Obsessing: Lunch Boxes

I know I'm not the only one who's noticed the overwhelming array of fabulous, reusable lunch containers and boxes. I have spent the better part of the summer studying these options, and I am still trying to decide. Since I did all that research, I thought I'd pass it along. But, if you're anything like me and my sister, be warned. Trying to pick the cutest possible lunch containers for your little ones can be highly addictive. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Personalized Retro Metal Lunch Boxes: Irrestable, even though they rust. I bought the "Girls Dreams" one from Frecklebox for Lola. link and link

Goodbyn Lunchboxes: These clever plastic boxes contain five compartments for easy, waste-free lunch packing, and the stickers allow your kids to customize them! http://www.dailycandy.com/kids/everywhere/article/71458/Pack+Rat

Bento Boxes and Tiffins: Sigh. These have, tragically, become a true obsession. They are just so darned cute. But I wanted a lunch box as well, rather than the sac that comes with them, so I bought a bento from a Japanese Ebay store and am hoping that it fits in Lola's lunch box. Neither have arrived yet, so I will let you know! Once I start googling them, I can't stop...
link and link

Kids Konserve: A whole system of waste-free lunch accessories, including insulated sacks, sandwich wrappers, stainless food containers and water bottles, all in fun coordinating prints. link

Laptop Lunches: An American take on Bentos. More practical, maybe, but not nearly as cute. Still, these are a great option if cute little Japanese characters aren't your thing! link

Pottery Barn Kids: Pottery Barn always seems to strike a fabulous balance between looks and practicality, and their McKenzie Lunch Bags and food storage containers are a great example of this. Too cute! link

Obsessing: Toddler Shoes

Since I discovered that closed-toe shoes are recommended for the playground at Lola's preschool, a whole new window of shopping opportunity opened up for me. Never mind that she already had several pairs of closed toe shoes. Surely she could use more! Now, her she has an embarassingly large and diverse array of schools for back to school, in her current size 8.5 and a slightly larger size 9. Here are the standouts in her shoe closet.

Oilily Flower Bed Mary Jane: These gold maryjanes bedecked with pastel flowers are my favorite toddler shoes of all time. So far. Lola has been wearing the size 24, which is the biggest size they make in this style, or I'd by every single future size for her to grow into. Cute, super versatile and very comfy too. link

See Kai Run "Celeste" Maryjanes: A trio of pastel colors and a comfortable, classic design make these a great springtime pick. link

Stride Rite Cassandra T-Straps: I bought these last October, after a fitting revealed that Lola had jumped up a size and a half, and they're still going strong. The brown and pink color combo goes with a surprisingly large number of her outfits. link

Primigi Andes Mary Jane in Silver: Love the classic Primigi styling, the metallic silver and the tiny flowers. And Primigi's mary janes are so comfortable! link

Garvalin Boots: I couldn't resist these little boots in pink, even though we live in sunny Florida! link

Primigi Siusy Mary Jane: Love these shiny gold shoes adorned with lime flowers! link

Simonetta Mary Janes: Red and pink! In the same shoe! Too cute, and they go with Lola's Baby Lulu Winter Wonder Christmas dress! link

Me Too Metallic Pink Mary Jane: Love the elegant black velvet trim on these metallic pink shoes, and the price made them irresistable! link

Gymboree Navy Mary Janes: Simple mary janes, with pierced cutouts, that are similar to these. (Lola's style is no longer available). These look very back to school to me! link

Kid Express Harley Mary Jane: I love these classic black patent leather mary janes, and the little sparkles in the flowers add a dressy touch! link

Obsessing: Kico Kids

Since there is always something that I am obsessing over, I decided to start sharing my latest finds and fixations right here with you on this blog. Right now, I'm all about back to school, since my three year old starts preschool in five days. I've spent all summer scouring online boutiques for everything from clothes to shoes to lunchboxes, and you'll find the fruits of my labor posted here over the next few days.

Recently, I discovered a line of clothing called Kico Kids, by designer Tia Cibani, and now I can't get enough. Unfortunately, some of my must-have items are on sale and no longer available, so I will be scouring Ebay for them. Others are just making it into stores now, which means my wish list gets longer every second. I've already bought a few items, but since I've sworn off buying clothes in a 3T size (Lola hs more than 120 outfits in this size range right now!), I am only shopping for 4T and up. Anyway, here's what I'm checking out from this hip yet classic line.

1. Jacquard Dot Dress in Silver, $198, Barneys New York: So chic, but maybe a little too old for Lola? I can see this on my six-year-old niece, Isabella. link

2. Ruffle top (in cream or grape), $30, and ribbed skirt, about $50, bebebabble.com: Again, so chic and so classic. She won't cringe when she sees a picture of herself in this outfit in ten years. link

3. Kico Kids Cascade Cardigan, $67.50, olliebollen.com: A goldenrod cardigan with tulle trim? Puh-leeze. If only it came in my size...
link

4. Cotton knit butterfly sleeve shell, $42, Kicokids.com: Love the preppy red and white stripes, and the girly sleeves. link

5. Bow front mock bandeau top, $54, Kicokids.com: This is what I would design if I had the talent. link

6. Ruffle knit dress, $70, La Di Da: Gulp. I. Must. Have. This. Dress. It is sold out everywhere, but I will scour the net until I find it! link

P.S. After posting this, I was surfing and noticed that Lola already owns something by Kico Kids, and I didn't know it. It's this lovely blue and green crochet dress that she has... It's a size 2, but it's just starting to fit properly, so the line runs a little big. link