17 May 2011

The 50s Housewife Experiment Anniversary!

Can you believe it's been a year since I started my first 50s Housewife Experiment? It doesn't seem that long ago because I keep pathetically bringing it up like a sad, desperate attention-seeker I've done two other 'returns' to the 1950s since then - one to zone in on the '50s-idealized husband-wife dynamic, and another to celebrate our lord and savior, Santa Clause.

And look how many of you around the world checked it out during all that time! How cool is that?

So thank you so much for reading and sharing this blog! It has been super ego-inflating fun to see the comments and traffic and what-not this year. Even the shitty comments! And I've even made a few real-life meeting-in-person connections with people thanks to this - which was a very unexpected but delightful result from getting my vintage on.

Since doing the first experiment, my 1950s collection has grown a little bit. As you can imagine, Patrick is super impressed every time there's a package waiting for me.And by 'super impressed', I mean that he realizes what a ridiculous woman he married and rolls his eyes and hopes that beneath the craft paper packaging is not a cookbook devoted entirely to jellied meats.

Along with more magazines (particularly Ladies' Home Journal, Better Homes & Gardens and Woman's Day issues), I also picked up more Good Housekeeping cookbooks to create a completed set, the iconic Betty Crocker Picture Cook Book, a 1952 Sears catalog, some martial advice books, a book of budget tips, and even a 1950s homemaker book for Jewish women. Oy vey!:


If you're as nerdly as me, you'll die when you see my burgeoning 1940s wartime and 1960s collection. SO. GOOD. I really can't wait to share my plans with you about what I'll do with those!

Before you ask - and a few of you have - no, I have no plans to sell them. They are willed to my dear sister whether she likes it or not. I'm sure she'll sell them to the highest bidder cherish them forever.

Last week I figured I would do a full 1950s day in honour of this special moment on my blog (and, wow, that sounds obnoxious. Special moment on the blog? Ugh.). I imagined that I'd go crazy on the cleaning schedule, make something ridiculous from the cookbooks, get my hair done at the salon, and stop driving my husband into the arms of another women. Just for a day.

However, things got all kinds of nutballs. I had client work and meetings scheduled back to back (and I know that I'm lucky as someone self-employed to be able to say that) but even moreso, we had one big thing happen yesterday that needed my cell-phone using, Internet-connected, not-busy-cleaning-the-toilet attention:

We bought a house!


Eeeeee!

I know it looks tiny (OK, it is tiny) but it's still in the city, super close to the subway and just right for us. We can't wait to make it our home this summer. Until then, we have lots to do (like sell our current place, gah) and will hopefully keep you updated along the way!

Because it's "50s Housewife Anniversary Days" here, I hope to share a little something every or every other day from my collection - some of which I'll try to tackle in "real life" like I did during the experiment.

In light of my recent home purchase news, I'd like to start this off by sharing the 1957 Horror film In The Suburbs, which is actually a big infomercial for consumerism in general Redbook:



If anyone can tell me what they think the "commissioned statue" is around 9:12, I'd be keen to hear your theories.

Stay tuned, more '50s housewife and '50s life stuff to come this week and next!

Image Source: Pin-It Advertisement, circa 1959

20 comments:

Midnight Dreams 9:37 pm, May 17, 2011  

Congratulations on your new home! I hope you are able to build many many wonderful memories.

So I just came across your blog because I was researching some of the 1950's housewife stuff. (Yes I am fascinated, addicted, and have completely romanticized the 1950's but I am okay with that lol). Anyway, your blog was amazing and I love everything that you did with your experiment. Thank you for sharing it with everyone.

I really look forward to reading more of your writings. =)

Michelle Moore 11:40 pm, May 17, 2011  

I'm so happy for you! The 50's experiment was what hooked me on your blog. Well that, and your post about some psychopath mother in some store that someone posted over at Stfuparents.tumblr.com
But still, yay!
I'm sure your Fred and Ethel upstairs from you are happy, and devastated.

Missy 2:30 am, May 18, 2011  

Congratulations!...for the house and the blog :)

Anonymous,  4:33 am, May 18, 2011  

Whoo! That is great! Not knowing Toronto well, is this far from your current condo?

Karen 8:13 am, May 18, 2011  

Congrats on the house! Look forward to reading about your adventures packing and moving.

Di Smith 10:11 am, May 18, 2011  

Congrats on the house, Jen (and Patrick)!! Better start building that white picket fence.

I found your blog through a home improvement site some time in the past year. But it's been your wit, snark and seriously refreshing viewpoint that keeps me panting for the next post. The 50's housewife experiment was grand; can't wait to see what else your insanity/imagination comes up with.

Mama Mac,  1:14 pm, May 18, 2011  

Oh my gosh, even with the haeds up, I laughed my butt off at the "commissioned statue"! Who on earth would commission a statue of.....a giant pickleman? Mr. Hanky the Christmas Poo? What the heck is that thing?
Love the blog, and congrats on the new house. How about the 1950's moving experiment? Tuck the baby in the bassinet, toss it in the back of the station wagon with the groceries and your furniture, and you're good to go. :)

Pyro's Gal,  2:07 pm, May 18, 2011  

Long time lurker, first time commenter. I found your blog through a friend who mentioned I would enjoy the '50s Housewife Experiment.

And enjoy I did! Although I must say some of those jello dishes made me feel rather queasy, like what happens if I look at one of Don Cherry's sportcoats for too long.

Congratulations on your house and your anniversary.

Melissa O. 10:14 pm, May 18, 2011  

Congratulations on the house!! Can't wait to hear all about the moving shenanigans. I have decided that if I ever go to Toronto that we WILL meet for drinks. And if you ever make it down to the panhandle of Florida, the same applies! :)

Robyn 4:50 pm, May 19, 2011  

Welcome to the east end (er... the... almost-kinda-sorta-east end?)! (Which I only know because I saw the tweet yesterday, and not because I'm so weird creepy stalker.)

On a 50s Housewife note, I've been reading Something from the Oven: Reinventing dinner in 1950s America by Laura Shapiro. It's pretty interesting, particularly the parts on the food industry. Shapiro also describes several recipes from the era, almost all of which are vomit-worthy.

Sarah G,  11:19 pm, May 19, 2011  

I found your blog when it was linked to by STFUParents and although I haven't nearly read all the entries yet, I must say that I've been thoroughly entertained while putting off doing my homework or doing my job or just procrastinating in general.

I saw you mention how ego-inflating comments are so I figured I might as well inflate your ego a bit considering all the entertainment you've been providing me with lately. It's only fair :)

By the way, congratulations on your new house !! That's so exciting !!

Proudlady101,  7:50 pm, July 21, 2011  

Jen you seem to be a funny person. Glad life has worked well for you. I myself am interested in 1950s housewife stuff and love your blog. Have you considered The Jetons i like its a mixture of 50s and modern day.
Thanks all the best

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Need words? I'm a Toronto-based freelance writer who injects great ones into blogs, websites, magazines, ads and more. So many services, one lovely Jen (with one 'n').

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