My Fantasy New Years Eve Party

My dolly doppleganger has found herself living in an alternate dolly reality in New York City .
In a de-luxe apartment in the sky.
The girls were quite snug in their room,being babysat by a Guardian Angel,whilst Mommy and Daddy prepared for their hip Newyears Eve bash.
The hub most graciously ,agreed to bartend,so I could hostess and hob-nob.
Nicole Kidman arrives.
"Well honey,ofcourse I invited her,but who knew she'd show. I guess The Pagoda party really is the the most happenin' way to swing in 2007!"
Jennifer Love Hewitt arrives.
"Who invited her? Ya know ,ever since jumping on that whole... "I see dead people" bandwagon-thang ,her cool factor...um...not so much,but hey! Love the 80's side ponytail!"
Twiggy arrives.
"Twiggy you time traveled all the way from the 60's to attend,my little ol' shin-dig?I'm honored!"
Michelle Trachtenberg arrives.
"Hey,she's cool,remember her in Buffy The Vampire Slayer? Oh,thats right and then she did that Ice Princess movie,ummm,great dress tho'."
Beyonce' arrives.
"Beyonce',I'm so glad you wore your Deena Jones hair,make-up,and costume from Dreamgirls,whoa, easy on the grog there Nicole!"
"Its midnite everyone.Happy Newyear! Seems Beyonce' and Michelle are getting along. I think Nicole and Love had fun too.Did Twiggy go back to the 60's ?"
"Oh honey,I'm so glad the ratio of male dollys to girl dollys worked out in my favor!"
"Yep thats the last of them,the taxi cab just picked up Nicole. Oh yes,Michelle and Beyonce' really clicked, wasn't 2006 wonderful!"
Heres wishing everyone a Happy Newyear and a wonderful 2007,and to all a goodnight!

Vintage Christmas Swap,from Anastasia

Thats right Christmas is still booming at the Pagoda!Just take a look at the goodies I recieved in The Vintage Christmas Swap(sponsored by Vintage Swaps) from Anastasia,of Anastasias Drawing and Dreaming.Beautiful and bright Pagoda lanterns,a Cath Kidston style notebook,A large plastic reindeer (that I am mad for,his little head turns!),a gorgeous tablecloth in the yummiest shades of chartreuse,pink,yellow and gold,and ...
probably my favorite little bauble,this darling sailor girl from the 50's!
She included a beautiful vintage card.
These tiny little plastic bits and bobs are right up my alley!Note:The hub gave me a new camera,and I think my blogtography just might get better!
More tiny plastic yummies.
Flocked santas(love these guys).
Little rhinestone holiday brooches,perfect to add to my collection.
This oh-so-sweet plastic(I love plastic)lavender jewelry box that many of my goodies came in.
She even included these goodies for the girls. The Littlest Flower Blossom ,loves the Eloise paper doll playset,while the Hello Kitty stickers are cool enough to get on Crooked Halos radar!Thankyou Anastasia,for taking the time to be so thoughtful,and sending these goodies all the way from Australia!So fun to make a new friend from another part of the world!

Merry Christmas from The Pagoda

Freinds visit my site
A virtual open house.
A cyber fam'ly.

What fun we've had this Christmas season! I am hoping everyone is really enjoying their friends and family! In the Newyear you wiil notice lots of new freinds in my sidebar in the mean time get a load of These clever folks who took part in my Haiku challenge !

Wait,I Need Another Day!!!

Are any of you ready? There is so much I didn't finish.I am hostessing a Christmas eve party tonite so I must dash Like Dasher! I never posted my Littlest Flower Blossoms ,decor,so heres a sneak peak till next year!I hope your Christmas eve is lovely!

Holiday Goodies to Eat!!

Well,I simply must find time to make something to serve in my Vintage paper trays from Germany ,(thrifted ages ago)mustn't I? So just in case you still need some quick and easy goodies to serve for X-mas eve,heres some ideas!How about Mocha Rumballs from this recipe ! MMM, MMM good, just don't light a match to close,while imbibing,I mean ingesting.
Or you could serve Santa surprise cookies,oh so easy. Pre-made refrigerated sugar cookie dough,line your cookie tray with rows of one slice then go back and put a mini snickers bar in the middle,go back and cover with another slice of dough,bake and decorate as you please ,soooo fast !
Last but not least these "stained glass windows" really ARE the easiest and tastiest candy you'll ever make. Thank you Jennifer fromThe Felt Mouse! I am not such a Martha Stewart in the kitchen ,but these recipes are fool proof (and guaranteed to put you off the South Beach Diet!)
Happy munching!

My Own Vintage Clothing Fashion Magazine,the Holiday issue

I didn't think I was going to be able to "go to press" in time to inspire this month. I have been so "wrapped" up in decorating that I almost forgot my absolute favorite thing to do in Pagoda-ville! Muse about vintage clothes!
Of course the holidays are the perfect time to think about vintage clothes. Vintage clothes for wearing,vintage clothes for giving,and how about vintage clothes for decorating. Well ofcourse,why not put up a X-mas prom dress? The strapless bell shape from the 50's is the same silouhuette as a perfectly shaped tree!The net takes the metal hangers so well(as long as its not fragile and decaying),string it with lights,and voila! This is a picture from the archives of the original Jungle Dream Pagoda back when it was a swingin' bachelorette pad called,Barbies Exotic Jungle Dream Pagoda. Now its merely a swingin' state of mind in cyber space,but I digress,more on my sites name sake when I hit the big 1-0-0 post coming soon (oh yes ,I have big plans!).I have a different vintage prom dress on reserve to decorate for Crooked Halo next year.
Don'tcha just love these vintage holiday pins(you may click on any image to enlarge)? I generally wear them in multiples on the bib of my over-alls,but I always thought they would be lovely to trim a mini tree.
My proposed ensem. for X-mas eve,a little see-thru holiday-esque green jacket,over a see-thru blouse(inherited from my great aunt),over a white corset,with multiple vintage green baubles.My fa-vo-rite Christmas apron,and ofcourse cowboy boots(I gotta be me).
Heres a close-up of the apron. Do you see the angels?

My favorite Christmas elf in her new creation made of vintage goodness.

I have always worn vintage for New Years Eve, and I am sure this year would be no exception.That is if I actually went out on that champagne night! I'm pretty sure this is what I would wear: This AMAZING bronze, taffeta dress with "eye-lashes" on the fabric.The fit and flare shape is perfect for indulging in one too many rum-balls at holiday office parties.I have added gloves, a lace scarf with a deco rhinestone brooch,and finished off with Vivienne Westwood platform pumps.
For a handbag,why not try that tiny lucite bag? What more does a girl need beyond her lipstick, cell-phone, and taxi fare?
Have a very vintage Christmas everyone!

Note: please forgive dusty floors in blogtography shots,My 2nd bathroom renovation was finally completed today,and even though I mopped its still a dust bowl around these parts!
If you missed any of "My own vintage clothing fashion magazine" issues,here they are:
September
October
November

Another Pagoda Christmas Haiku,and a Challenge !

Spinning silver tree.
you have loved two families.
What tales can you share?

I love this sort of introspective but simple poetry,quite often just give me a topic and I can go to town!The scheme of a Haiku is soooo simple 5 syllables on the top line, then 7, then back to 5. Within that framework ,I feel so safe to create(just wait till you get a load of my Cinnquain). Heres the challenge:leave me a comment in the form of a holiday Haiku,or even better,post one on your own site,let me know your joining in the fun and I shall link to everyone on Christmas,my gift to my blogpanions!

Christmas Day Entertainment and a Theatrical meme

What can I not WAIT for on Christmas day? Well ,besides family and Santa and presents and turkey,I cannot wait to see Dreamgirls!This piece is Broadway royalty,(that and we all know Jennifer Hudson was robbed on American Idol,I cried when she was booted),I am so excited to see this film version. Give me a truly wailin' female voice to listen to and I am as happy as a pig in mud!The original book was done by Playwright Tom Eyan,who wrote one of my favorite one-acts of all time,"The White Whore and The Bit Player"an odd little piece loosely based on Marylyn Monroe and originally done at the LaMama. I was lucky enough to do this show in college(white whore,not dreamgirls)and all this anticipation puts me in the mood for something revealing. In blogworld I regularly read little questionaires,folks tag others to answer questions about themselves. Well I have been tagged!! One of my dearest freinds and The Littlest Blossoms Godfather of The Stephen Mosher Blog has asked me to share. This might not be the sort of thing most of my dear readers are interested in ,(althought my answer to #4 is highly amusing ,upon reflection anyway!)so I ask you to indulge this very special ,to me, post. I tag you Timothy!

1. What director gave you your 1st lead?
When I was a sophomore in Hischool,David Coffee,cast me as Tuptim in "The king and I". I was NOT popular with several Jr and Sr girls for this coup ,although most forgave me when they saw the make-up regime this pale child went through every night. I believe the MaryKay product was called "Red Earth".

2. What was your quickest costume change?
Probably in the Batman Stunt Show when I changed from Selena Kyle to Catwoman.I did a highfall into a vat of poison then appearedat the top of the set before the slide for life carried me across the stadium (luckily one can underdress spandex).

3.Do you have any real superstitions?
Oh,you know just the usual,never quote "the Scottish play",never say "good luck"

4.Biggest screw up on stage?
Okay,I can laugh about it now,but at the time I was quite undone by it.I was ask to fill in for the catterpillar/butterfly in Alice in Wonderland (a childrens show with an audience full of CHILDREN). This request came the night before I went on .It was no more than 10-15 lines over 2 scenes with an easy song thrown in.We met an hour before call and the rehearsal was hunky dory! We had 2 shows that day,the 1st went great! I mined the beast for laughs the original actor hadn't thought of. 2nd show,I guess I got a little cocky making the parents laugh at my Cheech and Chong inspired use of the hookah,because before you can say white rabbit,I had said "its good shit, try it". I don't know if the look on the actresses face playing Alice or the look on mine was more priceless. The director met me as I exited,and the theatre already had a prepared statement,"oh no ,she said ,its good you SHOULD try it".Those that know me best understand the irony of this situation. I had no real experience playing this "burntout" intention,and was quite the goody 2 shoes.Thankfully they did know me at this theatre and all was forgiven(eventually)and muey laughs were had by all(mostly at my expense)!

5.Most annoying theatre petpeeve.
Being ask to wear false eyelashes,they sting!

6.Who have you never worked with that you've wanted to?
Idina Menzel or Rene Moreno

7.Do you/have you ever had a theatre crush ?
Oh yes, and here at 13 and a half years I would say it really worked out!

8. What actors/actresses do you most admire?
So many,Annette Benning,Judith Ivey,Glen Close,Mary Louise Parker,Audrey Hepburn,Johnny Depp,Idina,Kristen Chenowith etc.... and on and on.

9.Who is your favorite director to work with?
Bruce Coleman

10.Choreographer?
Bruce or Linda Leonard,she really works with my strengths.

11.Musical Director?
Its a tie, Terry Dobson and Lee Harris

12.What was your most uncomfortable costume?
Probably the next to nothing I wore in Ondine,getting in and out of the water and then going outside when it was cold!

13.If you could dance like anyone who would it be?
Gene Kelly

14.Have you ever been cast in a role you thought was wrong for you?
OOo,let me count the ways. In college I was cast as Beverly in "A Shadow Box",she is an alcoholic nympho,I was a virgin tee-totaller. Then theres,being cast as Marta in "Company",there are so many roles in that show I am right for,Marta is not one of them.

15.What was your strangest audition?
I'm sure it involves improv and The Theatre Garage(one needed a penicilin shot just to enter the building).

16.What is your favorite audition song?
This one is ever changing ,but I always go back to "Vanilla Ice Cream".

17.Have you ever dated anyone at the theatre,did it work?
See #7 oh,and blogtography of my golden angels!

18.Is there any role that you played that you could play better now?
I did Blanche in college and did not yet have the rich tapestry of life experiences to truly do her justice, although I believe my imagination and love and understanding of Mr Williams work,still created a performance to be proud of.


19.What is your dream role?
I probably will never get the chance,but I think I could bring a little sumpin' sumpin' to Elphaba.


20.have you ever worked backstage?
Does directing count?

21.If you could have one job on Broadway what would it be?
Actor

22.What is the worst community Theatre Production you've seen?
Not sure.

23.Most painful theatre experience?
Linda Eder in Jeckle and Hyde.

24.What is your favorite role you've played?
Can I choose 2? Mrs Walker in "Tommy" and Belle in"Dreams From A Summer House"

25.What junkfood do you crave in the theatre?
I do not tend to eat in the theatre,but I do drink more water than usual.

26.Do you have a favorite rehearsal outfit?
With regards to what I rehearse in,I tend to pull things out of my closet that reflect the show .For example,when I played that blythest of spirits, Elvira,I pulled fom my vintage negligee collection and always topped my clothes with a piegnoir.

27.What show have you rarely seen done that youi wish someone would do?
Follies

28.What is your favorite venue to perform in?
Right now ,definitely The Uptown Players space,but I still love the Theatre Three space.

29.Favorite venue to see a show?
That Broadway theatre that I saw "An Inspector Calls"

30.What is your proudest theatrical accomplishment?
Is it okay to say my girls(since they rather indirectly came out of the theatre.)?

31.What is your biggest mistake?
I'm guessing you mean onstage,see#4,oh,and then theres the time I played Barbra Allen,barely ate and fainted on opening night in "Dark of the Moon",right when I was marrying the witch boy. The townspeople improved "She been witched"!

32.What show could you never see again and not miss?
Fiddler on the Roof


33.Whose singing voice do you most enjoy listening to?
Idina,Rebecca Luker and my 10 year old daughter who blows me away(she will play Elphaba).Non-theatrically I must also mention,Kate Bush and Elizabeth Frazer.

34.What is your fondest theatre memory?
I have 2 ,meeting my husband in "The Fantasticks",and meeting 2 of my best friends in "Ondine".

35.What do you enjoy most about theatre?
The joy of the work.

36.Are there any theatre companys you won't work for?
I would work for them all!

37.Ever been left hanging on stage?
I think mostly I did the leavem' hangin'(especially poor Alice).Gotta change it up ya know?

38.Regrets?
I could say I wish I had gone to NewYork,but the truth is, I love my life just AS it is. Being a Dallas Equity actor,I have had the pleasure of playing roles,living a lifestyle and doing things in a way that few of my Equity brothers and sisters in N.Y. have.

40.Ever take a role as a favor?
In Dallas they don't really pass out contracts as favors.

41.What is the biggest sacrafice you've made for a show?
When I lived in Indy,Dallas called for a wonderful show called "Triumph of Love".My oldest daughter and I came and stayed with my folks for 6 weeks so I could play the cross-dressing Princess,leaving my sweet and understanding husband in the midwest to cheer me on.

42.If you could direct your dream show what would it be?
Directing was never my calling,so I pass on this query.

43.When was the last time you were onstage?
Last night I was rehearsing a benefit.

44.Have you ever won an award?
In hischool I won best supporting actress twice,and various speech tournament trophies. In college I won best actress twice(once for Blanche). My freshman year I won best female newcomer.I have won critics forum awards,since becoming a professional actor.

45.Is there anyone with whom you refuse to work?
No,and just as soon as you make such a proclamation,you will break it.

46.If you were to walk away from the theatre now which friends would tou take?
All of them.

47.Of all the #s stored in your phone how many are theatre peeps?
Probably half.

48.What is your most random prop story?
During Blthe Spirit,my friend Leslie(who later played Hugh Jackmans mother in flashbacks in "The Boy from Oz")took me backstage after a performance and showed me "the Cocktails" already poured and set up for the NEXT nights performances. Now ,I played a ghost so I had no requirement to imbibe,but those other poor actors ,Bleh!

49.What is your most random set story?
In college I did a Moliere piece on a giant jungle gym ,that we climbed all over.Oh and after my fainting spell in "Dark of the Moon" I was supposed to climb up a mountain,so the director changed the blocking so the other Witches could surround me and catch me just in case.

50.What would make you stop doing theatre?
NOTHING !!!

Traditions,The Neighborhood Nativity

We live in what I would describe as (dare I say it?) an old-fashioned neighborhood.Its a close knit community where our liitle ones converge on the street before dinner and ride their bigwheels and trycicles as the mommies skurry about visiting and watching for cars.When there is a new baby we make a schedule and cook for that family.In the summer there is early morning swim team at our neighborhood "club" for the older children and afternoon swim lessons for the little ones. What to do in the winter? For the past 3 years,the neighborhood has sponsored a lovely Nativity and hot choklit'event. Being the actress of the community,they very sweetly ask me to be Mary.
This year I ask if I could direct the event.You know just a little sprucing up,a couple of cues for the little shepherds ,so their mommies won't have to say "go" and push them toward the manger in their little bathrobes.It was another succesful year,but total bummer, no pics of Magic ,the nipping llama or Dolly the sheep(note to self: Mary does not need to wear red lipstick next year)!
Finally a picture of my other golden angel,Crooked Halo sang her sweet little heart out. Singing "Silent Night" a'cappella is no easy feat,American Idol,here we come!

A Christmas Haiku (Pagoda Style)

Traditions and vintage
unwrapped, bringing back mem'ries.
Love expressed through stuff.

The Family Tree!

Here it is, my ABSOLUTE favorite Christmas item. My aluminum Christmas tree that spins! We inherited it from my husbands grandmother,and I will say it again ,for me,Christmas is family and tradition. I use my beloved tree to tell the story of our family. I decorate with only gold and silver and most ornaments have a special meaning and remind us of special times in our lives.
These lovely little girls above and below remind me of ornaments I had as a child,and I simply could not decorate the tree without a liberal dose of vintage.

This one hung on the tree awaiting the arrival of baby Crooked Halo (before we even knew she was a girl).She sits on a crescent moon,more about that symbol later.
This is our most recent acquisition ,to remind us of Hawaii. She is etched in the cut glass windows of the Le'olani palace . The only royal palace on American soil.
This Shag ornament commemorates the 50th anniversary of Disney Land,and we were there.
You might notice many sun and moon ornaments floating freely on our tree. I met my sweet husband playing opposite him in, The Fantasticks ,act 1 takes place in the moonlight and act 2 takes place in the sun. The show played in December so these symbols have extra special meaning to us at Christmas time.
The family business (or atleast passion).
We giggle at this poor child every year and call her "the ugly angel" ,I do not like that word ,but somehow she makes it warm and fuzzy,and we have deep affection for her.
The ornament waiting the arrival of The Little Petal.
On our 10 year anniversary,we were at Seaworld,my husband ask me what I wanted . When I saw this fish with 10 hearts on her ,I knew I had found the perfect thing(plus she wears false eyelashes like my mother!).
Another favorite vintage ornament.
The Madonna angel.
My girls think silver is the traditional Christmas tree color,and would find a real tree to be not Christmasy at all. Crooked Halo tells me several times during the season"Mom ,no one has a more beautiful tree than ours".Ofcourse I agree with her ,but thats just because this particular tree tells OUR story.