Following on from the hardship of World War II and rationing, the fifties was a time of relative prosperity. Disposable income combined with an increase in mass media encouraged the consumption of fashion and glamorous hair. New hair care products were designed to allow women to do their own hair easily at home – and women did everything that was possible to change their hair. The post The 1950s Power of Glamorous Hair appeared first on Premier Housekeeping ..read more

In the main, high street florists were the only vendors of flowers. Dutch imports didn’t start until the 1970s and growers were mostly regional. Florists purchased flowers from growers and wholesalers within 25 miles of their stores, and, sometimes, there were florists who were selling their own flowers they had grown themselves! Internet searches show that, generally, flowers were white with very little additional colour. They were also seasonal as the flower import market was yet to take off. Lily of the valley in spring, maybe roses in summer but lilies and carnations were commonplace a ..read more

We have taken the exclusive opportunity to bring particular historical features of Father’s Day reflecting on their responsibilities and expectations back in the 50s. For nearly 200 years, The Saturday Evening Post has chronicled American history in the making—reflecting the distinctive characteristics and values that define the American way. Today’s Post continues the grand tradition of providing art, entertainment and information in a stimulating mix of idea-driven features, cutting-edge health and medical trends—plus fiction, humour, and laugh-out-loud cartoons. A key feature is the Post ..read more

The giving of eggs at Easter is an age-old tradition. Easter time is all about new season lamb, hot cross buns, and Easter eggs. It’s a moveable feast, although these days it seems supermarkets stock their shelves with Easter eggs soon after the Christmas trappings are cleared away. The humble egg has been used by many cultures and religions throughout history as a symbol for new life and a new beginning. The Christian church superimposed its doctrine on many of the old ways, linking the symbolism of eggs, Easter and the resurrection together. The first chocolate egg Cadbury’s JS Fry of Bri ..read more

Laundry wasn’t easy for poor families to manage back in the 1950s. For many washing was done in an outhouse, summer and winter in a boiler. The boiler had to be emptied by hand when it was cold from the last lot of washing. We will share and give an insight into what tools, products and actions had to be taken to complete a simple task we undertake today. Coming back to the boiler it needed to be filled with cold water. Then a fire had to be lit underneath it with paper and kindling wood. Then when the wood had ignited the fire was fed with small lumps of coal. When the water was hot, all wh ..read more

Stuff your Christmas turkey with shallots and thyme for a flavour-packed main. Pushing pancetta under the skin helps the white meat stay beautifully succulent Ingredients 5-5½ kg oven-ready turkey , neck and giblets removed (save them to make stock, if you like) 1 pack smoked sliced pancetta or streaky bacon (about 14 rashers) 1 tbsp olive oil For the butter 1 large garlic clove 1 tbsp thyme leaves 1 lemon , zested 85g butter , softened For the shallots 400g shallots , peeled small handful thyme sprigs handful bay leaves ..read more

Advice from the 1950s Housewives on the best way to clean a mirror, how to wash the whitest whites and save gas shows the pride they took in keeping a perfect home in an age when cleanliness, thriftiness and ingenuity were elevated to an art form. Among some of the quirkier entries are placing a cut onion on the plate rack above the cooker to freshen the air when chips are fried and not to throw away empty tea packets without unfolding the bottom because a teaspoonful of tea is generally tucked away inside the folds. And, to get better value out of your Daily Express, to keep the warm walkin ..read more

We have taken the exclusive opportunity to bring particular historical features of Father’s Day reflecting on their responsibilities and expectations back in the 50s. For nearly 200 years, The Saturday Evening Post has chronicled American history in the making—reflecting the distinctive characteristics and values that define the American way. Today’s Post continues the grand tradition of providing art, entertainment and information in a stimulating mix of idea-driven features, cutting-edge health and medical trends—plus fiction, humour, and laugh-out-loud cartoons. A key feature is the Post ..read more

The giving of eggs at Easter is an age-old tradition. Easter time is all about new season lamb, hot cross buns, and Easter eggs. It’s a moveable feast, although these days it seems supermarkets stock their shelves with Easter eggs soon after the Christmas trappings are cleared away. The humble egg has been used by many cultures and religions throughout history as a symbol for new life and a new beginning. The Christian church superimposed its doctrine on many of the old ways, linking the symbolism of eggs, Easter and the resurrection together. The first chocolate egg Cadbury’s JS Fry of Bri ..read more