The City Picnic

This past weekend doggie, hubby, and I went for a relax picnic in the city. Although I live in the city I really consider myself a nature out-doorsy kind of gal. The weather that afternoon was around 75 degrees. Perfect for a Florida fall picnic!

Here is Chewie and me enjoying time together. In the background you can see our little picnic setting under the tree. And on the right side of the picture you can see the lake. I believe always having a picnic near the water. And here in Florida there are tons of lakes, rivers, and ocean to choose from!

I had about an hour or so to prepare for our picnic. So I grabbed my Bohemian Girl Collection tote bag and picnic basket and packed food, drinks, blankets, towels, games, and reading materials.

Reading outdoors is the best thing ever! The fresh air and the serene sounds of nature adds to the ambiance.

Here is one of the books that we brought along to read: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. Several weeks ago hubby and I were watching the film based on this novel. I told my husband that I had never read the book. He happened to have a copy in his library. So at the picnic I started reading the first chapter of the book. So far I have enjoyed the writing style of the author. I think it's one of my favorites along with Jane Austen novels.

Can't forget to bring provisions to the picnic. This darling picnic basket was given to me by my mom.

I have been on a strict diet lately. So I made sure to pack plenty of fruits for our outing.

What is a picnic without visual inspiration? In this Vogue 2010 May issue I enjoyed the vintage styles of the past. And while I turned the pages of Vogue I enjoyed my delicious hearty apple.

Here is doggie and me having some activity time.

A little exercise is great for both of us.

Being that I had been in doors for quite some time now, It was truly great to feel healthier again and to reconnect with nature once again!

Chao,


Carmen

My Cruel & Lovin Summer

Many have wondered how was my Summer. And all I can think about is that song from the 80's "It' a cruel, cruel Summer. Leaving me here on my own. It's a cruel, cruel Summer."

I rather had hope I had a Summer lovin. But unfortunately it wasn't. Summer was cruel and not to kind to me.

It's not that I blamed Summer for my problems But it was what happened during the days of Summer that had turned my life to almost a 360 degree turn.

Like I mentioned in my Time Warp Wives October letter and comment I had to take a much needed hiatus. I had become very sick to the point of going to the E.R. It was like no other thing I have felt before in my life. And up to this day I still don't know what it was.

This all happened during the week of my Retro Fashion Week 2010 event . I was in the middle of my event when I started with a horrendous sore throat. It reminded me of a a strep throat infection several years ago. I had difficulty to swallow , eat, and talk. In the middle of all that I was able to do some of lined up radio interviews for the event, plus some P.R. work while dealing with that throat pain. 

Anyhow to make a long story short this particular virus triggered a bad response to my already fragile frame.

For the past 12 years I had been dealing with a really bad disease called Lupus, which is an autoimmune disease.This disease struck me in the prime of my life. In my case it might have all started with a combination of a virus and antibiotics.

After I had been diagnosed with this disease, my life wasn't the same. Years prior to that I was a healthy and active girl that loved to travel and help others to learn about the Bible. I  wanted to become a flight attendant and to travel all over the world and to meet new people. I had hopes and dreams like any other girl.

After many years of taming the beast I was able to function somewhat as a normal girl. Then about 4 years later everything changed again. That was when I had my first strep throat infection. At that time I was living in Illinois. I was given antibiotics. This "doctor's assistance" had also prescribed a high dose of a Thyroid medication, which almost killed me. Another doctor later told me that I didn't need that medication at all.

So again my immune system was compromised and I started to feel sick again.

Then came the roller coaster ride.

After that last episode I developed IBS and Crohn's disease. Trust me having both of these diseases is like having a two headed Loch Ness monster living inside you!

In my personal experience Crohn's has been the worst one for me. With Lupus I was to able to figure the right treatment for me. And within 6- 8 months the wolf hibernated.

Trying to figure out the best way to treat Crohn's was and it still is difficult and very frustrating. One reason is because one day you may eat on particular food and you are okay. But then two weeks later that same food may trigger a response. I have problems especially with eggs, meats, fruits, vegetables, and the list goes on and on.

I have had Crohn's for the past 7 years. I have tried all sorts of things. Some things were good and other things were not to good. At then end I still couldn't figure out how to tame this beast completely.

Several years ago I found a great alternative doctor here in my home town. At that time Crohn's was slowly eating me away. This doctor saved my life with. IV fluids and this natural treatment that helped my stomach start healing again. After a while I was able to enjoy food again and to have a social life without having to run to the bathroom all the time.

While I was getting better I again had to deal with another blow to my health. In a matter of one year I was involved in three car accidents. The last one totaled our car. And it gave both my husband and I herniated disks. Which at times it makes it hard for me to do any physical activities.

Going back to my throat infection during my cruel Summer days. I thought that this throat infection was going to last a week or so. And then I would get better.

Boy, I was wrong!

This infection ended up making my Crohn's, IBS, and perhaps it awoke my Lupus again. And that was when I ended up going to the E.R.

At the E.R. they ran some test here and there. After they didn't find anything major, they said that I should follow up with my doctor.

Unfortunately for the past three years I have had no medical insurance. Also I haven't had a chance to visit with my natural doctor since my husband first lost his job.

So that was when I decided to come up with a new game plan. I wasn't going to allow this thing to continue taking the upper hand.

I am thrilled to say that this past week I finally came across a natural product that helps folks who have Crohns, Celiac, IBD, and other similar diseases. I have hope that medicine will bring me relief. I can't wait to start the treatment!

The reason why I wanted to blog again during my healing process was because I have missed it. Retro living is one of my favorite things that I love talking about. When you are at home all day with no energy and having to deal with constant pain you start feeling sorry for yourself.

There are times that it is a struggle to get out of bed and to fix breakfast. And to top things out. my house chores are done when it is necessary. Not been able to clean the house the way I am used to drives me bananas! Cooking, clean dishes, and laundry are the only priority right now. And sometimes they are not even done! And the rest of the house just have to wait.

How I wish to have Mary Popins over to bring back some order in my home!

Having to enjoy time with friends and family has also been a lifeline for me. They all have supported me through out this whole ordeal. And I am very thankful for that!

For me the best joy that I could ever feel is to share with my neighbors the hope of a better world.You might one day see me at your door and I will say, "Hello how are you? My name is Carmen Johnson  I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses and I am here today to share with you about a future were sickness and death will be no more."

Like the miners that were trapped in Chile, who thanked God for sustaining them. That hope and faith in God has sustained me through this ordeal and my entire life!

I thank you all for your support and well wishes!

Now let's have fun!

Chao,

Carmen Johnson

Retro Fashion Week 2010!

Time Warp Wives along with our parent company Retrotimes Productions are thrilled to announce our very first online Retro Fashion Week event! Here is a special sneak peek of our event:

Retrotimes Productions and Time Warp Wives present:

Retro Fashion Week 2010!

The dates for Retro Fashion Week 2010 are:

May 17, 2010 - May 23, 2010.

What to expect in Retro Fashion Week?

Retro Fashion Week is a week long international online interactive event featuring the latest in Retro Fashion, Beauty, & Designs!

Unlike the regular Fashion Week, our Retro Fashion Week is all about our passion for vintage and retro fashion!

In making this event possible we are looking for retro fashionistas from all over the world who would like to participate in the event. We are especially looking for:

1- Retro Fashion Designers

2- Retro Beauty Companies

3- Vintage & Retro Shop Owners

4- Retro Star Artist, Models, Photographers, & Fashion Consultants

5- Beauty Salon Owners, Hair Stylist, & Makeup Artist

6- Retro Performers, Singers, and Dancers

7- Talented Retro Fashionistas that love making hair and makeup tutorial videos

8- Retro Fashion Artist & Illustrators

9- Fashion Book Authors & Retro Magazine Publishers & Editors

10- Sponsors that would love to promote with us

If you are interested in participating or promoting with us sign up today to be part of the fun!

Retro Fashion Week 2010!

If you have any questions you are welcome to email us at timewarpwives@yahoo.com.

Your Hostess,

Carmen Johnson

My Interview on Dieselpunks!

I am so excited to announce that I had the privilege of being interviewed by Tome Wilson from Dieselpunks! In my interview you will find where and how my passion for retro living started. Where I get my inspirations. And how I came to be the woman that I am today.

Being featured and interviewed for the Dieselpunk and Steampunk communities has been such a wonderful honor. I thank Tome for granting me such an opportunity to share my passion for retro living!

And in case you haven't heard about the Dieselpunks or Steampunks cultures, I invite you to visit: Dieselpunks.Org! You will find this website so interesting and fascinating!


Here is the link to my interview article on the Dieselpunks website:
"Interview Carmen Johnson of Retrotimes Productions"



Have a fun weekend!


Chao,


Carmen

My Pretty Top is Out of Stock?

I totally am looking forward to Spring! For one thing I can't wait to see what's new in Spring fashion. Right now what's in fashion is mend, alter, and cut. Pretty much you have to be your own seamstress and pray that you don't end up looking like Lucy on that episode when she made her own dress. Trust me, if that was in real life you will end up in the funny house!

So what's the other option? Well sometimes you do feel like getting something new, fresh, and unused once in a while. I am a girl that loves window shopping online and in person. When I do window shopping I get inspired, I get a work out, and at that moment I have no money!

But then there happened to be that perfect item that I totally would fall in love with. So I wait for several weeks to save up to buy it. Then after several weeks later I have reached my goal and I am ready to make my purchase. I'll run to the store or to my favorite online store, and there it is my perfect top. But then in a matter of seconds my happy face becomes a frown. There underneath my pretty top is an ugly note that reads: Out of Stock!

"What? I can't believe it. But didn't I just came to this store a few days ago and there were still selling my top?"

So then I would try refreshing the page to make sure that it wasn't a computer glitch. I would go around the store to make sure that maybe they must have that shirt in another rack. So after I looked and looked everywhere, I realized that yes my top was sold to that girl that perhaps have not a closet, but a whole room the size of my house full of clothes that she doesn't even wear!

But then do I feel defeated? No! So I go around and look for something similar to my top. I can't get all upset for a top. And plus that top may not even really looked good on me. As a matter of fact I don't even think that I really like the colors.

Then there in front of me I found another pretty top. This top has everything that I was looking for. The cut is perfect. The pattern is pretty, just the way I love it. It's in my favorite color. This is definitively the top for me!

So then later on that evening as I would leave the house with my hubby for a nite out he ask me, "That is a nice top. Where did you get it?"

"Oh this old thing. Well I got it out of my closet. I totally forgot I even had it."

"Well it's looks great on you!"

"Thank you baby!"

That sure made my day. Hubby loves my top. I didn't spend a dime. Here it was the complement that I was looking for.

In a way that "Out of Stock", can be a blessing in disguise.



Chao,


Carmen

Down Time with Mom!

I have been enjoying some girly down time lately. These past few weeks have been especially perfect for me because my mom is in town! I cherish every moment that I have with my mom. How I miss being near her!

In this picture my mom is caring for her brother's children. Since she was very young my mom loved taking care of others. She is that kind of person that will leave everything in a moments notice to help family and friends. And although she studied in one of the best Universities in Miami, she is the kind of person that didn't believe that a career defines a person. But that showing love and kindness to others is what really defines and makes a person special.

Mom always taught us children to enjoy the simple things in life. We learned to live with little. And to be content with what we had. And although at times things were hard for us, we always had everything that we really needed. And that was the love that we had for each other.

My mom has always been that warm blanket for me for when things get gloomy and gray. And she has been that cheerleader for me on my many dreams and endeavors in life

I think that it's so important for a girl to have somebody to trust and confine in. I am very blessed to have somebody that is not only my mother, but that is also my confidant, teacher, cheerleader, and friend!


I Love you mom!


Thanks for always being there for me!



From gatica with love!

Living in a Time Warp, story on CNN!

This past week several vintage folks and myself were featured on CNN Ireport, Living In a Time Warp! I thank Mr. Hanks for the wonderful coverage story that he did on Time Warp Wives and Time Warp Living! We absolutely enjoyed reading about the different folks and their passion for vintage living!

It's has been definitely a very exciting and crazy week for me. I seriously can't keep up with the sudden flux of emails and visitors from all over the world! I told my hubby that I would need several more hands to be able to keep up with the demand. Good thing that last month I hired new talented Time Warp Interns. Such help came at the right time!

On the other hand I don't think that I am used to all of this attention. I rather interview folks then being interviewed myself. I can't help it, but that is the reporter in me. Though I have to say that from this experience it gave me a chance to read what other people think. So yes, there were some positive comments about the story and also negative ones. Oh well, that comes with the territory.

At the same time I have several folks lined up to be interviewed, which I am totally ecstatic about!



Smile and be happy!



Chao,



Carmen

Tiffany's & Blue Eye Mask

God morning Holly! by vivien22

These winter blues have finally caught up with me. I totally feel like Holly from Breakfast at Tiffany's. Almost every morning I have been sleeping in until my doggie wakes me up. But instead of strolling down Fifth Avenue and admiring pretty jewelry at Tiffany's, I am strolling down my hallway to my Paris Room and getting my soft blanket, which I bring over to the living room so I can lay on the couch again.

You know that I have felt so relax lately. For several months I had been dealing with stress and sadness that seem not to go away. So I felt that I had to make some changes in how I deal with stresses in life. And trust me there is plenty of crazy stressing things out there for everyone to share.

With the help of my hubby and past experiences I came up with my own anti-distressing to do list. And here it is:

1- Bible Reading Everyday. I have been a good girl in not skipping breakfast and my Bible reading. Reading the Bible is very powerful and comforting at the same time.

2- Can't Watch News. Sorry Anderson Cooper. This one was very hard for me, because I am a girl that cares for what is happening in the world. Though whenever I finished watching the news my mood will go from feeling blue to clinical sadness. Not a good thing.

3- Stretches, Exercise, & Massages. This is a must for me, especially that I had to deal with a back injury from several car accidents. At my therapist I learned some pilates. If I don't do stretches everyday, I am in pain and pretty much miserable. Also I started to do some indoor exercise with my stationary bike. And when the weather is comfortable I take my doggie for a run on my three wheel Bike. We both come back home feeling renewed. Every week I ask hubby for a massage. Even when I don't plan one, it seems like I always need one every seven days.

4- Thinking Positive. Sometimes you can be your worst enemy. And when you are feeling the blues, "Misery likes company". So whenever my thoughts or words start coming out negative, I immediately change the channel. I try to keep my self busy with fun positive things that make me feel relaxed and happy. Although there are times when you can't control the world around you. You can still control how your mind deals with such things. For me this is the most difficult thing in my list.

5- I have to go to bed early. I am still working on that. Hubby comes back from work late at night. And I and doggie stay up waiting for him.


So far these steps has truly helped me. And I feel happier!


This pass week I saw Breakfast at Tiffany's again. I said again because I just finished watching the whole movie a few weeks ago. Then there was Holly all sleepy when she opened the door to "Fred, Baby". And that is when I realized how cute were her Tiffany Blue Eye Mask! I totally love the eye lashes and gold trim! And also she had these stylish looking ear plugs. I actually found a similar eye mask and ear plugs. I have yet to decide if I want to purchase them, or if I can make my own. I think that it would be a good project to do. Anyhow I am too sleepy right now to make a decision.


Darling, I have to tell you that wearing pajamas all day is all so liberating!



Chao,



Carmen

Winter Break & Frozen Strawberries

I hope that you enjoyed your winter break, because I totally enjoyed mine! Can you believe that it was 27 degrees the other day here in Florida. I thought for sure that we were going to have another warm winter. I had taken out all of my pretty winter accessories, and thinking that I might use it once or twice. Boy was I wrong! I am so excited to wear all of my winter outfits eveyday for the past three weeks. Now I am an expert in fashion layering!

Besides enjoying the free air-conditioning, I have enjoyed my free relaxation time. So that is why you haven't seen me around. I have about three major websites, besides my film company and this personal blog. And it is alot of work to maintain them all . Us bloggers also need some time off from writing. It's good for the mind to reboot. But then as a creative person I still continue getting ideas even while I am vacationing. And I think that is when you come up with the best ideas.

The only bad thing about this winter blast here in Florida, is that the strawberries grove is getting hit by the freezing temperatures. It's funny because I have been craving a strawberry banana smoothie for the past two days. Good thing that I have kept some in my freezer. I just need some bananas.


Save the strawberries!


Chao,


Carmen

Photo:Flickr Creative Commons jim68000

Happy For Bread & Butter!

Food! Who doesn't love food? I totally love it! Though, sometimes food could become my worst frenemy.

Because of health reasons, I do have a restrictive diet. For many years I couldn't eat many things that I used to enjoy. I know life can sometimes through you a couple of hiccups on the way. Though, thanks to a great natural doctor, and some supplements, I could once again enjoy some great food!

One of the many things that I could now enjoy occasionally, is bread! Oh, how I missed it! I would salivate when I saw someone taking a piece of bread along with their heavily seasoned spaghetti sauce! It was hard for me to feel somewhat left out, when all I could eat was a simple Caesar salad, which was perhaps the only food that I could eat whenever we will go out to a restaurant. Of course having great company was priceless, like that commercial says.

Now as a newborn baby, I am again experimenting with new foods! Though, I still have to be cautious, because sometimes I ended up paying for it. Like for instance two months ago, I was in the kitchen making one of my favorites soups, cream of squash. In my pot I added squash, some milk, brown sugar, a couple of spoons of butter, than I finish it off by sprinkling some cinnamon. I then asked hubby to try the soup. He tried a couple of spoons of it. And like the cute mouse from my favorite cartoon movie Ratatouille, he made his suggestions by adding more ingredients to my soup.

My hubby is not a chef or a cook, like some husbands are. I just wanted my hubby to try some squash soup. I thought that if he was also behind the cooking process and added his own suggestions, that he will at the end eat some of his vegetables.

You see my hubby doesn't care much for vegetables.Whenever I would add a side of vegetables to his diner, it was left untouched. So after many years later, I kind of cave in to his preferences. Well, that is what marriage is all about. As a matter of fact, I am thinking of purchasing the books The Sneaky Chef or Deceptively Delicious, that way I can make sure that he eats his veggies, without him noticing it. My little secret!

Anyhow to make a long story short, the soup turn out a great hit! That is, a hit to my stomach. My tummy couldn't handle all of that extra cinnamon. And can you believe that I am still paying for it. For several weeks, all I could do was lay down on the couch and watch TCM, which by the way is making me an old movies expert!

So what does the title of my post, "Happy for Bread and Butter", have to do with the story. Well, even though I might hold off on the cinnamon for now, I am still enjoying some good things of life! And that leads me to the happy part of my story. I am so thrilled to share with you my new and favorite bread and butter combination: Pumpernickel bread with honey butter!

If it wasn't for Sweet Tomatoes, I wouldn't have been able to rediscover my passion for bread and butter! If you are not familiar with Sweat Tomatoes, it's an all you can eat salad, soup, and pasta buffet restaurant, And the best part of this story is that this is the only restaurant that hubby gets to eat all of his veggies!

At the end, my hubby is happy. I am happy. And my tummy feels happy, after of course, I eat all of my salad with my two slices of pumpernickel bread with honey butter!


I am a happy and grateful girl!



Chao,



Carmen

Photo: Flickr Creative Commons by Jonathan Gill.

Fantasy Retro Dream Home

For all of you retro lovers out there, this is what my retro dream home would look like! A silver retro trailer attached to a vintage woody wagon! Simple outdoor living, with an hint of sophistication! I am totally loving it!

Even though I love being in my little quite home, and I love my neighborhood, deep down inside I am a very adventurous gal. You see I came from a family that wasn't afraid to get up and move to another town, city, or country. The longest that I lived in one place is three years. We never really didn't have time to settled down like many families do. My dad will come one afternoon from work and would say, "It's time to move." My mom and us four kids knew the drill. And within that day we were packed, in the car, and ready to go.

So when I asked a friend how long they have been living in their house, and they say, "I have lived here all my life," I find it really strange and amusing. I can't fathom being in one place for all my life. I think that most of my life learning came from my experiences of living in different places. That is way I love traveling!

I always wanted to have my own retro trailer and travel throughout the states. And I am not just saying for vacation, but that is how I would love to live. I know that it sounds pretty crazy for many people, but I think that being stuck and one area is quite boring.

For several months my hubby and I was thinking of making a big move. The job market was bad where we live. So we put our home in the market. And hoping that we can sell it, and move to a new location! I was all for it. I was ready to start a new chapter in our lives. And the best part of it my hubby was also!

You see my hubby also grew up moving from one place to another. Just listening to his stories about how he grew up, was like if we both grew up together. Finding that we were in this together gave me a chance to share my plans. Yes, I started with, "Oh, my goodness I would like for us to get a silver trailer and travel through out the states! You can get the job that you want. We can can stay at different locations. If we get bored we just pick up and go. Wouldn't that be great"?

My hubby then said, "huh. living in a trailer?" Yes, I did say trailer. Hubby was a bit surprised. You see several years ago before we bought this house, hubby suggested for us to buy a mobile home. I was not 100% convinced about living in a mobile home. Living here in Florida with hurricanes and tornadoes, and imagining that we were not in Kansas anymore, made me think twice in moving to a mobile home.

My idea about us traveling all over the States in our cute little retro home on wheels, made my hubby a little apprehensive. He was definitely ready to move to another state, though not in a home on wheels. He then explained the reasons: "It is more expensive than renting a place and we will be cramped in this very, very small place."

And that is when I knew that my hubby is not as adventurous as I thought he was.

So at the end I couldn't convince hubby. In the meanwhile I kept on dreaming about how our lives will be if we traveling in our retro home. Then that is when I saw this movie: The Long, Long Trailer (1954; MGM).

This is the very first technicolor movie that Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz appeared on. This movie is about honeymooners who buy a trailer home and soon encounter the problems of living in a house on wheels.

When I first saw the beginning of the movie, I was totally excited! Here it was the very thing that I am dreaming of doing. The wife dreamed of having a little place to call her home. And she got her dream, when she was able to convince her husband in getting the trailer. And after they were off in starting their new life living in a trailer, that was when things started to really look ugly for them and for the trailer.

There was one scene where they went to a heavily wooded area just like the picture above. Though imagine the scene with a torrential rain. The trailer ended side ways and stuck in the mud. That scene was so funny for the first few minutes, until I thought that that could easily be me and my hubby under those same circumstances. My hands literally started to sweat.

Even though my retro dream home fantasy came to a screeching stop. It didn't dampen the possibility that hubby and I could one day own our silvery vintage trailer... of course only for vacation purposes!


Chao,


Carmen

P.S. I am totally enjoying my Sunday with the live broadcast from the Cidada Club! Enjoy your week!

Photo: Flickr Creative Commons.

My Little Red Dress

Winter is finally here in the Sunshine state! And I am totally getting out my warm pretty dresses! Last Sunday when I decided to wear my little red dress, it was very cold. So I couldn't go out bare arm. That day I wore a wool gray jacket over my dress, and added my black fur.

The weather here in Florida changes drastically. One minute it is crispy cold, and then before you know it you are melting like a snow girl. For that reason, I make sure to layer with light and heavyweight clothing.

Here I am in my Paris room and modeling my little red mod dress. This sleeveless knitted dress makes me feel like little red riding hood. Going along with my mod theme, I did my bangs in a half way french twist, and left the rest of the hair loose. For accessories, I added a sterling silver pink earrings, my black sleek gloves, and a glittery belt with a black bow, that I found by the way at my favorite thrift store!



















In the last two pictures you can appreciate my glittery belt better. Because the dress was a bit short for me, I added a black lacy ribbon on the bottom seam of the dress, which I think added more character to the dress!


Enjoy your weekend!



Chao,



Carmen

My Life As a Retro Artist!

The other day I was contacted by a Cnn reporter! I was totally excited, because I had never had another person approached me to interview me! As a Retro Reporter I do the interview and bring the stories to my viewers. Of course, I am in front of the camera most of the time and sometimes behind the scenes when I interview my guests. I don't like it to always be about me. I just love listening about other peoples lives. I am a people's person and that is part of who I am.

Though, I have to admit, that it does feels nice to once in a while receive a complement or commendation from another human like myself. So that made my day!

I knew that having the opportunity in being in national T.V. would be something big! So, I took the opportunity and made my video "My Life As a Retro Artist"! Yay, movie time! This short film is a biography of my career as a Retro Artist, Reporter, and Filmmaker. Since I was young, I have been fascinated about time traveling, history, and retro living! I always wanted to learn about how people lived in the past.

Come with me, as I share with you my life as a Retro Artist!


Chao,


Carmen

Vanity Verses True Prettiness

You know how much I love having a vanity! I am the typical old fashion gal that loves sitting in front of my vanity without rushing. When I am in my Paris room it is my girly time. I can't help it, but I don't like to be rushed when it comes to my beauty routine. Folks, I need concentration when it comes to my hair and makeup. Or else I am going to end up throwing a Miss Piggy fit, and it ain't going to look pretty. That for me is what makes a true lady look her best. Not the way she looks, but the way she acts.

Have you seen the show Bridezilla? Well, no matter how pretty the brides-to-be look, they end up looking like crazed women when they throw their hissy fit. Yikes! Trust me, I had to encounter several of them in my life time.

Like it says in the Good Book, "beauty is vanity". And isn't that true, no matter how much hairspray and jewelry you are wearing! What matters is the inside beauty. That lovable, kind, and sincere person that people want to be with. That, my dear, constitutes true beauty!

If you have noticed in my Time Warp Wives website I have tried to strike a balance when it comes to beauty tips and comportment of a lady. The reason that I do that is because, like you, I have noticed a lack of decency everywhere. You walk down the streets and you see how girls dress and comport themselves. I don't want to blame this lack of decency on one particular person or community.

The society, bad parenting, and a lack of a spiritual compass, have to do in part with how children are becoming. Children learn and imitate from what they see. The things that we are surrounded with are directly or indirectly molding our little ones minds and hearts.

For instance, T.V is a major problem. You can train your child not to watch certain shows. But nowadays the regular family shows are allowing things that years ago were frowned upon. Where did the decent shows go? To whom are the television networks catering their shows? Unfortunately their biggest audience is our children!

There are still people out there that want wholesome programming that they could enjoy without having to constantly switch channels and to avoid indecent exposure. It is true that there are still T.V. channels that show, for instance, Little House in the Prairie and I love Lucy. But does that mean that we have to be stuck watching these same shows, because there is nothing good left out there to watch? Our children and we would like to watch new shows also, you know.

Now there are channels out there that cater to us women. Though what seems to me is that their most popular shows are the ones that make us women look and feel cheap. Every time that I turn around there is another new show with the same concept: Skimpy clothes, foul language, and bad manners. My question is: Where do they find these women?

Even day time regular network shows are allowing words that describe women in indecent ways. In addition, they have to constantly beep out the bad words, or fade them out, which I find very annoying and disturbing! Do I need to use my imagination to fill in the blanks? Are you kidding me? I don't find that entertaining at all!

What are we teaching our children in this generation? That it's okay to wear skimpy clothing, to be rude, and that it's funny when they use foul language? What's going to be next, that it's okay to kill? Which by the way it has become also very popular lately among teenagers. We have to stop this insanity!

One of the questions that I asked folks to answer in my Time Warp Living network site is: What would you like to bring back from the past?
More than half the people answered:

Manners

Morals

Respect

Etiquette


This list may be considered old fashioned, though this is what most people want. People are not animals, as if they have to act on instinct. People were created with a mind to think, to decide, and to reason. I feel for parents out there who are trying to raise a decent and productive human being, because it seems like all odds are against that. But even if that's true, you can make a difference in how you raise your family.

So it is not popular having good morals anymore. That is how Rome fell, didn't it? The very essence of society is composed of strong families that abide to decency and rules. If there is no barometer in our society, what would it become?

That is why this year I have decided to use most of my time and efforts to encourage families to again read and study the Bible. This book might be five thousand years old, but it's advice and principles are superb and never outdated. Those who follow what is written in the Bible are the best well behaved and mannered citizens that you have ever met!

I am happy to be part of the next generation of law abiding human society that will live in love, peace, and unity!



Chao,



Carmen

Winter Scarf & Hairdo

My black and white winter scarf is very precious to me, because it was given to me as a gift from a dear friend of mine. She has great talent when it comes to knitting and making unique things. I absolutely love how this scarf looks on me! I feel totally sophisticated and stylish!

Do you like my new hairdo? Well I got inspired when I saw the actress Hedy Lamarr in the movie Ziegfield Girls. In this movie she had her hair parted in the middle. So last night I parted my hair in the middle then I set my hair in pin curls. This morning I unwind the curls, and gently styled my hair and viola!


I love my new hairdo!







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Enjoy your day!



Chao,


Carmen

P.S. I found out that Hedy Lamarr lived in Orlando. Not far away from where I live. This is a small world after all!

Liz Eyebrows & Prints

Lately I have been a bit under the weather. Just feel like staying on the couch and wrapping myself with a soft blanket, while enjoying some great movies on TCM. And that is what exactly I have been doing this whole week!

These past several days I have watched some great movies with Elizabeth Taylor. She is not only a great actress, but she is and was very stunning in her early years. Being that I am also brunette like Liz, expect of course I don't have her violet color eyes. I try to learn how she wore her hair and how she did her makeup. I thought I had all her beauty tricks down, until I watched her movies this week. I came to realize that their was one thing that I didn't paid attention. And that was her dark thick eyebrows!

Like any classic girl I do pencil my eyebrows. I would usually use a light to medium brown pencil. Though I haven't tried to darken them and to make them thicker. I was always afraid to end up looking like a smurf.

So I went ahead with the experiment and started to fill my brows with a black liner. Yikes! It turned out way too dark!

On my second attempt I went for a dark black pencil. It look well, so so.

My third attempt I used both the eyeliner and then a dark brown. And it was starting to look better.

Then one day as I was ready to go out I tried a dark brown pencil. And it turned not perfect, but pretty, which is decent enough for me.

So as I work on my eyebrows and trying to figure the best classic look for them, I came across these cute prints. At first I thought that it was Miss Liz Taylor, but then as I took a closer look I realized that it wasn't Liz.




I was a bit disappointed, but then realized that I am blind retrochic gal with a huge eyebrow problem!

Still though aren't these prints so retrochic? I totally loved them! And if you are feeling like me under the weather and want to keep cozy and warm why not get one of these stylish hot water bottles.

I believe that a girl should always look stylish no matter how crabby she feels. Don't you think?



Chao,



Carmen

Photo: Creative Commons

The Blues Walked in

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...and met me.




Chao,



Carmen

Always be Remembered

This past weekend I lost my dear grandfather. My heart has been saddened this whole weekend by his passing. When I saw this picture from Creative Commons, it reminded so much of my grandfather. Even though he was very old, he was always young in heart, intelligent, and very funny. He was always ready to travel, to have fun, and enjoy life!

My grandfather loved history. His grandchildren use to love to gather around him and listened to his interesting stories. He also loved music, planting, and he sure loved to play dominoes. Whoever visited him, he would challenge them to a game. He loved a mental challenge. No wonder his mind was always sharp and alert through out his life. He was the kind of person that was always doing something. He was a busy grandpa.

One of the things that I would always cherished about him was that he loved having people around him. He loved having visitors and conversing with them. At times when he was by himself he was doing something creative.

My grandfather had a long and rewarding life. He almost lived to be 100 years old. Almost a century! He saw the raise and fall of governments, wars, and even fashion. He was around when there was no T.V. When there was shows on the radio. When T.V was first black and white and then colors. And when the internet became the new T.V. No wonder he had stories to tell us!

My grandfather worked hard while raising his family of 16 children. My family come from a humble place where water and electricity was not always available. Working in a third world country and raising a large family was hard back then. We always admired him and our grandmother for raising a big family.


My grandpa lived to see his 50 plus grandchildren and great grandchildren.


He will truly be missed by all...



We love you grandpa!



Chao,



Carmen

Call me Victoria Jones!

I love weekends because it gives me time to reboot my mind. What does a girl to do when she wants to relax? Well, I for one love music. Right now I am enjoying a little bit of oldies before I watch the online Cicada Club performers. I am listening to Bing Crosby, the Andrew sisters and Billie Holiday. When I listen to this music I imagine that I am a jazz singer star back from the 40's. And that my name is Victoria Jones. I just love it!

I always wanted to learn how to sing. When I was little, I use to perform. I used to sing and dance in front of hundreds of people. It was fun and it had nothing to do with winning an award of any kind. Over the years, as I got older I realized that my voice needed some real tune up. So while I was in junior high I started taking singing lessons. Unfortunately I didn't continue taking the lessons, and my voice stayed stagnant.

I admit that I don't have a great singing voice. Though I am modest enough to say that my voice isn't that bad either. I know that I have plenty of room for improvement.

Would that stop me from singing? No sir! I don't care if I sound like a shaky chicken or a goose. I am proud of my singing voice. Singing makes me happy. And even if I don't fit the standard of perfect voice, when I sing I am Victoria Jones, and yes I have a beautiful voice that will make you melt like a sundae on a winter's day!


I got to go now the Cicada Club Show is on!



Chao,



Carmen Aka Victoria Jones

Comfort Food

When I am having a crazy day, I think more about food. Doesn't that happen to you, that If you are having a bad day, that you feel like eating something out of the ordinary? When that craving sets off, I can't seem to be happy until I get that sweet, salty, greasy thing in my mouth.





Today I felt like having one of those nasty greasy cheeseburger that you can only get from a diner, the one that the grease and ketchup drips down your mouth! Yummy!





My favorite of all comfort food is chocolate. And I am sure that that is also a big favorite for most people. There you are working at the office and having to put up with a demanding boss, with rude customers, and with dirty mouth coworkers. Buy the end of the day, you just had enough, and you loudly say, " I need a break!"

Then you end up going to that corner place you see everyday, but you never dared to go in. Then it was that day you had enough, you need that break. "Charlie give me a chocolate malt, triple that! I am having a bad day.

I know that kind of sounds like the add of that one hamburger chain. Though there is something true about this statement, in that when we want a break from our problems we tend to want to indulge in some form of food or drink. There is something in our brain that says, " I am stressed, give me food."

So no matter if you have a leaking roof right in the middle of your living room, you are happy because you just had the best french fries in your life! Who cares about the leaking roof, look I am a happy and I have a wonderful life!

There is something about comfort food that no medicine can fix. And that is,


it sure taste good!



Chao,


Carmen

P.S. I took the idea of chocolate malt from the scene of Back to the Future, when Marty's dad George was going to ask Lorraine to the dance. I just love this movie!

Photo: Creative Commons