Vintage Beach Towels for the WIN!

 photo VintTowel_8.jpg

I know its winter, but I still have Hawaii on the brain. And I gotta tell you, I love these vintage beach towels. SO colorful and quirky! Most are from the late 60s, early 70s. A quick eBay search will reveal numerous gems. Some have fun characters (Greg has a Six Million Dollar man one that is awesome!) and some pretty patterns (see above!). My faves have quirky girls on ’em…like these!

 photo VintTowel_4.jpg

 photo VintTowel_3.jpg

 photo VintTowel_2.jpg

My friend Denise just found this next one a few months ago at the thrift store with me. Somehow I missed it. Did I mention it’s deadstock? And that I was SO HAPPY she saw it first? No really,  I was thrilled for her. Seriously. After I was done being TOTALLY bummed, of course. Waah.

 photo VintTowel_1.jpg

 photo VintTowel_12.jpg

Greg got me this one—apologies for the mediocre photo. The best part is that it was signed by T. Hee, infamous Disney animator!

 photo VintTowel_5.jpg

 photo VintTowel_5.jpg

 photo VintTowel_6.jpg

Aren’t they awesome? It seems a shame to use them, since they can easily get washed out from too much sun & fun….but it just makes me happy to roll on up to the pool with my snazzy towel under my arm!

Vintage Bookshelf // Three Baby Chicks

In honor of Dottie’s new lil chickadees, I wanted to share this sweet little book. Three Baby Chicks by Ruth Jaynes (1967). It’s part of the Bowmar Early Childhood Series published in the late 60s/early 70s. I just love seeing these three cute kiddos so intrigued by the hatching of the lil chickens!
 photo chickenbook0.jpg

 photo chickenbook2.jpg

 photo chickenbook8.jpg

 photo chickenbook_5.jpg

 photo chickenbook6.jpg

 photo chickenbook5.jpg

 photo chickenbook7.jpg

 photo chickenbook4.jpg

 photo chickenbook3.jpg

 photo chickenbook1.jpg

Aw, they’re so cute aren’t they? One of my favorite things is seeing my friend Jenny’s beautiful chicken’s on Instagram. She’s the ultimate chicken mama and her birdies are gorgeous and quirky and lay such amazing eggs (pastel colors even!). I can’t wait to see Dottie’s chickadees grow too….I just know it’s going to be so much fun for the Peach to have them in her own backyard!

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.

 photo karenshower_crying2.jpg

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!

 photo KarensTiki_1.jpg

 photo KarenKatie.jpg

 photo karenshower_combo2.png

 photo karenshower8.png

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!

Friday Link Hootnenanny // Fun Stuff to Browse

 photo Hoot_stuff.jpg

ALOHA! Greg, Wolfie and I just got back from Hawaii and man on man was it ever relaxing! {We stayed at the Aulani Resort on Oahu….truly an awesome experience! I’ll share some photos next week.} We are now back in the Bay Area….back to work, back to school and back to bundling up. Argh. Despite the jarring re-entry into society, I managed to scare up a couple of fun linkies for you. Extra smooches to Dottie-O, for a couple of hot tips too!! xoxo

1. A DELICIOUS THINGS MOMENT

 photo Hottie_Food_4.jpg
 photo Hottie_Food_2.jpg

What happens when Legendary Style Icons meet Sexy Food photography? This post right here. Wow. (thanks Dottie for sending this my way!!)

 photo Hottie_Food_1.jpg
 photo Hottie_Food_3.jpg

2. A NEW YORK MOMENT

 photo KateSpadeSat_5.jpg
 photo KateSpadeSat_4.jpg

I love Kate Spade—the colors, the designs. They’re pretty much killing it these days. And so I was totally thrilled to discover they were launching a new, slightly more affordable line: Kate Spade Saturday. Like Kate Spade New York, Saturday features bright colors, bold graphics and clean shapes—but for half the price. They just had a preview sale on Fab.com (which is an awesome, but dangerous site for deals!). I managed to curb my buying, but convinced by friend Jessica to buy that jumpsuit. SO CUTE. I can’t wait for the full line to launch. Although my wallet is quite happy it hasn’t….

 photo KateSpadeSat_1.jpg
 photo KateSpadeSat_2.jpg

3. A TINY MOMENT
 photo TinyPeople_1.jpg

Slinkachu, an artist in his mid-thirties from London, has a thing for photographing miniatures. And they’re REALLY fun. He buys his tiny dancers from a company that normally supplies model railway enthusiasts, and typically abandons his work to the street after he has photographed them.I’d love to stumble upon one of his creations.See more here. (Another great Dottie tip!)

 photo tinypeople_2.jpg

4. A GRAND MOMENT

 photo AMB_wall2.jpg

Statement walls are all the rage, and I thought this one created by Elsie was really super cool. It could have been a bit cloying (too much lovey dovey?) but I think she pulled it off beautifully! See more here.

5. A PURRFECT MOMENT

 photo crunchy-cat-treat1.jpg
Design Sponge has been going pet crazy this past week and I love it! I have seen lots of recipes for dog treats, but never one for the kitties. I thought Joy the Baker’s Kitty Treats would be really fun to try with Wolfie. See the whole thing over on design*sponge.
 photo crunchy-cat-treats-DS1.jpg

6. A SASSY SENIOR MOMENT

 photo KarenWalker_2.jpeg

Karen Walker makes really cool sunglasses. She’s also known for daring ad campaigns. Her latest? A collaboration with Ari Seth Cohen of Advanced Style, featuring four glamorous New York women, ages 65- 92, as models. AWESOME.

 photo KarenWalker_4.jpg

 photo KarenWalker_3.jpeg

7. A HIGH-LARIOUS MOMENT

 photo enhanced-buzz-9830-1362170904-1.jpg

 photo enhanced-buzz-29386-1362170447-7.jpg

This collection of the Best Local News Captions is soo (SOOOO) funny!! Read them here. (found via Shutterbean)

 

HAVE A HAPPY WEEKEND FRIENDS!