joy, nicknames, & cowgirl boots
One thing that terrifies me most about being Harlow’s mommy is making sure I cultivate and encourage her contagiously joyful spirit. Don’t get me wrong, girl can throw one heck of a tantrum….and she may or may not practice crying in the mirror….but she brings a smile to most everyone with her joy. Add in her sense of humor and goodness gracious she has me in stitches.
She’s witty and finds fun in the smallest things. She has the most incredible imagination and nurturing spirit.
One way I see her joy for small things is her naming or nicknaming people or things. She does it with such authority and intention that they usually tend to stick. She also just has a knack for rattling off something that makes sense and is cute to boot. Andy’s parents requested to be “Grandma” and “Grandpa,” but no matter how much we used those names, she would see them and declare, “MEMA!! POPPOP!”
The names stuck.
She’s named TeeTee (my sister, Kaitlyn), Cat Kate (Aunt Kate), Oranges (who she also named Jonesy, which has also totally stuck), and a handful of others, but the naming doesn’t stop with people. She names Andy’s work buildings (Red Work, Green Work, Grey Works and now Blue Work), stores (the “ball store” = Target), food (princess pasta among others) and lastly, shoes. I’m sure I’m forgetting something, but we will move on to shoes — since that is kind of the entire point of this post. ;)
The minute I pulled these Umi boots out of the box, they immediately became “Cowgirl Boots.”
These boots have proven to be much more than just your average cowgirl boots, however. I honestly wasn’t sure how much wear these boots would get, as Harlow can tend to be a princess and the pea about how things fit, feel, etc. (The apple didn’t fall far from the tree in that regard.) These Chiara boots are made with leather, so they are breathable and durable. In the fall and winter, Cowgirl Boots were worn with leggings or jeans, but wearing them with skirts and dresses is her favorite look for spring.
Am I giving you the impression that Harlow is pretty opinionated when it comes to her clothes? ;) She is, and I honestly love it. The other day she was wearing pants, but decided as we were walking out the door that she needed to have a skirt as well. She left the house wearing a floral skirt over floral pants, and she sported that look for the rest of the day.
I guess what I’m saying is: Harlow has an opinion about what she wears, and if she hated these boots, she wouldn’t be wearing them. Comfort is her biggest hold up — every sweater get the itch test around here — and shoes go through a rigorous test as well. These Umi boots have been through the Harlow test and made the cut. I love that they are made so well, because it means they can be passed down to others still in great condition, even after being worn a ton! I’ve tried to shift into a buying less quantity, more quality mindset, but so far I’ve been extremely pleased with the result.
I’m loving bright and bold colors this spring! Here are a few in particular that I’m loving!
Thank you all for your encouraging comments, texts and emails over the past few weeks! I’m so behind on replying, but I promise I am trying — and I’ve read them all–crying usually!–and I’m beyond thankful for them.
It’s starting to feel like spring around here, well, a little bit. I’m ready for sunnier days, but early next week is forecasted to be in the low 70s! YES. PLEASE!
Tomorrow we are heading in on the train to spend time with this fabulous trio — can’t wait!
Chiara II boots c/o Umi // Dress c/o Little Hip Squeaks
