I had a revelation recently. My kid dresses better than I do. Her clothes are so cute, and I don't think it's simply because they're tiny. Really, I always try to pick out "fashionable" outfits for her. Is this ridiculous? I mean, I even put a head band on her when she's home with the nanny all day. A bit extreme maybe?

Now, I like to think that I try to be trendy and fashionable, but most of the time I default for something comfortable, or an "old favorite." My "uniform" is a sleeveless top, cardigan, and straight leg pants. I did mix it up a bit this season, and bought some colored pants from LOFT, and I really do love them. They were a good find, and give me some variety from my typical black or grey pant with some color.

I remember when my sister and I were younger, and my mom would take us shopping. She never bought herself anything. We would always tell her "but mom, you deserve it" or "you never buy yourself anything." She would always just brush it off, and we'd continue on the spree to fill our closets with new goodies. I never understood that until now. She really is a great mom, and while I always felt that she deserved more than what she would ever do for herself, I hope to be just like her one day.

Yes, I might focus more on making sure Noelle looks cute, but I'm ok with that. She deserves it, and one day she'll teach her daughter the same thing, just like my momma taught me.

Last summer I purchased an adorable onesie dress for Noelle at Baby Gap. What made it special is that it is her first Diane Von Furstenberg piece. I think it is awesome that she received her first DVF dress before she was even born. Don't you? I didn't get my first DVF dress until I was well into my 20s.

A few weeks ago I received a coupon in the mail from Gap for 25% off their new DVF for baby line that debuted today. I've been sitting on pins and needles since I got it, and just about died when I opened up the site. I am by no means a designer clothing shopper, but I simply cannot help myself looking at these rompers, dresses, and summer gear.

Noelle, what do you like best? You'll let me pick? Oh, you're so sweet!

I mentioned in my OTG Update a while back that I started crocheting. I started this little hobby after seeing crocheted and knitted headbands online for sale. They were so cute, but I just couldn't spend the money on something I thought I could do myself. So, I started researching found some great YouTube channels specifically for crocheting.

I found two that I really like: Crochet Hooks You and Bob Wilson 123. Both of these ladies have great online tutorials. After finding a "teacher" I headed to the yarn shop up the street from my office. I picked up a crochet hook, and two balls of yarn to get started.

My current yarn stash

First two projects

I've come a long way since my first couple of projects, and luckily, I have a great model, too.

I'm still creating new headband designs, but my next big project is a blanket. And, not just any blanket, we have plenty of those, but a hooded blanket. Who doesn't want a blanket with a hood? Awesome, right?

Have a great OTGS, ya'll. See you Monday!

Time for another Etsy shop spotlight! Little Hip Squeaks is one of my favorites. Their colors and patters are adorable! I'm constantly browsing for new things, and need to narrow my list down before I can make another purchase. In the mean time though, I'm just eating up the babe in these little leg warmers and hat!

A couple months ago I had her in them but her scrawny little legs just didn't have a chance of holding up the warmer. So, I laid her in the crib and just got some cute photos of the set - leg warmers and hat.

And, of course we've been wearing the hat on it's own, living in the tundra that is Chicago.

Now that Noelle's little thighs have beefed up a bit, and the weather is feeling a bit more spring like, I thought it was time to give her leg warmers another shot. Yesterday I did, and they finally fit! Hooray! It was a short lived outfit - daddy put her in pants when he woke up and I wasn't looking - but boy oh boy are they adorable.

Next on the purchase list from Little Hip Squeaks are probably some headbands, or maybe a personalized blanket when she's older. Too many choices. Maybe if Noelle is really good she'll get both :)

Ok, hand has been slapped ...

I made the mistake of going on Baby Gap's website yesterday. I almost died. gah. Thankfully I got out of there without any damage being done, but oh.my.gosh was that hard. There is just too much cute baby girl summer clothes on there right now. Here are a couple of the outfits I just about snatched off of the "shelf."

All the neon, the adorable aquarium line ... I mean, come on! "Turtle-y Adorable." I almost died again! However, their new sugar rush line is my favorite by far.

While I looked out my window at the snow swirling in the air I dreamed of the spring and summer when Noelle will be able to wear this type of clothing. It makes me miss Florida, and how great it was to not have to bundle her up so much. No sleeves, no socks, no problem!

Recently I added a page to my blog for some of my favorite Etsy shop owners. I thought that, here and there, I might do a little spotlight post for them, too!

Around the one to two month mark I was getting a lot of comments from strangers (nice comments) about my "cute son." Well, we were just not going to stand for that, so headband shopping I went! I found one shop, Cutenessbuns, where I have done all of my headband shopping since then.

Husband hates headbands. He thinks they dent the babies head. Obviously, they do not, but I wanted to find a headband that was not only cute, but soft and "dent proof." When Noelle was smaller, I purchased the wide band kind since her head was a bit more fragile than it is now. My most recent purchase (since she's growing out of those) was all skinny elastic bands. Either way, none dent the babies head!

I love the selection and variety that Cutenessbuns creates. There are some special for holidays, some with one plain flower, and others with multiple flowers and pearls. They make a variety of colored flowers too so not everything is bright pink! This is my favorite part, probably. We have some very neutral clothes for our little girl, and her grey and navy headbands are the perfect accessory!

I hope you all check out the Cutenessbuns on Etsy. It is absolutely one of my favorite places to shop for our favorite lady!