Grauman's Egyptian Theater and Sunset Boulevard

The other night my charming husband escorted me to Grauman's Egyptian Theater
in Hollywood, CA for a special screening of one of my favorite films...Sunset Boulevard!

I've lived in SoCal most of my life and yet I've never been to this glorious movie-palace of old until now!

Double-leopard action just as a tribute to the film, I promise!

Graumans Egyptian has a wonderful history, and its foremost claim to fame is that the first-ever Hollywood movie premier was held here.

The Egyptian theme was all the rage back then, and they did it up nicely with murals, faux sandstone walls, and imposing columns.

Inside are somewhat-creepy Anubis dog statues and lots of other fab details.

Above is the best shot I could achieve of the glorious ceiling with my little point & shoot camera. You just have to trust me...it's breathtaking!

The film was being screened as part of a Film Noir festival put on by
American Cinematheque

Anyone who knows me knows that I love me some films noir, but my absolute fave is Sunset Boulevard. Wait, I lied! First Double Indemnity, THEN Sunset Boulevard.

If you haven't seen it, run-run-run to your Netflix queue and hook this baby up! You'll thank me.

Honestly, it's not just because of the plethora of leopard prints in the film that draw me to it, though that's a perk :-)

There are SO many quotable, classic lines in this film, and it's had such an incredible impact on the history of movies.
We were treated with a newly-restored digital copy of the film and it was like seeing it for the first time again!
"...and all you wonderful people out there in the dark!"

Are any of you Noir fans? What's your favorite film? I'd love to hear!

Leopard Furr-ever!

One thing I have always loved is leopard print. To prove it, here I am...I may have outgrown The Lone Ranger, but I'll never outgrow my love of leopard :-)
I know some people think animal prints are too loud, but I think a realistic-looking animal print is really a neutral, because the colors are neutral and the print is designed to camouflage the animal into it's background!
I thought I'd share a few pieces from my personal collection:

This early 60's faux-leopard coat is my current favorite.It's lightweight enough that I can wear it here in L.A. where it's usually pretty warm. The big portrait collar is so flattering!


Do you know what the difference is between leopard print and jaguar print? With leopard, the little dark spots form a rosette pattern. On a jaguar's fur, the little rosettes of dark spots surround a dark spot in the middle.Leopards are from Africa, and jaguars are from South and Central America, mostly.

This one mainly hangs in my closet and looks cute! It's so thick & warm that I never get a chance to wear it.
I'll have to go on a trip somewhere cold so I can enjoy it! Or maybe I'll just put it on and stand in front of my freezer with the door open :-)

Here's a fabulous leopard-print bag that I really should use more often...it's nice and big, and I like how the style of the handle makes it look a little more modern.

My newest!! I scored this tiger-print coat on Ebay a few months ago and I was so ecstatic, I did a happy dance :-)
I got it for a steal! I haven't worn this one yet, but I will soon. I think a tiger print is a little bolder look, but maybe it's just that my eyes are so accustomed to leopard. I think I'll wear this coat with jeans and a plain black turtleneck to tone it down a bit.

I always have at least a few amazing leopard or animal print items in my Etsy store...
Click here to SHOP:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/momodeluxevintage?show_panel=true