It’s a Hello Kitty world…

… we just live in it!

I love Japan and their whole appreciation for anything and everything “kawaii” (cuute).  It all started in the late ’70s when I was around 5 years old, and someone gave me some stationery (this was before e-mail) featuring a cat with her name spelled in fat letters – Hello Kitty.  Clean lines, no facial expressions or cartoon bubble talk, Kitty was just a cute little cat in overalls sporting a red ribbon.  Then along the way, something happened and Kitty exploded and became a multi-million dollar global phenomenon.  People like Paris Hilton took the humble cat from Japan and went insane with her.  Here are just a few of many great examples of where Kitty’s at today (many are from kittyhell.com) :

 

Ok, so I do think Hello Kitty fruit is super cute —

I would so buy these! Kawaii bananas at a Japanese supermarket

 

And I would totally buy this yogurt maker if I could find it —

Healthy, calcium-rich and Kitty-cute: what more could a girl ask for?

 

But I don’t think I’d want to be friends with the girl who decides to get married in this get-up–

Scarlett O'Hara meets Cinderella in Hello Kitty Hell

 

Nor would I like to see this in my bathroom…

I think my husband would leave me if I ever installed this

 

Though I may consider delivering  a baby here at the kawaii-cute Hello Kitty hospital in Taiwan–

How could you not love working here? Unless you were a man... who hated Hello Kitty

awwww

 

Then there are the more interesting Kitty items such as —

The Hello Kitty Rosary (for cute Catholics)

 

Conversely, there is the Hello Kitty burqa (for cute Muslims)

 

The Hello Kitty AK-47 …

This model proved unpopular with communist rebels...

 

The Hello Kitty-Louis Vuitton bong for cute, brand-conscious potheads…

 

We get to see Kitty’s super-cute internal organs through the Kitty meets Dr. Romanelli doll…

If only my heart and spleen were that adorable

 

And from the “I didn’t know there was a market for that” department…

Beck’s Hello Kitty Beer

Not a good thing to bring to a tailgate party

 

The equivalent of a huge “Kick Me” sign for any man…

It's the kitted-out Hello Kitty Ferrari

 

You know the universe is coming to an end when Darth Vader becomes a Kitty fan–

Scary Schoolgirl and Hello Darth make for a great disturbance in the Force

Bad Food Photos = Great Entertainment

I know it’s strange but I love collecting really bad food photos.  Whether a result of a truly bad recipe, bad food styling or better yet, BOTH,  I’m amazed that ad people back then allowed this stuff to make it to print.  Knowing that it’s almost a science now with Food Testers, Stylists and Photographers being paid top dollar for magazine features and ads, it’s nice to know that once upon a time, people really just didn’t care…

Anything with ‘aspic’ should usually raise red flags

Mmmm!

 

It’s like raw meat surrounded by little bunches o’ brains

 

Having mastered Peas, Del Monte then offers up this tempting creamed Corn concoction

 

It’s amazing how creepy spaghetti can look in the wrong hands

 

I love the tagline, “Some things can be copied and some things can’t.”  Well, thank God for that!

Run, kids! Mom's made the Haystack!

 

The Frankfurter-Kraut Crown — the perfect holiday centerpiece!

 

A very rare way of serving “Pork with Spaghetti” or as I call it, “Hairy Pork” : P

 

Saved the BEST for last! 

Lime Walnut Salad — lime gelatin, celery, pimiento, pineapple and cottage cheese.  Truly. Award. Winning.

A lesser-known Weapon of Mass Destruction

 

Stay tuned for Part 2 someday soon… I have a huge collection : O

Mmmm… Bacon

Not this Bacon...

THIS bacon... Mmmm!

 

When you ask a Vegetarian which food item they were hard-pressed to give up, the anwer is usually… Bacon.  There are a few things in this world that can affect humans as much as the smell of sizzling… Bacon.  Maybe Calvin Klein should create ‘CK Bacon’ and unleash the feral side of any meat-eating woman on the unsuspecting cologne-wearer.  Anyway, I’m apparently not the only person who has a weakness for these strips of pork belly.  There are hundreds of Bacon tribute sites and fan pages online.  Predictably, a lot of strange bacon-related items have been cropping up.  So here’s how I picture a day in the life of a bacon-obsessed person…

 

Have a morning shower with a nice juicy bar of Bacon Soap

 

 

Sit down to breakfast with a morning-brightening Bacon Placemat

 

 

Mmm, is that coffee or bacon?  Brew a sizzling cup of Maple Bacon Morning coffee

 

 

Slap on that snazzy Bacon Suit that drives women (and hungry dogs) wild

 

 

If it’s cold, make like a bacon-wrapped weenie dog with the cozy Bacon Scarf

 

 

Don’t forget your Bacon Briefcase!

 

 

… And your Bacon Lunchbox!

 

 … And your Bacon Wallet!

 

 

Make sure all your files are in your trusty Bacon USB Flash Drive

 

 Get into your delicious-smelling car care of your Bacon Air Freshener

 

 

At the end of the day, kick back with a bottle of Squeez Bacon…

>yikes<

 

 

Wash it all down with your favorite diet soda…

 

 

And don’t forget to floss for that extra clean feeling 

 

 

Unwind and ponder the day with a Bacon Martini

 

Then sit back and welcome the heart attack.

Sophia Loren does not like you…

 I think Jayne Mansfield’s in trouble.

Get this woman and her bread rolls away from Sophia!

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!

Dating Yourself – The Typewriter

I saw this vintage ad the other day and I unexpectedly got a little thrill.  Seeing this simple typewriter made me remember the day my parents gave me my dad’s old portable typewriter to keep as my very own.   I was 9 years old and it’s funny but at that age, getting my own typewriter made me feel like a teenager borrowing the car for the first time.  And then I realized… most kids today probably have NO idea what this contraption is.  They will never know the sound of a typewriter in action, or how important liquid paper or correcting tape used to be, or how one used to crumple up sheets and sheets of paper because we couldn’t edit before ‘printing’.  Talk about dating myself! 

 

 Remember Mr. Nooni-nooni-noo from Sesame Street?  My kids were watching snippets from our ‘Old School Sesame Street’ DVD and my 7 year old son asked me, “Mom, is that a big old telephone on wheels?”   Me:  “No, that’s a typewriter.”  My son:  “A what?”   Eep.

My kids do not know what this is : (

 

So I guess anyone who remembers the typewriter can now be relegated to that category we used to place our parents and their “I remember when coca-cola used to cost 20 centavos…” stories.  Sigh.  Oh well, viva vintage and all that.  Let’s celebrate the typewriter!

 

Here’s a cute vintage ad (1954) for the perfect portable typewriter for students…

Gals & guys, from nerds to hep cats, could even match their typewriters.

 

IBM was always on the cutting edge…

When laptops were still a pipe dream...

 

Clunky yet cute and pink — what every young girl would have loved…

Barbie's typewriter

 

Guide to proper typewriting posture (still applicable today)…

Listen to Stella Pajunas, people!

 

Guide to improper posture (still applicable today)…

Well... I could see how this would hurt

Fun with Lederhosen

Whee!

 

I had a great time watching “The Sound of Music” the other night with my 3-year old.  I’ve always wanted to go to Austria as a result of having grown up with this classic film.  The lovely views of the green hillsides, the beautiful architecture, and then I saw Kurt and Friedrich sing “D0, Re, Mi” in their lederhosen…

There’s just something about the Bavarian traditional costume…  Lederhosen is directly translated as “leather pants” and was worn by highland German and Austrian men.  It’s rather cute on little boys and I guess on some grown-ups too.

 

Cute!

 

Adorable!

 

Not so cute

 

I'm on the fence with this one

 

SCARY. Bad bondage lederhosen... (check slickitup.com if you're brave)

 

Authentic photo of George Bush on his Bavaria tour

 

Boris Becker: Looking good in lederhosen

 

 

There’s apparently been such a resurgence of interest in lederhosen, that these best-selling toys had to be made:

 

The perfect pocket toy – a wind-up, hopping pair of lederhosen

The little man on the packaging is in his briefs, chasing his pants : (

 

 

Gamma Deathbot Leder

He does your dirty work for you... while dressed as an Alp dweller toting a beer stein!

 

 

Who wouldn’t want an electronic yodeling pickle? 

Press the big button, hold the pickle to your ear and instantly feel like you're in the Alps

 

 

It took great minds to come up with the remote-controlled, hopping and yodeling pair of lederhosen

The remote control is a knockwurst sausage. Ingenious.

 

 

So auf wiedersehen, lederhosen!  We shall meet again, I’m sure. 

Cool! Lederhosen as it was meant to be worn

vs.

Vassever!

Vintage ‘gay’ ads

Remember when the word ‘gay’ meant happy?  I do, because as a child I had books and heard songs about “happy and gay” straight people.  I’m sure today’s younger genearation is only aware of the homosexual connotation, which is totally fine… but they would probably find the following ads a tad bit puzzling:

Just take Ovaltine at bedtime and wake up... gay

Midol takes away periodic pain and makes you gay. Not bad!

Gee, you really didn't have to...

I want a gay home. I really do.

Gay Johnny looks a little sad today...

He should ditch Texas and go on a Gay cruise.

Totally adorable potential Pride parade souvenirs

Now these following ads don’t have the word ‘gay’ in them, but I think they were targeting the demographic. 

It's so much fun being in the army!

I guess Barbie got rid of him -- Allan, the erstwhile "buddy" of Ken.

         Disclaimer(as of June 2010):  Turns out the ad below is a parody of an original vintage ad by Jantzen.  Sorry!

My favorite ad - you just have to do a double-take. Lure him away from the poolboy?! Peek-a-boo trunks?!

For more vintage gay ads, click HERE

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…”

Classic pulp fiction covers…in Spanish

You can really find art in the least likely of places.  Take pulp fiction covers from the 1950s-70s.  These were the cheap paperbacks that titillated a mostly male crowd of low-brow readers.  Despite their possible not-award-winning content, I think pulp fiction covers are just great.  What makes this collection below even more awesome is the fact that the titles are en espanol!  It just adds another dimension to the super-badness of it all. 

 

The series for baad boys…

Never give a 'chica' on 'drogas' a weapon...

 

 

 Ayayay!  El Robot!

 

 

The sleazier James Bond…Senor Suave, Extraordinario FBI!

Watch as he suavely uses his girlfriend as a human shield...

 

 

Secret Service guys always get the chicks…”Just leave me alone already!”

"Vete ya! Wait... are you wearing two panties?"

 

 

Even the “King & I” looks sleazy when given the pulp fiction treatment…

Deborah Kerr smiles, but her eyes say "H.E.L.P.!"

 

 

Why we should never give weapons to mermaids…

"I'm gonna have me some fisherman stew for dinner!"

 

 

I seriously love this gorgeous cover…  note “la muerte” ghost hand in the corner

 

 

Believe it or not, this woman is a ‘good guy’…

I don't want to 'fly' with Cherry. I think she's going to rehab : (

 

 

I wonder what the “Fatal Gems” in the title is referring to (wink wink nudge nudge)…

Sexy spies always sleep with Ak-47s... topless

 

Find more Spanish Book Covers HERE

Sophia Loren visits our planet

I posted this photo a month ago of Sophia Loren holding two items that every Filipino who grew up in the ’60s-’70s is familiar with — the dreaded wooden giant spoon & fork. 

That photo was actually taken from Sophia’s 1971 cookbook, In Cucina Con Amore (published in English as “Eat With Me”).  I’ve been wanting this book for a while because the recipes were all written by Sophia herself.  Imagine, owning a cookbook from a woman who once said about her famously voluptous figure:  “Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti.”  Take that, anti-carb crusaders!

I'm eating some spaghetti today!

As much as I love Sophia, I think some of the photos from her cookbook are just hilarious.  It’s like she’s some alien visitor to our planet, the way she poses with food.  Mangia mangia!

"Come cheese, let us smile for the camera"

"What is this little oily product? Get it away from Sophia"

"Fascinating!"

"Sophia likes you, stuffed pheasant birds. Come, let us pose holding each other."

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"

Fascinating Family Photos

My friend Rissa sent me a GREAT link last week.  I’ve been wanting to post these superb family photos for a while but my husband (aka my angel-wing wearing good conscience) says it’s not nice to poke fun at other people’s family snaps.  I see his point, but I also feel that these are too good to pass up sharing.  So, as a compromise, I’ll just post photos sans any comments from me.  Zip, zip it, zoo zoo.  I’m a  mime (with a blue pen ; ).  Enjoy…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WTF OMG CREEP-alert! Paging Child Services...

The latest in children’s fashion… ZZ Top??

What a GREAT tribute to ZZ Top from Diesel, taken at this year’s Pitti Immagine Bimbo fashion show in Florence.  I hope they played “Sharp-dressed Man” when these kids walked the runway (see below).

With my husband in a mullet, wayfarers, and a mustache as Frank Beard, and with two furry guitars for the kids, this would also make the perfect Halloween group costume! 

Speaking of “Sharp Dressed Man”, here’s the video from 1983 (a GREAT year in music videos if you ask me).  You just have to say “Whee-heeew!”  I love these classic videos with loose women, that car, and the hilarious makeover storylines (I miss Legs!)…   Update: ugh, they just took the classic video off Youtube! Here’s a live version instead.   Bummer, I love that ’83 video.

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 : (

‘Yes we can’ own a Chia Obama

You know you’re a popular president when they’ve turned you into a Chia Pet!  Each Chia Obama comes in either a ‘happy’ (above) or  ‘determined’ (below) pose, has Obama’s trademark ‘Yes We Can’ written on the side, and most importantly… sprouts green Chia hair.  Kinda creepy but definitely kitschy!  I personally wouldn’t want this as a present, but for those who do, just click on the photo below to go directly to the Chia Pet site.  This would make a great wedding giveaway…or maybe not. 

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 !

What I’m reading now…

I’m outing my mom here but she used to buy Royalty and Majesty magazines regularly up until Diana died.  A few months after Princess Di’s passing, I asked my mom where her new stash of royal magazines were and she replied, “I no longer need those magazines.  Who am I going to look at?  Camilla?? (said through gritted teeth)”   And so since then, I’ve been giving my mom Diana biographies every other Mother’s Day (with maybe a Kennedy or Jackie O. book thrown in).  I’m currently reading a brilliant book that was kindly loaned to me by a friend… The Diana Chronicles by Tina Brown.   I’m only halfway through but it’s a doozy!  I’ve known of Tina Brown since her days in Vanity Fair and she writes so well – a little snide comments here and there and yet quite profound observations.  I (and my mom) will miss Diana all over again.  Anyone heading for a vacation?  Take this book with you.

 

I’m also reading Anne de Courcy’s 1939: The Last Season as it’s in line with my love for anything from the Golden Age (20s til before WW2).  I just finished The Viceroy’s Daughters and quite enjoyed that, so will move on to this one.   It’s just hard to get to because Diana’s book landed in my lap and I haven’t put it down since. 

The next book I plan to read is a toss up between:

and

Just kidding : )  Really, I am.  Really.

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...

Good salad vs. bad salad

I love love any Asian salad, with Vietnamese or Thai versions being my favorites.  But when it’s summer, I always look for a good, simple Mediterranean salad.  I usually go for Greek, but I found this great recipe for a Caprese one:

1. Drain 1 large can of black olives.  Cut the olives in half.  Cut 3 cups of cherry tomatoes in half as well. Put the olive and tomato halves in a bowl.
2. Cut up about 1 cup of good mozzarella and add this to the bowl as well.
3. Chop or tear 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves and mix into a 1/2 cup of an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing.
4. Combine dressing with tomato mixture, salt and pepper and serve.  Mmmm…

From the Bad Salad department… I got this Jello ad from a vintage ad blog years ago.  It was labeled by the blog owner as “Satan’s salad” : (   Maybe because it looks like there are body parts trapped in it…

Not to be outdone is our local mayo brand, Lady’s Choice, which actually thought this ad would make me want to buy mayonnaise.  I wonder how much mayo (or cement) she had to add to her macaroni salad to make it stand like that.

Stop acronym abuse in the Philippines

Possible foreign mice buyer

“RP to host foreign MICE buyers”

What?!  Of course, upon further reading of the article in the paper this morning, it becomes clear-  MICE stands for ‘Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibition.’  It still didn’t make the article less laughable:   

[The event] will also provide local MICE suppliers with the chance to introduce their services to the foreign MICE buyers in the MICE mart on July 10 at Shangrila Plaza Mall.

It’s another case of acronym abuse in a country where the list of acronyms is so long, you need reference material when you read the daily headlines.   I’m already used to CON-ASS (Constituent Assembly), but imagine a visitor to this country picking up the paper to read:  “Former President Ramos hopes PGMA keeps her CON-ASS titillations to herself.”   

The Moro Islamic Liberation Front should also consider using their full name because it’s hard not to burst out laughing when you read,  ““Army pounds MILF” and  “MILF expels Christians from Philippine farms” (gee, that’s one mean MILF!).   Compare that last headline with Reuters’ version, “Muslim rebels expel Christians.”  See?  It can be done.

Was Sophia Loren ever in the Philippines?

Because I don’t know how to explain this photo.  Unless someone gave the set to her as pasalubong?   I’m hoping someone finds a photo of her with a giant wooden rosary…

Sophia with giant spoon & fork

 Sophia spoon & fork update HERE

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!)