Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Vintage Fashion + Girls Birthday Parties = Awesome

Tea with Gladys is truly one-of-a-kind. This adorable shop in downtown Oakville, Ontario, really is an original.  

Custom Personalized Hangars
Walk inside and you're greeted by a gorgeous assortment of hand-made artisinal goods & accessories from crocheted hats to greeting cards to sparkling barrettes and more. My personal favourite item was the personalized hangars you can custom order in three different sizes. Imagine your daughter hanging her favourite party dress on that. So special!

Right in the centre of the room you'll find a rack of spectacular vintage clothing, most from the late 50's and early 60's (definitely one of the best fashion periods in history - especially for women with curves). I could have easily bought half the rack for myself. One particular candy-pink dress with an empire waist, high collar, textured detail and classic 60's buttons made me want to host a Mad Men party, pronto. Another ivory confection with a sheer gauzy overlay that had gold threading woven throughout was absolutely beautiful. They don't make dresses like that anymore. 

How much do I want/need this vintage pink dress?
Are we done yet? No. The name Tea with Gladys most accurately reflects what happens in the back half of this boutique. There you will find a big table, ready to host a classic tea party for little girls of any age. Pink lemonades and cupcakes will be served. Canvases will be painted and crafted into beautiful, layered works of art. Loot bags with hand-made hair clips and jewellery will be given. Gladys definitely knows how to throw a tea party. I recently attended a birthday party there and it was absolutely perfect. 

Named after owner Darcy Allen's grandmother ~ Gladys, of course ~ this shop is part Etsy-style boutique, part vintage shop, part tea-party venue and part studio for workshops, March Break camps and summer camps.

If you have even a teeny, tiny bit of girlishness in you, you'll love this place. Trust me.

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