Toying With Your Affections Archive

4June 30, 2009
Does Mattel Sock It To Us With Goldie Hawn Barbie?

Speaking of flags painted on Goldie Hawn’s body on Laugh-In… To celebrate Barbie’s 50th anniversary, Mattel’s 2009 Barbie Doll releases feature a number of iconic retro doll re-do’s & celebrity…
1June 22, 2009
Let’s Play Shutbox

When I was a little girl, my parents would often get together with my mom’s parents & siblings to play cards — usually Cribbage, but sometimes Sheepshead. When I was…
1June 8, 2009
The $1.99 Career Change?

As usual, I spotted a retro game at the thrift store and had to spend a whopping $1.99 — and make someone play it. This time the game was Parker…
2June 3, 2009
When Does It Become Too Hot To Operate A Model Railroad? (Or, Taking A Ride On A Model Train To Meet The Emperor of Death Valley)

When does it become too hot to operate a model railroad? When the thermometer reaches 160 degrees. So said T.R. Goodwin, superintendent of Death Valley National Monument — and model…
0April 27, 2009
25 Ghosts At 35 Cents A Minute

I spotted 25 ghosts at the thrift store this weekend — the puzzle game was designated a “vintage collectible & therefore placed behind the glass, protected from kids and collectors…
3April 6, 2009
Has Fonzie’s Real Cool Happy Days Game Jumped The Shark?

For a decade, from 1974 through 1984, Happy Days was one of the most popular sitcoms on television. While the show was supposed to be centered on Richie Cunningham (Ron…
0March 11, 2009
Friday the 13th Contest Is A Killer Heh Heh

Collectors’ Quest and Mezco have teamed-up for a thrilling Friday the 13th Contest. Up for grabs: The Jason 3.75 inch Toy Fair 2009 Limited Edition Produced exclusively for the 2009…
0March 6, 2009
“My brain is a poor cocoon — the Libby’s jingle goes in like larva, but it never enters the pupa stage and morphs into a beautiful butterfly leaving me with an earworm.”

I spotted this retro doll, a promotional piece for Libby’s foods, at an antique store. It reminded me of the following: 1) I am getting really old because more and…
11February 12, 2009
13 Kitschy Finds

(Thursday Thirteen header by Jenn.) Just 13 things I found shopping online and had to share this Thursday… 1. Time out of whack? Whack it back with this ping pong…
1February 5, 2009
Jane West: The Movable Cowgirl

I have a mild interest in the Johnny West toys by Louis Marx & Co.. Like so many retro toys, it’s really rare to find them with their original boxes;…
1February 3, 2009
The Verrry Interesting Laugh-In Lunch Box

Growing up, Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In was on too late for me to stay up & watch; it began airing in 1968 when I was just four. But hearing my…