May’s blooms have officially arrived, so we’re taking advantage of the season’s beauty in this month’s What to Wear. Using the vibrant backdrop of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, our models are rocking spring-appropriate ensembles from local boutiques b.kids and Alabama Outdoors for some exciting upcoming events — Mudbugs & Music, the Mother’s Day Brunch at Iron City and the highly anticipated Regions Tradition. Welcome to our family-friendly edition of What to Wear!

Today’s models include Frank Adair, a Memphian who returned to Birmingham after a collegiate and professional football career. Frank is a part of the Iron Tribe Product Team, working as a coach and trainer at Iron Tribe Fitness in Homewood, as well as across Iron Tribe’s Southeastern locations to develop new coaches. His brilliant wife, Rachel, is a Registered Nurse at UAB and is currently working towards her master’s degree in UAB’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program, which she will receive this summer. It was such a treat to work with them and feature their beautiful baby girl, Gia. Adelaide and Audrey are the adorable daughters of b.kids owner Shelley Matthews. We are delighted to show you these sweet sisters today — their love for each other jumps right off the page! And Arlo, the precious son of our very own Regional Editor Lauren Helmer, brings infectious joy and laughter to this shoot … something we could always use a little bit more of.

And now, without further ado, our May What to Wear — we hope you enjoy!

A huge thank you to Frank, Rachel, Gia, Adelaide, Audrey and Arlo for modeling today's looks!Pin
A huge thank you to Frank, Rachel, Gia, Adelaide, Audrey and Arlo for modeling today’s looks!

The Event: Mudbugs and Music

  • May 5, 2018
  • Event runs from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Tickets are $20 to $30 for adults, and $10 for children 12 & under.
  • For more information, visit arthser.ejoinme.org.

Mudbugs & Music is back for the 14th year of bites and brews to work toward beating arthritis. This year’s event will feature delicious crawfish from Shindigs, plenty of fun activities for the little ones, a silent auction, live entertainment and refreshments from Cahaba Brewing Company. Since this event started in 2005, they have raised significant funds to help grow the pediatric rheumatology program at Children’s of Alabama and UAB, which has drastically changed the course of treatment for thousands of children with juvenile arthritis. Grab the entire family and head over to Cahaba Brewing to enjoy a day under the Alabama sun eating, playing and supporting an amazing cause.

What to wear: Stay comfortable at this event! Although temperatures are rising, it’s difficult to predict Alabama weather, so the experts at Alabama Outdoors helped us pull together a simple pair of blue jeans with a light blouse that we dressed up a bit with some not-too-high wedges for her. Men may opt for a short-sleeve polo, simple yet flattering shorts and a comfortable pair of sandals. For the kiddos, we’ve teamed up with b.kids to offer a few breezy options, including a darling romper or printed shorts and tank combo for the girls and a fun tee paired with striped shorts for your little guy.

Look #1:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/alabama-outdoors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alabama Outdoors</a>: Striped shirt, $59; Grey shorts, $85; Lace up blouse, $105; Skinny jeans, $167; Wedges, $ From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/b-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b.kids</a>: Butterfly dress, $62Pin
On Frank and Rachel from Alabama Outdoors: Striped shirt, $59; grey shorts, $85; lace-up blouse, $105; skinny jeans, $167; wedges, $112 | On Gia from b.kids: Butterfly dress, $62

Look #2:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/b-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b.kids</a>: Blue tank, $40; Printed shorts, $62; Romper, $40Pin
On Adelaide and Audrey from b.kids: Blue tank, $40; printed shorts, $62; romper, $40

Look #3:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/b-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b.kids</a>: Blue tee, $34.95; Striped shorts, $34.95Pin
On Arlo from b.kids: Blue tee, $34.95; striped shorts, $34.95
Sweet Arlo finds his zen among the frogs at Leaf n Petal in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens!Pin
Sweet Arlo finds his zen among the frogs at Leaf & Petal in the Birmingham Botanical Gardens!

The Event: Mother’s Day Brunch at Iron City

  • May 13, 2018
  • Event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.
  • Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for children 5-12. Children under 5 are free.
  • For more information, visit ironcitybham.com.

Although we believe mothers deserve to be celebrated every day of the year, there is one magical Sunday in May when moms around the world take a moment to relax while their families show them just how much they’re loved. Make it unforgettable this year at Iron City’s Mother’s Day Bottomless Brunch. Attendees will enjoy a menu of made-to-order omelets, chicken & gravy, pasta primavera, a build-your-own waffle station, mini fruit tartlets, blueberry crumble cheesecake and oh-so-much more. Live entertainment and a Bloody Mary bar round out the event. Reservations are recommended, so plan ahead and treat Mom to a delicious morning!

What to wear: Why not take advantage of this day of celebration by dressing up a bit? For Mom, we are loving this simple, comfortable and stylish dress from Alabama Outdoors. Guys, you simply cannot go wrong with a nice button-up and slacks. And for the little ones, b.kids offers a vast selection of dresses for babies, toddlers and tweens, plus some dressier boy’s attire ideal for this occasion.

Look #1:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/alabama-outdoors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alabama Outdoors</a>: Blue dress, $105; Blue and white buton up, $ From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/b-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b.kids</a>: Blue dress, $48Pin
On Rachel and Frank from Alabama Outdoors: Blue dress, $105; blue and white button-up, $85; khaki pants, $85; leather belt, $135 | On Gia from b.kids: Blue pinafore dress, $48

RELATED: How to Shop Smart, Curate a Dynamic Closet & More: Ask Megan

Look #2:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/b-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b.kids</a>: Purple dress, $62; White dress, $68Pin
On Adelaide and Audrey from b.kids: Purple dress, $62; white dress, $68

Look #3:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/b-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b.kids</a>: Blue button up, $42; White pants, $57Pin
On Arlo from b.kids: Blue button-up, $42; white pants, $57

The Event: Regions Tradition

  • May 16-20, 2018
  • Gates open at 7 a.m. each day.
  • Tickets start at $20.
  • For more information, visit regionstradition.com.

Finish off the month with a bang at the Regions Tradition. This weekend of fun kicks off with coaches and celebrities, including Nick Saban, Gus Malzahn, Kirby Smart, Paul Finebaum, Bo Jackson, Matt Luke and Derek Mason teeing up at the Pro-Am. Attendees will also get the chance to take a picture with the National Championship Trophy and your favorite mascots like Aubie, Big Al and Blaze! The excitement continues at the Celebrity Putt for Children, which raises money for local charities by giving celebrities an attempt at the 50-foot putt on the course’s putting green. Any holed putts will result in a $20K donation to Children’s of Alabama. Then, watch the amateurs shoot for a hole-in-one on the 18th hole for a chance to win a Lexus! On Friday, Shipt is hosting Yoga on the Green, or catch the Chuck the Hitman Trick Shot Show presented by MAGNA-KAMTEK on Saturday. Round out the weekend by grabbing a drink and watching the 143rd Preekness Stakes on the LED board on the driving range of the gorgeous Greystone Golf & Country Club.

What to wear: The end of May in Alabama is hot, hot, hot, so it is important to dress accordingly. We’re suggesting a simple tee and jeans for her and a light button-up and shorts for him from Alabama Outdoors. A comfortable romper or shorts and a top are ideal for the girls, while comfortable shorts and a breezy short-sleeve top like this duo from b.kids is just right for the boys.

Our models look pretty in pink and picture perfect at the Botanical Gardens!Pin
Our models look picture perfect at Birmingham Botanical Gardens!

Look #1:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/alabama-outdoors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alabama Outdoors</a>: Pink tee, $80; Retro crop jeans, $188; Wedges, $ ; Sunnies, $$128; Striped shirt, $69; Khaki shorts, $59; Sandals, From b.kids: Pink dress, $62. Pin
On Rachel and Frank from Alabama Outdoors: Pink tee, $80; retro crop jeans, $188; wedges, $112; sunnies, $128; striped shirt, $69; khaki shorts, $59; sandals, $110 | On Gia from b.kids: Pink sunsuit, $62

Look #2:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/b-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b.kids</a>: Striped top, $62; Pink shorts, $48; Pink romper, $62Pin
On Adelaide and Audrey from b.kids: Striped top, $62; pink shorts, $48; pink romper, $62

RELATED: A Tween/Teen Wardrobe — Harder than You Think

Look #3:

From <a href="https://styleblueprint.com/birmingham/guide/b-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">b.kids</a>: White button up, $34; Striped shorts, $38Pin
On Arlo from b.kids: White button-up, $34; grey shorts, $38

Have a fun and stylish May!

Thank you to Frank, Rachel, Gia, Adelaide, Audrey and Arlo modeling today’s looks!

Thank you to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for allowing us to use their gorgeous location as the backdrop of this family-friendly fashion shoot. With summer right around the corner, you may be looking for a fun and educational outdoor camp for your pint-sized pals. Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers a plethora of kids’ camps, including American Girl: Girls Just Like Me, It’s a Buggy World, Fairytales in the Garden, Cooking Up Art at The Gardens, Spa Camp, Summer Garden Chefs, Growing through Yoga and more for children of all ages, both in the morning and day-long sessions through June and July. Click here to learn more and register.

And finally, thank you to Mary Fehr of M. Fehr Photography for the fabulous photos.

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Find out what’s going on in Birmingham this month — visit our Happenings page. And for more on the boutiques that provided these style suggestions, visit our SB Guide or download our FREE SB App.

Author: Bailey Torkelson
About the Author
Bailey Torkelson

Bailey is the StyleBlueprint Marketing Manager. She loves a good meal and glass of wine with great friends... or a reality TV binge with her cat, Luna.