Good Housekeeping The Best Of The 1950s

Good Housekeeping’s modern approach to tradition is archetypal of 1950s living as the post-war age of the consumer brought about massive changes in the home. Out with the old and in with the new; the open-plan, fitted kitchen with its brand new appliances was the housewife's domain. A renaissance of 50s-style living is now being witnessed in our ultra-modern society as we see a growing interest in the culture and skills that have been forgotten or recently ignored. Not only in philosophy, but also practically, in fashion, beauty and lifestyle, we are simultaneously looking back and pushing forwards under the influence of this effervescent decade. Lovingly selected from Good Housekeeping’s archive, this nostalgic facsimile reproduction of the food, fashion, fiction and fitness features that formed the backbone of Britain’s wartime homemaking is sure to delight and inspire. Including stories and adverts, along with cleaning and craft tips for the perfect housewife this is the ultimate window on to domestic life at the time and empathetic history.

In Perfect Wives in Ideal Homes, Virginia Nicholson tells the story of women in the 1950s: a time before the Pill, when divorce spelled scandal and two-piece swimsuits caused mass alarm. Turn the page back to the mid-twentieth century, and discover a world peopled by women with radiant smiles, clean pinafores and gleaming coiffures; a promised land of batch-baking, maraschino cherries and brightly hued plastic. A world where the darker side of the decade encompasses rampant prostitution, a notorious murder, and the threat of nuclear disaster. Perfect Wives in Ideal Homes reconstructs the real 1950s, through the eyes of the women who lived it. Step back in time to where our grandmothers scrubbed their doorsteps, cared for their families, lived, laughed, loved and struggled. This is their story.

From the Orange Prize winning author of HomeAcclaimed on publication as a contemporary classic, Housekeeping is the story of Ruth and Lucille, orphansgrowing up in the small desolate town of Fingerbone in the vast northwest of America.Abandoned by a succession of relatives, the sisters find themselves in the care of Sylvie, the remote and enigmatic sister of their dead mother. Steeped in imagery of the bleak wintry landscape around them, the sisters' struggle towards adulthood is powerfully portrayed in a novel about loss, loneliness and transience.'I love and have lived with this book . . . it holds a unique and quiet place among the masterpieces of 20th century American fiction.' Paul Bailey'I found myself reading slowly, than more slowly--this is not a novel to be hurried through, for every sentence is a delight.' Doris Lessing

It is intended that women be happy and successful in their homemaking. Being a homemaker is a divine appointment and is a woman’s greatest calling. It should be rich in the rewards of joy, satisfaction and accomplishment. All too often, however, women feel confused, distraught or bored with their role as homemakers. They frequently dread each day, live for the time when their children will be raised so they can be released from it all, or they escape from their responsibilities to their home and family and return to the business world. Other women do enjoy their homemaking activities but find their work consumes most of their day and there is little time for other interests. Many women are wonderful homemakers and managers but are eager for new ideas and skills to make their homemaking even more effective and satisfying. To all of these women, this book offers a practical guide to happier homemaking. It recalls to mind the significance of homemaking and gives their attitude a lift. When the suggestions concerning order and efficiency, methods and approaches are applied, coupled with the workable plan which systematizes the routine duties, women will find their interest in homemaking greatly increasing and that there will be time to get their work done and enjoy creative activities, family fun and personal development. This is not just a book on how to keep house; it offers a way of life which will bring joy and satisfaction to the homemaker and rich, happy experiences to every family member.

An illustrated, nostalgic how-to guide to achieving a clean, organized, and happy home—with over 500 retro tips and tricks! Return your household to the simpler times of yesteryear with this delightful guide full of time- and money-saving tips on everything from cleaning and organizing your home to buying and handling food. Even in an age of endless new household products and devices, these old-fashioned, tried-and-true methods can help any homeowner keep a cleaner, happier home. A thoroughly researched compendium of the best American home life tips from the 1920s through the ’60s, Classic Household Hints is filled with useful information, full-color illustrations, fascinating sidebars, and quotes—providing practical help as well as fun for housekeepers and neat freaks everywhere.

A cookie for every craving: From classics like chocolate chips to decadent delights (hello, skillet cookie sundae), this collection will become your go-to baking book. Everyone loves a cookie! Whether you go right to the chocolate or are more of a buttery shortbread fan, there's a special cookie here just for you. The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen presents their best-ever, tested-‘til-perfect recipes so you can find your soulmate in sweetness. Plus, a chapter devoted to holiday cookies will become your favorite for celebrations all year round. Chapters include: BAKE YOUR BEST COOKIES: Classic Sugar Cookie Dough, Spice Cookie Dough, Royal Icing, tips for decorating like a pro, and gifting and sharing cookies DROP COOKIES: Strawberry-Oatmeal Cookies, Glazed Sourdough Snickerdoodles, Razzy-Jammy Thumbprints, Ginger Crinkles SLICE & BAKE COOKIES: Matcha Cookies, Chocolate-Pistachio Slice & Bakes, Lemon Icebox Cookies, Lime & Coconut Coins, Pecan Crescent Cookies BARS, BLONDIES & BROWNIES: Millionaire Shortbread, Orange-Turmeric Squares, Brown Butter Hazelnut Blondies, Double-Stuffed Brownies SPECTACULAR COOKIE CREATIONS: Alfajores, Apple Pie Rugelah, Homemade Honey Graham Crackers, Cookie Shooters, Homemade Fudgy Ice Cream Sandwiches, Skillet Cookie Sundaes, Walnut Biscotti HOLIDAY COOKIES: Chinese Almond Cookies, Jammin’ Heart Cookies, Hamantaschen, Nan-e Berenji, Lemon Curd Egg Cookies, Chocolate Dipped Macaroons, Coffin Sandwich Cookies, Nankhatai, Gingerbread Sandwich Cookies, Fruitcake Crisps Whether you're baking for a special occasion or just for a sweet treat, you'll find tons of inspiration from the gorgeous photographs, clever ideas from the Test Kitchen editors (including gifting tips to pack them like a pro!), and inventive variations that all come out perfectly every single time.

A collection of over 1,400 recipes each featuring step-by-step instructions, including 900 color photographs of finished dishes.