Guest Post >> Jill @jilliant

My name is Jill (@jilliant over on Instagram). I have two daughters, Ava who just turned 8 and Cobi who is 20 months old. I was totally flattered when Urban Cub approached me about writing a piece on kids fashion for their blog (thanks ladies!). I truly love fashion and have a wonderful time finding new favorite brands and pieces for both of my girls. I have never considered myself trendy nor worried much about whether their fashion fit a certain mold. I truly see it as a way of expressing one's self on a daily basis and being comfortable while doing it. My Instagram feed is in no way a fashion page- nor do I want it to be. I truly use it as a memorable diary of our day to day and the memories we are making together! I am truly flattered that anyone sees it as a reflection of good taste.

When Ava was younger I had a hard time finding unique pieces that really fit her personality. She is a free spirit; truly vibrant and full of life! I always say she is my little flower child, remnicent of periods in fashion where bell bottoms and crop midriff tops were all the rage. Being 8 years old she really enjoys putting together her outfits that she wears day to day;I let her dress herself for the most part. I feel for an older child that bit of freedom is very important! It allows for her to really express herself the way she wants and how she wants other people to see her. She is also very active so comfort is also a necessity. A typical outfit for her usually contains a lot of color and more often than not, a pair of Toms, Minnetonkas, or her Birkenstock sandals! Some of my favorite brands for her are Neve and Hawk, Anais and I, Wild and Whimsy and Peek. All these brands celebrate individuality, the use of bold color and being unique.

Dressing Cobi has been an adventure in itself. Although young, she is very opinionated about what she wears. Cobi's main concern is comfort over fashion. I never dress her in something restricting or uncomfortable for the sake of fashion. She has a lot of energy and enjoys being outside- whether that means exploring in the forest or being at the horse arena where her sister takes riding lessons. If you follow me on Instagram its pretty obvious that my favorite fashion trend for her is the romper; it can so easily be dressed up or down and is pretty seasonal as it can be worn alone or paired with tights and a long sleeve shirt. I tend to be more attracted to pieces with a classic fit that aren't trendy or seasonal. Mixing vintage pieces in with modern day pieces is a fun way to create a unique look that is not easily replicated. Some of my favorite brands for Cobi are Mabo Kids, Soor Ploom , Goatmilk NYC, and Wolfechild.

A good knit is something I will always invest in. I love that they can become heirloom pieces that can be passed down through generations. Cobi has some fantastic knit sweaters, rompers and shorts that truly are every day pieces. Living in the Pacific Northwest the weather changes frequently and is often cool in the morning even if the afternoon will get warmer. I always have at least one sweater in my purse or car for her to wear. My favorite knit brands are Misha and Puff and Babaa. The craftsmanship is amazing and you can really tell the pieces are made to last a lifetime!

Thank you Urban Cub for the invite! xo Jill