Growing up, one of my favorite women was Katharine Hepburn.
This is probably because my Grandmama looked a lot like her growing up.
And as I got older a beau compared me to her at one point, calling me "Hepburn-esque," likely one of the best compliments I will ever earn in my lifetime.
Some of my favorite quotes by Ms. Hepburn:
"Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get - only with what you are expecting to give - which is everything."
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun."
"We are taught you must blame your father, your sisters, your brothers, the school, the teachers - you can blame anyone but never blame yourself. It's never your fault. But it's always your fault, because if you wanted to change, you're the one who has got to change. It's as simple as that, isn't it?"
"It would be a terrific innovation if you could get your mind to stretch a little further than the next wisecrack."
"Life is to be lived. If you have to support yourself, you had bloody well better find some way that is going to be interesting. And you don't do that by sitting around wondering about yourself."
Those of you who follow my Twitter or know me personally know that I have had a rough week. This quote by her has always made me feel better:
"Life can be wildly tragic at times, and I've had my share. But whatever happens to you, you have to keep a slightly comic attitude. In the final analysis, you have got not to forget to laugh."
Me at Christmas around 1994. This photo was taken at my Grandmama/Grandpapa's house on Jackson Avenue in Lexington, VA. LOVE my skirt! ha!
In my family, as there are so many of us, we have to write a list every year. It gets given to the significant other and the parents are both CC:d on the email. Basically, this list is done so there is no possible duplication of gifts. I was surprised to learn as I grew up that I had many friends who never did a list! Imagine my surprise! Wow!
Anyway, I am one of those people who always asks for books. I think books are the one amendment to the rule on not re-gifting. You can re-gift a book, or give a used book, and it is just as good as a brand new one. You are being good to the Earth, and what if the book is something perfect for a friend or family member. Obviously, I normally own up to it being "used" or whatever, and give another gift to even things out a bit, but I never see why that is wrong, right? [Although if the book smells like cigarettes, or you are giving a book to a germaphobe, then things may want to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis! ha!]
The following items are some of the many things on my wish list this year. These are normally guidelines for family who just don't know what to get me, so these are normally a list of want/needs:
The Cricut Expression. It is an expensive item, but I know with my jewelry-making, scrap-booking and other heart-friendly activities that I would use the heck out of this item. It looks like something way more entertaining and time-saving in comparison to my current trace-and-cut methods for items! Plus, I see it as ideal for things like designing attractive boxes for presentation (i.e. a pair of earrings I designed, etc.).
The Conair I-series Ionic hair dryer. Yes, it is a pink hairdryer! However, it is an ionic hairdryer which is way more forgiving on my thin, baby-fine hair. It can take my hair 5 hours to air dry, literally. This hair dryer should help me figure out how to style my hair now that it is to my belly-button. I am running out of ideas and I really don't want to chop it off, yet!
One of the most controversial films of its time (the glove strip-tease scene), Gilda is an American film classic. I love this movie and the music, the dancing and Rita Hayworth! I have been compared to her (hello, super compliment) and I just love her as such a vivacious character in this film!
Trailer for Gilda, a Columbia Pictures film:
From Williams-Sonoma, I asked for the long stainless steel All-Clad ladle. I make lots of stocks from scratch in a big tall stock pot, as well as making lots of soups and stews in the winter, so I would get a lot of wear out of this kitchen piece.
I love a specific product from Origins, called Clear Improvement. It is a fantastic mask that I can rely on to completely resurface my face and neck to baby-soft cleanliness. It uses charcoal, white Chinese clay and other ingredients to completely clear my pores out. Love. Love. Love!
As I began my entry, I mentioned books. I asked for several this year for Christmas, but here are a few of my favorites:
The 1982 edition of Martha Stewart's Entertaining:
The Woman's Guide to Law School by Linda Hirshman:
and, the book Pinstripes and Pearls: The Women of the Harvard Law Class of 1964 by Judith Hope:
Saw the Sex and the City movie on Sunday. Kind-of spontaneously. Was bored and it was too muggy to necessarily enjoy the outdoors so I decided to spend a great deal of my Sunday early afternoon seeing the SATC movie.
Well, okay, so here is my non-spoiler-ish review.
First off, I think there were around 4 guys in this entirely packed theater. What shocked me, was that this is at 12:15 on a SUNDAY. Why wasn't EVERYONE ELSE in church? Jeezles. So yeah, that was a surprise. I got a seat between two groups of gabbing fans who had popcorn/soda, but I didn't want either because, honestly, I didn't want to need to get up in the middle of this EPIC film!!!!
So I am super-excited and the movie is great. There was a mixed amount of Cinderella-story-ness, but I felt like it was just a really long, really good, although VERY graphic Sex and the City episode. It is quite different seeing Miranda full-frontal naked on a TV versus her breasts being the size of my head on the big screen --- and she isn't even well-endowed! And ugh, Steve always reminded me of ADAM so every time in this movie he is wallowing to Miranda I am thinking "oh grow up Adam and stop looking so sad and kicked-dog-like". Yes, I am a bitch. ANYWAY.... back to naked people, as usual, Carrie was not nude, not surprised, Sarah does have a clause in her contract for that but she and John James Preston were still so ... clicking together. Her Mr. Big did a good job to keep me annoyed to a degree while still loving his lame ass. I mean, honestly, why do I like this old guy? He is a HUGE asshole, looks terribly awkward unless he is wearing a suit, and regularly varies himself from saying the right things and the wrong things - oh yeah, he is reminding me of J.C.! Ha! Go figure. Although Chris Noth is tall and dark and more brooding, which is better (no offense John).
The hot Latino guy shows his man-bits ---- briefly. But he shows the rest of his Greek-sculpture-bronzed-tan-oily-hotness quite frequently. Me likey. Personally, I do NOT mind looking, these guys just aren't my type otherwise. Just physically.
The fashion was fantastic as usual. Although Samantha/Kim Cattrall did finally show her age in a scene where she was wearing a high-waist brief bathing suit, but still, good face, no jowels, and pretty decent upper torso. She must do pilates because she isn't built, she is just finely toned. Let the girl work what she's got, I say. Carrie wore the gladiator sandal like it is going out of style (which it likely will next season, so Fierce!). And I loved one scene where she kind-of did a quasi fashion show in her infamous closet and they rated some of the most memorable outfits over the years. I loved that. And we all know I have UNDYING AMOUNTS of love for Charlotte Goldenblatt (spelling? Anybody?). I mean, come on. I AM Charlotte. Look at my closet. It's a teensy bit Carrie (zebra print pencil skirt from Worth?), but mostly Charlotte. So every scene she was in was great! I felt like she kind-of stole the show on some levels.
And, finally...
New York Library, and the scenes following, were amazing. Such a good idea. Too bad Lexington doesn't have a library like that one.
Um, if Michael asks anyone, I want an old-smelling book with Love Letters from Great Men for my birthday.
I cannot wait for the Sex and the City movie. My best friend Libby and I were talking about how we cannot wait to see it, and that both of our significant others had alerady stated "you have fun seeing that without me". We are planning a Sex and the City ladies night out. I am planning pre-dinner cocktails and then going to whichever theater we purchased advance tickets at. It's going to be a good time. And ENOUGH with the Mr. Big dies rumors. I have already gotten word from a friend within the NYC filming location people for New Line that Big does NOT die because that would've pissed everybody off. But he did say, much to my chagrin, that some bad behavior of some most-loved characters could really screw things up IMHO. There were SOOO many fake scenes/dream sequences filmed alongside the real deals that no one can really know what is happening except for those in the movie. Going to be a BIG day.
Oh yeah! And I found shoes for the dress for the wedding. Plus, they were on sale at Macy's but I had seen them on Zappos...
I really do love this scene in The Philadelphia Story. My favorite movie ever.
"Put me in your pocket Mike", and not 10 minutes later, Bam! Tracy Lord is half-dressed (by this movie's time period standards) and being carried by her non-fiancee, non-ex-husband guy-friend Mike to her room in her family's estate. Then the Fiancee AND the Ex-husband show up. Hysterical.
