• Boudoir,  Fashion,  Hollywood,  Movies,  Quotes

    Best Documentaries for the Boudoir

    I do keep a television in my boudoir, but I really don’t watch a lot of it. I cancelled my cable a while back, and just purchase the few shows that I like to watch. When I actually have time to commit to a couple of hours, and my son is asleep, I will generally choose an old movie (1940’s-1960’s), or a good documentary. I usually like to keep it light, and don’t really like to watch sad documentaries (or movies for that matter), so these aren’t super “deep,” but they take me to a happy and fascinating world. Here are some of my favorite documentaries that I highly recommend:…

  • Entertaining,  Glamour,  Hollywood,  Movies,  Quotes

    Breakfast at Tiffany’s Birthday

    “Of course, personally, I think it’d be tacky to wear diamonds before I’m forty.” – Holly Golightly, Breakfast at Tiffany’s It’s time to pull out the diamonds, ladies, because this January I celebrated my 40th birthday. To be honest…it’s surreal. I really don’t feel like it’s possible I could be 40. I identify with being younger, but I guess I’m officially a grown up now. My mother planned a surprise dinner at a local restaurant the weekend of my birthday. Several friends and family members joined in on the celebration. It was a lovely surprise, but I still wanted to have a little celebration with my lifelong girl friends, so…

  • Décor,  Hollywood

    O Christmas Tree…How Lovely Are Your Ornaments…

    It is that time of the year where I reluctantly must take down my Christmas tree.  🙁 I love Christmas so much that I begin listening to Christmas music around Halloween and I like to leave my tree up for a long time post-Christmas. The problem is, I usually get busy with work travel and then it stays up for far too long. My husband once accused me of keeping it up until May, but that’s a pure lie (I think). Saying that it was up until late Feb/early March might be the truth though (I know, I know…and yes, it’s a fake tree). Some may ask why he doesn’t…

  • Boudoir,  Celebrity Boudoir,  History,  Hollywood

    Celebrity Boudoir: Jayne Mansfield

    The boudoir and en suite bathroom of the voluptuous bombshell actress, Jayne Mansfield, has become iconic. It is best known for the heart-shaped gold lined bathtub with pink carpeted…um…well…EVERYTHING! The feminine theme of her home simply screams boudoir. Of her estate, one could say that the heart served as the crest (CHALLENGE: How many hearts can you find?). It was a respite oasis and a palace of sorts that provided a dreamy backdrop for her her life. There are many things about this home that I love (and some that I would pass on…i.e. carpeted walls). Nobody can deny that this was a special unique home that had Jayne’s signature…

  • History,  Hollywood,  Photography,  Quotes

    Bogie and Bacall…Together Again

    Sitting at my desk today I was alerted by a text message (from one of the various news outlets that I subscribe to) of the sad news that the lovely Lauren Bacall passed away. Of all the starlets of old Hollywood, Lauren Bacall’s (how shall I say) spunk, chutzpah, bravado…call it what you want…is something to be admired. She was not merely a beautiful face (at all ages), but had the grit of a soldier, the poise of an aristocrat and the boldness of a  suffragette. Even in this day and age, her boldness is admirable, but think about how much it meant back when a woman having a contrary opinion was viewed…

  • Hollywood,  Movies

    The Carrie Diaries

    Ladies…are you ready? Ready for what, you ask? Tonight is the premiere of the new show The Carrie Diaries. It is the prequel to Sex and the CIty and is based on Candace Bushnell’s book, The Carrie Diaries, which was released in 2010. The show appears to revolve around Carrie Bradshaw, pre-NYC and pre-Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha. Carrie’s father then offers her the opportunity of an internship in New Your City…and that is when the fun begins. The first episode premieres tonight at 8/7c. on the CW (check your local listings). Here is a trailer for your viewing pleasure. After you watch tonight, please visit this post and leave a comment…

  • Daydream,  Glamour,  Hollywood,  Quotes

    Marilyn Monroe on Chanel N°5

    Chanel recently acquired the rights to some never-before-published audio of Marilyn Monroe talking about Chanel N°5 fragrance. I’m sure all of you Marilyn fans know that Marilyn famously shared that the only thing she wears to bed is Chanel N°5. Many of the actual publications where she professed this information, making the perfume as legendary as she, were never published. You really MUST watch this video…   If not, here is the story told in stills from the video on Chanel.com.  I notice her voice often sounds different in audio/video of interviews as opposed to her films. I’m guessing this is because, in her films, she often portrayed the “dumb blonde” roll. She…

  • Boudoir,  Décor,  Hollywood,  Movies,  Thinking Outside the Boudoir

    Thinking Outside the Boudoir: Auntie Mame

    Sorry ladies…I know it’s been a while. Between work and all the medical stuff I’ve been going through with infertility (and two unfortunate miscarriages) , it’s been a little crazy. So, as you can imagine, blogging hasn’t really been top of mind. In any event, it’s time for a Thinking Outside the Boudoir post! The movie home we will be exploring is that of Auntie Mame. In this movie, Rosalind Russell plays a liberal aunt (Auntie Mame) who acquired custody of her nephew (being his only living relative), when her brother (his father) passes away. It takes you through their lives together as they develop a close bond, and it…

  • Daydream,  Fashion,  History,  Hollywood,  Jewelry,  Shopping

    Elizabeth Taylor Collection at Christie’s

    As a child in the 1980’s, I can remember adults talking about Elizabeth Taylor in a somewhat negative light. At the time, I only knew her by her “White Diamonds” look. With big hair and looking like she stepped off the set of Dynasty.   What I didn’t recognize at the time (which I’m ashamed of now), was how much of a talent and natural beauty she was. As a child, I had no idea about her history and the fact that she was Hollywood royalty. One thing I DID know though was that she was always dripping in fine jewels. As you know, the great Elizabeth Taylor passed away…

  • History,  Hollywood,  Photography,  Travel

    Grandpa and Doris Day…

                              Several years ago, while going through pictures at my grandparent’s house, I came across my grandfather’s Navy scrapbook of his days serving in the Korean War upon the U.S.S. Juneau. I was so excited when I came across these pictures of Doris Day in his book. I couldn’t wait to hear my grandpa’s stories telling me all about her. To my dismay, the scrapbook was given to all of the sailors. They were not his own personal photos in all cases. And even worse, he left the ship the first second he could when it hit Long…