Cool Book Alert! Valley Girl Childhood in the 80's

WIN THIS BOOK!

Amy Asbury's '80s book is totally awesome --
 make it yours today!

Although Valley Girl Childhood in the 80's author, Amy Asbury and I grew up on different coasts, her California dreamin' childhood memories are so similar to my own. It's freaky!

If you're a fan of the the 80's, you'll fer sher enjoy these 195 pages of pure 1980's pop culture. Peppered with actual drawings and photos from Amy's childhood, you'll honestly feel as if you're reading your BFF's diary from back in the day. Relive classic 80's memories from Shrinky Dinks to Cabbage Patch Kids to music like Madonna and perfumes like Jean Nate.

Amy was kind enough to give Fourth Grade Nothing an extra copy of her book. To win this, just leave a comment. One person will randomly be selected. One winner will be chosen at random on 1/28. For now, please click  here to learn more about her totally 80's experience.

Be sure to include your email address so I can contact the winner!

'70s Clown with Balloons Lamp and Nightlight

1970s clown nightlight and lamp
with dog and balloons

Confession time. I've always been afraid of the dark. When we stay in hotels, I keep the bathroom light on. Every night, we sleep with the TV on without the volume. Our home is filled with nightlights. 

I had a favorite nightlight back in the 1970s. It was actually a lamp. There was a cute wooden clown holding a red plastic cane and huge colorful balloons. The clown also had a little dog. Both figures had their arms outstretched. The balloons would light up as a lamp and at night you could switch the nightlight on. The nightlight was his "Balloons 10 cents" stand. I loved this lamp. 

Did anyone else have the clown with balloons children's lamp and nightlight as a kid back in the 1970s? My cousin had one in the 1980s as well.

Old School No Frills Brand

Pathmark supermarket No Frills brand.

Growing up on Long Island in the 1980s, Pathmark was our grocery store. For some reason, I remember being oddly attracted to the No Frills brand. No Frills was their line of less expensive, no-nonsense generic foods, beverages, paper goods, toiletries, etc. 

No Frills brand from Pathmark

I was mystified by the design because no matter what the item, it was always packaged in white with black lines or lettering. Seriously, no matter if it was chips or fake Country Time lemonade ... you could find it in white paper, tin or cans with simplistic lettering and nonexistent design. 

We've come a long way since those days ... Today we refer to these items as, "store brands" and they don't look as dull.