Betty knows the best way to start your day is with a pancake breakfast so why not plan a pancake party! Jesse from Our Labor of Love and Ashley of The Flashdance came up with this lovely setup with Once Wed. Use it as inspiration while planning your own get together. You can find similar vintage items on Etsy to help pull together your sweet event.
With it's milky green color, Jadeite is one of Betty's favorite collectibles. And if you love retro kitchenware, it is a must have! Betty acquired her first piece after buying a bag of flour which came with a small jadeite jar. She loved it so much she decided to purchase the rest of the set. It wasn't long before Betty moved on to collecting dishes, cake stands, mixing bowls and more. The glassware, which became hugely popular in the 1940's and 50's, was mostly produced by The Anchor Hocking Company as part of their Fire-King line. You can find lots of amazing examples on Etsy!
Betty may be an East Coast gal, but her fondness for California is deep. She visits The Golden State at least once a year. Whether spending time in Palm Springs or San Francisco, she always makes sure to soak up some West Coast sun which is why she loves the retro feel of this letterpress poster. From paperparasol, it would look great in any mid-century modern ranch!
Being the all American girl that she is, Betty loves the 4th of July. Every year she plans a festive barbeque, which her friends and neighbors rave about for weeks. Her Independence Day party is patriotic down to the smallest detail.
Before planning your own backyard bash check out this retro photo shoot by Tinywater Photography. It is sure to inspire! Then take a peak at Betty’s red, white and blue Etsy picks to help you recreate this summer event.
From top left: www.WantsandWishesDesign.etsy.com, www.prosttothehost.etsy.com, www.BirdCraftsShop.etsy.com, www.Abundancy.etsy.com, www.LemonThread.etsy.com, www.rule42.etsy.com, www.WhimsyQuilts.etsy.com, www.HeyYoYo.etsy.com
Photos: Jose Villa
Clockwise from top left: www.Birdie1.etsy.com, www.MissMossy.etsy.com, www.OctaviaBrown.etsy.com, www.SarahAnntiques.etsy.com, www.VintageInsanity.etsy.com, www.funretro.etsy.com, www.Elstreasures.etsy.com, www.ModishVintage.etsy.com
After purchasing their first black and white television in 1955, Betty discovered the TV Dinner. Perfect for busy weekdays, all Betty had to do was pop the aluminum tray in the oven for 25 minutes and supper was ready. Her family could then enjoy their meal while watching their favorite programs, I love Lucy and The Ed Sullivan Show.
In preparation for Valentine’s Day Betty would like to offer you some advice. Make sure your evening is sugary sweet and simply romantic. Betty and her husband head to the most chic French restaurant in town where they start with drinks at the swanky bar. Her husband looks dapper in his fitted suit and she defines classic beauty. After their meal they head home for dessert where they indulge in the Mocha Torte Betty baked that morning. She even makes sure the table is set with heart linens and her favorite pink coffee set. The evening is perfect down to the smallest detail.
With a little work you can have a flawless Valentine’s Day, too. Follow Betty’s decadent Mocha Torte recipe and your honey will surely swoon. Don’t forget dinner reservations for two at your favorite eatery. And, whether you are pretty in pink or ravishing in red, you are sure to turn heads in 1950’s designs.
Clockwise from top left: www.thegreedyseagull.etsy.com, www.BettysKitschen.etsy.com, www.fabgabs.etsy.com, www.bittersweetdesign.etsy.com, www.allencompanyinc.etsy.com, www.swaneegrace.etsy.com, www.RobertaGrove.etsy.com, www.hellcatvintage.etsy.com
Better Homes and Gardens: Pies and Cakes 1966
Mocha Torte
1 package 2 layer-size white cake mix
1 6-ounce package (1 cup) semisweet chocolate pieces
3 cups miniature marshmallows
1/2 cup milk
2 teaspoons instant coffee powder
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Bake in greased 13x9x2-inch pan. Cool; remove from pan. Cool completely.
For Mocha Frosting, combine chocolate pieces, marshmallows, milk and coffee powder in top of double broiler. Heat and stir over hot water till marshmallows melt. Remove from heat; cover and chill. Fold in whipped cream.
Cut cake in half lengthwise; with long knife, split each half of cake into 2 layers, using row of toothpicks to guide knife. Spread chilled Mocha Frosting between layers; frost top and sides. Cover and chill for several hours. Slice about 1 inch thick.
Betty can't help but love mid-century design. With star burst patterns and futuristic form who wouldn't want one of these pieces in their home? In the 1950's and 60's science and technology exploded into the American consciousness. As physics altered the way people thought about the atom and astronauts began to explore space, home decor changed along with it.
Every October Betty spends her weekends preparing for her annual costume party. She starts by transforming her house with devilish décor. Placing paper pumpkins on the table and candles on every shelf Betty's ranch becomes a haunted house. Surrounded by antique family photos, a ouija board is the perfect prop. For those more interested in the future Betty sets out fortune telling cards. But her favorite decoration is a set of poison cocktail glasses. So this weekend take the skeletons out of your closet, dig up your holiday décor and get into the spirit like Betty does every year!
Clockwise from top left: www.RetroPlaid.etsy.com, www.pickledpunk.etsy.com, www.pinkgrapefruitstyle.etsy.com, www.VintageVeritas.etsy.com, www.PatinaPosh.etsy.com, www.susantique.etsy.com, www.VintageFunland.etsy.com, www.lookinglasshouse.etsy.com
As the days get shorter and the nights turn cool, Betty decorates her home to celebrate the fall. But being the mid-century modern woman that she is Betty likes to mix in non-traditional colors like purple and gray to evoke the spirit of the season. Using leaf plates and trays at every meal and autumnal accents around her home, Betty brings the outdoors in. With cozy blankets in every room how can you resist getting wrapped up in the season? 
