I Love a Wedding!

I love to look at wedding photos, I'm not that particular about who is in them. I read the wedding and celebration section of the NYTimes every week. I studied Bridal and Evening wear while at the School of Fashion Design, and white is one of my favorite (non) colors. I love seeing every bride's interpretation of her day in the spotlight. Hillary and Bill Clinton's daughter Chelsea was married this summer, and I've only seen a few photos, but I have to say, Chelsea was a gorgeous bride, but Hillary was a show stopper in that Oscar de la Renta gown. I think it's the prettiest she has ever looked.

Secret Show

We are sooo excited about "Secret Show" from Imaginary Friends Productions. They may be imaginary to some, but our dear friend Alexandra Polk did some of the costume work, and her brother-in-law (Joel Sebastian) was one of the masterminds behind the project. Words are not enough to describe, watch, and you will not be disappointed.

SECRET SHOW from Imaginary Friend Productions on Vimeo.

I can't get enough of this video, and am anxiously awaiting a full length version. Please share and repost.

Find them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Secret-Show/161914557173778

Favorite Things

With the mid-term elections over, I breath a sigh of relief that the negativity is behind us, and we can move forward to a more productive and positive few months. At least until Congress is back in session.

I wanted to write a blog about favorite things. Things that just make me happy. Perhaps they make you happy too.

kittens

warm blue ocean water

birds in a nest for breakfast

quiet

chanel lipstick

a well turned hem

vintage jewelry paste or real

warm showers

fresh crisp sheets

making fresh jam and pickles

duvet comforters

vintage table clothes with appliques

riding my bike

the smell of baby powder

a good knife in the kitchen

happy memories of an old friend

loving my husband

a new old song

dancing and knowing the steps

the new york times

fage yogurt

listening to KPCC on the vintage radio/record player

voting

morning french press coffee with cinnamon

thanksgiving dinner

pool parties with the girls

fluffernutter sandwiches

down duvet and feather pillows

laughing with abandon

vintage shopping

flea markets

photos of times and places i wish i had been

suffragettes

macintosh products

text messages

dior mascara

the new yorker

cheese, in all it's glorious incarnations

dirty martinis

the feeling after you've gone to the gym

silverlake reservoir

fall leaves in New Hampshire

fresh maple syrup

picking apples

weddings

essie nail polish in fish net stockings and

turquoise and cacos

s.c.a.i.r.

my Dad's cooking

the smell of tomatoes in the garden

memories of the backyard farm

swimming in the kangamangus river

snorkeling

fresh pineapple

pearls

birds in all their wonderful shapes and sizes

new shoes

the jon stewart show

cast iron skillets

my juki DDL-8700(with CP-160)

alden mason

craftsman houses

summer weather

dental floss

vintage silver flatware to use everyday

electric kettles

libraries

mason pearson hairbrushes

spanish style houses

girls night

coke a cola

finding a bobbin wound in the color you need

wedgewood china

hoodsie cups

griffith observatory

the charles river

my cousin neil's artwork

a new old vintage dress

honey bees

organized closets

napping

asparagus on the grill with olive oil

all the places i have been...

Library of Congress

Melrose, LA Juke Joint photo by Marion Post Wolcott

4th of July Celebration, photo by Marion Post Wolcott

Mrs. Viola Sievers Clinton, Iowa photo by Jack Delano

Washington DC, Shulman's Market photo by Louise Rosskam

Belle Glade, FL Juke Joint photo by Marion Post Wolcott

White Plains, GA photo by Jack Delano

School Children San Augustine County, TX photo by John Vachon

There are some images that I cannot absorb enough of, I came across this cache of photos from the Library of Congress, and they immediately captured me. I feel inexplicably connected with different historic events in time. Part of me is drawn towards the black community, in most eras of United States history. I could attribute part of that to having been raised by a very old fashioned black man, or simply, I have great empathy for their history, and a deep love of their culture.

These color! photos were all taken from 1940-1944 by various photographers in different parts of the country. There were more to the cache, but I'll save those for later. These are my personal favorites, and I wish I could have them grouped together in beautiful archival prints on my walls, as they should be seen.

All photos property of the Library of Congress

New England, glorious New England

We finally took our long awaited trip back to Boston/NH. Our trip was pushed back, because it coincided with the closing date of our new house. You know what they say about the best laid plans. I'm going to share a few photos of travels, which included, Portsmouth NH, The White Mountains, Kittery ME, Newburyport, Haverhill, and Boston. It was fun to see my old city (Boston) and to see things I consider ordinary through Bobby's eyes, who had never been to New England, or even the East Coast. We saw some old friends, spent a lot of time with family, and unfortunately a lot of time stuck in traffic. LA doesn't really have anything on the tri-state area in terms of congestion.

A big thanks to my Dad for all of his amazing cooking, and famous lasagna. Thanks to A.J. for making our 1st anniversary memorable with an out of this world dinner at Bricco in the North End. I miss all the fantastic Italian food already. There's just nothing that can hold a candle to it here in Los Angeles.

Casa Coddington Chateau Fournier

Posting some photos of our new abode. We love living here. It's been exhausting to put it together, but oh so worth it.

Cecil Beaton

Cecil Beaton shot so many of the iconic haute couture photos.

As I know from Fournier, the person behind the camera is as important

as the garments in front of it. He photographed for Vogue for five decades,

as well as portraits of the British Royal Family. He was knighted in 1972.

His work, which changed the face of fashion began in the early 1930s and

continued through the 1970s despite a stroke in 1974.