Category Archives: American Way

An Atomic Fairy Tale

  1950 was Cinderella’s year. My mother Betty knew it was an omen. After 6 long years of waiting, Disney’s much anticipated movie, Cinderella was finally opening and now Betty Joseph’s days of waiting were over too- she was getting

An Atomic Fairy Tale

  1950 was Cinderella’s year. My mother Betty knew it was an omen. After 6 long years of waiting, Disney’s much anticipated movie, Cinderella was finally opening and now Betty Joseph’s days of waiting were over too- she was getting

vintage self tanner

No Time to Tan

Long before self tanners, and micro mist airbrush tanning sprays flooded the market, a retro a gal need only apply a good film of bronzer to give herself show girl legs. Learn how tan-in-a-bottle might have helped a pale-face gal

vintage self tanner

No Time to Tan

Long before self tanners, and micro mist airbrush tanning sprays flooded the market, a retro a gal need only apply a good film of bronzer to give herself show girl legs. Learn how tan-in-a-bottle might have helped a pale-face gal

vintage woman dressed in revolutionary war outfit drumming

Happy July Fourth

  Have a Smokin’ Independence Day!

vintage woman dressed in revolutionary war outfit drumming

Happy July Fourth

  Have a Smokin’ Independence Day!

suburbs barbecue 57

All American Barbecue

The Smell of Democracy in the Air Every July 4th our split level development would be shrouded by the smoke of burning charcoal, the sizzling smell of democracy was in the air. Besides a parade, nothing was more quintessentially American

suburbs barbecue 57

All American Barbecue

The Smell of Democracy in the Air Every July 4th our split level development would be shrouded by the smoke of burning charcoal, the sizzling smell of democracy was in the air. Besides a parade, nothing was more quintessentially American

vintage image men and woman in sunglasses 1960

Celebrating Sunglasses

Break out your Wayfarers…today is National Sunglasses Day! Accustomed to sporting cool shades I have of late been seen skulking about in those oversize, black, wraparound sunglasses so very chic amongst the senior set in Bocca Raton. Though hardly ready

vintage image men and woman in sunglasses 1960

Celebrating Sunglasses

Break out your Wayfarers…today is National Sunglasses Day! Accustomed to sporting cool shades I have of late been seen skulking about in those oversize, black, wraparound sunglasses so very chic amongst the senior set in Bocca Raton. Though hardly ready

painting Paul Cadmus YMCA Locker Room

Locked in The American Dream Closet

In the 1930’s. my bachelor  Uncle Harry was a social realist painter who learned the bitter social realities that surrounded a gay man in early 20th century America. Trained under artist John Sloan, the well known Social Realist  at N.Y.C’s

painting Paul Cadmus YMCA Locker Room

Locked in The American Dream Closet

In the 1930’s. my bachelor  Uncle Harry was a social realist painter who learned the bitter social realities that surrounded a gay man in early 20th century America. Trained under artist John Sloan, the well known Social Realist  at N.Y.C’s

vintage illustration bride and groom

The Model Bride and Illustrator Jon Whitcomb

Like most mid-century girls, Bitsy Bendix longed to be a bride, convinced that the basic occupation of virtually every girl was choosing a man to marry. But for bachelorette Bitsy the next best thing happened. In the summer of 1950

vintage illustration bride and groom

The Model Bride and Illustrator Jon Whitcomb

Like most mid-century girls, Bitsy Bendix longed to be a bride, convinced that the basic occupation of virtually every girl was choosing a man to marry. But for bachelorette Bitsy the next best thing happened. In the summer of 1950

vintage illustration Victory garden

Victory Gardens in WWII

  In urban areas across the country vacant lots are filled with sights of neighbors pulling weeds, planting seeds and tending heirloom tomatoes. Overnight city rooftops have sprouted lush gardens. “Tarbeachs” once reserved for city sunning, now produces organic vegetables

vintage illustration Victory garden

Victory Gardens in WWII

  In urban areas across the country vacant lots are filled with sights of neighbors pulling weeds, planting seeds and tending heirloom tomatoes. Overnight city rooftops have sprouted lush gardens. “Tarbeachs” once reserved for city sunning, now produces organic vegetables

Vintage Warners Girdle ad 1955

A Girl and Her Girdle Pt II

I figured out very early on that every female had a figure flaw. But luckily when it came to figure problems a slew of manufacturers had it all figured out. A good girdle was a must have for every mid-century

Vintage Warners Girdle ad 1955

A Girl and Her Girdle Pt II

I figured out very early on that every female had a figure flaw. But luckily when it came to figure problems a slew of manufacturers had it all figured out. A good girdle was a must have for every mid-century

vintage ad illustration woman girdle bra

A Girl and Her Girdle

Long before spanx became a wardrobe staple, a good girdle was a must have for every mid-century gal. The cold war containment policy was strictly enforced by the wives of Cold War Warriors, that is, at least when it came

vintage ad illustration woman girdle bra

A Girl and Her Girdle

Long before spanx became a wardrobe staple, a good girdle was a must have for every mid-century gal. The cold war containment policy was strictly enforced by the wives of Cold War Warriors, that is, at least when it came