Phonograph Gallery in Paris

I always wanted to have a phonograph! Playing an old record on a phonograph is like trying on a vintage dress, until you wear it you don't have the full vintage experience. Several months ago we went to a vintage shop and saw this beautifully elegant phonograph. And the best part of it was that it was a working phonograph! Now what are the odds of that? And of course because it was in mint working condition, and well persevered it was always very expensive.

I came across a website called "Phonogallery". They are located in Paris France, of course. They sell phonographs, gramophones, cylinders, and much more. They also sell phonograph parts, and they even repair them, which is great if you happened to buy one that doesn't work. And if you happened to be working on a project and need a phonograph, well they to rent them out! Now that is swell!


Here are some pictures from their gallery:




















And if you happened to know of a nice little old lady that is giving away her phonograph, just let me know, I will send my agent over. Thanks!




Chao,



Carmen

Photos: Photogallerie.com on Flickr Creative Commons.

Rainy Day in Paris

This same painting I have in my living room. When I first say this painting I knew that it was coming home with me. I have always loved raining days! I just find rain so refreshing. After it rains doesn't the air smell nice? It is something that has made me feel so alive!

This painting is called "Rainy Day, Paris Street", and it was painted by Gustave Caillebotte in 1877. Ever since I bought this picture I always wondered where the artist got his inspiration for his art piece.

And here it is:



This is Gare Saint-Lazare which is one of the six large terminus train stations of Paris. The Gare Saint-Lazare has been represented in a number of artworks. It attracted artists during the Impressionist period and many of them lived very close to the Gare St-Lazare during the 1870s and 1880s. Some of these artist were: Édouard Manet, Jean Béraud, and Claude Monet.

So today it happened to be pretty cloudy almost like it wanted to rain. It wasn't rain that had come, but it actually got chilly today here in Florida! And can you believe that I didn't take my coat with me. After half an hour later being in the cold I felt underdressed. After all this time of waiting for a cold front, and here I was so unprepared. I did wear a hat, knitted skirt and my closed black and white retro shoes, but it wasn't warm enough.

Tomorrow though, I am wearing my whole winter ensemble! I am so looking forward to it!



Chao,



Carmen






P.S. Just finished watching the movie "Rear Window" by Alfred Hitchcock. I think this is one of the best movies that he did. And Grace Kelly looked so glamours!

Photos and Research: Creative Commons Flickr & Wikipedia.

Street Artist

The other day I told my hubby that I was ready to start drawing again. For several years I have been creating my retro pop art the Bohemian Girl Collection. It's been a while since I got into my artistic frame of mind. Over the years I realized that I have a short attention span when it comes to my creativity. For instance several months ago, I was in the mood to paint the walls of my house. Sure enough after I completed most of that project I was ready to move on to something different.

Now that I am again into my drawing mood, I am going to start dusting off my drawing supplies and start putting it to good use again. Who knows I may one day be a famous artist working in the streets of Paris!



These street artist from Paris could be one day my coworkers...



So I don't think you need canvas to paint. What a great idea!







Perhaps I could sing a little, that way I get peoples attention. I am taking notes.






What if I lost my voice after I sang the whole week? I would have to move on to Plan B: Wear a stripe outfit, layer my face with white makeup, and smile.



Give these artist a round of applause for their creativity!




Have a fun weekend!



Chao,



Carmen

Photos: Creative Commons

A Home, Away From Home

One of our favorites get away places that my hubby and I love to go is Saint Augustine, Florida. This town is such a romantic place. Whenever we go there, I get the feeling of that honeymoon excitement all over again!

I wanted to share with you these lovely pictures of Casa Monica Hotel in Saint Augustine. This hotel is one of my favorite hotels in Saint Augustine. This building was constructed in 1888 and was restored to its original beauty in 1999.





Saint Augie is one of the oldest town in the United States. I love walking through their boulevards and enjoy seeing the old buildings and houses. The city of Saint Augustine mainly has Spanish architecture, which reminds me so much of my home town of Valencia, Venezuela. Eventhough I lived most of my life in Florida, a part of me is still in Venezuela my birth place. So whenever I visit Saint Augustine I get excited. This place is pretty much for me a home away from home!





Last year when we went to Saint Augie for our wedding anniversary we found out that our favorite small quaint hotel had been torn down. After driving a while and being that we where tired and sleepy we ended up in a not so nice abode.

At first we figured that it didn't really matter if the hotel was not attractive, because we were planning on only coming to the hotel to sleep. How wrong we were! That hotel was not only bland, but it was not "Monk" worthy. The minute that I lay down on the bed, I felt like there were creeping crawlers all over my skin. I tried to be as composed as possible, though I couldn't hide the fact that my skin was red and itchy.

For the whole night my poor husband was looking all over the bed and blanket for bed mites, which I was sure were there, but happened to be hiding from us. That night we ended up buying new pillows and bed covers. Trust me I wasn't a happy wifey that night.

After that trip to Saint Augie, my husband had promised me, that next time we go that we would stay at a nice hotel. I would love to stay at the Casa Monica Hotel sometime. Though I know that we wouldn't be able to afford even a night at this hotel. Even though my husband promised something so sweet like this, for me it doesn't really matter where we stay, as long as we are together!


Now that is priceless!


Have a lovely weekend!



Chao,



Carmen

Time and Reality

I have been always fascinated with clocks. The mechanical aspects of how clocks works have always intrigued me. Besides how the clocks work I enjoy watching and hearing it's sound. As a fan of all things old, I love walking down a city street and seeing an antique clock. There is something nostalgic about an old street clock that a digital clock can't beat, and that is beauty!




Have you ever been to Down Town and admired that digital clock on a building? And said, " wow, that's a fine looking digital clock." It's true that a digital clock is easier to read. And especially in the hectic society that most of us live in, many of us don't have the time to stop and read time.
And what's even more crazier than that, is that we don't even take time to stop and enjoy life, the real things of life! When was the last time that you actually stopped and smell a rose, or any flower for that matter?





It's sad that most of us don't enjoy things that make our lives truly enjoyable. And what makes things worst, it that our lives have not only become hectic, but that at the same time our lives are filled with non- essential things, that keeps us from enjoying the real things of life. People don't sit down anymore at the diner table and enjoy a meal together. Instead everyone seemed to be more in tuned to the t.v., computer or talking on the cell-phone instead to interacting with the people around them.




When I saw these pretty clocks it reminded me of the"Alice in Wonderland" movie when the rabbit said, "I am late I am late for a very important date". The rabbit on the movie didn't have time to spend around and talk to Alice, at the same he was running late for his important date. So the rabbit wasn't really here, nor there. His rushed time schedule didn't allow him to enjoy special time. He was too busy to think what really matter to him.

This weekend I am going to do just that. I have a very important date to attend. I am going to spend quality time with friends and family in learning about the real purpose of life and the universe.


Its great to keep on the watch about the most important things of life!


Take time to smell the roses!


Chao,



Carmen

City Moment: South Beach

These are some pictures of the famous Art Deco District of South Beach. South Beach has a very popular road called Lincoln Road. Lincoln Road, which is an outdoor mall in South Beach have plenty of restaurants, shops and plenty of places to sit and enjoy a lovely walk with your dog. The black and white pictures below were taken in the 50's and 60's when Lincoln Road was still a popular place. Though in the late 70's through the 80's Lincoln Road and pretty much most of Miami Beach had taken an economic hit. Many of the stores and restaurants of Lincoln Road were closed. And the mall which was once a busy place became pretty empty and lifeless.

Then in the mid 90's Lincoln Road once again made a turn, but for the better. Many investors and business people saw the potential of Lincoln Road. Side walks were reconstructed, buildings were remodeled and palm trees were added to this lovely outdoor mall. A few years ago not only Lincoln Road but also the whole Art Deco District, had received a total face lift.

And what makes this place so retrochic is that they have kept the Art Deco style through out the city: Pastel colors, curves and the unique triangle shape lines have once again decorated this beach area. South Beach is one of the favorite tourist destination in Florida. Come and visit Lincoln Road in South Beach. I am sure that you are going to Love it!


Welcome to Lincoln Road!

Do you remember Woolworth? We use to love going to Woolworth for breakfast, then afterward we will go shopping. This store was located between Washington Ave and Lincoln Rd. Even though Woolworth closed several years, I could still smell the eggs and bacon when I pass by this location.

Many years ago Lincoln Rd had a Sacks Fifth Avenue. You can see the store right hand side of this picture. This store was opened back in 1929 and was one of the first full-line year-round Sacks Fifth Avenue store.

This is an aerial view of Lincoln Rd mall before the street was closed for traffic. You can appreciate the lovely palm trees, the Art Deco buildings and the old fashion buses and cars.

South Beach is such a classy city!

I invite to explore it!

Chao,

Carmen

Website: City Of Miami Beach

Photo:Florida State Library and Wikipedia Commons.

Melting For an Ice Cream

I don't know about you, but it is hot here in Florida! Today I am totally melting for an ice cream. I am so happy that somebody came up with such a delicious idea! I just love the smooth feel of an ice cream going down my throat on a hot day like today.

And you know what I would add to that ice cream to make it perfect? A trip to Europe. Just imagine walking through Paris, Italy, Amsterdam, Spain, while having a frozen ice cream! That would be so dreamy...



Hers & His Neapolitan Ice cream . I have a husband that loves me so dearly. But when it comes to ice cream he want his own . And I wouldn't mine to also enjoy my own three scoops of Neapolitan ice cream. There are some things that are best enjoyed individually, yet together.




I think that this might be a pistachio ice cream. No matter how much ice cream you have eaten, the best part of an ice cream is that last little bit left. Good to the end!




So this is me having a chocolate cone ice cream. Not! I wish that that could be me! I love chocolate, and chocolate ice cream is my favorite, though I could just eat little bits of it. You remember that part from the Willy Wonka movie, when the little boy fell on that chocolate pool? I wish that I had a chocolate pool in my house. The only problem that I would have is to try to keep the flies away.




Your tour of the Tower of Pisa would be more memorable, when you enjoy it with a couple of scoops of ice cream. Warning: For your safety and that of other visitors. We recommend for you not to eat pasta, pizza and that gelato before you take our tour. If you have eaten one or all of these food mentioned, we prefer that you come back tomorrow on an empty stomach. Sorry for the inconvenience.




Please, don't jump in that water! You will ruin that great hand carved vanilla ice cream. You will feel better when you do taste that ice cream. Life will be so much sweeter. So, if you don't mind, may I have your ice cream if you decide to take a dip in this chocolate pool? I promise that I will enjoy every bit of it.


I love a cool & tasty Summer!


Photos: Creative Commons Flickr

Viscaya Museum & Gardens

Magnifique!

I give Viscaya five pink roses for being my favorite dreamy place of South Florida. Viscaya is tucked away like a secret Renaissance Italian garden in north Coconut Grove. As you walk in the castle you are welcomed by it's intricate landscapes and gardens. Then as you continue walking the castle sits as a beautiful jewelry box ready to be explore.



Dreamy!

As you open the jewelry box you will find an array of exquisite treasure rooms that host furniture, paintings, art pieces from all over Europe, North America and Asia. Every room has it's own unique style and function. Just imagine hosting a banquet party back in the 1920 where your guest can choose to either sit in the tea room or in the music room or just explore the outdoor gardens by the bay. And if some guests decided to stay overnight there were several lovely comfortable rooms to choose from.



Squisito!

Viscaya also can be rented for private parties and photo shoots. Viscaya is so picturesque that it's a perfect backdrop for even the least experienced photographer. You can also enjoy the many concerto events and exhibitions all throughout the year. Group and school tours are welcomed. And one of may favorite perks of Viscaya is that it has it's own café and shop. Their menu includes salads, sandwiches, refreshments and desserts. And while your there you can shop for postcards, books and jewelry. So Retrochic!


Have a fun weekend!


Chao,


Carmen


For more information click on the following link: Viscaya Museum

Photographs by Bill Sumner.