I captured these pictures of the first time my sweet girl ever heard her favorite music on headphones. She didn't know I was watching and my heart nearly burst from the sweetness of the moment. Her eyes and expressions, her singing aloud... her own little secret and discovery... a place she can disappear now and dive into the magical world called music.

Ah, childhood...

Remember?

World's Smallest Daredevil - A Circus Themed Kids Party

If you've never tried to dress a toddler, a feisty four year old, your tired self, and your husband as if you were all about to run off with the circus, then you've never truly lived.

Or so I'd like to believe... 

Kudos to this family, and the woman behind the velvet curtain for pulling it off like the master lady OZ that she is.

Just look at the decorations. BIG TOP, for sure.

It was all in celebration of this little daredevil and his 2nd birthday. The thing I love most about my friend and the elaborate birthday parties she throws, is that they are all based and rooted in motherly love and acknowledgment of her precious children as the individuals that they are. It's so obvious, you might miss it. So genius, you might not even realize...

That's the thing about real artists. They give their soul for their work. And if you're a mother, your child is your soul. Your heart and guts and insides personified into one tiny, little "daredevil" package to keep you on your toes.

Every detail was accounted for, including the guest of honor's favorite foods.

Every tiny person (and their parents!) had so much fun playing along...

Including myself... you know I love an excuse to dress up!Definitely one we'll remember for a lifetime. 

My Outfit

 Vintage Jacket & Shorts, Fishnet Stockings, Boots, Hat from Party City. 

Bodhi's Strong Man Outfit

I cut up a striped onsie and his sister's red leggings. I used a cotton headband as a belt.

Birthday Boy's Daredevil Costume

Homemade by mom

Mother/Son featuring Gap Style + Séchoir

I'm such a huge fan of Gap. Being able to go shopping in store or online for the entire family is such a perk. If you sign up for their mailing list you'll constantly get coupons for discounts (generally around 20-40% off) for super great deals, so I'm guilty of always having a few items in my shopping cart... then as soon as I get notification of a discount code - bam! It's mine.

I

Mommy is wearing - Tailored Polka Dot Print Shirt, Ultra Skinny Pants & Blazer by Gap.

Baby Bo is wearing - all Gap too. (HUGE 40% off sale going on for kids right now!)

Of course I had to feature one of my most favorite brands in my newest Séchoir video. If you're a mom, then you'll certainly appreciate the chaos of the shoot... just try to tell a toddler to stand still for more than 5 seconds. Still, through all the madness, we created one of my most favorite videos to date.

There's nothing like the love between a mother and child and I am blessed. Thanks for all your support, guys.

Click here to watch the entire video!

*This is not a sponsored post. All opinions and styling are my own.

Stella styled herself... and it's pretty great.

Dress - Harajuku Mini at Target, Blouse - Old Navy, Boots - Old Navy

I know that every mother thinks her child is gorgeous and genius and hilarious and wonderful, and perhaps even stylish beyond their years... So I won't bore you with my thoughts on this incredible child.

I'll just share the pictures.

California Christmas

Caftan - Calypso St. Barth (similar) 

Stella's dress - Vintage, Stella's leggings - Old Navy, Stella's vintage inspired clips - Anthropologie

You wanna know how sneaky of a mom/wife/stylist I can be? We totally didn't plan on taking family holiday photos this day. The hubs had a great idea to enjoy one of the last perfect-weather days at El Matador Beach, just the family, one sunny Sunday afternoon in November. Seeing this as the perfect opportunity to snag that family photograph we'd need come December, I tucked a favorite vintage dress of Stella's into my bag, that perfectly complimented my Calypso St. Barth caftan, and made sure my dudes were in coordinating dark denim and muted colors. 

The key is to not let anyone know you want to take photos. Once you do that, it's more of a nonchalant "Oh, look! I happened to bring my camera! Let's ask someone to take some shots of us!" 

Wouldn't you know it, the first long-haired, bearded gentleman I asked, happened to be a professional photographer with a kind face and willing spirit, happy to play along in my silly game. 

We even captured that one, magical shot… all of us (including babies!) looking and smiling to camera. But that's the photograph reserved and tucked away into a carefully addressed envelope, to be delivered by Christmas day.

Hope you're enjoying your moments. xx

4 year old Princess Party {+Mommy wore this}

Hello friends, Happy September!

As you know, both my kiddos had birthdays in August. Their actual birthdays are just three days apart, but I spaced them out so my little man could have his very own first birthday party and my little princess could celebrate with her little girlfriends, one year of growing beautifully more grown-up.

Because I spent so much time and man-hours doing a homemade bash for Bo, I decided to give myself a little bit of a break and throw Stella a tea party at a Dollhouse where they do the majority of the work for you. Stella had her own decorated throne and was seated amongst her princess guests for "tea" (pink lemonade) and jam sandwiches.

This place was a tiny tot's dream. A giant room of dresses to choose from, drawers full of jewels and shoes, a stage for modeling for the mommies and a personal "stylist" to do their hair and nails.

But the most special part for me, was instilling the importance of female friendship, sisterhood and forever memories in my little girl's heart. The hugs and giggles and smiles of pure joy and excitement from these angel babies was almost too much to take.

Of course mommy had to get in on the fun and dress the princess part. I found this dress at Target (avail here) and not only was it a steal for just $24.99, but so flirty and fun that another mommy attending went directly out to purchase it that day.

Dress - Target, Vintage Pearls

Daddy surprised miss Stella with her very first roses and my heart nearly exploded with love and gratitude for my life.

A very successful day and month despite some stressful moments along the way... but I'd do it over and over again to celebrate the most amazing people in my life... these tiny humans who call me mom.

(Maybe next year I'll throw their birthdays together and we'll go to Chuck E Cheese! Just kidding. As if!)

Dedication to Stella here

Stella turns 1, 2 & 3

Dear Stella, today you are four.

... and I couldn't be more proud, or more in love with the sweet, sweet, adorably bright and wonderful little girl that you've become.

This morning as I was looking for my cell phone (which I tend to lose often these days), you were watching cartoons and eating oatmeal... You kept offering to help me find it even though I kept saying that silly mommy always loses her phone and I didn't need help. You tugged on my arm and looked me straight in the eyes and said "Mommy, everybody needs a helper sometimes. Let me be your helper."

You are kind and hilarious and always thinking of others. If anyone is sad, it makes you sad. If someone is crying, you always give them a hug. If someone needs a helper, you're their girl. You love chocolate anything and apple juice with no water and matching stripes with stripes and laughing til your tiny tummy can't take it anymore. You are full-strength, baby. You love life. And you make me love mine even more. You are my reason.

Happy birthday, darling girl.

Love you to the moon and back,

Mom xo

Stella's dress c/o Biscotti & Kate Mack

Stay tuned for birthday party coverage next week!

My Little Man's Mustache Bash

Well, it happened. My little guy turned one. OK, he technically doesn't turn one 'til the 31st, but we're a whole year past this. (And it makes me a bit weepy. Just look at him!)

After I decided on the theme, I knew I wanted to do the bulk of the party hand-made, but when I did a little research, I realized that Etsy was my friend. Just searching "Mustache Bash" I found so many adorable items, including the "little man" overalls he's wearing and this amazing "First Things" poster by Moulage Collection. It was hand drawn! With my guy's stats! Adorable! And such a priceless gift to capture my little dude at this moment in time.

I did make a few things I'm pretty proud of, including this sign that took nothing more than a downloaded text template, tracing and cutting of triangles and letters on poster board, a whole punch (a whole lot of patience!) and some string.

But it was this handmade picture booth that I was most pleased with. I knew I wanted to do something to bring the fun element to the next level and this did just that.

I LOVED seeing everyone get it on the fun. (Including my little man, who was so confused when I was sporting face fur.)

A prop station including sunglasses and staches on sticks and tape-able furry mustaches from Oriental Trading Company helped to dress the guests and make hilarious life long memories in pictures.

It's always nice to have a hubs who's job is to find the perfect wine pairing for any situation, including all things mustache... Believe it or not, this wine exists.

It's called Reckless Love (is there any other kind?) and is so so yummy. Check out Rebel Coast Winery for more details.

(And see below for proof of happiness from this "chill serum" for an overworked mama...)

Our little guy actually had zero interest in the sweet treats I made. (Even the #1 mustache men cookies!) So unlike his sister who devoured her first treat on her first birthday here. But that's OK... he has his whole life to get to the good stuff.

All in all, it was a fabulous party of which I'm so happy with... most of all, because of that smile! I love you, my little man! Happiest of birthdays... We're so glad you're in our family!

xo Mom

Bodhi's 2nd outfit - Twice As Nice Baby/Etsy

I wore a black romper by Foreign Exchange

(Get it here! See how I wore it in cream here!)