What is it about our childhood memories that make us long to bring the past into the present?
(Related: Is Big Brother ALWAYS watching?)
Above: Whitby, 1979. My parents can take credit for the cute kids, but not the snazzy wallpaper, retro red carpet or shiny linoleum. The photo was taken at a friend’s. And apparently, this friend was bad ass.
If you’re a social media addict, you’ll have noticed the popularity of #tbt, or #ThrowbackThursday. It’s a once-a-week chance to share our photo memorabilia; a chance to laugh at plaid bell bottoms (on our parents, of course), reminisce about birthdays and holidays passed, or simply show off our gorgeous baby pictures. It’s the opportunity to connect our past and present in a lighthearted, meaningful way which often draws in friends, family – even complete strangers. (Hands up if you’ve sighed over Ian Somerhalder’s #tbts? Yup, me too.) Over the months, I’ve become a staunch follower of the nostalgia it invokes.
Above: Toronto, 1980. I am 2 years old, and my brother and I lounge on the hood of my dad’s prized 1978 Mercury Cougar XR7. We are from a generation that stayed out until the streetlights came on, and rode our bikes for miles. We skipped on the sidewalk, drank water from a hose and always remembered to say our prayers before bedtime. This is my throwback.
In 2014, I will be participating in #tbt courtesy of the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One printer.
“Consumer-rated unbeatable photo quality and full-featured functionality make the Expression Premium XP-810 the ultimate choice for printing. Ultra powerful and ultra slim, this space saver produces stunning borderless photos and documents quickly and affordably. Featuring the ultimate in wireless printing, the XP-810 makes it easier than ever to print from your iPad, iPhone, tablet or smartphone, whether in your home or out and about. And, it boasts 2-sided printing, plus a 30-page Auto Document Feeder for auto 2-sided copying, scanning and faxing. The intuitive 3.5″ touchscreen, dedicated photo tray, specialty paper support and CD/DVD printing mean you’re ready for any project.”
From printing our newest photos to scanning ones from years past, I am in love with the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One printer. Set up couldn’t be easier, the text is sharp and the colours are vivid on printed documents, and with a wireless network, we can share one printer with multiple computers in my home. It is truly one of the best printers I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing, and it will be my go-to for every #ThrowbackThursday.
Click here to learn about the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One printer.
that’s a great photo
Thanks Mr. Disco!
Loved it but cmon Lena, show us more photos!!! I’m a sucker for the old days.
Hahaha you’ll see exactly 52 more photos, because I’ll be posting one every week! Trust me, some are downright hilarious :)
Love it! I want more photo’s too, I love the retro things, I am a baby of the 60s and oh my there is a lot of things between then and now!
Oh, I would love to see your #tbts! There was a lot of good (and bad) fashion between then and now for sure!
What a lovely photo! Looks like it printed out wonderfully with such high quality!
Thanks Janet – actually it was scanned with the Epson Expression Premium XP-810 Small–in–One, and I am absolutely thrilled with the quality!
HAHA! The top photo is hilarious :)
The one of you two on the car- what a wonderful photo :) It looks like an ad for something.. Love it :)
Thank you Soozle :) I love looking back at photos from the late 70’s – such an amazing time.
Those are great photos. The 70’s were quite a time.
They certainly were! And the 80’s were awesome too :)
I love the photos Lena – especially the one on the hood of your dad’s car. Both you and your brother look so adorable.
Thank you Marissa! Those were the good ol’ days!
I love looking at peoples photos, adorable, look at the curls!
Hahaha indeed! It’s so nice to take a stroll down memory lane. I’m really looking forward to participating in #tbt this year!
That sitting on the car picture is sooooo cute!!
Thank you Stephanie!
Those pictures are so cute! I can’t believe how good the quality of those photos are!
Thanks Victoria – but that’s the great thing about the Epson – the pictures actually aren’t *that* great quality but the scanner picked up every detail and enhanced the digital photo!
Love the throw back photos and might I say Reid looks like you in the first picture. Great quality for a scanned photo.
Thanks Tricha! Yup, Reid took one look at the photo and said “Hey, I don’t wear a dress!” He thought it was a photo of himself, LOL.
Wow the scanning quality of that printer looks amazing! Love the pictures and can’t wait to see what other ones you have to share!
Thank you Judy! Love my new printer and can’t wait to use it for more creative projects in the months to come!
oh my goodness how CUTE were you?!
LOL thanks Angie!
I need to find all my photos (they are in a box in the basement “somewhere”) – boy would they be a million laughs seeing the crinoline dresses my mom and aunt used to put me in as a baby and toddler !! LOL
Love this idea, and looking forward to a year of trips down memory lane with you :)
Flora, I would love to see those photos – especially the crinoline dresses! The Epson printer is currently on sale – a great time to scan those photos and preserve them.
Great photos and post. Brings back memories of orange shag carpeting and baby blue and lavender bathrooms. :)
Ah, love seeing photos from the 70’s and 80’s – especially the ones with orange shag carpeting!
Great pictures. Love the car. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Florence :)
Oh my goodness….these pictures are toooo cute!!!! Look at those eyes – the definition of adorable puppy dog eyes! And wow, Reid really does resemble you so much!
And such style even at a young age – both those dresses are adorable, and would look cute on a toddler today. Can’t say the same about some of my childhood clothes – why did people in the 70s love mustard so much LOL?
I can honestly say that Reid is a carbon copy of me with the eyes and smile. And I have my mom to thank for my stylish threads – she sewed all my clothes!
Cute photos! :) I agree with the others that there is a definite resemblance to your little guy! Looking forward to more!
Thanks Nicole! I’m looking forward to sharing more as well!
Those are great photos! Love the badass apartment too.
Hahaha thanks! Wish we still kept in touch with those folks :)
Those photos are classic!
The 70s brings back memories for me of arriving in Canada, the first Star Wars (later finding out it’s actually the 4th), Happy Days, disco, jumpsuits and funky times. That’s another thing, lots of memorable slang used during that decade.
Looking forward to seeing more blasts from your past…
P.S. If that car you and your brother were sitting on had glasses, it would be similar to Mel Dorado…hahah.
Hahaha I love the way you always see Cars now – I do too, and yes, the Cougar strikes a remarkable resemblance to Mel Dorado!
p.s. Bring a shoebox of photos next time you come over.
Great photos! I love throwback/back in the day photos because we get to see how much technology, cars, and even home decor as changed!
So, so true. Especially when looking at technology! I chuckle when I see televisions and VCRs from the 80’s.
That is some crazy wallpaper and carpeting!
It’s the 70’s, so I believe the word is “funky”.
Ha ha, have to agree with the above comments that the 1st pic looks like Reid with slightly longer hair and curls. Cute!
My husband thinks the resemblance is uncanny, hahaha!
Cute photos Lena!
Thanks Caryn!
Not only is that printer awesome, but doesn’t it make you want to stare at the photo longer and wish time stopped? Great photos!!!
I completely agree. I wish I could visit that day, go back in time, see the world as it was then.
Such a cute pic and a great quality for a scan!
I agree! Thanks Athena!
There is nothing like going through the photo album, reminiscing thegoodtimes
I swear that you two are the cutest kids ever! Your picture make me kind of miss the big old cars that were so comfy.
Awwww the two of you are soooo cute!!