living the high life -- with tropical style

The unseasonably brutal temperatures that hit the northeast -- even my energizer bunny of an 11 year old son refused to go outside, declaring that it is too hot -- have made me unable to resist talking about Wati.  

Wati is at her strongest with her spring/summer collection, and it always brings to a perpetual resort getaway or a Mexican siesta.  The fabrics are compulsively light, floral and colorful.  Perhaps Wati's most distinguishing feature is the wonderful embroidery which gives the clothing a little extra something.  And for frustrated mothers of tween girls everywhere, the collection goes up to a size 12 (and the sizing is fairly generous).  Every girl needs the Talia dress in a couple of colors - it is an easy, light and pretty dress, in a flowing cut that every girl can wear.  It is comfortable enough for everyday, but nice enough for a party.  And it retails for just $44.95.  Wati also offers a simple dress with spaghetti straps, the Suzanne dress, in a grey flower print and an orange polka dot print that my daughter just lives on on hot days.  Again, the price is right, just $40.  

This season the collection includes a cute plaid shorts in a couple of lengths and some great floral skirts, which you can pair either with Wati's tops or with some simple t-shirts.  Some of the most beautiful tops Wati designs are her tunics.  They are easy, fashionable, flattering, and work with shorts, jeans, leggings, or even on their own.  Once you get your daughter started on Wati, I think you'll find you want the whole collection.  While most of the colors in the collection are sweet pastels -- light blues, bright oranges, pinks and yellows, lavender and white -- the tunics can have an edgier feel just by paring them with the right bottom or shoe.  In these clothes, your budding preteen can be, on alternating days, both a sweet little girl and much more grown up and hip, with just the slightest tweek of her outfit.

Check out the entire collection at www.watidesign.com.  The offer a list of local retailers or you can contact them to find out who carries the styles you're interested in.  You can find the Talia dress and the Suzanne beach dress online at www.trendytogs.com, as well as the Juliet and Sofia skirts and the Molly pink plaid shorts.  They are also available at www.cutelittleclothes.com, at www.honeysandheroes.com and at www.MyLilDarlingsBoutique.com currently for 20% off with code SAVE20.