When us mommy's look for toys for baby, we look to hit all the senses, right? A fuzzy stuffed animal that moves his head and giggles, a wooden train that pieces together with a choo choo on top. 

Well, what if your best toys were hiding in your very own closet? Sometimes when Sunday and I are getting stir crazy and we don't want to/can't go outside, we lock ourselves in my closet and get WILD.

I show her the fuzzy fur coats, the spiky sequin tops, and all of the colors of the rainbow. She opens and closes my accessories drawers, she takes clothes off the hangers, and she "cleans up" when we're done. (You know... putting all of the clothes in one pile at the corner of the closet!)

Point is, it's a great way to spend 20 minutes of time. Plus, it's a great way to revive that silver sequin dress that you haven't worn in years... ;)

I'll never forget at work one day (back when I handled public relations and styling at the Diane von Furstenberg HQ), Diane breezed by my desk, as she always did, taking note of her surroundings, and offering the most rewarding smirks along the way. Only this time, she stopped at my best friend's desk, and opened her mouth...

"Kate, you look like an Italian movie star." Ok, but seriously, imagine those words in a fabulous mixed European tone with accents on all the rights words. Italian. Star. 

Kate was effortless that day. She went super au-natural with her hair (thanks to her genes though, picture long, thick Lea Michele locks, half brushed), and was wearing an easy day dress with no fuss. She was an Italian movie star! She was natural, feminine, and raw. 

Kate and I will never forget that moment... Kate sought out to look like an Italian movie star every day forward after that. And I envisioned my life without the extra blue eyeliner, yellow nails, curled hair, and stacks of bangles. (Sigh!?)

And sometimes, just sometimes, the Italian movie star comes out in me, like this moment in NYC. <3

Traveling with a toddler? It's not easy, no matter how you slice it.

The flight is a nightmare (they just want to run the aisles when the seat belt sign is on). The packing is insane (day diapers, night diapers, snacks, cute outfits, spill-able outfits).

And then there's the "stuff"... the stroller, the car seat, the lovie blanket, the sound machine. 

Now that Sunday's walking running, having an "SUV" stroller as I call them (think Bugaboo Cam, UppaBaby Vista, Baby City Mini), is completely unnecessary. They're bulky, they don't fit through narrow spaces, and they're so heavy to lug around.

So here it is... I found the most incredible "umbrella" stroller-- as you can see it folds up to the size of a bread crumb... and it even has a shoulder strap so you can carry it around (it weighs 13 lbs, as opposed to my 24 lb Bugaboo)! It's absolutely the perfect travel essential.

So there you have it. Yet another necessity to add to your ever-growing baby list!

Coming from the girl who feels uncomfortable in her own skin if she's not wearing at least two different prints on her body, is bringing it strong in a classic white button down.

It's one of those staples that you can't own enough of, and you can never go wrong in. I'm constantly on the hunt for new white button downs to add to my closet, because, well...not gonna lie... they get stained a lot from makeup and baby's sticky fingers. 

I've done the work for you and shopped the internet for some of my favorite of-the-moment white button downs that are perfect additions to your ever-expanding wardrobe. Hope you love my selects as much as me!

Ohhhhh, my love for a chic jumpsuit runs deep. 

By now you all probably know that it's hard for me to gravitate towards a dress, because it doesn't feel incredibly "self styled" to me. I like my separates wild and cool, and paired together in a way that's uniquely unique. Yes, I just used unique together as an adverb and adjective.

But a jumpsuit, for some reason, is a whole different ballgame. The jumpsuits in my closet are by far the most re-worn outfits season after season. As a matter of fact, one's up at bat tonight, too... 

I've listed carefully selected must-have jumpsuits to get you through summer and swing you right into fall. Check out the SHOP MY LOOK section below for all the home runs!

Photographs taken by @howlandrose for my Fashion Mamas house tour.

Have you sifted through the way back of your mother's closet only to discover poorly fitted and pilled matching sweater sets? 

Yeah, this isn't the same thing, don't worry. Pajama sets reemerged on the European fashion runways a few years ago, along with many questions, hesitations, and low brow under the breath remarks. Why would we push aside a fresh, feminine look and replace it with baggy silk pajamas? Well, why not? 

Fast forward seasons and seasons later... yesterday, today, and tomorrow... wearable pajamas are proving to be a major success. {Disclaimer: I'm talking pajama-trend fashion, not real pj's!} There's just something so "cool girl" about a pajamas set for day or night, but of course, the attitude and style needs to follow suit.

Hair and makeup must be #goals (styled to perfection). Footwear must be #goals (on trend and sexy). Attitude must be strictly #bosslady chic (no yawns, allowed). 

If you can trick the outside of your appearance to resemble that of a confident power chick, then the pajamas will relay the same message.

So who's getting into pajamas right now? I am... ;)   Off to drinks I go!!

Effortless kaftan dressing reminds me of my days working for Diane von Furstenberg in NYC. Not because there was anything effortless about the NYC summer heat, but because DVF famously lived out her publicly photographed youth lounging in kaftans across the seas of Europe. 

It's for that exact reason that every time I put on a kaftan, I feel absolutely, positively F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!!! Cue: layer on the jewels, the hat, the turban, and the wedges.

Have you put on your first kaftan of summer yet? Do you own a kaftan? I've rounded up some of my current favorites in the SHOP THE LOOK section below! Go on, feel FABULOUS!!

Breaking News: Sunday and I played dress up... again. ;)

Sometimes toys are overrated.. and emptying your kid's closet while jumping and playing and throwing clothing in the air is where the party's at, instead. 

Ok, the truth is we did this for our Fashion Mama's Cribs photo shoot...and we had a very willing participant on hand to clean up the mess. But I do recommend this. There's something very exciting about creating chaos in the midst of beauty. 

Note to self: Sunday likes my vintage Chanel layered necklaces a little too much. One more tug and the entire pearl strand would have covered the nursery floor. I think I'll save that necklace for adult-only time moving forward. I'm sure Sunday will appreciate this later in life, when the necklaces get passed down to her! :)

Photography by @howlandrose for Fashion Mama's Cribs