Newman...

"I would like it if people would think that beyond Newman,
there's a spirit that takes action, a heart,
and a talent that doesn't come from my blue eyes."

Paul Newman

November...

I can hardly believe that November has crept upon us again. Where does Time take herself to?

These first crisp, autumnal days have been overwhelmingly busy ones for me. Beyond the extraordinary changes that have taken place in my life these past few months relating to my father, new challenges--difficult and bittersweet in turn--continually remind me that I can never take any aspect of my life for granted.

Sarah--my sweet, darling older sister--is getting married! As happy as I am for her, I can't help but long for the days when the most serious thing we had to worry about was whether or not we could convince our parents to let us stay up for just a leetle bit longer. I am so glad that she has found someone she wishes to spend the rest of her life with...but my heart is breaking over the fact that she will be moving so far away. What will I ever do without her??

Our days have been spent scrambling to finalize wedding plans & create the perfect menu for the bridal shower Elizabeth, my cousins and I have been planning for her. Melanie, Laura (aforementioned cousins) and I couldn't help but continually sigh as we traipsed after Sarah in the store as she was deciding on items to put on her registry. We all agree that this wedding business is too unbelievable. Who can believe that one of us is getting married...and picking out dinnerware? Though we are supposedly "all grown up," I can't help but feel that it's all pretend; just another one of our "dress-up" games.

Beyond the beautiful-but-crazy wedding planning, we all have been accustoming ourselves to the new job we started after our move a few months ago to a home closer to the rest of our family. The opportunity worked out for us quite well. A close family friend has an aunt with Alzheimer's disease who needs 24-hour care and as we have had experience dealing with this particular disease in the past--this sort of occupation for the three of us seemed a perfect fit for this time in our lives. The only real difficulty is the crazy hours. Right now I am working forty hours a week, but those hours are spread out over only two and a half "days." I work Tuesdays & Thursdays from 4pm until 8am the next morning & Sundays from 4pm until midnight. The most difficult aspect regarding this job is a definite lack of sleep. Beyond work, I hardly accomplish anything I want to these days as I am always so tired!

Once again, I am spending an evening at work when all I really long to do is curl up in a warm corner of our house, lighted against the creeping gloom of the outdoors, to watch a lovely classic film...something I haven't done in much too long a time.

Hmm...that isn't a bad idea. If I can only stay awake long enough...

Love,
Emily

Bogie and Bacall...

* * * *

Humphrey Bogart speaking of Lauren Bacall:

"She's a real Joe. You'll fall in love with her like everybody else."

* * * *

Lauren Bacall speaking of Humphrey Bogart:

"Was he tough? In a word, no. Bogie was truly a gentle soul."

Whisper...

Just today, in one of my old, worn out notebooks, I found a scrap of a story that I had written long ago. Truthfully, I had forgotten all about it. And though the writing is rough & unfinished, and you can sense a liberal stroke of the melodramatic style my younger self favored, there was something about this short piece that touched my heart. Something that, without my realizing it when I first scribbled it down, would touch my story, my life, all these years later.

I can only desire that someday the same note of hopeful expectancy that weaves throughout this short piece will be rooted truthfully in my own heart. For now, I cling to all that is familiar; I cling to the love I hold in my heart for my family; I cling to the hope that somehow we will make it through another moment....if only for the fact that we are together.

* * * * * *

"I still love him. I always will.
But I know now that I don't
have to be afraid to move on,
for I can never lose what we shared.

I can never forget.

There are still moments when I struggle,
when the world seems to spin around me
and I feel as if I can hardly breathe.

I desperately try to hold on to
everything that is familiar.

And in that moment I am lost all over again.
But I know that if I can hold on just a little bit longer,
I'll be alright...I'll be able to make it through."

Bogie...

"I came out here with one suit and everybody said I looked

like a bum. Twenty years later Marlon Brando came out

with only a sweatshirt and the town drooled over him.

That shows how much Hollywood has progressed."

Humphrey Bogart

Gene...

"Everyone should see Hollywood once, I think,

through the eyes of a teenage girl who

has just passed a screen test."

Gene Tierney

Fashion Vintage: Sleepwear...

At the end of a long day, there isn't anything else I look forward to quite so much as shedding the day's worries along with that pair of pinching shoes or restricting garment. Slipping into my most comfortable set of pajamas to relax with my favorite classic film or newest good read seems to naturally make the world seem just a bit brighter.

And if there is one thing that I could point to that I believe showcases vintage designer's superiority, I would have to say that they really knew how to create sleepwear.

So, whether you are a glamorous nightgown-wearing sort of girl or prefer that classic set of pj's, hopefully you'll find some vintage inspiration here!

Enjoy!

* * * * * *

I love this photo!

This is such a soft, classic example of a nightgown.
I think any girl would love to have its swirling
skirt about her feet!

This model's cute, perky ponytail matches the
personality of her nightgown to a tee!

As cute as this look is, it's the pj's and robe
of the little boy in the background that have really
captured my attention. How cute can you get?

The shape and styling of this pair of pajamas
really seems oh-so classic America to me.

The interesting thing to note here, I think,
is how vintage designs so often pair comfort and style.

Isn't she cute?

I love the look of her much too big pajamas!

I think this darling set of pajamas (foreground)
is a perfect example for those who think that pajama
"pants" sets can only be "boyish."

Scallops, tiny bows, and a belted waist are only a
few of the many details that make this a feminine
and pretty look!

Girl next door personified.

More "apron" styling.

Look at all of the detailing!

This nightgown is so exquisite...

This sort of glamorous, dainty style
is a definite vintage specialty.

And look at those slippers!

Be still my heart.

Two vintage models...too cute sleepwear.

Ever so glamorous...

If you look closely at the sweetly-styled nightgown
in this photo, you will see why I think vintage
sleepwear can't be matched today.

Look at all of the detailing...

So many aspects of the skirt and bodice look like
something that could be worn out.

*giggle*

Doesn't this look like a still from some
ultra-glamorous Golden-Age era film?