Hanks takes on Disney in the untold tale of the story behind Mary Poppins. It seems that Ms. Mary came to the Banks household not for the children but for Mr. Banks. Now it gets interesting. This is the story of the story behind Mary Poppins as well as the story behind Walt Disney convincing P.L. Travers to sell him the rights to her beloved tale.
I know the Disney blogosphere is blowing up right now over this- everyone’s got a point of view about what really happened. Who knows if this is really the accurate story, but it sure looks interesting and the cast is great- anytime Paul Giamatti shows up, I’m in. We’ll have to wait for Christmas to see it but you can watch the trailer here:
I just love a good European movie poster or book cover. They really make me happy. I get why Hollywood can’t go all artsy on us, they need to show sweaty action shots of our superstars to bring in the Benjamins, but aren’t these just so much cooler.
I just spied this Spanish book cover of The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, apparently picked up in a Barcelona flea market- I wish I had picked it up. And I’ve always LOVED this Polish poster of Shane by Wojciek Wenzel (1959), I would love to have him in my house.
And how pretty is this- so dreamy in a little girl’s bedroom, it’s a little Chagall-like don’t you think?
Sleeping Beauty circa 1962 by artist Hanna Bodnar
That’s all. Any artsy posters that you love? Do tell.
Doesn’t this look just like summer! I’m not usually a spritzer kind of girl but this looks delicious. Thanks Joy the Baker!
It’s been a crazy week. DOMA is repealed- hooray (this is a kind of funny 2 -word response), Brazil’s in an uproar, Wow Wendy Davis, and George Zimmerman’s lawyer is telling knock knock jokes- what is happening. Stephen Colbert’s mother passed away and he gave a loving tribute to her on his show. This is a Colbert we have not seen, so sweet.
In light of a big week, I hope you are all off to a big and fun-filled weekend. My momma is coming into town- double hooray- so we’ll head out to North Beach with the kiddos and check out the so-called “Jewel of Chesapeake Bay”. It’s only 45 minutes from our place so I’m crossing my fingers that it’s awesome- there’s nothing like a nearby beach on a hot summer day.
I’ve also started reading again. I know, I know- alert the media, right. It is kind of a biggie for me as I have been a little sleep deprived with work, travel and the bebes and I haven’t really read anything in months. I’m listening to Andre Agassi’s Open on audiobook- so well written- I know I’m a little late to the game (no pun intended) on this one, but it’s awesome. I just downloaded Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Mo Meta Blues- so looking forward to that. Google Books review says, “You have to bear in mind that [Questlove] is one of the smartest motherfuckers on the planet. His musical knowledge, for all practical purposes, is limitless.” Nice. Anyone who references the episode of The Cosby Show where guest star Stevie Wonder samples the Cosby family’s voices in the recording studio as inspiration for 90s hip hop artists, is pretty much a must read for me. I’m also reading this book on parenting that my sister in law recently gave me (she’s an inspired preschool teacher so I basically read everything she tells me to). It’s great and really revealing. If you like a psych study, you’ll really enjoy this. And for all of us that believe constantly telling our kids that they’re smart is a good thing, this may change your mind.
A little link love:
1. Dora Maar’s house in Menerbes- Peter Mayle land. Love that town, love her and love this house. I would love this little setup in my backyard- throw up a sting of lights and voila- nirvana.
2. What to do with your bebes when you don’t have a backyard. This is so simple, it’s really a duh. I’m trying this today.
3. A girl after my own heart- just another reason to travel with your kiddos. How Anne Postic feels like a change of scenery improves her kids’ palates. Yes.
4. Add a little dash of Rome to your hot summer day. Espresso granitas with whipped cream- grazie mille Smitten Kitchen.
5. Another cool map- I do love a map. This one needs your help to get produced. Visit the Kickstarter campaign here if you feel we need this in the world.
A few summertime things.
A few to covet and a couple must haves:
1. Some Honest stuff. Sunblock, bug spray (that actually smells good) & swim diapers for the kiddos. All fabulous, all non-toxic. Thank you Jessica Alba. I douse the bebes in bug spray every day as I do live in a swamp after all.
Photographer Jade Beall is celebrating the very part of our post-baby bodies that we are go out of our way to hide. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to be sporting a crop top anytime soon (or ever), but these photos do take the edge off a bit. Kudos to Ms. Beall, this is a worthy project. Apparently many others think so too as she’s already hit her goal on Kickstarter. I’m looking forward to seeing all of her photos.
You guys may have seen this book at your local Anthro- Paris Versus New York. I always thumb through it whenever I’m strolling through the store. This is my favorite illustration:
Here are a few others:
Fun, right. I love the illustrations. This would make a great little gift for any lover of the two cities.
Most people don’t equate the romantic City of Light with young children. But believe it or not, traveling with kids in Paris is actually a plus. Some say it even grants you a “VIP” pass through the city. Who knew? Actually, I had an inkling… the Frenchies love the littles. I spent my 9th birthday in Paris and am convinced it changed me for life. For better or worse, Paris inflicted me with my lifelong case of wanderlust and I have so many memories of lovely Parisians and that beautiful city circa the mid 80s. Thanks Paris- I’m grateful.
If you don’t mind foregoing the romantic late night dinners and midnight walks along the Seine (unless you have a babysitter or grandparents in tow), it can be a great place to spend time with your kiddos. Yolanda Edwards, executive editor of Martha Stewart Living, co-founder of the parenting blog, momfilter and self-proclaimed wanderluster, has written a great little guide to exploring Paris with kids. She is a seasoned traveller to Paris with her daughter Clara- their adventures can be followed here- and a champion of the notion that travel does not stop when you become a parent. Love her.
Back to the book at hand: Paris en Famille is a handy fold out guide complete with lists, maps and 40 spots that are uber family and kid friendly. Organized by arrondissement, (as you readers know- I not only love a good guide, but one that is also organized by neighborhood i.e.: The Analogue Guide), Paris en Famille makes it easy to navigate the city slowly and thoughtfully with bebes in tow, in turn giving back a more local experience. Love it. It’s also $6.25 so you kind of can’t lose. Plus, it’s so cute I kind of just want it sitting on my shelf so I can glance over at it and dream about that trip to en famille to Paris. Bon Voyage.
{Images: The Mandarin Hotel Paris, Herb Lester Associates}
Did you know that a study from the 80s revealed that this particular shade of pink was found to have a calming effect on people with violent and aggressive behavior? Thousands of prison cell walls were immediately coated with this bubblegum hue as well as a few visiting football team locker rooms, hoping to tame the testosterone-fueled linebackers into calm and less effective players. Apparently within 15 minutes of being surrounded by this particular pink, aggressive tendencies are in fact calmed. Hmmm. I don’t know, I like pink an awful lot and though I’m not surrounded by it, I do have a generous amount of it in my closet, expose myself to it daily and I don’t think it’s made me any tamer.
That aside, I do believe that we are subject to our surroundings. How could we not be? Our environment has to have an enormous effect on us. Adam Alter attempts to unveil just how much of an effect our environment has on us in his new book- you got it, Drunk Tank Pink. For a good listen, here’s a great piece with the author via NPR. I’m fascinated.
If you live in or are planning a trip to the greatest city on earth, you should run your fingers over to amazon.com right quick and get yourself a copy of The Analogue Guide to New York. My very talented friend Alana Stone is the co-writer and co-editor of the ingenious Analogue Guide book series along with her her husband Stefan Horn. They live a wanderlusty life currently residing in Barcelona with their next stop perhaps LA or Vancouver- whichever best floats their boat. They go where their dreams and inspirations take them and recently welcomed their baby girl while effortlessly hopping from NYC to Madrid during pregnancy. Landing in Barcelona with their young lass, with a few stops in Italy and England in between, these guys get around. They’re the perfect people to write your dream guide book as they travel like locals hitting up neighborhood hot spots and haunts in a concerted effort to garner an authentic travel experience.
In her words, “Analogue Guides is a series of compact, independently curated city guide books featuring high quality, unique, low key venues- distilled through the lens of the neighborhood.” The genius of the guides is the way they are organized- by neighborhood. The layout gives you permission to travel more specifically focusing your day on a few spots in a decided part of town, as opposed to subjecting yourself to the torture of running yourself uptown, downtown and sideways-town in order to hit the “must-see spots” that most guide books would have you believe is the only way see the city. Whew- I’m exhausted just typing that.
The Analogue Guides are your ticket to traveling like the cool kids. And by that I don’t mean 19-year-old hipsters, I mean people that know the inside dealio and how to spend a proper day kicking back and exploring like a local. Take in the other side as you relax on the back patio of a killer surf shop in the impossibly darling West Village while sipping the best coffee around or stand in line for hours on end waiting for the elevator at Rock Center. It’s a different way of seeing the city. Seriously, enough said.
Ok, just a few more things- I love how Alana and Stefan are championing the printed page. Yay- long live paper and the printed word. Let’s be honest, some things are just more fun when they’re tangible. They’ve layered their guides with smart photography and well-appointed and easy to navigate maps. Their book is the kind of thing you want in your hand when walking the mean streets- so much cooler than a smart phone. And, ok one more thing, no trees were harmed in the printing of these books. All are 100% recycled. Now a bit about Alana:
Alana and I met in the wine world. Just as she was finishing up a stint in the cellar at Balthazar, I was beginning mine. We later met working for a small French importer of lip-smacking wines led by a curious and entertaining Frenchman. We had a ball together. She speaks 5 languages fluently and was always running off to attend some Catalan film festival while simultaneously working on her PhD in Japanese Comparative Literature at Columbia. I was impressed. We’ve stayed chums as I continue to live vicariously through her globetrotting. I heartily recommend her guide books to any and everyone planning a trip to the locales they cover. With London and NY published, more cities are in the works.
She has been gracious to share 5 of her favorite finds from The Analogue Guide: New York. Drumroll please…
1. Surf Shop & Coffee Counter Saturdays Surf Saturdays Surf presents a unique concept with a distinctly Pacific vibe. The shabby-chic store offers a vast array of surfing paraphernalia including boards, wetsuits, books and artwork dedicated to the wave—while doubling as an excellent café serving La Colombe blends. Grab a flat white and browse the selection of books dedicated to Australian, Californian and South African tides. Then head back to the gloriously dishevelled garden courtyard to finish off your cup in the afternoon sun.
2. Philadelphia Coffee Import La Colombe
Philadelphia based roaster La Colombe serves some of the finest beans in NYC at its aesthetically pleasing trio of Manhattan locations. The cafés boast a cosmopolitan atmosphere forged by a strong local following and international mélange of creative types. Drop by the sun drenched Nolita location for a rich and creamy cappuccino seemingly melting into its Italian Majolica cup, and a sumptuous slice of olive oil loaf. Then borrow a section of the NY Times and relax on the solid wooden banquette.
3. South Williamsburg Glamour Dressler
From its baroque decor to its clad-in-black wait staff, a festive atmosphere predominates at Michelin-starred Dressler. Playful and sophisticated, the space is peppered with intricate pieces by Brooklyn Navy Yard artisan sculptors. This sumptuous backdrop contextualizes the menu, consisting of an intricate hotchpotch of locally sourced New American cuisine and an extensive international wine list. All in all, a decadently pleasurable experience.
4. Pinnacle of the Performing Arts BAM —Brooklyn Academy of Music
Inaugurated in 1861, when Brooklyn was still an independent city, the Brooklyn Academy of Music has served as a major cultural force ever since. Drawing on deep historical ties with several acclaimed European theatres, BAM hosts top-flight international productions, in addition to maintaining its status as the premier NYC venue for cutting edge new work by local artists. Performances are held at either the intricately restored Harvey Theater or the grandiose Gilman Opera House.
5. Sushi par Excellence Sushi Yasuda
Arguably the best purveyor of sushi in New York City, Yasuda settles for nothing short of excellence. From the imposing wooden sushi counter, where you can order an omakase nonstop succession of delights, to the resolutely minimalist yet warm interior, every detail is meticulously executed. The lunch and dinner sushi sets are particularly enjoyable, as the chef will point out the day’s freshest ingredients for you to select from. Wherever possible, fish is locally sourced. A top-notch comprehensive sake list complements the menu.
Former showgirl, forever travel junkie, sometime sommelier, and mom to twin bebes. This little blog is a mixed bag of tasting notes, travels, tales of motherhood, and current musings. Thank you for stopping by. Cin Cin! (photo by Amy Dickerson for Anthology Magazine)
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