Where can I get this breakfast set?

This from my January 1949 Better Homes and Gardens...

 

I can't figure out what to call this set, but I want one. Desperately. A couple of pieces of toast, a bit of jam, a little juice and my own little coffee pot, all tucked into their places on a plate. If anyone knows what to call this (I tried breakfast set, personal breakfast set, and all combinations of personal coffee pot, toast rack, juice...etc... Nothing like this turns up!), or where I can get one or more, please please please let me know!

 

Sigh...

Make it at home--Frappuccino

I love it so much when I find an old way of doing something that most people think is modern. It always begs the question, Why did we stop doing that? Especially when it's so much cheaper than the "modern" version, and easy to do. What's not to love?

I recently picked up The Lily Wallace New American Cook Book (1945) at a local thrift store for a couple of bucks. It's a well-used book, missing its spine, with pages stained, and even a few recipes scribbled on cards and note paper and tucked inside. My very favorite kind of cook book!

I really enjoy this book, withs its huge number of every-day recipes, an extensive set of menus, and...best of all...a whole pile of beverage recipes! Why do cookbooks rarely include such recipes? I love the surprise of a home-made punch or the like instead of just throwing out a bottle of soda. It's not difficult, and it's such a great touch. And a lot of drinks (alcoholic or not) can serve as a great dessert...for something completely different!

The recipe for "Iced Coffolate" (rhyme with "chocolate") looked intriguing. So I whipped some up (it will be dessert tonight, actually!). Well, I just had to have a taste (or two) to make sure it was OK to offer my family, and wow! It's a clone for a Starbucks Frappuccino "Bottled Coffee Drink"! But...unlike their expensive version (ranging from $1.25 to $2.75 a bottle, depending on where you buy it), you can control the sugar, and even the caffeine, if you use de-caf.

Without further ado, here's the recipe:

The little bit of flour and beaten egg really make this the nice thick and creamy consistency you want in a drink like this. While very rich and delicious, you really could probably cut the sugar back to 1/2 cup and still be great. I went ahead and poured the hot liquid over the egg, tiny bit by tiny bit, to cook it a little. Of course, I do use our own yard eggs, so if the idea of barely cooked egg bothers you, maybe add a bit of corn starch instead.

I have a glass quart milk bottle that this fit just right in (after I had my taste). In the fridge it went and ready to pour over ice tonight with a small dollop of whipped cream. If you're addicted to the store-bought version, imagine whipping up a bottle of this on the weekend and, after a quick shake, having lovely and rather healthier glass-fuls.

Lovely bits of chocolate floating throughout, just a hint of cinnamon and clove, and a creamy coffee-licious goodness. Oooo...with a scoop of vanilla? Now that's a killer idea! 

Holiday Shopping Guide--Whitman's Samplers

Anybody else grow up thinking a Whitman's Sampler was the height of luxury? Every special occasion called for a big yellow box and everyone in the family had their favorites, and you didn't dare infringe on the individual sampler space(s).

My mother, who is 83, has informed us that all she wants for Christmas this year is, in fact, a Whitman's Sampler. So we will oblige...and hope she insists on sharing!

This, from Time magazine, Dec. 23, 1940:

Just look at the selection of Whitman's chocolates. If you're like me, you've only ever seen the yellow-boxed samplers in stores. And even finding the giant boxes that used to denote the most generous of gifts is difficult.

In my search, I discovered that the old company, Whitman & Son, went through a series of owners and is currently owned by that other famous chocolate boxer-upper, Russell Stover. And while you can't find these:

Chocolate cigarettes! Candy-loaded toys! !!

 

you can readily find the samplers, although they don't look exactly like this anymore:

But if Whitman's makes you nostalgic, like it does me, check out the Russell Stover Web site. There you can find a few different spins on the sampler, like peanut butter, nut and chewy, along with special boxes, like Peanuts and "the meaning of Christmas." They have a 40 oz sampler! A 9 oz caramel mallows (oooooohhh! aaaaaahhhh!)! Sugar-free samplers! And the neatest, this 100th anniversary sampler in a tin. Unforntunately, that gorgeous tin is sold out... sob...

So for a sweet vintage treat of a gift, how about a Whitman's sampler?

Holiday Shopping Guide--Watch the Time!

Do watch the time... Christmas is only 15 days away!

Here's a lovely gift idea from 1940, Time magazine:

Vintage jewelry is lovely for sure, but a vintage watch, for me, is just so special. There seems to be a kind of connection, maybe because that watch has literally been ticking off the time since it was made. And so many of them still are ticking off the time, as they were made to last...and have!

I've lately been hankering after a ladies watch on the cord band. My  mother had one when I was little, and it disappeared (like so much). They are so jewel like, so dainty, and so evocative of their era.

And by the by, when did we stop putting things like watches in such lovely boxes? That is often my most favorite thing about vintage jewelry of any kind, when the original box is with it. They were just as lovely, often, as the gift inside.

Sigh... so pretty!

Just look at "F" there. And those men's watches are so classy.

Happy hunting!

Holiday Shopping Guide--That Takes the Biscuit

Ah McVitie's.

If you've ever been to the British Isles or know anyone from there, chances are you know this brand of biscuits...HobNobs, Chocolate Digestives, Rich Tea biscuits... yum. In fact, they are so much a part of the culture, Prince William's groom's cake was made out of Rich Tea biscuits and chocolate. What's not to love?

This ad is from November 17, 1949, The Sphere (UK):

The ad is a lovely thing in itself. Let's take a look at the "grand old Christmas customs":

Lovely...

Once upon a time, one bought one's biscuits (or received them as gifts) in beautifully decorated tins. These were so lovely that few of our grandmothers ever threw them out! As such, there are tons of vintage tins out there, biscuit and otherwise, to make lovely gifts.

Or better yet... use a vintage tin as a gift box, put something really extraordinary inside, and wrap a pretty ribbon around it. We vintage types always have uses for old tins, and of course...for what might be inside! (especially biscuits!) So that's a gift in a gift....and if the ribbon is pretty enough... a bonus gift for the hair! Perfection!

So think outside the "box" for putting gifts under the tree, and give your gifts a vintage flair!

Holiday Shopping Guide--Usefulness

Well, I certainly did fall off the blog wagon and went on a non-blogging binge... What with Thanksgiving, houseguests, illness, sheer busy-ness, and a touch of laziness, I haven't been here in a while. But I'm back with gift ideas for those starting to get a little frantic!

So, without further ado:

Now this may seem a bit utilitarian, but I like it. Receving it in 1940 (this ad is from Dec. 2 Time) may not have been terribly exciting, but getting a vintage tape dispenser today is a pretty cool gift. Those suckers were made solid, and most old office equipment is very desirable today. Pens and pencils, in-baskets, filing cabinets, desks, chairs, telephones, stamp dispensers and moisteners, and what have you. Lovely items any vintage lover would appreciate -- and use!

So if someone on your list has a space on his or her desk crying out for a perfect supply, look around for vintage office supplies. You'll find something to fill the bill!

I recently received a great early gift of a voucher for a local antique mall. I thoroughly enjoyed spending a couple of hours trying to spend it all! I came up $14 short, but the mall was kind enough to just give me the difference. I've tucked it away for another trip...and yes, I will find something I love for that amount...or less!

Here's my first haul:

That's a couple of 1940 Life magazines, a lovely little dish that matches one I got from my sweet husband a couple of Christmases ago, a lovely little bottle of Yardley Red Roses perfume in its original box, a fantastic Westclox Big Ben alarm clock that I've had my eye on for the better part of a year, and a simply wonderful Collins box bag that is now the pride of my Collins collection. I had a great time shopping with my voucher and tried to make the most of it. I love my special goodies so much and the day out leisurly shopping was the added bonus.

So how are things going out there? Getting that shopping done? Dropping enough hints to be sure you get what your heart desires? :)

Holiday Shopping Guide--The Singer Shop

Sewing is making a real come-back as folks (women AND men!) learn that it's a fun, creative, and useful hobby. Of course, many have always known this; and many don't do it as a hobby, but out of necessity.

There's nothing more fun to sew with than a really good machine. This doesn't mean a bunch of bells and whistles, just solid performance and dependability. Singer isn't the only sewing machine, and may not even be the best (although I love mine!), but it has been around a long, long time.

This, from 1941 McCall's:

"Pl-ease fill my Christmas stocking at the Singer Shop!"

I love the fact that this ad has a "Dad's choice":



I'm not quite sure if he is supposed to use the sewing maching to sew or just to keep his writing paper in, but hey, whatever he wants!

And of couse, there is the perpetual encouragement for little girls to learn how to be future wives and mothers:

That might be a small machine, but it's a serious one! We used to trust our kids with stuff like this...and they learned to use it (OK, there may have been a little blood shed here and there, but lessons were learned!).

And by the way, when did we stop making such beautiful sewing machine cabinets? Again, I really quite love my Singer that I got for Christmas last year. But...it's not exactly heirloom quality like these. Even the matching benches! Just gorgeous!

Holiday Shopping Guide--Roseville

This, from 1941 McCall's:

This is a tiny little ad at the back of several of my old magazines. Roseville pottery, of course, has become highly collectible and thus quite valuable. As a vintage gift, it is a really nice one. While online prices can be in the hundreds of dollars, Roseville turns up in estate sales, auctions, and yard sales all the time, so keep an eye out for real bargains.

Not all Roseville is to my taste, I have to say. If you are going to seek out Roseville as a gift, keep in mind the taste of your giftee, for sure! This site gives a history of the company, which would see its demise just 13 years after this ad ran. And here are all the patterns Roseville made. Some of it is stunning, and all patterns certainly are not easy to find. If you're going to invest in a piece of Roseville, do your research so you know what you're looking at/for.

Happy shopping!

Holiday Shopping Guide--Yardley

I have always had a soft spot for the scent of Yardley lavender. Yardley has been around since the 1700s, and that makes it one of the oldest cosmetic companies in the world. Yardley started exporting to the U.S. in 1879 and began its U.S. branch in 1921. If this isn't vintage, I don't know what is!

Yardley has provided perfumes and soaps to the royal family for generations, and has had as its spokesmodels such important faces as Twiggy and Linda Evangelista. And oh how I wish I could go back in time and get my hands on some of these, from Life, December 6, 1943:

"Wish good cheer this year with Yardley."

"Bond Street" Perfume, favorite of charming women the world over. $2.50, $4.50, $8.50, $13.50.

Handsome harvest! Men's Shaving Bowl, Invisible Talc, Lavendar Hair Oil, Shaving Cream, After Shower Powder, Lavender Soap. $5.

Yardley English Lavender in a lovely array of 3 tablets of Lavender Soap, Talc, and Hand Cream. $2.35.

Beloved "Lavender," as young as next year. Bound to be on every one's list! $1, $1.50, $2.50, $3.75.

Yardley's Shaving Bowl has no match for pleasing men. In the familiar container, $1.

Present perfect for him: Yardley's Shaving Bowl, Invisible Talc, famous Lavender Soap, $2.55.

Duet to delight men of any age...Yardley's Shaving Bowl and popular Invisible Talc, $2.

Grand gesture gift. "Bond Street" Perfume, Bath Dusting Powder, Toilet Water, Talc and "English Complexion" Powder, $10.

Now...remember 1940s prices are about $10 to our $1, so some of these are quite expensive, especially in war time! Talk about a "grand gesture"! And imagine the men's sets... they must have smelled divine!

As I'm sure you know, Yardley is still around. Most drugstores in the U.S. have the lavender soap for a pittance. Drugstore.com has a couple of varieties of soap, some talc (in a great vintage looking tin), and some lotion. But if you really want to drool over the lovelies, check out Yardley's U.S. Web site or U.K. Web site. Prices seem to vary wildly, so shop around! Or, for some really vintage gift ideas, do an Ebay search for vintage Yardley. Some of these very sets in the ad can be found!

Holiday Shopping Guide--A Little Too Vintage

To be fair, I don't love everything about vintage gift giving. One thing I do not want to find under my tree--or anyone else's tree either!

This, from 1949 Sphere magazine (UK):

There are tons of old cigarette ads touting the suitability--the sheer desirability--of giving cigs for Christmas. Some almost make them look good! But this ad shows children giving cigarettes! Yikes!

Why'd we stop doing that? Because it's wrong on so many levels...

Holiday Shopping Guide--"This Fateful Year"

This from December 1941, a truly fateful year for so many, the gift guide from McCall's:

In case you can't make out the text, it says: "Christmas gifts, in this fateful year, seem somehow more precious. So I say, choose them with an eye both to beauty and usefulness. The cosmetic houses have made kits that are sleeker, more tailored. Boxed sets this season are more decorative and feminine. Find out 'her' preferences as to perfume and shade. Or let her pick her own scent or make-up harmony. You can't make a mistake when you give gifts of beauty--whether for the pigtailed miss of fourteen or the dear lady of seventy-five!"

So, suggestion number 1 is: "A sleek case that looks like red kid, holds 8 cosmetics, with room for more, $5."
2. A bargain at about $1--bouquet-scented dusting powder, matching eau de cologne.
3. A big box of pan-cake make-up and 4 beauty aids in 4 facial types, $4.55.
4. Manicure case with all needed items, including scissors. Red or blue leather, $3.50.
5. A dainty setof popular beauty aids, 6 good-sized ones for $1.
6. Another $1 bargain of full-sized box of face power, flacon of eau de cologne, morning-glory box.

7. A "duffel bag" in plaid fabric with removeable platform of 4 manicure aids, $2.
8. Weathercock turns around over 4 flacons of famous perfume, to suit any mood, $5.
9. Another plus value. Well-known fan box of powder, bottle of cologne, jar of face cream, $1.
10. Make-up kit hold tri-color compact, rouge, lipstick, $1.95.

The article even has some wrapping tips: "Leftover yarn ties a pastel paper box. The little woolen doll gives it that extra touch. Brown paper for big boxes covered with pasted stars. Red stars tip the red cord ends. From scrap bag, a trim of fabric, cut out and pasted on; make tassels of the fabric, too."
Now... more gifts:

And on closer inspection:

For him:
11. Cotton gabardine rain coat, about $19.
12. Wool sweater, $8.95.
13. Moccasin slippers, $5.
14. Wrinkle-proof dollar ties.
15. Silver tie clip, $1.50.
16. Cuff links, $3.50.
17. Manicure packet, $3.95.
18. Seamless billfold, $5.

For her:
19. Water-proof velvet carriage boots, $5.50.
20. Sweater matches "his," $8.95.
21. Slippers match "his," $5.50.
22. Scissors set, $3.95.
23. Scarf matches "his," $1.95.
24. Clip-on silver pencil, $3.
25. Billfold matches "his," $3.

And on closer inspection:

26. A bargain at 50c. Colored gabardine kit holds nail necessities: liquid polish and remover, cuticle remover, cotton.
27. De luxe comb and brush set in colored plastic, jewel-like and transparent: crystal, sapphire, ruby, or emerald hue, $2.
28. Called the "Quints" package, here's a set of 5 bottles of fine-grained bath salts, assorted scents and dainty colors, $2.75.
29. Clensing tissue boxes in pastel quilted satin make ideal gifts. Cover, containing a box of 200 tissues, costs about $1.
30. Rosemary is the name of this pottery jug of a freshly scented cologne from a well-known house. Rose, pale blue, $1.
31. Three soap babies in spicy fragrance with early American names and quaint bonnets. A cunning surprise gift at only $1.
32. Cute ug set of eau de cologne in scents reminiscent of old southern plantations: spicy, sweet, or a mixed bouquet, $1.
33. Gift box made like a basket witih wire handle holds 3 bottles of cologne in different types of scent. Good choice for $2.

And finally,

34. Two creams, two lotions, rouge, powder, in this travel kit of simulated leather. Comes in black, dark blue, brown, $3.50.
35. Bath gift set from a famous English lavender line: big bath soap, dusting powder, "lotus" eau de cologne, $3.50.
36. New kind of hand lotion leaves hands soft even after washing. Nice gift at 50c. Crackled atomizer, $3.
37. A gift kit covered with a gay print holds nail items and a new nail lacquer in bottles make like Chinese vases.
38. The Santa Claus box with its realistic beard covers a supply of famous dusting powder in "blue grass" fragrance, $2.
39. Ultra-feminine with the garland on its lid, this set holds a lightly scented talcum, toilet water, extra atomizer top, $2.
40. Elegant-looking gold-finished compact from a famous Fifth Avenue house has costume lipstick to match. $2.75 boxed.
41. It's called "the commuter" because it's such a handy packet with mirror, famous lipstick, rouge, and face powder, $1.50.

So... what would be on your list to get or give? I love the #3 set, the carriage boots (19), and the commuter (41). I also love the matching ladies scarf and man's tie. Not too cheesy when it's subtle like that. My daughters would take almost anything here, especially the nail polish in Chinese-style jars. I'm not sure if my husband would like the slippers... or the sweater!



Lunch time at the cafe down the street...

Why'd we stop serving foods and drinks in human-sized portions? I simply love this ad from a 1940s magazine:

I admit, I don't know why this gentleman is wearing his hat at the lunch counter (!!), but notice one important thing (aside from his awesome suit and pocket watch): the glass of Coca-Cola that he enjoys. Is that even six ounces? Well, I'll tell you what it's not:

http://womenonwellness.com/sweet-poison/



That's a big difference, isn't it? And it's not just the soda, look at his lunch. A nice sandwich that's not five inches thick. I bet he has a slice of pie after that sandwich, and it, too, would be a decent--not obscene--slice. Even if he has it a la mode, it's probably still less than half the calories total than what the average take-out lunch is today. It's just enough to get him through to dinner with his family.

OK, I lied. Notice a couple of other things: He's eating off of a plate and drinking from a glass. Nothing will go into the garbage but his napkin. He's also not eating at his desk or in his car. There's something very civilised about that. Relaxing. Time away from the office, chewing our food, sipping a treat of a soda. That's good on all counts.

So why'd we stop doing that? Cost and convenience. We want bang for our buck, so the more we can get for less, the better. Not necessarily. And if we throw away the plate and cup when we're done, there's no need for a dishwasher or server. But at what cost? That's two jobs gone, more junk in the landfill, and just that much more human interaction and civilisation down the tubes. I'd spring for a lunch like 1940 any noon time instead of brown bagging it and eating alone. Wouldn't you?

Wearing Advertising

The idea of paying to advertise a company on one's body just goes against everything that makes sense.

Googled image...

OK, so that's one I find particularly obnoxious. Just my opinion. But once upon a time, there was a way to wear company logos in style. Not a T-shirt in sight!

Just check this out, from a 1940 Life magazine. This article shows some of the "latest" fabrics available:

Tasteful? Why not? Some logos are, after all, works of art, designed by artists, and beloved by consumers. These fabrics aren't screaming a brand-name, but using the artwork as...artwork. Again, why not? And what I wouldn't give for the Coty powder puffs fabric on the first page! Sigh...

So, when did we stop using artful logos, so artful that they would go just fine on a dress or scarf? Hooters? No way. McDonald's? Uh uh. John Deere? It exists, but not for me. IBM? Really? Actually, Apple comes to mind. I'd wear that, maybe. 



So, what do you think? Would you wear these? What about modern stuff? Do you know where I can find some Coty fabric? Maxwell House? Just askin'!