green vintage pumps: I wish they were my size--a tale of woe.

Insanely awesome emerald green 1940s heels, at Prance and Swagger on Etsy. I am passionately sad that these are not my size. I hope they find a great home and are worn within an inch of their lives!

I made my first pie...

I was looking for recipes for pies utilizing honey instead of sugar (I read "Sugar Blues" for the second time and was feelin' the fervor) and instead found the holy grail: Apple Gruyere Pie, ala "Pushing Daisies".

I set to work in the kitchen and made my first...yes, first...pie! Below are the pictures (pretty ugly). I have to say, baking pies is pretty fun, even for an utter spazz like me! I make yummy cupcakes (I got a good recipe) and good muffins, but I am not presumptuous in the kitchen in the slightest.

The verdict: I don't think a pie is supposed to look like this, but it doesn't taste bad. I put too much Gruyere on top (wasn't called for), and that made it saaaaaalty for my taste. Not bad for a first time pie, but could be better. I should have added more apples, possibly used leaf lard as recommended in recipe (couldn't find it). Otherwise, crust is nice and flaky and buttery, apples are yummy, too.

Edit: This pie is really good! Even other people said so! YAYAYAYAY

Movie costumes: Frida. Part One.

It is fitting that a movie about legendary painter and style icon Frida Kahlo would be visually stunning. Sets, costumes, casting, everything is just wonderful. Here are a few of my favorite costumes from the movie. Since there were so many, this is part one.

Frida tangos with Tina Modotti. Frida's dress is a sumptuous red velvet with drop waist and ruffled hemlime (and contrast coloring on edge?), Tina's it an open-backed beaded black with draped beading details.

Another shot of Tina's dress. It was stunning.

Diego and Frida are married. She looks heavenly in rich forest green and vivid red. Love her chunky necklace.

Her arracadas look awesome. This is a nice solution when your earrings don't match your gemstones: wear pure metal earrings.

Simple blue dress. Love the style and color.

This white dress was my favorite of the movie. Simple, crisp, white dotted swiss in a lovely feminine pattern. I would have gone absolutely nuts for this dress as a teenager--and still do. I believe this is a German-style dress--it struck me immediately when I saw the movie that this dress might represent Frida's German heritage, as it does resemble a dirndl. I will correct this info if I find it's false.

The pie maker: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

The goddess profiles: Judith Martin, aka, Miss Manners

There are a few authors we hold dear to our hearts here in Emma Charles land, and one of them is "Miss Manners" Judith Martin. Few writers display her tact, flair, and ability to solve problems in a stylish way. This woman has a brain, and she uses it! She's also very beautiful and fashionable, just check her out in the picture and marvel over the fact that she was born in 1938. She's dishy.We absolutely adore her!

We've been reading "Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior" the past few nights before bedtime (we have the 1984 version) and feeling our crush on her all over again. If you've ever wondered how to deal with cheating spouses, obnoxious in-laws, eating in restaurants, how act at a party, etc, Miss Manners will show you in simple, illuminating, and inspiring language. She makes etiquette fun, and helps her readers learn how to handle any situation with class and style. We only wish we'd have been aware of Miss Manners sooner--say, senior year of high school. She would have made real world situations that much easier! She's tops on our list of to-reads for all devastatingly fabulous folks. We first "met" her books at the library, so check her out and see for yourself!

*Beware the 1984 book is mammoth--absolutely enormous, but chock full of good sense. It consists of a few pages of Miss Manners' commentary, interspersed with many many pages of questions from readers and Miss Manners' responses. The book is an easy read and deals with real life problems.*

Steal her style: Charlotte Charles at the Morgue

Vintage 60's classic, simple and cool nylon sheath dress in a vibrant rose print.Greedy Seagull Shop, Etsy.

Vera scarf in white and red dotted silk. The Lucky Fish, Etsy.












 



1950s vintage white cotton gloves with dotted swiss and scalloped edging, Custard Heart Vintage, Etsy.

Inspiration: Charlotte at the morgue.

Charlotte Charles in yellow...pt 2

 The wonderfully charming Anna Friel as Charlotte "Chuck" Charles in "Pushing Daisies". Yellow rosette sweater, yellow capri pants, slightly 60s pompadour ponytail finished with ribbon. Just lovely!

Vintage movie costumes and stills...Bebe Daniels

Bebe Daniels models the outrageous lingerie confection of beads, fur, and sheer filmy material. As seen in "Why change your wife?".