Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia

A Year of Cooking Dangerously

A few years back a book with a catchy title and cute cover caught my eye. That book was Julie & Julia :My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell. The cover's clever quote hooked me: "Irresistible....A kind of Bridget Jones meets The French Chef." - Philadelphia Inquirer. So I bought it.

I haven't read Julie & Julia (yet). Sadly it just sits on my book shelf due to my current obsession of blogging and knitting.

I know I would love this book. In 2002. author Julie Powell decides to change her life by cooking every one of Julia Child's 524 recipes in Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in the course of one year. She documents this online and cleverly turns it into a blog the Julie/Julia Project which later becomes the book Julie and Julia.

Julie & Julia is now a major motion picture. It is based on the two best selling memoirs Julie & Julia by Julie Powell and My Life in France by Julia Child and Alex Prud'Homme. The memoir stories are intertwined together in the movie.

Bon Appetit...I'm Julia Child!

Remembering Julia

My earliest memories of Julia Child are of watching her on TV in the early 1970's at my grandparent's house . My grandmother, a fabulous home cook, always watched Julia Child's The French Chef and Graham Kerr's The Galloping Gourmet .

My grandparents also introduced me to French cuisine. I think I was around 12 years old when I had escargot at a fancy restaurant in South Lake Tahoe. I seemed to like the chewy snails okay but it was the hot, buttery garlic sauce I liked best when I dipped my French bread in it. And so began my love for French food influenced by my grandparents and those Julia Child television shows.

Meryle Streep as Julia

Julie and Julia the movie is by director/screenwriter Nora Ephron. It is the first major motion picture made from a blog! I love that!

The one and only Meryl Streep stars as Julia Child and Amy Adams portrays Julie Powell. Being a foodie, I just know I will love this movie! I read that Meryl Streep nailed Julia's mannerisms! (Hmm...I'm thinking maybe Oscar caliber performance here.)

Julia's famed Kitchen

Julia Child's famed Cambridge, Massachusetts kitchen was replicated for the movie by set decorator Susan Bode Tyson. I loved reading that Julia used her Spode Blue Willow dishes nearly everyday. We just happen to have a blue and white Spode decorated kitchen, too!

I love collecting vintage French cookbooks. I have a vintage set (1971 & 1974 printing) of Julia's Mastering the Art of French Cooking on display in our kitchen. Sitting on top of them is a Spode Blue Italian mixing bowl. I think that would make Julia smile!

In 2001, before moving to California, Julia Child donated her real Cambridge kitchen to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for all the world to see.

Julie & Julia

In Theaters on August 7, 2009

A toast to Julie & Julia!

I hope to see the movie on opening day.

When I come home,

I am going to have a glass of wine and toast both Julie and Julia!

Bon Appetit!

Confessions of a Shopaholic!

Shopaholic Heroine Becky Bloomwood

(Can you shop as much as Becky?)

Attention all shopaholics! Confessions of a Shopaholic is coming to the big screen!

If you are a shopaholic, you have probably read the Shopaholic novels by best-selling (British) author, Sophie Kinsella.

I discovered the novels a few years after they had been published. I chose to do the audio book versions...and loved them! Sophie's first book Confessions of a Shopaholic has been adapted into a new movie. It is sure to be one of this year's best romantic comedies. Isla Fisher, an adorable red head, plays Rebecca (Becky) Bloomwood. (I must confess...I am not familiar with this actress.)

The original story began with heroine Becky Bloomwood living in a flat in London. I understand in the movie version she lives in New York City. Either way she certainly has some of the world's best department stores as her shopping ground!

So grab your best shopping buddies and plan to see it together!

It hits the big screen on February 13th, 2009.

PS: Do you have a shopping confession? I do!

When I was in my late twenties I drove to 5 or 6 different Macy's stores all around the Bay Area in one day! Now...that's a shopaholic!

Dress like a Duchess with Extasia

Extasia Antique Reproduction Jewelry

Keira Knightly as Georgiana
 in The Duchess movie

In The Duchess movie, Keria Knightly wears exquisite cameo jewelry.

I have always admired antique and vintage jewelry. I am lucky to own a gorgeous antique cameo pin that I purchased back east over 25 years ago. Most of the time it just sits in my jewelry box. You can be sure I'll be wearing it this fashion season. I am sure The Duchess movie will start a revival of cameo jewelry!

Extasia Cameo Earrings

If you did not inherit your Great-Grandmother's cameo (my sister did) you should check out one of my favorite reproduction jewelry companies, Extasia. Founded in 1991 by Stefanie Freydont in Northern California , Extasia recreates lovely cameos (Rachel Ray is a fan) and stunning colorful glass intaglio jewelry.

Extasia

Extasia jewelry is sold in some of the finest stores in the world. While shopping in London I have seen Extasia jewelry at Harrods, Fortnum & Mason and the Victoria and Albert Museum shop.

If you can't shop in London...

you can always shop in your robe with a cup of tea

in their online store!

The Duchess Movie

The Duchess Movie

Have you seen The Duchess movie? Teased by the movie trailers for weeks now, I could wait no longer. I drove over 100 miles to see The Duchess last Friday when it opened in the SF Bay Area. Let me just say...it was worth the drive!

The movie is based on Amanda Foreman's biography Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. The story of Georgiana was certainly meant for the big screen. You know a movie is good when you are still thinking and talking about it days later. This is that kind of a movie.

The movie is superbly cast. Ralph Fiennes as the cold Duke of Devonshire and Keira Knightly as the beautiful Georgiana are so convincing I was transported right back to the late 18th century. The movie can't help but be beautiful with it's English scenery, classical stately homes and period Georgian furnishings. I loved the Wedgwood-style decor and the exquisite English tea sets throughout the movie.

Since the movie is based on a true story I was deeply stirred by the oppression of women in this era. Trapped in a loveless arranged marriage, Georgiana is forced to tolerate her husbands mistresses and denied herself to be with her true love, Charles Grey. In one scene Georgiana says "I am a prisoner in my own home". The movie clearly delivers the message that women were bound by traditon and had no rights. Any notion of womens rights were tightly cinched just like their corsets!

A cameo revival!

Speaking of corsets...the fashions, hats and jewelry in this movie are gorgeous. My eyes were glued to the screen admiring all the Georgian jewelry designs. I loved the chokers and the cameos. Get ready to pull out your Great-Grandmother's jewelry box...I think this movie will start a fashion trend revival of romantic vintage and costume jewelry.

The movie still in limited release will open everywhere this Friday, October 10, 2008.

Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman

Georgiana

Duchess of Devonshire

by Amanda Foreman

This is the book that inspired the movie... Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman.

I am so thrilled! Best-selling author Amanda Foreman just commented on my post about the soon-to-be-released The Duchess movie! Amanda loved the movie and says that it is pretty faithful to her book, for a movie. How exciting for her to see her very first book come to life on the big screen! Congratulations, Amanda!

For more information about Amanda and her other books check out her website. I loved reading how she became fully engrossed in Georgiana as she researched and wrote her biography.

Whenever we visit Britain, I always try to include a visit to a historic stately home in our itinerary. I think it is the Interior Designer in me! Now I can add Kedleston Hall to our list of sites for a future visit. I loved reading Amanda's account when she visited the filming of The Duchess at Kedleston Hall!

Thank you Amanda for bringing Georgiana's life story to us in your book and in the movie it inspired!

The Duchess Movie

The Duchess Movie

Coming Soon

This movie is just my cup of tea! I love British period movies.

The Duchess movie is based on the best-selling novel Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire by Amanda Foreman. The Duchess was born Lady Georgiana Spencer (1757-1806). Yes, the same famous aristocratic family the Spencers, ancestors of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Reviews say the The Duchess is sure to be this year's period drama. Starring Keira Knightly as the Duchess and Ralph Fiennes as the older Duke of Devonshire. It was filmed at National Trust properties across England.

Like her ancestor Princess Diana, the Duchess was famous for her beauty, sense of style and adored by the people. She was also in a loveless marriage to the much older Duke. Set in the late 18th Century the movie's storyline is about her search for love.

It will be in cinemas in England on September 5, 2008 and in American theaters on September 19, 2008.

Keira Knightley as

Georgiana, The Duchess of Devonshire

I can't wait for it's premier. Oh the history, the scenery, the stately homes, the costumes and, of course, the drama! I will probably go on opening day!

Coco Chanel Premier on Lifetime Television

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

Her fashions made her famous!

Save the date and mark your calendars! Hot off the "fashionista" news wire:

Lifetime Television will premiere the Coco Chanel movie starring Shirley MacLaine on Saturday, September 13, 2008, 8:00 PM ET/PT on Lifetime Television.

The story begins in 1954 Paris with an older Coco and is told in flashbacks. I can't wait!

Audry Tautou, Chanel No. 5 & Coco

French Actress Audry Tautou

French actress Audry Tautou is the new Chanel Face.

She was the adorable, shy Paris cafe waitress in the hit 2001

French movie Amelie.

Nicole Kidman has been replace by Audrey Tautou for the new fragrance campaign for Chanel No. 5. The glossy magazine and television ads should be released in 2009.

The World's Most Famous Perfume

Ever wonder how Chanel No. 5 got it's name?

Coco Chanel commissioned, chemist by trade/perfumer, Ernest Beaux (1881-1961) to make six abstract perfumes with "a woman's scent that smells like a woman". Each was labeled numerically No. 1 through No. 6. Coco liked No. 5 the best. Beaux asked Coco what she would call the fragrance and she replied "number 5". (5 was also her lucky number.)

Reportedly superstitious, she debuted her new perfume Chanel No. 5 on the fifth day of the fifth month on May 5, 1921. The rest is history!

Her superstitions paid off. Chanel No. 5 is the world's most famous perfume!

Coco Before Chanel

Audrey has another famous Chanel part, too. She is playing Coco Chanel, as a young woman, in the French feature length film Coco Before Chanel. Directed by Anne Fontaine. Expected release 2008/2009. The movie is based on Coco's life in her early years before she became the legendary fashion designer.  I can't wait to see it!

Coco Chanel Story on Lifetime Television

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

(1883-1971)

Shirley MacLaine as Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

Don't you just love this photo of Shirley MacLaine as Coco Chanel? Notice her signature Chanel style with her classic tweed jacket, layers of pearls and her Camellia flower pin. The photo looks like Rue Cambon (Coco's apartment) to me where the film crew was probably filming on the streets of Paris.

Last night I saw a commercial for this upcoming Lifetime Television 2-part miniseries Coco Chanel.

It's the rags to riches story about the life story of legendary fashion designer Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. Shirly MacLaine is portraying Chanel in her later years. It airs in September so watch your local listings. I can't wait!

How did Mademoiselle Chanel become Coco?

Wondering how Ms. Chanel acquired her nickname Coco? One of her first stints (1905-1908) was as a cafe cabaret singer. One story is while singing Who's seen Coco in the Trocadero, the soldier patrons nicknamed her Coco and it stuck. She also began sewing cabaret stage costumes and that led to a career in millinery and fashion in Paris.

She was certainly a woman ahead of her time! There is so much more to her story and her life....I can't wait to find out more about Coco Chanel ! How about you?