Happy Weekend!

I hope everyone is enjoing their weekend - here in DC we have BEAUTIFUL perfect fall weather :-) I've decided to celebrate the weekend with a beautiful image of Montreal's city hall at night. Enjoy!

When ugly things happen to pretty people

Lets talk, Nicole Kidman. You're one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood. Why are you doing this to yourself? While pregnant, you stopped your 'treatments' and you were back to your old self; you even gained a few much-needed pounds. So why?? I'm one of your biggest supporters but if this is the train wreck we're headed towards - I'M OUT!
PS if you don't know what I'm talking about -look towards the mouth region.

Coco Chanel

"Couture creates beautiful things which become ugly; while art creates ugly things which become beautiful".
Coco Chanel via Jean Cocteau as told by Christian Dior
Image: Chanel by Horst

Star!

This past weekend I watched the Julie Andrews extravaganza Star! from 1968. What, never heard of it? Neither had I till recently, which is surprising: This movie is So fantastic! If you like good acting, good music, good costumes and amazing sets (get the picture?) you will love this movie. It's 3 hours long however, take breaks..... Based on the life of actress Gertrude Lawrence, it chronicles her life and search for love, all the while showing clips of many of the shows she was in, her amuzing friendship with Noel Coward and the strained relationship with her daughter on her quest for fame.
First the sets: these are some pictures I took of the film, sorry for the poor picture quality! This is what caused me to take notice of the sets; her NYC apt. during the 1930's chapter of her life. The walls are gold leafed with a really abstract mural painted on them: antique venetian furniture, beautiful bar, chandelier and beautiful curtains - this is the most glamorous room I've ever seen!
Right afterwards was Noel Cowards NYC apartment, also during the 30s. Notice the beautiful woodwork and detailing above. I LOVE a step-down living room and large windows, beautiful white casual upholstery and beautiful lighting. This room looks so modern! Notice the painted backs of the built ins below - an acid yellow (which matched many of the costumes in the scene).The music: full of standards by greats such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Noel Coward, Kurt Weill and others -it will not disappoint. Julie Andrews was in top form singing and dancing as shown in the clipbelow: her voice is unbelievably smooth and beautiful. An interesting tidbit: Daniel Massey, who played Noel Coward in the film, is actually Coward's godson in real life!

Read a full synopsis of the movie HERE

I loved this movie so much that I've included a link to buy it on amazon on my sidebar -you can get it really inexpensively used! Please check it out!!

Sarah Brightman

One of my favorite singers is coming to DC to promote her latest album, Symphony: Sarah Brightman. In 2 weeks time, I can't wait! I saw her last show 5 years ago here in DC for her 'Harem' album-it was really one of the best shows I've ever seen! Lots of amazing special effects, dancers, great music - a real SHOW! So if you're in DC -she's performing at the Verizon Center on November 19th. Hope to see you there! Enjoy the video above, a preview commercial for the album.

PVE cookies

I got a beautiful package in the mail Friday from Patricia over at PVE: cookies! They are the best chocolate chip cookies I've had in a long time and were packaged in a very professional white box; like a real bakery! I had a snack right away of cookies with mint tea on my wedgewood cuckoo (my china of the week back in April). She was gracious enough to share the recipe for us all to try, so here it is!

PVE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES:
-3/4 cup brown sugar
-3/4 cup granulated sugar
-1 t. bourbon or vanilla (bourbon yum)
-2 sticks butter
-2 eggs
-2 cups flour
-1 t. baking soda
-Chocolate, any type, dark, bittersweet or milk ( love Scharfenburger ) Tollhouse are good too.Chop up in pieces and add(Nuts optional)
-Mix and then drop a teaspoon full on the cookie sheetBake at 350 10 - 12 minutes.
-Bake to your preference, soft or crispy!