The most perfectly preppy 1st birthday!

One of Henry's bffs had her first birthday party this past weekend. It was a really fun pool party that featured hot dogs and sangria. The theme was preppy pink and navy, a la Vineyard Vines. There was a lot of cute whale action happening, and we were happy to dress the part. Had to match the invitation. Duh...

"Preppy" is not really a word I use to describe my personal style. I LOVE monogramming and J. Crew, but somehow I just don't think of myself as being preppy. But, of course, I have plenty of items in my closet that can be combines for occaisions such as this...

tank // Alternative Apparel
skirt // Banana Republic
swim suit // J. Crew***
bracelets // Kate Spade & Henri Bendel
sunglasses // Oliver Peoples
sandals // Frye (similar)

 Seriously. The most amazingly gorgeous cookies I have ever seen...

It's really nice when you show up to a party and the food matches your outfit...

This cake. I have no words... 

Me and my sweet baby angel boy... 

My guys. Henry is all about sticking out his tongue lately...

First time in a real swimming pool... 

The beautiful birthday girl with her mama. Navy and pink always and forever... 

He loves his dad...

I think this picture belongs in a gallery somewhere. The way all the babies are looking elsewhere and Henry is looking straight at me feels very artistic. Also slightly creepy...

I made this...

I can't believe that little girl is already a year old. She was still a sweet little baby when I met her, and now she is a ONE YEAR OLD. Crazy. The moral of this story is that I need to start planning Henry's October birthday part immediately. He loves watching Real Housewives with me, so maybe we'll do a Bravo-themed party. I mean, RIGHT?

Love,

Lauren

*** Do not buy this swimsuit. It is really cute on (no, I am not going to post pictures of me wearing a swim suit), but the lining is nude and it should match the red. The reason it matters is because the straps hook onto the inside lining, and when you wear it, the tension causes the nude lining to stick out. J. Crew should know better!

Matching family style: blue leopard

Everyone - man, woman, or child - needs some bright blue leopard in their wardrobe, no? It makes a lot of sense when you really think about it. Totally normal.

1. Baby Gap romper

2. Francesca's blouse

3. ASOS swim trunks

4. A. P. C. sweat shirt

5. Rubies leopard costume

6. Club Monaco knit dress

7. Vivienne Westwood skinny jeans

8. Nike high tops

So I cheated a little on this one. Obviously, there is no such thing as blue leopard clothing for baby boys, but Baby Gap romper and the high tops would coordinate well. I did find these blue leopard leg warmers on etsy that would be a PERFECT match... but even I would not put my son in leopard leg warmers. The inspiration for this board is the leopard swim trunks. I actually might buy these for my husband, and he actually said that he'd be cool with it. He did, however, preview this post and laugh at the men's leopard sweatshirt that he would clearly never wear. The child's leopard costume was changed to blue by some photoshop action. I couldn't help myself. I REALLY love the grey and blue blouse. I tried that on at Francesca's a couple weekends ago but decided the sleeves were a little too snug on me. Also, I love love love this leopard skirt from Francesca's, but they currently do not make a size that will accommodate my ass.

Love,

Lauren

Matching family style: color blocking

Today's family style happened by chance. Henry has the romper below, and I was just clicking around Urban Outfitters and came across a perfectly matched men's tee. It is as if the universe was speaking to me directly.

1. Mango color block tee

2. Urban Outfitters color block henley

3. BB Dakota color block dress

4. Elizabeth & James Paige sandals

5. Baby Gap color block romper

6. Urban Outfitters saddle shoes

I really love the white and tan sandals. There is currently a mint color way that is on sale! The saddle shoes are on sale too - only $19.99 and they come in other colors. Also, if these culottes were a little less orange and slightly more coral, they totally would have made the list. My 3rd grade teacher wore wool culottes every day to work, and I now have an unhealthy retrospective obsession with culottes. 

Love,

Lauren

Matching family style: chambray stripes

I've decided that I am on to something when it comes to matching family outfits. Henry and Tom were matching this past weekend, and I thought why do they get to have all the fun? I found some mom options to round out the entire chambray stripe theme and a bonus outfit for baby. Thank goodness I do not have a girl, because this would get insane real fast.

1. Men's Old Navy shirt 

2. Gap kids chambray romper 

3. Arizona boys striped shorts 

4. J. Crew women's linen tunic 

5. Moyna beaded clutch 

6. J. Crew chambray espadrille wedge

Tom has the above shirt from Old Navy. I think this is the first thing I have ever bought him from Old Navy, but I saw it in the window and loved it instantly. Old Navy's men's clothing typically leave something to be desired, but I definitely subscribe to some of the short sleeve shirts they have one sale right now. 

Henry has the striped shorts and they are from JC Penney. I literally never shop at JC Penney, but one day I was desperate to find a tshirt for Henry so I checked out the kids' department. Let me tell you... For BABY boys, JC Penney literally has the best selection of clothes of anywhere I have been (other than Baby Gap which is much more expensive). I feel that Penney's has a lot of actual clothes for baby boys. Most department stores just have very baby-ish clothes for baby boys. In my opinion, boys need to graduate to real clothes much sooner than baby girls, but there tends to be a big gap from 6-12 months for boys in terms of "cool" or "fun" clothes. So whether or not JC Penney is somewhere you typically shop, I would give their boys department a whirl.

I don't have any of the lady items you see above, but I am especially obsessed with that clutch. It also comes in hot pink for $145. (Husband, these are the type of things you should file away in your brain for the future). I also love this dress from Old Navy. It comes in red and blue, and the blue would fit perfectly with the above theme. Personally, I've been eyeing the red for a while, but I don't think I want it (or any item of clothing ever) bad enough to have to wear a strapless bra for it.

Love,

Lauren