Originals Of Popular Songs - Otis Redding On American Idol

The popular song, Hard To Handle, was sung by Phillip Phillips on American Idol.  Most people are familiar with the Black Crowes version of the song.  However, you must listen to and appreciate  the original:






Pretty stellar, huh?  Without writing a full Otis Redding biography, he wrote and recorded the tune shortly before he passed away in 1967.  It was released in 1968.


Phillip Phillip's version:





I think it's great American Idol features music from musical legends such as Otis Redding!

Old Products You Can Still Buy- Coty Airspun Face Powder

How did classic movie gals get their flawless looking complexion???

WITH................

Coty "Air Spun" Face Powder!

AND- you can still buy it... At WALGREENS!!

Oh, the hidden treasure you find.  Who needs Sephora brand makeup?  Drug store makeup all the way and you should start with Coty Face Powder!  

Elizabeth Taylor's Beautiful Cleopatra Makeup

Cleopatra makeup with inspiration from Elizabeth Taylor:  This is one of the most stunning makeup looks and pretty glittery eye makeup:

**Click image to enlarge.

Audrey Hepburn Headshots Collage

Headshots of Audrey Hepburn.  Close-up photos of Audrey Hepburn:

Audrey Hepburn Headshots.

Roman Holiday Collage! From My Photo Collection

The most memorable photos from Roman Holiday?  Audrey Hepburn photos from Roman Holiday:

**Click collage to see larger image! 

Please let me know if you'd like to see any of the photos individually!

Breakfast At Tiffany's Collage!

Sneak peek of my photo collection.

***CLICK collage for bigger image!  Let me know if you'd like to see any individually!

Elizabeth Taylor's Gorgeous Tiaras- Featuring The Mike Todd Tiara

~*~*~*~*FIT FOR A QUEEN!*~*~*~*~

The "Mike Todd Diamond Tiara" sold for $4.2 million at Christie's New York on Dec 13 2011. despite being expected to sell for roughly $80,000.

The diamond tiara (1800s) was given to Liz by her then third husband, Mike Todd in 1957.  When he presented it to Taylor he proclaimed, "You are my queen." She famously wore it to the Academy Awards in Los Angeles in 1957, where Todd's film Around the World in 80 Days won for Best Picture. 

The "Mike Todd Diamond Tiara" sold for $4.2 million at Christie's New York on Dec 13 2011. despite being expected to sell for roughly $80,000.

(photo via)

......................until next time............

Follow The Yellow Brick Road...

To the wonderful land of................

PEEKSKILL, NY?!?!

(photo via)

According to historian John Curran, the exact yellow bricks which inspired author and playwright L. Frank Baum are located in Peekskill, NY.  

According to Mr. Curran, when 12 year old Baum arrived in Peekskill to attend the Peekskill Military Academy, he asked for directions after getting off a steamboat.  He was told to, "Follow the yellow brick road."

According to old maps, the brick road did in fact, actually at one time lead directly to the military academy.  

Click here to see a photo of the road as it looks today and read more about Mr. Curran's efforts associated with this road.

............................until next time...............................

CRISSY DOLL!

HELLO CRISSY!!!

She is the first out of several Crissy Family dolls.  This 1971 model has "growing hair" that you can make longer and shorter by twisting a knob on her back!  I have several of her orginal clothing but am particularly fond of her "fun red cape" outfit she's wearing here.  It reminds me of a red coat with pom poms I own.

Click here to check out the other members of her family.

The last Crissy doll to be manufactured?

Baby Crissy!

First sold in 1973 by The Ideal Toy Corporation.  She was re-issued by Ideal in 1981 and 1982.  But by 1984, Baby Crissy looked nothing like the original.  The last Baby Crissy to be manufactured was in 1995, which are apparently hard to come by.  Click here to see what she looks like.

So tastefully fashionable the original Crissy was.  Not trashy like today's dolls.

..........................until next time...........................

CUPCAKES- THE FIRST EVER MASS PRODUCED?

What was the first mass produced cupcake??  

*Hint* It wasn't Hostess.

There have been several write ups citing Hostess was the first to mass produce cupcakes.  However..........

TASTYKAKE    !!!!!!  Takes the cake.

According to TastyKake's President, Nelson G. Harris, Tastykake introduced their cupcake before Hostess did- in 1915.

Now- onto something MUCH more important.  

Where can you BUY Tastykake??  Check out www.tastykake.com to find the nearest dealer near YOU!!

Tastykake makes several other confections.  I'd love to hear your favorite.

(source: Boca Raton News)

Now, time to find the best cupcake shop or the best cupcake recipe because I have a hankerin'!  :)

....................................until next time...................

Cat Eye Sunglasses For Spring/Summer!

I think a good pair of cat eye sunglasses with bright red or pink lips would go perfect with that bouffant hairdo I spoke about a couple posts ago, don't you???  The perfect look for spring and summer.  This really should be one of the hottest trends in fashion! :)


A few fans of the "cat eye" style....

I urge you to find a pair wherever you can!   

....................until next time............

Audrey Hepburn's Multi Banded Ponytail!

The must fun trendy hairstyle?

Long before Lady Gaga or Olivia Wilde sported this look, Audrey Hepburn wore this multi banded ponytail (actually pigtails!) for her film Two For The Road (1967).  What do you think?  I love it and it shows you don't need super long hair to pull it off.  

Funny, when I think of 1960s ponytails I think more along the lines of this bouffant style a la Brigitte Bardot:

I have to admit, I like both variations.

.............................until next time..............

Old Favorites You Can Still Buy- QUAKER QUISP CEREAL!

YAY! Quisp is BACK!!!!!

(photovia)

This old favorite from 1965 is available to buy today!  Discontinued in the late 70s, Quisp was re-launched a a few times and has been available at several big retailers such as Target.  Today, you can purchase the cereal direct from Quaker Oats or Amazon.com

Go to www.quakeroats.com for more information.

1970s Quisp Commercial:

Bring This Product Back! The Seven Up Candy Bar

You'll want to contact Pearson's Confections if you miss this candy bar which was discontinued in 1979.   Many people agree that the Sky Bar just doesn't compare to the flavors they remember in the Seven Up bar.  According to Pearson's, they altered these flavors slightly during the products lifetime.

What came after the Seven Up Bar you ask??

naturally.

.................until next time........................

Old Favorites You Can Still Buy! - CHERY MASH CANDY

CHERRY MASH!  Created in 1918, this delicious confection is still available for purchase today.  I plan on looking for it at WalMart, although last I checked it said it was out of stock online.  :/  There's always Amazon.com and my personal favorite, The Vermont Country Store.

I'm loving the recipes the vintage wrapper above provides.  Here is today's wrapper, very much true to the original:

...and a peek inside... ;)

(photos via and)

If you have a pinterest account, I highly recommend searching for cherry mash recipes... the cupcakes and bars I've seen look amazing!

.................. until next time..................

Shirley Temple Dolls- A Glimpse Of My Collection

Each doll has a story, each doll is special and I would NEVER sell them.  There are a couple original composition dolls from the 1930s.  Can you spot them?  The rest of my dolls are put away in their original boxes.  My favorite?  All of them- but I really do love the Baby Take A Bow doll -last one on the right and the Wee Willie Winkie doll 2nd from the end on the left.  :)  Like the lava lamp in the corner? ;)

Shirley kept the Ideal Toy And Novelty Co in business for quite a while!








........ until next time....

Ode To Woolworths - More Than A Department Store...

Back in the 90s, when all was well and right, Woolworths still exsisted.  I was lucky to have one in my hometown and even luckier to have one with an original Woolworths Luncheonette.

For some reason there was an old turnstile at the entrance of the diner, similar to:

You, of course didn't have to go through it but I insisted each and every time.  I went so often to eat with my mom and best friend, the waitress knew our orders every single time.

Since my local Woolworths closed, The incredibly bland Peebles opened in its place.  For the past 19 years, the people of my community have had to travel 40 minutes just to buy items such as clothes hangers.  Now, I believe I speak for the majority of the people in my community and many other small towns in similar circumstances when I say, I'd rather shop at a Woolworths than Wal-mart.

Recently, I was extatic to learn that my hope of experiencing the delicious splendor of The Woolworths diner can be restored- IF I visit Bakersfield, CA or Ashville, NC.

I have found two diners left (if you know of any others, PLEASE let me know!).  The first, in Bakersfield, CA is an antique shop, which was previously a long standing Woolworth location.  The "Woolwooth" lettering still exists on the cement at the entrance.  The diner has been kept in pristine condition and true to its original look.

I encourage you all to support this establishment by liking them on facebook:

The second, in Asheville, NC is also located in an old Woolworth building.  Now being used as an art gallery, the diner area of the building is still being used!  Click here for more information.

If you are feeling as warm and fuzzy as I am remembering Woolworth's aka "Wollies" and want to find out more, you must visit this thread where people have posted recipies similar to dishes served at Woolworth's.

From all that I've read, the most missed meal from the Woolworth's diner, is actually a GRILLED CHEESE sandwich and their COLESLAW.

Here is an orginal menu from the 50s:

...Remember?

...Remember?


Still can't get enough Woolworth's nostalgia?  There is a book called, Remembering Woolworths available on amazon.

In closing, I really hope that more of these Woolworth diners open.  The website, www.Brandlandusa.com, much loved by myself, lists F.W. Woolworth at #2 on his list of, "100 Dead Brands To Bring Back."  Garland Pollard writes, "What a waste to lose this American company."  I couldn't agree with him more.

Signs Of Woolworth's past...

 photos via

F.W. Woolworth July 18, 1879 - Jan 5 2009

**If you have any interesting information re: Woolworths/photos/stories to share, please comment  :)

More Information:

*The Woolworths brand in Australia has no historical ties to The F.W. Woolworth Company.
*click here to read about the company's founder, Frank Winfield Woolworth



disclaimer:  I do not own the righs to the images above.





.........................................until next time.........,.

Happy Go Lovely With Vera-Ellen And David Niven

Such a cute film...