All posts by Dottie

Our friend Karen’s wacky tiki bridal shower!

Well, one of our dames is going for her MRS. degree!

And we can’t let Karen go gently into the night… Oh, no. We must celebrate.

And celebrate we did this past Sunday at Forbidden Island, one of the best Tiki bars in the Bay Area. And do you know what tiki bars do best?

And wouldn’t you know, Karen has amazing friends! Who all came to the event dressed in their finest vintage Tiki ensembles. Seriously, folks, there were some extraordinary ensembles.

As fabulous and fashionable as all the attendee were, these women were also awesome enough to do the ol’ toilet paper wedding dress game! (You can still see bits of the fabulous dresses peeking through the tp!)

Alix and I were on a team together, and we fashioned some serious bridal two-ply magic on our friend Stephanie.

Tee hee! I love this one of Alix pretending to weep with joy like any good mother of the bride.

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And of course there was a cake. A wonderful Tiffany blue cake made by the amazing Lynn Peril, who has this terrific column in Bust Magazine and writes the best books! Clearly she could open a shop making cakes too—Tiffany blue, anyone?

But honestly, the thing that everyone at the party said, was that every single guest just delightful! Fun, happy, smart and sassy—and of course dressed to the nines.

Friends, these ladies know the power of COLOR!

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Even though the bride-to-be had a strict “No stripper/ No penis” rule, somehow a couple of *ahem* members made their way past security…

The bride plans on decorating the hall with vintage honey comb paper bells, so someone took the liberty of bringing–gasp–honey comb paper penises! Eek! We couldn’t stop laughing at how, er, “jaunty” they looked.

Ah well, it just added to the hilarity of the party.

We danced the afternoon away with some sweet  music by not one, but two djs! DJ Moneypenny and DJ Johnny Bartlett. DJ Johnny is Lynn’s darling husband, who not only has amazing style, but a sweet record collection.  Needless to say, if it was an awesome song, it was played!

All in all, we both agreed it was one of the most excellent bridal showers we’ve ever attended.

Our friend, Moe summarized it best, ” I was so excited to talk to EVERYONE there because there not a dud in the bunch. It was, if I may be totally corny and sincere, kind of life-affirming. UP WITH PEOPLE!”

It was such a great mix of people— all brought together to celebrate one extraordinary woman we love madly! Three cheers for Karen!

We love you, Karen! XOXOXOX!!!!

Vintage Kiddo Retro Round Up-Irish Style!

Don’t worry, folks–Auntie Dottie is here to protect your kiddos from getting pinched on Saint Patrick’s Day by doing an all GREEN retro round up! Phew!

And away we go!

I think I would have included this vest and pants set on this wonderful model even if it were purple.  From Etsy seller, Alphabet Circus.

Clearly this little green sweater was hand knit with love.  From Etsy seller, Ora Grace Vintage.

Polka dots are always hot! Like on this great shirt! YES! From Etsy seller, Haoli.

I love the super soft moccasin trend going on right now, and these green ones are amazing! From Etsy seller, Sink or Swim Treasures!

Oh, it is never too early to look for Tiki outfits in my book. And this great green one is a steal! From Etsy seller, Big Eyed Girl Vintage.

But circle skirts with little doxies on them is always a great thing to wear regardless of St. Patrick’s Day! From Etsy seller, Bamboo Bettie’s.

I love this seventies running jacket! I think my brother had the exact same one! From Etsy seller,  Little Fits!

This glorious little green plaid dress is a Martha’s Miniatures!  Like mini Martha Stewart? Hmmm… I wonder… From Etsy seller, Peggy’s Corner.

Overalls are considered an essential item in a lot of kiddos wardrobes!  And these green corduroy ones are a perfect break from the denim ones! from Etsy seller, Lishyloo!

Who says you can’t be dapper on St. Patrick’s Day? Not the little kiddo wearing this great plaid jacket! From Etsy seller, Kris Vintage Sewing.

Happy Monday!

Meet Isobel!

 

When Carrie Anne Castillo of The Little Big Blog sent me photos of her little girlie, Isobel, I swooned! This girl has so much charm that I knew you all would fall head over heels for her!

There is just something about this young lady! A wonderful confidence and charm that exudes from her. And of course her clothes match her step by step!

Plus she has some serious kapow style to match that cuteness.

How much kapow, you ask? THIS MUCH!

Here is what her mama has to say about this little lady:

“Isobel is three (turning 4 in April!) and hails from California’s Central Valley. She has had very definite opinions about clothes since she was extremely small. She adores pink, rainbows, twirly whirly dresses and accessories. Her favorite thing in the world is her Pink Purse. She thinks our kitten Squirrelly is her sister and she loves to paint, help in the kitchen and dig in the dirt. She has a crazy imagination and a vibrant sense of humor. Mostly she loves going from thrift store to thrift store on the hunt for treasure with her Mama. With the exception of shoes and underwear, just about her entire wardrobe is secondhand items.”

I love a good green/reused wardrobe and Miss Isobel clearly knows how to rock it!

You are amazing, young lady, Isobel!

 

PS:  Do YOU have a stylish kiddo you’d like to show off? Send ‘em our way! You can find submission details here. We love all kinds of kiddos…. vintage and thrift loving liddles, groovy modern younguns and sweet, down-to-earth kiddos.

Chickens. Yup.

Well, we took the plunge.

The chicken plunge.

I’m writing this from my dining room table across from four sleeping chickies in a homemade brooder of a clear plastic bin, lit by a 250 watt heating lamp.  But let me start at the beginning.

I think it started at last year’s Alt Summit after talking to Jenny of Frecklwonder/Mi Casa Su Casa and thinking to myself, maybe I could actually raise chickens.  I should have been dissuaded after reading Jennifer Reese’s wonderful book, Make the Bread. Buy the Butter and her experience with chickens, but I was still completely charmed by the idea.  Then I continued the conversation with friends and after almost a year of discussion with Eric and watching other families on our block start chickens, we finally decided that 2013 was going to be the year of the chickens.

In January, I bought a hen house off the Internet and a couple of books on raising chickens. I read an absurd amount of posts on Backyard chickens and ordered four chickies from Mill Valley Chickens.

Of course I want nothing more than to hug and kiss the girls, but they are rather young and I think they are a touch frightened of my big hands coming down to grab one, but the more we handle them, the nicer they are supposed to be.  I try to pick them up once a day at least just to get them used to being handled.

Early last Saturday, we drove up to Mill Valley to pick up our girls.  Instantly we fell in love with those little balls of fluff.  We were given them in an old Nordstrom paper bag and carefully brought them home and immediately put them in the brooder. Out they popped cheeping all the way. Except one–who died within an hour of being home in the 95 degree brooder.  And then another one die within 12 hours and we felt awful. And we were being such new paranoid parents, but it just happens sometimes.  Like needing two cocktails awful. But we were assured the very gracious lady who runs Mill Valley Chickens that this can happen, but it’s OK.  And our girls are now a week and a half hour and doing fine.

And growing! Oh, wow, how they grow–already sporting feathers amidst the fluff and to see them sleep is something else!  But enough about me, let’s me introduce you to the girls, shall I?

Miss Lucy was named by the Peach and I think she is everyone’s favorite.  She is quite a little charmer and I love her stripes. She’s our sole Easter Egger and we adore her.

Rumaki is quite the spirited Barred Rock and has more than enough fiestiness for the whole gang.

Goldie was named by Eric and has a very nice disposition although she is rather flighty.

And sadly, I can’t find a decent picture of our last chickie, Mabel. She’s smaller than her sister Rumaki, but just as feisty.

I’ll try to keep you updated on our girls with pictures. So far, so good…  Have you raised chickens? Do you want to? Am I insane?

Vintage kiddo bonanza to brighten your Monday!

Hoo boy, what a weekend.  The Peach’s birthday party at Pump it Up and my gal, Jen coming from London to talk as part of NoisePop.  Just insanity. I must admit, I’m not sure if I’m going to post a lot this week, as I really tweaked my arm–from my shoulder blade to my fingers due to a rotten computer mouse, so apologies for the short summary, but just know that the love is there!

And off we go!

OK, this vintage Billy the Kid little jacket? I want it in MY size too! LOVE! From Etsy seller, Fuzzymama!

You know we are huge fans of applique and this little jack in the box overalls are killing me with cutenss! From Etsy seller, Retro & Me!

I love a good hand-knit little cardi for a baby and this minty one is perfection! From Etsy seller, Bondplace Vintage!

Now this lion-tastic vintage skirt is available in the big girl size 10. YES!  From Reware Vintage.

Who wouldn’t want this duckie of a sweater? From Etsy seller, Brookaloo Vintage.

These shoes? Perfection. Check out that little scallop detal! From Etsy seller, Betsy Fern Vintage.

Le Petit Oiseau? You had me at pantsuit! In its complete polka dot chevron glory.

Want that springy feeling, but still need some warmth? Behold this strawberry laden beauty! From Etsy seller, The Vintage Nursery.

GAH! This dress!  I can’t stand it! My head just exploded from the awesomeness of it. From Etsy seller, UDA Kids.

Hey sailor.  The sailor look has been popular for more than 200 years, started by the royal family–with good reason, since it is so darn cute! From Etsy seller, La di Dottie.

Happy Monday, folks!