Mini Blogger Costume Inspiration & Why We're Playing Dress Up Everyday During The Month of October

Well, it was bound to happen... 
Y'all, Delainey Kate officially became a blogger today!

Just like her mama -- she decided to dress up, photograph it all (while even sneaking in some selfies), and then sit down and type it all out.

I think I've said this each day as I share a new costume idea or DIY project this month... but this Blogger costume is most definitely my favorite and one I think I'll always look back on and giggle.

She seriously looks like a more adorable, drooly, and significantly more fashionable version of me... and while I kind of feel silly saying it, I loveeeee it!

She's the definition of a girl boss in this "blogger costume", which in turn kind of makes me feel more empowered.

Realizing I've created this is something to be proud of and I'm not going to mask that pride.

And by this, I guess I mean all of it - the costume, the adorable baby, and this blog -- our livelihood. I'm not trying to brag, but that's pretttyyyy cool.

I'm proud of that and I think Delainey is proud of me, so can I get an "AMEN" for teaching her that she can be anything she wants to be - including a painter with a unique style like Frida Kahlo or a blogger with some sharp wit... like well, silly ol' me. Ha.

I've had a few recent comments about a costume or a photoshoot a day being too much for her. But I think those people are missing the point of all of this. I'm not sitting her in front of the camera and shouting "CHEESE". We are doing something new, learning, dressing up, getting hands on, and having a good time, every single time she's in front of the camera.

That's what this month is really all about. Having fun and teaching Delainey to dream big, while also exposing her to new things. Do you think we always talk about Frida Kahlo and let D smack the walls with a paint brush or make Delainey little play laptops? Nope. This is all learning through play.

Believe it or not, dressing up and letting her explore the world is helping Delainey to develop social and cognitive skills like building her vocabulary and engaging her memory, while also helping her mature emotionally by teaching her imitation, empathy, and problem-solving, and at the same time she's able to gain self-confidence in new experiences.

So tell me, what kind of activities do you think are fun for a 13-month old? Right now I would say Delainey loves to dance and she has a real passion for doggies and art. I can't wait to continue to show her the world, I'm certain she'll love all kinds of cool stuff and teach me a lot.... and I guess I have to say it again - that's prettyyyyy cool.

Love her outfit, click each shop to find out more details & availability:
Bow: Darling Diva Boutique Bows
Peplum top: Brooklynn & Grey
Pearls + Lace Jeans: Baby Bottoms
Shoes: Baby Gap

If you're wondering about her "laptop"... it's made out of an old piece of cardboard! I printed off a grey laptop backing, made our own "DelaineyKate.com" screen with her photos, then printed off an image of a keyboard. Gluing it all to the cardboard, as well as a plain white piece of paper on the bottom of the "laptop".

Then we handed her the SilliChews camera teether and her iPod and she was set. If we could add a Tula & some Starbucks in her hand, she would literally be me.

DIY Puppy Dog Dalmatian Baby Costume Inspiration

It's true Delainey loves doggies.

From falling in love with our dogs at just a few months old to chasing my mom's dogs around her house each time we go to visit, she's never met a pooch she didn't like.

Just like with art, D has always shown an interest in puppy dogs so we knew we had to dress up as a pup during this month of costumes!

And I'll tell you all right now, the second she saw herself with little polka-dot puppy ears in the mirror she LIT up. I'm fairly certain this simple puppy dog costume is her absolute favorite thing she's ever worn.

We even went to the library with her all decked out like a doggy and she was a magnet for smiles. She, of course, found books all about doggies and sat there patiently looking through them.

I'm telling you, this costume is pure puppy love... and so simple to put together!

If you have a little puppy lover, here's the details on Delainey's doggy costume and a few ideas on how you can DIY, if you wanted!

This little puppy's pajamas are Gerber brand and were a gift, but it looks like you can find this exact pair and some other cute pjs here.

Her adorable little puppy dog ears with bows and the heart-shaped doggy tag were made by Bloomology, you can order a pair this weekend... or they could even be made out of construction paper if you're in a time crunch!

Lastly, her little tiny pink shoes are Converse and you can find them here!

So tell me, what animal do you think your kiddo would love to dress up as? I'm looking forward to maybe seeing D dressed up as a flamingo, a hippo, or maybe even a dinosaur?!  She loves all creatures so it's hard to say what kind of creative ideas she'll have for future costumes!

Frida Kahlo Baby Costume Inspiration in Honor of International Day of The Girl

As an "artist" and a lover of all things colorful, creative, and fun, it probably comes as no surprise that there are some artists I truly admire in the world.

I think it's likely pretty obvious to you that I adore art so much that I appreciate the opportunity to share that passion with others - hence my blog, it's name, and it's original purpose.

While I blog about all kinds of stuff now, I'm proud to say that I've shared my love of art with my sweet daughter, Delainey.

She may not know much the names of artists and their work, what techniques they are using, or what she's doing with a brush when I hand her one, but the girl seems to appreciate art as much as I do... She points at works of art she appreciates, she coos and talks about our paintings around our home, and when we play with paints, she is ecstatic... so I'm happy as a clam sharing this passion with her.

On that note, as we were brainstorming Halloween costumes and getting super creative, I knew that paying tribute to some of our favorite artists was something that had to happen!

After coming to this conclusion, I sat there thinking of some of our favorite artists, their looks, and how we could dress her up as them (on that note - no promises... but there's still a chance that she rocks a Dali-esque mustache some day later this month) and I just knew she had to be Frida Kahlo.

Frida Kahlo, for those of you who may not know yet, was a Mexican painter with a passion for love and a unique style, all her own. She lived an interesting, creative, passionate life and her artistic work is definitely worth admiring... as was her one of a kind style.

That's why Delainey is rocking this look today, the International Day of the Girl. While Frida isn't physically here to cheer on women's equality and young women's human rights today, WE are... and this tiny Frida is certain that she deserves the right to create and live as she pleases.

And, since Frida was the queen of self-portraits, I thought paying homage to her via our costume photos was a nice gesture.

For this costume, I made D a custom Bloomology crown, which you can claim one of these beauties over in the group THIS weekend! Her shirt is second-hand, and her icings pants are from Sew Sassy Boutique!

Loving this costume idea? Don't forget to check out the other 31 days of Halloween!

DIY Baby Bank Robber Bandit Halloween Costume Inspiration

This little lady is a criminal.

Well, okay... maybe she's not really a criminal...

But she's certainly guilty of stealing my heart.

And by the looks of it, she may have robbed a bank in her day. 😁

I feel like I need to share, her daddy may or may not have said she's stealing funds for our shared shoe shopping habit... and well, his "confession" may be true.

Are you a fellow shoe-aholic looking to fund your habits? Maybe you are you looking for a super cute costume for your kiddo that's easy to put together? This is it - This DIY Bank Robber Bandit Costume is the perfect last minute getup and so easy to put together!

For Miss Delainey's bank robber costume she wore an Oakleigh top from Little Sass Boutique. Her Black Distressed & Embellished BOSS shorties are from Baby Bottoms. And the finishing touch, the little Bandit mask with a bow was created by Bloomology! For her loot bag we just used an older reusuable grocery bag and attached a little piece of paper with $$$ on it.

That's it, now you're a "smooth criminal"!

While you may not be able to score these exact items last minute, feel free to "steal" our idea and make it your own!

But, here's the thing: This costume is super adorable, so be careful not to get busted and always be ready for a quick getaway... You don't want your babe to catch any excessive cuteness charges while on the prowl.