Micropost: This + That.

*Image above via Smockingbird x Julia Amory featuring their darling swim collection.

A few random items I wanted to share…

+The latest Smockingbird x Julia Amory collection launched last week and I just had to have this sweet sundress for mini. She already owns this dress of theirs from their previous collection and it is such a treasure. These are fantastic dresses for family portraits, special occasions, school photos, etc. I am also tempted by this matching sibling moment — these trunks for micro, and this rashguard for mini! (And you can also twin with your mini in your own shirtdress!). I would say that their styles run TTS for little ones. Mini consistently wears a 5 and takes a size 5 in her dresses.

+If you are into the Carrie Forbes sandal vibe but after the look for less, Kaanas just launched very similar sandals and I saw them come on Shopbop last week and they’re already old out! There are still a few available at Madewell! Also like this style by the same brand.

+I wore this seashell print nap dress to Citi Field over the weekend for a Mets game and it was STINKING HOT outside (92 degrees and blazing sun) and it did me RIGHT. The lightest weight fabric and I love the way the skirt portion barely skims/touches your body when standing upright to allow for maximum ventilation. I also got stopped twice by people asking about it :). Pretty much the perfect weekend summer dress.

+I know I have fellow mamas who swear by Nuk active cups — the only way I have gotten my children to switch from bottles to sippy cups, and I must have tried a dozen other brands during this tricky transition — and they just launched a two-pack in a neutral pattern (praise be) for $11 that I snagged. Most of their cups have cartoon characters on the side so I welcome something simpler…it’s the little things.

+We will be in the car with the children yet again next week — I have frankly been surprised/impressed by how tolerant micro has been with all of the car time over the past few weeks after virtually none for the first two years of his life. The big hits for him have been WaterWows (remember to pre-fill the pens with water before you hit the road), lift-the-flap books like this one, and sticker books. These Dover ones require more help from a parent (he has trouble getting the stickers off himself), but the size is better for his small hands; these M&D ones he can do himself, though he seems to have more trouble balancing the book upright in his carseat. Meanwhile, mini has been very into Polly Pockets and sticker sets like this.

+So far, we have been very impressed with the Nuna Rava car seat. To be fair, we don’t have any point of comparison for a convertible car seat, but I am already thinking I’ll be thrilled to be able to totally remove and launder the seat cover since there are already crumbs and stains happening.

+Three dresses that are gorgeous and selling fast: this Horror Vacui-esque En Saison steal, this seashell print L’Agence, and this stunning white eyelet. (Swoon over all three!)

+J. Crew’s end of season sale is still raging — extra 50% off all sale items — and it’s such an incredible opportunity to buy cute dresses like this striped button-front one for future weekend BBQs/hangs. These $30 pajamas are currently in my cart — I love their entire “Dreamy” line. A few other finds:

CASHMERE CREWNECKS FOR LITTLE ONES FOR AROUND $40! — JUST ORDERED MINI THE CAMEL HEATHER COLOR FOR FALL!

$8.50 LEGGINGS FOR LITTLE LADIES (RUN LONG AND SLIM, FYI) — ALSO LIKE THESE BLOCKPRINT-INSPIRED ONES

ADORABLE DENIM JACKET FOR A LITTLE LADY, AROUND $20 — GREAT LAYERING PIECE FOR EARLY FALL

$11 T-SHIRTS IN GREAT COLORS FOR LITTLE LADIES

+Discovered these marble-effect serving bowls via Grace and they are SO chic!

+Grace and James Kids has some true gems in their warehouse sale, and everything was further-discounted over the weekend. I did end up snagging this wet/dry pouch and this matching swimsuit for mini.

+A lot of my favorite small children’s boutiques are running major mid-summer sales, including Frilly Frog, with 40% off its sale section with code SALE40. I buy the bulk of my children’s clothing while on sale in these promotions! Always love anything by Sal E Pimenta, including this sweet striped dress (another good family portrait pick) and any and all of their swimwear; everyday cotton dresses like this; and OMG this dress for your little lady’s first visit to Disney World, which is something Mr. Magpie and I are currently discussing…

+Still time to order fun headbands for the Fourth if you’re doing something low key like we are. (We’re making a flag cake and having a picnic!)