All posts filed under: photography

classic actors in common, from my point of view

Published by

I am a movie fanatic and a complete junky of the entertainment world. What can I say, now you all know my weaknesses 🙂 So, as a child,  when I got introduced to film, I began to envy my mother’s generation, because of all the gentlemanly leading men in cinema. I secretly fell in love with a few of them even though they were old enough to be my father or grandfather. When  I was in my 20’s and 30’s, it seemed as if  there was a gap in the entertainment industry as far as having “gentlemenly” leading men. I just didn’t think anyone could step up to the plate to those from the classic Hollywood film era. But in the last decade or so I have discovered that, I too have reached a point in life, where I can honestly say I am proud to have known  a few classic and “gentlemenly” actors  from  my generation. Here is the list ladies and gentlemen, let me know what you think?

new year lifestyle makeover

Published by

Normally around the end of a year or the beginning of a new one, people tend to reconfigure their life and lifestyles in an effort to make changes, which in essence will allow them to feel good about themselves throughout the New Year. It’s funny this behavior is almost automatic and whether we think about it or not, all of us participate uniformly and sometimes subconsciously. While searching online for various small or big changes people tend to make around the end or beginning of a new year are: 1.Get  rid  of old clothes and donate them to a worthy cause 2. Spruce up the house by either painting or redecorating a room or two. 3.  Contemplate a new hair do and/or color treatment. 4. Shred old or expired files and organize a new filing system. 5. Clean out linen closets and declutter a food pantry. 6. Shop for a new perfume or explore new make up options. 7. Get a message or a spa treatment 8. Purge computer and organize online photos 9. Get …

experiencing france through montreal canada

Published by

Outside of Paris, my second favorite place to visit in order to get my dose of French essence is Montreal, Canada. Although most of my visits there revolve around   family, I manage to sneak in a day to escape the norm and traditions just to reconnect with the city, in my own way. It isn’t difficult to feel as though you are in parts of France, while in Montreal, because every where you turn there is a reminder of the French culture. Whether in street signs or billboard advertisement, architecture and cobble stoned streets,  restaurants and cafes, bookstores and more, the make up of the city exudes a more Parisian feel than most any other place around the globe which is influenced (previously colonized) by French culture. One of my favorite times of the year to visit the city is in the Fall.  According to family, Montreal seldom sees sun and is often times more cloudy and rainy than the locals prefer. Plus the humidity in the Summer months is most unbearable outside air-conditioned …

french women manifesto – who knew

Published by

I know, I know you are probably getting sick of my French this and that, but if you are then please turn the page, otherwise sit tight and share with me cause there is plenty to write about. According to the book French Women Don’t Get Fat (website) there is a manifesto to follow. I actually laughed when I read the list because most of the items listed are a clear description of what I stand for and believe in. So I suppose I am truly French at heart. 🙂 . So here are some of my favorites French women eat for pleasure. French women eat with all five senses, allowing less to seem like more. French women enjoy going to market. French women do enjoy wine regularly, but with meals and only a glass (or maybe two). French women eschew extreme temperatures in what they consume, and enjoy fruits and vegetables bursting with flavor at room temperature, at which they prefer their water, too. French women get a kick from Champagne, as an aperitif …

colorful door knobs in decor

Published by

I can’t stress the fact how much I enjoy walking through an Anthropologie store, ANYWHERE,USA and playing with their display of door knobs. They are colorful, creative, interesting, somewhat antique and “in my opinion” can be used for more than just door knobs. They are a great enhancement to the old boring key holder rack  in a home. A fun costume necklace, bangles and scarf  holder rack (which is easy to make) for your daughter’s room, AND as a rack  in the kitchen to hold  recyclable grocery bags and umbrellas.  They are make a wonderful personalized gifts for the holidays and even Mother’s Day (if you happen to be into making your own gifts).  So check them out and let me know what you think? Also, if you have your own suggestions of using these wonderful door knobs, please feel free to share them with us.

fashionista or sarah jessica parker?

Published by

One word, which took me a while to get used to, is none other than the word “fashionista” and after looking it up in the dictionary to get the true definition of it, I discovered that EVEN this word’s meaning has evolved through time as a result of shows like “Sex In The City” and Sarah Jessica Parker. I am certain that most any woman is aware of the show, the movies and Sarah Jessica Parker and of course there are some of us who admire her style and others who question it.  But I must say, although eccentric and sometimes over the top, her sense of style is most unforgettable and  a challenge for most anyone else to pull off. So, here is hoping we can duplicate her conservative look as a woman over 40 and do our best to avoid the rest.

in search of fall colors in san francisco

Published by

One of my favorite activities is walking. Of course I do it mostly for exercise but when I am walking in a more leisurely pace, it is so I can just take in the outdoors. Fall is especially a wonderful time to take a leisurely walk, because if you happen to live in a city where the leaves turn color, it is probably one of the most rewarding walks you will experience (at least for me).  However, in San Francisco we are not fortunate enough to experience the fall colors because, outside of the parks, we are mostly treeless and the type of trees we do have, they do not change colors. When I worked at Stanford University six years ago, I had the pleasure of walking the campus every morning before work and in the Fall, I was able to enjoy the colors while I shuffled through the fallen leaves.  As a matter of fact, there are benches strategically placed along tree-lined pathways and if you are bold enough to sit on one of them on …

parisian decor in a san francisco apartment

Published by

One benefit of living in San Francisco is that you can actually duplicate French inspired decor into your lifestyle providing you are lucky enough to land the right Victorian or Edwardian style apartment. The interior requirements should be exposed parkay floors, an old white fireplace, french doors separating the living and dining room.  Rustic chandeliers (hopefully) hanging throughout the house and large  oblong windows. Anyway, in trying to figure out a theme for decorating my “impending” apartment, I have dabbled with the idea of creating a Parisian style apartment ambiance (of course to no one’s surprise) just to escape to when I get home from a hard days work.  Don’t worry I still appreciate modern design but every time I decide on the furniture or style, I somehow revert back to Parisian decor. Can’t blame a girl whose heart will always be in Paris 🙂

paris in black and white

Published by

What is it about photographs of Paris in black and white? Actually the only other place I can think of that looks amazing in black and white photography is New York. I understand you may disagree but from where I am sitting, those are my favorites. During the winter months I tend to become very nostalgic and will search for anything that feeds into my nostalgia.  Such as classic films, holiday shopping, Dickens’ Fair, listening to Edith Piaf  and looking through black and white photographs of Paris. So for the sake of nostalgia, I am including a postcard that I made of my favorite b&w photos of Paris. Enjoy!