An orange dress~Help. please?

UPDATED~  I feel so blessed.  A reader in Austin picked up some of these for me and is sending them to us to try.  Thank you for all of these suggestions.  A few people suggested dresses that I really love  and would be perfect for the occasion (thanks jennifer, jill and katie) in case one of these does not work out.  I am full of gratitude for this thoughtful blogging community.

Usually, I am a shopper extraordinaire (much to my husband's dismay) but I am kinda stumped.  Kate needs an orange dress for her pre-K graduation next month.  I know...orange?  Apparently, they assign each pre-K class a color and ours is orange.  Honestly, I was planning on her wearing a beautiful white or cream dress.  Luckily, she looks gorgeous in orange with her dark hair and her dark skin.  But I have had the toughest time finding a cute, summery orange dress. I have looked at Crewcuts, Gap, Old Navy, growing up Garnet Hill, Tea, Janie and Jack and everywhere else I can think.  It needs to be a little dressy but not too dressy.  So, if you come across a cute orange dress that comes in a 4T or 5T, please share the source with me:)  Also, I do not want to spend a fortune.  These dresses below are all between $29-40.

I found photos of these darling dresses from Zara.  But they don't sell on-line and our local shoppe does not carry the children's line.  Any suggestions? Thank you:)

I LOVE this one above, but would pair it with a gold belt and gold sandals for Kate.

This one has a darling ruffle down the back.

Classic, simple and linen.  What's not to love?

Introducing our newest family member...

(he did not stay still for one second for a photo---I will have to train him to do that!)

Well, I have been specifically praying about adoption but this was NOT really the one I was praying about!  I guess God has a sense of humor. Every Sunday when Dave goes to Whole Foods, he peeks in the natural dog store and they have various pet "adoptions."  Since a few peanuts are allergic to dogs, we can only have a hypoallergenic dog.  Last Sunday, Dave saw a dog that looks just like our hypoallergenic, non-shedding sweet schnoodle, Scout....

These photos are Kate and Harry with our Scout.  Don't they look alike?

So, we began the process of the paperwork and the home visit to see if Scout and the new dog would like one another.  Everyone did very well.  I think Scout LOVED having a buddy to play with. The woman who is working with us really thinks the dog is a schnoodle so he should be hypoallergenic but we cannot be 100% certain. Our new dog will come today (I think) and hopefully no one will exhibit allergies.  If we do find that anyone is allergic, he will have to go back with the pet adoption agency which will be very hard but one of the peanuts has asthma from pet allergies so we need to be vigilant.  Let's hope the trial goes well.

He was found abandoned in some shrubs. They think he is about a year old and he seems very, very sweet.  We are working on names for him and I welcome suggestions in the comments.

Let's see, I will do some bullets to catch up on other things....

~I DID cut my hair and mostly I have been glad I did!  It is angled a bit  (Shorter in back and longer in front) and still fits in a stubby lil ponytail if needed.

~Thank you for all the recommendations and sweet compliments.  People suggested straightening, oils, etc.  I actually have very straight and fine hair.  It is not curly or thick.  It is very fine but I have a lot of it and it does have body.  It is an unusual combination and stylists always comment about it but I think in general it is a good combination.

~Poor Kate is home sick.  I must be thankful here though.  Remember how Kate used to be sick CONSTANTLY?  AND I do mean CONSTANTLY (strep, pneumonia, mono, flu, ear infections).  Well, since she had her tonsil and adenoids out last September (2009)...she had not been sick once. She woke up at 4:30 am burning up with fever.

~This holiday season has really snuck up on me.  Our big Christmas Cocktail party is less than a month away! I ordered invitations the other day.  I feel the urge to decorate my house today (not the tree) but I know it is too early.

~I am a little panicked that I have not taken our Christmas card photo yet.  I usually take it in October but our Disney trip and the illnesses that came after have de-railed me.  Now we have RAIN!

~I have a birthday coming up this weekend and it is giving me a mini-mid-life crisis.  It really is. Hate when that happens!

~You know you are old where they only place you can pluck those stray eyebrow hairs is in the car mirror in broad sunlight with your reading glasses on.  Seriously people. I keep my tweezers in the car now! Yes, I DO need reading glasses now too.  And yes, I cannot see anything on my face.  I guess it is time for one of those light up magnifying mirrors but really, who wants to see their face that magnified? Not me!

~I have had absolutely no desire to go through all of those Disney photos just yet. I'll get there.

~My sweet, smart Will gets inducted into the National Junior Honor Society tonight.  I am so proud of him.  He is an officer too so he has a part in the ceremony.  I hope Kate feels better so we can all go.

~And finally, isn't this outfit so cute and sassy?  I am not sure the photo does it justice.

It's from Target!

And last but not least...check out my friend, Stef's awesome blog. Her family is amazing and you will love her and she is hosting 30 days of giveaways!!!

Preppy Girl

On the way to school Kate said, "Mommy, I look stylish today!"

She also told me this outfit has all her favorite colors (pink, green and brown).

{Kate's outfit is from Crazy 8. They have cute and very reasonably priced kids clothes and I think Gymoboree owns them.}

Friday Finds~Bathing Suits

Okay, I have a little obssession with Kate's bathing suits. I have already purchased 6 suits for the 2010 season. I always have been that way though. Remember these?

Summer 2007

I LOVE Kate Mack bathing suits and usually buy Kate one or two a year. Remember this one?

Kate and Ruby~2008

I loved it and apparently everyone else did too because now there are copies everywhere. The original (which Kate wore for 2 years!) was pretty expensive at $58.

But this year several retailers are offering a similar look for less.

Janie and Jack has one for $32 and it is pretty darned cute. The color is a beautiful coral.

Target has a knock off for $9.99! It is cute too.

But I think the best one out there is from Old Navy...

It is only $16.50!

The pink is a little brighter than the original Kate Mack but it is adorable and it complements Kate's skin really well.

In addition to the Kate Mack suits, I usually buy Kate Emerson a few less expensive suits as well. This year I have found two others at Old Navy that I also love. Apparently, Old Navy has these on SALE right now (of course, right after I bought them). Thank you for telling us Denise and Mandi!

$14.50!

How cute is this bikini? Also, only $14.50!

And these darling cover-ups are also only $14.50!

You can find more "Friday Finds" here or add your own!

One of the reasons Kate has so many bathing suits is that we swim almost every day in the summer and we swim a lot longer year round here.

Shopping finds

After being quarantined for a few weeks, I made my way to some shops this past weekend.  I found some goodies at Gap, Anthro, and Nordstrom  but I had to share some of my preppy bargains with y'all. 

I bought this dress  for Kate at a boutique in Hilton Head last summer.  It is made by Hartstrings.  But yesterday, I saw the same dress at Costo! Oh how I love that store.

They also had this one (which I had to buy).  It is reversible.

It reminds me of Lily and will be perfect for the beach.

And this one.  I have always loved pink seersucker.

Just so you know...they run a little small.  I bought Kate a 4 (and she is not even 3 yet).

Finally, I know all of my preppy friends will love these pajamas.  They are hot pink with polka dots and red lobsters. I found them at TJ Maxx!

Just trying to do my part to stimulate the economy!

Tell me, how are you "saving" money these days?

Mono

Thank you for your prayers and comments regarding Kate.  We were back at the doctor this morning because Kate is really sick and her fever will not break.  They did more blood work and she has mono. Her tonsils are so swollen she is having trouble breathing and eating or drinking anything (let alone the sore throat).  I feel SO bad for her. She is miserable and will not let me put her down (she is napping now).  I just pray no one else in the family gets it.  The boys would have to stop baseball and Judo for a month because of risk of the spleen rupturing.  I have to keep a close watch on Kate too.

As an aside, this morning as we were getting dressed for the doctor, Kate was so cute.  I put a skirt and a white tee on and she wanted to dress just like me...so we found a white tee in her drawer and a similar skirt and then she wanted "pearls like Mama." Obviously, my boys have never wanted to dress like me so this was a first mother-daughter moment.  I loved it.  I took two photos...they are awful because we were in a rush and she feels so terrible but here they are because I always want to remember this morning.  It made my heart jump....

She picked the shoes.....

My poor little angel....

Thankful Thursday

So much to write, so little time.  I am thankful ...

Becky

~ that this little cutie patootie and her Mommy are visiting us right now.  Yes, in the midst of all the gas leak drama and our anniversary, we have house guests. Much more on our visit soon and LOTS of pictures.

~that the boys LOVE their new school.  Thank you to all who have asked how they are doing. They are adjusting very well socially  and academically. Most importantly, they are happy.  My old, sweet Harry is coming back.  What happened in the second grade at their former school was atrocious and I am so glad it is behind us.

~ the gas leaks are fixed!  I did have to battle it out with a plumber yesterday (they fix the actual leaks). The BIG leak had already been repaired but there was still a pin hole leak. He showed up and claimed as soon as he walked in the house that he was not going to find a leak here (he had installed all of the original pipes).  Sure enough...he insisted there was none.  I would not take no for an answer, called the builder who then called his supervisor.  This morning we called the gas company and they came while the plumber was here.  They identified the second (and much smaller leak) with the machine, fixed it and checked again.  YEAH!  We are safe and gas-free.  Although I am still very foggy brained. I  have learned to be tenacious in these situations.

~ for my sweet husband.  He brought me beautiful flowers for our anniversary this week and has just been even sweeter than normal this week.  He knows I don't feel well and as usual he is picking up the slack.

~Kate has been home 19 months today! It is hard to imagine a time when she has not been part of our lives. She brings so much to our family.

Yesterday, the dress below arrived and Kate looked at it and said, "Oh, beautiful dress, Mama.  I wear it tomorrow?"  So, here she is... Isn't it adorable?  It is from Pish Posh Girls.

Laura does beautiful work and the customer service is excellent too!

I think I got the blouse underneath it at Walmart last year. It is 100% cotton and adorable.

~  Thank you to a sweet family (you know who you are~"A family") who sent the peanuts some presents (under the tree above).  We don't know this sweet family well but they read our blog and are always very, very kind to us.  You touch our hearts and the boys cannot wait to write your guys some letters.

Tea anyone?

Thank you Debbie and Li Li for the beautiful tea set. We were so happy to find it when we unpacked!

One of my favorite on-line shops, DillyBop is having a sale.  They make the cutest lounge sets. Kate has two and she wears them all the time but she is getting too tall for them. They are so well made. I am going to order "A walk in the Park" for Kate.

Added~ Kate's dress is from Orient Expressed (last year--it is almost too small for her) and the tea set was a gift but I believe it is from Southern Living at Home.

LOVE this Jacket!!!!!

Is it a bad thing to covet your daughter's clothes? Because I LOVE this jacket. I would like one in my size but they only come in little princess sizes. I am not sure these photos actually do this adorable "afternoon tea jacket" justice but this is my favorite piece of Kate's clothing right now. I just had to share it with you all. Okay, I got it here.

I didn't want to do it...

I love putting Kate in a dress everyday. Every morning we walk into her closet and she touches all of the dresses. She loves picking out what to wear as much as I do. However, my Mom pointed out the other day that Kate Emerson didn't have any pants. In fact, she went all summer with only one pair of shorts (and they were a gift). With cold weather approaching and football games to attend...I thought it was time to get some pants. We even got teased a bit at the Little Gym for being overdressed. I didn't want to do it but I got Kate her first pair of jeans! I have to admit, they do look cute. But she will still wear dresses most days:)

So many people (in comments and e-mails) have asked where I got this shirt--OL*D NAV*Y! Can you believe it? And it was on sale (25% off)! It is not a sweater but more of a cotton tunic. I have a onesie underneath for warmth. I just got it on Sunday so I am sure they still have them. Let me know if you get one!

What are these funny things Mom put on my legs?

Hey these clothes are easy to run in...

And bend in.

When I picked the boys up at school, the first thing Will said was "Mom, why is Kate in jeans?"

Kate is sick again (nasty cold and stomach bug) but before these illnesses emerged she did sleep though the night TWICE in a row. Unfortunately, the sickness has her waking up again. Oh, the joys of motherhood:)

Goodbye Summer

A dress to pass the time

I figured since I didn't have any news, I would post a photo of the cutest dress that I found here a week or two ago. I really am done shopping for Miss Kate Emerson's Spring and Summer wardrobe but I just could not resist this one. It is white linen (one of my favorites) with two rows of pink linen flowers sewn on the hems. The back has three cut outs at the buttons. It was just too original and adorable to pass up. Let me know what you think. Click on the comments below. Really, no more shopping for me. I mean it;) I can stop anytime now. Well...if none of the clothes fit when she comes home.....I might need to shop a little more.

The first step is admitting you have a problem

I know, I know....I really do have a problem. I am obsessed with shopping for little girl clothes. I admit it and in case I forget, my husband lovingly reminds me on a daily basis. Let me take a moment to explain how this illness originated.

This is a photo of my family in the mid-1970's. I am far left, front row. Our town hosted an annual Easter Parade. I don't really know what happened at the Easter Parade but legend has it that our family won "The Best Dressed Family" two years in a row. We were even featured in the local paper (this photo is from the paper). I think we stopped going after that due to some threats from other families who coveted the title;) My Mom took her responsibilities of this honor very seriously and we were dressed to the nines. The saleswomen at our local Macy's knew my Mom and all of our sizes. They would put clothes away for my Mom as they came in. So, the love of fashion for me began when I was just a little girl. Notice the white gloves, hats, corsages, purses and patent leather shoes. We had it all going on!

So, now you know that it really is my Mother's fault (and she has granted me permission to blame her). Oh, why you're here...glance down at some of my latest acquisitions. I really am trying to stop but most of my friends are enablers. Is there a shoppers anonymous? HELP! I also share some of the valuable tips I have learned over the years.

Everything looks good with a monogram.





Ice Cream Cones and pink seersucker--a great combination.



Accessories are key.

Every girl needs a tutu!

One can be cute even in loungewear (sweats).