Fab Finds: Little Swappies Kids Clothes – Styled

It was a wintery, snowy morning in NY when a fellow mommy friend and I trekked out to Brooklyn on a Little Swappies treasure hunt.  I rarely venture out to the outer Manhattan boroughs but the draw of kids fashion and the opportunity to trade-in some of Juliet’s gently worn items for a good cause compelled me to go.

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I’m so glad I did!  In addition to the sponsored goody bag filled with snacks and promotional discounts, I found 20 items (toys, books and fashion pieces) that were in great shape.  They must have increased the maximum take-home number because last time I went I only brought back 9 things.  Click here for that blog post which includes tips on what you should know before you go.

 

If you are familiar with my blog, you know that I love a good deal and enjoy mixing high and low brands.  Well the same goes for baby fashion.  Juliet’s closet is a mix of high-end designer, consignment/thrift/hand me downs, and everyday brands.  The below outfit is a prime example.

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The designer, mini-melissa shoes which I bought during an online sample sale are mixed with the free tank top that I scored at Little Swappies and a Baby Masala bottom from their Little Swappies sponsor sample sale.   I mixed it in with accessories already in Juliet’s closet and boom, new summer outfit for just $5!

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Also found at the same sample sale was this cute Baby Masala dress for $5 which I accessorized with a mustard scarf that I’m selling through my FB page, Fab kids and their stylish moms, Old Navy boots and a pair of sunglasses gifted from Love My Alannah whom I met at Kids Fashion Week.  (I wish I could remember the brand’s name so I could tag them here!)  The leather jacket is from Target’s sale and the rabbit, gifted from Kid Robot.

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Thinking of the same leather jacket, I bought this Baby Masala dress for $5.  The brand is all organic by the way!  The boots are from Target, the book was gifted and the glasses are on sale at Fab kids and their stylish moms FB page. The flower crown is from H&M and altered to fit J.  If you see an elastic accessory outside of the kids section, remember that it can easily be altered to fit the little one!chanel baby

This Carter’s cardi was found at the Little Swappies event and styled with items already in Juliet’s closet, a black knit skirt, (fake) kids Chanel purse, shoes bought at a sample sale and head piece from Aldo.  So sophisticated, huh?spring dress

This sweet Laura Ashley dress caught my eye because I’m a sucker for Peter Pan collars and smocking detail.  I was psyched to find this at the Little Swappies event and styled it at home with Juliet’s Mini Melissa rhino boots (bought on sale), my cell phone cover and a flower crown from Forever 21.baby outfit

Anyone that follows my Instagram account, @fabgabblog knows that I love dressing Juliet in androgynous looks.  I mix boys clothes and accessories with girly pieces for a cute mix of masculine/feminine.  The above is a prime example.  Tee was free from Little Swappies and the Carters romper and hat are from TJMaxx.  She’s a Maxxinista like me after all!  The purse is from Target and the sneakers are boys shoes from a second hand store that I bought for $2. cute baby clothes

I couldn’t believe my luck when I found this classic, crisp white blouse at Little Swappies.  It was in perfect condition and featured the Peter Pan collar that I love so much!  It is such a versatile piece and I knew I could layer it and wear it a million different ways…oops I mean Juliet could.  I am living through her.  The mask is also a free find from there and it is paired with Baby Gap boots and raincoat along with a vintage short/bowtie set bought off of Etsy – one of my favorite sites for unique baby fashion.  Who says baby girls can’t wear bowties??how to style a tutu

This outfit would be so cute for a birthday party, wouldn’t it?  The hat is actually something Juliet wore on her first birthday.  Click here to find out how her birthday outfit inspired the entire party’s decor.

Right now is the season when Juliet’s social calendar gets crazy packed with birthday parties and I can totally imagine her bouncing around in this cute ensemble.  With this giant party hat though she might steal the spotlight…  Here, the monkey onesie was the freebie from LS and it is paired with a Zara cardigan also worn here, Joe Fresh tutu, scarf and socks that can be bought through me and my FB page. Shoes were from a sample sale and from a brand called Stella – gotta love that since that is my first name!catimini

The high-end Catimini fur vest and Tahari plum ruffled dress here is styled with a free flower crown from LS and Baby Gap boots.  The Harajuku – mini head is an applique from Etsy and the party animals are items I DIY-ed for Juliet’s upcoming party animal themed 2nd birthday.  Wait til you see the rest!

In addition to these fab fashion finds, I also picked up some books and a Mickey toy.  I think it’s safe to say that I SCORED!  Overall, it was a fun event and I even made some good contacts for my future party sponsor needs.  Did I tell you that I’m running sponsored kids events in Manhattan?  Like Fab Kids and their Stylish Moms on FB and follow @fab_kids on IG for invites and all the fun!

Thanks for reading!

 

How to Spot a Fab Mom on a Playground Near You

fab mom There’s definitely a set of moms, who even after having a baby are determined to be as fabulous and stylish as they once were pre-baby.  Channeling their fashion expertise into impeccably dressing their kid(s), they scour the web in search of the perfect shoes and accessories to complete their child’s ever-changing wardrobe and organize closets not as a non-stop chore but rather with a passion, as if Karl Lagerfeld were about to do a final inspection.    I am guilty of being one of these moms and finding other (crazy?) fab moms like me has become one of my new mom goals.

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I’ve developed an eagle eye for spotting these women.  Read below and you’ll soon be able to spot a fab mom at your nearest playground:

  • We wear faux fur to the playground with our ripped jeans and movie-star sunglasses.
  • Leopard.  ’nuff said.
  • We refuse to wear sneakers outside of the gym (unless they have a trendy wedge heel).
  • Others curiously wonder how our kids always look like they just stepped out of a catalog
  • Our diaper bag is designer
  • We accessorize with Chanel despite it being completely inappropriate for the setting.
  • Matching outfits. Yes really.
  • Our kids live their lives in front of our cameras and on social media

Note how I say “we”.  I can poke fun at all of these unusual characteristics because I have exhibited every one of them, I’m sure.  9.13

Surely, you stare at us out of the corner of your eyes and wonder all sorts of things about our lifestyle, our choices and simply how we got out of the house looking so polished.  You might secretly hate us.  We know.  We see and feel those stares.  And we know we don’t fit in everywhere we go.  And yes we know we look ridiculous to you at times.

Rest assured, sometimes we hate ourselves too. It takes extra time and energy to care this much about how things look.  My husband nags me and tells me to relax when I have rare moments of downtime.  But instead, I race around the house trying to make everything look more presentable than need be, and can’t stop my perfectionism when it comes to my passion – fashion.  I’m often found sewing or crafting something for Juliet’s wardrobe.  Or I’m cleaning out our closets, editing things we have outgrown and /or haven’t worn.  I’m making sure that: all the hangers are facing the same way, that clothing is steamed, that outfits are planned, that sales are not missed.  If I didn’t care so much, I could actually take a breather and soak in the tub listening to Sade or something.

So while it may be simpler and more comfortable to slide into yet another pair of yoga pants and call it a day, I am in a skirt, blouse and ballerina hair bun.  (I will admit, I have actually forgone the high heel in exchange for flats..something I never thought I’d do)  But I have yet to give up my old wardrobe.  I figure if it still fits, celebrate it and wear it!  So what if my old fashion PR NYC wardrobe doesn’t fit in with the workout wear / mommy uniform I’m usually surrounded by?  I feel better, more like myself in my old wardrobe. Comparatively, yes, I’m dressed up at classes and play dates where I show up and I’m the only one accessorizing with something other than a diaper bag.  Sometimes I get asked if I’m going somewhere special that day.  (No, I think.  I just wanted to wear the pretty clothes that are sitting in my closet.  I’m just off to school drop-off like you.)

I don’t need an occasion anymore.  My child’s music or art or ballet class has become my occasion.  After all, what else does the stay at home mom usually get to leave the house for?  I dress to please me but I know better than to attend in something like a pencil skirt that would hinder my ability to chase after a toddler and sit on the ground during circle time.  Therefore, I have learned to tone down my fancier pieces with laid back jeans and perhaps a wedge sneaker thrown in as a nod to all the sneaker-ed moms in the room.

And I’ve started a new FB page for us fashion-obsessed moms.  Like Fab Kids!  And follow @fab_kids on Instagram where every Monday a #fab_mom and her child are featured.  Recently, I’ve started hosting NYC themed play dates and parties.  They involve fashion themes like our white party or back to school nerdy book exchange  or Haute Halloween for instance.  And they allow for fab moms to meet, network, and play with their little ones in the comfort of their Manolos.

 

 

 

 

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