Weekend Cinema Spotlight: Harvey

"Harvey" (1950)

Imagine a 6"3 bunny following you around and talking to you? Okay, when I think about it I kind of feel a tad bit scared, but Jimmy Stewart was the brave one! Not only did he take this role head on but he made friend with an invisible bunny rabbit!!! LOL

Harvey is about man named Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart) whose best friend is a six foot invisible bunny rabbit named Harvey. He introduces everyone to Harvey and after some time his family becomes concerned about his mental state. His sister tries to have him place in a sanatorium but it is that action that leads to everyone around Elwood to grow accustomed to hearing about Harvey and some even truly believing that he is real-including his own doctor!

The true nature of the Easter season is having faith that a man named Jesus who was God's only son was born into our world so we can learn to be better human beings. Because of those lessons that he taught he would eventually sacrifice himself for the better of mankind. The belief is that if you believe in him that you receive eternal life. Now, I am not giving you this brief religious lesson to preach or to even share my own personal beliefs. But to acknowledge that it is during this season and many others that people hold their faith in the impossible.

The fact that Elwood truly believes that this six foot bunny is real is a testament to ones ability to have faith in the impossible. I have to tell you, I even questioned whether Harvey was real throughout the film but I realized towards the end of the film that it doesn't matter whether or not I believe he is really there. The character of Elwood believed it and because of that it made him a better person. He brought no harm to others and in fact inspired others to attempt in believing in what they cannot see.

Elwood had faith in Harvey just as we should have faith in ourselves and others...just as those during this Easter season have their faith as well.

On that note, I hope you watch this film one day. Stewart is charming and the cast really holds their own.

Happy Easter!!

xox

Three weeks to go!!!!!

Just envision me screaming (with joy)

and doing the happy dance! hehehe

Literally three weeks from now I will be heading out to visit my friend Brittany from Va-Voom Vintage and will also be working with the amazing photographer Kay Murray from Reverie Revel. Kay also has a beautiful blog called Vintage Reveries.

I am still not prepared of course. Honestly, if I wasn't so busy I probably would have everything done already but such is life. Tomorrow I am taking care of some trip business--getting some paperwork in order, going to Target for some toiletries, and purchasing a few other little things from Etsy.

I also need to get a new camera which happily is not that expensive. My old one has gone through four years of hard labor, working everyday taking photos of my growing little ones. Its time for a new one. I also have to finish my spring cleaning, which began today because if my house is not in order before I leave it will bother me.

Yes, I am one of those women who will not feel good if I leave my family unorganized and in a messy home! I take my housewife duties seriously and although I don't beat myself about it if it doesn't get done right away. I do feel I want to leave my family in a good state of being before I leave to have my vintage fun with Brittany.

And boy will it be fun!!! I cannot share all of our plans because I do want to surprise you all but lets just say Brittany and I will have four days of jammed packed vintage events. Many folks are leaving for Viva Las Vegas right now and I hope they all have a blast. For me I find doing a more low key and personal trip far more enjoyable. I also am more of a 1940's gal and VLV is geared towards the 1950's, in particular the rockabilly scene.

With that said, I am looking forward to getting all my things put together and yet still in awe that I am traveling on my own to a state I have never been to! Its been a long, long time since I have traveled on my own so this is all very new for me.  It will be my official first time traveling alone as a mother. I hope I do a good job holding it together. Luckily Brittany totally understands how I feel so I plan to skype with my family at least once while I am away.

So, the countdown begins! I cannot wait to share all the neat things I see and do with all of you!!

xox

The 1940's House

"The 1940's House" (2001)

For a week or so I have been wanting to share this little discovery with you. An acquaintance on my facebook suggested it to me and I looked for it on my Netflix but quickly discovered that it was only available via dvd.

You all already know I do not give up that easily so I searched for it on Youtube and I found it! Within two days I watched the whole thing and found it fascinating. I think you all will too!

This is the house that was converted completely

in the inside to be just like the 1940's-incredible!

Back in 2001 BBC produced a show following a modern family's adventures back into the past. They chose the Hymer family which consisted of Michael (father), Lyn (mother), Kirstie (daughter), Ben (grandson) and Thomas (grandson).

Filming lasted nine months and they went through 1939 to 1945 between those months. There were just five episodes and this is the way is was broken down:

Episode 1: The Home Front (aired 2 January 2001) - The series is introduced, the family moves in, war breaks out, and food rationing is confronted for the first time.

Episode 2: Into the Unknown (aired 4 January 2001) - Michael Hymers leaves the house for three weeks for work-related reasons, and the family confronts additional rationing.

Episode 3: Women at War (aired 11 January 2001) - Lyn and Kirstie join the Women's Voluntary Service and work in the war industry.

Episode 4: The Beginning of the End (aired 18 January 2001) - The family suffers from air-raids, sleep deprivation, and bomb damage before learning that the war is over. They also listen to radio stories about the liberation of Bergen-Belsen Concentration Camp.

Episode 5: The Homecoming (aired 25 January 2001) - Six months later, the Hymers reflect on their time in 1940s House

The Hymers Family all decked out in their 40s best!

I think they made an interesting choice of families-they were outspoken yet argumentative so of course that made for good television. I was honestly very surprised on how little they knew about what their own people went through during the war. The father knew a great deal but he was very quiet about his knowledge and at some point he had to get back to his real job-in a way many men were gone either working or in war so the women left behind had a great deal of adjusting and struggling to contend with.

The family and producers were advised by the "war cabinet" historians to make the experience there as authentic as possible. There were moments of joy and many moments of true suffering. It made me really think about what people especially women in the UK went through during the War. It also made me more curious about what women went through in America as well.

Here is the entire show for you!!

A lot of vintage enthusiasts focus on the clothes and pretty things of an era  but the history and true life experiences of an era are so important to know and be aware of. This show defiantly gives you a little taste of that time. I think it was well put together and really makes your eyes open up a bit more to what it was like so long ago.

Enjoy!!

xox

Think BIG!

I find that Motherhood has a way of seeping into all aspects of your life. As I am singing along to cartoons with my children or playing playdoh with them or coloring-if find that if you look close enough you can learn valuable life lessons as well as find inspiration.

That's what I found in the cartoon Pinky Dinky Doo. Its about a young girl who loves to learn new words and to teach her younger brother about these words she tells a made up story. While she is telling her story she always adds a scene where the main character has to figure out the dilemma at hand and "THINK BIG". The main character (usually a version of Pinky herself) has her head inflate while she thinks BIG and then she gets a great idea and solves the problem. Its a super cute show-my kiddies love it.

Now why am I sharing this cartoon with you? Well, because I think its important that we all think BIG for ourselves. I have met and known all sorts of people throughout my life. There are those who work hard to have what they have and those who sit back and try and get it the easy way. Unfortunately, these days most people are the latter.

Life is incredibly short and you have heard me say this time and again, but truly is. And it is precious-- it can be changed and altered in an instant. So why sit back and watch other people make things happen for themselves?

When thinking BIG or rather be ambitious, you should be aware of a few things:

• Don't step on other peoples toes-be thankful always.
• Be sincere-I mean BE SINCERE.
• Be honest with yourself-not everyone can be a Prima Ballerina.
• Let your ambitions drive you but don't let it drive you nuts.
• Set clear and achievable goals for yourself.
• Work with what you have and focus on what you have.
• Realize what you can do and what you can't.
• Make a mental or literal list of your goals but don't set a time frame.
• Think BIG like Pinky Dinky Doo says and like Bunny says! hehe
• Lastly, be passionate with what you are doing if not you lose all the fun.

Thinking BIG does come with one BIG warning. Be careful on who you share with. I have found once you have created your goals and thought BIG thoughts and you are working hard for them....you really have to try not to share it with the world at large but rather with the people who truly support you and want you to succeed. Unfortunately, there are too many individuals out there who would rather take than give-those are the people who sit back and wait for things to come to them.

On that note, THINK BIG! Be ambitious! Don't let opportunities slide by! Keep dreaming big dreams!

xox

Weekend Cinema Spotlight: Beach Party

"Beach Party" (1963)

Like so many of my first experiences with a classic film, I saw Beach Party for the first time at my grandma's house. The home where I watched both "I Love Lucy" and Telenovelas (spanish soap operas).

I rewatched this film recently before the spring weather started to make its entrance to help me get rid of my mid-winter blues. Well this film did the trick! Its jam packed with cute lines, 60's slang, and lots of hip action! You know it daddy-o! It was a  hoot!

Frankie Avalon was as fine as wine while Annette Funicello was just fab as Frankie and Dolores respectively. This movie was a gas!! Oh how neato it is to use 1960's slang words! If you want to learn some more you find more groovy words right here!

Frankie and Annette-so cute together!

 I remembered having a blast watching it all those years ago and I had another blast watching it again. The main characters that Avalon and Funicello play are two teens who are going steady when they decided to spend their summer living in a beach house (hello-where are their parents!). I honestly have a hard time believing their were teens because they were just living in a house with all their friends (much to Frankie's surprise-you'll see why!). I'd like to think they were like college freshman or something (yes so grown-NOT!).

Anyhoo, there is a scientist by the name of Professor Robert Orville Sutwell played by Robert Cummings who decides to study the mating habits of Californian teens. Little does he realize he will lose sight of his project once he gets personally involved with them.

Trailer for "Beach Party"

It is loaded with funny moments, charming moments, and even singing by both Avalon and Funicello (she was a former Mouseketeer!). There is also lots of 1960's dancing that I am sure young people would totally not think its cool today but I have danced some of those dances and OMG does it give you great exercise on your hips and thighs. Try it some time!

You can find this film and the sequels to it on Netflix. I love watching a film that is jam packed with this and this one is it!!!

Enjoy!

xox