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Our fabulous neighbors are so much fun…and in addition to being really cool, one of them is a baker. He pops by every so often with a treat from his bakery. It’s always this amazing array of goodies….sometimes eclairs. Sometimes carrot cake. One time this fancy thang:
So yummy! And a little while back, he brought over a giant apple pie. The kind that you see in nursery rhymes…..SO huge it looked like it wasn’t even real. It came in a big pink cake box. We were planning on eating it that evening, and so rather then stick it in the fridge…..i placed the box on a plate and set it in the sink. Avoiding the counter top and Sammy’s leggy advances. Sam is a fabulous dog, but he loooooves to snoop around the counter when we’re gone. His favorite thing is to drag the little scraps compost bin we have off the counter and nose around in it. So i figured, the sink was a safe bet. Except, someone is a crafty dog.
Yep. We came home and not only had he dragged the giant box out of the sink….he daintily ate every piece of crust, leaving only a neat little pile of apple filling. Well, at least he was tidy, right?
Ahh, Japanese Pose Dolls…..wide eyes. Languid limbs. Oh so pretty to look at. They’re like a big-eyed Keane painting come to life! Made in the 60s and 70s in Japan, these quirky dolls are known for their long, long legs and their mega style! I think they are impossibly groovy.
My favorites are the more mod looking ones, although I have to say I have strong memories of those 70s pose dolls in their feathered hats and big ol’ hoop skirts. I have to admit I don’t know too much more about them. I do know they were made by the Bradley company and also by Dakin. You know, maker of my favorite Dream Pets. They were called Dream Dolls (of course!). One thing they all have in common is that wistful/coy/dreamy look that is just totally awesome. Oh, and of course poseable arms and occasionally hands. Eep! I just noticed that little miss yeller down there isn’t in a very lady like pose. Ahem.
Do you have any? Do you know any more about these slender ladies? I’d love to know!
images: 1 2 3 6 7 Be sure to browse the amazing collection of gina 678.
Hi hi, everyone! I’m still in Paris happily annoying every poor Parisian with my crappy French and I’m sure drinking too much wine and too many lattes! As I was preparing for this trip I thought back to when I started to want to travel to Paris.
Of course, everyone wants to go to Paris, right? But why? What inspires us to go? Was it one too many readings of Madeleine? Was it seeing pictures of the Eiffel tower as a child and wondering what that was? If you were like me, it was because you saw a certain movie and were enchanted.
That is how I felt when I saw the following movies (and one extremely awesome bonus). Now, I could get all fancy pants French film studies on all ya’ll referencing Au Revoirs les Enfants, 400 Blows, The Grand Illusion, Un Chien Andalou, and Belle de Jour—and they are great movies—but that’s not how I roll. I roll in popcorn pop culture goofy giddy stuff that just makes me happy. I like to think I’m a mix of high brow and low brow, so that is what this list is going to feature.
I hope they inspire you to make a trip to Paris yourself one day! Or at least to watch one of these movies. So, here they are:
1.) AN AMERICAN IN PARIS
As you know, I love MGM musicals and Gene Kelly, so add Paris and you had me at Bonjour! Truly such a beautiful musical and love letter to Paris. And mythical Paris, but still Paris. Even though the majority of scenes happened on the back lot of Hollywood. And remember that crazy black and white party they had? That has to be one of the top ten best parties on film ever. Right up there with the party Holly Golightly held in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.
Leslie Caron rocked the heck out of this film and was the perfect match to Gene Kelly—especially in that great George Gershwin musical number which I think is one of the best pieces of film ever. EVER.
2.) LA BOUM!
I remember watching this in eighth grade French class and loving every flipping minute of it. The way the teens wore their scarves. The amazing relationship the main character has with her grandmother. Imagine being a young teen with Paris as your favorite make-out place. Does it get any better than that? Je pense que non!
3. THE RED BALLOON
I remember watching this film in my first French class and of course was immediately charmed by it. Although life looked pretty tough for the main character, whose only joy came from a red balloon. Later in a film studies course in college we dissected the film and all of the underlying themes of hope floating, despair, etc. But still I always smile when I think about the blue and red balloon meeting. Sigh!
4) YOUNG GIRLS OF ROCHEFORT
I think this film kicks Umbrellas of Cherbourg’s behind! So much lighter and sweeter and just delicious!
It’s like MGM and sixties France made out and had a baby! I’d so date this baby! I mean, the colors and dancing. The movie even has GENE KELLY in it!
And could we talk about the outfits too?
I don’t know about you, but looking at this image—you just don’t get American teenagers. They seem so very very French to me! Oh, it is wonderful!
5.) BETTER OFF DEAD
I know. This really has no right being on this list. it’s not based in Paris and I don’t think a single word is spoken in French. The movie is genius for many things. But there is this wonderful scene where the mother doesn’t even attempt to know French and just says, “frawnch” for French. So darn funny! To this day I have a group of friends that happily just banter back and forth lines from this movie (as well as other bad eighties movies watched at slumber party movies) that we actually started a movie blog about it.
Here is the dinner clip.
Doesn’t this make you want to watch the whole movie and hear that paper boy say, “I WANT MY TWO DOLLARS!” Classic!
And lastly a confession. One of my favorite glimpses of Paris was actually on TV—from (grimace) The Facts of Life Go to Paris. Jo’s Parisian boyfriend was crazy hot, and Blair fell in love with Paris instead of finding true love.
What are your favorite French films? Or favorite French references in any media?
The Man Who Loved Birds: A Fable for Children (Harvey House 1962). Written and illustrated by Ken Kenniston.
This book is so charming and quirky—and the hand lettered text on every page is just awesome. The main character is the “the Man”. The Man who Loved Birds. But he’s not, like, THE MAN. (as in, “Workin’ for The MAN.”) He’s this groovy, beatnik fella in a little black turtle neck and sandals. He loves birds and the birds love him!
Hee. Long talks about baseball and nest building!
Peace lovin’….tree huggin’….bird whisperer. The Man. Cute huh!
A few people have asked if I knew where to find another copy. Alas, this was a thrift store treasure. I found two copies on amazon but they are kind pricey. You can see them here. I’d keep checking eBay! I bet one will turn up.
I’m still in Paris (you can follow my experience on Instagram and Twitter under @MissDottie) but I couldn’t let you go a Monday without some sweet Vintage Kiddo Retro Round Up goodness.
Fourth of July or Bastille Day? Either is a great excuse to get your wee kiddo into a wonderful mix of red, white and blue! So, I rounded up the most patriotic vintage goodies to share with you!
Sometimes you just want a little bit of the old red, white and blue in your ensemble. Like this wonderful wee vintage barrette! From Etsy seller, Rosebud Cottage, who has quite a few beautiful vintage barrettes available.
Is there anything more American than playing baseball? Get your little baby into America’s favorite past-time with this sweet pee wee onesie! From Etsy seller, Audrey Blissful.
 I’d keep checking eBay! I bet one will turn up.
