The KISS family

After years of planning, we may finally go the KISS route this Halloween —

My husband can now look exactly like Gene because the ‘authentic’ Gene Simmons’ Demon outfit is now available to all… for USD 500!  Gene, gene, gene – such a businessman…

In our plans, my daughter is supposed to be Paul/Starchild (since no one else wants to be) but dressing up as mini-Gene is too adorable to pass up…

Or, she could come in the too CUTE Toddler Ace Frehley/Spaceman costume:

Hmm…even kids who dress like Paul Stanley/Starchild can’t help acting a little cheeseball:

I’ll obviously be Peter Criss/Catman, but I refuse to dress up in this creepy adult version (with thigh cut-outs)…

Whether we do this Halloween 2009 or not, we take comfort in knowing that EVERY family can now be a KISS family… “You wanted the best, You got the best!”  Woo hoo!

Boney M and Baccara: Obscure Euro Disco Tribute

Part of a strange list of my favorite secret classic dance songs, shared with Dead or Alive’s ‘You Spin Me Round’, Falco’s ‘Der Kommisar’ and anything ABBA, is Boney M’s Rasputin.  The group had a lot of hits, but this to me is the ’70s Euro-disco BEST.  How can anyone resist lyrics like:

Rah-rah Rasputin, lover of the Russian queen, There was a cat that really was gone. 

Rah-rah Rasputin, Russia’s greatest love machine, it was a shame how he carried ooonn….

Hilarious! And strangely enough, the lyrics are also pretty historically accurate.  So get up and dance to the German disco group manufactured by the guy who eventually put together Milli Vanilli.  Go Boney M!… “Oh, those Russians!”

And speaking of Russians, I thought these two women of Baccara were total Soviet Svetlanas when I first saw this classic video just a few weeks ago.  I can’t believe that I’ve never heard of Baccara before.  Maria and Mayte, former Spanish flamenco artists, quickly became ’70s Euro-disco goddesses with this single. 

 This video is, well… surprising!  There’s a lot to take in:  the lyrics, outfits, dance moves, facial expressions, flower background… the list goes on.  I was stunned but I did laugh a lot…  “Baby, I wanna keep my reputation…”

Looking super in the ’70s

I don’t know any other decade this past century that has had the most laughable fashions other than the 1970s.  Maybe it was something in the water back then, but everyone seemed to feel like they were at the forefront of some avant-garde style revolution.  Having lived through the ’70s as a small child, I never really realized anything was wrong… until I started seeing fashion photos from the decade, particularly the later disco-infused years.  These GREAT catalogue photos from Plaidstallions.com really showcase the best of the worst.  When I’m feeling down, I look at these and I smile : )  Git down, party people! 

 

The 1970s version of loungwear for sleazebags 

Tooth necklace is model's own

 

 

Man Mates: great pastel colors, pointy butterfly collars, bandana…simply irresistible!

"Hey baby, want to cruise in my Camaro?"

 

 

A “Big Yank” outfit for big & tall men who like butterflies

He'll pound anyone who says "cuute shirt!"

 

 

For creepy couples you don’t want to hang out with

"I don't know about you, but I'm feeling frisky in this navajo blanket"

 

 

More matchy fashions for creep-ola swingin’ couples who like to disco

"Oh yeah, wow... I can SEE the music!" (as acid starts kicking in...)

 

 

Creepy couples can have summer options too!

The flared pants, white star belt and white shoes are pushing it... but a matching halter top?! Dump him!

 

 

So you can match your pimp…

 

"Where's my money at?!"

 

 

 

What the really cool and sophisticated girls wore to the disco

Seriousy, there are no words to express my thoughts...

 

 

For the fashion-conscious ’70s boy… (who is today still in therapy)

"I hate you, mom."

Where did Clairol Herbal Essence go?

 

I loved the long-haired ‘nature lady’ who used to grace the label of this shampoo.  She used to bathe in a forest and birds and butterflies would happily hover over her.  Clairol Herbal Essence came in a cool bottle, was a beautiful deep aloe green and most importantly, smelled so herbal essence good.  I found an old ad (above) and was surprised to also find an on-line petition demanding the return of Herbal Essence.  I wonder if the “Gee Your Hair Smells Teriffic” fans have the same passion.  These ’70s women are loyal! 

Speaking of Gee Your Hair Smells Teriffic, here’s something from the “You learn something new every day” department:  Did you know that after Jergens stopped making the popular shampoo in the US, that the only place it was available in the entire world was the Philippines?  According to this site:

By the mid-1980’s the products disappeared from [US] store shelves.  Jergens had discontinued manufacturing the product.  After that, the only place in the world where the items were still available was in the Philippines!  Jergens had licensed the product to a manufacturer in the Philippines, and up until today the product has remained available for purchase there!

Well… lucky us! 

"Gee, you look like my mom"

The best Action Figures you can buy today

We all have our favorite action figures from childhood — my brothers recently passed their Star Wars collection on to my eager and grateful son, and my husband had Spiderman and Madelman (“you know, the Spanish GI Joe?” ) figures.

 

Vintage 'Madelman in Kenya' - what's with the white purse?

 

Below are MY current favorite action figures.  I hope someone gets me one or two for Christmas…

 

Crazy Cat-lady: comes with 6 cats and a wild look in her eye

 

 

Obsessive Compulsive Man:  

Comes with worried look, surgical mask and a moist towelette

 

 

Angry Mob: Villagers with ‘mad’ faces and various weapons

 

 

Marie Antoinette: Her wig, dress and head are all removable

 

 

Mr. Bacon vs. Monsieur Tofu: whichever side you’re on, it’s an epic battle

When did Tofu become french? (love the monocle!)

 

 

Zombie Pet Shop figures: Scary, undead pets for playtime

 

 

Avenging Unicorn Playset: comes with 3 problem people (Bad Boss, New Age lady, Mime) and 4 interchangeable horns for unicorn to skewer them with

I guess unicorns don't like mimes : (

Goodbye Michael and Farrah

The world is abuzz today about the sad, untimely deaths of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett.  As tribute to the two 1970s icons (and beyond for MJ), I thought to post videos from each star in their heyday. 

Yesterday, I posted the Jackson 5’s “Enjoy Yourself”, but I decided to replace that video with my all-time favorite MJ song, “Billie Jean“.  Listening to Billie Jean and watching this video (the original isn’t available on YouTube due to ‘country restrictions’) really brings me back to my early ’80s childhood.  Great memories!  For whatever he did or became, it’s wonderful gifts like his music and showmanship that will hopefully live on in our minds forever.  Thanks, Michael!

I also HAVE to post “Ben”, which I really loved as a little girl.  I had no idea at the time that it was about a rat.  (How ironic is that.)  It’s also telling of what his childhood was like, having composed at such a young age this beautiful and heartfelt song about his friendship with his pet rat.  It’s my second favorite MJ song and really takes me back…

I was obsessed with Charlie’s Angels as a child.  Of course, the show’s adult innuendoes were lost on me as I just watched for the action and cool hair.  Contrary to what boring critics say, I thought this show did a lot for little girls like me who thought for the first time that we could kick boys’ asses.  We’ll miss you, Farrah! 

A belated Father’s Day post

“Dad, I still remember it like it was yesterday.  You in your sky-blue briefs helping me into my white party dress…”

Maybe you have to be French, and maybe I grew up in a conservative family but am I glad I don’t have a photo of this “daddy & me” moment.  

But this ad did remind me that I do have a lot of great memories of my dad, much like my kids, who are now making their own special memories with their dad.  Simple activities like making pancakes on Saturday mornings, watching old movies over pizza, and taking long bike rides with him are moments children keep in their hearts forever.  So to all the great dads out there, whether they like to walk around in underwear or not…  belated Happy Father’s Day !

1974: The year European design took a holiday

The following photos are breathtaking, but not in the way you’d think.  The site Eurobad.com collected the best of bad European design from 1974.  It’s really quite… stunning!

For people who like to match their living rooms

 

WOW. Orange-green bathroom with brown wall-to-wall carpeting

The green 'built-in' rugs are a nice touch

 

The “I can’t believe they hired a designer for this room” room

Sad-chic with scary doll and women's-prison beddings : (

 

 Client’s brief:  Use whatever you need to make it an authentic country kitchen!

Every kitchen needs a stable

 

 The ultimate in shag chic

So.... sensual

 

Client’s brief:  Just make sure the kitchen matches my car!

The kitchen for a fast couple - love the booze by the garage!

 

 Proof that bad design causes deviant behavior

So many things wrong with this photo, I don't know where to start...

I love vintage Sesame Street

My brother in law in Australia gave us “Sesame Street Old School – 1969-1974” for Christmas last year.  Sesame Street was such a big part of my childhood that the episodes brought back so many nice memories.  

“Two Little Dolls” was one of my favorites and the reason I had a huge dollhouse obsession as a child. My 3-year old loves watching this – she especially loves when the cats ransack the home.  The song is soothingly folksy-1970s (like Beavis & Butthead’s hippie teacher’s ‘Lesbian Seagull’).  A classic!

This is something that’ll stay with me forever.  Whenever I make my grocery list, I’m tempted to include: “a loaf of bread, a container of milk, and a stick of butta…”

Some ’70s kids things that weren’t so cool…

When I rely on memory, it was pretty cool growing up in the 70s.  I had all sorts of fun toys, the shows on TV were pretty good (even though we only had 5 channels).  But when I see photos like these, it makes me wonder…

Today’s kids’ beddings

 vs.

A 1974 touchy-feely kids’ bed that just takes your breath away

 

 

 

The latest toddler rocker from Netto Design

vs.

The 1970s slightly unsafe-looking PogoPony

 

 

Today’s KidKraft adorable kitchenette

vs.

A 1970s steel sink

 

 

Today’s example of an ad for Tween girls

vs.

A 1970s ad for Tween girls (and predators – creepy!)