We're three sisters, Claudia, Lisa Michelle and Karina, originally from Miami and now living in New York, with a love of beautiful and inspiring things. This is a blog for sharing our finds with you!
If you have something inspiring you would like to share, or would simply like to say hello, you may email us at dreamingofpalmtrees@gmail.com.
Recently Lisa emailed Karina and me for our recommendations on films to watch. So I sent her my ever growing films-to-watch list (I keep it on Evernote; Evernote is awesome, but that's another post :).
Now I've just come across a drool-worthy DVD box set which surely would satiate hers or anyone's important films-to-watch appetite. Behold Essential Art House: 50 Years of Janus Films. This handsome box set contains 50 DVDs and cool (okay, kinda nerdy) bonus items like original notes on every film, plus a beautiful hard covered coffee table book on the history of the distribution film Janus Films. It's pricey, but your artistic thirst will thank you.
For our FINAL interview as part of our "Secrets to a Happy Marriage" series, we are THRILLED to share with you our parents' secrets. They've been married 37 years, and still act like teenagers in love!
And if you've enjoyed our campaign for our feature film, "After the Wedding," then please consider making a pledge this week. We only have a few days left, and it's all or nothing! Also, it's not about the amount. It's about showing support of other female artists. We really are in this together! And in exchange for your support we've got some really wonderful rewards. Thank you so much, lovely readers! You may learn more at: www.aftertheweddingkickstarter.com
A few nights ago I Netflixed Eames: The Architect and the Painter, which is a documentary about the iconic design couple, Charles and Ray Eames, behind the Eames chair and major contributors to the world of architecture and design.
I knew very little about the designers beforehand other than having seen their famous chair in dozens of books, magazines and websites throughout my life. Their name is synonymous with timeless, beautiful and functional design. If you search for furniture on Craigslist or Ebay, you will undoubtedly see "Eames or Eames-inspired" sprinkled throughout item descriptions. Sometimes this is accurate and other times, the seller is just trying to pull a fast one (you are too smart for this though, I know.)
What's interesting about the doc is that in addition to discussing the artists' work, you get a glimpse into their personal lives and idiosyncratic behavior. Interviews with former employees and colleagues show the couple very honestly and you get a sense that despite their design aesthetic being so clean and modern, the couple was pretty quirky. For example, one night they hosted a dinner party in their fabulous home and for dessert, they brought out a beautiful flower arrangement. A "visual treat." One guest was so annoyed and still hungry that he left to go to Dairy Queen. Can you imagine?!
If you have a chance to watch this, let me know what you think! Would love to hear your thoughts.
This weekend my husband Alex and I caught the film Friends With Kids. With a stellar cast including some of my fave comedic actresses, Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig, I knew it was going to be funny, but I didn't expect it to be as hilarious as it was.
The film centers on college buds Julie (Jennifer Westfeldt, also the writer and director!) and Jason (Adam Scott), who are now in their late thirties, and getting bored with the Manhattan dating scene. All of their college pals have coupled up, had babies and moved to Brooklyn, but their marriages have taken a hit due to babydom.
Julie and Jason both want a child, but haven't met "the one." So they concoct an idea - why not have a baby with each other, stay "just friends," and split the childcare responsibilities 50/50? They'll skip over the stresses of trying to keep up a marriage while gaining all the benefits of parenthood. Their plan seems to work - at first. Until post-baby Julie falls in love with Jason.
It's a bit of a gimmick but SO much fun to watch. Even my husband Alex, who usually scoffs at romantic comedies was chuckling all along. (It helps that the dudes in the film are completely relatable.) Jon Hamm gives a really funny performance. And look out for a hot Ed Burns who plays some serious Mommy catnip! :) I highly recommend checking out this film!
It's Friday! Tonight Alex and I are going to a screening of Girl Walk All Day, a well-reviewed cool feature-length music video. Lisa went last week and said that people started dancing in the aisles! You can watch the film on their website or request a screening in your city. :) I go nuts for dance films so I'm really looking forward to this. And the best part is that its BYOB so we're bring a bottle of Malbec. Do you have any fun plans for the weekend?
Stay toasty! In the meantime, here are some fun links for your Friday... xo!
So today I've been nodding off from staying up late with Alex, watching Match Point. Have you seen it? It's one of my favorite Woody Allen films. It's about a tennis instructor (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) who social climbs his way into England's high society, only to risk losing it all when he falls for a femme fatal (Scarlett Johansson) who happens to be engaged to his future brother-in-law. So good. I highly recommend adding it to your Netflix queue!
As hibernating season approaches I'm looking to watch more good films. Have you seen anything good lately you recommend? xo
If there's one thing my sisters and I appreciate, it's low-budget filmmaking. We are actually gearing up to shoot our own film this year and as we prep for it, we have been diligently watching every other successful independent film and mostly, researching how the filmmakers got their film financed. The truth is, most indie films take more than just blood, sweat and tears to make. There are practical costs like food for the cast and crew for example. And when you're looking at productions that require a few weeks of shooting, then those costs really add up. So we were utterly blown away when we saw the recently released, Newlyweds. Here is a story about a newly married couple and what happens to them when they realize that when you marry someone, you also inherit their family. And of course, no family is perfect, and in this story of Buzzy and Katie, they both happen to have sisters dealing with a lot of drama.
I just stumbled upon this great film for Zara shot by Todd Selby, of The Selby, featuring an interview with gallery owner, Lucy Chadwick. In it, Lucy wears all Zara clothing and looks absolutely gorgeous. She's eclectic and sophisticated and her apartment with hairstylist boyfriend Duffy is incredible (eyeing that teapot cameo at :55). I hope they continue this fashion inspiring series!
A few years ago I saw Rachel Getting Married and for some reason, I wasn't a fan. I forget what I didn't like about it, but since then, I've watched it again and I've realized I was so incredibly wrong. This movie is awesome. Read more about what I think by clicking below.
Oh! It's finally here. After so much anticipation, My Week with Marilyn, is finally in New York theaters. The film stars Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe. At first I was iffy about her playing the role (really, who could?) but after seeing the trailer, I'm convinced that the film is definitely worth seeing.
My first Pedro Almódovar film was Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, which is I saw in my tenth grade Spanish class. I remember being blown away by the story, the characters, and the dialogue, which was nothing like I had ever seen before. Since then, I have continued to be mesmerized by everything else Almodovar does and now, I'm excited to see that Taschen is releasing probably the coolest book ever in their collection: The Pedro Almódovar Archives. Now you know this is gonna be good!
With over 600 images, many of which were previously unpublished and some that Almódovar took himself while filming, plus introductions to the films by prominent Spanish authors, this book is a must have for cinephiles. And with that gorgeous binding and cover, can't you just imagine it finding a new home right on your coffee table? Adding it to my Christmas wish list.
PS: have any of you seen The Skin I Live In yet? I am seeing it this weekend at my new favorite theater, Nitehawk. They serve food and drinks while you watch the movies and their menu is created based on the films they screen. So for example, when I go to this new Almódovar film on Saturday, I plan on having sangria and paella con chicharrone. How cool is that?!
This weekend I took advantage of the chilly, rainy weather on Friday night to stay in and watch Woody Allen's Manhattan Murder Mystery. Have any of you seen it? I had never heard of it before but as with most Woody Allen films, I loved it. It has the perfect amount of wit and comedic suspense. And the cast! How could I not love anything with Angelica Huston and Alan Alda?
Among my favorite lines:
Carol (Diane Keaton): You know what I mean? I mean, I don't understand why you're not more fascinated with this. We could be living next door to a murderer, Larry. Larry (Woody Allen): Well, New York is a melting pot. You know, get used to it.
and
Larry: Could you? That's great. That's... you know, you-you have all these skills, and you're beautiful, and you can write so well... and now it turns out you play poker. This is, uh, too good to be true. Marcia (Angelica Huston): Well, I wouldn't say beautiful. Larry: Oh, I would. Marcia: But I do have tremendous sex appeal.
If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend! Perfect for a weeknight movie. (By the way, this film is in color! I could only find b+w stills though.)
Alex and I watched Crazy Stupid Love this past weekend. Have you seen it? It's about a sad divorcee (Steve Carell) who's lost his mojo, and enlists a lady's man (Ryan Gosling) to help him get his groove back + his ex-wife (Julianne Moore).
I was happily surprised to see it wasn't just another formulaic Hollywood rom-com. It's funny, smart + sweet. And Ryan Gosling's abs make a cameo in it, which alone is worth the ticket price. ;)
It's a film both guys + girls can both enjoy. I highly recommend! xo
My sisters and I grew up loving this quotable movie ("Melaina, gross!") and watching it repeatedly. Have you guys seen it? If not, add it to your list! The film is about four young girlfriends in the summer of 1963, who have a weekend of fun in Myrtle Beach before their friend Carson (played by Phoebe Cates) gets married to her boyfriend. It has great music, dancing (which they refer to as Shagging), and amazing outfits!
Just saw this movie last night at a special sneak peak showing at the MOMA. Beyond knowing that it had a cute title, The Myth of the American Sleepover, I didn't really know anything about it. So I wasn't expecting much, but within minutes of the film's opening, I was completely drawn in. And for the next ninety minutes, I found myself laughing throughout it and feeling completely nostalgic.
The Myth of the American Sleepover comes from first time director, David Robert Mitchell, and his producing partner, Adele Romanski. The duo managed to create cinematic magic on a very limited budget and if you're a fan of John Hughes and Cameron Crowe, I think you need to see this movie asap! The characters remind me of everyone I knew in high school, myself way back when, and an innocent era tinted with self discovery, rebellion and adventure. It's filled with intimate moments, lots of awkward tension and a giddy hopefulness that anything is possible.
The film opens this Friday, July 22nd in select cities. Watch the trailer here and check here for showtimes.
Doesn't this film look so good? It's a story that follows precocious and offbeat Oliver Tate as he tries to lose his virginity, and save his parents' marriage.
During our work trip this past weekend, Lisa and I took a little break and saw Bridesmaids. We'd been hearing mixed reviews, but we love Kristen Wiig so decided to check the film out for ourselves. Well, we loved it! It's hilarious, sweet and even touching. Yes, it's a little long (125 minutes!), but there are some really funny scenes that keep the film moving.
The film follows "Annie (Kristen Wiig), a maid of honor whose life unravels as she leads her best friend, Lillian (Maya Rudolph), and a group of colorful bridesmaids on a wild ride down the road to matrimony".
Original, funny + entertaining, if you haven't yet, go see!... Bridesmaids
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