The 1940's House

"The 1940's House" (2001)

For a week or so I have been wanting to share this little discovery with you. An acquaintance on my facebook suggested it to me and I looked for it on my Netflix but quickly discovered that it was only available via dvd.

You all already know I do not give up that easily so I searched for it on Youtube and I found it! Within two days I watched the whole thing and found it fascinating. I think you all will too!

This is the house that was converted completely

in the inside to be just like the 1940's-incredible!

Back in 2001 BBC produced a show following a modern family's adventures back into the past. They chose the Hymer family which consisted of Michael (father), Lyn (mother), Kirstie (daughter), Ben (grandson) and Thomas (grandson).

Filming lasted nine months and they went through 1939 to 1945 between those months. There were just five episodes and this is the way is was broken down:

Episode 1: The Home Front (aired 2 January 2001) - The series is introduced, the family moves in, war breaks out, and food rationing is confronted for the first time.

Episode 2: Into the Unknown (aired 4 January 2001) - Michael Hymers leaves the house for three weeks for work-related reasons, and the family confronts additional rationing.

Episode 3: Women at War (aired 11 January 2001) - Lyn and Kirstie join the Women's Voluntary Service and work in the war industry.

Episode 4: The Beginning of the End (aired 18 January 2001) - The family suffers from air-raids, sleep deprivation, and bomb damage before learning that the war is over. They also listen to radio stories about the liberation of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp.

Episode 5: The Homecoming (aired 25 January 2001) - Six months later, the Hymers reflect on their time in 1940s House

The Hymers Family all decked out in their 40s best!

I think they made an interesting choice of families-they were outspoken yet argumentative so of course that made for good television. I was honestly very surprised on how little they knew about what their own people went through during the war. The father knew a great deal but he was very quiet about his knowledge and at some point he had to get back to his real job-in a way many men were gone either working or in war so the women left behind had a great deal of adjusting and struggling to contend with.

The family and producers were advised by the "war cabinet" historians to make the experience there as authentic as possible. There were moments of joy and many moments of true suffering. It made me really think about what people especially women in the UK went through during the War. It also made me more curious about what women went through in America as well.

Here is the entire show for you!!

A lot of vintage enthusiasts focus on the clothes and pretty things of an era  but the history and true life experiences of an era are so important to know and be aware of. This show defiantly gives you a little taste of that time. I think it was well put together and really makes your eyes open up a bit more to what it was like so long ago.

Enjoy!!

xox

Think BIG!

I find that Motherhood has a way of seeping into all aspects of your life. As I am singing along to cartoons with my children or playing playdoh with them or coloring-if find that if you look close enough you can learn valuable life lessons as well as find inspiration.

That's what I found in the cartoon Pinky Dinky Doo. Its about a young girl who loves to learn new words and to teach her younger brother about these words she tells a made up story. While she is telling her story she always adds a scene where the main character has to figure out the dilemma at hand and "THINK BIG". The main character (usually a version of Pinky herself) has her head inflate while she thinks BIG and then she gets a great idea and solves the problem. Its a super cute show-my kiddies love it.

Now why am I sharing this cartoon with you? Well, because I think its important that we all think BIG for ourselves. I have met and known all sorts of people throughout my life. There are those who work hard to have what they have and those who sit back and try and get it the easy way. Unfortunately, these days most people are the latter.

Life is incredibly short and you have heard me say this time and again, but truly is. And it is precious-- it can be changed and altered in an instant. So why sit back and watch other people make things happen for themselves?

When thinking BIG or rather be ambitious, you should be aware of a few things:

• Don't step on other peoples toes-be thankful always.
• Be sincere-I mean BE SINCERE.
• Be honest with yourself-not everyone can be a Prima Ballerina.
• Let your ambitions drive you but don't let it drive you nuts.
• Set clear and achievable goals for yourself.
• Work with what you have and focus on what you have.
• Realize what you can do and what you can't.
• Make a mental or literal list of your goals but don't set a time frame.
• Think BIG like Pinky Dinky Doo says and like Bunny says! hehe
• Lastly, be passionate with what you are doing if not you lose all the fun.

Thinking BIG does come with one BIG warning. Be careful on who you share with. I have found once you have created your goals and thought BIG thoughts and you are working hard for them....you really have to try not to share it with the world at large but rather with the people who truly support you and want you to succeed. Unfortunately, there are too many individuals out there who would rather take than give-those are the people who sit back and wait for things to come to them.

On that note, THINK BIG! Be ambitious! Don't let opportunities slide by! Keep dreaming big dreams!

xox

Weekend Cinema Spotlight: Beach Party

"Beach Party" (1963)

Like so many of my first experiences with a classic film, I saw Beach Party for the first time at my grandma's house. The home where I watched both "I Love Lucy" and Telenovelas (spanish soap operas).

I rewatched this film recently before the spring weather started to make its entrance to help me get rid of my mid-winter blues. Well this film did the trick! Its jam packed with cute lines, 60's slang, and lots of hip action! You know it daddy-o! It was a  hoot!

Frankie Avalon was as fine as wine while Annette Funicello was just fab as Frankie and Dolores respectively. This movie was a gas!! Oh how neato it is to use 1960's slang words! If you want to learn some more you find more groovy words right here!

Frankie and Annette-so cute together!

 I remembered having a blast watching it all those years ago and I had another blast watching it again. The main characters that Avalon and Funicello play are two teens who are going steady when they decided to spend their summer living in a beach house (hello-where are their parents!). I honestly have a hard time believing their were teens because they were just living in a house with all their friends (much to Frankie's surprise-you'll see why!). I'd like to think they were like college freshman or something (yes so grown-NOT!).

Anyhoo, there is a scientist by the name of Professor Robert Orville Sutwell played by Robert Cummings who decides to study the mating habits of Californian teens. Little does he realize he will lose sight of his project once he gets personally involved with them.

Trailer for "Beach Party"

It is loaded with funny moments, charming moments, and even singing by both Avalon and Funicello (she was a former Mouseketeer!). There is also lots of 1960's dancing that I am sure young people would totally not think its cool today but I have danced some of those dances and OMG does it give you great exercise on your hips and thighs. Try it some time!

You can find this film and the sequels to it on Netflix. I love watching a film that is jam packed with this and this one is it!!!

Enjoy!

xox

Pinup Girl of the Month: March: Mara Corday

Mara Corday

Mara Corday is famous for being a 1950's pinup, Playboy Centerfold, and "B" Movie Actress. Before all of that she was known as Marilyn Joan Watts who was born on January 3rd, 1930. She had Hollywood dreams and started out as a showgirl while still in her teens. Because of her striking beauty she was offered to model  and from there she landed her first bit part in a film called Two Tickets to Broadway (1951).

While she was contracted under Universal International Pictures she met Clint Eastwood and they have remained lifelong friends. She experienced moderate success being a "B" movie actress in films such as; Tarantula (1955) and The Black Scorpion (1957).

In 1957 she met and married fellow actor Richard Long (whom I remember being in "The Twilight Zone's episode of season five Number 12 Looks Just Like You) and they eventually has three children together before he tragically passed on at the age of 47.

What a pinup girl!!!! Wow-weeee!

Even more stunning! Love the pouting don't you?

I love the whole photo-so very artistic!

Mara in Scream Queen mode!



During the 1950's she was also a Playboy Playmate for the October 1958 issue! What an incredible and versatile life Mara Corday has lived. Think about it-she was the true Pinup Mama!!! Her first two children were born and 1957 and 1958 respectively. Now who said mama's cannot be Pinups!!!????

Mara Corday was a stunner and at 82 years old she can look back on her long life and say, "I was a famous pinup girl, actress, Playboy Playmate, devoted wife, and loving mother." Now that is something to be proud of! Don't you agree??

xox

Some more thrifty finds...

Two great books-"That Darn Cat" is a Disney movie and

this original book is from the 1960's just like the film!

About two weeks ago I went thrifting again. Sheesh I have been meaning to tell you all about it but my camera has NOT been behaving itself. Yes, that means its on my "to-do list" for things to get before my trip (27 days now...so not counting!). Thankfully camera are now cheaper because most people are using their phones. I am a traditional kind of girl-cameras all the way!

Anyhoo, I went to Martin Luther Thrift Store again and I spent just three dollars on everything you see. Not bad! I found three fabulous books, a patriotic scarf, and a cute unique little basket that I was thinking of using for a photo shoot.

One of my favorite books and I finally find a copy

for my godson who loves to read!!! Yeah!

My patriotic scarf!! Cannot wait to use it!

I love the angle of this basket-super cute!

For a dollar I also purchased a fur collar from the 1960's (but can pass for 1940s) at a nearby yard sale. I really wanted to take a photo of it but like I said, camera is on the fritz-boo!!!!

What goodies have you found thrifting lately?

Happy Friday Everyone!!!! xox