It's Coming! ♥

 

The other day at the grocery store I picked up my first bag of Fall/Halloween themed candy.  I know it's only early August, but I'm not gonna lie....this made me so happy.  No matter what the temperature says outside, in my heart summer is over and I'm embracing fall.  Done.  Whose with me?  That taste of cinnamon, caramel apple, and pumpkin spice is bliss for me.  And although controversial, the candy corn flavor is good too! :)  The early mornings and evenings are getting cooler and I find myself reaching for my sweater more often than not.  I love sweaters and I love cardigans and I'm ready for the all my cozy clothes to be back in my rotation.  I was generously given a few gift cards for my birthday and I decided I'm going to buy myself a new fall jacket this season.  I typically hate clothes shopping for myself but I've seen some cute styles lately so hopefully I'll make a good decision. 

And just in case you're wondering (cause I'm sure you're dying to know!) Dunkin Donuts starts serving pumpkin spice coffee on August 17th (next Thursday) and guess who will be first in line! Meeeee!

And that's then end of my Fall rant for now : )

In other news, this week has been rainy and humid.  John has been working hard at his part time job and thankfully has a few more weeks of summer vacation left.  He doesn't go back until after Labor Day! Yay!  Next week is his 16th birthday.  I am still in denial he's going to be 16! We are planning on a low key pizza night with family with a special cake from the bakery.  

As for me, after a day of rest post Cape Cod,  I was inspired by my friend Rosinda's Instagram (who was inspired by our hero, Miss Susan Branch) and made blueberry corn cakes.  So easy! Just take Jiffy corn muffin mix, add one egg, half cup of milk, and one cup of fresh blueberries...

Fry them like little pancakes in a buttered skillet and you are left with the sweetest blueberry corncakes you can imagine.  Crispy around the edges and soft and fluffy on the inside.  Susan Branch has the recipe in the book "Martha's Vineyard, Ile of Dreams" which is fabulous by the way.  I think it's my favorite of all her books.  It's inspired by her diary pages when she first moved to the island.  It's not a cookbook but she has recipes scattered throughout it.  I love it. 

These corncakes are really yummy and this one accidently came out looking like a heart which made me smile : ) 

I will leave you today with a movie recommendation.  Tuesday night we watched On the Waterfront (1954) starring Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saint.  This is my second time seeing this film.  I didn't think I could love it any more but I did.  It's such a good movie and if you've never seen it and are in the mood for a classic movie I highly recommend it.  Marlon Brando is a force.  He's amazing and I'm so happy he won an Academy Award for his performance.  Move over James Dean, Brando may be my new Hollywood boyfriend. I also googled Eva Marie Saint last night and I was happy to discover she's the oldest living Academy Award winner, and one of the last surviving stars from the Golden age of Hollywood. She's 99 years old! Wow ♥

Have a great day my friends! Thanks for stopping by today! 

Byeeeee! xoxoxo

Happy Valentine's Day ♥

 

Hello Friends!  ♥

I'm a day late, but I wanted to wish you all a very happy Valentine's day! 

Our day was very low key, cozy, and special.  We got take out dinner from one of our favorite local places for a nice casual meal.  I did make us a special dessert though.  Strawberry heart pies!  They were yummy.  

It snowed again on Sunday and the weather is beyond COLD so staying in an keeping warm was perfectly fine with me.  After dinner we watched an Alfred Hitchcock film, Rear Window.  Not very "valentine-y" but it was excellent! Something about those old films....nothing like them.  

If you've never seen this one, I highly recommend it : ) 

I hope you all had a lovely day ♥

Sending hearts and hugs! Xx 

Banana Fritters on a Saturday morning ♥

Hi Friends!  Happy February ♥

 

We've made it out of the post-holiday doldrums of January and are happily striding toward spring!  Yes, I do try to enjoy everyday of every season...but when it's minus a gazillion degrees with a wind chill that will freeze your nose off, it's kind of hard.  This past week there was a slight rise in temperature and believe it or not we are suppose to hit 50 degrees early next week.  I don't understand it, but I'll take it! ♥  

 

Despite the weather we had a good week. Everyone is getting excited for the Superbowl on Sunday.  There have been parades and rallies and send offs. And even at my work on Friday we had a spirit day!  It feels like the week before Christmas! : )

 

 

But even better than that - on Thursday we celebrated Rob's birthday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We ordered pizzas and had a very relaxing night it. It was way too cold to go out, which suited us just fine.  He loved his cake and presents (especially the cake : )

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've been picking on it all week.  Currently there are two small slices left. 

They won't make it past tomorrow.  I guarantee it.

 

 

 

 

 

And now it's February! Which means....Valentine's Day!

 

My tree is up ♥

 

 

 

 

 

I was puttering around the kitchen this morning doing a little Valentine's Day decorating. 

 

Do you like my new banner?  I got it at Target in the dollar bin section for $3! 

The hearts are made of wood with little clothes pins behind them. 

So cute, right? 

 

 

 

 

 I hung up one of last years vintage valentines to start it off.

.  I love the old fashion ones the best.  

 

 

I just realized above the garland you can see a little bit of our wedding cake topper inside the china cabinet.  It's a Lenox bride and groom that was given to us a wedding gift.  It's very special and seems appropriate for Valentine's Day : )   

 

Little pink and red heart touches are scattered all around.  The room feels warmer now.   It's ok to be as romantic and corny as you want in February.  No one can tell you different ♥

I'm not done with my hearts yet, but I'm getting there.  I stopped for another cup of coffee and to check in with the news. Today is Groundhog Day and guess what?  Phil says we are in for an early Spring! Wooo-hooo! 

This is very promising! 

I need to dig out another string of white twinkle lights for the window but I was getting hungry.  John asked me to toast him a bagel but I had a better idea.... 

So last night while I was lying in bed I decided I was going to make banana fritters for breakfast. I got so hungry thinking about it I could hardly sleep. You really shouldn't think about food when you are trying to sleep ♥

Hot and crispy on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside.  Oh my YUM! 

The recipe comes straight from Susan Branch's Sweets to the Sweet.  

The cutest little dessert book you've ever seen ♥

It took no time at all for me to whip up the batter.  

It's amazing what flour, eggs, and milk can do! 

I cut bananas into large chunks. 

I was lucky to have three on hand that had seen better days so it was either this or banana bread  :)

 

I dipped each banana chunk into the batter...

...and fried until golden brown! (I wish you could hear the sounds....ahhhhh....)

Sprinkle with a flurry of powdered sugar and serve warm!   

I dusted ours with a few pinches of cinnamon which made them even more delicious and slightly sweeter! 

Susan  recommends a dollop of sour cream so naturally I tried it.  

She was right...again!  So good!
 

 

 

Here is a screen shot of her recipe in case you want to make them.  I highly recommend it! 

Also try the ice cream while you are at it : )    

 

 

 

 

Why go out for donuts when you can have hot fritters at home? 

I think I might be slightly addicted.

 

 

After breakfast, dishes, and more coffee, I decided it was the perfect time to write out some Valentines.  

Something I enjoy doing as much as writing Christmas cards.  I just love the old fashioned sentiment of it. 

Valentines days doesn't just have to be about sweethearts. I like to show my appreciation to my girl friends & family and anyone that holds a special place in my heart. 

YES and Rob too, of course <3 

But wait....  Some Like it Hot is on!!  

Stop. Everything. 

I hit the couch and put the world on hold for a bit.  

This movie is a classic and certainly one of my favorites.  It's so funny!!!  

Marilyn is simply charming and beautiful  (her wardrobe is amazing! The dresses...omg!)

 but it's Jack Lemon as "Daphne" that steals every scene.  I have to watch it to the end! 

 

 

 Once it ended I went back to my Valentine writing.  I'll be bundling up soon to head out to the grocery store (need dinner and SALAD)  but maybe just one more cup of coffee first.  It's still early!

 

 

Have a great day, friends!! I'm off to check to see what other movies are on today.   Will I ever get to the grocery story????  It's debatable at this point ♥

 

 

Happy Weekend!!

My top 10 favorite classic movies ♥

You know the parts of award shows where they show the classic movie montages? Those are always my favorite parts because I love old movies! I always have. 

The Golden Age of Hollywood! ♥

When I was little I can remember watching classic movie marathons on Saturday afternoons.  After all the cartoons were over, the movies would start.  Sometimes there would be Jerry Lewis, sometimes Bing Crosby, sometimes Elvis.  For me, it didn't matter.  I soaked it all in no matter who it was.  I'm sure by watching these movies as child it shaped my love of the fashions and music of the times. Also values. Wholesome, some say "corny" is just my style.  As Kate Winslet beautifully puts it in The Holiday "I like corny. I need corny in my life". Well said, Kate. Don't we all ♥

It was really had for me to come up with just 10 movies. There are so many to choose from and sadly I could not list them all.  These are the ones that I thought of first because they had such a positive effect on me.  Off the top of my head, these stood out the most. 

For the purpose of this list I'm going to define "classic" as a movie that came out before 1974, because that's the year I was born.  If it's older than me, I'll define it as a classic....which is a very good thing!

Off we go...

#10. Pillow Talk (1959)  This is my favorite Rock Hudson and Doris Day movie.   I remember thinking how gorgeous Rock Husdon was and well, Doris Day is simply perfection. The plot revolves around a "party line" (as most 1950's movies should) and a series of misunderstandings. I love everything about it.  Especially the clothes (that style!) and the way the apartment is decorated.  Oh, and Doris Day sings 3 songs!  Love! ♥

#9. The Wizard of Oz (1939)  As a child this movie scared the life of out me, but there was NO way I was going to miss the one night a year that it was on. That's right.  Once a year. 

The witch terrified me, but I loved it so much.  I still do.  When you think about it, it's such a crazy story - flying monkeys, magic shoes, talking scarecrows - yet we can never get enough.  This movie is pure magic. 

#8. The Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)  How on Earth could Esther Williams look so beautiful after all that swimming?  Emerging from the pool with perfect hair and makeup.  I guess as a 12 year old I hadn't even considered "special effects".  Either way, she was perfect.  I love the synchronized swimming scenes AND those bathing suits.  Swoon! Why did the styles have to change? 

Also, this was a true story which I don't think I realized until many years later.  It's the story of real life swimming star Annette Kellerman.  She was the first woman to wear a one piece bathing suit (among many other things!).  I adore this movie.

#7. Gone with the Wind (1939)  There's probably not much I say about this movie that hasn't been said before. I will say that I do remember the first time I ever saw it.  It was New Year's Eve of 9th grade.  I was spending the night at my friend's house (who was babysitting).  We had decided that even though we were staying in for the evening we would get "dressed up" and have a fancy dinner.  We both wore dresses and had shrimp cocktail and it was all very nice.  After dinner we watched Gone With the Wind which was one of her favorite movies (I'm sure you can tell by this story that clearly I ran in the fast lane in high school : )  Anyway, the movie was amazing and I loved it just as she knew I would.  This was my first introduction to Clark Gable and I finally realized what all the hype was about.  Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara...It doesn't get much better than this ♥

#6. Gentleman Prefer Blondes (1953) Speaking of high school, back then I went through a heavy Marilyn Monroe phase.  I saw Gentleman Prefer Blondes and after that I had to know everything about her. I read every biography I could get my hands on.  She was darling in this, as was Jane Russell (the brunette!). They play best friends and showgirls traveling on a cruise to Paris.  I love all the songs in the movie and have them on CD (yes I do!).  The most famous song is of course "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend", but my favorite is "Bye Bye Baby".  Marilyn was very good singer! Again, I love the clothes in this movie (are you seeing a trend?).  The girls wear the most beautiful dresses! And the makeup - look at that lipstick ♥

There's singing, and dancing, and comedy.  I love every second of it!

They just don't make them like this anymore ♥

#5 An Affair to Remember (1957) I was first introduced to this movie by my other favorite movie of all time Sleepless in Seattle, which references this one several times.  Naturally after all that teasing I had to rent the movie.  Oh dear.  It was all I expected and more ♥  Can anything be more romantic that meeting the love of your life on a cruise to Europe and then promising to meet each other at the top of the empire state building six months later? Aaaaand that true love being non other than Cary Grant?  I honestly can't take it. 

#4 The Long Long Trailer (1953) Ok, this one should come as no surprise to anyone who knows how much I love LUCY. This time, Lucy & Desi play a newlywed couple who buy a 39 ft house trailer and travel across county -which isn't as easy as they anticipated and hijinx ensue.  Of course it does....and it's hilarious!  They are so funny AND we get to see Lucy & Desi in color! My favorite scene is the one song they sing in the movie " Just Breezin' Along with the Breeze" 

 Here's the link on Youtube if you want to see it and get a full dose of corny.

(click here please♥)

#3 How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) Another Marilyn film, this time she's paired with Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall! YES!  Three single ladies in the city looking for husbands! They move into a New York penthouse they can't afford, shop at Bergdorfs, and mingle with high society in hopes of finding millionaire mates.  They will eventually have to decided what is more important Love or Money....and I think we all know the answer to that question.  This is basically the 1950's version of Sex and the City and it's pretty spectacular. The ladies are so charming.  I adore Betty Grable in this! And I won't even mention the fashion again.....but it's also pretty spectacular!!!! 

#2 East of Eden (1955) Of the three films that James Dean made before his untimely death in 1955, this is by far my favorite.  Based on the John Steinbeck novel, James Dean is absolutely chilling as Cal Trask.  I don't know if it's because there is so much mystery surrounding James Dean but when I see him I can't take my eyes of him.  He's smooth, and talented, and the definition of "cool" in my opinion. I was obsessed with this movie as a teenager and had a huge James Dean poster on my wall for many years.  He's so sad in this film and does a really good job at making me cry.  I wish he got an Oscar for this.  He certainly deserved it. 

#1 Some Like it Hot (1959) My favorite classic movie and possibly of all time is Some Like it Hot.   After witnessing the St. Valentines Day massacre Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis disguise themselves as women and join and all girls band to escape the mob who is after them.  Marilyn Monroe plays Sugar Cane, the lead singer of the band and the object of the boys desires.  The problem is that Sugar knows them only as Daphne and Josephine!  It's a hilarious movie with so many funny scenes.  My favorites are the ones with Jack Lemon (Daphne) and her elderly rich suitor Osgood.....you must see it ♥  This is the predecessor to movies like Tootsie and Mrs. Doubtfire.  Some Like it Hot did it first and in my opinion, did it better.  This is a feel good, Saturday afternoon, feet up on the couch, movie. 

Let's do that!

So there is my list of my top 10 favorite classic movies! Do you agree with me? What are your favorite classics?  I would love to hear your list!