From Hawaii, with Love

Don't we wish we were in Hawaii right about now with this East Coast blizzard?  Well if we can't be there, at least its nice to know we can bring a little piece of the Aloha state to us.  The fresh designs from Cedar Road Trading Company, a family business based in Hawaii, compliment any little girls' wardrobe. In a seasonal selection of beautiful fabrics, they're  sure to add a bit of sunshine to your day.

I've been lusting after their darling dresses for some time but this cranberry dress in the "Opal" style won my heart and Elise's too.  This lovely dress was named after the designer's daughter who's smiling face shows off her family's talents on their Instagram page.  

Cedar Road Trading Company was born from the passions and inspirations of a daughter and Mother in-law duo.  Opal's Mom, Terri, was first inspired by the world of handmade baby clothing when Opal was born.  With a ready and willing seamstress in the family, Terri and Irene brought their dreams to reality.  "Mom we could totally make these" is all it took and Cedar Road Trading Company came to life.  

Terri has a discerning eye for timeless patterns and quality fabrics.  She hand selects distinctive materials and designs while her uber-talented seamstress mother-in-law, Irene, brings each piece to life.  A perfectionist at heart, Irene is meticulous with every detail.  Just look at how this dress moves!

But what sets them apart from so many is their dedication to a very special cause which they've so beautifully carried over to their business.  Behind the scenes, they make and donate items of clothing, memory boxes and blankets to maternity wards for stillborn babies.  Terri's first daughter, Adella, was stillborn and by giving back to this very special cause, both Adella and Opal have become a part of the business.  In Terri's own words, "they are the greatest inspiration."

Terri and Irene, you are an inspiration to us all.  Thank you for sharing your story and for adding beauty to our world!

All this red reminds me that Valentines day is closer than we think!  Do not hesitate to secure one of these lovely dresses for your little Valentine.  The heart embroidery is enough to make my own skip a beat! 

Cedar Road Trading Company - Pink Linen Valentines Day Dress

If these walls could talk...

We welcomed November by visiting a special place that is always in bloom.  This was Elise's first time at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and my second which is a bit embarassing given our proximity to this extraordinary Boston landmark.  Upon entering you sense you are in a magical space full of enchantment and mystery.  Oh if these walls could talk!  Would they reveal any clues as to who may have pulled off one of the greatest art thefts of all time?  

Well I can assure you it wasn't us!  We're too busy playing dress-up in this gorgeous dress by Soor Ploom.  The delicate pinwhale corduroy in a subtle rose color is quite possibly the perfect combination for Elise's fair tone in the winter months.  It is easy to wear and the gathered empire waist is perfectly precious for a little girl.  What's more, this dress has pockets to keep her treasures close and hands cozy.

What is an outfit without a pair of Zimmerman Shoes?  If you follow us, you'll know we're huge fans and can't really get enough of these beauties.  The Milo boot in chocolate is a staple and they pair well with most everything we own.  The chocolate nubuck leather is velvety soft.  If you haven't already, do check out their new holiday colors of evergreen, cranberry and gold, oh my!

Guarded by its secrets, this museum prides itself on keeping everything intact just the way Isabella left it.  And in a symbolic move, they have retained empty frames where the stolen artwork used to live.  My favorite piece is without a doubt El Jaleo by John Singer Sargent.  I could come here just to see it and leave satisfied.

The museum is incredibly child friendly and invites young visitors to partake in a scavenger hunt.  Elise was given a map of the museum with thumbnail images of different works she was tasked to find.  I was truly amazed by how excited she was to play and her ability to decipher which painting matched its picture in her book.

And while you can't wander into the museum's lush central atrium, you can sit on the edge and dream which is just what we caught ourselves doing.  

At Play in the Windy City

We're a lucky bunch.  A couple of our favorite people call Chicago their home and we get to pay them a visit from time to time in their glorious city.  Over the years we've visited during the bitter cold of winter and my husband and I even ran a marathon during a late fall heat wave.  You never quite know what you'll get here.   Our most recent trip however coincided with some of the most perfect weather I've ever had.  

Two days before we left for our trip, a highly anticipated delivery came from Zimmerman Shoes.  These handcrafted beauties made their way from Eastern PA to Boston and got right back on the road to join us in Chicago.  They are made from the softest suede that you can imagine in the richest of tones.  And please do not glance over the laces.  Its not a detail I normally notice but these are truly something special.  They tie up like a charm into a neat and tidy bow and remain that way even after a day of walking the city.  

Elise was asked to collect some leaves and nature for a class project at school this week so we got right to work scouring the streets of Chicago for some unique items to bring home.  The colors of her findings made a perfect match to her fall ensemble.  It is the age of twirly skirts and tutu dresses but that all becomes so much more tolerable when we come across gems like this beautiful rust colored piece from Alaskan brand, The Tame Fox.  It is one of those garments that adds depth to a wardrobe without even trying and the construction is beyond amazing!

Every winter season we acquire one pair of tights that seem to work well with almost everything.  The accessory of the season for us has to be these Caramel Baby & Child Pointelle Tights.  I first noticed these lovely tights on a fall campaign for one of our favorite collections.  After some digging I came across the source and ordered a pair straight away.  Caramel Baby & Child is without a doubt one of my favorite stores to visit during our travels.  We've stumbled across them in Tokyo and New York and each location offers lovely treasures for all the littles in your life.  

It is hard to imagine this backyard oasis is in the center of a bustling city!  The vegetation is lush and the decor is inviting.  We always feel right at home in Chicago thanks to wonderful friendships and magical spaces.