All posts by Dottie

No heavy coats allowed!

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Forgive me if this week’s round up doesn’t include a single sweater or coat.  Even if you are shoveling your way out of your house this morning, I need spring to be sprung.  Come on, April–didn’t you get the memo?  We need daffodils and warm afternoons and lunches outside.  So, I’m going to celebrate by posting not a single snowy weather piece of kiddo clothing. Yay!

Oh, this darling little mushroom cuteness, y’all!  From  Serious Vintage Y’all!

This little art smock is too cute to get covered with paint!  Did you see the pineapples? J’adore!  From Etsy seller, Red Fern Vintage.

Wow.  Just wow. This terrific striped shirt would look great with some jeans!  From Etsy seller, The Little Monsters.

This little vintage school poster would be a terrific addition to any little boy or girl’s room, don’t you think? From Etsy seller, Legal Miss Sunshine.

Me and my friend!  In overall goodness to boot. From Etsy seller, Crazy Hot Clothes.

I totally would have stayed in Brownies longer if the uniforms were as cute as this one from the fifties!  And made more gorp and s’mores, too! From Etsy seller, Aiseirigh Vintage.

Couldn’t  you see me in this sugar sweet ruffle top and a diaper for some sweet crawling baby? Sigh! From Etsy seller, the Little Plum.

Peter pan collars are a weakness of mine.  But with these great stripes? Color me sold! From Etsy seller, Lil’ Milli Jayne.

Muggins the mouse is having a crazy trip, alright… From Etsy seller, Lishyloo!

I must be in an overall kinda mood because this darling little pair is ready for spring into spring! From Etsy seller, Baby Shapes.

Happy Monday, folks!

 

 

We Love Lilly.

Vintage Pop Culture, ,

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As we enter warmer weather, my mind turns to colorful sundresses. Those delightful little shift dresses in kapow colors that make you smile and only need a pair of flip flops and a tan to finish off the look! Well, the essence of that dress can be traced back to one person—one word: Lilly.

Lilly Pulitzer, as many of you might have read Sunday, died at 81 in her home in Florida.  She left behind such a colorful and happy legacy that we can’t help but smile and thank her for adding a bit of fun into our wardrobes when we needed it most.

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The Lilly empire actually began when she set up a little orange juice stand in Palm Beach, to turn a coin on all the citrus trees on her property. As legend has it, Lilly made her first dress out of splashy colors to hide the juice stains she got on her clothes while working at the stand. From that first simple sleeveless shift, she launched a fashion trend that extended all the way to the White House— Jackie Kennedy was often spotted wearing these comfy, colorful shift dresses. And a fashion obsession was launched!

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Here is Lilly in her original Palm Beach store just off Worth Ave. Love it! Notice how all the shifts are in her trademark colorful prints? If someone called to order one, she’d ask “Do you want it mild or wild”? I’ll take mine WILD, please!!

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Good gracious, I NEED that Lilly Lugger—don’t you?

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For a certain set (of a decidedly preppy turn) your summer wardrobe wasn’t complete without a couple of these functional, yet fun dresses.  And the best thing about them? They did mother/daughter combos!  My holy vintage shopping grail will be a mother daughter set of Lilly dresses. ONE DAY!

Here is Lilly with her two daughters—in matching ensembles of course! Vanity Fair called her Palm Beach’s Barefoot Princess, but we just like to call her fabulous.

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Her delicious dresses were a sunny spot on 1960s fashion and beyond. And her peppy prints were only matched by her delightful bon mots, like:

    • “Anything is possible with sunshine and a little pink.”
    • “It’s always summer somewhere.”
    • “Style isn’t just about what you wear, it’s about how you live.”
    • “That’s what life is all about: Let’s have a party. Let’s have it tonight.”
    • “Being happy never goes out of style.”

I’d like to have any one of these needle-pointed on a pillow!

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And three cheers for Alix for making the pictures extra fabulous–xo!

Spring Vintage Fun!

Vintage Toys + Fun Stuff

Hurrah! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! Mine was spent with the Peach in some extreme GIRL TIME! With Eric away for nine days, the Peach and I have been doing a lot of snuggling, painting, giggling and playing tag! But I of course had a lovely time looking for good vintage cute stuff for you!  Huzzah!

Smile! From Etsy seller, Vintage Smile.

I think the woodpecker is going to be the next fox!  And who wouldn’t want to buy these little tin litho woodpecker. From Etsy seller, Atty’s Sprout Vintage.

I have such a weakness for these little shirts. And this is a great deal–three for $10.  Yes, please! From Etsy seller, Sam & Milly Vintage.

Ricrac and polka dots and circus? Squee! From Etsy seller, Height of Vintage.

Who would love this little cowboy? From Etsy seller, Oh Sydney.

I like the way this bear fishes!  From Etsy seller, Vintage Aga.

BACK THE HECK UP!!!  This swimsuit! From Etsy seller, Joli Momi.

Italy clearly knows how to dress its kids.  Because this dress is perfection! From Etsy seller, Mttc.

Fuzzymama, where do you find these bits of genius? Like this vintage Spider Woman Underoos top?

I would have so rocked these skates as a kid! From Etsy seller, Vintage Fisher Price.

Happy Monday, folks!

A Dottie Update on New Year’s Goals

Real Life : Dottie

Well, my friends, it has been a grand year so far for my 2013 year goals. I must admit I did great on some and completely failed on others. I didn’t get to a museum for the past two months. Well, I’ll try to be better about that, since there are some genius exhibits going on right now in the Bay Area.

But I’m pleased to report I’m acing the dresses! I’m wearing more dresses and adding new ones to the mix.

As far as being crafty every day, I can honestly say I’m plugging away! I made two darling little smocks for the Peach from a vintage pattern that I’d been meaning to do for ages:

Did you notice something missing in this shot?  Like the Peach actually wearing one of them?

Yeah….

Even though she approved the fabric and the pattern, she proved to be every bit a female and changed her mind—refusing to wear these for even one photo. Blast that child! Ah well… This is just a sign that I shouldn’t be sewing for her but instead for myself.

I love vintage clothing (as you all know so well) but according to a friend of mine who is studying vintage clothing for her PhD. thesis, the well for vintage clothing is slowly drying up. Therefore the next viable option is to make my own dresses using vintage patterns.

Makes sense right? So I started to buy some beauties too.

But right now my weight is a bit of a moving target, so I have decided to instead focus on longer lasting craft projects that won’t be outgrown by me or the Peach.

The solution? Stay tuned. (Any guesses? For those of you who follow me on Instagram, I’ve been leaving clues…)

 

 

Vintage Kiddo Retro Round Up

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Well friends, I hope you had a lovely Easter if you celebrated it!  We sure did here with some great weather. A lovely city ham, buttermilk biscuits, asparagus salad, coconut cake and of course more Easter candy than I can even comprehend…  But inbetween keeping my sugar high going, I did happen to find some lovely items to share with you all today! I hope you enjoy them!

 

To me, this dress is perfection.  Simply put–perfection. From Etsy seller, Baxter Vintage.

Sears in the 1970s really created some rad stuff. Case in point–this sweet little number! From Etsy seller, Wee Little Ones Vintage.

Only dapper dandies need apply for this wonderful little outfit! From Etsy seller, The Doe & the Fawn.

Oh man, I love these guys!  Look at Big Bird showing you the cake–now THAT’S love!  From Etsy seller, I Have A Thing For You.

Yellow gingham is made for cute babies.  Especially when it involves a sweet little patch of teddy bear applique. From Etsy seller, Thrifty Vintage Kitten.

I almost never NEVER post items again, b t I saw this a year ago from Baby Shapes and I MUST post it again. It is too perfect for some lucky kiddo!

An apple a day keeps the fashion police away! Hee hee! From Etsy seller, Sweet Shop Vintage.

Why wear your heart on your sleeve when you can wear a flower? From Etsy seller, Storybook Retro!

I know the Peach always wants her own special cup, so I know any kiddo in his or her right mind would want these sweeties! From Etsy seller, Evelynn’s Alcove.

You do know how awesome these shoes are? Because I do! From Etsy seller, Lived In.

Happy Monday!