Breck Creme Rinse for Beautiful Hair, 1974

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I must admit that even though I used Breck shampoo religiously in the 60s and 70s, I never really understood what creme rinse was. They heavily advertised its virtues; eliminating snarls, giving spectacular shine and blissful body. And this 1974 ad is really pretty, with a golden-haired model catching the eyes of two men. Her hair does look amazingly lustrous!

I guess I was too busy washing my long, thick, oily hair every day, to worry about creme rinse. I remember trying it a couple of times (probably borrowing my mom’s), and ending up with a filmy coating on my hair. Definitely not what I wanted with my oily hair, so I stayed away from it. I don’t know if creme rinse is still around; it probably has been replaced by the plethora of conditioning products out there now. I don’t use those either!

~Marilyn

Vintage 70s Frye Boots For Ms. and Mr.

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Frye Boots really became super popular in 1974, like this ad depicts. The chunky Campus Boot was especially ubiquitous and trendy. Everyone was clomping around in them; and Frye promoted its unisex styling in the newly-coined title “Ms.”, and Mr.

Frye Boots remain popular today, as all good American classics do!

~Marilyn

That Hippie Boho Natural 70s CornSilk Makeup

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This vintage 1974 ad for CornSilk Cosmetics makeup seems very current to me. CornSilk foundation and powder was meant to give your skin a silky, natural glow while absorbing oil. It appealed to the more hippie/boho/folksy 70s gals, of which I was one. I had VERY oily, acne-prone skin then, and was always looking for a product that would try to stem the flood of oil!

I love this painting of a pretty, long-haired girl playing the mandolin. With her embroidered jeans, thrift store-procured antique belt buckle, cropped top and flower choker, she could fit right in today. I was a big purveyor of this style then, and to a certain extent, still am today.

CornSilk has been discontinued, as have a lot of 60s and 70s cosmetics, but I think we will see a trend back to more ‘natural’ cosmetics and looks. As with vintage fashion, what goes around comes around!

Peace out! 🙂 Marilyn

Herbie and the Red Heart Yarn Sweater, 1974

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This is a great ad from the October 1974 issue of Mademoiselle magazine, of all places! Starring Herbie, a boy’s boy who climbs trees, skateboards, jumps puddles, and plays baseball, basketball, street hockey and football. All while wearing a sweater that his mother knit for him using Coats & Clark’s Red Heart Wintuk yarn.

The yarn is so springy and resilient that it holds up to daily washing and drying, and comes out beautifully every time. I love the fact that Herbie looks so stylin’ while wearing one of mom’s creations. Go Herbie!

~Marilyn

Crochet a Cute Vintage 60s Granny Square Shell Sweater

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Since most of us are hunkered down during this Covid-19 pandemic, I am trying to keep things positive as much as possible on my vintage blog!

This is a really sweet vintage 1965 crochet pattern for a Granny Square shell sweater. Granny Square styling has made a great comeback in the designer fashion scene the last couple of years. This would be a great project to work on while you’re at home, and you could wear it when we all finally emerge from our cocoons in the spring. Instructions are below:

Stay healthy, and happy crocheting!

~Marilyn

Pretty in Pink and Pearls 1974 Chanel No.19 Perfume

Posted by & filed under Beauty, Fashion, Vintage.

There is a lot of social distancing, worry and fear these days in response to COVID-19 (especially here in the Seattle area). I’m pretty much a homebody, so it’s really no big deal for me to stay home most of the time. I do venture out for grocery shopping and thrifting, but wear disposable vinyl gloves when I do. And do lots of hand-washing.

Anyway… I was looking for an uplifting vintage ad to post, and I thought this Chanel No. 19 Perfume ad from 1974 was perfect! “It’s another feeling. It’s another Chanel.”

The very pretty model (not sure who she is, but looks familiar) is wearing a sheer, flowing pink dress and a long strand of pearls. Her hair is flying and she has a lovely smile. The ad just makes me smile and gives me a little bit of hope that brighter spring days are ahead. Plus, CHANEL. ♥

Stay Healthy! 🙂

~Marilyn