Vintage Monday // Goofy Grape & Friends

Vintage Pop Culture

Move over Kool-Aid! Now there’s something FUNNER! OK, that’s not a word, but if you just take a gander at Goofy Grape, Choo Choo Cherry, Freckleface Strawberry, Jolly Olly Orange, Lefty Lemon, Rootin’ Tootin Raspberry, and Loud Mouth Lime I think you’ll agree.

Back in 1964, Pillsbury released FUNNY FACE drink mixes. They were meant to be a delicious rival to the popular Kool Aid. Mom’s loved it because it was a “great alternative to soda and fruit juices” (hah!).

What made Funny Face so different from Kool Aid was that it was a “sugar free drink” and each flavor had a unique character. This made it totally ideal for advertising and excellent promotions.

They even released a record album!

Here’s my lil collection:

Way Out Watermelon was a later addition to the gang. His Elvis side burns crack me up!

I love this old commercial—although be forewarned, Jolly Olly Orange and Choo Choo Cherry still have their older super un-PC names: Injun Orange and Chinese Cherry. (EEP!)

Do you remember these?? I think they sold them well into the 70s. I don’t think I ever tried them, but I remember friends having the cups!

Vintage Kiddo Retro Round Up!

Kiddo Style: Vintage

Oh my–did you have an amazing weekend? I did–the weather was perfection and I have had so much fun enjoying that extra hour of sleep every morning thanks to Daylight Savings Time.  While I wasn’t looking over my ballot to vote tomorrow, I did spend a wee bit of time finding some vintage goodies to share with you!

Um… WHOA! Now, that’s a sweet little stripey coat.  I’d totally rock that if I fit a 3T… From Etsy seller, Potato Cake Vintage.

With snow season officially on us, it is best to be prepared and buy these awesome vintage ice skates NOW! Heck, they wold even look amazing just on the wall! From Etsy seller UDA Kids.

Every now and then I find something that is so perfect for someone that I just have to yell it from the Interwebs rooftop.  Jody! This sweet vintage robot pajamas set for $10 must be bought by you.  From Etsy seller,  Toadstool Vintage.

This wonderful little dressie is so charming.  It’s the little posy that makes me so happy! From Etsy seller, Baby Tweeds.

These plaid pants are so awesome they almost cause me physical pain.  Someone please buy them! From Etsy seller,  Sweet Shop Vintage.

This coat. On this girl? Adorable.  And  hello–it’s green velvet! What is not to love? From Etsy seller, Salvage House.

ZOMG! Do you remember these? They were so much fun! And now your kiddo could have them too! I remember using Hawaiian Punch big cans and making them myself. I don’t even know if they still make those big canned drinks. Sigh! From Etsy seller, the Robot Parade.

Have you ever seen such a wonderfully winsome widdle lion? I know. Adorable. From Etsy seller, Dahlia Daffodil.

Etsy seller, Cheaper Buy the Dozen has perfect vintage kiddo book bundles at great prices–like this one. Terrific if you are dipping your toe in the water of vintage books.

I know, this hat is kinda crazy. But kinda crazy awesome too! From Etsy seller, Henny Renee.

Happy Monday!

The most explosive 70s magazine!

Best of Dottie, Best of Modern Kiddo, Vintage Pop Culture,

When I was a kid, there was nothing amazing than Dynamite Magazine! All the cool kids had a copy in their lockers squished between the pages of their Social Studies book, which was wrapped in a a brown paper bag.  Although the magazine was published between 1974 to 1992 to me they had their best covers from 1978 to 1982. Pure awesomeness.

The covers of Dynamite magazine read like a totally random Who’s Who of the late seventies/early eighties. Like these:

And don’t forget about Shields and Yarnell. It’s SHIELDS and YARNELL!!!

But Dynamite Magazine wasn’t only about the covers.  Inside those shiny front pages were so sweet goodies, like magic tricks from MAGIC WANDA!

And amazing comic puzzles that were WAY cooler than the Daily Jumble!

And don’t forget about Bummers–the write in column where kids could send in their “bummers”. If a kid’s “bummer” of a story was used, they would get $5–sweet! Oh, to have those bummers instead of dealing with traffic or mortgage rates. Sigh!

Every now and then I spy that signature rainbow cursive logo at an estate sale or Flea Market and I can’t help but smile.

Did you read Dynamite Magazine? Do you remember any specific cover?  Were you lucky enough to actually SUBSCRIBE TO IT? Sigh…

CRAFTOBER:: My Peachy Princess!

Crafts + DIY

What a fun crafty month, it has been!  I’ve certainly been spending more time this month than in the past year glue-gunning, modge-podging and sewing my little heart out. And all for a specific little project. A certain little someone’s innocent Halloween costume request.

“Mama, I am going to be an orange princess for Halloween!” the Peach declared one day.

Hmmm… Not pink (which would have been easy..to buy, that is) but orange. Her favorite color. Hoo boy.

OK.

I first ran to Beverly’s the closest craft/fabric store I could get to and lo and behold orange satiny fabric was on sale–$4.00 a yard. HUZZAH! I snatch up four yards and some other stuff along with this pattern.  It has easy on the the pattern envelope and I’ve owned a sewing machine for thirty years. how hard could it be?

It turns out pretty hard.  Like stab a seam ripper in my eye hard at times.

Well, not necessarily hard, but time consuming, filled with little steps and the fabric was a total nightmare. Hard to press, and if you look at it wrong, it will freak out on you.

But once I got into sewing it, I began to slowly fall back in love with sewing.  And I let my craft flag fly! I even turned a bachelorette crown topped with wee gentlemen parts into a sassy orange glittery rhinestone.

So, how did the final dress turn out?  Well, someone really likes it! And that is the most important thing. I tried to sparkle it up with more lace and lacing. And wee bit of pink.  The Peach gasped with happiness when she saw herself in the mirror. Twelve hours and $50 worth of fabric and ribbon and netting netted the happiest little orange princess around.

Just don’t look too close at the hem. That’s all I ask…

How was your crafty month? What are you working on right now?

 

Friday Link Hootenanny on MONDAY?? SPOOKY!

Link Hootenanny

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. It’s the Friday Link Hootenanny….on MONDAY NIGHT! Oh I’ve been missing the hootenanny—and I was so pleased to have several of you email and tweet me that you missed it too! We have 2 days til Halloween, so I wanted to sneak in some spooky links that have been making me happy.

1. MOST FESTIVE PARTY EVER.

Who says kiddos get to have all the fun?? This fabulous costume party is ah-mazing! Everybody who was anybody was apparently there. (“Who invited the Outhouses?” ) See more here.

2. LOVELY LABELS

Our friends over at the Nimbus Factory have some adorably spooky freebies for you to download.  Check ’em out here!

3. WORLD’S MOST INSPIRING BOY.

Sayer is the clever and sweet son of my friend Kristin (KLT works). He has recently been obsessed with the human body and drew up some cool skellies—which his rad mama turned into even cooler tees. Check out the creative process here!

4. SOCK IT TO ME.


Happy Socks is one of the most colorful companies around! I’m super loving the polka dot Keds they’re rocking. If you order 4 pair of socks (or other items) you get freee shipping. Woot!

5. OH HOLY YUMMY.

Tracy (shutterbean) has many tasty things on her blog all the time. They’re so good that I love to browse her archives and this one is from last year…but it’s just that good that I had to look it up again!! Butternut Squash, Crispy Sage Crostini. AKA A little crunchy autumnal bit of heaven!!! Find out how to make it here.

6. HEY BATTA BATTA!

Elsie’s adorable little bat decor is so wonderfully simple….why didn’t i think of it?? See more here.

7. TRICK OR TREATIE COOKIES.

Meagan of Not Martha comes up with the cleverest treats around. I mean, cookies that break open to reveal treats? WOW! See how to make ’em here. Then call me up so I can try ’em.

8. OMY GOODNESS.

Um. What can I say, other than ze French….ze make even ze Paper Bag look gooood. French company OMY nailed it!  See more here. (spotted on ohhappyday)

9. MR. DRESS UP

Jordan (ohhappyday) has a most fantastic collection of DIY “Homemade Halloween” costumes this year. Some are more elaborate than others, but this charming little strong man was one of my faves! See her whole collection here.

10. THE DOTSER IS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE.

Dottie and I have been contributors over at Simple Design this past year and I was totally loving D’s latest post—5 Quirky Games to Play at a halloween Paryt. Pop Goes the Pumpkin (confetti filled balloons? sign me up!) is my fave and is sure to be a party-pleaser!! See the whole post here!

 BONUS: BOYS DO CRY.

Have you seen these yet? This haunted house in Niagra Falls—called the Fear Factory—promises chills and thrills! They also have a hidden camera that snaps photos of guests as they are getting spooked, and then kindly posts them on their web site so big chickens like me can look from afar and laugh. Hee. See more here.

BONUS VIDEO.

Ooooh creepy dolls. Patty Playpal….do you ever get the feeling she’s going to replace YOOOOOU?

http://youtu.be/UUXqbE8bC_c