Hang Your Laundry

Do you hang dry your laundry or are you a dryer addict? Maybe you do both, depending on the weather, season, type of clothes, etc. In 1955, only 10% of American homes had dryers. They were expensive appliances and like I've covered before, families bought the things they needed and not on credit, but with cash money. Therefore, American wives were drying their clothes the old-fashioned way -- on clothes lines. Those clothes lines didn't have to be outside, though. Typically, indoor clothes lines were in the basements and if it wasn't sunny or was too cold, raining, etc., the clothes were hung inside to dry. Now, for today's "give me it now" generation, the patience required to dry clothes, especially indoors, is excruciating. However, if you plan and stay on top of your laundry each day, it shouldn't be a problem. Obviously if you need something quickly, put it in the dryer. If you have the room, though, definitely hang dry your laundry. You won't be using your gas or electric, exposing your clothes to high heat and honestly, nothing smells better than laundry hung out in the sun.

A Really Cool (Retro looking) Floor

I found this link and must share it with you. It's a penny floor. Yes, made of pennies. And you can make one yourself with any coins you want, really. It reminds me of the retro tile floors you used to see in bathrooms or older NYC style apartment buildings, with those tiny white tiles. If anyone does try it, please leave a comment and let us know (or see) how it comes out!



How To Make A Penny Floor

Take Pride In Your Home and Yourself

The housewives of the 50's were often seen with pretty dresses and heels on during the day, with perfectly manicured nails and hair, light makeup on their faces and all of this was done before the husband and children were ready for breakfast. Should you walk around in a dress? Well, this is 2013 (Happy New Year, everyone!) and you might feel silly, but there are many women who choose not to wear pants for either religious reasons or simply their desire to feel feminine. Do you need to have your hair and makeup done to stay home all day? Of course not. But how would you feel having it done? Don't you think it might make you feel nice? It probably would. It does feel nicer to have your face on and your hair done nicely than to be plain, rolled out of bed with your hair all frumpy. Try it out and see if it makes a difference to either your productivity or your psyche. If not, then heck, do whatever feels good for you.

Now, about that house. A 50's housewife paid attention to detail. Obviously, homes were far less cluttered because the constant desire for every little object in the stores wasn't fulfilled. Credit cards weren't abused as they are now and therefore, children had far fewer games, gadgets and toys. It was that much easier to clean up. Nevertheless, the old saying of "a place for everything and everything in its place" certainly held up. And while the clutter was nonexistent, the home was clean. The clean being as meticulous as pulling out the contents of the cabinets and cleaning the insides once a week. Pulling down the curtains weekly and cleaning them and the entire window and sills. Taking detailed pride in the home was only natural and made a woman feel proud. When people walked into her home, it was a reflection on her. The size of the home and the contents within were a reflection of her husband (the money maker) but the care and cleanliness of the home were on her, and she was a very proud woman.