A 70s grooming flashback

by Darrin Vindiola


I was getting ready for work at 5:00 am recently, and suddenly experienced deja vu when I looked down and saw this..

My old man used all of these items for his daily grooming regimen in the 70s and 80s.  It sounds funny, but it didn't dawn on me until this week that I use the same exact items as he did all those years ago. 


Clubman Talc
Made by Pinaud, Clubman talc has been around since 1810.  Like baby powder, talc helps to control moisture as well as dry and itchy skin.  It also works great to tame a shiny face, and hides nicks and blemishes quite well.  My old man used to abundantly stock this talc in his barber shop, and there was always a bottle or two in the house as well.  I started using it at a pretty young age, and have never stopped.



Aim Toothpaste
Aim came on the scene in 1975.  I really dig the screw off cap which can be called retro in its own right these days.  I've never liked the flip cap toothpaste tubes, as they tend to get gunked up pretty easily.


Old Spice
I've loved the smell of Old Spice since I was a young boy.  However, I could never bring myself to use it due to the popular stigma that old guys like Dad's and Grandpas were the only men who should wear it.  I bought a bottle last year for old times sake, and realized two things.  One.. I still love the smell of Old Spice.  And two.. it does an excellent job of doing exactly what it's meant to do, which is closing your pores effectively, and guarding against irritation and infection from cuts.  As for the stigma that Old Spice is for old dudes.. I actually don't use the Classic scent now, but rather acouple of other scents that are a bit more hip than Dad and Grandpa's Classic Old Spice.  What's cool.. is that they are still in that same classic looking container.

Shaving Mug and soap
I've abandoned using canned shaving cream and have switched back to mug soap. The point of using the old mug and brush method is to lift the stubble from your face, so the lather can better soften it. The bristles on the brush also help to clean dirt, sweat, and grime from your pores.  The whole process is very effective at helping to give you a nice clean shave.


Gillette adjustable Razor
When I say these items are the same ones my old man used to utilize, I mean it quite literally with my razor.  This very razor used to belong to my Dad, and he gave it to me when I was 15.  It took some adjustment time when I switched from using a five blade disposable, but my face adapted in about one weeks time.  I also laugh all the way to the bank, because a three to four month supply of blades only costs about $1.50!


These products have all been around for about as long as I remember, and I've always had good experiences using them.  My familiarity with the products due to growing up with them, I'm sure in part has something to do with why I'm so committed to using them.  I very well may have to write another article discussing what other lifelong commitments to products I still have.

My 1963 Schwinn American Deluxe

by Darrin Vindiola

This is my 1963 Schwinn American DeLuxe.  Never one to shy away from a new bike project, this one took me awhile to get started on.  The bike has been in my family for quite some time, but I personally inherited it a few years ago.  A family member's passing brought this bike to me, so there happens to be a lot of sentiment attached to it.  The truth of the matter, is that I just couldn't bring myself to even ride the bike until recently.

Earlier this year however, as I sat in my garage after finishing some projects, I began gazing upon the bike with great admiration.  After a few moments, I came to the realization that I was doing this bike a gross injustice by letting it hang from the garage rafters only to gather dust and spider webs.  I took the bike down, dusted her off, and gave the electric horn button a push in hopes that it still worked.  It did not.  I grabbed a screwdriver and opened up the frame tank to find that the battery had simply become dislodged from its holder.  A quick adjustment made it snug again, and the horn was functioning once more.  I'm not sure what to liken the sound of the horn to.  Maybe my old 73' Volkswagen Beetle?  Check out what it sounds like for yourself..

I've flip flopped on the type of restoration I want to perform on this bike.  At one point I had big plans for a complete overhaul, but the nicks, scratches, and dings make it all the more endearing to me.  It definitely looks like a bike that's had an incredible life.. its wear and tear offering up inevitable proof of this.  To me, it's every bit as beautiful as one that's been completely restored to its original condition.  I look at the bike and can only imagine what stories it could tell.

My inaugural ride was a modest six mile trek.  I could tell the bearings were virtually dry and contributed to some drag, but it was still simply a pleasure to ride.  While it functioned adequately, I can definitely feel differences between this bike and my 2010 Schwinn Cruiser.  The old school handlebars force a forward riding posture that I'm not accustomed to on my other cruisers.  The combination of  26 x 2 x 1/34 tires, thick heavy steel frame and steel rims, probably also added to the noticeable drag I mentioned before.

With exception of the saddle, rear reflector, and tires, all parts on this bike are 100% original as you'll see below.  A true testament to how things used to be built so much better back in the day.

Classic Schwinn tank with electric horn.

55 year old "Schwinn approved" grips

 55 year old pedals

Original Chrome Rear Rack

Messinger Seat
This is the original seat from this bike, and it's begging for restoration.

Faded  and well used Chain Guard

 

The headlight is aftermarket, so I think I'll search for an original.

Now that I live in Florida, I want the bike to stay in optimum condition for years to come.  Simply being exposed to the humidity here, can take a toll on a bike frame with scratches, nicks etc.  I think I've settled on a full repaint of the frame to help protect it.  The contrast of a weathered bike tank and  the faded original Schwinn Chicago Head Badge, may provide a nice contrast, and in turn preserve some of its personality.

I have already tore the bike down, and am currently going through it piece by piece to see what needs cleaning, restoration, or full on replacement.  I'm waiting until the humidity subsides a bit more before I paint it, but should be able to get it done by mid Fall.   I will start posting progress on the project very soon so stay tuned!

Sheila E concert at the 2018 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival

I've been a fan of the incomparable Sheila E. for 34 years.  She is my favorite Latin percussionist, heck.. my favorite percussionist period.  I bought her albums and had posters of her in my room in the 80s.  I bought a pair of Bongos and started teaching myself how to play them largely because of her.  I followed her career closely and watched her grow as a person and an artist.  One thing I never had the opportunity to do however, was to see her in concert.  That changed today however, as she was practically playing in my backyard at the EPCOT Food and Wine festival his weekend.

I heard 'The Queen of Percussion' was going to grace Orlando with her presence many months ago and put in for the time off to see her.  The concert did not disappoint, and was everything I thought it would be and more. My heart skipped a beat when she came down from the stage to sing a song three feet in front of us.  It melted when she brought kids up on the stage to dance with her, and told all of the girls in the audience "You can play drums too".

I wanted to record every second for posterity, but made myself put the phone down for much of the concert, because I just HAD to live in the moment.  I compiled the quick clips I captured, uploaded them to youTube, and have posted the video below.  The quality and sound isn't the best, but it sure keeps ME hypnotized for roughly three minutes and nineteen seconds!  Enjoy..

Sheila E Online

Mickey Mouse is turning 90.. and there's an OREO for that.

by Darrin Vindiola


In case you didn't know.. Mickey Mouse turns 90 years old this year, and Nabisco has made a limited edition OREO to celebrate!  I've been anxiously waiting for these to be released, stumbled across them at the store today, and of course had to buy some..

Complete with Birthday Cake Flavored Creme!

With three different designs, and birthday cake flavored creme, these cookies are just plain fun.. and delicious!  The creme really is reminiscent of birthday cake, and to me.. seems creamier than the standard OREO.  Or.. maybe the creme is just softer because they're HOT off the assembly line!

I'm a sucker for this type of Disney cross marketing, and seeing as it's been done with one of my favorite snack cookies is a slam dunk.  I'm not sure how many other food and snack items are going to be released this year, but I'm curious to see how many items pop up at the parks.  Will keep you posted if I find more Mickey themed Birthday merchandise.

Old Restaurant Logos

I'm a sucker for ingenious marketing and branding. I especially appreciate the talent and ingenuity it takes to create a good looking corporate logo that can withstand the test of time.  Therefore, here are a few retro restaurant logos I sorely miss seeing..

 Shakey's Pizza Retro Logo

New Shakey's Logo..

Shakey's Pizza was my family's favorite pizza chain when I was a a boy.  Most of the old signs in front of the restaurants also read "& Ye public House" at the very bottom of the sign.  The logo just had a classic feel to it, that just screamed good old fashioned pizza.  While the newer logo doesn't exude the retro goodness that the old one does, it definitely does scream FUN!

That being said, if you're a big fan of the old logo like I am, many of the Shakey's restaurants in the United States still utilize the old logo throughout the restaurants, and some even still use the classic signs out in front of the stores.  

Pizza Inn Retro Logo..

New Pizza Inn Logo..

Pizza Inn was a restaurant chain I remember seeing a lot when I was a kid.  I always loved the old logo featuring that Italian cat hand tossing a pizza.  In fact.. if I could buy a shirt featuring this retro logo I most certainly would!

At one time, it seemed as if Pizza Inn streamlined their logo to the umpteenth degree, leaving it devoid of any character or uniqueness.  To me, it looked like a piece of clip art pulled from a desktop publishing program.  Fortunately, Pizza Inn has since went back to using a new retro looking logo that incorporates their beloved mascot.  Huzzah!

Retro International House of Pancakes Logo

New IHOP Logo..

I wonder.. how many kids these days know that IHOP stands for International House of Pancakes? I could go on a rant about the trend of shortening words and phrases for no other reason than sheer laziness, but I'll save that for another post.  

I absolutely loved The International House of Pancakes as a kid.  As a small boy, I thought the buildings were huge, and was always in awe of the 1960's style A-Frame peaks stretching high into the sky.  I also recall the interior of the restaurants having a very homelike feel, maybe like a bohemian cottage.  Unfortunately nowadays, the restaurants architecture and ambiance, much like their food.. sorely misses the mark.

White Castle Retro Logo

New White Castle Logo

While I do miss the simple and clean design of the vintage White Castle logo, this is one exception where I'm also a fan of the newer one as well.  I like how the new logo now incorporates perspective on the castle, has just the right amount of color, and still utilizes the old White Castle font.  It's fun and classy at the same time.

When I think of just how much restaurants have changed over the last two decades, I've noticed something.  It seems to me that when restaurants don't drastically change their branding, they continue to keep loyal patrons for decades.  I believe it's because the folks at the helm of these establishments know what works, and therefore will not deviate drastically from what has contributed to their success over the years.

I didn't mean to start delving into the intricacies of the restaurant and fast food industry, so maybe I should wrap it up here and continue the topic in another post.  Until then.. I will continue reminiscing about the excitement and sense of escape I used to enjoy in regards to going out to eat.  Old logos always stir up all kinds of great memories, so I very well may showcase more of them soon.

My 1970s Disney Lunch Boxes

It's something I've avoided doing for years, but I finally pulled the trigger a couple of years ago and dipped my toes into the hobby of collecting lunchboxes.  There's an infinite variety of retro lunch boxes that appeal to many of my pop culture interests, so if I don't watch it, I can foresee myself soon getting buried with them.  Nevertheless, it's a risk I'm willing to take, and I'm jumping head first into the hobby.  These were my very first two purchases.. both Disney themed, and I couldn't be happier with them.

Click on any image to enlarge

Disney World Lunch Box and Thermos, circa 1976

 

I love both front and back scenes on this lunch box.  The front features Mickey, Donald, and Pluto riding Casey Jr. the Train, and the retro artwork is wrapped with a railroad border.  The backside of the lunch box features a Country Bear Jamboree scene.  The art that's wrapped around the sides of the lunch box features different areas of the theme park, and also exudes a wonderful retro vibe..

The above lunch box design was used for a limited edition release called "The Florida Project Walt Disney World Lunchbox and pin collection".  The replica lunch box measured 6.8" tall by 8.6" wide and 4" deep, and was limited to 500 pieces.   It was basically the same lunch box you see above, only in smaller form. 

The pins included in the lunch box were of Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and a mini lunch box.  The character pins had magnetic features to allow all three to be connected like a train, just like the scene on the front of the lunch box.

Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom
Wonderful World lunch box circa 1979

 

I remember wishing I could get the lunchbox above, back when I was almost ten years old.  At that time however, I wanted to fit in with my friends and thought that toting around a lunch box with Mickey Mouse on it would make me look like a baby.  Therefore, I sadly passed it up and opted for something else that was still close to my heart.. a STAR WARS themed lunch box.  So in 2013.. I finally got the lunch box I wanted so badly back in 79' thus filling a small 34 year void, and getting back a part of my childhood.

I really dig this Magic Kingdom/Wonderful World lunch box.  It features art from my three favorite rides at Disney World being; The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Other attractions featured are Space Mountain, The Jungle Cruise, and Cinderella's Castle.  I also dig seeing Mickey Mouse's two feisty nephews Morty and Ferdie on this lunchbox.  Not sure what ever happened to those two little guys, but I remember seeing them in comic and story books for the duration of my childhood.

These lunch boxes are fine additions to my collection.  They not only display incredibly well, but they bring back tons of childhood memories and Disney magic to the table as well.

Update (9-16-2018)
I recently added another old Disney Lunch Box from my past to the collection!  
You can see it here.

1966 Flipper Lunch Box by Thermos

Today I bring to you, yet another acquisition for my ever growing Lunch Box collection.  I rediscovered this gem during a recent visit to my Folks house in Colorado.  This lunch Box didn't belong to me personally.  In fact, it was made before I was even born, but I consider it a family heirloom of sorts, because it belonged to my Brother.  Flipper was basically the Aquatic equivalent to Lassie, and ran from 1964 to 1967.  My Brother was about 5 years old at the time, and was a big fan of the show.

Checkout this piece from a more innocent time.  Click on any picture to enlarge.

This isn't in as good of shape as my Disney School Bus Lunch Box, but it has still held up surprisingly well for 52 years. In fact.. my Old Man held greasy bolts and the like inside of it for years.  Nothing a good cleaning can't remedy however.  The outside is a bit dirty and greasy, and the inside is even grimier, but some Goof-Off and Mineral Spirits should whip it into shape.

Once again, you just can't beat the art on these old Lunch Boxes.  I love how it feels so era specific.  As always, it's so obvious they used to try harder with the lunchbox designs.. filling every panel they could with great art.  The top panel under the handle is a section they could have easily wrote off for including art, but most old boxes back in the day still had great images on them as you can see below.

I love the nostalgia these old Lunch Boxes carry with them.  Whatever pop culture phenomenon that was trending at the time, had a lunch Box to go with it.  Kids could get lost in the world of any movie, TV show, or interest that emblazoned their lunch Box, and that's exactly what I used to do as a young boy.

Thanks for stopping by to read this quick blog post.  I will continue to post more lunchbox articles as I acquire new pieces, which I can definitely foresee happening, since being bitten by the Lunch Box collecting bug.

Old school Beers & Snack Review

by Darrin Vindiola

My buddy and I review some old school beers and snacks that our Dad's used to enjoy when we were kids..

Retro Disney Lunch Box from yesteryear.. with a Hanna-Barbera connection.

by Darrin Vindiola


So I recently flew back to Colorado for a week to help my parents with some pre winter projects on their house.  I was pleasantly surprised to be reunited with some old relics from my youth.  While working in my Dad's shed, I looked up on a shelf and noticed an old Disney lunch box.

I could not believe my eyes, and was flabbergasted that my Dad had held onto it for so many years!  He simply said "I'm not sure why I kept it, I just felt like I needed to".  I immediately took out my phone and snapped some pics to post here and on social media. When dear old Dad saw me snapping pictures and fondly examining the details of the lunch box, he told me to take it home with me if I wanted.  I eagerly obliged and thanked him multiple times.  Check it out..

I always loved this lunch box. I believe it was made in the late 1960s.  I was a sucker for anything Disney (always have been) and this lunchpail is an absolute work of art, that Disney collectors such as myself absolutely drool over.

In a day and age where retro looking lunch boxes are hitting the shelves left and right, if you really take a close look at these new boxes, there truly is no imagination or effort put into the designs on most.  Heck.. the same image is usually printed on both sides of the box, with very little if any art on the remaining panels.  This was not the case back in the day!  Check out the rest of this box..

I love how Mickey's nephews Morty & Ferdie and Donald's nephews Huey, Duey and Louie are peering out of the back windows.  Morty and Ferdie were a staple back when I was a kid.  I'm not quite sure why Disney has distanced them from cartoons etc in recent years.  I also love the Emergency door warnings. "OPEN FOR LUNCH ONLY".  HA!  Too cool.

Now C'mon.. they even added art of a bus chassis to the bottom of the pail!  Now that my friends, is attention to detail.  I swear Disney artists and creative teams used to give it a 110% when it came to merchandise.

Now.. here's an interesting part of this piece.  Notice the Sticker above Goofy on the front of the bus?   It has to do with a cartoon I hadn't given a second thought about in decades being, Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines

This Hanna-Barbera cartoon focused on the efforts of Dick Dastardly and his canine sidekick Muttley who were always trying to catch 'Yankee Doodle Pigeon', a carrier pigeon who carries secret messages. His gang of baddies were called 'The Vulture Squadron'.

My older brother and I loved this Saturday morning cartoon show.  My brother so much so.. that he actually joined the Vulture Squadron, via a mail away fan club / membership kit!  This kit included a poster, Vulture Squadron Flight Diploma, Flight Book membership card, sliding 'Yankee Doodle Pigeon Decoder', clothing patch, and stickers.

Now the staunch collector in me wants to restore this lunch box to its former glory, or at least as close to original condition as I can get it.  However, I will simply never be able to bring myself to pull these stickers from the lunch box that my brother applied with his own hands as a wee young lad.  It's family history, and that is way more important and heartwarming, than simply possessing this beautiful piece of Disneyana from my childhood.

While I will clean it up and buy the matching Thermos for this lunch box, the stickers will stay put.  For sure.. it makes for some nice stories, and walks down memory lane.  I'm sure my late Brother would treat it the exact same way.  This will be the centerpiece for my slowly growing lunchbox collection, and it most likely always will be.

Thanks for swinging by.  If you have time.. check out the other kiddie lunch box I picked up while in Colorado.  See ya Real Soon!

Men's Grooming Products I wantedto buy to when I got "all growed up"

by Darrin Vindiola

AQUA VELVA, Lectric Shave, and Old Spice

I took this picture recently in Target, and had no clue that Aqua Velva and Lectric Shave was still on the market.  When I was a kid, I couldn't wait to grow up and start using all three of these.  After all.. the men in the commercials that used this stuff were highly popular with the ladies, so it would have to work for me too! For a time, I even dreamed about mixing these three aftershaves together to form a hybrid that no young lady would be able to resist!

Like many kids, I used to love watching my old man shave in the mornings. It was a daily event that kept my undivided attention, and I vividly remember it as far back as three years old. My old man was a barber of 40 plus years, and had a ritualistic and methodical way of shaving. He would get his pores opened up by holding a damp piping hot washcloth over his face for a minute or so. He'd then liberally apply frothy shaving cream from his shaving cup over his whiskers. He would then open up his straight edge razor, run it under some hot tap water for a few seconds, and proceed to slowly shave. One short swipe, and he would turn the hot tap water on again, just long enough to wash the whiskers off of the blade. I remember peering down into the sink and thinking that the whiskers looked like the pepper Dad used to sprinkle on his eggs. He would always take extra care as he shaved around his mustache. He treated that area of his face like a painting or drawing that needed precise attention.

Of course, it all ended with him pulling the little gray stopper from his Old Spice bottle, splashing some into his hands, and slapping it all over his face. He'd occasionally let out a resounding "ahh" or.. "Whew!" something I didn't understanding, but always thought of as funny. The smell lightly hung in the air, leaving a faint vapor trail that marked a path of everywhere he had been in the house. I resolved to buy Old Spice for myself when I grew up, and just knew that it would make me a more mature and intriguing person, just like the sea faring men that were in those Old Spice commercials!  The scent is burned into my memory banks, and probably will be until the day I die.

There was no rushing Dad while he shaved. He always took his time, and seemed super relaxed and free of stress while doing so. Thinking back on it now, it seems as if shaving was a very zen like thing for him to do. That was his time at the beginning of the day, before the stresses of life would inevitably rear their ugly head. It was his way to start the day off fresh and get in a good place mentally.  For me, most mornings are a bit stressful. I'm usually hurried, minding every minute, and running out the door. I can't help but wonder if my attitude would benefit from starting every day like my old man used to.

If you're wondering, I did fulfill the promise to myself as young lad, and bought Old Spice for myself as an adult. It was after I became a Dad myself in 1990. When I opened the box and held the bottle in my hand, the nostalgia and memories immediately came rushing back. The bottle itself was worthy of a spot on the shelf next to my vintage shaving artifacts which Dad had passed down to me as a teenager. When I splashed the rustic aftershave upon my face, I remember actually feeling older! And.. for the rest of the day at work, I couldn't shake the sense that I smelled older as well. Older.. in the sense of smelling more like a grandpa, than a 20 year old. I never used Old Spice after that, and actually ended up pouring the aftershave down the toilet a few years later. I do like the smell of classic Old Spice, but it has more to do with nostalgia.  Perhaps I'll wear it again someday (maybe a couple decades in the future when I'm a Granddad, own my own boat, and am sporting a captains hat).

My Granddad always used Lectric Shave and I liberated a few splashes for myself a couple of times, but soon learned I didn't care for the scent. It was okay for Granddad, but not for an enlightened 20th century pre teen.  Now, as for AQUA VELVA, the original motivation for this post.  I never have  purchased any of that for myself.  My experiences with Lectric Shave and Old Spice, not to mention jabs that Aqua Velva have suffered from comedians in the movies and Television, dissuaded me from ever buying it.

Maybe I need to break down and buy a bottle of the good old blue stuff, if for no other reason than to say that I've bought it before. Whaddya think? Is it safe for me to do so, or will it turn me into a veritable chick magnet?