Boys typically get the short end of the fashion stick compared to the myriad options for girls. But the tides are turning, and if you’re looking for style and attitude off the beaten path, check out the cool offerings of Pure Boy Clothes (infants to kids), Hey Peanut (infant and toddlers), and Red 21 Boys (infants to kids), all of which cater exclusively to boys.
Every now and then duplicates of Laurel’s play clothes make their way to our laundry (a classmate’s clothing, sent home accidentally from school), and I let out a collective sigh for the convenience and commonplaceness that the mass clothing market provides.
Achieving individuality is not a problem at Nixie Clothing, where designer Nicole Frobusch has created a line of mostly one-off, boho chic children’s clothing (ages 1-8) made from 100% recycled wools and vintage cottons. The butterfly dresses (wool with vintage scarf sleeves) and leg warmers (knits and lace) make for an especially unique presentation (shown).
Check out Nixie’s online store, which is currently running an end of season sale; and be sure to visit again once their vibrant, whimsical spring/summer line launches in March. Note: prices are in British pounds but the shopping cart operates through Paypal; alternatively, stateside, Craftsbury Kids offers a small collection of Nixie items.
Although $30 seems steep for a tiny tee, your babe no doubt will bring back lots of concert revenue in this born to rock baseball tee. I saw this tee on the super cute son of a friend of a friend; I think my little babe was swooning in his rocker presence!
Available at Babystyle, this tee is 50/50 cotton/poly and machine washable. Baby sizes are $28, kid sizes $30. A short-sleeved pink (with rhinestone lettering) version is available for rocker chicks.
Ah, how I took the Nursing Weight Loss Plan for granted. I was one of the lucky ones whose pregnancy weight fell off quickly, thanks to the voracious infant who nursed her way through the entire 2004 World Series, and otherwise was happiest being walked around and around the block in a sling.
Then a few months post-nursing, many baked goods, and three major clothing crises later I discovered that I had gained 15 pounds. My fabulous husband, who insisted he didn’t even notice the weight gain (perhaps it’s the myopia) suggested that there was one thing I should do and two things I could do. The “should” was to buy myself a pile of clothes that actually fit and made me feel good. The “could’s” were to join him in trying to cut down on the daily desserts, and/or find a fitness outlet.
I ended up doing all of these things. Old Navy was a fabulous resource to get some work and casual pieces for cheap, I resisted eating dessert every single day, and then I looked into fitness options.
I decided to suck up the money and join the beautiful Healthworks Fitness Center for Women and I can’t say enough good things about them. The staff is friendly, the spa element (whirlpool, eucalyptus steam rooms, and massage services onsite) is fabulous, and the classes and equipment are great. They also offer a babysitting service to help mamas get to the gym (additional pay per use charge applies) and offer pre/post natal yoga and muscle conditioning classes.
Healthworks has locations at Back Bay, Brookline, Cambridge, Chestnut Hill, and Salem. If you are a working mama, check whether your employer is in their list of affiliates to get a few bucks knocked off your membership.
Maybe I’m old fashioned (or still traumatized by memories of emerging out of the ocean with a bikini top wrapped around my neck as a 5 year old), but I’m just not comfortable suiting up my toddler in an itsy bitsy bikini. That said, I do think that two-pieces are great for diaper changing ease.
So imagine my delight when I came across the Land’s End Tugless Tankini. This bestselling suit is sporty and cute, offers 40 UPF protection, and has a tug-free fit to keep all the pieces in place.
This suit currently is on sale for $22.99 (toddler size; they also have little girl sizes). But, I actually got my babe a cute pink and orange version of the same suit (shown) for a mere $12 through the Overstock section of the Land’s End website.
As a new parent sometimes it’s hard to realize that the sun is in your babe’s eyes because you are walking around with your eyes half shut due to sleep deprivation. Solve this problem by defaulting to a pair of groovy JazO shades. The shatterproof polycarbonate lenses block out 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, and the soft, adjustable neoprene strap keeps the sunglasses in place and has a built in safety release. Infant sunglasses (0-3 year olds) include 2 bands (13 and 14 inches). Children sunglasses (4-8 years olds) include one 14-inch band with larger glasses.
Available for $8.99 at Amazon in infants' blue, purple, pink, and red and children's blue, purple, pink, red and flag pattern.
As a new parent sometimes it’s hard to realize that the sun is in your babe’s eyes because you are walking around with your eyes half shut due to sleep deprivation. Solve this problem by defaulting to a pair of groovy JazO shades. The shatterproof polycarbonate lenses block out 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, and the soft, adjustable neoprene strap keeps the sunglasses in place and has a built in safety release. Infant sunglasses (0-3 year olds) include 2 bands (13 and 14 inches). Children sunglasses (4-8 years olds) include one 14-inch band with larger glasses.
Available for $8.99 at Amazon in infants' blue, purple, pink, and red and children's blue, purple, pink, red and flag pattern.
As a mama, it’s all about multi-tasking. So when you next hit a crisis inspired by a closet full of pre-mama clothing that no longer fits, head to Second Time Around. This boutique offers new and resale clothing – a place where you can sell your pre-mama clothes and boost up your wardrobe all in one stop. A mama friend can’t say enough good things about this shop’s chic collection and tech savvy approach (you can track the status of consignment pieces through your online account).
Check out Second Time Around’s website or contact one of their many area locations (3 Boston stores, Cambridge, Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Portsmouth, NH) for consignment details; however my mama pal did pass along the general rules that consignment pieces should be: 1) in season; 2) from within the last two years; and 3) from a fairly popular store/designer (although they rarely take anything from the Gap).
As a mama, it’s all about multi-tasking. So when you next hit a crisis inspired by a closet full of pre-mama clothing that no longer fits, head to Second Time Around. This boutique offers new and resale clothing – a place where you can sell your pre-mama clothes and boost up your wardrobe all in one stop. A mama friend can’t say enough good things about this shop’s chic collection and tech savvy approach (you can track the status of consignment pieces through your online account).
Check out Second Time Around’s website or contact one of their many area locations (3 Boston stores, Cambridge, Newton, Wellesley, Needham, Portsmouth, NH) for consignment details; however my mama pal did pass along the general rules that consignment pieces should be: 1) in season; 2) from within the last two years; and 3) from a fairly popular store/designer (although they rarely take anything from the Gap).
