Atypical 60

A Weekend Getaway! The One Night Micro-Mini Vacation!

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Catherine

Every now and then Bonaparte and I like to take a little weekend trip. To be honest with you, we haven’t done this in a while. Our last weekend “trip” was to Paris (Jesus, I sound like a pretentious asshole and I really don’t mean it like that) but it was for a funeral.

With my never-ending job search and depression hovering over me, Bonaparte decided it was time to, once again, hit the road and get away for a little weekend overnight micro-mini vacation.

We drove down to DC!

Oh yeah, baby! I LOVE our visits to DC. It’s actually one of my favorite places to spend time. Funny though–because so many of my conservative friends call me an “America Hater”. That’s just not true. I love my country so much that I call it out on it’s issues!

We’ve been visiting our Nation’s Capital for quite a few years now. We started when Oona was attending University of Maryland. It was a convenient way to visit her and have fun on our own.

It’s been a while since we visited my little Terp, Oona at University of Maryland! Last time at the University was at her graduation almost five years ago.

Our stopovers at U of MD may have ceased, but our routine continues to remain pretty much the same:

Saturday morning, I got ready. I applied my makeup and packed enough for a touchup and for a light application the next morning. Quite honestly, I bring more toiletries with me than clothing— even if it is just overnight!

I got dressed and wore the same clothing for our dinner out. I don’t like getting super dressed up when we are on a relaxing overnighter. Dark wash skinny jeans, a sweater and my ever- dependable J. Crew Schoolboy blazer.

I am loving the GAP 1969 Stretch Skinny jeans because I can still fit my fat ass into an 8. I’m also glad that I have multiple Schoolboy Blazers in various sizes. With the heavy Sweater ( from J. Crew Factory) my Schoolboy in a size 10 fits much more comfortably. The boots are from a few years back–from Nordstrom.

I packed a change of clothing for the next day and my Old Navy PJ bottoms and a tee shirt for our time in the hotel room.

Next day outfit. Old Navy Rockstar Jeans (these are incredibly comfortable), J. Crew Perfect shirt from about four years ago and the tried and true and DISCONTINUED J. Crew Schoolboy blazer!

We dropped Chippy off at PetSmart’s pet hotel. It’s good for him to spend time with his doggie buddies and the staff knows and enjoys him.

We stayed, as always, at our favorite hotel in Falls Church, Virginia. The Marriott. And we plan our getaways only when the hotel has the special weekend rate. At $89.00 we get a great room and a breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi is available for 24 hours and that is all we need.

This room was great. The bed was so comfortable and as soft as a cloud. We slept very well!

The location into downtown DC is fantastic. In moments we are in Georgetown to enjoy a bit of shopping and dinner at our favorite restaurant—Le Bistro Francais! We’ve been coming here for years now and the food is always consistently good. Great French cuisine at an affordable price. Bonaparte naturally orders Steak Frites and I always chose between the Rognons de Veau (veal kidneys. I LOVE offal) or the Steak Tartare.

Bonaparte and I love this restaurant in Georgetown…..

Yum! Veal kidneys. The only other place I can get these is at my home! I swear I could eat these once or twice a week.

We always stop at Dean and Deluca and J. Crew (my love/hate relationship with Crew will never end).

Dean & DeLuca–all the food is so delicious. And ridiculously overpriced. Wayyyyyyy overpriced…

…but is still so much fun to browse and comparison shop. Look how pretty these spices are displayed…

..and their chocolates are just as beautiful. But I think it may be time to replace the Valentine’s Day hearts with chocolate Easter eggs and bunnies!

This time around I picked up a pair of the original style Pixie Pants. Since my weight loss is working at an incredibly slow pace (5 pounds in two months. I’m dismayed and disgusted), I had to go up a size to a 10.

Yeah. My “original” Pixie Pants are wearing out after many years. I just had the hook & eye replaced by the tailor. I’m sure that any day now Jenna Lyons will decide to discontinue these great fitting and long-wearing pants and replace them with some sort of fugly flimsy substitute.

I was so disgusted with myself that I ended up happily going full-on gluten and during dinner had multiple slices of the most delicious crusty bread! It tasted so good! I didn’t stop there. I went full-on glutton and had chocolate mousse for dessert and it was spectacular!

A walk back to the car and a drive around downtown winded up the evening and back to the hotel to relax for the remainder of the night.

It’s funny. I’m really not a breakfast person. I enjoy my morning coffee but if I eat a big breakfast I feel too full. But there is just something special about this first meal of the day when you are away. I love the breakfasts at this Marriott because I always order the same thing. Egg white omelette with mushrooms, spinach and feta. Bonaparte always has scrambled eggs, sausage and bacon. It fuels us up for our Sunday activities.

I love me a good, strong cuppa cawfee and this hotel delivers….

I enjoyed this egg white omelette with spinach, mushrooms and feta cheese. Roasted mushrooms added to the enjoyment!

After breakfast, we checked out and visited The National Gallery. The selection of art in this museum is astounding and it is completely free of charge. It is a truly inexpensive way to enjoy the beautifully curated pieces of art.

The National Gallery of Art is one of my favorite museums ever. ALSO–if you arrive early on Sunday (it opens at 11:00 AM), street parking is readily available!

We started our museum visit in the Dutch and Flemish galleries. I LOVE this painting by Frans Hals “A Young Man in a Large Hat”. I would wear that hat. Yes. I would!

Rembrandt’s “Polish Nobelman” is another favorite. This is NOT my ex-husband!

I love Rembrandt’s portraits…

...and everyday scenes by the Flemish painters…

…especially the floral and fruit still life paintings. Look at the lighting. Isn’t it beautiful?

Rubens “Daniel in the Lions Den” is another great painting.

And, as always, it is always great to view the French paintings.

Jean-Louis David’s Bonaparte was watching over us! How appropriate–I had Bonaparte bookends to watch over me!

…and Fragonard’s paintings always put me into a happy place. I think “The Swing” is one of his most dreamy and ethereal paintings.

Fragonard’s “Visit to the Nursery” is another one that I love. Look at the expression on the dad’s face.

..and tell me that his “Girl Reading Book” didn’t influence Renoir!

Monet’s “Pont Neuf” brings back memories of….

Daniele’s apartment!! Look. I’ve circled the building where we spent so many visits over the years! It’s so cool that Monet painted it!

Watteau’s “Comediens Italiens” is another great painting…

..as Louis XIV keeps a watchful eye over everyone!

And Goya’s “Gypsy Girl” keeps a bemused eye upon all!

The fountain in the Rotunda looked so nice and Springy with the surrounding Azaleas!

They were even more beautiful up front. I happen to be a big fan of these azaleas displayed indoors because I didn’t have the threat of a bee stinging me looming.

The sunny skies and temperature were incredible too—65 degrees! Finally after a winter of crappy, grey, damp and dark weather, Mother Nature handed us a gift. People were out and about and genuinely seemed so happy to be enjoying a beautiful day.

It was a monumental day! Actually, a late February day was perfect for visiting because the summer crowds are gone!

Thank you Bonaparte, for taking me away for a fun little trip!

And that just about winded our little trip. I’m very grateful and thankful to Bonaparte in his attempts to make me feel better. It’s been a tough year for me, my hypochondria, anxiety, blah, blah, blah–so it’s just nice to be able to get away if only for a night. It makes me realize life is good!

I had a good laugh at this banner. With the way the Republicans are behaving at their debates–it isn’t “horray”–it is more of an embarrassment!

On this Monday morning, and since we were in the political headquarters of our nation, here’s some Steppenwolf—do you remember this? It is more powerful now–we need to listen to the lyrics now more than ever!

Posted in DC, Domestic Travel, Dressing for older women, Fragonard, Gap Jeans, Georgetown, Goya, J. Crew, Jean Louis David, Louis XIV, Monet, Rembrandt, Watteau | Tagged Travel, Travel in the USA, Weekend in DC | 24 Comments

A Weekend in DC and Now to the Oscars.

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Catherine

Whew! Bonaparte and I just got home five minutes ago from a weekend in DC. He wanted to get me out of the house so he swooped me away to our Nation’s Capital.

Anyway, I’ll be posting pictures. IF my phone loads them–I’m having issues.

But–I’m getting ready for some serious narcissistic behavior! The OSCARS are on this evening.

I’ve invented a drinking game. It’s called “How Narcissistic Can You Be”.

The spectators (you, me, anyone who watches this circus) get a bottle of their favorite booze. Place shot glasses next to the bottle of booze.

For EVERY PERSON THAT IS THANKED by actor or other narcissistic Hollywood self-centered individual, take a shot! That could mean a serious hangover tomorrow.

In honor of this event I’m posting two links. The first–in honor of Spike’s and Jada’s Oscar Boycott. I wrote this post last month. Jada and Spike!

The second: My post from last year about the Oscars. The outfits and more! Let me just say this. I want Leonardo DiCaprio to win but that guy who won for that imbecile movie “Birdman” last year, better not win again. I’m still upset that “Boyhood” didn’t win.

I carry a strong grudge!

But I have to give you this song by the Kinks–it’s so fitting of The Academy Awards–Celluloid Heroes!!

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Hot Mess Mommy- True Tales From the Dark Side

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Catherine

A couple of days back, my friend Anne posted a Buzzfeed video on Facebook. This particular vignette looked at the different types of mommies in today’s culture.

This video is so funny–but so incredibly spot on about different kinds of mommies!

Things haven’t changed much since my own mommy days. I saw myself as a cross between the PTA mom, (after all I was a “PTO” Queen during the years when Roman and Oona attended middle school) and the Hot Mess Mom. Mostly, I was a Hot Mess Mommy!

Never perfect. Never proper. A bit of a misfit. But I got the things done. I was that mom. A bit weird but the one who didn’t mind having a houseful of kids to entertain. I was the one who would bake the goods at the eleventh hour to bail out the mom “who didn’t have time” or who simply forgot.

I also had parties for the neighborhood dogs. Trust me only a hot mess mommy would dare to venture into that territory. Things can get rather messy!

When nobody else volunteered to create and sew 50 “flags of the countries”, I’m the one who stayed up breaking night, drinking coffee and cursing myself for taking this nearly impossible task on. And yet I managed to have those flags completed in record time. They may have looked a bit messy close up, but from afar—they didn’t look half bad.

Twenty years later and I’m STILL amazed that I was able to complete this feat!

….and that little video also brought back to mind an incident that happened back in 1996. A TRUE incident! For your reading pleasure…..

As the school bus stopped in front of the house and beeped for the kids, I literally shoved them out the door gently kissed them bye-bye, smiled and sent them on their way. I had more important issues to take care of.

My roots needed to be retouched. Not wanting to spend the time at the local hairdresser because I found it rather difficult to deal with any of the “perfect” local moms, I took it upon myself to take matters into my own hands. I did my roots.

This was also pre-menopause—when I had an incredibly full head of hair and “the change” hadn’t thinned out the hair on my head and replaced it upon my chin or up my nose.

Me back in 1996. In my happy place–the kitchen. Like my Mom Bob? Look closely though–behind that hot mess of a shirt lies a strand of pearls. I exude class and style–even as a hot mess!

My routine was simple. Color the roots, condition my hair, set my hair in big-ass rollers for about an hour or two, gingerly unwind each roller, blow dry the unrolled section of hair, roll my hair back up for a couple of hours, relax by playing a few rounds of Dr. Mario or Tetris, then take my glorious locks out of the rollers and get dressed.

Hey, who says stay-at-home moms sit on their asses doing nothing all day? I worked my fingers off to the bone playing Dr. Mario and Tetris. It was better than drinking!

This process usually ended just as the kids began to arrive home from school. Just in time for me to begin my real day of preparing dinner, helping with homework and driving to sports or other activities.

At about 9:30 AM, just as I completed the annoying task delightful job of rolling that last section of newly-dyed hair into my oversized roller, the phone rang. It was the Vice Principal of Bear Tavern School. (Yes. That was the elementary school that the kids attended. Best school name ever!)

A delightful school logo–a bear claw! The school is not named after a watering hole–the name comes from the road where the school sits. Bear Tavern Road.

He asked me to do him a favor. It appeared that a young student in the development that we lived in never showed up for school. As was the usual practice, if a child’s absence was not called in by a parent or guardian, the school would call the home or work number of the child’s parent to find out why the student did not show up.

In this case, the young boy’s mother commuted to NYC. When called, she freaked out because he should have been at school. Mind you—these were the days before every child aged sixteen months and older did not have an iPhone attached to their hands.

Panic ensued. Hot Mess Mommy here received a call from the Vice Principal because he knew that I was home and obviously realized I had nothing better to do.

He explained the situation and asked if I would drive over to the student’s home to see if he was there. I told him I would, but that my hair was in rollers because I just colored my roots and I wasn’t quite an acceptable presence. He didn’t seem to care. Actually, he probably didn’t believe me and thought I was trying to get out of any involvement with this debacle

I believe the Hopewell Valley Regional School District gave new meaning to “No Child Left Behind”.

Boy were these words literal!

I got in the car. It wasn’t really the fact that my hair was in rollers, but it was my complete ensemble. A tattered shirt, splattered with black hair dye, Old Navy pajama bottoms and no makeup made me appear like a hillbilly Walmart beauty contestant. At least the Bass Weejuns on my feet gave me that little “je ne sais quoi” of style and class.

This is a reenactment. Thankfully I STILL have these big-ass rollers. But I did drive to the school with my hair like this…

…and basically, my outfit looked similar to this. I believe in classic, timeless clothing that never goes out of fashion!

The only shred of dignity that emanated from my person was my Bass Weejuns. I told you I was a classic dresser!

As I approached the house, I saw a young boy sitting on the steps. I asked him his name and told him that the school was looking for him. He explained that he missed the bus and locked himself out of the house by mistake so he couldn’t call his mother. Quite honestly, I felt really badly for this little boy because I would never want something like that to happen to any of my own children.

I asked him if he had his lunch money and he didn’t. So I told him to get into the car and I would take him to my house and call the school.

Now. I don’t know about you or how you raised your kids, but I don’t think any of my children would have been too eager to jump into the car of a complete stranger of a woman who was cross-eyed, makeup free, wearing giant rollers in her hair and pajamas. Just sayin’. I wouldn’t have gotten into a car with me!

I took him back to my house and proceeded to make lunch for him. I’ll never forget—these were the days before gluten-free and food allergies so I didn’t have to ask if he had a “special” diet. I made a turkey sandwich on Wonder bread with mayo, threw in some Old Debbie snack cakes, and for the sake of being healthy, an orange. I also gave him money for a drink.

When I called the school to let them know that I had this child at my home, I naturally assumed that the Vice Principal would drive to my house to pick said child up. Ahhh. Nope! There were a few meetings scheduled for the administration that tied up his schedule. It was very kindly asked of me if I wouldn’t mind driving him to school.

With no time to finish my hair, put makeup or get dressed into normal clothing, the two of us, brave little boy and crazy-ass looking Hot Mess Mommy drove to school.

Hold on. It gets better.

Do you honestly think I would just drop this kid in the front of the building? No! I walked him in, hoping and praying that none of my kids would happen to be in the hall. When I walked into the office and dropped the child off, the entire staff stopped in awe at me because I was such a Good Samaritan, grotesque amazement at the sight of me.

Am I surprised that I didn’t receive the friendly welcome that I thought I would receive?

Their “thank you’s” were more the kind said when you are deathly afraid of someone who just may pull a gun on you.

To make matters worse, my daughter, Oona, showed up in the office just as I was about to make my exit. She was running an errand for her teacher and had her classroom “buddy” with her.

Poor Oona–she should have been traumatized for life after seeing me at school in my get up! Oh. She’s wearing a tee shirt from the Ryan School of Irish Dance feis!

I stopped dead in my tracks because, to me, it could have been the most embarrassing moment of my daughter’s life. Especially when her friend turned and said “Why is your mom dressed like that?”

Unfazed, Oona ran to me, kissed me and gave me a big hug and a smile. As she walked away I could hear her turn to her buddy and say “That’s my mom. Its hair dye day and she always looks like that on hair dye day. It’s what makes her look pretty!”

When I got back into my car, I cried. I didn’t cry because I was mess. I didn’t cry because of the embarrassment I could have caused my child. I didn’t cry because I wasn’t thanked in the proper and fawning way. I cried because no matter how I looked or what I did, my daughter still loved me for who I am.

No matter how imperfect I was or continue to be–I still have my babies!

Hot mess moms may not be perfect. Hot mess moms may be intimidated or sometimes envious of the perfect moms—because we will never achieve that level of perfection. Hot mess moms are the ones who let their kids eat junk every now and then. They are the ones who will put their appearance aside to help someone in need—they can be the ones that can always be counted on in an emergency.

Hot mess moms have it harder today than I ever did. Hot mess moms of today have to read about perfect blogger mommies—posting pictures of their perfect homes, perfect children and perfect lives. They have to deal with looking at all those Pinterest Pins of the perfect dishes and decorating skills. Hot mess moms have to work a bit harder but they just keep moving on and on!

So here’s to you, hot mess moms—because under that hot mess, lies a beautiful soul!

Here’s to you funky mommy! James Brown–“Hot Pants”!

Posted in Hot Mess Moms, humor, True Tales on the Mom Front | Tagged #Humor, Hot Mess Moms. Shit Moms Do | 26 Comments

HBO’s “Vinyl”. It’s Kind of Plasticky!

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Catherine

Always late to the party, I thought HBO’s new series, “Vinyl” was premiering Sunday night. I missed that by a week. But thanks to “On Demand”, we were able to watch three full hours of this new series created by Mick Jagger, Martin Scorsese, Rich Cohen and Terence Winter.

I swear to God, when I saw this print ad for Vinyl, I thought this was Anthony Bourdain. Actually, if Bobby Cannavale wasn’t available, Bourdain would have rocked the role as Richie Finestra. Bourdain was a bad, bad boy back then!

We all know who Jagger and Scorsese are. And for those who are wondering who Cohen and Winter are—well, Cohen is a writer and he is also a contributing editor to both Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair magazines. Winter created the great “Boardwalk Empire” series on HBO.

..and you know what? These two should have known better! They could have made “Vinyl” a lot more realistic!

When I saw the ads and trailers for Vinyl, I was so excited. I could not wait to revisit the early 1970’s—especially through the music I loved and continue to love and listen to. CCR. Led Zeppelin. Hendrix (RIP) Crosby, Stills and Nash, with and without Young—just to name a few. The 1970’s covered it all from classic rock to funk to disco. A musical mélange if you will!

Creedence. The greatest American rock group of all time…

Led Zeppelin. My apologies to the rest of the group, but Robert Plant’s hair deserves a photo of it’s own. If only my hair could fall like that naturally….life is sooooooo unfair–or rather unhair!!

With or without Neil Young, CSN was another great rock group.

Yeah. Even though he passed away in 1970, how come there was no Hendrix in the soundtrack? His music was still popular in the 1970’s. I feel your love Jimi. I feel your love.

I was in high school in 1973. I lived in New York. Long Island to be exact, but it was just a one-hour ride into The City, via the Long Island Rail Road, making it very convenient to attend rock concerts. Ahhhh. The Felt Forum and memories of The Kinks! The early Seventies!

I’m hoping The Kink’s ORIGINAL music makes it into HBO’s Vinyl. Two points that the band even got a mention!

Hold on. I can feel myself going off topic here. Back to Vinyl. I was eagerly anticipating this series because the music scene from that era is one that I can relate to. Besides that, with Martin Scorsese directing and Mick Jagger as one of the creators, Vinyl has to be a precise and authentic look back into musical past.

Richie Finestra (Bobby Cannavale, center) and his merry “band” of record company misfits!

Bobby Cannavale plays the lead of Richie Finestra. This is even more greatness.

Or is it?

I thought that the music would be in the front and the drama would be in the background. Instead the emphasis is on the drama with the music in the background. It’s a bit of a disappointment to me. Now I’m no TV or film critic—and I can only give my personal opinion on this series and we’re only into the second week. But my early thoughts are this:

Martin Scorsese all too often reaches into the darkest possible area and goes over the top with the drug thing. Quite honestly, I’m hoping that this series lightens up a bit. Vinyl is taking things a bit too seriously. Yes. We all know cocaine is a very, very bad drug. But not every snort is taken in a maniacal manner. The scene where Richie Finestra rips the rear view mirror off this car to do a line or three was a bit overly dramatic.

I don’t think many people would rip their rear view mirror out of an expensive Mercedes to do blow. He could have just bent down and used the seat!

Scorsese could’ve taken a lesson from Woody Allen. It’s more realistic.

A more realistic look at New York life in the 1970’s. And a sense of humor!

I love Bobby Cannavale. As an actor, he’s got a great face. He’s got a great gravelly voice and he’s just really good! But enough with the overly-exaggerated strung out, torn between-good-and-bad, I-need-a-hit, emoting. I honestly think Cannavale’s acting skills are undermined by his way too dramatic facial expressions.

This scene killed me. I can’t spoil but it was just not believable. Bobby is doing a great job emoting–isn’t he? His face says it all!

The period clothing. OK. I get that the Seventies didn’t exactly give us the best fashion looks. But when I saw Ray Romano, Max Casella and P.J. Byrne in their get ups, I started to laugh. It was almost like looking at an SNL skit. At least the clothing choices for Cannavale were more realistic.

I started to laugh when I saw the mutton chops. I started to puke when I saw the shit brown suit. Ugh.

..but I think the absolute worst was the shoes pictured above. Perhaps I was too much of a prepster in my Weejuns, but I don’t remember any man except pimps wearing shoes that bad. And I know how pimps dressed. I lived in NYC in the 1970’s!

The story. Richie Finestra owns a record company. American Century Records. The company is in the shitter and Richie, along with his partners is in the middle of selling the company to a group of Germans who own Polygram records. The Germans are straight outta “Inglourious Basterds”. Did I see a vision of Christoph Waltz?

Richie has a pretty wife, played by Olivia Wilde, who’s actually good in the role of Devon. She used to be one of Andy Warhol’s muses. She used to be wild. She’s tamed down. Devon drives with a pretend Karen Carpenter in her car. They have a nice home in Greenwich, Connecticut as well as an apartment in New York City.

Pretend Karen Carpenter. Aimee Mann provides the voice. Why couldn’t a REAL Karen Carpenter recording been used? (My thoughts have nothing to do with Mann–I like Mann a lot–but really?)

Olivia Wilde proves her chops in Vinyl. She’s pretty darn good as Devon Finestra!

It seems that Richie is on the wagon. In the premiere during flashbacks (there’s a lot of them—and not LSD flashbacks either) Richie and his partners are on a private jet and his partners are blowing coke and getting three young women to blow them. Richie thoughtfully declines and moves to another seat on the plane. First sign of his druggie struggle.

Ritchie also tries to make nicey-nice with a radio personality who threatens to boycott Richie’s musical artists. Andrew Dice Clay plays radio personality Frank “Buck” Rogers. Clay is amazing because I didn’t even realize it was him until I researched the cast! Anyway, Finestra’s involvement with Rogers leads to a very bad event. I will not spoil but I’ll just say Andrew Dice Clay is great!

I had no idea this was Andrew Dice Clay. He is amazing in this role as a slimy radio personality!

Are you following?

After this very bad event occurs, Finestra goes off the wagon. He drinks. And acts crazed. He does cocaine and becomes even more crazed. We get it already.

He goes on a bender downtown New York and catches (a make believe version of) David Johansen and The New York Dolls at a club that just happens to collapse. AND Finestra, in another dramatic scene, picks himself up from the rubble of a building that just fell on top of him and we see him limping, in the dark, from this dusty rubble.

A freakin’ BUILDING just fell on top of him. Is Finestra a superhero?

He has an epiphany after hearing The (faux) NY Dolls and being buried in the rubble.

This is a photo of David Johansen and the REAL NY Dolls. The ones in Vinyl were pretend. Sucks that Johansen is prettier than I am.

We also see, in flashback, how Finestra started in the business. He makes a Faustian bargain with a rather unsavory mob character for $150,000. In the meantime, Finestra fucks over the one musician he manages.

There’s a lot going on here—and I’m only into the second episode. It’s almost like a stew that has too many spices and flavors and nothing blends smoothly. The story is just—well, it’s just choppy! Nothing seems to flow in the right direction.

There is also a certain amount of cheesiness in Vinyl too. Mostly the emphasis on 1970’s fashion trends and NOT using the music of the original artist’s heard throughout the soundtrack.

I’m pissed at both the use of cover versions of songs AND the actual lack of music in this series.

Julian Casablancas covers Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground’s “Run, Run, Run”. He does very good job but it’s a cover version. Why couldn’t they dub Reed’s real voice?

Casablancas did the best “pretend” job in Vinyl. Still–I don’t know why Scorsese couldn’t mixed in videos of the REAL Reed.

Don’t even get me started with the portrayal of Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin! Surely it could have been done in a better way. Just who IS this Zebedee Row who was supposed to be Robert Plant? Ouch! I’m feeling very badly that the man of the heavenly locks was portrayed with such bad hair!

Yeah, Baby Baby Baby–this looks nothing like Robert Plant. Plant had better hair.

The REAL Robert Plant used a deep conditioner on those pretty locks. Maybe Jagger was jealous and miscast my Robert!

If I heard one more reference to Donny Osmond, I would have started to emote like Richie Finestra. I love mature Donny but I would hardly call him a serious rock star of the 1970’s. Bubblegum Pop star? Yes. Rock star? No.

I love me some Donny, but back in the early 1970’s I would hardly call him a rock star!

A cover of “Slippin’ Into Darkness” at Richie’s birthday party? What? You couldn’t get the original War version?

In case you ARE watching Vinyl, here’s the REAL version!

The Seventies was a time when music was going through so many changes. R&B was slowly morphing into Hip Hop. Classic Rock was being shoved into a corner by Disco. The frontrunners of Punk Rock were crawling like cockroaches out of the woodwork.

Actually, James Jagger is pretty convincing as the leader of a pre-punk group “The Nasty Bits”

James Jagger is actually very good as the leader of “The Nasty Bits”. He should be considering who is daddy is!

In the real 1970’S we had awfully sweet, horrific and saccharine shit like Starland Vocal Band’s “Afternoon Delight”.

Ugh. I think the real reason I may detest this song is because it reminds me of an old boyfriend!

James Taylor was hitting his stride.

1972. Carolina in My Mind

The Temptations went from songs like “My Girl” to the funkified “Papa Was a Rolling Stone”

Like the awful Bread song, I’m singing to Martin, Mick, Rich and Terrance “Baby I’m A Want You” to focus more on the music and give me more of the music and NOT cover versions of the 1970’s and focus less on the slippin’ into darkness of Richie Finestra’s demons. Make it about the entire industry.

Where were all the original versions of songs???????????????????????? Why were most of them cover versions? This is an issue that is really getting on my last nerve!

And add a little humor—Spinal Tap is a great film to watch to find your inner sense of the music industry’s funny stuff!

This is Spinal Tap had a humorous history. Maybe Vinyl should look for it’s happy place!

What I like the most, though, is that Vinyl gives a realistic look at New York City before the greed of real estate developers took over. I miss the grittiness of that New York. Rents were affordable and people were more real than they are now.

New York was better when THESE working girls roamed the streets…

…and when people who drove old cars like the ones above lived in NY! I had an old gray Dodge Dart that smelled like fish when the windshield wipers were turned on!

I’ll be watching the next episodes in hopes that it gets better because Vinyl has all the components of greatness but it is falling short. I really want to love this series!

Thoughts? Anyone else watching?

And because I’m BEGGING the creators of “Vinyl” to be more realistic–I’ve got Bread (No! NOT the kind you eat–you KNOW I’m off carbs!). “Baby I’ma Want You” (Which BTW I cannot STAND this song!

Posted in Bobby Cannavale, HBO's Vinyl, Mick Jagger | Tagged HBO's Vinyl, Music in the 1970's, Why Can't Series Get It Right? | 28 Comments

Old Lady Date Night. The Fugly Truth of Looking Humanly Beautiful.

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Catherine

Bonaparte and I celebrated a belated Valentine’s Day dinner last night at our favorite restaurant—Spring Mill Café. I covered the reason why we pushed back our dinner in my Valentine’s Day post. And, I’ll tell you all about our great dinner after I tell you how I got myself all gussied up!

I’ll tell you; it gets harder and more difficult these days to give myself that bright glow my face once had. It’s the fugly truth. A date night when you are older becomes more of a process to look humanly pretty or beautiful! But with a bit of work, it can be done. Cosmetics companies are so obsessed with youth that they forget about old ladies. We are left to our own devices to figure it out. I’m serious.

So how did I go from this?

Yup! THIS is the fugly truth! Wrinkled skin–oops, I just noticed a zit on my chin. Pimples are not ageist! Blotchalism–blotchy skin. Sparse brows. My freakin’ eyes are become more crossed with age. THIS is what 60 looks like without cosmetics or fillers. WTF am I smiling?

To this:

Sorry, but I had to snap this pic in the car on the way to the restaurant. Bonaparte was becoming very stressed that I was taking my time and I was unable to snap a pic of my “after” in the house. Oh well, the lighting in the car is more natural!

I’ll tell you.

First, of all, I pinned up my hair to achieve a nice wavy look. I haven’t blown my hair straight in over a year now. My hair is aging as is the rest of me. But, with less frequent washings, roller sets and air drying, I’ve learned to be friendlier to my hair and it’s looking better.

The Skin Prep

After washing my face with plain soap and water, I slathered Nuxe Dry Oil Huile Prodigieuse® on my face. This oil is fantastic. My skin is super-dry and it gives some nice moisture without feeling greasy and oily. It is also great for the ends of my hair. Seriously, this is a fantastic multi-purpose oil. If you shop around you can find a decent price for this.

If you shop around on the net you can get this for a good price. It’s a wonderful multi-purpose oil that isn’t greasy!

When the oil was saturated, I applied a coating (I sound like I’m frosting a cake—but hey, we old ladies are very sweet—am I right? We’re akin to cute little cupcakes!) Olay Active Hydrating lotion. This is dirt cheap—anywhere from $6.00 to $8.00 depending on where you shop—and is great old-school moisturizing lotion for the face.

This Maybelline primer is great for the money. I hope it doesn’t become discontinued any time soon. The Olay lotion–it’s a bargain and works well!

About an hour and a half before we left for the restaurant, I applied my primer. I use the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Primer. It’s inexpensive and does the same job that higher-end primers do. I know this. I’ve purchased the high-end! Applying this about 15 minutes before you apply face makeup helps the makeup to cling better.

Over the primer, I applied plain, old-school Chapstick over the top of my mouth and on my crow’s feet to use as a blur. I realize that the ingredients of Chapstick are different from the blur products but for 99 cents a stick, the price point of Chapstick is fine by me. BTW, Chapstick is incredibly useful—you can glide it under your brows to give that area a nice sheen. I freakin’ love Chapstick!

Making Up the Old Lady Visage!

I wanted my eyes to look bright. Not because I would drink too much wine and become lit, but because I wanted to look awake while getting lit! My holy grail is Bare Minerals “Well-Rested”. I’ve written about this in the past and I’ve yet to come across any other product that does such a great job. It’s a powder but doesn’t draw attention to the wrinkles!

Check out the top photo–see how discolored the area around my eye is? Look at the bottom after I brushed Well-Rested on. It really DOES make a difference. I cannot live without this sh stuff!

Whenever I start to become low on my supply, I head to the mall to replenish. This is a holy grail for me.

Ugh. My eyebrows are a bone of contention with me. Long ago they used to be lush and thick and now they are sparse. The brows were filled in with an “IT” brow brush and Ulta’s “Blackout” eye shadow. I paid six bucks for the eye shadow years ago and haven’t hit pan yet. I like my brows a bit on the thick side but because I’m a giver, I’ll do them a bit thinner to please my Frenchman!

I’ve had this IT brow brush since the summer and have continued to use it every day. The eye shadow, as you can see, is old as dirt. I’ve had it forever but use it as a brow powder.

See. It does a good job filling in the eyebrows!

I always tightline my eyes with Urban Decay’s 24/7 Eye Pencil in Perversion. This is a great pencil because the product stays put.

My apologies for not taking a photo but my pencil is almost a nub!

Eyeshadow on the lids is next. I went with a couple of colors from the Urban Decay Naked “Smoky Palette”. What I love about the Urban Decay Naked Palettes is that the shadows are very pigmented and the choices offered are well-thought out. I’m a fan!

I went with “Smolder” in the crease of my eyelid, “Combust” on the eyelid and “Thirteen” under the brow. The liner is NYC Color liquid liner!

Liquid eyeliner. I have so many different liquid liners and used what I grabbed first. It happened to be the NYC Color liquid liner in black. I’m glad I stocked up on this when it was less than two dollars because the price has gone up over the years to almost three bucks. Talk about inflation!

The NYC liquid liner is in the middle. I’m telling you. THIS is a great inexpensive liner. Even with the higher price of almost three bucks, it’s still a fantastic value!

This is where I’m such a giver. I wanted to wear false eyelashes tonight but Bonaparte truly hates them. I applied a couple of coats of Maybelline’s “The Falsies” mascara. For a drug store, lower-end mascara, this mascara is excellent. It really makes the lashes nice and lush.

I have lots of different mascaras but as far as value goes, this low-end mascara is great…

See how lush this mascara makes the lashes of my crossed-eye look!

Face comes next—this is the most challenging for me. I’ve got blotchy skin and over the years I’ve noticed that little dark spots have formed. It’s all a part of aging. My freckles are great in the summer but during winter months—and when I go out, I want more coverage.

See the “blotchalism” up close? Dayum. I’m getting old lookin’!

The blending sponge gets nice and wet!

I’ve reviewed a couple of blending sponges recently, before I purchased the Real Techniques Blending sponge pictured above. Less than six bucks and this one is my absolute favorite!!!!

I used two foundations. Yeah. Plural on the foundation. I used both the Givenchy and Marc Jacobs foundations. Blended together the coverage is pretty good.

Call me crazy but I like to use the high-end stuff for date nights. I also like to blend my foundations to get just that right tone and coverage. I’m happy with these foundations because neither one gets cakey or dry looking.

Since it’s a special evening, I’m going with the highlight and contour. It’s always a good thing to make my face appear *cough* a bit thinner or sculpted. I bought this NYX stick a while ago and it’s unbelievably great for a beginner. Anyway, I can’t begin to tell you how much I am loving this NYX stick. It’s foolproof and incredibly blendable and the price—oy! I paid about ten bucks. I’ve written about this stick in a past post, and the more I use it, the more I like it.

I like this so much I went back to purchase a backup and it was sold out. It is now on my continuous watch!

Ouch!! The highlighter isn’t blended in yet. Don’t you get scared now. It’ll look better once it’s blended..

Highlighter blended and now time to blend in the darker contour. Look to the left!

Blush time! I’m so into cream blushes these days. I used IT Cosmetics Vitality Flush Color Stain Stick. It glides on nicely and isn’t clownish looking at all. It’s got a nice hint of color.

Oh God. The stick is pretty worn because I’ve worn this a lot. But seriously–this is a nice stick of color!

Glossed and ready to go! I used three colors on my mouth. NYX Butter Gloss in Peaches and Cream, IT Cosmetics Lip Serum in Love and topped it off with L’Oreal’s Le Gloss in 154, Watermelon Crush. I happen to like shiny gloss on my old lady mouth because gloss makes the mouth look a bit more plump.

I wore three colors. Left to right: IT Lip Serum in “Love”, NYX Butter Gloss in “Peaches and Cream” and L’Oreal’s Le Gloss in Number 154 “Watermelon Crush”

You know, when you’re younger you take what you have for granted. Then one day you catch a glance of yourself in a mirror and the reaction is “Holy Shit!! When did I become so OLD looking?” Am I right?? But with the magic of cosmetics, we can bring our best old lady face forward—and I sincerely wish the beauty industry would realize this. I realize I sound like a broken record but it’s true! We’re a large spending group and remain ignored.

Enough of my rant! I was going to take a pic of my outfit last night but Bonaparte was having a conniption because I was taking my sweet time getting ready (I guess he was right because we were late for the reservation –but traffic was bad!). Below is my date night outfit!

My apologies for the lack of focus but I’m a bit under the weather today. Here’s what I wore last night. Black front-zip Pixie Pants from J. Crew, black J. Crew Schoolboy Blazer (discontinued–what else is new?), white sleeveless shirt from J. Crew, shoes I got at Nordstrom Rack about ten years ago and wore twice. Red clutch bag I got at T.J. Maxx many years ago. I kept the look simple.

Continue reading →

Posted in ageism, Bare Minerals, Beauty Blender, Beauty Blender Dupes, Beauty for Older Women, Cosmetics, Dressing the "mature" woman, It Cosmetics, J. Crew, Makeup for Older Women, Mature Beauty, NYX Highlight and Contour | Tagged Beauty for Older Women. More Shit Old Ladies do | 42 Comments

I’ve Got Sunshine, On a Cloud Bread Day!

Posted on February 19, 2016 by Catherine

I guess you’d Say

Oprah and Me are doin’ OK!

Cloud Bread. Talkin’ ’bout Cloud Bread. Cloud Bread!

If the Temptations knew about Cloud Bread, they would have changed the lyrics!

Oprah loves bread. Oprah sure makes a lot of bread too. Now that she’s got a ten percent steak stake in Weight Watchers, she’s probably got more bread than she can handle!

Bitch is bragging about the 25 pounds she lost.

Still. She eats that bread every day!

Yeah, well. Good for you Oprah! I can have Cloud bread every day! BTW are you talking about bread you eat or money?

I love bread. I love bread so much that if Bonaparte went away, I’d let his batard get stale. And then—use your imagination. THAT’S what I would do! That’s how much I love bread!

Its “batard” not “bastid”–although that’s what I refer to it now that I can’t have it!

But ever since doing the “Whole 30” (although I’ve done it “lite”) five unwanted pounds of me has dissipated. It isn’t easy though. The weight is coming off, but is coming off very slowly. I’m taking it in baby steps.

Poor Bonaparte. I know it will be a long time till my ass looks thinner so I greet him with this question every morning!

We have no processed food in the house. (Well, except the little pre-made quiches that Bonaparte enjoys with his aperitifs.) Green shakes are my friend and I’m paying attention to my portion sizes.

FYI–just in case you’re interested, these taste MUCH better when made with spinach rather than kale! You are quite welcome!

The bread thing. Crusty on the outside. Chewy on the inside. Warm out of the oven and slathered with butter. Oh—how I miss it. But—since giving up gluten, I feel so much better. My stomach isn’t bloated and I’m not getting cramps either. I also have less gas–and that makes everyone around me much happier! But I’ll tell you. I’m really missing bread!

No gonna lie. I miss this shit!

Anyway, I one of my friends posted a recipe for cloud bread on Facebook. I became quite intrigued. Gluten free. Just a bit of dairy. Hmmmmm. I needed to research this.

This recipe from Food.com is just one of the many hundreds of recipes for Cloud Bread!

What I found is that this little fluffy bit of happiness is also called Oopsie Bread.

I had to make this. And I did. Earlier in the week I baked a batch. I got about ten small slices/rounds/whatevers. They didn’t taste like bread at all. They didn’t taste very eggy either. But in the weirdest way, the Cloud bread satisfied my need and desire for regular gluten-filled and glorious regular bread! BTW, Bonaparte almost cried. He said “eezz dee-zug-zteen” to call that merde bread. And, no. He didn’t sample a taste.

Since I wanted to save what I didn’t use, I stored the other pieces in a large Ziploc bag. Quite honestly, this is better eaten the day you bake it. Second day was ok, but any later and the bread gets very mushy.

So here’s how I made it:

I spooned three tablespoons of room temperature whipped cream cheese into a small bowl.

I like the whipped cream cheese because it’s not as dense.

I separated three large eggs, also at room temperature. I plopped the yolks into the bowl with the cream cheese and the whites into the bowl of my Kitchen Aid.

Yolks with the cream cheese.

Egg whites into the bowl of the Kitchen Aid. Ugh. It looks more like a sample for the doctor! Don’t worry–it isn’t!

The cream cheese and yolks were whisked until completely blended and smooth…

…a pinch of Cream of Tartar was added to the egg whites….and

The whites were whipped until stiff but not dry. Make sure that you don’t over whip the egg whites!

The yolk mixture was folded into the egg whites. Fold gently because you want that air from the whites to be retained!

When the yolks, cream cheese and whites were blended….

Salt, Herbes de Provence, and pepper were added to the batter

I spooned six large rounds onto a cookie sheet that was covered with parchment paper. NOTE: Parchment is the greatest kitchen tool on earth for baking. No need to grease or get cookie sheets messy. It’s the lazy way to go! Trust me, I’m lazy!!!

Bake in a 300 degree oven. Preheat the oven while you’re making the batter. Bake for about 25 minutes. More or less depending on your oven!

Out of the oven and cooling off. They are nice and flaky when they are warm. They look like a cross between Momofuku Corn Cookies and little omelettes!

See the little flecks of pepper and herbes? I’ll have a couple for dinner and top them with avacado, cilantro and smoked salmon. It’s Lent and it is Friday so I’m doing the meatless thing. I’m making lamb chops for Bonaparte! I’ll tell you, Lent is a great way to ensure a meatless meal!

It’ll be fun to see what else I can do with these little Cloud breads. Melted cheese would be good or apple slices and peanut butter. Oprah may be eating real bread and taking her bread to the bank. For now, I’m pretty much ok with my little fluffy clouds!

Have a great, great weekend. Stay warm and safe–and why not give in to a bit of Temptations? I have to tell you, watching this video put me in a very melancholy mood. I love their moves!!

Posted in Oprah and Bread. Weight Watchers. Gluten Free. The Temptations. Cloud Bread, Uncategorized | 36 Comments

Can We Talk Travel? Can We Talk Paris? Can We Talk Logical Paris Travel?

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Catherine

No. I’m not channeling my French Joan Rivers. It’s just that now is the time that many people are making plans for summer trips and vacations. And. Lately, I’ve been approached by both friends and family on advice and thoughts about my much-visited and much loved city of Paris.

This is my favorite pic of the Arc de Triomphe because the flag was hanging. It was taken just before Bastille Day.

To tell you the truth, I’m having a difficult time starting this post. I don’t wanna sound “preachy” or “Oh-you-MUST-do-thisy“. Nor do I want to sound like one of those “experts” on the City of Lights, because I’m not.

Alright, I WILL strongly suggest a ride on the ferris wheel over by the Louvre if it is standing. Not because of the ride, but because of the great photo ops it’ll give you! It’ll be nice because you can be alone in the little seat. Bonaparte won’t join me due to his fear of heights. Just as well because I’m that person who rocks the seat!

In the ten years I’ve been visiting Paris, my outlook never changes. I’m pretty damned lucky because most people don’t even get to visit but once in their lifetimes. Where Bonaparte looks at the trips to Paris as “Going back home”, I look at it as “I’m nothing more than a seasoned tourist”.

Anyway, before I start rambling on and on, I’m just going to write some logical pointers about visiting Paris in a logical way. Whether it’s the first visit ever or if it is a return trip back of many years away, here goes in no random order. (Does that make it illogical?)

Ladies–get Parisian Chic out of your mind. I’m serious. Just like me, you are a tourist. You simply cannot wear six-to-eight inch stiletto heels running around the streets of Paris if you are serious about seeing the sights. The streets are uneven. There’s cobblestone. You need to walk fast and not mope. A leisurely pace in Paris is still a faster pace than what you may be used to.

Wear shoes comfortable enough for walking. My suggestions are Repetto ballet flats or the Cole Haan Air Nike ballet flats. Both look great. Both are comfortable. Save the heels for that special dinner out or if you have to attend a fancy party.

Hands down. THE best shoes ever for walking around Paris, New York–ANY city you plan on visiting. I’ve also worn these sight seeing in the South of France. I took this pic today–the shoes are about ten years old and they don’t wear out. Plus..they look good!

And sometimes I’ll wear my Repettos. My feet like to be comfy in Paris!

The only people you will see wearing berets and the stripped shirts are the mimes. Do not dress like this. Not now. Not ever. Never! Unless you are a mime.

I am more scared of these guys than clowns.

Most Parisians look like this.

This is the genuine street look. I took this from the car during rush hour. Normal. Just like you and me..

Not this.

This. From Street Style Chic . Paris fashion week 2015. Most Parisians do not look like this. At all.

My personal uniform of choice is skinny jeans or black pointe pants, ballet flats, white fitted T-Shirt and a blazer or denim jacket. If the weather is a bit cool a light scarf around my neck.

One of my uniforms for travel. Pointe pants, a white fitted tee. Flats for day. Kitten heels by night. CAVEAT. The J. Crew Dulci Pumps are never going with me anymore click here to find out why. Keep scrolling to you get to the paragraph about the shoes!

I think those are skinny jeans. I can’t tell. Oh my eyes. This is my other “uniform” (I HOPE it’s skinny jeans)

Don’t dress sloppy. I’m talkin’ baggy shorts, ankle socks, sneakers, raggy t-shirt, and khaki hat. Dressing sloppy isn’t right in any major city. God forbid you need assistance—let me tell you, looking neat will get you more assistance than looking like you just rolled out of bed. I’m not being snotty. I’m being logical.

Save this outfit for exploring in the woods. It is more appropriate.

My point is, dress nice and neatly. Don’t be intimidated by magazines or high-end fashion blogs. If you allow yourself to be intimidated you won’t enjoy yourself.

Would you like to live like the locals? If so, do research on finding an apartment. Check out different rental sites on the net. The first time I went to Paris with Bonaparte, we were unable to stay with Daniele but we rented an apartment around the corner from her apartment. It was a small studio and was equipped with a computer, Wi-Fi, A washer/dryer, an “American” bathroom (i.e. a bathtub and shower) and a small kitchen. It was all we needed. And as a first-time visitor, it was a wonderful experience for me because I got a feel for living like the locals. I loved it! I was able to cook, have breakfast “in” and could stay in my pj’s until we were ready to hit the street!

Where I stayed on my first trip to Paris. The cutest studio apt. on Rue Seguier

The kitchen was so small but efficient-a laundry area was built into a closet!

It was nice to wake up like a local and enjoy this view with my coffee!

Tips: If you rent an apartment, you can pack less clothing because you can do laundry. You can save on meals because you can eat in. You can be completely delusional and pretend that you are living in Paris—and if an elevator breaks you can complain just as the locals do!

Rather a hotel? Paris has a gazillion hotels. Here’s where you want to check your budget and think about just what kind of place you want to stay in. Many Americans have complained about the smaller hotels. Guess what? It’s Paris. The buildings are a lot older than the buildings here in the States. The rooms will be smaller and not as fancy. If you are looking for the comforts of home and larger rooms, check out the chains such as Marriott.

Personally, all I look for in a hotel is a working elevator, a bathtub and clean sheets. I’m down with a smaller and more affordable place in a neighborhood that I’m fond of and familiar with. Logically speaking—you are not going to want to spend all your time in the hotel room. Even if you are on your honeymoon and want to be passionate every night, you will still want to venture outside and see the sights!

Hotel Prince de Conti is more my speed. This is a FANTASTIC little hotel in the 6th!

The price of admission: Don’t forget to add into your budget the price or tariffs you will be paying to gain entrance into museums, etc. If you will be visiting many museums in your short stay, purchasing a Museum Pass may be worth your while.

I’ll be honest. We’ve never purchased the museum pass because our itineraries were never very ambitious. And speaking of ambitious…

Be a “Flaneur”—a Wanderer: Ambitious itineraries always scare the shit out of me. How can you enjoy Paris—or any city for that matter, if you only have about four days and two hundred sights to see? Whoa! Take it easy! Paris is the greatest city to do absolutely nothing and yet everything at the same time. It’s the greatest walking city because like, NYC, you never quite know what you will stumble upon. Honestly, we literally stumbled upon a Fragonard Exhibit at the Jardin du Luxembourg last fall. We were wandering around aimlessly and saw the sign for the exhibit. Here’s an article I wrote for French Entree: What To Do With Three Days in Paris–I think it may help to understand those ambitious itineraries!

You cannot see this…

and Sacre Coeur in Monmartre

..or stand on a line like this to get to the top of…

..Notre Dame…or

..or visit the Orsay or the Louvre, Catacombs or every museum in Paris in three or four days.

That’s the way we discovered the Eugene Delacroix museum. Bonaparte knew about it but had never been and while exploring a few years back, we came upon it! I’m so glad that we did because it is a great little hidden gem.

Why not just grab a picnic lunch and hang out on the Seine?

..or take a lazy walk up a quiet street?

People Watching Doesn’t get much better than this: There is a reason the chairs in the outdoor areas of cafés are facing the street. You get a better view of people. If you love to observe and study people, enjoy a café au lait, noir or a chocolat chaud while watching the real-life documentary that takes place before you. You’ll be spellbound by the many personalities of passersby. You may even see a celebrity or two—even three!

It’s the cheapest form of real-life entertainment. The cost of a coffee, hot chocolate or if you are hungover the greatness of a citron prisse.

I literally almost had a heart attack when Eric Clapton was sitting across from me on one side and Gilles Lellouche was sitting to my right at one of the cafes we were lazing in. I’ve also seen the great Vincent Lindon (right) while people watching.

Other than the cafés, the best area for the watching of human interaction is Place Dauphine!

We’ve closed with the restaurants on Place Dauphine. The party lasts till late night during the summer!

Mind your manners! This is your mother speaking to you. Listen to me. You know how we Americans can be ridiculously friendly with our mega-watt smiles and invitations that really don’t mean anything because they are just a formality? Well—we aren’t all that polite!

The French are just the opposite. They are an incredibly polite people. I would not say they are unfriendly because once that guarded barrier is broken, the French are wonderful and friendship is very important to them.

So by all means, whenever you enter into a shop or anywhere you will have human interaction always give the greeting of “Bonjour” in the day and “Bonne Soirée” in the evening. When saying bye-bye don’t forget the “Au Revoir” or “Bonne Journee” in the day and Bonsoir” in the evening! If you know someone casually greet and leave them with “Salut”

The kiss. Don’t get all freaky outy if you are invited to a party and greeted with a kiss on the cheek. It’s normal. We aren’t kissy-kissy. The French are and it’s all cool and good and just plain nice to see.

Take a lesson from Geraldine LaPere’s “Comme une Francaise” She’s got a website and a blog and she’s adorable with her YouTube lessons. But first, take your eyes off that shirt! I was thinking the same thing!

Speak in your indoor voice. Or rather, don’t be loud. I’m loud—and Bonaparte was rather concerned about my vocal decibel the first time I accompanied him to France. Let’s put it this way. His family got to know me and my loudness is something endearing to them. But—when I’m in a restaurant I use my best low, indoor, voice with my minimal knowledge of the French language. It’s sort of like if Gomer Pyle was a female and went to France—except I don’t have a Southern accent.

Think of me as a female Gomer Pyle who can turn on the great French accent the way he can sing!

Research the arrondissenments. I can’t speak for everyone but it helps to research the area of Paris that you wish to stay during your visit. The lower numbered arrondissenments offer a lot more of the liveliness that you may want. Other arrondissenments are quieter and may be what you are more in tune with.

Just like the tasty escargot, think of a snail when visualizing all the arrondissenments

Food: I’m amazed when I speak to people and they tell me the food in Paris sucked. It’s a real WTF moment for me. I’ll tell you why. Because no matter what is on the menu, you can always order a “Steak Frites”. Steak and fries. And if that doesn’t rock your boat, you can get fish. And if that doesn’t rock your boat, you can get a Nutella crepe on the street or run into McDonalds. Nothing more to say.

When in doubt, order Steak Frites. You cannot go wrong with steak and fries!

..and if all else fails, get eggs. The eggs in Europe are better tasting anyway!

Shopping: Be logical! This is probably where I can be a bit preachy. Rather than spend your well-earned money on tacky souvenirs, wouldn’t you rather spend your money on something good, like a great pair of shoes or a bag that nobody else has? I love my Nat & Nin bags and love knowing that these bags are a rare sight in the US. Clothing—I don’t buy because my body is too curvy for the European fit. If I lose 30 pounds maybe I’ll think about it but I would rather purchase the shoes, bags, and beauty products that I can’t get here. That’s just me though.

Check out the domed ceiling at Galeries Lafayette.

Everything is displayed so neatly and orderly.

Galeries Lafayette is a beautiful department store and it is a fun experience shopping there. Rue Bonaparte has great shops and Boutiques and in Montparnasse, on Rue du Rennes you can find lots of CD’s, books and movies at FNAC—FNAC are also great if you need help with an iPhone or any techie stuff! (Shopping in France) (More shopping in France another article I wrote for FrenchEntree)

Random stuff: Carry an umbrella. Be extra cautious on the metro—lots of pickpockets. (Regardless of the warning, Paris is a safe city). A fun project is to load up on French cooking magazines. When you return home, you can translate the recipes—and you will realize that you understand more than you ever thought!

This is a great way to practice the French language in the written form.

Bring bags or stop at Monoprix and pick up little shopping bags for pennies. Bags are not handed out in grocery stores and if you are out and about and decide you want to bring some food items back to where you are staying, it’s going to be a lot easier if you have a little sac!

These are literally pennies. Sacs within their own sac. I ended up purchasing a lot and giving them away as little gifts. I plan on stocking up on more of these next summer!

Blogs for educating you on your trip: French Girl in Seattle. She may live here, but this French girl is a wealth of information if you are thinking of traveling over to France.

Out and About in Paris. This from an ex-pat who is living in Paris. Her photos are great and she always has interesting tidbits to write about!

Oh. Don’t forget to pack your common sense, sense of humor and camera! S’amuser!

To put you in a Paris mood, here’s Juliette Gerco with “Sous le Ciel de Paris” Under the skies of Paris!!

Posted in Common sense travel in Paris, Juliette Greco, Paris Travel, Shopping and sights in Paris | Tagged Dressing when in Paris, Logical Paris Travel Tips, Paris, Travel | 39 Comments

73 Peeks Into My Thought Process

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Catherine

I’m weight-challenged. Beauty-challenged. Discretion-challenged. Career-challenged. And so much more. But. One thing I ain’t is “Truthfully Challenged“! I tell it like it is. I was given a challenge earlier this morning by Trudy from “Rendezvous in New York” to answer “Vogue’s” 73 questions.

I don’t read Vogue anymore nor do I read any other fashion magazines these days due to the ageist tone and obsession with tampon string-thin models, models that probably had their first periods last year, and the obsession with celebrities-as-models. I know. I know. I’m a bitch—but I’m an honest and charming bitch at that. Besides, I can’t turn down a challenge. And with that, I give you 73 of my honest answers and a peek into my thinking process!

My days of reading Vogue ended for good when Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were on the cover. Wintour has managed to make Vogue the National Inquirer of the fashion rags! But–I’m up for a fun challenge!

What’s your favorite movie?

” Amelie”. Because it is a film about love and happiness and finding that right person. I watch it on a regular basis. The kissing scene between Nino and Amelie is quite possibly the best kissing scene in any film of all time!

2. Favorite movie in the past five years?

“Boyhood”. Linklater was robbed of the Oscar. He should be boycotting the Oscars because of the way this spectacular film was shunned. I still get pissed off that “Birdman” won. Ugh!

Linklater should boycott EVERY Academy Awards ceremony–he would be validated because this film got robbed!

3. Favorite Hitchcock film?

The Birds. It was the only Hitchcock film I ever saw.

Ugh. To this day I cannot stand birds!

4. A book you plan on reading?

“After You” by JoJo Moyes. It’s the continuation of the greatest tearjerker of a book “Me Before You”. I’m crying already.

5. A book that you read in school that positively shaped you?

“Fun With Dick and Jane”. This reader was simple and concise and gave me the love of reading and words that I now have. It was the ONE book that made an impact.

THE most important book I’ve ever read–it changed my life because it taught me to read.

6. Favorite TV show that’s currently on?

“Portlandia”. It is the most realistic and human show on TV-of all time. We all know these characters in real life and whenever I watch this show, I am moved.

Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein bring everypersonyouknowandhavemet to life on the greatest TV show ever. Portlandia.

7. On a scale of one to ten how excited are you about life right now?

The demons of depression have returned and to tell you the truth, they ain’t fixin’ to leave any time soon. I guess I need to go downstairs and get the air mattress and some pillows and blankets. Like J. Crew’s Style Guide pages, I would say my scale is 00.

My little demons have returned for a while!

8. iPhone or Android?

Yes.

9. Twitter or Instagram?

@yes. #picsofmearealwaysagoodthing

10. Who should EVERYONE be following right now?

Me!! Who else is there?

11. What’s your favorite food?

Red meat. I said RED. Not overcooked till it becomes brown!

There is a reason it is called “red” meat. You are welcome!

12. Least favorite food?

Gummies. The texture makes me gag.

13. What do you love on your pizza?

I do not like pizza. Therefore I do not love anything on my pizza except perhaps a winning lottery ticket.

14. Favorite drink?

Chocolate Milk made with Bosco. It’s been my favorite since I was a child.

15. Favorite dessert?

Nutella and a spoon. It’s my go-to pity party dessert!

This and a spoon is all I need.

16. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Milk chocolate

17. Coffee or tea?

Cawfee first thing in the morning. Tea all the live long day.

18. What’s the hardest part about being a mum?

When you realize that your kids have grown into responsible adults and they don’t need you anymore. You lose life’s purpose.

I wish I could return to these days when my kids needed me!

19. What’s your favorite band?

The Kinks

Look how cute Ray Davis crooked smile is. I’ve always loved The Kinks!

20. Favorite solo artist?

John Mayer

Ever since I first heard this CD, he’s been my favorite!

21. Favorite song?

Tie: “Apeman” by the Kinks/ Michel Polnareff “L’amour Avec Toi”

22. If you could sing a duet with anyone, who would it be?

Michel Polnareff. My voice blends very well with his. I know this. I sing along with his music in my car.

23. If you could master one instrument, what would it be?

My voice. Both speaking AND singing!

24. If you had a tattoo, where would it be?

On my scalp to hide the bald spots.

25. To be or not to be?

To be or not to be what?

26. Dogs or cats?

Dawgs.

Chippy–our rescue rascal. What a cute dawg!

27. Bird-watching or whale-watching?

Neither. I would rather people watch. It’s more entertaining. (Click on “people watch”–it’s an article I wrote)

28. Best gift you’ve ever received?

Life—from my parents.

Thanks Mom and Daddy!

29. Best gift you’ve ever given?

Life—to my children

30. Last gift you gave a friend?

Home made candied pecans to MaryBeth

31. What’s your favorite board game?

I’m bored with them all.

32. What’s your favorite country to visit?

France.

33. What’s the last country you visited?

France

34. What country do you wish to visit?

India.

I want to enjoy all the happiness of a Bollywood movie and the bright colors and the food and history. I want to visit India so badly!

35. What’s your favorite color?

Bright yellow. Not pastel yellow. BRIGHT yellow.

36. Least favorite color?

Any color in a pastel hue.

37. Diamonds or pearls?

Take a guess!

Pilates or yoga?

Yogi Bear. Oh wait. I thought it read “Pirates or Yogi” I need stronger glasses.

Oops! I thought it was Yogi!

40. Jogging or swimming?

Swimming.

This is my idea of a good swim. Like my orange fake tanned legs?

41. Best way to de-stress?

Take a hot bath.

42. If you had one superpower, what would it be?

To be invisible. Sometimes, I just want to disappear!

43. What’s the weirdest word in the English language?

“fungus”

44. What’s your favorite flower?

Peony. The most beautiful and fragrant of all flowers. When I lived in NJ, I had the most beautiful peonies growing on the side of my home! I would go out in the morning with my coffee and sniff them.

The most beautiful of all flowers!

45. When was the last time you cried?

When I answered Question Number 4

46. Do you like your handwriting?

Absolutely! The nuns taught me the art of perfect penmanship!

Trust me, you don’t mess with these broads. Penmanship had better be perfect or big trouble and a sore hand!

47. Do you bake?

Food? Yes. But I stopped baking my body in the sun.

I bake Brioche. Lots of Brioche!

48. What is your least favorite thing about yourself?

My imperfections

49. What is your most favorite thing about yourself?

My imperfections

50. Who do you miss most?

My dad

51. What are you listening to right now?

Nostalgie Radio. Francis Cabrel and Michel Delpech are singing “Le Loir et Cher”

52. Favorite smell?

Nordstrom’s at King of Prussia Mall. I don’t know what they clean the store with but the scent is my favorite.

53. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?
My daughter, Oona

54. Who was the last person you sent a text to?

My daughter, Oona

55. A sport you wish you could play?

Deep Sea Fishing

56. Hair color?

Bottled Jet Black

Underneath that bottled black is natural white!

57. Eye color?

Hazel

I do wish they were more green though.

58. Scary film or happy endings?

Happy endings

59. Favorite season?

Summer

60. Three people alive or dead that you would like to have dinner with?

My three very much alive children.

Always fun when I have dinner with my babies!

61. Hugs or kisses?

Kisses

62. Rolling Stones or the Beatles?

The Beatles

63. Where were you born?

Queens, New York

64. What is the farthest you have been from home?

Australia

65. Sweet or savory?

Savory

66. Lipstick or lip gloss?

Lip-plumping, ooey, gooey lip gloss

I think the lip gloss plumped up more than my mouth!

67. What book have you read again and again?

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

I have a copy in my sun room and I still read it regularly!

68. Favorite bedtime story?

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

69. What would be the title of your autobiography?

“PHUCKED”

70. Favorite sound?

Tie: Le Chant de Cigales (The sound of Cicadas)/ French Police Sirens

71. Favorite animal?

Woolly Mammoth

Ask my kids or Bonaparte what my favorite animal is and they know. They know my love for the Woolly Mammoth!

72. Who is your girl crush?

Angelina Jolie

Seriously. I need to get fillers to make my mouth look like that. She’s beautiful!

Last photograph you took?
Me for my “Down With Love” post.

I challenge my blogosphere friends to answer these same questions. It’ll be fun on this snowy and cold President’s Day! All I ask is for you to link back to my blog! XOOXOXOXOXO!

Enjoy more Kinks!

Posted in Thought process of a crazy old lady | 53 Comments

Down With Love!

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Catherine

Bonaparte made dinner reservations at our favorite local restaurant for this coming Saturday evening. February 13^th, the day before St. Valentine’s Day. The restaurant is “Spring Mill Café” and we love our dinners there.

The staff knows us, the food is always consistently great, and we always reserve the same table in a little alcove of the restaurant so that we are separated from other diners.

Spring Mill Cafe. It really IS our favorite restaurant. It’s like being in someone’s French kitchen!

And in this little spot, we study the dinner menu. The menu changes seasonally, but we know what to expect. We always order the Charcuterie Board as a starter and from there we ponder and make our selections and we are always happy and satisfied with our meal.

Since this weekend is Valentines weekend, Bonaparte had the smarts to ask me to call the restaurant and inquire if there would be a “special” menu for Valentine’s Day. There is and so I changed our reservation for the following Saturday evening.

While I realize that V-Day is a good business day for restaurants, I wish the regular menu offerings were available too. No big deal–we will just celebrate a week later!

And this is one of the reasons I am not a fan of Valentine’s Day. I don’t want to be told what I have to eat because it is a “special” day.

Yes. I am well-aware of this special day and as soon as it’s over the St. Patrick’s decorations will be shoved in my face!

Valentine’s Day is the day set aside for love and lovers. Let me tell you something about the word “lover”

I have never, and I mean never referred to any ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, or Bonaparte as my “lover”. And if any ex-boyfriend, or my ex-husband, or Bonaparte ever used “lover” to describe my part in the relationship, it would be a deal breaker. I would walk away. I cannot stomach that word. Eww. It is so fuc (I almost forgot. I am giving up cursing for Lent. It’s the least I could do since Bonaparte gets upset with my filthy gutter-mouth. Besides, not cursing is a special Valentine’s Day gift for him!), it is so darn pretentious and annoying!

If you’ve ever seen this skit on SNL with Rachel Dratch and Will Ferrell, you’ll know what I”m talking ’bout!

Valentine’s Day is so forced and contrived. I mean, seriously. I have visions of greasy abusive men stopping off at the last minute at a gas station to buy their better half a cheap stuffed teddy bear and candy in a heart-shaped box. And when they come home they just kind of toss the gifts to their woman. I can see it now:

Greasy Guy (tossing teddy bear and candy to his woman): “Hey. Happy Valentine’s Day” “What’s for dinner?”

Greasy Guy’s girlfriend: “Aww. Honey. I “wuv” youuuu..” “I made your favorite Hamburger Helper for dinner”

Greasy Guy: “Hamburger Helper!” “Man, I shoulda got you flowers too!” “I “wuv” you too”!

…this is the kind of Valentine’s you give to your children. If any grown man gave me something like this and told me he “wuved” me he’d be next to the one who referred to me as his “lover”.

Valentine’s Day pushes the limit of tasteful attire.

I created this outfit on Polyvore. I would wear the Hermes scarf and the trench coat. I would wear the matching undies only…..

Let’s just say I would wear a get-up like the one above to my dermatologist’s office. He would be so grossed out by my ripples and wrinkles sticking out of both bra and panty that he would have to focus extra-hard on my skin check.

In a plane. Yes. I always wear matching underwear on flights. Just in case the worst happens and my body gets torn in half. The rescue workers can match the top with the bottom—and a bright, sexy ensemble of unmentionables would have me matched up in no time!

I would rather wear Wonderwoman panties because I would rather be empowered than sexy!

Valentine’s Day is an excuse to eat bad candy. I know that chocolate is one of the greatest gastronomical delights known to woman. I have received chocolates in heart shaped boxes. Most of the chocolates were thrown in the trash. Why? Because I’m that girl/lady/woman/old hag who bites into a chocolate and if the filling is fruity fake nougat or the inside is oozing with a flavor I can’t quite describe, I bite and spit. I am a chocolate purist. Chocolate with nuts or toffee—yes. Filled chocolate-no.

Forest Gump was wrong. Life is NOT like a box of chocolates . If it were, we would be spitting things out of our mouths all day.

Valentine’s Day is also another way that card companies sidle into your private life with any excuse for a card. Even at the expense of reminding someone that they are alone on this day of blissful romance and love. Hey. Let’s make all single people and those who’ve suffered a break up all feel badly on this day.

I swear to God, I almost ~~shit a brick~~ fell over when I saw THIS in the Valentine’s Day card section. WTF??? To make matters worse, there was a wide selection!

Don’t get me wrong. It isn’t that I don’t love. My kids, Bonaparte and Chippy are the center of my world.

It’s just that I’m not one of those “Hello Kitty”, “Disney Princess”, cutesy romantics. Although I will admit that I oftentimes comment on Facebook with little heart emoji’s if I like something a lot. And I always sign of with “XOXOXOXO”.

Yeah Kitty, I “woof” you–you too little princess!

My love is more pragmatic.

Love is a verb.

Love hurts.

Love is a roller coaster.

Lust is Michel Polnareff begging to me to love him.

Love is an emotion. It is that feeling you get inside you that shakes you up when you see that special someone doing something nice for you.

Bonaparte telling me to get back in the house and NOT help to shovel snow is an act of pure love!

Love is the overwhelming feeling you get when you are with your children and you realize that they are the most wonderful people in the world.

My three little babies. I love them more and more each day!

Love is wanting to help those you care about and not asking for anything in return.

Love is something that we all need at some point during our lifetimes.

Love actually is saying that you are sorry. Especially when you hurt those you do love.

Love makes the world go ’round.

Happy love to you every day. Not just on St. Valentine’s Day!

Kisses to you from me. For every day!!! XOXOXO

So yeah, when I say “Down with love” I mean it in the down-in-the-forced-and-contrived sense of love—because real love is beautiful!

Let my friend Bobby Darin explain:

Posted in Bobby Darin, Down With Love, Fuck Love, John Mayer, Michel Polnareff, Ohio Players, Valentine's Day | Tagged Down With Love, Valentine's Day | 41 Comments

I Came, I Saw, I Conquered NW Arkansas!

Posted on February 10, 2016 by Catherine

I’m so proud of how my daughter has grown into a responsible adult.

When we arrived at her apartment, dinner that she prepared– a soup from her home made bone broth, sausage and kale was ready to be served. She even had the makings for Kir Royals! It was the perfect dinner after being in transit for most of this stormy day. Oona also knows how weird I am at holiday time and that we all wear matching PJ bottoms and t-shirts from Old Navy. She surprised me with matching “J’Adore” t-shirts and pink PJ bottoms from Old Navy! Life is blissful in “Mommy and Me” matching pj’s—even when the Mommy is 60 and the Me is 26!

Is this too cute? I love that Oona knows how to please with thoughtful little touches such as matching pj’s!

The next day, Thursday, Oona decided to take me into “The Square” in downtown Fayetteville. The square is a lovely area near the University of Arkansas. Cute shops and restaurants abound. And on close inspection, studying the people around me, I thought I was in Brooklyn because of the many hipster looks surrounding us. I was thrilled because of the stereotype that I envisioned….

Ok. This is bad. And don’t judge me. But, I had this stereotype that the second I landed in Arkansas, I would be greeted by Gothardesque Duggar type women in ill-fitting long denim skirts and fugly polo shirts who would be wearing Birkenstocks with socks and pelting me with bibles. They would also be singing “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” My plan of action would be to take rosary beads from my purse and hold the beads up to them—the way someone would hold garlic or a cross to a vampire! Much to my extreme joy, this did not happen. In fact, the people I met were not like that at all.

Ain’t gonna lie. I envisioned being pelted with Bibles by these fashion icons!

Our first stop was an adorable little tea shop that looked as though it belonged in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Savoy Tea Company. The shop oozed of charm. The staff incredibly friendly and upbeat. We sat down to Chai Lattes and caught up on conversation.

Here’s the Savoy info–just in case you are in the neighborhood!

The interior is so darn adorable. It was the perfect setting for Oona and I to enjoy…

Our Chai Lattes. Even better because of the way they were served!

Next stop was a walk over to “French Quarters & Feather Your Nest”.

This business card is so clever–a place on the back for notes!

Bonaparte would have felt very much at home here. The shop was chock-full of French imports for the home. The owner’s husband, Storm (hmmm..why can’t I get away from Storms of any kind?), was a riot! He told me that he and his wife travel to France to flea markets and such to acquire much of what is sold in the shop. I really was enlightened by the charm and friendliness of Storm and my stereotype of Arkansansians? Arkansanans?. Ugh. My stereotype of people from Arkansas was diminishing!

Look what we spotted! Bonaparte’s last name!!!

We continued our wandering and decided to see a movie. We both wanted to see “Brooklyn” because of our Irish roots and the fact my grandparents settled in Brooklyn after emigrating from Ireland made the movie more intriguing. BTW, the movie was even better than we thought it would be. The price of admission was even better. FIVE BUCKS! Let me tell you, there are NO five dollar movie in the suburbs of Philadelphia that I am aware of!

Who knew I would have to go to Arkansas to see Brooklyn? At five bucks it was a bargain!

We both decided that it was better to eat lunch out and have dinner in. This way the both of us could just be comfy, relaxed, have some wine, and binge-watch Chip and Joanna play around with shiplap!

Binge watching these two is the perfect mother/daughter night in! Chip, Joanna, Shiplap and wine!

Friday was great! We had an ambitious agenda in Bentonville. But the best part of the day for me was a phone call Oona received from her boss as we began our adventures. She received a promotion. I won’t go into details but I will tell you this; I cried. I was so overwhelmed and proud and filled with happiness for her that I started sobbing. I’m getting all misty-eyed as I write this too. I couldn’t be happier.

On our way to Bentonville, smiling with the great news of Oona’s promotion!

On to Bentonville.

my artsy shot–well, my ATTEMPT at artsy photography. I’m no J.H. Lartigue!

Oona told me about a great little food truck that was known for great crepes. The owner is a Frenchman and the weather was sunny and warm. OK—it wasn’t exactly spring weather but it was warm enough to eat outside. We had lunch at Crepes Paulette.

Might I suggest if you are ever in Bentonville to enjoy an authentic French meal of delicious crepes and some conversation with Frédéric, the owner!

Because I’m a pretentious asshole at times, I ordered my crepe in French. I had “La Jardin” filled with baby spinach, cheese (Ok—so I cheated on my Paleo), pesto and egg. I guess my accent was halfway decent because Frédéric Henry, the owner (along with his wife, Paula) started speaking in French to me. I explained “Je parle un peu français”. Oona rolled her eyes and ordered her crepe in English!

Monsieur Henry in front of his restaurant on wheels. Damn, if I lived in Bentonville, I would have a hard time sticking to my Lenten sacrificing of no in-between meals. I would be here for crepes every day–especially the salted caramel crepes!

Anyway, Frédéric was great. He’s from Brest, France—in Brittany. That area of France I’ve been demanding for years and years that Bonaparte take me to. Frédéric is jolly and animated and a wonderful host to those who dine at his truck. We got to talking and he asked me about my visits to France and asked Bonaparte’s name. He told me that Bonaparte’s surname was popular in the South. Then he mentioned there was a famous French photographer with Bonaparte’s last name. He was pleasantly surprised when I said that the photographer was Bonaparte’s grandfather. Bonaparte was thrilled when I mentioned that to him!

The crepes were amazing. In fact, they were better than the crepes I’ve had in a certain creperie on Rue Saint-André des Arts in Paris! For dessert I had the salted caramel crepe. I swear if I wouldn’t have embarrassed Oona, I could have licked the table that the filling spilled onto.

Our next stop was the Walmart museum. A bit kitchy—but kitchiness is what makes travel so much fun. The museum was a testament to the early days of Sam Walton’s business endeavors and it was actually quite interesting.

In front of “Walton’s 5 & 10 Cent Store” The Walmart Museum. Hey, how did this photo become backwards?

Yes. I was here!

It’s so charming….

..and kitchy! Do you remember this packaging? I do–that’s ’cause I’m old!

…and I also remember these books! I learned to read with Dick and Jane AND I almost purchased The Borrowers. It was one of my favorite books when I was a young girl!

Another interesting fact is that the Walmart stores in the Northwest of Arkansas are immaculate. They are beautiful. They are well-organized. They are well-stocked. AND—the staff is so pleasant and accommodating. Normal people shop there. I’m not being snotty either. The two Walmart stores in my area are filthy—but I’m getting off topic.

Walmart’s grocery department where I live looks nothing like THIS!!

After leaving the Walmart museum we headed off to the one place I was incredibly excited to see. Oona has told me about this place and how wonderful and beautiful it is. We went to the Crystal Bridges Museum. This museum was founded by Alice Walton and I have to say—it is magnificent. There is no charge to enter. Believe me, over the years I’ve spent a small fortune at various art museums throughout the USA and France and I am in a state of wondrous shock that this museum has no general admission fee!

The setting is so soothing. Built above two ponds and the grounds are so serene. The museum itself blends in with the natural background. The staff, again, is so incredibly friendly. We were greeted by a staff member who spoke to me for quite a while about the greatness of Northwest Arkansas. When I told her that I had this vision of everyone being like the Duggar family she laughed and explained that the Duggars are not liked in the NW of Arkansas. They are in the minority and people just wish they would leave. I am diggin’ NW Arkansas so much!!!!

Set over two ponds, the museum is…

..so beautiful and the grounds are..

..so serene. I want to come back in the late spring when the trees and flowers are in bloom!

The museum was just incredible. A testimony to American artists. I shrieked with delight when I saw a painting by my favorite American artist, Childe Hassam, hanging on the wall. I get really excited whenever I see one of his paintings and this made me appreciate Crystal Bridges even more. Oona and I loved the paintings by Mary Cassatt as well. Honestly, if you ever get the chance to visit Bentonville, you have to visit this museum.

Childe Hassam’s “Paris at Twilight” is at the museum and it is just spectacular!

When we saw Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait’s painting “The Life of a Hunter–A Tight Fix” we thought of “The Revenant”! Leo–is that you?

The many sculptures on display at Crystal Bridges were stunning. This really shows the despair of the Great Depression.

Luckily the weather was on our side and the warmth of the air lent itself for more walking. We did a bit more window shopping and stopped at another one of Savoy Tea’s locations. This time we enjoyed our Chai Lattes in the open air.

Another quiet dinner at home and quality mother/daughter time for the rest of the evening.

Dressed down in our matching lounging attire–it was another evening of togetherness!

Saturday brought another busy day. It also brought about another great weather day! We started out with brunch at The Farmer’s Table Cafe, a local farm-to-table restaurant. We enjoyed a healthy meal of free-range eggs over a bed of locally grown veg, gluten-free buckwheat bread and strong coffee. It was wonderful to be able to enjoy another meal alfresco with the air comfortable as it got warmer!

The Farmer’s Table–unpretentious and unassuming with fantastic food!

This is my kinda breakfast!

With stomachs satisfied we headed off to the Clinton House Museum, Bill and Hillary Clinton’s first home. I really enjoyed this–and if there are any people who doubt the validity of the Clinton’s humble beginnings, I suggest you stop by here. It was wonderful to be able to get some insight on the start of this political coupling and how they managed to have the State of Arkansas embrace both of them. I loved seeing where our next presidential hopeful used to live!

This historical home is beautiful on the outside and charming within…

The outside plaque shows a young and idealistic Bill and Hillary!

We did some more antiquing and shopping around then did what any mother and daughter spending time need to do.

Vintage Cargo was another shop with great home goods. I LOVE the fact that so many people in the Fayetteville and Bentonville areas shop local and shop small stores rather than at malls. It supports small business!

I was tempted to sit on this porch all day and just gab to the owners!

We saw a “Chick flick”. We saw “The Choice”. True to form it was the typical boy and girl meet and hates each other. Both have SO’s. Both fall in love. Both lose SO’s. Both argue. Both fall in love and get married. Uh Oh. Something very, very, very bad happens. Tears. Sadness. Anger. Wait! Just in the nick of time, something very, very, very great happens…….

Sappy as a forest full of maple trees, but it was deliciously chick flicky! And a great way to wind of a mother/daughter weekend!

We loved it! It’s so hard for me to see chick flicks because Bonaparte absolutely hates them. I’m telling you, we saw the trailer for “Me Before You” and I cried. I will need to see that movie not with Bonaparte, but with a box of tissues! Oona is my favorite chick flick partner. I hope she is visiting when this movie is released! Our final dinner was, again, spent at Oona’s apartment. I made steaks and our favorite vegetable—Brussels Sprouts. And we were naughty as we enjoyed a dessert of Ben & Jerry’s “Half Baked” ice cream.

Besides being naughty, we got silly too!

My visit to see Oona was a great Christmas gift from all three kids. You don’t realize just how much you appreciate and love your daughter or any of your kids for that matter, until they move away from you. I have wonderful memories of time spent with my baby!

Northwest Arkansas has a new fan!!

Oh..and the flights home—the weather was fine and sunny. No delays. My luggage stayed with me. And the rides weren’t bumpy! I was greeted by a happy Bonaparte and an even happier Chippy. Apparently Chippy sat in front of the door every night that I was gone and whined! He’s sitting on the floor next to me as I write this!

I’m a happy mom after spending time with my daughter!

Here’s a song that Oona and I love. John Mayer’s “Daughters”. I think it’s appropriate!

Posted in Domestic Travel, Travel in Arkansas | Tagged Mother Daughter Time, NW Arkansas, Travel in Northwest Arkansas, Travel in the USA | 32 Comments

Atypical 60

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A Weekend in DC and Now to the Oscars.

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Hot Mess Mommy- True Tales From the Dark Side

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HBO’s “Vinyl”. It’s Kind of Plasticky!

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Old Lady Date Night. The Fugly Truth of Looking Humanly Beautiful.

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I’ve Got Sunshine, On a Cloud Bread Day!

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Can We Talk Travel? Can We Talk Paris? Can We Talk Logical Paris Travel?

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73 Peeks Into My Thought Process

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Down With Love!

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I Came, I Saw, I Conquered NW Arkansas!

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