Hip Mama

Back to School After Sandy Hook

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 07:43:11 +0000

It’s the last day of Kaia’s holiday break. It’s been an incredible two weeks with time away from work and school, the joy of Christmas, lots of giggles, and lots of hugs. It’s almost been enough to make me forget what happened on December 14th in Newtown. Almost.

Harajuku Mini for Target Giveaway!

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 06:41:35 +0000

I am OBSESSED with Gwen Stefani’s uber-covetable Harajuku Mini for Target line. The designs are influenced by Gwen’s signature style, but also boast the most whimsical details that always impress even the smallest fashion mavens. The holiday collection this year is probably my favorite one yet! And as most Target collabos go, some of the most awe-inspiring pieces are already hard to find. Before you start scouring all the stores in your area, I have some good news.

For Grown-Ups: Inappropriate Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Sabrina James — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 07:06:30 +0000

And there you have it. The one sentence that single-handedly defines the holiday season for any parent on social media: “Are you Elf enough?”

My Lucky Day

Sabrina James — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 06:33:46 +0000

On November 21^st, many years ago, a baby girl was born on a cold night in Germany. I love looking at pictures of her. She had a face like a cherub with flushed cheeks that still seemed to glow even in black and white. As you turn the pages in the tattered album, you see her grow into a stunning girl who at six, the same age as my daughter, changed. Her mother died in childbirth. Her dad, who didn’t know how to care for two girls on his own, cut off all of her beautiful hair.

Coolest Big Bird Costume EVER!

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 05:20:43 +0000

There's no doubt that Big Bird wins the award for the most popular (and talked-about) costume of the year! But options are limited (and already sold out!) if your kid wants to dress like the big yellow guy. Have no fear! I partnered with Alisha Collins of Fairytale Jubilee to design a DIY costume that's sure to wow!

What you'll need:

Video: Call Me Maybe

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 20:53:16 +0000

You know you have a great job when at the end of a three day, 50 kid photo and video shoot for our Halloween issue, the photo team had the idea (ok... maybe I'd been planting said idea for a month or so) to do a silly video to the oh-so-catchy (you know you love it) song “Call me Maybe.” We styled ourselves in pieces from the kids’ Halloween costumes and bebopped around the studio making absolute fools of ourselves. It was amazingly fun and the result is incredibly funny!

Shame on Shaming!

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 15:20:10 +0000

Tonight, my daughter and I sat on the couch and told each other stories. Stories about our life together. We do this sometimes and we both really enjoy it. Kaia’s stories always start with: “One day, when I was [insert age here], I was [doing something exciting] with you. I was happy.” I like to tell her about sweet moments I remember from when she was a baby. She always asks for more stories. More memories. More. After we finished storytelling hour I told her that when I was her age I liked to make books.

What it Means to be a Princess

Tue, 02 Oct 2012 07:26:54 +0000

I have never been a fan of the whole Disney Princess thing. Sure I saw the movies as a child, but I wasn’t enamored with the sparkly dresses and glass slippers. I was more of an “Annie” girl. I related to her. She was scrappy, strong, and sweet all at the same time. She followed her heart, looked after the other kids in the orphanage, and was a leader. She wasn’t typically pretty or stylish, she was just Annie, and people fell in love with her because she was totally and completely herself. In retrospect, Annie was my first glimpse at the kind of girl I wanted to be.

Vest Dressed

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 08:25:41 +0000

Ever since I realized that I was stifling Kaia’s creativity and sense of independence by dressing her in my style (yes, that’s right, my daughter doesn’t want me, the fashion director, to pick out her clothes anymore), there have been many style rules broken.

You're a Sly One, Mr. Fox

Sabrina James — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 07:01:49 +0000

It looks like the fox has dethroned the owl as the coolest animal in the forest (and your closet)! Check out these fab finds for you and your "kit" that are right on trend for fall.