My Little Boudoir

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As you may have noticed the theme on My Little Boudoir this past week has  been Sex and the City, so why not continue with that theme for this month’s Thinking Outside the Boudoir series post.

For those of you just recently visiting My Little Boudoir, Thinking Outside the Boudoir, is a series where I post each month a home from the movies that I admire. While some may not be practical for everyday life, or represent my overall ideal decor, I would love to spend some time in them, even just for a night. In some it is the decor that I fancy. In others it’s the architecture or floor plan. And in some I think it’s my fondness for the characters. With that, I believe Carrie Bradshaw’s apartment from Sex and the City The Movie fits into most of those categories.

For starters, having a studio apartment as a single woman in New York City, in most cases, pretty much means that your apartment is your boudoir and your boudoir is your apartment. I have always been fond of Carrie’s apartment even before the redesign. I think largely because I love her character, I love NYC and I love the idea of having a small space all to myself (and let me tell you, the fashions that are housed in this little studio are fit for a mansion, which could weigh heavily on my opinion too).

I love how the living area is bright and sunny and allows for a intimate conversation area with  your best girlfriends. The fabric on the love seats is beautiful and pops perfectly against the blue walls. Overall the look is simply lovely.

(materialgirls.com)

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Then there are those special little accents that give a place character…like a bar cart (see in between Carrie and Charlotte) and a rotary black telephone.

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Of course, living in the city in a confined space, a girl must be practical and allow for creative storage spaces and double uses for certain areas. A wall unit to store mail, office supplies and your fashion magazine collection is a brilliant idea (I’m guessing there could have a little shoe overflow from the closet, too).

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The table in Carrie’s entryway is multipurpose. It serves as an entry table, serving table when entertaining (see above) and can be expanded into a dining table (on the rare occasion that dinner is not take-out in the living room).

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Now for the grand finally…the boudoir! You may have already guessed, but my favorite showstoppers here are Carrie’s mirrored vanity and the lucite bench…not to mention her designer closet.

I love how the Chanel scarf is draped over her vanity chair. It serves as a very fashionable accent and shows her personality in her decor. Wouldn’t it be a dream to play dress-up here and then settle in for a little freelance work at a desk with a view of the darling SoHo neighborhood?

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(materialgirls.com)

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Now, if you love Carrie’s place, you’re going to go crazy over the apartment that she and Big own in SATC2…

(sarahjparker.com)

(sarahjparker.com)

“I just don’t know. It’s like I can’t imagine anyone else playing Dorothy Gale —
just Judy Garland (Wizard of Oz)” – Sarah Jessica Parker
(when asked if someone else would be cast to play Carrie Bradshaw
if a prequel were created after Candace Bushnell’s new book The Carrie Diaries)

(sarahjparker.com)

(sarahjparker.com)

“Maybe our mistakes are what make our fate.” – Sarah Jessica Parker

(sarahjparker.com)

(sarahjparker.com)

I might have given my left arm for a seat at Radio City Music Hall in New York City this evening (ok, not really, but probably a pinky toe…seriously) to attend the Sex and the City 2 movie premiere. Have a gander at the beautiful ladies (and gentleman) on the red carpet. Sarah Jessica Parker is looking so glorious in her yellow Valentino gown with her sun-kissed skin! They all look stunning!

(eonline.com)

(eonline.com)

(usatoday.com)

(eonline.com)

(Kristin Davis' Facebook Page)

(eonline.com)

(eonline.com)

We can’t forget the fellas…

(eonline.com)

(eonline.com)

(eonline.com)

And last, but not least, the lady who started it all, author, Candace Bushnell…

(eonline.com)

Yes, I know, I know…it is Monday. Please forgive me for not posting “Sunday’s Best” on Sunday. I had a very busy day yesterday. I took my great-great-Aunt out for lunch and spent the afternoon with my best friend at her beautiful new home.

Now, on to the exciting stuff…

(sexandthecitymovie.org)

In honor of the big event that is coming this Thursday (that is giving women across the globe the feeling that a child gets on Christmas Eve night), I would like to share a must-see website with you. It is the blog for all things Sex and the City, particularly relating to the upcoming movie, Sex and the City 2.

Don’t worry, I won’t spoil anything for you on My Little Boudoir, but those of you who want to see more pictures of the upcoming movie scenes, interviews with the cast and more, you should definitely visit sexandthecitymovie.org (click here). Trust me, it’s the perfect remedy to cure your Carrie Fever or get Carried Away until Thursday!

One evening about a month ago, my daughter asked if we could watch one of my “Boudoir” movies. At first, I didn’t know what she meant, but then I realized that she thinks of my old Hollywood films as “boudoir movies” (that I watch in my boudoir and blog about on My Little Boudoir). It melted my heart that she was actually interested in watching an “old” movie with me. Most kids don’t know how to appreciate such artistry. I responded excitedly with a “yes, I would LOVE to watch a boudoir movie with you!”

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I asked her to sift through my collection and choose the one she wanted to watch. She decided on Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, with Elizabeth Taylor. I kindly swayed that choice over to National Velvet instead . This movie also stars Elizabeth Taylor, but it is much more suitable for a child to watch. In fact Elizabeth herself is a child in the movie (as well as a young Mickey Rooney and Angela Lansbury).

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The movie was part of an Elizabeth Taylor DVD box set that belonged to my Grandma Ellen. When she passed, I was happy to inherit her movie collection. We liked watching old movies together and I am so happy to start the same tradition with my daughter. Although, I must admit, I had never seen National Velvet. Recognizing that this movie wasn’t going to be filled with the glamour that I love so much about old films, I didn’t know what to expect.

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I am pleased to report to you now though, that it was one of the best old movies I’ve ever seen. I just loved it! It is the perfect movie to share with your daughter (or even your son). It is a heartwarming story with a twist and multiple great lessons (for parents and children alike). I don’t want to spoil it for you, but if you’re not afraid of some hints about the film, you can watch this trailer…

P.S. Don’t forget to scroll down and pause the My Little Boudoir Soundtrack (on the right side) first.

For those of you just recently visiting My Little Boudoir, this post is part of a monthly series called Thinking Outside the Boudoir, where I share my fascination of homes from the movies. While some may not be practical for everyday life, or represent my overall ideal decor, I would love to spend some time in them, even just for a night. In some it is the decor that I fancy. In others it’s the architecture or floor plan. And in some I think it’s my fondness for the characters. The movie home that I want to share today is one of my childhood favorites, Annie.

Growing up, my grandfather had gates entering his driveway. I always thought it made the entrance feel so grand and exclusive. Daddy Warbucks’ gates are much more ornate and fancy, making them part of his estate that I would like to be mine.

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The gated entry wouldn’t be complete without a circular driveway (with a fountain in the middle) or a porte-cochere, as seen here.

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What a beautiful foyer. The doors have so much detail and are simply beautiful. This should prepare you for what comes next…

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…the grand hall! Wow, how spectacular would it be to walk into your home and see this? When I was a girl, I use to dream of owning this home one day. As of now, it doesn’t look like that is going to happen, but why not keep dreaming? I will, however, have black and white checkered floors in my home one day.

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And what’s a grand entry without a grand stairway?

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Daddy Warbucks had such a classic office with dark woods and floor to ceiling and doors that went out onto a lanai. I likes…

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Annie’s bedroom was just darling and complete with French antique furniture, luxurious linens and all covered in pink.

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Now for Ms. Grace Farrell’s boudoir. This is like a dream boudoir, complete with a dressing table (separated from the rest of the room with a curtained doorway), office space and lounging area…oh so deluxe!

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Now for the room that was my favorite as a child. No, it’s not a dead guy in a pool. That’s Daddy Warbucks’ reflection on the framed out mirrored ceiling in the room with the indoor swimming pool.

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Top all of that off with beautiful grounds and gardens that rival Versailles.

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Ok, here goes my top ten best dressed list (in order leading to my very most favorite) of the 82nd Academy Awards (the “Oscars”):

10. Anna Kendrick

I love a flesh tone on a woman, provided that it doesn’t make her look washed out. Anna looks perfectly rosy in this gown, and I love the plat on the shoe!

9. Molly Ringwald

Looking better than ever, Molly donned a timeless Hollywood look, but owned it in purple, which is very complimentary to her skin tone and hair color. The hairstyle is genius, too!

8. Miley Cyrus

While I don’t believe Miley still belongs on Disney channel as a role model for young girls, I can’t deny that her look tonight was a winner. It is pure, but the corset look gives it an edge.

7. Nicole Richie

This isn’t a classic Oscar look, but that’s what I like about it. A woman who can wear this dress and pull it off looking vintage, yet fresh all at the same time deserves a place in the top 10.

6. Queen Latifah

She looks so radiant in this sparkley pink number. I love how she’s transformed her style.

5. Rachel McAdams

I think Rachel McAdams is darling. I don’t usually go for a printed fabric on a gown, but she looks stunning!

4.  Elizabeth Banks

The gray goes oh so well with the blonde. I think Elizabeth and the dress look beautiful.

3. Sarah Jessica Parker

A staple on my top 10 list, Sarah Jessica Parker, looked glorious in this yellow frock. She pulls of that 1960′s look so well. I especially loved the giant barrel curl hair style. I can’t get enough of that look.

Here are a few more views of her jaw-dropping hairstyle.

(eonline.com)

(eonline.com)

2. Mariska Hargitay

It was a difficult choice between SJP and Mariska, but ultimately I had to go with Mariska for second place. She is so beautiful, and never mind that the black dressed lacked a pop of color, because it was elegant and and smoking hot (all at once) on the red carpet. Could we expect anything less from the daughter of Jayne Mansfield?

1. Jennifer Lopez

Another staple on my top 10 lists. Jennifer Lopez’ gown takes my breath away. It makes such a statement, I am left without words.

Which look is your favorite? You can respond my leaving a comment (below).

If you saw my first post in the monthly series Thinking Outside the Boudoir, you will know that I have a fascination with certain homes in the movies. While some may not be practical for everyday life, or represent my overall ideal decor, I would love to spend some time in them, even just for a night. In some it is the decor that I fancy. In others it’s the architecture or floor plan. And in some I think it’s my fondness for the characters. The movie home that I want to share today is from The Prince and the Showgirl.

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In this film, Charles, the Grand Duke, played by Sir Laurence Olivier, looks to seduce a young showgirl, Elsie Marina, played by Marilyn Monroe in his private quarters of the palace. With her charming disposition, Miss Marina ends up being befriended by both the Grand Duke’s son and his mother-in-law.

The entrance…

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The foyer…

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I love the Greek key border in the stairwell…

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The Grand Duke’s private quarters. I love the layout of this room. It basically consists (at least what we see in the movie) of a circular living area, with a room on each side. Now wouldn’t this be a fabulous master bedroom set up? His quarters on one side, yours on the other, and a common area in the middle. This certainly doesn’t mean that your sleeping quarters have to be separate, but it gives both the man and woman their own boudoir…LOVE it!

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I must admit I’m not too fond of the color scheme in this room, but I do love a sofa with tufted buttons,
floor to ceiling windows (and french doors), a chandelier, a library/study and intricate mill work.

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This still gives you a better idea of the layout. Elsie Marina is entering into the common area from the room in which she slept, while the Grand Duke is getting dressed in his quarters.

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Remove the crest on the fabric, change the linens and this is a pretty snazzy brass bed.

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The M.I.L.’s quarters. As you’ve probably suspected by now, with all the pink and a crystal chandelier, this is most certainly a ladies boudoir.

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The decor in this boudoir is a bit too frilly for me (is there such a thing?), but wouldn’t this place be dreamy even just for a night? If could perform a soft renovation on this place, I’m not sure I’d ever want to leave. The chaise lounge, dressing screen and canopy bed give this room the boudoir touch.

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…oh, yes….and diamonds, of course (wouldn’t you love to have that jewelry box?)…

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And lastly, the son’s quarters. I think the color palette in this room is my favorite. I do have a thing with navy blue lately. I adore a damask print. And the mill work is fabulous.

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