holiday

The pairing of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn most likely brings to mind The Philadelphia Story (1940) or Bringing Up Baby (1938).  But Holiday (1938, directed by George Cukor) is possibly my favorite.  It's the story of Johnny (Grant), a self-made man who has proposed marriage to heiress Julia.  Johnny wants to quit working so he can travel and experience life.  Julia can't understand why he doesn't want to just make more money, but her sister, Linda (Hepburn), a fellow free spirit, understands Johnny completely.  You can imagine what happens next.

There are some lovely late 1930s fashions in the film.  A New Year's Eve/engagement party showcases some evening wear, but I really enjoy seeing the daily outfits and shoes (and wild hats) the sisters wear.

Linda is usually dressed a bit more simply and less flashy than Julia, though still always very elegantly.  I prefer Linda's black satin dress here.

Hepburn is dressed in a simple black gown for the party, but wears a necklace that sparkles more than anything I have ever seen captured on film.  I really think Cukor used some kind of special effect for the glittering jewels on this necklace.

I love this scene.  Ned (Lew Ayres), the sisters' hard-drinking, frustrated musician brother, marches in with champagne.  Ayres plays this role with the perfect mixture of humor and pathos.

Grant and Hepburn perform some fantastic tumbling moves in the film.

xo

K

my Etsy wishlist: squirrels, pine cones, bags, and shoes!

When I was little, I made holiday wishlists by going through the JC Penney and Sears catalogs and marking all the gifts I wanted Santa to bring me. (One was the the Guns of Navarone playset, which Santa never brought. I was a weird kid.)

Now my wishlist is, basically, my huge and ever-growing list of Favorites on Etsy. Here are some selections from it...all items I wouldn't mind one bit seeing under the tree on Christmas morning!


This wonderful Jumble mobile by mobilosity!

This incredibly cool 1950s bag from TheDustyDog.

I have been a fan of amberalexander's shop for about as long as I've known about Etsy, and everything about this print is perfect: I have a dear friend name Don, love squirrels, and, well, martinis, too!




These rose and black pepper thumbprint cookies from whimsyandspice have been tempting me for a long time.




Back to the squirrels. Love this adorable squirrel ring from mylavaliere.




I remember these wacky Brownies from one of the books I had as a child, and I would love to have this ornament from sushipot to hang on my wall.




I will have my very own jennyndesign bag some day! I'm currently coveting this gorgeous dark plum leather clutch from her shop.




I don't only like squirrels. I also like pine cones. Like this enamel one, on GypsyRabbit's lovely necklace.




These faux bois ceramic coasters from laurenmc18 would look terrific on our Heywood Wakefield coffee table.




And this whitewashed deer plaque from nice would look excellent hanging on the wall, or over our fireplace.




I adore this velvet Winter Woods skirt from madewithlovebyhannah, and the cute little skunk brooch that comes with it!




Back to the squirrels, I love local artist shelleyklein's squirrel girl with cloud.




And finally, saving the big one for last, these amazing 1940s oxfords from allencompanyinc are in great condition, and just happen to be my size!




Whew! It's a long list. But Etsy's a pretty tempting place.

xo
K

she wore blue velvet...

...and blue gabardine and black taffeta and gold brocade and black velvet and powder blue velvet and plaid cash-mink (!!)...

And he wore red plaid.


Angelic! 1960s powder blue velvet and gold beaded dress by Joanna Nelson for Bullock's Wilshire.

1960s midnight blue velvet baby doll dress with lace cuffs and collar.

1950s gold brocade dress by GiGi Young.

Tan plaid cashmere and mink blend coat.

1940s black taffeta dress by R&K Originals.

1960s black velvet smocked waist maxi-skirt.

1940s cobalt gabardine suit by Laura Dale.

Black Koret evening bag.

Red plaid smoking jacket by Richman Brothers.

xo
K

shiny

Just a little sneak peek at a few more shiny and sparkly things coming to the shop in plenty of time for holiday parties!

And, by the way, doing a search of the shop at any time using the term "holiday" or "party" or "cocktail" will bring up the most festive attire currently available.

1960s moss green silk shantung Saks Fifth Avenue suit with bishop sleeves.

1950s cherry red velvet dress.

Silver Jetsons suit!

1980s metallic emerald ruffled party dress.

Schiaparelli gold snakeskin-texture t-straps.

Wine velvet pouf shoulder jacket.

xo
K