Thursday, February 27, 2014

6 years and My Reputation

Happy Thursday, my friends. Today is a big milestone here for me. It is my blogversary. Swan of Dreamers is Six years old. Six!!! It seemed like yesterday, that I decided to take the plunge and start a blog. Swan of Dreamers for me was never about having a zillion followers or making money from my blog. Cheers to those who do that. My blog was and is a place for me to talk about things that are close to my heart. Also, to spread rays of sunshine in my corner of the blogging Universe.

I want to thank all of you, from my new fellow dreamers to my long time blogging dreamy friends, who visit here. I know there is so many other blogs out there, it means a lot that you come and spend time with me here. Sending my love to all of you:


As February, the love month winds down, I want to share a wonderful movie I saw last night. I subscribe to Warner Archive Instant. They have a variety of great old movies, for ten dollars a month you can't go wrong.

My Reputation (1946) starring Barbara Stanwyck and George Brent.



Barbara is Jessica Drummond, Jess to her friends. She is a recent widow of two teen boys. Her whole life has revolved around her family and her demanding mother. She is beginning to resent all the restrictions placed upon her while grieving her husband. Her best friend, played by the wonderful Eve Arden, encourages Jess to go with her on a trip to Lake Tahoe. She goes and begins to heal. There she meets Major Scott Landis played by George Brent. The Major is a man who lives by his own rules and makes it his business to help Jess to open up.

What happens next? My friends, you have to watch and see for yourself what happens. It's one of those great old time romantic dramas that will have you cheering and feeling all mushy inside.

Barbara Stanwyck is wonderful in this. She is a great actress and has been a favorite of mine since I was a kid. She gives a luminous and vulnerable performance. You feel her as Jess. George Brent is one of those great romantic leading men who I feel has been forgotten today. Whenever I see his name in a movie, I know I'm in for a treat. He was Bette Davis' favorite leading man. I agree with her, George can do it all. He can be suave, sexy, strong and sensitive when need be.

I can go and on. Here's a trailer I found on you tube for My Reputation. Enjoy my friends.





Shellsigna

Monday, February 24, 2014

To Act...To Compose...To Deliver...To Write...

Happy Monday. To start of this last week in February, I like to share some of my favorite heroes and sheroes in honor of Black History Month. For me, Black History is every day.


Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, an African composer in the court of Marie Antionette. He created beautiful music that still stands the test of time.



Mary Fields also known as Stage Coach Mary, first African American and second woman who was a Pony Express Rider. She is said to have stood six foot, had her rifle by her side while riding and delivered all her mail successfully.



Ira Aldridge, one of the first great African American Classical actors. Toured in America and Europe performing Shakespeare most notably Othello. He is one of my closest heroes. When I go to audition for classical theater, I think of him and walk in with pride knowing the history of my people performing Shakespeare.



Phillis Wheatley, the second African American and first African American woman to publish poetry in America. One of my favorites of her is An Hymn to the Morning.



Of course, these are only a few of the notable people of African Descent who have dreamed, strived and inspired me and others.

Shellsigna

Monday, February 17, 2014

Monday Mori Girl

Happy Monday and President's Day for us in the USA. To my surprise and delight, Mori Girl Style was one of heavily viewed posts. Here is another tribute to that lovely style that sprung up in Japan. Honestly, Mori Girl style has been around for a long time, I feel, under different names. Mori means Forest in Japan. It's a romantic style full of layers and dreaminess. Here is more about it from a previous blog post.

A dreamy white romantic skirt to wander in the woods or in the city.


Layers of pretty with a soft brown hat.



More lacey goodness with layers. Makes my heart smile.


Mori Girl style like anything can be tweaked to fit you. This lovely lady shows a bit of skin yet still looks dreamy.


A side table setting that evokes beauty.


You can really reflect the forest with having flowers in your hair.


Yep, you can wear sneakers. Make it your own with pretty touches.


If you feel this is a little too much pale colors for you, and want some edge. Well there is Dark Mori style. Just switch with more black and grey. Like this lovely lady:


Shellsigna

Friday, February 14, 2014

Valentine's Day Moon.



Happy Valentine's Day, my fellow Dreamers. It is a special Valentine's Day this year. It falls on Friday which is always a day of love and on the Full Moon. Wow, that equals beautiful love energy swirling and sparkling in the air.


Valentine's Day is a day of love. Yes, Romantic..you makemefeelspecialkind of love. I also feel it's a day of love in all forms. Love between friends, family, parents, children, animals. Celebrate all the love you have in your life.

Tonight is the Full Moon is dazzling and star shining Leo. Leo energy is passionate, fiery and show stopping. All my Leo sun and moon babies, this is your own special Valentine's Day Moon. The Full Moon energy can be used by all of us. Since the energy of The Full Moon stays around for three days: the day before, the day of the Full Moon and the day after, you have three days to swim in all love energy revved up.

Here is a simple way to honor yourself and all that you love on this Full Moon.

Get a candle. Pink or red for the Valentine's Day energy or Yellow/Gold for the Leo Full Moon. Get a favorite flower, piece of candy or fruit you like. Before you light the candle, smell the flower, eat a piece of candy or the fruit. Savor the smell or taste of this favorite object. Then with all that sweet energy you feel from doing this, light your candle. Say a thank you to the Divine for all the people you love in your life. (Only all the good people who shower you with positive and kind love.)

Then you are done. Please include yourself in that thank you, because self-love is one of the most beautiful forms of love my friends!
I am wishing you all a wonderful Valentine's Day. If no one has told you today, I will tell you. I love you. You are special and deserve all the best and brightest in life! Have a glorious weekend.



Shellsigna

Thursday, February 13, 2014

My Swoon Worthy romantic movie list


Happy Thursday, my friends. This is a two part Valentine's Day post for all of you. The first part is my annual swoon worthy romantic movie list. (I know I am forgetting some movies, which I always do every year.) If you have any romantic gems that you feel don't get enough attention, I love to hear in the comments.

The Enchanted Cottage (1945)
History is made at night (1937)
The Lost Moment (1947)
Cairo Time (2009)
Perfect Strangers (1950) starring Ginger Rogers and Dennis Morgan

Winter Meeting (1948)
Somewhere in Time (1980)
Jane Eyre (1983 BBC Version)
Pride and Prejudice (2005)
Love Affair (1939 version)
Paris Blues (1961)
Brief Encounter (1945)
Lady Sings The Blues (1972)
The Lake House (2006)

Love and Action in Chicago (1999) starring Regina King and Courtney B. Vance


One Way Passage (1932)
Summertime (1955)
The Great Lie (1941)
Barretts of Wimpole Street (1934 & 1957)
Summer Stock (1950)
Kate and Leopold (2001)
Somewhere in Time (1980)
All This and Heaven, Too (1940)
Now, Voyager (1942)
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
A Place in The Sun (1951)

Gypsy Girl aka Sky West and Crooked (1966) starring Hayley Mills and Ian McShane


Portrait of Jennie (1948)
You've Got Mail (1998)
The Great Gatsby (2013)
The Last of The Mohicans (1992)
Ever After (1999)
The Pirate (1948)
Benny and Joon (1993)

Please be back for Part 2 love celebration post for the Full Moon tomorrow on Valentine's Day.


Shellsigna

Monday, February 10, 2014

My sweet Valentine

My hubby took a picture of Jacob and did a mock magazine cover from it. Wanted to share with all of you, my sweet Valentine.








Shellsigna

Monday, February 3, 2014

Another Snowy day....

Yes, it is another Snowy day in The Bronx! Guess what we have two more snowstorm coming this week!! I love snow especially since I was born during a great snow storm. I like to think of Snow as a personal favorite element of mine. Even for me, this is a lot!!



So what to do on a snow day? It's a bit different for me since I have a sweet rambunctious toddler running around. I have to concentrate my activities during nap time or when Sean is with Jacob.

Here's some of my fun Snow day activities

* Sleep. (Spoken like a true sleep deprived Mom!) Still there is nothing better than to sleep in on a snowy day when all your activities are cancelled.
* Burn white or silver candles. These colors for me seem to shine brighter on Snow days. Yes, I burn candles during the daytime too.
* Clean up a long forgotten area. You have the time now. Clean, throw away, recycle in new things, pretty up. Before you know it a part of your home looks shiny and new.
* Watch an old movie. Here are suggestions for you especially if you like romantic and dreamy films.
* Curl up with a great book to read.
* Sit in your favorite chair or lay in your bed. Watch the snowflakes fall and dream!

Wishing you all a cozy Snowy Day. If it's not snowing in your neck of the woods, then enjoy the sunshine and fair weather you are having.

Shellsigna

Wordless Wednesday: Spring