Monthly Archives: January 2010

Meet Pippi! Our

Weekly Kiddos


OK folks. Take a gander at this little sweet pea. What a style maven she is, and only 3 years old! (ok ok, technically “2 1/2!”) Her mother is the totally awesome Heather who is so very clever about dressing her little girlie. A lovely mix of store bought, thrifted and hand me downs gives this wee one a style all her own! The best part is that every little outfit looks as comfy as it looks cute. (We here at Modern Kiddo call it the “Cozy Factor”, coined by my own little Wolfie when he tried on a Stella McCartney/Gap peacoat and proclaimed, “Mommy, this jacked isn’t very cozy!”) But I digress….on with the Pippi Parade!

1. grey sweater, baby gap (hand me down)
2. tie dye tee, baby gap (hand me down)
3. polka dot skirt, baby gap
4. pink leggings, garanimals
5. green boots, faded glory


1. striped tee, baby gap
2. plaid skirt, acoustic clothing
3. hand made leg warmers
4. green boots, faded glory

1. sweater coat, babystyle (hand me down)
2. grey dress, babystyle (hand me down)
3. green leggings, circo
4. boots (hand me downs)

I mean honestly, if the Pippi Parade doesn’t just melt you’re heart, then you have a heart of stone people! Miss Pippi loves Yo Gabba Gabba and Disneyland (especiall It’s a Small World—this little one is my kinda gal!). She is extremely fond of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (or jelly and butter as she calls them!) and she loves to play dollies and have tea parties. Her lovely mommy says that when she tells you a story it is sung like a song (I’m about to die, cute cute cute!). “Pippi loves to help me sew and color with her older brothers Dax and Cash. She is also the best thrift store partner, last time we went she found two matroyshka dolls on a bottom shelf!”

To complete this three ring circus of cuteness it shouldn’t come as any surprise when I tell you that bunnies are her favorite animal. Everyone together now, Yippi for Pippi! (sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

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Smitten with Mittens

Crafts + DIY, Kiddo Style: Modern,

Nothing says childhood winters more than mittens.  Can’t you just imagine them wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate? After all, mittens keep your hands warmer and are much easier to get on a little squirming hand.

Wearing my green “alligator” mittens during winter is one of my most vivid childhood memories. Although I couldn’t find the exact ones I remember for the Peach, I found a lot of other great  mittens–like these bee mittens or these ladybug mittens from Kidorable.

There is actually a whole set of bee and ladybug accessories for kids that looks like it could cause some trouble with my bank account.  Perhaps that would make up for the botched bee costume I made for the Peach…

Zooni has the sweetest mittens I’ve seen in ages, including this very cute and not too scary dinosaur mitten.

One of my favorite ones are the almost heartbreakingly cute  squeeze me mittens by Oeuf.  It makes you want to go for walks, doesn’t it?

Here they are in use. So. Stinking. Cute.

For those kiddos that pretend they are Jack Skellington from Tim Burton’s  Nightmare Before Christmas, I highly recommend this  Sourpuss mitten set that comes with a scarf and hat to boot! I’m in love!

Keep those little paws warm and looking like little paws with this stinky cute set of mittens from Bear Hands.

But there is something truly lovely about a traditional knitted wool mitten, like this exquisite pair of hand knit in an aran pattern.

I’m sure all of you crafty types out there have already knit a pair or two of mittens for your little honey.  And if you haven’t, here is a wonderfully easy pattern that could have you be cranking out a pair of mittens in an evening. Or you can go big with this fabulous Scandinavian pattern from Etsy seller, Randi K Designs.

But whether you make them, buy them, or borrow them, mittens on your little kidlet can’t help but make you smile!

Oooh la la! I love zis art!

Art + Design

I have to say, nothing makes me smile more than seeing colorful, quirky and whimsical art hanging on the walls of a child’s room.

When I first started to browse French site L’Affiche Moderne, I was positively drooling at the work! Their fabulous e-gallery showcases a really lovely collection of work from young photographers, graphic designers and illustrators (including the amazingly talented Sarah Jane who was at Alt Summit and is just about the cutest, sweetest thing ever!). The prints are produced in limited edition quantities of 300 editions and come in a variety of options: mounted canvas, framed, no frame etc. Take a gander at some of these lovelies:

Ingela P Arrhenius, Friends in Tree

Marion Billet, Transports

Matilou, Fawn in winter

Sarah Jane, Goodnight Friend!

Franck Juery, Marie-Kong

Mathilde Aubier, En face

Can you handle the cuteness?? They update their work frequently and it’s always fab. Whether you’re drawn to the retro-inspired prints, sweetly soothing illustrations or even fanciful photographs, I think you’ll definitely find something swell for your kiddo’s walls.

Oooh, and get this! From January 26 thru February 11, 2010,  Modern Kiddo readers can save 30% off their entire catalog of limited edition art prints when you use code 01012010.

Whoo hoo, L’Affiche Moderne! Shoot, that’s almost enough to make me want to start calling this here lil bloggie Kiddo Moderne. Almost.

Images: L’Affiche Moderne

Retro Modern :: Cape Crusaders

Kiddo Style: Modern, Retro Modern, , ,

What can I say? Capes rock. Remember when they were back in style for like a millisecond a couple of winters ago? Man, I should have bought one then—I don’t know why I waited. But I will not make that mistake for the Peach.  In my mind, capes make complete sense for little girls.  They are not as fussy as proper coats but have oodles of swish and sass which I think is a prerequisite for all things kid!  Plus capes are just more fun than coats.

Fortunately Etsy is awash with awesome capes like these from Etsy seller,  Katie Patatey who blew my mind with this demin cape with a vintage bit of cloth with a bird on it. Katie, you are killing with all this cuteness!

ASboutique is selling this gorgeous handmade cape with a ruffle neckline and a straw ticking lining.

I love upcycled wool projects and Handmade Charlotte’s clever use of a vintage mohair sweater to create an extra snuggly and extra gorgeous detailed collar for this this brown corduroy cape won me over.

Clearly I’m in a ruffly mood, because I can’t get enough of this ruffle cape in purple wool herringbone from Red Possum It is so cute that I think she should make this in a mommy size (hint hint, Red Possum…I’m just sayin’…)

I was about to leave Etsy, but then I saw this Valentine Heart Cape made of wool felt from brand spanking new Etsy seller, Heartfelt4Kids and I nearly plotzed, it is so adorable. I need to look away or it will steal my soul–IT IS THAT BEWITCHING!

Capes are also one of those things that seem very sewable.  And if you are one of those people that think capes are sewable, would you please make me one with this divine vintage cape pattern from Mom’s Patterns?  This particular pattern is available in two sizes–6 and 8 at Mom’s Pattern Website.

Heck, I wouldn’t mind if you made me the dress too! Man, that is cute! Just imagine making the dress and cape lining match? Ooohhh…..  Dream a little dream!

Gimme some mo’ Molo please.

Big Kiddo, Kiddo Style: Modern

We’re back!! Happy Monday friends. We had an amazing time at Alt Summit and we’ll have a litte recap up later today but in the meantime I wanted to share with you this super hip line of clothing I’ve stumbled upon from Denmark called Molo.

As the mom of a super charming little 5 year old boy (the Amazing Wolfie) I’m always griping about the lack of originality in boy’s clothing. You browse the girl’s department in pretty much any store and you are guaranteed to find colorful, fun creative clothing. The boy’s department? Not so much. Things have gotten better but there is still an abundance of trucks, trains, dinosaurs and sports-themed images. I hate to break it to you, but little boys like color and fun prints too! That’s why whenever I find someone who is doing something cool or creative with little boy’s clothes I’m over the moon about it. And I’m completely smitten with these amazing clothes by Danish brand Molo.

Designer Louise Frederickson says that the Molo philosophy is all about letting kids express their creativity with their clothing (which is something I can certainly get behind!). Soft but durable fabrics coupled with kaleidoscopic mix-n-match patterns and fun details make this line totally cool and hip but still something you can race around the playground in. The line has adorable stuff for boys, girls AND babies.

*sigh*

Those Danes just know how to do right, don’t they folks?





You can find Molo at children’s specialty boutiques in Europe and also online at Ollypop and Huset.

Images from: www.molo-kids.com