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About Ann

Ann is a web assistant and project manager with Retro Planet. After prior stints in the advertising and publishing worlds, she has found her place with the company. She is a serious anglophile and history buff, with a passion for anything from the past, especially retro inspired decor.

Practical Gifts: Pu Pu Platter with Hibachi

Image of Pu Pu Platter with Hibachi

Practical yet unique, a Pu Pu Platter with Hibachi can serve many purposes. The platter can be used as a serving dish or as a table centerpiece. Ideally, though, this baby is great for making s’mores, cooking appetizers, and flame-cooking meat. It’s great for get-togethers, and guests will enjoy cooking their own food to order. [...]

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Unique Gifts: Magic Cymbal Monkey Toy

Classic Monkey Cymbal Toy

This Magic Cymbal Monkey Toy is a remake of an old classic. Battery operated, he clangs his cymbals as he hops around and chirps. Many different cymbal monkeys have been made since the 1950s. The original – called the Musical Jolly Chimp – was made by Japanese company Daishin C.K. during the ’50s, ’60s and [...]

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Neon Signs: Their History & Role in Today’s Decor

First neon sign in US.

Neon signs have a rich and exciting history that dates back to the early 1900s. Theories leading to the creation of today’s neon signage began development around 1675, but it would take more than two centuries for neon itself to be discovered. Neon is a rare, inert gas that can be extracted from the atmosphere. [...]

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Mr. Potato Head’s 60th Birthday

Mr Potato Head Toy Story Playskool Toy

Nearly every American toddler will inevitably become acquainted with Mr. Potato Head, either by owning one or through exposure to our popular culture. Thanks to his appearance in Pixar’s “Toy Story” movies, Mr. Potato has become a highly recognizable pop icon. And 2012 marks Hasbro’s 60th birthday celebration of Mr. Potato Head’s introduction into the [...]

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Oreo Cookie 100th Birthday Celebration

Nabisco Oreo Cookies Sign

Perhaps you’ve seen the limited edition Birthday Cake Oreo cookies in your local supermarket lately. (If you haven’t tried them, I recommend it. They really do taste just like a birthday cake!) These yummy treats have been issued to celebrate the 100th birthday of the classic Oreo Cookie. Yes, the delicious chocolate cookie with the [...]

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The Pink Flamingo is Lawn Kitsch with a Colorful History

Pink Lawn Flamingo Pair

What is pink, has four legs and stands about 3 feet tall? Why, a pair of plastic pink flamingoes, of course! These hugely popular lawn ornaments have been gracing the lawns of homes all across America since they were first introduced to the market in 1957. The creator of the pink plastic lawn flamingo is [...]

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Fisher-Price Authentic Retro Toys

Retro Pull Toy Telephone

Fisher-Price is likely the most well-known and trusted name when it comes to toys for tots and they have been since the 1930s. Many of us grew up playing with at least a few of these terrific toys, and if you had younger siblings like I did, saw them play with the newer releases once [...]

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Share Your Retro Style Thanksgiving Recipes

Everyone has particular recipes they remember from family Thanksgivings of years past. Many of us feel we can’t properly celebrate the holiday without having certain dishes appear on the table year after year. I know this to be true in my own case. For me it is my Mother’s sweet potato casserole with crushed pineapple [...]

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November is now Movember!

Groucho Marx Mustache Glasses

In case you have not already heard, November is now known as Movember to the many contributors to a cause that is dedicated to the awareness of men’s health issues. With very humble beginnings in Australia in 2003 (with 30 registered members), Movember has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, with nearly half a million members [...]

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My Week With Marilyn

My Week with Marilyn movie poster

Given her brief time in the limelight, few people have influenced our culture so profoundly as Marilyn Monroe. She is an enduring icon that has been celebrated and imitated since her death in 1962. Movies have been made in the hope of shedding some light on her private life, including her interactions with other celebrities. [...]

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Public Telephone History

Crosley Retro Telephone the Dial Telephone

Most people know that Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone in 1876. But did you know that the first public phone was installed in 1878? And it came with a little something extra—an attendant! This was necessary because early pay telephones were not able to accept coins. How it worked was the attendant initiated the [...]

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Retro 50s Decorating with Oilcloth Tablecloths

Oilcloth Table Cloths Look Retro

Post-WWII America and its people enjoyed unprecedented renewal and economic growth. Many people were delighted to find that they had disposable income after the meager wartime rationing and shortages. This meant they were able to spend money to beautify their homes, and this included purchasing stylish kitchen linens. And yet, people had not completely forgotten [...]

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Retro Lunchroom Decorating

RetroPlanet Kitchen Dinette Set

Recently we decided to freshen up the RetroPlanet company lunchroom. If you haven’t seen pictures of it before, our employee breakroom is filled with our great retro style furniture, giving it the look of an authentic 50s diner and making it a fun place to lunch or take a break for all of us, as [...]

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Retro Tiki Cocktail: Singapore Sling

Singapore Sling Cocktail in Blue Mermaid Mug

The Singapore Sling is truly an exotic cocktail. As the name suggests, it was created in Singapore by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon (he worked at the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel).  The precise date is not known, but the creation of the concoction took place some time between 1900 and 1915. As with other [...]

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