I have found myself gravitating towards black and white stripes for myself this spring. Am I the willing victim of solid fashion marketing? Maybe. Oh, well…as long as it’s cute, I guess I’ll take what the stores are subliminally spoon-feeding me!

And I’m loving the black and white striped options for little girls too! Though not classic “little girl” – no pastels, no flowers, no frills – there is something terribly sweet about a girl in stripes. Even black and white ones. Sweet and kinda punk rock at the same time. My kinda girl…

Black & White Stripes for Spring

Although it seems a bit contrary, a bit punk rock, black and white on a little girl can be quite sweet.

Girls’ Tees by Gap
Girls’ Sweaters by Pumpkin Patch

disclosure: I am a compensated ShopStyle affiliate.

I‘m in love with ruffles. Take a look at the ruffles on these little girls’ clothes by Chase ‘n Sky. They’re beautiful and feminine but not prissy. I just adore them.



The pieces aren’t cheap but they’re definitely not exorbitantly priced either. The pants are $38, the sweater is $58 and the blouse is $60. These are all from Chase ‘n Sky’s fall line and are available for pre-order at juice.

I gravitate to old-fashioned, classic kids’ clothing and shoes. Don’t get me wrong – I love modern, fun and funky as much as the next person. But it’s this kind of stuff that tugs at my heartstrings (and, well, my ovaries. Don’t tell my husband. He’ll have a freakin’ coronary. Four kids is enough for us.)

Flora and Henri does “classic” well. Not cheaply for sure, but well. There is a summer sale going on now though. So check these out (and try not to drool – I LOVE the ruffle sleeve top and skirt with the hot pink mary janes!):

My six-year-old daughter is just now reaching the age where she wants “trendy” clothes. I usually resist – throwing her the occasional bone by purchasing a graphic T at Target. I just don’t want her to grow up too fast. And I don’t want to waste money on clothes that will be “out” by Christmas.

Target is usually a good spot to find reasonably priced, trendier clothes for little girls. Old Navy is also inexpensive and not too grown-up in style for the most part.

I used to disdain Limited Too because I thought they offered clothing to little girls that was just too old-looking. Limited Too is no more – having been rolled into the Justice brand. And, for the most part, I think Justice does a good job at offering reasonably priced “trendy” without being trampy (let’s call a spade a spade).

I like these bathing suits offered at Justice.com (bathing suits are usually a good bellwether for the trashiness of kids’ clothing, I think).

All available at Justice.com, $29.50 to $36.50

BUT WAIT! Everything at Justice is 40% off from June 12, 2009 through June 22, 2009! FORTY PERCENT OFF PEOPLE! What are you waiting for?!

I – very stupidly – got my first sunburn of the season this weekend. Sitting out at my son’s soccer game. My kids, of course, were slathered in sunscreen – by me – and were well-protected from the sun’s harmful rays. Amazing, isn’t it, how moms watch out for their kids’ health and safety and forget about their own? I know I’m not the only one…

In addition to sunscreen, you can buy anti-UV clothing for your kids. The clothes are specially treated to enhance their Ultraviolet Protection Factor. The clothing manufacture Petit Patapon has a really cute line that rates a 40 UPF – reducing the amount of the sun’s rays which reach your child’s skin by 40 times. These clothes block 97.5% of those bad-for-you UVA/UVB rays.

Petit Patapon has anti-UV t-shirts for babies, girls and boys. And they’re cute too!

And we have a special discount to offer to Sassy & George readers! Use promo code SASSY20 at the Petit Patapon checkout for a 20% discount through May 31, 2009! (and that’s a discount on any and all of Petit Patapon’s darling clothes – not just the anti-UV shirts)

I was looking at DesignMom’s lovely family portraits taken in Central Park (over on her blog, not in person because I don’t know DesignMom in real life).  And one of her daughters had on the most delicious little jacket by ismodern.

Here it is:

The Honeycomb Studio Jacket by ismodern (on sale right now if your daughter is a size 4 or 6).

Oh, and ismodern? I’ll be back. Probably for this. Echino Shell Jacket.

And this. Color Block Knit Dress.

It does take something special, something new, something unique to make me “SQUEEEE!” Okay, maybe that doesn’t ring true when I do that all the time here.

But, people? I look at hundreds and hundreds of dresses, crib sets, rocking chairs, shoes, hair bows and the like. Only the ones that make me smile or coo or laugh make it here. And Aunt Bucky? She makes me smile.

If their website is to be believed (and I certainly have no reason to disbelieve), Aunt Bucky is actually a partnership between two sisters. And they make wonderfully vibrant and fun crib bedding, pillows and dresses. The fabrics are bright and retro and modern (is that an oxymoron?) and interesting and smile-inducing.

Check it:

All available at Aunt Bucky’s online shop. Have fun!

I‘m a sucker for pinafores and Mary Janes. That has been established – here and here and here. Further evidence of my obsession was found today. I have one daughter and three sons. My obsession, of course, is wasted on my boys – who don’t care to be dressed in pinafores or Mary Janes.

Here are some beautiful classic pinafore dresses by The Trendy Tot at etsy:

Smaller dresses are $40. Big girl sizes are $50.

Tea Collection’s spring line is inspired by South America – Brazil, in particular. The fruits of this inspiration are delicious!

I adore this dress – it is so simple and bright and modern. But still perfect for a little girl who is not trying too hard to be a big girl yet.

And this polo is a sophisticated and fun retro print – but cheeky enough for a spunky little boy.

The dress is $75. And the shirt is $35. Both at Tea Collection Children's Clothing.

Lucky Kid- the Official Site of Lucky Brand Jeans for Kids. is having a great sale now through April 5, 2009. 30% off!

Lucky Brand Friends & Family receive 30% off LuckyBrandJeans.com purchases 3-26 to 4-5. Enter Offer Code: 9MARFAFF

I found these darling Indian print and Indian-inspired tunics for little girls at Lucky Kid. So perfect for spring!

Orange Print Dress, $59

Pink Tunic Dress, $69

Black Tunic, $69

Indian Print Top, $49