Mama and Mini Style {dreams}

Hello friends! Happy 2016!

It's a beautiful new year with endless possibility and I'm so looking forward to all the experiences it will bring. That being said, we have no fancy plans to travel or celebrate as of yet, but I have big, BIG dreams. Just the thought of all that we'll accomplish this year, living life passionately with loads of heart and soul put into each moment. There's just much to look forward to and anticipate, whether extraordinary or completely normal, it's going to be good. 

BIG dreams. 

I've so many enormous dreams right now and have spent much time thinking about them as this new year has turned its leaf. I'm dreaming of travel (but always), of dance recitals, birthday parties, whimsical photo shoots, beautiful clothes, open windows, losing myself in a book, lazy summer days.  Those are my constant dreams, my normal lost-in-thought bubbles. But bigger than that, those experiences I've come to love year in and year out, I'm now dreaming of the future. It's those years to come, perhaps near or perhaps faaaar off still, those things I want to accomplish and the possibilities of where I might want to be when I reach .... 40!! (insert crazy face emoji here as this is now just a couple of measly years away). Yikes! 

But seriously, I think about what I want my life to look like when I'm out of my 30's. It'll be an entirely new phase of life for me as I'm now done with adding to my family, pregnancies, nursing, sleepless nights, tantrums at Target, teaching 2 year olds how to share. It's as glorious as it is sad. The next decade will be about raising these children and guiding them into becoming strong, wise, compassionate (the list goes on and on) young adults. Crucial and awesome years. It's going to be amazing. 

But beside all of that, I have my BIG dreams. Dreams of owning a mama and mini boutique, a desire I've had since I was a preteen (named my first shop before I ever considered baby names ;). I don't know where that falls in with the rest of my life as I currently own a dance studio and it is a job that I adore and is incredibly fulfilling ... but still, a boutique pulls at my heart strings and has for forever. We'll see where that takes me. Perhaps no where, perhaps it will move into a different direction. 

I dream of my "forever" home, the one that I've been decorating in my head for about 10 years now. Hah! And one we save and plan for in our future one day (fingers crossed!). I dream of Europe, of walking those many, many breath taking streets and experiencing those cultures and histories. I want to see these places first hand, though for now I am satisfied by experiencing them through the wonderful worlds I've found on Instagram. What a joy to see the stunning photos that people take across the world and share with us homebodies, as we sit coffee in hand, staring at the snow covered streets in Green Bay, Wisconsin wondering if we're up for a freezing cold drive to pick up more toilet paper. 

And so, I guess that for whatever reason, the fact that we've entered a new year and that we all tend to push the refresh button or the simple fact that I'm getting ooooold, I'm dreaming of the future. It's a good place to be cause I have to be honest, I've felt so much fear creeping into my life lately and I'm not normally a worrier. And I'm tired of it. I don't have time or space in my life for fear and I'm taking intentional steps to let go of those worthless thoughts. Instead I am looking forward to what is to come, all the joy that my family will bring me and all the laughs/conversations/hugs that we'll share. It's a much better place to be, I think. 

So with that being said (whew! what an earful!), here's a look at miss S and I in our fancier fineries. Clothes have always been so much more to me than just clothes. I know it's strange but it's just a fact. Every piece of clothing I have has a memory attached to it and every big moment in my life had an outfit I'll not forgot. It's my everyday happy. And I get to share the happy here. :)

{dress - Besselli, scarf - Gap, booties - Sam Edelman from Zappos}

The 4th Sunday of Advent

This is what the little lady and I wore for Christmas Sunday, the 4th Sunday of advent. Her sparkly red dress was so beautiful and the best part was that we bought 3 of them, so that her and her cousins could match today. They were adorable! So yes, it means that my sister and her family are in town finally and we are celebrating this fact daily. It is so incredible to be together again. Christmas is a beautiful time for many, many reasons but one of those is the simple dear fact that we get to put everything else aside and really spend quality time with those we love. The first 2 and a half weeks were a little too stressful to be quite honest, so I'm thankful for this time to just be. And it's going to be a sweet, sweet week. 

Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas season thus far and best wishes to all of you, dear friends, and also lovely readers whom I have never met. :) This continues to be one of my favorite places to come and create and I'm thankful that you take these moments to watch on. 

 {mama: shirt & necklace - H&M, skirt - Puddle Duck (GB), heels - Target

mini: dress - Daisy Petals Boutique, shoes - H&M}

Here's a look at Scarlet with her cousins ... 

Thought this one was funny. My brother-in-law grabbed the shot behind the shot of the girls. ;)

And here are my cool cats, looking rad in their buffalo plaid. Parker celebrated his 11th birthday today and so this day was all about him with a lunch at his favorite place (all 20 of us!) and presents and ice cream cake at our house this evening. He is the most incredible kid a mama could ask for with all the wisdom and maturity of a full grown adult in that little 11 year old head of his. And all the goodness and kindness that a mom prays for her children to have. We are so blessed by this child. 

And here we are, my mom and two sisters with the youngest angel in our family, baby Greer. 

Family Style {jumpsuit livin'}

{me: jumpsuit - Target, vest - American Eagle

S: romper - Sadie Then Ty, shoes - Gap

M: Gap}

I have sweat myself into a mushy mesh this weekend and the best thing I have to show for it is this adorable jumpsuit brought to you by Target ... budget sucking, mama loving, mega awesome, once-a-weeker. Just when I decided to stop buying clothes from Target they went and stocked some cute fall pieces. I guess those receipts may start looking a little worse for the wear again if this keeps happening, though I really am making an effort to not visit the clothing department. I went all summer without so much as a peek; just instantly veered to the right whenever I entered the building. I really was doing a fabulous job but then that plaid dress caught my eye and it was the end. I've worked myself up again though and I will not be walking that direction again. Promise. Much the same way I've decided not to eat any more ice cream till October. I think both of these determinations have incredible potential. Don't you? 

I'm doomed.

Mama and Mini Style {fall plaids}

{me: dress - Target, ear rings - Lady Savannah (GB), shoes - Jeffrey Campbell from Free People

S: dress - Etsy (forgot shop name!), boots - Minnetonka}

Just a couple of girls in a couple of cute plaid dresses. This was such a great find and steal from Target and I have a feeling it'll be a go-to this fall and winter. This might be the only time I get to wear it as is, but it'll be so cute with a leather jacket or a chunky cardi. Definitely taking it to New York with me! Absolutely the comfiest dress ever. 

So in love with this little number that I think you might just see it on morning TV this month too. Ha! I'll be on Local5Live on September 15th and then on Good Day Wisconsin on September 24th, sharing some of my favorite looks for fall along with a handful of gorgeous ladies strutting their stuff. Be sure to tune in for that and share the love as I try to get Green Bay excited about clothes! Not the easiest of jobs, but I am determined. ;) 

Mama and Mini Style {white summer dresses}

{me: dress - Asos, gladiators - Zara

S: dress - Gap thrifted, shoes - Django Moccs}

This was our matchy-matchy, mother-daughter, embroidered white dress and gladiator sandal day. It was awesome! Wish I could make my outfit coordinate with my little lady this well each Sunday. Once a month is simply not enough. Shouldn't say that though cause next thing I know everyone will be sending us matching outfits in the mail (yeah right!) and that usually resembles 90's Laura Ashley inspired mommy and me looks. Perhaps in pink corduroy with floral ruffles? And then I'll wear it cause I won't want to hurt your feelings. Kinda like that time my long ago sorta boyfriend bought me lots of Teletubby stuff for Christmas cause he thought I'd said I liked them! I was confused and appalled but went with it and was forced to display it any time he came over for a visit. I don't know. Guys are weird … but not my husband! You're super great, Phil!! (wide eyed, wide teeth baring emoji here). 

Mama and Mini Style {seersucker and embroidery}

{me: dress - Urban Outfitters, gladiator sandals - Zara, necklace - J. Crew Factory

Scarlet: dress - Hannah Anderson via Zulily, shoes - Saltwater Sandals}

Never have a received more compliments for an outfit than on this particular day. It was a crowd pleaser that's for sure. And to think, I almost went for a more "demure" sandal to keep things a little quieter. But the people got what they wanted! Classic seersucker and a blue embroidered Hannah Anderson on the little miss. ;) Summer dresses at their best!

Weekend Style - Plus Culottes?!

{Me: shirt - Forever 21, skirt - Zara, shoes - Asos

S: dress - South Africa}

Just a quick Saturday look for you friends. S and I in 2 of our fave everyday dresses/tunics. My top used to be a dress but that's what you tend to get from Forever 21, fun clothes at a great price but terrible with wear. And I wear this so much so it's seen better days. 

I'm still really loving the flow-y or oversized tunic/blouse. It just works for me cause it adds a great deal of comfort to my look (no tummy or love handle issues - yay!) and I love the balance of showing some skin or curves with something more relaxed outfitting the other half. It feels really feminine but still allows you to accent your favorite features. 

Example, culottes! Can you believe they're back in business? We had a good laugh about it and then I bit the bullet and made it known that I was on board and would be taking them for a spin. I just love a good 90's revamp. (hello Birks!!) Culottes are a perfect example of the loose/tight combo. They have that wonderfully swishy expanse against the legs (oh they bring back funny memories) and need to be paired with something more form fitting to make much sense. Perhaps that's why we did it wrong before ...  it was baggy bottoms with baggy tops. Bad, bad, bad. 

This is the pair I already bought. I love them with the black tee but white would be just as cool. Not sure if I'd try any color though, just keep it neutral. If you have great abs then this high waisted silhouette would look great with a cropped top. 

 Zara $25.90 

Zara $59.90

Oh, there! And I think this sailor pant style is adorable. 

Asos $68

I could never pull off the crop, just so we're clear. NOT PLANNING ON DOING THIS. However, love the white polka dots culotte. Also, super 90's fabric. 

Asos $40

Love the linen look and this pair is a slimmer, easier to wear cut. Very chic. 

Are you convinced yet? ;)

Shall we all wear culottes together instead? Green Bay will be the most fashion-forward city in the mid-west before you know it. 

Family Style {black lace and polka dot ponchos}

 {me: blouse - Zara, skirt - Free People from Besselli (GB), heels - Target

S: dress - thrifted, poncho - Gap (both from her cousin A), moccs - Django from Poppy's Closet

P: Gap all the way!, glasses - Jonas Paul Eyewear}

Life is good! I mean, how can it be anything else but really, really good especially when you look at the smiles on these two faces. Sure there are things, things here and far away, things that clutch at your heart and try to scare you senseless. Opportunities for fear to creep in and take hold of me and overwhelm me. Fears that don't just interrupt my now but take over the futures of my children, turn my shiny hopes and dreams for these kids into a vision that seems more apocalyptic, instead of what they should be, certain in my God's plan for us and for them and for their children. I know many of you have those moments too, when the world just messes up badly enough to make you fear this life more than you trust in God. I hear you. It's hard to see the beauty in life sometimes, especially when there is so much ugly. Let's move forward together, focusing on the job we have right now, raising children that will be compassionate and brave enough to love and change the world, to make a difference. Kids that will not be afraid but instead have faith to move mountains. Let's be examples of that. Praying for all of you that are struggling today, with sickness or with bigger fears. I'm thinking about you and praying for you and sending you lots of love. You've been on my mind …

This post was supposed to be about black lace and polka dot ponchos. Ha! Well never mind that.