Tartan Scarf (Back in stock and now available in three awesome plaids!) / Velvet Ruffled Skirt / Navy Suede Over-the-Knee Boots (More affordable here) / Tortoise Clutch and Cream Turtleneck c/o Tuckernuck / Tory Burch Earrings (Love these for the holidays!) / Monica Vinader Bracelet

I’m in New York visiting family for the holidays!

But I’m popping in to do three things today:

  1. Talk velvet skirts, because I’m all about them this holiday season. While I’m usually not this quick to jump on the trend bandwagon, velvet is so WARM, haha. It’s a trend that finally makes sense for the season we’re in, and I love it. I’m wearing this navy one from J.Crew, but I also adore this pleated midi (so cute with different pumps!), this pencil skirt, this J.Crew Factory mini, and this drawstring numberOther faves above!
  2. Rave about this turtleneck, which is the only top I own that actually looks good when tucked into skirts. (I’m wearing an XS here, for sizing reference!)
  3. Share the sweetest holiday photos of Mitch and Emma, and hand it over to Mitch:

Mitch here!

Velvet skirts are great and all, but I’m here to talk about books.

I hate to sound like that pretentious over-achieving parent, but Emma loves books. Of course, she can’t read or understand what is read to her yet, or even sit still for more than a few pages… but really: she love books!

When Emma wakes up in the morning–before asking for a bottle, snack or hug–she points to her bookshelf and demands a book. She then pages through her book (usually held upside down), babbling as if she’s reading to an audience. Yesterday I swear I caught her licking her finger between pages!

While I’m not one to stand on his soapbox often, I think given the season, it’s worth mentioning that many kids out there aren’t as lucky to have piles of books in their room. Local libraries, Goodwill and Salvation Army all accept book donations this time of year. And as a lapsed public school teacher, I might as well throw in that my favorite charity is Donors Choose. And if I’m being totally shameless, I’d like to plug my personal favorite Donors project from the one of the best teachers I’ve ever seen: Shannon Brown. (Please consider supporting her!)

Anyway, Emma has her favorites: My Daddy and I (of course), Baby PetsI Love You Stinky Face, and (ugh) this stupid Moana book. Also, shout out to my dorky buddy Shawn for sending her the ABCs of the Web!

The newest addition to her library, however, is “Emma’s Radio Flyer Adventure“–a personalized storybook with her name and picture right on the cover! Emma is a big Radio Flyer fan, and in this book, she gets to relive some of her favorite imaginary Radio Flyer memories. As the holidays are upon us, I think this book would make for a great gift since it is fully customizable. Use the code EMMA15 to take 15 percent off if you order before 12/31!

It’s so much fun as a dad to revisit the books I grew up with 30 years later. A thoughts:

  • Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel: It’s a heartbreaking work of staggering genius (haha), describing the struggles of the working class to simply exist in a world of progress and automation. Despite expertise in his field, Mike is quickly outpaced and eventually just happy to get buried in a basement. Honestly, this book was first published in 1939 and its themes ring ever truer today. 10/10, for sure.
  • The Little Red Caboose: This is hot garbage. The caboose isn’t even the hero yet succeeds despite itself. 3/10
  • Guess How Much I Love You: Why would an author voluntarily force the phrase “nut brown hare” down our throats so many times that I had to hide the book behind the shelf?
  • The Runaway Bunny: My absolute favorite. Emma is only a year old but I’m already terrified of the day that she’ll try to leave me. I read the Runaway Bunny as a parent as reassurance that no matter what happens, I’ll always get to be her dad and she will always need me to be her dad.

Mitch. Out!

Shop the post:

Tartan Scarf (Back in stock and now available in three awesome plaids!) / Velvet Ruffled Skirt / Navy Suede Over-the-Knee Boots (More affordable here) / Tortoise Clutch and Cream Turtleneck c/o Tuckernuck / Tory Burch Earrings (Love these for the holidays!) / Monica Vinader Bracelet

Favorite velvet skirts:

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