StoryBoardC

The Nostalgia Carousel.

I had one of those moments yesterday. The sun was setting. The trees were aglow with that Autumn light. Nostalgia enveloped me as I looked up and snapped this above Instagram.  Then last night I came home to a quiet apartment. Ahmed was still at his friends house and the cool breeze was coming in through the open windows. Fall is previewing here this labor day weekend big time. So, I curled up in bed and even put on my favorite warm blanket with the satin trim over atop our down feather comforter and slipped into to bed to re-read MadMen Unbuttoned . And revisited my favorite scene from MadMen on the pages of it and it so captured how Autumn brings nostalgia tenfolds everyseason. 

"Nostalgia," Don says over his family slide show, "literally means 'the pain from an old wound.' It's a twinge in your heart far more poweful than memory alone. This device is not a spaceship, it's a time machine. It goes backwards, forwards... it takes us to a place where we ache to go again. It's not called 'the wheel', it's called 'the carousel.' It lets us travel the way a child travels- around and around, and back home again, to a place where we know we are loved." 

 Where does nostalgia have a place for you in the Fall? Love, C. 

Cindy goes to Como Zoo.

Well, my fine friends:) This last week has been a busy one. Planning Ahmed's Trip to visit his beloved home country of Egypt and my going to St. Pauls Como Zoo and conservatory for the first time ever. Oh it was just about the most delightful thing I have done  in a long time. Wow, did I feel like a kid again. gawking at all the animals. It so reminded me of my parents taking me to the Memphis zoo as a kid.  So, here is my little Journey in Instagram for your viewing or bored to death pleasure. ***Thank you Kristen for taking me along. 

After arriving in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis side by lovely Lake Calhoun) Kristen treated me to Punch Neapolitan Pizza. Adored this authentic styled Pizza so much and the restaurant decor caught my design eye as well. Hello white subway tiles with stainless steel shelving with these lovely cans and bottles. So digging orange and sky blue together:)

We then headed downtown near the farmers market to hit up this fabulous paper store so Kristen could get mock ups for some wedding invites that she is designing. I couldn't help snapping this image of downtown Minneapolis getting out of the car.  Where is Mary Tyler Moore when you need throwing up that hat of hers:)

After there we headed to Minneapolis's twin brother St. Paul (my favorite out of the two) and finally made it to Como Zoo and first hit up the Conservatory. All the palms and tropic plants.

And that gorgeous glass dome....

Oh how the light sparkles coming down.

Loved this little pond and finding one of my Favorite Saints hanging out there in stone. 

So many exotic blooms as well. Reminding me this would be a perfect place to visit in the dead of Minnesota Winter.

Good old Roses for good floral measure.

"I christen thee the candy cane rose only imaging it might smell like peppermint patties". 

I couldn't resist snapping a photo of the"Mondarin cut" tiles in the Conservatory. 

Now for the zoo!!!! Loved it!!!! Look at this grizzly!!! I know he is a bit blurry. But, did you notice what I caught in the reflection? Click  to enlarge and see the priceless wonder I captured on that little boys face:) Love it!

Another wonderful pre-surprise was the Mold-a-rama's!!!! in each of the animals areas. I could not contain my excitement for this. This was one of my all-time favorite zoo traditions. Collecting each animal in that wonderfully hot smelly wax mold to take home. * Polar Bear above In glacial Blue:)

The Mold-A-Rama machine itself could not be more nostalgic if it tried:)

Lion in yellow:)

And a real Lioness taking a nappy nap. 

Then finally my favorite the Gorilla exhibit and my little souvenir of yummy black plastic warm goodness.

A tiny Monkey lost in his make shift enviroment. 

Gorilla Attack.

He is loose.

A Gorilla in the mist. Couldn't resist all the Mold-A-Rama Gorilla Staging:)

Last but not least before leaving the zoo. A little reminder of my other home sweet home. Florida. Spanish Moss. What a fun little adventure and look forward to returning soon again. 

After the Zoo and on our way back home. We made a quick stop to MOA. Nordstroms for a little handbag daydreaming. Then onto Banana Republic to check out the Mad Men Collection. No disappointment there. What a lovely classic line without kitschy vintage.  Speaking of Kitschy....

Check out our Sally Jesse Rapheal Circa 1988 glasses found at Urban outfitters:) Ah the tragically hip teenagers working there didn't get our amusements and rediculous faces to go along with them:) Hey, what do we expect? They were not even born when the show was on. 

What a fun day:) I needed it more than I knew. Thank you again Kristen!!! What has been your  favorite Summer day? Do Tell. PS Happy September!!!  Love, C. 

I have recently rediscovered the joy of Swimming at my local YMCA. Bringing back such fond memories of my love for it as a kid. I remember when my family first moved from Memphis to Tallahassee, Florida for my Dad's Job with the Federal Prison System in 1980. We lived at the Days Inn on the corner of Apalachee Parkway and Capital Circle for a couple of Months while my parents house hunted. One of my favorite things to do besides following around my favorite housekeeping lady around was going swimming at the crack of dawn. I am not kidding, I could barely stand it waiting for my parents to awake. Sitting by the air conditioner window unit and peeking out the center crack of the light blocking curtains counting the minutes that my mom would take me down to the pool courtyard.  

When she would finally rise. We would head down the open hallway stairs, with sound of  the clippity clop of my flip flops and her carrying two pristinely white bleached Motel towels behind me. The pool courtyard was like a little paradise. Perfectly groomed grass, meticulously lined beach loungers and Palm trees at each corner of the pool. It was a usual sweltering summer and the mornings light glistening on the freshly clean pool water was so wonderfully inviting. There was just nothing like jumping in and being enveloped in that cool water and the overpowering smell of the chlorine.  

I loved floating and splashing around in the shallow end. Closing my eyes and feeling the sun on my face as the water rippled around me. Pool perfection.

Then adolescent insecurity eventually took away my joy for water. I Remember swimming in Junior High and how traumatizing it was around your peers if you were less than perfect at that age.  Eventually in high school I dabbled in the joy of swimming with my best friend at the Y or with my job working with kids during the summer. But, I didn't recapture that pool passion completely ever again until now. One thing I have learned from finding joy in exercise again- Try it all. Push yourself out of your comfort zone and experiment with all kind of fitness. If I would of just stuck with walking or strength training. Yawn... I would of given up by now on the exercise thing. the first two weeks at the Y I tried about everything. Did cycling again. Nope didn't dig that anymore. Then strength training. Boring!!! I would rather find alternatives to building muscle. * I still do my sit-ups and crunches:) I did try Zumba and completely enjoy that and the creme de la creme of fitness love- Swimming!!!!! I do laps continuously for about 1 hour now about 5 times a week. I only began with 20 minutes and worked my way up! The benefits have been amazing not only physically, but emotionally. Great thinking and planning time! Physically I have noticed more strength and tone. I love the way my muscles feel working against the water. The pool atmosphere itself I rather enjoy. It was built in the early 1960's and I love the pool decor of pastel geometric tiles of ice blue, light yellow, green and orange. Now if only I would look over and see Don Draper of Mad Men swimming laps next to me. Wink.  But, I do daydream of getting a vintage fancy swimming cap and bathing suit:)

But, for now I am beyond happy to have found my fitness groove:) Totally curious what is yours? Happy Swimming Sunday. Love, C. 

*** Vintage Swimming Images by the great Tom Palumbo and Slim Aarons. 

Mad Men Dress-up.

I am so excited for the August release of Banana Republic's  Design Collaboration with Mad Men and it's delightfully charming Costume Designer Janie Bryant. What I have seen thus far has been drool worthy! My Mid-century design loving heart is palpitating fast:) I love it's vintage feel without being Retro Rediculous. It's classic to say the least with major attention to detail even for the Men. Screaming Please Gentlemen wear suits again!!!! 

Here is the full collection via New York Magazine. Seriously a much needed fix after the long wait for Mad Men's season 5 coming in Jan. 2012.  Enjoy! Happy Tuesday. Love, C.

Grace LooK.

HUGE WARNING before you read or look any further. This post contains large amount of references to Mad Men Television Show, Grace Kelly and the 1960's. Oh and wee bit of Oprah:) Just pure enjoyable fluff-Cindy Style:)

 

In honor of Mad Men's 2nd year in a row  Emmy win last night and my Mom calling me today, telling me" Oprah has a show dedicated to the 60's and that show you like so much."  I tried to watch it and of course the digital feed on the channel it was on had one big case of being on the fritz. Where did analog go? when you need it most:) But, this evening I got to enjoy some clips via Oprah.com.

 

 

And stumbled upon Mad Men's January Jones Grace Kelly inspired lay-out in  O magazines October's  issue. Oh it sure is lovely to say the least. Today's twist on a classic.  Making mention of all my favorite American staples. J. Crew, Kate Spade and Milly. All things currently I can't really afford or fit it into  (more on that later this week). I drool every season over Betty Drapers Character and how she channels that timeless cool elegance of  Grace Kelly. 

 

But nothing still compares to the  real deal. And we go way back. It all began as a little girl, listening to my Mom talk about how much she adored her Grace Kelly paper dolls.  She  would tell me stories of this beautiful actress, who then became a real life Princess.  Then after I saw my first Grace Kelly Movie- Hitchcock's  Dial M for Murder. I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up- just like Grace Kelly. My Mom encouraged my adulation of her- who would rather have me looking up to a Good Catholic Modest Princess instead of Madonna:) 

 

Then there is me. circa 1991. (thank you to Picnik for the black and white version) 16 years old and doing my own twist to the Grace Look. Pearls, red lipstick and sweater sets (or in this school picture a crew neck Benetton sweater:) While most of the girls were sporting perms still or smaller version of the big hair of the 80's. Me and I my best friend Crystal were hot rolling our hair. Except for this day I didn't. Then a year later, I would be sporting black hair and going through my rebellious period. What was I thinking? But, anyway I would go back to the Grace Look  eventually and stay with it until the present day:) I still wear pearls, I have quite a few sweater sets and so many shades of Red lipstick. I can't even think of  counting. I still dream of someday having that Hermes Kelly bag:) with a Hermes scarf tied on it. Someday....

But, what did I learn most from Grace is what I what I learned from own My Mother.  To be dignified. That it is Ok to be discreet and Modest.  To be open and devout  about your faith. Help others.  Live your life with Grace,  know matter what  life hands you. Thank god for those Grace Kelly Paper Dolls:)

 

 

 

Todays quote: "You are unrepeatable. There is a magic about you that is all your own"- D.M. Dellinger.

Have a good Tuesday:)