Monthly Archives: March 2011

Tiny Tuesday :: Dottie Throws A Baby Shower!

Kiddo Parties

Friends, last weekend I threw one of my dear friends a baby shower! Yup! Right on the heels of the Peach’s big blowout.  But I was determined to do right by my friend and come up with something charming and thoughtful decoration-wise for her shower.

Now bear with me–unfortunately I was too busy making six different kind of tea sandwiches and hugging friends to take many pictures. My bad and I apologize for that, but I will take a couple from after the party, when I finally remembered that I wanted to share it with all of you.

OK—I totally admit, I needed a bit of a party throwing break and decided to use the same colors for the party but change everything except the table runner and the napkins for the shower.

These lovely hanging pompoms were a breeze to put together and hang. From Etsy seller, Create & Adorn.

I also sparkled up the place with some quick paper banners that I hung all over the house.  I bought the paper from Paper Source and sewed them to a grosgrain ribbon.  Polka dots and flowers.

And flowers really do add so much to any party!

Oh and I used those felt swirly cut-outs on the wall again. They just worked and added another texture to the wall.

All in all, it was a successful party and our little preggie friend who is due in about a month and still not wearing maternity clothes glowed.  I still have to finish making her prezzie. I’ll save that for Dottie’s Kraft Korner if you don’t mind!

I must admit–I’m always looking for the perfect baby shower gift.  And I came across a really charming one from Canopy Cards.

Jennifer Parker, the creator summed it up best:

“While video and pictures all have their place, it’s our business to preserve parental editorial. Picture a set of 10 letterpress cards each focusing on a milestone in baby’s first year (i.e. knee glee: now you’re crawling).  Every time the wee one picks up a skill, the parent picks up a pen and writes a love letter all about it.  So that someday, when this little person isn’t so little anymore and asks, “what was i like when i was a baby?” parents get to hand over a stack of handwritten notes and say, “this is just how i saw it.””

To me that is just perfect. Not the agonizing pressure of a baby’s first year book, but enough to capture some lovely moments of babyhood that past so very fast before our eyes. Don’t you remember looking at your little one as swearing you could see them grow in front of your eyes? Sigh. It really does go by so fast…

MK Giveaway: Winter Water Factory! *GIVEAWAY CLOSED*

Giveaways

Friends, I know I always get excited about our giveaways, it’s true. But I can’t lie–I’m particularly excited about this one because it is from one of my all time favorite brands–Winter Water Factory!  Winter Water Factory is giving away this “jump rope” dress in June leaf print.  So button cute!  And navy is such a terrific color that works in all seasons.  Also, I like the short sleeves so you can layer it with a long sleeve t-shirt underneath.

I fell head over heels for this sweet company’s amazing textile prints and the fact that they are printed on the softest organic cotton out there.  And the clothing designs are simple in style to show off the patterns.

Of course I have a soft spot for the creative duo, Margaret McCartney and Stefanie Lynen, who are based in Brooklyn.   These gals find inspiration for their stunning designs from all over the place like children’s books to vintage wallpaper to envelope liners.  Before these lovely ladies started Winter Water Factory, they worked together for years creating holiday décor for a big designer before striking out on their own. And you can tell this is a creative match made in heaven when you look at their wonderful work.

Oh and get this–they even sell their yummy fabric for all of your craftie cuties out there.

And even in gorgeous cloth napkins–hello, new favorite hostess present!

Now, what’s with that funky name, eh? According to the ladies, the original “Winterwasserfabrik” was founded in the early 1980s in Eschweiler, Germany, where Stefanie and her sister bottled melted snow and sold it to their parents as “winter water.” The tradition of creating fine products from all-natural resources continues in Brooklyn.

Thanks ladies for offering up one of your lovely pieces for our Modern Kiddo readers! Huzzah!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!

Now, how to win that perfect little navy dress for your perfect little girl:

  1. Leave a comment on this blog entry
  2. Follow us on Twitter. If you are already a follower, tweet about this giveaway—don’t forget to include @modernkiddo in the tweet please!
  3. “Like” us on Facebook
  4. “Like” Winter Water Factory on Facebook

You’ll get one entry for each thing you do. If you do all foure you’ll be entered four times.

Good luck, and I’m crossing my fingers you win!

Vintage Monday :: The Dames Hit the Town

Mama Style, Real Life : Alix, Real Life : Dottie, , , ,

Last month I told you about a new, monthly supper club that Dottie and I started with some great gal pals: The Dames. It was the brain child of our friend Doe, who is one of the most creative, organized and talented people I know! We realized that we wanted to see each other more—and we wanted to connect with other cool mamas. The concept? Get 10 or so rad mamas who love dressing up and once a month we hit a retro restaurant and have a fun night out! Last month we went to Joe’s of Westlake, an old school Italian restaurant with fab architecture. This past month The Dames decided to go to the historic John’s Grill—a cool seafood joint made famous as a setting in Dashiell Hammett’s novel The Maltese Falcon.

BUT before we met at the restaurant, our friend Shona suggested we meet at the Union Square Macy’s 6th Floor bathroom. “The Macy’s Bathroom? Whuhhh?” Sounds a tad strange, but hear me out. The Macy’s 6th Floor Bathroom is somewhat historic. Upon entering, you pass through an unremarkable, generic bathroom with the classic row of white sinks. Turn a corner, however, and you are suddenly met with this:

Off the main restroom is a square room made of green and cream marble. There are pedestal wash basins, a lovely crystal chandelier and a gilded ceiling. It’s FABULOUS! The walls are covered with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and it’s not until you push on the mirrors that you realize that all of the stalls are hidden behind them.

One of the snazzy metal and marble wash basins. The faucet got cut off but it was golden…

The bathroom was actually designed as part of the old I. Magnin department store back in 1948. I’m not sure why it was never renovated—but we were sure glad it survived! While we waited for everyone to show, we took pictures. I think everyone who actually had to *use* the restroom thought we were crazy. Festive! But crazy.

Dueling leopard was glamorously hilarious!

I look so serious! haha

Finally we made it to John’s Grill! This time there were 9 of us—and we branched out to include some “non-mama” friends but very groovy girlies. Alas, Dottie couldn’t make it this time but she was very missed! The beauty of The Dames is that it’s low stress—can’t make it one month? No biggie, just show up the next month!


For some reason our table only had half the place settings. I snuck around and grabbed them off the other tables, “I think they had us confused with The Broads…..we’re The DAMES, dammit!”

The elusive Maltese Falcon, used in the movie of the same name. I am not quite sure why there is an Emmy in the case too but any chance to pose next to an award? I’ll take it!

The food was fab and the company even more delicious. I was just so nice to get out and get to know this lovely group of ladies. I highly recommend starting your own little monthly supper club! You don’t have to be vintage obsessed—mix it up! Here’s all you have to do:

1.  Invite a great mix of ladies. You can get together with your besties, but  you don’t have to even know everyone well. Honestly it’s kind of more fun when you don’t. Our group is a mix of a few women who are already good friends and a handful I didn’t really know that well to start—but I’m soooo enjoying getting to know them better! Start with 2-4 people and let each person invite one extra!

2. Pick your “thang”. For us, it’s finding retro, old timey restaurants, but there are so many options. You can pick the newest restaurants in your town (and discover new favorites), you can explore different cultures (thai! sushi! ethopian!), you can pick a favorite food (pasta? pizza, seafood?) and try all the spots in town in a quest for the best….the possibilities are endless.

Getting a little time out on your own is so important for a mama—and even if you don’t have kiddos, quality hang time with your ladies can be so rejuvenating. Once a month isn’t a big commitment either. Give it a whirl! And be sure to let us know if you try it! Do you belong to any other groups? Reading groups? Crafting circles? Or do you just have a standing date with a best girlie? I’d love to hear!

PS  Pssst! Due to a nasty looming cold, I wasn’t able to go to the third installment of The Dames, which was held last week at Spenger’s Fish Grotto. Miss Dottie was there representin’ and I must say it looks like she had things alllll under control. Dottie rules!

 

Hurrah for a Vintage Kiddo Retro Round up!

Kiddo Style: Vintage, Vintage Toys + Fun Stuff, , ,

Well friends, I hope you had a dandy weekend frolicking around with your friends and family.  I had a grand one with a proper two year old Peach and saw wonderful friends and did a fair share of laughing this week. I’ll give a bigger update later!

But of course a weekend wouldn’t be a weekend without a bit of quality time online looking for all sorts of vintage kiddo goodies for you all, my friends!

I don’t know what I love more here–the wonderful vintage flamingo pink go-go dress or the sassy gal wearing the flamingo pink go-go dress. From Ebay seller, Kingston Avenue Vintage.

These vintage shovels are a terrific example of how a simple but charming toy when placed with others can turn into a wonderful and unexpected piece of art in a child’s room as well as anywhere in the house! From Etsy seller Sushipotsparts.

Plaid pants on boys are so cute and very hot right now.  But you can always find the original plaid pants like these vintage beauts from Ebay seller, akcache.

I guess Oujia boards and Tarot cards weren’t groovy enough for kids in the sixties, so that’s why Mattel created Mystique Fortell cards! Sadlly, just the case, but what great graphics, eh? From Etsy seller, Sofralma.

I am a huge mary jane fan.  And it started early for me.  And it would have started earlier if I had THESE AMAZING SHOES.  Want want want. From Ebay seller, Virginia’s Vintage.

The circus is in town with vintage Fisher Price awesomeness! I remember that elephant so well–even the pebbly texture of the legs.  From Etsy seller, Toys of the Past.

RocketGirl hipped me to this charming bit of  candy cane cuteness, so sweet that you just can’t help but smile. From Etsy seller, Kyssa Vintage.

I just wrote about how knitting is hurting my hands and I love a good vintage knit sweater. Well, Miss Lish from Lishyloo Vintage to the rescue with this perfect little vintage blue sweater which would be a great addition to any little kiddo’s wardrobe.

I wish I was a fly on the wall in the game marketing department at Western Board Games when this gem was through of. Let’s make a game around blowing little plastic balls around! GENIUS!  Well, there is genius in the board game cover. Check out the chick in pink!  That’s worth it alone! From Etsy RecycledStylz.

I personally have never been a fan of puzzles as art to put on the wall, but I gotta admit that I totally love this “Charming Chatty Framing Tray” puzzle, which I think was a giveaway young American Airlines travelers were given to put together on the fold down trays on the airplane.  This beats salted peanuts any day of the week! From Etsy seller, MyBeadsandBooks.

Alix and I met a wonderful lady who is sure to become a wonderful friend this weekend who had one of the most amazing house and collection of vintage goodies that had us drooling.  And she had a Little Miss No Name. Surely you remember her from Alix’s hilarious doll post awhile back, yes?  So, how could I not get back home and find one on Ebay, right? Our friend Karen used to have one in her bathroom, but it depressed her guests too much.  Hee hee! From Ebay seller, OlgaStar.

Hee hee! Happy Monday, ya’ll!!!

Friday Link Hootenany :: Cool Stuff to Browse

Link Hootenanny

Here are some things that caught my eye over the past week!

1. PRETTY VINTAGE INSPIRED JEWELRY from Nest Pretty Things. I think these are so lovely—the color combinations are espectially fetching for little girls and mamas.

2. DR. SEUSS HAD A BIRTHDAY! He is one of my tippy top favorites. From Cat in the Hat to One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, I love them all! They even made Green Eggs and Ham at Wolfie’s school, which was super cute.


image.

3. JEWELRY HOLDER from POLLI I am utterly smitten with these! Only problem is I don’t have pierced ears, but how cool are they??

4. OSCARS. Welllllllll, they were a little “meh” but I loved Anne Hathaway’s many gowns. And while I never really like what Helena Bonham Carter is wearing, I still totally love her. Her expression as they announced her nomination said to me, “THIS is a woman I’d love to hang out with!”

5. WALLPAPER. Is it weird that I am obsessing on my own post?? I need some photographic wall paper STAT.

6. GINGHAM. I love it. Wolfie’s got so many ginham shirts now he’s gonna look like a picnic this summer—but a verrrry stylish one.

The one above is from Zara Kids. But I’ve seen them at Target and even Walmart, for the more budget minded.

7. THIS “UP” THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTY is all kinds of fabulous! (That’s “Up” like the Pixar movie!) It was for a sweet little 7 year old, and they projected the movie on a sheet in the backyard. SO great! I especially love the wreath made out of balloons. See more here.


image: wendy updegraff photography

8. Did I mention I met Al Pacino this week?? Hee.

9. PRETTY FRECKLE FELT FLOWERS. Six years ago Jenny sent me some adorable felt flower hairpins. I love them to this day….they are so playful and sweet. After much begging, she is making them again! I highly recommend ’em for mamas and kiddos alike!

10. OUR ETSY GUEST CURATOR ROUND UP. It was both an honor and a pleasure to be invited to Guest Curate the Etsy blog. If you haven’t stopped by, please head on over and check it out! I’m really proud of what we put together—our four different collections were inspired by classic kid’s books (which as you know are a passion of mine!). I love it so much I’m thinking of making this a regular feature over here too! Here is just one of them: