Polyester Among The Palm Trees

January 14, 1973: Elvis Presley's Aloha From Hawaii Concert Was Broadcast Live Via-Satellite

As a rock-and-roll fanatic, I have an ever-growing list of musical moments I wish I could have experienced first-hand:

• The Monterey Pop Festival of 1967 (featuring The Mamas And The Papas, among others)
• The Beatles’ first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964

And, without a doubt,

• The 1973 satellite broadcast of Elvis’ Aloha From Hawaii concert film.

You have to remember that back in 1973 (which seems so recent to your Aunt Betty), the concept of satellites beaming images around the planet was unheard of! But The King never let a challenge stand in his way—and on January 14th, 1973, his electrifying performance taped at the Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii was bounced around the globe to Australia, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, the Phillipines, South Vietnam and other countries. A tape of the show was later seen on American television on April 4th.

What really mattered—beyond the novelty of the broadcast, and the custom-designed American Eagle jumpsuit fitted with gemstones, and a matching belt and cape—was the magnificent performance Elvis gave. Gripping the mike confidently, he barreled through hits like “Burnin' Love,” “My Way,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog”—and the obligatory (for his Hawaiian audience) “Blue Hawaii,” and “Hawaiian Wedding Song.” He even covered “Something” by The Beatles, further proving his incredible range.

It’s thrilling to watch it now on DVD, but the thought of seeing the world’s first-ever satellite broadcast—and it being ELVIS at the height of his game—is spine-tingling. He commanded the stage with a presence the music world has never known since. He held that audience right in his hand. And when he sang, it was like Tupelo honey.

Give in to your Elvis fascination with our Kingtastic gifts and collectibles! Feeling “All Shook Up?” So is Elvis, inside our kitschy Aloha From Hawaii Musical Glitter Globe that plays “Teddy Bear.”

Then again, perhaps all this talk of singing has you secretly yearning to don some polyester and belt out some of his tunes yourself? The Elvis Karaoke Set lets you croon to your heart’s content!

And when all that singin’ works up an appetite, enjoy a light snack with your Elvis Pez® Dispenser Set!

Because you’ll need to stay trim to squeeze into your jumpsuit...and Pez is much better for the waistline than peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

“Miss Scarlett! Miss Scarlett!”

Jan. 7th, 1911—Thelma “Butterfly” McQueen Was Born In Tampa, Florida

Fans of Gone With The Wind know there’s one character who steals every scene she’s in: Scarlett O’Hara’s high-strung, slightly-hysterical maid, Prissy. Butterfly McQueen’s endearing performance added light moments to Margaret Mitchell’s tumultuous Civil War saga. Who can forget the scene where Prissy shrieked "Oh, Miss Scarlett, I don't know nuthin' 'bout birthin' babies!”

Sadly, Mc Queen wasn't allowed to attend the gala Hollywood premiere of the film back in 1939 because it was being held in a “whites only” theater. As hard as that is to imagine now, it was that pervasive segregation and racism in mainstream culture which eventually led to McQueen retreating from the acting biz years before her passing in 1995. Her work in Gone With The Wind will forever be her legacy. No matter how many times I watch it, I’m mesmerized by the stunning costumes (although, I admit, I sometimes think about the Carol Burnett Show spoof with the curtain rod dress-- “I saw it in the window and I had to have it”).

Treat yourself to a little Old South indulgence with our sparkling array of GWTW mementos including the ultimate in domestic glamour, the ceramic Rhett And Scarlett Cookie Jar! Just imagine the endless one-liners: “Frankly, my dear, I'm snagging the last Rice Krispie Treat,” etc.

We also have a beautiful Anniversary Style Clock, Salt And Pepper Shakers, a comfy soft Fleece Throw and more! And the next time you journey back with Clark and Vivien, don’t take your eyes off of Butterfly McQueen. She created one of the most memorable characters in cinematic history.

Start The New Year By Going Backwards!

Ring In 2008 In Retro Style

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is how—if you just wait long enough—all the clothes you wore in junior high will someday pop up on trendy tweens and teens across the land.

Seriously, if you’d told me in 1983 that emo kids in skinny jeans would be raiding The Attic for Mr. Bill and Gumby t-shirts in 2008, I would have laughed you all the way out of the video arcade. And then I would have played some more Donkey Kong!

Here we are, minutes from the dawn of a new year and I’ve decided to accept and embrace the recycling of my childhood heroes. Why fight fashion?

So, to help all of you Boomers and Gen X-ers out there, I’ve assembled a list of my favorite hipster-tees guaranteed to change your kids’ tunes from “Please don’t talk to my friends, Mom, you’re embarrassing,” to “Can I borrow your Underdog t-shirt for the Fall Out Boy concert?"

To which you can triumphantly say “Sorry, kid! I'm wearing my Underdog shirt to the Van Halen reunion concert!”

Happy 2008 to everyone out there! Now hide these shirts from your kids pronto!

Rocky “Italian Stallion” Tee

M*A*S*H Helicopter Tee

Dr. Seuss Sam I Am Tee

Elvira, Mistress of the Dark Tee

Village People Tee

..and the Granddaddy of All Things Retro And Cool—

The Frank Sinatra Tee!

Enjoy your bad self!

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!