Category: Kids

My Kids Christmas Wishlist

by Rachel Barkules

kids christmas wishlist

My kids Christmas wishlist was soooo long this year.  Between all the advertisements on tv, talking to their friends and the Target toy catalogue; both their lists were very big.  Not only were they big, but they were so disorganized.  I have a handwritten list that made very little sense.  And a Target catalogue that was all circled and marked up with what each of them wanted.

I finally sat down last night to make sense of it all.  Since I ship everything I need to get this figured out now!  (I don’t like going out and shopping at the stores this time of year unless I have to.)

The names of toys this year are cracking me up.  Me and John were laughing so hard looking at their lists because of the toy names!  Sofia’s list literally says: tsum tsum, flip-a-zoo, zippy zac, snuggie tails, hamster in a house, wow wee chip robot dog, zoomer meowzies.  I couldn’t keep from laughing out loud as I read these names!!

And if I had known the whole Hatchimals thing was such a huge craze, I would have purchased one weeks ago.  Now they are no where to be found and tripled in price on eBay.  So if you can find one in a store, grab it quick!

There seemed to be a common theme for each of the kids.  Sofia wants anything to do with pets or animals.  While Caleb wants anything Star Wars, Power Rangers or nerf guns.

I’ve been getting so many questions about gift ideas for kids and what I am getting my kids.  I organized their wish lists to show you everything they are asking for.  If you have procrastinated (like I always do) this will help you so much!  Click on the picture below to shop an item:

I keep getting questions about my Christmas sweater and lip color.

Details here: Christmas Sweater | Lip: Nars ‘Cardinal Red’ Lipliner + Bite Beauty ‘Pomegranate’ Lipstick

Sofia’s Style – Part 2

by Rachel Barkules

kids fashion

Dress | Boots

This outfit is great!  This dress is so comfy!  And these boots are so cute!  This was one of the last outfits we shot this day.  As you can see, she was really getting into it and loving taking pictures!!

kids fashion

Jacket | Tee | Jeans | Sneakers

I love this jacket and shoes so much!  I love that they are comfy and practical, but still so girly!  This jacket is currently 40% off!

kids fashion

Dress | Boots

Sofia kept telling me she loved her boots because they “look like Aunt Jaclyn & Mommy’s boots”, lol so cute :)  I love seeing her in tall boots.  She also wore them with leggings and a tunic one day.  She loves them!  Don’t miss out on this super cute dress, it’s 40% off!
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Sofia’s Style

by Rachel Barkules

mini boden rickrack tulle skirt

casual style

Sofia has always been a really girly girl when it comes to what she wears.  But first and foremost above anything, her clothes have to be comfortable and feel good (which has always been a bit of a challenge)!  In the last 6 months I haven’t really known what style of clothes to buy her.  She has been growing out of all the little girl clothes, like styles she wore when she was 3 or 4.  But we haven’t quite figured out what her style is as an 8 year old pre-tween.

A little over 2 weeks ago my sister, Jaclyn, took the 3 nieces shopping at Nordstrom for some new clothes.  They got to pick things out, then try it all on.  There was so much giggling and fun :)  I especially loved the day because Sofia ran around the kids department and picked out things she liked.  I helped her style them and together we put together outfits she really loves.

She is so happy and proud of her new outfits she asked me if we could take “blog post pictures”.  Awww, so cute!  She has always been so camera shy I was surprised she asked this.  I think it’s so adorable she wanted to model her new outfits!  She got really into it and we got so many great pictures.  I’m sharing 2 of the outfits today and I’ll share the rest next week. Hope you enjoy!

casual look

Top | Tucker & Tate Leggings | Steve Madden Shoes

This outfit was a huge hit!  Tucker and Tate makes the softest leggings!  After she wore this outfit I also ordered them in some solid colors (larger sizes here, here & here).  All 3 of the girls were obsessed with these shoes!  They call them the “emoji shoes”.  They do run small, order 1 size up.

tutu skirt

Peek Sweatshirt | Mini Boden Skirt | Michael Kors Shoes

I love the look of a fancy girly skirt, with a casual top and sneakers.  It makes it more realistic and wearable for a young girl.  She felt so fancy and pretty in this outfit!  I’m completely obsessed with the gold jeweled polka dots on the skirt!  She has had these shoes for a few months now, they are her most worn shoes to school.  They are very comfortable and have held up very well (she is very rough on her shoes).  So for these shoes to still look new says a lot!

View the post to see all the pictures :)
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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is HERE! Let’s Shop!!

by Rachel Barkules

“I don’t play sports, the only sport I play is shopping. But there’s a lot of walking involved in that… running sometimes if there’s a sale.”  -Jessica Simpson

Nordstrom has opened their doors to the biggest sale event of the year!!!  It’s Christmas in July for any fashionista!

A little info about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale:

  • Largest Annual Sale Event of the Year of any Luxury Department Store
  • This is New Pre-Fall/Fall 2014 Products, not spring/summer on sale
  • July 18th-August 3rd, prices go back up to regular price on August 4th

I spent several hours at the store during early access trying everything on and countless hours shopping online to bring you the best pieces of the sale.  I have to give a special shout out to these Donald Pliner boots – ah-mazing!!  (they don’t look like much in the stock photo, but in person… awesome fall staple!)  Leave me a comment and tell me what you are buying :)
Here are my top picks for fall from every department!

Women’s Shoes

Women’s Clothing

Handbags & Accessories

Sleepwear, Lounge, Active & Intimates

Beauty Exclusives

Men’s

Kids

signature

Enjoying the Magic and Fun of Christmas

by Rachel Barkules

Shopping, parties, baking, Christmas programs, breakfast with Santa, seeing the light show, wrapping presents, decorating the tree, putting up lights, moving that damn elf every night….  It’s easy to forget why we are doing all of this.  Let’s face it, the holidays are stressful.

There are so many reasons for stress this time of year.  There are family dynamics that come up that haven’t been dealt with since last year.   Maybe you come from a divorced family, or you have a sibling who isn’t talking to anyone, or a loved one that has passed away, or your family is across the county or world that you won’t see.  Maybe your stress is financial.  Possibly you lost your job, got your hours cut, lost your home.  It’s hard to explain to your kids why Santa isn’t bringing them as many presents as the other kids in their class.  Or maybe you’re just way to busy with all of your commitments that you don’t have any time to enjoy your family.  You’re spending so much time helping here, and planning that event, and attending this party, that you are running yourself exhausted.  And then there is the stress us women put on ourselves to do everything “perfect”.   Her house is bigger and it’s decorated better, that’s why she can throw a party and I can’t.  How can she get thru the Holidays without gaining 10 pounds?  Listen up, there is no super-mom!  Just because your friend and her kids did breakfast with Santa while your family stayed home in their pj’s watching cartoons does not make you a bad mom.

Christmas Cookies

We can’t control all the people and crazy stuff going on around us.  What we can control is how we view it.  No matter who you are, we all have stressful shit to deal with this time of year.  Don’t let it drag you down!  Put your focus on what’s really important and what matters to you.  Make your own happy memories!
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