Mingling Mondays: Keeping it La Cucina

KittenCouture — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0700

As you know, Mondays are always dedicated to food and today, I thought we would present food in another way! During my interview with A.W. Gryphon, the novelist of Blood Moon, I found out that she is a screenwriter and while she has this new book release, yesterday, her movie, La Cucina, showed at the LA Femme Film Festival. This festival looks to support women filmmakers and is also a great way to have a Q&A with those in the know in the industry! You can still check out the days events although it has concluded. But I definitely wanted to share some info about the movie as I would love to see this when it comes out on DVD or if it appears in a festival in my area!

La Cucina has an amazing cast including: Christina Hendricks (Mad Men), Joaquim de Almeida (Clear and Present Danger), Leisha Hailey (The L Word), Rachel Hunter (Rodeo Girl), Oz Perkins (Legally Blonde), Clare Carey (Jericho), Kala Savage (That 70's Show) and Michael Cornacchia (The Bernie Mac Show)and is a story about how lives can connect and the complications that exist when there is so much being done, but not said. At the same time, no matter the complications, there are commonalities and there is a central place - the kitchen is such a place. It's a place where people can come together and share in a way that other places may prove difficult. The movie centers around four meals and although there may not be an ending that ties everything together, there is something to be said about having the possibility of a happy conclusion or at least the hope to make things right.

Sippin Saturdays: Lunch With A.W. Gryphon

KittenCouture — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 05:00:00 -0700

Fashionable Fridays are always about amazing fashions and people and I am so excited to share a great interview that I had earlier this month. At the beginning of the month, I tweaked your interest with a post about an interesting novel that recently came out and I let you know that throughout Oct, you would get to know more about it! Last week, during Thursday's Beauty Segment we presented various beauty treatments/rituals that appear within the pages of A.W. Gryphon's novel, Blood Moon; moreover; she generated this list.

Today's post brings tidbits of the novel while also learning about the author as well. Blood Moon is a novel that not only looks at the typical theme of good and evil but presents a well researched look on what happens through time and how many choices and decisions may not be of your own free will. In Amelia, the main character, we are also presented with the age old question of nature versus nurture and which one plays out. More importantly, this book doesn't focus on the choices made but creates an understanding of how events can come into play to allow someone to go in one direction versus another. As an outside observer, we are able to see how the individual people and events are very intricate puzzle and at the conclusion of this novel which is apart of a three book series, you find yourself pleased to be apart of the journey while being as conflicted as Amelia herself.

In addition to this, this story is very October appropriate whether you are focused on Halloween or Harvest principles. This story looks and follows various historic times in history in terms of Witches and Wiccans. While this theme plays on, we can also appreciate the very modern world that Amelia lives in which includes Chanel, the need to infuse beauty regimines within daily life, a love of art and as we leave her native San Francisco, we are also pleased to embrace London where most of the story takes place. This book was so compelling that it was extremely difficult to tear myself away and as I closed the last page, I wished that it was next Spring when the next chapter is slated to arrive. In addition, Gryphon took great care to think about the names of each character and to ensure that everyone matched what their personalities were meant to be.

Without giving too much away, I was left with so many questions - why was this topic chosen, what am I supposed to come away with in reading this book and most importantly who is A.W. Gryphon. One of the things that I am very appreciative of is the open dialogue between myself, Ms Gryphon and her assistant! We shared so many ideas in terms of how I wanted to introduce her to all of you and I loved that she was very hands on! So it was all of this goodwill and excitement that I took with me as I entered Saks on a Sun to have a lunch session with the author herself. In addition, As I left the chocolate cafe, passed through the amazing 8th floor of shoes and met Gryphon in the actual cafe we were supposed to meet, I realized that various nonverbal clues were telling me a lot about her!

I loved that she had already begun to shop for shoes and that I loved the handbag that she carried, as someone who is a huge fan of accessories - I am always on the lookout for this. I also love that she had an amazingly simple and yet fashionable outfit. Decked out in James Perse, with her hair pulled up, I knew that she was everything like the person who I emailed weeks earlier and she had an ease of character that flows through the book compelling you to continue reading.

During lunch, I asked Allison how she became inspired to write this book! Surprisingly, I found out that she is not a practicing witch or Wiccan; however, she researched it so well that I had assumed that she was. In addition, this book reflects bits of her own footprints in that she grew up in San Francisco and loved the idea of strong women (which you will find in the book) and was introduced to various religions which created an interest in general. She also loves London which is why it became the backdrop of the novel and is why art was such an importance in the book as well.

Interestingly enough, this novel does not depict the witch in terms of the expected "hocus pocus", rather it creates a quick historical education of the celtic Druid tradition. There is a focus on the strength of women and their importance in the cycle of life. More importantly, Amelia is a character that we can identify with that has the same ups and downs that women have.

When reading this novel it is completely cinematic and I began to wonder who would star in this movie. Interestingly enough, we both agreed that one of the characters, Jeremy who plays a significant role in Amelia's upbringing - we equally loved the idea of Jeremy Irons or Anthony Hopkins to play the part. Gryphon's wishlist also include a young Cate Blanchett to play Amelia. Finally, Dorian who is a central figure in the opposing group of witches could be a David Bowie - hands down. I hope to see this book as a movie and to see who the actual characters would be.

What intrigued me about this book is learning about Gryphon herself! I llove the fact that she is an accomplished screenwriter (we will cover her films later this month), she created a novel simply from an interest and research. Finally, her sense in giving back to various charities is also important. We are both involved in Surfrider's Organization as we believe in clean waters that we can all enjoy, she believes in the Shambala Preserve which is run by Tippi Hedren and strives to be a safe haven for big cats that have been mistreated and she is also apart of the Entertainment Industry Foundation which supports various causes as Breast Cancer. I love someone who believes in various causes and follows their passions as well. Make sure that you take a moment to visit Blood Moon's website; moreover, it is available on Barnes & Noble and Amazon!

Trendy Thursdays: Makes Scents

KittenCouture — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 06:58:20 -0700

I love having a nice scent that you can carry with you without having too much in your bag. These cute slim line perfumes are perfect and who doesn't need to not only begin the day smelling fresh but to have something on hand that allows you to freshen up without the bulk of having large containers. So I have been juggling between two scents - Citrus Vervain which definitely wakes me up in the morning and then there is the subtle smell of Sweet Tea which is my personal favorite. It has amazing staying power and yet, I find myself reaching for them when I am out and about or need a pick me up! Elizabeth W is a beautiful collection with great natural scents that just allow you to enjoy them without feeling overpowered. With a number of items in their product line beyond perfumes, this is a great way to build up your body care products!

Kitten Lounge

Mingling Mondays: Keeping it La Cucina

Sippin Saturdays: Lunch With A.W. Gryphon

Trendy Thursdays: Makes Scents