25 darling vintage items for babies and young children (plus, I became an aunt for the first time!)

Earlier this month our family experienced a beautiful and blessed event of the best kind, when Tony's sister (his only sibling), Maria, gave birth to her first child: a strapping nine pound baby boy that the elated new parents named Jarno.

As neither of my own siblings have kids of their own yet, this wee lad (pictured below) instantly turned Tony into and Uncle and myself in an aunt for the first time. Needless to say, we're both elated to have these important roles bestowed upon us!

Though our nephew and his parents live in Italy and we're in Canada, thanks to the power of modern technology, we'll be able to watch this sweet little tyke (who totally looks like his Uncle Tony!) grow up and definitely hope that occasional visits will be possible over the years, too.

In the spirit of Jarno's birth, as well as the fact that springtime itself is the universal season of rebirth and new life, I thought it would be oodles of fun to share some of the super cute genuine vintage baby, toddler and young children appropriate items - a mix of clothing, accessories, toys, decor and other charming pieces for little ones - that have been crossing my path lately online.

It is not uncommon, at any given point in time, for many of us to know someone who is expecting, just gave birth, and/or has young kids of their own (or you may even be in this wonderful group yourself), so while very few of these items will fit grownups, they're fabulous for all the smallest recipients on your gift giving list!

25 darling vintage items for

babies and young children

1. Preciously lovely and pretty as a picture, this tiny mid-century vintage pink knit set features a cardigan style sweater and matching hat/bonnet with pink satin ribbon ties, and is sure to melt your heart! $14.25 for both garments from 42nd Avenue Vintage.




2. Springtime perfect pastel hues and fun embroidered animal designs call this lovely pair of 1970s gingham baby burp cloths home, and elevate this utilitarian item into something extra sweet and special. $12.00 for the pair from Starr Child Vintage.



3. File this one under the "I can't even" header, because, seriously, I can't even...A teeny, tiny mid-century vintage Mexican tourist jacket. If that isn't the epitome of old school cool, I don't know what is! $45.00 from Ms. Tips.



4. Bursting with mid-century charm, this adorable pair of matching Plankie brand plastic baby rattles are just as cute as decor pieces (in the nursery or elsewhere) as they are functional, if you wanted to give them to a wee-est one in your family. $18.00 for the pair from Milkweed Vintage Home.



5. Ideal for little ladies or gents alike, these soft-as-a-lamb's tail mid-century small children's sized deadstock vintage gloves are ideal for springtime and would be especially charming sported by a wee one for church or a party on Easter Sunday. $12.50 from Chronically Vintage.



6. I can just imagine what a fascinating read this recipe and information booklet called Feeding The Child For Health, dated 1935, must make for. No doubt plenty has changed since it was penned, but I'm sure a fair amount still rings true 81 years later. $8.00 from Openslate Books.



7. Fantastic for spring and summer - or if you're taking baby on a holiday during the nippier months - this fun, animal print vintage child's top is geared towards those around twelve months old and is sure to garner compliments and "awws" whenever its worn. $15.00 from Salvage House.




8. Wonderful for a nursery, play room, craft space, home library or anywhere you fancy, this beautiful pair of mid-century wooden wall art plaques have an old school fairy tale theme to them and will continue to suit little ones as they grow up. $16.00 for the pair from Happy Day Antique.




9. Almost too cute to use as anything but a decor piece, this marvelously fun little c. 1940s embroidered baby shoe holder would make for such a fantastic baby shower gift, especially if the mom-to-be is a vintage fan. $26.00 from Shabby Shop Girls.




10. Homemade knits and infants go together like childhood and toys, so why not whip up something for the wee ones in your circle with these delightful c. 1951 knitting pattern book of handknits for babies. $5.00 from OldPatterns.com.




11. Sometimes there's simply no beating a true classic and that's what this immensely lovely little mid-century Raggedy Ann doll is (so presh!). $12.00 from What's New On The Mantel.




12. Timelessly lovely and very practical, these sophisticated vintage brown leather toddler boots are so stylish, you'll wish for a pair in your size, too! :) $30.00 from Jade and Lauren JR.




13. If ever there was a fabulous little outfit for a baby's first spring and summer, this cheerfully hued plaid and flower vintage sunsuit is it! $14.00 for dress/blouse and bloomers from USA's Kids.




14. An ideal gift for the special soon-to-be parents in your life, this sophisticated vintage StorKraft baby fork and spoon set is still in its original box and features easy to hold curved handles, perfect for little hands as baby begins to feed him or herself. $42.00 from Sunny Day Vintage.




15. As much tiny works of art as they are timeless playthings, these gorgeous turn of the last century children's wooden blocks could easily be used as nursery, childhood room, and even adult bedroom decor, as the little whippersnapper continues grows up. $65.00 for 18 pieces from Milkweed Vintage Home.




16. Vintage and antique children's garments and accessories never fail to make me smile and wish that (more) children still dressed in those sorts of wonderful yesteryear styles. One has only to look at this fantastic c. 1960s little girl's navy blue and pink, for example, to instantly see why such is the case for a vintage fashion fan like myself. $38.00 from Ruby and June.




17. Who amongst us doesn't fondly remember the first suitcase we had as a small child? I can clearly picture mine (it was in shades of lilac-y purple) and I felt like such a sophisticated globe trotter each time I packed it up for a weekend at Grandma's house or a family road trip. Relive some of those fun memories with this sweetly illustrated (Easter time perfect) tiny vintage children's suitcase, that could easily be used as a storage and/or decorative piece around the house, too. $32.00 from Chocolate For The Soul.




18. An ideal baby shower, birthday, or holiday gift, this lovely little vintage baby comb and brush set comes complete with its original heart shaped packaging and would thus be an especially nice choice for Valentine's Day. $12.00 from Caprock Baby.




19. Almost too pretty to actually use, this kitty cat embroidered and quilted butter yellow baby's bib is chocked full of loveliness and yesteryear style. $9.00 from The Turtle and The Ray.




20. Childhood just wouldn't be the same without things like nursery rhymes and fairy tales, and when it comes to such, you just can't beat a beloved classic like this 1957 take on the age old tale of Mother Goose. $12.00 from Atty's Sprout Vintage.




21. Is this enchantingly sweet mid-century vintage ceramic angel themed light switch cover not one of the most precious things you've ever laid your eyes on? I'm utterly in love with it and can't imagine a more charming piece to use in a nursery. $28.00 from Caprock Baby.




22. How fabulously cute + pretty + fun is this great mid-century three-piece vintage children's dishware set? From the punchy hues to the terrific illustrations, its practically impossible not to fall in love with it at first sight! $25.99 from Left Lane Vintage.




23. These are, undoubtedly, some of these most adorable vintage baby booties I've ever come across. Fluffy pink mohair and whimsical little kitty cat appliqués team up to create a pint sized footwear pair that is off-the-charts sweet! $32.00 from West Egg Vintage.




24. And for even more cat cuteness, playful little embroidered kitties top this immensely sweet 1950s cotton crib blanket that would also work wonderfully as a cover atop baby while using a rocking chair. $34.00 from Atty's Sprout Vintage.




25. I absolute adore overalls, especially on children, and have fond memories of my own pairs from when I was knee high to a sandbox. This awesome pair of 1950s deadstock blue overalls with coordinating blue short sleeved shirt is as classic and sweet as they come, and would look so cute for a photo shoot starring baby and daddy. $36.00 for both garments from Salvage House.



Plus a bonus 26th item that is geared towards all the stylish vintage adoring mamas out there! 


26. Classic, elegant and ideal for Mother's Day gift giving, this beautiful gold tone metal and goldstone brooch is an ideal way to quite literally keep one's love for their children close to their heart. $12.50 from Chronically Vintage.



{To learn more about a specific image used in this post, please click on it or the link in the text immediately below to be taken to its respective source.}

♥ ♥ ♥

I was ecstatic when I found out that Maria was pregnant and even though we were thousands upon thousands of miles apart the whole time, I adored hearing about how the experience was unfolding for her and her partner. I know that she'll be an excellent mother and that Jarno will grow up in a home with love and happiness - which, ultimately, is the best gift any child can ever receive.

There's definitely a surreal quality to thinking of myself as Aunt - or, in Italian - Zia - Jess and it melts my heart to picture the first time, down the road, that I hear sweet Jarno call me such.

As detailed here, late January and much of February were rocky times for us, so in launching March (and by extension spring itself) off on such an incredibly wonderful note, I can't help but think that things have turned around and that the sun - both literally and metaphorically - is smiling upon our family once more.

Green Ghost: my favourite vintage board game ever!

✯ Day 301 of Vintage 365 ✯

It's interesting, you know, as I sit here and reflect back on this topic as an adult, to think about the items that my parents kept from their own childhoods. Honestly, the number isn't that huge, but in all fairness, I don't exactly have a room full of things from youth either. There were a few toys, a large record collection, the odd photograph and a few knickknack, and one board game that enthralled me as a little girl like nothing else.

The name of that game was Green Ghost, and though it's been many, many years since I last played it (as far as I know, it didn't make the cut during one the moves my family made when I was growing up). I can still remember it with stark clarity, and it is impossible for Halloween season to arrive without memories of playing this awesome game - always sitting on the cold tiles of our basement floor, often with the lights dimmed low - as a youngster.

First created in 1965, Green Ghost was a relatively popular board game throughout the 60s and early 70s that tied into both the campy horror movie genre of 50s and 60s, as well the popularity of spooky sitcoms like The Munsters and The Addams Family. Though it wasn't based on a particular TV show, film, or classic scary story, its main character (a large green ghost) vaguely resembled The Blob.

Beyond its playfully spooky appeal, what makes Green Ghost standout is the fact that it was one of (if not, the) first game that featured glow-in-the-dark pieces and which was therefore intended to be played with the lights off.

Featuring a good sized playing board (made of luminous plastic) with a multitude of 3D game pieces, all of which come together to create an eerie ghost town, the premise of Green Ghost was for the large green specter figure to track down twelve little ghostie children, one of which was his own child, Kelly (whichever players finds Kelly after a series of spins on game spinner and other moves is the winner).

It was, by no means, a hard or complicated game, and it wasn't one that needed to be in any regard. Most of the thrill of Green Ghost game from the fact that you got to play a board game in the dark (or near dark) that glowed eerily and included a ton of fun little pieces (the player identification pieces included a vulture, cat, bat, and rat), a rather cute lime green spirit, and a haunted, completely Halloween worthy landscape.





{Green Ghost shown with all of its spooky, delightfully fun game pieces, remains my all-time favourite vintage board game, thanks to the childhood memories and Halloween ties it houses for me. Image via J.Y. Corporation.}


Though a 30th anniversary edition of Green Ghost (pictured above) was issued in the 1990s (it's nearly identical to the original), for all intents this classic 1960s game has been off the market for decades now. These days, those who are hoping to track down a copy are wise to check garage sales, thrift stores, and eBay.

While it certainly never rose to the same degree of popularity as board games like Clue, Life, or Monopoly, through the internet I've discovered that I'm certainly not the only Green Ghost fan still out there.

In fact a complete vintage Green Ghost game from the sixties with all of its little pieces can run you a hundred dollars or more on eBay (it's common to see people selling incomplete games, which can sometimes be had for lower prices, as it was quite tricky to not lose at least a few of the tiny plastic pieces over the years). Given its high price tag, it means that a copy of Green Ghost remains firmly planted on my vintage wish list.

It's been nearly two decades since I last flicked off the lights and sat down to a spirited round of Green Ghost. Yet it's impossible for Halloween season to arrive without me thinking about the good times I had as youngster, when I spent many an evening in the company of a glow-in-the-dark green ghost and his illuminated, haunted make-believe world. Fond, fun memories for sure!

This darling 1950s coloring book is sure to make you smile

✯ Day 233 of Vintage 365 ✯

 

It's Sunday, we've all just come through another long - perhaps even grinding - week of summer's sweltering heat. For those with youngsters, school is gearing up (or will be shortly, depending on where you live), somehow there's a sense that season is winding down, yet is by no means ready to say goodbye at this stage.

In the spirit of fun and relaxation that Sundays were, back in the days of idyllic front porch swings, tall glasses of freezing cold ice tea, well dressed ladies languidly waving fans, and as a proper Sunday supper roasts in the oven, were all about, I thought I'd keep today's post light and breezy. Just an adorable image from the heart of the 1950s that made me smile, and which captures a certain side of the soul of a decade so wonderfully.

 

The space race - and a cultural obsession with anything pertaining to the exploration of the cosmos - was already starting to take shape by 1953 when this colouring book (which comes by way of X-ray Delta One's superb Flickr stream), featuring Tommy and His Space Ship first hit the market.

From the charming style of the illustration to Tommy's buzz cut, space helmets for the pup and the doll, and the fact this delightful cut-out coloring book cost a mere ten cents, there's just something so wonderfully endearing, sweet, perfectly invocative of a bygone era about this now fifty-eight year old children's toy.

No need for in-depth topics or lengthy posts today. It's the second to last Sunday of August, time to get out in that sparkling summer air while it's still here, make some wonderful memories, and let your imagination sore as though you were cute little Tommy in his 1950s spaceship cruising the galaxy with your best pals, searching for adventure.

After all, isn't that really a rather apt metaphor for life itself?