Category Archives: Consumers

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 woman home freezer

Kitchen Garden All Year Round

Thanks to war-time research and  American know how, growing up in suburban mid-century America  I would be the happy recipient of a veritable bushel basket of sun-kissed, vitamin rich fruits and vegetables. No other country we were told  “has the

vintage woman home freezer

Kitchen Garden All Year Round

Thanks to war-time research and  American know how, growing up in suburban mid-century America  I would be the happy recipient of a veritable bushel basket of sun-kissed, vitamin rich fruits and vegetables. No other country we were told  “has the

vintage illustration man with crown

A Retro Fathers Day Fit for a King

Once upon a time, but not too long ago, all Dads were king. Not only for a measly third Sunday in June, but to believe the mid-century American advertiser, the head of the household was the sovereign ruler of his

vintage illustration man with crown

A Retro Fathers Day Fit for a King

Once upon a time, but not too long ago, all Dads were king. Not only for a measly third Sunday in June, but to believe the mid-century American advertiser, the head of the household was the sovereign ruler of his

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

art collage appropriated images women

Identity Art Exhibit

  In a world dominated by pop culture, society and the media – how is identity defined? I am pleased to be a part of an  important international exhibition of 25 works from 21 female artists   entitled Identity and

art collage appropriated images women

Identity Art Exhibit

  In a world dominated by pop culture, society and the media – how is identity defined? I am pleased to be a part of an  important international exhibition of 25 works from 21 female artists   entitled Identity and

vintage family riding a soad bottle

Selling the Nuclear Family

Has the selling of the 1950’s nuclear family finally reached it’s expiration date? In a consumer culture of unlimited choices, Madison Avenue has long sold only one brand of the American family…and it is now a bit shopworn. Never was

vintage family riding a soad bottle

Selling the Nuclear Family

Has the selling of the 1950’s nuclear family finally reached it’s expiration date? In a consumer culture of unlimited choices, Madison Avenue has long sold only one brand of the American family…and it is now a bit shopworn. Never was

collage sally edelstein art vintage images

Nuclear Family Meltdown

The nuclear family was once as American as the nuclear bomb. But by the end of the 1960’s the nuclear family detonated along with our notion of marriage and motherhood. Parenting and partnering were not a priority for the newly

collage sally edelstein art vintage images

Nuclear Family Meltdown

The nuclear family was once as American as the nuclear bomb. But by the end of the 1960’s the nuclear family detonated along with our notion of marriage and motherhood. Parenting and partnering were not a priority for the newly

vintage illustration girl eating bread

Dubious Diets- The Bread Diet

  Dubious diets are as American as…well…. all-you-can-eat apple pie. Relying on fad diets to shed a few pounds has been handed down from gullible generation to gullible generation willing to swallow anything promising a trim figure. In 1938 The

vintage illustration girl eating bread

Dubious Diets- The Bread Diet

  Dubious diets are as American as…well…. all-you-can-eat apple pie. Relying on fad diets to shed a few pounds has been handed down from gullible generation to gullible generation willing to swallow anything promising a trim figure. In 1938 The