Bar Cecil (pronounced sessel) is a homage to Cecil Beaton, a renaissance man who was equal parts rebel and aristocrat, an artist who lived between classical charm and new world rebellion, a provocateur, an Expressionist, and an aesthete who incorporated many mediums to create a style all his own.
THIS is how we like it!
Diane Keaton was a walk in the other night. Guess she was just looking for a good bar.
Cindy Crawford was there for dinner next night. The place is a draw…for good reason.
We met John (one of the owners) who very kindly gifted my friend and me some very cool swag. Lucky us.
Bar Cecil is a love letter to Beaton’s vision of life and art: a celebration of what’s good, of eliminating that which is only pomp, and in the process creating memories through food, drink and hospitality. Bar Cecil is for those who follow the beat to their own drum, horn or whatever inspires them to create, to be individuals, and to embrace diversity. – taken from their website.
We enjoyed the newly expanded outdoor market/fair and shops in downtown Joshua Tree. I’ve narrowed down from the plethora of pictures taken.
Starting with “THE END” – that’s the name of the boutique. Art by owner Kime Buzzelli.“Beauty Bubble” – an operating beauty salon and museum.
This unique vendor-run weekly outdoor artisan market is located in downtown Joshua Tree right off Highway 62 at the Hi-Desert Cultural Center. Started Labor Day weekend and runs every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. We had so much fun perusing the showcase of locally handmade goods, arts, clothing, and many more awesome desert creations as only Joshua Tree can bring you!
Reminds me a little bit of Nelson, B.C.
I bought a hand painted linen blouse & soft hoodie from this vendor.
My neighbor Mindy here in Palm Springs owns this unique boutique – “Kama Clothing.”
What does Marilyn Monroe’s iconic “Happy Birthday Mr. President” gown, Carol Burnett’s “Went with the Wind” curtain-rod dress and Cher’s show stopping 1986 Oscars look have in common? They’ve all been designed by the one and only Bob Mackie.
Mackie, the true fashion visionary and icon himself was in Palm Springs (actually he lives here) in person for his latest book signing…a first-ever comprehensive and authorized showcase of the legendary designer’s life and work featuring more than 1,500 photos and sketches – many from Mackie’s personal collection.
Duh; of course I was there! I was one of the first to buy his latest book appropriately titled “The Art of Bob Mackie” as soon as I was alerted about it via bookstore email. It’s a fashion lover’s dream book.
It’s just Fabulous! The book signing was at “Just Fabulous” – a suitably named store here in Palm Springs (link below) specializing in extraordinary books, cards for all occasions and other fun items you won’t see anywhere else. I dare you to walk in and come out empty handed – won’t happen!
I also bought a Christmas tree ornament and I don’t even have a tree. You’ll see! Maybe I’ll get a tree just to buy more ornaments. Post to come…for me it’s still too early to be shopping and/or posting stuff to do with Christmas.
But getting back to Bob. Guess I’m not exactly on a first name basis with him after meeting him only once. But I feel like I know him. What I mean by that is I remember watching almost every episode of the Carol Burnett Show in my grandparents’ living room on almost every Saturday night for years. And I remember watching the Sonny and Cher show with my parents. What does this have to do with Bob Mackie? Everything! He was responsible for every costume for the entire production of the Carol Burnett Show and made all of the costumes for Cher after meeting both Sonny and Cher on the Carol Burnett Show. And of course it doesn’t end there. From Broadway to Burlesque, his wide ranging repertoire includes dressing every famous glamour girl and some of the guys for stage, TV, movies and concerts with unique, incomparably stunning and sometimes hilarious creations.
I missed meeting Bob Mackie at the vintage market even though he was there on his own and it wasn’t announced. He was there and I was there but I really wasn’t there because it was after a pride party the night before so don’t ask so I missed meeting him then. But I got to tell him at the book signing that I unexpectedly and surprisingly came across a few of his designs at the market (which has expanded since the last time I was here) which I had never seen before. And to my disbelief, he was completely unaware of that fact. So I felt like we had a “moment.” A Mackie moment that I’ll remember for the obvious, but also for the fun outside the shop while waiting.
Proof of Life in Palm Springs with the Diva herself; acutely misplaced for so long…and the Marilyn sculpture above.
Sunny Days are here again. Photo: Paul LeMay
Some consider her a “Work of Art“; others “a Piece of Work.” Maybe she’s a bit of both.
It’s so nice to be back. I took a break from blogging in order to get organized before leaving Vancouver and setting up house here in Palm Springs. First time in years having missed a season however I’m not the only snowbird who was unable to make it until now. So….making up for lost time for what was completely out of our control takes being a littleout of control patient.
El Jefe with a Chai Latte, Palm Springs.
There were a lot of firsts this time around. First time flying with my dog instead of driving. My boyfriend and I tried to make it as smooth a transition as possible for Layla who had never been on a plane before. We couldn’t get a non-stop from Vancouver to Palm Springs for dates we wanted so we took Air Canada to Los Angeles and rented a car from there – a two hour drive with little traffic. Emphasis on “little.” No one told us that Layla would be in another terminal on arrival and it would take us for what seemed like forever to find her. When we finally located Layla she was all by herself in her crate alongside a homeless person who set up house inside the terminal. Remember the movie “The Terminal” with Tom Hanks? – exactly! It’s sadly become a reality.
Anyway we got her and let’s just say her crate was a mess. Guess she doesn’t like flying.
These photos are after grooming. No; I don’t mean that she looked like this right after grooming. I had her groomed…then she ran through sprinklers in a park (completely out of control) and before I knew what to do she rolled in the dirt – her attempt to dry off. Didn’t work!
Look at that smug face! Can’t get upset.
Ordered a pet trailer to attach to my cruiser so she could ride behind me and now she’s as happy as ever and also oblivious to whatever distress she’s caused.
Another first was coming back to a broken kitchen window and realizing that someone had crawled through and took personal belongings – yes; it was a break in! Not only that; it must have been a skinny woman on top of it.
I’ve known other people who’ve had their homes broken into before and it always sounds invasive and awful but before it happens to you, you really have no idea how horrible it feels. The window is being repaired and I’m dealing with insurance. Stupidly I left a few valuables here not knowing how long it would be before being able to come back. Whoever broke in knew what they were looking for. That’s why I know it was a woman.
Giant art Installation by Salinas artist John Cerney.
Then I was sending a text when all of a sudden a little robot showed up out of nowhere on my screen going around and around with a message that kept saying “erasing“….so I shut off my phone. But then when I turned it on again it was blank. I had to borrow someone’s phone to call Samsung support to walk me through a total “reboot” which included changing passwords, etc….I ended up losing more than half my contact list and photos from the past six weeks. Of course it could’ve been worse – it always can.
That took oh; about 3 hours in total. I owe that guy a case of beer and dinner.
There was one really good first though…
Halloween here was a blast! It’s obviously over now and I had absolutely no idea on what large a scale people (Hollywood industry and the gay crowd inparticular) would go to all lengths to dress up and I mean dress up! There was excellent live music, tons of people in the streets with the most amazing costumes. Okay; I’ll post one photo out of many, many just to give you an idea.
Pee-wee with wee-wee You bad, bad boy!
Okay, okay; a few more but Halloween is over. I’ll spare you all the Marilyn look-a-likes and the contest from which all the Marilyn’s got up on stage. There were many. All dressed alike and wearing wigs as in the photo of sculpture.
My friend Tammy with a faux police officer. Maybe he was real – so hard to tell!
Dame Edna
Nice looking couple
So I will leave you for now with a wink and a smile…until next time. Promise it won’t be for too long.
What is Spadefoot Toad you ask? Aside from being a round amphibian creature with short legs and protruding eyes…it’s one of my favourite red wine!
If you’re a wine lover you must check out these three recently released spectacular, highly anticipated new labels from the coveted Spadefoot Series at Summerhill Pyramid Winery.
Keeping it in the family; Ezra Cipes (second generation) is extremely proud to present these wines, made in partnership with grape grower Ron Firman at his idyllic Spadefoot Toad Vineyard in Oliver, BC, along with the legendary Canadian artist and activist Robert Bateman, who has drafted an originalillustration specially for the labels. Ten percent of the proceeds from each bottle sold supports the Bateman Foundation’s work to nurture the next generation of conservationists.
Robert Bateman “Ocean Rhapsody” Orca Painting
Spadefoot wines are made entirely from organic grapes grown lovingly at Ron Firman’s Spadefoot Toad Vineyard in Oliver, BC. Ron tends his small acreage as if it were a garden, carefully applying compost to each individual vine and creating habitat for the at-risk Great Basin Spadefoot Toads to breed for natural pest control.
Ron grows pristine grapes that give concentrated, age-worthy wines that truly reflect the care he takes in his vineyard. Each single-vineyard bottling is a special expression of the south facing slope on which his vines are cultivated.
If you are searching for the perfect wines to enjoy over cool autumn evenings or to stow away in your cellar for future sipping, look no further! These three distinct bottlings are exploding with flavour and intensity that will only deepen with time.
2016 Spadefoot Toad Syrah Bold, dark and smooth with notes of blackberry, soft leather, ripe raspberry and black pepper. Forty-seven months of neutral oak aging brings a whisper of vanilla and spice. Firm, gripping tannins and bright acidity buttress the concentrated fruit flavours, providing excellent structure for long term cellaring.
2017 Spadefoot Toad Sangiovese 2017 was a true vin de garde vintage here in the Okanagan. This unique take on a classic Tuscan variety is seductive and velvety, with a juicy core of candied cherry and fresh blueberry notes and whispers of tomato leaf, vanilla cola and baking spices. Exceptional fruit concentration balanced with vibrant freshness!
2018 Spadefoot Toad Sangiovese Succulent and finessed. A clean, classic vintage with a long and steady growing season resulted in this elegant, medium-bodied Sangiovese. Red and blue fruits dominate the nose, carry through the palate, and are deepened by heady notes of clove and potting soil. Intense and full of soul… perfect for the changing seasons.uan etched, branded wine decanter to show off these wines at their very best.
To date this has been one of my favourites
2014 Spadefoot Toad Syrah
Elegant small lot, single-vineyard expression. Available here:
How convenient and nice of the Vancouver International Film Festival to let us stream most of the 2021 movies, documentaries, short films + animations from the comfort of home. But what was really wonderful after such a long hiatus, was to be able to view these amazing films in person “in-cinema.” Seems like a long time.
Highlights:
VIFF could not have been more excited to roll out the red carpet this year with Special Presentations that were a cause for celebration. The scope of work that was showcased was simply phenomenal, featuring auteurs like Terence Davies and Kenneth Branagh; stars such as Tilda Swinton and Benedict Cumberbatch; and a spectrum of stories ranging from intimate human dramas to towering historic narratives.
Belfast is a 2021 British-Irish black-and-white coming of age comedy-drama film written and directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Special Presentations included one world premiere, one Canadian premiere, and the latest addition to the VIFF lineup: The Power of the Dog by Jane Campion, which focuses on the charismatic rancher Phil Burbank who inspires fear and awe in those around him until his brother brings home a new wife and her son, tormenting them until he finds himself exposed to the possibility of love; starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee. Additional highlights included the world premiere of The Sanctity of Space by Renan Ozturk and Freddie Wilkinson, which follows the directors as they traverse Denali National Park and uncover the story of pioneering photographer and cartographer Bradford Washburn; the Canadian premiere of Red Rocket by Sean Baker (The Florida Project), a luminous, seriocomic fable about America’s underclass through the eyes of a washed-up porn star in Texas; and Memoria by Apichatpong Weerasethakul, the director’s first film in English starring Tilda Swinton as an expat orchid grower in Colombia with a strange malady.
Power of the Dog – Jane Campion, Australia/New Zealand, 2021. In her strongest movie since The Piano, Jane Campion turns the machismo of the Western film on its head. Benedict Cumberbatch is the tyrannical cattle rancher at war with his own brother (Jesse Plemons) in this stark, revelatory drama.
The only animation I screened was Lamya’s Poem, the animated feature whose voice cast includes Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Millie Davis (Wonder) and Faran Tahir (Iron Man).
The film charts the story of a 12-year-old Syrian refugee who is given a book of poetry of classic 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi. As the perils of her journey mount, the book becomes a magical gateway. It was amazingly well executed.
I followed that with Disney blockbuster “Cruella” featuring the two “Emma’s” – Stone and Thompson – both outstanding if you haven’t already seen it. Reminded me of “The Devil Wears Prada.” This was not part of the VIFF lineup; but it made me ponder the notion of having watched an excellent animation that was based on a real person with historical fact followed by a movie acted out by real people that was based on animated fiction.
There are plenty of good reasons to go wine tasting in the Okanagan in October. For starters:
The wine is always good no matter what month you decide to visit, but come October and over the Fall/Winter in general it’s much easier to book accommodation as the wineries are less busy with everyone back to work and back to school. So may I suggest a not so little gem of a place to stay…Summerhill Pyramid Winery Guest House (shown in photos on this page). Not only is it amazingly spacious with a view to die for, but the winery + bistro is adjacent to the guest house. A hop, skip and a roll home away.
Inclusive and approachable evenings centered around a love of wine.
Introducing
Vin Van is a pop-up wine company run by two friends, neighbours and wine obsessives: Jo & Steph.
Hailing from different sides of the Atlantic, they were on the same page when it came to what was missing from the food and drink culture in Vancouver, and decided to try something of their own.
“We run a weekly wine bar on Wednesday’s at Dock Lunch, a wine focused supper club series in unexpected locations throughout the city, as well as bespoke private and corporate events.
These events are about sharing our combined mix of influences of good wine and food in unpretentious, approachable environments.
Inspired by the wine bars of Europe, our wine bar evenings aim to be casual, inclusive and never pretentious. We bring in new wines every week so there’ll always be something surprising to sip on!”
Here’s hoping your month gets off to a good start.
On this first day of October I’m attending my very first Zoom wedding, and hopefully my last. Well I’m not really attending – rather watching from my computer. Yup, you read that right! And to be fair; it is a very tiny gathering. still no excuse! One of my best friends is re-marrying her ex-husband. Throughout their divorce of many years and other relationships, they’ve remained each others’ best friend – which only proves that friendship and respect are key ingredients for a successful partnership. The good thing is I don’t have to dress up although I might put on some makeup. I think all eyes will be on the couple exchanging vows…but just in case. Can you believe I actually said “the good thing is that I don’t have to dress up?”
Today also marks the first day that VIFF (Vancouver International Film Festival) begins. VIFF celebrates its 40th edition from October 1-11, 2021 with a kaleidoscopic collection of Canadian work, East Asian cinema, powerful documentaries, narrative cinema from some of the world’s leading lights, elevated genre fare, and much more. Big screen or small, VIFF is excited to share the 2021 program with film fans in Vancouver and across the country. Explore the full program at viff.org and on VIFF Connect starting today.
Antonio Banderas + Penelope Cruz in “Official Competition” Hmmm this should be interesting.Ties between Tiger and Trainer: An Iranian Zookeeper takes Maya, a Bengal tiger he raised from birth for her first trip out of the Mashhad zoo for a film shoot by the Caspian Sea – once home to the now extinct Caspian tiger.
I also want to introduce my exclusive local gift packages.
The Champagne Birdcage
Something new although I’ve been thinking about doing this for a long time and always enjoyed putting gift baskets together for special occasions. Two options filled with small lot, carefully chosen wine/cheese/chocolate delights. A few of my favourite things packaged up to please for all kinds of celebrations. Many of you don’t reside here in Vancouver, let alone Canada, but maybe you know someone who lives here and is looking to gift something unique. Certain companies have gifted their clients and also special customers of some organizations have purchased these but hey; they also make a perfect wedding, anniversary or holiday present. Have a peek and let me know what you think…
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
You must be logged in to post a comment.