1. Tiny Awesomeness from Small Craft Class.

Elsie and Rachel are two of the cutest gals around. They’re always cookin’ up something cool and their latest online class is ALL KINDS of adorable. It’s designed for anyone who has a cute kiddo in their lives that they’d like to craft for. The class includes 30 Project Tutorials with 6 video sessions and sounds like soooo much fun. Sign up for Small Craft Class and make fun stuff.

2. Retooled Retro Smoochers.

These cute kiddos are from the amazing site Young Me Now…where old photos are recreated. Gotta check it out. Good stuff.

3. High Flying Adored: DIY Kites

My sweet friend Teri from Giddy Giddy is so wildly creative. Her blog always inspires. I’m loving these homemade kites she and her girls made, but this post is extra excellent too.

4. La Petit is Neat and Sweet.

Have you seen the latest issue of La Petit Magazine? It’s filled with some gorgeous stuff…loads of great kiddo fashion and inspiring images!

5. Mmmm. This Citrus Sour Cream Rainbow Cake is Bangin’.

The mega faboosh Vintage Sugarcube’s recipes are usually a little more grown up (hello muscle men baring zuccini bread…along with their pecs), but her sour cream citrus rainbow cake topped with cotton candy will make the kiddos swoon. Or collapse in a happy sugar coma.

6. A Tasty Stitch.

I’m not a sewin’ kinda gal, but I thought this adorable embroidery pattern from the groovy doe-c-doe just might make me want to try.

7. Ahoy for Vintage Books and Fabrics

Kristin’s blog klt:sketchbook has so many glorious things. From Fabric Fridays to awesome illustrations…swing on over and check her out.

8. Free Back-To-School Printables are Rad.

Cute is good. Free is gooder. Stock up on these sweet back to school printables from We Love To Illustrate and then remind yer kiddos “gooder” ain’t a word.

9. MAEVE

Have you checked out this month’s issue of Aussie mag MAEVE? It’s chock full of groovy articles and photoshoots…and another article by yours truly on BLYTHE.

10. And finally….Tiki Oasis Fashion Edition.

Just in case you didn’t get enough of my Tiki Oasis recaps this week, swing on over to Strawberry Lemonade to see the Fashion Edition. Lots of awesome vintage Tiki fashions including crazy shirts, too many fashion changes and of course, THE BIG BUN. Don’t question. Just check it out.

• Fedora hat from a local junk shop,
• Munster blue cardigan
• Mine by Kayla blue jeans
• Littlehorn Pacman black top
• Black Converse hightop sneakers.

• Mister Kids tee – a cool Sydney label. Says Suzi, “The folks who run it moved in right next door to us! They are as cool as their clothes.”
• Cute smile by Felix

Wowzer! Check out that sweet furry vest!! I love it…the viking tee is an inspired touch.

+ Polka fluffy brown vest
+ Eternal Creation brown pinstripe pants

• OUCH Kelly green puffa vest – 70s style and sooo cool
• Danefae Viking long-sleeved black tee
• Fred Bare black skinny jeans
• Pink Converse low-top sneakers

• Says the awesome Suzette, “Our friend Lexi will be thrilled this photo was selected! She hand appliqued the owl onto a plain light blue top. She’s one talented lady!”
• OUCH Khaki pants

• Shirt by Munster

• Shirt from Best and Less (a budget store in Australia…love the mix of nice brands with quick-n-easy tees!)

• Skinny jeans by Wayne Cooper Junior

• If anyone can remember the brand of this cool fly top, please let us know!
• French blue top by Infancy

• Cool pirate dress-up and matching ship on his 4th birthday

• Shirt by Rock Your Baby

• Shirt by cool Swedish brand Duns

How adorable is this sassy lad?? I love his blonde loopy curls. We took a moment to chat with his lovely mum and she filled us in on all things Felix!

“There’s quite a few Aussie labels in there. Never having been a huge label person, it’s a bit shocking to see him kitted out so often in labels! I get them on sale though, always for a bargain!

Felix comes across almost as a small teenager but underneath this 5.5 year old Star Wars-obsessed maverick is a soft, marshmallowy, kind little guy who charms the older kids at school with his compact self-assuredness.

He’s a gourmet and will try any food once. Felix loves olives and even a hint of chilli! Like his grandmother and great grandfather, he’s a history buff and heavily into anything Ancient Egyptian and weapons throughout the ages.

Felix is always a delight and in his first six months of school, has taken much joy in learning to read —books are definitely his forte! He plays soccer and loves going to the skate park with his scooter. His dream is to one day own a skateboard!”

Oh Felix, you and your skateboard are destined to break many a young girl’s heart! Thank you Suzette for sharing this handsome and stylish boy with us. Be sure to stop by the awesome kiddo blog babyology where Suzette is an editor. They post loads of fun, groovy stuff.

Gather round kiddos, it’s time for Part 2 of our glorious Tiki Tour! Yesterday I showed off some fun photos from our jaunt down to Tiki Oasis in San Diego a few weeks ago. The event isn’t a family event, per se, but it is extremely family friendly! Lots of people brought their kiddos who all had a totally fantastic time!

Friday afternoon things kicked off with an Opening Ceremony Parade—the marching band was an excellent touch!

There was lots of swimming and then the evening show began!

One of the highlights was a Vintage Tiki Fashion show held by  Melissa of the amazing shop Retro Diva. My friend Stephanie, of Pineapple Princess, had a featured portion of the fsahion show for her kid’s stuff and she asked me if Wolfie would “model” for her, which was a super thrill. She made matching outfits for him and Sierra, a really awesome little girl. I have to say, they looked adorable:

The cutie on the left is Doe’s youngest kiddo, Dashiel (Doe and her hubs Otto von Stroheim are the masterminds behind this whole awesome extravaganza!).

The next day we drove around San Diego (and thanks to our adorable Modern Kiddo friend Vintage Sugar Cube, we got some amazing restaurant tips!) but really it was all about the hotel and lounging out. So after lunch we came back for some more fun:

Yep. Wolfie brought his DS. Hey, he’s a pretty spectacular for a 6 year old, but even ze Wolf Cub needs a little QT with his good pal Mario. It’s a great reminder that little ones can certainly enjoy grown up outtings, but don’t forget that kids are kids and need their own down time too!

Here’s Wolfie with one of his best buddies, Miles and Audrey—they belong to Modern Kiddo reader Miz Landry. LOVE Audrey’s sassy silver gladiator sandals:

I was loving all the hip little kiddo fashions I spotted…check out these cuties:

In addition to swimming and exploring the property, Tiki Oasis had a special kid’s room with arts and crafts and other fun activities. Every child got their own special teensy Tiki Mug too! (i suspect they were shot glasses, but hell…what the kiddo’s don’t know won’t hurt ‘em!)

The highlight by far was th Saturday morning Tiki Tot Tour with King Kukulele. I’ve performed with the King before with The Devil-Ettes and he is amazing, hilarious and a totally talented ukulele player (check out this super short vid of him here….you’ll get why the kids LOVED him!).

All the kid’s met up by the pool and King led them around the facility, where they walked up to all the tiki’s and asked them questions. Honestly I’m not sure how they did this, but someone apparently followed the tour with a wireless mike/speaker and when the kid’s would ask a question it was as if the Tiki REALLY responded. They all had different voices….it was hysterical and the little one’s totally ate it up!

The vendors were all super sweet as they watched the kid’s parade around the property looking for Tikis. These kind folks brought out a tray of Sno Cones for everyone! (apologies, I’m spacing their name….if someone knows, please tell me!)

Wolfie that King Kukulele was THEE coolest. Afterwards he took us around to all the spots and pointed out all the things they learned from the Magic Tikis. It was really adorable, he would say things like, “Do you know that the tiki’s all got bathed in the Magic Waters and that’s how they learned to speak?” and “Why aren’t they speaking to us any more??” We also discovered the “invisible Tiki” that King Kukulele showed them:

All in all I would say it was our best mini vacation yet! I think Wolfie would agree…..

Ahhh, the sweet days of summer have come to a close and I’m so very sad. Thankfully we managed to sneak in one last little tropical getaway to the magical Tiki Oasis just a few weeks ago. So what is this thing called Tiki Oasis I keep yammerin’ about? Lemme tell ya .Tiki Oasis is a celebration of Polynesian pop culture and is “the largest and longest running Tiki Event on the planet.” For one weekend every August, Tiki-enthusiasts take over the historic Hanalei hotel in San Diego (now called the Crowne Plaza) and fill the place with art, music, tropical drinks—and of course, fabulous fashions.  I suppose I should start at the beginning….our trip began with a short-n- sweet plane ride down to San Diego:

Finally, we arrived! The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Mid 70s with a touch of a breeze. ALOHA, indeed.

The hotel itself is lovely. Palm trees, little waterfalls, a huge pool and, of course,  lots of cool Tikis all over the property.

The best part is that it’s an extremely family-friendly affair. Single folks, couples young and old, and families with kiddos—all mingled together. The whole weekend was the doing of my sweet friend Baby Doe (aka Dorinda) and her cool hubby Otto von Stroheim. They are the Producer’s Extraordinaire who dreamed up this crazy thang and made it all happen. This was the 10 year anniversary. It’s so crazy impressive I can’t even tell you.

Here is the always charming Doe with her little cutie Dash (and Wolfie on the left—sportin’ his Pineapple Princess aloha togs! My friend Stephanie makes groovy kid’s clothing out of vintage muu muus! More on her later….).

All told over a thousand people frolicked at the Oasis that weekend. I’m so proud of Doe—she is crazy sweet and cool and yet runs these huge events with the precision of a 5 star general!!

During the day, you could swim or browse the amazing vendors who had set up shop on the lawn near the pool and in the hotel conference area. Vintage clothing, records, artwork, tiki mugs and necklaces, even polynesian BBQ spices. There were also a wide variety of symposiums—The History of Tiki, Rum & Chocolate, The Persuasive Power of Punch, Pin-Up Hair and Makeup, Live Tiki Carvings…it was overwhelmingly awesome.

Hey look! It’s Modern Kiddo reader, Mrs. DeTiki! She was a doll and had these really cute retro-style handbags she makes.

Wolfie and Greg loved checking out the awesome vintage car show in the parking lot.

Wolfie had so much fun…I love he started wearin’ this groovy surfer necklace. By the end he had a tiki pendant to match! How cute is that tee, by the way? It’s for Greg’s kiddo band The Time Outs and the rad “Rocky the Rock Hand” artwork was done by Michael Fleming, aka Tweedlebop!

There was literally something to do at every moment. You could do everything….or nothing. We were big fans of the “do nothing” option and I’m pleased to report we clocked many hours by the pool.

Every day amazing DJs spun vintage vinyl—boat loads of 50s/60s exotica, surf, lounge and more. The vibe was super chill and cool. You honestly felt like you were living in a vintage movie….

Aw yeah! The debut of my vintage swim cap!!

I love the elevators…they’re glass and look out on an atrium of waterfalls and palm trees. At night, two guys played stand up bass and guitar IN THE ELEVATOR. See? Even the elevators are cool.

As the sun set, the vendor booths disappeared only to be replaced by lawn chairs…and the night time entertainment began. Fun bands and dance performances. Wolfie was allowed to stay up a little later to watch the first few performances.

Of course I had a blast dressing up. It’s not required by any means, but loads of people get dolled up in their vintage Hawaiiana finest. High off my vintage bathing cap victory, I decided to bust out THE BIG BUN for Saturday night!

I’ll be posting more on the Tiki fashions over at Strawberry Lemonade, my other bloggie.

Whew. OK, that’s it for the Part 1. The next installment will be Kiddo-centric and I’ll tell you allll the cool things there are for you and yer wee ones to do. Because you ARE coming next year….right??

Oh, this Etsy shop has some very yummy items.  And that is saying a lot considering the number of particularly yummy items that are for sale on Etsy.

My heart melts for Meli-Melon. And I think yours will too. Yes, the clothes are truly delightful. As you can see.

But its the story behind the clothing line the tickles my crafty little ole heart.

You see, my friends, these gorgeous goodies for girls sprung out of the very clever brain of Gemma Antelo.  Gemma was born in that magical Spanish city, Barcelona–where Gaudi architecture springs to life along with its citizens.  Gemma gave her stressy job as a freelance designer the heave ho after her second daughter was born. And as many a mama will do, she thought of her own childhood.

I think Gemma should tell you the rest of the story:

“When I was a little girl, I spent hours looking how my mother was sewing dresses for my older sister and me, every single dress was special, unique and made with lots of love. She left us five years ago and then I became the new owner of her sewing machine and her vintage fabrics collection, so I start sewing my own handmade dresses for my 2 daughters. Every finished dress, I remember of my mother and how proud she would be.”

And she is kind enough to share her joyful creations beyond her beautiful two girls. And that’s a really yummy thing.

Oh, and she has a fabulous pad too. Check out this dishy interview with Ms. Gemma on Bloesem Kids.

Check out this duet of wonderful print shirts. What a great addition to any boys little fall wardrobe! From eBay seller JimJac.

What is more perfect for returning to school with an apple red cardi with sweet little accents on the collar.  And how sweet that it is a girls size large too. From Etsy, Leafpeople Vintage.

Now, it wouldn’t be back to school season without going a little mad for plaid.  I have a very special place in my heart for little girls in little plaid dresses. And I have a trio of such goodies to share with you all!

Like this little harvest gold plaid dressie with smocking and lace to boot! From Etsy seller, PiratesB00ty.

Or would you prefer your other vintage sixties mad for plaid faux jumper tunic with a lovely butterfly collar? Once again in the ever so elusive size 7. From our friends at Our Retro Toybox.

Or go pure old skool with this perfect plaid bit of cuteness.  Check out the sweet little plaid piping detail. Just stunning, eh?  And the bid starts at just under $10.00.  All that detail for such a small price. From ebay seller, Paddywacks Vintage.

But we can’t leave the boys out.  Check out this charming little plaid coat for gents.  What mama wouldn’t be proud to send her little guy to his first day of school in this sharp looking coat. From the very glamourous Etsy seller, StilettoGirl.

I myself love a good matching combo. So, when I saw this charming dress and coat set, I nearly plotzed with joy.  It is the perfect thing to wear for a little woodland romp in October or November, doncha think?

Perhaps your little guy is more of a t-shirt kind of guy.  Perhaps he could meet his teachers in this styling poly t-shirt friend from Sears. From Etsy seller, Aesthetikara.

Although babies aren’t going back to school, they still deserve something cute–like these widdle felt cowboy booties in rip roaring red.  With buckle, natch. From ebay seller forgetmenot.

E is for Extra button cute as well as elephant.  And you can get your little one’s extra cuteness on with this saucy romper. From Etsy seller,  FuzzyMama!

I did a lengthy lunchbox search for something fabulous.  Oh, the treasures I saw.  Yes, there was the Duke of Hazzard’s lunch box. The Alf lunch box. Even the Campus Queen lunch box.  But I’d never seen this gem before from Etsy seller, Aquanetta.

I wouldn’t mind doing dishes either if I had a fancy black poodle wearing bows on his head by my side to help dry the dishes.

Happy Monday, duckies! May the day fly by with fun and giggles!

+ Adorable pinafore dress from Australian Bluebird and Honey

+ Retro swirls dress from Australian label Oobi

+ Graphic hoodie from New Zealand label Minti
+ Deep Denim skirt from Sooda Room
+ Puma high tops

+ Tutu and hoodie from Cotton On Kids

+ Dress is the Missie Munster dress from  Australian label Munster Kids

+ Red dress from Australian label Infancy
+ Levi’s denim jacket
+ Adidas sneakers

+ Sweet pink dress from Australian brand Rock Your Baby

Ooooh weeee, what a cute lil lady this one is! Check out that sweet smile. This sassy little minx loves colouring, riding her scooter, playing hide and seek, as well as memory games and “snakes and ladders” (Says Kellie, “she cheats!!” haha). She also loves to eat and is helping out in the kitchen cooking. We chatted with her mama who told us this:

“Poppy is definitely a girly-girl! She loves wearing dresses and skirts and would choose style over comfort any day. Her favourite colour is pink (can you tell?!!) and she has an opinion on anything and everything that she wears. Her all-time favourite piece of clothing is her ballet tutu. She’d wear it every.single.day. if she were allowed!”

I’m loving that tutu and I looooove her little sneaks! (er, or should we be calling them “trainers”??) Thank you so much Kellie for sharing your beautiful little lady with us. HAPPY FRIDAY everyone!

Hi everyone, it’s Tracy here. So here’s a little recipe that’s now a staple in my arsenal of family-friendly foods: Southwestern Pizzas!

It makes the boys in my life SUPER happy when I bring these to the table. This dish includes all the yummy things that my little guy Cooper loves— red peppers, black beans, cheese and tortillas! But I gotta say it also tastes super great with loads of hot sauce, cilantro and sour cream on top. The best part is that it comes together in NO time!! The recipe is also pretty adaptable. Take away stuff you don’t like—add stuff you do! What’s involved? Take a look!

Take a tortilla and spread your favorite salsa on top.

Top with sliced red peppers & beans!

Finish with shredded cheese & green onions. Pop them on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven!

Cut them up with a pizza cutter and dig in!!!

Say Adiós!!! Cuz they’ll be gone in no time!!!

Southwestern Pizzas (recipe adapted from Family Circle Magazine)

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 flour tortillas (whole wheat works well too)
1 15 oz.can black beans, drained & rinsed
2 cups shredded cheese (or more if you love cheese!)
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 cup favorite salsa
cilantro (optional topping)
4 tablespoons sour cream (optional topping)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Take a tortilla and spread a few spoonfuls of salsa on top. Top tortilla with peppers, black beans and finish with the shredded cheese& green onions. Repeat process with the remaining tortillas.

2. Put pizzas on a cookie sheet (2 per sheet) and bake for 12-15 minutes until browned and crispy. Top each pizza with cilantro and a tablespoon of sour cream and chow down!

***I baked 2 pizzas at a time because I didn’t feel like cleaning two cookie sheets! ***

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to swing by Shutterbean for more yummy recipes. I’ll be back again soon with more Quick Cookin’!

In the mean time, can we West Coasters just brag for a moment? HOUSTON, WE HAVE SUMMER!!!!!!!!! Of course San Francisco had to be fashionably late, but we are *finally* experiencing what you all have been yackin’ about all summer long. HEAT. People, we are actually in the midst of a heat wave, propa. It was 98 degrees in downtown SF, which is UNHEARD OF.

So beside marveling at the hot hot weather, I’ve totally got school on my brain. School starts August 30 out here, and I can’t believe my little guy is going to be a first grader. I know some of you are already in the throes of a new school and others are gearing up for everything. I thought it would be fun to take a look at some classic Classroom Photos. I am obsessed with these, I think they are so cool. You just want to know the stories behind all these sassy little kiddos! Make sure you check out all the great fashions goin’ on…..

This first one is Mrs. Cliett’s Third Grade class, Shiver Elementary, 1963-64, Cairo, Georgia. Mrs. Cliett looks about a million years old, but I love her prim grey suit! You know she was the kid of crankster who rapped her ruler on yer knuckles.

image: janet sumner
Best Fashions: bottom row, red polka dot dress and cat eye glasses. yeah! also, a handsome row of lads on the top there..

This next one is also adorable. Grade 1 and 2 at Gray’s Lake Elementary, 1955. A whole lotta plaid going on.

image: takomabibelot.

On to the 70s….and COLOR, COLOR, COLOR. Mrs. Fujita’s Grade 1 & 2 class at Haskell Elementary in 1977.

image: C-Monster
Best Fashions: where to start? bottom row, love the two pinafore girls but hellllo jumpsuit on the end! Please note how teensy Mrs. Haskell is on the end there behind THE JUMPSUIT. Also, middle row, middle girl with huge bow is awesome, but the the two guys on the top row ends (far left, denim vest and far right…little bad ass stance) rule.

Next, Eisenhower School Kindergarten class 1973, Fergus Falls Minnesota. Dig that crazy teacher’s suit. WHOO, WHOOO is wearing an owl pendant? Why yes I do believe it’s Mrs. Teacher Lady.

image: Precious Kitty Kat
Best Fashions: the two kids with the spex are amazing, but BOTTOM ROW WINS! red, white blue dressie and tights, FOUR cute pants set, a boy with tie…..and a crochet vest on the end. The owner of this photo is the adorable girl on top in red and white!

Miss Michelle Frenette’s First Grade Class at Eisenhower Elementary School, 1974, Fergus Falls Minnesota.

image: Precious Kitty Kat.
Best Fashions: Love the middle row boys on the end (baby Joey Lawrence Bowl Cut on the left and cutie cowby on the right) but again the bottom row takes it. This time with the Plaid-O-Rama pants suit, plaid maxi skirt, the baby blue maxi dress, boy with tie AND yellow pants suit with photo of a water fall on it. Huzzah! Feeling badly for girl in sweatshirt. I bet her mom forgot it was picture day. Also, i think that’s the same kid in the tie as above…. love Miss Frenette’s jaunty neck scarf too.

Mrs. Amundson’s Second Grade Class at Eisenhower Elementary School, 1975, Fergus Falls Minnesota.

image: Precious Kitty Kat.

I love this photo from a primary school in Scotland. But uh oh, someone wore their jumper/ski sweater instead of regulation ties. Minus ten points Gryffindor!

image: joevl, Catrine Primary School, 1970s.

This is perhaps my favorite. Such a bunch of cuties. The boy’s all look like *such* rascals.

image: joevl, Catrine Primary School, Scotland, 1970s.

Miss Davis’ first grade class at Northside Grammar School, 1961. Hmm. “Miss” Davis is looking a little long in the tooth…

Check out the groovy Miss Groob’s Third Grade Class at Sheridan Elementary School, 1973-74 in Ohio.

image: brian glass

Mrs. Alford’s  kindergarten class at Spring Shadows Elementary, 1971-72.

Oh 70s, how we love ya. This whole class wins Best Dressed.  Front row snazzers, Cindy Brady on the end, two pairs of gogo boots, little boy in purple on top left….and especially Mrs. Alford’s crazy zig zag poly dress!

Mrs. Thren’s fourth grade class at Landisville Elementary in Hempfield, Pennsylvania. 1974-75.

image: brechtbug
Best Fashions: All the kids are swell, but helllllo gams! Check out those minis on the teachers!

Let’s take a little jaunt across the pond and check out some the “Preschool” (aka Kindergarten) class at the Princes Marijke School in Nieuw-Vennep, The Netherlands. 1974. LOVE all the colorful clothing.

image: christiaanV
Best Fashions: how could I pick?? But the little guy RECLINING is kind of brilliant.

Here’s the same school the next year in 1975, First Grade Class:

image: christiaanV

And finally, we head back to the states to Houston, Texas. This is Mrs. Dahlem’s First Grade Class Spring Shadows Elementary, 1972-73

image: Rowland Kodachrome
Best Fashions: These guys win BEST SHOES all around. Gogo boots, mod little saddle shoes, and even t-straps on Mrs. Dahlem. Little girl on the top right is kind of fabulous, with her jaunty scarf!

Let’s see how Miss Lamoreaux’s class at Spring Shadows Elementary holds up. This is from 1974-75.

image: Rowland Kodachrome

And finally, Mrs. Harper’s Second Grade Class, Spring Shadows Elementary, 1973-74.

image: Rowland Kodachrome

How fun are those? I wish they still did group photos. Wolfie’s school does a Classroom picture but it’s made up of all the little photos from the kids. Somehow it’s not the same as everyone sittin’ all proper on their little benches.

Lawdy, I wish you could see me right now. It’s late at night and as I peruse all these cool old vintage photos I’m realizing I’m totally clammy from the heat of our house that was baking in the sun all day. This is taking Sweatin’ to the Oldies to a whole new level. Hewwww.

Finally San Francisco took a look at its calendar and realized it is summer. And cranked the heat up. Into the nineties.  The NINETIES, people. Which is just lovely, but not when I’m seeing all of these yummy plaids, and layers and scarfs and dreaming of sharpened pencils and new lunchboxes. And the delicious new Fall clothing line from Elias & Grace.

Now, I’m new to this wonderful company, but it seems all sorts of fancy pants people have been shopping there for years finding all sorts of goodies for their kiddos. Like Jude Law, Mrs. Jamie Oliver, and Kate Moss. But hey, better late than never because hoo boy, they got quite a load of grand clothes for fall.

For boys.

And for girls.

And oh dear. They’ve got a baby line.  Drat it!

Good inspiration, yes?