Beautiful Vintage 1971 Crocheted Juliet Midi Dress Pattern

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Vintage Midi Dress Crochet PatternThis is such a stunningly feminine crocheted Juliet midi dress pattern from 1971!  Quite often crocheted items don’t lend the same elegance as knitted patterns do, but this one is quite the exception.

In keeping with the Romantic Romeo and Juliet aura of the late 60s-early 70s, this beauty is an empire-waisted style that has a snug little bodice and puffed Juliet sleeves.  So pretty in pink, or any pastel shades.  Black or dark shades would be good too, for a more Gothic look.

Have fun crocheting!  You can download pattern here

~Marilyn Huttunen

Peter Max Funbrella and Right Guard 1970

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Peter Max was one of the brightest artists in the 60s and 70s.  Man, I loved his fab psychedelic prints, full of color and wonder!  He added a needed lightness and fun to the often grim days of protests, Vietnam war, and Watergate.  He was also great at product placement, noting here a 1970 advertisement for Right Guard deodorant where you could get an exclusive and original Peter Max Funbrella offer.

This umbrella, er, ‘Funbrella’ was awesome!  All you had to do was send $3.95 and a proof-of-purchase from Right Guard.  In 100% vinyl it had “wild colors and groovy designs”.  I totally missed out on this offer as well!  It was probably because, even though I grew up in Seattle, I rarely used an umbrella.  Also, I never used Right Guard either.  The scent of it brings back haunting memories of junior high P.E. class locker rooms, where the spray lingered – that stuff was dreadful!

But it’s fun to look back at my old magazines and see what I missed, and what I coulda woulda had.  It’s stuff like this that becomes collectible and valuable in the future.  If only I would have realized it back then!

~Marilyn Huttunen

Sears Christmas Wish Book 1968: Sexy Men’s Edition!

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My previous post indicated the fab things that I would want from the 1968 Sears Christmas Book.  I thought it would be fun to continue with a “Men’s Edition”.  More specifically a sexy playboy Men’s Edition (well, as sexy as Sears, circa 1968, wanted to portray -hehe).

Nothing like looking snappy in a corduroy sport coat!  Oh, and don’t forget the silk scarf nattily tied around the neck if you don’t want to look too professorial.  But if you really want to impress the ladies, you must go for the groovy Nehru jacket (with “peach fuzz finish”).  A rad turtleneck and chain medallion are critical touches!

Lounge wear is important – ratty sweats will simply not do. The Hugh Hefner look is impressive when making your move.  This satin lounge jacket says it all, being the suave and debonair man you are.  Don’t forget the ascot!

When the lounge jacket comes off, you are sure to make your woman swoon wearing wearing these lounge pajamas.  Your choice of Cossack style, Karate style or Nehru style pajamas.  All in fab colors of gold blue or rust.  Be sure to wear Hai Karate aftershave for the full effect!

The bed sheets must be satin – preferably leopard print.  Ladies love leopard print!

Every man’s dream: “This Suit of Armor of Toledo Steel is copied from the period of Charles V”.  Only $1,600…in 1968.  Because every sexy man needs a knight in the corner, right?

~Marilyn Huttunen

 

 

 

Sears Christmas Wish Book 1968: My 2012 List!

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From my childhood, I have a copy of the 1968 Sears catalog – Christmas Edition – otherwise known as the “Wish Book”.  It was always exciting to go through the catalog, picking out all sorts of groovy toys and clothes, and dreaming of finding them under the tree.  The quirky thing about the Wish Book was that good old reliable Sears always threw in some outrageously expensive items to the mix.  But most of the items were pretty affordable, and Sears tried hard to stay on the “cutting” edge of fashion.  I thought it would be fun to pick out a few items that I would like now…so here is my 2012/1968 Christmas Wish Book List…

Fluffy sweaters!  I can never have enough sweaters, and these bright angora/lambswool sweaters look so pretty and warm.  Plus this classic look never goes out of style.  Only$8.97 too!

These shiny, glimmering metallic shoes and boots are so fab!  I especially adore the silver lame’ ankle high boots and, OMG, the metallic gold thigh-high stocking boot is TO DIE FOR!  The top part is a slinky nylon lame’ that stretches all the way up for the ultimate in sleek, slim fit.  The foot section is in gold or silver-color leather.  Want, Want, Want!

These accessory bags were awesome then, and they’re awesome now.  Plus they had cool names like The Model’s Case, and The Oval Vanity, which added to their allure.  And who wouldn’t love a complete set of flowered luggage?  They were the ultimate in 60s traveling chic.

Last, but not least; here is the crème de la crème of my sartorial Wish List – a floor length Wrap Robe of magnificent EMBA Jasmine Mink (with the Shocking Pink velvet lining, thank you).  WOW!  Mind you, it is a robe, not a coat…meant for lounging around the house.  Oh, and the price tag was a measly $4,500.  In 1968.  At Sears.  A girl can dream… 🙂

~Marilyn Huttunen

60s Campbell Soup Kids Go Flower Child!

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I love this fabulous vintage 1968 advertisement for Campbell’s Soup!  Actually, it is for the poster “The Campbell Hang-Up” that you could send in for.  It features the iconic Campbell Soup Kids as Hippie Flower Children in a psychedelic Peter Max-ish print.  Far-out, man!

To get this way-out 2′ by 3′ poster, you had to send in 3 different labels from either Campbell’s Tomato, Vegetable Beef, Chicken Vegetable, Chicken Gumbo, Chili Beef or Beef Noodle Soup, and 50 cents with the coupon.  Too bad I ate only Campbell’s Bean with Bacon soup; it’s not on the list.

I wish I would have had the foresight as a then-13 year old to have sent in for the poster and then tucked it away to sell 44 years later on eBay.   I’m sure it would be a very collectible piece of ephemera.

M’m!  M’m!  Groovy! (Their words – it was the 60s 🙂 )

~Marilyn Huttunen

1960s Kodak Instamatic Camera: The Original Instagram

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I think Instagram images are really pretty cool.  They have that retro vibe that makes new pics look like they were taken in the 60s.  But the genuine original Instagram, the Kodak Instamatic Camera, was what started it all, and is what Instagram is based on.  First out in 1963, the Instamatic was a hit with the masses; introducing new users to low-cost photography.  The blue flashcubes were especially cool.  I remember being fascinated with how they snapped onto the camera and rotated when you took a pic.  Here are some fun Kodak ads I found in Seventeen magazines from 1968:

The Instamatic 124 – your basic (er, cheapest) camera.  Perfect for taking pics of your friends at games and dances.  The only thing lacking was that you couldn’t post them to Facebook.  Ah, the innocent days of youth before social media.

Look!  The Instamatic was so easy to use, even a girl could do it!  Drop in the film, snap on the flashcube and snap away.

Next up is Christmas.  Now was your chance to get a possible upgrade from the less than $20 Instamatic 124.  The less than $28 Instamatic 134 had an electric eye that measures the light and sets the lens for you.  The less than $30 Instamatic 174 had automatic film advance.  And the crème de la crème of the Instamatic camera outfits was the less than $35 Instamatic S-10.  This baby was so slim and compact it fit into a pocket!  Imagine!  Its extra-sharp lens and 1/125th-second shutter speed supposedly took great pictures.  It is worth noting that every camera outfit was “neatly boxed” and included camera, flashcubes, batteries, wrist strap and Kodak film.  Let’s see Instagram do that.

~Marilyn Huttunen