A sense of style.

When Ella was just a baby, each morning before leaving for work, I'd diligently choose the clothes she would wear that day (I did the same thing for Jem). Even though it was Po (our nanny) who dressed her after her morning snooze, I'd always be the one to choose her clothes. Put it down to my terrible need to be in control - and you won't be wrong - but that was just part of it, I loved all the pretty little outfits in her cupboard and had great fun mixing and matching them.

The day came when Ella had to learn to dress herself (which is always a challenge better tackled in Summer when there aren't so many layers to wear) and I had to relinquish control over what she wore (to a certain extent!). She went through a stage in Gr 00 when she would only wear dresses, but then her cupboard was full of beautiful dresses her Oumie had made. Every little girl's dream! I imagine that Jem will be much the same this Summer when all of those dresses are moved in to her cupboard. Last year Ella lived in either shorts or leggings, but it's this year, with the independence, maturity and awareness that comes with being 7, that has been really eye-opening...

She is certainly developing her 'look' and I'm having great fun watching it happen. She spent most of winter in leggings and knee high boots, but so did most little girls. It's the fashion right now and it's pretty and practical - except for when you're fishing! However, it was most obvious to me last weekend when we were shopping that my eldest daughter has grown up and has a mind - and a fashion sense - of her own. I've always known that she hates beanies and loves shoes but didn't think she was really 'into' anything else.

So we had great fun in A C Kermans when I allowed her the leeway to choose her own clothes (on a budget, of course), and it turns out that she's 'into' skinnies, clumpy shoes - and hats! Ellie found a hat on the rack that I never thought she would wear - she's always been fairly reserved and quite aware of not being too different, or being made fun of. So when she said she wanted the hat, I didn't think she would actually wear it, but it looked so pretty on her that I said. "for sure!". I was amazed, and amused, to see her walking around Northgate with her hat on her head and some serious attitude in her swagger!

A little while ago, she would have chosen clothes - as Jem does now - because they are pink or pretty or sparkly, but now Ella is choosing clothes because they really appeal to her, to her fashion sense and her own unique character.

Sometimes I feel I'm watching my girls from afar, some of our bonds have tightened as they mature and understand more about life in general, while other bonds have loosened because they're old enough for me to let go of, and it's moments like these when I realise how fast the time is going, and that there's nothing I can do about it, other than to sit back and enjoy the ride!

As for this little ragamuffin...she's a law unto her own, and I look forward (with some trepidation) to watching her take on the world - winking and giggling as she goes along!

xoxo