everyday people

When I planned for my eighth grade dance in the mid-sixties, I carefully selected my ensemble and lovingly crafted my coif. You can see the results in the top picture. No, really. That's me.

Of course when I looked in the mirror that June evening, I saw something very similar to Lauren Hutton in the picture below (from the October, 1967 issue of Seventeen). I saw blonde, tall, skinny, slinky, and so hip-that-it-made-your-teeth-hurt. Unfortunately, neither the camera (or anyone else) saw what I did.

It's obvious, though, that I thought I was the bee's knees and you'd think from the barely amused expression on my 13 year old face that I was at my wit's end due to being followed by the paparazzi all night long. (Nope, just one snapshot by Mom who loved me no matter how bad I looked, thank God)

i got you babe

I would imagine that when this was recorded in 1965, neither of them could have possibly imagined that one day Cher would become an Oscar-winning actress and fashion-plate who would be headlining a solo show in Vegas when she was in her 60's .... or that Sonny would become mayor of Palm Springs, California, and then later a Republican in the United States House of Representatives.

I love watching them here when they were young and in love .... and their fabulous lives were still out there waiting for them.

psychotic reaction

Our family has always taken Halloween a little more seriously than most so it's not surprising that at least one of our kids would enthusiastically sign up for Universal Studio's Halloween Horror Nights, which is a legendary Halloween institution around these parts.

Personally, I can't stand things that jump out at me so I don't attend very often but, of course, last year I had to go to witness my sweet baby girl shoot a machine gun at unsuspecting victims while dressed as Chucky, the evil and murderous doll from the movie "Child's Play." Makes a Mom proud.

I snapped a quick picture which isn't too good because of all of the fog they were pumping into the building -- but in case you did attend, I thought you might enjoy seeing the sweet face behind that scary, gun-wielding Chucky who no doubt made you shriek and walk a lot faster.

(And, yes, she has a part for this year, too!)

oh, pretty woman

Because Yardley of London knew exactly who they were marketing to in the 60's, it's not surprising that so many of their commercials ended up airing during "The Monkees" tv show which ran from 1966 to 1968. I was a huge Monkee fan but my love for Yardley cosmetics way outlasted my love for Davy, Micky, Peter and Mike. Sorry, guys. I'm the fickle sort.

I recently came across these two old Yardley commercials from that time period -- they will give some of you a happy trip down memory lane and they will give some of you a little insight into what the hullaballoo was all about.

Note the British accents of the voice-overs and keep in mind that this was at the height of the so-called "British invasion." We were suckers for anything (and anyone) from across the Big Pond.

Enjoy!

gimme shelter

In addition to all of my other unabashed eccentricities which I refuse to apologize for, I'm a huge fan of reality television. Yes, I know I should be above it. As someone with a degree in Broadcasting, I know that I should be typing the words "reality television" with the same revulsion I experience while typing the words "end-stage syphilis."

But from "American Idol" to "Hell's Kitchen" to even some seasons of "The Bachelor," trust me when I tell you that I love me some reality tv and I'm not the slightest bit ashamed of it.

There is one reality show that I have to admit I enjoy with just a tinge of self-loathing (which I truly believe only further enhances my enjoyment of it) and that's "Big Brother" which premieres it's 12th season tonight on CBS. In case you've been living under a rock for the last ten years, "Big Brother" consists of 14 (usually very attractive young) people moving into a studio that resembles a home where they conduct their completely secluded lives on camera 24/7 all summer ...... while plotting how to get rid of each other.

As in all reality tv, it's unpredictable. Some seasons it's a big snore and I quickly lose interest while other seasons I practically live on my computer monitoring "Big Brother" message boards for the latest news. My passion for any particular season is dependent on at least one of two things: 1) There must be someone I adore and/or 2) there must be someone I despise. If I can get both in one season, I'm in "Big Brother" heaven.

Anyway, I said all that to say all this: even though the show starts tonight, I may never mention it again. Or I may blog about it hourly until no one can stand me .... if you don't believe me, ask my best friend, Sharon, about my former Taylor Hicks obsession. It wasn't pretty.

she's a rainbow

Dolly Face, originally uploaded by sugarpie honeybunch.

Of all of my retro/vintage photos on Flickr, this is probably my very favorite -- partly because it's just a visually-interesting photo but also because it's part of an advertisement for a product I well remember trying: Yardley's Dolly Face Beauty Mask.

The masks came in 5 different colors and each color was designed to address a different skin problem -- I don't remember which color I purchased or what it was supposed to do but, apparently, I wasn't impressed because I never bought it again.

It's a great photo, though, isn't it?

P.S. For those who care about such things (and I do), Colleen Corby -- the most prolific American teenage model of the 60's -- is in the upper left hand corner.

american woman

Flowers of 1776, originally uploaded by sugarpie honeybunch.

Okay, so this isn't the most traditional Fourth of July commemorative you've ever seen -- but this ad is from the September 1975 issue of 'Teen magazine so it sure as heck works for this blog.

The Bicentennical back in 1976 was a pretty big deal for the country --as a 200th birthday should be -- and it reached into virtually every area of advertising life ..... and teenage cosmetics were no exception.

On July 4th, 1976 you could attend your neighborhood barbecue knowing (deep down inside) that you smell just like a 1776 American flower garden. (And if you were lucky, you might meet your very own Minuteman!)

Happy 4th of July!