The weather the past couple of weeks has danced between scorching heat and seasonable cool here in NYC. Some days it feels like fall and I am excited for this new season, and others, I have to check the calendar to remind myself that it is almost October, and no longer July. I feel conflicted, because I love both summer and fall for different reasons. At any rate, I know for sure that it is fall, because we have been so busy these days and the lazy days of summer seem to be fading into a distant memory.

Busy days have become the new norm as I am back to school (as a teacher) and my daughter is getting used to her new babysitter and spending less time with me. We have started ballet class again, (and there is nothing cuter than a room full of 2 year olds in little pink leotards and tights!) and we have begun collecting acorns that have fallen from the trees at the park. Sandals and flip flops are being replaced by shoes and socks.

As much as I love summer, there is also something wonderful about the change of seasons. The crispness of a fall morning where a jacket becomes a necessity, the crunch crunch crunching of leaves beneath our feet as we walk through the park, sipping a hot cup of tea in the afternoon while my little one naps, seeing the pumpkins replace the flowers at a local bodega, apple picking, and preparing for Halloween and even thinking about my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, are welcome at this time of year.

Goodbye summer! I will miss the sprinklers, the days at the pool and beach and your long weekends. I will miss the relaxed feeling of sitting under the hot sun and sipping tart, ice-cold lemonade. Fall, please stay awhile and let me savor your spices, your brisk winds, and beautiful colors before winter takes over. . .

Strasburg sent out their Back To School email and I began to think about fall and all that it brings with it. Of course, around here, school starts back in August . . . way too early as far as I am concerned! Wait until after Labor Day . . . please???

The weather is still warm but a few early mornings have had a slightly different feel to them. There has been coolness in the air when I go to get the morning paper. I have noticed more people walking in the early mornings, now that the mornings are cooler.

Summer flowers are beginning to lose some of their appeal and I am thinking about fall plants for the patio and porch. Many of our local nurseries also grow pumpkins and plan annual fall activities. Children, teens and adults love the mazes made in the corn fields or some even use stacked bales of straw to create a maze. There are hay rides to the pumpkin patches, fresh apple cider, fall apples and other treats to make the fall season something special. Later in the fall there are still people who make sorghum molasses! Nothing better on a hot homemade biscuit as far as I am concerned!

Living in Kentucky, all four seasons are distinctively different. I look forward to them all and find myself eagerly anticipating what each season brings to us. Can’t wait to see the fall colors our trees have planned for us this year. Happy fall everyone!

Even though it is back-to-school time and fall is quickly approaching, we are trying hard over here to hang on to the summer. I am not ready to see it go and am happy that the heat is hanging on. To continue to celebrate this season, we took our daughter to the shore (as we say in Jersey) for the first time. (I grew up in South Jersey and love the shore but haven’t been there much since moving to NYC 13 years ago.) She is two, and we have read several books about the beach, but she hadn’t been yet.

We talked about our upcoming daytrip quite a bit, and she was very excited for the big day. We rented a ZipCar and headed out of the steamy city toward the Jersey shore. A little over an hour later, we arrived in Ocean Grove, NJ. After lunch and a quick purchase of some sand toys, we were off to the beach. The approaching Earl prevented us from swimming in the ocean as the double red flags waved in the wind, but that did not stop our little girl from having a blast. She dug in the sand and played happily for quite a while. In fact, I think she would still be there if it weren’t for my suggestion that we go and get some ice cream.

We finished up this idyllic day with ice cream and a stroll around some shops in town. On the ride home, our daughter said, “Beach again soon, Mommy?” I assured her that we would visit again on another day.

Back to school shopping can be hectic and stressful, trying to follow the latest trends and styles for children. A philosophy that always seems to work is to use trend media as a guideline and pick and choose items that fit into the overall wardrobe. If you purchase too trendy, the pieces will soon loose their sense of style and children will not wear them over and over again.

At Strasburg, we incorporate market research for the upcoming seasons and pull concepts together for a Fall Line that is modest for school age children, keeps up with the trend, and will last through the short trends that come and go for long-term tradition.  Fall back-to-school shopping can sometimes be difficult, confusing, and overwhelming with all the latest trends. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

Pick items that you and your child like together and agree on key items for a fall wardrobe, you will have your basics, your classics, and your trend setting items to pull the wardrobe together for a kick off to a great school year ahead.  This fall 2010 season will have richly saturated colors. Plum, purple, lilac, rose, magenta, dusty mauve paired with warm grey will be popular for girls. Boy’s colors will be geared towards Deep Blue, Red, and Green.  Plaids and Patterns will be making their way through the school halls this Fall Season along with bright prints. For a plaid style, look at the Milly Collection in purple, a stylish plaid pattern for cooler months of fall. The Milly Plaid Dress  is great for any school picture. The boys Milly Sweater Vest with corduroy pants makes a great picture perfect smile.

 Bold Prints are making a comeback in a big way. Try the Harper Collection for a transitional collection. You’ll love the adorable pink cardigan paired over the top of the Harper Smocked Green Jumper. Style, grace, and elegance all in one.  Sweater dresses will be a great transitional piece for the season. Our Designer’s pick is the Cameron Sweater Dress with adorable buttons to pair with leggings underneath. This is one of our favorite items of the fall season. For boys, sweater vests will be popular this season. Try the Cameron Sweater Vest with the Cameron Herringbone Cargo Pant for a back to school look that’s sure to work. 

You will see a more refined feminine look with ruffles playing a key in the upcoming season. From ruffled tops to tunics over narrow pants the season will be a playful mix and match. Our favorite pick on a tunic for back to school is the Taylor Tunic, this adorable deep hued color has embellished flowers for a feminine touch and of course, leggings to match.  Placing a cardigan over a ruffled top is a great mix and match idea for the season. Wraps will be another addition to the cardigan that is a key layering pieces.

Embellished flats for girls will have the stop and stare effects for the season with the Lucy and Sophie you have your choice of basic or metallic. Metallic will be a hit this fall season for Girls as well as Moms. (Our flats will be appearing soon, and are well worth the wait).

Style tips for back to school shopping:

Accessories can add to any outfit of the season. Try a headband, handbag, or a fun pair of shoes to dress up any outfit.

Deep Hues, comfortable layering pieces, and your own style are the best words to describe buying for the season. Just like you, your kids want to be comfortable for a full day of school.

Layer styles for changing seasons and weather, pair a plaid with a graphic. A skirt with leggings adds to any outfit, jumpers with a long sleeve knit underneath, and tunics with leggings are great layering pieces for the season.

Have fun shopping for the back to school season and remember to enjoy it. It shouldn’t be stressful as long as you remember key shopping tips!

-Your Strasburg Design Team