Fall has finally arrived on this last day of September! We woke up this morning to those low clouds—you know, the gray ones that when you look closely, you can see a bit of blue sky but for the most part, the day is a shade of gray. And the trees were swaying in the wind. And the temperature dropped down to the point of welcoming today as the first official day of “sweater weather”!
The beginning of the gray weather–with a bit of blue sky peeking through. That’s Fall!
Chippy needed a day with his canine buddies and Bonaparte dropped our little rascal off while I got ready.
Is that smile because he’s going to be with his buddies–or is it because he wants food!
Today was a “drug store” makeup day. I wanted to do something quick and easy because it was going to be errand day and afterward a relaxing afternoon of baking bread, preparing my Frenchman’s favorite appetizer, Salmon Rillettes, and my writing.
Did I ever tell you what Bonaparte does? He’s a consultant for companies who want to prepare employees going abroad to live. He also has private clients. He’s always looking for ways to keep his clients interested and has created a book—he asked me to compile a listing of French singers and the CD’s that I love and listen to so that he can pass the information on to his clients. This is actually a great idea and when I finish the list, I’ll be posting it on the blog.
Actually, Bonaparte is a lot of fun!!
Back to the drug store face. I decided to use Rimmel’s 25 Hour foundation but first applied e.l.f. primer. This primer, for six bucks, is decent. It does the job and keeps the makeup on.
Two drugstore items worth checking out!
The foundation is good too. It’s a great match for my skin tone, but I find the difference between drugstore foundation and higher end foundation is that you need more of the drugstore stuff to get coverage. This is a very liquid foundation and isn’t full-coverage but for a day of “light” makeup—it’s fine!
I applied with a dampened beauty sponge, let it “set” then sprayed fancy water on my face.
For the eyes, I wanted a lighter look too. I took out my Makeup Revolution palette. This palette. The seven dollars I spent was well-worth it. These shadows are like silk. I’m not kidding. They apply so nicely. I hit pan on a few of the colors and will have to make it back to Ulta to get another one.
This palette may have seen better days, but the shadows are so silky. Best $7.00 spent on a palette!
This look is very similar to yesterday’s but the difference is that the Revolution shadows are so silky and are incredibly easy to blend.
Dressed and ready to go. I wore my new “Lovebird” sweater. I’m very impressed with this one. The fit is fabulous. I got it in a “Medium” because I wanted a looser fit. The length of the sweater is what I like because it isn’t cropped and isn’t too long. It comes just below the belly and at the top of the hips. The sleeves were a bit long but I turned up the cuff. Since I’m not big on bright colors, the birds added just the right amount of color-pop. Bright but not over the top.
Isn’t the sweater adorable? I took my blue suede shoes out of hiding and wore some ladylike fake pearls. A fun Saturday look!
We headed back to J. Crew Factory because I wanted to do some early Christmas shopping but nothing struck me. So, we went to Costco to get some flowers and salmon. The price on fresh flowers at Costco is excellent and so is the selection.
Oh! Here’s the finished face with the drugstore makeup! I do have the Fenty ColorBomb gloss on my lips. It looks very nice and light in this natural lighting!
What shocked me was that the Christmas decorations are out in force. It’s one thing to do early Holiday shopping, but come on—it isn’t even Halloween yet!
Look at this very “special” tree. The lights change color. I’ll stick to our real tree at Christmas time!
Frosty here comes at a hefty price! I’ll bet the day after Christmas he’ll be reduced to less than $25!
Our next stop was in Rosemont. We had to run a few more errands over on the Mainline and Bonaparte decided to make a stop at a shop I had never heard of. The shop? The Title Page.
I had no idea that I would be entering the threshold of…
….a truly magical world of….
A shop of used, old, and rare books. Oh, be still my heart! You have no idea how much I love old bookshops. As soon as we entered I was swooning from the musty, musky scent of old books. If I could bottle that scent, I would!
old books…
…used books, and more old books. I could have spent the entire day here!
As B headed over to the “smart people” books, I made a beeline for the aisle that housed the children’s books. I almost cried when I spotted old, old copies of Mary Poppins books—the series. The Hollisters. The Betsy Books. Heidi. Books from my childhood when I spent hours and hours and hours escaping into the world of each author’s characters.
Then I spotted cookbooks. This was like being in a fantasy land. I had visions of being stuck here overnight with a sleeping bag and a flashlight. I ended up making a purchase more from sentimental value.
The Better Homes and Gardens New Cookbook. From 1965. This cookbook was my mother’s food bible. My eyes started to mist up as I thumbed through the pages because I remembered so many of the photos in the book. I also remember many of the recipes she made.
While I realize this may have been an odd choice of an older book to make, it was purely sentimental..
I remember these pages!!!
..and even MORE oddly, THIS photograph of a fluffy omelet was the one photo that piqued my interest in cooking. I was completely fascinated that an omelet could look like this. I know. I’m not quite right but I don’t care. I could frame this!! Tommorrow I’m going to make this fluffy omelet for dinner!
The owner, Beverley Potter, is a charming woman who is welcoming, friendly and just plain nice!!
Here’s Beverley Potter! If you are in the Bryn Mawr/Rosemont area, stop by this treasure chest of literature used and of the past. It’s an incredible bookshop!
I’m going to be revisiting—and perhaps I’ll be able to find a long, lost copy of my favorite childhood book, Little Ballerina!
Before I became hooked on chapter books, there was this. Little Ballerina was my favorite book–well, besides Madeline it was my favorite book. I would love to get my hands on a copy of this. The illustrations alone bring me back to that time….
Hard to believe that when we arrived back home it was well into the afternoon.
And so, I’m sitting here writing this as the rillettes are made, the bread is in the oven, Bonaparte went to fetch Chippy, and I need to clear the dining room table because all my “stuff” needs to be out of sight so I can set the table.
Tonight also marks the first official dinner we will be having indoors. Summer is now officially over!
Boy—did this day move swiftly!
The Costco flowers! Aren’t they pretty under the photographs that J. H. Lartigue took?
Almost time for our aperitif! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!!
OK. So Tchin Tchin was misspelled. It’s the thought that counts!
One of the singers I’m including in my list is Laurent Voulzy. He had a huge hit in France with the song “Rockollection” I had no idea that he also made an updated version of the song. Here it is, and if this doesn’t put a huge smile on your face—nothing will!
The Little Ballerina…,one of my favorites from my childhood !!👯
XO
Jane
Jane!! YOU TOO??? OMG. I loved that book so much…and the illustrations. They don’t make ’em like that anymore!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
I haven’t thought about The Little Ballerina for years — but once I saw the two illustrations I immediately remember loving that book. I also loved a book called Susie and the Ballet Family by Lee Wyndham; I guess I secretly wanted to be a ballerina! Sounds like a nice Saturday.
Cheryl. Wasn’t Suzie a series of ballet books? I’m pretty sure it was. Oh and I’m thrilled that you remember the Little Ballerina book. If only we saved all those books we had!!! Life would be so incredibly beautiful!!! XXOXOXOXO!!!!
Catherine,
I have that very cookbook! My mother gave it to me when I got married in 1969. She wrote the following inside the cover. “For my dear Anne. May you enjoy many days, weeks, and years cooking for your family”. I did not use it too much, but relied on it for basics. I do still use the recipes for deviled eggs and corn fritters that are in the book. This cookbook is also special for me because of my mother. 🙂
I have two daughters, and the oldest one, Kim, searched for and bought some of her favorite books from her childhood to read to her daughter when she was born. . Old favorites bring back special, happy memories from our childhood.
Anne
Hi Anne. So you “get” it. You get how a book as simple as a cookbook has lasting sentimental value. I love that your daughter is looking for those books to read to her children–the same ones she read. Oona LOVED Madeline. We can both recite the entire book together–years later. It is so important to read with your children and the impression that we have from certain books lasts a lifetime!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
My favorite book from my childhood was called Pantaloon, about a Standard poodle who I believe was French and wore a chef’s outfit. I also loved Nancy Drew books.
Anne
Hi Anne. Pantaloon was a little golden book. I’m so happy that this post is bringing back so many memories for all of us. Those books!! Oh. Nancy Drew was one of the first series books I read. She and her friend George made a great pair. I wonder if girls still read those books!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I bought a copy of Pantaloon last night on eBay. Can’t wait to get it!
That cookbook was a Christmas present from my grandmother when I was 10 years old. I still have it on my shelf and look at it from time to time. I felt so grown up! I also swoon at old bookstores. I feel like I’m home. Thanks for the memory trip!
Yolanda. You are quite welcome!! Looking through that cookbook last night, I was fascinated by the illustrations and the photos and remembered every single one of them. Isn’t it a pleasurable feeling to look at something so simple as an old cookbook and then become flooded with wonderful memories??? I love that–and so do you!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Whaaat!!! The Little Ballerina was my favorite book too. I was just thinking about it the other day and could not remember the title. I’ve looked all over for that book. I think she had a pet cocker spaniel. The phrase I remember best is “but darling you must” when the little girl didn’t want to practice. My mother and I always used that phrase and I used it with my children. Thank you for the wonderful memory.
Cindylou! I’m blown away by the fact it was your favorite book too. Have you seen the other comments? Apparently Little Ballerina was a favorite with many little girls. And that makes me wonder why it’s out of print. I looked high and low for that book when Oona was younger and the best I could do was “Bettina Ballerina” and Oona LOVED that book–it was a bit similar. I don’t know why book companies don’t reissue these books. Reading was so important when we were kids, it really was the foundation for a love of books now and I think it is lacking these days with all the techno stuff kids have…..Parents–are you listening?? XOXOXOXOXO!!!! But darlings, you must. Listen and read!
You were right. A few seconds into “Rockollection” and I was smiling!! Can’t wait for your list of French singers and CD’s. I love books and bookstores. Have spent hours reading to my little grandson and granddaughter mainly from books I read to their mother when she was little. Have been known to shed a few tears at the same time just from pure nostalgia!!
Bev. YES!!! YES!!! Those old books do bring tears. Who knew an old book could bring us to the point of tears just by a wonderful and nostalgic memory?? I’m getting ready to work on that listing now. Oh. The first time I heard Rockollection was in France. We were driving and listening to Nostalgie radio and to this day, when I hear the song, I can picture us in the car at a bend in Theoule overlooking the sea. It’s nice!!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
I was interested to hear about Bonaparte’s occupation, and what a great idea a list of French music is, I’ll look forward to your suggestions. I’m familiar with that Laurent Voulzy song as I pretty much listen to French radio all the time now.
I bought some French CD’s last weekend when I was at a vide grenier in Vendée…France Gall and Higelin. It wasn’t until some hours later that I thought to check inside the cases…inside the Higelin case was a CD by Veronique Sanson, but that’s OK as I like her too.
I bought a lippy by Revolution recently, I didn’t know the brand and it was dirt cheap but turned out a top purchase. I haven’t worn eyeshadow for years, my eyelids are so oily (even at my age!) and it looks awful after a couple of hours.
Wow, the book shop looks wonderful, I could lose myself for hours in there.
xxxxx
Hi Fiona. I love France Gall’s ye-ye girl music but her later stuff I’m a bit “meh” about. Bonaparte knows Jacques Higelin!!!! HIGELIN USED TO GO OUT WITH BONAPARTE”S SISTER FOR A LONG TIME! Suffice it to say, there are no Higelin CD’s in our home. Interesting bit of trivia. And did you know that Veronique Sanson was married at one time to Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young? Their son is a musician!! I can’t wait till you see the post with the music–I will make a bet that you know every CD I mention!
No shit!!! Is there any French celeb that Bonaparte doesn’t know???
I was introduced to Alertez Les Bébés in 1978 and absoutely loved it…it was on a tape so you can imagine what became of it. I rediscovered it a few years ago and bought the CD, I still remembered all the songs and their order on the record! Sounds like Higelin was a bastard to Bonapartes sister…sorry to hear that. No I didn’t know about Stills & Sanson, you are a mine of information Cathe. xxx
The Little Ballerina book is on Amazon but it is quite pricey. https://www.amazon.com/LITTLE-BALLERINA-Dorothy-Grider/dp/B000QB6AZM
I have bought the occasional book from my childhood hoping that my grandchildren would love them but of course they have their own favourites. I am so glad they love books.
It is just nice to see them on the bookshelf and gives me a nostalgic ‘hug’ when I look at them.
Hi Jenny! Thanks for that link–it is pricey at that!! Oh how I wish I had saved that book! I do have boxes of books from my kids’ and I can pass them on to them when they have children! I remember my mother enrolling me in a “Book-of-the-Month” club–Dr. Seuss, P.D. Eastman and all those great beginner books made me so happy. It’s fun to look back on our favorite reads–isn’t it??? XOXOXOXO!!!!
What a perfect day, Catherine! I could spend hours in that bookshop. Old books are definitely old friends to be treasured. My favourite childhood books were the Pookie books, am now inspired to search for at least one on amazon! I am still using the Good Housekeeping Cookbook which my mother gave me when we got engaged in 1967, mostly for nostalgia, I must confess!
Hi Judy! At least you can find the Pookie books on Amazon. It’s funny but this post had me searching in vain for a series of books I remember from my childhood about a little girl named “Kiki”. She went skating. She went here and there and for the life of me, Kiki went into hiding.
But those old cookbooks!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
Judy I have Pookie at the Seaside!!!!!! I’d hate to think how old it is but it’s in pristine condition even though it would’ve been read countless times. Haven’t read it to my grandchildren yet. I used to love Pookie!
Bev, that’s amazing! I am sure your grandchildren will love it! A close second faviurute was Enid Blyton’s”The Faraway Tree”. I know EB is frowned on these days but I loved every one of them up to the Secret Seven and Famous Five. I don’t know if they were available in the US but they were certainly well read here.
LOOOOOOOVVVVEEEE old book stores…the smell, the feel….! And those old cookbooks, I have my Mom’s from back in the 60s and still use them.
Right Lori? It’s like being in a life-sized treasure chest. I need to go back and buy more cookbooks!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!
Little miss Majorette too! Omg I wanted the boots so bad.
Peggy–and there was a skater book too. I LOVED those majorette boots. In fact, the grammar school I attended, St. Patrick’s, had a band and baton twirlers. I was a twirler and got to wear those boots!!!!XOXOXOXO!!!!
Hi, I was catching up on your recent posts and while I have much to say about some of them, thought I would post here since it is the newest post: I read the one about RewardStyle and those other sites that don’t find your blog to meet their whatever and I want to say that I like your blog because of your voice; that is the reason I like most blogs: not as much for the subject matter per se but because the writer has a voice and I can imagine that voice and that voice speaks to me! I don’t know if your literal speaking voice is like your writing voice but you speak in a particular manner (and I think we can all imagine your expressions because you use your own personalized emoji for that!) and I like listening. I read a number of fashion/life blogs and of course there are hundreds I don’t read. I choose them in part because I like the writer’s fashion aesthetic (as I like yours though ours are different) but mostly because, like you, they are honest, funny, real, and transparent. So keep up telling your own stories and your loyal readers and friends will follow right along!
Hi Maggie! Why, thank you!! You “get” my voice. I pretty much write the way I “tawk”. And like you, when I read a blog–or anything for that matter, I like to read because of the voice. I also try to keep things as real as possible because I do think there is way too much fake crap floating around in cyberspace and real life these days. Please. Don’t be a stranger. Keep reading and keep commenting. All views are welcomed here!!! XOXOXOXOXO!!!!
I remember loving the Bobbsey Twins books when I was growing up – a long time ago now!
Hi Jill! I know!!! I loved reading those Bobbsey Twins books and I’m wondering if kids still read them!!! XOXOXOXOXO
Oh Catherine, how cool to find that cook book. I would definitely get teary eyed flicking through that. Let us know how you go cooking with it. From my childhood I remember “The Little Golden Books” they were all different stories, though I can’t remember the stories. I remember the gold edged binding.
https://www.penguin.com.au/books/brands/little-golden-books
As a teenager I liked reading Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery books.
Dianne, I remember those Golden Books with the binding so well. And they were a bargain at .29 cents. Now I think they are five bucks! I still have a few of them from when my kids were younger. I also loved Nancy Drew too!!! XOXOXOXO!!!!