Happy First Birthday, baby!

Kiddo Parties, Widdle Wednesdays

I know we usually take a little tour of wee baby clothes on Widdle Wednesdays, but this week I thought we’d mix it up a bit and take a look at First Birthday Parties! Whooo hooo! (insert fancy tooter sound effect here) So listen, I’m always torn on the First Birthday Party. I mean, on the one hand I think a sweet little cake and close friends is plenty for a one year old. Don’t feel pressure to do it up crazy. And there *is* pressure. I mean some of these parties you read about are SOOOOO over-the-top and I think, “Really? Does this child even know what the heck is happening or truthfully even really care that you picked Meyer lemons from Martha Stewart’s backyard for lemon curd and then hand crafted artisanal wee tartlettes topped with lavender scented whipped cream while the cast of Yo Gabba Gabba performed an accoustic set in your solarium??” But then the more I thought about it I realized, in a way, the First Birthday is almost like an anniversary party for the parents. Like, “Hell yeah! We made it through a year of no sleep, poop blow outs, crying and we now have mad diaper changing skillz!!” So when you think about it like that, why the heck not?? So I’m here to tell you….it’s all good. You can go big or go small and it’s all A-OK. I recently found a few First Birthday parties that were truly inspiring and SOOOOO pretty and cool I just had to share them with you.

This first celebration was an awesomely cute First Birthday for a little fella—although it could easily be for a little girl. Or a grown woman (hint hint…..August 22 is just a stones throw away, my friends. Ahem….). Presenting, Finn’s Woodland Wonderland!


The party was held in a park—a portable table served as the centerpiece with mossy silhouettes and all kinds of yummy goodies to nibble on.

The desserts were created by pastry chef extraordinaire Melody Brandon, from Sweet and Saucy Shop in Long Beach, CA. She made owl cookies, mini key lime pies, mini candy bar cupcakes, rustic pies and other tasty treats!  Insanely adorable. The mushrooms decorations were crafted by the super cool mama, Sarah.

See that clever use of an old vintage framed mirror up there? Smaht!

Those lollipop cakes are all the rage—I’ve never tried one, but they look amazing!! Also, look at the adorable photobooth. Very clever take on those “stick yer head in the window” ones. A basket of cool props completed the fun.

Amazing! I can’t lie, this is probably WAY more effort than I would be able to muster up….but I am pretty smitten with the level of detail this mama went to. OH, and one more bonus track. Now, this last image isn’t from the same party but I thought was another adorable take on the woodland treat—mushroom cupcakes! (Or perhaps for a Mario themed party??)

Images: My Sweet and Saucy. Mushroom cupcake from magnolia designs blog

The next First Birthday party is for a sweet little girl named Audrey and featured pink peonies —and adecidedly more feminine look. The theme here was a girlie, vintage sweets table. It’s so pretty, wait til you see.


A big, personalized paper banner set the tone—and how cute are these hats? I love pom poms. By the way, I think that sweets table is fancier than my wedding.



Again, super yummy pastries were the highlight. Served on beautiful vintage china and pedestals, they were like edible decor.

I love the little crafty paper flowers with Audrey’s baby photos in the middle and the super sweet little bundles of wild flowers. A charming contrast to the chic elegance of all the fancy cakes!

Speaking of fancy cakes…dig this birthday cake. Wow. The cake featured sugar paste “lace” and the most incredible hot pink sugar peony flower. You can see more of the party on Melody’s blog.

The final party was created by my lovely friend Sandy, from the Winding Road. Sandy put together a totally do-able, sweet party for a lovely little girl named Kate. The theme? Teapots & Blossoms!

I am in love with this big fluffy paper flowers! And just look at this amazing “button” teapot Sandy made on a blue canvas. So simple yet so genius.

The cake was made by a friend who recently started a cake making business. Gum paste cherry blossoms? Wowza.

What I love about this party is that while it seems super fancy and pretty, it’s actually a really clever collection of totally do-able items. Gorgeous tissue paper flowers, stacks of tea cups and a fun banner with the birthday girl’s name on it. Sandy is so talented and artistic. Be sure to swing by her blog. She is an amazing photographer too.

So there you have it. Some pretty adorable parties my friends. I view parties like these as inspiration and eye candy. I’m not saying you have to go this all out, but glean some fun ideas for your own versions—like buying a bundle of paper flowers from the craft store instead of balloons….so cute! Can’t wait to see what you guys rustle up in the coming year.

[TOP SECRET KIDDO SCOOP: Don’t tell anyone—but technically we didn’t buy Wolfie any birthday presents for his first three birthdays!! I mean, listen, he got enough stuff from friends and family and we figured he was still little so he wouldn’t notice. Hey, I’m serious. Don’t you tell him or I’ll be paying in Pokemon for the next year!! Also, it rained on his birthday this year and we had to cancel his party—so he technically hasn’t had a birthday party this year either. Woot! Let’s hear it for Mom of the Year Alix! See? No pressure from me on fancy parties….but just you wait. When I finally get it together it’s gonna be the bomb. Pinkie swear.]

Sale Alert: LittleMissMatched!

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I love my friend Susan.  She’s quite simply wonderful.  I could spend at least a week telling you all about her great sense of humor, her ability to get off a nonstop flight from London and cook a dinner party for 12 including a signature cocktail involving gin and rosemary. I’ve called her crying–in joy, in anger, in grief and she’s always been there.  Her Burns parties are mythic.   She gets everyone to eat Haggis while downing more scotch than one would think was physically possible.  And I’ve seen her in everything from  silk ballgowns to flannel nightgowns–and she always looks stunning. But mostly in running clothes.  With her famous mismatched socks.

So, I immediately thought of her when I heard of Little MissMatched’s great sale right now. Including some great deals  on their signature mismatched three sock sets.

Aren’t they wonderful?

And these grand pajamas are a terrific price too. And check out these gorgeous heart tights.

So stock up now while you can!  You must buy a pair of these socks because are brilliant and wonderful and fun and just like Susan.

Make Way for Little Ducklings Clothing

Big Kiddo, ,

I love it when designers riff on classic children’s style.  It’s all about taking those classics, but keeping ’em comfy.  But what really really makes it super amazing is that aha moment. You know, that little moment where your heart smiles with the cleverness of it all.  I like sweetness in my kid’s clothes, but not too cloying. And U.K. based clothing line, Little Duckling gets it all right.

For example, I love this take on overalls with the fun straps just up the ante on the charm in such a lovely way. And the wide legged pants are killing me!

Or the addition of the sweet heart shaped pockets just can’t help but make you smile, eh?  And you know how much I love gingham too.

Linen is such a great and forgiving fabric.  I adore this very clever addition of a draw string waist with a great punch of color with this limey green goodness.  As you know, I love love love a good small print onesie, don’t you? And this print with a little person flying a kite is just too cute for words.

Oh Little Duckling, I can’t wait to see what you produce next!

Vintage Kiddo Toys: Debbie’s Dream Dollhouse

Best of Alix, Vintage Toys + Fun Stuff

Most of the time when I’m posting vintage toys, there is a fair amount of nostalgia involved. Things I had. Things my girlfriends had and I desperately wanted but my never parents never got me and I’m still bitter about…helllo Dorothy Hamill ice skating doll. (As an aside I mentioned this story to Greg back when we were first dating and one birthday he got me THE DOROTHY HAMILL ICE SKATING DOLL. That was when I knew this was a man to marry….)

But I digress. So like I was sayin’, vintage toy collecting usually involves a fair amount of nostalgia, but I loooooooove when I unearth something that didn’t even know existed. And I’ve told you guys, I’m a vintage/thriftin’ pro/know-it-all by now and feel like I’ve seen it all. So my eyes popped out of my head when I stumbled upon Debbie’s Dream House. I don’t know who this Debbie is, but girlfriend had my kinda dreams.

You can already tell that this is gonna be a goodie, eh? OK friends. Let’s step inside….


All together now…..”Ooooooooh!” Debbie, I love what you’ve done with the place…



Incredibly, this pad came fully furnished. Please note that the light blue dining room table comes equipped with a LAZY SUSAN people. I’m dyin’….

Requires two big “D” batteries…what for??? Did something light up? Spin? A doorbell?? Debbie, I need to know!

UPDATE! I found out….Debbie’s house had a light up fireplace, working living room lamp and sweet mother mary, A WORKING DOOR BELL!!!!!! Amazing. Why does the doorbell seem like it takes this doll house up a notch to Cadillac of Dollhouses status?? Did anyone here have this beauty? Enquiring minds want to know!!!

Now don’t knock anyone down as you race over to eBay to see if you can nab one of these suckers for yourself. (By the way, I already looked. All I found was Debbie’s living room furniture….sigh.)

My next quest….to find out more about this baby:

Want more retro mod doll house love? Check out this past post: Welcome to the Doll Haus.

Pssst! You can get a home tour over at the lovely doe-c-doe blog.

Images: puppenhaus on Flickr, doe-c-doe, barbigirl

Vintage Kiddo Retro Roundup!

Kiddo Style: Vintage,

Happy Monday everyone! Did you have a fab weekend? I sure did, dancing with the Peach at the Devil-Ette’s PipSqueak A Go-Go event Saturday which was also a benefit for JM. The Peach danced her little self into a tizzy–oh, it was so much fun! But even with all of that shaking and a shimmying, I still found time to track down some of the sassiest sweetest vintage finds for you all! You know I can’t say no to a good hour spent e-thrifting!

So, on with the show!

Why stop at two tone shoes when you can have three lovely shades of suede to dapper up any ensemble, like these sixties kiddo shoes?

I’ll step into those sassy shoes eBay seller, ByDenise!

This dress screams U.S. of Yay!  It has that Betsy-Ross-bi-centenial-Yankee-Doodle-Dandy je ne sais quoi to it doesn’t it?!

Does it come with fireworks, ebay seller, Fashion Chic 7000?

You know we love our Health Tex here at Modern Kiddo. And who could blame us when the pickings are as adorably cute as this striped polo style onesie from eBay seller, Auctionnut45?

I think this might be my favorite item of the week–a sweet western inspired bright orange raincoat from Ebay seller,  Great Lake  Outfitters.

I really like this eBay seller! She also has this lovely violet gingham dress in a big girl size 12. Perfect for summer, doncha think?

What with Tiki-Oasis just a few months away, how could you not indulge in buying this great fifties  vintage Hawaiian shirt for your little man. And for ten clams, how could you not?

You are killing me with your awesomeness, Fast Eddie’s Retro Rags!

Now Tiki’s influence on fashion went beyond the fifties into the seventies. And this is a prime specimen of Tiki with this great matching swim trunks and cover-up combo. It’s like it was pillaged from Bobby Brady’s luggage during the gang’s infamous trip to Hawaii.

Let’s hope this one doesn’t come with a cursed Tiki idol, Etsy Seller Natural Pond Vintage!

Who doesn’t love a carousel? And gingham carousel horsies? Well this is a triple threat because it is also a Nanette dress!

Color me sold Etsy seller the FancyTail!

Awesome things come in three–so I had to feature one more item of gingham in this retro round-up and I think it’s a surefire cutie! Check out this jonjon romper in gingham. But let’s kick it up a notch and add an industrious piglet who is holding an apple.  Makes sense to me!

Pure Genius, Etsy seller Stellabluz?

I adore this blue sweater with its dandy nautical accents on the button placket from Etsy Seller, Our Retro Toybox!  Sweetly understated!

OK, I said no more gingham, right. Well, I’m a liar. Here’s one more gingham. But I saved the best for last.  Gingham plus embroidery, plus that good heavy polyester from the seventies.  It all equals one of the cutest little jumpers around! It just had to be included. And bonus points for use of ric-rac and embroidery. If this one isn’t bought up, I might just sneak back in and get it myself!

Again from Our Retro Toybox.

What a fun round up! Alix will be along shortly with a retro daydream that will surely make you smile, so please come back this afternoon for more vintage fun!

Oh, and if you haven’t had a chance to enter our most marvelous giveaway–a $50 gift certificate to Simply Silhouettes–don’t worry, there is still time. And you can get an extra chance if you join us on Facebook, Google Connect or Twitter. And if you mention the giveaway either on Facebook of Twitter, we’ll add you once again. Whoohoo!

Happy Monday!