Children's Book Review with Fran Hawk | Vol 3 School

Happy Sunday!  I am starting back up the children's book review series with Fran Hawk.  Today Fran discusses books about kids and school which is perfect timing since school starts back in less than a month! 

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“Take a Kiss to School” by Angela McAllister. Reassuring.

“Pirates Go to School” by Corinne Demas.  Funny.

“Spider School” by Francesca Simon.  Gently scary.     

The subject of school is endlessly interesting to children.  Authors for children are endlessly creative. That combination makes for a burgeoning genre of books about school.    

 Most books focus on the child who goes to school. What about the child who is left behind?  “Maple and Willow Apart” by Lori Nichols is the third book in the delightful “Willow” series.  Each of the books explores aspects of siblings and sisterhood for children ages 3 to 5. In this story, Maple is starting big-girl school. She comes home each day from kindergarten bursting with stories about her exciting class.     

Willow is playing alone at home for the first time in her life. She misses her sister and invents an interesting way to compensate for her absence. The sisters find a sweet middle ground that brings them close together again-especially on weekends.    

 Getting to school will be a special challenge for the child who dawdles. “Dilly Dally Daisy” by Mark Fearing is exactly the right book for children who are easily distracted from the immediate task at hand. Daisy knows that it’s important to be on time for the school bus. But she can’t brush her hair because she’s been using her hair brush as a paint brush. She decides to cover her hair with a hat, but it takes time to choose the absolute best hat. And she must move her stuffed animals to the window sill so that they can see her departure. Daisy is a cautionary tale. A hilarious cautionary tale.     

When you’re looking for books about school for children, I can almost guarantee that you’ll find the right book for the right child at the right time.

Fran Hawk

Big thanks to Fran!! Can't wait to order a few of these books for Sterling!

Weekend Style + Fall Favorites from the Nordstrom Sale

Happy Saturday!  

I wanted to share I dress I recently bought and I am loving.  I am wearing a size small.  It also comes in ivory but I love the bright red.

Free People Dress

available at a few places below but select sizes.

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE FALL FAVORITES

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale opened to the public yesterday.   If you didn't have a Nordstrom card to shop early now you can!  Plus some new styles were added!

Love these Tory Burch Riding Boots

 These Sam Edelman Booties are perfect for fall.  They come in 4 different colors.

I am all about some plaid for fall.  This coat is a beauty and a real steal.

Kenneth Cole Plaid Coat

I live in these Vince Crewnecks.  They are the softest tee shirts and easy to throw on with anything.  I just ordered another one.

Vince Crewneck Tee

 Hunter Boots

I finally bought a pair of black Hunter boots last year and I can't tell you how often I wear them.  I love the black because it is classic and goes with everything.

Leith Tarpeze Dress 

This dress is under $40.  Comes in 4 colors.  I think it would be great now and into fall paired with tights, booties, and a cool jacket.

Sam Edelman Leopard Calfhair Pumps

If you don't own a pair of leopard pumps you need a pair for Fall.   These are a great deal and look way more expensive in person.

Trouve Drape Collar leather Jacket

This reminds me so much of my Vince leather jacket but it is a quarter of the price. Such a great deal for a classic leather jacket.

Rebecca Taylor Fringe Cardigan

I am obsessed with this cardigan.  Love the fringe detail.

Rag and Bone Skinny Jeans

My favorite jeans ever.  

Other fall favorites!

Non-Maternity Maternity Style

Today is a reader request day.  I received an email wanting some suggestions for non-maternity clothes that you could wear during pregnancy and after.  With both of my pregnancies I bought minimal maternity clothes. It seemed like such a waste to me to buy something I could only wear 9 months plus I was not a fan of most of the maternity items I came across.  Really the only maternity pieces I bought were a pair of jeans (old navy has great cheap maternity jeans), jean shorts, and several maternity tanks.  Otherwise I tried to use pieces from my closet. 

A tip is to shop at TJmaxx or Marshalls and Forever 21 for cheap finds.  You can always size up from your normal size and find some great cheap alternatives there.  ASOS also has a great maternity section if you want actual maternity wear.

A few non-maternity maternity staples for me were:

ONE | Spanx Leggings

I wore these my entire pregnancy. Towards the end I would just wear them under my belly.  They were even better afterwards.  I swear they helped flatten my stomach.   I wore them almost everyday for the first month after I delivered Frances and I still wear them!

TWO | One Resort Maxi Dress 

I lived in this dress while pregnant and I still wear it now!  It is so loose and flowy you can wear it the whole nine months.

Here is a view of me wearing it pregnant and not pregnant. and yep I love it so much I own it in 3 colors:)

THREE | Wilt Trapeze Dress

Trapeze dresses are always perfect maternity dresses because they flare out. This one also comes in gray.

  

FOUR | Hatch

Hatch is line that came out right at the end of my pregnancy with Frances.  It is genius.  The clothes are made to be worn during your pregnancy and after.  I love all the Hatch Designs, I wish it would have come out earlier in my pregnancy.  If you click on the link for the dresses it will show you a non-pregnant model wearing the dress as well so you can see how it fits both ways.  You can view the entire Hatch collection here.

Slouch Dress | Stripe Dress

Grecian Dress | Lawn Dress

Tee | Blouse

Henley | Stripe Dress

FIVE | Poncho

I loved ponchos while I was pregnant. I had a Vince one I wore all the time over jeans and dresses.  This Vince version is 50% off.  A classic piece you could wear during and after pregnancy.

 Here is picture of mine paired with a stripe dress. The stripe dress I picked up at Old Navy. I was 9 months pregnant here, that is the great thing about ponchos you can wear them the entire time.

SIX | Stretch Skirt

I know this seems weird but I loved a fitted knit skirt while pregnant.  It was so comfortable and it looked so cute with loose blouses and tees.  I owned this Alexander Wang skirt in green and wore it all the time.  Below is a picture of it and another example of a fitted knit skirt.

SEVEN | Swing Sweater

 The JCrew swing sweater was my favorite during my pregnancies.  I actually wore it to the hospital the day I delivered Frances.  Stock up on these they are amazing.  The lightweight linen version is on sale now too. Use code GOSHOPPING to get extra 30% off.

This is picture of me wearing it right after I had Frances.

NINE | Liz Lange Tank

These tanks are Maternity but I swear by them!  I actually still wear mine today.  Since they ar longer they are great layered with skinny jeans and leggings.  You will not find a better tank top for the price, $12.99. And right now they are buy one get one 50% off. 

I rounded up a few other pieces that are Non-Maternity but would be great for before and after.

I always welcome reader requests so shoot me an email if you have an idea!

Thoughts For Thursday

A few weeks ago we did a photo shoot with Pink Chicken, one of my favorite kids lines.  They asked Frances Moon to be their model for the Fall line coming out in 2016.  I was ecstatic because I just adore their line.  The photos won't be released til next year when the clothes come out but I had to share a few photos we took of Frances and Henry at the end.  They were rewarded with lollipops for their hard work.

I wanted to share two recent purchases I am loving.  Both are under $100 too.

This Vince Camuto Blouse has become such a favorite I am considering ordering another color.  It is great because you can wear if off shoulder or pulled up.  Runs on the large side, definitely size down.  I am in a size xs.  It comes in 6 different colors.

Vince Camuto Blouse

also wearing DL1961 Shorts | Gigi Olivia Tote | Sam Edleman Flats | Ray-Ban Glasses

Here is a view of it on my shoulders. 

Frances was loving her Jeni's ice cream:)

Second favorite outfit is this Topshop Dress.  It is so comfortable.  Plus I love the fringe + embroidery detail.  This also runs on the large side.  It is loose and would be fabulous pregnant.

Topshop Dress

The Nordstrom sale is still going strong.  I wanted to share a few beauty favorites on sale.

This PMD machine is amazing.  The machine was made to replicate the treatment used for microdermabrasion by using the same aluminum oxide crystals on spinning discs.   It slightly suctions your skin and it feels really weird at first.  I swear by mine and I use it about once a week.   It tightens your skin, helps remove dead skin, and smooths your fine lines.    It is normally $179 but now it is $106.  

PMD- Personal Microderm Device

My other top 10 beauty picks from the sale.

The Nest Candles never go on sale, I had to treat myself to a set of them!

I read Elin Hilderbrand's, The Rumor at the beach and Jane Green's Beach House.  Both were such good reads.  I think I read each book in 2 days, the characters definitely suck you in.  I recommend both, although I think I may have liked The Rumor a bit more.

Matt and I just booked a trip to New York City next month and I am so excited.  I have not been to the city in probably 6 years.  Would love to know any favorite shops, restaurants, or things to see/do while we are there.

 I am totally obsessed with this chocolate.  If you have not tried it you need to.  They just came out with a new flavor that has cinnamon toast crunch mixed in the chocolate.  I have not seen it yet but when I do I am buying it.  I purchased my bars at World Market and Starbucks, not sure what other retailers carry them.

Grilled Lettuce.  I am thinking this needs to happen in my life.  I have never grilled lettuce before but I keep seeing recipes of it and now I want to try it.  I will try and recreate a recipe soon and share!

We had our monthly girl's supper club last night and this is what I wore.  This is the one dress I purchased from the Nordstrom Anniversary sale.  I figured I could wear it now and into Fall with tights and booties.  Runs TTS.

Alice and Olivia Geo Dress

Thursday Vibes.