blog #483 >> Classic Films

(In which I prove I am a hopeless romantic and sentimentalist.)

Recently I read a post over at Puddles of Memories about her favorite Stars of the Silver Screen, which got me thinking, "I love the Silver Screen and classic movies of all types. I need to do a blog post about this." But instead of choosing my favorite actors and actresses, I went with a few of my favorite old movies. I had a hard time picking, but I settled on these ten, in no particular order:

The Shop Around the Corner: 1940

The More the Merrier: 1943

(Anything with Charles Coburn and Jean Arthur together is pure brilliance! I LOVE all her clothes in this movie and her squeaky little voice never fails to make me laugh. She was wasted in the silent film era, and Charles Coburn is pretty awesome as well. I feel like "The Devil and Miss Jones" deserves honorable mention, although I didn't have it up here. It's been forever since I've seen it. It's hard to find. Movie Madness only has it on VHS and I don't even own a DVD player anymore. Curse technology!!!)

Rear Window: 1954

(This movie is like looking out the window at my apartment, but without the crazy murderer living next door part.)

Roman Holiday: 1953

To Kill a Mockingbird: 1962
(Excellent book too!)

His Girl Friday: 1940

Holiday Inn: 1942

(I know most people would pick "White Christmas" over "Holiday Inn." Good choice, but I definitely prefer "Holiday Inn." The 4th of July dance is pretty awesome, and I can relate with wanting to run away and start a farm. I'm not usually into the musical dancing movies, but this one is a classic. I also love "Shall We Dance." Best rollerskating dance routine ever, and "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" is a fantastic song.)

It Happened One Night: 1934

Desk Set: 1957

(Love and a giant computer, what more do you need in a movie?
Plus, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn and such a great couple.)

Arsenic and Old Lace: 1944

Enjoy!
T

blog #482 >> The 25¢ Dress

At last, I've finished the 25¢ dress. I've been meaning to alter this dress for weeks! My sister found it at a garage sale for 25¢ and picked it up for me, but it needed a bit of work. It was super wrinkly, had a hole under the armpit and was a couple sizes too big. So I ironed it out, raised the waist line, turned the hole into a dart and added another dart to the other sleeve. Raising the waist line is my favorite way to take in a dress that's too big. And I look pretty good in high waisted dresses too. It will be perfect for the remains of summer and early fall.

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And as a bonus post, more eggplant from the garden.
Cheers,
T

blog #481 >> Terry-Taylor Yard Sale Extravaganza

This weekend was the amazing Terry-Taylor yard sale in Longview, WA. Honestly, it's one of the unknown wonders of the Pacific Northwest. It's a large neighborhood where everyone has a yard sale on the same day. And since it's full of older ranch homes, everyone has some pretty awesome stuff. Thrifters flock from all over, and parking is certainly treacherous. Don't even try to park within the neighborhood itself. You will be lucky to get a spot less than a mile away. It's a bit like a carnival inside, there are church fundraisers, hot dog and elephant ear stands, and local political candidates trying to get a vote. Some people who aren't having yard sales, just sit in their front yards in lawn chairs watching the folks go by. I imagine it would be quite entertaining.

This immaculate yard has some fantastic yard ornaments, I wish I had gotten closer to take the picture.

Here's a "bear chair." He looks like he'd bite your ear off when you're not looking.

And although this picture doesn't do this bed justice. It's one of the largest, heaviest beds I've ever seen. One loose screw and it could crush you in your sleep.

Here's an awesome retro hair dryer.

And I'm sure everyone needs a hand in a jar. (from Budd's Curious Itch.)

And this is a picture of the remarkable pirate shopping cart. I bet the other shoppers quake with fear when they see them careening down the store aisles during the Black Friday sales.

And here are my Terry-Taylor finds. I got that yellow thermos for 50¢, the little spice jar for 50¢ and the cute caterpillar on a leash was $1, The pink secretary blouse was $1, the sock darner was $1, the vintage bandages were 50¢ each, Charles Dicken's, "Hard Times" was $1, and the owl mug was my big purchase at $5. A little steep for me, but I really liked it and I wanted it for a planter.

I also bought two other books, a 50's first aid book and an early copy of "The Moonstone," but I'm so depressed... No, that's not the word, distressed? No, that's not it either, disappointed? Closer... I'm just so sad that they fell out of my shopping cart somewhere between Terry and Taylor! I didn't hear them fall, and I didn't think they could, but they must have slipped through one of the one inch gaps along the side of my collapsible cart. I've decided to make a cute cloth bag to fit inside so that never happens again. I'm still feeling their loss. At least I'm only out $3.

I almost spent more on lunch than I did on all my finds combined! There were a couple of cute kids out trying to drum up business for their mom, "Are you guys hungry, you sure look hungry! Come on in and get some Hawaiian BBQ! My mom makes the best Hawaiian BBQ! Try a free sample! We got fresh baked pineapple upside down cake. We'll even entertain you while you eat!" What can I say... he was right, I was hungry! All I had for breakfast was a quick slice of toast before I left Portland, I had been walking around for hours, and it was nearly two o'clock in the afternoon. mmmm... Although, $7 is more than I would normally pay for a lunch, it was some of the best BBQ, I've ever had. And even though I can't remember the name of it, that banana drink for $3 was pretty remarkable as well.


A close up of the vintage bandage boxes and a couple of pictures of the cookbook my sister found.

One of the houses was having an Estate Sale, (I bought the owl mug, sock darner, and bandages there.) And if it were closer to work, I would have seriously considered buying that house! It was a beautiful time capsule home from the 60's. I wish I had sneaked in and taken a look at the bathroom, but it was really crowded, and I'm sure they didn't want us snooping around. It still had all the original lights, carpeting, hardware and appliances.

Take a look at the cute pink retro dishwasher! It was teal inside with a circular lazy susan rack on top. Yes, I opened it. I was trying to not be snoopy, but I could resist!

The lights were pretty amazing too!

And it still had the original countertops...

As well as this remarkable wall unit.

Anyways, the Terry-Taylor yard sale is once again, the best yard sale of the year. I don't even bother to going to any other.

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And as a bonus post, here's a picture of my first ripe eggplant!

Cheers,
T