The Sally Draper Reading List

via Booklicious

Inspired by this 1955 found photograph of an 11 year old girl engrossed in her book despite sitting in the middle of living room amongst her non-reading family members, a blogger for the New York Public Library blog saw a resemblance to "Mad Men's" own Sally Draper and so imagined what the fictional girl may have been reading (aside from Nancy Drew) during 1964 and 1965, the years in which the fourth season of the show is set.

And so here's the NYPL list of books published in 1964 and 1965 that might have been right up Sally's alley:

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" - Roald Dahl
"Harriet the Spy" - Louise Fitzhugh
"Over Sea, Under Stone" - Susan Cooper
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" - Ian Fleming
"The Phantom of Pine Hill" - Carolyn Keene
"The Long Secret" - Louise Fitzhugh
"The Black Cauldron" - Lloyd Alexander
"The Mouse and the Motorcycle" - Beverly Cleary
"The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" - Paul Zindel

I love this list and want to read or reread all of these works - don't you? And be sure check out the post's comments section too for great books that Sally would have totally been reading even though they weren't necessarily published in 1964-'65 like "Seventeenth Summer" (1942) by Maureen Daly and "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (1943) by Betty Smith.Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

HGTV Dream Home

There are some pretty impressive giveaways out there, but.... for real? A HOUSE. How can you not give the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes a whirl? Worst case scenario-you lose 35 seconds of your day....best case scenario- you win a house in Stowe, Vermont!

This is not just any house either- it is a Dream Home. From what I can see on the online tour, it is rather incredible. The dining and kitchen spaces alone were enough to convince me of said dreaminess...
Sleeping and bathing spaces...not too shabby.


The outdoor living space would really allow you to appreciate the beauty of the Vermont setting nearly year-round.
Even the laundry room was too snazzy for words.....and plenty of bunk space for the kiddos or all of those guests who are bound to pop in.


I have never won an online giveaway - maybe this time....:)


All images courtesy of HGTV
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

a cappella love

image via NewTimes


We've all got our secret television shames/pleasures, right? Well, my latest has been the a cappella show, Sing-Off. It's everything that "American Idol" is not - fun, incredibly earnest, and full of damn talented people who can actually sing (plus Nick Lachey is kinda amazing in his role as host who goes all out with his wall to wall punning). Anyway, the second season is now over (boo!), but watch on Hulu if you get a chance - it'll totally make your heart sing (was that a good one, Nick?)


P.S.
Since I am in confession mode and have already shared my love for the show in general...
This cover of Coldplay's "Fix You" brought tears to my eyes.
And this group's cover of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" is everything awesome.
And, yeah, I know, I am a dork.
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas

There are so many holiday specials out there. I can definitely take or leave most of them , but my very favorite is actually kind of hard to find in most line-ups. Emmet Otter's Jug-band Christmas is based on a Russell Hoban/Lillian Hoban (of "Frances the Badger" fame) story and has all the sweet natured charm and humor of the classic Muppets.
Jim Henson developed this " 'Gift of the Magi' with a twist" tale of Emmet Otter and his Ma and it should be a staple of the season. With all of the junky holiday television programming out there these days, it is just nice to see a production with some Christmas spirit....the furry Mupppets are a bonus!


Christmas is approaching in Frogtown Hollow, and Emmet Otter and his Ma hope to buy gifts for each other. Unfortunately, Emmet doesn't make enough from the odd jobs he does, and Ma doesn't make enough as a laundress. They decide to compete in the Frog Town Hollow Talent Contest in order to win money, but Ma will have to hock Emmet's tool chest to buy a costume, and Emmet will have to put a hole in Ma's washtub for his band!

Image courtesy of Google
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

"My hope is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here." - Jim Henson

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service worked with The Jim Henson Legacy to create Jim Henson's Fantastic World, an exploration of the incredible art of the man who created Muppets. The exhibit traces the timeline of Jim Henson's career, but more importantly, it gives audiences a taste of Henson's creative process and the imagination that brought whole worlds to life.


I grew up loving The Muppet Show and Sesame Street, the idea that there is an entire exhibition celebrating the man responsible for Ernie and Fozzie (in addition to countless others) makes me so happy. The tour schedule for Jim Henson's Fantastic World still has some dates left, so if you want a multimedia taste of the art of this impressive visionary....mark your calendar!






{All images courtesy of Jim Henson's Fantastic World}
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Sarah's House

I have a love/hate relationship with HGTV. I watch it because I love to see the transformation of spaces and the creative process unfolding, but many times I come away frustrated that a dream room can't unfold before your eyes in 30 minutes in real life. Alas, the shows can be entertaining and informative, if not always applicable to our real lives.



My favorite program on the network as of late is Sarah's House featuring Canadian designer Sarah Richardson as she renovates and designs a property. She tackles the project room by room, with a very talented team, an amazing eye for design, and a great sense of humor. The tips about decorating and budgeting she shares are helpful, but honestly it is her end product that makes the show so interesting to me.

This is some of her fantastic portfolio....










All images courtesy of sarahrichardsondesign


Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Guilty Pleasure

Image courtesy of ekline.tumblr.com



I am a big fan of Netflix. I got the subscription from a friend after I had my first baby (best gift for a new mom ever!) and our schedule was still nuts- nothing like having the movie you just missed in the theater or an old, obscure, favorite television series at your fingertips for a 2 a.m. feeding.


Recently I re-discovered season 1 of Felicity and have been remembering how much I liked it. Oh, and I am completely aware that half of the people reading this would roll their eyes at that, but I can't deny it. Before J.J. Abrams was all about Lost or Alias, he was responsible for this young adult dramedy, so it is better than your average teen television program.

Just a few things that make season 1 worth a watch...


*There is something totally relatable about Keri Russell's portrayal of Felicity. She is awkward and unsure and every emotion registers right there on her face. Being a freshman in college is all sorts of exciting, terrifying, empowering and she pegs it.
*Just enough humor to balance out the melodrama.
*Watching the show now I just can not get enough of that 90's fashion- mini butterfly clips anyone?
*Noel Crane... my number one television character crush. I don't know about you, but there were no super dreamy, responsible, sincere, graphic artist resident advisors at my college. Swoon.
*The writers unabashed affection for the greeting "hey". Sometimes it appears close to two dozen times in a single episode....but I guess if I went back to a day in college, I might be astounded by the sheer volume of "hey"s.


I suppose I am so fond of the show because it is great escapism. Sometimes there is nothing like some college drama to distract and entertain!


Video courtesy of educatedfish via youtube
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Nostalgia....Don Draper style

Image courtesy of AMC.com
I am missing Mad Men. The other day I was thinking about the scene from the finale of first season where Don is doing his presentation to the folks from Kodak about his take on their new product- the Carousel slide projector.....it is the series at its finest.

Don Draper: Well, technology is a glittering lure. But, uh, there is the rare occasion when the public can be engaged on a level beyond flash, if they have a sentimental bond with the product.
My first job, I was in-house at a fur company, with this old-pro copywriter, a Greek named Teddy. Teddy told me the most important idea in advertising is new. Creates an itch. You simply put your product in there as a kind of calamine lotion.
But he also talked about a deeper bond with the product. Nostalgia. It’s delicate, but potent. (lights switch off-slideshow with Don Draper's family begins)
Teddy told me that in Greek, “nostalgia” literally means “the pain from an old wound”.
It’s a twinge in your heart far more powerful than memory alone.
This device isn’t a spaceship, it’s a time machine.
It goes backwards, forwards,takes us to a place where we ache to go again.
It’s not called the wheel. It’s called the carousel.
It let's us travel the way a child travels - around and around, and back home again, to a place where we know are loved.

To truly appreciate the presentation you probably have to know the character, but it is pretty powerful either way. The following is a link to the scene- see for yourself.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2bLNkCqpuY&feature=fvsrSource URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Christmas according to Linus, the poet

Charlie Brown:



"I guess you were right, Linus. I shouldn't have picked this little tree. Everything I do turns into a disaster. I guess I really don't know what Christmas is all about."

[shouting in desperation]

"Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?"

Linus:


"Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about."

[moves toward the center of the stage]


"Lights, please."

[a spotlight shines on Linus]


"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"

[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]


"That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."


Here's hoping that despite all the madness of the holidays - you get a chance to rest, have plenty of laughter, and an abundance of love from the ones that mean most to you. Merry Christmas everyone!!



(sources: 1st image, text, 2nd image)
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Sometimes you win...

...and sometimes a random song will be stuck in your head for hours.

Mae shared this video of The Shins performing on a children's show, "Yo Gabba Gabba!," forever ago. And yet, somehow, I've been humming this song all day. It's super cute, but also very catchy. You've been warned.

Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

"Mad Men" and us

We are all such fans of "Mad Men" that we jumped at the chance to create our own avatars via "MadMenYourself." So here are the ladies of "Hiving Out"... (and, yes, steaming hot coffee cups are true to each of our identities as is, apparently, the same, um, dominant nose).

Lorelei

Mae
Vivi
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Sunny Days

I came across this opening of Sesame Street from the 1970's and I loved watching it- granted I don't really have Sesame memories until the early 80's, but this felt like the beginning I so fondly remember.

Stumbling across this video had me wondering about what would now be termed "vintage" clips of Sesame Street. Back in the day I was a Grover or Bert gal, but this Cookie Monster song was too classic to pass up.

My siblings and I were definitely outdoor kids, but we always huddled around the television for Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. Almost three decades later, a passion for Elmo gripping my household, I started watching Sesame Street again. Although I missed some of the quirks and charms of the show I grew up with, there were plenty of new things to find endearing-such as the two numbers below. I also noticed now and again they throw in vintage clips for good measure and those nostalgic parents.



Videos courtesy of youtube.com
If you are ever in the mood to hunt down your own favorite Sesame clips to share with your kids or if you are looking to find their most beloved bit from the show , there is a video search on the show's website that is family friendly and full of then and now Muppet zaniness.Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

The State

Is anyone else super excited that "The State" is finally coming out on DVD tomorrow? It's been over 10 years (almost 15, I think!) since I've seen it last (I'm thankful for the few youtube videos out there though) and I'll be so happy to hear Michael Showalter say, once again, "I'm Doug and I'm outta heeeerrre." Tomorrow will be such a wonderful day for 90s nostalgia!

And, if you haven't seen it yet, you must watch "Horrible People," a hilarious web comedy series that is not only very State-like, but has the adorable Joe Lo Truglio in it as well (check out his childhood shark drawings/obsession here). Plus, of course, it stars Kristen Schaal. And all things Kristen are divine.

image of Kristen Schaal via heeb magazine
Source URL: https://jimhensons.blogspot.com/search/label/television
Visit Jim Henson for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection