If no one's in the kitchen, who's to see?

Seattle friends finally able to tear ourselves away from a myriad of responsibilities to see the much anticipated Julie & Julia, the movie about two foodies from different times Julia Child and the Texan living in Queens, NY, woman who with the help of her supportive and famished husband blogs through "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" over the course of a year.

We take time, sometimes once a month, sometimes more often-but never enough, to get together, smell the roses...or in this case, the beef bourguignon. I guarantee that by the time you leave the theater you will swear that you can.

I did not wear the string of pearls mom had given me years ago, its been too hot, it also turned into a balmy night. Barbara wore her cool cotton pedal pushers and was the envy of us.

Being a collector of Julia's books for a few years....


I wonder what became of our 'Mastering the Art of French Cooking'. What is even more mysterious is three of us are missing copies from our shelves.

Maybe they are keeping each other company.

The movie begins with Julie and husband moving from Queens NY to Brooklyn NY over a Pizza Parlor and Julia and husband to a fabulous Paris apartment.

My favorite car in the world is the 1955 Citroën DS, designed by Flaminio Bertoni it was named 'Most beautiful car of all time' by Classic & Sports Car magazine.



But I was smitten with the 1947 turquoise Buick Roadmaster station wagon used in the movie, I read Paul Child named it "Flash".



Upon further research on the web about the Buick I found a couple of discussions questioning the accuracy of the date and model.

Take for instance these convos on separate Auto Clubs.

"Mr. Mark Ricker, the film's production manager in an article written by Mr. Darrell Hartman. When Ricker was asked about the car, he had the following description to give: "A 1947 (sic-clearly it was a 1950) wooded blue Buick station wagon. They called it "The Blue Flash". We found it in France. It could have been Paul and Julia's original car, as far as we know."

"In the movie Julie and Julia, the Buick Estate Wagon is clearly a 1950 "four-holer" Roadmaster, but with a '49 style two-piece windshield. My Buick reference book doesn't mention such a configuration, and even my memory says the windshield was one piece. One web page I came across states, "Special still has the split windshield", which logically means that the Super and Roadmaster didn't."

There also seems to be some speculation the car was modified.

Back to the movie.

Streep was given Julia's height by the angles of the camera, tabletops lowered, shorter actors...like the market scenes. Also lifts were used. Not terribly attractive platform shoes or high heeled sneakers. eek.


I don't remember Julia ever wearing anything like them.



The shoes just did not seem quite right, but I'm probably just being nitpicky because, well, that's my job.

I remember Julia's enthusiastic personality watching her shows over my mother's shoulder, Julia sipping her wine as she cooked, as friend Sara pointed out, a pinch of this and that...not too worried about exact measures, sipping and cooking, chatting and laughing and disturbingly 'playing' with those plucked chickens. Julia had a way of holding them on the table in a way that it looked like they were dancing.

Ponder this story told by an esteemed acquaintance.

One evening you and your partner are cooking a special dinner for guests out of the pages of one of Julia's books, one of the sauces is not turning quite the way you expected. One of you look in the phone book and you cant believe that Julia is actually listed! After a couple of glasses of fine wine and a little courage you ring her for advice, probably doubting she will even pick up the phone, you expect an assistant or an answering machine, at best, urging you to leave a message for an appointment.

You are surprised and delighted, once again, when Julia herself answers and she does not even seem bothered or annoyed, she gladly volunteers to walk you through the process on the phone. After several tries when there seems to be no progress she asks about your impressive wine collection and suggests, if you mind, if she drops by!?

Mind??

That evening she is your 'private chef', to the shock and surprise of your guests who are probably still pinching themselves after all these years, she joins the guests and you are able to enjoy her company till the wee hours of the morning.

I'm guessing Julie Powell would not be terribly pleased with this story as, according to what has been told, her goal was to attract Julia's attention. Sort of like when there is a fan at a rock show who is constantly yelling the musician's name, except Julie's method was subtle.

Isn't that life though?

Sometimes, when you least expect it, the stars align perfectly and magic happens. Unplanned.

Totally by chance.

And sometimes we simply live with our dreams.

Streep is one of our favorite actresses, we felt she played Julia to a T.

a Streep cooking tip from one of her interviews about the movie: 'You can remove the odor of garlic and onions from your hands by rubbing them with salt and cool water, It actually works better than hot water and soap.' she said.

The scene of Julie in Dean & De Luca made my heart skip, those tiny tins, treasures in any serious foodie's kitchen shelves, they found their way, to my delight (and wallet relief) in (gasp) discount gourmet places. Stores where a poor college student could afford a bit of luxury, or as Julia would have said 'Those without a cook'

The post war Paris scenes and fashions were a delight, another reason I was looking forward to seeing the movie, being in the vintage business and all.

I confess I cringed and even closed my eyes during most of the lobster scene.

'LOBSTER KILLA!'

But simply couldn't help cracking a smile during the one where they are sitting at the table and Julie is wearing a lobster pin. I am a lobster pin collector, my favorite found in a Woodstock NY gallery, red enamel with black marcasites.

My NYC kitchen happened to be painted turquoise, as I now realize so was Julia's, with many red lobsters on the walls, that's where the similarity ends. After a few years my collection morphed into all sorts of lobster items as friends gave me anything lobster. Ashtrays, key chains, magnets, pot holders, dishes, candle holders, bottle opener...even Lobster Man!

Here he is, happily riding on Godzilla's tail





A gift from a special friend

A "star aligning perfectly" moment in my life.



What fun it must have been to shop for this movie! The thrill of the hunt one hundred times over.

Some say more should have been made of the Julia vs Julie's blog snub but I 'got it' and I thought the movie did just fine without adding to the already rather awkward situation.

The movie had an excellent cast. The love depicted between Julia and Paul was heart warming.

After we exited the theater we chatted about it for some time, comparing our childhood and early adulthood Julia memories. Barb, being the excellent cook that she is, told us she was actually able to conquer the Aspic recipe without making soup and that her prize dish, prepared in Chicago from 'Mastering the Art' was the Veal Prince Orloff.

The movie has lit my fire to dig through my collection for fashions of the era.

A quickie




Vogue Trend Reports the recession was still Topic A in the front rows of fall shows, maybe that's why they also announced the 40's is 'in'

Vintage will always be a smart investment.


Follow this link to an article found in Country Living mag with interesting tidbits about Julia's kitchen and the movie.

I highly recommend this movie, even those unable to boil water will find it charming.
Bon appetit!

I've got cling cling fsssss steam heat

Steampunk:

Victorian Sci Fi. Anything that involves ingenuity and creativity without further waste. That which redefines time should be celebrated and deserves thoughtful consideration.

Jules Verne. H. G. Wells's The Time Machine. Art Nouveau. Whimsical fantasy. Victorian England. Romanced technology coming alive with a heartbeat and misapplied technology.

There are no hard and fast rules for Steampunk style, its why it is possible for British adventurers, sky pirates, neo Victorianas, mad scientists to exist under the same moniker.

Militaria, top hats, industrial Gothic leathers, corduroys or 'cords' as we call them in the States, velvets, browns, antique black or lightly touched with antique white laces, any color can be steampunked with perhaps the exception of neons. Gogles, monocles, skeleton keys.

Even Tiffany jumped on the bandwagon

Goes to show you how powerful this movement has become.



...Marching band jackets paired off with Victorian skirts, riding boots, docs (as in Martens)...

Oscillating antique fans lull me to dreamland...

My favorite aspect of the steampunk movement is how it combines technology with sustainability and DIY aesthetics

A Steam Powered Ipod Charger



from:

steampunkworkshop

In my Cañones cigar/jewelry box you'll find 80s earrings from recycled watch parts.

An example of colors used in steampunk. Designer Nikki Fizer

Stripes.

Plaids.

Alexander McQueen, one of the first designers that took steampunk to the fashion runways.

Dots.

Even white can be made into steampunk.

In my store:

30s BLACK LACE DRESS



Victorian Style Dress



Victorian Inspired Dress



Other fine offerings:

Suzy Creamcheese Velvet Edwardian Style Suit - magsrags



Armani Vintage Jacket on etsy = sold.



Gloves on etsy - sold.



rogueretro hat on etsy



The possibilities are endless.

All you need is imagination.

hmm...all this talk about steampunk reminds me Im overdue for a visit to one of my favorite parks in the Emerald City; Gas Works Park



fssss...

Confessions of a Mad Idol Addict

If someone had told me 5 or 6 years ago that I would become an avid viewer of the show or that I would be programming to record this show when I am not home, I would have probably laughed. Back then I thought the show was strictly for the younger crowd. 8 seasons later I can barely wait to see what new songs will be performed. This season I dared to pick my top Idols from the beginning, so far they are still there and going strong.

Last week as a double treat Idol showcased the sounds of Motown a few of the contestants wore vintage style, I say vintage style because unless I see the item or confirmation that they were indeed vintage I cannot say for sure but was that a shark skin suit worn by Adam Lambert?







I was VERY impressed with the singing as well, Adam is showing more maturity as the show progresses, he is one of my top faves.

Another stunner and talented performer is Lil Rounds, she wore an Ombre fringed dress, also loved the 60s hairstyle.






Here is a green fringed dress coming soon to figure8studio.com



White Fringed Dress in our store - SOLD!



a few 60's beauties from our store

Turquoise Silver 60s Dress



Audrey Lil Black Dress





Periwinkle Paisley Dress



Thanks for reading and see you around the bend! :)

Shades Of Green

Beannacht / Blessing by Joe O'Donohue


On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.

When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.

May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.


Lover and Beloved
Moon
Water

Thanks Barb!

Recycle your Holiday Lights!

Almost every household has a string or two or three, like mine, of broken lights. Those strings you don't know what to do with.

You change one bulb, two, three, change the fuse and nothing happens, you get frustrated and add it to the pile. Instead of throwing them in the trash a few organizations including charities, recycle incandescent light strings. These places take the light strings apart and recycle most of the parts like the copper, glass and plastic.

Why have that stuff leeching pollutants into the earth when the materials could be used again?

Google 'recycle Christmas lights and your zip code' for drop off locations in your area.

In my city of Seattle I can take my lights to Whole Foods & Woodland Park Zoo.

treehuggervintage informed us that Walmart in St. Louis, started taking old holiday lights this year.

If you are unable to recycle your lights in your area you can mail them.

This program recycles your lights and benefits children plus give a 10% discount on purchases.

Visit:

Recycle Christmas Lights for the Kids Campaign

Another program:

HolidayLEDs.com

They send you a coupon for 15% off on purchases.

HolidayLEDs.com
Attn: Recycling Program
2500 W. Argyle St.
Jackson, MI 49202

Please post this information on your blogs, let everyone you know there is a better way to dispose of those light strings.

Want your Christmas & Holiday cards to go to a good cause?

Instead of throwing out or recycling your holiday cards-- donate them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children-- the kids use them to create new cards and sell.

May you all have a happy and green holiday season!

Take The Pledge!

Buy Handmade!

Support Independent Artists.

Some years ago, after an accident, I searched high and low east to west, web stores, catalogs...for a cool cane to make lemonade from a lemon. I wanted something unique and distinctive. Everywhere I went I saw the same dreary medical cold metal canes or boring plain wood. I had a total of 2 color choices; black and brown!

I wanted to ditch the cane that was given to me by my insurance company but of course I could not do that.

Finally I thought, Why not just make it? I love to paint, so what is the problem?

I found all sorts of cool paints with glitters, gold, silver....I began making stencils of Celtic Knots and Chains that I loved. I had so much fun making my cane that I began doing it for friends and relatives.




Pretty soon people were asking me to make them and sell them at local Art stores.

Just in time for the Holidays! I have a silver one in my store.

My canes are hand painted wood acrylic silver paint on black.

They last many years, protective clear coating has been applied.

Why wear a cold boring metal cane that everyone else has? By purchasing this cane, you are not only supporting an artist (me) but your cane will age gracefully and give you many many years of pleasure.

I always receive so many compliments on my canes all over the world, too many to count!

An impressive piece of wearable art.

Complete with rubber bottom.

Approximate 37 1/2 inches long.

Wear it in good health and with attitude!

So take the pledge to buy handmade and request that others do the same for you!

Thank you, Happy Holidays and most of all have fun!

Giving Thanks

Purging inventory, computer images....all sorts of stuff, my own little fall cleaning...

Here is one of the dresses I sold a few months ago that reminds me of fall



As I prepare to sit around a cozy table filled with gastronomic delights and very good friends who love to cook, thank goodness! I cant help but think of some of the loved ones who will not be here with us.

Last night I was going through some vintage I will be adding to the store and found a travel bag tucked away at the back of the closet where it was placed the day we moved into the house. In it many letters from my mom who passed in 2004. My son and I moved from NYC in the early 80s, no matter what we did mom would never leave NYC but we always kept in close contact with her, this was before the days of cell or internet phones and the phone companies knew just how to get you on long distance charges so mom and I wrote each other quite often.

After she passed I read her letters occasionally, specially during the holidays. The letter I read last night was the one she sent us Thanksgiving of 1996 the one where she finally moves in to her own home and is able to have a big dinner for the family, a large dining room with a big table for everyone to sit around, nothing made her happier.

Today we will be moving a big table into the living room of my friend's house so everyone can sit around it.

Mom was very thankful for so many things, she worked very hard for many years as a NYC teacher in order to be able to realize her dream, this after raising four children practically on her own.

When I visited her she always had the guest bedroom ready for me, complete with feather pillows. I never told mom I am allergic to feather pillows.

I am thankful for having found her cards and letters.

I wish a happy Thanksgiving to everyone, ending this post with a few of my favorite Thanksgiving quotes, feel free to add your own.

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. ~Author Unknown

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~ John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." ~ Cicero

"Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men, but be careful that you do not take the day and leave out the gratitude." ~ E.P. Powell

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. ~Seneca

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart