Leggings - I've loved them since 7th grade. Thankfully, my sense of style has improved somewhat since then...no longer do I dress in the same color from head to toe, including a matching hair scrunchy! Nonetheless, leggings are more a part of my wardrobe now than ever before.

Let's face it, having children changes our core....what was once firm and impervious to muffin tops...is no longer so firm anymore! I found that after my third baby, I just felt more comfortable with a higher waistband than my jeans could offer. Thus, legging provided the perfect solution. I've tried many brands, but my favorite are by J.Crew. The waistband isn't to high or too low, and the colors and fit are just right. 

This spring, I've fallen back in love with button-down shirts, particularly because they look far more put-together than a simple t-shirt, while still being very comfortable. I would suggest a looser fit  button-down, like this one from Gap. Sleeves worn up or down, I appreciate how versatile it is...and of course, it goes well with leggings.

Try taking these two simple spring/early summer staples and mixing with a few accessories you already have. You can see in the image above that I've shown you how I accessorize my staples. No mother is truly completely dressed until she adds snacks, pacifiers, and a toddler water bottle to complete her outfit, right?

Taking care of small children doesn't always bode well for our fashion sense, trust me, I've had my moments of being a complete slob! But I've found that when I take a little effort to be comfortable and stylish, I am a better Mama. Perhaps just as tired, but definitely more confident and content. 

Not long after joining Instagram last fall, I kept seeing cute leather moccasins popping up in @brimfulshop newsfeed. Now I've always been a big fan of soft-sole shoes, so my interested in this beautiful footwear was piqued!

After checking out the Freshly Picked website and reading a little more about Susan Peterson and how she started her business, I was very impressed. But the price tag of $60/pair was a little more than I'm used to paying for shoes for my toddler, so I didn't purchase any. But, the buzz on Instagram continued and the positive reviews of other customers kept rolling in, so on Black Friday, I bought two pairs for my daughter. 

Five minutes after removing the moccs from the box, I became forever smitten with these amazing little shoes. The leather is higher quality than any other soft sole shoes I've purchased, the color is vibrant, and I LOVE that they are free of gender-specific designs. 

Now four months later, my daughter wears her silver moccs every day...and often will refuse to take them off at bedtime! She loves them as much as I love having her wear them (score!). To the playground, along the sidewalk, or just running errands around town, I have not found a setting where the moccs aren't suitable. I've also been pleased how well the moccasins have worn over time. The stitching and elastic around the ankle has stayed perfectly strong and the leather has stayed bright and soft (with normal wear around the toe area from busy toddler activity of course). 

Susan and her FP team have kindly offered up a pair of moccasins for us to give away! On Monday (3/17), we are celebrating Brimful being open for six months and will be running the giveaway via our Instagram account. Along with the moccs, we'll be including a few treats from the shop too...yay!

The above picture is of my mother with a stuffed dog. She received it for Christmas, oh some 50 years ago! A few months ago, my aunt (the other little girl in the photo) passed the dog down to me. It has to be the sweetest little stuffed poodle I have ever seen...and so well made too!

For so many reason, I'm thrilled and deeply touched to have this stuffed toy and picture of my mother, who passed away seven years ago. 

Holding on to things for the sake of a memory wasn't my thing - until a few years back. Maybe it was the baby effect, or tragedies of life that knock us off track and give new understanding. Whatever it was - I now want to hang on to and treasure everything. It still feels unfamiliar to tuck away simple items of sentimental value (like an outgrown newborn onesie), but it also feels so, so right.

One of the reasons Annie and I will always seek out high-quality toys for Brimful is because of longevity. We cherish the toys that have been passed down to us and we want to offer toys that with good care, can be passed down in your family.

Here’s to well crafted toys that can be enjoyed...forever!

xoxo - Kari