Hollywood El Capitan and Cinderella

270 yards of ball gown! 3 miles of hems, and 10,000 Swarovski Crystals ...

When my sister and nephew came into town, we had a night out in Hollywood. (My nephew's request.) We got tickets online for Cinderella at the El Capitan, the old 1920s theater on Hollywood Boulevard. It's owned now by Disney so they always play their new films and documentaries there, and usually have a pre-show. 

What I love is that they usually have costumes there, from the movies. You might remember that from my Muppet movie post. 

There is a beautiful old organ in the theater and, that night, an organist playing it ...

Below, you can see the organist going down into the stage at the end of his set.

From the rafters, a blast of confetti, just before the show ...

Unlikely that you've missed the trailer but just in case ... 

I think my sis and I enjoyed the film a lot more than Benjamin, who is 9. He did say he liked the mice though! I loved the actress, Lily James, who played Cinderella (Rose on Downton Abbey!) The film was beautifully shot and definitely worth seeing, unless maybe your are a 9 year old boy!

Of course, I always appreciate costumes! My grandmother did costumes for all sorts of productions, including the light opera. My mom has made countless costumes and I designed costumes, living in San Diego, so I have a huge love of the craft. (I also love wearing them, but that's another whole subject!)

Fairy Godmother ...

Stepmother and stepsisters' dresses for the palace ball ...

 

Little princesses everywhere!

This Cinderella doll actually looked more like Anna Paquin, from True Blood! Am I right?

Heading from the El Capitan Theater and up into the Hollywood and Highland shopping area, where we parked ...

Hollywood and Highland

My sister said that the one thing she missed in the live action film, was the music. So just for her ... (I could only find the sing-a-long version to embed in the post! Excuse the awful intro and the even worse voice over tag at the end! eek!)

And the original 1950 Disney Trailer, for the animated feature ... (Is it me or did the same person do every single movie trailer voice over in the 50s? Love it!)

Of course, I love "So This is Love" which is so beautifully animated! If you want to see, click here.

But here are the lovely voices of Ilene Woods and Mike Douglas. :)

So this is love, mmmmm

So this is love 

So this is what makes life divine.

I'm all aglow, 

And now I now

The key to all heaven is mine ...

My heart has wrings, mmmmmm

And I can fly

I'll touch every star in the sky.

So this is the miracle that I've been dreaming of.

Mmmmmm

So this is love.

~Mack David, Jerry Livingston, and Al Hoffman

(So sweet, huh?!)

Los Angeles ~ Signs of Spring

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Spring has sprung here in L.A. ...

The accountant from my old commercial agency sells roses at the farmers' market, in Larchmont Village. If I show up toward the end, and she has extras ...
:)

Touches of pink are everywhere. Even through the glass at the pet store! Love this little chameleon!

Spring is when life's alive in everything.

~Christina Rossetti

Outside work ...

Oh! And I red about Daiso, this dollar-fifty store chain, and decided to scope it out. Turns out that there is one not to far from me, in a little shopping mall in Koreatown.

Almost everything is a buck fifty. I think I only saw a few other items for 3 bucks.

My best find were little stainless steel bento lunch containers, but these mini spice spoons and soft cheese knifes (at least that is what I am using them for!) below, were so cute and prettily packaged! Couldn't resist!

Cheap art supplies? What? Adorable.

I also bought some floral sponges that will be so cute in the kitchen. I am definitely going back! 

My grandma gave me this tray she found at the Assistance league thrift shop. Perfect for my little stones and crystals, and fits nicely in my bedroom window!

Never yet was a springtime, 

when the buds forgot to bloom.

~Margaret Elizabeth Sangester 

Speaking of my grandma, my sister and nephew came into town and we went out to my grandma's, in Whittier, to hang out and have lunch. Don't you love blossoming trees? I mean, who doesn't, but it really might be my favorite sign of spring.

Love this painting my grandma did!

I took the next two shots on another visit. Aren't these delicate, old, coin purses and bags lovely?

This silhouette is of my mom and done by my grandma. It hangs with 3 more silhouettes of my mom's sisters and are on the way up the stairs. They remind me of my childhood when I had to stand as tall as I could to see them, while trying not to fall down the stairs.

That night my sister, Ben and I headed to West Hollywood to Yoshi Sushi and then to see Cinderella at the El Capitan Theater. The next day, we went down to Exposition Park to see the Space Shuttle and then to Little Tokyo. I will save that for another post! It was a very busy 28 hours!

Writing this post, I've been listening to my Elton John mix. Here's one to share ...

Expect to have hope rekindled.

Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.

The dry seasons in life do not last.

The spring rains will come again.

~Sarah Ban Breathnach 

Blessings and light!

Southern California ~ In Gold, Green and Blue

Watch for all that Beauty reflecting from You

and sing a Love song to your Existence.

~ Rumi

This post is a mix of pics from the last few months, since Christmas, that I never got around to sharing!

Ah! And who doesn't love a little Bach!?

These first photos are in Ojai, just after Christmas ... A photo walk with my niece and nephew.

We are all bathed in the same light.

~Rumi

Los Angeles after the rain ... (yes, it actually rained!)

The alleys behind Melrose never get paved, so you must be extra careful not to lose a tire! Makes for cool patterns and reflections after the rain though!

Tractor Landscape

Mixed Media on Paper

Wyatt, 9 
Artist and creative philosopher  

Back in Ojai, in January or February ...

All the particles of the world are in love.

~Rumi

Each Moment contains

a Hundred messages from God.

~ Rumi

Oh look!

I open my eyes and the Beloved

releases the sun, the wind, the trees,

the birdsong, all for me to play with.

~ Rumi

Inspired by Georgia

Animation cell, mixed media 

Ruby, 9
Artist, hugger, and my tap dance instructor  

 Do you know what you are?

You are a manuscript of a divine letter.

You are a mirror reflecting a noble face.

This universe is not outside of you.

Look inside yourself;

everything that you want,

you are already that.

~ Rumi

Happy April, my friends!

Blessings and light!