Bunny's Book Club: Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit

Audrey Hepburn as a child

I had to take a break from my posts about my trip to Missouri to wish Miss Audrey Hepburn a Happy Birthday and to share you my thoughts on one of my heroes. I will return with more adventures on my trip tomorrow for sure. 

She would have been eighty-three today and I believe would have continued to be a champion for the children of our world. I spotlighted Ms. Hepburn in November 2011 and it is my favorite post I have written so far.

Sean Hepburn Ferrer's favorite

photo of him and his beloved mother.

In honor of her birthday I would like to share my impression of the biography on the life of Ms. Hepburn that was so exquisitely written by her eldest son, Sean Hepburn Ferrer.

Let me start by saying that I thought I admired her before I read the book, now I feel a special connection because I found similarities with our personalities that I never noticed before. I also found a kindred connection with Ms. Hepburn when it came to her calling to service and the way she looked at the world and loved the children in it. 

This biography, Audrey Hepburn, An Elegant Spirit, is worth every single penny. If you are truly a fan of hers then you MUST read this book---every word of it because it will warm your heart and make you look into yourself as well.

I don't have a lot of time to read books because my mama schedule is so demanding but little by little I would read when I ate my lunch and read when my husband was home. Its like a large scrapbook which I loved, so many amazing and personal photos that were in it. I felt like I was peaking into Sean's life with his beloved mother.

By the time I read the last passages, I was in tears. Her approach to living, the way she loved, the way she viewed life just moved me in ways I didn't expect. That's how truly beautiful she was. I can honestly say now that although I adore Marilyn Monroe and admire Rita Hayworth....Audrey Hepburn in my HERO! And when I grow up I hope I can be as graceful and full of love as she was, even through the pain and suffering, even at the last and final moments of her life.

So Happy Birthday Ms. Hepburn. You have inspired me to continue to look beyond myself. And you have inspired me to keep hold of the goal of doing service. Thank you.

xox

Some serious shopping!

Day in Missouri started out with breakfast at Steak 'n Shake (yum!) with Brittany and her family. Then we went to Brenda Sue's and ended our shopping at an Antique Mall. I found bundles of goodies in both places. Brenda had been to New York a few times so we chatted up about it. I found two fedora type hats, some purses, some clothes, and my prize was a vintage dress and hat for my daughter. It will be perfect for our Mommy and Me shoot on the 12th!

Lots of goodies found then it was time for lunch at Chick Fil-A. OMG! The nearest one to me is in New Jersey and well its the best chicken place-so yummers!

Brittany and her husband PJ are such cutie pies. They reminded me so much of my husband and I. It was so nice to spend the day with such a fun loving, sweet couple!

I have never been to an Antique Mall and I was surprised on how overwhelmed I became. There are rows and rows of cubicles of vintage items. Once I warmed up to the way items were displayed I loved it! I hope to find some in New York....somewhere. 

We ended our day at Brittany's mama's house. I had the honor of meeting her grandma who immediately adopted me into her fold-how neat! And of course her mama Mickie who is an amazing artist and an inspirational woman. She made us a super yummy dinner that literally was finger licking good. (drool!). Mickie also has a blog called Tales from the Old Wooden Art Table.... I highly recommend checking out her art-its stunning...truly.

We were all beyond beat but we also managed to fit in two mini photo shoots in Mickie's backyard which was crazy fun. We intended to sleep early but ended up chatting til late again. Not wise to do when you have a photo shoot the next day and I do not recommend doing that but its what happens when you're having fun.

Follow Brittany's blog if you don't already and read all about her view of our adventures!

xox

My Outfit: 

Pinafores are from Time Machine Vintage on Etsy

Blouse was made by Brittany, Cardigan was thrifted :)

Bunny in St. Louis!

On my way to St. Louis!!

Well...I'm back! And boy am I beat! But isn't that always the case after a vacation! You always need a vacation from the vacation hehee

It it safe to say that I had the time of my life and also safe to say that I have begun a beautiful friendship with Brittany!

My papito and I...what a big boy he is now!

I was hoping I wouldn't cry when I left my children and I didn't. We had to take our youngest with us to airport but I held it together. Actually the only time I got misty eyed about my children was on the plane ride back but that's a fantastic story I will share with you a little later.

People in New York are rarely shocked when they see someone dressed differently and in a way that's cool but sometimes you do want them to at least appreciate the look-know what I mean? I waved goodbye to my husband and baby a few dozen times before I went off to wait at the gate for my plan to arrive. This was my first trip alone since 2005 and my first trip away from my children-so it was a different experience for me this time around. 

After a little turbulence, I landed and called Brittany right away. There she was waiting for me with her amazing and beautiful family. We went straight to Sweetie Pie's where we stuffed our faces with the yummiest food ever!!!

I had the meatloaf and mash potatoes with mac and cheese and made sure I took pictures of everything I ate because my husband is a big foodie :) It was divine!

Photo courtesy of Va-Voom Vintage

Brittany then treated me to an extra special trip to a store that I have to admit I did my best shopping in! The store shall remain nameless and its location because its her special secret place-I feel totally honored that she brought me!!! I actually purchased 16 super fabulous cardigans for $38.00 dollars!!! Can you imagine that??!! I mean in most shops you can find one good one for that price alone but SIXTEEN!!!! Such a score! We also found matching 1960's mod dresses that we wore for a photo shoot-cannot wait to share those with you!

I left that shop a happy, happy Bunny!! Cardigans are a huge part of a 1940's girls wardrobe and I can also use them with my modern jeans and tops so its a Win-Win situation for me!

Afterwards, we headed to her house and I had St. Louise pizza for the first time with toasted ravioli's-super yum!

We stayed up late chatting up-something Brittany and I and her husband PJ did almost every night hehehe I bought a large stuffed Rainbow Brite doll for my daughter and she loves to bits. At night I kept it near me to make me feel like she was close to me. My girl is such a snuggle bunny-I missed their kisses and snuggles-now I get to do it all day long again hehee

Tune in for more of My Vintage Adventure on my blog and on Brittany's as well!!

xox

My Outfit:

1940's Trousers made by Brittany

White Blouse was Thrifted

Cardigan and Jewelry was purchased on Etsy

My Vintage Adventure Begins.....

Tomorrow is the BIG day! So sorry I haven't spoken about much else aside from my trip! Its been a balancing act between mommyhood and getting everything in order. When I return will have so much to share with you all. Including some super special posts with a very special guest to help celebrate Mother's Day!

May is going to be jam packed with lots of activities on my end. I am excited to be extra busy but also careful not to neglect my responsibilities on the home front. Come May 6th I will be hosting a "NYC Vintage Girls Meetup" in Manhattan. A few amazing ladies have already rsvped including my friend and fellow blogger Nella who will be visiting New York during the week of my meetup so I invited her along and she said yes! I cannot wait to meet her in person!

I also have a "Mommy and Me" vintage shoot scheduled for May 12th for my daughter and I. I just love how excited she gets about dressing up!! My first son will turn three in May as well so I will be in full force party planning mode once I return from Missouri on Monday. So much to do but so many opportunities to be creative and celebrate special events like Mother's Day and my baby boy's birthday.

Lastly, and this is a BIG one. I am working on my switching my blog over to my own domain. I decided that since this summer I will celebrate my first year blogging and my first full year in the vintage world that I would take this extra step up for myself. I am still learning how to use the new format but once I get it all done you will be the first to know. I will announce my new address at the beginning of June which will mark the anniversary of my very first pinup shoot. My how much I have grown and learned in one years time. I hope that you will follow me to my "new" blog (not really new hehee) and I hope that will you like the changes once you see it.

It means so much to have all of your support and to follow me on this incredible journey!

Off to relax with munchkins before my BIG day!!!!

xox

Starting to Pack!!

Happy Sunday to everyone! Its dreary and rainy here in New York. I wonder when the sun will shine out again? I think it may rain all week too! My children will have lots of fun with their daddy while I am away. Which is now just three short days from now. Oh my goodness! 

I have spent my Sunday taking care of all the big things. I cleaned my top floor of my home and did the laundry. I have loads to fold and then I will organize some outfits for my children for my husband so he doesn't have to fret about that. My children are really sweet and loving babies but they have oodles of energy. Way more energy than we do it seems sometimes hehehe

My outfit is all picked out for Thursday morning and now I just have to iron it. Goodness, I haven't ironed in a while-defiantly not my top most favorite household chore to do. :) I also will start my packing tonight. That way during the next few days I will just add little things here and there like my foam rollers and my brush and comb.

Getting to these days hasn't been easy-I won't lie. When my amazing husband gifting me my airplane ticket to Missouri I wasn't sure how we would come up with the rest of the money for my trip. I didn't really need much but when you're struggling financially as we are and as so many Americans are today-a small trip like this is really a luxury.

Why am I doing it and why is he letting me go? I need some time to be just me away from my responsibilities. My close friends are great but they don't really get my love for classic film or yearning to learn more about vintage...well...anything. I didn't think at my age I would need new friends but I think some friends come and go at different points in our life. I also think that some friends are great to talk about the past with and some are great to have toddler play dates with. And then some totally get how crazed and tired you can be as a stay at home mom and that friend has been Brittany.

She totally gets why I love what I love and doesn't think I am weird for wanting to model. I haven't met her in person yet but she and my friend Kay (my photag in MO) have believed in me in ways I didn't expect anyone would. Aside from two or three close personal friends-they both just took me by surprise and have reminded me that special friendships can take place at any point in your life.

My husband wants me to be happy. He wants me to seek out a new dream for myself. He knows I live my life's dream everyday being his wife and the mother of  our children. It really is the best thing I will ever do with myself. But I yearn to learn and be creative and attempt to do something with all of that at some point. 

Everything you can imagine has gone wrong-just everything. BUT it has been a huge lesson for me-to learn how to handle stressful situations a little more gracefully. I am so grateful to all of those who have helped me make sure I get to go on my trip-they know who they are.

With that said this trip is a great opportunity for me to relax, to enjoy my new friendships, to learn, to be creative, and too refresh myself. 

xox