Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Blogger Award!!!! and Ebay Goodies Coming Soon

Hi all!!!!


I am happy (and flattered) to say that MidCentury Pink has been nominated for a Versatile Blogger Award! Thank you Jordan at Jordan's Kitchen Vintage for thinking of me! I've only just started the blog and only have a few followers. I'm just thrilled that people are even reading my little ramblings. Many more than I thought would! Since January 1st my little blog has had over 1000 hits, which I think is pretty good!!

Thanks again, Jordan. By the way, if you haven't seen her blog, hop on over to it! Its great. She's super stylish, super cute and a soon to be New Yorker!! You can't get much better than that.

So when you receive the Versatile Blogger award you have to do a couple of things.

  • Thank the person who gave you this award. That's just the nice thing to do! Have your followers give them a peek
  • Nominate some bloggers you follow and love  for the Versatile Blogger Award
  • Let them know you nominated them
  • Share 7 random facts about yourself
  • Add the Versatile Blogger Award to your post

  • So my 7 Random Things are:

    1. I don't know how to drive! Never have... It completely freaks me out! Good thing I live in NYC.
    2. I have an obsession with Fairies! Love them.
    3.  I honestly think I was British in a past life. I love everything about the UK!
    4. I'm allergic to GRAPEFRUIT of all things. Breaks me out in the grossest, itchest hives...But I LOVE grapefruit... go figure
    5.I'm deathly afraid of ants. UGH! I stepped in a ant hill when I was 6 and was covered in the things! I've been afraid of them ever since
    6. I'm REALY good at dancing OFF beat! On purpose!! HAHA!! Like REALLY good! Everyone thinks its hilarious considering I dance for a living!
    7. I LOVE Louisiana Hot Sauce!! I put it on EVERYTHING!!! Eggs, popcorn, chicken...doesn't matter!!


    Other Bloggers I'm nominating are: (sorry my list is small!! I'm new to the blogging world And I was also trying to nominate blogs who haven't previously got an award)

     A Cake Bakes in Brooklyn
    Kitsch 'n Keen
    The Pocket Size Wife
    Boutique la boheme (Angela is a childhood friend with an amazing decor blog)
    Everyday Darling
    Bunny's Victory









    YAY!!! Now... I have some more exciting news! I won my first eBay auction last night!!! YAY!! Ok, that may not be the exciting news you expected but it's exciting for me. EBay had always intimidated me, so unless it was "Buy Now" I didn't bother. Well, last night I bid on a really cute 1950s cocktail dress and won!! I plan on posting it as soon as it makes it to my doorstep. Now I have my eye on a day dress. If I win that one I'll be sure to post that too! Both dresses will be part of my VLV 16 wardrobe. It's finally starting to come together.

    Well that's all for now lovies!!

    Until next time

    xoxo

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    Tuesday, January 29, 2013

    Everyone Loves Cheesecake...Pin-up, that is!!!



    Pinups! Who doesn't love them? I've loved "cheesecake" pin-up for as long as I can remember. The girls in the pictures were always so feminine and flirty and looked like they were having so much fun!!!

    So have some fun with me as I share with you my absolute favorite pinups!

    My first favorites come from Edward Runci. While researching this I realized there is not much written about him in the way of a biography, which is a shame. Runci (July 4, 1921-July 1986)  was born in Sicily and moved to the US in the 1930s.  He became popular for his paintings of women for the Coca- Cola Company!

    Here is a platter and bowl a close friend gave me. I LOVE it. Its perfect decor for our living room!! I believe Runci painted these (not the actual platter hehe, but the picture on it)  but I'm not sure. I couldn't find anything identical on the web. It looks like his work anyway. But regardless it's totally cute!







    I'm not sure why but this is my absolute favorite Runci painting. I just think it's so beautiful and carefree!





    Next on my list is  Gil Elvgren (1914-1980). When I think of pin-up I think of Gil Elvgren automatically. His pin-ups always looked like they were taken by surprise in some compromising situation.  They're campy and funny! They all seem to have the original "duck lips" that (for better or worse) appear in many a young girls' Facebook profile picture.

    This one is one of my favorites for obvious reasons. Its called "The Perfect Form"



    This one:  "Hold Everything" is all about the sexy Librarian!  A smart girl depicted as sexy! Love it!





    I also love the "photos to paints'. It's fun to see the gal behind the painting.





    The next paintings are by Alberto Vargas (1896-1982). I feel like he may be the more famous of the three artists that I have featured. Vargas was born in Peru and landed on Ellis Island in NYC in 1916.  In 1919 he was asked to paint portraits of the Ziegfeld Follies girls. Which is where my favorite pin-up of all time comes from.

    "Memories of Olive" I adore this painting. It has such passion, grace and beauty which is how I want to live my life everyday.There is a honesty about it that is haunting to me.  This portrait holds great significance to me. I'm thinking of getting a tattoo of it.



    I also love this one. As you can see I'm partial to the ballerinas... I wonder why??? 





    Sigh... Aren't they DELICIOUS?!?!?!?! These are just a few, but not all of my favorites. I think I'll do another post about pin-up photography. There are a lot of beautiful photos out there of Norma Jean (or Marilyn Monroe), Jane Russell and other Hollywood starlets.  

    I have read that the art of the pin-up went out of fashion around the late 1960s and early 1970's because of the feminist movement. Pin-ups were thought to represent the weaker woman image that the world was trying to move away from. I don't see it that way though. I think they were gutsy women who weren't afraid to show a sexy side. However,  I do understand why at the time people would think that. The feminist movement was definitely needed. Without it who knows where women would be today. Definitely not in politics and running large corporations.

    Luckily pin-up has seemed to make a comeback with the emergence of modern day pin-up girls such as Bernie Dexter and Dita Von Teese who model themselves after classic pin-up girls (although Dita is more of a burlesque star). Oh! And how could I forget Angelique Noire. She is an amazingly beautiful African -American pin-up.

     I think the world is to a point now where it's okay to be sexy AND smart. It is completely possible to be a power attorney (or stay at home mom, or ballet teacher...wink wink)  and be alluring and celebrate your femininity at the same time. Come on... Being a girl is a BLAST for most of us! YAY GIRL POWER!!!


    An Extra!!! Si Cranstoun's "50s Pinup Girl"! With Bernie Dexter!!!




    Lets here it for the girls!!!!
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    Sunday, January 27, 2013

    Viva Las Vegas COUNTDOWN!!!! My VLV Fashion Plan...

    Siiiggghhhh... Its been a long week here in NYC. This cold is kicking every one's butt! Yesterday I actually left the house with absolutely no vintage anything on!!!! I couldn't bring myself to get out of bed in time enough to put myself together! It was just too darn cold! So it was jeans, a sweater and snow boots...a very sad fashion day. Thank goodness it's finally Sunday (and slightly warmer) and I have a day to sit and rest.

    While sitting here I was trying to figure out what I have and what I need to get to take to Vegas in March. If I'm correct we are about 9 weeks til the Weekender. It's time to really start making sure the things I already have are clean and in wearable condition. It's also time to see what I need to get to make a complete VLV wardrobe.

    Trying to figure all of this out in my head was not working so being the visual person that I am, a list had to be made. I figured the best way to go about making the list would be to list the day and event we wanted to attend and then assign a type of outfit (not the actual item, just an idea) I wanted to wear based on the event.

    So here is what I've come up with so far:

    Thursday:
    Travel Day, Wristband pickup, and hopefully hit the Strip
    DAY DRESS

    Friday:
    1:00pm- VLV Fashion Show
    DAY DRESS



    VLV 13 Fashion Showcase

    7:30pm - Burlesque Showcase and dinner
    EARLY EVENING DRESS

    After Hours: Dancing
    FULL SKIRT DRESS and SHOES FOR DANCING

    Saturday:
    12:00pm - Pool Party
    SWIMSUIT or PLAYSUIT

    5:00pm - Pinup Contest/Car Show
    DAY DRESS

    7:00pm- Little Richard/Car Show

    12:30pm - Si Cranstoun
    DRESS FOR DANCING




    Si Cranstoun

    Sunday:
    Sightseeing
    DAY DRESS

    6:30pm - Jive Contest ???? and dinner
    ????




    Jive Competition
    not sure if we'll make the contest because we have to fit in dinner and I MUST see...

    8:00pm - Nikki Hill
    EVENING DRESS




    Nikki Hill
    Monday:
    Travel Day





    So this is just a VERY rough idea of what kinds of attire I will need. OH! And just because I say DAY DRESS, doesn't mean an actual day dress. I just mean day attire. Same for the evening. I know I need to add a few "play" clothes in there too! For instance, I need a pair of high waisted jeans or dungarees and maybe some super cute tap shorts. I have a pair of cigarette pants that I want to incorporate somehow. I've also found a couple of really cute halter tops made from 1950's patterns that I want to get. And SHOES!!! I REALLY need shoes!!! I could also use a new white crinoline...

    So this is how I broke it down even more

    DAY ATTIRE
    1. Pink "summer" dress (Honey says I need to lay off the pink,but it's my signature color!!!!)
    2. Pink Repro dress
    3.NEED- This is where the jeans may come in
    4.Red and white polka dot???

    DANCING:
    1.Black and white halter dress
    2.NEED
    3.NEED

    EVENING:
    1.Red
    2.NEED

    SWIM:
    NEED

    Hehe! It may not make sense you anyone else, but it totally makes me feel more organized. Now I know what I already want to take and what I need to get.

     It seems like a lot on paper but I plan on getting a couple of things a week until I have everything. Starting this week!! I'll be sure to post my finds! I plan on shopping while I'm there too so hopefully I'll find some cute things that I can also wear while I'm there.  I also have to incorporate more repro than I wanted to only because of the time issue (as well as financial) . For every true vintage dress I take I'm going to have to take a reproduction also. For my first Viva, I'm not trying to be a total fashion plate. I'll leave that for the veterans.  I just want to feel it out first so that I have a better idea of what to do for next year.  

    That's it for now I guess. Sorry for the rambling. I hope it wasn't too "right- brained" to understand!!!

    xoxo


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    Wednesday, January 23, 2013

    Dreaming of Warmer Weather: A Pineapple Upside Down Cake!


    Today was my day off so it was a baking day!!!!!

    Its 16 degrees here in NYC today. Soooo cold! I love cold weather but it's even too cold for me at this point.  I guess it was the cold weather that had me craving something tropical. Like pineapples!!! I also wanted to do something from a vintage recipe. Luckily I found this cute blog, A Cake Bakes in Brooklyn. Susan writes a food blog based on recipes from 1919 all the way to the mid 50s. I was excited to find this blog because baking is one of my stress relievers. And if I can use vintage recipes, it's even better!!

    I used A Cake Bakes in Brooklyn's recipe for Pineapple Upside Down cake. The  recipe is supposed to be c. 1950.

    I won't give the full recipe. The link above takes you directly to it. The recipes on the site are mostly from recipe cards or old pieces of paper that people had used to jot them down on. After I read through the recipe a couple of times I found it to be pretty straight forward. The only tricky part was the eggs. The eggs must be separated and you have to beat the whites into a meringue then beat the yolks separately. So you have to use two different bowls and beaters.  If you don't bake much that can be a bit tedious. Other than that it was pretty quick and easy.




    I also had to use a frying pan instead of the skillet it called for. We have a cast iron skillet but it would have been way to big. I would have had a pancake instead!




    Susan from the blog decided against using the maraschino cherries because of all the additives. I went ahead and used them because it gives the cake the retro- tiki look I was going for. I figure that since I try to cook and bake organic most of the time that using the cherries this once won't kill us. I also had to use canned pineapple because I don't think it's quite pineapple season yet!



    And here is the finished product fresh out of the oven. I let the cake cool for 10 minutes then inverted it on a plate. It slid right out! Perfection. It smells divine!


    And it's quite tasty. A little on the sweet side but I'm a sweets addict so that's fine with me. The cake part takes like a classic sponge cake. I think this comes from beating the egg whites. I make a Yule Log every year for Christmas and the recipe follows similar instructions.


    The topping is buttery and caramelized and yummy! This recipe is worth a try if you like pineapples and cake.

    Go on over to Susan's blog and check out her other yummy, vintage treats!

    Now to find a Tiki party to take my cake to!



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    Sunday, January 20, 2013

    Vintage Envy

    Yes... I admit it... I have it. What I mean by vintage envy, is the slight tinge of jealousy I feel when I see people with the most gorgeous vintage wardrobes. Just starting out is a little frustrating because I know what I want to wear but go to the closet and I only have half of an outfit. I know what I need to buy but don't know where to get them... Especially here in NYC.

    Today was a lovely day in the Northeast. The sun was shining and it was actually around 53 degrees out. So I put on a cute little outfit grabbed Honey and went out to do a little shopping and enjoy the nice weather before it returns to the 20s tonight.

    We went to Park Slope, Brooklyn to visit a few vintage and thrift stores in the area. We went first to Guvnor's Vintage Thrift.  I actually love this store a lot. I can usually find at least one cute piece to take home but today... nothing. Everything there was 70s- 80s vintage. No 40's or 50's in sight. I think that was mostly because they had a week long sale that I didn't have time to get to and everything was gone.

    Sad but not deterred I went to shop #2 Odd Twin which is a block away. This store is always a hit or miss for me but the last time I was there is was a hit ( I found a like new red Pendleton jacket that looks super cute on me), so I thought it couldn't hurt. Ummmmm... nothing.I It seemed that there was a lot of late 60's dresses. A plus is that this store had a really nice selection of vintage shoes although none were in my size. There was also a lot of pretty hats but they have them very high up so it's hard to get a good look at them.  They had a little more 40s and 50s items than the last store but nothing that grabbed my attention.  And definitely nothing I was willing to spend $80-$100 for, which was the common price for the good blouses, skirts and dresses...  I became a little more antsy but this is what hunting for vintage is all about, right?? So on to store #3.

    Almost New...  This store is, again not a bad store but not at all what I was looking for.  I saw 80's leather jackets and A LOT of vintage fur... I'm not sure the year. It didn't really strike me as pre-1970s at all. There were dresses but the store is SUPER small and SUPER packed with merchandise so it was hard to see it all. Needless to say I got frustrated and left.

    Last store before giving up... Hootie Couture. I found a  1950s wool skirt that I wore for Christmas here so I was hopeful. Inside, this time,  (almost) everything was modern. Very few vintage items before the 80s. One also has to be careful in here because the vintage and modern clothes are very mixed together. I found skirts from places like Anne Taylor there. Not really what I would call vintage. The plus to the store is that the owner is a sweetheart. And very helpful. I met her on my previous visit and she was a riot!!! I just wish there was more actual vintage in her store.  Oh! Another plus I should mention is her accessory collection. There were all kinds of necklaces and brooches. I am still new at picking out vintage so jewelry I have NO clue about so I just browsed.

    So that was it. Four stores and came home with NOTHING. Just chalked it up to a bad shopping day and was just thankful for the nice weather and quality time spent with Honey. I do wish NYC had better stores that sold quality vintage though. But if that happened, everything would probably be NYC prices and therefore completely unaffordable. I'm always jealous of "vintage girls" who live out west and always have the best clothes!!! They're always like... "oh...Look at my new hat... I got it while I was out for $4!!!! What a steal!!!" and I'm like "Oh... let me go on Etsy and see if I can score a new dress... for $60!!!!"  HAHA! Such is life I guess.

    The problem is not that there are NO vintage stores in NYC. The problem is that the good ones are few and far between and when you do find a good one it is mostly 80s-90s vintage that you find. I guess that is just the style of most New Yorkers. Being edgy is in. Don't get me wrong, I ADORE edgy! Honey has an edgy style of dress. Its just not for me...

    There is another one, Rosebud Vintage, that is supposed to be close to where I live so maybe I'll check that one out next weekend. There is also Pinup Queens in Queens, New York that I need to check out. Hopefully I'll have some success there.

    Anyone out there live or come to the NYC area often? If so where do you go for your vintage goodies?????


    Oops! I just realized that I have no pictures today!!! I'll have to do a hair trial or something during the week to make up for that


    I guess I'll just pin curl my hair and call it a night!




    xoxo


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    Thursday, January 17, 2013

    New York, New York, Its a Helluva Town...

    "The Bronx is up and the Battery's down. The people ride in a hole in the ground. New York, New York...IT's A HELLUVA TOWWWNNNN"...

    Ooops. Guess I got a little carried away. If you haven't seen "On The Town" you should! Great movie! It stars Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly and is about sailors on a 24- hour pass in NYC. Of course there's a lot of old school "love making" and songs and dancing. Its fabulous! Vera- Ellen (from my "Dancing Dolls" post) plays a love interest! Here is a sneak peek!


    Any who... This post is not about this fabulous musical (which really wouldn't be a bad idea) but about my amazing city! I always call it my city even though I am not a New Yorker by birth. I'm a southern girl who knew by the age of 12 that she wanted to live here. I had never been before, just something in my little pre- teen consciousness told me that I HAD to come... HERE! Senior year of high school was the longest year of my life. I didn't get accepted into the NYC school I applied for, because of grades. Although a talented dancer, I wasn't really blessed with the book brains of some of my friends who went on to be doctors, lawyers and teachers. But... Low and behold, I sent an audition video in to the Dance Theater of Harlem school and was ACCEPTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY! I left for NYC 2 weeks after my high school graduation.

    And I haven't left since. There were the occasional "moves" to other cities but nothing compares... I'm a New Yorker so I always returned. I love the buildings, the parks in the middle of all the concrete, the shopping, the art,  the energy, I even like New Yorkers!! They're not as bad as people make them out to be... I'm just in love with the city.

    So here is my love song to NYC in (vintage 1950s) pictures


    Times Square Photo Booth
    Image credit: Frank Oscar Larson / Courtesy of Queens Museum of Art 


    Image credit: Frank Oscar Larson / Courtesy of Queens Museum of Art


    Hell's Kitchen
    Image credit: Frank Oscar Larson / Courtesy of Queens Museum of Art






    These next pics are from the book Vivian Maier: Street Photography: This seems like a fantastic book that I need to get my hands on soon. The link will take you to Amazon where you can order it!











    Sigh...Beautiful!!!

    Hope these photos make your day and maybe make you want to come visit some day!!

    Until next time, dolls



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    Tuesday, January 15, 2013

    VLV 16 COUNTDOWN!!! SWIMSUITS!!

    Even though it's still the dead of winter, I have swimsuits on the brain! Mainly because of Viva coming up. Not to mention yesterday was a warmer than normal winter day here in the Northeast (It's back to being ridiculously cold today). So with that I decided to do a post on potential swimsuits and styles for Viva.

    Now... I haven't bought a swimsuit in years. I'm not a big swimmer. I mean I CAN swim. It's just that I swim only because I'm from the south and you HAVE to know how to swim when you're from the south. But I HATE swimming. Ok, hate is a strong word. Let's just say I don't find it as fun as everyone else seems to. I don't know why... I guess that comes with my love of cooler weather.

    Although I'm not a big chlorine fan I do love to look at swimsuits. Especially vintage or vintage reproduction ones. They are the cutest!! And since Honey LOVES the water and we plan on hitting the pool party at Viva at least once, here are some cute ones that I like.

    LOVE these vintage 1950s suits... both are from Etsy. For suit 1 I love the color! The edging of the suit is adorable. I am kind of looking for something more like shorts because I'm slighty thigh heavy. Luckily most 1950s swimsuits are forgiving in areas like the thighs and bust. In suit 2 I love gingham. I have a summer skirt in exactly the same gingham and wore it all summer. I like how the top looks like it fits like a leotard but the bust looks like it definitely won't fit my smaller bust. But I'll keep looking for a style of suit like this one.

     







    My next dilemma is whether to go vintage or vintage reproduction.

    But... I'm not sure if I maybe want to go reproduction. They are slightly less expensive which is great. The downfall is that they are not one of a kind and at an event like VLV there is a chance someone will be wearing the same suit. I don't want that at all. Anyway,  this one is from from Vintage Suits by Mary. Did I mention that I LOOVVEE gingham (and pink ). But with my being so small busted the halter top stresses me out! If I get a halter I would need to try it on first... The shorts are perfect for me though.





    What I really, really want is a really cute playsuit. Preferably a vintage on. Or I would love to get one made from a vintage pattern. I love these patterns from Etsy. SUPER CUTE. The green one in pic 3 makes me alllll kinds of excited!!!

    The suit in pic 4 (the one with the girl sitting) is really my dream suit! I even kind of like the color. I'm not sure I like green on me though so maybe chance that to a blue or even a red would be super fun and sexy!










    I need to make some time to look at more and figure out a clothing budget. I feel like there is a lot that I need to get. It's a little overwhelming because this is not like packing for a normal trip. I just want to make sure I have everything. I don't want to feel like a frumpy little girl compared to all the wonderfully dressed women I've seen in everyone's VLV pics.

    So that's it for now. There are  more VLV countdown posts where this came from!! They'll be coming in the next few weeks so stay tuned.

    Until next time lovies!!


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    Sunday, January 13, 2013

    Today's circle skirt!!!!


    Not much of a post today. Just super stoked about the circle skirt I bought over the holidays and finally got a chance to wear. I scored the dress at Guvnor's Vintage Thrift in Park Slope, Brooklyn.  Honey and I were playing around with makeup and the new camera and this is what came of it. Tomorrow I'm going to do another VLV post!














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    Friday, January 11, 2013

    Sexy Sweater Girls and other random ramblings...


    They were part of the iconic look of the 1950s. They were sexy without being trashy. Every man wanted them and almost every woman wanted to look like them. Sweater girls.

    The term "sweater girl" was first given to a young Lana Turner by the Hollywood Reporter in the 1930's because of her appearance in a tight sweater in the movie "They Won't Forget".  The sweater girls look became a fashion trend that gained even more popularity in the 1950s when stars like Jayne Mansfield and Kim Novac frequently wore the tight sweaters accompanied with bullet bras.


    Lana Turner in "They Won't Forget"



    Jayne Mansfield



    Diana Dors


    Thinking about sweater girls and bullet bras also got me thinking about more vintage authentic under garments. I have yet to enter into that world, but I want to. I'm not sure actual vintage under garments are going to be easy to find. I'm just starting to look up lingerie stores that specialize in 1940s and 1950s style underwear and nighties!

    I LOVE the sweater girl look and can't wait to try out a bullet bra. I'm not very...ummm... well endowed (which is good for my dance career but causes problems when I want a pin up look) so it may just look ridiculous on me but I going to try it. But cute 1950s sweaters will always be a good wardrobe staple so it's a win win.

    Speaking of cute 1950s sweaters, I was reading a blog post by Bunny Moreno of  Bunny's Victory. She was talking about which period she thought best suited her. The 1940s or the 1950s. I've been thinking a little about that myself. I know that I am totally a 50s girl. I feel like the style of the 50s suits me well. When I think of the 1950s I think of crinoline, gloves, cardigans and curly hair. Then other times I think of pencil skirts and tight sweaters. Basically all things girly.

    When I think of the 1940s I think of total sophistication. I think of fabulous updos and long flowing evening dresses. I think of cute little skirt suits with cute little heels. And the best hats ever. I feel like its a very "womanly" look.

    Although I'm in my 30's I have a playfulness about me that I think is more suited to the 50s, but the "woman" in me wants to be a 40s girl.  I don't currently own very many clothes from that time period but I'm excited to add more. I'm definitely going to alternate to the period that fits my mood that day or the occasion I'm getting gussied up for.



    So there you have it. My thoughts and ramblings of the day. Hope that wasn't too boring. I'm hoping to do another VLV post this weekend!!! Its getting closer!!

    Oh! Be sure to enter Haute Rockabilly Fashionista's snood giveaway. She's giving away a snood from Arthelia's Attic! Its a snood from an 1942 pattern so it will look much more authentic then the ones sold in stores nowadays. I think I'm going to enter! I need another snood!!!






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    Wednesday, January 9, 2013

    It's a Biscuit...It's a Scone... It's a BISCONE!! YUMM!

    While on vacation to my hometown (Shreveport, Louisiana) this summer I came upon this cookbook in the Farmer's Almanac store.

      Please excuse the snowflake tablecloth. I haven't completely finished taking down all the Christmas decor!

    Its a super cute book written by the owners of Back In the Day Bakery in Savannah, Georgia. Of course the title and the cute 1950s vibe of cover caught my attention right away. The owners/authors Cheryl and Griffth Day  run a cute little vintage style bakery.  The bakery is based on mostly old southern recipes passed down from generations. The book is adorable with colorful photos and easy to follow recipes.

    My mother lives in Atlanta so maybe I can persuade her to go on a little road trip to Savannah for a little antiquing/ vintage shopping and EATING. Paula Deen's restaurant is there too and I've been dying to go. Southern food is my weakness.

    Anyway, I've had the book in my closet since the summer and forgot about it. It wasn't until cleaning the closet to put the Christmas decorations in their yearly resting spot, that I came upon it again. What better way to break in a cookbook then with a blog post.

    I decided to just start with the first recipe and bake the Buttermilk Biscones. They are cross between a scone and a biscuit. The recipe uses two types of flour to get the light and fluffy feel of your grandma's biscuits. Add in a little sugar and dried fruit and you have a "biscone".



    They turned out totally yummy and light and fluffy. The recipe was really easy to follow and only took about 45 minutes total to bake from start to finish. I baked mine this morning for breakfast and didn't really have to wake up any earlier than normal to do make them. Give 'em a try!!! You won't be disappointed!!! I had to alter the recipe a little bit. I made a late night trip to the market for the ingredients last night and of course they had NOTHING I needed. I substituted heavy cream for the buttermilk and blueberry Crasins for the dried fruit.Not the healthiest option I know, but I promise it was the only thing that I could find!!!!  It still came out yummy. The original recipe called for cardamom but I had to omit that too simply because I forgot to pick it up...oops. Here is the version I made.

    What you need:

    1 1/2 cups All purpose flour
    1 1/2 cups Cake Flour (non self rising)
    1/4 cup granulated sugar
    2 tablespoons baking powder (aluminum free)
    3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
    2 sticks COLD unsalted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
    1cup dried fruit such as currants or sour cherries (optional, I used Blueberry Crasins)
    1 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
    1 egg beaten for egg wash


    Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, sugar, baking powder and sea salt.



     Whisk until completely incorporated. Add the butter and cut in with a pastry blender (or you can use two butter knives. Just kind of chop up the butter in the flour mixture). You should have various sized pieces. Some sandy spots in the flour, some pea sized butter chunks and some large butter chunks. Once that's done toss in the fruit if you decide to use. Make sure to actually toss it into the mixture for even distribution.



    Gradually pour in the cream and GENTLY fold the ingredients until a soft dough forms and there is no extra bits of flour in the bottom of the bowl. You should still be able to see some lumps of butter in the dough. If the dough seems dry, add a little more milk. The dough should be moist and slightly sticky.

    Gently pat the dough down into the bowl like you would a loaf of bread and lightly sprinkle with flour.


     Using a large ice cream scoop, scoop mounds of dough onto the parchment lined baking sheet.  Be sure to place them about an inch apart because they puff up a little during baking.  Gently tap the tops of the biscones to slightly flatten. Brush the tops with the egg wash.



    Place in the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through for even baking. The biscones should be lightly golden and baked fully. Serve warm or room temperature. They are best eaten the day they are made. The recipe should make around a dozen biscones.

    So... here is the finished product



    I will be a little candid and tell you that not all of them came out as beautifully as these. My NYC apartment has the smallest kitchen you've ever seen with the worst (and smallest) oven you have ever tried to bake in.  New recipes always take a couple of tries to get the oven temp just right. I love our little apartment but it makes baking quite difficult at times

    They really come out very light and fluffy and are perfect with coffee or tea!!! Hope you try them and enjoy!!


    (This recipe is not my own. It was adapted from the Back In the Day Cookbook. The link takes you to where you can order the book so you can get the real recipe. Cardamom and all!)











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