Vintage Halloween Party Inspiration

How many of you are planning a Halloween party~be it for children or for adults? I do not need a ready to plan a party-I love the process of party planning and it can be exhausting especially if you are detail oriented like I am. The day before Halloween I will be planning a small Pre-Halloween Play date with my daughters two closest school friends and her cousin (who is just a few months younger than her). With my children and the other I will have seven altogether. I would love to invite more but seven in manageable-more just creates chaos and insanity especially when you are throwing the party in your home.

Since I will have children ranging from 2 to 5 years old I am thinking of either having a pumpkin theme or a monster (the cute kind) theme. I asked my husband to bring down my Halloween supply bins from the attic (yes I have bins hehe) to see what I have to work with and what I would need to  get. They are little so I want it to be nice and special but not to go too overboard, again because of their age.

But for those of you who  may be throwing a party for older children or for adults, I found gorgeous vintage inspired Halloween party supplies that I thought you would all love to check out. Its called Halloween Silhouette and you can purchase them from Oriental Trading. It comes in the traditional and classic colors of black and orange. It has such a 30's/40's feel to it that at the end of Halloween I may check out to see if they are on sale to stock up for next year. I just adore this theme-its simple, classic, and well....vintage.

Paper Goods~Invitations (they set the mood for the party), banner, and place cards.

Wall decor~door decor, banner, lanterns, and bug stickers

More Decor~balloons, cutout, or planter 

Tableware~tablecover, plates, napkins, placemats, and utensils (missing from photo)

Edible Treats~cupcakes, cupcake picks (not edible!), cookies, and cake pops

However you choose to plan your party and whatever the age group might be, have fun with it. No point stressing over a party because then it becomes more of a chore. For those throwing a party for younger children; do some arts and crafts, watch "Monster House", or play games. And for those who would use this theme for an adult part; make Halloween theme flavored drinks, have a sit down dinner using place cards, set the mood with candles, and perhaps hire someone to read tarot cards.

I look forward to planning my little Halloween play date and cannot wait to see the kids faces when they see all the decorations up hehe Are any of you planning a Halloween party this year? If so, have you decided on a theme?

xox

Bunny's Broadway Dreams!

Being born and raised in the city that never sleeps, one would think that every little boy or girl grew up with Broadway dreams. Not the case unfortunately. New York is broken up to all sorts of neighborhoods and economic statuses. Of course that doesn't mean a child should not dream of being on stage and belting out a tune. It just means perhaps that child is unable to get exposed to such things.

I was blessed to see my first Broadway show when I was nine years old. It was The King and Iwith the one and only Yul Brenner. My father worked for Donald Trump at the time and was friendly was Mr. Brenner. My father was also recently widowed (about a year or so after my mother's passing) and he worked every shift he could get. I won't lie, my dad was a wreck. And on a personal note-I cannot wrap around my head losing the love of my life like he did. My dad is amazing. He worked all those shifts and managed to still chaperon school trips with me. He was the only dad there. Back when I was a little girl, dad's just didn't do those things, but mine did.

The show was magical but I didn't catch the Broadway bug until my dad asked me what I wanted for my 16th birthday. I was always acutely aware of my father's stresses, pains, worries, etc so I didn't want to ask for much. I did ask him if I could see Les Miserables on Broadway. Oh, and I asked if I could also be taken out to dinner. Most people I knew had Sweet 16 parties but I wanted to see Broadway--with its bright lights and all those fancy people. I just wanted a fancy night out with my daddy. 

I don't know what happened but we didn't make it to dinner (which I still tease him that he owes me one!) but we made it to the show. And oh my! That show was incredible. A moving stage, singers all over the place, drama, intrigue, action, war, and romance.....swoon! It was fabulous! And I felt fabulous in the pretty black velvet dress my dad got for me-I felt like a princess that night.

Afterwards, my dad purchased the tape of the show for me and of course I listened the music everyday non-stop. I was always an expressive child and always attracted to the arts but I was also very shy (shocking huh?) and very introverted in many ways. Although I am an extrovert by nature, the circumstances of my life made me just very quiet and I didn't like attention too much.

I think of myself back then and wonder how I got the courage I did to do what I did, but I am reminded of  what a passionate person I have always been. And I am also reminded at how brave I can be when I am focused on something I really, really want. Know what I mean?

So that year my music teacher had a singing workshop and I signed up. I had Broadway stars in my eyes but I knew that those who make it big also study their craft 24/7 (aka Rachel Berry from Glee). But I wanted to see if I had what it took to be on stage. Remember-I was shy and not as confidant as I should have been. But I had all this passion inside and I knew I had to go for it. 

To top it off, my music teacher (from High School) also brought Judy Torres (his former student), who is a known freestyle music singer to the workshop as well. Freestyle music was and is very popular especially in the 1980's in more urban parts of New York such as the Bronx and Upper Manhattan. When I saw her I told myself not to get intimidated. I saw her insecurities and realized she was a girl doing what she loves, just like me. So I carried on and kept going past every obstacle--which for a teenager, almost everything seems like an obstacle.

I was preparing for my performance on stage when another girl who was an AMAZING singer, who had professional training and all, found out what I was going to sing and she tried her best to bring me down (sounds like an episode from "Glee" I know!). I took that and said to myself, "Um, I don't think so! I will show them all!!" And guess what....

I did! I sang my heart out and I received the only standing ovation from all the performances. My music teacher (who was known to be a music snob) came up to me and told me that I should be on BROADWAY!

This is Lea Michele from Glee singing the

song I sang, "On my own"

Sometimes dreams can be fulfilled in one moment-a moment like that one. I didn't really, really want to be on Broadway. I knew it would take a lifetime of dedication and resources and I knew that there were other things out there for me. But that one moment in time when I sang with an audience, when I got a standing ovation, and when I heard those magical words....those were enough for me.

Dreams sometimes change with time. Sometimes you have to take what you can from the dream you have. And sometimes your dreams can be fulfilled in ways that you never, ever imagined.

So, here is to dreaming. I hope you all continue to dream and find ways to make them come true. And when you do-go out and make new ones...I have!

xox

PS Yes, I am a Gleek (fan of Glee) and I still go to Broadway shows when I can! *smile*

Vintage Halloween Pinups of Yesteryear: Part Deux

I remember blogging about Halloween last October so vividly. My how time moves fast! So it is  now officially October! That means there are fall activities to plan, pumpkin picking, a Halloween playdate to put together, and of course the big day-Halloween! My babies are gearing up for it and they have their costumes all ready to go. It is one of my favorite holidays and it is just pure fun in one of the loveliest months of the year.

Last October I shared with you all some Vintage Halloween Pinups of Yesteryear. I thought I would share some more since there are so many fantastic photos of pinups and starlets having fun with Halloween. 

Oh my-these photos are so inspirational! Last October I said that I wanted to do a vintage Halloween shoot. I still want to....BADLY! I hope I get to do it one day!

Which photos were your favorites? Would you love to do a vintage Halloween shoot one day? 

Happy October! Let the Halloween/Fall fun begin!

xox

Dress Like Cinzia Zaccardi from "Houseboat"

Sophia Loren really had/has an outstanding figure, don't you agree? And although Houseboat is a romantic/family film, Edith Head pulled all the stops and created incredibly figure flattering dresses for Loren to wear. One of these amazing dresses is this black number just below. I added a video of the scene that she was in when she wore this stunning dress just so you could get a better glimpse of it-enjoy!

Can we all say "Bellissima!!"

Below are some photos of her ensemble as well. It included a black wiggle dress, black wide brimmed hat, black high heel shoes, plain black purse, and a simple one strand pearl choker with matching earrings. Luggage is optional! LOL

I found some incredible 1950's black dresses and hats on Etsy. Now although I couldn't find exact matches, I was able to find some that gave a simple feel to what Cinzia wore. Let's not forget a pair of black heels, purse, a pearl choker and earring set would be ideal to complete this "Houseboat" inspired ensemble.

One, Two, Three, and Four

One, Two, Three, and Four

Aren't each of these pieces just beautiful! Black is such an elegant color. Perhaps one day you will feel inspired to dress like Sophia Loren did when she played Cinzia on "Houseboat". I mean one cannot go wrong with a little black dress...wink!

xox

Weekend Cinema Spotlight: Houseboat

"Houseboat" (1958)

I haven't had to chance to spotlight as many Cary Grant films as I would have liked but since this is officially the last weekend of September (oh my that went fast!) But I thought I would spotlight one of my favorite Cary Grant films.

Houseboat was actually my first Cary Grant film and I remember first watching it at Grandma's house. At this point I was watching classic films on my own accord, looking back I wonder what my Grandma thought of me watching them instead of MTV hehe

This is film has a lovely cast; Grant, Sophia Loren (as Cinzia), Martha Hyer (as Carolyn), Harry Guardino (as Angelo), and Paul Petersen (as David).

The film begins with Tom Winters (Grant) coming home after the death of his estranged wife. He is now in charge of his three children and although his former sister in law, Carolyn (Hyer) has been longing to take her position but his side...things change one night at a concert.

Cinzia Zaccardi is the daughter of a famous Italian conductor. Before you know it she has landed a job as Tom's maid, little does he know that she is clueless about such things. Cinzia is yearning for a different life that the one she has as do Tom's children, creating a special bond between them. Although things are complicated by Carolyn's advances, Tom's friends assuming Cinzia is something other than a maid, and Angelo's advances-Cinzia and Tom find that they have fallen in love with one another. 

I found many scenes of this films endearing, like Robert (Charles Herbert) playing the harmonica and the way Grant and Loren interacted with the children. I know this may come as a huge surprise but this is the only film I have seen with Loren in it. I know! Shame on me! I did find her character to be charming and sweet but there were scenes that annoyed me, like when she was convincing Tom's daughter Elizabeth (Mimi Gibson) to not sleep in her father's bed. I suppose I never like it when women get involved in the raising of another person's child and act like that child's mother. 

For example, in the "Sound of Music"...I know most people adore that film and I enjoy it but I cannot stand how a former nun suddenly marries a well-known wealthy man and she in her own way demands to be their mother. That's probably the most annoying part of this film for me-these children just lost their mother and suddenly a "new" one is thrown at them. Ahhhh, yes I have issues with that. I am a firm believer that people cannot just walk around taking the places of others-dead or alive-but I supposed that is the old school approach to family and marriage most likely taken in those times. LOL I know, I just digressed...hehehe

Interesting Facts About Houseboat:

1. Original screenplay was written by Besty Drake, Grant's third wife. 
2. Grant originally wanted it to star her but his extra-marital affair with Sophia Loren complicated the project. Drake's script was drastically re-written by two other writers to accommodate Loren and bears little resemblance to Drake's concept.
3. Carlo Ponti obtained a Mexican divorce from his first wife and married Loren by proxy, while she was in Hollywood, filming Houseboat (1958) - and dating co-star Cary Grant (17 September 1957).
4. It is said that Grant was devastated that Loren married Ponti. He had a difficult time filming especially the final scene of the film where the marry and kiss. He was a good sport though, he congratulated them both and shook Ponti's hand.
5. Parts of the movie, "Houseboat", were filmed in Fort Washington, Maryland on the Potomac River and Piscataway Creek at the present site of Fort Washington marina
6. The eldest son of the character of Tom Winters (Grant) is Peter Peterson who also starred in The Donna Reed Show.
7. Martha Hyer who plays Carolyn, the former sister in law of Tom's, can also be seen in Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart.
8. Melville Shavelson who directed this film also directed another favorite film of mine-Yours, Mine, and Ours
9. All three child actors who worked with Grant and Loren said that they treated them with great care and kindness. Not all film actors take a liking to children-it was nice to hear that these two great stars were.
10. Edith Head designed Loren's stunning dresses. I mean the woman could wear a plastic bag over her body and she would still be gorgeous but Head's dresses really were divine!

This film is fun, heartwarming, and terribly sweet. Grant was just a fox in this role....I mean he really was...woweeeee! The child actors were incredible and really made this film special for me.

I didn't forget about reviewing the book written by his daughter, Jennifer Grant. I just need more time to finish it! hehe

I hope you all enjoyed my posts about this amazing man and actor! Tune in for another post inspired by Sophia Loren's amazing wardrobe from this film!

xox