Going Where Boys Dare To Go

Around here, we joke that I’m only allowed upstairs— which is a euphemism for the fact that maybe I shouldn’t go out in public much. Mainly because I get emotional. If I’m not easily amused (or even more easily confused), I’m infuriated. And pretty much all the emotions in between. Case in point, last weekend’s trip to the Mall Of America where I was amused by several of the displays at The Boys Adventure Store.

Perhaps mannequins with heads would be better used to sell camping — especially with the large bear looming behind them. I’m a mom. I worry about these things.

headless campers

I did learn something though: rabbits can survive in black holes.

bunny & black holes

As far as the shop itself goes, The Boys Adventure Store is a JMCremps creation, which means it has religious tones. Meh. Maybe that’s why they insist on marketing this as “for boys”.  But, yeah, why can’t this outdoorsy fun adventure stuff be for girls too?

In terms of shopping, the items are either for real little boys (toys to push, toys to ride on, and the like) or stuff that seems to leap light-years into adulthood. Teaching kids how to throw knives and tomahawks? (When I held that up in the store, my mom read it as “Kite Throwing” — that makes far more sense, I think.) If you have older kids, and kids you can trust and will supervise, then check out the shop and the official blog. (Admittedly, the blog is far more sane sounding.)

 

Ha, Ha, Women Grow Old

Normally I post this sort of sexist stuff over at Kitsch Slapped. But I felt general kitsch lovers might like this too.

vintage aging humor postcard

Postcard No E, copyright 1956 by Petley Studios Inc., Pheonix Arizona. Petley Studios was started by Bob (Robert Teeple) Petley in 1946. The studio began with twelve black and white humorous postcards — but would later become the nations largest publisher and distributor of scenic color postcards. In 1984, Petley was sold to Bruce Finchum.

This vintage gag postcard was spotted at Antiques On Broadway, Fargo.

Dames & Dogs #83

Chris Noel and what may be a Yorkie? Noel was an actress in Get Yourself A College Girl. The seller of this vintage photo, Grapefruit Moon, says she “became a worldwide sensation as an Armed Forces radio personality, here she shows of her risque glamour with her dog companion in publicity for “Get Yourself a College Girl.” After Vietnam, she became a strong advocate for soldiers, particularly those suffering from PTSD at a time when it was still an unexplored phenomenon.”

Chris Noel Get Yourself a College Girl

Have A Cow, Valentine

Yeah, Valentine’s Day has passed. But we don’t like to let the romance die. (Plus, we often post stuff as we find it.) Here’s a sweet little Valentine’s Day poem about a cow. And no, it’s not from 4-H — it’s from the American Junior Red Cross (American Junior Red Cross News, February 1953.

american junior red cross cow valentine

Hats Off To The Gun-Toting Cookie

I love cookie cutters, so it kinda kills me to sell this vintage aluminum one depicting a cowboy — or a soldier. The guns say “cowboy”, but the hat says, well, I’m not sure what… In any case, it’s no wonder folks can’t catch the gingerbread man — he’s packin’ heat! Another pic here. Keep up with more of what we sell here and here.

gun toting vintage cookie cutter