Channeling Carrie Bradshaw

What would one do if she had access to the design genius of Patricia Field? She should emulate it whenever possible, and Sarah Jessica Parker does exactly that, often borrowing looks that have been carefully orchestrated by Field and worn by SJP's well-known character, Carrie Bradshaw. 

After all, don't we all want to be Carrie... just a little bit?

50 Times Sarah Jessica Parker Dressed Like Carrie Bradshaw In Real Life

The Greatest Hoodie Ever

I'm not really a hoodie person, what with being over 30 and all, but I do love a good sweatshirt. When the sweatshirt made a comeback last year, I was ecstatic because I had already transitioned from the cashmere sweaters I used to wear to work to the more durable and stain/laundry/mom-to-young-children resistance of the sweatshirt. And to be clear, Comfort Colors is the best. I purchased several Comfort Colors sweatshirts emblazened with logos (e.g., Seaside, Alabama Crimson Tide, etc.), and then realized I could find them on Amazon or possibly picked up on a buyer's direct type of site, devoid of logo and without the extra trademark surcharge.

An important aside and PSA: know the difference between pigment dyed and garment dyed, friends. Pigment dyed is a chemical-free process and usually has a deeper, richer color. Pigment dyed sweatshirts are gorgeous. However, a deal-breaking downside is the dye rubbing off... on one's skin, on one's tan leather car seat, etc. Garment dyed is a slightly less impressive in terms of color (it's a little washed out when compared with the richness of pigment dye), but does not turn one's upper torso forest green, as an example. Not that that happened to me... on vacation... on Marco Island... leaving my arms looking a little fungal green or anything.

The newest sweatshirt item of interest is the "greatest hoodie ever made" from American Giant that I have been hearing about for months.  Slate declared it the "greatest sweatshirt known to man" back in 2012, a mere ten months after the company's formation. After the Slate article, the company's four US-based plants were inundated with orders, causing an up to four months long backlog, as described in this 2013 Business Insider article. CEO Winthrop's desire to create a sweatshirt reminiscent of his father's Navy sweatshirt from the 50's has a storybook feel. Not surprisingly, a former Apple engineer (he worked on the first iPhone) is the American Giant creative director who helped design the hoodie, as explained by Wired's 2014 article discussing the two year old company. Omar Shahine included the company's video demonstrating how the product is made in his 2014 post. Finally, Men's Fitness nabbed an interview with the CEO.

Certainly, we know what Fran Liebowitz would think of this pajama-wear, and I doubt Anna Wintour will be featuring it in the sacred pages of Vogue any time soon. But I am intrigued.

Photo credit: American Giant

Back to School Style, Second Grade

Outfit eight or nine (who can remember) is brought to you courtesy of Gran so I am not sure of the source. This is a pink lace dress with a purple, grosgrain belt that can be belted in the front or back. The duo pair these dresses with bicycle shorts for a school-ready look.  

William George photobombed in his moose pajamas in fleece.  

Since this is one of the girls' favorite outfits, I had promised to document it since they will likely outgrow it by spring. I don't remember how that feels, but I am imagine it's a lot like having a favorite lipstick discontinued.  

Back to School Style, Second Grade Edition

Look Six

This next outfit is another favorite, and you will have to trust me because it doesn't necessarily photograph well. When shopping, I am not exactly in full Rachel Zoe mode, snapping photos with a point-and-shoot to see how they photograph. This dress is pure Americana with red and blue stars on top, a silver belt and a fun tulle skirt-like bottom. When this outfit was worn at the beginning of August, Lauren asked, "Uhm... why are we wearing July clothes in August?"

I assured her Americana is fine all summer long. Also, Tommy Hilfiger built an entire brand on the look so she should consider herself in good company.  (It doesn't hurt that I nabbed these dresses from Target on clearance for $3.50.) They wore them throughout August, on Patriot Day, and I can see them paired with leggings and a turtle neck shirt for Election Day. This type of dress is a staple for any girls' closet, and they haven't had one I have liked as much since these dresses from years ago.

1) Americana Tank Dress, Target (no longer available)

2) Blue bicycle shorts with white stars, Target

3) Mary Jane Sneakers, Stride Rite

You may notice that Grace was not exactly feeling the modeling on this particular morning. She had left her red bow upstairs and did not have enough time to grab it before leaving. Who could blame her for feeling less than enthused when her look isn't styled properly.

Back to School Style, Second Grade Edition

Look Four

The duo have declared these dresses their favorite back-to-school outfits, although they are not really new. They are both gold, and they are currently popular right now because of the oppressive heat. Shorts and loose dresses are definitely in big demand. 

1) Gold dress, via consignment

This might be Lauren't favorite dress - ever.

2) GAP gold tank dress, via eBay.

William George (who is noticeable NOT wearing shimmery/sparkly gold) is a wonderful photobomber.

Back to School Style, Second Grade Edition

Look Three

Our third back-to-school outfit is one of my favorites. The duo say they feel like they are heading off to work in these dresses, and they may be right.

1) Leopard print dress, Target (Currently, I am unable to locate this item online.)

2) Merrell Mary Janes in pink, via Zulily (but on serious sale here!)

1) Doggy print dress, Target (Unable to locate online.)

2) Merrell Mary Janes in lavender (not shown), via Zulily.

The leopard print is a big hit, but my favorite is the doggy dress. The doggy print is a playful design on an otherwise traditional style of dress.  While they may not be heading off to work just yet, they definitely look mature walking out of the door with their backpacks in place. 

Back to School Style, Second Grade Edition

Look Two

Our second back-to-school outfits are probably my favorite from our Gymboree sale haul. Lauren has recently decided she plans to live in New York City (and is taking George with her as a roommate!), and her enthusiasm about that prospect caused me to nab the "skyscraper dress" as they have taken to calling it... although Grace is wearing it in these photos because they changed their minds at the last minute.  (Grace has decided that NYC is too far away, but wants to visit... and wear the dress.)

Speaking of, this whole not-dressing-alike thing they are doing at the moment is making for interesting discussions (read: negotiations amongst themselves over who wears what/when). As a huge aside, can we talk about twins dressing alike for a minute? I would have bet a substantial sum of money that I would have never done it, and I mostly didn't when they were little. Sure, there was nothing more adorable than two babies dressed in matching attire, and all mothers of multiples cave to that cuteness eventually. While the individuality was fun to celebrate, I was struck with an acute case of mom guilt one Easter when their dresses were similar.... but one was slightly cuter than the other. Slightly, mind you. And so it began. The uniformity of dressing the same for formal occasions.

At about 18-24 months, they began selecting their own clothing, and they wanted to wear the same things, mostly to avoid arguments. Over the last year or two Lauren has wanted to dress as an individual, while Grace preferred to dress the same. We finally had a good talk about budgeting and agreed that purchasing two of each item is costly and that they would have more variety if they simply shared clothing. Voila and hallelujah! Logic has prevailed.

Anyrate... the second looks are the very best from the summer line (in my humble opinion). Our dresses are longer than intended because I am nothing if not frugal and purchased a larger size (8) even though the duo are currently wearing a 6X and 7 so that we will have them for a while.

1) Geo print dress, Gymboree

2) Geo print leggings, Gymboree

3) Danskin tennis shoes, Wal-Mart

4) Mckenzie pink/gray geo lunch bag, Pottery Barn Kids

1) City ombre dress, Gymboree

2) Bicycle shorts, Target

3) Danskin tennis shoes, Wal-Mart

1) Backpack, Wal-Mart

2) Mckenzie lavender geo lunch bag, Pottery Barn Kids

Back To School Style, Second Grade Edition

Look One (plus a dressier look for Sunday)

One of my favorite bloggers, Gabrielle Blair of DesignMom, has a longstanding, annual update in which she features the back-to-school style  of her children.  I just love it, and I hope her segment continues this year.  

Although I have long loved the idea of capturing what the trio are wearing during each phase of their lives, it hasn't worked out for a number of reasons.  Here in the south, school resumes during the very hottest part of our summer, making it much too early for fall clothing. Simply, they are usually still wearing their spring and summer clothing, and we purchase any fall/winter clothing that may be needed much later -- or at least we wear it later.  For example, jeans would be unbearable right now, and we won't catch a break with the weather until late October. With the exception of a new outfit for the first day, we go with what we have. 

This year, however, their growth coincided with the need to have newer clothing -- either purchased or pulled from our hand-me-down inventory. The duo are equally excited to have new clothes or something we have picked up on consignment and stored for future wear or - their favorite! - a hand-me-down from their stylish cousin Riley. Also, I happened upon a HUGE sale at one of our favorites, Gymboree. 

They had fun putting together a few new outfits for second grade. Although they both LOVE clothes, Lauren is usually the more fashion conscious of the two, but we quickly discovered Grace has a hidden love of posing for the camera! 

Our first look is a casual shirt worn two ways. The "Sunday" look pairs the shirts with lace shorts and dressier shoes.  

Gracie is going to singlehandedly bring the supermodel back. Also, I should mentioned that I "reigned her back in" on some of the poses.

1) City Print top by Gymboree
2) Lace shorts, Ross (via Grammie)
3) SunSan Sandals (via Zappos)
4) Bracelets, Avon (via Auntie Melinda)

1) Cherie striped tee, Gymboree
2) Lace shorts, Ross
3) SunSan Sandals
4) Necklace, Avon (via Auntie Melinda)

For their "Tuesday" look, Lauren opted for denim shorts, and Gracie went with a denim skort.

1) Sparkly denim shorts, The Children's Place; Skort, Gap (both via cousin Riley)
2) Light-up Mary Jane tennis shoes, Stride Rite
3) Resin bracelets (via cousin Lexie)