Okay…so I got an email from Gap announcing their Kids and Baby Sale starting today through September 9th. I wanted to share a couple of the things I picked for Ella because they are just. too. cute.

I got that cute Floral Tie Belt Dress in French Vanilla (above), the Denim Jacket (above) and the Fox and Balloons shirt (below).

I think the Oatmeal Tights OR the Corduroy Leggings will go great under the Floral Tie Dress when it cools off here in Florida. (IF it cools off here in Florida).

And Ella is going to FREAK when she sees the Fox and Balloons shirt. She is seriously all about foxes ever since spotting one on a trip to Illinois almost 2 years ago AND from a fox we see quite often in our neighborhood.

We spotted this shirt previously when we were school shopping together online (yes, I do that with Ella), but there was some sort of glitch in the system that wouldn't allow us to add it to our cart. *frown* I even called Customer Service and tried to order it directly through them but the gal helping me couldn't even see the shirt from her end of things. Weird.

Anyway - we were both bummed we couldn't get it for her before school so now I'm SO excited to surprise her with it!

I also wanted to show you the adorable "Ghost Cat" shirt - that's what I call it anyway. Halloween is coming up quick you guys! Don't let it sneak up on you!!

And I'm going to show Ella the Pink Fox Shirt to see if she likes it. She may not be into the long sleeves just yet but I have a feeling she'll love it.

The Willow Pink Gap baseball cap should be perfect for her - we've been on the search for a hat that will actually fit Ella's head - all of them have been too big so far. She looks SO cute in them.

The Knot Bow Headband should totally be something Ella loves because she's completely all about headbands right now. I'm not sure if it's because she really likes headbands or if it's just that she prefers a quick headband as opposed to me torturing her with the brush when trying to put her hair up in a ponytail. *wink*

Anyway - thought I'd share my finds with you…
The sale apparently end on September 9th - maybe you'll find some things for your littles too.

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The Fox and Balloons shirt was not on sale…but I just HAD to have it.
I didn't want to run the risk of not being able to order it again.

ELLA STYLE | Summer Fun on the Play Set

This happy girl LOVES being outside on her swing set.
We've spent some extra hours out there this Summer and on this particular day...
she really wanted some of her friends out there to swing with her...

Turn up the sound button and PUSH PLAY! 
Watch the 15 second Instagram Video I created...
(I love that you can hear the birds chirping in the background).

1. Giggling over the fact that "Cinderella" just wouldn't sit still in her swing.

2. Oops! "Brownie" and her pink pony fell out of their swing too.

3. Growing up too fast - she doesn't use her hands anymore for walking up or down the slide.

4. Build-A-Bears - "Brownie" actually belongs to Clara but since Clara has outgrown Brownie she's allowed Ella to temporarily care for her. "Cinderella" was a gift from Grandpa and Grandma on Ella's trip to Illinois with her dad.

5. Being a bit shy for some reason with me taking photos! (she's usually asking/telling me to take pictures of her) Ha!!

6. Ella can stand up and swing now too - with much caution at this point.

7. Getting ready to jump in her swing after carefully positioning and re-positioning her friends on their own swings.

8. Cute video showcasing Ella's super sweet personality! I love how this turned out.

Ella Style:

Ella is wearing +GapKids White Bermuda Shorts, Glitter Graphic Ice Cream T-Shirt and her hair is styled in a side-braided pony tail - tied off with a snippet of red gingham ribbon. (Such a small, simple detail I've always loved using on my girls).

I really encourage you to capture the simple things that make up your every day...

Your favorite coffee mug...

the outside activities you do with your family...

your children's favorite play things...

or even the shoes you are constantly tripping over.

I promise... you will miss seeing those shoes left out one day. *wink*

KEEPiNG iT REAL

I typically go out in the mornings or after dinner with Ella...

this Florida heat is just too much in the middle of the day.

Ella's side-braided pony tail started coming out in the middle of playing.

I ended up re-doing it as a standard pony tail. (see photo 2)

Which by the way, Photo 2 is my favorite photo!

I think because it encapsulates everything we had going on that morning.

Ella's red cheeks, re-done hair, friends in the grass more often than in the swing

and her stuffed animals in her arms reminds me of how important they are to her - 

and how sweetly she cares for them and integrates them into her every day life.

She's such the sweetest!! 

PROMiSE ME | My visit to Le Macaron

The French Macaron…

A small, delicate, chewy-with-a-tiny-crunch "cookie"

containing a sweet center of fruit filling or chocolate ganache.

There has been speculation over the past few years that this tasty little (gluten-free) treat...

will be replacing the beloved cupcake in the competition for the most popular go-to dessert.

I'm not sure if it will actually "replace" the cupcake...(click the "Keep Reading" button below)