Category Archives: Kiddo Style: Modern

The Get Fresh Crew: J. Crew for Kiddos.

Big Kiddo, Kiddo Style: Modern

Once upon a time I wouldn’t be caught dead in anything J. Crew. Navy roll neck sweaters? Eh. Boxy white mock turtle necks? Meh. Chino khakis? Yawn. Now don’t get me wrong. I totally owned a copy of “The Official Preppy Handbook” back in the 80’s and yes I went to my friend Suzanne Chardoul’s “Preppy” party in 8th grade and made everyone call me Muffy (I’m not joking). But J. Crew wasn’t even peppy preppy. It was basics preppy. And sadly basics=boring.

And then something happened. Something wonderful. The skies parted, the sun came out and the Land of J. Crew was transformed into a glorious preppy-chic land of rainbow goodness! Jeweled sandals! Brilliant colored cardigans! Funky accessories! Modern silhouettes! Suddenly, J Crew was FUN.

A lot of this transformation credit goes to Creative Director Jenna Lyons, who worked herself up the ranks and turned J Crew into a mega successful operation. One of her ventures was to take the same stylish sensibility she brought to her women’s wear and bring it to the land of kiddos. Crew Cuts launched in 2005 and I have to say it’s pretty fab. It’s like they took a little gamma ray gun and shrunk everything down to peewee size. The clothing is kiddo-friendly, has lots of fun details and pops of vibrant colors. Just take a look at these two cuties! Check out those hot pink tights on the little girl and I LOVE the bright orange colored laces in his little desert boots. Genius!

Here’s what they’ve got cooking for spring. Preppy has never looked more hip and charming (and again, please note the chartreuse laces. So cool! I’m totally copying the bright laces/brown shoes look for Wolfie…):






Crew Cuts is available online and in select J Crew stores. They are currently offering free shipping on all Crew Cuts orders—and don’t forget to check out the sale items.

Modern Kiddo Style Tip! Mix and match yer brands! Tempted to splurge on a cute top or jacket? (or those amazing boy’s desert boots I’m dying over?!) Go for it, but then complete the look with an affordable pair of jeans or shirt from a more budget minded retailer like Old Navy or Target. No one will ever be the wiser….

Retro Modern Style: Kiddo-a-Go-Go!

Retro Modern, , , ,

My favorite decade by far is the sixties. If you’ve ever clicked on our About Me page you might have noticed that Dottie and I are members of a super fun and kooky lil’ dance group here in San Francisco called The Devil-Ettes. The Devil-Ettes are a campy, cool celebration of synchronized 60s gogo—which means we heart things like go-go boots, mini dresses and any song with a farfisa organ!

With that as a little bit of a background story, I think you’ll understand why I just about fell outta my go-go lovin’ chair when I stumbled upon these gorgeous photos. Etsy seller FaithWorks4U has created the most amazing collection of girl’s clothing. Retro-inspired, playful and FUN!

That girl with the Far Side lady glasses? Love her! And how about these cuties:

This little girl is like pure sunshine in her lemonade stand frock:

And how about this young Jackie O in her chic red sundress?? All she needs is a wee pill box hat!

But Top Honors have to go to this sassy little minx.

KAMPOW! Um yeah. BANANAS. The dress! The boots! The stance! This little girl is my hero.

But the bigger hero in this story is, of course, Etsy seller FaithWorks4U. Well played, lady. You make me want to have another baby just so she can wear your clothes!!!

Be sure to pop by the FaithWorks4U Etsy shop. She has even MORE goodies than what I’ve show you!

Have an excellent weekend my friends.

Pssst! You can grab those snazzy little gogo boots over here.

If I May Take the Liberty To Say

Kiddo Style: Modern, ,

Dear Target,

I’ve loved you for years. You were my high school crush that supported me through college, first apartment, first house and now first baby.

But I am particularly excited about our date on March 14th.  I’ve circled the day with a heart on my calendar.  I’ll be the one standing outside, breathing on your glass sliding door to get in there and grab every single thing from the Liberty of London’s Target collection.

Should I just sign my paycheck over to you now or later, Target?

After all, how could I not want to buy every single piece after Oprah posted some of your photos, like these gorgeous goodies:

Really–mother/daughter matching(ish) dresses?  Well, if you insist–I’ll buy just a few of them…

I even took your Liberty of London pattern test on Facebook and it’s true–I am SO maddsie green.  Sigh! You know us so well, Target!

Counting down the days,

Let’s Here it Fore the Boy.

Boys, Kiddo Style: Modern, ,

Listen. I could wax poetic about all the gorgeous, colorful, stylish girl’s clothing that is out there. And maybe I’d segue into a grumble grumble about how boy’s clothing is usually brown or or black or blue and always seem to have dinosaurs/footballs/cars/trains emblazoned on them. But then I’d probably try and make a joke about how I guess I’m lucky I had a boy because my wallet probably wouldn’t survive having a girl and all the tempting cute girlie goodness out there. BUT, I’m not going to do that….because guess what? My wallet isn’t that safe anymore.

When I first discovered FORE! Axel and Hudson, I was grinning from ear to ear. Ladies (and gents) you will not believe how awesome this “country club meets California cool”  line is. Created by designer, father and golf-addict Paul Nguyen, the line borrows inspiration from the laid-back style of classic golf fashion, but infuses it with all the fun and color of a day spent runnin’ through sprinklers and eatin’ popsicles in the sun.

Most of this eco-friendly line is crafted from ultra-soft and sustainable bamboo/spandex and we think that’s a pretty swell thing! Be sure to check out the toddler-sized straw fedoras and jaunty caps—crazy cute.

Are you dying yet?? I love the vintage influence (some of the shirts are so Munsingwear/Penguin) and REALLY love the bright pops of sherbert colors. The clothes manage to do that rare thing in modern boy’s clothing—reflect a unique combination of hip and cool while still being sweet and kid-friendly. Ya know, I suddenly have an overwhelming desire to whack a little hot pink ball through a windmill, don’t you??



FORE! Axel and Hudson will be debuting this spring. Preoders available at Izzy and Ash.

Images: Fore! Axel and Hudson

Say Yes to Vintage Baby Sweaters

Baby Kiddo, Kiddo Style: Vintage, , ,

If you ever followed me on my other blog, Good Crafternoon, you probably know about my love/hate relationship with knitting. I love to knit and have been doing so for more than twenty years, but my arms can’t take it anymore. I found this out just when I became pregnant which was a real heart-breaker since I dreamed about the many darling sweaters I would knit my little baby. So, what’s a knitaholic to do when pregnant for the first time and not allowed to knit?

Buy vintage knitted sweaters, like this festive little ruffly bit of goodness modeled by the Peach:


Ebay used to be loaded with these one of a kind knitted goodies and they are usually in great shape and so inexpensive for the quality and unique style.  Fortunately instead of slogging it out on eBay, you can save yourself some sanity and check out one of my favorite Etsy shops–babyhank, run by the very clever Liz Stanley from say YES! to Hoboken (a wonderful and highly addicted blog BTW) with incredibly well priced and lovingly curated pieces of children’s vintage clothing. Including these gorgeous sweaters.  Alix featured her yesterday with this button cute sneakers.

I’m in love with this one. The pocket detail is just amazing, don’t you think?

OH and look at this white wee baby sweater with the blue trimming!

But check out this rocking horse sweater set! The detail on those pants along is so divine! And how crazy clever is that–a zipper in the back. AND a hood!   That will keep the sweater on–pure vintage genius!

You should stroll on over to babyhank on Etsy and definitely drop by Say Yes to Hoboken!  We heart Liz and we think you will too! Did you know she’s a finalist in the Handmade Olympics? Mmmhhmm…that’s how snazzy she is.