Sunday at the Movies

The first real cold has settled in here. Groan. If not a cure, there is a balm for the suffering. Four Audrey Hepburn movies are currently on Netflix Instant (in the States): Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Charade, & How to Steal a Million. And it's early enough to rent one of the others - there are still rental shops, correct? 

If you'd like other film suggestions, try A Better Queue for Netflix; it's not perfect, but it's a start. One sees people complain on Twitter about the choices. Unless you spend all day, every day watching series television on demand (you know who you are) , there are plenty of choices. 

 If you prefer something French, this is from last summer. That feels like a million years ago. *sob* xoxo

PS: Roger Ebert is the best person to consult about Netflix Instant. Follow him on Twitter, too, & not just for film recommendations.

(Audrey looking out over Paris by Bill Avery)

Pippin Pick-me-up

This photograph by Bob Willoughby cheered us immensely this afternoon. We have it in a book of photos but forgot until we saw it on Maquette. While we cannot imagine that Giulia would welcome a fawn into the apartment, she would welcome some higher spirits. We'll see what we can do. Meanwhile, some red lipstick application is in order...soon. (Remember to check the latest lead warnings on lipsticks. One more thing to worry about. Mimph.) Immediate spirit raiser à la Audrey: pasta tonight for supper. Update: an extract from Bob Willoughby's new book about working with Audrey.

ciao-meow/GGCM

(Audrey Hepburn & Pippin aka Ip by Bob Willoughby)

Sunday Charade

Here at GG Central, we will be juggling the Super Bowl (yep) & Downton Abbey. But perhaps you're not interested in either option.

What about whipping up something French for supper & watching Charade with Audrey Hepburn & Cary Grant? You can watch for free online (in America). It's also on Netflix Instant. The movie is a lot of fun & actually kind of scary (spoiler alert: Audrey & Cary survive). There's pretty Paris scenery (& the witty opening is in Switzerland).

Have a great (rest of the) weekend, wherever you live!

ciao-meow/GGCM

(photograph via Doctor Macro)

Have a Romantic Evening

Take a break from shopping madness to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Breakfast at Tiffany's; it's available on Netflix Instant (here in the States). We're under-the-weather here (both editor & redheaded cat) but we hope to pick up the posting rate soon. Cheers!

ciao-meow/GGCM

PS: Please remember Toys for Tots & other holiday collection activities in your part of the world.

(photograph via FanPop)

Audrey a Roma

We're running late (as usual) on this Monday. If you need an espresso break (yes, please), check out the Audrey a Roma tumblr & exhibition site. The exhibit runs through 4 December in Rome at the Museo dell'Ara Pacis. If you can't be there, you can at least check out the photographs & site. Funds raised will benefit UNICEF in Chad. The book from the exhibit is not available in English (yet).

Here's an excellent comprehensive-but-short article about Audrey & Rome, a description of the exhibit & information about the Audrey Hepburn Children's Foundation.

ciao-rushed-meow/GGCM

(photograph by Pierluigi Praturlon)

Wish Audrey a Happy Birthday

It's Audrey Hepburn's birthday - she would have been 82 years old today. There's a contest on Just Being Audrey's Facebook page. Upload a photo or video of you dressed like AH or doing something appropriately AH, & win a copy of Just Being Audrey & a print illustration. Post by May 11, winners announced the 12th. There will be 5 winners.

Off to look at wardrobe options for Giulia.

ciao-darling-meow/GG Central

PS: Remember to check out illustrator Julia Denos' adorable The Cinnamon Rabbit.

(Funny Face still by Bill Avery via Audrey Hepburn-Annex)

Have a Romantic Evening

AFI's 100 Years...100 Passions. (Here are other best of lists from AFI.) If you need more help than that for a romantic evening, don't look at us! See you over the weekend. (Roman Holiday still via Audrey1)

ciao-cheeky-meow/GG

Just Being Audrey

A wonderful new book by Margaret Cardillo, with adorable illustrations by Julia Denos (she says she's also a cat trainer - we must ask her for some tips!). Here is the Facebook page. Visit Julia's blog The Cinnamon Rabbit.

HarperCollins: From Roman Holiday to Breakfast at Tiffany's, when Audrey Hepburn starred in a movie, she lit up the screen. Her unique sense of fashion, her grace, and, most important, her spirit made her beloved by generations. But her life offscreen was even more luminous. As a little girl growing up in Nazi-occupied Europe, she learned early on that true kindness is the greatest measure of a person—and it was a lesson she embodied as she became one of the first actresses to use her celebrity to shine a light on the impoverished children of the world through her work with UNICEF.

This is Audrey Hepburn as a little girl, an actress, an icon, an inspiration; this is Audrey just being Audrey.

Audrey Hepburn's Ballerinas Auction

Audrey Hepburn's eldest son, Sean Ferrer wrote last month that he & his brother Luca Dotti have decided to auction off one of the last pairs of his mother's ballerinas to benefit the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund & UNICEF. Please visit the Foundation website & see how you can help. Wouldn't Audrey do that for your children? (You bet!)

ciao-pirouette-meow/GG Central

(Audrey Hepburn, 1955, Norman Parkinson Archive, via Liverpool Museums)

Audrey & a Café Cat

It's a Wednesday & GG is not allowed to go to the museum (again!). A GG dream come true would be AH, another cat, & a café . [undated photograph but via Audrey1.org; lots of fun for the admiring legions.]

ciao-darling-meow/GGCM

PS: Visit AH's fabulous official website & see what you might do to contribute to her charitable work. Which has never stopped, of course.

WWAD (What would Audrey Do?)

It's not just about manners, little black dresses, & Cary Grant. It's about what she did with her life. GG & her editor think WWAD a lot...not just sartorially speaking. Take a visit to UNICEF & see what's happening. See you later today! (photo via scan/audreystyle/by Steven Meisel)

ciao-elegant-meow,
GG/mgmt

Update: Apologies to all who have tried to leave comments on this blog & bricolage. Have no idea what is wrong but investigation has commenced. Thanks for stopping by! (Meanwhile, you could visit UNICEF:) xo, GG Central.

When in doubt, make pasta...

...or if it's too early, put on the kettle. And for good measure, put in a picture of AH. And if you possibly can, buy some white tuliips (or look at a few bunches). Goodness, we've so much to do, especially reading. Doesn't matter if it's a holiday here in the U.S. Here's the fastest pasta recipe we make. Very Roman, very Audrey, especially in her personal Roman period. (photo Bob Willoughby/MPTV via scan from audreystyle by Pamela Clarke Keogh)

ciao-busy-meow,

GG's editor

PS: Catapalooza Valentine's Day was stellar. Report forthcoming.

Marrakesh Tea Time, part 2

It reminds us of only alice's photo, that's all, & we liked the coincidence.

ciao-good-morning-meow,
GG Central

(AH photo/Cecil Beaton/Sotheby Collection via scan, audreystyle by Pamela Clarke Keogh)

Tuesday Tulip Bouquet

Every Tuesday? For the apartment, sure why not? For the blog? Who knows. But here's a pretty pink bunch to start the day. When we think of tulips, we think of Audrey--that's always a welcome thought. GG has a bad case of tulipmania. By the week's end, we hope to indulge her.

ciao-meow,
GG's floral consultant

(AH with her mother, 1953/audreystyle by Pamela Clarke Keogh/original photograph-Corbis/Bettman-UPI/our scan); (pink tulips by shelovesstars via we heart it)

Audrey Hepburn & UNICEF

UNICEF has been much on our mind. They are helping Darfur Peace & Development with much-needed school supplies. We are so grateful & it brings to mind one of our very favorite people: Audrey Hepburn. There are many wonderful people who serve as Goodwill Ambassadors, just as Audrey did. Please support UNICEF. It's just plain good manners--and who would know good manners better than Audrey? [photograph via myvintagevogue]

Giulia especially loves this this photo of Audrey in Breakfast at Tiffany's (she has a crush on the handsome orange "Cat.")