A couple of retro stops, and a stroll in the misty mountains...

Off to that great movie snack bar in the misty mountains: a surprisingly mellow Carpenters-inspired Dr. Pepper movie theater ad from the early 1970s.

Ahh, the joys of grocery shopping. There was a time when consumer product packaging was much, much more exuberant than it is now, and this very impressive Flickr slideshow of containers, labels and ads from the 50s through the early 80s brings that point home beautifully. Is it just me, or do those Dr. Pepper bottles just look like they'd contain something insanely enjoyable? (Caveat--I love Dr. Pepper so much that I ration it out, lest I need to switch to Diet Dr. Pepper eventually..)

Of course, if you've oversdosed on that sweetly carbonated ambrosia, there's no more fun way to work of those calories than a bit of roller disco--or perhaps a long jog in suede "bizarro Nikes" is more your speed? Whatever your suburban "leisure activity" of choice might be, chances are good that the 1980 JCPenney Fall-Winter Catalog had something to help you look your foxiest.

We'll boogie on back with more retro stops soon...