Emma’s Vineyard Vines Jolly Plaid Dress (Skirt version here. Also love this holiday dress, this one and this one.) / Emma’s Shoe Picks here, here and here (Looking for party shoes? We love this pair!) / Similar Hair Bows

Mitch and I took Emma to the Lincoln Park Conservatory yesterday to spend some time in 80-degree temps and take our Christmas card photos. I know: we’re ridiculously late on this, and we leave for New Orleans tonight… so clearly traditional holiday cards aren’t happening. Remember last year’s? So cute, but we never ended up sending them. 😂 Oy. #parenthood. It always seems to come down to Christmas cards or sleep, and sleep wins every year.

So we’re going to use one of the photos in this post and make the “cards” on Photoshop… and then text them to our friends and family. Not the classiest, but better than nothing! Which one (out of the zillion) should we choose?!

Regardless of our huge #fail, we did have the best day at the Conservatory together, so I’m kind of glad we messed up. Emma seriously spent an hour chasing the toy train around a miniature model of Chicago, and it was so cute I teared up. (Must be the holidays?! Admitted basket case here. 🙋) We also loved the dinosaur bones exhibit, which I’d definitely recommend if you’re visiting Chicago with small children.

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Favorite toddler clothing

Anyway, Emma’s dress (skirt version here) is available at Nordstrom–a store both mommy and daughter love visiting. We probably pop in once a month, as it’s right where we exit the Red Line stop at Grand and State. (Conveniently for our stroller needs, there’s an elevator there!) Nordstrom has the best toddler clothing, shoes and accessories… and Emma adores roaming the aisles.

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Favorite toddler shoes

I also love that Nordstrom offers free shipping and free returns when we can’t make it downtown. The online selection is amazing, and I find myself constantly browsing for my little girl. Why doesn’t everything come in adult sizes, too?! Above are some of my favorites for Emma right now, much of which will end up in my cart. 😉

And with that, I’m off to frantically pack all the plaid for our trip. Wish us luck! We’re taking off at 8 p.m., which is oh-so-conveniently 30 minutes after Emma’s bedtime. Pray for us! 🙈

Shop the post:

Emma’s Vineyard Vines Jolly Plaid Dress (Skirt version here. Also love this holiday dress, this one and this one.) / Emma’s Shoe Picks here, here and here (Looking for party shoes? We love this pair!) / Similar Hair Bows

In collaboration with Nordstrom, but all opinions are my own. As always, thank you so much for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!