Close-up of the neon and bulbs above the marquee reading "The El Capitan Theatre"

Backstage at the Lavish El Capitan Theatre

July 31, 2024, 1 Comment

Los Angeles has many glorious movie palaces scattered throughout, one incredible theatre is the El Capitan, located in the heart of Hollywood. Recently Patrick and I got to go behind the scenes of this historic theatre, and just a few days later returned to see Deadpool & Wolverine, so it should be noted that this…

A small home with a turret style entry, features steeped roof lines and ivy growing up the walls.

The Tiny French “Gnome” Village Hiding in the Citrus Empire

May 22, 2024, 1 Comment

Redlands is one of the great citrus empires of California, it’s also a city that is filled with gorgeous homes. Most of the houses you’ll stumble upon are grand Victorians, Spanish Revivals, and Mid-Century Moderns, but there is one narrow street that looks like something out of France, this is Normandie Court, and it is…

View of the neon for the Formosa, which is green and sits within white script letters on a red building. A black and white stripe awning juts out from the front.

The Formosa Cafe: Watering Hole for Mobsters and Movie Stars

May 1, 2024, Leave a Comment on The Formosa Cafe: Watering Hole for Mobsters and Movie Stars

L.A. Confidential is one of my all time favorite movies, and any time I can make it to one of the filming locations, I’m overjoyed. The Formosa Cafe is not only where parts of L.A. Confidential were filmed, but also where one of its most iconic scenes (ironically not in the book) happened. The scene…

Myself, wearing a shirt featuring the cover of Sweetheart of the Rodeo, which is an image of a cowgirl surrounded by flowers, and jeans, standing just outside the door with a view of the other Tudor cottages behind me.

Spending my Birthday the Faux English Village Gram Parsons Once Called Home

April 24, 2024, 2 Comments

Charlie Chaplin was, and remains, an important icon of motion picture history. His on screen antics are classic, and his contribution to the industry in a variety of ways cannot be underestimated. One way he sought to improve production at his studio, which he built in 1917, was to provide housing for employees close to…

Myself standing in front of the barn, behind me a large white sign atop the porch that reads "Hollywood Heritage Museum Lasky-DeMille Barn Est. 1913"

Farm to Fame: Tales of Glitz, Glamor & Eminent Domain at the Hollywood Heritage Museum

April 17, 2024, Leave a Comment on Farm to Fame: Tales of Glitz, Glamor & Eminent Domain at the Hollywood Heritage Museum

At the turn of the 20th century despite its bustling downtown core Los Angeles still had many agricultural elements and in 1901 Jacob Stern built a little barn on the corner of Selma and Vine, just one block south of what would become the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Over the next century the little barn…

Exterior view of the library, which features columns and a statue of woman with a deer, titled "Diana of Versailles" it dates to 1648 and is by Hubert Le Sueur.

Revisiting the Huntington

April 9, 2024, 1 Comment

Recently Patrick’s mother came to visit, who is an avid art lover, so we spent a day at the stunning Huntington Library. The Huntington is far more than a library, it sprawls over 200 acres with multiple art galleries, restaurants, and a diverse variety of gardens. It’s simply massive, and I would say impossible to…

Front of the Vista, a Spanish revival style building with curved details on the roof, painted yellow with white trim.

A Movie Night at the 100 Year Old Vista Theater

April 3, 2024, 3 Comments

While I grew up in the age of the multiplex, I also went to small, independent cinemas frequently. I saw Disney’s Pocahontas at Eugene’s old McDonald Theatre, which was built in 1925, and I spent many midnight screenings at the Cameo in Newberg, which opened in 1937. So I of course have a soft spot…

A little blonde girl paints a picture of a boy and text reads "I want to be your valentine!"

Vintage Valentine’s Day Cards Vol. 3

January 31, 2024, Leave a Comment on Vintage Valentine’s Day Cards Vol. 3

I hope you enjoyed a look at how we decorate our home for Valentine’s Day, and today, in keeping with the theme, I thought we would take a closer look at some of the valentines! For a look at other years, click here!

An English cottage style complex with an arched gateway reads "The Jim Henson Company" and atop one building is a large statue of Kermit the Frog dressed in Charlie Chaplin's The Tramp outfit, of a black suit, bowler hat, and bamboo cane.

Over 100 years of Entertainment History at the Jim Henson Company Studio

November 28, 2023, 1 Comment

JUNE 2024 UPDATE: The Jim Henson Company has decided to sell and vacate the lot. Read more from The Wrap. MARCH 2024 UPDATE: The studio is being bought by singer John Mayer, read more via Rolling Stone. FEBRUARY 2026 UPDATE: The studio was purchased by music artist John Mayer and filmmaker McG. The pair tried…

View of the parlor, with a mustard colored sofa and several chairs, as well as portraits hanging above the sofa.

Step Back In Time at the Stagecoach Inn Museum

November 22, 2023, 1 Comment

Like many small towns surrounding Los Angeles, the sleepy area of Conejo Valley experienced a post-war boom, and by 1964 some of its older structures were in danger of being demolished. One such building was the Stagecoach Inn. The Stagecoach Inn was constructed in 1876 and opened as the Grand Union Hotel. After the original…

Atomic Redhead

1920s

Backstage at the Lavish El Capitan Theatre

The Tiny French “Gnome” Village Hiding in the Citrus Empire

The Formosa Cafe: Watering Hole for Mobsters and Movie Stars

Spending my Birthday the Faux English Village Gram Parsons Once Called Home

Farm to Fame: Tales of Glitz, Glamor & Eminent Domain at the Hollywood Heritage Museum

Revisiting the Huntington

A Movie Night at the 100 Year Old Vista Theater

Vintage Valentine’s Day Cards Vol. 3

Over 100 years of Entertainment History at the Jim Henson Company Studio

Step Back In Time at the Stagecoach Inn Museum