My Monet Calendar

My new 2014 Monet calendar

So last week I went looking for my new calendar to hang in my purple guest bathroom. For the past several years my calendars were all about old Paris. So after hubby and I ate at Cracker Barrel we hit the Barnes & Noble. Hubby went straight to his history section and I went to hunt for my calendar. I looked around. And there was no Paris calendar in sight. I saw a few that were okay, but I decided to wait for a later time to get the one that I really wanted.

Over this past weekend we went to Office Depot. I had to get inserts for my planner. Afterward again I was looking for my Parisian calendar. I saw a Parisian one, but somebody ruined the pictures by adding some awful neon lights to these what seemed to look like fantastic pictures. Who could have done such awful thing? It had to be Mr. Bean. That was definitely his signature look!

Anyhow after seeing the ugly neon lights on all other calendars I came to a soothing scene, Monet. Hummmm, peace at last!

Hubby is not a great fan of Monet. He thinks that Impressionism was unfinished painting done by lazy artists. I don't share his thought at all! I love lazy Sunday's afternoons things. Reading a good book. Bird watching. Drinking tea while knitting. And that is the feeling I get when I see a Monet.

Here are some my favorites Monet Paintings:

This one will look fantastic in my dining room!

This one with the little boy is one that I would love to hang in my Paris Room!


All are just beautiful!

The Archives: Fantasy Retro Dream Home

For all of you retro lovers out there, this is what my retro dream home would look like! A silver retro trailer attached to a vintage woody wagon! Simple outdoor living, with an hint of sophistication! I am totally loving it!

Even though I love being in my little quite home, and I love my neighborhood, deep down inside I am a very adventurous gal. You see I came from a family that wasn't afraid to get up and move to another town, city, or country. The longest that I lived in one place is three years. We never really didn't have time to settled down like many families do. My dad will come one afternoon from work and would say, "It's time to move." My mom and us four kids knew the drill. And within that day we were packed, in the car, and ready to go.

So when I asked a friend how long they have been living in their house, and they say, "I have lived here all my life," I find it really strange and amusing. I can't fathom being in one place for all my life. I think that most of my life learning came from my experiences of living in different places. That is way I love traveling!

I always wanted to have my own retro trailer and travel throughout the states. And I am not just saying for vacation, but that is how I would love to live. I know that it sounds pretty crazy for many people, but I think that being stuck and one area is quite boring.

For several months my hubby and I was thinking of making a big move. The job market was bad where we live. So we put our home in the market. And hoping that we can sell it, and move to a new location! I was all for it. I was ready to start a new chapter in our lives. And the best part of it my hubby was also!

You see my hubby also grew up moving from one place to another. Just listening to his stories about how he grew up, was like if we both grew up together. Finding that we were in this together gave me a chance to share my plans. Yes, I started with, "Oh, my goodness I would like for us to get a silver trailer and travel through out the states! You can get the job that you want. We can can stay at different locations. If we get bored we just pick up and go. Wouldn't that be great"?

My hubby then said, "huh. living in a trailer?" Yes, I did say trailer. Hubby was a bit surprised. You see several years ago before we bought this house, hubby suggested for us to buy a mobile home. I was not 100% convinced about living in a mobile home. Living here in Florida with hurricanes and tornadoes, and imagining that we were not in Kansas anymore, made me think twice in moving to a mobile home.

My idea about us traveling all over the States in our cute little retro home on wheels, made my hubby a little apprehensive. He was definitely ready to move to another state, though not in a home on wheels. He then explained the reasons: "It is more expensive than renting a place and we will be cramped in this very, very small place."

And that is when I knew that my hubby is not as adventurous as I thought he was.

So at the end I couldn't convince hubby. In the meanwhile I kept on dreaming about how our lives will be if we traveling in our retro home. Then that is when I saw this movie: The Long, Long Trailer (1954; MGM).

This is the very first technicolor movie that Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz appeared on. This movie is about honeymooners who buy a trailer home and soon encounter the problems of living in a house on wheels.

When I first saw the beginning of the movie, I was totally excited! Here it was the very thing that I am dreaming of doing. The wife dreamed of having a little place to call her home. And she got her dream, when she was able to convince her husband in getting the trailer. And after they were off in starting their new life living in a trailer, that was when things started to really look ugly for them and for the trailer.

There was one scene where they went to a heavily wooded area just like the picture above. Though imagine the scene with a torrential rain. The trailer ended side ways and stuck in the mud. That scene was so funny for the first few minutes, until I thought that that could easily be me and my hubby under those same circumstances. My hands literally started to sweat.

Even though my retro dream home fantasy came to a screeching stop. It didn't dampen the possibility that hubby and I could one day own our silvery vintage trailer... of course only for vacation purposes!




P.S. I am totally enjoying my Sunday with the live broadcast from the Cidada Club! Enjoy your week!

Photo: Flickr Creative Commons.



The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 12/13/09

The Archives: Train Traveling Case

My dream vacation will be to travel with hubby by train through Europe! Just thinking about it makes my heart warm and cozy. And what girl doesn't want a lovely traveling case to take with her?

I had spotted this vintage traveling case a few months ago at an Etsy shop called Nineteen O' Three. And like an elegant lady, it is waiting for someone to ask her for a dance. The seller did a wonderful job in restoring the traveling case. She even added a few little touches here and there, making this traveling case one of a kind.

Sooo retro Parisian!
















I haven't gone to my favorite vintage shop in a while. I am hoping that one of these days a nice traveling case like this one shows up. And I will make sure to give it a great home!


Hope that you all have a pleasant weekend!





The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 12/04/09

The Archives: Self Service is for the Birds!

Today while my hubby and I where in the gas station, I happened to see a lady using a tire gauge. I thought for a moment how I admire an independent woman that knows how to take care of her car. And the reason that I thought this was because I am not such a woman.
If I ever have to air up my tire, I will be an a pickle!

You see even if I know how to air up my car, I rather not do it. And that goes for anything that is involved with car maintenance. I don't intend to learn how to use a tire gauge, air up my tire, much less change a tire.

Even when it comes to gasing up my car, I rather have somebody else do it for me. The gas fumes make me dizzy and I don't like that I have to touch the "thingy" hose (hubby just told me it's called, nozzle). Everytime I have to gas up my car I feel like I need to go home and take a shower. I can't help it, I am a girly girl.

Scenario: Here you are about to go to a job interview. You noticed that your gas is low. You drive to the cheapest gas station. You get out of your car wearing your favorite shoes. You gas up the car, gasoline drops fall on your shoes and your life is ruined!

Wish: That somebody was there to help you.

Solution: Please bring back the boys! Bring back the full service gas station attendants!


Wouldn't it be nice to stay in your car and have somebody take care of the dirty job? I know that you have to tip these hard working boys. Though it would be worth every dollar that you give them!



Full Service Please!






Photo: Creative Commons




The Archives: Post's taken from Times Warp Wives website. Original Post Date: 10/21/09

The Archives: Weekend Bag

I am always looking for retro inspired items. So when I spotted this red Original Penguin retro bag from Munsingwear, I knew that it was love at first sight! I always love red handbags. My mom gave me as a gift many years ago a red messenger bag that I used through high school. After then I never go without having at least a red bag in my closet.

This Penguin Retro bag is perfect for that weekend getaway. It is stylish and yet sturdy enough for a trip. This bag comes not only in red, but it also comes in black and white.

Lately I am totally into the 60's fashion. And this red Penguin retro bag is totally a mod bag!


That is why I had to add this bag to my wish list!




The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 10/12/09

The Archives: My Dream Sofa!

I found the vintage sofa of my dreams! Nope, I haven't bought this vintage sectional sofa. I wish! I happened to be window shopping at Etsy when I spotted her. I couldn't wait to share this great vintage find with you!



What I first love about this sofa it's the style. The curvy lines makes her look sophisticated. The second thing that I love about this sofa is the beautiful floral pattern. The colors are also a plus for me, because I already have those same colors through out my house. Isn't that round table cute? I just love it!




Another plus is that this sofa comes with a built-in side table. Isn't that super cleaver! As an almost interior decorator, I see so much potential with this great sectional. Depending on your living room arrangement you can pretty much place these sectional together side by side. Or you can even have it facing each other. I love this sofa flexibility!





What do I love about this sofa? Well, everything!

The best part of having a sectional like this is that it would be perfect for a party! It would be swell to even have a 50's or 60's party with this vintage sofa!

For now, I will be adding her to my wish list.

Perhaps one of these days a lovely old lady neighbor will want to give away her well preserved vintage sectional to me. And I will promise my neighbor that I will keep the plastic on.

Did anyone watched the Oprah Show about the 60's? I totally missed it! If you happen to know where I can watch it online, will you be so kind to let me know? I surely will appreciate it!


Thanks!




The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 09/21/09

The Archives: She is such a Lady!

Aren't these vintage lamps divine? I found these beauties in Etsy. I know that it will go well in my Paris room. Though my pocket book will be empty after making such a transaction. Anyhow I will just dream about having one of these beautiful lamps. What, can't a girl dream once in a while?





You don't need to overpower your room with flowery fabrics on chairs, curtain or pillows to add that feminine touch into a room. If you ever want to add a feminine look to a room, the best thing to do is to look for curvy shapes. These lamps for instance have that feminine lines. They even look like corsets, so girly I might say!




Now, several years ago do you remember these tiny lamps that have a corset for a shade. They were in style. And I am sure that many of us bought these cute little lamps. And perhaps you might be thinking that these stylish lamps will look perfect in my room. Well, I do appreciate your concern for me. Though as an almost graduated interior decorator, I have one word for you, "Tacky". That's right, according to my decorator's manual such things are unacceptable!


I love sharing my words of wisdom with you. I just want to make sure that you make a good decision when it comes to decorating.


You know that my sister Mily does this for a living. And she does such a good job helping people with their home decor. You can visit her website at: Decor by Mily Gordon.




The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 08/05/09

The Archives: Retro Telephones

I totally fell for these lovely Retro Telephones when I saw them online! I think any of these beauties will look good in my Paris room. Don't you think? What I like about these replica telephones is that they each are modeled after a telephone from a certain year and location. I just can imagine dialing and being transported to another era. I have always been a huge fan of time traveling. So until scientist can figure out a time traveling device, these telephones will have to do. O well, too bad that I would have to compromise.




The Eiffel Tower Telephone

You’ll want to call Paris the first time you dial! This lovingly reproduced, turn-of-the-century collector’s phone is fully compatible with modern touch-tone dialing. This functional work of art features elaborate die-cast ornamentation, push-button dialing, volume control, and a clear electronic ring.


The Viscount Telephone

Replica from an era when style and function vied for top billing.
Full of the high decorative art and sleek curves of the 1920s, this replica European antique telephone captures the best of both eras-classic European styling and a fully modern touch-tone pad. A quality work of decorative art, the “Viscount” includes volume controls and a distinctive electronic ring all created in faux brass and ebony.


Versailles Telephone

This Versailles Telephone is modeled after the elegant desk phones found at the Royal Palace at Versailles. In a stylish polished brass finish with resin components, this working model captures the best of both eras—the beauty of European design and a fully modern touch-tone dial pad. A functional work of art, it includes redial button, volume control and a pleasant electronic ring.

The Royal Victoria Telephone

Modeled after those popular in Britain in the 1940s, this working telephone captures the best of both eras--classic European styling and a fully modern touch-tone dialing pad. A functional work of art, the “Victoria” includes handset cord, volume controls and a distinctive electronic ring. There’s even a drawer to keep your paper and pencil handy.



So classic!


The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 07/20/09

The Archives: Le Paris!

What girl doesn't want to go to Paris? I don't think that I have ever heard any girl, in their right frame of mind not wanting to go to Paris. If any girl don't care to go to Paris, her head should be examined!

I love everything about Paris! The streets, the buildings, the fashion, the people, the café shops. Ooh la la the Eiffel Tower! What is there not to like? Paris is a romantic, head over heals, fall in love all over again, cloud nine kind of place.

So you might be thinking, "Well it seems like this girl have been to Paris!" I could answer your question by saying, NO! I have not been to Paris! I have been dreaming all of my life in going to this Paris that everyone talks about. And that everyone seem to have visit, except of course me!

So what does a girl to do if she wants to go to Paris, but can't go yet?
The girl just have to bring a little bit of Paris in her life. And I have done just that. I have brought a little bit of Paris in my life. As you have already noticed my new blog template has a Paris theme. Yes, I worked on this template so it will feel very Parisian. And I am loving it!

My new blog is not the only Paris thing there is about my love for Paris. In actuality I have a tiny room that I kind of made it my own little Paris retreat. I am still figuring out what name I can call my room. Eventhough my room is still a guest/ sewing/ reading/makeup/ drawing/ room. I don't want my room to have a generic name. My room is where I go to get away. A place where I could listen to my jazz, relax and just day dream. So the name that I should select should be special.

Did you know that Reese Witherspoon had named her French Bull Dog "Coco Chanel"? I love the name Coco Chanel! Also I was thinking of French Couture, Louis Vuitton, Le Toile, Vogue, Mademoiselle, Le Petite, Crème Brûlée, now that sounds delicious.

If anyone have a suggestion on a name for my room, please do so. Thanks! In the meantime I will be here in my room and day dreaming that one day I will be walking through the streets of Paris.



And to all those who are fortune enough to travel to Paris,


Bon Voyager!

P.S. I don't mind if you came back with a Eiffel Tower souvenir for me. Thanks! That is very thoughtful of you. Also, I will be posting some pictures of my room. Right now I have my mother-in-law visiting and she is staying in my room. And yes, if you were wondering we do get along very well indeed.

Paris Photos: Library of Congress & Wikipedia


The Archives: Post's from my old blog The RetroChic Corner. Original Post Date: 06/30/09