Allee Willis Blog

25Oct 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Wedding Gowns Made Out Of Toilet Paper

25Oct 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Wedding Gowns Made Out Of Toilet Paper

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Though it doesn’t seem like quite the appropriate material for a dress commemorating a lasting holy union there’s no disputing the price is right! Made entirely of toilet paper, tape and glue, I think these gowns are fabulous and the concept of buying the makings of your wedding dress at Costco is brilliant. I mean it. I’ve never understood anyone blowing the entire wad on a dress they’ll wear once, flowers and chopped liver swans and then living in squalor with only a photo album and four fondue pots to remind them of the one day that life was so entirely good. I’d so much rather spring for a few hundred rolls of toilet paper, which probably leaves much to spare after the gown is glued, then end up using toilet paper for napkins the rest of my life because all the coin went into the dress that you’re probably already too fat to fit back into.

This brilliant Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest is sponsored every year by cheap-chic-weddings.com of Boca Raton, Fl. Although the 2009 first-place winner was Ann Kagawa Lee of Honolulu, Hawaii, pictured above, my favorite is second place winner, Terri Glover of Marlin, Texas, because of all the little toilet paper points sticking out that probably rippled in the breeze as she walked down the aisle.

Though it doesn’t seem like quite the appropriate material for a dress commemorating a lasting holy union there’s no disputing the price is right! Made entirely of toilet paper, tape and glue, I think these gowns are fabulous and the concept of buying the makings of your wedding dress at Costco is brilliant. I mean it. I’ve never understood anyone blowing the entire wad on a dress they’ll wear once, along with flowers and a chopped liver swan and then living in squalor with only a photo album and four fondue pots to remind them of the one day that life was so entirely good. I’d so much rather spring for a few hundred rolls of toilet paper, which probably leaves much to spare after the gown is glued, then end up using toilet paper for napkins the rest of my life because all the coin went into the dress that you’re probably already too fat to fit back into.

This brilliant Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest is sponsored every year by cheap-chic-weddings.com of Boca Raton, Fl. Although the 2009 first-place winner was Ann Kagawa Lee of Honolulu, Hawaii, pictured above, my favorite is second place winner, Terri Glover of Marlin, Texas, because of all the little toilet paper points sticking out that probably rippled in the breeze as she walked down the aisle.

I especially love Terri’s strap marks on her back. It’s so nice to see someone who knows they have a very special outfit to wear who grooms their body accordingly for the occasion.

Here’s a video showing this years’ entries:

Although I think Cheap Chic Weddings has provided the Kitsch fashion statement of the year I also really, seriously, definitively think that their concept of toilet paper wedding gowns are an all round brilliant idea.

20Oct 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Dr. Ben Casey Cufflinks

20Oct 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Dr. Ben Casey Cufflinks

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Giving equal time today to Dr. Ben Casey as yesterday was Dr. Kildare’s day. Ben Casey was actually my first love. I swooned over his swarthy, dark looks and, truth be told, collected more Casey than Kildare. Although I acquired this actual pair of 3D lenticular “Ben Casey As Portrayed By Vincent Edwards Cuff Links” at Chic-A-Boom in Hollywood in 1980, I did actually have this exact pair as a kid. They went to school with me almost every day as I became fanatic about wearing blouses with long sleeves and cufflinks holes just so I could have Dr. Casey with me.

These “As seen on ABC Network TV” cufflinks were made by Bing Crosby Productions exclusively for Sears. Gerald Sears Sales Promotion Service, not THE Sears, in 1962.

Giving equal time today to Dr. Ben Casey as yesterday was Dr. Kildare’s day. Ben Casey was actually my first love. I swooned over his swarthy, dark looks and, truth be told, collected more Casey than Kildare. Although I acquired this actual pair of 3D lenticular “Ben Casey As Portrayed By Vincent Edwards Cuff Links” at Chic-A-Boom in Hollywood in 1980, I did actually have this exact pair as a kid. They went to school with me almost every day as I became fanatic about wearing blouses with long sleeves and cufflinks holes just so I could have Dr. Casey with me.

These “As seen on ABC Network TV” cufflinks were made by Bing Crosby Productions exclusively for Sears, Gerald Sears Sales Promotion Service, not THE Sears, in 1962.

25Sep 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Bacon Shoes

25Sep 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Bacon Shoes

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Nothin’ tastier in the morning then to slip on a nice pair of bacon shoes and go about your day. As someone who loves the meaty stuff, this is the perfect way to avoid all that grease and and keep your feet looking crisp and scrumptious all day. I have bacon bandages, bacon scarves, designer bacon everything, but the printing is so cheap on most of it it just looks like pink and red wavy stripes. But on these Keds it actually looks like the real thing.

08Sep 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Abilene High’s Pure Gold 2006 Performance of “September”

08Sep 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Abilene High’s Pure Gold 2006 Performance of “September”

This starts out looking like a performance in a dinner theater and quickly spirals into something out of “Hair”. Between ‘costumes’ from much earlier in the ’70s than when my song came out and the exceedingly Caucasian phrasing of the lyrics and choreography this is, in a Kitsch lovers universe, a stupendous rendition of “September”.

If you live in Los Angeles, come to Ghettogloss on Monday night, September 21 (“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”) for a party commemorating the opening of The Allee Willis Museum of Kitsch featuring karaoke versions of this song that changed the course of my career. Hopefully, you’re as skilled as the folks who took the stage at Abilene High.

This starts out looking like a performance in a dinner theater and quickly spirals into something that out of “Hair”. Between ‘costumes’ from much earlier in the 70s then when my song came out and the exceedingly Caucasian phrasing of the lyrics and choreography this is, in a Kitsch lovers universe, a stupendous rendition of September.

If you live in Los Angeles, come to Ghettogloss on Monday night, September 21 (“Do you remember the 21st night of September?”) for a party commemorating the opening of the Allee Willis Museum of Kitsch featuring karaoke versions of this song that changed the course of my career. Hopefully, you’re as skilled as the folks who took the stage at Abilene High.

06Sep 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Crab Straw Purse

06Sep 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Crab Straw Purse

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This crab has spent many a summer with me not to mention Labor Day weekend. Although she’s adorable and I get many compliments whenever I take her out, the top ‘hat’ lid constantly falls open so she’s a bit of a pain to spend time with. Not that there’s that much room to store anything other than essentials even if she remained shut tight. But style triumphs over function when something’s this cute.

Made of basket reeds and straw, many of the appendages have been stitched back onto the body with dental floss, making this crab purse quite the crafts project. The tipped beret, felt lips and cats eye marble eyes are special standouts.

In mere days she’ll be ready to burrow back into the sand for her winter hibernation so we intend to have a very good time this weekend indeed.

This crab has spent many a summer with me not to mention Labor Day weekend. Although she’s adorable and I get many compliments whenever I take her out, the top ‘hat’ lid constantly falls open so she’s a bit of a pain to spend time with. Not that there’s that much room to store anything other than essentials even if she remained shut tight. But style triumphs over function when something’s this cute.

Made of basket reeds, many of the appendages have been stitched back onto the body with dental floss, making this crab purse quite the crafts project. The tipped beret, felt lips and cats eye marble eyes are special standouts.

In mere days she’ll be ready to burrow back into the sand for her winter hibernation so we intend to have a very good time this weekend indeed.

03Sep 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – “I Can’t Believe I Ate The Whole Thing” Iron-On Patch

03Sep 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – “I Can’t Believe I Ate The Whole Thing” Iron-On Patch

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Introduced as the Alka Seltzer slogan in 1972, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing” became one of the most popular colloquialisms of its day. Glorified here as an iron-on embroidered fake fur patch, including a fake Rolling Stones tongue, this proclamation appeared everywhere from t-shirts to comedy sketches throughout the early 70’s.

Made by Rayberg Supply Co. of San Carlos, CA. the ‘Pik a Pocket’ fashion accessory didn’t go near any of my jeans – I always knew I ate the whole thing – but was slapped on many a more delicate bellbottom around the world.

The slogan roared back briefly in 2005 when Alka Seltzer trotted out Peter Boyle in his “Everyone Loves Raymond” Frank Barone character to moan and groan post food inhalation.

17Aug 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Touch O’ Soul Pantyhose

17Aug 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Touch O’ Soul Pantyhose

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Yes, the name and graphic are fantastic but couldn’t they have spent a little more time thinking about their target customer before they named the shade “Off Black”?! I’m pretty sure what shade the marketing guy at the Standard Hoisery Co. of Brandon, Miss. was… Not to mention that ‘pantyhose’ is one word.

09Aug 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – 1950’s Fishing Motif Shirt

09Aug 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – 1950’s Fishing Motif Shirt

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Classic and prototypical 50’s sports shirt, a prized possession of mine, worn only for the finest relaxing weekend occasions. Not a rip, stain, snag or anything on this honey. I’m not a fisherwoman but this vintage Catalina, the King of Atomic Age casual shirts, is the Katch O’ The Day for sure.

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05Aug 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – High Heel Bottle Opener

05Aug 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – High Heel Bottle Opener

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Bottle openers have captured the minds of designers since the Crown Cork metal bottle cap was patented by William Painter in 1892. This ladies shoe has a matching men’s oxford with the opener molded into the sole.

09Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Talking Julia Doll

09Jul 2009

Allee Willis’ Kitsch O’ The Day – Talking Julia Doll

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In 1968, not only did Julia become the first African American career woman on television but Diahann Carroll became the first African American lead ever in a TV series. Although it was dismissed by some for not being political enough and reflecting a more radical Civil Rights stance, Julia ran for 86 episodes and finally broke the color barrier on television.

I loved Julia most for all the memorabilia it spawned. I have the pull string talking doll shown here, the 3’x4′ promo poster that accompanied it’s release in 1970, three Viewmaster reels, Colorforms and four lunchboxes.

There’s another version of the doll called Julia Twist that comes dressed in a less elegant dressed in a nurses uniform and with a turnable waist. I used to own her but I twisted her too far and now am left with only upper Julia and lower Julia. Additional outfits, all Barbie fashions, had names like Brrr-Furrr, Candlelight Capers, Leather Weather, Pink Fantasy and Leather Weather and could be added to both Julia dolls, turning the reserved medical assistant into a bumpin’ party gal.

In 1968, not only did Julia become the first African American career woman on television but Diahann Carroll became the first African American lead ever in a TV series. Although it was dismissed by some for not being political enough and reflecting a more radical Civil Rights stance, Julia ran for 86 episodes and is credited with breaking the color barrier on television.

I loved Julia most for all the memorabilia it spawned. In addition to the pull string talking doll I have the 3’x4′ promo poster that accompanied it’s release in 1970, three Viewmaster reels, Colorforms and four lunchboxes.

There’s another version of this doll called Julia Twist that turns at the waist and comes with a very elegant wardrobe. I used to own her but I twisted her too far and now am left with only upper Julia and lower Julia. The outfits, all Barbie fashions, had names like Brrr-Furrr, Candlelight Capers, Leather Weather and Pink Fantasy and could be added to both Julia dolls, instantly turning the reserved medical assistant into a bumpin’ party gal.

Brrr-Furrr red: Candlelight Capers: