The Great Birthday Dress Quest

[AvasMama]

Ava's birthday is about two months away, so I am starting the quest for the perfect dress. As I posted in the thread about the new J&J lines, I thought this dress:
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17111.jpg
would be it, but now I am not so sure. I had hoped it would have more aqua on it since that is such a beautiful color for Ava. J&J has a couple of other things that I like (the red dresses from the holiday line), but so far nothing that is *it*. Any suggestions?

Here's what I'm looking for...
Beautiful, girly, but age-appropriate (she's turning 1)
Nothing scratchy or uncomfortable
No smocking (DH hates it) or excessive lace
Long-sleeve (or has matching cardie) since her b-day is in Jan.
Bright pink, aqua, and lavender are all great colors on Ava

ETA: This is pretty much my dream dress, but it's from last spring and of course is sold out.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17157.jpg
We also have this dress that was a gift when Ava was born. It's pretty, but a little simpler than I had envisioned. Thoughts?
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17158.jpg


Thanks in advance!
Robyn & Ava

[papal]

heeehee... i was wondering when your birthday dress quest would start! :)
I am on the lookout but i think that JnJ dress is GORGEOUS!!!! It would look SO fabulous on Ava! Does it have a matching cardi?
What about Naartjie? Is it too everyday wear?
Ok, off to hunt!!

ETA: Ok, i know you said something aqua.. but i really liked the red pleated dress (ring a bell?) in the Ann Taylor loft catalog (pg 22-23)... i don't know how to link the picture.. but here is the catalog:
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/atlShowCategory.process?RestartFlow=t&Section_Id=316

[AvasMama]

I know... now that I have resolved the Christmas gift issue, I must have *something* else to obsess over!!

J&J has this dress paired with a white cardie with faux-fur trim that I'm not in love with. There's a blue cardie too, but I can't tell how well it matches. I thought about maybe pairing the blue cardie with the velvet skirt, but I just have this image of her in a gorgeous dress (I remember you went through this with Leela's dress quest also, so I know you understand! :) )

Robyn & Ava

[lampes]

Have you seen the petit patapon clothes? I love their red dress (yes, with smocking). But I am also thinking of getting this red dress outfit for Christmas. It is from Tea Collection.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17118.jpg


http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17119.jpg


http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17120.jpg

[papal]

I am not sure how well the blue cardi will match either.. hmm.. must see it irl... i did see the blue velvet pleated skirt.. cute but i hear you about a DRESS! :)
Since all the holiday stuff will be red, i think aqua would look great.. now if only i could find something.
By the way, I am SO glad I got the red gap pleated dress.. she gets to wear it as playwear.. it is not just for special occasions since it is not that 'special' and so we get a ton of use out of it.

[dules]

Not aqua, but I do think this is darling:

http://www1.talbots.com/talbotsonline/item.asp?item=H181489&h=K&BID=S20043221524191ECA9CF20EE94E04BD6900&pfid=269&a=V

http://a1390.g.akamai.net/7/1390/2573/20040902191300/www1.talbots.com/images/489/H181489.jpg

Best,
Mary

[LoveMyBabyBeans]

Robyn, first, I LOVE that floral dress.

However, I did a search on the J&J site and found one dress, well Jumper, that isn't listed on the page with all of the other Glistening Gems items. It's a beautiful turquoise jumper. Here's a pic, description and link:
http://www.janieandjack.com/shop/dept_item.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=1291143&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1441821&bmUID=1100724092074
http://a116.g.akamai.net/7/116/2088/infinite/www.janieandjack.com/media/images/products/20041004_LOAD/1000-00179_Image_Close_345a1.jpg
Embroidered Moleskin Jumper

Plush and velvety, our cotton moleskin jumper is the right weight for the season. Two lovely rows of embroidered winter blooms decorate the hem. Inverted pleat and piping trim finish the adorable look. Coordinating bloomer completes the dainty ensemble. Buttons in back assist with dressing.

100% cotton moleskin
Machine washable
Imported

Color : turquoise


$42.00

Item #100000179

[AvasMama]

Yes! That might be PERFECT! Good work Kerry!

And Rashmi, I hear you on the benefits of something more casual that could be worn again. That's a good point. Spending $100+ on a dress that she'll only wear once is a bit painful. This jumper could fit the bill! Off to check it out :)

Robyn & Ava

[Phoebe]

What am I seeing here?! Does the loft sell children's clothes too? Are they mother-daughter outfits?

Phoebe,
Susan 4/01
David 6/03

[AvasMama]

It *is* cute, but the smocking would not go over well with DH. He is also fixated on peter-pan collars lately. He calls them "doilies". I still love them, though, so I ignore him and put her in them anyway.
Robyn & Ava

[AvasMama]

I really like the bottom one -- gorgeous embroidery! -- but it's maybe too close to her Christmas dress (Hanna snowflake dress) since her birthday is only two weeks later.

Robyn & Ava

[LoveMyBabyBeans]

Did you ever have photos done in that red birthday dress? I can't remember or I might have missed them. I'd love to see!!

[ddmarsh]

Have you seen the Victoria Kids birthday dress? It looks much more adorable in person and it is hard to see the slight layer of tulle over the cotton skirt, but here is a photo:

http://store1.yimg.com/I/bestdressedchild_1819_66867384

It also comes in a long sleeve and sleeveless version and in a much more girly pink shade. It photographs very well too for birthday portraits.

[ast96]

Well, this is definitely a one-time usage item, but here goes: from missfitzinc.com -- picture and description. Would be cute with a turtleneck and tights!



http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17164.jpg

This custom birthday dress is the perfect outfit for your little girl's special day. This designer outfit is custom made for you. You can choose to have your little girl's name embroidered on the cupcake or you can choose to leave it blank. You can also choose whether you would like to have a candle on the cupcake or not and if you would like a number on the cupcake for your little girl's age.

The dress is hot pink on the outside and lime green on the inside with lime green accent buttons.

Ship time is approximately 1 week.

Allison
DS 06/02
DS 03/04

[mum1day]

Thank you for posting this because you inspired me to get moving on my DD's Birthday dress. I LOVE the Kimono and the Moleskin Jumper. I actually called J&J and have both. DH loves the Kimono. They are both timeless.

[lrucci]

Robyn,

I was also surprised by the dress from the new line. I thought it was going to be more aqua too. I love the jumper though and I think Ava would look wonderful in that color. I did find a few other dresses that I thought were pretty, but then I reread your post and saw that your dh doesn't like smocking. OF course, all the dresses I found had smocking. I'll keep looking for you.

Lisa
Mom to Kyleigh 7/19/03

[sugarsnappea]

Hi Robyn,

Remember this one from a thread awhile back?

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=8&topic_id=43499&mesg_id=43499&listing_type=search

I have been eyeing it for Noraa's 1st birthday. :)

[jvbucks]

I really love this Baby Mass dress:
http://www.babypetunia.com/Shop%20Little%20Mass.htm
http://www.babypetunia.com/images/Petals%20dress2.jpg

Here are a couple that are ong sleeves and I really like them too!
http://www.babypetunia.com/Shop%20Baby%20Nay.htm
http://www.babypetunia.com/images/patchworkdress.JPG
http://www.babypetunia.com/images/romancedress.JPG

Here's some misc ones.
http://www.babypetunia.com/Shop%20Victoria%20Kids.htm
http://www.babypetunia.com/Purpledress.JPG
http://www.babypetunia.com/purplecardigan.JPG

[AvasMama]

That first dress is just beautiful -- the other Robyn posted it on the other birthday dress thread also. It is definitely in the running!

I like the last one a lot too, especially with the little cardigan on top!

Robyn & Ava

[westchicagomom]

That little mass dress and the victoria kids dress were also in the running for DD's birthday (baby petunia has the best price I could find on both too!).

But I left the choice up to my dh and this is what he chose:

http://www.bestdressedkids.com/ sorry - won't let me paste a direct link - have to search by brand under biscotti

http://www.bestdressedkids.com/imagescache/ItemLrgPic3A100332.jpg

She was adorable in it, but if I had my choice I probably would have chose this denim/corduroy dress. The picture so doesn't do it justice. It is such a fun dress!

http://www.achildscloset.com/ProductImages/beetlejuicewinter2004/BeetleJuiceCrazyHeartFlowerTieredDress.jpg
http://store1.yimg.com/I/yhst-79544109434696_1820_3591 (a picture w/o the tights which I think make the outfit look too busy)

http://www.tuttibella.com/beetlejuice-embroidery-fan-tiered-dress.html




I ended up buying this last one anyway since I got a great deal on it w/ a coupon and I was a bit obsessed w/it. Believe it or not, I found both of them significantly cheaper than on-line at local dept store sales.

BTW - didn't you get THE absorba dress on Ebay? Do you like it? I got one too and I love it on DD! In fact she is going to wear it this weekend to my grandmother's 90th bday party.

Good luck in your quest! Once you find the dress, then you need the shoes!

[AvasMama]

Your DH has pretty good taste! Both those dresses are cute!

I did get the Absorba dress and it's so sweet and cute. Ava will definitely get a lot of wear out of it. I thought about it for her b-day, but it's just not what I had pictured, you know?

ETA: I was looking on the babypetunia site and saw this. Love it! But it's sold out :(

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17199.jpg

Robyn & Ava

[westchicagomom]

Yes that pink biscotti dress is gorgeous IRL and so soft. On my first shopping trip to look for a dress, this is the dress we (myself and another BBB member picked out for DD's bday dress). DH vetoed it in favor of the fuschia biscotti dress.

And while I loved the pink dress, it was just too pale of a color for DD to wear. It made her look all washed out. I did just see that dress a few weeks ago in a local marshall fields, but I was actually there again yesterday and didn't notice it. At the time I was looking, baby petunia is the only place I saw it on-line. Do you have any local boutiques? I saw it at one of those a few months ago too.

BTW if you choose a biscotti dress, they tend to run small.

Good luck!

[lampes]

I love that Baby Mass dress. It is just gorgeous. Perfect for Spring. My baby has a 1 year bday in March and I think that Baby Mass dress might just be the thing.

[papal]

Kerry.. i had posted pics in the Lounge.. I totally forgot to post here for you ladies in layette.. sorry! I didn't get professional pics done.. too much of a traumatic experience chasing her around to do that!!

Here is the link with her birthday photos:
http://share.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=EeAN2LJqzaNmzmo

[jvbucks]

I found a couple more.

This one might be too fancy:
http://www.boutique4kids.com/detail.asp?c=1&p=2004-0000100
http://www.boutique4kids.com/images/products/04-006764pi.jpg

This one might be too casual:
http://store.nordstrom.com/product/product.asp?styleid=2841398&category=2379292~2379293~2382564&PrevStyleID=2841399&NextStyleID=2824804
http://a1216.g.akamai.net/f/1216/955/6h/images2.nordstrom.com/images/store/product/medium/131759.jpg

I really like this one, but I'm not sure if it's too "frilly" for you.
http://www.infashionkids.com/birthday-party-dress---pink-cupcake-and-tulle.html
http://store1.yimg.com/I/instylekids_1819_15597820

[kacers]

I don't post often on these boards but I read them frequently. I live in St. Charles which is where Baby Petunia is located. It is a darling boutique and the owner is wonderful to work with. I'm sure she would be able to get this dress for you within the next couple of months if you truly wanted it. She has ordered things for me many times. I got my daughter's first birthday dress from Baby Petunia. I love that store!

[AvasMama]

So, my DH has vetoed the white kimono J&J dress. I found a couple of others I like and so far this one (from One of a Kind Kid) is the one he likes best. The skirt is actually corduroy, which makes it very seasonally appropriate.
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17236.jpg

I love, love, love the Little Mass dress but as another poster pointed out, it's maybe better for a spring b-day than a January one.

I like all the birthday-specific dresses with the cupcakes and candles, but I guess I had something more classic in mind. It's so hard when you are trying to match an image in your head with something that is actually for sale! I went through this with my wedding dress and many, many other outfits throughout the years. Now if I could only sew...!

Robyn & Ava

[Tracey]

I LOVE this dress, but the smallest size is a 2T
http://store1.yimg.com/I/curlsandgiggles_1815_68047703.jpg
Of the ones I've looked through in the posts, the Victoria Kids dress with the little cardigan is my favorite. I'll be on the lookout for you!

[jvbucks]

I LOVE that dress! Where did you find that one?

[kirstensmom]

How about this one by rosetta millington on poutchild. com?

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17253.jpg

ETA: this one on mykidsplus. com by Heartstrings ~ Infant Girls Dress- Sea Foam Green, Chiffon Skirt, Attached Slip, Organza Purple Flowers are Stitched Around Skirt, Short Sleeve "T-Shirt" Top, Zipper Back, Big Chiffon Tie Back, Very Sweet, Polyester/ Cotton/ Nylon/ Lycra, Machine Wash, Line Dry

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17254.jpg



Michelle
Mom to Kirsten 8/02