Friday Favorites: Boden, Next and Gap

Not sure if you realize this, but we have an entire page dedicated to our Favorite Things up all the time. (Admittedly we may need to update that page from time to time, but it's a great place to get links fast and furious when you need something.) With all of this back to school goodness in the air, we are in shopping mode, so if you haven't finalized your color scheme/theme for your cards (or let's be honest even started to THINK about them) - you are in luck because we have plenty of inspiration planned for today!

We think clothes should be affordable, durable and obviously cute! Our favorites are a combo of this - many of these retailers carry clothing from infant to adults. We are even share some of our hidden treasures. (Katy really didn't want to share Next Direct with "the world" but Cindy said that it was in the spirit of Christmas). We live by the "it's okay to spend money on clothes if we can wear them again and again" creed.  Over the next few weeks, we will be putting some boards together from our favorites this week, we start with some classics. So... In my best Julie Andrews:

Boden is awesome, we are quite smitten

Next is always ready with stockings and mittens

Gap is a classic, its' wonder still gleams

All are a few of our favorite things

Boden

We like stores that all you to shop for the entire family because they usually have pieces that will coordinate well. This palette would be fantastic for an urban photo shoot or at a carnival or fair. Just add some fun shoes, colorful tights and you are set! 

Fair Isle Knitted Dress/Judy Dress/Wool Blazer/Alice Ponte Dress/Men's Everyday V Neck

Next Direct

Someone build a campfire and grab the smores because THIS has us dying to get outside. We are loving all things plaid (or as we like to call it lumberjack chic)  - just feels comfy and cozy which are perfect adjectives for Christmas. That poncho will be arriving here soon and I **may** even have to try and squeeze myself in the biggest size of that tween tunic. Because clearly. If you never shopped at Next you are in a for a treat - TWO DAY SHIPPING is standard. And, y'all AND, if you ever need to call them (and you totally should) a real, live human answers the phone. And bonus, more than likely with a British accent. 

1. Colourblock Dress / 2. Knitted Stitch Poncho / 3. Longline Shirt Dress /  4. Four Pocket Jacket / 5. Two-Pack Striped Tee / 6. Boys Denim Shirt 

(Sidenote: Let's discuss our friends' across the pond definition of a vest.)

Gap

I know this may seem boring, but we love a monochromatic color scheme. This palette works well with rustic photo shoots, snow (!!),  and we think it would be awesome at a Christmas tree farm.

1.  Women's Cropped Cable Knit Sweater (BR ) / 2. Heritage Toggle Pull Over (BR) / 3. Girls Cable Poncho / 4.  Boys Ribbed Cardigan  / 5. Baby Cable Knit Dress 

If you shop these looks today you will get 40% off at Gap with code BDAY - so you are saving money. Do it!

What are your favorite looks to shop? Any hidden treasures you want to share?

Linking up with Andrea, Erika, and Narci

Friday Favorites: Christmas Birth Announcement

Y'all. We simply can't get over this one...

Sleeping Willow

We were just trying to illustrate how great of a prop blankets are and then ended up falling in love with this adorable announcement. I mean, it's almost worth having **one more baby**. (Not really. But almost.)

So, today's list of favorites is centered all around Christmas birth announcements...

1) Butterfly Chaser Photography/ 2) Invitations by Dawn / 3) Tiny Prints /  4) Etsy /  / 5) Tiny Prints

1) Minted  / 2) Unknown 3) Minted / 4) With Style and Grace

1) Unknown 2) Zazzle  / 3) Sara Luke / 4) Minted

1) Tiny Prints / 2) Esty / 3) Zazzle  

There are so many fun options! So if you or a friend or even a stranger are expecting a baby - please promise us you will email us a copy. If I had to chose right now, I think I'd pick "wonders of his love"...  but I like all of them. T

In honor of you new mommas or mommas-to-be... we have an amazing giveaway as we wrap up Christmas in July with the Dish.

Thanks to Dexter Insurance one lucky reader is getting the ultimate mom-running accessory....

A Bob Revolution Jogging Stroller!

And in case some freak accident happens while you are out running make sure you talk to the Dexter Team for all your insurance needs. Dexter Insurance is located in Bryan-College Station (with an office in Dallas) and can help you with auto, home, commercial, and life insurance. They are seriously awesome.

Whoever wins that awesome BOB Stroller will most definitely need to fine tune their running skills using a Fit4Mom 10-Class Pass! If you aren't a runner that's okay, some of us just aren't runners ;). (Seriously. Check out the Dish today for a fun non-runners guide to running) Join the ladies at Fit4Mom Stroller Strides for their new early morning boot camp (5:30am) and take things in stride. Or you can test out a mid morning Stroller Strides class (they stride 6 days a week!). And if working out with a BOB Stroller isn't your thing, leave the kids at home and head to Body Back.

Aren't y'all excited about this awesome GIVEAWAY??? We are SUPER excited. The BOB Stroller is the ultimate mom necessity (just like Dexter Insurance ;) ). And don't even get us started with the Fit4Mom 10 Class Pass....oh the possibilities.

We have had so much fun with our buddies at the Dish over the past few weeks and we hope you have, too!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Merry Monday: Get PINspired

The Merry Mommas are thrilled to be linking up with Sheaffer, Shay and Mel for their monthly PIN-spired post! (We are actually surprised we haven't done it before. We have now decided it's a tradition.) So, welcome! Especially if this is your first time visiting Your Merry Mailbox. We hope you love what you see and follow us along as we try to help you create your perfect Christmas cards!

Now on to that PINspiration. 

Merry Momma K here... I was completely inspired by the thought of black, brown, and grey after reading about this glorious combo on PTMT last year. Y'all. Where have I been? LOVE does not do justice to how I feel about this combination.  My inspiration pic is on the left and on the right is me (and my friend Traci) at a work event - I think I pulled it off nicely. 

But I didn't stop there. 

I bought black, brown and grey EVERYthing. 

Life changed. Y'all - scope out your closets and count how many black, brown and grey items you have. A million, I'm sure. Now multiply them by each other and you will get the number of possible outfits waiting to be discovered in your closet. 

#Ithinkthatshowmathworks

After wearing the combo yet again last week...

(yes, I need a new mirror)

(#acceptinggifts)

it hit me... THIS WOULD BE AN AMAZING COMBO FOR A CHRISTMAS CARD.

#yesIyelledinmyhead

Not convinced? Let me show you some families who ROCKED this combo...

1/2/3

Seriously, jump on this train. Why you ask, well I will tell you... 

1. Classic

2. You can shop your closet 

3. Layers are your friend

4. Because we said so

Here are some of our favorite looks and pieces for the entire family:

MOM

We love the look of an oversized cardigan - its flattering and comfortable and makes a great statement. Finish the look with some simple jewelry and classic boots (thanks for the recommendation, Sheaffer, I LOVE them.)

i jeans by Buffalo Jeggings / Charming Charlie / i Jeans by Buffalo /  Chinese Laundry

DAD

We know the Merry Husbands would look amazing in this look.(#insertsappycommentabouthowtheylookamazinginanything)

We know the price on this sweater is a bit hefty, but y'all... these are your annual Christmas card pictures. 

#worthit

And we really can't say enough about the extra pop of a hat. Not many people think about it, and it really finishes off a look - especially if Dad has some stubble. 

  BR Sweater / Gap Cords / Hat / Shoes

DAUGHTER

Go ahead and just buy the entire outfit from Next. How stinking CUTE is she? We love this poncho so much and we have been eyeing those Hanna Andersson boots since our girls were babies. 

Next / Target Jeggings / Hanna Andersson

SON

We die over the tiny waistcoat, y'all. Rad wore one in our 2012 card and well, just go look for yourself how cute he was. Next is kind of our tiny secret in YMM world, so you are welcome for sharing that piece of paradise. 

Gap Cardigan / Next Suede / Gap Denim / Next Waistcoat

All this research wouldn't be complete if we didn't give you our picks for the perfect card to match this color combo. 

First up, Tiny Prints.

I think my favorite is the third one, love how the focus is on the family with minimal print distractions.

1/2/3

And of course, Minted

Love the pop of mint on that third option - would really add some fun to the classic combo. 

1/2/3

What do you think? What color combo are you using this year? We love to hear from our readers - what is your PINspiration this season???