Puddle of Pink

Siesta

2012-07-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

My sewing machine is broken. My evenings and weekends are dedicated to enjoying the sun.

Puddle of Pink will be taking a siesta for a few weeks.

Here's Puddle enjoying our budget wading pool on our patio...notice the ridiculously cute hot-pink, ruffled two-piece Puddle is wearing. Gift for her birthday. Hilarious.

Three generations, one dress

2012-07-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

When my mum was in grade 12 she made a dress for her potential future daughter. This was the 1960's, naturally, the dress was A-line and short.

She kept that dress stored away until she had me, over ten years later.

Here is a picture of me wearing the dress, along with my mum and my older brother

After I grew out of it, my mum packed away the dress in a suitcase for future daughters and the next generation.

No other daughters came and Puddle was the next eligible suitor. When Puddle grew big enough, the dress became hers.

Here is a picture of my mum and I recreating the original (above) photo. Sorry Jeff, mum took your place...

Delightful coincidence

2012-07-06T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a magical coincidence, today is Puddle of Pink's 1 year anniversary and this is her 100th post!

After a year of writing this blog I wish I could offer a few kernels of wisdom for dressing your baby but I'm not too sure wisdom and clothes belong together in one sentence. (I do have some thoughts on cloth diapering, but I'll resuscitate my Cloth Diaper Diary to discuss those).

My only honest reflection on my experience of dressing little Puddle over the last year is a little cliche and totally sappy. But here goes.

I could easily do without all of the dresses and rompers and hand me downs and bonnets. My single favourite way to cloth Puddle is in her birthday suit.

I love naked baby bodies. I love their bums. I love their rolls of fat that hang from their thighs. I love their fat-cuffs at their wrists. I love the dimples on their hands.

Here's Puddle finally getting naked time outside. Hello sunshine!

Intervention may be required

2012-07-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

The day after I revealed to the world my irresistible attraction to all things purple, without even realizing it, I bought Puddle a pair of purple shoes and purple leggings. I. Swear. To. God.

Proof.

I didn't realize I had bought two more purple items until today - almost two weeks later!

I'm like an addict and purple is my drug.

Little apartment in the big city

2012-06-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

I finally made Puddle a bonnet to fend off the strong Vancouver sun rays.

She's my little baby Carrie now. I'm Laura. But my husband is Pa, not Almanzo. And Mary isn't here because she's annoying.

I used Made By Rae's Peekaboo bonnet pattern. The pattern was easy to follow. One suggestion though, I would hand stitch the final seam together as she suggests rather than machine stitch it (too hard to stitch in the ditch on both sides).

(Note: Yes, I made it out of purple fabric. In fact, both sides are purple as the bonnet is reversible.)

Now I've found my perfect baby shower gift.

Dresrospective

2012-06-27T09:57:00.000-07:00

I love opening Puddle's closet and being greeted by her colourful dresses.

Each dress represents a memory from her first year.

First wedding!

First heat wave!

First back-to-school outfit!

First Christmas...and first candy cane!

First Valentine's Day!

First fireside chat!

Now that she's turned the corner into her second year, it's time to cull the smaller dresses and make room for more memories.

Happy 1st Birthday

2012-06-21T09:30:00.000-07:00

My little baby is growing up. She's one year old today.

It's hard to write this post without leaning on a bunch of old cliches: It's feels like only yesterday that you were born! You're the light of my life! You're the best thing that has ever happened to me!

But I guess there's a reason these old sayings stick. They're true.

Here's my little angel wearing a dress I wore when I was one.

I didn't capture it one camera, but she tried to rip the dress off right after this photo was taken...

Happy birthday Puddle. I love you.

Puddle of purple

2012-06-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

If you know me well, you know that my favourite colour is purple. I cemented my love of purple (warning, embarrassing omission ahead) by getting a purple tattoo as a teenager.

I also chose to read, The colour purple - obviously one of my favourite books - to my campers when I was a teenage camp counsellor. This got me into a whole lot of hot water with the camp director.

So you can imagine how shocked and dismayed I was when, a few years later, a well-intentioned friend hinted that liking the colour purple was less than cool.

Turns out, liking purple is reserved for new-age-types. And again, if you know me well, you know that I am not a new-age-type.

But I can't shake my thing for the colour purple. This becomes clear when you do a quick survey of the clothes I buy and make for Puddle...

(and of the flowers I make my husband photograph)...

Clearly my Aunt knows about my love of all things purple, she hand knit this lovely cardigan for Puddle.

I've only bought Puddle two pairs of shoes. Both are shades of purple. I bought them on the same day. Coincidently, also the day I realized I was projecting my love of purple onto Puddle.

A visit to the barber

2012-05-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

Puddle's Nonno is a barber. So having Nonno give Puddle her first hair cut seemed obvious.

Suspecting that I might react badly to Puddle's hair being cut, my husband warned me that Nonno would likely cut it shorter than I'd like.

But I agreed to it being cut anyways.

Because here's the thing. You can warn somebody as much as you'd like not to do something (or in this case, allow something) but they'll likely do it anyways. As a rule, warnings are never heeded. People are curious animals. And sort of sadistic. They need to experience things themselves in order to understand them.

So I gave the go ahead...

Puddle's dad assess the situation...

Nonno gets to work...

A little off the top....

...a little off the back...

...almost done.

So here's something that's true. My husband knows me well. I was initially a little upset with how short Nonno cut it.

But I got over it. Quickly. The idea that Puddle can look back on these pictures and know that her Nonno lovingly gave her her first haircut is heartwarming.

Plus, I've always had a thing for pixie haircuts.

Here's Puddle enjoying Nonna's lasagna post-haircut.

Peacock tail

2012-05-28T14:53:00.004-07:00

I came across this sweet Old Navy romper while deep in a Pinterest vortex the other day.

It reminded me that I wanted to make Puddle a romper for the summer. And that I wanted to make one with a frilly bum.

An Etsy search produced this simple romper pattern by Piper's Girls (US $9.95 - not a PDF pattern).

The pattern was pretty simple. But the instructions were not.

Sewing the romper was a little like putting Ikea furniture together. Along with fabric and a sewing machine, you need your thinking-cap or a little dumb luck.

If you're a novice sewer and would like to make try this pattern, I would suggest having a intermediate-sewer friend on speed-dial.

The finished product is hysterical however. The moments of irritation over the vague instructions were well worth it.

Here' Puddle shaking her tail feather.

Cool for the summer

2012-05-23T09:41:00.001-07:00

We had an amazing spell of sunshine in Vancouver last week.

The summer time conditions got me thinking. What does Puddle need to stay cool this summer?

Here are three fashion must-haves to enjoy the summer with your baby or toddler.

1. The right shoes

Summer time means jumping off of rocks with barnacles and running through the sprinkler. Thank god Native made the appropriate shoes. Actually, thank god they made these for toddlers.

Basically, Native makes super light-weight, slip-on, durable shoes that are styled after chuck taylors, Vans, loafers, Top-Siders, Toms. You get the picture. Iconic shoes made over.

Fun factoid: these guys are from Vancouver.

2. The right hat

Humans are nothing but a jumble of contradictions.

I mean, take sun hats for example. I slather La Roche-Posay SPF 60 on my face each day and something similarly as expensive on Puddle's. I want my face, and her face, to be as smooth and blotch-free as a 45-year-old on the Real Housewives.

But I hate practical sun hats! Specifically that silly one with the back neck piece that makes kids look like British people "discovering" the Middle East.

Enter the bonnet.

I love bonnets! You know that. They give me the warm-fuzzies in a Laura-Ingalls-kind-of-way.

And UB2 makes the best baby bonnet. They're modern, reversible, and get this, they make bonnets for BOYS.

Yes, I actually acknowledged the existence of the other gender on this blog.

3. The right suit

This isn't very parent-y of me, but I also hate cover-up swimwear. You know, wet suits for babies that protect them from the sun? And hide their adorably cute bathing suits.

While hunting around for an impractical bathing suit for Puddle, I discovered Janie and Jack. Gold mine!

I love that the majority of their suits for girls are NOT pink (Hanna Anderson on the other hand...).

I should admit however, I was pretty impressed with the cover-up suits from Baby Gap. These protect baby from the sun with a touch of glamour.

In search of Dr Spock

2012-05-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to find white, leather t-strap sandals for Puddle. Like the old-fashioned kind.

I like Footmates. Here's the Danielle and the Shelly. Wholesome-cuteness.

Puddle is starting to stand now and will be walking soon. I figured these would be the perfect summer shoe to learn how to run through the grass.

I mentioned this to my Granny on a recent visit with her.

She told me how when my mum and aunt were babies, every three months, she took them to a special cobbler, called, not surprisingly, Kiddie Kobbler. There they had their feet measured and shoes made. The shoes were white, leather, with t-straps or laces.

Here's my mum enjoying her shoes.

This was perscribed by Dr. Spock. Which I found interesting. I've been hearing about Dr. Spock for years, and sort of had mixed feelings about some of things he advocated.

But here I am, looking for a pair of strong, sturdy Dr. Spock shoes. The Kiddie Kobbler is still open. I guess I'll head there.

Baby hair clips giveaway winner

2012-05-13T16:09:00.000-07:00

Thank you all for entering my baby hair clips giveaway contest. I have really enjoyed reading your comments and getting to know my readers just a little bit more.

One thing that seems true, baby hair patterns don't necessarily indicate what your hair will be like as an adult. Phew! Right? (I wonder what that means for Puddle?)

Ok, now the good stuff.

I used a true random number generator to pick the lucky winner.

So the winner is...

Sarah!

Sarah said...

I had hair as a baby. It was dark and about an inch and a half long.

sparmeland(at)optonline(dot)net

Congratulations Sarah! I'll email you to find out where I need to send the clips! Have a great day!

Thank you all for entering. Stay tuned, I'll host another giveaway soon.

Programming note: there were only 34 comments (not 35), as I didn't count the 1 comment that was deleted.

Kate creates baby magic

2012-05-08T15:31:00.002-07:00

If you're a friend of Kate from K8kre8s and you get yourself pregnant, you know you've got a wicked handmade baby gift coming your way.

Recently I spoke with this craft master to find out what lights her fire.

Who: Kate Saunders

Where: Vancouver, BC

What: She sews, quilts, spins, crochets knits, screenprints, basket weaves, cuts lino.

She also does free-motion embroidery (I'd like to see that in action), paper crafts, multi-media art pieces, encaustic, ceramics... just to name a few things (!). Here's a sample from her Flckr page.

Q. Where do you find inspiration?

A. I'm inspired by so many little things in the world around me; the reflection of the sky in a puddle (italics mine), the colour of new baby leaves, a song on the radio that makes me tap my thumbs on the wheel, and of course all the artists and crafters whose creativity seems to be one step ahead of me.

Q. What are you making right now?

A. I *should* be sewing a quilt for my baby niece who's coming in June, but right now I'm distracted by short little skirts I can wear dancing. I'm trying to bust through my stash or jersey fabric because it's getting out of hand and as usual there are at least 10 abandoned projects tucked somewhere in my studio room. Next up is something with ruffles...

Q. Ever had to post something on Regretsy?

A. No, but I have definitely laughed hysterically at what other people have posted!

Q. What's your favourite hand-made baby shower gift?

A. That's a tough question, I like to make personalized gifts based on my friendship with the receiving parents, so they're always different. I do think there is something particularly satisfying about giving someone a handmade quilt.

Wanna see what Kate creates? I asked her to show us a few of her favourite baby gifts.

Simple Baby Kimono (pattern from Habitual)

Robeez Knock-offs (pattern from Michael Miller Fabrics)

Kate: I've made these with all kinds of scrap bits of fabric and leather. These ones were for my niece Ellie, made out of the sleeve of her mom's old suede coat. I used to be intimidated to sew leather, but then I got a leather sewing machine needle and some thin leather and I've been hooked ever since.

Super soft baby quilt

Kate: I've personally decided to break the "rules" of quilting and essentially made a few cotton fronts with super soft minkie fabric on the back. I think it makes for a nice cozy blanket for baby, and whips up in a weekend just in time for the baby shower!

Here's the quilt in baby Lucie's nursery. Lucie's mum is Cait from The Nesting Journal.

And here's baby Eden loving her super soft baby quilt.

Bike love mini quilt

Giveaway: baby hair clips

2012-05-06T15:30:00.000-07:00

Puddle of Pink is running a giveaway contest!

You may have noticed, Puddle has a lot of hair.

You also may have noticed that I rarely tame it with a hair clip or barrette.

Why? Partly because she HATES (yes, all caps) it when I try to tame it. And partly because she only had one clip, a bright red one that only coordinates with one or two outfits.

Well, I fixed the latter problem. I got busy with my glue gun and a couple rolls of ribbon.

And I decorated so many hair clips that I am going to give some away!

Here's what's up for grabs:

Two pink baby barrettes perfect for a small amount of hair (not Puddle's - see pics):

And two hot pink bobby pins perfect for holding back a pair of bangs.

I will give away these four clips to one lucky person.

Want to enter the contest?

Leave a comment on this post and tell me if you had hair as a baby, and if so, how much.

I'll randomly (I swear) select one lucky winner next Sunday, aka Mother's Day. This contest is global. I will ship these clips anywhere! Contest closes at noon (12pm) on May 13, 2012. I will pick a winner and announce it later that day.

And if you don't have to have a daughter, you can still enter the contest. These clips would be a great birthday present or baby shower gift.

Made with love and hope

2012-05-01T14:24:00.001-07:00

I finally completed a dress for the Project HOPE Art dress drive, a sewing initiative aimed providing girls living in an orphanage in Haiti with handmade dresses.

As suggested, I used the Oliver + S Popover sundress pattern. The pattern was simple to follow, making it accessible for even the beginner seamstress. And perfect for this project. The tie-straps make the dress adjustable, suitable for a growing girl.

When I first came across the Project HOPE Art dress drive, I was really moved. I loved the idea of providing girls with new, culturally appropriate clothes.

But I had no idea how much joy it would bring me to sew a dress for a little girl I didn't know.

As I was cutting the fabric, pinning the pieces and sewing the seams, I imagined a little girl running around in the sun wearing the dress. The image warmed my heart. So much so, I felt compelled to glue a little heart in the inside of the dress. I hope who ever wears it, knows it was made with love.

This experience has made me realize why so many people (myself included) would rather donate something they've made than donate money.

When you make something, like a dress, you are holding something that you know the receiver will also hold. Making an article of clothing connects you, almost physically, to the person who will be wearing it. For me, and I think a lot of people, this sense of connection is powerful and meaningful.

DIY Roundup: summer accessories for baby

2012-04-20T08:45:00.000-07:00

I don't want to freak you out. But we need to start sewing for summer. There are a lot of things to make if we want our babies to be well equipped and looking cute. Let's start with summer accessories.

Peekaboo Bonnet ($10.00 US) - Thanks to Made By Rae, we can protect our babies from harmful UV rays with this delightful bonnet. Bonus: it's reversible!

I want to make one for Puddle and one for myself. Then we can play Little House. She can be baby Carrie and I'll be Laura!

Sun hat (free) - If you dont want to stuff a bonnet on your boys head, you can make a regular sun hat. I picked this pattern by Prudent Baby because it looks easy and it's free. Also, I love the button-on-top detail.

If you don't own a serger, I recommend making this hat with the lining seam facing inwards so it is hidden.

Peep-toed shoes ($4.50 US) - If you have peep-toed shoes for yourself, you need a pair for your baby girl. And why not make them? Little Shoes Pattern makes exquisite shoe patterns for baby boys and girls. Start a drool-fest and make a pair to match that bonnet.

Swim diaper (free) - If you can get a hold of the right fabrics, you might want to make a few swim diapers for your minnow. We bought a swim diaper and it is u-g-l-y. Plus, if you make this diaper, you get to use fold over elastic (FOE), which just might Change Your Life.

I love this pattern tutorial, featured by Sew Mama Sew and made by Samantha from Little Comet Tails, because it demonstrates how to make pull-up and snap-on diapers.

Ruffle diaper cover ($8.00 US) - On a hot summer day, who wants to wear clothes? Not your baby, right? Well, if your baby can't go naked, the next best thing is to wear a colourful diaper cover. Remove the ruffles for him... or not! Who cares!

There are a lot of diaper cover patterns out there. I picked this PDF pattern for the opportunity to feature the designer, Tie Dye Diva. The Tie Dye Diva Etsy shop sells easy, delightful patterns for baby bloomers, dresses, rompers...basically the stuff I live for.

Spend more, buy less

2012-04-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

Last week I went to Joe Fresh to buy a couple of onesies for Puddle. I left the store with what I needed, but also a pang of guilt.

How much could a person earn for sewing a onesie that will be sold for $5? What impact does buying cheaply manufactured clothing have on the people making the stuff?

I know we're all part of a system larger, and more troubling, than simply the connection between our desire for cheap but trendy clothing and the quality of life of the seamstress making it. But the tension between the two does not sit well with me.

That's why I like children clothes designer, Flora and Henri. Their stuff is expensive, but here's why.

Flora and Henri are attempting to bridge that connection between consumer and maker. They invest profits directly into the communities of the people making their clothes. They support working practices that foster sustainability and independence.

And what's really cool, is they tell you who made the item you're buying.

Do I need to mention that their clothes are gorgeous? Retro, classic , sweet. Totally French.

And their photo-styling is simple but whimsical.

A step in the wrong direction

2012-04-12T17:12:00.001-07:00

I try to be positive on this blog. I try to focus on discussing things I like, and avoid discussing things I don't. Why? Well, probably because I'm afraid I'll offend someone.

Well, enough of being a good girl. While online ~~shopping~~ browsing for shoes for Puddle, I had the misfortune of coming across a few atrocities that I could not ignore.

Exhibit A: sock shoes

These are called Jazzy Toes. Even their name irritates me. With so many amazing options in the footwear department, why would I put pretend shoes on my baby? This is an example of practicality trumping good taste.

Jazzy Toes come in an assortment of designs. The most offensive being the flip flop sock. Wrap your head around that doozy. To make these uglier, they've added a dump truck. Because that makes sense.

Sorry to anyone who uses these. I won't judge you if I see your kid wearing them. I'll assume they were a gift.

Exhibit B: Maryjane rainboot

What the f*ck are these? They remind me of the tuxedo t-shirt. Except these are not ironic.

You can't dress up a rainboot and pretend it's something fancy like a black patent Maryjane. Girl stuff doesn't always have to be girly. Let rainboots be rainboots. Leave the classics alone.

Exhibit C: ballet flats on acid

Want to make your colicky kid scream harder? Want to experience that 1st trimester nausea again? Want to make your husband leave you? Put these little retina burners on your kid's feet.

Ok, I'll shut up now.

Hoppy Easter

2012-04-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

Puddle is celebrating her first Easter by wearing one of my old dresses.

I love the fussy details on the dress, the lace, the scalloped collar, the bow on the back, the rosebuds. It has just the right amount of over-the-topness for a special occasion.

I have it admit, this is all I have planned for Puddle's first Easter. She's only 9 months. I don't need to give her a gift or do something fancy, right? Right?!

Bunny ears for baby

2012-04-06T11:13:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite baby shower gifts is this knitted bunny beanie.

The pattern is simple enough for the novice knitter but the result is gift-worthy.

I used the recommended yarn and loved the results. The beanie is soft and pliable and the inside of the ears are fluffy.

Puddle is a little big for this particular hat. I made it for a friend's newborn.

Who can resist a little baby with long Peter Rabbit ears? It's cute in a anthropomorphic / LOL cat kind of way!

Sew into a new season

2012-03-27T10:44:00.002-07:00

Winter must be over because Oliver + S have released three new summery sewing patterns.

We have the drop-waist Croquet Dress, perfect for hot days and iced-T. For April showers we have the Secret Agent Trench Coat. And for running around the court, we have the playful Badminton Skort, Dress and Top.

Thank you Oliver + S.

Happy sewing!

Whiskey and cigarettes

2012-03-25T15:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome back Don Draper and the gang! I've missed your guilt-free, self-sabotaging behaviour.

To honour the return of hard-drinking, chain-smoking, well-dressed people to TV and laptops everywhere, I'll devote this post to dressing the early-1960s toddler girl.

So what would your little girl wear in the swinging 60s? Some context first.

Leading up to the 1960s fashion was dominated by the New Look, an ultra-feminine and often decadent take on women's clothing. The New Look was a direct response to the austerity of the 1940s and therefore the opposite of anything utilitarian. But it was also modest, a reflection of the conservatism of the 1950s. Think narrow waist emphasized by full, gathered skirts and luxurious fabrics like silks and satins.

Here's Betty Draper nailing the New Look. Enjoy that cigarette Bertie!

The 1960s saw an explosion of youth culture that completely revolutionized fashion. The young fashion designers of the day, the London Modernists, the Mods, led the revolution breaking taboos and traditions as they blazed a new trail. Think mini-skirts and bikinis.

The early 1960s saddled both these eras. The transition from the conservatism of the New Look to the rebellious style of the Mods is most obvious when you look at dresses. The princess waist, the natural waist, gave way to either the drop waist or the empire waist and then was lost altogether. A-line dresses and sleeveless shifts eventually replaced gathered skirts and puffed sleeves. And hem lines moved up. Way up.

Here's Betty Draper killing it in Rome. Can't really see her waist can you?

What did this all mean for toddler clothing? A huge transition. In the increasingly youth-dominated culture, it was more acceptable, and more popular, for parent's to dress their children fashionably. Increasing interest led to more stylish children clothes being available. Designers simple shrunk stylish adult clothes into children's sizes. Access to cheap fabrics, synthetics, and cheaply manufacture clothes, helped fuel this revolution.

The tension between the New Look and the Mods, is evident when you look at the patterns for sale in the 1960s. Let's look at toddler dresses.

You could buy a pattern for a dress with a full, gathered skirt and princess waist.

And a pattern for for a dress with puffed sleeves and a ruffled-trim.

But then, you could buy a pattern for a dress without a nipped waist. The pattern below is a great example of the tension I've been talking about. In one package you have a dress you would associate with the 50s (see blond toddler in purple) and a dress you would associate with the 60's (see toddlers in green).

Slowly though, the New Look disappeared. Here's a pattern for empire waist dresses. You can really start to see the Mod influence now.

And then, poof! The waist is gone.

So, want to dress your kid like Sally Draper? Or the potential offspring of Don and Megan? You could buy vintage clothes or you could make your own. There are lots of sites that sell vintage patterns, a pattern lending library, and of course Etsy sells old patterns too. Some patterns have been used, some have never been cut, most are in a usable condition.

I can't vouche for any of the pattern sellers, I've never bought or used a vintage pattern. If you have, let me know how it went. I would be curious to find out the condition of the pattern, and if old patterns are difficult to follow.

In the meantime, I'll take my vodka with ice, soda, and a lime wedge.

Winter sundress

2012-03-19T10:47:00.001-07:00

Inspired by noted knitting queen, Kora, this winter I picked up my needles to make something for Puddle.

As a novice knitter I wanted to use a simple pattern. But tired of the usual hats and sweaters, I wanted to explore uncharted territory, dresses. I thought I had hit the jackpot when I found Jane Richmond's Elsie's Sundress pattern on Ravelry, a social networking site for knitters and crocheters. Noteworthy: Raverly has an excellent search feature and a large database of free, or inexpensive patterns.

I'm not someone who follows directions well. I rarely measure ingredients precisely when cooking and tend to take liberties with sewing patterns. But I wanted this time to be different. I wanted Puddle's dress to look like Elsie's dress.

I bought the recommended yarn, used the recommended needles, and knit the stitches as directed. But no luck, Puddle's dress did not turn out as cute. Elsie's dress has a nicely shaped front bodice and a much longer skirt.

The photos for the pattern on Elsie are a little misleading. The curves in the bodice look like they are shaped by increasing/decreasing stitches around the neck and armholes. Likely though, the shape comes from stretching the final garment where the straps meet the bodice. Plus, it looks like extra rows were added to lengthen both the bodice and the skirt.

I wasn't thrilled with my finished product. Puddle's dress turned out boxy and short.

To improve it, I added extra crochet details and buttons. I also decided the dress would be more appropriate for the winter, rather than the summer, as the recommended yarn is surprisingly thick.

With the cosmetic changes and paired with tights and a long-sleeved onesie, I think, Puddle's dress makes an excellent indoor play dress on a cold day.

DVF can now empower your little girl too

2012-03-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

You might not be able to afford a DVF wrap dress for yourself, but now you can buy one for your daughter. Diane von Fürstenberg, iconic Belgian-American fashion designer, is launching a punchy, bright line of clothing for girls ages 0-14 at the Gap this week.

Her easy-to-wear designs feature high-chroma, bold prints. "This collection is about celebrating life and colour," VonFurstenberg said in the Gap's sneak-peak trailer. "The minute a little girl is born, she is already the woman she will be. So to empower a little girl is to empower the woman she will become."

Diane's sentiments are a little highflautin for me. As much as I love clothes, I think it's a stretch to say that a green, petal-printed, wrap dress can empower young girls. Her lofty aspirations aside, I do like her collection. It's fun, vibrant, and relaxed, just like a childhood should be.

DVF joins an ever growing list of designers collaborating with low-priced clothing and department stores to bring style and light to mere mortals.

The DVF / Gap collaboration goes on sale March 15.

I bet die-hards across North America are already bunkered down for the next 24 hours in their portable, folding lawn chairs, wrapped in sleeping bags outside their local Gap. I think I'll just watch from the sidelines.