Tag: kitsch

30

March 9th, 2009

I had the pleasure of an early birthday celebration this past weekend, featuring lots of nostalgic goodies.

Friends contributed all kinds of treats, like these “30 things for turning 30” from Matt and Steph:

And homemade chocolate crucifixes by Lee:

There were TWO Space Invader cakes!

These photos of the Kiddie Comfort Food table don’t accurately reflect the majesty of the Hostess snack cake display.

The table evolved as the evening progressed…

If only I could share the fantastic music and video compilation! I’m so grateful to everyone for making this such a special night for me.

30 is going to be a wonderful year.
64 Colors

February 8th, 2009

Ooh…I’m suffocating under the sweetness…and I love every minute of it. 64 Colors is a design team who roll out adorable prints, characters and toys.

You want the cute? You can’t handle the cute!

This is the happiest food I’ve ever seen.

See more on the website or flickr site.
National Wholesale Liquidators

January 20th, 2009

Louisa and I hit the National Wholesale Liquidators “going out of business” sale the other day, and it was everything I dreamed it would be.

Rows upon rows of overstocked supplies, peppered with kitsch treasures.

I didn’t actually spend the 39 cents on this book, but was quite entertained by it:

Trust me when I tell you that Shell Kepler has gathered enough rhinestones, denim, lace and giant gaudy accoutrements to clothe an entire southern city, circa 1988.

But don’t think she’s all sweetness and wide-eyed charm. Here she is in full “bad girl” regalia, with her daughter no less (perfect ensembles for auto trouble, no? I try to sport a lace-breasted bustier and flowered bloomers whenever my car starts acting up…just in case).

Now we go to the plastic outerwear section, one of my favorites! The “spokesmodels” were supremely androgenous mannequins, better suited for still frames in 80’s new wave videos.

Why? Just…why?

In the food section, we came across this unconventional treat. Has anyone actually tried Buttered Popcorn Pudding?

I did end up procuring this useful item for one dollar:

There is actually a The Meat Club: Girls Only website.

And now, my very favorite acquisition, which I have yet to watch because it may be cause to gather some friends for a screening (*drumroll please*):
Andy Zito’s Vintage Snowdomes

January 3rd, 2009

Andy Zito has the best collection of snowdomes I’ve seen.

I was *very* excited to see this souvenir from the Brussels Atomium I previously posted about:

There are some wonderfully rare promotional items, like these Levi’s domes:

Some have interesting shapes and composition, like this one, simply entitled “SCARCE PENGUIN” (I bet that polar bear was delicious):

I’ve never seen a split layer dome before:

Zito has over 4,500 rare snowdomes, and he has posted highlights on seven gallery pages, starting here.
Holiday Highlights

December 28th, 2008

Just a few small snippets from under the SheWalksSoftly tree this year.

Louisa “immediately thought of me” when she stumbled upon these slightly *off* lollipops in a gourmet candy store:

Poor sweet creatures with their tortured, crooked faces…asphyxiating in plastic wrap.

I admit, these “dancers” were a 50 cent gift I gave myself while in LA (but I saved for Christmas):

This one was a request. It’s the most interesting wallet I’ve ever laid eyes on, straight from Fiona Hewitt’s Dumpling Dynasty line. It opens up to a wonderful display of her signature retro-kitsch-pop surrealist design. I don’t think I can bring myself to use it!

The Zombie Pet Shop creatures are quite detailed and well-made for incredibly tiny toys. They go nicely with standard holiday decor (chromatically speaking, anyway):

The Vertigo Tarot is everything I dreamed it would be (thank you, Artie!). I’m trying to figure out a way to display copies of these cards as a poster…before they get worn out from use.

One wonderful little gift from my dad was this CD-ROM of public domain vintage anatomical illustrations (perfect for arts and crafts without fear of copyright infringement!):

Lastly, my relatives in Finland sent me these towels. I was overjoyed at the sight of this bizarre onion-headed creature and fuzzy monster!

And the back…
Hanukkitsch

December 28th, 2008

EUREKA! I’m am bubbling with delight. Until now, it seemed like Christian religions had a monopoly on holiday kitsch. In my experience, tacky, ludicrous Hanukkah objects are much harder to find.

Imagine my joy when I stumbled upon the MOOSENORAH:

The Barbienorah:

Peznorah:

Star Warsnorah:

Go to the Source for more!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS

December 25th, 2008

Before I sign off to enjoy the holiday with my nearest and dearest, I bring you a genius work of poetic justice by Rob Sheridan…

And my favorite holiday flickr set this year: boopsie.daisy’s colorful kitschy photographs.

She makes me feel like my eyes are eating candy…

Whatever you celebrate, may your hearts and bellies be full of wonderful things. Many thanks and warm wishes to everyone who has been reading SheWalksSoftly!

(Santa snow globe from corbis)
Holiday Horrors Week: Abomination Party

December 21st, 2008

I’ll finish off the week with some features from our own Holiday Abomination Party, held in Norristown, PA.

The tree was indeed unique, topped with the household deity of choice: The Flying Spaghetti Monster (handmade by Matt).

When you squeeze the chicken, a watery sack filled with an egg emerges from it’s nethers.

We called this “Pain Killer Penguin” since it glows a pulsating red like the human diagrams in nearly every medication commercial:

Tudurcken ornament ACTION SHOT!

I was blessed by a visit from the Ornament Fairy (a.k.a Steph) as I slept, and awoke to find myself (the none-too-happy face anyway) photoshopped into a Patrick Swayze embrace!

Of course, this is a reference to the famous MST3K Patrick Swayze Christmas Song (definitely worth seeing, if you haven’t).

We “opened up our hearts and let the Patrick Swayze Christmas in”…we wish him good health this season.

Now come along with me on our Turducken cooking journey…beginning here, with this sexy thing:

Looking like this somewhere in the middle…

See the process, start to finish, in these nicely chronicled PHOTOS.

The undisputed “star” of the party was internet sensation Chris Dane Owens. This video most certainly counts as a holiday abomination (actually, it’s an abomination for all seasons).

Printer was running out of ink, which adds to the lowbrow quality…
Holiday Horrors Week: Oh Jesus (a Megapost)

December 18th, 2008

First, a frank inspirational tale:

It seems that Jesus is jumping on the “blackout eyes” trend, first made popular by nu-metal bands and horror movies.

Sometimes the best thing about the thrift store Jesus is its juxtaposition.

(photo credit: buddy stone)

Jesus shoots some hoops with the children:

(photo credit: frinkianz)

I’m trying really hard to understand the drastic chromatic choices…

Ah, every thrift store must have a bland, flatly painted Jesus. A lot of heart goes into these less than mediocre works.

Meet Action Jesus, complete with prominent nipples. Is the lavish pirate garb next to him an “outfit suggestion?”

Steph presented this to our friend Lee at the Holiday Abomination Party last week:

And THIS painted Jesus was a lovely gift to me (pardon the wrongly positioned Wiccan Chicken…we meant no offense. It was a multi-denominational event, accepting of all faiths!).

And SHELL ART JESUS, my personal favorite:
Holiday Horrors Week: Santas

December 17th, 2008

There are literally millions of hideous Santa creations floating around store shelves this time of year. I could not possibly narrow down the new ones (I like to call them Kitsch of the Future), so here are some thrift store finds:

For some reason, people tend to think it’s a good idea to construct decorative unholy chimeras, so I give you the anatomical monstrosity of Violin Santa. It hurts to be him (as indicated by his pained expression).

If you like your Santas brassy, faceless and spread-eagle…someone made an object just for you:

I can’t tell what I find more creepy: Santa’s lean, muscular cyclist physique, or his appearance of having something crammed high into his posterior.

Some people have NO discretion with their fake ice crystals. Santa was clearly just chipped from a block of ice…where he had been trapped lying dead for sometime.

Did someone give you a gourd this past fall, and you’re just now realizing how useless it is? Why not turn it into a subtly patriotic Santa (see American flag on bottom right)?

My thanks to drowningmermaid for providing some of these wonderful treats!