Category Archives: Consumers

1960s housewife laundry

Plugged into the American Dream

  In 1956 happy homemaker Helen Watson didn’t give a hoot about leaving carbon footprints; in fact if one were pointed out to her she’d most likely plug-in her powerful Electrolux vacuum and sweep it all away. Was she concerned

1960s housewife laundry

Plugged into the American Dream

  In 1956 happy homemaker Helen Watson didn’t give a hoot about leaving carbon footprints; in fact if one were pointed out to her she’d most likely plug-in her powerful Electrolux vacuum and sweep it all away. Was she concerned

Vintage Packard Car Ad 1937

Envy and the American Dream

Screen Envy Happy days are here again… the new iPhone is out! An uncharacteristic hush descended on my local Starbucks today as a wave of envy swept through the coffee-house. As if in unison, covetous coffee drinkers looked up from

Vintage Packard Car Ad 1937

Envy and the American Dream

Screen Envy Happy days are here again… the new iPhone is out! An uncharacteristic hush descended on my local Starbucks today as a wave of envy swept through the coffee-house. As if in unison, covetous coffee drinkers looked up from

Kent State sweatshirt Urban Outfitters 2014

Urban Outfitters Makes a Bloody Mistake

File this under bad taste. If one is to believe Urban Outfitters, famous for their controversial items, nothing says vintage-fun like a blood spattered Kent State sweatshirt; a nostalgic reminder of those crazy collegiate antics of the 1970s. The hip

Kent State sweatshirt Urban Outfitters 2014

Urban Outfitters Makes a Bloody Mistake

File this under bad taste. If one is to believe Urban Outfitters, famous for their controversial items, nothing says vintage-fun like a blood spattered Kent State sweatshirt; a nostalgic reminder of those crazy collegiate antics of the 1970s. The hip

Remembering The World Trade Center

News of the 9/11 tragedy found its way to me through the antiquated airwaves of a vintage Bakelite radio. Only days before, I had moved from the New York I loved to one of its  leafy suburbs. Without cable or

Remembering The World Trade Center

News of the 9/11 tragedy found its way to me through the antiquated airwaves of a vintage Bakelite radio. Only days before, I had moved from the New York I loved to one of its  leafy suburbs. Without cable or

Joan Rivers Album Cover The Next to Last Joan Rivers Album

Joan Rivers- A Cut-Up on Vinyl

  The first week of school at Syracuse University was overwhelming. Nerves and insecurities were kicking into high gear as we unpacked our familiar belongings in this new unfamiliar place. As Pioneer stereos systems were being set up in dorm

Joan Rivers Album Cover The Next to Last Joan Rivers Album

Joan Rivers- A Cut-Up on Vinyl

  The first week of school at Syracuse University was overwhelming. Nerves and insecurities were kicking into high gear as we unpacked our familiar belongings in this new unfamiliar place. As Pioneer stereos systems were being set up in dorm

Playbill Joan Rivers "Fun City" 1972

Farewell to NY’s Joan Rivers

Today we bid farewell to a quintessential  New York dame – Joan Rivers. I first saw Joan Rivers live in 1972 in Fun City a Broadway show about NY.  Bringing her sharp brand of humor to the Great White Way, 

Playbill Joan Rivers "Fun City" 1972

Farewell to NY’s Joan Rivers

Today we bid farewell to a quintessential  New York dame – Joan Rivers. I first saw Joan Rivers live in 1972 in Fun City a Broadway show about NY.  Bringing her sharp brand of humor to the Great White Way, 

vintage illustration children at shoe store

Back to School Shoes

It was the day before Labor Day 1957 and the countdown had begun for the end of summer and the new school term. From Long Island to Little Rock, crisp black and white marbled composition notebooks were hastily purchased, and

vintage illustration children at shoe store

Back to School Shoes

It was the day before Labor Day 1957 and the countdown had begun for the end of summer and the new school term. From Long Island to Little Rock, crisp black and white marbled composition notebooks were hastily purchased, and

Better Vision For Better Living Pt II

The eyes have it- “Better Vision for Better Living” seems to be my mantra for this summer. The Road to Health   Despite the fact I diligently heeded my mothers admonitions to sit up straight when I read, making sure

Better Vision For Better Living Pt II

The eyes have it- “Better Vision for Better Living” seems to be my mantra for this summer. The Road to Health   Despite the fact I diligently heeded my mothers admonitions to sit up straight when I read, making sure

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 illustration couple in car

Road Trips and Rest Stops

Summer road trips have long been an American staple. Joining the millions of other mid-century family’s, my own suburban family took to the road in search of summertime family fun. Want to beat the heat…it was easy to cool off

vintage illustration couple in car

Road Trips and Rest Stops

Summer road trips have long been an American staple. Joining the millions of other mid-century family’s, my own suburban family took to the road in search of summertime family fun. Want to beat the heat…it was easy to cool off