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Yes Please! Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris
I normally do not go to the theatre to watch movies. In fact, I hadn’t been inside a movie theatre since pre-Covid times. Nonetheless, I saw the previews for Mrs. Paris Goes to Paris, and I was curious enough to head out to the theatre to see it. It is definitely a feel-good movie, adapted from the 1958 novel Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico. I think you will love it as much as I did!
Directed by Anthony Fabian, the film stars Lesley Manville as Mrs. Ada Harris, a simple cleaning lady in London in 1957. Her husband died during World War II when his plane was shot down. She lives life simply, hangs out with her dear friend Vi, and is always doing kind things for others just because that is authentically who she is. While cleaning the home of one of her affluent clients, Mrs. Harris discovers a beautiful Christian Dior haute couture dress draped over a chair in a bedroom, and becomes smitten, then obsessed. For anyone who has ever fallen in love with a dress or pair of shoes or just felt like a princess in a particular outfit, this will definitely strike a chord.
Image source: eBay There are several themes throughout the film, starting with the bridge from which Mrs. Harris casts things into the river. A coin, the ring of her beloved husband who was killed during World War II, and a Dior gown she never got to wear all disappear into the shadowy depths. She continually struggles with loss of things and people she loves. The loss of her husband, the loss of the beautiful gown she struggled to finally bring home. But after her losses, she continues to gain. Her friend Archie invests a risky bet she made at the dog races on a more profitable one so she recoups money she lost. She finds a lost piece of jewelry in the street and receives a reward. She finally receives a war widow’s pension. These landfalls allow her escape from her life as a cleaning lady in London and begin an adventure in Paris.
Mrs. Harris’s adventure begins with a Parisian wino leading her to Dior where she stumbles into a showing of their 10th anniversary collection. She is initially turned away by haughty Dior Director Claudine, but shows her bravery and spunk by revealing the rolls of cash she has brought to purchase the dress of her dreams. She is supported by a distinguished attendant at the showing, the Marquis de Chassagne. He shows her the ropes for purchasing her dress. She loses her most loved selection, a seductive red dress called “Temptation”, to an affluent client with a history of many Dior purchases. But because Dior has fallen on hard times financially, they agree to make Mrs. Harris her second choice dress, an emerald green number called “Venus”.
She finds support in the entire Dior staff, except for Claudine, and is invited to stay with Andre, an accountant at Dior, while her dress is fitted. Andre’s dream is to take Dior fashion to the common people and believes this will help Dior succeed financially. He is in love with Dior model Natasha, who shares his interest in author Sartre and existential philosophy. Natasha resents her modeling career-her dream is to return to college and study philosophy. Mrs. Harris helps both of them to achieve their dreams and plays cupid, when they are basically stuck and unable to move forward. “We need our dreams, now more than ever”, she states to Andre.
What we see is that despite continual setbacks and abysmal accidents, Mrs. Harris continues to move forward while also helping others. In return, she is admired and beloved. After the unexpected loss of her Dior dress, she does hit rock bottom and refuses to get out of bed. Her London friends come to the rescue, and then she receives the sweetest surprise of all. The Dior staff have seen the news and what was done to her gown by the girl she had lent it to. Through a stroke of luck, her initial choice, the red dress “Temptation”, is sent to her by Dior, along with a huge bouquets of roses. The much too nice Mrs. Harris also learns to set boundaries and to see herself as not just a “nobody” doormat. The film ends with a scene of Mrs. Harris descending a grand staircase wearing the “Temptation” dress, and happily dancing with Archie, her gentleman friend.
The film features charming scenes of 1950s London and Paris that provide a visual feast. The gorgeous Dior garments and elegant models are also spectacular. I followed four young ladies out of the theatre, listening to them chatter about a term mentioned in the film– je ne sais quoi. Mrs. Harris certainly has je ne sais quoi. She also proves that no matter who you are, you should follow your dreams. Because sometimes, against all the odds, fairy tales do come true.
Thank you for visiting my blog. To view photos from the film, see imdb.com. You may also enjoy Best Guest Dresses for a Beach Wedding. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas.
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The Seven Best Thrift Shops Near Monterey
There are so many things I love about living where I do–the people, the beauty, and all the festivals and fun things to do. If you love to shop and you love deals, you will be in heaven. You will find some of the best thrift stores you can imagine here. They are just brimming with all kinds of mind-boggling deals that will leave you feeling giddy and your wallet happy. So without further ado, here is my list of the top thrift stores near Monterey, California.
Carmel Thrift Stores
Four thrift stores are all within walking distance. They are located in the Carmel Rancho Square Shopping Center, directly adjacent to the Barnyard. The shops don’t open until 10 a.m., so if you are an early bird, I recommend grabbing coffee or a bite to eat at either the Carmel Valley Coffee Roasting Company or Lafayette Bakery & Cafe. Both are located in The Barnyard, which is just next door.
Beautiful flowers and benches surround the Barnyard Shopping Center adjacent to four of the thrift shops. 
A mid-century Italian desk with fascinating little drawers is a star attraction at John’s Consignment. - Yellow Brick Road Benefit Shop. I have found beautiful pieces of Limoges china and lovely clothing here for less than ten dollars. You can also often find high end jewelry and designer shoes and luxury sunglasses at a discount. They also have a book store and a furniture store. While they have a great selection, most things are priced a bit on the high side for a thrift store, but you can still find bargains if you search. Things you are likely to find here: *designer clothing, shoes and accessories *antique china *jewelry. Address: 26388 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel, CA 993923. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
- SPCA for Monterey County Benefit Shop is located directly across the street from the Yellow Brick Shop. I have to say that this is my favorite Carmel Thrift store because I almost always find a deal here. I bought a doggy stroller for my puppy for only ten dollars, and they often have unique antique pieces and artwork very reasonably priced. Things you are likely to find here: *pet supplies *antiques *furniture *clothing. Address: 26364 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel, CA 93923. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
- John’s Consignment is right next door. You will immediately be heartily welcomed by John or other staff and given priority attention if you have any questions. I loved a cute little desk in the corner, and John provided me with every detail about it including style, age, and where it came from. Everything has been carefully curated by the owner. Things you are likely to find here: *unique vintage furniture *artwork *home decor. Address: 26362 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel, CA, 93923. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
- Just a few steps down to the corner is Joining Hands Benefit Shop. They also have a little bit of everything here and apparently they have specials. I found a signed piece of artwork here priced at $5 and was told it was only $4! Always love these kinds of surprises. Things you are likely to find here: *clothing *furniture *antiques *jewelry. Address: 26358 Camel Rancho Lane, Carmel, CA 93923. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
So much to see at Joining Hands Benefit Shop! Pacific Grove & Monterey Thrift Shops
Pacific Grove and Monterey have all kinds of cute little shops, but my favorites are the thrift stores. And luckily, two are within walking distance of each other. Be aware that finding parking here can be a bit tricky, especially at the Goodwill. If you want to grab a bite to eat, check out Happy Girl Kitchen Company near Second Chance Thrift Store at 173 Central Ave. in Pacific Grove. In Monterey, I recommend Paris Bakery Cafe at 271 Bonifacio Place, which is near Branches Resale Shoppe.
- Second Chance Thrift Store can seem overwhelming because it does kind of resemble a hoarder’s paradise with stuff jumbled everywhere. But you just never know what might turn up! Things you are likely to find here: *furniture *clothing *household items. Address: 105 Central Avenue, Pacific Grove, CA 93950. Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
- Goodwill Central Coast seems tiny at first, but you can find some pretty cool stuff here. I have found some awesome pyrex dishes and children’s games and puzzles. They also have housewares, linens, shoes and clothing. Things you are likely to find here: *mid-century dishes and other vintage items *brand name clothing *home decor *books. Address: 571 Lighthouse Ave., Monterey, CA 93940. Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily.
- Branches Resale Shoppe is such a fun place to thrift, and the staff are super friendly and helpful. I have found really cool vintage items and books here, but they have so much more, and there is a high turnover of merchandise. Things you are likely to find here: *seasonal items *furniture *household items. Address: 480 Webster Street, Monterey, CA 93940. Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday.
Thank you for visiting my blog. You may also like Thrift Store Treasures: How to Find the Best Deals. Wishing you peace, joy, happiness, & happy thrifting!
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Giving Thanks for Fabulous Friendsgiving!
For those of you who have wonderful, supportive families and celebrate warm, cozy Thanksgivings together, count your blessings. For those of us who either live far away from our families or have extremely dysfunctional families, there is an alternative celebration, called Friendsgiving. According to Merriam Webster, Friendsgiving is a mashup of the word “friend” and “thanksgiving” that refers to a large meal among friends eaten during the Thanksgiving season. I, for one, am so thankful for my friends and any excuse to spend time with them.
Source: baileys.com You may have suspected, as I did, that Friendsgiving originated with the TV series “Friends”. This is not the case. Even though the clan on this popular sitcom did have an episode depicting them celebrating Thanksgiving together to avoid family drama, the word Friendsgiving was never mentioned. Apparently, the term has been floating around since 2007, but didn’t become “YUGE” until 2012, when Bailey’s Irish cream used it in an ad campaign and it was featured in an episode of The Real Housewives of New Jersey. “Friendsgiving” the movie was released last year. It apparently features friends hosting a “dysfunctional, comical and chaotic Thanksgiving dinner”. I have not seen it yet but plan to!
For many folks, Friendsgiving has become not just an alternative to Thanksgiving, but an addition. What I love about it is that there are no hard or fast rules or guidelines. Friendsgiving doesn’t require turkey and cranberry sauce, it can involve anything from ordering out for pizza to a potluck where people bring mystery dishes. It doesn’t have to be held on Thanksgiving and can occur either before or after traditional Turkey day.
You can find Friendsgiving menus, party ideas, and tips for planning and hosting everywhere online, including at eventbrite.com. I think the best way to celebrate it is to keep it simple. I am going to two Friendsgivings this year, one today, and one on Thanksgiving. Today’s gathering will be a potluck. I am bringing cheesecake and a berry pie (and extra wine glasses!). On Thanksgiving Day, I will be celebrating with two of my dear friends and neighbors at a beloved restaurant in Pacific Grove. The very best part about Friendsgiving is sharing love and laughter with those you adore.
Wherever you may be for the holidays, wishing you peace, love and joy. Thank you for visiting my blog. Wishing you all a very happy Friendsgiving!
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Make Your Own Cinnamon Sugar Lip Scrub
With cooler fall and winter weather, lips can start to get dry and chapped. Sometimes, using balm just doesn’t do the trick. Using a scrub is a great way to exfoliate your lips. By removing dry, flaky skin, smoothing lines, and increasing blood flow, it will leave your lips feeling deliciously soft and healthy. My lip scrub recipe includes cinnamon essential oil because I happen to love cinnamon, but you can substitute any of your favorite essential oils.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive OR coconut oil
1/2 teaspoon raw honey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons fine granulated sugar
1-2 drops cinnamon essential oil
Directions:
Combine the oil, honey, vanilla extract and essential oil until well mixed. Stir in the sugar until evenly combined. Store in an airtight container.
To Use:
Apply to your lips and massage in small, circular motions. Rinse well. Use this 1-2 times a week for the best results. The coconut or olive oil help protect against further chapping. You will love how soft your lips feel! (Do not use on severely chapped or split lips). Needless to say, this recipe makes an awesome gift as well. You can get creative and decorate cute containers for your homemade scrub.
How Long Does It Last?
This scrub will last for up to a year if you store it in a cool dark area, out of direct sunlight. To ensure freshness, do not let any water get into the jar. And don’t forget to label it!
Thank you for visiting my blog. You may also enjoy Get Super Healthy Hair With Herbal Vinegar! and Autumn Nail Trends You Should Try! Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!
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Autumn Nail Trends You Should Try!
Source: Pinterest-Moosie Blue Who doesn’t love pretty nails? With falling leaves and sweater weather on the way, it’s time to think about fresh autumn nail looks. Popular this season are ombre designs featuring a different shade on each finger, geometric art, and designs inspired by nature. From rich fall hues to simply fun styles, here are some of the prettiest fall designs you should try.
I am loving these pumpkin spice latte ombre shades from oliveandjune!
Deep, dark, and mysterious, Every Month is Oktoberfest by OPI is a classic fall shade.
Source: @britniesue Brown, copper, and neutral nails with natural and geometric designs are fall fabulous!
Fall feels here with plaids, florals and textures, by @4nailedit.
How about some caramel apple spice ombre colors from oliveandjune?
What is not to love about these fab fall colors from Essie?
Source: @eweuleeek Show off your scary side with these hauntingly cute pumpkin nails!
Some sweet autumn shades by Color Street by @manicures_by_manda.
This nail design by Whats Up Beauty is perfect for autumn.
Thank you for visiting my blog! You may also enjoy Pretty Fall & Winter Pedicure Toe Nail Art Ideas and Sugar & Spice: My Favorite Fall Flavors. Wishing you peace, love, happiness & beautiful vistas!
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The Very Best 2021 Halloween Pet Costumes
With Halloween approaching, many of us with pets are wondering what costumes to get or make them. Here are some of the very best costumes for pets this year. From guinea pigs to dogs, there are so many super cute choices. I hope you find some inspiration for your pet!
Source: @littleprinceofcrownheights This jailbird costume is super cute for any naughty sock (or shoe) thief. Perhaps he will be pardoned by the puppy priest below. Made by California Costume Collections, the Holy Hound is available on Amazon.
This cute butterfly costume by Animal Planet is available at Walmart and other stores.
Source: @longboy_lincoln Cruella de Vil never looked cuter!
Your cat will go batty for these wings by MadeByCleo on Etsy.
Do. Or do not. It’s hard trying not to love this Jedi costume, available at Target.
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Witch, I mean which chicken wouldn’t love this hat and tutu? Available on Etsy in StudioCluck’s shop. Or how about Day of the Dead costumes for your feathered friends, like those below?
Source: @pagepardo 
Your cat will feel like royalty wearing this cape and crown, by ISewDreams on Etsy.
Your rascally rabbit can be a detective or one of the Queen’s guards in these outfits by Binkying Cottons on Etsy.
Source: @minuit_bunny.love Baby shark doo doo doo doo doo doo. Hey wait, that’s a bunny!
Ketchup anyone? Made by Thrills & Chills, both this costume and the biker one below are available at Petsmart.
Source: @wafflethetabby Did somebody say McDonald’s? I’m lovin’ it.
This Despicable Me costume is sure to please the Minions.
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Your puppy will love this costume a latte! Available at Party City.
Thank you for visiting my blog! You may also like Fifteen Fabulous Pumpkin Designs For Halloween and Eight Fall Fun Activities in Monterey County. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
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What? I Need New Glasses?
I recently had my eyes tested and discovered that not only was my astigmatism (an imperfection in the curvature of the eye’s cornea or lens) getting worse, but my presbyopia (gradual loss of the ability to focus on close up things) was also on the downslide. I would need new glasses.
Getting new glasses can be daunting. The torture of trying on umpteen pairs of eyeglasses and the insecurity that arises are something nobody likes to go through. And no matter how many people tell you a pair looks good on you, ultimately it is your decision. The fact that these glasses will be a part of what you present to the world every day just adds to the stress level. However, what is really cool nowadays is that you can try eyewear on virtually in the privacy of your home. Just type it in your browser and several sites with this feature will pop up! Better than sitting in the optometrist’s office for an eternity.
Previously I always chose the same type of frames, either black or dark colored rectangular ones that were pretty boring. This time I decided to be a bit more adventurous. I tried on cat-eye, round, and hexagonal glasses, and a myriad of different colors and materials. Somehow, I kept coming back to the pair I ultimately chose. I am pretty happy with my decision!
If you are getting new glasses, here are a few helpful tips:
- Try wearing your new glasses for only a few hours at a time the first week to help reduce sore eyes, headache and other sensitivities.
- Clean your glasses only with cleaning solution for glasses or soap and water. Never rub them with a dry cloth as this can cause scratches on the lens.
- When you are not wearing your glasses, keep them in a case or a specific place they will be safe (and easy to find!)
Thank you for visiting my blog! You may also like Pretty Fall & Winter Pedicure Nail Art Ideas and Cute Fall Captions You Will Absolutely Love. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
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Cute Fall Captions You Will Absolutely Love
Fall offers so many opportunities for taking great photos that you simply have to share. From silly puns to sweet quotes, here are my favorite fall captions. If you are looking for some good Instagrammable captions to go with your fall photos, check these out!
Sweater weather is better together.
Source: @southernlivingmag Keep calm and enjoy fall.
Caption variations: Hello gourdgeous. Feeling gourdgeous!
Channel the flannel.
Don’t even chai to say you like fall more than me.
A falling leaf is nothing more than summer’s wave goodbye.
The pick of the pumpkin patch.
Autumn skies and pumpkin pies.
FALLing in love.
Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.
My favorite color is October.
Pumpkin kisses and harvest wishes.
Thank you for visiting my blog. I hope you found some fall captions you can use! You may also like Cutest & Spookiest Fall Kids Playhouses Ever! and Eight Fall Fun Activities in Monterey County, Wishing you peace, love, happiness, & beautiful vistas!
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Don’t Sweat That Unfinished Baby Book
Recently, on one of my thrift shop adventures. I noticed a vintage pink satin baby book resting in a bin of books. I picked it up, admiring the beautiful hand-painted daisies on the cover. It was less than $1.oo. Why not, I thought, tossing it in my cart. When I arrived home, I began to flip through the pages, mesmerized by the pretty illustrations. The parents of this baby had filled in many things, including her name, date of birth, weight, first visitors, and even pinned a lock of her hair on one page. Many of the pages, however, were blank.
I had baby books for all three of my boys. Like many parents, I expected to meticulously record every detail of anything remotely important. I would be able to look back someday and note every minute detail in my babies’ lives. But like most parents, that just doesn’t happen. You are too busy changing diapers, doing laundry, cleaning up food splattered high chairs and spending actual time bonding with your baby.
My three boys’ baby books. According to Jessica Feeder in Today’s Parent, although she and her husband had been determined to carefully document every detail of their baby’s growth, they eventually resorted to snapping iPhone pictures instead and the baby book became lost. She states, “I later found it beneath a pile of old, forgotten underwear, when my daughter was more than a year old.” While she had taped in a lock of her daughter’s hair and her hospital bracelet, “absent was any mention of first foods, first tooth or her first giggle”.
A page in my youngest son Peter’s baby book. Nowadays, in the age of the digital universe, I imagine these old-fashioned baby books will soon become obsolete. Baby milestones will only be captured on phones and laptops, or shared on social media. And while that’s convenient, somehow, I think many of us who did keep these baby books will treasure them even more. Even if we didn’t ever fill out every single milestone.
Thank you for visiting my blog. You may also like How to Save Money with a Clothesline and Nine Best Fresh Herbs To Use In Your Kitchen. Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas!
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How to Save Money with a Clothesline
Years ago, using a clothesline, drying rack or even bushes to dry clothing was the only method available. Today we have become used to drying our clothes in dryers. It’s easy and convenient. But it also uses unnecessary energy and costs more than you may think. Using a dryer can cost you over a hundred dollars per year, depending on how much laundry you do. You can find out exactly how much it costs to run your electric dryer by multiplying your dryer’s wattage by the length of run time in hours and dividing by 1000. Multiply this number by your cost per kilowatt on your electric bill. Then multiply the number of monthly loads you do to determine your monthly cost for using your dryer. Gas dryers cost on average 11 cents per hour plus 12 cents per hour for electricity to power the drum. Here are some great options for skipping the dryer and saving money.
Source: Pinterest Old Fashioned Clothesline
I have been hanging clothes on the clothesline since my three boys were little shavers. Back then, we lived in an old Victorian home that had a huge clothesline I just loved. It was approximately twenty feet long with four lines which were always completely filled when I did laundry!
Available at amazon.com, this collapsible rack can also be used to dry herbs. Drying Racks
Even if you live in a tiny apartment, like I once did, you can use a drying rack like this one from Amazon. You can even use your shower curtain rod to hang clothes to dry!
Elgan Clothes Airer available at pulleymaid.com. Overhead Clothing Airer
Another option for drying laundry naturally is the overhead clothing airer. These originated in Europe back in the 1700s. They were built using a pulley system that lowers for your laundry items, then raises back up towards the ceiling where the home’s warmest air helps the drying process. They have recently become quite popular again. For a tutorial on building your own, see the Grit and Polish.
Rotary clothesline available at wayfair.com Clothesline Benefits
Benefits of hanging clothes vs. using a dryer are that they smell cleaner and fresher from being outdoors in the sunshine. You save on wear and tear from them being tumbled around and beat up in the dryer. You also avoid the “pilling” that occurs on items put in the dryer. Also, many clothing items such as blouses and sweaters are line dry only, and will inevitably shrink if you put them in the dryer. Reducing our drain on the planet’s energy is also beneficial. What I like most about hanging clothes on the clothesline is that it is relaxing. You have time to engage in a simple, repetitive activity that can actually be quite calming. I also like that you can sort the laundry as you hang it, pairing socks, etc. so there is no maddening struggle to match things up later. As an occupational therapist, I have used hanging laundry on a clothesline as a therapeutic activity in skilled nursing facilities. It is a great activity to work on fine and gross motor skills, eye hand coordination, and balance.
Helpful Tips
- To avoid wrinkles, always shake out wrinkle prone items a few times before hanging them on the clothesline. (Thanks to my Aunt Barb who taught me this many years ago!)
- When removing dry clothes from an outdoor clothesline, always give them a good shake before folding them. Years ago, I had folded a pair of my son’s jeans and was putting them in his drawer when I heard a buzzing sound. Lo and behold, I discovered a bumble bee inside his pants, which could have led to a most painful and unpleasant experience. Thankfully, this is a pretty uncommon occurrence, but one best to avoid.
- You don’t have to get fancy. You can purchase cheap, simple clotheslines at any hardware store. At my current home, the clothesline is strung between the posts on my back porch, and I have clothes drying racks as well.
Thank you for visiting my blog! You may also enjoy The Very Best Soothing Summer Herbal Teas and The Most Beautiful Instagrammable Spots in Monterey! Wishing you peace, love, happiness, and beautiful vistas.