A Few FAVORITE Girl Things

I've been planning this post for a while now. I'm not that much of an Oprah fan, but I have always LOVED to watch her "favorite things" specials. I'm sure you're familiar, but in case you are not... she spends an entire show revealing her favorite products, everything from PJ's to IPods, and it's always the best of the best. She also sends one of each product home with each audience member - lucky duckies! Anyway, Oprah does have great taste, and I've found several of my own loves from her list (ex: Pine Cone Hill Pajamas). If you know me, or follow my blog then you already know that I have just a "small" affection for shopping for specialty, handmade, and boutique products - especially for kids! I know I've shared my dream here of owning a children's boutique at least once or twice - anyway, what I'm getting at is this, I thought it would be fun to share a few of my all time favorite items and brands for babies and children. These are not necessarily bargains, but these are the things that I love so much that I will splurge, search, scrimp, save, and even scour eBay for - they are just that great! Enjoy a few of my favorite girl/baby things... (Clockwise left to right)

Favorite Baby Girl Things

Mary Jane Socks from Trumpette: I think Annie spent her entire first year in these! They are so cute, plus they have no slip bottoms and come in lots of colors.

Sophie La Giraffe from Vulli: Sophie has been the number 1 selling teether in France since the 1960s. It's all natural rubber and just plain vintage-y cute! She is very popular at our house as I think she is chic, Evie thinks she is cute, Anabelle likes the ways she tastes, and Mr. Bingley likes the way she squeaks! Sophie is great for boys too, and she works with paci clips so you won't loose her!

Layette from Kissy Kissy (also love Pixie Lilly): Softest sweetest cotton layette ever, and they have the most precious prints and embroidery! These are so perfect for bringing home baby, and you can get hats, booties, mittens, and blankets to match. We brought Annie home in a set that had the sweetest little pink chickens!

Swaddle Blanket from Swaddle Designs: I swear by this blanket! I've had two babies who loved to be swaddled and I only had this blanket for the second baby, the difference was phenomenal! This blanket is large, square instead of rectangle, and 100% non stretchy cotton. Anabelle was happy as a bug in a rug with this thing - I LOVED it! It's the good old fashioned method of swaddling, no Velcro or snaps, but it is the best! It comes with instructions or you can watch the video online (also my pediatrician shared an extra tip that I will share if you need swaddling help) Can you tell that I love this thing?

Piggy from Steiff: I mentioned this sweet piggy recently in my Epcot post and it is the newest edition to my list of favorites. I'm sure most of you have heard of Steiff, it's legendary, but this one is a lovey for babies, not the mohair kind that you can't play with. Anabelle loves this piggy ("Peepee") and they make a precious lamb too - we're in love! She washes great too, "Peepee" got "peed" on, and into the wash she went!

Embroidered Bibs from artist Kelly Rightsell designs: It's no secret that I have an affinity for embroidery, but these bibs are by far my favorite. The embroidery is high quality and precious (frogs in dresses!), and the bibs are lined with a nubby fleece = drool and spill proof! They wash great, we've put ours through the wringer and they still look new!

Favorite Toddler/PreK Girl Things

Swimsuits from Kate Mack: These are the ultimate little girl swimsuits - tutus at the beach - yes! My girls have had a few of these throughout the years and I LOVE them, they look hilariously cute in these, just like little cupcakes! I really want one for Annie's birthday party so I am stalking a few on eBay!

Baby and Basket Purse from Penelope Peapod: I think this is the sweetest little toy ever, and I was born 20 something years too late to have my own, so I bought a Penelope for each of my girls instead :) It's an adorable little basket purse that, with a few simple folds, becomes a bassinet for the doll inside. Just precious! Penelope is great for going out to dinner.

Hair bows from Wee Ones: Everyone knows that I love hair bows, and the bigger the better! I've been buying hair bows since before Evie was born, so with almost five years of bow buying experience, I know a good hair bow when I see one and Wee Ones are the best! They are folded and assembled perfectly and symmetrically, they come in lots of colors and sizes, and have a variety of clip choices. Also, they are some of the best priced!!!

English Sandals from Footmates and Willits: Warning, both of these websites are slightly circa 1990, but that is because they are so busy making the greatest children's shoes ever! My friend Nancy introduced me to the English Sandals and now I am hooked, they are so classic, extremely well made, and adorable. They can be hard to find at good prices, but I've lucked out on eBay a few times. So far we have pink and red, but they come in all of the classic colors.

Smocking from Castles and Crowns, Vive la Fete, Secret Wishes, Amanda Remembered, Anavini, Remember Nguyen (when), Orient Expressed, and Shrimp & Grits just to name a few!: Yes, I have just a "little thing" for smocked clothes, it's a timeless southern tradition and I can't resist! I'd be lying if said I didn't spend a good portion of my time on the prowl for my favorite pieces! It's very challenging because I want to find matching sets for the girls and I am on a limited budget - it has become my "sport", and I'm pretty good at it too ;)

I'll leave you with a few online boutiques where you can find almost everything I have talked about in this post...

Bumble Boutique

Chasing Fireflies