Carnival Wear
Like many others I love the lore and images of Coney Island past. The park’s heyday is generally considered to have been from the 1890’s to the early 1900’s during the run of it’s most famous attractions Luna Park (1903-1946), Dreamland (1904-1911) and Steeplechase Park (1897-1907, 1908-1964). There are continually waves of discussion about redevelopment and revival which (fingers crossed) will actually pan out one of these days. But the idealized loop that runs in my head continues to feature salt water taffy, the magic of early electric lights, amusement rides, bathing suits that cover everything from the knees up and fantastic old signage hawking everything from side shows to hot dogs.
New kids shop on the web Silly Wagon carries these great tees and dresses (along with allot of other ridiculouly cute stuff!) featuring distressed graphics that look like they could have been lifted off the now fading and peeling marquees and billboards of Coney Island present. Vintage photos and postcards are from the Coney Island Pages, an online resource with more extensive history and images than I’m able to cover here.
And what’s this? A giveaway?!
The fine folks over at Silly Wagon are offering up a couple of their generously sized, handmade cotton canvas totes (see below) for hauling around all of your carnival prizes and souvenirs. Actually, they’re a great substitute for plastic grocery bags and are heavy duty enough to withstand countless trips to the library!
Simply comment on this blog post by midnight on this Wednesday August 8th and I’ll randomly draw two winners to be announced on Thursday. Easy right?
August 5th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Wow! What a great store! I love it! Thanks for all the amazing stuff you throw our way! As a parent who is trying to maintain a foothold in the retro past, it’s been a big help!
August 5th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Count me in for the giveaway!
August 5th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Hello! I love this blog and I hope I win a tote bag-it is the most adorable!
XXOO
August 5th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
I’m loving that tote. Also, not to suck up, but I really love this blog, and I recommend it to everyone I know.
August 5th, 2007 at 5:33 pm
Very cute, how do you find all this stuff? Do people send it to you, or do you go around scouring the net for us? Whatever it is, thanks, we just love it all!
August 5th, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Hey there! Delurking at the possibility of winning the adorable tote bag. A girl can never have enough bags, right? Keep up the great work on this blog - love the links and ideas!
August 5th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
I love these shirts! So great!
August 5th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
Hey all, thanks for the really kind comments - much appreciated!
Michelle, some of the items are ‘tips’ readers send to me but the large majority are the result of spending far too much time online. =)
August 5th, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I love “Carnival Wear”. Cute!
August 6th, 2007 at 1:30 am
Send me a bag! please keep spending too much time surfing - love the blog
August 6th, 2007 at 4:20 am
count me in!!
and oh your links ROCK! finally some GOOD kid stuff!!
August 6th, 2007 at 4:29 am
Some people collect shoes. Me, I love a great tote. This is great stuff and your blog is great, too.
Please count me in!
August 6th, 2007 at 5:21 am
What adorable stuff!
August 6th, 2007 at 5:59 am
Count me in for this fun free give away!
August 6th, 2007 at 6:03 am
I love this post!! I see several t-shirts that would make great gifts for a couple of kids I know. I’ve actually created a whole folder for these reports. They’re going to come in real handy when Christmas rolls around. And yes, I am a silly wagon!
August 6th, 2007 at 6:04 am
I want one of EVERY shirt. just too cute. A bag would be great too
August 6th, 2007 at 6:12 am
ooh ahh I’d love me a tote!
August 6th, 2007 at 6:19 am
i love this blog, and i don’t even have kids of my own!
however, i do know and love several children of friends/family who will hopefully forever consider me the “cool aunt”
this site helps me continue towards that goal. thanks!
August 6th, 2007 at 6:22 am
wow, thanks for this site (i love the email updates) which allows me to not spend way too much time online
so happy someone is taking one for the team! thanks for this contest too..cute totes.
August 6th, 2007 at 6:22 am
I’m in! Adorable stuff!
August 6th, 2007 at 6:38 am
Emails from the Junior Society are the best emails I get all day.
August 6th, 2007 at 6:43 am
YOU’RE a silly wagon! I think I’ll be using that line.
August 6th, 2007 at 7:02 am
I love carnivals and State Fairs. I won a ribbon in the Texas state fair for one of my knitted monsters.
I love your blog - I have been creating an archive of all the wonderful things you find. I especially love the crooked little houses lately. What a find!
August 6th, 2007 at 7:11 am
count me in!
August 6th, 2007 at 7:24 am
lovelovelove silly wagon… thanks for finding such wonderful things for us!
August 6th, 2007 at 7:31 am
Ooh, love those totes! And I’ve *definitely* been a canvas grocery bag convert this summer. Less waste, and frankly, a lot easier to sling over your shoulder to bring all of your goodies into the house in fewer trips.
August 6th, 2007 at 7:51 am
love the shop and the blog - my kids will definitely be the best dressed at school!
August 6th, 2007 at 8:04 am
Love the tote! Thanks for all the great tips!
August 6th, 2007 at 8:05 am
Since we are big purchasers at our local farmer’s market, we would be the envy of the other shoppers with our cool “Green” tote bags! Thanks for the contest.
August 6th, 2007 at 9:07 am
such a cute bag!
August 6th, 2007 at 9:08 am
Very cool. I want one…. ehem, five.
August 6th, 2007 at 10:53 am
I am in need of a library tote and a grocery tote. I just haul our library books out in my hands and hope they make them to the car without falling.
I also still use plastic bags (the horror!) I would love to go “green” with my grocery bags.
August 6th, 2007 at 12:00 pm
I so love, love, love the Birthday Cupcake In Blue outfit for my 1 year old grandboy, but, alas, the 90 dollar price is un-do-able for me. I would like to win the free stuff though!
August 6th, 2007 at 12:18 pm
Wow…amazing stuff at The Silly Wagon! Junior Society makes the best finds. Thanks for clueing the rest of us in to your incredible sense of style!
August 6th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
Love the Bobby Blastoff shirt, I’ve bookmarked the Silly Wagon site for gifts and togs for my little ones. Thanks for all the heads-up on the coolest sites! My 2-year-old is calling now! Bye!
August 6th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Your blog is inspirational- thanks for sharing all your great finds!
August 6th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
These t-shirts are cute. And if they are cute, they are probably sweet. It makes me wish my hair was made out of t-shirt. I wish I could win a prize.
August 6th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Just wanted to drop in and say Hi…I love all of these comments and entrants! You guys are SO much fun! Ginny, I wanted to tell you that you can order that Birthday Cupcake in JUST the shirt if you prefer (email me)! And I have a feeling all of you are Silly Wagons! If you go sign up for the newsletter in our shop, I will be thrilled to send each and every single one of you a $5 gift certificate! Best of luck in winning one of the 2 totes!! We LOVE Junior Society!
August 7th, 2007 at 6:51 am
CUTE CUTE CUTE stuff! I am headed over to do some shopping right after I send this post, I wanted a chance to win something before I start spending. Thanks for always posting great products!
August 7th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Oh, I miss New York street peanuts! …and Conran, and Oren’s Daily Roast…. Love the bag!
August 7th, 2007 at 10:05 am
I actually remember reading that this year was going to be the final year for the last Coney Island park. A few of the classic rides might still remain, but I think the end is here. All the more reason to enjoy the images and cool stuff. Thanks for pointing it out.
August 7th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Marcy,
You know, now that you mention it, I think I heard the same thing. So sad.
August 7th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Awesome. I love the Puppy Camp shirt.
August 7th, 2007 at 11:12 am
silly wagon, what a cute name! now I remember you!
August 7th, 2007 at 11:15 am
What cool stuff! I love all things retro and these graphics are priceless.
August 7th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I want it. I need it. Give it to me. ( Please. )
Love this blog. Pretty pictures.
August 8th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Hi, please enter me in the giveaway. Love this supercute blog, by the way! Thanks.