The Summer of 2019

Today is Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer. 

Sigh.

How did the season fly by so quickly? I'm feeling all sorts of blah because these carefree days are about to end. To turn this thought into TADA!, can I share some photos of my summer? 

Summer was all about traveling to new cities...

Hanging out by the water...

And being able to dip my toes in the sand.

Summer wasn't complete without cookouts...

And lots of frozen desserts.

Summer was filled with outdoor concerts... 

Movies in the park...

The kind where you bring your own chair and pack a picnic.

Plus bonus fireworks, too...TADA!

I also got to practice my art:

I took a hand lettering class led by the talented Miss Swetha.  

Inspired by Mother Nature, I made a few "Petite Paintings" using small scraps of watercolor paper.

I also took some floral design classes.

We used flowers like Huckleberry, Salvia, Solidago, Charmelia, Gomphrena, Celosia, Dahlias, Carnations, and Sunflowers.

Carefully placed in a darling mason jar accented with a raffia bow.

To make the arrangement last longer, I made this painting.

It's cover art for a greeting card...TADA!

Summer likewise required a visit to the farm...

And the farmer's market

And of course, I made a sketch of what I saw...TADA!

I hope you all had a relaxing summer!

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Hi guys! I went to a delightful exhibit last week and I'd like to share with you what I saw. Come join me!

Have you seen the TV show, "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel"? It's a comedy series set in the late 1950's starring Rachel Brosnahan as the feisty Mrs. Maisel. She had it all -- a successful husband, two children, a close relationship with her parents, accessible childcare, a college education, and a large apartment on New York City's Upper West Side. 

She was living a very comfortable domestic life. Until she and her husband Joel decide to separate. She quickly finds a job at a department store during the day and as a stand-up comic at night.  

The show has won (and has been nominated) for multiple awards for acting, writing, directing, cinematography, music, set and costume design.

And these are the reasons why I love the show -- it's lighthearted, funny, and it takes you back to that period in time.

When it was announced that a "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" exhibit was going to open at The Paley Center, I made sure to attend! It showcases sets and props from the show:

The set of Mrs. Maisel's first TV show appearance

The set of Mrs. Maisel's first TV show appearance at the Arthritis Telethon

B. Altman Department Store where Mrs. Maisel worked during the day

The make-up counter at the B. Altman Department Store

The make-up counter at the B. Altman Department Store

The B. Altman Switchboard room where Mrs. Maisel also worked as an operator

Guests can wear the headset and hear dialogue from the show

Indeed Mrs. Maisel was a cheerful operator

The department stores back then also accepted items for mailing

The Stage Deli where Mrs. Maisel and her manager Susie shared lots of meals

Look at the prices from the 1950's

Guests can sit at the booth...a nice photo op 

A summer trip to the Catskills in Season 2 

The hair salon at the Catskills

The hair salon at the Catskills

Some scenes in Season 2 were shot in Paris.
This is Rose's pied-a-terre (Rose is Mrs. Maisel's mother)

Rose had a beautiful wardrobe that Mrs. Maisel borrowed from

Shoes to match purses and hats

Sketches, swatches and inspiration

And the best part -- some of Mrs. Maisel's dresses were on display:

I love how women were smartly dressed, I just had to make this sketch...TADA! 

By the way, there's also a theater to watch some episodes from the show.

I hope you liked our little outing today.

If you're in New York City, the exhibit runs until September 7, 2019 at The Paley Center. Entrance is free but you need to reserve a slot on-line. 

Have a good week, everyone!