The Retro Picnic ... Jell-O Recipes, Hamburgers and of Course Picnic Attire

It's summer. It's hot. Time to take things slow. Picnic's, Bar-B-Q and parties. And, every good Retro Girl wants to make the perfect dish and present her perfect self. Here are a few things we came up with ... to help if you are stumped as to what "dish" to take and how to dress like a "dish." : ) Enjoy!

You need a good hamburger to start with ... This sandwich (a copy cat of Shillito's Seven Hills Burger of the 1950s and 1960s; has been a topic on fellow columnist Marilyn Harris's radio show and one of her listeners posts this version on Web site.

Seven Hills Bar-B-Q Sandwich

• 11/4 pounds ground beef
• 1/4 cup diced onion
• 1/8 cup diced green pepper
• 1/2 tablespoon dry mustard
• 1/2 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste
  

Brown ground beef over medium heat, stirring to break into small pieces, with onion and green pepper. Stir in mustard, vinegar, ketchup and sugar. Cook over low heat 30 minutes or until liquid reduced as desired. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve on cheddar cheese buns (or top with grated cheddar cheese on an onion bun.) Makes 4 servings. (source)

And, you have to take a Jell-O dish. Jell-O was all the rage in the 50's ... matter of fact it still is a very big staple for today's picnics.... here's a nice Jell-O recipe to cool you off:

Lime Salad

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 pkg. Lime Jello
• 1 pkg. Philadelphia cream cheese
• 1 lemon (juice and rind)

When almost thick stir in:

• ½ pt. whipped cream
• one small can crushed pineapple (drained)

Want to look great... here's a few finds we found over the weekend!

These adorable Nautical Shoes are really cool looking!

SAIL AWAY SLINGBACKS which would look great with these adorable Nautical shorts and nautical tee. or if you want to go more comfortable .... these really cute psychobilly / rockabilly canvas slipons with the skull cherry motif:

DRAVEN CHERRIES & SKULLS SLIP

Lucy Love Bettie Shorts Lucy Love Betty Shorts. Super short navy shorts. Front pockets have white stitched anchors. White button for closure. 97% Cotton, 3% Spandex. Made with love in the U.S.A. $36.00

PRINTED SCOOP with nautical anchor stripes and of course , you have to have a purse. Our pick ... this adorable Cherry Tote. Big enough for your girly stuff and to put a couple of bags of chips in!

CHERRY ON TOP BEADED BAG

Bernie Dexter ... Fashion Icon

Bernie Dexter... one of the most popular models for pinup clothing... I thought it might be nice to post her info online for those who don't know who she is (although that would be hard to believe : ) ) If you notice, she is modeling most of the items from our Get Go Retro Site. From her site:

Hi, my name is Bernie Dexter. I am a rockabilly girl who lives the rockabilly lifestyle. I have been modeling for about four years now & enjoying it very much! I draw my inspiration from the music I listen to & culture I surround myself in. One of my favorite performers from the 1950's is Johnny Burnette. I also draw inspiration from vintage girlie magazines & Exotique books that I have collected over the years. John Willie is my favorite exotique artist. I have also always been fascinated with starlets of the silver screen 50s burlesque! When I was a child, I used to tell my mom I wanted to be a movie star! Not the kind from today, but the kind from the glamorous 1940's or 1950's! My mother was a burlesque dancer, so I guess you can say it runs through my veins! I do not do live burlesque, but do love to make home movie dance clips & still photos. As a child, I would stand at my mothers side & watch her apply her make up. I was amazed by the transformation. She even used false eyelashes! I think that is where I learned most of my own make up techniques. However, I am a licensed cosmetologist & worked for M.A.C. Cosmetics in the mid 1990's. M.A.C. is where I learned to be free & creative. Quite often people think I resemble a certain pin up queen Miss B. It is not my intention to emulate her & personally, I NEVER really thought so. She is amazing & one of a kind. I am also one of a kind;)