Tea Collection has really outdone themselves this season.  The prints are fresh and vibrant and just SO pretty, I was dying to get my hands on them!  It wasn’t easy to narrow it down, but I’ve picked a few –

GIRLS:

I have to lead off with the print getting all the buzz.  “Ocean” is simply to die for – it’s unique, it’s very “now” with its incorporation of gray as the basic, and it somehow keeps Tea’s modern edge while still screaming “Spring!!!”  Check out the Wandoo Wrap Dress in Ocean:

But for us, we just simply couldn’t overlook Han Purple and Waterslide.

Above is the Starflower Twirl Dress, in my opinion the cutest dress for the Han Purple print.  To DIE for!  We paired it with the Pin Dot Capri Leggings.

… and the Waterslide print.  For sigh.  We were delighted that this print is even more vibrant in real life than it is on Tea Collection’s website.  I felt this print worked best on the Wrap Neck Dress and we paired it with the Capri Leggings in “bubble gum.”

Before I move on to boys, I would be remiss if I didn’t say something about girls’ swim.  SO much cuteness this season but our absolute favorite is the Astilbe Pink print.  We always choose the rash guard option, since it avoids sunscreen hassles protects better against the sun.  Sorry this isn’t the greatest pic but you get the idea – to DIE for!!!

Check out all the other options for Astilbe Pink – LOVE!!!

BOYS:

For boys this time, I found the swimwear was the highlight.  Especially because we had issues last summer with our Boden swimwear fading.  I honestly couldn’t decide which set I liked better so I got both – this way there will always be a dry one, plus, they’ll hold up better for resale next year.

Set 1 is the Shima Rash Guard with Wobbegong Swim Trunks.

NOTE:  We found the swim trunks run HUGE!  Size 1 full size down.  The rash guards are true to size.

Set 2 is the Bonzer Rash Guard with Noosa Swim Trunks.

So there you have it, my top picks for Tea’s 2017 Spring and Summer lineup.  It took me awhile to warm up to Tea but this season’s selections have me absolutely swooning.  Happy Shopping everyone, and don’t forget to join us in my Facebook group “Claire’s Closet Finds“!

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Please note that this post contains affiliate links; affiliate programs are a means for bloggers to earn revenue by using links that generate a small percentage of commission when they discuss various products.  Thank you for reading, and for supporting the blog!  

Readers know I’m kind of a brand snob (just a little…ha).  But I recently stumbled on an unheard of brand on Amazon.  It was just SO cheap and looked SO cute, I figured it was worth a try.  And boy oh boy, I was NOT disappointed!!!

The brand is Novatx and here are some pics of our finds.

Claire is wearing the “Long Sleeve Girls Cotton Dress in Navy” – get this, it’s only $9.60!!!!  It would look great with jeans, but I found matching leggings at this Amazon listing.  LOVE the rainbows and flowers for spring.  There are TONS of other prints in this exact same dress, ALSO super cheap – check them all out here.  Runs true to size, but just be aware that these are too short to be dresses; these are tunic tops for sure.

Matthew’s top is currently out of stock on Amazon – so sad!  But there are several other adorable Novatx tops at great prices if you click here.  If you’re really hung up on that adorable monster with the primary color scales, there is a listing for almost the exact same shirt but it’s a different brand – click here to see it.  The brand is Fiream, and we’ve had two shirts by them that we’ve been very happy with; I would say they run slightly small.  You can check out the first Fiream shirt we got here – super cute!!  And we also got a hoodie by them; check out their hoodies by clicking here, they are ADORABLE:

I’ll leave you with a few more pics of the tunic – LOVE IT!!!

Oh and those ladybug shoes on the right are Zaxy – LOVE.

Zaxy’s are made by the same parent company as Mini Melissa and Nordstrom Rack currently has several pairs, including those pictured above, for $14.97 each(!!!) Check out that sale here and be aware that they run VERY small.  A full size smaller than Mini Melissas.  

Happy shopping everyone!

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This post contains affiliate links; affiliate programs are a means for bloggers to earn revenue by using links that generate a small percentage of commission.  Thank you for reading, and for supporting the blog!  Come chat with us more in my Facebook group, Claire’s Closet Finds.

For those of you who just can’t wait – Code 3P9T gets you 20% off plus free ship, NO minimum!  Shop Boden’s new spring line by clicking here.

For all the rest of you, I’ve sifted through and found what I think are their front runners this season.

Girls:

Dreary March weather and “April showers” are simply no match for Boden’s adorable new Applique Jersey Dress in “Grey Marl Weather” and either of the two “Applique Leggings” that coordinate – but HURRY, because the leggings are already selling out.  BONUS:  These items are not pictured together in the catalogue or online, so your look will be your own.

Boys:

For boys, I’m going with the “favorite flavour T-shirt.”  I love that Boden has found something my son will wear that’s off the beaten track of dinosaurs, sports, and vehicles, plus it reminds me that summer (with all its ice cream truck excitement!) is on its way.    I would personally pair it with the red “adventure shorts.”  I love the boldness of the color scheme and I love that the contrast navy zippers also match one of the ice cream treats on the tee.

Runner Up for Girls:

I would be remiss if I didn’t say something about these jeans.  !!!!!

My question for readers though, is which top?  The “Pretty Ruffle Top” in pink, The “Colour Change Sequin T-Shirt” (Top R), or the “Floral Crochet T-Shirt (L)“?   Or is there another one you’ve found that goes even better?

You can answer in a comment below OR join my Facebook group “Claire’s Closet Finds” to join in the discussion.  Hope to see you there, happy shopping!!

UPDATE:  We have a winner… SO IN LOVE with this combo!!!

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Claire’s Closet Blog is a participant in the Boden’s affiliate program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Boden.

Right now, code 3Y8N will get you 30% off at Boden plus free ship at $49!  Click here to see the entire site and use your code.  Read on for my best winter pics for kids.  Please note that this post includes affiliate links, meaning I earn a small % commission if you click my links – thank you for supporting Claire’s Closet!!

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For *sigh*!!!

Yesterday I was awakened by two screeching squealing kids, pretty much accosting me to tell me that it had snowed.  Exhausted as I was, I couldn’t hold back a smile as I recalled how magical the first snows were to me as a child.

After a quick breakfast I sighed in relief as a minor miracle of two kids *eager* to get dressed for school made my morning lots easier.  “WE GET TO WEAR OUR SNOW OUTFITS!!!!!”  Not one to *not* be almost late, I made sure to break out the camera for a few pics before running and praying the 3 blocks we “walk” to school.

I am just SO IN LOVE with both of these outfits!!  Here’s the rundown:

CLAIRE’s gorgeous cardigan is a flattering wintery teal with embroidered fair isle reindeer on top, complete with red noses!  To die for!  Underneath she has an ultrasoft “Sparkle Pointelle” Long Sleeved Tee with light pink stripes and gold sparkle.  Both are by Mini Boden.  Her pants are on the cheap!!  They are by OshKosh and sold on Amazon if you click here; they run true to size.  Her boots are also on the cheap!  Rachel Shoes boots truly are the best bang for your buck for adorable kids boots.  Check out lots of them, including the pair shown, on Amazon at this link.

Mini Boden Fair Isle Cardigan

Mini Boden Sparkle Pointelle Long-Sleeved Tee

MATTHEW is all in Mini Boden.  His sweater is an ADORABLE snowman and the pants are matching, wintery red cords.

Mini Boden Snowman Sweater and Slim Cord Jeans

Run don’t walk to check out all the new Mini Boden markdowns at Nordstrom!  FREE shipping and returns – always!!  This particular batch of markdowns includes some really gorgeous pieces for your little one, including –

• My favorite retro Boden dress in a great print;
• Two gorgeous intarsia sweater dresses for baby and toddler girls (this and this); and
• The sweetest little retro print swimsuit for $14.70.

But if you’ve got a little boy at home oh my goodness you have GOT to check out our current fave.  We bought this a few weeks back and just started wearing and I’m so in love.  The colors are so bright and crisp and the lines really make it pop.  Here it is:

Big Applique Cotton Jersey Shirt in Spider, 40% off at $17.70

‘Adventure’ Hybrid Shorts in Banana; 40% off at $26.70

The yellow makes the antennae on the spider pop and the navy contrast looks great with the spider body.  We are loving this outfit and paid way more for it a few weeks ago!

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Claire’s Closet Blog is a participant in the Nordstrom’s affiliate program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Nordstrom.

A member of my group “Claire’s Closet Finds” asked earlier today for a discussion on umbrella strollers.  Having done a TON of research on this topic I can assure you that THIS is the best one.

Check them out on Amazon by clicking here !!!!

Here’s why the G-Luxe beats out all competition:

• Top of the line wheels mean the roll is SO smooth.  It’s actually so smooth and the wheels are so sturdy that unless you’re a jogger, you don’t need a “real” stroller  at all.  I live in Boston where there’s a lot of cobblestone and old, cracked pavement.  This thing can handle any terrain, any time.
• Fantastic engineering means it turns on a dime.  With one hand.
• Basket is roomy.
• Sun cover is quite generous – there is an extra reflective flap that falls down for additional coverage when you pull it out.
• Simple one-handed fold:  Just lift a flap and the whole thing falls down on itself and snaps closed with the shoulder strap on top ready for you to grab and go.
• CUP.  HOLDER.

• Recline (ability to recline the seat).  The recline and the wheel (and therefore role) quality are what sets it apart from the g-Lite.
• And finally, the incline.  When compared to the Maclarens this has a slightly deeper incline meaning that even taller people can push it comfortably without their feet occasionally hitting the back.
• All that for just 13 pounds (!!!).  My newborn weighed that much at like 6 weeks old.

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Claire’s Closet Blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

THESE, people:

I’m kind of surprised I haven’t mentioned these before; there’s no way I could keep all of Claire’s outfits perfectly organized in our tiny apartment without them.  The “bottoms” – be they pants, leggings, or tights – are easily held by the clips while the top hangs over on the hanger.  You can find them here on Amazon.

So here’s what our closet looks like.  Nope, no shoe obsession here!  But really, these hangers are just so nice.  The outfit bottoms are held nice and high, leaving plenty of closet space below:

Nope, no shoe obsession here!

That extra space also enables us to use our closet doubler – that silver pole you see hanging from the standard closet rack.  This way, just one tiny closet easily holds all of Claire’s outfits (top row) and all of my son’s outfits as well (bottom).  I love that I can see everything at a glance, and easily select whichever outfit best suits the day!

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ClairesClosetBlog.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

Mini Boden dress/cardigan combos are some of my absolute favorite outfits.  I find myself using them for most of our professional family pics because they’re timeless and classic, making it easy to match the rest of the family in terms of style, but they still also allow some room for creativity in terms of the bold colors and prints.

Our current favorites from this spring/summer:

Mini Boden Pretty Tea Dress with Pointelle Cardigan. See lots of Mini Boden, 40% off and shipping free from Nordstrom by clicking HERE.   Shoes are Mini Melissa – LOVE.

Mini Boden Pretty Collar Knitted Dress (all sizes) with Pointelle Cardigan. 

Note:  The cardigans run very big.  Claire is wearing a size 12-18 months in the above pictures, even though her dresses are size 2-3 and she usually wears a 2T.

Here are some examples of how these outfits work so well in family pics:

The dress/cardigan combo allows you to incorporate a fun print in your outfit scheme and still keep a single flattering color up by the face (most striking for portraits).

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ClairesClosetBlog.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.  ClairesClosetBlog.com is also a participant in other affiliate advertising services that provide a small % affiliate credit for other sites including Walmart, Target, Toys R Us, Nordstrom, Tea Collection, Zulily, and others.