Tag Archives | mom + mini

WORK + PLAY: VINTAGE POOL DAYS + A PRETTY FLORAL I DESIGNED FOR OLIVIA + OCEAN

By rae on April 24, 2019 in MOM + MINI, MOM BOD, spring, summer, THINGS WE LOVE, WEAR, WORK + PLAY

If this doesn’t have you dreaming of pool days with your babes (big or small) this summer, I don’t know what will! I love Olivia + Ocean for their mission to make swimwear that fits into a mama’s lifestyle… so that in between all the towel drying, sun screening, meltdown managing, snack making and (fill in the blank) you can feel stunning, pulled together and more likely ready to play, snuggle, sunbathe or participate in a cannon ball contest.

Danielle (the mama behind O+O) puts equal thought into creating vintage-y modern swimmers for your mini that make sunny day adventures extra special and nostalgic.

All of this to say, O+O just launched the sweetest collection that includes a floral print I designed and am totally smitten with. The full collection coordinates too so you can go full mom + mini matchy-matchy or twin just a little bit.

Don’t you love it?!!! My favorite to date… Poppy will be running around in this for sure and I love the red bikini as well.

A pop of red for me too, please! So classic.

Some of my favorite memories are of heading to the pool almost daily with my mom and brothers during hot Chicago summers — I still have no idea how my mom managed to make time for h o u r s of splashing around while raising a busy family and home but I’m forever grateful that she did.

Not to get too sappy and sentimental, but it’s a good reminder that we won’t get these days of raising little humans back. Even more sobering is that our kids won’t get their childhood days back either… Thankful for companies like Olivia + Ocean that make it easier to be present and playful while we’re in the thick of it.

Love you guys!

xo, Rae

Images by Morgan Pansing

PLAID STATEMENT COAT 3-WAYS

By rae on December 14, 2016 in WEAR

I’m one of those people that swoons over statement coats but then walks away convinced I won’t know how to wear it. Or that I won’t wear it often enough. About a month ago however, I spotted a buffalo check coat at old navy and decided to finally give it a try. To my surprise, I’ve worn it at least a couple times a week and haven’t had to work too hard to find outfits to pair with it. Thought it would be fun to play style blogger for the day and share three of my favorite looks! Linked sources too and (bonus) most things are on sale!

OVER MONOCHROME

I chose to pair shades of whites, but all denim, gray or black would work too!

ME | coat (similar), sweater (similar), jeans, shoes (similar)

GRIFFIN | coat, tee shirt, jeans, shoes

(Outfit pics on the bridge by the always amazing Stacy Jacobsen!)

OVER A DRESS (with tomboyish accessories)

Wore this look yesterday then dressed it up with tights and booties for date night. Another great option!

ME | coat (similar), dress (it has pockets!), beanie, sneakers

POPPY | sweater, jeans (similar), shoes

GRIFFIN | coat, jeans, shoes

OVER DENIM + A GRAPHIC TEE (with booties)

GRIFFIN | coat (sold out in navy), boots (they aren’t fancy but work great in the snow!)

POPPY | coat, tutu, boots

Griffin is my personal bubble burster but I love that he stays close and (with the exception of parking lots of course) ALWAYS wants to hold my hand. He fills my cup, that boy.

One more for the road, because behind every blog worthy(ish) picture there are ten like this. Well, maybe not quite this bad. Or this funny. But you get the idea. I don’t ever want to take myself (or be taken) too seriously. Not that my kids don’t already do a bang-up job of that. HA (Hashtag momlife)!

So now I want to hear… Which look do you like the best? Which would you wear most? Which would you style differently?

Thanks for humoring my fashion blogging for the day. It’s been fun!

XOXOXO, Rae

FALL THINGS ON REPEAT

By rae on September 30, 2016 in LIFE, WEAR

I’m what some might call, a creature of habit. It’s easy for me to find something I like and then wear it, listen to it, do it, or eat it until it either goes out of style or I’m sick of it. There’s just one exception — encouraging thoughts. Sure, I’ll see a cute graphic or read something affirming and think, “Yes! I like that!”, or even “So true!” and then assume it will sink in and stick with me. But you know what I learned a few months ago at a women’s retreat?

Our brains don’t know the difference between a truth and a lie, but they do know repetition.

Isn’t that crazy!? Or do I just get excited about dorky things? :)

Since learning that, I’ve been trying to keep all the good thoughts, scriptures, quotes and so on, on repeat until I know and believe them. Basically tricking my brain into believing the things I know in my heart are true. The difference it makes has been amazing!!!

In addition to good vibes and thoughts, here are a few other FALL THINGS that are currently on REPEAT around here.

Wearing, all the neutrals and specifically black or gray and brown or tan.

Drinking, pumpkin spice of course, but instead of a latte I order an americano with one or two pumps of pumpkin spice and cream. I like to think it has fewer calories but have no idea if that’s true. Ha! Good thoughts, right?

Cooking, these yummy baked apples and eating crepes at a newish coffee shop down the road from us.

Smelling, all the fall candles! Have you started lighting candles in the evenings?

Watching, football, baseball, and the debate (oh my.).

Working on, some cute decorations and costumes for a Halloween party and another segment on King5. Pictures and details for both, coming soon!

What fall things have been on repeat around your home?!

POPPY’S OUTFIT/ sweater is old, but love this one (on sale) / ballet dress from alice and ames / shoes are cat and jack from target

MY OUTFIT / hat from target / top old / jeans are new fave from madewell / shoes old, similar

Hope your weekend is full of pumpkin spice and everything nice :)

XO, Rae

WHAT I WORE (MAY)

By rae on May 31, 2016 in WEAR

what we wore in may-3787

Every month I say this and every month I swear it won’t take me by surprise next time but, can you believe tomorrow is June 1st!? Crazy how fast May went but we’re looking forward to the downhill climb to the end of school and beginning of summer. It feels so timely doesn’t it?

To close the month I though a what we wore post would be fun! I love any and all outfit posts but putting them together is a bit awkward for me and good lighting can be tricky in the pacific northwest so bear with me while I try to figure out the best way to document. This ones a little random!

Here are 4 of my favorite outfits from May:

That face! Oh Poppy you kill me.

//OUTFIT No. 1 // ME: top or similar / similar shorts 1 2 / similar sandals / similar sunnies / POPPY: top / shorts / uggs / hair clip (our fave!)

//OUTFIT No. 2 // ME : similar overalls / top / birks / TILLY: dress / shoes / hair clip

( L O L s ! )

what we wore in may-3963

//OUTFIT No. 3 // similar top 1 2 / jeans / similar wedges 1 2 / similar sunnies

what we wore in may-3600

//OUTFIT No. 4 // ME: similar jeans / top / similar sweater / birks / POPPY: top / shorts / uggs

what we wore in may-3555 what we wore in may-3528

Happy last day of May and cheers (also known as Poppy’s new trick!) to a fresh new month!

XO, Rae

MOM + MINI: THAT TIED SHIRT TREND

By rae on May 4, 2016 in WEAR

MARCH EDIT: EASTER OUTFITS

By rae on March 8, 2016 in holidays, KIDS, spring, WEAR

My to-do list has been expanding rapidly lately and while I had a few more urgent items I should have taken care of the other night (like cleaning out the fridge and writing a shopping list), I found myself shopping for Easter outfits instead. (Sorry kids… we have no food but you’ll look adorable on Easter!)

Here’s a peek at some of the egg hunt ready and Easter Sunday cuteness that caught my eye…

MINI BOY (Egg Hunt) – let’s play tee from peek / navy v-neck from zara / yellow joggers from zara / blue nike’s from j.crew / (Easter Sunday) – chambray top from zara, red chinos from mini boden / tan birks from nordstrom /

BIG BOY (Egg Hunt) – green trim ringer tee from j.crew factory / denim jacket from peek / stan smith sneakers from j.crew / lightning bolt joggers from zara / (Easter Sunday) – check shirt from mini boden / linen shorts from j.crew / tan birks from j.crew /

MINI GIRL (Egg Hunt) – oh happy day hoodie from peek / teal jumpsuit from zara / gray converse from nordstrom / (Easter Sunday) – lemon rose dress from mapamundi kids / bunny ear headband from gap kids / yellow clogs from zara /

BIG GIRL (Egg Hunt) – mint swing top from wildly co. / floral twill pant from peek / pink converse from peek / denim jacket from zara / blue gingham dress from j.crew / giant bow headband from j.crew / yellow clogs from zara /

I also stumbled upon some perry dresses for myself on Boden (like these: 1/2/3) but will probably end up wearing something out of my closet. Not sure why but it’s always easier to buy holiday outfits for the kids…?

Happy hump day you guys! Now to go check a couple other things off my to-do list before the big kids get home from school.

XO, Rae

MOM + MINI: LOVE DAY EDIT

By rae on February 1, 2016 in DESIGN, LIFE

FOR THE MAMAS:

FOR THE MINIS:

Wear (wild thing tee, hedgehog sweater)
Snuggle (milk blanket, heart blanket) aren’t they cute!?
Give (heart valentines)
Make (donuts)

We enjoyed a very rare, quiet weekend around our house so I managed to fit in a little retail therapy and thought I would share some of the cute valentine’s day things I came across.

As far as Valentine’s cards, outfits, gifts and date nights go, what do you guys usually spring for? Do you have an heart day traditions?

Every year is a little different for us other than handing out valentines, stuffing our faces with sweets and maybe a new tee-shirt. Oh and Johan and I always celebrate Valentine’s Day on a random night the week before or after… Not sure any of those things qualify as traditions!?

Happy Monday loves!

XO, Rae

MOM +MINI: MID-WINTER BRIGHTS

By rae on January 18, 2016 in WEAR

ME – sweater, jeans, sneakers (similar, similar, + these boots would look adorable too)

POPPY – turtleneck, overalls, high-tops, hair bow

How I feel about mid-winter is exactly how Poppy’s face looks in this picture… I’m not impressed. For no real reason other than it’s just not my favorite time of year. It doesn’t help that we’ve been cooped up and recovering from a stomach bug followed by a flu virus for the last few weeks. On the bright side, I guess if we have to be sick this would be the best time of year to do it! Positive thoughts, right!? But either way it certainly doesn’t help with the winter blues situation.

There are however a few things I’ve found that have put a bit more pep in my step lately…

Wearing brighter colors! My closet if full of neutrals which I love but apparently there is only so much I can take especially with the gray Seattle sky so I pulled my white jeans out of summer retirement and surprisingly don’t feel weird or out of place wearing them thanks to a few oversized sweaters in my closet.
The days are getting longer (hallelujah!).
Easter is in March instead of April this year which makes spring feel that much closer.
Johan and I have decided to plan a long weekend away to someplace HOT and close-ish. If you have any suggestions or feel like taking care of our kids, please let me know!
Staying warm and lighting things. Like candles and the fireplace. This is kind of a no-brainer but sometimes I forget how affective both of those things are. The fireplace has especially been an important part of our morning routine this winter.
Planning outings and playdates ahead of time. This one is key for me because when it comes down to it, all I feel like doing this time of year is, well — nothing. Scheduling ahead means my feelings aren’t planning my day for me. Of course there is always room for an afternoon spent inside snuggling and baking cookies this time of year too!

How have you been coping with the mid-winter funk!? Or maybe you love this time of year!? Either way, spill the beans on why you love it or what you do to make it more fun.

XO, Rae

MOM + MINI: JANUARY OUTFIT + DOING ALL THINGS WITH LOVE

By rae on January 5, 2016 in fall, WEAR, winter

RAK mom + mini style january-6909

I stumbled upon Tilly’s sweatshirt while browsing Zara and wondered how I could possibly pass up such a cozy sweatshirt with the sweetest reminder. Especially since loving people with our words and actions has been a topic of conversation a lot with her lately – she can be soooo spunky! Doing all things with love seems simple enough, doesn’t it? But when I saw her running around in her new sweatshirt it occurred to me how huge that calling is. To LOVE ALL the time. Even when we don’t feel like it or the recipient of those “things” doesn’t really deserve it or it requires some sacrifice and humility.

“Do all things with love.”

Gosh I have some work to do in this area and a lot more patience to extend to Tilly while she does the same.

All that from a pint sized sweatshirt, LOL. Can’t help but laugh at myself!

RAK mom + mini style january-6865

TILLY – sweatshirt from Zara, dress from Peek (similar), leggings from Old Navy, boots from Boden

ME – sweater from Topshop, turtleneck from J. Crew, overalls from Madewell (on sale!), boots from gap (similar)

Are there any “things” you could do with a little more love?

For me it is defiantly bedtime! Once 8 o’clock rolls around happy mom clocks out and someone much less patient and loving checks in. It’s actually one of my goals for the year — to start enjoying bedtimes instead of dreading it everyday. Feel free to share bedtime tips below if you have any!

XO, Rae

PS – Pictures by my very awesome husband. One of the goals we made together for 2016 is to learn to take better and more pictures of our family… Wish us luck!

MOM + MINI: DENIM SKIRTS + FALL SWEATERS

By rae on October 5, 2015 in WEAR

I’m a chronic over thinker you guys but it’s usually the simplest quotes, thoughts and scriptures that make the biggest impact in my day to day life. Like this one by everyones favorite pretty girl:

“Happy girls are the prettiest.” –Audrey Hepburn

Well said, Audrey. Don’t you agree!?

The topic of “pretty” comes up more and more as Tilly get’s older and as a mom of girls that swoons over clothes and painted nails I try to be really intentional about teaching them (and my boys too!!!) what real beauty is — from the inside out.

The quote above reminded me the other day that I can also be an example of what pretty looks like. Happy. Not because the house is tidy or our day is going smoothly or I lost the baby weight or my closet is full of cute clothes – all of these things rarely if at all happen btw – but because I’m living for something more and loving being their mama.

Not sure how often I will or do succeed but hopefully enough for God to do the rest! :)

denim-skirt-1

Now for some outfit details!

POPPY: sweater, shorts, moccs

MOM: skirt, sweater (similar), striped tee (similar), shoes (similar 1/2)

I think I wear some version of this outfit most days lately… Loving striped shirts for layering under oversized sweaters. An unexpected pop of stripe adds some interest without being crazy.

denim-skirt-3

How do you deal with or feel about the topic of “pretty”? Let’s chat in the comments!

Happy Monday :)

XO, Rae

(Photos by Stacy Jacobsen)