Retro Summer BBQ Bash: Mid-Century Essentials

Summer’s here, and it’s time to fire for a retro barbecue and up the grill, slip into our favorite vintage summer outfits, and let the good times roll! If you’re like me, you can’t wait to dust off your mid-century treasures and infuse your backyard gatherings with a healthy dose of nostalgia. Let’s dive into some kitschy must-haves that will make your summer BBQ the talk of the neighborhood.

Hot Diggity Dog!

Vintage Lefton Hotdog Head and Hamburger Head Pixieare Condiment Jars
Vintage Lefton Hotdog Head and Hamburger Head Pixieare Condiment Jars

No backyard BBQ is complete without hot dogs and hamburgers, and what better way to serve up your favorite condiments than in those darling Lefton Pixieware mustard jars? These adorable anthropomorphic ceramics, shaped like hot dogs and hamburgers with whimsical expressions, will bring a smile to everyone’s face and add a touch of kitschy charm to your table setting.

Holt Howard Mustard Jar MCM Starburst Franciscan Plate
Holt Howard Mustard Jar MCM Starburst Franciscan Plate

Shake It Up, Baby!

Salt and pepper shakers are a must-have for any BBQ, but why settle for ordinary when you can have extraordinary? Anthropomorphic salt and pepper shakers are where it’s at! Think cute corn cob couples, smiling strawberries, and even cute corn cob plates with matching skewers! These quirky characters will bring a smile to your guests’ faces and add a touch of kitsch to your table.

Retro Fashion and Summer Memories:

And let’s not forget about backyard BBQ fashion! A fun 1950s novelty border print dress adorned with cheerful oranges perfectly complements the summery vibe, while a stylish harlequin print circle skirt makes a statement as you arrive in your classic 1956 Nash Metropolitan. More summer fashion here.

Let’s Get This Party Started!

With your retro treasures in place, you’re ready to host a summer BBQ that will transport your guests back in time. So put on some swingin’ tunes, break out the hula hoops, and let the good times roll! Remember, it’s not just about the food – it’s about creating an experience that’s fun, festive, and full of vintage charm.

Bonus Tip: Of course, no retro gathering is complete without a vintage Polaroid camera to capture those picture-perfect moments of laughter, delicious food, and unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to snap some photos of your kitschy BBQ spread! Share them on social media with the hash tag #retrobbq and let’s spread the mid-century love!

Let’s Get Kitsch-y Together!

Do you have any favorite mid-century collectibles that you love to showcase at your summer BBQs? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below! Let’s inspire each other to create unforgettable retro gatherings.

Happy Summer, Kitsch-Lovers!

Summer Style in California

Summer Dress Pinup Yasmina Greco
Summer Dress Pinup Yasmina Greco

June is here and that means summertime!! I am really looking forward to summer and the seasonal change and yes, the fun summer dresses too. I like sunshine and warm weather (not too hot) but summertime in California is beautiful, especially where we live in gorgeous wine country. The vineyards are in full-bloom and lush with grapes and one of my favorite things to see are the manicured rows of vineyards on the rolling hills. Well this is a great segway into my post today as my sweet hubby Gary and I went over to the world famous Korbel winery for our photoshoot and everything was starting to bloom for summer.

Summer Dress Curvy Fashion on Yasmina Greco
Summer Dress Curvy Fashion on Yasmina Greco

I was excited to wear the new Art Nouveau jewelry collection from Erstwilder and just love the colors in my Royal Eye peacock colored plume necklace and Royal Eye brooch as they are stunning and really bring out the colors of my dress (dress is from Heart of Haute) and perfect for body positive curvy girls. Erstwilder works with the most talented designers and creators and the new collection really brings out the ornamental style, colors, and curved formats of the Art Nouveau style. Look how amazing my Le Chat Noir brooch is!! Hurry on over to Erstwilder and snap up your favorites because they do sell out fast!!

Summer Dress Curvy Fashion on Yasmina Greco
Summer Dress Curvy Fashion on Yasmina Greco
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Curvy Girl Floral Print 1950s Summer Dress

Hello summer!! Nothing says it’s summertime quite like a lovely sundress. I had wanted to try the Ella dress style from Pinup Girl Clothing for sometime as I love the dainty bodice, sweet bow detail and full skirt but it wasn’t until now that I got my hands on the Ella Vintage Style Sun Dress with Pockets in Fuchsia Floral Print Pinup Couture and it just might be one of my most favorite styles.

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Hello Heidi – Curvy Figure Flattering Sweetheart Neckline Dress

Yasmina Greco wearing Pinup Couture Heidi Dress

Memorial Day weekend was a scorcher here in California. We were excited for the sunshine and the opportunity to go outside and shoot some photos of this gorgeous dress – Heidi Vintage Style A-Line Dress in Black and White Floral by Pinup Couture. This is the perfect summer dress and would be so pretty to wear to dinner or even a wedding.

Yasmina Greco wearing Pinup Couture Heidi Dress

My hubby Gary and I drove up to a local wine country town that is usually a tourist destination especially for holidays unsure if we would be able to take photos. We had our masks, were distancing and sanitizer was in our bag. The town wasn’t too busy as nearly all shops and restaurants are still closed and folks are staying home. The park had a good amount of folks picnicking and enjoying being outside with friends. Everyone was social distancing and we felt comfortable walking around and enjoying the day.

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Four Ways: One Dress, Styled Four Ways, Love Ur Look London

Yasmina Greco Love Ur Look Retro Pinup Dress Crazy4Me 1950s Atomic
Yasmina Greco Love Ur Look Retro Pinup Dress Crazy4Me 1950s Atomic

Summer is just around the corner here in California so that means cool mornings, hot days, and cooler night temperatures and these kinds of temperatures can be hard to dress for. I am going to introduce you to a brand that I recently became acquainted with Love Ur Look London and today I am sharing the beautiful 1950s Atomic Dress that has become one of my go-to dresses for summer.

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Flower Power

Joanie Clothing Wisteria Dress Yasmina Greco

Talk about flower power? This Hysteria Floral Wisteria Print Dress from Joanie Clothing exudes a flirty yet graceful look with its purple-hued flowers that hang beautifully on this stunning summer dress. I was really excited about this dress as it was my first one from Joanie Clothing and I didn’t know too much about them.  Here is a little bit of information about the company for those of you that may be new to them. Joanie Clothing is in the UK and is a new and unique women’s wear brand with fun, flirtation and femininity at its heart, they are passionate about making beautiful clothes, lovingly fashioned with a pinch of playfulness, a splash of quirkiness and a healthy dose of nostalgia. Spend a little time on their website and you will see so many adorable and one-of-a-kind amazing items!!

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