Monthly Archives: June 2011

Two Worlds Collided :: The Bird Meets The Wolf

Real Life, Real Life : Alix

I love meeting blog pals in real life. And friends, let me tell you it was like the Power Hour of cuteness this Tuesday. My lovely friend James (bleubird vintage) came to San Francisco and together with my other rockin’ pal Tracy (shutterbean) we had a most fantastic afternoon!

photo: bleubird

James lives in Houston and she and her fiance Aubrey came to SF for a visit. We were all looking forward to meeting up and spending the day together. We hadn’t planned it inititally, but the kiddos ended up coming along for the afternoon too, which added a whole extra cute element to the day.

Wolfie had never met Tracy’s boy Cooper but you’d have thought they were old pals! Cooper was quite taken with the Wolf cub and I think Wolfie felt quite pleased to play the role of “the big kid.”

{um how CUTE is the little Coop???}

We decided to head on up to Cha Cha Cha on Haight. It’s one of my favorite places to eat, especially with a small group—tasty tapas and yummy pitchers of sangria!


photo: shutterbean

After lunch, little Cooper had his driver come collect him (aka his papa) but thankfully Tracy stuck around. Thanks Casey!

We took a little walk down Haight Street where we made at pitstop at the awesome Amoeba Records. Wolfie wanted to find “the We Will Rock You band” (heh….Queen…one of his faves).

Next stop, GOLDEN GATE PARK, our version of Central Park. People the weather was gorgeous. GORGEOUS. We sat on a blanket and munched on some crazy peanut butter bacon cookies Tracy had made for everyone. Um, yeah. I said PEANUT BUTTER BACON. I know this will either sound amazing or gross to you…but I assure you, they were DELECTABLE!!!!! I was nervous (i tried bacon chocolate and didn’t like it one bit). The bacon pieces were finely chopped and added a nice salty tang. Mmmm. Cookies.

photo: shot by aubrey from a tree in Golden Gate Park. i love it!

Little Gemma Bird is a beeyootiful baby. Just one of those little sweeties you want to hug on all day!

It was so weird-but-cool seeing Wolfie and Gemma together. James and I have been friends for over a year and have seen snippets of each others lives through our blogs, but we had never actually met in person. A twitter friend said seeing our two bloggy worlds together reminded her of when TV shows do double episodes—kinda like Law and Order: SF meets CSI: Houston. I love it!

Wolfie thought Aubrey (Jame’s feller) was very cool…he was especially impressed with his tree climbing skillz!

Wolfie was such an awesome kiddo all day. I was so proud of him, hangin’ with the grown ups and being all silly cute. Baby Gemma was also a little doll.

We packed it up and headed back to Japantown where James and Aubrey were staying. We ladies were having such a fun time that we still wanted to hang. Greg came to get the Wolf cub so I could still hang out with the girls. Tracy and I have had lots of lovely lunch dates but had never had the luxury of a whole day together, so that was really grand!

When Greg drove up to the hotel he jokingly said, “So I assume you guys are going up to Fillmore to check out the marc by marc jacobs store??” We all looked at each other like, “Ooooooh, now that you mention it!” Fillmore was a short walk away and it was an excellent idea. We all love pretty things and we did some fun window shopping.

We popped into Jonathan Adler and a wonderful kid’s boutique called Mudpie. This onesie says, “So my story begins…” Very sweet.

The Fillmore Bakery immediately caught our eye. It’s a daughter and pop establishment and had crazy good macarons! Passion fruit, salted caramel…..mmm.

Our final stop of the day was a lovely ladies dinner at Delfina on Fillmore. We had blood orange mimosas and shared some very tasty pizzas.

Dinner with bloggers means yes….many photos were taken! I will say we don’t have a ton of each other and I think that’s a testament to the fact that we really just had a grand time talking and walking and kinda forgot about photos.

I have to say it was one of the nicest /funnest/ most mellow chill days I’ve spent in a long time! I have the feeling the three of us will be meeting up again soooooon.

Special thanks to miss james & tracy bean for a most fabulous day! Next date, Houston??

Both of these ladies have amazing blogs. Many of you are probably familiar with them already but if not, be sure to swing by bleubird and shutterbean. You won’t be disappointed! Oh, and you can see their posts about the day here and here!

What was your favorite Brady Bunch moment?

Vintage Pop Culture

I swear I didn’t watch that much TV as a kid, but man, I feel like I watched every episode of  the TV classic, The Brady Bunch. And I can’t lie…I might have watched it for the fashion. What can I say? Marsha, Cindy, Jan and Mrs. Brady all had some FIERCE style.

But one might ask–what was the Brady Bunch episode non plus ultra? What was your favorite episode? I’m not sure if I could pick a favorite but hmm.. there were some good ones.

Like how about the volcano model accident?

Or when Cindy and Bobby wanted to win the teeter totter world record?

Or the time the boys tried to ruin Marcia’s slumber party by faking ghost encounters!

How about the episode when Cindy was OBSESSED with Shirley Temple?

Or remember when Greg made the entire family dress up as pilgrims for his own student movie? And Mrs. Brady was pissed that it was in color and all of the girls dresses were totally drab?

Or when Marsha was hit by a football in the nose?

Or when Greg and Marsha fought over the attic bedroom?

I would totally rock that plaid ruffle outfit Mrs. Brady is wearing.  WORK IT, CAROL!

Or when Bobby turned into a pool shark?

Or when Marsha got to meet DAVY JONES (I was SOOO jealous!)

Or when Mr. Brady mixed up his architectural plans with Jan’s poster at the amusement park?

Look at Peter rocking on plaid pants and velvet sports coat AND an Easter basket?

Two words: PORK CHOPS AND APPLE SAUCE!!! (Hee hee! Moriah!)

Or when Greg accidentally dyed his hair blonde?

Or the whole trip to Hawaii? Man, what I wouldn’t do for these sassy tiki ensembles.

Oh, the list goes on and on. AND ON! Don’t you wish you could watch it right now?

Well, guess what?  You can! I’m so excited. For the first time EVER, full episodes of The Brady Bunch are available online for free at CBS.com. You can even tell ’em what your favorite Brady Bunch scene or episode is on the CBS You Tube page and then check back later in July to see if it makes the cut!


Image via: Zinc TV

Looks like the “Fender Bender” episode did make it! You remember that one. That was the one where Mr. Brady threw the briefcase on the floor of the courtroom to get they guy in the neck brace to turn around proving he was lying! Quick thinking, Mr. B!

PS: I’m not going to even TALK about Oliver…

 

The “Ready to Tear” World of Vintage Paper Dresses

Best of Alix, Vintage Pop Culture, , ,

OK. I go through these little phases of obsession. For a while it was collecting vintage choker necklaces that had little flowers with a rhinestone center. Then Enid Collins bags. Then it was Franciscan Starburst china. Then it was 70s 8-track tape players. The list is endless, I won’t bore you (today anyway. heh). S0 a while back I was fascinated with paper dresses. I tried to buy one on eBay but some crazy Greek bidder was literally buying EVERY SINGLE ONE. It became a “thing”. I would find 5 or 6 of them on there….and Greek Paper Dress Magnate would inevitable outbid me and win ALL of them. I kept a mental tally and I swear this guy accumulated about 45 of ’em in a short period. It drove me completely crazy and, of course, made me want one even more!!

The paper dress was actually the genius of the Scott Paper Company (yep, the same peeps who made paper towels and “facial tissue”). In 1966 they marketed the “disposable dress” as a marketing gimmick and sold them for $1.25 in grocery stores to promote their new colored tissues. You also got a little stash of coupons for paper towel, along with your sassy A-line dressie. Scott didn’t really mean for them to be taken seriously but ladies knew what was up and ordered them in droves. I mean how fun to “hem” your new dress with a pair of scissors??

Scott advertisers described the paper dress as “created to make you the conversation piece at parties. Smashingly different at dances or perfectly packaged at picnics. Wear it anytime…anywhere. Won’t last forever…who cares? Wear it for kicks — then give it the air!”

Hallmark soon followed suit and released a line of paper hostess dresses, designed to coordinate with napkins, tablecloths and more. It must be said that the dresses were, in fact, made of more than simply paper. Most of them were composed of “Dura-Weve,” (similar to a Fed Ex mailer!) which was cellulose reinforced with rayon. They were still more fragile than cloth, however they were not likely to rip at the slightest move. Many paper dresses featured Velcro closures, adding to the “space-age” mystique.

Paper dresses were even the cover story of Mademoiselle magazine in 1967!

“In terms of how much pow you get for your pennies, the paper dress is the ultimate smart-money fashion! And the news in the paper is this: surprisingly pretty prints, clever new shapes that would do credit to an origami expert. (Surprisingly long life too: as many as 12 outings).”  —”The Big Paper Craze” Mademoiselle, June 1967.

 


image

{How cute are the “sizes” in that above dress? “Eeny” “Meeny” and “Miney”. I love it.}

Scott stopped producing them after the first run (I think all the suits were a little freaked out by the success, declaring they “weren’t in the garment business”). No worries, lots of others companies jumped on the band wagon. Andy Warhol joined in with his infamous Campbell’s Soup Dress (the “Souper Dress”) and even Richard Nixon created a paper dress for female supporters!


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The trend continues and according to a Time Magazine article from 1967, “Sterling Paper believes in paper resort wear, the idea being that vacationers could buy paper clothes at the hotel when they arrive, throw them away when they depart, thus eliminating packing and carrying heavy luggage.” Amazing! Designers began upping the ante, creating full length gowns and mock paper “fur” coats.

Alas, the rage only lasted for a few years and fashionable “ready to tear” paper clothing died out as suddenly as it had appeared but remains a testament to the innovations of the 60s.

Greg procured a paper dress for me for Christmas a few years ago (yay greg!) and I love it—the packaging is kind of the best part. I think it was a fun fad—I kinda of wish they’d pick it up again. How fun/funny to put your dress in the recycling bin instead of the clothes hamper??

Recently there have been several touring exhibitions of paper dress collections. There was one at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and there is one currently in Melbourne at the Chadstone Shopping Center. Which makes me wonder….just WHO WAS  that crazy Greek man who scooped up all those dresses and just what did he do with them? Hmph.

Put the Needle on the Record :: Kiddo Flashback

Vintage Graphics


image: Kyle Tait

Back in the spring, on a rainy afternoon, Wolfie and I had a little dance party with the record player and I did a little post about it. We looked at some really awesome record art and ya’ll seemed to enjoy it! Ya know, it’s kind of crazy but kids today won’t ever really know what an LP is unless we show them! Sooo, since it was such a popular post, I thought it was time to take a look at some more records. The music is always charming and fun, but it’s the album artwork that is the real star.

This record is all kinds of awesome. The amazing artwork. The fact that it’s a Child’s Intro to JAZZ….and then the artist is Bob Keeshan and The Honeydreamers. AMAZING.


image: IAAFOTS

Disney records were always among my favorite growing up. Look at these dapper little dudes:

Of course my top faves were the storybook records. “You will know it is time to turn the page, when you hear the chimes ring like this…..” Bllllling.


images: animation archives

Soooo cuuuute those happy little kiddos! I love the categories: Cowboy songs? check! Animal songs? Check! Railboard songs? Check! SOLDIER SONGS???? Hmmm. Not quite as peppy….

image: paula wirth

Pee Wee the Piccolo is the bomb. Look at that sassy face…..

image: i’lltakeyourphoto

I am not sure what the Fog Boat story is, but i’m intrigued! I love this artwork.

This fella is a leeeetle creepy looking, but the name Hi-Fi for Small Fry is so good I don’t even care!


images: image: IAAFOTS

image: kawkawpa

I love me a banjo and these two fine fellers are so great. The type is so modern….you can see how today’s designers are totally influenced by the past!


image: glen mulally

Uh oh….sheeee’s baaaaack. Everyone’s favorite singing, religious ventriloquest. Lord have MARCY!

Really Marcy? Happy Little Children? They look terrified. And look at this poor child below:

images: Tweedlebop

Ayyyiiiii!!!!! No more Marcy! Take me to the kittens…

Sigh. OK. feeling better now.

Moving on….how about THE MINI POPS??? Best kiddo has to be the chick on the far laft with the monkey on her shoulder. What what WHHHAT? Oh wait, that jazzy Jane Fonda boy in the front with satin shorts is pretty fab. Then again maybe the 40 year old 9 year old at the top wearing black leather gloves….or maybe the safari kid…decisions, decisions….

image: jacob whittaker

Finally, the smooth graphic stylings of old skool Sesame Street. One of my faves, all I can say is mi, mi, mi loves Big Bird!

For more fun vintage kid album art, check out our original post HERE. Happy Monday Kiddos!


MODERN KIDDO TIP: You can easily find vintage kiddo records at thrift shops and on ebay. The tricky part is making sure they are in great condition. Most vintage children’s records are sadly a little trashed, but you have to remember that these are albums that are well worn and well loved. I’ve been pretty lucky to score many that are in primo condition, and it makes a difference! Be sure to check (or ask questions) when buying! If you don’t have a record player, that’s ok….you can frame the albums and hang them in your kiddo’s room. If the record label is cool, or it’s pressed on colored vinyl, you can even hang the record itself!

SPONSOR LOVE :: Room to Romp!

Sponsor Love

We are so lucky at Modern Kiddo because we find the best sponsors whose products are the type of things we’d buy for ourselves in a heartbeat. And I certainly feel that way about Room to Romp. This Etsy shop offers parents wonderfully designed and long-wearing clothes for boys and girls.  I think rompers/jonjons/shortalls look wonderful on girls as well as boys and am eyeing quite a few items for the Peach.

Sandy, the sweet Southern gal behind Room to Romp told us a wee bit about herself that makes me like her and her products all the more. We’ll have a nice e-glass of sweet tea with mint. Doesn’t that sound nice. I could go for a glass of that right now, actually…

MK: Sandy, tell us about yourself…
Sandy: I’m a gal with deep southern roots, but I often feel like I was born in the wrong place at the wrong time.  Because my husband works for a French company, we’ve had 2 different opportunities to live in France.  When we first went there, in a strange way it felt like home, so maybe in another life I was French.
My husband, who I’ve been with since I was 15 years old, and I just celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary the same day our son turned 12.  (MK: I want to hear about that story over some whiskey added to this sweet tea, lady…) We have a daughter who will be 12 in 6 months.  That’s right. We have 2 children 6 months apart in age.  I’ve had some strange looks from people as they try to figure out how that is possible.  Adoption is part of the story.
MK: Why did you start your Etsy shop, Sandy?
Sandy: One of my greatest pleasures when my children were young was dressing them.  It’s the only time a mom can buy for and dress her children like she wants because around the age of 4, they start telling you what they will and won’t wear!  Finding cute clothes for my daughter was easy, but finding clothes for my son was frustrating.  Moms know that the choices in clothing for little boys is very limited.  What is mostly available for little boys today is exactly what their father would wear—golf or plaid shirts, jeans, and khakis—just pared down to their sizes.  I believe boys, at least until they are out of diapers, need clothing that suits their needs and interests.

MK: Amen, sister!
Sandy: I started Room to Romp 2 years ago to provide clothes for boys that reflect their world through hand sewn appliques and that make dressing as easy as possible.  Rompers are perfect for little ones still in diapers. There is no waistband making movement more comfortable and allowing extra room for big bellies and diapers. My pants have elastic waistbands which are less restrictive than a buttoned waistband and zipper, and the pants make dressing easy with a pull up or down as your little guy learns to dress himself. I am most proud of the quality of my clothing.

Sandy: In today’s economy people want the most from every penny spent.  I want my customers to feel like they have invested well when they buy from RtR.  I use high quality, all natural fabrics, all appliques are free-hand sewn using a basic sewing machine and hand knotted to keep them from coming loose, all rompers are fully lined with the lining tacked down to keep it in place, the elastic in the bottoms is also tacked down to prevent it from twisting, and all buttons are hand-stitched.  My clothing is intended to serve more than one child through hand-me-downs or consignment re-sale.

MK: OK—I think I love you, Sandy for that alone! What is your favorite item in the store right now?

Sandy: My favorite item in my shop at the moment is the long romper (which can also be made in a short romper) in blue stripe ticking fabric with a front denim pocket.  It’s a great example of appropriate clothing for little boys during their baby and toddler years.  It’s simple, long-wearing, has classic styling, can be dressed up or down, and the big colorful buttons make it fun.

MK: I love ’em! If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that kids love pockets!

 

Adorable, no? Be sure to stop by Room to Romp for a lookie look and buy something awesome for your little one that they’ll wear every week this summer! And now as a special offer for Modern Kiddo Readers, Sandy is giving you guys FREE SHIPPING on all your orders! Simply use discount code: MKIDDO Whooo hoo! Thanks so much Sandy!