Eat, Drink and Be Merry

17:11:00 MoonDoggie 8 Comments


We got back from New York a few days ago and I'm afraid to say I'm still recovering.  
We had a fabulous time but...

It's New Year's Eve and I'm sick.

I couldn't face a mammoth post right now but couldn't resist showing you my latest acquisition - a vintage drinks tray!  It needs a bit of a clean and has a bit of wear but that just shows it's had a life.  The perfect tray for a New Year's party but I'm not sure I can face leaving the house (or my blanket) right now.

Here's hoping that everyone has an amazing 2011!

Oh yeah - and does anyone have any cleaning tips for vintage metal trays?

8 comments:

React Positively

11:31:00 MoonDoggie 6 Comments

It's around this time that everyone's Christmas preparations start to cause some anxiety.  A lot of people are bound to have had 'plenty of blues and sort of bad news' and would be particularly in need of some cheer. 

This song by the Brady Bunch has been stuck in my head for a few days and has helped keep me chirpy.  I may well need it as we brave the holiday traffic and frightful conditions to make our escape to New York.


Let me hear some of that good time music
that I love to hear.
I've got plenty of blues and sort of bad news
and I need to find me some cheer.

Well there's been some times, when I've been down
- more so recently,
I've gotta piece it back right
and make a new flight - react positively.

There's no sense in walking around
with your feet stuck to the ground
It's much better to put yourself together
Create a lot of loving good vibes for humanity.
That's fine with me.

Good Time Music...

The song also featured in the movie, A Very Brady Sequel (which is probably where I first heard it).  I love the choreography (with moves borrowed from the original) and the expression on Mike's face when the kids are asked to sit down.



Don't forget to create some loving good vibes for humanity these holidays.
:D

6 comments:

Snow Business

15:07:00 MoonDoggie 4 Comments

A beach near Bristol covered in snow
(that's the pier on the right)
via SFGate

I'm due to fly to New York on Thursday.
If you're not in the UK, you may not have heard that Heathrow has been crippled by the snow (we can't get away from that news here).

I was to due to fly from Heathrow.
But you know what? I'm hopeful. 

We've booked a hotel near Heathrow for the night before because the M25 (the motorway we need to get there) is a nightmare at the best of times.  Despite the fact the sods doubled their room price while I considered the best option,  I'm looking at it like an extra day of holiday.

There's still a chance the flight will be cancelled but luckily it's not a trip home for Christmas where our absence would disappoint others.  I'm figuring we will at least get our money back and the plan is that our holiday will then become a trip to nearby Windsor Castle.

Best of luck with all your travel plans

4 comments:

Funny Freaking Face

16:28:00 MoonDoggie 4 Comments


Funny Face was filmed in 1957 and it is gloriously mid century.  The first few minutes are so eye catching and filled with colour that they are a must-see for the mid-mod enthusiast.  These doors attracted me instantly and I decided to put my crochet down for a bit.


The storyline basically involves a fashion magazine wanting to be innovative and unique - trendsetting, I suppose.  I love the floor to ceiling windows and long couch scattered with colourful pillows but could do without the fancy-legged table, if I'm honest.


Wanting their model to appear intellectual, they seek out an intellectual backdrop and find a bookshop where Audrey Hepburn's character works.  The model was played by Dovima, who was apparently a top fashion model of the day.


For some unknown reason, a kiss from an old man (Astaire) causes her to fall instantly in love.  Now, Audrey may have been the 'funny face' but it was Astaire's that I found ridiculous.  I understand he was a great dancer but surely, if he was so great, he could've trained a younger, more attractive man for the lead role.  I get that movies don't need to be realistic but Fred Astaire certainly isn't my idea of a fantasy either.


So anyway, they decide good ol' Auds is the kind of gal they need to represent their magazine and Fred's dashing good looks (ahem) convince her to head off to Paris with them for some photo shoot and fashion show. Cue musical number involving the sights of Paris and Audrey sporting an adorable ponytail.


There are scenes inside a kind of french Beatnik cafe where Audrey dances her little heart out with some French strangers - one of whom comes complete with stereotypical striped shirt - love it.


A kind of beatnik leader inadvertently causes tension between our two leads - perhaps it was the beard?


Fred and the magazine lady go to the cafe to 'recapture' their reluctant model in the funkiest little car and hippest beatnik disguises (Clearly it was the beard).


I won't spoil the ending although I'm sure you could guess it, I'll just leave you with another adorable ponytail shot.



4 comments:

Hello Yellow

21:27:00 MoonDoggie 2 Comments


Obsessilicious posted this picture a couple of months ago and it immediately caught my attention.  I've still not forgotten about it so have posted it here as a kind of inspiration.

I've tried searching for more pictures of yellow interior doors but couldn't find any that were really 'my style'.

I did a post on orange doors last year so now my 'future house wishlist' includes an orange front door and a yellow door somewhere inside.

The 'bubbly' yellow vase is cool too - especially next to that funky chair. 

2 comments:

Raise the Candles High

16:06:00 MoonDoggie 6 Comments


A few friends popped over last night and turned a quiet evening into an unexpected drinking session.  After they left, I was a bit messy so I turned to my beloved 60s music collection to keep me company while I sobered up a bit before bed (Dave was in no fit state). 

This has left me obsessed with Melanie  - especially her song Lay Down (Candles in the Rain).


Melanie Safka wrote Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) about her experience at Woodstock in 1969.  During her performance, the crowd waved lit candles.  There seems to be various explanations as to why they did this, but it obviously moved Melanie enough to write the song. 


The song affects me - even when not intoxicated.  Melanie's voice is so passionate and I think the lyrics are beautiful.

I gotsa to get me a furry hat like this one!

Read into the lyrics what you will:
lay down lay down, lay it all down
let your white birds smile up at the
ones who stand and frown

we were so close there was no room
we bled inside each others wounds
we all had caught the same disease
and we all sang the songs of peace

some came to sing, some came to pray
some came to keep the dark away

so raise the candles high
cause if you don't we could stay
black against the sky
oh oh raise them higher again
and if you do we could stay dry against the rain

6 comments:

Festive Fraud

09:14:00 MoonDoggie 8 Comments


I'm not so sure about these faux vintage baubles from Anthropologie (found via RetroToGo).
Dubbed 'Instant Heirloom Glitter Ornaments', they are new but have been made to look old complete with retro packaging.

I really liked the look of them... until I looked closer.

Why couldn't they just leave them looking new?  If they looked new (as they should), I'd be able to pretend I really was 'back in the day' - where everything was bright and shiny.  But they don't and I can't even daydream about the former life they may have had which is part of the charm of vintage objects.

I prefer my aged look to be authentic.  What do you guys think?

8 comments:

Breakfast at Golightly's

15:47:00 MoonDoggie 6 Comments


I'm incredibly excited to announce that I will be visiting New York this Christmas!

I've never been to the good ol' U.S of A before (although I feel like I know it well) so I'm doubly excited. 

To psych me up (like I even need to), I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's this morning.  I think I'd seen it once before but when it came up in my search for films set in New York, I decided I should really pay attention to it this time.

The cinematography (fancy word alert) was pretty darn good, I thought.  I really liked this opening shot (but doubt the streets will be that empty when I visit):


Heroine, Holly Golightly's apartment wasn't exactly the epitome of mid century decorating but it had its own charm: 


The most interesting feature of Holly Golightly's apartment was probably this bathtub settee:


I didn't realise it was a 'pimped out' bath tub for a while.  I picked up on it's vaguely space-age shape but didn't notice the taps until one particular close up shot.

As remarkable as a bathtub settee might be, my favourite piece of Holly's decor is the intricately designed wall panel:


Here's a close up of the panel, including a particularly scrummy looking George Peppard: 


My only other experience of Peppard had been the A-Team so he was a pleasant surprise.

Award for the most heartbreaking scene of the film goes to 'Forsaken Cat':


I literally "aaaawed" at the screen.  Screw you Golightly, you heartless cow...

To be fair, she did have a change of heart but I'm not sure I'd have forgiven her.

I enjoyed my little virtual romp through 1960s New York.  On the Set of New York has a guide to the filming locations used in Breakfast at Tiffany's with some 'Then and Now' pics.  Not sure I'll make it to those places but I'm wondering if there are any retro or mid century type places that I should check out while I'm there.  Any ideas?

6 comments:

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