Buying clothes for girls: (OshKosh B'Gosh is my new fave)

You've heard me talk about it plenty of times before--every time I drag all my girls off to the store for clothes the slim picking of things that are classic and age-appropriate leaves me frustrated. I get increasingly discouraged as more and more of my go-to shopping spots give in to the adult-like clothes in little sizes. So I was pretty much dreading the back-to-school shopping session I knew would be coming up soon.

Can't a little girl just get a cute skirt that hits at the knee instead of 8 inches above it? 

Or a nice tshirt that doesn't have some sassy adjective blazoned across the front in glitter? 

Or a dress that doesn't have the back cut out? 

Or comfy sweats without a message written across the backside?

*Big sigh.* 

But when I was asked by The Motherhood to take part in a post with OshKoshB'Gosh about back to school clothing, I'll admit that the name conjured up babies in overalls not a place my girls and I would be shopping for clothes. OshKosh wasn't even on my radar. 

But I quickly jumped on the site and was completely surprised by what I found, so I decided to sign on to the program. 

My disclaimer? They gave us a gift card to get a few things at their store. But keep reading.

People. Seriously. OshKosh B'Gosh is my new favorite. I feel like I've just uncovered the find of the year. And I promise you I'm not just saying that. Three girls? (they don't have sizes for Emma) That gift card was blown in the first ten minutes. But I was happily spending my own money to stock up on clothes for back to school from a company that believes in age-appropriate clothing and kids being kids. 

I didn't need to steer the girls away from certain outfits. Everything was something I'd feel comfortable having them wear, and even better, they were finding things they loved. 

Tunics and leggings. Woven shirts in florals and gingham. Overalls in big-kid sizes that were so cute I couldn't stand it. Stripes. Pants in fun colors. Great-fitting jeans. Fun accessories. Shoes. I loved the shoes.

And sales. Really, really good sales. (I just clicked over to their site...up to 50% off right now. AND, I have a coupon for you at the end.)

So if you're like me, and find clothes shopping for your kids a frustrating experience, make sure OshKoshB'Gosh is on your radar. I'm so happy to have discovered my new go-to source for their clothes for back to school and for the future. I'm smitten. 

(Check out some of the girls' favorite things:)

One of the parts of this program with OshKoshB'Gosh was a phone call with their company, including one of the designers of this year's back to school collection. I was taking notes, and these are the things I wrote down in my notebook.... 

"We're all about kids being kids"

We want them to "be kids as long as they can.” 

There's "plenty of time to grow up.”

Our clothes are "timeless and classic". 

That pretty much sums it up. 

Disclaimer: This post is part of a sponsorship with OshKoshB'Gosh. All the opinions expressed in this post are my own, honest opinions. In other words, yes, I really love their clothes this much. 

OshKoshB'Gosh has also launched their B'Gosh Jeanious campaign to support KIDS and DonorsChoose.org to help local kids, teachers and schools. Donate a pair of new jeans or make a cash donation for a great cause. OshKosh will match all denim donations with another item of clothing. And cash donations will be matched up to $50K. he campaign runs until September 17.

Going home + a list

Hello, friends. Easing back into this space with a list of things that are striking my fancy. 

• Despite my love of old houses, I can really geek out over projects like this. 
• She makes for good 'working at my desk' music.
• I love the idea behind "We Are The Contributors". This month's mini project theme is paper. I think I may join in.
• marimekko + kids = love. (even this!)
• I love this simple idea for grocery lists, to-do lists, or even kid scratch paper.
• I'd love to figure out how to do a version of this artwork for the girls' room.
• I want to make one of these.
• I'm currently knitting this for Birdy who is suddenly wearing my homemades again.

*The photo above is the house I grew up in. Sorta has a Woodlawn feel doesn't it? This Saturday I went home for a 'celebration of life' for a very close childhood friend. Though he is rapidly losing the battle to ALS, he decided that to celebrate LIFE and bring together the people he loves now, instead of after he's gone. I admit to really dreading the weekend--the uncomfortableness of why we were getting together, seeing people I haven't seen in years, worrying about the 'right' things to say in a situation like this. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that all my fears were all about me. And this celebration had nothing to do with me. My friend is one of the bravest people I know. He is facing this with courage and grace. And I am so grateful to him for bringing us all together, truly, to celebrate. 

More soon...xo.

The Horse World Expo aka the place where my kids would like to live. Forever

Last Friday we took a little field trip to the Horse World Expo at the Maryland State fairgrounds. For my horse-loving crew you can imagine this is like a little piece of heaven. 

With everything from demonstrations on the biomechanics of riding by college professors and Olympic athletes to "equitainment" like bridle-less jumping and vaulting (think gymnastics on the back of a horse) to every possible thing you could imagine buying for your horse, your barn, your trailer to rescue groups and sad little ponies wanting to be adopted. 

Elizabeth even got a lesson on riding side saddle. 

We stayed until our eyes glazed over (okay, the adult's eyes) and I'd sunk all my cash on $12 cups of Maryland crab soup and $4 sodas.  And the girls' bags of freebies were too heavy to be carried much longer. 

Much to my littlest daughter's chagrin, we did not bring home a Shetland pony named Chicco or sweet old rescue horse. Nor did we purchase studded cowgirl hats and matching show belts. 

I was however, a total sucker for the little old lady who polished and waterproofed my sad and tired Danskos and Birdy's sparkly pink boots. I mean, come on! The stuff is from the outback AND it's good for your hands. Sold. 

We got home with enough time to layout all the posters, pamphlets, pencils and bobble-head horses across the living room floor--comparing who got what and who wanted to trade a stretchy horse eraser for a horse head keychain. 

Birdy rattled on to Dan about everything she'd seen at an almost incomprehensible rate, while Emma quietly carried off rescue group and riding club pamphlets to her bedroom where every word would be studied and devoured. 

It was exhausting and overwhelming but oh so fun to experience with them. By this time next year we'll have worn our horse pencils down to stumps and wrinkled out the glossy pamphlets and lost the buttons and tiny plastic horses and be ready to do it all over again.