Note: If an item on this list is highlighted in blue, you can click on it, if you wish, for a description.
Let's bring back...
Peggy Guggenheim sunglasses
You're well aware of my obsession with Peggy Guggenheim sunglasses.
Penmanship
You've all seen this sign in my scroll bar to the right of this post...
It was designed by our Miss Scarlet who exhibits beautiful penmanship (with her deft nibs) in the form of calligraphy.
Not everyone has the patience nor the talent of Miss Scarlet but we here at Infomaniac say let's bring back penmanship: the art or skill of writing by hand.
The writing is on the wall, so to speak, for cursive in today's school curriculum. At least 41 states in the USA do not require public schools to teach cursive reading or writing; preferring to teach keyboarding skills.
Perfume atomizers
and Powder puffs
You'll feel like a glamorous Hollywood movie star with your perfume atomizers and powder puffs.
Keep them on your vanity table, which we don't bring back until Part Six.
This antique, hand-painted, French perfume atomizer is a steal at $275.00 and is available from this site if you should be in the market for a gift for me...
ID=AM63B
Red cabooses on trains
Children would always wait for the caboose to appear at the end of the freight train and they'd wave to the conductor and he'd smile and wave back at them.
Who do children wave to now?
Rolltop desks
You won't find these at IKEA...
Above: Roll top desk with cover closed.
Above: Roll top desk with cover open.
Roll top desks were usually made of hardwood like oak or walnut. The roll top desk had a cover that rolled up or down to reveal or conceal the contents of the desk. You didn't have to clear off your desk at the end of the day. You could simply draw down the cover to conceal your paperwork.
This gentleman has rolled the cover of his desk back to reveal the writing surface...
My favourite features are the numerous cubbyholes and compartments (including secret compartments!) of various sizes, used for storing stationery and files...
Sealing wax
For those who still practice the art of letter writing, sealing wax adds a beautiful final touch.
And it eliminates the need to lick the envelope!
A word of caution that you're "playing with fire" when using sealing wax. Apply in a well-ventilated room and make sure your hairdo doesn't contain too much AquaNet Hairspray.
Silver Tea Sets
Fancy a cuppa?
Take time for tea and serve it in style.
Components of a typical sterling silver tea set or "tea service" vary but may include a tray, tea pot, coffee pot (for those who prefer coffee), creamer, sugar bowl, and waste bowl. You might wish to round out your tea set with sugar tongs, a strainer or tea ball, a silver teaspoon, and, of course, a porcelain china teacup.
If the tea set pictured above isn't your cup of tea, try a different style like this Art Deco beauty...
Silver is susceptible to tarnishing so your tea set will need polishing. But isn't that what houseboys are for?
Snuffboxes
Before Jonathan Adler and his Vice Collection, there were snuffboxes for your snuff.
Spats
In the market for a pair of spats? They’re available here.
And if you're going do-mi-do-ing, you'll want your lavender spats...
[via]
Which of the above would you Bitches like to bring back?
And would you add anything to this "P-S" list?
Come back soon for Let's Bring Back: Part Six.
bring powder puffs back?
ReplyDeleteyou can't take a step here without
knocking into one of them.
Did I step on your foot, Norma? I'm so sorry.
DeleteFirst to say first!
NORMA & HUGGY JON: A phrase you don’t hear anymore is “I'll be right back; I just have to powder my nose.”
DeleteLadies used the phrase when taking leave of a group to use the restroom.
" isn't that what houseboys are for?" Mmmmmmmaybe.
ReplyDeleteAnd I prefer to call the "waste bowl" the "slops bowl." It lets the houseboys know what they're in for.
PEENEE: Perhaps we should bring back the finger bowl while we’re at it.
DeleteI could do with a snuff box and a proper silver coffee service for the times my desk is drawn...
ReplyDeleteWALLY: Do you have to powder your nose?
DeleteI used to do snuff but it only made my nose hunger for cocaine. I have a feeling powdering my nose would have the same effect....
Delete(The Guggenheim glasses would instantly turn me into a coke dealer, I fear.)
WALLY: If you’re going to be a coke dealer, be sure to take a silver spoon with you from our sterling silver tea service.
DeleteRed cabooses and snuff box? I'm sure I wouldn't know anything about those. Meanwhile Muriel Jewels I wasn't aware your powder puff ever went out of vogue?
ReplyDeleteMISTRESS MADDIE: It’s common knowledge that you’ve got a loose caboose.
DeleteDON'T SPIT ON MY SPATS, BITCHES!
ReplyDeleteHUGGY JON: Should we bring back the spitoon?
DeleteThere must be a signet ring somewhere here ... You prefer art deco / Jugendstil?
ReplyDeleteMAGO: No preference...I have a passion for Art Deco and Art Nouveau/Jugendstil.
DeleteI am definitely much more of an Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes sort of gal, myself... Jx
DeleteJON: Thanks for the link...I'm enjoying the photos.
DeleteWe went to see them at RIBA - fab stuff... Jx
DeleteJON: *audible gasp from Mistress MJ*
Deletewhatever happened to silk hosiery (or socks) for men and sock garters? All of your recommendations are simply brilliant! Brilliantine? There's another!
ReplyDeleteTOPHER: I need you to respond to my sock garters poll.
DeleteAs for “Brilliantine,” perhaps I should do a post about it over at The Hair Hall of Fame.
I want Peggy Guggenheim's sunglasses. On Peggy's pair there is a small insect body on the nose bridge, like a butterfly. It gives purpose to the shape of the lens. So I want HER sunglasses. So open the coffin...
ReplyDeleteCOOKIE: I foresee a graveside catfight betwixt us.
DeleteLet’s bring back the word “betwixt.” Although, for me, it never really went away.
"Raider heißt jetzt Twix -
Deletesonst ändert sich nix!"
Bring back all of it... I'm loving this sentimental journey... The world needs more old fashioned style, glamour and decorum..
ReplyDeleteBut might i suggest brining back the schoolyard "Shelter Shed" I gleaned a wealth of knowledge hanging out behind them in my younger school days...
PRINNY: Hanging out behind the “shelter shed?”
DeleteDo go on, Prinny, dearest.
"The time has come," the Walrus said,
ReplyDelete"To talk of many things:
Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--
Of cabbages--and kings--
And why the sea is boiling hot--
And whether pigs have wings."
Through the Looking-Glass and What Alice Found There
Lewis Carroll
LX: Speaking of looking glasses, see Part Six, coming soon here on Infomaniac.
DeleteAnd no, that doesn’t mean I’ll be going all Seventies on you.
the children wave to kabuki. kabuki thought you knew
ReplyDeletekabuki: To atone for the sin of forgetting, Mistress MJ must do penance.
DeleteSegs for shoes, turns any pair of shoes, even Crocs, into tap dancing shoes, or you could use drawing pins. Antimacassar covers on armchairs even though nobody wears Macassar oil anymore. I love this mince down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteMITZI: Segs look like little chocolate biccies…or dog turds. I can’t decide.
DeleteI’ve never been able to spell or pronounce Antimacassar correctly. It always ends up looking and sounding like anti-massacre.
So I usually just say doily.
These items have been approved of by Thombeau.
ReplyDeleteThat is all.
THOM: ♫Everything I Do I Do it for You♫
DeleteI am definitely a P-S sort of girl.
ReplyDeleteBut what I really want, to go with my pens, sealing wax and roll top desk, is a plan chest. I want a really old knackered one.
Sx
You're in the right place for old knackered chests... Jx
DeleteJon took the words from my mouth, Miss Scarlet.
DeleteInfomaniac meets many of my needs.
ReplyDeleteQx... Sx...