Sometimes when I am watching a classic film I just want to put my hand through the television set and grab the clothes that the actress is wearing and magically make it my size. Who am I kidding? I want to do that all the time. Have you seen the color montage in the 1939 film "The Women"? By golly I wanted everything in those scenes even odd fake hand jacket. Bring it on, its all fantabulous!

I can't be the only one that loves classic film fashions or is inspired by the clothing that a certain character might wear. So channeling the late Jean Seberg's role as Patricia in the 1960 film "Breathless" was a given. It made me want to walk Paris and yell, "New York Herald Tribune" and try to sell some copies of the now defunct American newspaper (1924-1966).

I grabbed me a good ole copy of the New York Post and envisioned myself in the iconic Jean-Luc Godard film. There's something about a Godard French film set in the 60's, something magical indeed.

This film has been on my to-watch list for eons. I have already watched Jean-Luc Godard's A Woman is a Woman (1961) and Made in U.S.A. (1966) but Breathless was the one that started it all. Breathless is known for being a part of the French New Wave in cinema as well using a style of editing called jump cuts. It made this film iconic and one of the must see films of the 1960's.

When I first heard of Breathless I knew it was a Godard film, that it was French, and set in the 60's. I also knew about the iconic photos of the late American actress Jean Seberg. You know the ones where she is selling copies of the New York Herald Tribune on the streets of Paris? Other than that I left the rest of the film be a total surprise for me.

Seberg plays Patricia who is an American student who is also an aspiring journalist. She meets with a past fling named Michel (played by Jean-Paul Belmondo) who is a small time criminal who ends up killing a cop. In order to evade the authorities he hides in Patricia's apartment where they hole up for a bit and debate whether or not they could be in love with each other.

The film follows Michel and Patricia as they try to find ways to protect Michel from the inevitable all the while dealing with unexpected personal news. News that alters their relationship and leads them both to an unexpected ending.

It was interesting to see the style of film making that Godard was doing that I would see more developed in his later films. Godard somehow makes his films a blend of art and documentary all while it really being a fictional story. You feel involved with where the story can be taking you and at the end you are always asking yourself, "what just happened?' Godard has that affect on you. 

Seberg's New York Herald Tribune top, her striped dress that she wore at the end of the film, and her pixie haircut are worthy of the iconic status that has been given. Although I have to say that her French was at times a bit cringe worth in some scenes, otherwise she was a delight to watch on screen. My very favorite part of the film are the moments Patricia and Michel are in her bedroom. The talk that they have reveals just how little they really know about each other and yet you can't take your eyes off them because their rapport is so wonderful to watch.

If you'd like to take a peak of some behind the scenes photos from Breathless just scoot on over HERE. Have you seen any Godard films? If so, which are your favorites?

Keeping your inspiration juices flowing is a tricky business especially when we are juggling so much on a daily basis. So how can we keep our inspiration muses happy when we are just so darn tired all the time? I am going to share what has worked for me and hope that it may help you keep inspiration at your fingertips.

1. Purge. Keep your home environment clean and happy. Get rid of piles and clutter. Having a comfy home environment will allow you to keep a clearer head. A disorganized home will just bog you down and drain all the creativity out of you. I know you're tired but if you're able to put in the extra time to do this it will make a huge difference, I promise you.
2. After you have cleaned and purged your home, car, office....throw in some inspirational items. Freshen up your bedroom with a new set of sheets, get some potted plants or flowers to brighten your space, and add items that bring positivity to you and those around you. It could be books of quotes, pretty pictures to hang on the walls, or sweet smelling candles. Surrounding yourself with things that make you smile and it will help keep you centered and focused.
3. Hitting a wall and not able to edit one more picture or write one more paragraph? Play music that makes you feel joyful and blast it. Don't want to disturb the neighbors, then blast it in your headphones. Pick any Bee-Gees song and your mood will brighten up within minutes.
4. We love vintage. We gravitate to all things old and sometimes dusty but by golly we love old stuff. Go to your local flea market, grab tickets to one of Fathom Events TCM Film Series specials and see Rebel Without A Cause on the big screen, take a morning trip to your favorite vintage shop, or pop in a dvd of a classic film that you know will put a smile on your face no matter how many times you see it (one of mine is The Women).
5. Rummage through your closet closely and see if there is something you haven't worn in a while and wear it. All dressed up with no place to go? Its okay. Sometimes just dolling up and getting yourself all extra pretty will make you feel good and your inspirational muse may just make a visit.
6. Lastly, just go. Just slap on that lipstick and put your favorite outfit on and go out and take some pictures. Lots of times I am not in the mood to dress up or I have to figure out how to juggle the kids with taking pictures but what I have done lately is just doll up, grab the kids, and head to the park. I hand over my phone to my daughter who proceeds to snap about 10-25 photos. I look through them and mark my favorites and I am done. I spend about 10-20 minutes on a shoot and the kids are having a blast running around the park and everyone goes home having done something fun. 

I hope these tips help a little. I know how hard it can be to keep yourself inspired and in positive spirits but try some of these tips out. They may just help. What do you do to keep yourself inspired?

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Being a blogger and working with social media you can often ask yourself how much of your personal life are you willing to share with your readers. I thought about this deeply and I think I can share something important with all of you and still keep some aspects of it private. It is important to always keep a balance between your private and public lives on social media because your personal life is sacred.

With that said I thought that sharing a bit of this with you might help some of you or even possibly give you some comfort in knowing that you are indeed not alone.

My mother passed away six days after my 8th birthday in 1984. With her passing she left a hole in my life that only a mother can fill and she also left me with knowledge that one day I will have to start journey that she herself could not finish. My mother passed away from breast cancer and by 21 I was getting mammograms. By my 30's I was getting them yearly and after I had my children I sought out a breast cancer surgeon. I figured it couldn't hurt to have such a doctor on my team if I wanted to live a full and healthy life.

I found the most amazing surgeon who understands me and who really gets why I do what I do. No, I do not like going for my yearly mammograms or paps or anything. I have had so many surgeries in my life due to my disability, when I had my children, and even post-natal issues with my kidneys that have honestly left me drained and not so keen about appointments. But every year I make them even though in the back of my head I tell myself I don't want to. Its like eating vegetables even though you may not like them you know they are good for you.

This year I went in for my mammogram/sonogram and then was told to have a biopsy. The day I received the results from my biopsy is the same day these photos were taken. I was in the city with my family doing some much needed vintage shopping when I received the news that I would have to see my surgeon earlier than planned. Well, needless to say that put me in a tailspin. Part of me was calm but some other silent part of me was losing it. As soon as we got out of the train I said to my husband, if this is going to be my day then I am buying myself some flowers. He usually is not a fan of flowers, he is more practical than I am and prefers plants, but I always loved freshly cut flowers. I bought them and I figured well if life is giving me lemons then I am treating myself to some flowers.

Usually you don't received messages like this unless it is something serious but the message was so vague it left me a bit shaken. Thankfully in the middle of acquiring my vintage haul I received another message but this time from my doctor who explained it is benign but that I would need a second biopsy as well as a surgery in the near future. It seems I have one of two types of breast fibroids and one is more aggressive than the other which can lead to cancer.

Do I feel relieved? Yes and no. I feel exhausted by this experience and its just the beginning. My close friends and family always say I am so brave but even a brave person can be scared. And scared I am.

There, that is what is happening. I hope you always put your health first despite your busy schedules or lack of love for the poking and prodding that doctors need to do.

This day I went from thinking I was very sick to learning that I am partially sick but either way I understand that I am doing all the right things and I am listening to my doctors instructions as well as taking a lot of deep breathes. Trying not to stress things doesn't work for me so I took a few days off for myself and vegged out a lot with my children. We watched movies and played and snuggled. Best medicine I could ask for.

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There is no better way to spend the last days of winter than in a chunky turtleneck sweater from J.Crew. I am not a winter person at all. In fact I don't do well with extreme weather at abut I do try to embrace some aspects about them. When it comes to winter I do love the streaming pots of tea that come my way, the thick blankets on my bed to cuddle in, and the chunky sweaters to pair with some jeans or a skirt.

Chunky sweaters have been in vogue for a while with only its length and width changing ever so slightly. In the 1960's they were longer and in the 1980's they were wider but the fact is they were and are always so darn comfy to wear.

As we brave through the last days of winter here in New York I am pulling out all the sweaters that didn't get that much attention over the past few months and enjoying their warmth and softness. This particular sweater became a constant favorite as it has a thermal lining, so it kept me warm even with my jacket open.

So if you ever find yourself nearing the cold months where you live, I cannot recommend J.Crew enough as a source for chunky sweaters that are warm, affordable, and bring a vintage aesthetic to your outfit. Pair it with a 1960's styled Fishermans cap and you are ready to take over those last weeks of winter.


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1. How many times will I wear this?
2. Does it go well with my color palette/style?
3. Is it worth the price?

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I cannot believe it has been four years since I first published a post called Old Hollywood: Grandchildren of Classic Film Stars. It is actually one of my most popular posts and I love that you all have loved it. I decided it was high time that I brought you some more grandchildren of classic film stars.

First up is the King himself who although never felt like he was a bonafide movie star but he did indeed belt out some good films. One of my favorites of his is It Happened at the World's Fair (1963). Look closely and you will see a very young Kurt Russell kicking the King in the shin. Priceless.

Elvis Presley has a few grandchildren thanks to his only child, Lisa Marie, but only one who is an actress. Riley Keough has been plugging along in Hollywood and making a name for herself. I can't help but think that grandpa Elvis would have been very proud.


Chris Pine who is known for his role in the Star Trek film reboot but he also is a third generation actor. His father is Robert Pine who played Sgt. Joseph Getraer in CHiPS (1977-1983) but his maternal grandmother was Anne Gwynne whose acting credits were most from the 1940's. 



Would anyone be that surprised to find out that Marlon Brando had 11 children in his lifetime? I am not aware of how many grandchildren he could have had by this point but I do know of Tuki Brando who is now a successful fashion model. Tuki is the only child of Cheyenne Brando and Dag Drollet. Dag was murdered by Marlon's son Christian and Cheyenne committed suicide when Tuki was five years old. So much tragedy surrounded Tuki but he was raised by his maternal grandmother Tarita Teriipaia (Former actress) and he seems to be well grounded with a very lucrative career ahead of him.


There are a few women of Old Hollywood who I believe are just physically stunning people and Rita Hayworth is one of them (along with Grace Kelly). Born Margarita Casino she danced her way to Hollywood and became one of its brightest and most beautiful stars. Rita married twice and each marriage produced a daughter. Her youngest daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, had only one child named Andrew Ali Aga Khan Embiricos who sadly died in 2011 of an apparent suicide. You can read more about him HERE. The tragedy doesn't stop there. Rita's eldest daughter, Rebecca Welles, who died in 2004 is said to have had a son secretly and put him up for adoption but he too passed away in 2010. Aside from Princess Yasmin, there are no living direct descendants to Rita Hayworth.

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