The Cateau Marmont, Vasquez Rocks, and Other LA Oddities

The hubby and I have traveled to San Luis Obispo, and we are loving it! From hiking Bishop Peak to viewing humpback whales off the coast of Morro Bay, it's been an amazing getaway.

The cold weather is setting in though, some nights it gets super foggy. I love pulling out my favorite sweater, pouring a cup of tea, and digging into a good book. I am reading through the 1001 Books to Read before You Die list -- an ambitious endeavor to be sure! But it will keep me occupied on long road trips.

Classic Cinema, Inspiration, The Cocktail AdventureStefanie CosmanAugust 28, 2017News, Hollywood, cinema, architectureComment

END OF JULY! MODERN HEADLINES FROM THE MONTH SERVED WITH A CLASSIC HOLLYWOOD TWIST...

It is shaping up to be a gorgeous summer here in Salt Lake City – sunny skies with just enough of a breeze to make it bearable. My hubby and I have been biking the canyon trails that run up and down next to the raging river (fed by a beautiful watefall).

I love these summer nights with nothing to do but enjoy the people we care about. What are all of you up to this summer? I hope it is full of laughter, running barefoot in the grass, and friendship.

Enjoy the stories that inspired me this month, featuring...

Classic Cinema, Inspiration, The Cocktail AdventureStefanie CosmanJuly 31, 2017Summer, News, Hollywood, cinema, architectureComment

1930s Fashion: How Charm Bracelets Held Hollywood's Secrets (And Still Do)

When I was a little girl, my mother gave me a charm bracelet she had worn as a child. Picked up from a souvenir shop in San Francisco, the bracelet oozed with kitsch... a small spinner with a true/false dial could tell the future, much like a Magic 8 ball. A small telephone had a rotary dial that actually spun! I was so mesmerized that later in life, I used various events in my life... including my first trip to Europe... to collect charms to tell the story of where I had been. Gibraltar was a monkey... Santiago de Compostela was a shell with a tiny cross inside... and for the Tower of London, a miniature guillotine (macabre, I know!).

Grace Kelly Fashion Inspiration: my thrift store wedding dress

Most girls dream about what their wedding dress will look like when they grow up... and the $ they are willing to spend on their dream dress once they get there is, to some, bordering on insanity. The national average is over $1400! That is a lot of money for a dress you are going to wear once, although I am all about unique life experiences so I can't begrudge any gal her one day of being a princess.

Classic Cinema, DIY, Fashion, Inspiration, Love, WeddingStefanie CosmanMay 15, 2017wedding, dress, conversion, grace kellyComment

The Golden Age of Cinema, From Photoplay to... Photoshop???

When it comes to old films, I have some favorites, and Pillow Talk is one of them. Starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson, it may not be fodder for an Academy Award but who cares? It's hilarious!

Doris Day plays a non-nonsense woman who falls in love with a complete womanizer (think Sam on Cheers! or Will Smith's Hitch). He even has his own jingle to charm his lady-friends. "You are my inspiration... Eileeeeeeen..." he croons. All he has to do is switch out the name of his targeted female at the end of the line. It's brilliant. More men should do it just to get a laugh.

Classic Cinema, Inspiration, SimplicityStefanie CosmanApril 17, 2017Doris Day, Photoshop, BeautyComment

Channeling Joan Crawford's Incredible Method to Overcome Any Fear

Oh Joan.

Is there anyone who inspires more images of kind of terrifying, vamp-like makeup and images of wire hangers?

If you don't know what I am talking about and you are in the mood for a deeply disturbing film, go watch Mommie Dearest. But honestly, I wouldn't recommend it. I made my poor husband sit down and watch it with me in preparation for FX's "Feud". When Joan wanders into her little girl's room and sees wire hangers in her closet, she screams like a banshee, "NO... WIRE... HANGERS!!!"

Classic Cinema, Fashion, Inspiration, Joan CrawfordStefanie CosmanMarch 27, 2017Joan Crawford, classic cinemaComment

True Success Doesn't Talk, It Cusses Like a Hollywood Icon

Have you ever played that game "Would you rather?"

It poses horrible scenarios and forces you to choose between them. For example... would you rather age from the neck up only, or the neck down only? Or... would you rather be really rich or really poor but find true love?

Well here's a kicker for you...

Classic Cinema, Carole Lombard, InspirationStefanie CosmanMarch 13, 2017Carole Lombard, InspirationComment

Debbie Reynolds Tribute: How Very Special Are We.

When I heard the news last night that Debbie Reynolds had passed away, my heart felt the loss of yet another Hollywood great. I was reminded of a chance meeting I had with her a few years back. I had gone to a bar in Los Angeles, completely unaware it was popular with many of the Classic Hollywood film set. To my surprise, she was there enjoying a little bit of jazz and dinner with her friends.

Classic Cinema, InspirationStefanie CosmanDecember 29, 2016Debbie Reynolds, TributeComment