Have You Met the Neighbors?

There was an event last night at the old stuffy Country Club.....and all the girls were there. Phoebe Bixler, Matilda Pettibone, Jules Eastburn and little Edna Bambeesbrook  

 

By the looks of things, they kept a smile, considering they all apparently had the same hairdresser, except Bunny Hampton, who was not amused, and she also missed the memo about the wearing of white gloves. Look at those pusses would you!  It was a very uncomfortable feeling till the sweet tea  arrived. Just the ticket. Grandmother always said sweet tea was the cure for calming frayed nerves. Just why it had to be sweet I couldn't tell you.

A Wonderful Weekend, But Help Us Name this Gin Joint!

 

 What a wonderful weekend it was!

 This weekend I was the guest of my good friends, the Capital Street Duo, the Master Russel and the Dame Courtney at their lovely eccentric home. Here they are now on one of their voyages! She wears stripes so well.

It was a long overdue visit, where they had two delicious dinners for me,  and had cock-a-tails out another night. The main reason for the visit was a antiquing trip further up north to check out the wears. I was in the market for a set of cordials glasses, because a proper queen just can't serve cordials in a sniffer, and I have always wanted a birdcage. Luck would have it, I found both. More on those later. It is always a treat to see the Dame's place, as it is ever changing. And she collects, well, besides men, just about everything!!! It is a place to be seen for sure! And it's always a gleeful time, as witnessed by the adorable pup of the townhouse.....Philly!

 

 

 

 

Now, a quandary. Whilst sitting in the parlor, the Dame has been tormented with finding a name for her townhouse. We have talked about it for a while now, but nothing has that ring to any of us, so the Dame who reads my blog, suggested asking you all for a name of meaning for the Master and Dame's place. The only guide line is she doesn't want anything vulgar or dirty, for she is after all, a proper lady. So here are some glimpses from my fun weekend and hopefully some of these shots will give you some help.......... and something is in it for you all........

 

Not to give to much TMI, but I could spend hours just in the the Dame's lavatory alone. Take a gander at all the vintage cleaning, and laundry supplies! Across the way is probably every medicine, liniment, pain killers... and if your in need of smelling salts or bromide, I'm sure it's all here.......

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I often visit, the Master and Dame go to much trouble to have my own room ready! The Dame is quite keen to attention to detail. Here is where I usually slumber, complete with tons of towels, a collection of soaps, creams, and room spray. How fun is the room? How can it not... with a goose in a hat box, nesting in sheet music, a peasant guarding from above, and some good reading material.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one of my favorite rooms, the Dame's Parlor. Filled with candles, mirrors, stunning lights, a huge organ, her newest addition from the Master Russel, the famed peacocks, her pet turkey, which over sees all, and her weakness, a huge Victorian shoe collection as seen up high on the beams!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, now, after viewing some elements of the townhouse, what do you think? The Dame requires it to be of respectable name, as the Dame's place is often seen on house and garden tours, and she posts pictures on her Facebook page, whatever that is!  I suggested Cocksburn Manor, but that is too risque.There will be a special prize to be given to the winner, from the Mistress. My favorite item from Henri Bendel's and my winter warmer of...... a bottle of Domaine de Canton!

Plus, the person chosen upon consideration from the Dame, who knows, may even be invited for a stay by the Same and her staff. And just think how tickled you will be solving this current dilemma. Or then again, it could be the tingling of the Domaine.Trust me, you'll love it. Liquid crack in a bottle.

 

 Good Luck to all and we'll be in touch in a post, so do please comment away and name your choice to name this joint!

Grande Dame...

 

Kelly Mantle is an Oklahoma native like his uncle, the late great Mickey Mantle. Since landing in Tinseltown, Kelly has been seen everywhere from the small screen to the silver screen, the music scene, to club acts, to the covers of magazines, and everything in between. Kelly's background as a theatre actor has lead him to many exciting adventures including the launch of his own one-person show, The Confusion Of My Illusion. Other notable performances include Jo in the critically-acclaimed musical-play All This & Heaven Too which had an extended run at The Macha Theatre in West Hollywood, California.Kelly is also an accomplished singer, songwriter, and musician. To date, he has recorded three albums. A busy queen I'd say.

 

 

 

 

 

Dame Bassey was Spine Tingling......

Dame Shirley Bassey is one of my favorite chanteuses ,and did she ever give my spine some chills up and down as she sang Goldfinger. And at 77 the Dame still has it. I think my jaw was gapping through the whole song, as I was grabbing for my smelling salts.. AMAZING!

 

 

Meanwhile, Jennifer Hudson had great range, but did she murder that song with screeching? It was like nails going down a chalk board or was it just me? She could have sang that much better.

 

 

Returning soon........

It's Gone Dark

It appears, yet again.... the Mistress is off  for a weekend getaway. There's even no site of all the houseboys!?!  But who are those figures in the hall?

 

 

 

 

 

 

See you early sometime next week, and make yourself comfortable. Tootles!

A Perfect Quartet...with Dame Smith

Dame "Maggie" Smith,  is one of my favorite English film, stage and television actress. And has she ever had an extensive career both on screen and in live theatre, and is known as one of Britain's preeminent actors. Plus I enjoy her in interviews, where she has the quotes.....

“The performances you have in your head are always much better than the performances on stage.”

"It's true I don't tolerate fools but then they don't tolerate me, so I am spiky. Maybe that's why I'm quite good at playing spiky elderly ladies"

"People say it gets better but it doesn't. It just gets different, that's all.”

"I believe that I am past my prime. I had reckoned on my prime lasting till I was at least fifty!"

So you can imagine my surprise when I saw two weeks ago that her new movie Quartet was finally arriving.... and low and behold opened tonight in Doylestown at the vintage County Theatre.I almost took a lady off the sidewalk!

Quartet is a 2012 British comedy-drama,  and stars Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Billy Connolly and Pauline Collins. The story centers on  Reg, Wilf, and Cissy,  all retired members of an operatic quartet, living in Beecham House, a retirement home for gifted musicians and opera singers. The musicians and singers living in the house put on a concert on Giuseppe Verdi's birthday every year. However, the arrival of the fourth member of the quartet, Reg's ex-wife, Jean, played by Dame Maggie Smith, results in old rivalries and theatrical temperaments and it becomes unclear if the show will or will not go on, however the arrival of Jean,  disrupts the equilibrium. It was filmed in its entirety at Hedsor House, Buckinghamshire in autumn 2011. The film is actor Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut, and by the looks of it , he's done a great job I'd say.

 I also figure with Downton Abbey wrapped up, this will be just the ticket for my Maggie Smith fix.

A Message From Lattrice Royale

 

She is still large and in charge....and lots of good lovin! Now she is a QUEEN!

 

Rosemary Clooney is Here........

 

My good friend the Dame Courtney has much to smile about, like Rosemary Clooney,  above, for today it is her birthday! Happy Birthday dear!!!!! So I just had to give her a birthday greeting and give her some of her favorite chanteuse , who she adores. Si I have conjured up some vintage Rosemary in honor of the Dame and her day!

 

Happy Birthday! 

 

Here is the Dame...snapped just today as she was leaving her town home. She looks great for 30, don't you think?

 

 

And here the Dame with some of her lovely staff. She too is a proper gal.

 

Like Rosemary Clooney, the Dame came to prominence in town with her trade mark saying, after the Clooney tune , "Come On-a My House", which made her very popular. As did her cock-a-tail parties.  And like Rosemary, both enjoy a killer frock, and a clean swept coiffure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And in honor of the Dame on her day, here is a little ditty from Clooney's movie, Red Garters...... it's like watching the Dame entertain while on a visit......

That's the Dame alright..." don't grab the package or touch the merchandise!" But I do have a feeling she dropped off more than her bustle south of Bufflo, but I digress. So I hope dear you have a lovely birthday today! And speaking of the Dame, at weeks end I'll be the guest of herself and the Master Russel for a weekend at their lovely town estate, which I'm sure will be bound to be entertaing. I just hope she has a tanker of gin on it's way.