Cover of They Called Us Enemy. A small Japanese boy stands with others walking toward a fenced area with an armed military officer nearby. White text overlay reads "Just Finished..."

Book Review: They Called Us Enemy

August 5, 2020, Leave a Comment on Book Review: They Called Us Enemy

When we talk about World War II, we highlight how the boys were “fighting the good fight” against Hitler and fascism, and how women stepped out of the kitchen and into vital roles for the war effort on the home front. But the American home front was also the place of one of America’s darker…

Cover of Spectacular Illumination, which features a black and white photograph of a streamline modern drive-in restaurant. Overlay text on the photo reads "Just Finished..."

Book Review: Spectacular Illumination

May 6, 2020, 3 Comments

In addition to sewing, I’ve been spending a good deal of time outside reading, and recently I finished Spectacular Illumination: Neon Los Angeles 1925-1965. I’ve always been a fan of neon, and if you’ve been reading the blog for any length of time, then you know that! When I saw this book for sale the…

The book Hitchcock's California, which features an image of a bay on the cover with a seagull in the foreground. Text overlay at the top of the photo reads "Just Finished..."

Book Review: Hitchcock’s California

April 14, 2020, 2 Comments

Visiting filming locations is a passion of mine, so much so that it has its own category here on the blog. Sometimes these are places that I visit for a reason other than the fact it was used in a movie, such as the more recent post of the LA County Poor Farm, sometimes I…

Myself, sitting on the couch, with popcorn and a blanket.

Underrated Treasures on Disney+

April 7, 2020, 2 Comments

Since many of us have a lot more time on our hands with social distancing thanks to COVID-19, I figured it would be a good idea to suggest some of my favorites that are on Disney+. To offer a wide range, I selected five films or television shows from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and…

A book titled "Wear Vintage Now" with a girl in an orange and yellow dress twirls on the cover, sits on a green dress with crowns embroidered on it a strand of pearls lays across the neckline. Pink text overlay reads "Just Finished..."

Book Review: Wear Vintage Now!

March 10, 2020, 1 Comment

Recently I was contacted by fellow blogger and vintage enthusiast Margaret Wilds of DENISBRAIN to review her new book Wear Vintage Now! Choose It, Care for It, Style It Your Way. I’ve been aware of Margaret since I started this blog, which makes sense, because she’s had an on-line vintage presence since 1999, and she…

Cover of The Evergleam Book on blue fabric. Text reads "Just Finished"

Book Review: The Evergleam Book

November 8, 2019, 5 Comments

In 1959 one of the most iconic pieces of mid-century Christmas decorations was introduced, the aluminum Christmas tree. Once it stepped on the scene, many companies ventured to produce variants, but one was king, Evergleam. In The Evergleam Book, 60th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, author Theron Georges dives into the origins of the aluminum tree, its…

Cover of Holiday Jubilee, with text added reading "Just Finished"

Book Review: Holiday Jubilee

October 15, 2019, Leave a Comment on Book Review: Holiday Jubilee

In his latest book, Holiday Jubilee, Charles Phoenix, the Ambassador of Americana, celebrates the holidays in all of their mid-century glory, arguing that the “holidays are so retro!” And, you know what? I think he’s right! While holidays have been around for thousands of years, it was in the mid-20th century that they came into…

The book, Walt Disney's Disneyland, features a cover of a crowd watching fireworks from Main Street, sits upon a blanket featuring a drawn make of Disneyland.

Book Review: Walt Disney’s Disneyland

February 26, 2019, Leave a Comment on Book Review: Walt Disney’s Disneyland

So, in case it wasn’t obvious enough, I love Disneyland. And I love any book that really showcases the history of Disneyland, especially when it’s big and includes lots and lots of pictures. So Chris Nichols’ latest book, Walt Disney’s Disneyland was literally a dream come true. Nichols’ book covers Disneyland from its infancy through…

10 Comic Books for People Who Don’t Like Comic Books

March 28, 2018, 3 Comments

There is no denying that comics have become mainstream. With Disney buying Marvel, and multiple superhero movies coming out each year, comic books and their characters have moved from geek culture to mainstream pop culture. But despite that, there are loads of people who say they don’t like comic books. However I think that’s because…

Book Review: Addicted to Americana

February 21, 2018, 5 Comments

When people ask me “Who inspires you?” they are usually wanting to know who my style icons are. While style icons are great and all, there are some people who really, truly inspire me on a much deeper level than just clothing, and those are the people who are dedicated to historic preservation. Perhaps one…

Atomic Redhead

Books & Movies

Book Review: They Called Us Enemy

Book Review: Spectacular Illumination

Book Review: Hitchcock’s California

Underrated Treasures on Disney+

Book Review: Wear Vintage Now!

Book Review: The Evergleam Book

Book Review: Holiday Jubilee

Book Review: Walt Disney’s Disneyland

10 Comic Books for People Who Don’t Like Comic Books

Book Review: Addicted to Americana