“February is short and very sweet” ― Charmaine J. Forde
READING:
Books:
Sylvia’s Bookshop by Robert Burleigh — “Told by the bookstore itself, Sylvia’s Bookshop tells the story of the legendary Shakespeare and Company, its owner Sylvia Beach, and the many great writers who gathered there to meet, read, and remind us that books are more than the words on the page” (Goodreads). I have often admired this children’s book in a colleague’s office and was happy to have the opportunity to read it. This might be my next Shakespeare and Company purchase. Why is it that I continue to buy lovely children's books that I can’t share with children? Maybe someday I’ll be a great-auntie…
Audrey in Paris by Caroline Young — “Both classic, both inimitable, both fashion icons - Audrey Hepburn and Paris are a match made in heaven. Falling in love with the city at a young age, Audrey returned to Paris again and again in some of her most celebrated films (Sabrina, Funny Face, How to Steal a Million, Charade) wearing outfits from her favorite Parisian couturier, Hubert de Givenchy, and creating some of the most significant fashion moments of the twentieth century. Audrey in Paris brings together over 100 stunning photographs of her most iconic moments in the city, from film stills and behind-the-scenes shots to candid images of Audrey enjoying the city as a visitor. The book also includes a bespoke illustrated map showing her favorite spots” (Goodreads).
Links:
WATCHING:
The New Look — “The story of how fashion icon Christian Dior and his contemporaries including Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain, and Cristobal Balenciaga navigated the horrors of World War II and launched modern fashion” (Apple TV).
Marquette Basketball - It has been another very exciting season. Marquette is ranked #5 in the nation this week and #2 in the Big East (behind 2023 NCAA Champs U-Conn). Bring on the Madness that is March.
Some of my favorite movies — It is my birth month after all.:
Pretty in Pink — Who doesn’t love a John Hughes movie with a great 80’s soundtrack?
Wind — Dreaming about sailing in February.
Lots of Paris-themed movies in anticipation of our trip next month:
LISTENING TO:
February Mini-Playlist:
Oh l’Amour (Erasure)
C’est si bon (Emilie-Claire Barlow)
Dancing Queen (ABBA)
Pretty in Pink (Psychedelic Furs)
La vie en rose (Edith Piaf)
C’est bon la vie (Nana Mouskouri)
Sugar Sugar (The Archies), Formidable (Charles Aznavour)
La vie en rose - English version (Emily Watts)
ENJOYING:
Wine tastings with family and friends at Waterford Wine in Delafield: Valentine’s Champagne Tasting and Napa vs. Bordeaux Cabernets on February 29th.
February — I loved curating 29 days of rosy hues, hearts, and flowers. I have marveled at every possible change in the weather this month, culminating in a 24-hour shift from sunny and 74º in the afternoon of February 27th with thunderstorms in the evening to snow and a wind chill of -1º on the morning of the 28th.
A long weekend filled with birthday treats, texts, emails, messages on Facebook and Instagram, GChats, phone calls, and celebrations — I’m a lucky girl.
LOOKING FORWARD TO: Our trip to Europe in less than three weeks — As I mentioned last month, Eric and I will be chaperoning the PHS music trip to Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, and Venice. I am excited to visit these beautiful European cities, to see Alps again, to rediscover Venice (one of my favorite cities when I first visited Europe), and most of all, to do The Sound of Music tour in Salzburg. But before we join the PHS travelers in Prague, Eric and I will be spending four days alone in Paris with no definite plans beyond enjoying Paris in the springtime. I do hope to see or do something new everyday and, as always, I plan to take pictures of “the little things”. Sure, I’ll photograph the iconic monuments when we’re nearby, but I really want to focus on the little things that make Paris, and the rest of our trip, special.
