I'm Not Being Rude, But...

Simon Cowell stars in The Miracle of the Bells with Frank Sinatra and Valli (detail of movie poster from March 1948 Woman's Home Companion - coincidentally, Fred MacMurray's character is described in the poster as a 'cynic, dreamer, and maker of stars!')

"There was one great part to your movie - it was the end!"

Balderdashery!

Chocolate boxes and rose bouquets are the standard go-to gifts for Valentine's Day sweethearts. But, soon those boxes will be littered with crumpled wrappers and the flowers will be wilting in their vases. Why not give her a distinctive gift she can wear all year? No, not jewelry! A hat! Woman's Home Companion (March 1948 issue) has a few styles that will complement any face you could possibly wish to hat.

"The Cat Toy"
My favorite part of the caption is when the flower is described as 'arrogant'. Is that a positive adjective for a hat? Also, I'm wondering why the model is poking herself in the chin like that. Is this her Robert Mitchum impression?


"The Old Man of the Mountain"
If you look closely, she has a little friend on the top of her head. She hears him calling out to her when she's alone.


"The Taco"
This hat is ridiculous, and the model knows it. She's looking at her beau and thinking, 'You just don't get me, do you?'

Say Goodbye To '59!

Should you be inviting some auld acquaintances to your house for a little New Year's Eve soirée this year? If so, you might want to Ring In The New Year with some of Gay Head's suggestions in Party Perfect (1959), that pocket-sized party planning guide.




Madcap merrymakers





Curly Wurly wishes you a happy and healthy 2011!

I'm Dreaming Of...

From my table to yours, warm wishes to all my readers!

Gifts Of Christmases Past

No mantelpiece? Don't have enough room for a lineup of stockings? Here's the solution: Pocket Full Of Stockings. And fill each tiny pocket to the brim with Hostess Cupcakes!


If your father knows wurst, sew him up a nice hat and apron ensemble so he can pose in awkward family photos like this one!


Or make Kevin Nealon a typewriter cover. I'm sure he'll appreciate it!


Remember when Brigitte Bardot was on the Soupy Sales holiday show?

[All gift ideas from Things To Make For Christmas (Fawcett Publications, 1965)]

The Pickle On The Hearth

O Pickle Tree - This is officially my favorite gelatin salad ever! It's made using gelatin, mayonnaise, horseradish, pickles, apples, tongue, green peppers! It's gorgeous! You're welcome!


The Festive Pickle Glazed Yule Log (ham) covered in briny 'mushrooms'


What's your Christmas table without a nice Santapiece?


Or, perhaps, Scott Towels' Jack In The Box Choir Boy is more your style? (He's guardian of the Almond Brittle)


Make holiday cards using seasonal seals available at Woolworth's


Or use scraps of gift wrap to make these really nice paper candle cards. I love the Futurist Noel design!

[All crafts and food items from Things To Make For Christmas (Fawcett Publications, 1965)]

Season's Eatings!

Santa's embarrassing summer job as gift walker


This poor reindeer has both snail-y hind legs and reindeer pox!


DAK Angel


Hors d'Oeuvre Memory Game! Can you spot Moon Face and Sardine Supreme?


Punting on the Yuletide at the annual Stollen Regatta


You, too, will be Mince Meat if you sneak a piece of one of these fruit bundt cakes before the guests arrive!

[All crafts and food items from Things To Make For Christmas (Fawcett Publications, 1965)]

Fawcett's Holiday Bizarre!

They call this one Blue Plastic Angel, so I suppose it was influenced by Marlene Dietrich. Can't you see the resemblance?


A Trio of Eerie Faceless Angels


Dumbledore lives!


Cousin Itt meets a blonde bombshell yeti


The Snowman "Plaque" is just paper plates and black masking tape? Now, that's just lazy!


Tissue Box Pantomime


Bozo the Totem Pole Clown


George Nelson's Starburst wall hanging

[All crafts from Things To Make For Christmas (Fawcett Publications, 1965)]