Have a wonderful weekend!

What are your plans for the long holiday weekend? Matthew and I are staying home (for once) and with no visitors! I'm not sure what to do with myself for three days!

I have a little work to do on Saturday morning, as I'm interviewing Kansas City's newest celebrity Shannon Vreeland (Olympic gold medalist - woohoo!) for a local magazine, but then it's going to be all about baby the rest of the time. We have an old dresser of Matthew's grandmoms that we are painting a dark gray and replacing all the knobs. Since our contractor STILL has not made it here to start on the nursery, this will be our first baby project. I'm excited to finally get something done!

Hope you have a nice relaxing (or productive) weekend. If you're off to the lake or anywhere else fun - safe travels! We'll see you back here next week!


- Melina

Choosing Childcare

This has to be one of the toughest decisions. Deciding who will take care of your little one - for one hour, let alone an entire day ...  sometimes five full days a week!

When we had Evie, I went back to work after three months of maternity leave. Fortunately, my husband was home for the summer (yay teacher schedules) and was able to watch her for anther six weeks. Then Melina, who was home from New York City but hadn't started a new job yet, pitched in, becoming a stand-in Mommy for a few weeks. Poor thing was ready to start that job at Barkley!

After six months, we finally had to start Miss Evie in day care. It was traumatic. I never imagined I'd be the that Mom, the one who just. won't. leave. Honestly, I was at least an hour late to work every day. And I actually loved Evie's school! It was amazing. It was me who had the problem.

Evie at six months around the time she started at Berkley

After three months and a shocking discovery that we were expecting yet again (Evie was only seven months at the time!), I managed to start working from home. Once Nora was born, I quit altogether and started freelancing exclusively.

So while I worked many nights and weekends when Mark was home watching the girls, I also decided to send Evie to mother's day out two days a week and hire a nanny for Nora one of those days.

Evie's first day of mother's day out

First day of early preschool

Once Nora turned 18 months old, she started mother's day out too, and now both girls go two days a week from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., leaving Mommy two solid days of working without one of the girls doing my hair, which is what is happening right now if you're wondering ... keeps them occupied for a good 30 minutes!

Nora's first day of mother's day out and Evie's first day of preschool

Over the last four years, Evie has been at three schools and Nora at one, and we've had numerous nannies/babysitters, many of them family or good family friends. For so many of us moms - working or not - finding that perfect child care option, mother's day out or preschool is one of the most stressful decisions. I know I've second guessed myself time and time again, but at the end of the day, I've loved all of my girls' schools, so let me share:

• Evie's first daycare: Berkley Child Development Center at UMKC
• Evie's first mother's day out when we lived in Waldo: Second Presbyterian Early Childhood Learning Center in Brookside
• Evie and Nora's preschool now that we're in Overland Park: Rolling Hills Preschool

Although we've never attended, I've also heard wonderful things about the following schools:

• Jewish Community Center Child Development Center in Overland Park
• Parkwood Day School in Leawood
• Global Montessori on the Plaza (Melina's niece on Matthew's side just started here and loves it so far)

I don't know if this list helps, but I know I appreciated all the suggestions/advice I received on choosing child care ... and as moms, we have to help each other as much as possible. Do you have any schools to add to the list?


- Kara

Afternoon Inspiration

Anyone missing a bracelet? Evie demonstates that less is usually more, even with the current arm candy trend that's inspiring girls (of all ages) to layer and stack to their hearts' content! From left to right (or top to bottom): White and gold "Tory Burch-inspired" statement cuff from Edit, brown leather and bejeweled Banana Republic cuff from years ago, gold bangles from Edit, coral and gold cuff from Teely's.


- Kara

A few of my favorite things: Old Navy

I love Old Navy. I love that it's sometime hit or miss because that means impatient shoppers will often miss some of the greatest finds there, leaving them all for me! I love that they are often very on-trend, and I love (the most) their prices. You can't beat them! This season's additions are no exception. I love the gorgeous camel color hues, polka dots, jewel tone cords and their selection of booties and flats. These are my current favorite things from Old Navy. Enjoy!

Old Navy t shirt dress
oldnavy.gap.com

Old navy
oldnavy.gap.com

Old navy boots
oldnavy.gap.com

Women's Pop-Color Rockstar Cords
oldnavy.gap.com

Women's Faux-Fur Animal-Print Loafers | Old Navy
oldnavy.gap.com

Bowling in Daylight ... Sober

Sometimes it really hits me ... I'm a mom of two ... in the suburbs! Eeek! Reality really struck home a few days ago when we spent our Friday morning bowling.

The last time I was in a bowling alley, I was with a rowdy group of friends, at night, drinking beer. Or maybe it was one of those trendy martini bowling alleys, in which I was probably throwing back a martini. Either way, in my mind, bowling and preschoolers don't go well together.

Turns out I was wrong. We had a great time with some of our favorite friends.

And the girls had a chance to try out their new socks from the crewcuts outlet which I wrote about here.

The best part, though, was watching them try something for the first time ... and having a good laugh behind their backs. Ah, my sweet Nora!

 







- Kara

SEEN: Edit Blouse in Nixa

What an exciting day to see our very first customer donning a blouse from Edit! Erin is a teacher at Espy Elementary where our mom works. Doesn't she look awesome in the blouse? We love that she paired it with black pants and a black cami. Looks totally professional without being stuffy. Thank you Erin for being our very first customer. You look fantastic!

Envious of Erin? You can still get a blouse too! Contact us at editkc@gmail.com.


- Melina

Tuesday Teaser: Statement Cuff

It's our new favorite day of the week - Tuesday Teaser time! We're so excited about our first collection of goodies that we can't help but share them with you before our fall trunk shows begin.

This week is our statement cuff for only $15.00! When we saw these at market, we instantly grabbed up as many as we could. We loved the bright colors, which reminded us of one of our favorites, Kate Spade.

The cuff comes in cobalt, green and orange. Colors are limited, so order yours today by emailing us a editkc@gmail.com. Price includes shipping too!

Nursery Lighting

I haven't given a nursery update in awhile, but we've had an exciting few weeks! We were gifted our crib and mattress by my mother-in-law, along with a dresser that was in Matthew's grandmom's house. We also just got the rocking chair that we had refinished and reupholstered. The chair (pictures to come!) was originally given by my mother to her sister when she was pregnant with her first. It found its way to me in very poor condition, so my mom had it completely restored, and it looks beautiful!

Everything is starting to come together except for the lighting. I can't make up my mind! We're trying to stay under $200. Here's what I'm looking at now.

Honeycomb Chandelier - 169.00

Flower Drum Shade - 259.00

Metal Cloverleaf Lantern - 119.99

Grey Wire Pendant - 129.00

 

 

Thoughts? I like the metal cloverleaf but I'm afraid it might be too small in the room and not give off enough light. I also really like the grey wire pendant. The flower shade has been a favorite of mine for a long time (I would get it in the antiqued brass though), but I don't know if it's worth the money AND if we have a boy does it seem too girly? Thoughts on the honeycomb chandelier from World Market?

Would love suggestions - thanks!


- Melina

Dog Shaming

My husband sent me a link to this site last week, and I thought given our dog issues over the last few weeks (I'll get to that later) that it was more than worthy of a blog post.

The site is called Dog Shaming and it features pictures posted by pet owners of their animals along with a note of what they're guilty of!

Aren't these hilarious?

Now back to my dog issues. Over the last month, Stewart (my 4-year-old lab mix) has begun eating anything left on the coffee table. This includes: usb drives, coupons, work papers, pens, etc. My diagnosis is that he's pissed that I'm now working from home (and have been working exclusively on the coffee table until my wireless got fixed over the weekend - yea), and he's annoyed that I'm not playing with him, so he eats my "work" stuff to prove he's not happy with this new situation.

Matthew's diagnosis: He's not that smart, and I need to stop leaving my shit all over the coffee table.

Either way, this new bad behavior has got to stop, but in the meantime, I'll enjoy reading about everyone else's crazy pets!

Do you have an animal that gets into trouble a lot? What would your pet's sign say?

- Melina

Shopping Comps

Since we posted our first boutique item here, I've been running into similar styles everywhere; I just had to share. Here are several look-alikes for a much higher price. Don't miss out on your chance to get our Must-Have Blouse for much, much less!

Oh-So Similar to Our Must-Have Blouse by karacowie featuring silk tops

Ted Baker sheer top / Kate Spade silk top / Kate Spade silk top / Bellatrix

- Kara

Hi Hat Coffee

I met my friend Jen and her adorable new puppy at Hi Hat Coffee yesterday morning. It's such a beautiful, quaint little coffee shop - a nice retreat from bustling Starbucks or even Latte Land.

Hi Hat Coffee is located on really cute corner of Westwood Hills (50th and State Line) and has quite a bit of outdoor seating, but only two tables inside. Our vanilla lattes were delish and they did have a few assorted pastries too.  Hope you'll step out of your typical morning routine and give this place a try! (oh and if you're a punch card freak like me - they have them!)



- Melina

Hale Cook Elementary

If you read this blog and live in Kansas City, you've more than likely had a conversation or two about the public schools in Kansas City. If you're not familiar, people in Kansas City either do three things. 1.) They move out of Brookside/Waldo to Kansas to attend public school. 2.) Stay put but pay for their kids to attend private or Catholic school or 3.) send their kids to an unaccredited public school anyway.

As a product of public school (in a very good Nixa school district), but also having volunteered at a KC public elementary school, I'm very torn on this issue. I want more than anything for my child to go to a neighborhood public school that we don't have to pay for, but I also really want my child to get a good education and feel safe at school. I don't think it's too much to ask for to have both. And I know I'm not alone in feeling this way.

In fact, a group of very dedicated neighbors and parents are actually doing something about it (and shockingly not moving to Kansas!)

Hale Cook Elementary closed in 2009 as a product of our diminishing school district and now, this group of parents are trying their hardest to reopen the school. I've just learned about their initiative and in the early stages of getting involved, but I couldn't be more excited for this opportunity.

If you live in the Waldo/Brookside neighborhood, I urge you to check out their movement and take their feasibility survey.

The answer to our crumbling school district is not to put your up house for sale or pay a high tuition to get your child a better education. I wholeheartedly believe we must stay put and get involved in our local schools.


- Melina

Nature Baby for J.Crew

A large part of the frustration of not knowing the sex of our baby is the complete lack of shopping I'm able to do before he/she comes. I know this is all in Matthew's plan for us to save money, but I gotta tell you - it's sooo hard not buying sweet newborn stuff. So much to my surprise, I was perusing Jcrew.com and came across these lovelies. I'm a little obssessed with this color combo (it's our nursery colors too!) of aqua and orange. And how sweet are those little booties. I'll take one in each color please!

Nature Baby® for J.Crew cotton one-piece
jcrew.com

Nature Baby® for J.Crew cotton one-piece
jcrew.com

Nature Baby® for J.Crew booties
jcrew.com

Nature Baby® for J.Crew booties
jcrew.com

Nature Baby® for J.Crew knotted beanie
jcrew.com

Nature Baby® for J.Crew knotted beanie
jcrew.com

 

Favorite Time of Year

As a kid, teenager, college student and now mom of preschoolers, I've always loved heading back to school. Yes, I'm a bit nerdy and love buying new school supplies (now I just head to Paper Source for grown-up supplies), and of course, there's the excitement of shopping for that first day of school outfit. Sorry Mom, I'm sure I made way too big of a deal of out of this then ... and still do.

That's why I was so excited when we managed a quick stop by a J. Crew Outlet outside of Dallas last weekend, where Mom was sweet enough to indulge my obession (yes, let's call it what it is) for adorable first day of school outfits. Not for me, of course, but for my girls, who start preschool and pre-k in just two weeks.

Not everything is pictured on the J. Crew Outlet website, but here are a few of the items we picked up for the girls.

Polka-dot cardigan in cobalt blue

Chambray ruffle skirt

Patterned socks

Won't they look cute?


- Kara