What I Want This Weekend, May 21st, 2010

Here are some pretty things I've come across this week,

from some blog

or catalog

or friend

or magazine

or another;

or just from my own browsing&shopping&surfing,

that I need to convince My Prince to dole out the cash for...

Bird House Mobile in Chocolate Aqua

Matching Sailor Handsqueaker&Bib

Percy the Pig Rattle

Lamb Bibs with Gingham&Fleece in Green, & Pink

Watermelon Horse with Moving Legs

(all available at Cute-ture)

Alright, if you're like me, everybody you know (& their sisters) is pregnant.

(& their sisters are having twins!)

& if you're like me, you've made the (bad-for-your-bank-account, good-for-your-gift-giving-karma) mistake of setting the bar too high for baby gifts. I love shopping for baby gifts, & I love trying to find really special stand-out gifts for the new mommies that I love.

(& for their sweet wee ones, too! But let's be honest, when they're newborns, the gifts are for Mommy.)

I am absolutely in love with Alimrose Designs, the fabulous designer behind all of those beautiful handmade baby gifts above. Good news for my pregnant friends; bad news for the budget I'm supposed to stick to fully committed to honoring for My Prince. ;)

(Oh, & if you're wondering...Yes, I do hate registries. & yes, I am that baby shower guest that didn't abide by the gift-giving guidelines or even look at the registry. But I'll refrain from an etiquette rant in the middle of the loveliness that is What I Want This Weekend.)

Okay, so I just recently included some Carter's adorables in my Pink&Green Thursday post, & I meant to share with y'all my opinion that Carter's is just plain some of the best quality you can get for inexpensive toddler clothes.

I am such a sucker for the beautiful craftsmanship & outstanding heirloom quality of

boutique,

designer,

& handmade

infant&toddler clothing. Fortunately for My Prince, I am pretty good at finding them at reasonable prices...most of the time, anyway.

So Pretty Little Bare Feet has accumulated quite a collection of those special little somethings, that's for sure.

But as all you mommies know,

there are many days when toddlers' outfits have to be changed two or three times before suppertime.

& there are also days when the only place we go is Kroger.

& frankly, there are times when it's nice to be able to do a load of laundry that doesn't have to be

turned inside-out,

& washed on delicate cycle,

then hung to dry.

Graphic Jersey One-Piece in Marshmallow White

Striped Ruffle-Front Jersey Dress in Pink Stripe

"I (Heart) Lazy Days & Lemonade" Tank in Tropical Sunset

Printed Gauze Top in Sync Pink

Jelly Gladiator Sandals in Surfing

(all available at Old Navy)

So thank goodness for classic&cute everyday children's clothes from places like

BabyGap

Belk

Carter's

the Children's Place

Dillard's

Gymboree

Macy's

Old Navy

Target

(Admittedly, I rarely care for the adult clothes from some of these places, & I don't feel like I can always rely on any of these places to always have a great selection. Still, I am always excited when I do come across a particularly cute season from one of them - money saved means more money to spend on the better labels, right?!)

Smocked Sunburst Tunic Tank in Neptune

Bright Floral Dress in Floral

Animal-Printed Romper in Brown

White Cropped Skinny Jeans in White Denim

Sunburst-Printed Party Dress in True Black

(all available at BabyGap)

But I am still determined to dress Pretty Little Bare Feet as sweetly as possible, even when she's doing the casual, comfortable thing. & there are options available inexpensively, but sometimes it does take a little effort to do the mixing&matching yourself, from assorted brands&shops.

(I have a momfriend that always asks me, "Did that outfit come together?" She is always amazed that I can pull together three different things, from three different places, & create a cute, casual toddler look. Of course it's perfectly alright to put it together exactly like you're supposed to according to the ad - just don't be surprised if you see a couple other kids wearing the same thing!)

Really, I think it's just a matter of sticking to what you really like & keeping an eye out for when shops happen to be rolling out a seasonal collection that includes your favorite styles.

(Which is now your kid's style, until they grow up &, ugh, get their own opinions about it.)

Sweet Lollipop Tank in White

Daisy Dress in Black

Citrus Slice Smocked Dress in Sunshine Yellow

Stripe Dot Bow Short in White

I Want Candy Tank in Sunshine Yellow

(all available at Gymboree)

Anyway, I was inspired to share some of our recent finds because I found myself panicking a bit recently when the weather got warmer, & Pretty Little Bare Feet hadn't quite grown big enough for her fabulous (mostly size 18-months) summer wardrobe. But I managed to put together quite a cute little transitional spring wardrobe - without spending too much money!

Bow Romper in Pink

Watermelon Bathing Suit in Pink

Ministar Baby Shoe in Pink Lady Bug

Genuine Kids by OshKosh Aleeza Flower Gladiator Sandals in Gold

Genuine Kids from OshKosh Floral Capri in Bright Pink

(all available at Target)

T.G.I.F.! What do YOU want this weekend?