A Vintage look at Southern California...Halloween edition!

So Excited!!!

It finally feels like fall here!!! Well at least for the next couple of days. But I'll take it!! That means spending the day drinking coffee, eating cake and watching horror movies!

Today, I was also missing NYC just a little bit. The cloudy, chilly, fall like weather made me think of the east coast and it's pumpkin patches, corn mazes and haunted hayrides. To fight off the homesickies I started looking up some photos of Los Angeles during the Halloween season. I have heard that Halloween is a REALLY big thing out here so that makes me happy!

I came up with some cuties and thought I would share them on the blog!!!

Here are some of my favorites..

Beauty contestants from the Halloween Slick Chick contest in Anaheim in 1947

One from the famous Anaheim Halloween parade in 1950

Los Angeles children celebrating Halloween in 1961

Another one from the Anaheim Halloween parade

1948

This one is weird because apparently... In Pasadena...They had a tradition of burning witches...Not real ones of course...but store bought or handmade ones... Not sure how true that is but I read a couple of articles that said it was so...If so...ummmmm... ewwwww...

The picture search was successful at making me feel a little better. Although, things are slowly starting to feel normal here The wife and I ( I've made the decision to stop calling her Honey...She's now on the internet too because of her makeup career so...) are both working and settling in. It's starting to feel like we are starting a new life instead of just being on an extended vacay. Which is what it felt like allllll summer!!!

Can't wait to see what October brings!!! Hopefully at least slightly cooler weather!!!!

Handmade Christmas Decorations and a (very small) Blogging Break!

Hi Dolls!!!

I know that I've been slacking a bit in the blogging department and I apologize. It's just that my life has been filled with so many other things rather than vintage so I've been a little distracted.

First off I wanted to let you guys know that I am taking a little blog break. Just for the holidays. I'm so preoccupied with holiday prep that I can hardly think of anything else. This time of year really takes up a lot of my time between decorating, baking and trying to get holiday-y events with Honey in. Not to mention I am back dancing more (actual dancing, not just teaching) and need to focus of getting myself back into shape. Which is no small feet for a gal who loves to bake.

I'm going to take this next month and make it all about Honey and me. I love to make the holidays a special time for us.

That being said, I will probably do a few Christmas posts from time to time during the next month. Maybe one to show you our tree and decorations, which I still fully intend to be a nod at a 1940s Christmas tree. New ornaments are coming in as every few days. (Sidenote: All you US gals. Target has SUPER cute retro looking ornaments this year. They resemble Shiny Brites! RUN and get them before they are all sold out!)

During my Christmas break I'll be working on the "new" blog. Which won't really be new.. just a new look and a new flow to my wardrobe. If we are Facebook pals or if you follow me on Instagram you already know that I have changed my hair color!!!! I LOVE it! It's not at all vintage but I'm still going to do vintage styling on it. Pincurls and all. I can't wait to unveil it officially on the blog on January 1st!!!

Also be on the lookout for a new Twitter and Facbook profile!!! Overhauling EVERYTHING!


Now, on to the next part of this post!

Handmade Christmas decorations from 1945!!! I had a few people ask for suggestions for homemade decorations and ran across this in my 1945 December issue of Woman's Day! These are especially great for those of you who are mommies!

Now, I admittedly STINK at anything craftsy if it doesn't involve cakes or cookies or frosting, but I'm going to try some of these. Let me know if you try any of them out!

ENJOY!!!!!

Also, HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of my fellow American gals!! Make this the happiest holiday ever and truly count your blessings. If you are reading this now and are able to splurge on vintage clothing and things you love, you already have something to be thankful for. You already have more than MANY people in our country and world. Remember that on Thursday.

Happy Holidays Dolls!!!!! I'll see you in a month (and sporadically throughout)

xoxo

Vintage Christmas Prep: 59 Days to Go!! Wrapping and Recipes!!

HI!!!!!

Happy end of October to you all!

Yes, I know that we have a few more days of October but it's almost gone!!! Crazy, right?

Well, today's post is a late Vintage Christmas post. It should have been done a couple of days ago but life gets hectic sometimes.

Can you believe that there is only 59 days until Christmas??? That means only 8 weekends left to shop. Once the fall hits it comes up so quickly!

Well, today lets talk wrapping paper and more recipes!!

First, WRAPPING PAPER...

I've scoured the Internet trying to find decent, affordable vintage wrapping paper. I say affordable because some of the nice wrapping paper from the 1940's and 1950's can be as much as $20.00 for a SHEET. Not an entire roll, but a SHEET.

That works if you have a small family. Say just you and your partner/spouse but what if you want everybody in your family to feel the Vintage Christmas spirit?? That just won't do. So I've tried to find whole rolls to feature but it was difficult.

While I was searching I noticed that wrapping paper has actually changed quite a bit. I was expecting not to find much difference in it but...I did. First of all today's wrapping paper is not as...ummm..."Christmasy"! The colors are more vibrant these days but the images on the paper of the 40s and 50s just seem to scream Christmas. The patterns are not as busy as ones you find today. When I shop for wrapping paper I always gravitate to the paper that is the more simple. Simple patterns. Simple color palate. Yes, I go through all of that. Some will probably think me silly but, as we all know, I take Christmas very seriously!

There is also a trend of glitter on the wrapping paper. While very pretty and jolly...the darned stuff gets EVERYWHERE! UGH!

 (Sidnote: This reminds me of last year's Viva Las Vegas Burlesque Showcase. The MC had a whole monologue about glitter being like an STD that is impossible to get rid of. Totally inappropriate I know but SUPER funny and kinda true. Once you've been glitterized it's there FOREVER. Take it from this performer whose been in and handled more than her share of glittery costumes. You can take the costume off in May and still find traces of glitter in December!)

To me less is more when it comes to decorating for the holidays in general. And if you are going to go overboard keep parts simple so as not to have your home looking like an Elf had a rave party in your place!!!!!

Ok, back on subject

Of course the place I found the most options was Ebay. Ebay seemed to have more actual rolls of paper. Here are some of my favorites.

1940's

This paper totally gives a feeling of Christmases past. I love the simplicity of it

I always adore a Victorian style Christmas anything!

How cute is this Snowman couple!?!

Not sure if I would actually use this one but the Scotty dog on it is too cute.

1950's

Pin Up girls on wrapping paper?? Ummm...ok...

This one really gives you the feel of the more colorful Christmases of the 1950s

I LOVE this super cute Atomic paper. It's not usually the look I would go for but it would be cute to a gift that is going to someone.  I'm almost positive it wouldn't match my home decor for the season. But I would definitely use it for someone else!

How jolly is this Santa paper?

This would be perfect for those of you with little one!

Now on to RECIPES!!!

A few weeks ago I bought a gaggle of vintage magazines from the month of December. I thought I would share one of them with you...

The first ones I bought were a Better Homes and Gardens from December 1947 and a Woman's Day from December 1945.

The Woman's Day was full to the brim of great holiday baking recipes. So here they are. Let me know if you try any of them. I sure am...

P.S. Please forgive the picture quality. I couldn't scan them because they are so fragile I was afraid to manipulate them too much on the scanner. So I used my camera. You should still be able to follow the recipes with no problem...

Well, that's all for now. I did just order my first vintage tree ornaments the other day!!! As soon as I get them I'll be sure to put them up for show and tell.

Now...It's time for you guys to hop to it and start your preparations!!!!!!




Have a magical day!!!

Mid Century Housewife: Pumpkin Caramel Blondies!!!!!!!!!!

Hello again!!!

Today has been a lazy kind of day. Honey and I both have the day off and it is a little chilly out today so we decided to make it a comfort food kind of day!!!

There is a stew bubbling on the stove that Honey made and I baked a delicious batch of pumpkin caramel blondies! Y-U-M!!

I know, I know... there is pumpkin EVERYTHING, everywhere right now but that is because it is soooo delicious!!!!

This recipe for blondies has pumpkin, chocolate, caramel AND walnuts (which you can omit if you have food allergies). It's soooo tasty. I promise you will love it even though it's not at all vintage...

You will need:

For the blondies:
3/4 cup softened butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1- 14 ounce package caramels
1/4 cup heavy cream


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 9x13 square glass baking dish. I used a normal non glass one with parchment paper and it did the trick.

Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla and pumpkin and stir until combined.

 Slowly combine the flour, baking soda and salt with the pumpkin mixture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir again to make sure batter is smooth and well combined.

Spread about 2/3 of the batter into prepared pan. Cover with the chocolate and walnuts.

In a small microwaveable bowl combine the caramels and heavy cream. Microwave on high stirring every 20 seconds until smooth and fully melted.

Pour the caramel over the pumpkin, chocolate and walnuts. Spread with an off set spatula or the back of a spoon to make sure it is spread evenly.

Dollop the remaining pumpkin batter over the caramel and spread all over. Try to make it even and smooth. Its ok if some of the caramel peeks though.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until edges are set and a fork poked in the middle comes out clean. There may be some caramel on the fork but there should be no batter.

Let cool completely, or if you are like Honey and I, let cool for about 10 minutes and dig in!!! It will be nice and ooey gooey! Add a dollop of homemade whipped cream on top to finish it off (I forgot to and just went for it plain.)

SOOOO GOOOD!!!!


If you are looking for something a little more old school, here is a 1959 recipe for Pumpkin Dream Pie!!! I may try this one for a retro spin to our Thanksgiving celebration.