Back To School

Hi Friends! If you’re like me back to school has really crept up on you. Where did the summer go? Below I’m linking tons of back to school essentials - everything from first day looks to shoes to backpacks.

In a rush to shop? I made it easy for you with everything easily clickable here in my back to school shop

BACK TO SCHOOL - GIRLS

Row 1: Apple Gingham Dress / Apple Appliqué Dress / Bow Dress / Pink Apple Dress

Row 2: Red Apple Dress / Pink Apple Jumper Dress / Color Trim Dress / Plaid Dress / White Cardigan / Red Cardigan

Row 3: Short Ruffle Socks / Knee Socks / Lunch Box / Bow / Backpack / Bow Headband / Grade Pennant / Navy Mary Janes / Light Blue Mary Janes / Red Mary Janes / White Sneakers

Dressing little girls for back to school is one of my favorite things! And don’t forget they need more than one “school” themed outfit - you’ve got meet the teacher, first day of school, open house, picture day and more! I love traditional looking dresses with Peter Pan collars paired with ruffle socks and classic Mary Jane shoes. Speaking of shoes - I’m a HUGE fan of the L’Amour brand of children’s shoes. They wear so well, have easy Velcro straps, and have the sweetest details like little scallops and stitching. Emilia will be wearing her L’Amour shoes with this dress on her first day!

Shop more BACK TO SCHOOL GIRL favorites below. Just click on the image to shop!

BACK TO SCHOOL - BOYS

Row 1: Red Gingham Set / Navy Stripe Polo / Red Shorts (Deacon’s favs!) / Windowpane Set / Grade Pennant

Row 2: Plaid Shorts / Bus Smocked Set / Apple John John / Blue Apple Set

Row 3: Lunch Box / Backpack (What Deacon has!) / Ankle Socks / Khaki Backpack / ABC Bag / First Day of School Plush Book / Oxford shoes / New Balance Shoes / Red Shoes

Dressing boys is hard, I think! I am a big fan of more traditional clothes for littles - especially before they turn three. Think sets (like this one) and Jon Jons. As they get older Its more Polos. Now that Deacon is going into first grade I can get him in a plain polo a few times a year and the rest of the time he wants to wear school athletic wear. Dress them sweet while you can - the years are fleeting! He and I both love this brand of shorts (I like a shorter short - so cute!), but these are great if you want something a bit longer (and go up to size 16). and these performance polos are a real fav and work for an older boy. This backpack is still in such good shape after last year, he’s using it again this year. Perfect size for Kinder - 3rd grade. And we can't forget Deacon’s old faithful - the gray New Balance. He had to wear those shoes when he was learning to walk because his ankles needed the support and he had inserts, now he doesn’t need them and it’s still what he picks out year after year! Love my old-soul boy so much!

Shop more BACK TO SCHOOL GIRL favorites below. Just click on the image to shop!

THE ESSENTIALS

Don’t forget these essentials that you’ll also need for the school year. I’m talking nap mats, backpacks, socks (Where do all the socks go, tho? We have like two pair left from last year), lunch boxes, bows, bloomers, and more. Linking several of our favorites below - just click an image to shop!

Wishing everyone a happy first day of school! I always get so emotional on their first day, marking another year grown. But then I get excited because it’s like a stay at home mom’s New Years - time for new routines and getting back into the swing of things. Thanks, friends, as always for turning to TRR for recommendations!

little girl fall play clothes

I’ve been slowly stocking up on fall clothes for Emilia over the past few weeks and thought I’d share some of my favorite finds. Most of these are super affordable (I’m talking $15!) and all are perfectly comfortable for running around the playground at school while also looking cute. I’m savoring dressing her in these sweet patterns and colors while I still can before she starts demanding shirts with characters on them. I try to stick to a general color palette for her each season so that accessories like tights, leggings, and bows can all be interchangeable. Here’s what Miss Sis will be sporting this fall…

P.S. I tried to include sizing info so those of you with older girls can see if any of these will work for you too! Most of these go up to at least a size 10!

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1.) Floral & Striped Dress - Loving this darling dress from Amazon for $15! Love these style of dresses because as they grow they can just become tunics and you can pair with leggings and get a little more wear out of them. Comes in sizes 12 months to 10 years!

2.) Sleeveless Daisy Dress - OK so this one doesn’t scream fall to most, unless you live in the south where it is still 80+ degrees until November. This one does run a little small so size up. Love that sweet collar. And you can’t beat that price.

3.) Apple Dress - Apples don’t just have to be for back to school! I love the colors in this long sleeve dress; I think they can wear it all the way through Valentine’s Day. Sizes 18 months to 7 years and less than $15!

4.) Rainbow Stripe Dress - Another one in that great silhouette that can go from dress to tunic. And with all those colors it doesn’t matter which leggings are clean that day.

5.) Ink Blue Leggings - Speaking of leggings, I love this brand from Amazon. They wash and wear so well! This inky blue is such a pretty color and goes with so many dresses in this post and in Emilia’s closet. Sizes from 9m to 16 big kid! And only $16!

6.) White Leggings - You ever try to get white tights on a toddler? Yeah, go for the leggings instead.

7.) Polkadot Sweatsuit - Emilia has this last fall and winter and loved it. She always tries to pick this one out when we get her dresses so I went ahead and ordered her the next size up. Comes in Navy and tan as well and sizes newborn to 4 years. Sold as a set for only $18!

8.) Green Gauze Jumpsuit - Another great option that looks fall, but is actually perfect when you’re still wiping sweat off your brow (ahem stomach) in October. Baby sizes here, newborn to 24 months. Comes with a cute matching headband.

9.) Name Stitch Sweatshirt - I’m dying over these name-stitch sweatshirts. You can have the stitching either go at the collar or on the chest. I ordered navy with white stitching for Sis and gray with navy stitching for Deac. So precious with a pair of striped leggings (no. 12 and 13). I’ve been ordering these for baby gifts a lot lately too.

10.) Squiggle Dress - I adore this brand, Emmie had a pair of jammies in this print when she was a little baby so I, of course, had to get her the dress now. It’s on sale for 30% off - only a few sizes left but several bigger girl sizes!

11.) Short Sleeve Floral Dress - To me, this is the perfect school dress. Super cute, yet super comfy and comes in lots of fun patterns. Add a cardigan for when it starts to get chilly and you’re all set. This brand can take a beating and washes up so well - no fading at all! Sizes 2 years to 12 years.

12.) Rainbow Stripe Leggings - These are so fun and I would have loved them when I was little. Great to pair with a sweatshirt (no. 9) or even a holiday sweater (I have this one for Em!). Again this brand washes and wears so well and they’re only $18! Sizes newborn to 4 years.

13.) Navy Confetti Leggings - Same as above, but a navy stripe with just a touch of fun “confetti” at the bottom. So precious. $18, newborn to 4 years.

14.) Light Blue Stripe Dress - This dress is SO SOFT! It feels like my Lake Pajamas that I love. I honestly wish it came in my size! That pretty powder blue is so pretty for fall with some mauve tights, for holiday with red accents, and in to spring with a light pink bow. Sizes 2 years to 14 years.

15.) Stripe & Floral Dress - I snagged this during the Like To Know It Sale and am so happy I did. It’s just one of those dresses that makes you happy! Emmie loves it too! Comes in yellow and blue colorways as well. Sizes 2 years to 14 years.

16.) Leather T-Strap Sneaker - If you saw on instagram last week, we had our first cool day and I realized that Emilia has WAY overgrown her closed-toed shoes from last year. As in her foot grew two whole sizes! Then I went to Nordstrom and was not thrilled that just about every option had rainbows or glitter on it. What happened to the plain white Keds we wore as kids?! Well, the answer is go to Zappos. Found these darling Keds for her. Love that they’re leather so scuffs can be Magic Erased. And love the T-strap design to wear with socks or tights. (P.S. I bought this $6 foot measuring device and it has helped us so much with ordering kids shoes online)

I hope you’re inspired to snag a few of these easy to wear, affordable, classic little girl looks. Whoever said play clothes had to be not-cute?!

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