By Hayley

When my daughter was a newborn, I dressed her all in black.

People were confused by this. "You know everyone is going to ask you if she's a boy, right?" a friend said. This didn't bother me. I've grown to like pink, but initially, pink was too much of a statement. Too obvious. I wanted my perfect, sweet baby daughter to have an element of surprise.

So I avoided pink like the plague and people were all mad at me! "What's wrong with pink?" What do you have against pink?"

I have nothing against pink, okay. I do, on the other hand feel over-saturated by prescribed colors for children. Pink for girls and blue for boys. Whyyy.

Black, on the other hand, not only makes a statement, but gives your kid an edge that feels a little more dirty, a little more rock and roll, more of an individual. 

Take a look:

There's nothing I love more than pink and black together--it's like the ying and yang of dressing your kid. Here, this Munster T-shirt is paired with photo realism leggings to make a girly/edgy look.  (And those sneakers are bad ass.)

Shiloh Jolie-Pitt is probably the most famous of kids who breaks out the black t-shirt on a regular. This Ramones T looks like it's a hand-me-down from her older brother Maddox.

In the cutest Marlon Brando look ever, this Wild One t-shirt by Pop Kids layered under a motorcyle cycle jacket is for a serious style maven, but also will look cute with a pair of jeans.

This little beauty is the perfect kind of combo that I love--pink fluffy skirt with Prefresh's , "Let's Blame the Sugar" black t-shirt. (The adorable photo is from the Dirt & Noise Lookbook.) 

This girl really doesn't need any help from the cool factory. She is wearing a Hendrix t-shirt from Quinn and Fox--it doesn't get better!

Mix of patterns. (Yes, I believe in mixing polka dots and tribal patterns for kids.) Black t-shirt from Peach and Cream (via Rebel in the House). Adorable hat. A+++

We are heading to California on vacation next week and I am counting down the days. California holds a very special place in my heart: I lived there for five amazing years, my husband and I got engaged there, and the overall California lifestyle is forever embedded in my DNA.

 I am so excited to share Cali with my kids and show them all of my favorites places!! No doubt they will fall in love with the beaches, endless sunshine, and the whole laid back California vibe.

 When it comes to packing, my general rule is to stick with a overall style and color palette so everything can mix and match. This makes it very easy for my boys to get dressed each day without Mom's help. I always pack comfy sneakers and a statement sweatshirt to layer over any outfit.

 I love how each of my boys has there own unique style. It makes it a lot of fun to pack for them. Watch out Cali, here we come!!!

Griffin, the total hipster, prefers skinny jeans, retro tees, and sneakers.  He's never complete without a touch of camo, a Dirt & Noise classic. He's going to fit in perfectly on Abbott Kinney! Speaking of Abbott Kinney... I can't wait to hit Aviator Nation to pick up some cool new goodies. Oh no, I almost forgot the ipad!!! We are definetly not flying six hours without it. 

Cooper, my skater boy, is all about black and white, graphic prints, and extreme shapes, which is fitting for this little daredevil. He loves to get attention and dresses accordingly. You will see this one coming from far away! He is going to have a blast skateboarding at the Venice Skate Park.  He will never want to leave.

Not sure if Cali is ready for these two!!!