Remembering good times from childhood, college days, or even a recent fun memory can instantly boost your mood and brighten your day. Anything can trigger a good memory. A friend recently mentioned remembering exactly what I was wearing on a certain day – almost 20 years ago – after seeing someone in a similar ensemble. It's a good thing.
As MTV approaches the 30 year anniversary, I started to recall some of my favorite nostalgic childhood experiences and favorite things. As I saw Kiel James Patrick wish for a pair of vintage Dooney & Bourke Boat Shoes the other day on Facebook, I decided that vintage equals nostalgia, and that nostalgia is good.
Here are some things that still make me smile.
The Snoopy Sno-Cone machine was one of my favorite and most coveted, yes, coveted Christmas gifts one year. Now, the “Original” toy is for sale in Barnes and Noble. When I saw it in the store, the catchy tune instantly played in my mind. “It's the Yum Yum Fun that is cool and keen and it's name is the Snoopy Snow Cone Machine. You put ice cubes in and get a snow cone out."
Music is a major nostalgia trigger for me. I've always loved all kinds of music. Duran Duran is still one of my favorite 80s bands. I had such a crush on Simon Le Bon!
Of course, Skatehaven, the cool roller rink I used to frequent, tended to play more rock and pop than Duran Duran. I loved my roller skates with matching pom poms and toe stops. All of the boys and girls would skate separately or stand along the wall of the rink in groups until couples skate. Do you hear Wham's Careless Whisper playing in the back of your head now?
The Trapper Keeper was the must have binder for school. A normal three ring binder simply would not do. Each class had a section in the notebook. The collective sound of ripping Velcro as students opened the Trapper Keepers was a sign that class had begun.
My green raincoat with blue whales is a reversible preppy treasure, though I always loved the printed side the most. I was always preppy and my general style has not really ever changed. I like to think that I have simply matured and evolved while still being the same person I was as a child.
Some of my first expressions of fashion and style were created using my Fashion Plates. My sister and I would create oodles of designs for hours on end.
Long before cell phones, I felt like a rockstar to have my very own phone in my own room. Of course, my parents would never let me make or accept calls before or after certain hours, but I was in heaven to be able to talk on the phone in my room. Twirling the phone cord in my fingers as I
What kinds of things trigger happy memories for you? What toys, games, or clothing do you most remember from your childhood?
xoxo

pictures curated in my personal and pinterest collection