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Celebrating Sunglasses
Cool Shades 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...
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How to Look Butch In Your Crew Cut
Long before Crew Cuts was the name of J. Crews adorable line of clothing for boys and girls, it was mid- century summers must have hair cut for boys of all ages. Also known affectionately as a...
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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,...
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Happy July Fourth
1938 Vintage ad Chesterfield Cigarettes Have a Smokin’ Independence Day!
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A Wash & Wear Summer
Life was a colorful, carefree wash n’ wear world Summertime and the living was easy especially in the post war world of wash n’ wear clothing. Summer and synthetics was a match made in chemical lab...
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No Time to Tan
Vintage ad Elizabeth Arden Velva Leg Film 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...
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Picture You With Yogi Berra
Be the first in your neighborhood to start a collection- you can have your picture with your choice of 200 players! Vintage ad 1963 What mid-century boy wouldn’t love having his photo hanging in an...
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An Atomic Fairy Tale
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...
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The Best Bedroom Secret
“Got The Right Man? Then Keep Him Right With the Right Kind of Mattress!” Vintage ad Englander Mattress 1946 It’s no secret that the key to a good marriage lies in the bedroom. But for the young...
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When Good Humor Ruled the Suburbs
You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream For Ice Cream! Growing up in mid-century Long Island, no sound was more welcome than the suburban siren call of summer – the seductive jingling bells of the Good...
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The Missiles and Sandcastles of Summer
As eyebrows are raised as Russia tests a new ground launched cruise missile, my thoughts drifted to those pre-test treaty times when the sight of a truck toting a missile was just part of Cold war...
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The Beat of the Suburbs
For some, the suburbs were a splendid split level paradise The suburbs of postwar Long Island silently simmered in a preordained sameness, no more so than in the summer. Summer days were metered out in...
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Road Trips and Rest Stops
Pack up and Go! 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...
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Remembering Lauren Bacall
A Tale of two Betty’s (L) My co-ed Mother Betty 1944 (R) Betty Bacall studio shots 1944 It was 1944. It was wartime. The patriotism was so thick you could cut it with a knife. A rotund-and darn proud...
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Better Vision For Better Living Pt II
Better Vision for Better Living- Celebrating 125 years of Research Vintage ad American Optical Company 1958 The eyes have it- “Better Vision for Better Living” seems to be my mantra for this summer....
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Nuclear Family Vacation in the Nuclear Age
Greetings From the Nevada Test Site- Wish You Were Here! Vacationing was a real blast in the Atomic Age! For a merry-go-round of real nuclear family fun, no trip out west was truly complete without a...
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Our Friend The Policeman
How is our friend the policeman helping to keep the streets safe?
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Saying So Long to Summer
Vintage ad Kodak Brownie Movie Camera 1957 Bidding the Beach Club Goodbye Labor Day signaled the last call at my Grandmothers Long Island beach club. Just as white shoes would make their final...
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Back to School Shoes
Back to School. Vintage ad Sears Back to School Clothes 1957 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...
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Farewell to NY’s Joan Rivers
“Fun City” a 1972 Broadway show co-written by Joan Rivers who co-starred with Paul Ford, Rose Marie and Gabriel Dell. This short-lived show ran but a week. It’s opening date was Jan 2, 1972 closing Jan...
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