Slammerkin

Warning...This may not be the best book club read! A few members had trouble reading and/or finishing. So readers beware! It's a bit graphic but we had lots to talk about.

We headed back to London 1700's for an education in prostitution and many other things. We attempted to dress in our own versions of a Slammerkin. A red ribbon, corset or boning and a loose skirt was a must. A talented jewelry making member made everyone feather earrings & necklaces with red ribbon. Another member created t-shirts for everyone with the theme "reading is sexy."

If you plan to stay true to the book in the food department expect to be hungry & drunk!!! Lots of alcohol was mentioned but not much grub to munch along. We had a variety of breads and cheeses, tarts and london type foods. Don't forget the Hard Cider. CHEERS!

The Future Homemakers of America by Laurie Graham

A great book to set the scene of a fabulous fifties retro night!!! This book follows the friendship of a group of women who first meet during the 1950’s, and gave us the perfect excuse to wear our pearls and heels! From modern dresses inspired by the era, to actual vintage ones borrowed from grandma, we were able to look like we had just stepped out of an episode of “Leave it to Beaver”.

We discovered that antique malls are a great place to find 1950’s accessories such as those cute little white gloves and big, chunky clip -on earrings. One member raided her grandmas house and ended up with a cute milk glass pitcher set which we used to serve the book inspired Mojitos.

This book made the food choices particularly easy as it contains recipes throughout inspired by each character. A couple of the ones we tried were Crystal’s Sour-Cream Scallops, and Betty’s Famous Brownies…both turned out really good. Also served was a homemade peach pie, root beer floats, and of course we had to have a jello mold! And most fun of all, a couple of our group members who are blessed with sewing skills even whipped us up our own 50’s style aprons made out of retro floral bed sheets! For one night we looked like such perfect little homemakers…