A lovely thing about discovering a new genre of anything is that there is so much new content to experience. I am so charmed by the 1930’s. It has the reputation of being poor, sad and dirty. Literally. And those thin penciled eyebrows! Ugh! I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with the decade as much as I have. Years ago I used my very poor sewing skills to make an apron in the 1930’s style, using a pattern I purchased. I suppose the interest was always there, biding her time.
The old Hollywood dresses worn by Claudette Colbert and Miriam Hopkins (oh how I adore her) are fluid feminine perfection. The thick fur lined coats and the mary jane pumps were pure style, and put to great effect in the movies. In the thirties there wasn’t breast augmentation or the modern tight face lifts and exaggerated fillers. Women had jiggle walks and giggle lines. Jean Harlow and Joan Blondell ruled the decade, the firsts in a long line of blonde bombshells.
So I was a bit surprised that my first time seeing Great Garbo, in the Oscar winning 1932 movie Grand Hotel, was disappointing. She was so dramatic. While I expect the 1930’s actors to have a bit more stagecraft flair than actors from other decades, her flailing was unartful. She did use her lithe body to great effect, but it seemed too much. Have I been spoiled by modern portrayals of ballerinas? These days, they seem to be a quiet power until they bloom underneath the lights of the stage and the adoration of the audience. I also didn’t really understand the backstory of Greta’s character Grusinskaya, maybe that was the problem. I did not know what motivated her to be so extra, as we are deprived of her character arc. Perhaps it was the story or direction of Grand Hotel that was bad? John Barrymore was striking in the film, I bought his character completely. Joan Crawford was absolutely sublime.
I’ll watch the movie again, and other Greta Garbo films. Maybe this particular film wasn’t the best showcase for her talents.
Five Reasons to Make Healthy Choices
- Save money on snacks when I eat healthy
- The Pup loves walks
- Gives me more graphs to chart
- Breathing exercises are genuinely relaxing meditation
- It just feels good
Other challenges. Extended hang out time with The Sps. Logging consecutive days, completely. Past few days the fruit and veggie servings been 6-10, which is excellent. My calories have been kept to a reasonable level, my house is cleaner as I am keeping to a strict schedule. AND no night snacking for three days in a row! YEAH that’s a big deal.
Newest challenge, playing dress up, also going well. Today I am wearing a very cute pinkish brown sweater and one of my favorite new bracelets. I am obsessed with art deco and filigree style bracelets, and showcased a rose gold filigree bangle.
Grateful For:
-TCM, again. I was introduced to another movie starring Miriam Hopkins, The Smiling Lieutenant. Miriam Hopkins is one of the Queens of pre-code films.
-A book that sucks you in! I read half a book in one sitting last night. I thought the internet had ruined my attention span, yet I am fighting for it back.
-tried a new recipe today, played with it and viola! I have created one of the best chowders I have ever had, and it’s stocked with veggies.
Godspeed Y’all!
This content was previously written to ensure this was a true series, and to share insights.
Quick recap to orient the reader what is going on, the purpose of vlogging this process. The journaling is part of a 30 Day Challenge I started over a year ago. I consider that a component of the Future Self Journaling process. The gratefulness notes near the bottom of each self improvement post is also a specific and helpful part of Future Self Journaling.
The End