Style by Chilo

There’s a bunch of sales taking place this weekend both online and in stores. Some for us big girls, some for the little girls.

My favs are below:

Baby crazy sales

• Order $30 of goodies and get Free shipping this weekend from zuilily.
• Additional 20 percent off at Payless. In stores or Online (code: 72374). Ends sun.
• Spend $50, save 10% on swimwear (plus other deals on shoes and bikes) at Target.
• 30% off baby gear (strollers, feeding items, diaper bags) at BabiesRUs.

It’s all about me deals

• 40 percent off plus free shipping at Bluefly. My closet thx u. My pocketbook … Thx u too.
• Take an additional 30 percent off at The Loft now thru 5/29. I expect a new sale 4 Memorial Day.
• Bogo at Maurices. Buy 1 get 1 50 percent off.
• Free shipping from Charming Charlies. If u don’t have 1 nearby the website is great. Use code grad12. Ends sun.!

This is just a taste of the deals to come Memorial Day weekend. Can’t wait for the big sales!

Another Saturday meant it was time to surround myself with a few of my favorite things. With a 20 percent off coupon in hand I headed to my favorite shoe store to engage in some serious retail therapy.

Spring was in full bloom at Off Broadway Shoes. The winter boots were delegated to the back of the store to make room for pretty peep toe pumps, exhilarating espadrilles, sparkly sandals and funky flats.

But there were a few heavenly heels that stood out from the rest. Whether it was a Goddess bootie that transcended time and style, an 80s flashback pump that made me consider actually crimping my hair and donning some tie dyed holey jeans, or a glamorous red carpet worthy heel, this season’s shoes can be described in one word: Spectacular.

My favorite shoes from the weekend:

1. Michael Goddess, list price: $150, sale price: $69.90; offbroadwayshoes.com

2.  Euro Soft Galina Ivory, list price: $60, sale price: $45.90; offbroadwayshoes.com

3.  Michael Calypso Yellow, list price: $120, sale price: $69.90; offbroadwayshoes.com

4. M.P.S. Nefertari Black, list price: $89, sale price: $49.90; offbroadwayshoes.com

I’m headed over to Pinterest to share some shoe love! What are your favorites?

Don’t put away all of your daughter’s winter gear just yet. There are a few pieces that can still be worn now (and maybe a little later). Pieces like…

Chilo's classy look is ready for play and style.

…this adorable faux fur vest from Koala Kids. The dark fur’s sheen gives the vest a glamorous look as does the satin belt tied in a bow at the waist. Layer it with a long-sleeved top, jeans and mid-calf boots and you’ll create an adorable classic look that’s both easy to wear and chic.

Here’s Chilo rocking the faux fur toddler vest.

About that vest
Koala Kids My Favorite things faux fur vest, $11 (50% off on sale); toysrus.com

Baby talk
What’s that one winter piece you’re not ready to put away yet?

Chilo’s smile is one of her best accessories

There are all kinds of smiles. There’s smizing (smiling with your eyes), grinning, laughing, and blushing. There’s goofy smiles, fake smiles, and some that feature a hint of trouble.

There are smiles reserved for family and friends. There are smiles only seen when Elmo begins. No matter the kind, no matter the reason, when Chilo smiles she lights up any occasion.

These are my favorite Chilo smile pics, from a newborn to a baby to one super fab chick.

To learn more about any of the looks featured in this collection (including cost and brand), click on a picture, and then click the View in Flickr link.

Baby talk
Share some of your little girl’s best say cheese moments.

You are cordially invited to check out Style by Chilo, a fashion baby blog that celebrates all the things most fabulous about your little girl.

Searching for the best deals on clothes and accessories for your ever-growing princess? Wondering where you can find unique, educational toys at a reasonable price? Looking for tips and tricks to turn your little cutie pie into a high-fashion diva?

Style by Chilo is your one-stop-spot for everything girly, frilly, princessy and couture. We’ll mix and match bling with bargains, trade celebrity (baby) scoops with real-life tales, and have fun spoiling and treasuring our little ones.

Check out:

• Chilo’s closet (a peak inside the fabulous wardrobe of a princess)
• The toy box (a list of the must-have toys and the toys you should return to the store)
• CameraChy (her best pics from zero to now)
• ChyTube (videos, videos, and even more videos)
• The diary (please don’t touch the baby and other stories from a first-time aunt)

Take a look around the site and let us know what you think!

Chilo’s closet now features a special designer piece

Off Saks recently opened its latest store at our local discount mall. The grand opening brought out the fashionistas in all of us, with ladies dressing to impress … well each other.

Sounds of stilettos smacking against cold, granite floors filled the space. Designer clad shoppers browsed, grabbed, and tried on even more designer clothes with the hopes of snagging a must-have piece that would be the envy of all their friends.

But there was one cute ensemble that stole the show (for me anyway). Nestled between designer shoes and high-end clearance racks, the kids section at Off Saks was just as label driven as its adult counterpart.

Onesies cost an upward of $200 at Saks, more than any one person should ever spend on an item that can only be worn for approximately 2-3 months. Knowing that most of the items in this section would be budget busters, my mom and I continued to look anyway, hoping for a glimpse of something cute, chic and affordable.

Once we scoured through the Juicy Couture, Dior, and DKNY kid brands, I stumbled upon a perfect princess outfit. Rarely do I buy all-white anythings, but this special outfit was worth it.

The ballerina-style polka dot onesie features three small, pink and white flowers with a little pink bow at the waist. Stitched around the waist is an adorable layer of silver, sheer tulle that gleams when she bounces around a room.

And as if the outfit couldn’t get any cuter, it came with a matching hat (which she has no interest in wearing).So while I fantasized about going on a label shopping spree (there’s not a basket big enough to hold all the Christian Louboutin shoes, McQueen dresses, and 7 for all Mankind denim I would buy), Chilo got her first designer outfit. And I walked away with a Saks tote bag.

About that outfit

The ballerina onesie cost $12.99 at Off Saks. It’s no longer available (sorry). But I highly recommend stopping by an Off Saks if there is one in your area.

There’s nothing wrong with seeing how the other half lives, even if you can’t afford to live like the other half. See Ms. shimmer and style in action:

Baby talk
Would you buy a designer outfit for your princess? And how much is too much to spend on a kid’s outfit?

Chilo beats the cold while looking effortlessly chic. Dropping temps won’t slow down our favorite little fashionista. Here Chilo shows us how to layer fun separates while warding off the cold.

Get Chilo’s style:
University of Kansas sweatshirt, $12, ejayhawk.com
University of Kansas infant knit cap, $9, ejayhawk.com
Carter’s infant throw blanket, $12, target.com

Baby talk
What’s your favorite winter piece?

‘Tis the season to dress to impress

The weather outside might be frightful but there is no reason why you still shouldn’t look and feel delightful. Break out your cozy knits, colorful cardigans, cute sweater dresses and super fun boots and show winter whose boss.

Adding a few statement pieces (hello faux furs and infinity scarfs) will instantly amp up any outfit. Here’s Chilo showing us how to spice up our wardrobe to avoid the winter blues.

Get Chilo’s style:

• Koala Kids soft, ribbed, bow-front sweater dress, $6 (on sale), toysrus.com
• Just One You Made by Carter’s infant short-sleeve fleece jumper w/cream, black polka dot long-sleeve onesie, $12, target.com
• Faded Glory Glimmer mid-calf boots, $13.50, walmart.com
• Aunt Chevonn’s camel infinity scarf, local boutique, $18, available upon request

Baby talk
What’s your favorite look for the holidays?

Chilo looks cool in her winter white

Chilo picked out this jacket. We were sprinting through a Carters outlet store during what seemed like the busiest day of the year. I knew she wouldn’t have the patience to browse and scan the racks so we did a quick in and out of the store, with the promise to return during calmer hours.

She behaved like the perfect angel. She didn’t gripe or cry or throw a fit and I didn’t even have to bribe her with cookies. Chilo acted like the princess she is, sitting pretty on her movable throne (i.e. stroller), throwing disapproving looks at the subjects (other toddlers) who bothered her. So when she reached out to grab something hanging on the rack, naturally I took notice (just to ensure she didn’t grab anything I hadn’t paid for.)

And it was super cute! Chilo found herself a winter white, Sherpa hoodie jacket with bear ears and a bear emblem. The jacket feels as soft as cashmere and as comfy as that favorite old sweater you never want to take off. The jacket can easily be worn with everything. It works great as a seasonal transition piece and amps up any casual or dressy outfit.

And here’s the kicker: Two weeks prior to that shopping trip, I had eyed the very same jacket for her! Excellent taste Chilo!

Get Chilo’s style

• Carter’s Sherpa Hoodie Jacket, $18, carters.com (unavailable online, but check outlets)
• Carter’s Sherpa Pram, $10.20, carters.com
• Faded Glory black jogging pants, $3, walmart.com

But wait…
Why should the little princess get to have all the fun? During my weekly pilgrimage to Target, I found my own Sherpa sweater, well two as a matter of fact. I bought a tan and grey sweater, and am now mad that I didn’t purchase the black one. These sweaters are currently on clearance (when were they ever in the store?) so check out your Target soon before it’s gone.

Baby talk
Do you remember the first outfit your favorite princess picked out?

See some of my favorite aunt-inspired onesies before they are officially retired.

As we grow our style changes. As a kid my mom dressed me in ultra-glam ensembles that still influence my style today (thanks mom). In middle school, my friends and I were obsessed with the girl group TLC, mirroring their style by wearing oversized tees and baggy jeans. High school was high school. And college was well…fun! I finally came into my own in my late 20s, merging all of my experiences into a style my mom describes as only one that I could pull off!

With all this talk about style I knew I should apply the same lessons to Chilo. Despite the fact that I’ve asked her to slow down, she’s intent on growing up fast. And there’s no reason why her style shouldn’t grow and change with her.

So I made a promise to her and to myself. On Chilo’s first birthday I would stop purchasing aunt tees.

The end of a 1-year-old era
When Chilo was born, I was beyond estactic to become an aunt. To show my glee, I bought any and everything that talked about being an aunt. Be it onesies, or bibs, or t-shirts or tutus, if it said aunt, I was buying it and she was wearing it.

But enough is enough. As a mature 1-year-old, Chilo no longer needs to wear silly outfits about her aunt. She’s a big now girl with a new closet that is filled with faux furs, ankle boots, mink scarfs and designer dresses. So goodbye “My Auntie Loves Me” onesies. Auf Wiedersehen “I’m As Cute As My Aunt” one piece. Sayonara “Aunt’s Sweet Shoppe” capped sleeve-ruffled bodysuit. Ciao “On My Way To Auntie’s House” colorful car pant set. A hui hou “My Auntie is No. 1” jersey tee. It’s been fun!

About those aunt tees
All the onesies are made by Carters, but are available for purchase at different stores. Shopper’s tip: Costco actually has the best deals for Carters clothes. You can find Carters clothes at Costco for up to 50 percent off what you’d normally spend at a Carters stores.

It’s been a year so not all of these exact onesies are available, but here are the ones I found online:

• “My Auntie Loves Me” orange and white rainbow onesie, $6, jcpenny.com
• “Best Aunt”  red and white bodysuit, out of stock, carters.com
• “I Love My Aunt”, pink and white long-sleeved bodysuit, $6, kohls.com

The Find has an array of aunt bodysuits and you can even personalize them. (That would have been a nice gift sis!)

Baby talk
Out with the old and in with the new. When is the right time to say goodbye your favorite outfits?

This moment in Chilo fashion history: The little fashionista meets Coach for the first time. This pic was taken in December 2011, one month after Chilo was born! Hey, it’s never to soon too start learning about quality handbags.

Yeah, she was born this stylish.

One of my favorite moments from Chilo’s fashion history: Her welcome home diamond knit onesie. Koala Kids, a brand I’ve now become obsessed with, designed the cute little onesie that Chilo wore home from the hospital. The teal was a nice contrast to the pinks, yellows and whites that dominated her early outfits. And the only thing that out sparkled the three diamond buttons was her pretty, sweet little smile. Welcome to the world my sweet, stylish, little baby girl.

Get Chilo’s style
Koala Kids special occasion teal onesie; $19.99,  babiesrus.com (no longer available)
Booties and hat provided by hospital

Baby talk
What did your baby wear home from the hospital?

Start cleaning out your closet. Big sales mean it’s time to shop more.

jcpenney spent big bucks to takeover the homepage of Yahoo! today to deliver some very exciting news. Gone are the days of $20 off a $100 purchase, 10% off here, $5 off there. No longer will we have to keep a big basket of coupons and try to remember to take them with us to the stores. On Feb. 1, 2012, jcpenney is going to try a new approach to retail by selling merchandise at a low price all the time.

And it gets better. According to a Forbes Magazine article, the retail chain will start creating mini boutiques in its stores, meaning that you’ll get a different look and feel depending on what brand you’re looking at. Our jcpenney already does this in its I Heart Ronson section and I have to admit it is pretty cool. One minute you’re listening to elevator music while looking at clothes that should have been retired in the ‘80s, and the next minute you’re browsing the racks of I Heart Ronson, listening to Britney Spears and Bruno Mars. I know what you’re thinking, “Don’t stores like Macys and Nordstroms already do this?” Yeah they do but so what? If it makes the shopping experience fun and lowers the cost of the merchandise I am all for it.

Truth be told we all know that the stores markup their merchandise by 80% so I’m not going overboard at this change of heart from jcpenney. If they really wanted to wow us, to show customers how much they value our hard-earned dollars, why not have a special sale once a quarter that lets customers buy merchandise at the same price jcpenney pays for it? Now that would be a sale worthy of buying out the Yahoo! Homepage.

About that top

• Arizona Trading Co. turquoise cashmere sweater, $9.99 (at 50% off), jcpenney.com
  Editor’s note: This sweater is soft but it sheds. Everywhere. It keeps Chilo and your vacuum cleaner warm.
• My Auntie Loves Me” orange and white rainbow onesie, $6, jcpenny.com

Baby talk
What do you think about jcpenney’s new price strategy? And check out their new ads for this campaign. They are actually pretty funny. I’ll check out the store on Feb. 1 and let you know if their sales match their ads.

It’s a novel approach. Sell items for the sales price all the time. Don’t markup clothes to later mark them down. Don’t force us to have to print coupons or keep track of inserts. Don’t have a sale that runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then make us pay full price at 1:01 p.m. because we had to wait in a long line to make our purchase.

If you make it easy on consumers we’ll come to you, willingly and in droves with our pocketbooks wide open. That’s why I’m very excited about this new jcpenney no more sales campaign. The idea of shopping at a store and not having to worry about gimmicks or percentages or $30 off of every $100 spent is delightful. I can relax while I shop and not worry if I’m missing out on a better deal because I can’t find an old receipt with a bar code.

Ushering in a new era
So last night my mom and I went to jcpenney to say goodbye to the old way of shopping and welcome in a new era sales. Even though the campaign doesn’t “officially” kick off until Feb. 1, 2012, the store had everything set up the night before. We didn’t walk the entire store, but we did browse the racks in women’s and misses. And I’m happy to say that everything I looked at was marked down. The prices were comparative to last week’s sales and I found a gray panel business suit for work that cost $32, marked down from $72.

Pricing in Red, white, and blue
jcpenney is taking a three-pronged approach to its new pricing. Merchandise marked with a red tag is described as having “everyday low prices.” White tag items are set prices that expire at the end of every month. And probably the hottest items of the store, the ones that will have us checking the jcpenney website the most often, will be blue tagged items. Blue tagged items will only be on sale the first and third Fridays of every month.

They’ve also refreshed all of their designer lines. There are some really cute, fresh looks from all of their collections, including some AMAZ-ING cobalt blue jeans from Bisou Bisou that cost $20, marked down from $40. Bought that too.

jcpenney no longer offers customers 15% off their next order if you complete their customer service survey within seven days of your last purchase. Instead customers who complete the survey are entered into a drawing for a $500 gift card.

Overall my first impressions of this new campaign are great. I spoke with a lot of other customers too and they all said they couldn’t wait to see how the new pricing and products will be rolled out. I’m excited to see where jcpenney goes with this and hope they incorporate the feedback they receive from loyal customers to continue improving the brands and services they offer.

Here are a few pics from my jcpenney store, with the new branding, price tags and displays.

Off the racks
What do you think? Will you check out jcpenney’s new line this week?

Leopard prints are making the leap from the runway to the playpen. And I for one am thrilled. Its edgy old school glamour is fun for the big girls and extremely chic for the little ones.

When it’s worn right, leopard print amps up any look for day or night. But when it’s worn wrong it can be downright scary. So how do you incorporate the uber classic print into your little girl’s wardrobe without crossing the tacky line? It’s easy.

Fashion rule No. 3482939483: Resist the urge to dress her in head-to-toe leopard print. I know it’s cute. I know it’s tempting. But don’t. Instead pair one leopard print piece (jacket, top, dress, pants, shoes or socks) with neutral basics (like denim, black, brown, navy or khaki). The print is the perfect accent against a neutral backdrop.

A fashion statement
My best friend bought my niece an A-MAZING Baby Togs Kidswear Co. leopard print coat (with baby pink and hot pink spots) from zulily.com. The jacket features an adorable white, fur-lined trimmed hoody that cinches at the waist. We pair the jacket with dark rinse denim jeans and casual tees. The complete look is fresh, effortless and chic.

The waist-length coat is perfect for an on-the-go little girl like Chilo. It hits all the right notes. My sister loves it because the coat is functional. Chilo stays warm when the temps drop below 50 degrees and she can fit comfortably in her car seat without feeling stuffed. I love it because the coat is stylish. It takes one of my favorite fashion staples and turns it into an adorable look for an emerging fashionista.

Check out the lovely little lady in her leopard print jacket. (More tips to come!)

About that look
Baby Togs Kidswear Co. three-piece outfit includes a leopard print coat, graphic long-sleeved T-shirt, and dark rinse denim jeans; zulily.com. (This look may no longer be available, but there are many other options to choose from.)

Baby talk
Leopard print: Love it or leave it?

Daily deals website blends unique finds with cutesy fashions.

Let zulily.com be your tour guide into a world of fun fashions that will make your little cutie standout from the crowd. Sure cookie cutter stores like the Gap and Old Navy are great when you’re looking for solid basics like denim or khaki, but there’s just something exciting about purchasing an item that’s far from mainstream. And admit it, don’t you just love it when someone sees your daughter all dolled up and asks, “Where did you find that?”

zulily is one of a host of specialty websites that feature fashions from brands ranging from well-known to up-and-coming designers. What’s cool about the site is that it changes every day. Instead of keeping the same tried and true brands in stock, zulily hosts what it likes to call “72-hour events,” a sort of get it while you can smorgasbord of cuteness in styles all the way up to preteen (and even adults).

The site features two ways to view merchandise. Traditional shoppers who don’t know a lot about brands (like myself) can search by age and category. Or brand aficionados (or soon to be brand lovers) can search by what’s new and what sales are ending soon. The last day category serves as your final curtain call to check out deals on hard to find brands.

zulily does a great job of offering a variety of merchandise for customers of every price point. If you want to spend $31 on an adorable diva pantsuit, they’ve got it. If you want to spend $5 on some cute bodysuits or T-shirts, they’ve got that too.

I have been more than pleased—make that ecstatic with my zuiliy purchases. In fact, I’ve also got my best friend hooked on the site too.

Take a look inside some of the zulily clothes that hang in Chilo’s closet:

About those outfits
Here’s a rundown of what I bought (and what others have bought) for Chy:

• Rare Editions red polka dot dress and leggings, $9.99, zulily.com
• minimink-Honey Faux Fur Scarf, $19.99, zulily.com
• Baby Togs Kidswear Co. leopard print coat, graphic long-sleeved T-shirt and dark rinse denim jeans; zulily.com (no price since it was a gift)

Some of these looks may no longer be available, but there are many other options to choose from. I’ve already talked about Chy’s Baby Togs Kidswear Co. leopard print coat in great detail. I’ll describe a few more zulily pieces in upcoming posts.

Baby talk
What’s your favorite daily deals website?

Yep. The sales are that exciting.

My niece is getting bigger and bigger every day so it’s time to stock up. The 3-day holiday weekend means big sales are everywhere. Here are the stores I plan to check out this weekend (both online and in stores):

Children stores

• Carter’s: Entire store is buy one get one free except for clearance items.
• The Children’s Place: 30%-50% off already reduced items + an extra 15% off savings pass.
• Gymboree: Take an extra 25% off clearance items
• BabiesRUs: Various products, furniture and apparel are on sale; printable coupon sheet
• Totsy: Up to 70% off select items
• OshKosh B’gosh: 50% off everything
• USA Baby: Furniture sale
• zulily: Up to 70% off select items

Retail and department stores

• Kohls: 40%-50% off Sonoma tops and bottoms
• Macys: 25%-75% off kid clothing and additional savings with a wow pass (with an extra 20%-40% off select items online)
• Old Navy: Up to 30% off kid and baby clothes
• JCrew: Extra 30% off final sale items (online only)
• Gap: Up to 40% off select styles
• Amazon: Up to $20 off all apparel

Get Chilo’s style

• Merona long-sleeved navy butterfly top with pink rose; $5; target.com
• Merona navy jogging pants; $5; target.com
• University of Kansas hoody sweatshirt; kustore.com (gift)

Baby talk
What sales did I miss?

I begrudgingly acknowledged my birthday over the weekend and it got me to thinking about someone else’s big birthday. Looking back at some of my older blog posts I realized that I never posted an entry about the extravaganza that was Chilo’s birthday.

Chilo turned one on November 11, 2011. To celebrate the major milestone, we had not one, but TWO birthday parties fit for the princess. The first party was a family affair, a small intimate gathering with Chy’s immediate family. She got all the big gifts on her actual birthday including the Let’s Rock Elmo set. Here’s her adorable birthday look:

Teeny tiny princess onesie, gift; carters.com; Pink polka dot tutu, $2, target.com

Part two of her birthday extravaganza took place the Saturday after her birthday. The party was fit for an emerging princess—bringing together all of her family and friends and lots and lots of presents. She shut it down wearing three (yes three!) stunning birthday looks. Here’s Chilo glamming it up at her birthday party:

Victoria Kids pink birthday gown with hot pink overlay sparkly tutu, $20; nordstromsrack.com

Little Me pink and white polka dot ballerina onesie, $12; offsaks.com

Just One You cream and black polka dot long-sleeved onesie with fleece dress, $12; carters.com

Here are a few more party pics:

Chilo's chic take on layering is effortless.

Every fashionista knows that layering is an essential part of the cooler seasons. Once the temperature drops, our main concern is keeping our little girls warm, not chic. Here are the rules my sister and I follow when layering looks for Chilo.

1. Outsmart the weather. To make sure she’s not feeling weighed down by her clothes select smart, comfortable pieces that aren’t overly bulky.

This snowsuit is way too bulky! The girl can’t move. (Doesn’t this remind you of a Christmas Story?) Faded Glory hot pink snowsuit, $20; walmart.com.

2.  Incorporate the basics. A thin long-sleeved top is a great starter piece. Pair it with a vest, a knit sweater or a hoody and she’ll be nice and toasty during the short ride to and from the store or park.

Disney Baby's My favorite Things Snow White Princess long-sleeved top, $16.99; toysrus.com

Koala Kids My Favorite Things faux fur vest (features satin belt tied in a bow at the waist), $22.99; toysrus.com

3. Get a leg up on the season. If her legs tend to get cold and she has the tendency to “lose” (or take off) her ankle socks, throw on a pair of tights or knee-high socks underneath her jeans or jogging pants.

Leopard print baby legs, $12; babylegs.com

4. Boot up. Winter, spring and fall are the seasons to rock high boots, mid-calf boots and ankle boots. Those boots (just like snow boots) provide an extra layer of protection against the elements.

Faded Glory Glimmer mid-calf boots, $13.50, walmart.com

5. Play with colors. Mix and match color combos that you wouldn’t ordinarily wear. At our age we can’t pull it off. But they can.

Pink knit cap and orange long-sleeved onesie, gifts; Merona UGG-style boots, $24, target.com

6. Take pictures. Mixing and matching separates is a fun way to play with fashion. My sister and I take tons of pictures so one day Chilo can look back and say, “You dressed me in that?” Yeah we did. And yeah it was cute.

All layered up!

About that first look

• Koala Kids grey fur-trimmed knit sweater with flower stitches, big grey buttons and pockets, $10; toysrus.com
• Faded Glory fur-lined pink earflap hat, $1; walmart.com
• Faded glory “Love and peace” pink long-sleeved top, $3; walmart.com
• Merona grey, polka dot pants, $8; target.com
• Girls Toddler Rylee Track tennis shoes, $12.99; payless.com

Baby talk
As we transition (hopefully) from winter to spring how do you handle the changing seasons?