Movie Stars of the 1920s Favorite Getaway: Hearst Castle

An invitation to "the Ranch" back in the days of Old Hollywood was like finding a real life golden ticket to meet someone who, in many ways, was like Willy Wonka -- without the chocolate. The guests of Hearst Castle included the greatest of the glittering Hollywood elite: David Niven, Joan Crawford, Charlie Chaplin, Errol Flynn, and Cary Grant.

If you were in the news, you might find yourself lucky enough to garner an invitation -- Hearst was in the publishing world, after all, and he loved to meet the people that made headlines.

Now, Hearst Castle is a State Park. For the fee of $25 per tour, you can enter the place that once upon a time, was esconced in mystery, only accessible to very few.

Classic Cinema, Golden Age of Cinema, SupernaturalStefanie CosmanOctober 7, 2019Comment

7 Scary Classic Movies

Modern cinema offers a plethora of scares; from Ari Astor’s nightmarish Midsommar to Jordan Peele’s psychological terror, Us, you don’t have to look far to get the living daylights scared out of you.

But lest you find yourself craving a more vintage scare, the following are some of the creepiest films to keep you in the spooky mood.

Classic Cinema, Supernatural, Classic Movie Round UpStefanie CosmanOctober 7, 2019spooky, ghost, halloween, scary movies, Alfred HitchcockComment

Marilyn Monroe's Favorite Books: A Classic Reading List

One might not think of Marilyn Monroe as a bookworm, but she actually considered literature one of her favorite hobbies. In fact, some argue that she was photographed reading more than she was ever photographed nude.

Knowing this kind of makes the following quote all the more meaningful, doesn’t it?

Her Favorite Things, Inspiration, Marilyn MonroeStefanie CosmanSeptember 9, 2019Marilyn Monroe Comments

Views from Sunset Boulevard

As I drive down Sunset Boulevard, I can see the Hollywood sign and I think about a quote attributed to Marilyn Monroe.

.“I used to think as I looked out on the Hollywood night there must be thousands of girls sitting alone like me, dreaming of becoming a movie star. But I’m not going to worry about them. I’m dreaming the hardest.”

Month in ReviewStefanie CosmanSeptember 2, 2019News, Hollywood, cinemaComment

9 Classic Breakup Movies to Help You Survive the End of a Relationship

The agony of a breakup is undeniable. You read inspiring pick-me-up articles that suggest you exercise, drown yourself in chocolate, and hang out with your gal pals. “Enjoy your independence!” they say.

Meanwhile, you are thinking of all the things you would rather experience than your present heartache. You would rather fall into a river infested with bloodthirsty pirhanas. Get an unexpected phone call from the IRS. Live through a fiery armageddon.

7 Dresses Under $35 that Mimic Classic Hollywood Dresses

There are trends in just about every area of life, from fashion, to music, to interior design, to cosmetics. From Instagram influencers to famous housewives, we are inundated with inspiration. But I think we can all agree that at times, it gets overwhelming. And just because fashion editors are talking about a trend, doesn’t mean the average person is wearing it. Because let’s be honest, we don’t all have budgets to match the lifestyles of the rich and famous.

I love Hollywood.

But have you ever wondered what everyday women are actually buying? I do. And I have found a hack that I rather like.

Mae West’s Favorite Things

A perfect combination of beauty and brilliance, the name "Lucille Ball" is almost synonymous with the term "screwball." But the woman was more than just a funny redhead -- she was known to be intelligent, at times serious, and a comedic genius. And we love her for all of those things.

We aren't alone. In the book Desilu: The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, Desi said: "Lucy was the show. Viv, Fred and I were just props. Damn good props, but props nevertheless. P.S. I Love Lucy was never just the title."

Designer, Her Favorite Things, Lucille Ball, Perfume, Recipes, T.V. FavoritesStefanie CosmanAugust 17, 2019Mae West, Her Favorite ThingsComment

Marilyn Monroe's Sexiest Beauty Secret

With curves that stretched for miles, ruby-red lips, and an inexplicable mystique, we can all agree that Marilyn Monroe is the greatest movie icon to ever live. Movie directors, Playboy magazine, biographies, heck, even Andy Warhol have tried to capture the secret to her allure.

Well, I am going to propose that there was one often-overlooked aspect that Marilyn Monroe always possessed—perhaps key to her image more than her husky voice or her elaborate makeup and fashion.

It is simply this: Marilyn Monroe effectively executed a seductive walk with a hip shimmy that one can’t help but ask, “How did she do that?” The answer might surprise you—and I am here to tell you.

Classic Cinema, Beauty Tips, Fashion, Marilyn MonroeStefanie CosmanAugust 15, 2019Marilyn Monroe, Shoes, fashion, Classic Cinema, Sex AppealComment

A Stone Fence: This Revolutionary War-era Cocktail Will Keep Your Fourth of July Historic

Happy Independence Day weekend! I hope you are celebrating life and liberty with your loved ones. While you are eating BBQ, jumping into lakes, and splashing in the hot sun, I hope you will drink a toast to the men & women who fought to give us our freedoms.

And I can't think of a better drink to do so than one steeped in Revolutionary War history.