Our Favorite DRESS!

Layla - Andara dress in Dacca print (black/white)

Recently I was in NYC for the womens collections... so exciting and we saw SO many new and lovely things that we will be bringing your way.. but, I just happened to wear the above most amazing lovely dress by Layla to the shows and I FELT LIKE A MILLION BUCKS! It must have showed because I got so many compliments... I tell you, that Alayne, she really knows what she is doing!

Layla - Andara dress in Dacca print (black/white)

I will tell you that this is a heavier weight cotton dress, super versatile you could wear boots, with jeans or as I did the other day black shoes - it's fantastic with or without a belt.. all is good!

see the entire Layla collection (ooohhh I love it all) here...

There is also a blazer/jacket in this print.. fantastic too!! (I asked Alayne to make a pair of pants for me in the same fabric too!) I'm in LOVE...

15% off and FREE shipping NOW - Columbus day!

NOW - Columbus day (Monday, October 8th)

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on orders $150+

use code: 'columbus'

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remember: SALE ends Monday, October 8th

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nonchalantmom on tumblr

I have tried various different things to help you see more of the collection, make it easier for you to make choices and have access to photos on models. This way you can possibly see movement, ease of garment and a bit about the fit. I want you to know that I never pin things or embellish the photos in any way and I usually try to get as close to the garment color as I can (but that is probably best represented in the flat shots of the garment). We usually photograph just about everything in the collection so that it's all represented and I wanted to find a way that was easiest to look at the photos, for you to pintrest them if you like and for you to share them with your friends. If you click on the photo it will take you to the collections' page on Nonchalantmom, so that you can see all the colors and styles in that collection.

nonchalantmom on tumblr

I hope that this is a helpful tool for you to see more of that is on Nonchalant Mom, we aim to provide you with comfortable kids clothes, made by small designers and we stay away from big brands... mostly because we like what they are doing, and most of all we want to encourage small unique businesses and help them to grow and spread the word. From time to time these brands will cost more but it is part of their smaller process that leaves little room for lower prices. These smaller brands usually cannot meet large minimums so they are paying more for production and also more for their fabric, but we are SO glad that they are doing what they do... because without them, our kids would be dressed very BORING indeed!

In the end we are trying to simply bring you the best of the kids collections that are out there, the most unique, practical and fun all at the same time! Our little Tumblr website is a chance to help you browse through the new collections, we hope you enjoy the photos and we hope it's helpful to you!

Thanks so much for being there with us... I love all your emails and kind words and we love Nonchalant Mom as much as you do!

love - carina

click here to see nonchalantmom on tumblr
or go to www.nonchalantmom.tumblr.com

the BUS

There are a multitude of things that mystify me but none more than the School Bus. Maybe it's because I was "a walker" when I grew up, but I amazed by how the school bus dictates the school rather than vice versa. The middle schools in our area start at 7:30am, YES you read that right 7:30AM (although I know that some of you out there must start even earlier!) so if a kid takes the bus TO school in the morning, he may be getting on the bus as early as 6:30 AM!! WHAT the HECK... I know... I said the same thing! I completely imagine our son sleeping through the day, but he just happens to be an early riser so it has not been to bad on him.. wait until he gets to High School...

Then yesterday, our son came home with this bus repartee, I thought it was funny and I know this kind of thing goes on all the time but I love when I get the "he said, and then SHe said" kind of blow by blow of the bus ride:

Dante says (of COURSE his name is Dante!) "What am I lookin at... I'm lookin at your MAMA!"

Hunter says "Well your mama is so ugly she'd turn Medusa to STONE"

Okay so these are two small town New England boys... for heavens sake! I said to our son... are you SURE that's what was said!, "yep, it's because there was NO bus monitor, she's mean and that would never happen if she was there" and sure enough... today he came home and when I asked how was the bus today... his answer was "okay, the bus monitor was there today"...

If you ask me... we should all stick to WALKING!

Have a GREAT day!

la petite :: nico nico

Well I just have to say, better late than never... I just found this really gorgeous editorial on the Summer 2012 Nico Nico collection, as well as a bunch of cute photos of ESP no1 collection. I know I am supposed to be on top of this stuff but I really missed the boat by not reading La Petite magazine in a timely manner! ha!

So here are some highlights... then go visit La Petite and cruise the magazine for yourself (before they post the new Fall issue!!). The nico nico editorial is photographed by Andreas E.G. Larsson and styled by Samantha Baker - FANTASTIC!

visit La Petite magazine click here

nama rococo wallpaper panels

this is the piece framed (just to hold it flat for the photo) - it's neon pink and AMAZING!

Nama Rococo was founded by Artist Karen Combs in 2005, she makes this luxurious hand painted, hand printed wallpaper by the sheet. "Nama" means 'raw' in Japanese and then she felt inclined to add the word Rococo, because of her love for all things Old World and it's sensuousness. They believe that the ornate can exist in the contemporary as well as they baroque. For me it all mixes well into her work.. it could have no other name!

French Dot pattern

I have loved her work for a very, VERY long time and was happy to use some of her panels on a project, sorry no photos... :( - BUT you can have your very own piece of the pie, so to speak..

After our recent project and have two panels of the top (PINK) Nama Rococo wallpaper hand silkscreened print left. They sell for $126/sheet - I love them and have kept a few for myself but wondering if anyone is interested in them... email me and let me know at carinanonchalantmomcom

Nama Rococo website click here

same print as wallpaper

it's getting cool... stay warm in this beautiful PONCHO!

 With this lovely piece of warm and cozy... Just arrived from Matta and already my favorite thing of the week!! 100% Italian Cashmere (made in Italy) poncho... this is one that works for everyone, it's kind of small and not floppy all over.. the PERFECT size I would say!

WITH or without a belt... it's perfect!

shop NEW Matta here

WIN :: $250 shopping spree

WIN :: a $250 shopping spree!

We are celebrating our NINTH BIRTHDAY (what!?!!)
and we would like to show our gratitude with a little contest... it's easy... shop NOW through October 6th and you will be entered to WIN!! (all orders $100+ are automatically entered to win)

We will announce the winner on THIS BLOG on October 6th!! So keep checking to see if you WON!!

yay!

(also, free shipping is still going on for orders $150+ use code: 'freeship' at checkout - USA, UPS ground orders only)

THANKS SO MUCH for sticking with us SO long and making this whole adventure WORK!

Love, NonchalantMom (aka-Carina)

shop NOW!

to do: stencil jeans

Recently while running through La Petite magazine I found this great tutorial for painting your kids (ah hum.. yours too!) jeans! I have yet to put paint to fabric, but just in case you need to spruce up your look here is the tutorial! EASY peasy!

 I know this is hard to read - but all you really need is the stencil some sponges and fabric paint! Put a piece of cardboard inside the pants so that the paint does not run through the leg. They suggest you start at the bottom of one leg and then work your way up.

For full instruction go to La Petite magazine and see the full story (with larger text!). Please send me photos if you manage to get anything onto your jeans and I will do the same... I am planning a bit of a wave print... we shall see...!!

La Petite

baby and kid undies... Goatmilk

I promise you it's very hard to choose what is in NonchalantMom, there are SO many really lovely collections out there and I really WISH that I could support them all... one of those, one of my favorites, which I would love to have but somehow don't is GOAT-MILK. These guys create the most beautiful essentials, well made, terrific fabrics and construction, and thankfully organic.

The company is founded by Roland and Tania, who have that similar story to many parents who start companies which is; you can't find something that you had in your childhood, that was made well and with quality. In this case, Tania asked Roland to bring back underwear for her son from her native home of Spain while he traveled there for photo shoots. He looked into production years later when he started supplying Tania's second child PLUS all of her friends with fabulous underthings from Spain!

Goatmilk was born... I believe this is about their third season, and they are creating fantastic and essential undies, undershirts, long johns etc... There are really no better baby onesies and I believe that every kid needs a perfect stripe shirt for each season!

shop goatmilk here!

Lem Lem :: NEW Fall 2012 for WOMEN!

Babaloo navy smock shirt w/babloo scarf

Babloo smock shirt

I am just crazy about just about everything I have for the new Fall 2012 season... so I am starting with women... (and then kids next!! so cute!) - it started with Lem Lem and it arrived JUST in time for our End of the Summer Party.. and what a better time for new things to arrive than the DAY OF A PARTY - yes, excited as I was about all things new I just happened to want it ALL, somehow I think that Lem Lem works for me in the FALL and in the high summer...

Adamu scarf and Mala scoop neck Tshirt

 Lem Lem for Fall 2012 is a elegant weave of fine Italian wool and soft Ethiopian cotton, these two come together in a way that is beautiful and (what I love) unique at the same time. I love to wear Lem Lem because I feel like my self, I feel like my comfort zone is being worn on my outside as well as my inside.

black Mala dress w/Mala handbag

Lem Lem Fall 2012... (just assume that you will probably want to own ALL of these pieces!)

lem lem mala scoop neck dress in Navy OR Black!

Lem Lem Fall 2012 at Nonchalant Mom - click here

T magazine - sad face :(

When I got my T magazine fashion issue I set it aside - it's one of those things I want to take my time with and enjoy... Mostly because it's a place I can dream and it takes me away to a completely stylish place that I can sit back and contemplate and thoroughly ENJOY. Then my friend Tina came over and saw it on my table and said.. did you hear that Sally Singer is leaving.... I stopped... for crying out loud, when someone with an entirely different opinion, away from the ordinary hits the stage with something other than what is... expected, it just doesn't last long does it... (think Domino...)

Tell me.. does ANYONE like what Stefano Tonchi is doing to W magazine? Honestly with his covers I am embarrassed, for him, for fashion, for the people on the cover. But I knew I had in my back pocket... T Magazine... a place for people who have a dream, to read about people who are living their dream and creating something entirely unique and exciting to read about.

So there we go.. we have to say Goodbye to Sally Singer.. Thank you very much Sally Singer for a very happy and fun two years, I have enjoyed it and so have my readers! BUT I know she will do something else, I am hoping that we get more of this... what if... dare I say it Vanity Fair and Sally Singer get together...(!). Just in case anyone needs them... I have the last two years of T magazine right up on my shelf! :) (smiley face)

get the full story at the daily beast by clicking here
read the fall 2012 fashion issue here

todays fav:: Fresh Berry!

Who knew that after the perfect color (Passion) Fresh would add ANOTHER perfect color: Berry!

I went online immediately when I heard and already got it in my mailbox!

NEW favorite... BERRY!
(just in case you are new to Fresh Sugar they are a perfect combination of chapstick, lip stick, sort of a gloss but I hate gloss so I don't want to say that but it kind of IS like a gloss... perfect!)

buy it here!

Environmental Working Groups: Guide to Healthy Cleaning

My favorite go-to for toxic 'stuff' is the Environmental Working Group, they seem to have their priorities straight and they are not in the back pocket of any large corporation. So when they put out this Guide to Healthy Cleaning I took a look, just to make sure the things I like to use are safe and good for our family. I remember a story a few years back about a dog getting sick and the family couldn't figure it out.. then come to find out she was cleaning her floors with a Swifter and that was making the dog sick.. Wow.. but makes sense somehow. Not that THAT was the beginning of my natural product phase but it just drove home how all of these products we are being fed are TOXIC!

The guide is very easy to use and you can click on each item for complete details!

click here for Guide to Healthing Cleaning

click here for a quick reference on the products which the EWG feels are at the TOP of the healthy cleaning guide OR to check to see how your products rank

visit the EWG and see all of their guides from Sunscreems to Cosmetics and now Cleaning products.

(The EXG also announced that Johnson & Johnson - makers of brands like Neutrogena, Aveeno, Clean & Clear, RoC and Lubriderm - announced that it will reformulate its products to remove dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde-releasers and triclosan. This is a major victory.)