April Cornell...

Fabulous News! April really is up and running again. See these dresses here...

More Prams...

With the exception of the words and the finish... these are done. Hopefully, I will be able to show them totally complete tomorrow.

The Art of Civilized Conversation...

I have to admit that I am still as an adult quite uncomfortable in social situations, even sometimes with good friends. I just get uncomfortable, awkward or something. One thing that I have learned about feeling uncomfortable is that is the time when things often will go wrong. Poor C has seen me dig a hole all the way to China and bury myself in it. I don't mean too, but...

So.. I am trying to do something about this. I love to find books with really good concrete advice. I like this book because it says, "Don't say..." Now that, is helpful. I first saw this book at Anthropologie and I started reading it in the store and then couldn't wait to buy it cheaper elsewhere... I never do that. But, it was worth it. I love this book! And, while it has some basic elementary stuff like, "if you think you need to shower....then you do." Hopefully, I'm past that stage. I liked the section about how to apologize, side step gossip and how to ask for help although I disagree with the book a bit there because I hate people to say to me, "Will you do me a favor?" I would prefer that people say, "Would you please wash my car?" or something else concrete. My new answer to that is going to be, "I like to be helpful, let me know the favor and I'll see if I can help." I mean ideally I'm going to say that, but then you know why I bought this book...

Granny Chic Cute of the Week...

I love this powder-coated cast aluminum furniture from JC Penney. I think it could be cute inside or out... Also available in black. See it here.

Cary Grant Weekend...

Destination Tokyo is an interesting moving. I think it reflects some of the ideas many Americans still have about war ie. that you fight to save the other guy's country and children as well as your own. The movie also tries to portray a character who is supposedly some kind of womanizer and he is supposed to learn some family values by the end. This plot line did not work for me because while the movie is forever long, there is little time spent in character development and so I didn't really care about this jerk and whether or not he decides family life was for him or not.

The movie is valuable to understand that military service can be lots of boredom followed by too much excitement. And, while I don't know how acurate they made the portrayal of life on a 1944 submarine, the movie did help you to see what risks those men were taking just getting in one of those contraptions. I also thought it was interesting how they portrayed the crews level of education, it seemed low and yet they were determined and brave, but I would be surprised if you didn't find some of the brighter sort running the submarines that are around now. Most of those old war movies could help support a thesis about how the GI Bill educated a nation.

The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer is a fun movie that is spoiled for me in a few places by really ugly sexist comments. The female lead is played by Myrna Loy. She plays a judge who ends up with Cary Grant's character in her court room. I was intrigued by this movie because of the whole female judge thing. However, they spoil that by having Cary Grant's character and the uncle character say that she needs, "a good sock in the jaw" or something to that affect 2-3 times.

Shirley Temple is as cute as can be and it's fun to see her play a teenage character. The parts where they insist that Cary Grant take her out are uncomfortable and meant to be and that part works.

Both interesting films, but difficult for me to watch just for entertainments sake. I always wonder how much of what I see there is actually how people thought during those years, or how much of it was twisted by Hollywood, just like movies frequently are now.

New Prams...

While they are far from finished... this is how the new baby carriages are coming out...

Chalupa...

Don't miss the Chalupa recipe on Jenni's blog. I made it this weekend and it was awsome!!!

A Yellow Rose...

A loving heart is the truest wisdom... Charles Dickens.....

Buy it here.

Don't miss....

...as my amazing friend Michelle mixes chocolate and chick peas in a successful combination!!!
See it here...

This little chickie went to market...

And he can go wee wee wee all the way to your home.

See him here.

Alicia Paulson's Home...

Thanks to Jenni's friend Gabby.... I found out about this wonderful home tour on Apartment Therapy... Don't miss it.. Alicia's home is one of my favorites. It is very granny chic, full of treasures and I espcially love her studio and her back yard! So fun!

Baby Bluebirds...

Baby Bluebirds of Happiness... These bluebird boxes are the smallest size 1" in height and 1 19/16" width...

Buy it here.

More Fairies...

Lots of things to do today ... and ... Undaunted Courage

I didn't have much time to post today.... but this is what I did. I finished 4 turquoise faries and painted 4 bluebirds and 3 new kokeshi dolls. I will show you all tomorrow. I started making 4 baby carriages, but I hope to make 8 so if you want one and haven't spoken...

While I painted, I finished the last 4 tapes of Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. Amazing book! I learned so much. Read it, or borrow the tapes from the library. The reader is awsome! If you don't read the whole book, just read the introduction that Ambrose wrote. He talks about how he took his family, students and friends on parts of the Lewis and Clark trail every summer and how it became a family obsession that built wonderful family ties and memories. I you read that, you'll get a lump in your throat, and a few tears in your eyes, but then ofcourse you'll read the whole book!

Fairies...

The fairies have been popular and I was about out, so I painted a new batch this weekend and I am really please with them because I got the most amazing new paint brush and it makes great eyelashes. When you are painting fairies, the eyelashes are crucial. Available here.

Inspiring Clothesline...

I put up this ribbon clotheslines this weekend to showcase some little pretty things and artwork that I really like by Charb. Shelese, that is your wedding cake, if it looks familiar. I just loved those flowers in those colors. Anyway, the ribbon is Azalea Pink in 1/16 and the little bitty clothespins were at the craft store and cost about $2.

Barefoot in the Park...

We finally signed up for Netflix. What took us so long? I love it! Anyway, I have always wanted to see this movie and never had the chance and so this was one of the first movies that I rented. It is rated G, but not for kids. I guess I'm a prude, but I think some of the inuendo that used to fly over the heads of children no longer does. That said, I loved this movie. Mostly I loved it because of the costumes designed by the famous Edith Head. Every bit of this clothing is right back in style. If you are able to find it as beatifully tailored is another question. Jane Fonda's character is just wierd in this show, but her hair, costumes and makeup are really lovely. And, Robert Redford.... he is just always cute.

Philosophy...

I love this philosophy soap that I got for Christmas... it's called Sugar Plum Fairy. I found that Philosophy has a storefront on Amazon. Amazing, what don't they sell these days. See it here.

Cute... Cute... Cute...

Look at this darling Valentine I received from my friend Holly. Thanks Holly! She knows my colors so well that one of the cute cards she sent me is framed in my house. Thanks Holly! I love this one!

Darling Dolly...

This lovely little dolly was made by my good friend Michelle and will be appearing in the Love Boxes Ebay shop at 9 A.M. PST... Isn't she a cutie???