Vintage Cool: Spun-Lo Rayon Panties, a French Riviera bikini and Seagram's "Alaska 7"

I know this is silly, but I'm feeling a little guilty about not writing quite as often as I used to.  A while back, in a moment of overly optimistic enthusiasm, I decided to post a "Blogging Calendar" featuring different topics I planned to write about on each day of the week.

A new post each day of the week!   What was I thinking?  Lately I'm lucky if I manage to sneak in two. 

I have lots of good excuses.  But this past week the main problem was the weather.  It's been so bleepin' HOT - at least by Midwestern standards.  And the only air conditioning I have in my home is one little window air conditioner for the entire first floor.

It does manage to keep that level relatively cool. But unfortunately my computer is on the second floor where I have no air at all. So sometimes as I walk up the stairs, I feel as if I'm walking up to HELL. Not a great environment for inspiring creativity at the computer!

Should I get another air conditioner for my second floor?  I've been debating for years.  But I'm a Minnesotan.  And we Minnesotans pride ourselves on not only tolerating, but relishing, the extremes in weather - both hot and cold.  

So forget the air conditioner.  I think I just need to get creative with finding other ways to cool down.

If I start dressing for the weather, I should be just fine.

Let's see what else I have in my closet.  Oh yeah, I forgot about this little number that I bought in 1959 on my trip to the French Riviera. 

Oh, that's so much better. Now all I need is a nice cool drink.  Let's see, what do I have in my fridge...

An ice cold beer should do the trick!

Or there's this nifty new idea called a "float" that I've been dying to try out.  Maybe I can fix up a Seven-Up Float for me and the Boys...

Better yet, after a long day of work, I deserve to just relax and be served.

A Coke?  C'mon boys, you know me better than that.  How about something with a little kick to it?

Gin, gin and more gin...

Say boys, you know what I could go for in a really big way? - A nice cool Alaska 7.

Here's the recipe:  Juice of 1 lemon; 2 teaspoons sugar; 1 generous jigger Seagram's 7 Crown.  Shake well, pour over ice cubes in 8 oz. highball glass. Add Seven-Up or ginger ale to top. Garnish with slice of orange and sprig of mint, if desired.

Mmm...I'm all better now.  And guess what?  After all that complaining, the temperature dropped down to a comfortable 81 degrees today. 

Oh well, now I'm prepared for the next heat wave...

Video courtesy of YouTube's DinahIsMyGal


"After all, a girl is... well, a girl. It`s nice to be told you`re successful at it." - Rita Hayworth
 This quote and more from Divas: The Site


The vintage advertisements above were featured in these magazines:
Carrier Corp. Air Condition ad - Life, June 7, 1954
Industrial Rayon Corp "Spun-Lo" ad - Life, June 7, 1954
Bikini modeled by Mlle. Lilou, Cannes, France, "Her Highness the Carlton" - Holiday, Aug. 1959
General Electric Refrigerator ad - Life, May 18, 1962
Hamm's Beer ad - Look, July 2, 1963
Seven-Up Float ad - Life, June 6, 1960
Coca-Cola ad - Look, September 27, 1960
Fleischmann's Gin ad - Life, July 6, 1959
Four Roses Gin ad - Life, July 28, 1952
Seagram's 7 Crown Whiskey ad - Life, July 6, 1959