I get a fair amount of questions about the girls’ clothing. Not so much my own. My mother said my thirties would be about me learning to understand what fits my body best. Almost three years into this decade, and I’m pretty sure I’m still wearing things that look best on the mannequin. Just yesterday my mom told me I need to look for bridesmaid’s dresses with an ’empire waist’, since I’m short and shorter waisted. I’m pretty sure that is basically the cut of most maternity dresses, so I’m not sure how I feel about that yet.

Anyways, maybe some time in the next seven years I’ll write an essay about how, lo and behold, I finally figured out how to dress myself, but until then, I will share more about how I dress my daughters because, let’s be honest, that’s way more fun. ■

Each of these brands has many of the qualities I always try to find in businesses these days: family run or woman owned, high-quality, eco-minded, simple, beautiful, unique. There are probably some that I am forgetting, but these are the places I visit most online. If you know of or own any others, please share.

If I’m not overzealously trying to accomplish everything on an ambitious to-do list during nap time, I am most likely sitting on the coach eating chocolate and shopping online.■

Shop ARQ-makes beautiful and durable clothes for adventurous kids. ARQ is influenced by the Pacific Northwest’s landscape, culture, and spirit. Their line includes modern, updated classic styles that are rooted in nostalgia.

Producing high-quality, detailed garments in the USA is not always easy but they are grateful to have found suppliers who not only care about quality, but also care about ethical labor standards and cleaner manufacturing processes. They seek out sustainable fabrics, environmentally friendly dying processes for our custom dyed styles, and their clothes are designed to be versatile and durable. Fewer, better things for our children will help them to foster thoughtful habits toward a richer, more deliberate lifestyle.

Over the Ocean-highlights the best of European design with a handpicked selection of children’s clothing, toys, and home goods. The style is simple and casual with some European formality. is inspired by creative mothers living in different European metropolises and reflecting the authentic style of those cities. Over The Ocean is founded and run by Brigit, with the support from her husband Raul and daughter Milla.

Mabo Kids -With all of our garments designed and manufactured in the USA in small volume, mabo clothier specializes in fine children’s clothing designed for little ones’ comfort and simple style. With quality, natural fabrics – cotton and linen for summer and cozy wools for winter, our clothing is characterized by classic, clean designs with contemporary and playful details.

Minnow Swim– Made and designed in California, minnow is a contemporary children’s swimwear label that embraces clean lines, simple details and crisp seaside breezes. Timeless yet modern, playful and polished, minnow lives for long days, sandy toes and the wonderment of childhood on the Pacific shore.

L’Ovedbaby– beautiful organic basics in a variety of beautiful nature-inspired colors, made by a mom. Also available on Amazon!

+ For bows and hair accessories- Everly Rae, run by my amazing friend Kari, Wunderkin Co. and Ever Iris Designs.

p.s. you may feel like some of these brands are on the expensive end, but one thing I have embraced in my thirties is quality over quantity. Each of my girls has one dresser drawer that I regularly maintain and stock only with things we really love and use over and over again. I’m not only guilty of wearing the same thing multiple days in a week, but so are my kids and I’m ok with that because we really love these clothes.

p.p.s. if you want to read an interview I did over at Minnow, you can find it here.