Italy + Letters + Romantic Comedy = Sweet!

I saw a sweet movie tonight called "Letters to Juliet." It is set in Italy, which is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited, and seeing Tuscany like that makes me want to go right now. I loved the soundtrack that features some Italian pop music and Taylor Swift. Cute love story! Here's the story from the movie's Facebook page:

Letters To Juliet is an enchanting story about love—of encountering new sparks and rekindling old flames. When a young American, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), travels to Verona, Italy—the romantic city where Romeo first met Juliet—she meets a group of volunteers who responds to letters written to Juliet seeking advice about love. Sophie finds and responds to a letter that has been lost for 50 years, which inspires its author Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) to travel to Italy to find her her long-lost soul mate. Together, the two women embark on an adventure that will change their lives forever—a journey filled with laughter and companionship, discoveries about themselves and the meaning of true love.

Love Vintage Swap!

I posted about a Love Vintage Swap a few weeks ago and now I'm ready to reveal the exchanges. What fun it was to hunt for specific items for both of my exchange partners. There was a trip to the antique mall in Chandler and several thrift stores, as well as raiding through my own vintage goodies.
Here's what I received from Alicia in Flagstaff, Arizona -- she sent me record album covers, two magazines (one with Queen Elizabeth on the cover), ephemera, Valentines, a book and lovely postcards.
From Georgiana in Singapore, I received several Chinese children's books with the library cards in them (The first picture has a great illustration of a motorcycle). She also sent an apron, hairclips, black and white photos and a harmonica.
Here is what I sent to them: To Singapore, I sent a Monkees and "I Love Paris" album and two 45 records of Cher and the Beatles. I also sent a couple of children's books, two French books and a paperback of the Beatles. I found a very mod turquoise-color plastic bangle and a scarf and included miscellaneous ephemera and postcards.
To Flagstaff, I sent a lot of vintage sewing items/notions/fabric/booklets/patterns. I also sent an apron in Alicia's favorite colors, wrapping paper, a porcelain deer and miscellaneous ephemera and postcards.

Jessica's "Daily Affirmation"

You are gonna love this little lady!

Fun with Fotos

First picture is of my darling niece, on her 12th birthday,
in her new chef's jacket. She really enjoys cooking!

On one of my recent trips, I ran low on chonies (underwear), so went to Super
K-Mart and got these. I based my purchase because it said, "Wedgie Free." Classic!

I love cooking for Nesto and when I make homemade tortillas, they do
not come out very round. I think this one is shaped like a stingray.

Gotta love a 1966 Cosmo magazine. Thanks, Angie!This sign was on the outside of a convenience store in North
Carolina. The "No Loafing" part made me chuckle.

I snapped this in front of the grocery store that I frequent. Parked at the bike
rack is a 3-wheeler with a basket, not locked up, and note the plastic skull
mounted on the front fender -- to give it that "bad ass" look. I live in the midst of several retirement communities, so most likely the bike belongs to a senior citizen.

We Love Illustrated Ink

This very talented Texas artist, Leila, is having a giveaway for one of her original art pieces which she titled, "Gothic Graciela." She is inspired by Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and tattoo-art. I have purchased lots of postcards and one print from her. The company is called "Illustrated Ink." Here is one of the postcards that she designed; you know how I love cupcakes!

"Love Vintage" package exchange

I'm in!

Coming and Going

These first two postcards are ones I made for Postcrossing. The first one has text from a vintage book, and the second one is a vintage Mexican postcard, so I used text from a vintage book in Spanish:
I rescued a large clear vinyl envelope from the charity donation pile in my sister's garage, knowing that it would make an excellent mailer. I sent this package, with an Italian theme to Julie in New Mexico. It has vintage Italian postcards, Italian opera sheet music, Italian newspaper, La Cucina Italiana cooking magazine, and some stationery. Ciao, Bella!

On Saturday, we took a day trip on the motorcycle up North to Prescott. As I posted on my Facebook, it was a day of: Wildflowers. Snow. Tumbleweeds. Antelope. It is perfect riding weather. We really did see wild antelope NE of Prescott.

This picture below overlooks the town of Sedona with the red rocks and on the left you can see Mt. Humphrey, the tallest peak in Arizona (12,633 ft), with a lot of snow. (click on it to enlarge)
This is a view into the valley before you arrive in Jerome, Arizona. I supported the local economy with some shopping downtown.
I have received some excellent incoming mail. This is an envelope from Elvira in Russia. Click on the picture to see the stamps. She included a lovely postcard of Princess Alexandra Pavlovna and a catalog of rugs and scarves -- all in Russian, which is so fascinating. I've studied German and Spanish and have seen lots of French and Italian but I can't make out a single word of Russian.
These are four handmade envelopes I've received: Clockwise from top L is from Megan in Australia, my Japanese friend used a floral calendar to make her envelope, the kitty is from Julie in New Mexico and the pink envelope is from a French postcrosser that is a children's book writer!
Here are the front of all the envelopes, as well as postcards I've received and a small parcel from Japan. Click on it to see the detail of the drawings on the pink envelope -- truly gorgeous!
I have a busy travel month for April. I am going to Texas for a quick trip this week; a work party to celebrate our successful project. Then I have a week in the twin cities (Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota) and a week in Brownsville, Texas. Ciao, Bella!