Woman in Real Life

My Girl's Picks - Fall Fashions From Sears

I think a new outfit for the first day of school is a necessity. I got one (or two!) every year growing up, and I found it helped me to leave summer behind and get excited about the new school year. Now that I carry on the tradition with my own children I'm always interested to see how their style changes from year to year.

While my little girl once adored frilly dresses and a wild mix of colours and patterns, she now favours a more simple and sporty style. She is beginning competitive dance this year, so she is a fan of dance-related clothing such as track pants and hoodies. She also still likes fashion with a touch of whimsy, like the heart-themed tops and leggings from Sears, above.

I have talked before about how and why my family sponsors a little girl through Plan Canada. My two kids have learned a lot from sharing an ongoing pen pal relationship with Mouzou, who lives a very different lifestyle from theirs.

I chose to help a girl because I feel that girls have more challenges to overcome in developing countries. As a mother, I shudder to think of all the little girls who are orphaned, without protection and without access to proper education. While we all have our favourite charities to donate to on a regular basis, Sears Canada also offers a fun extra way of supporting girls in need throughout the world.

After a long, cold winter, spring offers a much-needed sense of renewal for all of Mother Nature's creatures - including us. As we open up our windows and dust off our furniture, we naturally feel the urge to bring change into our lives.

For us women, that means shopping! Renewing the family wardrobe is a springtime must. And with sunshine and warm days to look forward to, the stores are sure to be filled with pretty pastels, cheery brights and sunny florals.

At the start of each new year, I can't help but look back at the previous year and ponder how quickly it seemed to fly by. I think the passage of time is even more clear when you have children. Those first few years in your child's life are but a blip in time - a whirlwind of feedings, diaper changes and exciting milestones. Before you know it, the feeling of your chin resting on that sweet, silky baby head is just a memory (and those little curls on my daughter's head have straightened out!)

With very few days left on the holiday countdown clock, the joy of Christmas morning will soon be here. Our holiday preparations are well underway. We have completed my favourite journey of the year - to the Christmas tree farm to get our special tree. For the second year in a row, my son spotted the prized tree. He is quite proud of his tree-selecting skills.

I have been thinking about past Christmases lately, and just what it is that makes Christmas so special. There is a magic to the season - a spirit of love, giving and celebration that makes the whole month of December more joyous than any other time of year.

Like other moms, I can get a bit frenzied in the weeks leading up to Christmas. With shopping, baking, housecleaning and all sorts of other tasks, the to-do list can be overwhelming. Which is why I spent some time recently thinking about all of the moments that make Christmas wonderful. As I looked back at Christmas photos from last year, I came up with my own personal list of "12 Great Things About Christmas."

Tony Hawk top and pants (with belt)

Although it has been many (many!) years since I was in school, I still get that back-to-school feeling each fall. Let's be honest, most of the excitement I felt about going back to school related to the outfit I would wear on the first day. Each year my parents generously allowed my sister and me to refresh our wardrobes in late summer and again at Easter time.

So, of course, it only makes sense that I repeat the tradition with my kids. Back-to-school wardrobe additions are exciting for my daughter, just as they were for me. My son, while he is happy to get new threads, would be happier if he could keep his old clothes and NOT go back to school!