Lace-up details are here in a major way. Everything from tees, shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, pants, shoes, bags – you name it, it’s laced. Up. The “cool” crowd leaves the laces verrrry open, so when it comes to tops (and really, in general), I’m verrrry uncool. If you wanna hang with the so-not-cool-moms, like me, then just tighten those lower laces a bit, and you’re good to go.

Speaking of uncool…. My 8-year-old daughter recently had her very first experience with mean girls. (She was made fun of for singing a Frozen song in an evidently very pro-Tay-Swift, almost-tween crowd). It was mild, I know, but to see that shocked, hurt look in her eyes, and how her shoulders sagged when she told me about it, was still a dagger to this mama’s heart. Witnessing childhood innocence being chipped off right before my eyes (Elsa is no longer her very, very favorite movie/character) was hard! BUT. We had the best discussion about how to stand up for yourself, and for others, in a kind, gentle way, and she surprised me with the mature way she concluded our little heart-to-heart sesh. She said, “Nothing like that has ever happened to me in my whole, entire life. But, it happened. And now I know what it feels like. And now I know how to handle it, and can help other girls, too.”

Proud Mama button on my lapel.

Just so you know, no matter how ya decide to lace-up, or not lace at all, you can always sit with us.:)

Dress: F21 (sold out – similar) | Jacket: BlankNYC | Fringe Bag: Mari Lassa | Earrings: Paisley + Sparrow | Geometric Ring: Nashelle | Sunnies: AQS | Midi Boots: BCBGeneration | Lip + Cheek Stick: Albeit x Anthropologie

Always choose to be kind.

xx -Carrie

Stylist + Mama x 4

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