Cyber Monday Teacher Gift Ideas Under $35

26 November 2018 8:04 AM
Happy Cyber Monday! The sales this weekend have been incredible! I am almost done with my shopping, but needed a few more things for the girl's teachers. As I was shopping I put together some of my top picks in a blog post. Everything is on sale for $35 or under and has free shipping or a pick up in store option through the end of today! Most are far below that price!
affiliate links are used in this post, thank you so much for supporting our family!




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Happy Thanksgiving & Black Friday Sales!

22 November 2018 4:35 AM
Happy Thanksgiving!! It is so hard to believe that Thanksgiving is already here. I feel like time is going by so fast this fall! We are off to Kris' sisters house to celebrate with their family. Before we go I wanted to thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog and be part of this community!

I am truly so thankful for you all! I also wanted to share the best Black Friday sales from around the internet! I am definitely going to be an online shopper this year! I wanted to keep track of what sales were going on for all of us on this page. I will update it as sales change. I hope this is helpful!

Affiliate links are included in this post. Thank you SO much for supporting my family!












Bed Bath & Beyond - Shop Black Friday deals here, FREE SHIP over $19!



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Holiday Gift Guide 02: For Kids

21 November 2018 3:23 PM
For my second round of gift guides for this 2018 holiday season, ideas for your little ones are up next! This is a post that you guys requested and I had so much fun putting it together! I tried to find creative toys in addition to the ones that top the most wanted lists of my girls and their friends! 

These gift guides are broken up by Baby, Preschoolers and 5+! Beneath each picture are shopping enabled affiliate links to each image above. I hope you enjoy it and that it makes your shopping a bit easier! xo - Meggan 
Shop the Post for Babies:




Shop the Post for Preschoolers: 



Shop the Post for 5 Years +: 



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Holiday Gift Guide 01: For Her

19 November 2018 7:11 PM
I can't believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner! Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. As a girl we would go into New York City to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with my dad, and then help my mom with final meal prep! The day after Thanksgiving we would wake up SUPER early - like 4am, and hit the black Friday sales! I've always been a bargain hunter and Black Friday is one of my favorite holidays too, ha! But now I prefer to shop online and there are so many amazing sales that are coming up! 

My first gift guide of this season is for the girls! These are all items that I would love to get for Christmas. I don't know why but when friends and family ask what is on my list I freeze - I know some of my other friends feel the same way! I think because we are so busy caring for others that we forget about ourselves! This list will hopefully be helpful as you are shopping and giving your significant other ideas! Also great for gifting for your girlfriends, sisters, moms or MILs! 
Affiliate links are used in this post. Thank you for supporting Golden Style Book!
Erin Condren Life Planner - A planner is almost always on my Christmas list! There is something so calming to me about starting the new year with a fresh planner and at least trying to feel organized, ha! I have tried a wide variety of planners but this one works best for me! Shop the Erin Condren Life Planner here.

Keurig K-select Coffee Maker - We have had the same coffee maker for a LONG time and it's finally on its last leg. This one is the new version of the cofee maker that has lasted us through the years. I love that it is white so it will match our kitchen when it comes time to renovate! Shop the Keurig K-Select Cofee Maker here.

Rose Quartz Crystal Facial Roller - I have heard so many great things about these rollers and this one has great reviews; reducing puffiness and wrinkles - sign me up! Shop the Rose Quartz Crystal Facial Roller here.

Personalized Name Ring - These rings are so dainty and I love that they are personalized! Add your anniversary date, a special name or anything else! Shop the Personalized Name Ring here.

Michele Watch - So this watch is a bit of a splurge, but one of these watches have been on my wish list forever! I love the cream and gold colors of this one. Shop the Michele Watch here.

Value Set of Makeup Brushes - This set of makeup brushes is only $62 down from $160! I always think makeup brushes seem so overpriced, but this set is a steal, and is a great basics kit. I have a few brushes from the sephora brand and have been happy with them! Shop the Sephora Makeup Brush Set here. 

 Silk Pillowcase - The SlipSilk pillowcase has been a splurge that I've been thinking about making for a while now! I have heard only great things and that it is anti-aging and anti-sleep crease! Anything to make my hair last longer between washes, ha! Shop the SlipSilk pillowcase here!

Personalized Layered Necklace - This layered necklace caught my eye because of the unique stone in the first layer and the ability to personalize the whole thing! Shop the Personalized Layered Necklace here.  Also shown above is a more affordable coin layered necklace (under $50) that I also love!

 Revlon One Step Hair Dryer and Curler -  Anything to make mornings more efficient is a win in my book! Two of my girlfriends told me about this one and I am dying to try it! Shop the Revlon Dryer & Curler here.

Sherpa Moto Jacket - Sherpa, Moto & Buffalo Plaid. Consider me sold! Plus it will be on major sale for Black Friday so that is a win all around! Shop the Sherpa Moto Jacket here.

Madewell Non-Distressed Denim - Every year a pair of Madewells end up on my Christmas list! I think their jeans are one of the best jeans around especially for the price compared to other designer options! I have a ton of distressed denim and loved this non-distressed pair in a perfect dark wash! I wear my normal size 27 and find them to be TTS. Shop Madewell Jeans here.

Styled Collection Link Lexi Bracelet - This mixed metal bracelet reminds me of David Yurman but it's only $38! Such a great girlfriend gift idea too! Shop the Lexi Bracelet Here.

Silicone Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat - Cleaning makeup brushes can be a pain and this is supposed to help! Can't wait to try! Also a great girfriend gift option at under $6! Shop Silicone Makeup Brush Cleaning Mat.

Barrington Gifts Custom St Anne Tote Bag - This carry all tote from Barrington Gifts has also been on my list for a while! I love that it can hold everything from my laptop to a bazillion snacks for the girls! The monogramming is such a great option as well! Shop the St. Anne Tote here.

Travel Jewelry Case - On a recent trip a necklace that I love was SO tangled from being in a small zip pouch that was not designed for jewelry, that it was not salvageable! I was so sad, but it made me start hunting for a great travel jewelry case. I love this one because it holds several types of jewelry and has great reviews. It is also $26 and has prime shipping! Shop Travel Jewelry Case Here. 

Styled Collection Travel Vanity Bag Set - Along the travel line, this travel set is so handy and cute! Love that it is clear so you can see all that is inside as well! Shop the Styled collection Travel Vanity Bag. 

Tory Burch Miller Sandals - These are on super sale  for $138 and I love the print!! I have them in a tan shade at the moment, but this animal print is like having another neutral in your closet! This off season pricing is the best! Shop Miller Sandals Here.

Sole Society Weekender Bag - Currently on sale for $49! I love this tan color and a weekender bag is something I will get so much use from! Shop Weekender Bag Here. 

Mark & Graham Checked Luggage - I have the carry on version of this bag and love it! I get so many questions on whether it is worth the splurge and I have to say it is! It is SO easy to wheel through the airport and I love the monogram of course. ha! It makes it easy to spot at the carousel! Shop the Mark & Graham Luggage here.

Black Hunter Boots - Living in South Florida, rain boots are essential! I love Hunters (size down one) and this black pair will go so well with everything! Shop Hunters here.

Comfy Leggings - Leggings are such a wardrobe staple for me and this pair has the BEST reviews and I love this red color! Did I mention they are under $20?! Shop Leggings here. 
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Six Days In Maui

04 November 2018 12:35 PM
Last week Kris and I went to Maui to celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary! It was my first time to Hawaii and Kris' second time. It was a trip that we had been planning for about a year and it was such a blast! We try to take a trip every year that is just us - it is so special to have that time! I had a bunch of requests to share what we did while in Maui, so here is our travel diary! This post contains affiliate links but is not sponsored.

Since we live in South Florida, the trip to Hawaii was a long one! We had one layover each way and landed at the main Maui airport. I always try to be as comfortable as possible when traveling so I opted for my most comfy jeans and a soft cardigan! 


Cardigan ($17! Size up one if  you can go between) // Jeans // Tank // Hat // Shoes // Necklace

We opted not to rent a car for the week so took a shuttle to our hotel that was included in our package that we booked at www.Hotels.com. We were really happy with our experience with Hotels.com and the discount we got on our combined package! We have also used Costco travel in the past and loved them too (I know, who knew Costco did travel, ha!). 

When we were looking at hotel options we had a few in mind but ultimately went with the Grand Wailea. Since Kris had been to Maui before he knew that he wanted to stay in Wailea and this hotel had everything we were looking for - beach front, spa, beautiful pools and a lot of other amenities! We also looked at these hotels:
  • Four Seasons - recently renovated and next door to the Grand Wailea. It was smaller than the Grand Wailea and is really beautiful as well! 
  • Andaz Maui - We actually had dinner here and it was such a chic hotel! It reminded me of South Beach in Hawaii - so pretty.
We ultimately picked the Grand Wailea because of the property, amenities and that they had an ocean front room when we were booking - that was important to us! 

When we arrived at the hotel on Friday we had been traveling for about 14 hours so we were exhausted! We checked in and went down to the Molokini restaurant which is a casual full service restaurant next to the pools. The sunset was incredible and the food was amazing - the ahi tuna nachos were my favorite! I wore this green dress that was so comfortable! You can dress it up with heels, but i opted for flip flops. 

I wore this dress that is an Amazon Prime find and under $22! It wore my normal size medium. 
Dress // Shoes // Necklace // Bag

The next two days, Saturday and Sunday, were spent by the pool! At the hotel, guests woke up REALLY early to reserve chairs near umbrellas. So we decided to rent a cabana each day which was reasonable and made it so we didn't have to think about reserving chairs! We relaxed, read books (i read Girl Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis), went on the hotel water slides and had Mai Tais in the swim up grotto - SO fun!

What I wore to the pool each day: 



We had two great dinners those nights - at Mama's Fish House and Morimotos. I recommend making reservations for Mama's Fish House long before you arrive! 

What I wore to dinner: 
Cold Shoulder Dress //  Sandals // Bag


On Monday we had a tee time to play golf at Kapalua. It was on Kris' bucket list to play at this course and I rode with him in the cart! I wasn't sure if I would like it honestly, but I had a blast! It was so fun to see him in his element playing golf and the views were incredible! It took us about an hour to get there and back from Wailea - thank goodness for Uber! That night we just got room service and went to bed early - we were exhausted! 

What I wore golfing: 



The following day we went to the spa for a couples massage and then spent the rest of the day relaxing by the beach. We went on a walk along the ocean front path that takes you past several of the beach front hotels. At this point we were totally lamenting it being our last night, ha! For our final dinner on the island we went to the Grand Wailea's luau. It was such an amazing experience to learn more about the culture of Hawaii and eat the amazing food they had prepared! Plus the sunset was phenomenal that night. It was worth the splurge! 

What I wore to the luau: 

On Wednesday we were scheduled to fly out at about 9pm. That morning we packed our bags and got ready to go to our last excursion which was a helicopter tour of West Maui and Molokai! We flew with Blue Hawaiian Tours and it was so well run. It was an incredible way to see the islands and I felt like I was in Jurassic Park at points with all of the mountains and views. We opted for the 50 minute tour. 



Thankfully our hotel had a hospitality suite so we were able to go to the pool for a few hours and then get changed before getting on our red eye flight! Hawaii blew me away and I can't wait to take the girls back with us next time! 



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Old Navy Fall Dressing Room Diaries

02 November 2018 5:53 AM
It has been forever since I've done an Old Navy try on session! The last few weeks have been so super busy so I'm excited I had the chance to go this week! Charlotte joined me for this one so you will see her through out the photos! Anyway, here we go! My normal size is Medium and I am 5'10 for height reference. This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting me and my family!

Old Navy is currently offering 30% off most items on their site, but I think that their sale this weekend should be even bigger! If you want to save on shipping if your order is below $50 then picking up in store is a great option! 

This polka dot sweater is so cute! I love the fit because it is flattering but comfortable all at the same time. It is not super heavy and is a great layering piece. I would wear this with a utility jacket over it! I am wearing size medium which is my normal size. 

It comes in several patterns as well like this one.


This striped plush top is seriously SO soft! It feels like you are wearing pajamas. I wore it for school drop off and pick up this week with some black jeans and it was such an easy outfit! 

I accidentally grabbed one size up and I actually loved the slouchy fit! I am wearing size large. You can find it here. 


This plaid top is probably one of my favorite plaid patterns that I've seen this fall! I love that it has black, green and red all together. The fit is great - I am wearing size medium. Below I'm showing a few ways to style this cute top found here. 

An easy way to style this top is with a puffer vest. I love this one because it is super warm but flattering at the same time! I would size down in this one if you ever go between sizes! 

 Or you can layer it below a lighter colored sweater like this one! This sweater is a similar weight to the polka dot one above. I am wearing size medium! This sweater is found here. 



And lastly, I tied it around my waist with this white layering top. If you are looking for a great basic layer, this one is SO good! The material is super soft and really great quality! You can find the white top here. 



This mock neck sweater is so adorable and cozy! I am wearing my normal size and it comes in several colors. This particular color just sold out but it is available in other colors!  


This ruffle dress is really flattering and I love that the ruffle isn't overwhelming! I would dress this up for work or wear with casual booties for a day with the family! You  can add a leather jacket, jean jacket or even a blazer.  I am wearing size medium regular length. You can find this dress here. 


This top was one of my favorites from the try on! This print is so precious and perfect for fall/thanksgiving! It has a delicate ruffle sleeve and smocking at the front!  I am wearing size medium. You can find it here. 


This sweater is so fun! I love the color of the stripe and it fits TTS. I think it would be so cute with leopard booties and black jeans!


I tried this jacket on in store and wasn't a fan. The fit was not flattering on me - I prefer a jacket with a more accentuated waist. I have my eye on this one from H&M! 

To make it easier, here are graphics for the items above! 



And that is a wrap! Thank you so much for reading! I hope this is helpful as you are shopping at Old Navy! 

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Fall/Winter Family Photos

21 October 2018 11:37 AM
I am so excited to finally share this post with you! So many of you were messaging me about sharing affordable fashion for the whole family. These pieces can be used for not only family photos but also for family events through out fall and Thanksgiving! I also wanted to be sure that everything in this post is affordable, so it is almost all under $50 (with the exception of some mens items)!

Here are some tips for styling a group for family photos:

1. Pick a color scheme to coordinate off of vs. everyone wearing a matching pattern or the exact same print – that becomes overwhelming. Coordinating is best for the whole group although I often will match the girls in the same dress!

2. Here are some of my favorite color schemes. When trying to determine what colors to go with, thinking about your photo venue and what colors are in that space can be helpful! One year we did photos in a studio with a neutral background and bistro lights so we did bold colors! Some of my favorite color schemes include:



  • Black, gold, camel (maybe a pop of animal print too)
  • Black, white, blush
  • Burgundy, cream, chambray
  • Cream, blush, tan
  • Cream, blush, light blue
  • Gold, black, pink
  • Grey, white, tan
  • Grey, rust, oatmeal
  • Mustard, cream, black
  • Navy, dark green, mustard
  • Navy, dark green, cream
  • Rust, cream and light blue
  • Red, white, black


    • 3. I typically start with my outfit and then build out from there. But on occasion, if I find something that I love for the girls, we start with them! Add layers to create differentiation. For example if you have girls that are in matching outfits, you can add a fur vest to one or give them different shoes!

    4. Wear comfortable shoes! Everyone! There is nothing worse than being uncomfortable during a shoot and it won’t help all of the tips that I have below for keeping everyone happy :)

    5. When in doubt, chambray and cream colors work well to blend and add depth to the styling with out overwhelming the group look!


    Here are some lessons that I’ve learned while taking family photos for making things run smoothly:

    1. Go into the photos with a relaxed demeanor and be relaxed. I’ve found that the best photos are the ones where the kids are also relaxed and just having fun! Otherwise the girls won’t last long and are miserable doing the dreaded “fake smile”, you know what I mean, ha! Capturing moments in natural less staged photos is the most beautiful!

    Some ideas that work for us – go for a ‘walk” towards the camera, ask them to jump or skip, do ring around the rosy, sing their favorite song, have someone behind the camera act silly, and my personal favorite, just tell them how much you love them and how special they are! We did family photos a few weeks ago and I was telling Charlotte that she was beautiful, kind and strong while she was doing some pictures by herself. She started beaming and now likes to tell everyone that they have to attributes too!

    2. When you are working with a professional photographer or someone who is taking your photos, try to schedule your photos not only when the light is good, but when the kids are happy. After nap or morning normally works best for us.

    3. For our normal Instagram photos, I never make the kids take a picture with me if they are not in the mood to do so. That’s why sometimes you will see just one or the other in a picture! But for the long length of family photos, snacks and candy help! One of my favorite photographers had a stash of mini marshmallows during our family shoot a few years ago, and it was sooo helpful to keep everyone happy!

    4. Do something fun after your photos. Last year we went out for dinner and ice cream with grandparents and the girls were in heaven! It was helpful for the girls to have something to look forward to.

    5. Keep it short and take pictures with your kids first. Save any wife/husband photos for last because they will get tired!

    2017 Family Photo: The girls outfits are from River Island  and Joyfolie. My skirt is no longer in stock but this is a really similar one! 

    Here are some affordable finds to get you started on fall/winter family photos! I broke them up by Women, Men, Girls and Boys.

    Women




    Men




    Girls




    Boys




    I hope that this post is helpful as you are styling your fall and winter family photos!

    xo Meggan 

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    What I Bought from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

    20 July 2018 3:53 AM
    The Nordstrom Anniversary Public Access sale is here!! Here are some of the items that I purchased and loved! I also included dupes for items that are not available in the sale any more! 

    I wore my true size medium in both the cardigan and the top! These Madewell jeans are the old version, and the new version of these jeans sold out almost immediately!  I found a dupe for them here!

    These adorable booties run TTS and go with everything! I am wearing them in the olive suede color but they come in several colors!

    This tee is sold out in the stripe, but comes in several other colors! Jeans are not from the Nordstrom Sale but I would also go with your normal size! I linked a dupe for these shoes as well :)


    One of my favorite pairs of pants hasn't been restocked from the sale yet so I linked some similar items!!
    Since this hat sold so quickly, I found a dupe for it that is SO affordable! And this bag is part of the sale and I love it! It comes with a cute pouch inside - 2 bags in one!



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    Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Early Access

    12 July 2018 2:20 AM
    The day is finally here!! Early Access for the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale begins! I have been up since 3am my time shopping the sale and have had way too much caffeine already!  As I shared in my last post, the Nsale has been my favorite sale for years and this year it did not disappoint! 

    I know that so many of y'all are so excited about this sale and I wanted to put together a quick highlight of some of the amazing items in the sale before hitting the store this morning! Cardigans, plaid tops, comfy tees, boots/booties normally go the fastest! Happy Shopping!

    Cardigans & Pullovers:
    1. Barefoot Dreams Malibu Wrap 
    2. Topshop Long Open Front Cardigan 
    3. Oversized Waffle Cardigan
    4. BP Cocoon Cardigan
    5. Thread and Supply Wubby Pullover

    Tops

    Pants & Jeans
    13. Zella Red Leggings

    Boots, Shoes & Accessories
    19. Madewell Earrings
    21. BP Bootie
    22. 1.State Studded Bootie
    23. Vince Camuto Pevista Bootie

    24. Sam Edelman Tall Boot
    25. Vince Camuto Over the Knee Boot
    26. Steve Madden Grey Mules
    27. Lucky Wedge Bootie
    28. Sole Society Scarf
    29. Chelsea28 Bag



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    Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

    09 July 2018 8:03 PM
    The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale is probably my favorite sale of the year next to Black Friday, or as my husband likes to call it, my Superbowl! What I love about it is that you have access to new fall arrivals that are offered at sale prices before they go to their regular price. This year we have some trips planned to colder destinations so I will actually have use for some cooler weather layers!

    I got the preview catalog before we left for Alaska and had so much fun going through it (although this is just a tiny snippet of whats to come...the catalog pales in comparison to the sale every year)! But I know it gets reeeallly old quickly with everyone talking about it for an entire month. So I decided to wait to start talking about the sale until today! 

    The sale can feel overwhelming with all of the hype and large amount of items offered, so I wanted to break down the sale basics if you haven't heard of it before, share my shopping plan and how I am going to cover the sale! I want to be the best resource for you! 

    NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE GUIDE 

    What is the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale?
    The Anniversary sale offers brand new fall arrivals on sale for great prices before they go back to their normal prices for the season. The sale stretches across many departments such as mens, home and kids! I often buy Christmas gifts, teachers gifts and do back to school shopping for my girls!
     So many great brands like Tory Burch, Sam Edelman, Barefoot Dreams, Vince Camuto and Spanx go on sale. But because the sale is so popular things literally fly off the shelves! There are sometimes restocks, but not always. 

    When does the sale start?
    The key dates for the anniversary sale are as follows: 
    • July 12th at 12:01am Pacific - Early Access for Nordstrom card holders 
    • July 20th at 12:01am Pacific - Public sale begins 
    • August 5th - Sale ends and prices go up

    What is your plan for shopping the sale?
    I've been shopping the Nsale for years and this is my second year covering it as a blogger! I always set my alarm and wake up the minute the sale goes live at 12:01 am pacific and start going through all of the goodness! I typically am shopping for the most affordable basics (booties, boots, cardigans, tees, jeans), event dresses, and athleisure! This year I am also shopping for home decor, kids and mens. I've been saving for this sale for a while, ha!

    How will you share the sale?
    So on July 12th, first thing in the morning, I will have a round up of my favorite items and those that I think will sell out quickly on the blog. I will also share this on my insta stories with direct swipe up links. I often make multiple purchases since shipping is free to be sure items don't sell out! If an item is available for in store pick up I will normally chose that as well! 

    I am heading to the store to do a try on session as well on the 12th to discuss sizing! The girls are coming with me which should be interesting!

     Although I love the Nordstrom sale, it won't be the only thing I share for the next 4 weeks. But some posts to look for from me in the next few weeks are: 
    • specific posts based on department and price point 
    • fall wedding outfit ideas 
    • restocks during the public sale 
    • affordable work wear basics 
    • early Christmas gift ideas and teacher gift ideas 
    • styling and outfit ideas for family photos

    Do you have any favorites from the Nordstrom Sale Catalog?
    Yes! Here are some of my favorites so far! 

    Catalog links:  Main catalog, Mens Catalog

    I hope you have fun shopping the Nordstrom sale! Before you shop, I recommend taking an inventory of your fall clothes and make a list of what you are looking for! Also, set a budget - it can be SO easy to overspend and knowing how much you want to spend is really helpful! 

    Check back here on the 12th to see my sale picks! Please feel free to email me or DM me on Instagram if you have any questions or want me to find specific items for you! Happy shopping! :)
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    Affordable Clothing For Girls on Amazon

    03 May 2018 10:57 AM
    I have always loved to dress up my girls - from infancy to preschool age, I have so much fun with the girly side of being, well a girl! But with them growing so quickly, it is hard to justify spending a lot on a single outfit!

    So in addition to shopping at Target, Old Navy and other affordable reatailers, I started shopping on AlliExpress. I found a Fourth of July romper for Charlotte when she was under one years old for like $10 with free shipping!  That same romper I had seen at a boutique for $35! The shipping isn't quick, but for the price, it was worth it.

    Then I started to notice that Amazon actually offered some of these same items for the same price, but shopping through Amazon is just so much easier for me, ha! #naturalhabitat And they offer free prime on some of these items!

    Some tips for shopping these items: 
    1. Always read the reviews. Sometimes you have to take these with a grain of salt, but often if there are several reviews saying the same thing it will be accurate. 
    2. Check the sizing guide! Sometimes the sizing will include measurements which makes it easier to tell how the item will fit your little one. 
    3. Check the shipping dates and return policies. Try to eliminate any surprises! 

    I have been thinking about doing this post for a while now, and have been slowly collecting my favorite Amazon fashion finds for girls and wanted to share below! Here are some pictures of them in real life and then my Amazon picks!

    Affiliate links are used in this post, thank you so much for supporting us! 


     dresses 





    Charlotte's Romper {similar} {similar}



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