I Heart KC: Donna’s Dress Shop

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Oh, friends, I am so excited to share this special place with you all! I can’t even remember how I found out about Donna’s Dress Shop, all I can say is I’ve been obsessed for quite a while. Remember that fancy gala Trent and I attended last year? Well, my vintage “Jackie O” style dress was a Donna’s purchase. And since then I’ve found a few great pieces whenever I have a chance to stop by. A few weeks ago, my friend Mikayla and I met at Donna’s for some hilarious dress up time. And we brought a camera…so we can share the fun with all of you!

Above are two of my absolute FAVORITE’s of anything we tried on. The yellow dress on the left is a vintage number that reminded me of an airline stewardess in the 1960s. Mikayla said I looked like one of the fembots from Austin Powers, but I decided to take that as a compliment. The dress on right has rocket ships, planets and cosmic fun all over it. I felt like the teacher from the Magic Schoolbus books. I didn’t buy either of them (I just couldn’t decide where I would wear them) so if you love them you should stop by! Donna’s is getting new inventory every week, from new items to vintage, and many things are one of a kind, so once they’re gone, you’re out of luck.

Without further adieu, here are some other favorites (click on any of the images to see them a bit bigger, if you’d like):

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OK, yes, this is a jumper. Those of you that know me in real life are probably spitting out your Diet Coke right now wondering what the hell I’m doing in a jumper. I hear you. But Mikayla insisted I try it on and it was adorable. So I bought it. I KNOW! I bought a jumper! Life is upside down. Seriously, though, it is pretty darn adorable and I’ve already worn it in public once. Before you ask, yes, it is pretty difficult to go to the bathroom in this thing, but that’s a gross thing to ask. I’m appalled. But not by the jumper. It’s amazing.

Sidenote: I am not a fashion blogger of any sort, so I could not for the life of me figure out how to pose. I told Mikayla that every fashion blogger I read posts photos of themselves looking at their feet, so in most of these outfits, we had at least 10 shots of me looking at my feet. And sometimes pointing. Mostly because I’m subtle.

Outfit-2

It’s a muu muu! But a muu muu with style. I loved this 1970s styled number (not vintage, but lovely none the less) and it was so, so comfortable. It reminded me of something my grandma would wear, but sexier. The sunnies added just the right amount of sass.

Sidenote: In these photos I decided looking away from the camera was the way to go. “What’s that, over there!” or “I am so bored with this, so I shall look that way.”

Outfit-3

It’s another jumper! And this one is covered in cartoon Westies! I had a Westie puppy as a kid (R.I.P. Snowflake, you crazy bastard) so I had to try this one on. Personally, I can’t really do a strapless top, much less a strapless jumper, but I have to admit, it was pretty adorable. If you can pull it off, you should go buy it right now.

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This little number was so comfortable, we decided it might actually be a nightgown. Also, it was pretty see thru, and I wore purple underwear because I’m dumb, hence no photos of me standing up. It was super flattering, but I had already fallen in love with a few other outfits, so I had to turn it down. The yellow purse was just perfect for summer! I wanted to take it on a picnic date. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Maybe it’s meant for you?

Outfit-5

Oh my god. YES! Yes yes yes yes YESSSSS! I saw this dress and immediately did a very unattractive happy dance. You see, I’m going to Las Vegas for the first time with my best girlfriends in about a month, to celebrate my 30th birthday, and this dress just screamed “VEGAS!” It goes without saying that I bought it. But only after dancing around the shop for about 15 minutes. Sequins, I love you.

Outfit-6

So…this happened. For every adorable get up there was a denim jumpsuit that just didn’t quite hit the nail on the head for me. This cat sweater falls into that category. Although, looking back. I kind of love it. And the pants…well, they’re growing on me to. I may need to make a trip back to Donna’s before they sell!

accessories

Lest you think Donna’s is all dresses and jumpers, here are a few examples of the great accessories they have. Hats are always a win, but they also had great glasses, jewelry, housewares, kids clothes…you name it! That wallpaper is from the dressing room, and each changing area has a different kind. I would like them all in my house right now, please.

You can visit Donna’s Dress Shop at their location on 39th Street (right near KU Medical Center) Monday thru Friday from 11 to 7, and Sundays from 12 to 5. You should also follow them on Facebook, where they post new items they put out in the shop (and sometimes will hold them for you if you ask really nicely). Follow them on Facebook here. Thanks to the crew at Donna’s, especially Elena, who was working the evening we came in and was so lovely and gracious as we tore her store apart acting like goofballs. A special thanks also goes out to my girl, Mikayla, who worked the camera like a pro.

We love Donna’s Dress Shop!

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(all photos by Mikayla Stover for Crazybananas, editing and layout design by me)

Nerds Have More Fun

You guys, I am working on such a super fun post about a certain place here in Kansas City that you all MUST visit very soon, especially if you love vintage, fun and all around amazingness. But (as I mentioned last week) said post is taking a wee bit longer to compile than I’d hoped. The sinus infection and lice on my kids heads last week didn’t help much, and now we’re prepping for school, which starts next Monday. AHHHHH! So I just wanted to pop in and say, yes, it’s coming, and it’s gonna be fantastic. Thanks for your patience!

Happy Weekend!

Hooray, it’s finally Friday! Did this week fly by for you? Because I could swear it’s still Wednesday in my brain. We are headed to the lake today for a fun weekend of fishing, swimming and generally trying to stay cool in the expected 106 degree heat. My other main goal will be keeping the baby (who does not have any fear and will dive head first in to any body of water) from killing himself. Fingers crossed!

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Here are some links that got me thinking and laughing this week:

– Have you all heard of WIGS? It’s a channel on YouTube that is producing and releasing high quality dramatic shows via the web. Some people are saying it’s what will replace the now dying genre of soap operas (RIP AMC). I don’t know about that, but I’ve watched a few of the series and there are definitely some big stars participating. So far my favorite is “Christine” starring America Ferrara as a girl at a speed dating event.

– This self-written obituary by a man who knew he would die soon is charming, funny and poignant. He confesses to misdeeds as a teenager and apologizes to his wife for smoking (which gave him the throat cancer that he died from). Really lovely.

– The BBC wrote a feature on Kansas City’s renaissance and for once focused on our amazing culture and arts, instead of BBQ and cowboy boots. It’s a great read! (Note: I love BBQ and cowboy boots, don’t get me wrong, but it was nice to be called out for all of the other parts of our incredible city for a change!)

– I’m obsessed with this photo shoot of Keith Richards and his family. This is what I picture when I imagine my future…well, without the formerly drugged out rockstar.

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Last weekend was one of the first ones in a while where we were all home in Kansas City AND Trent was able to stay away from work all weekend long. It was glorious! And lazy! Lazy gloriousness! We ended up going down to the Nelson-Atkins Museum where they were doing this cool installation creating a super huge picnic blanket. It was definitely a bit hot to be out there, but we had a little picnic in the shade and ran around for a bit anyway. We’re hoping to take the kids down for a real weekend visit before the end of the summer, since it’s one of our favorite places in the city (you can see more posts from previous trips in 2004 and 2011). Most of our Instagram pics from this week are from our afternoon at the Nelson, although there is some other fun stuff sprinkled in as well. If you’re on Instagram, remember you can find me @crazy_bananas.

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Saying Goodbye

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Last Wednesday was a sad and happy day for the Crazybananas crew. Our good friends the Coleman’s are moving to Denver, and it was the last chance we’d have to say goodbye. It was a sudden move, due to a job transfer, and while I know it will be good for them in the end, I have to say I’m pretty sad for myself. Nicole and I have known each other since preschool, and it was so nice having her in my city. She always knew the best local haunts, and was one of the first people to really get me excited about living here (I’ve written about a few of the places she introduced me to, including Powell Gardens and the drive-in movie theater). Nicole is also an incredible photographer, and I will miss having her around to document our lives (you can see photos Nicole has shot of our family here, here and here).

But most of all, we will miss having friends around with kids the same age as ours. Since we had Lu a bit younger than most, we continue to struggle with finding people we can relate to that have kids the same age. Of course we love all our parenting friends, but Nicole and Ben were the exact same age as us, and their daughter Haven is only two months older than Lulu. It was really nice having someone that related to our struggles as young-ish (not so young anymore) parents, especially early on. (Click here for some adorable photos of the girls first playdate way back when…)

In the past few years, even though they lived in another part of the city and we saw each other only once a month at most, Haven and Lulu because such good friends, and it was fun watching them grow up together. Miss Anna, their younger daughter has grown into such a lovely little girl as well, although it still blows my mind when I see her and realize she’s not a baby anymore. I can’t imagine how much the girls will change before we see them again.

So last Wednesday we all got together at Little Freshie on the west side and enjoyed some snow cones and iced sodas. I was afraid Lu would be sad, but I think the concept of moving is still a little out of her reach. Plus, with Skype and Facetime, I’m sure we’ll still be seeing their pretty faces often.

Goodbye, Coleman Family! We’re going to miss you like crazy, but we promise to come visit you in Denver. Say hi to IKEA for us!

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I Heart KC: Kauffman Stadium

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If you’re in Kansas City this week, you’ve probably heard the All Star game is in town. It’s the first time the game has been played here in quite some time, and the whole city has shined itself up for the occasion. Our dear, sweet Royals haven’t been a winning team in ages, but Kauffman Stadium has great attendance, and that’s partly due to the fab renovations that were completed a few years back. Of course going to the game as an adult is fun, but now, even when the game sucks, there is TONS to do with the kids. They have made the entire outfield area in to a carnival of sorts for little ones, with a mini home run derby, games, a carousel, a splash area (which is great since summer in KC can reach 110 degrees), a putt putt golf course and lots more. Of course you can always, you know, watch the game or hang out by the famous outfield fountains as well.

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One of our favorite things is to buy the cheapest tickets we can get, and then spend the entire game in the carnival area instead of in our nosebleed seats. It’s a great way to spend a day in the city! And for all you Royals fans out there, don’t let our losing record get you down. Just listen to Lulu (circa 2009)….

Let’s go Royals!

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If you’re in town for the All-Star Game, check out Ink’s baseball fan guide to KC!

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