Category Archives: Style

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How Hartstrings Helped One Mom Avoid an Easter Dress Debacle

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When I set my clock forward a couple of weeks back, I had to smile to myself. Not only is this one of the first signs of spring, it’s the start of seasonal traditions. In my family, one of those traditions is buying Easter Sunday outfits for the kids.

You can’t help beaming when you walk into church and see the pews filled with pint-sized hats, frilly, floral girls’ dresses, and dapper, if not slightly itchy, sweater vests. There’s just something about this youthful, energy-filled picture that’s the perfect overture of spring.

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As parents, we know the long road it takes to get to that picture-perfect moment. That’s why I want to share the following story with you.

Like Clockwork: Navigating the “Dress Mess”

We’ve all seen the signs that say: God bless this mess. Well, I feel like I should post one on the bathroom mirror every March. Without fail, the dressing tug-of-war begins.

I have a boy and three little girls to dress for Easter Sunday service. As you can imagine, I start my search early. This February I had the kids try on last year’s outfits to see what worked and what didn’t. To my horror, nothing passed muster.

First, there were the girls’ dresses. My oldest daughter has grown at least two inches since last spring. My middle daughter is sick of wearing her older sister’s hand-me-downs. My youngest needs new clothes every few months. Add to that, the sight of my son flopping dejectedly into a chair. When I asked him what was wrong, he complained, while yanking dramatically at his sweater collar that it’s too tight, too hot, and too itchy.

OK, so my son’s a bit of a ham, but you can see the sad picture that started developing here, right? A slightly panicked mom enlists the help of her more put together sister. Boy, am I glad I did.

All the style without any of the itch

All the style without any of the itch

Discovering My Sister’s Secret Weapon

Sisters are some of the best people to calm you down when you hit crisis mode; at least that’s been my experience. A principle that certainly held true on this particular occasion.

After a few minutes of small talk, my sister and I tackled the issue at hand. It went something like this:

“I’m going to send you a link to a kids clothing sale. When the link shows up in your inbox, click on it.”

“OK.”

A few minutes pass.

“What’s www.hartstrings.com?”

“Just click on it.”

“OK, OK, I’m clicking.”

Skeptical mom clicks mouse.

I won’t accost you, the reader, with all of the “oo’s” and “aw’s” this site produced. Sufficed to say, I had found my solution.

I gave each child a range of outfits to pick from. Not only were the kids ecstatic; I couldn’t be happier. The girls’ dresses are cute and contemporary. My son’s pullover is comfortable enough for him to play in. These clothes can be put through the wringer known as four rambunctious kids and come out unscathed!

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Adorable styles for all ages

Hartstrings is my go-to wardrobe solution.

A classic dress like these also make for the perfect hand-me-downs from older sibling to younger.

Dress the Kids to Impress This Easter

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Easter is such a special time of year for families. Not only do we get to dress our little munchkins up in some of the cutest dressy clothes, but it’s also a sure sign that even if the weather isn’t quite warm yet, spring will soon give way to nicer days, trips to the park, and lazy days watching the kids run around in the back yard. Of course, we also can’t forget the visit from the Easter Bunny the kids look forward to every year!

While you’re in the process of picking out goodies for Easter baskets, you’re probably going to be thinking about what you’d like the kids to wear on Easter. Whether you’re planning on attending church together or you have a big family dinner planned, you want to be sure your kids are looking their absolute best. At Hartstrings, we have the most adorable Easter attire for boys and girls, so you’re sure to find something that you just fall in love with.

For Girls

Do you want your little girl to look like a beautiful princess on Easter? We have beautiful girls dresses for Easter Sunday. She’ll look like she just stepped out of a magazine wearing one of these gorgeous dresses. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, but you still want your daughter to look her absolute best, you should take a look through our spring collection of girls dresses. We have every style you can think of, although for Easter, I absolutely love the floral patterns. Of course, you’ll need the right accessories and shoes to complete her special look, and we have a wide selection of those too. You’ll bring out her natural beauty, and you’ll have fun dressing her up while she’s still young enough to be excited about it too!

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For Boys

Every parent wants her little boy to appear like a perfect gentleman on Easter. Our Kitestrings line is exactly what you’ve been looking for. Your little boy will have the appearance of a well-dressed young man, but he’ll get to wear clothes that are comfortable, so he won’t be complaining about them. Our Blue Stripe Seersucker Blazer with matching pants is perfect for Easter Sunday. If you’re looking for something a little more casual, we have a great selection of button down shirts and vests. Don’t forget to pick up a pair of loafers or dress shoes for your little gentleman to complete his look. Once he sees how great he looks, he probably won’t even mind having his hair combed for his appearance for Easter dinner.

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When I was growing up, Easter was such a great time for our family. It’s so exciting for me to be able to pass those traditions on to my own children. I’m sure you feel the same way about passing them on to yours. Time is running out, so be sure to check out our online store to pick up your kids’ Easter outfits today!

Matching Brother-Sister outfits were part of every holiday for us

Prepping for a New Season with Hartstrings

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TAGGED IN: dresses kids_fashion marine_supply seasonal shoes spring sweaters

After the winter we’ve had, it’s hard to believe that spring is coming.  It’ll be here before you know it.  Changing seasons is always a busy time in our house.  I always want to be sure that my kids have the right clothes in their dressers and in their closets so that they’re not too cold or too warm for the different types of weather we experience this time of year.  Here are a few tips to help you get your kids’ wardrobes ready, right along with me.

The boys in our family can't wait for their first Spring game of tag.

The boys in our family can’t wait for their first Spring game of tag.

Sizes

It’s incredible how fast little ones grow from one year to the next, isn’t it?  You’ll be amazed at what clothes you find yourself donating that fit them perfectly just a few months ago.  For those items you’re not quite sure of, have your kids try them on.  If you think you might have a hard time getting them to sit still to try on clothes, turn it into a fashion show!  You can take pictures if you want, just to make them a little more excited.  Also, don’t forget to hang on to some of those pieces that work fine for just hanging around the house.

A classic dress like these also make for the perfect hand-me-downs from older sibling to younger.

A classic dress like these also make for the perfect hand-me-downs from older sibling to younger.

Shoes

One article of clothing I have a hard time keeping up with is shoes.  You don’t want to know how many times I’ve said, “What do you mean, her church shoes don’t fit anymore?”  You can avoid having that conversation by making this piece of your children’s wardrobe a priority.  As far as how many pairs of shoes your child should have for each season is up to you and may depend on where you live or where you vacation.  It’s a good idea to have a pair of rain boots for those days when splashing in puddles is a necessity.  It’s also good for each child to have a pair of shoes for dressy occasions that fit well and won’t cause blisters.  Don’t forget the sneakers for all the running around in the back yard!

Layering

Spring is warmer, but the weather can still be unpredictable.  Don’t pack away those winter sweaters quite yet, as your kids will still need to wear layers for a little while longer.  Instead, invest in a few tops that are more lightweight that will be comfortable under a sweater or other button-down shirt.  If you find the right tops, you won’t have to purchase much for a summer wardrobe.

The perfect use of a sweater and a long sleeve shirt for spring.

The perfect use of a sweater and a long sleeve shirt for spring.

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It can be a lot of fun putting together your kids’ new spring look for the year.  Regardless of what your kids are lacking in their clothing choices or needs, we have an incredible line of spring selections at Hartstrings that you’re sure to love.  The colors are bright and vibrant, and it won’t be long before those brisk thoughts of winter will be long gone.