"kitsch" news and stories

When it comes to beer-related gifts, vintage and kitsch are king. Bargain shoppers can rejoice with plenty of original and exciting items to be found at reasonable prices... if you're willing to put in a little elbow grease. But thanks to the fact that we live in modern times (Take that, previous generations!), online shopping provides an easy replacement for trips to every local secondhand store in a five mile area.

Idea #1: Think small. Just glancing around my apartment, I have plenty of simple beer-branded items that give me a smile. When I want to play darts, it's Miller High Life against Miller Genuine Draft. Not my favorite beers, but fun Wisconsin kitsch! Most websites that sell dart flights have beer flights available. When I open a bottle, my Brooklyn Brewery wall-mounted bottle opener is my go-to guy -- another online purchase. And tossed all over the apartment are coasters we picked up from various trips to different pubs and breweries -- a quick web search can save you the trouble of travel and have them sent right to your door. All these things are simple gifts for under $10.

Cooking Bold and Fearless was originally published by the folks at Sunset Magazine back in 1957. My copy dates from 1961 and was one in the stack of books I picked up back in December at a Portland thrift store (which one it was escapes me right at the moment). I bought it because of the cover, all those colors and that grandiose title made me think that it might contain some good stuff (or at the very least, some highly entertaining kitsch).

All the recipes in the book come from the magazine's column "Chefs of the West," in which they regularly published recipes and short articles penned by home cooks and backyard grill masters from up and down the West Coast. (Does anyone know if this column is still included in the magazine? It's been years since I've had my hands on a copy of Sunset, so I have no idea. My guess would be no, though).

The recipes range from the frighteningly retro to the interestingly timeless. The most intriguing thing about this book is that all the contributors seem to be men. I guess Sunset assumed that only those of the male persuasion would be interested in cooking boldly and without fear.

Source

Sure, these cute 1950s retro kitschy aprons, oven mitts, and other cooking clothes (is there such a thing as "cooking clothes?) from Kitsch'n Glam would be a great gift for Mother's Day, but I'd sure like to have a couple for myself!

Designer Anna Michelle Wang was inspired by her aunt for all things retro and created Kitsch'n Glam, her own line of mostly aprons that have bright patterns, and shapes that go beyond the usual "front flap" style that wraps around the waist and ties in the back. Some of the aprons are shaped in a halter style and are cute enough to be dresses themselves (though I wouldn't do that since they don't have a backside). Kitsch'n Glam also carries oven mitts, hot pads and tea towels, as well as aprons for men. Not that a man couldn't wear a pink floral printed halter-style, of course.

The watermelon patch print pictured above is $61.90. Not cheap, but it is designer.

Cereality is a popular breakfast food chain based on the premise that people like cereal because it's a good breakfast food. The Surreal Bowl is a cafe based on the concept that people like cereal because it's sugary. They sell cereal two scoops at a time - so you can mix your Lucky Charms and Fruity Pebbles - with one topping and milk. Along with the prospect of combining any two cereals, the range of toppings available amounts to the every 7-year-old's dream Saturday morning breakfast since they include Oreos, peanut butter cups and even gummy bears. Not to worry, there are healthier cereal and topping options, too, but in a room that's full of 50's, 60's and 70's kitsch, including plastic furniture and Felix the Cat cartoons playing on TV sets in the corners, why not indulge and relive your childhood. At least, relive the childhood you would have liked to have if your Mom never had a say in what you ate.

Surreal Bowl
611 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, Florida
phone: 727-452-1761

[Image Weekly Planet]