Monthly Archives: October 2011

It’s time for another awesome round up!

First off, Happy Halloween everyone! Have you carved your pumpkins and put the finishing touches on your costume? We had so much fun this past weekend. Lots of playing and test driving the Peach’s Halloween costume, a cowgirl, which turned quite a few times into a cowgirl ballerina. It’s been a blast. But a weekend isn’t a weekend without a little vintage fun.

Sooo, on with the shooooooow!

HOO HOO HOO doesn’t love this owly applique jumper?  Thanks, Ms. Tips!

I know we all love Barbie, but what of Ken? There was a time before his disco dancing days and looking like a member of NKOTB.  And he was a man, who enjoyed his own carrying case, thanks much. Not Barbie’s little pink box.  Like this Ken Man Cave carrying case.  Like the Mad Men styling too.  From Etsy seller, That Old Stuff.

Plaid wool bell bottom pants not snazzy enough for you? Well, let’s just add a little clown! Ahhh… Much better! From Etsy seller, PMApe.

 

Skateboard sneakers. Enough said. From Etsy seller, Sought Vintage.

Oh, how I loved this  Fisher Price milk truck as a kid. Even though I didn’t like milk as a kid. I still remember the feeling of taking off those caps. So much fun. From Etsy seller, Mary’s Crochet More.

Sweet Shop Vintage is one of my all time favorite Etsy shops for kiddo stuff. And with good reason when she has such adorable stuff as this great crib mobile.

Hello, is it this you are looking for?  From Etsy seller, Oliver’s Forest.

Look, I’m only human. Because I can’t NOT include this little bike friendly shirt with matching red pants to boot!

Just one more picture, because you need to see this little nommy hands with bits of nail polish on them. Right?

Exactly. From Etsy seller LadiDottie.

I love a good cowboy themed kiddo room. And this amazing vintage cowboy chenille bedspread would be perfect for it. PERFECT!  From Etsy seller, Box of Hollyhocks.

This nautical vintage sweatshirt would look so great with some jeans or cords! Who doesn’t love a good tugboat? What an easy way to add a bit of cuteness to an outfit! From Etsy seller, Dahlia Daffodil.

I personally enjoyed just playing jacks as a kid. But who knew it could also be a boardgame?  I love that cute little kiddo couple on the front! Tee hee! From Etsy seller, Rocket Taco.

FIE! If we’d only known about this book, I’m sure the Peach would have gone as a Fire Cat—what with her love of fireman and kitties! From Etsy seller, Vintage Woods.

 

Happy Halloween, folks!

Spooky Link Hootenanny :: Cool Stuff to Browse

Three more days! The Meatball has been paper mached, painted reddish and is nearly ready for its big debut tomorrow at Wolfie’s elementary school Harvest Festival. I can’t WAIT! How about you?? Are your kiddos all ready? I hope you got some great inspiration from the Modern Kiddo Costume Parade. SO MANY talented readers we have! OK…but in all the costume hub bub, I didn’t forget about our fun links. Check out this spooky cool collection I managed to scare up this week!

1. HUG THE MOON.

This cuddly Glow in the Dark Pillow is a little pricey but oh how my Wolfie would love this. No electricity needed.  Buy one here. (via DesignMom)

2. EARTHA’S BROTHER IS ROCKIN’ MY SOCKS OFF.

Eartha Kitsch is a fabulous storyteller, collector of fine vintage things and expert on all things kitsch-tastic. Somehow I missed this post she did on her brother’s best Halloween costume experience. You must see/read about it over here.

3. BOYS DO CRY.

Have you seen these yet? This haunted house in Niagra Falls—called the Fear Factory—promises chills and thrills! They also have a hidden camera that snaps photos of guests as they are getting spooked, and then kindly posts them on their web site so big chickens like me can look from afar and laugh. Hee. See more here.

4. DEATH BY CARAMEL APPLE.

I looooooove caramel apples. And these filled ones are making me positively drool. Damn you Chow for coming up with such scrumpdillicious treats. See ’em here. Then make me one. Please?

5. CUTEST MOMMY/DAUGHTER DOLLIES EVER.

Katie and her little cutie Hope are hands down the sassiest pair around! Katie is super talented and crafty so this shouldn’t surprise ya. I first spied this over on Katie’s blog, Skunk Boy Creatures but you can see the full “How To” on A Beautiful Mess.

6. A NOVEL IDEA FOR IPHONE CHARGERS.


I’ve always wanted a bookcase that opened up on to a secret passage way. While that doesn’t seem to be in the stars, these sneaky little chargers could be the next best thing! Get one here.

7. SPOOKY CUTE ART FROM TWEEDLEBOP.


I love Michael Fleming’s artwork. While it’s perfect year-round, his creepy cute paintings and illustrations especially fun for Halloween. Check out his site and nab a print for yourself here.

8. AHH, THIS NEVER GETS OLD.

Just when you thought you were tired of the ol’ Keep Calm and Carry On poster, comes this free, funny printable. Perfect for your front door. Print one out here.

9. HEY BATTA BATTA BATTA!

The adorable Cinti has come up with some easy peasy bat wings for you to craft! Seriously, bat wings are the new superhero cape! See more over on My Poppet.

10. CAKEY SPIDER BRULEE.

While these seem a tad ambitious to make, I loooove the idea of having to “crack” the chocolate spider web before eating. Mmmm. When you’re done making me my caramel apple, you can make me one of these too! See how here.

BONUS VIDEO.

Ooooh creepy dolls. Patty Playpal….do you ever get the feeling she’s going to replace YOOOOOU?

http://youtu.be/UUXqbE8bC_c

It’s the 3rd Annual Modern Kiddo Costume Parade! {Cool Homemade Costumes!}

Step right up folks, it’s time for the Modern Kiddo Costume Parade! We said wanted to see yer best homemade costumes—the good, the bad, the semi disastrous. And you delivered! Of course I should have known that Modern Kiddo readers don’t play the Craft Fail game and ya’ll turned it out with some spectacular costumes (I mean, I can’t lie. I was secretly hoping to see some goofy fun disasters just to make my non-sewing butt feel better). Take a look at some of these fantastic creations. Seriously you guys….these are all amazing.

Mama Jocelyn (from Etsy shop The Nesting Spot) crafted up two of the most adorable ensembles EVERRRRR. First up, sweet little Audrey as Red Riding Hood. This is one costume I never tire of. And Audrey is kind of the cutest thing around.

But wait til you see her brother Josiah….as Sherlock Holmes!!! I die.

Last year we featured sweet little Olive as a sassy Pirate Girl.  This year her mama Greta (from LayerCakeShop.com) did it again with this darling rainbow. If this doesn’t make you smile, you have a heart of stone people!

I don’t know what is cuter….the fact that this little one’s name is Marlo Pearl, or the fact that she is a dressed as Mary Poppins!!

Mama Lindsay sent us this adorable photo of her little man Greyson…I think he’s the cutest gnome around!

Little Murphy’s mum Maren (greenhearts, red balloons) made him  a super cute outfit for his first Halloween. He is dressed as the Prince of all Cosmos from Japanese game Katamari Damcy. I’m not familiar with the game but I think he looks pretty darn cute!

Miss Beatrice Bird is a favorite around these parts (you can see when she was our Weekly Kiddo over here!) and last year she went as a sassy, spunky Mermaid! Her mama Natalie  created these mermaid costumes for both her girls. Ariel would be proud!

Kristen, (from the amazing shop The Robot Parade for Kids), is seriously so clever and creative. It wasn’t enough that her lil’ man Eli went as a tiny MacGyver….(oh yeah…)

but then last year he went as Transformer, Optimus Prime! The best part is that it actually transformed. Kristen told me, “People loved it and he got extra candy for transforming at some stops!” Go Eli!

While we’re on the theme of transportation, check out the adorable Griffin in his deluxe firetruck! I love the susenders holding up the “car”. His mama Toria is a great pal of mine and you’ll love her tumblr, tiny reads.

As your child gets older, you have less and less control over what they will wear. You want something quirky and conceptual, they want to be Spider Man. Unless of course your child is a budding drama star like Lisa-Garbrielle (of Jungle Dream Pagoda) daughter Ruby. Miss Ruby loves dressing up and counts Holly Golightly, “Gothedy-Anne” and Miss Transylvania among her favorites!

One of Wolfie’s best buds is Miles….both of them are obsessed with Angry Birds, so that’s exactly what Miles went as last year! Mama Lynn (of MizLandry fame) whipped together this avant-garde interpretation and I just love it!

 

Super heroes are also a popular theme with the little lads, and talented mama Briana knew her boys would flip for these.  Young Lucas helped pick out the fabric for his Hawkeye (from the Avengers) ensemble. Briana says he not helped design it,  and consulted every 20 minutes, while she sewed (“Make it work, mama!”). His brother Jackson makes a fierce Lego Ninjago “Kai DX” too. [Mother’s of young boys under 5, this will allllll make sense in a few years. Trust me.  😉 ]

Tammy’s little girl Gia is not only stylish (she of the polka dot Flamenco shoes!) but she is a total performer….I love a little girl who isn’t afraid to go the non-princess route! This mummy is a scream! She can be my ghoul friend any day! OK OK…..that’s a wrap…..hyuck hyuck.

This next one kills me. Baby Jane went as…..her DAD! Mama Jill explained, “Everyone always mentioned how much she looked like her daddy, so that’s exactly who she dressed up as! We used eyeliner for her goatee, I cut out a Miller Lite logo from a beer case and pinned it to a tiny ballcap, put her bottle in a koozie (in place of a beer) and even clipped a toy iphone to her belt loop. Everyone at the party thought it was hysterical!” OK, I’m totally dying too!!

I love when people get clever with the materials they use for their costumes. Check out these cute Jelly Belly girls! We saw them at a local parade and I loooved it! A clear plastic bag and mini balloons! Genius!

Groove meister Graham made this sweet robot get up all by himeself with a hot glue gun and all kinds of goodies from the Dollar Store. My fave item? One of those silver sun shields for the windshield of the car. CLEVER!!

This little miss (also from our parade day) came as the cutest sushi I ever did see….packing peanuts as rice? A red plastic bag with a Kikkoman print out on it as the soy sauce?? PURE GENIUS!

Crafty mama Stephanie May came up with these super cool boxes of candy for her three cuties. I’m a sucker for a costume made out of a box! You can see more on her blog, may dae.

Mama Shelley made this Owl costume for her daughter Lindsay Jane  from a Simplicity pattern….wow! So impressively cute! (Lindsay Jane is the sister of Graham, our groovy DIY robot up there!)

Miss Dottie I hope you’re sitting down for this one….not only are Elizabeth’s two cuties dressed as Mary and Laura Ingalls, their names are Daisy & Rosebud. Lemme here ya say it girl, “Squeeee!” Find mama Elizabeth at sugar petite.

Last year, Suzy blew us away with her costume that featured her babe Oscar as Max (from Where the Wild Things Are) and herself as THE BOAT! (check out last year’s post here). This year little Oz wanted to go as Handy Manny and Suzy did a terrific job of making an original outfit that was cute but true to the character!

I don’t usually feature grown ups, but since Suzy was that amazing boat last year, I had to share her “preggo” costume….she went as the sun and constellation and her hubs went as Gallileo! I love it! Sooo clever and cute.

Suzy also snapped this one for me….I think it’s hysterical!

Another Modern Kiddo All Star is little Billy. His mum Gabrielle sent us pictures last year and he immediately earned a spot as a Weekly Kiddo! (you gotta see this cutie, here) Every year they do amazing costumes and last year didn’t disappoint! Check out Billy as a stylish dracula and his two lovely sisters as Dorothy and the cutest little spider you ever did see!


This entry is from a special reader in the UK….little Gwennan! Her mother Ceri is a wiz when it comes to crafting up costumes for her little cutie. Just check these out—all handmade by the talented Ceri! So fabulous!

I will say that there was a SPECTACULAR Snow Girl (aka Lady Snowman) but I’m going to share that with you as we get closer to the holidays!

OK. Our final two belong in the “I Can’t Believe You Got Them To Wear That!” category!

First up, our sweet friend Sasha. Another Modern Kiddo favorite, this little girl has crazy cool style. She is also, apparently, fearless. Last year she was a genius Eddie Munster while her uncle was an awesome Uncle Fester. But this year they went for a Batman theme (with genius mama Inessa sewing up all the costumes). Sasha was cat woman, her brother Nini went as the Joker….and her uncle as the most terrifying penguin ever!!!


(Inessa said that the mask was NOT her favorite part! haha…)


They look incredible, the detail is spectacular! But i’m telling you, Wolfie would have flipped his lid over that penguin costume (and not in a good way! haha). Inessa is really talented. You can find her over at the stylish Diaper Style Memoirs.

And finally….we have Michelle’s entry. Her little two year old cutie patooty Riley dressed up as none other than Lady Gaga. And not just any Lady Gaga mind you….BEHOLD….the Meat Dress Gaga!

Call me crazy but she manages to make the meat dress look totally adorable. Michelle is a crafty thing and had this to say, “I am ALL about homemade costumes! And I love Halloween! We called her Baby Gaga and everyone thought it was pretty hysterical. Even my husband’s 90 year old grandmother even knew who she was!” See more of sweet Riley and her sister Macey over on the cute blog hey peanut.

SO there you have it. WHEW! I’m exausted. AMAZING stuff my friends! And if you submitted a costume and don’t see it here, please let me know! I’m happy to add to the parade!

When Your Kiddo Hates Costumes.

I posted a version of this story last year and you all got so much joy from my pain….I thought it was worth sharing again. And I have a little update too….

It’s true. I’m a mama who love to dress up. I love fashion and I love being “festive” and dressing up in general. Like this:

 

And even this:

As a result, Halloween has always been one of my favorite times of year. When I found out I was having a little boy, I was so excited when about all the dress-up, play time possibilities. I had visions of making him superhero capes…astronaut outfits…cool pirate get ups. The works! Yet life clearly has a sense of humor, because I was blessed with the world’s most adorable child…who hated costumes. He’s an impossibly good natured boy, who is so easy going 99% of the time—he happily wears any regular outfit I put him in. Except, of course, when that outfit might involve a character.

It all began with Wolfie’s strict NO HATS policy as a baby. Wait, no hats? What what? He’s a baby! How can he hate hats? Trust me.

When Wolfie was one, I bought a little prefab puppy dog outfit for Halloween. But because that seemed just a tad boring on it’s own, I had Greg dress up like a Westminster Dog Show handler—with Wolfie as his prize-winning pooch! Since Wolfie was still so little and liked to be carried around, they made an awesome pair.

Except my sad little pup refused to wear the “hood” that had the puppy head on it. Too much like a hat, of course.

At least I managed to sneakily draw a little nose and whiskers on him and he still looked pretty adorable.

The next year I got him the cutest little cowboy outfit…it came with wee chaps, a cowboy shirt and a super cute lil vest. I didn’t even try and add a cowboy hat, but I figured this outfit was pretty much like regular clothes. Easy peasy, right? WRONG. What I neglected to remember was that Wolfie is a very proper little man and he liked his jackets and hoodies closed or zipped up. And a vest? Well it’s like a perpetually “open” jacket. Yeah the vest? He didn’t like it ONE BIT.


He threw himself on the ground like a cartoon character, sobbing. Keep in mind that normally Wolfie is the sweetest, most low-drama kiddo around. Greg and I looked at each other half laughing and half shaking our heads….like “Really? You’re going to throw yourself on the ground over a VEST?” Thankfully he gets over things pretty quickly and once the offending vest was removed, he was all sunshine again.

The next year I had a great plan….and seemingly Wolfie-proof! Greg and I would go as Mr. & Mrs. Frankenstein—and Wolfie? He would be the Crazy Mad Scientist. Genius, right? All he’d have to do was wear a wee little lab coat (buttoned all the way up, of course) and make his hair all crazy. It was the perfect plan. Greg looked great.

I even left Wolfie help me put on my “spooky” eye make up so he wouldn’t be scared—this was a huge success.

But when it came time for his own costume, well…once again, you can see how Wolfie felt about all this:

I explained to him that Halloween was all about dressing up, and if he didn’t like the Mad Scientist outfit he could really be anything he wanted to. After some thought he declared. “I wanna be a punkin.” I was a little floored. “Um…..a pumpkin?” “Yes. Punkin, mama.” My costume-adverse child goes and picks the roundest, poofiest costume around?? “Wolfie, you know a pumpkin is very round, right? Are you sure you want to be a pumpkin?” “YES. PUNKIN.” OK. So I have to admit that I was totally a terrible mom and thought this was a lame costume idea (I know, I KNOW), but I wanted him to be happy, so a pumpkin it was. I searched high and low for a non-poofy pumpkin costume and FINALLY found one (it ain’t easy, folks). I came home triumphant. YES! Wolfie will be so excited! Except……

Oy! I can’t lie. It became a Battle Royale. He was going to wear that freakin’ pumpkin costume if it killed me. I finally calmed him down and like all savvy moms…..I negotiated a bribe. “Listen. If you wear the costume, I’ll give you something. Something good.” His ears perked up. “What?” he sniffled. “Um…you can have some chips.” Yes. I know. Bribing with snacks. What can I say? I was desperate. And Wolfie’s a salty boy, so this worked better than the promise of chocolate. With a sigh, he was resigned to his fate:

The final verdict: “I’ll wear it. But I won’t like it.”

By the next day (which was actually Halloween) he had a miraculous change of heart and happily wore Ze Pumpkin. Hallelujah!

Oh my silly little Wolfie. I’m happy to report the last two years were amazingly struggle free and he has decided costumes (and HATS!) are A-OK. His friend Emmy got him into Pokemon and decided he wanted to be Pikachu. Not only did he wear the outfit, he wore the kooky hat dealie too! Whooo hoo! It was a cheap-ass flamable costume, but HE WAS WEARING A COSTUME. Listen, I’ll take what I can get. And apparently this is a rather “rare” costume, and he got lots of props from the big kids who all shouted at him, “We chose YOU Pikachu!” He was beaming.

The next year he continued the Pokemon theme and dressed up as Ash, Pikachu’s owner.

And this year? Well, once again little Wolfie has rocked my world. He informed me that he was thinking of being Harry Potter……or a meatball. Yep, you heard right. A MEAT BALL. And folks, I’m pleased to report that the meatball won. He and Greg have been working on a paper mache proto type and I’m in charge helping with the noodle hat. Oh this boy of mine…


Meet RC, Our Weekly Kiddo!

 

Hi hi friends! After a brief hiatus, we are pleased to come back to you with a whole slew of awesome and stylish kiddos. This week I have a super sweet little lady to share with you who is quite the cutie patootie. Friends, meet the lovely RC!

She is a gorgeous little lady with a grand style that is all her own. A nice mix of spunky,girlie and giggly goodness.

Hello, orange polka dot skirt! This girl’s got mad style.

I love that sweet flower necklace. Kids do love a good necklace, doncha think?

Go, RC! Rocking the tutu skirt with the trike!

RC is two years old and a total girlie girl.  We spoke with her mama, the lovely lady behind the blog, Mom Daughter Style, who told us that at an early age, RC tried on her mama’s shoes and started to walk in them. Miss RC would also say “mine!” when she got ahold of her mama’s stylish purses. It starts young, doesn’t it??

Little RC loves to eat and watch her fave shoes like Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba. She just started going to day care and she took to it like a duck to water. Her mama tells us that she  enjoys going to the park and playgrounds and is always friendly with other kids.

Do you have a cute and stylish kiddo you’d like to share with our readers? You can read more over here and then email dottie [at] modernkiddo.com.