Mothers & Daughters

Learn more about the talented local vendors from this shoot in our behind the scenes videos and see more photos from our mother-daughter fashion spread!

The best part of being a mother…

is having my two little ones love me unconditionally with endless hugs, kisses and smiles. I love the fact that I can teach and mold them to become wonderful human beings. I love their innocence, their countless smiles and their laughter,” says Alys Truong, co-owner of Rice and Noodles Vietnamese restaurant in Lancaster.

On Alys: dress $385; gold bangles $41 each; cutout heels $111, all from Pappagallo

On Emmeleine: Teal patterned dress $36; crochet headband $12 from Spoiled Silly; shoes $18.95 from Crazy 8

Alys’ hair and makeup by: Ruben Dejesus Torress, Luxe

Emme’s nails by: Whitney Ray, Luxe

The best part of being a mother…

“Experiencing such intense, special and unique kind of love that only a mother could have for her children,” says Dawn Cox, owner of Prana Functional Manual Therapy in Lancaster. The biggest challenge she says is “trying to make good choices and be a better person in every way because someone is always watching! Whether you like it or not, you are an instant role model when you have children, so it is important to help them become good people that will eventually be helpful in their own families and communities by setting a good example. I may not always do the right thing...but I try!”

Beverly says her favorite aspect of being a grandmother is “watching the family values, traditions and belief systems being passed down generation to generation. And watching the love shared between all of the grandchildren.”

On Dawn: Fuchsia jersey dress $129; earrings $24; bracelets from Festoon; copper mules $200 from Charlotte Shoppe

On Beverly: Coral two piece, skirt $100 and top $100 from Tiger’s Eye; earrings $19 from Mary Eileen; square bangles $36 each from Tiger’s Eye; heels $225 from Charlotte Shoppe

On Georgia: Plaid Polo sundress $59.50 from Bon Ton; pink floral sandals $22.95 from Crazy 8

Dawn’s hair and makeup by: Ruben Dejesus Torress, Luxe

Beverly’s hair and makeup by: Joanna Brossman, Luxe

Georgia’s hair by: Whitney Ray, Luxe

The best part of being a mother…

“The times when they say or do something, and it dawns on you that even though some days it doesn’t seem like it, what you’re teaching them is actually sinking in,” says Danielle Olson, a graphic designer for Gavin Advertising in York.

“We love to play ‘store’ together. Specifically she likes to play ‘Target’ which may or may not reflect poorly on me!” jokes Danielle.

Favorite book you read together?

Danielle says Charlee’s favorite book is God Loves Me More Than That and any of her books by Dandi Daley McCall. “They are fun rhyming books with great messages that she usually manages to memorize and read back to me after a few times.“

On Charlee: Polka dot dress $56 from Baby Bug & Me; ribbon headband $7 from Spoiled Silly; sandals $25.50 from Crazy 8

On Danielle: Fuchsia ruffle dress $159 from Flair; orange Ugg wedges $130 from Charlotte Shoppe; earrings $19 from Mary Eileen

Danielle’s hair and makeup by: Aia Peifley, Luxe

Charlee’s nails by: Allison Harnish, Luxe

The best part of being a mother…

“Seeing the love and bond between Violet [3 years] and Eleanor [10 months] grow is one of my greatest joys!” says Hilary Arthur, a former account executive for major labels like Escada and Calvin Klein; she and her family moved from New York City back to her hometown of York, PA, where she now writes a fashion blog, www.ArthurandDaughters.com.

What is a special activity that you and your daughters enjoy together?

“We love walking from our house to Martin Memorial Library in downtown York. Violet also has a vivid imagination so we always have fun playing whatever scenario she has cooked up!”

What is a favorite book you read together?

“My current favorite is A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead. The story is sweet and Erin Stead’s illustrations are beautiful. Violet loves any Max and Ruby book by Rosemary Wells. I think we have checked out the library’s entire collection of them!”

What is your favorite aspect of being a mother?

“I love watching my children develop as individuals. Their kindness to others and their excitement about the world inspire me. It’s really hard to pick one favorite aspect, but their hugs, kisses, and belly laughs are pretty spectacular!” says Leslie Gibson, 7th grade English teacher at Dallastown Middle School.

On Grandparenting:

Ginny Miller says, “I love to have Olivia at my house every school day and enjoy reading to her every morning and seeing her come to love the shore as much as I do in Avalon, NJ, every summer. Babysitting Violet and Eleanor is also a joy! Violet is dramatic and funny! She always has a story to tell! Eleanor is my special little girl--she is as happy to see me as I am to see her! We love to go to the park, throw rocks in the creek and play on the swings!”

On Hilary: White cotton dress $12.95 from H&M with crochet overlay $180 from Sweet Melissa’s Dream; sand Ugg wedges $130 from Charlotte Shoppe

On Eleanor: Navy and floral dress $88 from Baby Bug & Me; shoes $30 from Spoiled Silly

On Violet: White seersucker dress $42; crochet headband $12; and shoes $44 from Spoiled Silly

On Lesley: Asymmetrical navy dress $59 from Mary Eileen; brown leather belt $80; cork & suede Ugg wedges $140 from Charlotte Shoppe

On Ginny: White pants suit comprised of shell $49, poly-blend pants $89 and sheer floral blazer $99; cuffs $24 each from My Sister’s Closet; silver flats $210 from Charlotte Shoppe

On Olivia: Bird dress $14.95, white bow sandals $12.95 from H&M; red floral hair clip $16 from Sweet Melissa’s Dream

Leslie’s hair and makeup by: Aia Peifley, Luxe

Hilary’s hair and makeup by: Ruben Dejesus Torress, Luxe

Ginny’s hair and makeup by: Joanna Brossman, Luxe

Olivia and Violet’s nails by: Whitney Ray, Luxe

The best part of being a mother…

“Watching Noemi grow to have the perfect combination of silliness and confidence,” says Julie Roberts Witmer, formerly a special education teacher, now a full-time mom (and you might have guessed it, wife of our associate publisher, Donovan Roberts Witmer). They adopted their daughter Noemi from Ethiopia in 2009.

What is a special activity that you and your daughter enjoy together?

  “I play the music and set up the ‘stage.’ She dances her heart out. She curtsies and giggles; I proudly applaud.”  

Their favorite book to read together:

“Noemi has been enjoying Mouse Tales by Arnold Lobel, which makes me so happy because they were some of my favorite stories as a child.  I read her my original copy from the 1970s.”

On Julie: Floral wrap dress $44 from Francesca’s Closet; calves’ leather belt with coin purse $128; cork and suede Ugg wedges $140 from Charlotte Shoppe; bangles $62 from Festoon

On Noemi: Polka dot top $7.95 from H&M; handmade apron-style skirt $18.95 from Fresh Vintage at Building Character; patchwork headband $12 from Sweet Melissa’s Dream; pink floral sandals $29.95 from Baby Gap

Julie’s hair and makeup by: Jaime Pratt, Luxe

Noemi’s nails by: Allison Harnish, Luxe

The best part of being a mother…

“We have so many special activities that we enjoy doing together,” says Allison, “from hiking to cooking.”  I’d have to say that playing music, singing songs, and dancing together are my absolute favorite activities that we share.  Eva loves music so much!  Her musical taste ranges from Adele to Billy Idol!”

“We read books every day, especially every night after bath time and before bed. Eva and I have so many favorites and her library is overflowing! Some of our favorites are Margaret Wise Brown’s Good Night Moon, anything from Dr. Suess especially The Lorax and Go Dogs Go and we also love Tomie de Paola’s Strega Nona.  

Allison’s mother Jennifer Lee Horne says, “My favorite activity to do with my granddaughter is cooking or baking in the kitchen.  Eva helps me look up different recipes, measure ingredients, mixes ingredients together and is a fabulous taste tester!”

On Allison: Purple jersey dress $68 from Charlotte Shoppe; chunky wooden necklace $49 from Festoon; white sandals $60 from Aldo

On Jennifer: Black & white floral dress $249 from Creative Elegance; slip on white heels $50 from Aldo; silver bangles $28-$54 and earrings $46 from Creative Elegance

On Eva: Swiss dot dress $57 from Baby Bug & Me; pink flower hair clips $15 from Sweet Melissa’s Dream

Allison’s hair and makeup by: Aia Peifley, Luxe

Jennifer’s hair and makeup by: Joanna Brossman, Luxe

Eva’s nails by: Allison Harnish, Luxe

See more photos from our mother-daughter fashion spread in the gallery below!

Resources

Baby Bug & Me, Lemoyne; 717-763-1780, www.babybugandme.com

Building Character, Lancaster; 717-394-7201 , www.buildingcharacter.biz

Charlotte Shoppe, Lancaster; 717-569-2060, www.charlotteshoppe.com

Creative Elegance, Camp Hill; 717-737-5400, www.creativeeleganceboutique.com

Festoon, Lancaster; 717-299-2232, www.shopfestoon.com

Flair Fashions, York; 717-699-5686, www.flairfashions.biz

La Petite Patisserie, Lancaster; 717-424-1631, www.petitedessert.com

Mary Eileen’s and Me Too, Hummelstown; 717-392-0222, www.maryeileensandmetooboutique.com

My Sister’s Closet, York; 717-757-5252

Pappagallo, Lancaster; 717-392-0222, www.detailsandpappagallo.com

Park City Center, Lancaster; 717-393-3851, www.parkcitycenter.com (Items from: Aldo, Baby Gap, Bon Ton, Crazy 8, Francesca’s Collection and H&M)

Spoiled Silly, Lititz; 717-823-6453, www.spoiledsilly.com

Sweet Melissa’s Dream, York; 717-854-260, www.sweetmelissasdream.com

Tiger’s Eye, Lititz; 717-627-2244, www.tigerseyelititz.com

Special thanks to Luxe, the ultimate salon and spa experience, for providing hair and makeup for our mother and grandmother models and manicures for their daughters; 717-393-3200, www.luxelancaster.com

Set furniture from: Fresh Vintage & Building Character in Lancaster, Lancaster; 717-464-4751, www.facebook.com/freshvintagebyamy, www.buildingcharacter.biz. Watch the behind the scenes video here!

Flowers by: Lori Witmer of Wildflowers by Design, wildflowersbydesign.com

Produced by: Hilary Arthur with Keely Childers Heany & Catherine Shaw