fancy pants

It's another week and another excuse to get out of my daggy clothes, do my hair and put on make up. It's doesn't happen much, but this week I almost feel like I deserve to get a little fancy pants. After all the painting, renovating and cleaning we've been doing, it's nice to dress up.

So, if you want to join in, I'd love you to. If your camera shy, just snap your kids, your husband or your best friend (or all three). Just become a lovely follower of A Day of The Life of Us and click on the below linky.

See you in your fancy pants!

Grab my button:




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And my American inspiration is:

Madison wears: SHIRT & VEST, Pumpkin Patch. JEANS, Pumpkin Patch. SHOES, Walnut Melbourne. Noah wears: SHIRT, Seed. CORD PANTS Pumpkin Patch. SHOES, AirWalk. Mummy wears: SINGLET, Giordano. DENIM SHIRT, Cotton On. CUFFED PANTS, Morocco. WEDGES, Witchery. SHELL NECKLACE, Adelaide Flea Market.

Fancy Pants is the way I record my boys and their cute little outfits.
Goodness knows, they'll grow out of these clothes before they're worn out!

FANCY PANTS [GEARING UP FOR XMAS]

My professional photographer (AKA hubby) is on a work trip this weekend, so I decided to be resourceful and pull out the ironing board.

To iron? Hell no.

As it so happens, it makes the best tripod. (I'm hoping my neighbours don't ask what I'm doing with the ironing board on the front verandah). And yes, I have to hold my boys' hands. Three seconds is a long time not to run around. Didn't they do great?)

We spent most of the day at Russ and Daniella's place - today their boys were dedicated (kind of like a christening, without the water). It was such a beautiful morning with gorgeous friends, and lots of yummy food. The boys all played together, and by the time we got home we goofed around putting baubles on the Christmas tree, and then taking them off, then putting them on... the boys had so much fun. Also, I was inspired to update my blog header with a Christmas theme as I love Christmas that much.

Watch this space!

And remember to join in with your Fancy Pants with or without kids. The linky is open all week.

 

Grab my button:

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And my American inspiration is:

Madison wears: SHIRT, from Fiji (gift - thanks Dad & Ria!). CARGO PANTS, Milkshake. Noah wears: SHIRT, Peter Rabbit (pre-loved by Jacob). SHORTS, Sprout (pre-loved by Jacob). CHRISTMAS HATS, The $2 Shop. Mummy wears: TOP, Witchery. PANTS, Portmans. WEDGES, Witchery. EARRINGS, Target (on sale $5!). BANGLE, Op Shop. SCARF, for twentyone.

Fancy Pants is the way I record my boys and their cute little outfits.
Goodness knows, they'll grow out of these clothes before they're worn out!

 

fancy pants

,

If the key to great photographs is to persist asking your husband to take a photo every time you're dressed up, making clear all your expectations (flattering photo, include feet, take lots of pictures, be happy about it), then after a while he will get the hang of it.

And be happy about it.

Don't you think he did a much better job this week? Yay for the hubby! I sure am getting use to him being home so much. (Oh, and don't worry, the toddler didn't run out on the road during the photo shoot...) 

And now it's your turn. After doing Fancy Pants for a few weeks now, I've decided that the more who join in, the more fun it will be! All you have to do is grab a picture of you, your offspring, hubby, whoever, all dressed up looking all fancy pants, and attach to the below Linky. You know how I love a bit of interaction (okay, and I'm a little nosy too), and now is your chance. If you don't have kids, I still want to see what you wore... no getting out of this!

Now, I'd love to say that this Linky idea is totally original, but it's not. I've been inspired by Grateful Saturdays @ Maxabella Loves..., Weekend Rewind @ Life In A Pink Fibro, Steppin' Out Saturdays @ Harper's Happenings and What I/We Wore @ Bleubird Vintage (Oh, and can I tell you that I get a little bit excited when I visit each of these beautiful blogs? I highly recommend you visit each and every one!)

There are so many fabulous Linky ideas out there, and this is my contribution for this side of the hemisphere. The Linky will be open all week, and when this one closes, another one will open. I sure hope you contribute too!

 

Grab my button:




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And as I mentioned earlier, I'm inspired by:

Madison wears: SHIRT, Levi's copy (gift - thanks Dad & Ria!). SINGLET, Bonds. SKINNY JEANS, Pumpkin Patch. SHOES, Big W. Mummy wears: BATWING TOP, Witchery (by the way, best top to breastfeed in - through the sleeve!). SINGLET, Giordano. SKINNY JEANS, Jeans West. PLATFORM WEDGES, Nine West. EARRINGS, Target (on sale $3!). 

Fancy Pants is the way I record my boys and their cute little outfits . Goodness knows, they'll grow out of these clothes before they're worn out!

FANCY PANTS [MY HUSBAND THE PHOTOGRAPHER]

 

Yes, I'm in the photo. It's a little miracle called My Husband's Home, which makes it easier for me to be in the picture rather than taking it. Usually my little men are the stars over here in our little blog world - but hey - I thought on the off chance that hubby might be willing (because he's more than able), he might like to take a snap.

Now, I don't want to seem ungrateful or anything, but could he have bothered hopping down off the verandah steps so I didn't look so short? Could he have bothered to zoom in a little? Could he have found a more flattering angle? (According to him, the unflattering angle is my fault, and my bad posture.)

I know, I know. I'm such a backseat driver, and I don't even consider myself a photographer. No wonder why he doesn't like to take photos when I ask him.

So, where was I? Oh, that's right. Thanks a million Babe!

Grab my button:

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I play:

Mummy wears: JACKET, for twentyone. JEANS, Jeans West. PLATFORM HEELS, Zu. 

Noah wears: LONG-SLEEVED TSHIRT, Cotton On Kids. DENIM SHIRT, Seed. CORDS, Pumpkin Patch. SHOES, AirFlex. We drink: DrinkUp Spring Water (well, it's in the picture, isn't it?).

Fancy Pants is the way I record my boys and their cute little outfits . Goodness knows, they'll grow out of these clothes before they're worn out!

fancy pants

 

And yes, if you were wondering... he does have a mouth full of food. New thing: we keep it in our mouth for a very long time. And if I ask him if he has finished eating, he delightfully shares with me all those yummy (uneaten) contents. Delightful.

The photographs were taken at Grandma's place on Saturday. It was my Father in law's birthday and the kids just loved running around in their big (and beautifully lawned) backyard. Of course, the eldest (below) spent so much time running around I didn't get a good picture, so had to wait until we got home and by that time he was OVER IT. And it was getting dark, hence the reason why I've put a vintage action on the photographs.

Noah wears: TSHIRT, Kids World (pre-loved by Jacob & Owen). SHIRT, Pumpkin Patch (pre-loved by Lucas). CARGO SHORTS, Cotton On Kids (pre-loved by Madison, gift from big sister Kelly). Madison wears: SHIRT, Jack & Milly. TSHIRT, WitcheryKids. CARGO SHORTS, WitcheryKids.

 

 

I play:

Fancy Pants is the way I record my boys and their cute little outfits . Goodness knows, they'll grow out of these clothes before they're worn out!

FANCY PANTS: ATTITUDE MUCH.

Madison is showing just a little bit of attitude today. He usually is happy for me to snap away (let's face it, the boys are so used to me having a camera permanently attached to my hand), but today he was a bit grumpy about it. "Mummy, I'm hungry!" he said.

"Okay then, let's take some quick photos and then we can have lunch," I replied.

He looks less than thrilled in the photos, but at least he stood still. (Which is more than I can say for the other child.)

And Noah's shirt - how I LOVE this shirt. It was a gift from my Dad and step mum who bought it when they were holidaying in Thailand. It so cute, so country, and it never needs ironing. Gotta love a shirt that makes me work less (and makes him look like he's about to jump on a horse).

Not to mention how good he looks in this colour.

Madison wears: SINGLET, Bonds. SHIRT, Cotton On Kids (on sale now!). SKINNY JEANS, Milkshake (gift - thanks Mum!). SHOES, Walnut Melbourne. Noah wears: LONG-SLEEVED ONESIE, Carter's (on loan from Jen). SHIRT, Levi's copy (gift - thanks Dad & Ria!). JEANS, Pumpkin Patch. SHOES, AirFlex (pre-loved by Madison).

Grab my button:




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I'm inspired by:

Fancy Pants is the way I record my boys and their cute little outfits . Goodness knows, they'll grow out of these clothes before they're worn out!

hand-me-downs are cool. i know this to be true.

One thing I've noticed since looking closely at my boys' wardrobe during this month's Toddler Fashion theme, is that there are so many things that are pre-loved, handed down or on loan.

The cycle of love has gone round full circle.

You know how it goes: you have a baby. You are overwhelmed with gifts from family and friends - so much clothing that your little one won't ever be able to wear it all. The clothes are still brand new when your baby outgrows them or the seasons don't quite match. It's too much to keep. And so you pass it on to a friend who's due to have a baby soon. Sometimes it's a gift. Sometimes it's a loan (if you plan on having more children). Sometimes, it's both.

Not only have I given. I have also (or more exact, my children) have received.

Some of my firstborn's outfits have passed by three or four children before seeing my second boy's back. And that's value for money!

In fact, the reputation of pre-loved clothing is better than I remember it to be. It's trendy to go op-shopping, pre-loved clothing saves you a heap of dough, your wardrobe is full of lovely options, it opens your mind to possibilities you wouldn't normally dress your child in, and it's brand new - to you.

My son Madison can't wait to put on a shirt that was Ethan's or Joshua's, simply because he thinks that person is so cool. And the giver also gets a little buzz seeing his shirt on a smaller friend. Same goes for Madison's clothes on his little brother. "Oh Mummy, I use to wear that when I was a baby!" It's true, he did.

Thank you friends and family who have given the boys clothes or passed onto them something gorgeous that's on loan. I'm forever grateful.

And those gifts? They're being used (and used) too.

Noah wears: TSHIRT, VEST & SHORTS, Sprout (pre-loved by Madison, gift from Mum - thanks Mum!). SHOES, Birkenstock Australia (on sale, and pre-loved by Madison). Madison wears: TSHIRT, HOODIE VEST & SHORTS, Target (gift from brother Stephen & sister-in-law Lee - thanks guys!).

I promise they will also be passed onto someone else.

toddlers are fashion aware. i dare you to lay money on it.

Today Madison pulled out from his bedroom cupboard his Shrinking Cap inspired by the ABCKids show Grandpa In My Pocket. When hubby was making his debut European trip earlier this year, we hunted around for a warm coat. In one shop were these caps. Madison pleaded to have one, because it was "just like Grandpa's in Grandpa in my pocket," he said.

This same child at the age of two wanted a bike helmet long before he rode a two-wheeler, because Elmo from Sesame Street had one. Good marketing? A few weeks after the bike helmet lust he had (yes, it starts young), he was asking for sunglasses (just like Daddy).

I think it may be fair to say that from a very early stage we covet.

And although I monitor everything this boy reads and watches on television, he is already hooked by those clever marketing people. And even though I've been focusing on toddler fashion this month, there's a big part of me that feels funny about it. I mean, while I think that my boys looks handsome and smart, I don't want them to think it's more important than being a good person. How do we find a healthy balance?

Before I was a mother, we did a bunch of international travel. And one day while perusing the airport book shop, I came across a book called Branded: the buying and selling of teenagers. And even though I have studied the process of marketing, reading this book scared the hell out of me. There are some very manipulative people out there who are selling directly to my child right this minute. And they have been since he was born.

And it doesn't help that from a very young age, they are feeding his natural appetite for it.

Noah, who is just 1 year old puts on my sunglasses and grabs Madison's baseball cap and puts it on sideways. How observant. He is his big brother's shadow and seems aware so much earlier.

But is that a good thing?

Madison wears: LONG-SLEEVED TSHIRT, Cotton On Kids (sale). HOODIE VEST, Target (thanks Mum!). DENIM JACKET, Cotton On Kids. JEANS, Pumpkin Patch. SHOES, OshKosh. CAP, Picadilly Circus.

more about matching outfits

 

I know, I know. This is probably as cheesy as putting my boys in the same outfits.

But my boy just loved it when I bought the same shoes as his Daddy. Daddy didn't really mind either. This was a little while back, but I just love this photo of Daddy and Maddy.

And their matching shoes.

Daddy and Madison both wear: Converse sneakers.

clothes maketh the man

 

  

Lately I've been looking at Noah and wondering where my baby went. When did he get to be so big?

It doesn't help that the minute any baby grows out of size 0 clothes, that there aren't any baby clothes to choose from. When this 17 month old is in his jeans, shoes and hoodies, it makes him look like a little lad. How I long for those cute little baby clothes to make my little boy look like a baby once more.

But the other day it was warm enough for just a nappy. Oh, and my baby become a baby all over again.

these boots are made for walkin'

 

 

We've just come home after three more days of renovating up country, and I've just dumped my bags at the door, jumped on the computer to download and share these pictures.

There's clothing for every occasion, and gumboots fit pretty much most of them.

Muddy terrain? Gumboots. Farming? Gumboots. A spot of gardening? Gumboots. Going fishing? Gumboots. Renovating? Yep, you guessed it.

Those lovely rubber boots.

In fact, they're so versatile, that when we're not going anywhere, the boys have them on.

And they always look adorable.

Now, where was I? Oh, that's right... unpacking. Better get back to it!

Both Madison and Noah wear: GUMBOOTS, Cotton On Kids.