St Michael Coffee Glass (1985)

Coffee, that jittery, brown stimulant of the overworked, is the unofficial national religion of Britain. First coming to these shores in the 16th century, coffee has remained a staple in getting us through our day. Fast forward to the specialty coffee shops of East London today, and you can see just how dramatically coffee has evolved - mine's a pink bourbon carbonic maceration, thanks. Back in the mid-1980s, however, and coffee, much like us, was a simpler, less pretentious affair.

Cadbury's Wildlife Bar - Project Book Offer (1986)

One of my most treasured memories of being a very young child in the mid-1980s is the treat of receiving a Cadbury's Wildlife Bar. To this day, I'm unable to fully express, in words, the pleasure that Cadbury's chocolate delivers. Does it taste different now to 40 years ago? I have no idea, and no one really does unless they have a time machine. Anyway, if one chocolate bar from the 1980s stands out to me, it's the Cadbury's Wildlife Bar. Aside from the world-beating taste, there was also the beautiful wildlife illustrations which adorned the wrappers.

One Day Bus Pass Poster (1985)

Lockdown was a funny old time, wasn't it? Kept apart from society and overdosing on baking and introspection, it was easy to descend into an unusual brand of madness. And, naturally, people presume that this was the unbalanced lull which caused me to purchase this majestically ephemeral London bus poster. But they would be wrong. Not mistaken, but wrong. Because while this was acquired mid-pandemic, I’d have had to be entirely insane not to buy it.

St Michael Knitted Track Top (1981)

Without question, this is my most adored artefact of vintage intent: a knitted track top (or is it a zipped cardigan?) which hails from Mark & Spencer under their unmistakeable St Michael brand. It is, and I say this without hyperbole, a monumental slice of early 1980s fashion. Not simply red in the way that a fire engine, post box, or lips on Valentine's Day are, this is all of those rolled into one and multiplied by the power of ten. It also featured that iconic St Michael logo - ubiquitous in the 1980s - which instantly creates a warming rush of nostalgia and reliability.

Casio SL-702C (1984)

So, the first bit of 1980s technology to be featured on Ephemeral 80s and, of course, it must wear that insignia of digital excellence - Casio. Better yet, it's a calculator, beloved of many a schoolchild - not for tackling fiendish mathematics, but instead for typing in absolute filth about the lack of mammary glands. Behold, the Casio SL-702C from 1984: a marvel of pocket technology, a gadget you'd slyly reveal to divine the mysteries of long division, or simply work out how much change you'd have from a tenner after a pint of mild.

I bought this little relic some years ago, since then, it's mostly gathered dust in my bedside drawer - yes, dear reader, this is the tragic peak of my bedroom activities. Whilst it's an undeniably charming scrap of circuitry, it's solar energy credentials are woefully weak - despite the claims of the packaging, and it clearly needs to be close to the surface of the sun to deliver its digits in bold. Yes, it's a tidy illustration of the era's technological ambition - and it comes in a sleek leather jacket - but in practice it merely limps you over the line when you're trying to free up your brain from the rigours of arithmetic. 

St Michael Cup and Saucer (1982)

Today's offering from Ephemeral 80s is this delightful stoneware cup and saucer which was sold by Marks & Spencer under their St Michael brand in 1982.

Acquired, a couple of years ago now, from the vintage bazaar which is Ebay, it came as part of a quarter still carefully wrapped in its original packaging - a bargain at just £11, including Royal Mail's begrudging trudge. with postage. And, my oh my, if this isn't the very essence of the early 1980s then I'm Boy George's teaboy. With a palette best described as "1982", it dabbles boldly in beige, flirts with brown and laces a grey hue throughout. Its visual appearance is as riveting as watching paint dry, but filled full of coffee in the morning, it gives you a proper Proustian jolt in stoneware. Far superior to any emoji-splattered cup of the 21st century.

The Sainsbury Book of Children's Party Cooking (1983)

As a youngster, there's nothing like the thrill of a party. From the frantic games through to the obligatory tantrums and pleasing finale of a goodie bag, they're fantastic experiences for all involved (aside from the hosting parents). But a party is nothing without a fine spread of food to soothe the rumbling tums of rampant children in need of fast-digesting carbohydrates. That's why The Sainsbury Book of Children's Party Cooking by Carole Handslip was such a must have for parents in the 1980s.