barley & birch

seen: bridge tee

We spent the day at Stinson Beach, then winding through the incredible Marin Headlands to make our way home, where I found this t-shirt waiting for us on the front porch.  It's super-soft and graphic and that could be enough.  But Barley & Birch sells "unabashedly organic, planet-saving clothes" that are both gentle on the planet (offsetting emissions) and aggressive with helping improve people's lives around the world (donating profits).  All this reminded me that although I still wish my boys to become peaceful and influential globetrotters, change can start with a tee.  

[We bought ours at Fawn & Forest.  Unfortunately it took ages to arrive, but luckily it felt worth the wait.]

training pants.

seen: stripe toddler training pants by Giggle

With summer close, there is probably a whole army of parents that have promised themselves that now is the time to tackle potty training.  I'm one of them.  We got extra lucky for our first and started and finished in about 4 days (straight to underwear- no training pants, ever).  But with little Finn, I have a feeling that I'll need extra backup.  This is where two layers of extra absorbent terry liner comes in handy and it doesn't hurt that they're stripe-y with no itchy elastic touching skin.  

[Do you think training pants are the way to go?  Do you go straight to underwear?  Prefer disposable pull-ups?]

Jefferson shoes.

seen: kids / mens Jefferson shoes by Native $34.99, $44.99

I've never been much into matching my family, but love the idea of coordinating daddy and little boy Jefferson shoes for summertime.  Because they're classics that will breach age- (and even gender) specific design.  I love the lemonade yellow & kermit green brights!  

Have you tried them?  What do you think?  I'm so curious...

[Available at the hassle/risk free Zappos.  (kids / mens)]

winter water factory.

seen: Winter Water Factory sale tees

seen: new from Winter Water Factory

For the love of boy tees with modern graphic prints.

more sweatshirts: baby boy variety

seen: Peek Kid's new baby oink crew

(also available in baa and moo)

seen: sale versions: snail crew and octopus crew

We're a sweatshirt family but good looking loungewear can be hard to come by, don't you think?  The snail crew is my little boy's favorite top ("bug shirt") and for the love, I wanted to share the deal.  Understandably, I'm very excited about their new line of oink, baa and moo crews.  (Luckily, with our 80+ degree weather, we're in no hurry to pay full price.)

Where do you find your good sweatshirts?

wonderboy mask hoodie- sale

seen: blue mask hoodie @ Small Concept

I've learned to love little boy clothes.  And I love sales.  Today, I love this Wonderboy mask hoodie for only $19.50!

weekend mood: gold + grey

Women's new arrivals - tees & knits - Luxe baseball tee - J.Crew
$65 - jcrew.com

nonchalantmom: parenting ideas, style for kids
$54 - nonchalantmom.com

FADED FLORAL QUILT
245 GBP - toast.co.uk

terrain: Opinel Knife Set
$68 - shopterrain.com

Boy's accessories - ties & bow ties - Boys' skull-and-bones chambray...
$25 - jcrew.com

Nixon's Women's Watches online at NixonNow.com
$325 - nixonnow.com

DELICATO RING DUO - Stack Rings - Rings - Jewelry | Robert Redford's...
$120 - sundancecatalog.com

amazing upholstery on that chair. Jess LC
pinterest.com

Jordan Ferney | Oh Happy Day!: Flag Sculptures
jordanferney.blogspot.com

Peek... Aren't You Curious | Peek... Aren't You Curious Matta Dupatta...
tadashop.com

Eco Highlighter Yellow : Green your office - biodegradable highlighter...
stubbypencilstudio.com

sleepwear.

seen: kids ivy-striped sleep henley

I wish it hadn't taken us years of long legged, short torso-ed and tight armed pajamas to find a good fit in these.  We love the soft and thin with the fit we're looking for.  (And free shipping and plenty yearly sales to add to it all.)  My pajama loyalty (standing favorite: here) is expanding..

(new) 'days of the week" organic cotton underwear

seen: "days of the week" organic cotton underwear by Stella McCartney Kids

Didn't we all have a 'days of the week' set in our youth?  It's reminiscent.  And it's a lesson in, well, the seven days of the week.  And having clean underpants for each day is a good little perk that comes with these well designed boxed sets of 7.  New by Stella McCartney Kids.  

wishing I (we) had a Kanken to love

seen: Kanken mini

Kanken: The functional, affordable, Swedish (English?) backpack that's existed for over 30 years.  Available in 23 pretty great colors!

[also sold here]

tip: deal on outerwear.

seen: reversible skate jacket, now $47.60

Did you know that Mini Boden is currently having a 30% off outerwear sale?  It's true.  We actually missed it (ordered a bit too early) but this coat came for Cole yesterday and we completely scored.  It's made for these California winters- not bulky, warm, soft, reversible, with a hood! and many pockets!  We went a size up (size 5-6 for a normal sized 4 1/2 year old) and it's perfect with a rolled sleeve- leaving enough room for layers.  (I actually prefer wearing the army green (not shown) on the outside.)  

This is how I like to do my shopping.  

halloween sneak peek

I saw this over the weekend and knew that's it!  Phew.  Finn will be geared up for all kinds of super fun.  By Soil on etsy.    

roundup: hooded towels

Bath time is my very favorite time of the day.  It always calms my boys, it's a good end to any kind of day and they obviously get clean.  I love clean.  But most of all, I love wrapping them in cozy hooded towels.  

Hooded towels.  Are you a fan too?  We're still using them with our four year old and because they're practical for so many years, I think they make the perfect baby gifts.  

My favorites:

1. 3 Sprouts Hooded Animal Towels, $36.  Organic.*

2. Kate Quinn Organics luxury hooded towel, $32.  Organic & in so many color options.

3. Olli & Lime Egg hooded towel, $25*

4. Speesees Prance hooded towel, $30.  Organic.

Others not pictured:

5. Giggle Basics hooded bath towel- orange trim, $36.  Organic.

6. Aden & Anais Bubble Hooded Towel & washcloth set, $30.

7. Baby Star patterned hooded towels, $32

8. Dwell Studio hooded towel, $44. 

9. Monster hooded towel, $45. [other versions: yikestwins, ugly monster hooded towel]

[*= brands I haven't tried yet.]

potato print monster tees

LMNOPs issue 12 is out and it's always a treat.  And I don't think it would be far fetched to say that the little 4 year old of mine who now insists on picking out his clothes every day would do flips for a potato stamped monster tee.  And maybe I wouldn't mind if one of these became a new favorite for him or baby brother.

See tutorial below.  

apple tee

seen: apple tee

bobo choses @ oliebollen: I spy the perfect first day of school shirt. 

[Oliebollen "do the math" sale through tomorrow.]

ateliers reinette

seen: coiffe d'indien

ateliers reinette: I believe in make believe.. and I think this will be our year of dress-ups.  No need for a translator- this is the coolest collection of masks, headdresses and playfood.  (And hello, Halloween!  Can you believe it's coming so quickly?)

[seen here.]

forage

seen: the new FORAGE bow ties

Something's Hiding in Here: personal style in a range or sorbet colors and playful fabrics ("well crafted with simple hardware, vintage french woven labels and the perfect box") is why I love this new bowtie project.  

new at oeuf

seen: wild things crown by oeuf, $36

Suddenly I'm wishing it was closer to October.  

nutcase

seen: paint fight

nutcase:  There is a lot of talk about wheels around here.  Cole's four and suddenly he wants to bike! and skateboard!  (Down  hills apparently!).  It will take us a while to get there, but first- we need a helmet that fits his new four year old head.  Because I'm not in to brain injuries.  Paint Fight may be my little boy favorite.  (My first pick is sold out.)  And he likes this one best. 

holey

seen: diy patching holey jeans by Puj's Katie

[photo from the Puj blog]

After weeks of rain, we're expecting 68 degrees and sun this afternoon.  Of course the park is in our plans.  So is a weekend of gardening, because that's my latest thing.  Also of course, this means that we'll be getting out our "gardening clothes" to save your typical other clothes from the inevitable little boy & man holes.  

["Gardening clothes."  Do you have them too?  The funny thing is that category was born long before we ever had a space to garden.  It probably started when I made an attempt to sort through Brad's wardrobe and 'let him' keep some of the dodgy items "for gardening."]  

This is all to say that I loved finding this tutorial from designer friend, Katie.  A cool way to patch jeans. So our "gardening clothes" can be everyday clothes too.  And that means saving pennies which always turns out to be a really good thing.