Remember Tank Tops?

I remember tank tops well!  I got my Mum to knit me one of these - probably in the 70s.  Doesn't this knitting pattern bring back memories!

My tank top was in a variegated pink yarn and I loved it.  Worn with Oxford bags - they were what we called big wide legged trousers back in the 70s.  Underneath the tank top I wore a white blouse with enormous pointed collar.  Wish I still had a photo!  I thought I looked fab!

I also came across this knitting pattern from the 50s.  I suppose a slipover was that era's variation on a theme.

These headless ladies look so classy, don't they?

Ah, memories!  Did you wear a tank top in the 70s?

Love, Liz

Do you remember Aqua Manda bubble bath?

Aqua Manda - not not the latest mermaid cartoon, but a fragrance by Goya popular in the 70s.  I certainly remember the packaging - it was so trendy ... at the time.

What about Maxi perfume from Max Factor - very popular  back in the day!

I found these adverts in a retro Company magazine from October1979 - the very first issue!  I had kept it all this time.

Fashions were amazing - I really liked these almost tomboyish styles although I drew the line at braces!  Cords and checked blouses - loved them!

Beautiful photograph of Jenny Agutter.

The one thing that struck me about this magazine was the number of advertisements for cigarettes and alcohol.  So many!  Not to mention home catalogues - remember them.  Just about everyone's Aunty had one - I got a lot of clothes from catalogues when I was a teenager because you could pay them up weekly.  Outdoor Girl mascara - a classic!

This magazine certainly brought back a few memories.  Hope these photos have for you too.

Love, Liz

Restful Knitting

I loved knitting this tea cosy - don't know why, but the colours just were so restful to knit together.

I think it has a bit of a 70s vibe going on!

Pale orange and brown just shout 70s!

Made a lovely sunny tablecloth from some vintage fabric.

Hope you are having a lovely sunny day.

Love, Liz

I wanted to look like Barbara

This is what I wanted to look like in the 70s.

It is a picture of Barbara Dickson from and album cover from 1977.  I had the "curly perm" and the jeans, I got myself a checked cheesecloth shirt - unfortunately I still didn't look quite as "cool" as Barbara!  Couldn't bring myself to wear a kerchief!

Never mind!  Here's another picture of Barbara.

While I was looking through my records I came across this album art from 1979  -

I've decided to have a wee quiz, unfortunately there will not be any prizes.  Do you know the name of the album and the artists?  Answers tomorrow!

Love, Liz

Back to the 70s with a tea cosy

Going back to the 70s with my latest knitted tea cosy.

 Used a mixture of browns, yellows and oranges to bring it together.  Of course I had to look out some 70s music to go with it!

Remember any of these albums?  The Carpenters - loved them.

The Islay Brothers and Leonard Cohen - quite a contrast!

If you'd like to buy this tea cosy then email me - my email address is on the right sidebar of my blog.  First come, first served!  All my hand knitted tea cosies are machine washable at 40 degrees.  Unfortunately I cannot take orders for tea cosies knit in the colours of your choice at the moment.

Sorry I've not blogged for ages - it has been a difficult month and I've not been in the mood for blogging.  Nobody died, so it's not the end of the world and one or two good things have come out of it - I've learned a lot about the nature of friendship and I've been spending a lot of time knitting!  Sometimes it is good to just take a step back and remind yourself of what really is important in this life.

Love, Liz

Double Meanings!

This advert from a 1975 magazine made me smile.  Love the outfit - so dapper!

Hmmmm ..... so many meanings!

Love, Liz

Remember cheese and pineapple hedgehogs?

I love this photograph from a 70s Ladybird Book - Learnabout Cooking.  The kids look as if they are starving!

Love the 70s hairstyles and kitchen decor.  Look at those dreadful mustard tiles.

Lots of recipes for children to follow, including how to make that old favourite a cheese and pineapple hedgehog.  I made one of these recently with cheese, pickled onions, spam and cubed pineapple and everyone loved it!  Sometimes you can't beat the old favourites!

Of course, being a Ladybird Book, it had some top tips for cooking.

So remember - NEVER lick your fingers!

Love, Liz

Poldark

I've just heard (probably ages after everyone else knows) that there is to be a remake of Poldark!  Do you remember it?

It was a BBC series, an adaptation of the Winston Graham novels set in the late 18th century in Cornwall.  It was shown from 1975-1977.  Robin Ellis played the part of Ross Poldark - he was a bit of a heart throb!

I thought Demelza (played by the late Angharad Rees), was the most beautiful name I had ever heard, and vowed that if I ever had a daughter, that would be her name!  Thankfully I had two sons.

I remember being glued to the TV when this was on.  I read all the books too.  Hope the remake is good.

Love, Liz

Brides - 1970s Style

Looking through my wedding album recently (giving the kids a laugh), I came across some wedding cards I had been sent at the time.  I just love these illustrations - so very late 70s!

I especially like these by Sarah Kay - aren't they sweet?! 

I love this one too - something very serene about this picture.  I think it is by A Barton, although it is a bit difficult to make out the name on the back of the card.  I would have loved to look like this on my wedding day!

Sadly, I can't even remember who some of these are from one from "John & Mary" - could be anyone!

Another trip down memory lane ... and no, I'm not showing you a photo of me as a bride!!!!!!  Lets just say perm and big glasses - you get the picture?!!!!

Love, Liz

My Favourite LP - well, one of them!

This has to be one of my all time favourite LPs.  Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road from 1973.  I think I probably got this for Christmas - or saved up for it!  Oh gosh, I've just realised that was 40 years ago!  How can that be?????

 

I love it not just for the music, but for the incredible art work.

 

Its not just the cover that is beautifully illustrated.  Because it was a double LP, it opens out to give all the lyrics and some amazing pictures.

 

Love this style of art.

 

Altogether brilliant!

 

What's your favourite LP art work - if you are old enough to remember LPs, that is!!!!!!!

Love, Liz

70s Glam!

I've just got back from a fabulous few days in Liverpool.  While I was there I went to see the new exhibition at the Tate Liverpool -

Glam! The Performance of Style

It was amazing!

It covers the years 1971 - 1975 through the art, music, fashion and popular culture of the time.  It really was a trip down memory lane for my SIL and I as we wandered through the fantastic displays and exhibits.  Couldn't take photos, so I've put together a few 70s bits and pieces myself.

We remembered many of the album covers and posters on display and got all nostalgic about the fashions and some of the posters of pop stars of the time - particularly Marc Bolan - wasn't he so handsome?!!  There's lots of more "arty" stuff as well which is actually quite interesting.  For me, though, 70s Glam means Biba - those fashions were just gorgeous!  Check out my post about Biba.

The main reason for the visit, though, was that my little booklet from the Jackie magazine - Your Personality Guide - actually appears in the exhibition!  Yes, I was asked if I would lend it to the Tate!  How cool is that?!!  You can read my post about Jackie here.

If you live near Liverpool, or are visiting soon, and love the music, fashion and art of the early 70s then you really should go and see this exhibition.  It is on till 12 May and well worth a visit.

Love, Liz