Vintage + Retro | KID independent

Awesome TV Themes of the 80s

Today I thought I’d do something a little bit different, just for a giggle. As well as my fondness for indie design, I’m somewhat obsessed with pop-culture. I’ve been been known to spend hours over drinks with friends throwing around comments like “remember that 80s TV show with the Dad who builds a robot daughter?”…

Name that 80s TV theme

Today’s post is a celebration of 80s TV themes. The kind with heart-warming {aka cheesy} messages that inspire family sing-a-longs and stick in your head for days. If you’re a child of 80s, this might bring back some fond memories. If you weren’t born until the 90s, you can have a good laugh at our lame TV heart-throbs!

Game time! Match up the photos with the theme song lyrics at the end of this post {sing them out loud!}. If you get stuck, you can click on the link next to the lyrics to listen to the theme and watch the show intro… FUN!

80s TV Show Stars and Families

A. Every time I turn around, I see the girl that turns my world around… Standing there. Every time I turn around, Her spirit’s lifting me right off the ground. What’s gonna be? Guess we’ll just wait and see… listen to the theme.

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B. Believe it or not, I’m walking on air. I never thought I could feel so freeeee. Flying away on a wing and a prayer. Who could it be? Believe it or not it’s just me… listen to the theme.

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C. There’s a time love and a time for livin’, so take a chance and face the wind. An open road and a road that’s hidden. A brand new life around the bend… listen to the theme.

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D. I bet we been together for a million years, And I bet we’ll be together for a million more. Oh, it’s like I started breathing on the night we kissed, and I can’t remember what I ever did before. What would we do baby, without us… listen to the theme.

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E. As long as we got each other, we got the world spinnin’ right in our hands. Baby you and me, we gotta be, the luckiest dreamers who never quit dreamin’… listen to the theme.

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F. Now, the world don’t move to the beat of just one drum. What might be right for you, may not be right for some. A man is born, he’s a man of means. Then along come two, they got nothing but their jeans… listen to the theme.

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G. New boy in the neighborhood, Lives downstairs and it’s understood. He’s there just to take good care of me, like he’s one of the family… listen to the theme.

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H. Your friends will be there when your back is to the wall. You’ll find you’ll need us cause there’s no one else to call. When it was hopeless a decision is what you need. You’d better be ready to, be ready to… listen to the theme.

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I. Sometimes the world looks perfect, nothing to rearrange. Sometimes you just, get a feeling like you need some kind of change. No matter what the odds are this time, nothing’s going to stand in my way… listen to the theme.

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Oh… and the TV show with the Robot Daughter? It was called Small Wonder!

Mr. T in your pocket

Congratulations to Erica S. winner of the Mr T. in your pocket!

Competition

Share your favourite 80s tv memories with us in the comments section below. The best comment will win a “Mr. T in your pocket” talking keyring… hours of fun, fool! Winner drawn Thursday 19 August, 2010. Open Worldwide.

Collecting Feathers - Vintage Pillows

If you’re a sucker for a vintage illustration, like me, you’ll love these cute creations by Collecting Feathers. Each groovy pillow that you see below is upcycled from an authentic vintage tea towel {just like the ones Nana used to have} and the designs are retro-tastic!

Vintage re-purposed upstyled pillows

Collecting Feathers is the crafty creation of designer Nicole Zupanovich. Nicole collects vintage ephemera including papers, linen tea towels, fabrics and books and re-purposes them into bunting, garlands, banners and my favourite, the Nana Pillows!

Vintage re-purposed upstyled pillows

Each of the Collecting Feathers Nana Pillows feature an adorable printed design on a 100% linen unused vintage tea towel. The tea towels are re-purposed with 100% cotton backing and either pom-pom or tassel trim to create a cool pillow to be adored by a new generation. They make a fab addition to kids room, or a sun room for that matter.

Vintage re-purposed upstyled pillows

Due to the nature of vintage finds, each Collecting Feathers Nana Pillow is a one-of-a-kind; so if you’d like to see one adorning your home, you’ll have to get in quick before they all vamoose {I love that word!}.

Retro Parties for Kids - Fun, Fun, Fun!

Golly Gee Willikers! It’s retro party time! Today’s post takes a fun look at retro party products for kids. This delights me for three reasons. Firstly, it’s good-old-fashioned-wholesome-fun-for-the-whole-family. Secondly, I had so much fun researching these products that I could have gone on for pages! Thirdly, retro parties mean that the parents have just as much fun as the kids!

Vintage, Retro Kids Party Products

In my opinion, the first stop when you’re planning a party for a little girl should be a glorious party frock! I couldn’t be more in love with this Party Poodle Dress by Becca Bee Designs. Love that retro silhouette… and it’s practically MADE for dancing!

Of course, the boys need a stylin’ retro outfit too, vintage tees are perfect. I’m digging the Vintage Astronaut Tee by Piper {image below}. For the bubs, I recommend a retro romper {yes, yes, I know, I’m addicted}… they look adorable with a retro party hat like this one from by Eadie’s Elephants {image below}.

Note: please scroll down for a full list of all the products pictured.

Vintage, Retro Kids Party Products

Once your outfit is sorted, it’s time for invitations, decorations and treats. Picking out a couple of traditional vintage pieces that bring memories rushing back is a must. I jumped for joy when I discovered the Retro Paper Straws at Hey Yo Yo. Fairy Bread, Musical Chairs, Pass the Parcel, Pin the Tail on the Donkey… also essential.

For a cake, why not try your hand at the traditional Dolly Vardon complete with vintage doll? For the boys, how about snakes and ladders… or ‘fun with dick and jane’? For cupcakes, you’ll be spoiled for choice with all the kitschy cake toppers available. Check out this awesome “Birthday Cakes of the Past” Flickr pool for some laughs and inspiration.

Vintage, Retro Kids Party Products

Once you’ve gathered up all your party needs, it’s time for presents! For favors think kitschy knick knacks like kewpie dolls for the girls and slinkies for the boys. Or perhaps scoop up some retro kids books from your local vintage book store. For invitations, I love this range by Aussie vintage designer Red Wagon. It’s available in a style for girls {as pictured above} and also a matching set for the boys.

Retro Vintage Wrapping Paper

When it comes to wrapping paper, I’m a total sucker for a well-wrapped-gift… however, I also realise that it’s looking special one moment and in a ripped up pile the next! I quite adore the kids’ collection at Sweet Vintage {image above}. However, if you’re crafty, why not try your hand at making your own wrap? A great place to start is ‘The Graphics Fairy, for free vintage images.

1. The Party Poodle Dress by Becca Bee Designs … 2. Retro Paper Straws by Hey Yo Yo … 3. Birthday Sing-Along Cupcake Toppers by The Baby Gardner … 4. Custom Retro Party Hat by Eadie’s Elephants … 5. Vintage Astronaut Boy T-shirt by Piper! … 6. Retro Party Invitations by Red Wagon … 7. Charlotte Doll Cake Toppers by Moonfaire’s World … 8. Vintage Birthday Wishes Tags by Pink Pearl Studio …

Vintage Ladybird Activity Kits

Do you remember Ladybird Books? Bedtime Rhymes, Peter and Jane, Boys and Girls? My favourite, a book that I still have in my possession, is the fairytale of the Princess and the Pea. My husband often refers to me as such when I’m being difficult {which I assure you is more often than not a case of him being stubborn…}

Vintage Ladybird Kids Activity Kits

In the spirit of childhood memories {and living vicariously through your child…} I couldn’t resist showcasing these new additions to the Vintage Ladybird collection. They feature nostalgic imagery from the original Ladybird Books and “good clean wholesome activities for the whole family”. The coolest part though, without a doubt, is the tin that they come in!

Vintage Ladybird Kids Activity Kits

Vintage Ladybird is available online from Lark.

Vintage Kids... A Style Revival

This week I decided to indulge one of my guilty pleasures and hunt around the web for a new addition to my vintage toy collection. The gold at the end of my treasure hunt was this glorious little vintage doll who I found hiding away on Etsy at HeyYoYo {my new favourite store}. This morning he arrived in the post {much to my excitement} and is the inspiration behind today’s post.

Vintage Kids Clothing and Toys

The pedal car {or in this case plane} above is one of my favourite pieces from the collection at Retro Antiques. If I had the space {and of course, that money tree that I mentioned last week} I would love to add a few larger pieces to my collection… a vintage pinball machine is at the top of my list! On a side note, how cool is this 1950s chrome upright hairdryer?

Vintage Kids Clothing

Vintage styled kids clothing featuring old world silhouettes, crocheted detailing and retro imagery is a leading trend for little folk this winter. If you’re the nostalgic type, you’re most definitely in for a treat! My last word on the subject? How precious is the little model above with her vintage pink crocheted neckline, rosy cheeks and angelic features? A delightful handmade dress courtesy of Greta Kids.

1. Vintage Boy Doll by Hey Yo Yo … 2. Things To Make Notebook by Lark … 3. Prancing Pony 50s Pinafore by Wolf and Willow … 4. Army Patrol Retro Pedal Plane at Retro Antiques … 5. Catherine Velvet Pinafore by Little Brown Mouse … 6. All You Need is Love Button Brooch by How Tweet It Is … 7. Bertie Overalls by Olive’s Friend Pop … 8. Tin Toy Windup Scooter Girl by My Tin Toys … 9. Girl’s Crochet Dress by Greta Kids … 10. French General Overalls by Little Chillies

Those were the days...

As a lover of all things vintage I felt a particular affinity with the folks at red wagon, even though I’ve not had the pleasure of meeting them in person. Their store is filled to the brim with charming bits and pieces, but it was these 1950s styled flashcards that had me in rapture. Even though I’m not old enough to remember the 1950s, the imagery leaves me decidedly nostalgic.

Red Wagon is a labour of love for cousins Danni and Brooke. Both avid collectors of old toys and books and hunters of all things vintage, they decided to join forces and create something magical. With 5 active boys between them, I’m not quite sure how they find the time! I can only assume that the youthful energy has rubbed off.

Red Wagon Vintage Wall Art

If you drop by the red wagon website you can view the whole alphabet along with their wall art collection and other goodies. As you can see, my choice of the letters C, H, W, L and N is completely random and I’m quite sure that the lack of vowels would render you useless in a game of scrabble; however, I couldn’t resist the cuteness of the matching images.

*Red wagon is based in Australia.

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Awesome TV Themes of the 80s

Collecting Feathers - Vintage Pillows

Retro Parties for Kids - Fun, Fun, Fun!

Vintage Ladybird Activity Kits

Vintage Kids... A Style Revival

Those were the days...