Category Archives: WWII

Lauren Bacall

Remembering Lauren Bacall

It was 1944. It was wartime. The patriotism was so thick you could cut it with a knife. A rotund-and darn proud of it- Kate Smith was belting out “God Bless America” causing a lump to form in all our

Lauren Bacall

Remembering Lauren Bacall

It was 1944. It was wartime. The patriotism was so thick you could cut it with a knife. A rotund-and darn proud of it- Kate Smith was belting out “God Bless America” causing a lump to form in all our

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 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 illustration WWII vets college

GI Joe To Joe College

Once upon a time colleges and home ownership were a privilege reserved for the rich. As the cost of 4 years of college education escalates between $100,00 and $200,000 we  may end up replicating  those pre- WWII times. It was

vintage illustration WWII vets college

GI Joe To Joe College

Once upon a time colleges and home ownership were a privilege reserved for the rich. As the cost of 4 years of college education escalates between $100,00 and $200,000 we  may end up replicating  those pre- WWII times. It was

illustration woman decorating

Decorating With DDT

Just as mid-century garden nurseries were busy preparing for spring, filling their shelves with packets of seeds and cans of DDT, so American parents were diligently decorating their baby nurseries with happy-go-lucky wallpaper coated with protective DDT. No April Fools!

illustration woman decorating

Decorating With DDT

Just as mid-century garden nurseries were busy preparing for spring, filling their shelves with packets of seeds and cans of DDT, so American parents were diligently decorating their baby nurseries with happy-go-lucky wallpaper coated with protective DDT. No April Fools!

illustration Russiam bear

Russia The Hungry Bear

Cold war concerns of  Russian aggression are coming out of the deep freeze. Russia’s recent  actions in the Ukraine feel straight out of the old Soviet playbook evoking a time when an expansionist Russia was viewed as a “hungry bear”

illustration Russiam bear

Russia The Hungry Bear

Cold war concerns of  Russian aggression are coming out of the deep freeze. Russia’s recent  actions in the Ukraine feel straight out of the old Soviet playbook evoking a time when an expansionist Russia was viewed as a “hungry bear”

WWII food Nutrition war plant

Velveeta for Victory in WWII

The cheesepocalypse is upon us and we are approaching ground zero! Shell shocked Americans are going through a meltdown over the shortage of velveeta endangering the very lifeblood of their Superbowl nachos. Jonesing for their liquid gold, it’s all out

WWII food Nutrition war plant

Velveeta for Victory in WWII

The cheesepocalypse is upon us and we are approaching ground zero! Shell shocked Americans are going through a meltdown over the shortage of velveeta endangering the very lifeblood of their Superbowl nachos. Jonesing for their liquid gold, it’s all out

vintage illustration WWII soldier kissing girl

Winter War Time Romance PTII

Moonlight Becomes You “The breathless night. The moon burning on its billion watt radiance. Multiplying mystery, quickening the pulse. Stirring up a suddenly sweet tumult. Heady stuff this. To look into his eyes and know that you were never lovelier.

vintage illustration WWII soldier kissing girl

Winter War Time Romance PTII

Moonlight Becomes You “The breathless night. The moon burning on its billion watt radiance. Multiplying mystery, quickening the pulse. Stirring up a suddenly sweet tumult. Heady stuff this. To look into his eyes and know that you were never lovelier.

vintage illustration 1944 girl and soldier embracing

A Winter War Time Romance

The winter of 1944 was a blustery one. ..but it would soon turn torrid. Christmas break, my 18-year-old college freshman mother Betty hopped on a Pullman, joining her family for a well needed vacation in balmy Miami Beach. The glow

vintage illustration 1944 girl and soldier embracing

A Winter War Time Romance

The winter of 1944 was a blustery one. ..but it would soon turn torrid. Christmas break, my 18-year-old college freshman mother Betty hopped on a Pullman, joining her family for a well needed vacation in balmy Miami Beach. The glow