GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST

 I remember growing up in an ideal neighborhood in Detroit in the 1960s. It was a quiet place with people from all walks of life and many different religious beliefs. When my father purchased the little green and white house in 1954, it had just been built. There were 6 similar homes built in the small subdivision. It would be considered tiny by today’s standards with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, although it had a full basement and the largest lot of all the homes due to our corner location.

It was a time when everyone knew their neighbors. Most of the nearby homes would be decked out and lit up for Christmas. My mother was obsessed with decorating every single corner of our modest house. She would start planning and baking at least a month before. She would make rum balls, Swedish gems and of course, her famous fruit cake. I know what you think, but hers was awesome! It would be wrapped in cheese cloth and soaked in bourbon for several weeks.

Christmas eve was the night of all the excitement and festivities. Mother and I would dress in our nicest holiday outfit. Daddy would dress up, (which he did not usually do) in a clean pair of trousers and a ban-lon shirt.  The fun would start around 4 o’clock when we would (on most of the early years) likely eat at the local dinner across from the bar where my father worked part time to help pay for my catholic school education. After we ate (and it should be said that many in the neighborhood would gather there) we would go over to John’s bar, The Old Mill Gardens and meet with numerous friends and relations who would buy each other drinks and dance. Although, it should be stated that there was a large sign on the wall that clearly stated, “POSITIVELY NO DANCING.”

John’s wife Stella was jovial and friendly. She was a wonderful cook who always had a “spread” set up for all to enjoy. There would be ham and turkey with all the fixins. Freshly baked pies and cakes and even homemade bread!

All the ladies would be dressed up in bright red and green outfits and the bar would be aglow with lights and a beautiful Christmas tree. John and Stella would always have a gift for me. Usually a bath set—for girls—made up of bubble bath and perfume and pretty hair clips! I would always play all the holiday songs on the juke box and danced in spite of the sign. Many who knew my parents would buy me cokes and Shirley Temples and give me money for the juke box.

We would say our goodbyes about 6:00 pm and return home to get dips and cookies ready for the neighbors. They would arrive and drink and smoke and laugh and listen to Christmas songs by Dean Martin, Bing Crosby and Arthur Godfrey. Of course, they would be played on my mother’s treasured RCA radio/tv/record player combo.

Relatives were invited, but seldom came. I was allowed to invite 1 friend. Usually it was my friend across the alley, Robin. We would exchange our gifts to one another. In the early years, this always meant Tammy clothes. Her granny loved to crochet and knit and would make both of us a wardrobe of sweater, dresses and hats for our Tammy dolls.

One of the special guests was Ella Jean. She was my mom’s best friend from her working days. She was a zaftig woman, who usually wore a very tight red dress with a huge corsage and lots of perfume with bright red lipstick. She had a rather brassy voice that carried. She would make certain she kissed every man. My uncle Bill, if he were present, would hide in the bathroom. She made it a point to kiss my daddy on the cheek, which left a large red lip print. I loved her “larger than life” attitude!

As the evening wore down and everyone said their farewells. My friend and I would be exhausted from all the food and amusement would be found sound asleep on my bedroom floor. Pierre, our poodle would be snuggled next to me. My mother would make her way to bed (this one time without clearing up) she would cover us with a blanket.

I cannot remember every detail from those days, but I do remember that those days were filled with love and laughter.

Merry Christmas to all of you and yours.

My Love Affair with Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren

Ralph Lauren embodies everything exceptional about American fashion. The classic well-tailored styling of items bearing his name symbolize quality and value. Even in the secondary market, his items sell remarkably well. Some items may sell for more than their original retail price as there are also many collectors of RL items. If you purchase a vintage item with the Ralph Lauren name you can be assured it will stand the test of time and will be in your collection for years.

Born Ralph Reuben Lifshitz on October 14, 1939 in The Bronx, New York. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in 1957. Lauren went to Baruch College at the City University of New York (CUNY) where he studied business.

Ralph grew up playing basketball and baseball. He wanted to be Joe DiMaggio or perhaps a movie star. Lauren often draws inspiration from his heroes including the likes of Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, and John F. Kennedy.

From 1962 to 1964 he served in the United States Army, afterwards, he worked briefly for Brooks Brothers as a sales assistant before becoming a salesman for a tie company. At 28 years-old, Lauren worked for the tie manufacturer Beau Brummell, where he convinced the company's president to let him start his own line which in 1967 became The Ralph Lauren Corporation. Today the Ralph Lauren Corporation is a global multi billion-dollar enterprise.

10 Facts:

• ·         First lady Melania Trump wore a pale blue dress designed by Lauren for her husband’s Inauguration.

• ·         Ralph Lauren designs have been sported by the USA Olympic team (from 2008 through 2020) and the cast of the TV show Downton Abbey.

• ·         Ralph’s first woman’s collection for Ralph Lauren Polo was launched in 1971 in Beverly Hills, California.

• ·         In 1974 he outfitted Robert Redford’s character in The Great Gatsby.

• ·         Working at Ralph Lauren is a rite of passage for many designers who go on to become successes themselves. Former employees include Vera Wang, Tory Burch, and Michael Bastian.

• ·         Lauren has three restaurants: RL Restaurantin Chicago, Ralph's in Paris and the Polo Bar in New York.

• ·         In 1996 Lauren was presented the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research's first Humanitarian Award by Princess Diana.

• ·         In April of 2001, he establishes the Polo Ralph Lauren Foundation, which supports causes including cancer care and prevention, educational and literacy programs, volunteerism and preservation and restoration efforts.

• ·         In 1998 Ralph Lauren donated $13 million to the Smithsonian to help preserve the flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

• Today, his collection of more than 70 cars is perhaps the highest-valued in the world, estimated by Forbes to be worth at least $300 million.

My Love Affair with Mrs Peel...

Mrs. Peel (aka Diana Rigg)

Growing up in Detroit in the 1960s was an exciting time. We did, after all, have more than 3 channel on TV. We had the mighty CKLW from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. This meant there were lots of programs that originated in Great Brittan. At that time, in the mid 1960s, that meant London, Carnaby Street and Mod clothing.

The most important of these shows to me at that time, was The Avengers. We actually got the programs first run from England. Not only did it expand my culture (that’s what I told my mom), it also shaped the
blossoming fashion sense of a 13 year old girl. 

Growing up I had developed a “unique” fashion sense. Since I attended a catholic school, which was darn near impossible. We wore uniforms and were assigned a “color” of knee sox (NO HOSE) to wear, based on grade. I was once sent to the mother superiors lair for wearing the wrong color knee sox and another time for wearing a button that read “What Me Worry?” with a photo of Alfred E Neuman.

Somewhere in 1966, I was in the 6^th grade, I became obsessed with Mrs. Peel and the incredible designs she wore each week. Her style and grace was unmatched and typically British Mod. The timeless designs of John Varon (see earlier post) were perfect for Diana Riggs 5’ 9” frame. There were brightly colored dresses, suits and pants. Not to mention those leather togs.

I would grab a drawing pad and attempt to copy the designs.

I was blissfully unaware that the looks were not quite right for my 5’2” chubby frame. Since my mother (who was an excellent seamstress) made a lot of my clothes, we would modify patterns so that they had a designer quality. I remember particularly an Easter outfit of bright yellow and orange. I even purchase a pair of yellow patent leather shoes and a “Chanel” style quilted bag to match! Mod was my favorite style and still remains dear.

The school at last, relented and allowed us to wear go-go boots and “real” hose. Few of the nuns were happy about this change. Shortly after, in 1967 as the 7^th grade started, we began to conduct “guitar” masses. The times they were a-changin’.