That Vintage Girl

If you dream in cinematic monochrome, long for the whispered secrets of Hollywood's early days, and appreciate the architectural charm of 1920s Los Angeles, you will enjoy reading The Castle on Sunset by Shawn Levy.  The book is a biographical novel about one of Hollywood's most famous haunts, the elegant and romantic Chateau Marmont.  Built in 1929, in the style of a French Gothic castle, the Chateau Marmont has stood majestically on one of California's most famous streets, Sunset Boulevard. It has silently witnessed and adapted to the changing scene from an urban neighborhood outside the city limits of Los Angeles to the glamorous playground of the stars.  Due to its proximity to the major Hollywood studios, it quickly became a sanctuary for Hollywood legends who sought refuge and privacy, but was also a place where the lines between art, love and tragedy often intertwined. The author unveils decades of tales from passionate romances and scandalous secrets to ...

The thought of rainy days often conjures a feeling of confinement and a pause from the routines of daily life.  But there are many ways to turn a grey day into a cozy and peaceful retreat that welcomes an escape from the busy pace of daily life.   Rainy days provide an opportunity for rest and  rejuvenation. The sound of raindrops creates a soothing and calming sound. It is the perfect time to catch-up on reading a book, watching a movie, working on hobby or just watching the rain from a cozy chair with a cup of cocoa.  Rainy weather also fosters a unique sense of community as people gather indoors or brave the raindrops and exchange smiles under their umbrellas. Rain is also nature's irrigation system that rejuvenates and sustains the beauty of our ecosystems. These things remind us to appreciate the simpler things in life and find beauty in the change of seasons.  In the words of the 19th century English author John Ruskin: "Sunshine is delicious, rain is...

Built in 1926, the 260-foot Franklin Avenue Bridge in Los Angeles, California is a very unique and charming storybook-style bridge with arches, turrets and towers that is more reminisce of Elizabethan London than Southern California. Because of its romantic and old-world style architecture, it has become know as the Shakespeare Bridge. It was designed by civil engineer J.C. Wright to provide a vital roadway across a deep ravine and to complement the aesthetic style of homes being built in the Franklin Hills neighborhood of Los Feliz during the 1920s.  The Shakespeare Bridge also provided access to the early Hollywood production companies, like Vitagraph and Disney Studio, that were located just a few blocks east of the bridge.  It was designated a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1974 and it is a unique example of early 20th century Los Angeles historic architecture that continues to charm both locals and visitors.  Shakespeare Bridge Source: Los Angeles Public L...