Celebrate The Super ‘70s!

Go Ahead—You Know You Love It!

As my kids text their friends about what they hope they’re getting for Christmas, Mr. Betty’s Attic is putting the finishing touches on the Cart-Style Popcorn Maker we bought for the family room this year. Since he likes to do those “construction things” by himself, I thought I’d take a little “me time” at the computer to regroup before The Big Day, and as usual, I'm browsing through our Betty’s Attic ‘70s stuff!

There’s something about The ‘70s that makes me grin. Maybe it’s the memories of feathered hair, polyester pants, disco balls, and Afterschool Specials, but I feel sorry for kids who don’t know what it was like to live through that fabulous decade! Sure, it had its embarrassing moments, but it had a lot of fun times, too!

Here are a few of my personal favorites: What girl didn’t want to don that Wonder Woman cape and tiara? Forget jewelry and fancy perfume—all we women need to feel gorgeous and invincible is this bright red Wonder Woman T-Shirt! I like to think of it as what Wonder Woman wears on laundry day!

When I was in the 6th grade, I had a friend named Cindy who was obsessed...obsessed...with John Schneider from The Dukes Of Hazzard while I was more of a Tom Wopat gal. We hung out every week watching the TV show, dreaming of riding in the General Lee. With this Light & Sound General Lee Die Cast, I can dream of being Mrs. Luke Duke when no one’s around!

And last but not least, my older brother’s (still) favorite band, The Hottest Band In The World: KISS! I used to tease him and say they were “gross,” but I secretly loved them! Now that I’m older, I love them even more and delight in embarrassing my kids by bringing my KISS Beach Towel on trips to the lake and the sandy shore. If it’s too loud, you’re too old! Rock on, mom!

Maybe 2008 will be the coolest year ever? Who knows? Until we find out, I'm sticking with The ‘70s...where every day is groooovy!

Happy Happy Holidays to all of you!

It’s The Holiday Home Stretch!

Give Yourself A Snuggle Break In Comfy Robes & PJs

When holiday stress threatens to drive us crazy, some of us hit the cookies, and some hit the treadmill (we cookie people despise the treadmill people). Is there a way to survive the holiday home stretch and keep our waistlines intact? Of course! Put the sugar cookies back! Soothe yourself by slipping into a pair of super-soft PJs and your own cozy robe!

Not only do they keep you calm amidst the chaos of parties, dinners and relatives on roll-away beds, they’re a gift to yourself that keeps on giving year-round! For Mister Manly Man, there’s the thick Harley-Davidson® Robe. It’s the perfect combination of “I like to fix heavy things in the garage,” and “I want to watch cartoons on the couch with a bowl of cereal.”

And for you gals, relax inside our thirsty plush Lucy Robe. It’s like a warm fleece hug you can wear all day long! Or, if you adore Betty BoopTM and her shiny spit curls, pamper yourself in our fuzzy hot pink robe.

More the traditional type? Nothing beats the comfort of old-fashioned Footie Pajamas, sure to bring back memories of waiting up as late as you could, trying to catch a peek at Santa! You’ll make it through the holidays yet!

Get Your Yuletide Groove On!

December 1965—The Grateful Dead Play Their First Show

I hope you’re remembering to stop and sip the eggnog as we descend deeper into Holiday Mania! I’ll tell you—one thing that adds to my shopping stress is the music we’re forced to endure in some of the department stores! Nothing against chestnuts or dashing through the snow, but let’s just say that some renditions of holiday classics are in the bargain bin for a reason! My secret weapon? Why, The Grateful Dead, of course!

When I’m in the car alone (because we all know the torture of listening to our kids ridicule our golden oldies) and I’m up to here with fa-la-las, I put in my CD of American Beauty and pretty soon, the honking traffic dissipates into the stratosphere. The Dead fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, country, jazz, psychedelia—even gospel—for a brew no other band could dream of duplicating (although many have tried). Songs like “Sugar Magnolia,” and “Box Of Rain” are perfect introductions to their genius and, as stated above, a dreamy antidote to holiday frustration! Celebrate the anniversary of their first concert at the legendary San Francisco Fillmore on this day in 1965. It truly was, as they say, the beginning of an era!

Think Jerry’s guitar solos were “puzzling?” Try your luck at this cool 500-piece puzzle ingeniously combining individual classic photos of the rock icon to form one large mosaic sure to wind up on your wall. Fancy yourself as the ultimate Deadhead? Then our Grateful Dead Trivia Game is for you! Players collect "concert tickets" by answering interactive and trivia questions spanning the band’s history from Pigpen to Ratdog.

Judy Garland Saves Christmas!

How A Song Was Born In St. Louis

Having just caught In The Good Old Summertime with the sublime Judy Garland last night, I started thinking about the holiday gem Meet Me In St. Louis starring Judy at her most luminous. Did you know that the mega-famous holiday ditty from that film, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” started out as, well, a total bummer? It’s true! When it was originally penned for that bittersweet scene between Judy and the young Margaret O’Brien, it contained lines such as “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, it may be your last...” and “Faithful friends who were dear to us will be near to us no more...”

Wow! That puts a buzz in the old eggnog, eh? Eventually (due, in part, to Judy herself), the lyrics were revised to the version we know and love, and a beloved Yuletide sing-along was born! To be sung at office Christmas parties and merry martini mixers for all eternity!

Personally, I think anything to do with Judy is a Christmas “must,” and that definitely includes The Wizard Of Oz! So slip into your party dress, freshen your lipstick and add some of her plucky chutzpah to your holiday with our Wizard Of Oz Jingle Bell Ornament Set and our Ruby Slipper Christmas Stocking. Because, with Judy, “all your troubles will be out of sight!” Keep the magic of Oz going strong throughout your holiday decor!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Kitchen!

Fire Up The Oven! We’re Going Retro!

Need another reason why the fifties rocked? The Bundt baking pan was invented in 1950 when Minneapolis engineer Dave Dalquist was approached by a sweet little lady who wanted to recreate the dense, heavy European cakes her Old Country family had once made. The hole in the center of the bundt pan proved to be the key­—it allowed heat to evenly cook the thicker European batter. The result was a glorious symbol of Americana that created a cake craze!

Harvey Wallbanger Cake, anyone? Maybe some sparkling 7UP® cake? I discovered long ago that baking is highly therapeutic! There's something about rolling around in dough that melts stress away and what better way to bake than with the Pillsbury® Best Of The Bake-Off® Cookbook? Everything from the famous (bundt-style) Tunnel Of Fudge Cake to an Orange Kiss Me Cake will have you licking the bowl when no one’s looking!

But why stop at dessert? Go to town on an entirely retro-themed feast with our Food Of The ‘50s Cookbook (chicken fricasse, Swedish meatballs, lemon bars), the Retro Hot Dog Stand (for quick fixes) and the über cool Milkshake Maker!

Share some goodies with your neighbors in your very own Personally Engraved Baking Pan, perfect for everything from pot luck casseroles to holiday cookies!

That’s what’s so great about the holiday season—it’s completely acceptable to eat until you pass out! So, bring on the meatballs, I say! Ladle some more gravy onto that roast, and save me some frosting on the big wooden spoon!

The Christmas Countdown Begins!

On Your Mark...Get Set...Go!

Shopping online and clicking one’s way through the holidays can eliminate 99% of yuletide stress and keep you from accidentally-on-purpose tripping the perfume-spray lady with your umbrella as you innocently glide through the Estee Lauder section.

That said, there’s a corny part of me that misses shopping at Christmas, at least the way it used to be. Not entirely unlike Ralphie and Randy from A Christmas Story, I was often bundled-up so heavily during winter months by my well-meaning mother that my arms struck straight out at my sides at a 90-degree angle. In the chilly evenings, our family would pile into the station wagon and putter on down to Main Street (yes, there really was a Main Street), where we’d walk with cups of hot chocolate, peering into shop windows. We were mesmerized by Kewpie dolls, teddy bears, baseball gloves, and model trains all framed with candy canes and rows of glittery garland.

Nowadays I send most of my gifts through the mail and my family’s celebration lasts two days instead of two months because we all have jobs to fly home to—but, no matter how much e-shopping, text messaging, or video chatting we do, there’s one place we meet up that takes us right back to those fairy tale storefronts.

We end up back in The Attic because year after year, as trendy “must-have” toys come and go, we always find the truly magical gifts right here. So, as my tribute to the spirit of Christmas Past, from now until December 24th, I'm going to offer a few of my personal favorite gifts each and every week. All available right here on our web site. No snotty cashiers. No sore feet. And no need to assault the perfume lady.

Just you, your mouse and the peace on earth that comes from shopping in your sweat pants. Click on them to read more and remember: it really was better when you were a kid!

Veterans Day: Honor History By Learning It!

It’s one of those cliched facts of life that once you get older, you wish you’d paid more attention in school. Learning becomes a luxury you wish you had more time for. Such is the case for me with history. Now that time is at a premium, I quite often look to The Attic for books and DVDs that quench my thirst for knowledge.

I’ve spent hours poring through crisp maps (I love maps, don’t you?), charts, diagrams and photographs recounting battles in our nation’s fascinating history. And it’s highly likely that during the weekends you’ll find me glued to a DVD about Lincoln or Patton while I fold laundry and pretend to balance the checkbook.

Is it odd for a soccer mom to be fascinated by military strategy? I don't think so! Characters like Custer and Rommel are way more colorful than all the Desperate Housewives put together! American Idol? I'd rather watch The American Revolution!

As Thanksgiving looms, we find ourselves seduced by thoughts of roast turkey and buttery mashed potatoes. Christmas is right around the corner, full of sugar plums and shiny paper. At the onset of the holiday season, Veterans Day, quite frankly, gets the short stick. Sure, it gets media coverage full of emotional vignettes about patriotism, but if you ask me...it never gets enough attention.

How do we truly honor those who sacrificed everything to keep our country, and so many other nations around the world, free of tyranny (to use an old but relevant expression)? Making sure that we never forget. How do we do that? By learning. Reading. Exploring maps and diagrams. Watching DVDs. Putting faces to names so that those dusty old textbooks spring to life with wild characters and the smell of gunpowder in the air. Think of this blog as me—slipping you a note during class: “History’s cool! Pass it on!”

Reading Is Magic!

It’s The 50th Anniversary of The Grinch & The Golden Books Turn 65!

In a soft yellow bedroom, tucked under a fuzzy pink blanket, I fell in love with books. My mother used to read to me almost every single night. It was our special time together. Some nights it was my big book of folk tales from around the world. Other nights it might be Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky and, when I got a bit older, it was The Hound of the Baskervilles on nights when the trees knocked at my window!

But far and away, my two favorites (although from very different eras) were Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas and the wonderfully-innocent Little Golden Books! Did you know that both of these classics are celebrating very big anniversaries? The Grinch has hit 50 and Golden Books are 65!

What child can resist the vivid imagery of Dr. Seuss and his mean green villain holed-up at the top of Mt. Crumpit? My favorite line from the cartoon version was “You're a foul one, Mr. Grinch. You're a nasty, wasty skunk. Your heart is full of unwashed socks. Your soul is full of gunk.”To a 6 year-old, “gunk” is a really funny word! I fell in love with Max, his canine assistant, and I instantly understood the message at the end that “Maybe Christmas doesn’t come from a store?”And speaking of adorable dogs from our childhood...“The Poky Little Puppy,” anyone? Holding those tiny Little Golden Books in my hands was so exciting and my mother read me every single tale, from the aforementioned slow-moving pup to “The Tawny Scrawny Lion” to “The Shy Little Kitten.” Each story was custom-sized for budding readers with big imaginations and the adventures flew off the pages!

Happy Birthday, Grinch and Golden Books! We loved you then and we love you now! Celebrate the timeless tales and share them with the budding bookworm in your life. If you’re feeling Seussarific, we have a Grinch Figurine you won’t believe and a festive tee!

More in the mood for The Saggy Baggy Elephant and Nurse Nancy? Enjoy all the Little Golden Books in one fantastic set. And remember...when you share a love of reading, the sky’s the limit!

She Dressed The Stars!

Edith Head: October 28, 1897—October 24, 1981

My children find it impossible to believe that there were fashion icons before Hannah Montana and The Cheetah Girls.

When I am poetic about Veronica Lake’s long luscious locks or Bette Davis’ moxy, they nod their heads to appease me and then go right back to blowing things up in video games. I myself shudder, and wish I could take them on a time travel trip to meet Edith Head, the costume designer for everyone from Mae West to Elizabeth Taylor, and the woman who was nominated for a whopping 34 Oscars®­—more than any woman in history!

When Edith ruled Tinseltown, she played by her own rules (unscrupulously at times, rumor has it) and matched wits and brawn with the gruffest of cigar-puffing studio heads. She was known as much for her formidable presence as her huge dark glasses and severe chignon bun. But the stars adored her because they knew she had the power to transform them from mere actresses to goddesses with a few silky swatches. Some of the icons she “dressed” were:

• Mae West in She Done Him Wrong
• Veronica Lake in Sullivan’s Travels
• Barbara Stanwyck in The Lady Eve
• Ingrid Bergman in Notorious
• Bette Davis and Anne Baxter in All About Eve
• Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard
• Elizabeth Taylor in A Place In The Sun
• Grace Kelly in Rear Window and To Catch A Thief
• Rita Hayworth in Separate Tables
• Kim Novak in Vertigo
  

If you love old Hollywood glamour and fashion as much as I do, you must must must check out our two new paper dolls sets! They combine one of my favorite games as a little girl with the most luxurious, gorgeous designs known to mankind!

The Hollywood Paper Dolls Book contains 24 silver screen sirens (with famous movie outfits) such as Rita Hayworth, Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and more! The Fashion Parade Paper Dolls Book lets you dress a set of dolls with vintage couture fashions from the ‘50s through the ‘90s with iconic pieces from designers like Yves St. Laurent, Ralph Lauren and modern-day fashion iconoclast, John Galliano! Even if we wear our sweats 80 percent of the time these days, it doesn’t mean we can’t still daydream about slipping into one of these beauties!

The Age-Old Dilemma: Coke® Or Pepsi®?

When I was sixteen I broke with family tradition and switched from Pepsi to Coke. My father, the most die-hard Pepsi drinker you’ll ever find, tried to hide his disappointment, but it was pretty obvious. Had he not raised me well? Instilled proper values and ethics?

What, one wonders, causes such headstrong loyalty to a soft drink? Perhaps the rivalry can be traced to the sock-hoppin’ fifties when hamburger joints and juke boxes ruled teenage life and nothing soothed a flunked exam or a pimple on date night like a frosty glass of pop with your pals. It was during these “Tutti Frutti” times when favorites were born over plates of fries—and most of us still drink what we drank then.

Whatever your preference, one thing’s certain: retro Coke and Pepsi memorabilia adds a touch of class. It’s a potent combination of “idealism” and “nostalgia” that evokes our warmest memories. It says to the world “I respect the generations before me and I’m also passing down my own traditions.”

Pledge your allegiance with our plethora of pop-related goodies! On the Pepsi side, there’s our adorable Ice Cream Float Cookie Jar and accompanying Salt And Pepper Shaker Set. And why not offer friends an ice-cold Pepsi in a genuine Pepsi cup straight from your own Cup Dispenser?

Leaning more towards Coca-Cola®? Serve up cheeseburgers and fries on this set of Soda Shop Placemats, complete with retro-look advertising. Don’t forget to display the ketchup, mayo and relish on the Lazy Susan and top it all off with the Juke Box Shaker Set!

I’ll be enjoying the cool autumn days with my own frosty glass of Coke. Unless my dad visits, of course.

The Witching Hour Is Almost Upon Us!

The Attic’s A Scream At Halloween

Halloween is right around the corner and I thought some of you might be doing what I do every year, which is to have this conversation with myself: Do I want to dress up this year? I never know what to be. I don’t want something boring. But not too crazy, either. But not like everybody else’s costume...Oh, it’s probably too late to find one anyway. I give up!

Fear not—Aunt Betty is here to turn October 31st into Your Costume Is Fabulous Day! Below are but a few of our many Costume ideas. The only question you need to ask yourself is just how fabulous do you want to be?

Does the thought of Lucy shoving mounds of chocolate into her cheeks give you a fun goofy grin? Recreate the classic I Love Lucy TM scene in our meticulous Lucy Candy Factory Costume. Just don’t forget to take the truffles out of your shirt before you go to bed.

Personally, I think there should be a picture of Elvira in the dictionary next to “fabulous,” and you’ll marvel at yourself in the mirror when you slither into the Deluxe Elvira Costume. Add the va-va-vampiress Elvira Wig to the sultry ensemble and get ready for gaping stares (mostly from men...and your grandmother).

Mr. Betty’s Attic and our son will be donning the Wheaties Adult and Wheaties Youth costumes this year as they make the neighborhood rounds. I’m trying to convince them both to wear hideous tube socks and throw in a pair of the Rocky Boxers, but they’ll probably wimp-out and wear jeans.

Maybe you just need a touch of make-­believe but aren’t ready to commit to a whole costume? The Herman Munster Mask is so lifelike, you’ll feel 12-feet tall! And one can never go wrong with a pair of Groucho Glasses! No one will recognize you! Not even your pets!

Whoever you decide to be this year, remember: Halloween is all about fun! And maybe stealing a few candy bars from your kids’ trick-or-treat bags to make sure they pass “inspection.” And some candy corn. Don’t forget those! And caramels...do they still make that sugary stuff you eat with the candy spoon...?

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Some Of My Favorite Holiday Goodies

As I stated in an earlier post, it can be a little hard whipping up holiday spirit way down here in sweltering Florida. Pumpkin pie and apple cider just don't taste the same when you're wearing bermuda shorts. Nonetheless, I’ve learned several tricks of the trade to kickstart my seasonal silliness so join me on this little tour I like to call Christmas With The Stars!

All of you who read this blog know I love the PEANUTS®—and I simply must watch A Charlie Brown Christmas every year (and then, listen to the soundtrack ad nauseum until SuperBowl® time). So, imagine my glee when we got this shipment of Animated Peanuts Sleigh toys! Charlie! Linus! Snoopy and Woodstock, all in soft plush form, wobble and bob in time to “We Wish You A Merry Christmas” atop a cute little sleigh perched upon fluffy fabric snow. It’s enough to make me book a flight to New York City just to ice skate in Rockefeller Center!

More of a Mickey and Minnie type? They’re the next stop on our tour! The Singing Mickey And Minnie Holiday Car is the same idea as the sleigh, only this time it’s the mice with the most at the helm, swaying side to side as they chirp out an adorable rendition of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” I ask you, how much more retro chic can you get? And imagine the look on the little ones’ faces when they see these toys!

Need a little kitsch factor around your tree? The gloriously-goofy M&M’s®Tree Skirt may seem just an innocent piece of decor—but look closer. It’s a rich velour swatch of goofy goodness that’s guaranteed to make you smile every time you glance at peanutty Yellow and his lovable mug.

Then of course, there’s The Grinch. What holiday could be complete without the Master Of Mt. Crumpet and his beady little eyes? Dressed in Santa motif, he’s here to remind you of the first time you watched the cartoon classic and wondered what, exactly, roast beast would taste like.

Finally, we end our journey today with the pièce de résistance: The Giant Inflatable Leg Lamp! Worried your yard isn’t drawing enough attention? Perhaps the plastic reindeer just isn’t cutting it anymore? Feast your eyes on this baby! Inspired by the (in)famous scene from A Christmas StoryTM, it comes with the fan, adapter, stakes and everything you need to inflate it outdoors (or, if you have a ginormous living room, indoors), bestowing the ugliest lamp in history upon the entire neighborhood!

Let’s see if Bob next door can top that with his 5000 lights! Don't think so!

Nobody Expects The Spanish Inquisition!

Monty Python’s Flying Circus Debuts October 5, 1969

Of all my favorite childhood memories, watching Monty Python’s Flying Circus with my parents is right up there at the top! It was during the early '70s when the “let it all hang out” mentality was in full-swing, and even though I was too young to truly understand most of the jokes, I somehow inherently knew those irreverent wacky Brits were onto something revolutionary.

Later, as I got older, the fish slapping dance, Ministry of Silly Walks, and my personal favorite—Ricky Pule’s Mount Everest Hairdressing Salon—got a lot funnier. I realized that John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam had inspired a generation of comics. Everyone from the early Saturday Night Live cast to ‘80s innovator Ben Elton of The Young Ones to modern-day funnymen such as Ricky Gervais, creator of The Office, exhibit the influence of The Pythons.

With so much gross-out adolescent humor in TV and movies these days—humor that seems to appeal to the lowest common denominator—it’s always a joy to stumble across an old episode of the landmark series or one of their wonderfully-looney films such as The Meaning Of Life, Holy Grail, or Life Of Brian. Just about everyone I’ve grown up with can rattle off a few quotes here or there (“It’s only a flesh wound! Bring me a bucket! Nudge nudge, wink, wink, know what I mean?”) and we proudly flaunt our Python knowledge as a badge of honor.

If it’s been a while since you last encountered “The Lumberjack Song,” the killer rabbit, or the “bright side of life,” slip into a cozy sweatshirt and pop in a DVD. Their surreal, slightly-deranged take on life makes the mundane world we live in much more bearable!

The Generation They Called “X”

Nirvana’s Nevermind Released Sept. 24th, 1991

There are certain things that make your Aunt Betty feel her age: buying a nice sauvignon blanc and not being asked for ID; accepting that “misses” fashions are never as cool as “20-something” fashions; not knowing who most of the bands on MTV are these days (causing laughter and ridicule from my kids)...and the list goes on!

But when I realized it’s now been over 15 years since Nirvana’s Nevermind album came out, I really felt the cobwebs starting to settle. I vividly remember the first time I heard “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” I was driving home from work, tires hugging a winding curve, when the local DJ announced he was going to play “a song from a new alternative band with a lot of buzz.” I already knew who Nirvana were, and owned their first album, Bleach, but figured they’d remain under the radar like so many other “indie” bands of that era.

The minute I heard the opening guitar riff to “Teen Spirit” I knew the world was about to change.

Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic had unleashed all the fear and frustration we wayward Gen X kids had felt since 1983. At least those of us who were more like The Breakfast Club’s free-thinking John Bender than the sushi-eating Claire.

Every generation has its musical lightning rods: Sinatra, Lennon and McCartney, Bowie, Bono. What made Cobain one of these is that 16 years later, “Come As You Are,” “Lithium,” “Heart Shaped Box,” and one of my personal favorites, “Pennyroyal Tea” all sound just as exciting (and a tad unnerving) as they did a decade ago.

That “lightning in a bottle” effect is what turns melancholy musicians from Aberdeen, Washington into icons, even when most of their music cautioned against the very concept.

So, for all of you Gen X-ers out there, take a moment and remember the first time you heard Nevermind. Because it influenced everything you’re hearing today.

Get Ready For Rudolph!

The 1964 Rankin/Bass Classic Is Just As Much Fun Today!

Hands up—who still believes in The Island of Misfit Toys?

Whether you’re a child of the ‘60s, the ‘70s or the proud parent of your own child, Rudolph The Red-Nosed ReindeerTM should be viewed at least once every holiday season. Why? Because it brings back memories of sledding all day long, bundled-up in puffy snow suits, barely able to navigate through thick mittens. And later, coming home to hot chocolate as your Christmas tree lights twinkled on and off in the background, fresh pine in the air as Mom took cookies out of the oven.

What sets this telling of the classic ugly duckling tale apart from the countless other versions is the magic of Rankin/Bass and their ability to create unforgettable characters from the painstaking process of stop-motion animation. Recently revisited by Tim Burton in his Nightmare Before Christmas feature, in 1964 stop-motion was still pretty revolutionary.

Basically, it involves arranging 3-D objects (usually puppets) into poses and then shooting them frame by frame—only moving them a tiny distance each time. Frames are edited together to create the illusion that the puppets are actually walking, dancing, flying, etc.

It’s truly an art form to be appreciated by film fans. But for kids, it was pure magic to watch Sam The Snowman glide across glistening ponds, Santa’s sleigh take flight and King Moonracer welcome Rudolph and his friends to The Island of Misfit Toys (King Moonracer is still my personal favorite character next to The Bumble).

So have a “Holly Jolly Christmas” and start counting down the days to “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year’ with our brand-new Rudolph items, the Singing Rudolph Ornament Set (playing songs from the TV special) and our exclusive Jim Shore figurines of Sam The Snowman, Santa With Rudolph, and The Bumble.

But don’t stop there! We also have a T-shirt, musical mugs and more!

So what if it’s September? Be a kid again and start getting hopped-up for the holidays now! Just remember to take your mittens off before you surf the web!

Sweet Strawberry Shortcake

Over 25 Years Later, She’s Still Our Gal!

When I heard that Strawberry Shortcake was returning to Saturday Morning cartoons, I ran straight for my Scented Plush Doll and took a long yummy whiff of her strawberry-scented hair!

Originally created for American Greetings back in 1977, the ’80s belonged to Strawberry and her pals! With over 21 additional characters added between 1980–1984, every little girl from Causality to Syracuse pulled on her mother’s hem, begging for these plush cuddly dolls with soft yarn hair scented to match their names! And with names like Raspberry TartTM, Apple Dumplin’TM and Huckleberry PieTM, who could resist a sniff or two? Even the villains had names to make you drool: The Peculiar Purple Pie ManTM, Raisin CaneTM, Licorice WhipTM(2005)...Hello! Where was Brussels Sprouts Man or The Green Bean Goblin? THEY would've been scary!

Slated for debut Saturday, September 15th as part of CBS’s new KEWLopolisTM block of animated kids’ fare, Strawberry Shortcake makes yet another comeback, introducing herself to a whole new generation of girls. You can be sure your Aunt Betty will be up extra-early this Saturday with her coffee and English Muffin (not a Strawberry Shortcake character, btw) to see what imaginative adventures our sweet-scented heroine gets into this time!

While we wait for Saturday, treat yourself to the warm fuzzies of nostalgia! In addition to the aforementioned Scented Plush Strawberry Shortcake, we also have two unbelievably adorable dolls from Marie Osmond’s highly-collectible Tiny Tot series: Strawberry Shortcake Tiny Tot and Blueberry Muffin Tiny Tot!

And check back in October because rumor has it we’ll be adding the Lemon Meringue Tiny Tot to that scrumptious collection!Until then, I'll be here, fantasizing about a big giant bowl of Count Chocula®...

Betty's Big Batch of Boop!

Take A Sneaky Peeky At Our Betty BoopTM Exclusives!

Here at work on this hectic Friday Before Labor Day, as everyone scambled to make sure everything was in its perfect place before the 3-day weekend of BBQs, football and sleeping-in, I decided to climb the little-known secret staircase that led to the attic of The Attic®!

Upstairs, tucked behind the vintage dolls, retro games, kitschy kitchen stuff, iconic T-shirts, and all of our other mega-fantastic finds, there’s a giant wooden wardrobe...not unlike that other magical wardrobe from a certain children’s story...

As I opened its creaky, hinged door, the Attic filled with a golden glow—for inside was our Exclusive Collection of beautiful Betty Boop goodies that you can only find here at Betty’s Attic®!

Yes, that jazzy little minx who’s been boop-oop-a-dooping since the 1930’s makes her permanent home with us and if you can think of something fun for your home, we’ve got it with her bright green eyes and spit curls adorning it somewhere, somehow.

Consider this a VIP-invitation—from us to you—for a First Class trip inside the magic wardrobe where you’ll find the Boop Chalkboard, the Christmas Cake Stand, the Aluminum Martini Shaker and Martini Glasses, the Light-up Sweatshirt (with lights that really flash!) and so much more!

These Exclusives are created just for Betty’s Attic®, you won’t find them anywhere else!

So after the last paper plate gets tossed in the trash and you’ve mopped the mustard off your chin, flip on the computer and relax with the gal who reminds us to keep a wink and a wiggle in our walk, no matter what decade it is!

A Bond Girl Is Born

Barbara Bach Born August 27, 1947

Most girls aspire to be a Bond Girl or the wife of a giant rock star. Deciding to do both is, in your Aunt Betty’s humble opinion, just showing off. But that’s exactly what über-gorgeous Supermodel Barbara Bach did during the seventies. She graced the silver screen with her lithe and tanned presence as Anya Amasova in 1977’s Bond extravaganza, The Spy Who Loved Me and then, three years later, met and married Ringo Starr.

Do you have a favorite Bond film? Do you get shivers when you think of Richard “Jaws” Kiel with those metal teeth? Do you watch the stunts and think “I could do that”? Or pretend your TV remote can control secret underwater shark tanks?

Then you, my friend, are ready to play James Bond Monopoly! It comes with six collectible pewter playing pieces so you can play as Oddjob’s Bowler’s Hat, the Q Boat, the Little Nelly Helicopter, the “007” logo, the Aston Martin, or Rosa Klebb’s bladed shoe!

So crack open an ice cold Tab®, put some ELO on the 8-track and party like it’s 1977 with The Spy Who Loved Me and the Bond Girl who gets more and more fabulous every year!

Happy Anniversary To Sally From The Peanuts!

Charlie Brown’s Little Sister First Appeared August 23, 1959

One day here in The Attic®, one of your Aunt Betty’s retro-fabulous co-workers asked her if she had any rituals to “get into the holiday spirit?” Seeing as our emporium of fun is located in a tropical locale, it can be tough to feel festive in flip-flops, she reckoned.

“But of course,” I replied, and proceeded to tell her that for the past two decades I’ve found that nothing brings on the warm Christmas fuzzies like a viewing of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and that pitiful little tree. When it gets to the part where Linus narrates the nativity story I start to get sniffly...and once the entire round-headed cast launches into “Hark, The Herald Angel Sings” I completely lose it every time.

I watch A Charlie Brown Christmas when I wrap presents every single year. Call me crazy, but I know it inspires me to add extra swirls and curls to the ribbon and darnit if I don’t whip up a batch of sugar cookies in the process!

Bouncy blonde-haired Sally Brown was introduced to the world on August 23rd, 1959. She was previously mentioned on May, 1959 when big brother Charlie Brown received a phone call from the hospital telling him he had a new baby sister, but she didn’t actually appear until 3 months later.

The quintessential little sister, Sally grew up quickly and soon developed a lifelong crush on neighbor, Linus Van Pelt, whom she adoringly referred to as her “sweet babboo,” apparently because that’s what creator Charles Schultz’s wife used to call him! Sally was a girl I could relate to: boy crazy, bad at math and worse at sports, she was content sticking her nose into everyone’s business and following Linus around.

She had a knack for getting words wrong, such as when she did school reports on “Santa And His Rain Gear,” and “The Bronchitis,” a dinosaur who became extinct from too much coughing. But despite her lack of academic aptitude, Sally always seemed to bounce back with a smile. For many of you, the dog days of summer will soon start to wane, bringing rustling leaves, the smell of burning wood and the delicious chill that ushers in The Holiday Season. As exciting as it is, rushing around, cooking, and shopping can be exhausting, so do yourself a favor and spend some holiday time with Sally and The Peanuts.

Browse our collection here in The Attic! You can light up your home with this bubble nightlight that’s an homage to Linus and his Great Pumpkin; relive some childhood memories with our set of 4 hardcover Peanuts books including the classic Happiness Is A Warm Puppy; thrill little ones with our world-famous Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine (I had one growing up!) and so much more!

In our ever-changing world, it’s comforting to know that A Charlie Brown Christmas will always be there for us. So stock up on your bows and ribbon, and enjoy! I’ll save you a sugar cookie!

KISS® Inducted Into Hollywood Walk Of Fame August 11, 1999

For KISS, Every Day Is A Walk Of Fame!

"Man, if there’s one thing KISS will never do, it’s a...disco song!"—Lex, Detroit Rock City .

That line is hilarious for the same reason "...if you think Mick Jagger will still be out there trying to be a rock star at age fifty, you’re sadly sadly mistaken" from Almost Famous is hilarious.

Both of those movies take place before we knew it was possible for KISS to go disco or Jagger to belt out "Brown Sugar" well past 50. Ahh...the sweet ignorance of youth.

One year after Detroit Rock City took place (1978), Gene, Paul, Peter and Ace released “I Was Made For Loving You” to the dismay and horror of many a KISS Army soldier. The smash hit ushered in the Dynasty-era KISS, and not long after, founding members Peter Criss and Ace Frehley jumped ship.

But many rock fans who came of age in the ‘70s forgave them for that disco misstep because KISS were an unstoppable force, a keystone in every record collection, and cohorts for many-a-crazy teenage memory.

To this day, I get goosebumps when I listen to Ace Frehley’s solo during “Shock Me” from KISS Alive II. This morning I heard “Hard Luck Woman” on the radio as I drove to work—seven hours later, I’m still humming it in my head. And I will always, no matter what, list KISS Meets The Phantom Of The Park as one of my favorite films, right in-between Serpico and Ordinary People, because as cheesy as that 1978 made-for-TV movie was, it took the fantastic magic of KISS and condensed it...kind of like Jell-O.

And I, for one, am glad KISS received their very own Hollywood Walk of Fame Star on August 11th, 1999. It summed-up what the rest of us had known for decades—that throughout the various incarnations, musical experimentation (Music From The Elder, anyone?) make-up removal and reunion tours—they were always fun. Larger than life, in your face, “these go to eleven,” flying fireworks-fun. And these days, fun is pretty hard to find.

Who’s your favorite member of KISS? What’s your favorite album? Check out our Kiss-a-licious Kollection of memorabilia including the set of 4 Pint Glasses with album cover artwork, the Love Gun Long-Sleeved T-Shirt, the Gene Simmons T-Shirt and lots more!

And break out those KISS CDs, crank up the stereo and remember what good times are all about!

The One... The Only... Lucy!

Celebrating Lucille Ball’s Legacy On Her Birthday, August 6th

As I sat down to write a retrospective blog about Lucy commemorating her birthday, I found myself struggling with what to say. And as you know, your Aunt Betty is not usually one lost for words.

But trying to encapsulate the woman and her incredible persona is a little overwhelming. After all, she’s The Queen of Comedy, the first woman to ever run a television studio, and is considered to this day to be an inspiration of everyone from Penny Marshall to John Ritter to even John Belushi who was reportedly a huge fan.

She started out as a painfully thin (blonde) model, landing a gig hocking fur coats for designer Hattie Carnegie and later became The Chesterfield Girl for the then-popular cigarettes. She was mentored by Buster Keaton and honed her chops alongside the likes of Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers and Katherine Hepburn.

After viewing her performance in the 1936 film, Follow the Fleet, a test-audience member scribbled the following comment for the producers: "You might give the tall gum chewing blonde more parts and see if she can't make the grade - a good gamble." (Internet Movie Data Base)

But it was her brilliance in the radio show My Favorite Husband that rocketed her towards her destiny. When CBS decided to develop it for TV, Lucy insisted her real-life husband, Desi Arnaz, play the role of her husband on television. Eventually, the studio execs gave in and the rest, as they say, is history.

So what is it that makes Lucy so special to us? Why do we laugh out loud every time we watch her squash candy down her shirt or light her putty nose on fire? After much thought, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because Lucy Ricardo never gave up. She never lost faith in herself no matter what havoc she wrought. And we all wish we could be more like that...the little-kid version of ourselves who believed they could be a movie star, an astronaut or the funniest woman on TV.

So take a moment to thank Lucy on her birthday. Not just for the laughs she gave us personally, but also for all of the great comics and writers and actors she inspired. And for all you Lucy fanatics out there, stop by The Attic and stroll through our collection of I Love Lucy® memorabilia. From the leather varsity jacket to the Vitameatavegamin clock to holiday tree ornaments, there’s something tucked away up there that will unlock your favorite memories of the wacky redhead who once summed herself up by saying, “I'm not funny. What I am is brave.” (imdb)

Frank Stallone, We Salute You!

July 30th, Birthday Of The Italian Stallion’s Fratellino (Little Brother)

Being the baby brother of the world’s most famous fictional boxer cannot be an easy cross to bear.

Many in this star-crossed position would cower—or simply milk the free press for all it was worth. But not Frank Stallone. Oh sure...be a snob and laugh! The poor man has been the punchline of late-night comedy for decades but I ask you, have YOU been in movies with Bruce Willis, John Travolta, Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer, Mickey Roarke, or Faye Dunaway? Have you ever written a song for a movie that was nominated for a Grammy® or Golden Globe®?

Did you know that he once played in a band with John Oates from Hall & Oates? It’s true! One incarnation of his ‘70s rock band Valentine briefly featured the future “Rich Girl” strummer. Valentine also played clubs with the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Ten Years After and Blood, Sweat & Tears!

Raised in Philly, Frank eventually left for New York to pursue his dreams of music. Like so many struggling artists in The Big Apple, he earned cash as a street musician. As he says on his website: “It was so cold some nights, singing on the street, that my fingers would stick to the strings. All I owned then was my guitar, a collapsible suitcase, and a train ticket to the next town.”

I ask you—is that not the stuff of Oscar®-winning drama?

These days, Frank tours behind his catalog of American Songbook standards and his singing has brought kudos from The Chairman himself, along with Tony Bennett .

Pretty impressive for Rocky’s baby brother! Speaking of The Other Stallone, be sure to check out Rocky Balboa because Frank has a song in it. And once you’re in the mood to sprint up and down 5000 or so stairs in your sweat pants, check out our collection of Rocky attire up in The Attic! You can cinch yourself into our Rocky Robe, add the matching boxer shorts or just go casual in the Italian Stallion T-shirt.

Somehow we know that Adrian would want it that way.

I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream!

Let's Celebrate: The Ice Cream Cone Was Invented 103 Years Ago Today!

In junior high, my friend Cheryl and I rode our bikes everywhere. It seemed like the suburbs were smaller back then, so pedaling to the corner store for a Slushee® or to the local mall was a safe, practical endeavor.

And in the summertime, there was only one place to be­–The East India Ice Cream Parlor!

It was home to the best ice cream I have ever had! The waffle cones melted in your mouth and the ice cream was thick with home-made ingredients like milk, butter, cocoa, vanilla bean, fresh strawberries and chunky peanut butter! Sprinkle on some crushed pecans, colored candy dots, white chocolate or drizzles of hot fudge, and you were looking at the mother of all sugar highs!

With all the cones I devoured and dribbled down my shirt (from that pesky hole in the bottom you never notice until it's too late), you'd think I knew where these scoops of heaven came from.
Turns out, the origin of the ice cream cone we know today goes all the way back to The St. Louis World’s Fair of 1904!

Accounts vary as to who, exactly, concocted it, but its genesis came about when ice cream vendors sold so much ice cream on that hot July afternoon that they ran out of dishes. Coming to their rescue was a pastry vendor named Ernest Hamwi, who sold a wafer-thin delight called a “zalabia,” which the ice cream merchants hurriedly rolled into cones, filled with their cold creamy treats, and served to parched patrons who fell in love with the crunchy-creamy combo!

The East India Ice Cream Parlor is long gone now, but my love of the ice cream cone lives on. Whenever the mood strikes us, my family fires up our Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker which does all the work for us while we fill lots of bowls with nuts, sprinkles and other decadent delights. We unwrap some store-bought cones, fill ‘em with freshly-made ice cream and spoon on the extras! There’s always a moment of collective silence as we take that first delectable crunch...followed by all four of us saying,“Ahhhhhhhh!”

A Place For Us Baby Boomers

I try to keep up with my daughter’s boy band crushes and my son’s video games, but I have to admit...I find myself yearning for MY bands and MY games. Give me The Beatles and a good game of Gnip-Gnop! I miss "my generation!"

I think we all cherish the stars, characters--even the commercials--we grew up with. And we all get to a certain point in life when we decide our decade was the best ever.

Welcome to my little Betty’s Attic® world! Here in my blog I list a number of vintage items that we hold in our store. Browse movie and music collectibles that seem like old friends, reminding you of all your favorite eras. Remember TV shows you watched as a child dressed in footie pj’s. Elvis®, Marilyn, Lucy, Pepsi®, John Deere®, Disney®, Coca-Cola®, James Dean, John Lennon, sports legends, history buff stuff and so much more! You could fashion every room of your home in a different glorious decade! Join us and reach inside our “way-back-when” machine. See what memories you pull out!

Welcome and enjoy! I‘m off to play with my Scooby-Doo coin bank. I so wanted to be Daphne!