Of Wedding Invites & Guest Plights

Seems a lot of folks got engaged for the holidays! So I've been spending some time looking at affordable wedding invitations. What started as helping people has now just turned into looking about and reminiscing about weddings...

Of most interest in all this to you readers of Things Your Grandmother Knew, is this post from Jaynie with a funny story about wedding guest books. I've never heard that bit of etiquette about using the guest book as a holiday card list -- but then again, I've never heard of anyone writing or even saying what that one "lady" did either. *wink*

I may have to start looking through my old magazines and books for some vintage wedding tips, but meanwhile, if you have any tips or stories, please do share!

Happy Holidays

I'm not ignoring you or the Things Your Grandmother Knew. It's just difficult this time of year to keep up with the scanning and posting of things found in vintage magazines; piles of old periodicals are simply not conducive to holiday decor -- and room for guests, expected or not. *wink*  (Plus, if the number of dropped needles are any indication, I think the volume of old paper makes the Christmas tree more than a little nervous!)

But I did want to make the time to wish you all a happy holidays!

(And I'll be back to more blogging when the tree's down and I can drag more piles of vintage magazines back up here.)

Image via my lat minute holiday gift list.

My Coke Rewards Is Here To Stay

Coke announced today that My Coke Rewards is here to stay; that means I'll continue to offer them at Listia and trade the credits for things I really do want, i.e. vintage magazines and other "old junk." *wink*

You Can't Afford A Bad Fitting Bra

Our grandmothers may have had better fitting bras than we do today, for a myriad of reasons. I recently spoke with bra coach Ali Cudby and got the scoop. Here's a bit from part two of the interview:

In Chapter Two, in Once Upon A Time, When Fit Was A Fairy Tale, you discuss the fairy tale of fit:

Bra fitting can be confusing because there are so many pieces to literally fit together, and it’s not something most American women are taught — not at home, in school, or anywhere else. There’s no real mechanism for that education. It’s not taught in high school health classes. Many mothers overlook the chance to help their daughters get fit correctly, perhaps because they never experienced the benefits of the right fit themselves.

So poor bra fit is literally passed down through the generations!

There's lots more to learn, including how improper bra fit can cause health problems, how you waste money buying bad bras and more -- and thankfully Ali's put it all in a book for us: Busted! The FabFoundations Guide To Bras That Fit, Flatter and Feel Fantastic. Along with another interview, A Slip Of A Girl is giving away five signed copies of the book -- so go enter!

Things Your Grandmother Knew Blogroll Eaten

Apparently, when I got the domain name for this blog, Blogger ate the sidebar blogroll. *sigh* So, please, let me know if you were on it, want to be on it, etc. so that I can rebuild it. Like the 6 Million Dollar Man, we can rebuild it. *wink*

Shrinking Woolens?

The 1967 American Farm & Home Almanac, edited by Ray Geiger, says that shrinkage in woolens is due to overwashing: "In ordinary circumstances, three minutes is long enough."

Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips

When it comes to being eco-friendly, we often have the greatest impact in our daily routines. Laundry is one of those routine chores that most of us have to do several times a week, if not every day. Therefore, even a small improvement can make a huge difference in terms of energy consumption and overall environmental impact. With that in mind, here are eight tips that can help you go green in a big way just washing your clothes.

1. Upgrade to an energy-efficient washer and dryer.

Don’t upgrade unnecessarily, but when it’s time, spend the extra money necessary to buy a high-quality energy-efficient washer and dryer set. Energy Star models can earn rebates as high as $250 under the federal Cash for Clunkers program, and a standard pair can cost as much as $150 more per year in water and power usage.

2. Wash with cold water.

Image Source: Last chance training.

Washing in hot water can use as much as ten times more energy than washing in cold water. In situations where heat is required, such as destroying dust mites for those with allergies, rinsing in cold water can still make a big difference. In fact, the EPA estimates that the average person can save at least $100 per year just by washing in cold water whenever possible.

3. Wash full loads.

Image Source: Dryer Vent Cleaning

Even the most energy-efficient washer and dryer set is going to use about 40 gallons of water and a minimum amount of electricity per load. In other words, every time you do a partial load, you’re throwing money away and using far more water and power than you need to.

4. Hang clothes to dry.

Image Source: Learn That.com

Just because you own a dryer doesn’t mean you have to use it. In fact, by using it sparingly, you can save a considerable amount of money each year while extending the life of your wardrobe. Also, consider using an indoor drying rack. It’s perfect for wintertime or when hanging clothes outdoors simply isn’t an option.

5. Use natural detergents.

Image Source: Latest Wall paper

Many people are reluctant to switch to natural detergents and stain removers due to preconceptions based on outdated information. Today’s natural options are effective and cost-effective. They’re plant-based, biodegradable and specifically formulated to work well in cold water better than synthetic cleaners do.

6. Use homemade detergents.

Image Source: Shabby Art Boutique

It’s possible to make homemade detergent that is more effective and cost-effective than even the store-brought options. Not everyone has the time for that, but there are homemade options that are quick and easy: Vinegar boosts the power of detergents and lemon juice is an awesome stain remover.

7. Use natural softener alternatives.

Rather than use an expensive, environmentally harsh store-brought softeners, use lavender water in a spray bottle and lightly spritz the top of the load before washing. You can also purchase reusable dryer bags, which you can then fill with lavender and other natural softeners and scents.

8. Avoid phosphates and other environmental hazards.

Whatever you use on your clothes, a great deal of it makes it into the ground via backwash. Detergent makers use phosphates because they work and are inexpensive. Phosphates, however, don’t occur in the natural world in their pure form, and at great levels are a hazard to people, animals and the environment.

Free Copy Of The DinnerRevolution

Chef Jeff is giving away free copies of his latest book, DinnerRevolution. These recipes from Chef Jeff Pirtle of Mydietchef.com are super family-friendly, healthy, have less than 10 ingredients, and take less than 30 minutes to prepare. The ebook has a $27 value, so grab your free copy here! Oh, and the book is the 2.0 version he's counting on us to give feedback for the final, 3.0 version; so send your thoughts in to him.

How To Whip Wax To Frost Candles

Instructions on how to frost candles with whipped wax from The Glo Candle For All Occasions, The Glow Candle Co., Kansas City, Missouri; copyright 1952 and 1956 by Consumers Cooperative Association. ("Special credit is given to Noma Glahn whose ideas, experiments and cooperation helped make this booklet possible.") Note the tips for decorating with sugar, glitter, and paint too.

Meatless Italian Dishes From Chef Boyardee

Meatless recipes from a vintage Chef Boyardee cook booklet titled Famous Italian Dishes, by Chef Hector Boiardi -- with Recipes tested and approved by The Chef Boy-ar-dee Housewife, Lois Nichols. These meatless recipes were not for the benefit of vegans or even wartime rations. No, these inexpensive and tasty dishes to take the place of meat, "thereby making Friday or Lenten Season dishes of them."

Make A Recipe File

From 4-H Food Preparation, Extension 4-H Bulletin #32, dated June 1952, by Mary R. Anderson and Grace D. Brill (a 4H Club booklet put out by the University of Minnesota, Agricultural Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, University Farm, St. Paul 1, Minnesota), information on two types of recipe files, how to make them, and how to use them.