Interview with Nick Richards of Boys Don’t Cry
September 3, 2011 Malibu, CA It was a beautiful day in Southern California as I drove through Malibu on my way to Nick Richards’ house for our interview. As I pulled into the drive, I was greeted with a sign on the gate that reads “Boogie Wonderland.” I took that to be a great start. I found Nick relaxed at home with family and friends in his beautiful retreat. After being greeted by the very friendly New Foundland, we moved to the...
Totally 80s at the Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles, CA September 2, 2011 We had a totally rad 80s weekend in Los Angeles, including stops at famous 80s locales and interviews with awesome 80s rockers (more on those in separate stories). This was my first time in LA, and the weather did not disappoint. While it was 100 degrees with 80% humidity back in Birmingham, it was a cool 65 and dry at the Hollywood Bowl on the night of the Totally 80s concert. We started the evening...
Feather Roach Clips
Back in the early 80s, feathered roach clips were all the rage in my elementary school. They were coveted prizes at the county and state fairs. Between rides on the Himalayan and the Swinger, you and your girlfriends might have won them by, say, tossing a ping-pong ball into an aluminum milk jug or playing Whack-a-Mole. (Meanwhile, the dudes were angling for framed mirrors sporting images of a Trans Am or Def Leppard.) These feathered...
Elastic Belts
By Julie Anderson An 80s girl’s silhouette was one of extremes: wide shoulders and full sleeves, baggy or skin-tight pants, and, often, a sharply defined, high waist. Elastic belts were an awesome accessory because they always fit snugly, while letting us breathe. What better way is there to rein in a blousy big shirt or slouchy shaker sweater over leggings? And when we wanted to tuck our shirts in, we needed belts that would sit up...
80s Party Costume Ideas: Ralphie from A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story was released in 1983 and became an instant holiday classic. Watching the sentimental family comedy about Ralphie, who oh-so-desperately wanted a Red Ryder BB gun from Santa, is still an important part of many of our holiday traditions. We love Flick, who froze his tongue to a pole, and Randy, in his ridiculously puffy snowsuit, but Ralphie is totally the coolest. http://youtu.be/uvMLfSQrHKE Because Ralphie had...
