By now, I should have dressing my kids down to a science. I have been a mom for thirteen years, after all. But there is no specific science when there is four and everything fits everyone differently.

With Ella, shopping was fun. A girl. I had not trouble tipping things in my cart, virtually or at Target. But when the boys came it was different. It was more like settling for something I wasn’t sure of. I’d go for simple, sturdy, sort-of-stylish. Thankfully, styles got better over time and by my fourth shopping for boys clothes was fun. Except that . . . shopping for four kids, total, isn’t all that fun. It’s more like work. There are budgets to adhere to, tops to coordinate with bottoms, hand-me-downs to pass out or pack up.

Can you relate?

I have some friends that have their . . .

By now, I should have dressing my kids down to a science. I have been a mom for thirteen years, after all. But there is no specific science when there is four and everything fits everyone differently.

With Ella, shopping was fun. A girl. I had not trouble tipping things in my cart, virtually or at Target. But when the boys came it was different. It was more like settling for something I wasn’t sure of. I’d go for simple, sturdy, sort-of-stylish. Thankfully, styles got better over time and by my fourth shopping for boys clothes was fun. Except that . . . shopping for four kids, total, isn’t all that fun. It’s more like work. There are budgets to adhere to, tops to coordinate with bottoms, hand-me-downs to pass out or pack up.

Can you relate?

I have some friends that have their . . .

kids sizes in spreadsheets and where and how they buy clothes down to a science. “I only buy pants from here because they are sturdier.” “We wear white t-shirts all summer.”

I tried the google doc to have a “go to” while I’m out and about. Only I forget to update and access it. I’ve learned over time what brands run big and which run small (Converse big, Nike small). It’s the random website I wander to that I’m not sure how their sizes work. What I end up with is random pieces or returns.

Recently, I tried Kidbox, the first kid’s style box that combines cool brands, significant savings and a mission to clothe children in need. I’ve never tried a style box before, but liked the idea of trying one for my kids….especially knowing that with each Kidbox purchased, Kidbox will outfit a child in need.

Rocco was my lucky one. We got on the computer, took the quick and cute style quiz together, and then waited for our package to arrive.

Who doesn’t like to receive a fun package in the mail? Both kids and grown-ups do!

We were both equally pleased. Rocco because he could color the box and because there were stickers and a tiny toy wound up in strings of tissue paper, and me because the clothes were super cute and they all fit. Winning!

I was really pleased with the variety (jeans, comfy pants, shorts, shirts -long sleeve, short sleeve, casual, dressy) and decided to keep it all. The great thing about is that if you don’t like something you can send it back (using a pre-paid label). You can keep all of it, some of it, or none of it (and your card isn’t charged until seven days after receiving your Kidbox).

To be honest I kind of loved ordering clothing online that I didn’t have to toil over.  “Will this match that?” “Is there free shipping ?” “I wonder if this is good quality?” “Will it be hard to return?” I only had to answer a few questions and then forgot all about it.

The box was fun, the clothes were great, and best of all we were able to choose where we’d like our outfit donation to go to.

If your looking for an effortless way to shop for stylish clothes for your children then I’d love to recommend Kidbox.

And . . . .

Special offer from Kidbox for all my readers, $25 off your first kept box when you sign up this week.  This means you only pay $78 for all 6-7 items.

$25 Code :  SOCIAL25
Expiration : April 29, 2016

Happy shopping, lovelies!

This post is in collaboration with Kidbox. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that keep La La Lovely going.

By Trina

hi friends!  just stopping in to say happy thanksgiving.  i hope you have a great one.  a fantastic one, really.

also, i’m over on design mom today being featured in the living with kids column.  i absolutely love this column on design mom.  i think it is so fun to see how other families live, don’t you?  i’ve never really done a whole home tour and shared liked this … so if you’d like to see how we live and bit more about my home pop on over and let me know what you think!

xo . trina

By Trina

hi lovelies…as you may have gathered from my instagram feed i have escaped the cold and am traveling.  traveling with 4 kids, that is.  it’s always a task, but well worth it.  i’m sharing a few tips on flying / traveling with littles today.  i’ve shared this before, but you may just be new around here!  happy travels!

/ / / /

Traveling with kids differs for everyone.  But however you put it or plan it out it is not an easy task.  I’ve come to the conclusion, 10 years and 4 kids later, that it basically comes down to luck and money.  Not what you wanted to hear right?  Luck if you have a well tempered little one (s).  Luck if you happen to get the right ticket agent who will hook you up.  Luck if the flight is not full and you can stretch out over a couple of seats.  Luck if you have no delays or hiccups.  Money, you ask?  Well, money, can buy you lots of things, like extra seats, traveling nannies or flying private, which of course would be the ultimate easiest way to travel with kids.  Yes, I know very far fetched but I’m just speaking the truth.  You drive your car right up to the plane.  Load anything and everything you want on the plane.  You can stretch and roam about and eat catered food.  Your kids can even talk to the pilots and see what goes on in the cockpit.  Then the nice pilots land the plane.  Open the door and viola your car awaits you and you’re off.  And this pretty much would explain how Brand and Angelina can travel the world with 6 kids often and easily (that and add in a couple of nannies + an entire staff).  Ok, now back to reality.

I’m a planner, and thus I plan, very strategically, on how to make travel as easy as possible.  Of course, it doesn’t always go according to plan.  Sometimes it goes way worse than expected + surprisingly sometimes it goes better.  None the less, here are a few tips I’ve learned along the way:

01/ Technology.  Load those iPads / iPods up and let them roll.  Be sure to bring earphones that work with small little ears (ones that you wear like a headband and cover the entire ear have worked best for us).

02 / Snacks . Bring lots of snacks + then some.  Whatever it takes, yes, even candy (suckers last a long time).

03 / Change of Clothes.  I forgot  a change of clothes once (duh) and of course LB had an explosion.  Thank God it was summer time + a short flight.  He ended up wearing a slightly stained white onsie.

04 / Pain Reliever.  I don’t know if people still give there kids a little “something” when flying, but  I always bring a little Tylenol for sensitive ears (do you?).  Gum is also a great idea for take off and landings.

05 / Coloring / Craft. Ok, you know you want to bring something like this.  Go ahead and do it.  I recommendCrayola Color Wonder coloring books + markers (no mess).  However, prepared to pull the iPad back out after 3.4 minutes.

06/ Bottles. If you are still nursing or bottle feeding, bring enough milk (or plan to nurse) for take off and landing and extra for in between.  The swallowing helps babies ears when you are climbing in altitude.

07 / Buy an Extra Seat.  Here is where money and luck comes in.  If  money is not an issue, by all means, buy an extra seat for your baby.  You might not have the best luck and may end up squished between two people with baby screaming on your lap.

Although traveling with children can be hard and, yes, very tiresome.  In the end, it is worth it.  Hours of pain for days of fun.  And lets not forget, memories that last a lifetime.  Yes, even those travel nightmares end up being some of the funniest memories and most told stories.

image / les zigouis

By Trina

Confession : I’m not a huge fan of shadow boxes and I do not scrapbook (I’m sure this will one day be a regret, but it’s the truth).

Did you see the Feb issue of Living Mag? I was smitten.

These scrapboxes are from The Darcy Miller (Author, illustrator & a Martha Stewart Living Editor) Show. Does this not make your heart skip a beat? Don’t you want a wall like this? And all those special little things you hate to throw away or even pack away, how about this?

These are some close ups of my favorite ones . . .

Have you heard of photo confetti? Me Neither. Brilliant.

Love this . . .

Same picture. different sizes. layered one on the other. Genius.

You can see a close up of the rest of the boxes along with the “how to” and “where to buy.” You know Martha wouldn’t forget a thing!

Check back for more ways to display kids art in a new kind of way.

images: Martha Stewart . Darcy Miller . Donna Newman .

Have you heard of Polarn O. Pyret. It’s Swedish, can you tell? Swedish children’s clothing. I love European kids clothes so I thought I’d pass this along in case you hadn’t heard of Polarn O. Pyret (like me).