From Summer to Back to School

One of the things  I do at Ollie & Bess is try and make clothing that can transition from one season to another.  I know that by the time next summer comes its likely your little one will have outgrown their summer wardrobe from last year, so don't pack it away!

Here are some examples of how we use dresses from our spring/summer line to take us back to school!

The Ethel Dress with our Pima Peter Pan shirt underneath - seriously, the cutest look in school!

CNN's Style with Elsa Klensch

I still miss watching this show on Saturday mornings!  Elsa Klensch hosted CNN's style show for over 20 years.  I remember watching it as a child - not that I was so crazy into fashion, but I loved to see the crazy come down the runway!  It was not unusual to see models sporting birds as headwear and such outlandish designs that you couldn't even imagine where these frocks would be worn.   Never has a show given us such front row seats to the fashion world!   As outlandish as some things seemed it was always interesting to see how Couture translated into what you saw in ready to wear the next season - that bird on the head might mean lots of feathers on a dress that was totally wearable.  With all the fashion television we have today, none compare to the original!

Seersucker Thursday

Living in the burbs of the nations capitol we hear about some of the zany things our fondly elected senators are up too - sometimes they involve too many libations but Seersucker Thursday is both legal & fun!

The tradition spans both parties and is the annual celebration of this classic southern style. The tradition was started in the late '90's by former Senator Trent Lott and continues today.  Each year, typically the 3rd Thursday in June is chosen to be Seersucker Thursday.  If you've ever been in DC during the summer you'll know that seersucker is the perfect fabric to combat our hot humid weather.  

I love this tradition and the classic look of seersucker will never go out of style!

"Livvyism"

Kids say the funniest things!  My 4 year old came home from school today telling me how she was playing in the kitchen (playroom) and one of the little boys in her class "almost dated me".... she was so cute about the whole thing it got me thinking about all the little things kids say.  Here are some of my favorites!

Caroline (at 4)  - (Sister of our cover model Molly) during carpool one morning...  " When I'm five I'm going to get a booster seat and when I'm eleven I'm going to have a baby"!

Gracie (at 18Months) - "These shoes are killing my feet"

Gracie (at 2) - "Mommy, my Pierre is not sparkly enough" [at 2am]

Olivia (from 1 year with no end in site) - Short sleeve shirts have always been known to her as "up-sleeves" and therefore the long sleeved shirts are called "down-sleeves".  We kept thinking she would out grown this, but now that she is almost 5 I just think its time for the rest of us to change the way we think about our sleeves.  Don't be surprised if you see up & down sleeve shirts for sale at Ollie & Bess!

Olivia - (at 4) - "I love Pork butt, it's just chicken"

Gracie (at 3) - To the 911 operator "my mom is out and my dad is sitting on his butt watching tv" - Poor John had to get on the phone to the operator!

Olivia (at 4) - On the phone with in ground pool installers that Gracie found the number to from the coupon books that come in the mail - "Can I stand up in this one?"  As if they knew how tall she was and could see which pool she was pointing to!

Gracie (at 3) - after being told to clean up the playroom she looks at me and says "oh, I talked to Olivia and she said she would take care of it".  Olivia is only 11 months at the time, she cannot clean or talk!

I'm still trying to get out of her exactly what she meant by "almost dated me"... what are some of the funny things your kids have said?

Happy "mum" day!


I just had my first international sales event in the UK and loved this little write up they gave Ollie & Bess...

Ollie & Bess

Refined styles. After struggling to find traditional children’s wear made from quality fabrics, mum Susan Grimberg decided to tackle the problem herself. She uses cotton and corduroy to produce picture-perfect patterns and designs. Ideal for special occasions or maybe a visit to the grandparents, these are the kinds of styles that will easily outlast passing trends.

One of my favorite places in London was the Victoria Albert museum, check out these vitage handbags & shoes that were on display during my visit!  

Kelly Green and Polka Dots

Its planning time for spring 2013 and I since I'm hooked on the classic kids styles of my youth I decided to dig through some old pictures.  These are my favorite from the box - the first is me on the beach when I was about 4.  I just love the polka dots on the kelly green fabric and the navy boat!  The way it ties under the arm is supper cute, wonder if it drove me crazy?  I'm definitely going to use some elements from this little suit in my line for spring!  Of course I love the navy & green!

The second picture is of my mom, can you guess what year it is?  1975!  I'm just loving this look, and am seeing it again everywhere.  Ollie & Bess head wraps - hmmm, I'm not sure I see those coming, but just loved the photo!