Should I Try This??????????????????

                               I read recently that Bay Ridge has fifty coffee shops within it.

                                Our neighborhood, which roughly runs 38 bocks, from 65th to 103rd Street, is cherished by all who live here.

                                 When I heard the above, an idea, straight out of the late Julie Powell, crossed my mind.

                                  What if I were to visit all 50 coffee shops, over a period of time, posting about each one on here, and saying what I think?  No, I am not going to turn this into a book like "Julie And Julia," but I will share my posts.

                                     So, what do you think, girls?  Let me know, so I can make a decision whether or not I should do this.

                                      Of course, all coffee consumed, would have to be decaff.  And it could be fun discovering new places.  Or learning which ones to avoid.

                                        So, let me know if I should commence on this great coffee expedition.

                                         It could be the most adventurous reading since "King Solomon's Mines!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls, Join Us Tonight At 8PM, As The Sven Squad--Yes, The Sven Squad---Presents The 1989 Domestic Horror Comedy, "Parents!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                            I had really never heard of this film, when it was announced.  I was around in 1989; how could I have missed it?  Anyway, with the recent passing of Mary Beth Hurt, it is almost a fitting tribute to this wonderful actress that this film will be shown.

                                               The Sven Squad--Gwengoolie, Nostalgiaferatu, and The Imp!--are running the show tonight, though I am sure "Svengoolie" will make a cameo appearance.  I am glad, because, over the past several weeks, the Squad has not been seen, and I was afraid they had unceremoniously retired.  So, I am glad the show is being turned over to them this week, for their monthly appearance.

                                                   As for the film, girls, it is rare, but I am at a loss.  There is nothing I can tell you about this film except that its mixture makes me recall "Killer Klowns From Outer Space,' with its blend of horror and humor.  I have a feeling, especially with this cast, which also includes Randy Quaid and Sandy Dennis, that this could be fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                     No plans tonight, dolls!  Then tune in to this special showing of "Parents" by The Sven Squad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                          You just might discover a new horror favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday, Hayley Mills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          And not just a birthday, darlings, but a milestone one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                         Today, Hayley Mills turns 80!  80!  That makes me feel old!

                                         Because I went through a phase, in childhood, where I wanted to be Hayley Mills!!!!!!!!!!!!  But then, didn't we all?????????????????????

                                            I am telling you, darlings, she looks fabulous. Same hair and eyes, and were she to speak, that same Hayley Mills voice.

                                              Not only am I glad seeing Hayley Mills live till eighty, but I am also glad I did, too.

                                               Happy Birthday To You, Hayley Mills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                               I can't think of a better song to celebrate

this day with.  So, here it is!

                                            Hayley Mills' classic rendition of "Cobbler, Cobbler!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                                                                      

                                              

New Designers I Want To Hear Mentioned In "The Devil Wears Prada 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                             I am just counting the day, girls, which I am sure many are, but right now I would like to talk about designers.  I have heard that one of the red dresses MERYL wears in the film is by Balenciaga.  We already know that Emily Blum has Dior emblazoned on a shirt, and I am sure at some point Chanel will be mentioned.

                                But what about some new designers?  Here are some I would like to hear mentioned.

                                                                           

                            The first is someone I have been promoting for a long time on here--Chales De Vilmorin.  Look at that display of color.  Is there some way we can get him from Maison Du Savoir to the States?   How about a mention in the upcoming film?  Surely, that would help!

                                                                              

                                          Now, here is a classic creation from The Row.  They really do go in for some wonderful black and white creations, darlings, and I would not hesitate to recommend any one of them.  But, for me, you know, it is all about color.  The Row turns out some remarkable pieces and deserves a mention in the film!  Let's hope it gets one!

                                                                            

                               Oh, my God!  Darlings, look at this creation by Diotima!!!!!!!!!!! Classic and simple, but elegant, with just a touch of Cecil Beaton!  Who would not love wearing this?  I would buy it, sight unseen!  Hons, let's hope Diotima gets recognized in the film!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                               

                                    Look at this creation by Altuzarra, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Who needs Lily Pulitzer with this?  I doubt Lily will get a mention in this film, but with this dress alone Altuzarra should get noted.  This is called a Lydia dress.  I call it simply exquisite, and Altuzarra is one name I want to hear mentioned in the film.

                                         Finally, a bright pastel color--orange or pink? --to liven things up.  This is by Gabriela Hearst, and with my hair color and skin tones, it is just perfect for me.  I can't wait to wear it this Summer, but I hope it is recognized in the fashion film of the year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          These are only a few of the designers that caught my eye.  I am sure there are others out there as worthy.

                                           May one of your favorites be mentioned, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                                            

                                                                     

Something To Add To Your Home Decoration, Girls--Paste On Wallpaper Murals!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                          Aren't these images striking, darlings?  The problem is where to put them.  I have some unusual ideas about that.
 

                             I think the first one should go in the bathroom.  The relaxed aesthetic, the animals, make it inviting for a place in which one can and should be ultimately comfortable.

                            Now, the middle one, for the bedroom, is fine, but, as I have other ideas, I think that one would be perfect for the living room.  Nothing like colors to liven up your place.

                           The third one is my most controversial choice.  Being a child at heart, I could not resist this design, which is what I would put in my bedroom.  It is warm and cozy, and sleep should be soothing, so this bedtime look lulls one into a sleeplike state even before stepping into bed.

                            Custom made, interior designers are invaluable, girls, but when not at hand, these suggestions, which can be done by all of us, can help.

                               Expand your home creativity, darlings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What Are We Coming To, Girls!????????????????????????????

                            I majored in Journalism, when I was in college.  I never really found a job in it, but right now, I don't regret that, because with things changing the way they are, and AI, who knows if I would still have been in a journalism job?

                                All of us living in America today are aware of the above.  Hard copy has turned to digital, AI is a threat, but what I want to talk about relates more to Cancel Culture.

                                 Culture is not dead, darlings.  Au contraire.  Yet I remember a time when it got more coverage on TV, when critics like Stewart Klein or Pia Lindstrom would review the openings of movies and/or Broadway shows.  Do they even get a mention today?  No, because they are not considered worthy. The political scene we are in is covered, but too much time is devoted to sports.  Gasp!  I could be condemned for being un-American.  Listen, darlings, what little I know about sports comes from "Damn Yankees!"  And I would like to play Lola!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                      The cultural landscape is vanishing from television and print journalism as well.  Look at the mess Bari Weiss has made of CBS.  And how about how the arts department of "The New York Times" has been shaken up, leaving good critics like Jesse Green in the lurch?

                                        As one of my readers remarked, had Joyce Maynard been 18 now, and written her signature 'Times' piece, it would not have gotten nearly the attention it did in 1972.

                                         Thinking critically is being taught less in schools these days.  So, it should not surprise one that it is vanishing from journalism.  Opinions, objectives are all things of the past, or so it seems.  Everyone has to march in step, as though all one, devoid of individuality.

                                          I may not earn six figures, nor ever will, but I am proud my blog can do what much of journalism can't.  As long as free speech reigns, I will keep talking, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                            Journalism used to be called The Fourth Estate.

                                            Now, it has fallen I don't know where.

                                            Perhaps, like yours truly, we should become our own journalists!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'Dog Day' Is No "Afternoon Delight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

                                      Girls, where do I start?

                                     Let's begin with the August Wilson Theatre.  Over the past several years, it seems I have been in this Broadway theater more than any other.  Three times with "Funny Girl," and then once more with "Cabaret."

                                       And now "Dog Day Afternoon."  Let it stop there.

                                     For reasons understandable to me now, when we got home from this experience, David found the original movie, and we watched it.  What a difference.

                                       The stage adaptation of "Dog Day Afternoon" might have worked, had understatement and empathy been maintained.  And the leads better cast. Granted, no one could surpass Al Pacino or John Cazale, but Jon Bernthal as Sonny and Ebon Moss-Bacharach as Sal are unsatisfactory.  But they are not entirely to blame.  The playwright, Stephen Adly Guirgis (whom word on the street says was barred from rehearsals; I wonder why?) and Rupert Goold have conceived this rather touching story as a sitcom that eventually reverts to the Keystone Kops.  Are you kidding me?

                                           I am getting so tired of seeing movies of note and integrity transferred to the stage so unsatisfactorily.  I dread the musicalized version of "Beaches," because everything good about that film I expect will be missing from the musical.  Except an occasional hearing of "Wind Beneath My Wings."

                                             But back to "Dog Day Afternoon."  One interesting thing having been tweaked is the role of the Head Teller, a minor figure in the film, but who here becomes major thanks to the performance of Jessica Hecht.  Of course, she is playing......well, Jessica Hecht, but she livens up the show with her character's interesting back story--a Brooklyn career spinster with a bird and a cat!  Talk about playing bridge with old maid aunts!  Were it not for Hecht, audience interest would go quickly.

                                               Sadly, the most touching character, Sonny's wife Leon, for whom he commits this robbery to get money for a sex change operation, and who was played so devastatingly in the film by Chris Sarandon (who got an Oscar nomination) is played by Esteban Andres Cruz for laughs and camp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  The actors are not entirely to blame--that rests on Guirgis and Goold.  They have taken a first-rate film and reduced it to trash.  What a difference one creative team can make!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   Lastly, I have to say, girls, that lately David and I have been seeing nothing but crap on Broadway.  Still, I am holding out hope, but come June 7, I feel there will not be enough new show nominees for the TONYS.  It could be all revivals.

                                                     Broadway has always been known as "The Fabulous Invalid."

                                                      So, start getting fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!