for a new season or size.
That being said, outfit posts are so much fun and I take photos of the little miss every single day, so I thought, heck, why not? I don’t know if this will become a regular thing or not, but here are some of outfits Miss G wore this week…
Rain jacket: Baby Gap / Long-sleeved tee: H&M / Striped leggings: Baby Gap / Gumboots: Unknown (gifted)
Knitted hat: Haute Tots / Sunglasses: Joe / Long-sleeved tee: Baby Gap / Cropped jeans: H&M / Runners: New Balance, thrifted
*These jeans are actually size 2 to 4 months and are supposed to be full length. I think they’re cute at knee length, but after seeing this photo, Brad asked me never to let Grae wear them again. Haha! Maybe it’s finally time to retire them to the ‘too small bin’…
Knitted hat: Haute Tot / Striped tee: Baby Gap / Blush shorts: Baby Gap / Black tights: Unknown (gifted) / Gumboots: Unknown (gifted)
Floral hat: Joe / Pink tee: Joe / Hooded sweater: Levi’s / Khaki shorts: Baby Gap / Flip flops: The Children’s Place
*I spy misplaced toes. Hahaha!
Striped tankini: Old Navy
Sunglasses: Joe / Shrug: Unknown (gifted) / Floral blouse: Joe / Denim skinnies: Baby Gap / Pink jellies: Baby Gap
Denim sunhat: Baby Gap / White tee: Next / Hawaiian romper: Joe (handed down from her little cousin) / Gladiator sandals: Joe
Baseball cap: H&M / Running jacket: H&M / Long-sleeved tee: H&M / Striped capri leggings: H&M / Runners: New Balance, thrifted
Hair clip: Unknown (gifted) / Sleeveless blouse: Old Navy / Floral skirt: Old Navy / Sandals: Joe
♥