Light & Limbo

We had an extremely warm and sunny day today which was so wonderful, and it caused the light coming in through the windows this evening to really catch my eye, as we haven't really had the experience of it very much lately...I was so happy to see and feel it!

Our living room, which is still very empty, has looked like this for the past fifteen months due to the fact that just about daily we think we will be moving out so that the horrible snafu problem can be fixed. We're still waiting for it all to be resolved (shhh, top secret, legal stuff and all), which is such a long story that frankly, I've been avoiding it like the plague. But I'm happy to say, that we are finally *hopeful* that things will be moving forward soon. We still don't know when it will all start, but if it's in this century, we'll be very pleased.

Either way, we're enjoying 24C as much as we possibly can, and if one must live in limbo...24 is truly a wonderful place to do so. Onward and upward!

Turning To Fall

Okay...it's time to get my head out of the Hollywood clouds, and turn my attention towards the warm and cozy that is Autumn. Walking into a foyer such as this one would help tremendously...though I must confess, this lovely foyer belongs to a 1908 estate that lives just south of Hollywood...I'm taking baby steps.

The home, named Villa Maria, is a gorgeous example of the well preserved extravagance of a by gone era, and if you would like to explore it's historic beauty and interesting past a bit more, Floyd B. Bariscale had done a wonderfully researched post about it on his blog Big Orange Landmarks, which is devoted to what else?...the love, preservation, remembrance, and significance of the architectural gems that once dominated Hollywood and towns that surrounded it...as I said, baby steps.

Wishing you all a beautifully perfect, warm, rich, and inviting Fall!

Deco Practicality

Here are a few shots of the functional and practical all dolled up in their very Art Deco - Jadeite Green best, taken on our excursion to the Max Factor/Hollywood Museum.

I loved this wonderful, over the top Deco balustrade at the base of the main staircase. It would have been so fun to have grabbed this for support on a daily basis...I felt quite Hollywood-ish just doing so once.

This is Jean Harlow's very Deco cigarette box (a practical necessity in her day), which she kept on her coffee table. It's a miracle this shot came out given the no flash rule. This is about as Art Deco as it gets, just beautiful...I wonder if it still carries the scent of tobacco.

And finally, the ladies bathroom on the third floor, which was reserved for Max Factor employees. I would have loved to have seen the fancy bathroom reserved for the starlets, I hope it's been kept as true to original as this one has...just look at that sink...and the view...and the light fixture...sigh.

I can't get enough of this era right now....it's so fun to have a new obsession.

Back To Glamour

Well my back is still attempting to mend, and it is, albeit rather slowly...so since I am not going to be taking any new images in the very near future, I thought we would step back in time once again, and continue glimpsing bits of old Hollywood glamour...exterior glamour that is!

After visiting the Max Factor building (above & below) a few weeks ago, my mother Gitzi and I realized that we could have spent an entire day just toodling around Hollywood with our cameras, snapping away at the beautiful Art Deco architecture that was so prevalent in the 30's & 40's. Within just one block of the museum, there were several prime examples that caught our eye and whet our appetites for a more thorough looksee the next time we visited this choppy mecca of architectural grandeur.

The first one we noticed was just around the corner from Max Factor on a little side street...it was a Department of Water and Power building - Station 10 to be exact...built in the thirties.
I have no idea what it's function is now, but who cares...at least it's still there in all it's art Deco glory, ready to be glimpsed by unaware tourists on their way from the parking lot to the museum. The perfect introduction to the glamorous time travel we were about to enjoy.

Happening upon it was really quite a wonderful surprise and we were powerless to continue on to our destination until we took a few pictures...just look at the beautiful detailing.



Pretty fancy for a public works building, wouldn't you say?! So glad it's still around for all of us to enjoy.

Now when we turned around after taking pictures of the Dept. of P&W...we caught of glimpse of the tippy-top of this glorious Hollywood monument...

The First National Bank building, which sits on the corner of Hollywood and Highland, just a few buildings down from the Max Factor museum.

It was built in 1927 and was the tallest building in Hollywood until 1932. It also has amazing details, I definitely want to get a close look at this one next time, and even take a peak inside...I can only imagine how beautiful the interior is.

When you walk out of the museum, this is what you see (above)...a very thirties looking city scape, but we had no idea what that tall building with the towering sign was.

Well it turned out to be the El Capitan theater, which was built in 1926 by the same people who built Grauman's Chinese, and The Egyptian...and interestingly enough, the same architect firm of Meyer & Holler who designed all three theaters, also designed the First National Bank building....what a small Hollywood world.

It's for sale at the moment actually...and can be all yours for just a cool 31 million...any takers?

Just look at the ornate detailing...so very theatrical, and worthy of a buyer who will (hopefully) care for it and respect it's unique heritage, preserving it's special place in Hollywood's silver screen lineage.

If you look closely at the old postcards above & below, you can see both the Bank building (on the left) and El Capitan (right), as well as Grauman's Chinese in the lower one. How I wish Hollywood still looked like this. At least a few of these architectural jewels are still there, tucked away amidst all the new construction and oceans of advertising (way, way, way too much in my humble opinion), waiting to be discovered, enjoyed, and remembered.

Growing up near Hollywood, the old glitz and glamour was somehow taken for granted, I must have just been used to it, but now...it's as if I'm seeing it all for the very first time, with new, more appreciative eyes...a whole new world of exploration is now in front of me...and hopefully, for you as well.

(images personal unless otherwise noted. image 8: here, image 9: here, image11: here, image 12: here, image 13: here, images 14: here, image 15: here)

A Spoonful Of Charming Company

Look who's flown in, and has been keeping me company whilst I've been somewhat down with a very naughty back these last few days...

Why the lovely Mary Poppins of course, and she's been practically the most perfect company...in every way!

Such a cheery disposition...and since she's never cross or cruel when it comes to feeding and medicine time (no gruel or Castor oil - ever, just delicious fruit flavored cordials, and toast with jam), there is no reason to hide toads in her bed (she's in the guest room at the moment) or put pepper in her tea!

She's been very kind and very witty...her rosy cheeks and sing-song voice have made me feel so much better! And did you know that she's very dear friends with....

Miss. Truly Scrumptious? Well, she is! And between the two of them...my ill back has started to feel maybe just a drop better, at least for a nano-second here and there when I'm singing with them or tapping my pinkie which is about the only thing that isn't hurting at the moment.

Miss. Scrumptious is as lovely as a cherry-peach parfait, her clothes are prettier than a breeze across the bay...and she has been spoiling me rotten with gingerbread, lollipops, sugar plums with cinnamon, and lemon tarts (this hasn't gone over very well with Mary, but she knows that Truly is just trying to help). I hope she never, never, ever goes away.

Now Mary and Truly both had another friend that they insisted I invite over, she was from France. Little did they know that I had met Gigi before...

And since I remembered her well...I thought it a grand idea to have her join out little get-well party. I loved the idea of having her regale us with tales of the latest from Paris, and thank heavens, even though Gigi is not one to adore or understand the Parisian's...she's happily shared the pomp, luster, and sparkle of Paris in all of it's 1900's best.

Tomorrow though...these ladies are arriving.

As well as these...and I must admit I'm a bit nervous, as all I've been comfortable wearing are my old Gap sweats and hoodie, I hope they'll be understanding.

And I hope that they'll bring a few of the domestics with them, I think Mr. 24 would appreciate it very much as making tea and crumpets is really not one of his strong points, but I'm sure Mary and Truly would be more that happy to give him a hand, and Gigi as well...although I do believe she only knows how to make chamomile tea...that would be fine, wouldn't it? I suppose we'll just have to wait until tomorrow to find out.

Please wish us luck, as I think these ladies are probably very serious about their tea!


(Disclaimer: I've taken nothing stronger that Advil...truly! I'm just enjoying the wonderful company.)

(all images 'google/imbd')

Let The Art Adventures Begin

Today is the beginning of another art-filled season at one of my favorite teaching venues...the Frances Anderson Cultural and Leisure Center in Edmonds.

My empty classroom awaits...


My lovely view awaits...


And I await...with great anticipation..the arrival of the wonderfully talented and creative spirits that I will have the honor of spending time with and teaching these next few months.

I can hardly wait to see what these clever little artisans will come up with this year.

(Updated 9/16: Added image of Center after the fact...should have been there in the first place, silly me!)

Hearts, Minds, and Souls

Your hearts, your minds, and your souls...will forever be in ours.


And we will keep you close...always.

Thoughts and prayers are with our nation today...and especially with those families who lost loved ones, we will never forget. ♥


(images: here)

Glimpsing Glamour

Last week, one of the most thrilling, 'nothing filled' excursions that Gitzi and I went on, was a visit to the Max Factor Make-Up Studio in Hollywood (now called the Hollywood Museum), where we found ourselves walking in the glamorous footsteps of some of the most beautiful and famous leading ladies of Hollywood's golden age.

Judy Garland...

Elizabeth Taylor...

Lana Turner...

Rita Hayworth...

And of course everyones most favorite and beloved red head...Lucy!

Not to mention Joan Crawford, Claudette Colbert, Bette Davis, Ginger Rogers, Marilyn Monroe (yes!)...and Jean Harlow, who along with Lucy is 'celebrating' her 100th birthday this year. They each had their very own special exhibit happening at the museum and both were beyond fascinating, we were completely entranced. The sheer enormity of personal items that were on display, along with the 'thoughts' from both ladies told through letters and quotes, ended up being an extraordinary experience...pure old Hollywood joy!

There was no flash allowed when taking pictures so it was a bit tricky (to say the least) to get some decent images so forgive me if they're a bit dark...and sparse, I wish we had taken ten times the amount and that more of what we did take had come out better.

We managed to get a few good ones though...

The ornamental details are exactly as they were in the thirties and forties...

So pretty and elegant...very Silver Screen!

The starlets had their own special rooms to get beautified in according to their hair color...red heads were in a mint green room, , brunettes in a pink, blondes in a pale blue, and...'brownettes' such as Judy Garland, were in a peach-ish room. I'm sorry to say that these images didn't come out at all, I'll have to try again next time...and yes, there will most definitely be a next time, as being touched by all that glamorousness needs to be repeated on a regular basis, so all of that old Tinseltown splendor can continue to work it's magic...if not on my face, then at least in my imagination.

I highly recommend visiting the museum if you are ever in Los Angeles. I grew up there and never had I felt so close to old Hollywood as I did while walking around this mecca of beauty where the starlets had perfected their celluloid persona's.
It was a nostalgic delight to step back in time, and soak in the atmosphere that helped to create such polished and exquisite beauty.

To see some wonderful, historic black & white images of the Max Factor Beauty Salon in its heyday, click here.


(all images personal unless otherwise noted - image 1: here, image 2: here, image 4: here, image 5: here, image 6: here, image 7: here)