Vintage Maternity Wear

My waistline will soon be expanding, in fact I'm ashamed to admit that it already appears to be heading that way! I think its because it already knows the way to go, it thought it would go ahead and start on its way. So I'm already thinking ahead, thinking of maternity wear and with my fetish for all things vintage I've naturally been on the look out for some cute 50s or 60's maternity wear. There appears to be very little about, I may have to resort to wearing some retro remakes.

I've tried ebay with little luck and I realise I am unlikely to come across anything in my local charity shops and vintage shops, but I shall persevere and keep looking. I've found a few sites with cute maternity clothing that embrace my retro flair so I'll post a list of them here. If anyone has any links to add feel free to post them.

Just a little help for all the hot Mommas-to-be out there:

http://www.pinupmama.com/

http://www.babiesnbellies.com/shop/

http://www.mamasanmaternity.com/ (my personal fav)

http://www.rockstarmoms.com/

http://www.stellamaternity.com/

http://www.thevelvetvault.com/galsmaternity.html

http://www.peacockandstrutt.com/products.php?id=103 (sexy lingerie)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30192125&ref=sr_gallery_3&&ga_search_query=retro+maternity&ga_search_type=all&ga_page=6&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title (cute pinup inspired t-shirt)

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=27609279&ref=sr_gallery_5&&ga_search_query=pinup+maternity&ga_search_type=all&ga_page=&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title (swimsuit)


We didn't want to look like boring old housewives before and we sure as hell don't now either!

Momma's Meatloaf Recipe

My American Momma's Classic Meatloaf Recipe. I thought this would be a good recipe to share considering that many housewives are having to stretch the pennies just a little bit further these days. I will be cooking this tonight for my family, why not give it a try and let me know what you think. Also please let me know what changes or family recipes you have!

So here is the recipe for meatloaf:

2 pounds of ground beef

2 eggs

1/2 cup tomato paste

2 cups of cracker crumbs or instant oatmeal (put 1 1/2 cups of oatmeal or crumbs in the mixture and reserve about 1/2 cup to put on outside of meatloaf)

3/4 cup minced onion or about 1 onion

1/4 cup green pepper chopped (about 1/2 of a pepper)

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons horseradish (you can leave it out)

2 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp dry mustard or about 1/4 teaspoon mustard (can leave out)

1 large can of tomato sauce and about 1/2 cup of water (don't put this in the mixture you will pour this over the meatloaf after you form the loaves) You can also use tomato juice instead.

I put all of this in a big bowl and mix it with my hands-it is messy.

Make flat oval loafs (it makes 2 of them) You can freeze one for later before you bake it or you can 1/2 the recipe. Pour over the tomato sauce. Bake at 450 degrees Fahrenheit--don't know Celsius for about 50-60 minutes covered. I usually take the lid or foil off the last 10 minutes.

There you have it- it is easy.

I usually accompany mine with peas and mashed potatoes. That combination just screams comfort food to me. Enjoy!

How D'Ye Do And Shake Hands

How D'Ye Do, my name is Ashley and this is a blog for all the unconventionally conventional. Those that, like me, find themselves more comfortable in the traditional role of housewife, but that do it in their own unique way. A twist on the original. We wouldn't want to be seen as passé or boring now would we ladies? No, there is much more to being a housewife then one might think. I would like to explore the housewives of the past and present, and try and understand each individual take on homemaking, as well as providing hints and tips and my own journal of failures and successes as a Bizarre Housewife.

This is for those of you who feel a strong connection to the past. Who understand the importance of our role within the home and strive for something that seems to be fading out of existence in our modern world. Although saying that, I do not wish us to be viewed as shrinking violets, who kowtow to our husbands or partners and do not hold opinions of our own. Politics and pancakes go quite well together in our world.

Housewives, despite popular belief, do not have to be dowdy frumps. Instead I prefer to think of myself as an accidental portrait of a pin up girl. Ironing in a corset and heels (it really does make the mundane much more fun) or finding delight in getting my skirt caught on the vacuum cleaner or the wind naughtily blowing it up. I prefer these images of fun and frivolity to model myself upon, and they give me hope that even burning the dinner or falling over in heels can look sexy, if only you look from the right angle!