March 31, 2008

Dressed to Thrill

Matilda Jane Clothing

Dress your daughter in a pair of sweatpants?

You’d rather do your taxes on an abacus.

For girly girls, there’s Matilda Jane Clothing. Designed by Fort Wayne, Indiana-based mom Denise Demarchis, the line features ruffle-leg pants, apron-style dresses, and halter tops in sizes 12 months to 10 years. Made in vintage-inspired florals, stripes, and ginghams, the pieces are easy to mix and match.

Instead of selling to stores, Demarchis has local reps that host in-home trunk shows (lucky you, there’s one this Wednesday). That way you save a buck (most items cost less than $50).

It all adds up to fun.

Matilda Jane Clothing trunk show, Wednesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 3240 North Lake Shore Drive, at Melrose Street, suite 14d (847-945-1822). To see styles, go to mjctrunks.com.

BUY
Areaware Fauna Onesies
What: Organic cotton onesies are hand-screen-printed with colorful animal imagery.
Why: Baby, it’s a wild world.
When: Tues., 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wed.-Fri., 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m.
Where: Pivot, 1101 W. Fulton Market, at Aberdeen St. (312-243-4754).

READ
Porn for New Moms
What: Sleaze-free photos of cute guys changing diapers, folding baby laundry, and more.
Why: Hits the spot.
When: You need to fantasize.
Where: Online at amazon.com.

RHYME
Picturing Poetry
What: Kids write poems and make collages inspired by the illustrations of Chris Raschka.
Why: Get image conscious.
When: Sat. & Sun., 12:30-3:30 p.m.
Where: The Art Institute of Chicago, Kraft Education Center, 111 S. Michigan Ave., at Monroe St. (312-857-7161).