The King's Speech, Colin Firth and We Know Its Wrong But It Looks Good

I saw The King's Speech this week. It is the story of George VI and his debilitating stammer. I loved it.

 Here's what I liked about this movie
1. Colin Firth
2. A beautifully told story.
3. Amazing acting by Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush and Helena Bonham Carter.
4. Wonderful period sets and costumes. Upper class England in the 1930's. The hats are delightful and they
    take smoking to a whole new level of sophistication. We all know its wrong but it sure looks good.

See this movie. You won't be disappointed.

Merry Christmas

Someone had a BIG ladder
                                                                    
Hope your Christmas is filled with Joy, Smiles and Laughter.
                                                                  Merry Christmas

Black Swan

I saw the movie Black Swan over the weekend. Words I would use to describe this movie and Natalie Portman's performance are wicked, sensual, compelling, powerful, gripping, disturbing and beautiful.

If you find those adjectives appealing see Black Swan.

Santa Channeling Marilyn

Best Holiday window display? It's going to be difficult to beat this display from the window of  the Ted Baker/London store in Chicago.  Santa ala Marilyn Monroe. I think it's a winner.

Time For The Glue Gun

It was time to get the glue gun out this week. My Christmas wreath, of at least ten years, needed updating. The color for this holiday season, fuchsia.  Hope your holidays are bright.

Another Gorgeous Painting From Muriel Eulich

Another gorgeous painting from Muriel Eulich. As always her use of color is wonderful and because of her use of reflection there is beauty times two. The simple subject matter is perfect for the vibrant and dynamic colors.
Love it!

Tangled The Review

The reviews are in. Tangled is a hit. This according to the granddaughters.  The rating system: Good, Very Good or Fantastic.
First Reviewer 7 year old
Fantastic
What made Tangled fantastic?
Maximus, the horse, he's good at fights and he's funny.
Rapunzel, also funny and she can use her hair to tie people up.
Pascal, the chameleon, he looks out for Rapunzel and he can change colors!

Second Reviewer 10 year old
Good
Why good?
Maximus is a good fighter.
Likes Pascal, he sticks up for Rapunzel. It would have been better if there was more action.
( I detected a bit of an attitude.)

Grandma Review
Very Good
Rapunzel was not your typical damsel in distress. She is smart, strong and loyal. I like that.

Tangled

I enjoy Thanksgiving. I'm looking forward to it but the day before is even better for me. For the past few years I gather up the granddaughters and have a day with them. For us this means a day at the movies. This year's selection is Tangled. I can hardly wait.

Tangled is an updated version of Rapunzel. I'm sure there will be a review to follow. Hope your pre Thanksgiving is as wonderful as mine.

Anthropologie

One of my favorite stores is Anthropologie. It is a great place for a little retail therapy.  Lately I've been thinking about special pieces for table settings and I'm always on the look out for special accessories.

This stacked teapot and sugar bowl is actually a charming vase. Love it.

This shade of purple, aubergine, is beautiful.  The color and details make this platter a wonderful addition to a table.

These Marie Antoinette-ish plates are too good to be true. I would never eat off  them. I would find a special place and hang them on a wall to look at and admire everyday.

These colorful, joyous plates would make any time a special occasion.
Where do you shop when you need a retail fix?

The King's Speech

I am so looking forward to this movie. First, Colin Firth is in it. That's enough. It is the story of King George VI and his struggle to overcome a crippling stammer.  He was never meant to be King but when his brother Edward abdicated he had no choice. The crown was his, stammer and all.

Helena Bonham Carter plays the wonderful Elizabeth.

Can't wait to see the sets and costumes.
Will you be going to see The King's Speech?

Miss Pettigrew, Sets and Costumes

A favorite movie of mine is Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. It is a tale of a down on her luck woman who has one incredible day that changes the direction of her life.

Miss Pettigrew's drab and tattered wardrobe is exaggerated by the sleek, glamorous set decoration.

Much of the movie takes place in a 1930's  flat with Art Deco interiors. It is the home of a devious night club owner and Delysia Lafosse, an ambitious singer/actress.  Miss Pettigrew's drab appearance and the flat's glamorous style is a wonderful visual combination that quickly tells this fish out of water tale. Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is a charming, well acted and visually beautiful movie.

Set decoration by Katie Spencer

Costumes by Michael O'Connor

Miss Pettigrew  Frances Mc Dormand

Delysia Lafosse  Amy Adams

Versailles, Chandeliers and Art

I love this photo of the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles. The chandeliers are breathtaking. I would like to be left in this room by myself so I could take it all in. It absolutely amazes me

I recently came across this photo of the hall which features an art installation by the Japanese artist Murakamo. What a great setting to show this colorful art. The Hall of Mirrors with all its elegance and reflection is an amazing background for Murakamo's art. What is interesting to me is how something not created for the space can look so wonderful and at home in it.

Animals, Architecture and Granddaughters

Recently I took the granddaughters to the zoo.  We always enjoy a trip to see the animals.  It was a beautiful day and we had a wonderful time .

We saw all kinds of animals. This photo of the zebras is one of my favorites. It was taken by granddaughter #1. I love the way she captured the water being sprinkled over the zebras.

All of the years and times I've been to the zoo this was the first time I saw a mother nursing its babies. It was a sweet moment to share with the girls.

And of course the giraffes. I like the way he is peeking around the tree.

Another highlight of the St Louis Zoo is the architecture. Architect John Wallace began working and designing at the zoo in 1917. The buildings he designed have been updated and they are still an important part of the zoo. He designed buildings in a Spanish style. He also added carved details showing the animals that were housed in each building. Shown in this photo is the Herpetarium, home to reptiles.

The entrance to the Herpetarium is elegant and filled with all sorts of creepy crawly things.

An alligator lintel.

Carved monkeys welcome you to the Primate House. John Wallace must have had an active imagination.

The colorful birds give the facade to the The Bird House a tropical look.  The interior of the building continues the bird motif. Bird carved capitals top the columns throughout the space.

The girls and I had a great day. Its good to be the Grandma.

Muriel's Art

My friend, Muriel Eulich, is an amazing artist. She works in watercolors and creates gorgeous paintings. Vibrant, spirited paintings full of life and joy. Her current work is a series featuring women and pearls.

The paintings are filled with movement, intense colors and graceful figures.
                

Each work tells a story. I feel a dream like quality in each painting.

The creative Muriel in her studio.

Chanel Ready To Wear Spring Summer 2011

                                     
Beautiful clothes, beautiful accessories, a Chanel fashion show is full of these.  Classic, elegant, spirited, chic, these all describe the amazing Chanel designs.  What is also amazing is the intense energy generated by one of these events. Creative chaos at its best.

 The creative energy is what inspires me most in these photos.  Love the movement, the spirit, the joy expressed.

Creative energy on the move.

Gable Heflin Cooper Stewart

1957 A party at Romanoff's in Beverly Hills. Photo by Slim Arons
This is one of my all time favorite photos. It isn't a movie set, its a party and these four guys are having a laugh together. A great candid moment with four of the top actors and movie stars of their day. Love the expressions on their faces. I'd say they were having a good time.

Chanel's Chandelier

If Coco Chanel had designed a chandelier I think it would have looked like this. The chandelier is 60" high. Miles and miles of pearls.

The Closet Of My Dreams Courtesy Of Nanette Lepore

I am loving this closet. The look, the size, the beautiful rug and mirrored furniture. This is a wonderful room.
                                                          photo from Elle Decor

Mad Men and Gorgeous Women

I am big fan of the TV show Mad Men. I am also a big fan of Jon Hamm. When I saw this Rolling Stone photo, well, I went a bit faint. Such an amazing look. The styling for this photo is wonderful and Jon Hamm is all that.