Too Two Haute by Lil Luxe Collection

Do you need something to go with the fantastic tops that you have seen tested here?  There's a very cute shorts pattern that will be released soon!  Go to the FB page for details.

These shorts have a skort option which is ideal for the girly girl who is one the move.

 What I love about this skort;
1. the unique two panels with the points
2. adjustable waist band
3. inseam pockets
4. they don't look like a golfing skort

The shorts alone are just as adorable.  They are also a fast sew which is great for this wardrobe staple.

What I love about the shorts;
1. slash pockets
2. adjustable waist band
3. cuffs
4. flat front waist band

Other than modeling her new clothes, B has had a very busy social calendar this week.  We live so close to the ocean and very rarely take advantage of it.  However, this week we have been to the beach twice.

This is so much fun, why aren't we always here!

Let's never go home.

Check out this view

In case anyone was curious,  sand is not yummy.

You should have asked me, I could have told you that.

We also visited a splash pad after watching a $1 movie.  How great is that?!

This is pretty much the only un-blurry photo I got at the splash pad.

 After all of that fun, some sun bathing was in order.

Hand me that orange juice with the umbrella in it.

This is certainly the way that summer was meant to be enjoyed.  I really hope that this is something that B remembers fondly.

Don't forget the GIVEAWAY I am hosting.  You have 2 more days to enter!

Girls Shirt and Dress Pattern No 6 by E+M Patterns and Giveaway!

This was my second summer as a stay-at-home-mom and I was  really nervous about having enough activities to keep B out of trouble.  Turns out I forgot to take into account that her friends would be out of school for the summer.  We have been wonderfully busy with play dates and fun adventures.  Can you believe that the summer is almost over?!  Now we are planning for the new school year.

As a nerdy kid my favorite part of getting ready for the new school year was getting all the supplies.  Ah the smell of newly sharpened pencils.  A close second was getting new clothes.  This brings me to the main topic of this post, a beautifully versatile pattern by E + M that I was fortunate to test.  This is a quick sew for knit shirts and dresses sized 2 to 10.  The pattern is perfect for school since it is comfy and cute.  There are so many options for you to personalize as well.  This pattern is now a staple at our house and I made 3 in a week.

1.  This shirt has a pleated front, flutter sleeves, and a high low hem.

Look at the fun keyhole design!

 2.  This shirt has a pin tuck bodice, flutter sleeves and a tie back.

A cute bow at the neck line :)

3. Finally, there is the dress.  I chose flutter sleeves, gathered bodice, and a banded waist.

The pattern is on sale until midnight this Friday PST.  You can purchase HERE at the etsy shop.  Be sure to go to E + M Pattern's FB page for inspiration and her other fantastic patterns.

Now for my first giveaway provided by E + M Patterns! You could win the Girls Shirt and Dress Pattern No6.  (If you don't sew you should still enter, I'll make a shirt for your kiddo.)  To enter you simply have to post a comment answering one of 2 questions below.  I'll pick a commenter at random on Monday morning July 28th 10am PST.  Make sure you come back to check for the winner announcement.

If you won the pattern, would you make a shirt or a dress first?  I made the dress first because my girly girl likes to wear dresses.

What was your favorite part of getting ready for the new school year?  As I mentioned before, I love the smell of sharpened pencils.

Good luck!

Update: be sure to check the FB E+M Patterns page as other blogging testers are also hosting giveaways!

Elle-Belle Romper by Bebelambs

As promised here is a pattern by Bebelambs that I tested for the baby.  C has such a sunny personality I wanted to make an outfit that matched her sweetness.  Usually I don't go for the frilly stuff on baby clothes like bows and shirring.  In this case, I am so glad that I did.  I chose a soft gingham for the bodice and a small patterned print for the bottoms.

The bodice ties on with an adorable bow through a button hole in the back.  When she goes in the car seat I undo the bow, wrap it around her waist and tie the bow in the front.

It is difficult to get photos of her cute baby legs.  This beach photo is the best I could get.  The legs of the romper are shirred and creates this cute ballooning.  It also fits over cloth diapers!

I will definitely be making more of these to last us through the summer.  The next time I will try out some snaps for easier diaper changing.  For a limited time the pattern is on sale.  Go check it out HERE!

Have you made it to the beach this summer?  We live rather close to the beach but I'm so daunted by all the packing, carrying, and chasing I have to do there.  We hardly get down there as much as I should.