Classic Movie Must-See!

I've been asked by several people to give them my recommendations on Must-See Classic Movies. My kids, especially, have asked me to do this, so I think I'll start featuring some great old movies that I love. I've observed that you need to take several things into consideration when watching old movies.

1. Pacing and rhythm are different than today's movies. Every decade and each genre has its' own style so you have to understand that the pacing and rhythm will definitely be different compared to the movies we see today. It may not be what you are used to, but the classics are soooo good it is definitely worth sticking it out and giving them a chance. If it seems like it gets off to a slow start (and not all do) just keep watching. You'll be glad you did.
2. Watch it straight through from the beginning to the end. Even if you've seen part of an old movie, it isn't the same as starting from the beginning.
3. Watch closely for the subtext and subtle innuendos. There is nothing new under the sun. We think we know everything today, but believe me, they knew it all back then. They just dealt with some issues in much more subtle ways. You sometimes have to listen and look more closely but it's all there. It's just not thrown in our face the way it is today. 
4. There might be some politically incorrect comments or situations. Some movies I can't even watch or I have to fast forward through some of the most offensive parts, but the fact is older movies were made in different eras and even though we've been enlightened on a number of issues today, we have to realize that they weren't and it is what it is. Try to get through it because the rest of the movie is probably worth it in most cases.

Mildred Pierce Trailer
I'll start with one of my favorite movies and favorite actresses, Joan Crawford in 1945's Mildred Pierce. I am rarely disappointed with her movies, and I can (and have) watched this move over and over again. Mildred Pierce is the story of a young woman, her mother and their turbulent relationship. It stands the test of time well as some things never change, including human nature.

Joan Crawford stars as successful entrepreneur Mildred, with Ann Blyth as her spoiled and ungrateful daughter Veda. This black and white film noir is set in 1930's Glendale, California, and follows the story of a doting mother who kicks out her cheating husband and is then forced to find a way to support herself and her two daughters.

This five-star movie was nominated for six Oscars and Joan was nominated for three. She won her one and only Oscar for this performance, which in itself says a whole lot. I can't say enough about this movie and how it illustrates that some things never change. I loved the clothing and the dialogue and just everything about it. Joan Crawford at her best. Please watch it and give it a chance. You won't be disappointed, I guarantee it. There are some parts with the black maid that are hard to watch but the rest of the movie is very good.

If you do decide to watch it, I'd love for you to come back and please leave a comment and give me your opinion. Thanks for reading!!!






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Cute Aprons on Etsy!

If you've never checked out an Etsy shop, this is a great place to start! Etsy is a website for handmade and vintage items. Anyone can start a storefront and begin to sell their hand-made items. I have found the coolest handmade, personalized jewelry and the most beautiful knitted and crocheted items I've ever seen. I love, love, love this particular Etsy shop. Cutest aprons ever! I have started an apron collection and I can browse through all these retro-style aprons and find so many I would love to have. This first one is a Christmas apron with the cutest little fawns you ever saw. The website is Boojiboo and it is an  shop. I absolutely love etsy and I am going to post some of my items back up on my etsy shop as soon as I can get around to it. I will post about it when I do. Here are some more of my favorites from this shop.

 This is another fun Christmas-themed apron that I love.

I love this one for year-round wear. So cute!

I love the sweetheart neckline on this one. There are many many more that I really like. Take a look and I'm sure you'll find some you love too!

 Here's a Lucy inspired apron from another Etsy shop, Lover Dovers.

They also have a lot of themed aprons for little girls and even matching Mother and daughter Snow White and Alice in Wonderland aprons that are soo cute!

 This "Domestic Goddess" half apron can be found at Tokoyo Firecracker, another cute Etsy shop. I love Etsy! I can find hundreds of things I would love to have there. Check it out!

Nancy Meyers

I love Nancy Meyers' movies. Somethings Gotta Give is in my top five movies of all time. Maybe second to Casablanca. I also loved last year's It's Complicated. Some of the movies she's written, directed and produced are Private Benjamin, What Women Want, Father of the Bride I & II, The Holiday and Parent Trap. Of course Private Benjamin and Father of the Bride I & II were remakes, but they were great remakes. I just enjoy her movies. For me, she's like Gene Hackman, Diane Keaton, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis and Alfred Hitchcock in that I always look forward to one of her movies and I know if she's involved in it, I'll probably really like it no matter what it is and I can watch their movies over and over and over.

Something's Gotta Give is just a fun movie to watch. In fact I've watched it so much, it was so scratched that watching it was just a sequence of long pauses. FUN FACT: putting toothpaste on a cd to clean it really does work and since doing that my dvd has only had a minor skip or two. I'm going to try it on some of my other dvds. I highly recommend it.