

The beauty of childhood is essentially living in the moment, rejoicing in the immediate and riding the chariot of spontaneity right on into the sunset. I’ve learned over the years that I cannot control new situations or how my children respond to them, but I can try to keep the basics consistent and predictable-something they expect and thrive on. Growth comes from within new experiences though, so it’s my job to create a buffer so that they retain the best parts and accept whatever it might be that removes them from their comfort zone.
Weather plays a big part in our days. When the temperatures would dip or peak while we were living in New York City, it would absolutely dictate our schedule; Rain, snow or extreme heat would mostly keep us indoors unless it wasn’t avoidable. It just wasn’t worth the stress on them since we’d be walking to and from our location in any case. Bundling up became a major effort every day during winter, sometimes creating a struggle that would ultimately wreck our plans entirely. That’s life with toddlers and small children, though. I was a little concerned about traveling back to the city during the late fall/early winter with them because they’ve really become accustomed to very mild temperatures in the Bay Area.
We planned on sitting on the steel benches for hours the morning of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Knowing it would be very cold and possibly even wet, I prepared well, packing hats and gloves as well as down jackets that I found at St. Bernard Sports. If I can trust a brand to keep them warm and dry as well as looking nice, it’s one less thing I have to be concerned about. As a parent, that kind of thing is hugely important and I’ve compiled a mental roster of go-to brands and retailers for situations like this. Double bonus if there’s a resource where I can find something for the entire family like I did at St. Bernard Sports online. ย Jack and Zoe are quite particular when it comes to outerwear, so the fact that they love their Kjus jackets so much is a major win; The jackets are incredibly warm and not bulky, they look great and the kids are happy to wear them (even here in our California 60 degree weather, they only want to wear these coats). Beau also loves his puffy North Face jacket, the baby is cozy in her Patagonia suit, Justin is warm and looks awesome in his Descente jacket, and I’m positively beside myself in love with this Moncler beauty.
I don’t pretend to know everything about outerwear, but it’s something that I will absolutely invest in (and buy a size up for the kids to last two seasons). I try to be savvy about children’s brands, and being introduced to them is often courtesy of the store or site that I’m shopping in-so I make sure to have a trustworthy roster. St. Bernard Sports has been around for 37 years, has three stores in Texas and offers free three day shipping, free returns and attentive and helpful customer service. For me, it’s a personal boutique experience with the advantages of a major online retailer, and those are both hugely important when investing in outerwear for children especially.
Our moments were memorable because we were all happy and warm and the kids weren’t fussing about wearing a ton of extra clothing-both hugely critical factors in coordinating a successful outing with small people! While we don’t have to worry about our weather all that often, we do make sure to visit Tahoe as often as possible and these pieces will absolutely come in handy then, too.
Discount and Giveaway:
I’m excited to be offering a 15% off code for my Momma’s Gone City readers: Enter GOCITY15 at checkout AND I’m giving away a $500 Gift Card to St. Bernard Sports to one of you!
To Enter Giveaway:
Follow @stbernardsports and @mommasgonecity on Instagram (mandatory), and leave a comment with your favorite item from their site. For extra entries, share this blog post over on twitter and leave the link in a comment.
Contest ends and winner will be selected on January 2, 2015.
The giveaway holds no exclusions, however the discount code does exclude the following:
Spyder, Obermeyer, Canada Goose, Never Summer, Arc’teryx, Ugg, Southern Tide, The North Face, Bogner, Yeti, Go Pro, Moncler, KJUS, Barbour, Moncler, Yeti, GoPro, Spyder, Southern Tide, Obermeyer, Tommy Bahama, Lafco, Beats by Dre, Hunter Rain Boots, Maui Jim, Bogner, Sorel, Toni Sailer, Rossignol, Dry Tunes, Outdoor Tech, Zeal HD2, Marshall Speakers, Mountain Force, Simms, Burton, Volkl, Dalbello, Full Tilt, Marker, Capita, Thirtytwo, Nike SB, Salomon, K2, Rossignol, Armada, Blizzard, Tecnica, Apex, Union, Kastle, Pinch Provisions.
Thank you to St. Bernard Sports for sponsoring this post, and thank you for reading.
What a great give away. If this winter is anything like last winter here in Philly, I’m going to need to upgrade some of our gear. Thanks for the chance Jessica and St Bernard Sports!!
https://twitter.com/slarnold/status/543584980765380608
Oh and also – my fave item on St Bernard Sports site is the Patagonia Fiona jacket! At least for now. ๐ My Instagram name is stephielynnea. Thanks again!!
Loved this post!! Would love a chance to win this giveaway for me and my family!!
https://twitter.com/meghansvoyages/status/543601980535767040
Would love to get some new gear from St Bernard Sports! https://twitter.com/ksquared66/status/543603139333468160
https://mobile.twitter.com/nngalvan/status/543607608486019072
@nora_pizza_nacho (instagram)
Thank you for this opportunity, Jessica! My husband and I so enjoy following your family’s photos. We would love some new winter wear from St. Bernard Sports — it would definitely help us brave our first winter as a married couple! https://twitter.com/byAshleyHill/status/543606727971975168?s=17
Your family looks so stylish in their coats! Thanks for sharing! Would love to win.
https://mobile.twitter.com/Mama_and_Z/status/543612713549578240
https://mobile.twitter.com/theoriginalqc/status/543613179298086913
How awsome!! Would love to get some new winter gear!
Forgot to add what I would love to get! I would love to own the North Face women’s cinnabar triclimate jacket.
Instagram username: @andrewstia
Heyo! Hope I win. https://mobile.twitter.com/rebeccaallen89/status/543620631875444736
Hope I did this right! Could sure use some cozy gear for winter!!
Great giveaway, winter gear would be perfect right now!
Thanks for the opportunity!
My IG is sariphilipps – and I love your black coat! ๐
https://mobile.twitter.com/mlreeger/status/543793166638673920
Thanks for sharing! love the coats!:)
The Vineyard Vines Angler Vest … Perfect!
Shared on Twitter, NDakotaNative is my Twitter name. I have no idea how to get my url here. lol
https://twitter.com/BklynLolita/status/543842483122102272
I love the Moncler Flamme coat
This particular blog I like how you mentioned all the brands. I follow you on IG and the one thing that stands out is that everyone really always wants to know what brand is everything . I’m sure that’s a great compliment . If you could tag all the brands then maybe people wouldn’t always being asking. It kinda gets annoying . Other then that your photos and blog are the best. Thanks for sharing your wonderful family. I even heard you on tv awhile ago and you seem like a natural .
Happy Holidays!
I like their Rideau Parka. Looks very warm!
Hi there! Thank you for giving me a chance to win this gift card! It’s that time of year where everyone is looking for an extra income to get their loved ones someone special, and this is just great! Looking over at stbernardsports website, i fell in complete LOVE with the OBERMEYER WOMEN’S LEIGHTON PETITE JACKET. But not for me, for my mom who turns 50 this upcoming yr, the 1st of january to be exact. Mom always gave me everything, up until we encountered financial dificulties about 4 years ago and things haven’t been quite the same since. Us being a family of four can be sometimes difficult but we always manage with sticking by each other (as i always see in tour pictures, unity). So this year i wanted to get mom a special gift, but i just haven’t gotten ends to meet. This gift card would be a dream. If not for a jacket, maybe something small for each of us to have to celebrate this year.
Loving the BB Dakota Women’s Galice Coat!
i want your exact coat! But I’d probably get a Patagonia vest and then something for the kids.
Love your blog but not loving this post. I think most of your followers are like me, middle income trying to make ends meet. I may be wrong but I linked to the jacket you are wearing and its 1000 dollars. That’s 50% off if I win the giveaway! It is lovely you get these perks with your celebrity but most of us can’t afford these things you aree promoting. I will continue to follow but won’t be buying. ps the list of what the 15% discount DOES apply to might have been shorter.
Follow both on instagram – flagler2 I love the OBERMEYER
OBERMEYER WOMEN’S TUSCANY JACKET
Tweeted – https://mobile.twitter.com/usnamom2014/status/544304153443315712
Oh my this would be awesome I couldn’t pick a favorite I love everything!!!!
love CANADA GOOSE BABY LAMB SNOWSUIT
There are so many great coats there but I think I like the Buffalo hot pants. .I have never seen anything quite like them and I love them.
http://www.stbernardsports.com/burton-womens-memento-snowboard-boot-style-10638100.html
Yes, please!
Canada goose Rideau parka
http://www.stbernardsports.com/pinklicious-womens-fair-isle-sweater-style-jmt6090.html This is such an adorable sweater. My Instagram is dipndots1221. Thank you for the giveaway!
Love the frye booties! Would love to win this contest and buy those for my sister for Christmas !!
So many good choices on @stbernardsports website, but my favorite item is the Canada Women’s Trillium Goose Parka!
I apologize for writing the item name incorrectly…it is called the Canada Goose Women’s Trillium Down Parka!
I loved the baby goose lamb snow suit. Would really love to win. But if I do not, o well! Loved your post!
So many favs! Especially love the Frye Philip Riding boots! Instagram name: @cat_drott
I would love Danner boots for me and UGGs for my baby-soon to go off to college.
I like the Patagonia retro x jacket.
Thank you for the opportunity to win the gift card! I also just had a baby and my current outerwear doesn’t quite fit like it should (a bit snug
IG @promise003
Thanks for the opportunity! https://mobile.twitter.com/GeckoGirl5/status/544548407541768195
I love the Astrid coat by Miller!
Both my oldest daughter and myself need some new winter gear this year. They have such a great variety of coats to choose from! I love the Obermeyer Women’s Leighton Jacket for me and The North Face Toddler Girls’ Reversible Moondoggy Jacket for my little lady. (following both)
Love this!
http://www.stbernardsports.com/mackage-womens-brigid-lavish-down-coat-style-brigid.html
Following both on instagram (cornellian2001)
I would love the moncler vest for myself and patagonia for the upcoming winter baby!
http://www.stbernardsports.com/moncler-womens-ghany-down-vest-style-48301-05-68950.html
I love this post! I have two small boys (2.5 and 6 months) and we live in Colorado. I would love to win this and get my boys decked out for winter. I had never heard of St Bernard Sports but peaked at their website and I’m in love with their cashmere sweaters.
I’m following mommsgonecity on instagram.
I’m following St Bernard Sports on instagram.
I posted to FB. https://www.facebook.com/jill.richardson.berry/posts/10205619390510097?pnref=story
I tweeted. https://twitter.com/musingsfromme/status/545020271225491456
I like the North Face Women’s Venture Jacket from St. Bernard Sports. Love the Mint Blue!
Hard to pick just one favorite, but it’s got to be the Echo Geometric Wrap (http://www.stbernardsports.com/echo-womens-geometric-wrap-style-375083.html) because I can never get enough of scarves in the fall/winter.
// Instagram: whosthatgirl_js
I love the FRYE WOMEN’S MELISSA BUTTON KNEE-HIGH BOOT in black!!!!
Love the Barbour stuff!
Love the Patagonia pullovers!
Tweeted, and insta followed on both;)
Thanx!!
The women’s cashmere sweater! Yum!
Fantastic giveaway! I am madly in love with the Patagonia Women’s Tres Down Parka – amazing coat that can be worn in so many ways!!!
What a fun give a way! Tweeted, and follow you and st Bernard Sports.
Love the Hunter boots!
Thank you!
Love patagonias baby puffball jacket
Love the Pategonia Snap T pullover!
Anyone know the exact style of the black & white nikes? I’ve been looking for a pair for months! These are great!
It’s impossible to pick just 1 thing from St Bernard sport’s website…everything is so great! I especially like the women’s Northface Verbera utility boots…those would be great for our harsh Canadian winters, and for my daily trek back and forth to university. Also, I must say that I absolutely adore St Bernard sports big, beautiful, burly mascot ๐
Ah!!! I love your posts! I took a look at the st.bernards sports website and love everything especially the Patagonia quarter button fleeces or the zip up fleece to keep warm all the way in Michigan ๐
Love the north face jackets. Ready for a ski vacation with any of them!
Love the post! And this giveaway is great–love their website, they have great brands! My favorite would have to be the patagonia women’s synchilla fleece!
-Elle
Definatley digging the Canada Goose Shelburne Parka! Great giveaway!
I live in Dallas and I swear St Bernard is the best store in the entire city!! My husband and I could buy all of our clothes here year round. I’m obsessed with a black Moncler jacket, but I also love the Moncler and Barbour vests. They have a great swimwear selection too! Xoxo
Blair Butler
http://Www.theperennialstyle.com
Love the Vineyard Vines sweatshirts!
Oh, those Trask shearling wedge boots! In reality though, I’d use the gift card to buy my son a winter coat since our dog just tore his brand new Patagonia coat to shreds.
Would love to outfit the kids with winter gear! Thanks…St. Bernards!!
Our household needs an upgrade on winter gear. This MN winter is trending to be yet another cold one. Thanks for this opportunity.
Would love to have a new pair of Ray Ban Aviator sun glasses.
Nothing better than warmth without the thick layers. I love the 360 Sahara sweater on their homepage.
http://www.stbernardsports.com/360-cashmere-womens-sahara-sweater-style-24204.html
Also love their fleece jackets!
http://www.stbernardsports.com/birkenstock-gizeh-oiled-leather-sandal-style-845251.html Would love to win this giveaway! My Instagram name is kristingheen.:)
Their jackets are cute, but I really loved their sporty bathing suits
Hello! I Love all of the Frye Boots. My favorite would be the Jillian. I’m still kicking myself for getting rid of my Frye boots I had in High School!! I still remember the day my mom took me to get them! This give away is so kind of you.
Fingers (and toes) crossed!
Betsy
Awesome giveaway! Loving the Yeti tumbler from stbernards sports instagram post!
Women’s velvet pamela aviator jacket!
Akgodsey8–instagram
I followed St Bernard sports on IG and my favorite item from their site is the Pam and Gela cropped leather jacket.
I like the Canada Goose Kensington Parka!
https://twitter.com/ndakotanative/status/543832624817385473
I love anything that keeps us and our three little neighbor girls, warm!
Great giveaway! I’d buy these http://www.stbernardsports.com/teeki-womens-northern-lights-vintage-hot-pant-style-hpnl.html
A North Face jacket and a Mara Hoffman swimsuit! Instagram name: jasfin
I love the Patagonia Tres Down Parka!
IG @theresa_421
Your pictures are so adorable and the The Vineyard Vines Angler Vest from St. Bernard’s Sports is too perfect!
I Tweeted as well! @Liberty_CT
https://twitter.com/Liberty_CT/status/550151503260811264
Love the post. Love your blog. I have a 3 yr old boy that hugely dislikes wearing coats. He’d rather freeze. But I have found that there are a lot of great light-weight coats out there that offer great warmth and don’t make him feel like he’s a giant marshmallow. North Face does a great job of that. And your Moncler puffer is the stuff dreams are made of.
Happy new year to you and your family,
Kellye from Kentucky
I would wear the Moncler Women’s Ilay Jacket and never take it off!
Follwed both on IG (samanthlou) and shared on twitter ๐
https://twitter.com/samanthlou/status/550299241231699968 ๐
I live in TX and love St Bernard Sports!! My favorite item on the site is the Velvet Women’s Nia Faux Fur Vest. A Moncler jacket would be nice as well ๐
I love the Helly Handsen Girls’ Stella Storm Jacket. Its super cute and so me.
I followed on both on instagram @lcprize
Shared on twitter. https://twitter.com/lcprize/status/550395802409906177
Thanks for the opportunity! We love st Bernard’s sports- especially the Patagonia Women’s Synchilla Lightweight Snap-T Pullover in the Violet!
Anything North Face for me! And a sweet little Patagonia suit for my little 3mo babe!
I love your red scarf! Where is it from?!