Monthly Archives: March 2010

Vintage Storybook Lamps, Anyone? The World of Irmi.

Best of Alix, Kiddo Rooms, Vintage Childhood, Vintage Toys + Fun Stuff, , ,

As a self-proclaimed expert on all things vintage (or as the hubs would claim, “a know-it-all”. *sigh*), I love when I discover new things! A toy that I’d forgotten about, a unique item that I’d never seen before, or better yet finding out some new information about an item I have always loved. Take that little lamp in the photo above, for instance. It’s cute, huh! I had one as a child and I think they’re pretty darn adorable. Wait….let’s take a little closer look:

Soooo cute, right? The little boy playing the guitar while the little girl is knitting? Amazing! (By the way, that little white blob that looks like those rock things people use in curling is actually a kitten. And yes, this is a photo from Dottie’s little girl’s nursery. SO perfect!) I love it. I know some folks think these lamps can veer on the kitschy side (*gasp!*) but I find their storybook style super duper charming.


Yes the little well on that last one (Jack & Jill, doncha know) lights up!
Images: Kitsch Cafe and Fresh Vintage Style

I’m pleased to tell you that these little treasures have a name. And maybe you already knew this (to which I say, “How come you never told me??” hee). Irmi Nursery Originals. Remember this people, as there will be a quiz later. The creators of these whimsical treats were a lovely German couple named Fred and Irmi Bering. In addition to hand-painted wooden lamps they made wall hangings, light switch plates, nursery mobiles and more. They were produced in the 1950s thru 1971 (when they sold the company). The characters are often taken straight from the pages of nursery rhymes or fairytales and each lamp usually offers a little extra bonus—a music box, a little additional “light up” feature etc. Fred and Irmi were generous spirits and in 2004 donated $2 million to Danbury hospital. You can read a bit more about their story here.


Image: Thompson Family Life

Image: SkyBlueCrayons


Image: Creative Breathing


Image: Sweet Lily Studio and ElecticaMiami


I’m sorry, but animals with hats are simply the best thing EVER.
Image: ex.libris


Yes, that little guys are wearing LEDERHOSEN! Sweet!
Image: Circus Peanut


Image: Sweet Lily Studio and Going Sew Crazy


Image: Sweet Lily Studio (only $15 in their Etsy shop!)

Are you dying yet? I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was to just pick a few of these. The good news is, you can snap up your own on ebay or Etsy. Simply search for….what was that name again class? “IRMI!” Bravo!

Modern Kiddo Buying Tips: These lamps typically sell for $20-60. If you’re paying $65+ it better be in pristine condition OR crazy cute (aka I wanna see at least TWO giraffe’s wearing top hats, mmkay?). Don’t be scared off by an ugly lamp shade. Many will have lost their original shades, and buying a new one (or embellishing it with pom poms or ric-a-rack) is pretty easy! Don’t forget, not everyone knows they are called  “Irmi” lamps, so get creative and search for “Nursery Originals” “Nursery Plastics” “Vintage Wooden Lamp” etc. when browsing ebay/etsy! Happy hunting!

Vintage Kiddo Monday: Retro Roundup

Kiddo Style: Vintage, ,

Wow, that weekend went fast! I barely had time to go to any estate sales or get my mad cleaning skills on.   And let’s not talk about that rude “Spring forward” notice that had me up WAY too early this morning. Or the fact that I couldn’t get away to pay homage to Liberty of London at Target. But I did have a chance to check out some good vintage e-finds  that I’d love to share with y’all!

This is one of those little dresses that you find for little girls that you so want in your size.  But who wouldn’t want this adorable springy green plaid shift dress from eBay seller, Lost&Found Clothing.

It doesn’t take a knitter to appreciate this  stunning vintage hand knit sweater with horses on it from wonderfully named Ebay seller Highsense Lowbudget.

You’ll want to giddayup over to eBay to bid on this cute cowboy costume from eBay seller, PollyDoodlesCo!

Clearly the hare is going to win the race over the tortoise if they are driving a hot-rod as cute as this one on this vintage dress. Take THAT Target Liberty of London Bike!

Speaking of Liberty of London, doesn’t this little toddler jacket from Etsy seller, BabyComeBack look like a missing piece from Target’s new Liberty of London line? And check out that wonderful back piping detail!

If this wonderful outfit doesn’t make the Easter Bunny leaves you with an insanely full basket of jelly bellies, Reese’s peanut butter eggs and other goodies, than I don’t know what will work!  People, there is even a tie. A TIE. And check out the little hobo bunny.  Clearly, he needs to hitch a ride from that other bunny  in the sassy car above. From Etsy seller, Nomi Vintage.

There is something about this lovely little dress from Esty seller, Little Veggie Vintage with smocking that just makes me think of spring spring spring.

If you’ve read my other blog, Good Crafternoon, you know my love of the movie Young Sherlock Holmes. Well, thank goodness this little lad wasn’t wearing this  Sherlock Holmes coat and hat combo in my second grade class or I would have fallen helplessly in love with him.  From Etsy Seller, Oscar and Theodore.

Something about spring makes me crave the color yellow and who wouldn’t with this  vintage yellow dress from Etsy seller, Hellcat Vintage.

But I leave you with this:  Before boot-cut there was a different flared pant in town that went by a name that put fear and fabulousness into the hears of many–the bell bottom. Here is one of the finest examples around with a LOT of them in glorious surfer striped vintage pants that would perfect for your little moppet to change intofter a day at the beach with some rope sandals and a ringer tee. Sigh.  From eBay seller, Bloom 996.

Happy Monday!  Let’s get that weekend here pronto!

Meet Truman! Our Weekly Kiddo.

Weekly Kiddos

This week’s Kiddo is a special little lad. Truman lives in Minneapolis and is the son of my sweet pal Alisha (aka Lishy Loo Vintage!). Lishy has a wonderful eye and her Etsy shop is always brimming with amazing vintage children’s goodies. I love how Lishy dresses Tru in a fun mix of retro treasures and modern day things. So without any further adieu, Ladies and Gentlemen, may we present the Truman Show!

These first few shots are a little older….but we couldn’t resist sharing this vintage cuteness!

Dapper Gingham Overalls

+ vintage gingham elephant overalls, thrifted
+ t shirt, Old Navy
+ vintage red/white/blue ski cap, thrifted


Ahoy Matey!

+ vintage nautical overalls, thrifted
+ awesome balloons

Monkey Business

+ Paul Frank Julius Ski Monkey shirt, Target

Outer Space Cutie

+ Adorable Alien tee—eek! Where is this from Lishy?
+ Black comfy shorts, Old Navy
+ Velcro strap sandals, Old Navy

Little Hipster

+ Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skullington Knit Cap
+ Vintage jean jacket, thrifted
+ Brobee monster, Yo Gabba Gabba!

Little Truman is such a doll. He is a huge fan of Yo Gabba Gabba, Mary Poppins and dancing to his mommy and daddy’s record collection—vintage Sesame Street and Abba are a family favorite! Tru is an avid reader, just like his mama, and counts Margaret Wise Brown as among his top authors, especially Little Fur Family. Truman also loves kitties, balloons, playing games and laughing at all the silly things his fun lovin’ parents do. We think he is a huge sweetie…I guess I should have called this post Tru Love.

BONUS SHOT! Young Master Harry the younger, wearing a vintage jumpsuit (affectionately called “The Roper”) sourced at Modern Kiddo in our weekly Retro Roundup! Whoo hoo!

This is one stylish family, people! Have a great weekend…

Hooray for Cynthia Rowley!

Kiddo Style: Modern, , ,

I love Cynthia Rowley.  Not only because she does high-style fashion so well, but because she does fashion for everyone just as well.  I loved her ever since she and and her best friend, Ilene Rosenzweig, the former deputy style editor for The New York Times, co-authored the best-selling book, Swell: A Girl’s guide to the Good Life in 1999. She’s a let’s-get-down-to-brass-tacks (but let’s do it with a smile) classy kinda lady with a great sense of humor and of course wonderful classic style.

And she’s taken all of that with a giggle and a pinch of fairy dust to Toys R Us with her dandy and very wearable line of childrens clothing called Hooray. Hooray indeed for wonderful fun clothes at great prices.

Cynthia, I love what you do with gingham. With Summer closer than we think, this is the perfect outfit for a sunny day in June.

And oh my word–you can just see a hint of the ruffles on this brown gingham romper. FIE, Cynthia! That is pure Stink-town!

And then there is this little Hipster Heidi top that is as sassy as those Audrey Hepburn training capris.

I love a good cozy knit dress, but this wonderful pattern adds a great and easy wearing level of detail that makes this sweet little fuschia dress a must purchase.

But first of course I must purchase this little ensemble below.  I’m a sucker for seersucker and I’m not even going to tell you what a Peter Pan collar does to me! And I’m all over the overalls too!

Let your child get in touch with his inner prep with this navy polo and perfect little shorts. Madras, oh how I adore you!

And tallyho with these horseshoe pants. Your little one will be ready to stomp the divots with these pants.

Now, excuse me as hustle off to Babies-R-Us to pick up a diaper genie refill and some high fashion goodies!

Mod About You, Baby! 60s Inspired Kiddos.

Retro Modern, , , ,

We at Modern Kiddo love vintage inspired goodies…and if you’re a regular reader then you know that the sixties are one of my favorite decades to play around with. Let’s get inspired by the graphic coolness of that mod mod world!

Presenting a future shoe-gazer, indie superstar or little scooter boy….from fun lovin’ Etsy peeps Charlie and Sarah!

And speaking of  scooters—check out this adorable ride-along learner bike from kiddi moto. You’re kid will be the heppest cat on the block rockin’ this Vespa! Beatle boots not recommended while riding (didn’t have time to source some Carnaby style band-aids, doncha know….).

You know how I’m head over heels in love with this dressie from FaithWorks4U and I just had to bring it back for another go-go. Heh. Sorry. Couldn’t resist.

This mod little treeclimber is sportin’ a shirt from Etsy sellers babybolt. I just love the little playful touch of gingham. There’s one for boys….

…and one for girls!

San Francisco cutie tartlette makes sweet dressies for little girls, but this Mondrian-inspired mini is simply TOP of the POPS! Your little Twiggy will be the hit of the playground.

I love the bold graphics on these Karen Hilton Designs pillows. God Save the Queen! (and my bank account….)

This adorable Q-Star bib will only run ya 15 clams and is made of Japanese cotton linen. Fancy!

I love this print from Sugar and Cream—how cute would this be in a little nursery? The kitty helmet is killing me, but the message is just also a sweet little reminder.

This little dressie from Etsy sellter AlltheNumbers is not only cute as all get out, it’s extremely clever too! Would you believe it had a former life as a man’s button-up shirt? Mmm hmm. So now it gets to skip a day at the office and can go rollerskating instead. Sweet!

Polka dots and Vespas? This little romper is like Dottie and my secret love child! JoeyandAlthea are responsible for this little snippet of cute.

Listen, you’re never too young to appreciate a little 60s fun! This rosey-cheeked cutie easily proves my point! Grab yours from babybolt. Um, the onesie, not the baby.

So what are you waiting for? Ready…..steady….GO!