NYE Under the Sea

I will be the first to admit it; after all of that holiday merry making, I have lost a bit of steam.  So many parties, so many treats, so many lights and presents and music and fireworks - I'M POOPED!  In actual fact, it is a great state to find oneself; the pure exhaustion that comes from an abundance of good friends and happy times reminds me just how fortunate I am.

For the majority of my years on this planet, I have spent New Year's Eve snuggled deep under the covers of my bed, either watching a classic movie or, more likely, fast asleep.  Counting sheep rather than counting down always seemed a satisfactory way to ring in the new year and invariably I awoke refreshed and ready to watch that spectacle of floral fantasy, The Rose Parade.  The last few years have broken me of my hibernation habit; instead of sleeping, I have, like the rest of the world, actually participated in parties.  As it turns out, I have so thoroughly enjoyed greeting the dawn of a new year with friends, that now I can't imagine doing it any other way.

Our most recent December 31 celebration found us at the charming home of our friends, Damien and Allison, for their annual New Year's Eve festivities.  This year the merriment had an official theme, "King Neptune's Under the Sea Ball."  Most people know better than to give me a theme because once I'm committed, I'm like a dog with a bone.

A lobster Jell-O mold.
It was brought to my attention that it could be interpreted as something
other than a lobster but I assure you, a lobster it most certainly is.
As much as I LOVE Jell-O, I had never made an actual Jell-O mold;
There is plenty of room for improvement, but I was thrilled
 that it actually worked!

Release the Kraken!
I also made a dip that incorporated an idea I had seen online - a bell
pepper (capsicum for you non-Yankee types) octopus.

The evening's entertainment included the musical stylings of that siren of song, and one of our most favorite people, the inimitable Janet Klein.

If you've never had the opportunity to hear Janet sing, do yourself a favor
and look her up, tout suite!  She was accompanied on piano by the amazing
 musician, and regular Parlor Boy, the uber-talented Randy Woltz.

As if Janet wasn't enough, we even got to hear from another of our favorite songstresses, Amber Foxx!   And just because we are the biggest hams who won't let an opportunity to sing go unsung, Mary and I joined the music making with a few tunes as well.  There was a gift exchange where an original Little Orphan Annie decoder pin, a 1920's Niagara Falls scrapbook, and 1930's beauty products were among the coveted, and oft-stolen, items.  There was even a best-dressed contest and while Mary won, I will happily take full credit for her ensemble.

The under-the-sea theme allowed Mary a second chance
 to wear the mermaid costume I made for her sideshow freak
 birthday party.  After making many, many outfits that get
but a single use, I have become satisfied when every item
 finds at least a second chance to make its way out of
 the abyss that is her closet.

Music, gifts, and costumes may have been the highlights but, as per usual, pure hijinks filled the bulk of our party time. 

Party in the powder room!

Janell & Emily won the gold medal in the bathtub bobsled.

Amber makes like Tippi Hedren in The Birds.

Emily got in on the act too.
I think this is Amber's homage to Hitchcock's cameo in every film???

Right before we broke out into Cole Porter's "Friendship."

When graced with an invitation, I always do my best to live up to the part of worthy and worthwhile guest - if only to counterbalance my juvenile shenanigans.  For the countdown, I came prepared with a celebratory arsenal (toys, silly string, party poppers, etc.) that included:

Glow-in-the-dark tridents ( I told you I always try to team with the theme)

Horns as beautifully modeled by the
devastatingly-deco Katherine.

and noisemakers.
Benny & Jenn demonstrating the sound
of one hand clapping.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thanks to our hosts, we learned firsthand that it is indeed quite lovely "bobbing along on the bottom of the beautiful, briny sea."  We hope your New Year's Eve went just as swimmingly as ours!

"The Beautiful Briny Sea" from Disney's Bedknobs & Broomsticks

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Sew What?! A Gratuitous Outfit Post

I'm afraid that there is an epidemic of deafness in our neighborhood and it's ALL OUR FAULT!  Day after day, we stumble out the front door deafening our neighbors with the loudness of whatever crazy get-up we happen to be wearing.  Either that, or they think we're totally insane...

I really don't think of our clothes as "costumes," but I'm almost positive that we have sent at least one neighbor running to the calendar to see if they have missed Halloween.  I'll admit, sometimes it can get a bit theatrical.  After all, who wears western wear on a regular basis?  Who isn't a farmer or a five-year-old child, yet insists on wearing bib overalls?  Who goes on a weekend getaway and takes square dance appropriate garb should the occasion arise?  Who can leave the house in the morning in a 30's-style frock, come home, and after a flurry of teasing combs and a heavy cloud of hairspray, can dash back out the door in a 60's minidress?  (not all of these apply exclusively to Mr. Tiny...hahahaha)

(Photo by P. Oeser III)

Oh yeah, and then there's this...

But this actually WAS Halloween!

Last weekend our friends held their awesome, annual "It's Roughly The 4th of July" barbecue.  It is a huge gathering of folks for some old-fashioned, eating, dancing, and merry making; I thought it would be a good idea for Mary to debut the new, neighbor-confusing, ensemble that I made for her - a 3-piece playsuit.

My newest mania is to purge myself of all the extraneous stuff that I have amassed over the years.
This includes the ungodly fabric pile that, like a creature from a 50's science fiction movie,
continues to grow no matter what I do.  Oh, I'm not supposed to be feeding it more fabric?  Huh.

The blue floral, of indeterminate vintage, was used to make the shorts and the blouse;
 it was something I picked up very inexpensively at a thrift store.  The white overskirt was
 made of fabric that I had to go out and purchase...so much for stash busting! 

In my first attempt at applique (beyond ric rac, trims, etc.), I took portions
 of the fabric used for the shorts and top and "traced" them with a machine,
embroidery stitch onto the oversized pockets of the skirt and then trimmed away
the excess fabric...or something.
Sometimes I just jump into this stuff without any kind of instruction
 or appropriate terminology; I just cross my fingers and hope it all works out.

Side Note: Don't sew with your fingers crossed unless you want them to stay that way.

I kind of used the same technique to make the patches that I added
to the straps of her top.  I had recently seen a similar treatment on a
vintage dress and wanted to give it a go.

I've heard from several people that wearing vintage/vintage inspired clothing results in unwanted attention or worse, derision.  Oddly enough, whenever we go anywhere, I would say that 99.736% of the response we receive from people (friends, neighbors, strangers), as it relates to our clothing, is extremely positive.  As a matter of fact, our style choices often result in compliments, nostalgic remembrances, freebies/discounts, invitations, etc.  Furthermore, while they might still be under the impression that we are insane, most of those neighbors that I'm so worried about believe that we are on one never-ending circuit of dances, photo shoots, elegant soirees, and fancy dress balls.  Since it's a myth the absolute truth, I'll just let them go on believing.


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Chow Time: Circus Do-Nuts

If you saw our recent post, Get Your FREAK On: Just Your Average Family Freak Show, you'll know that we are method party-givers.  We trained at The Party-Givers' Studio and we are dedicated to doing thorough research to hone our technique.  When it's party time, we live it, we breathe it, and we NEVER break character!  It was only obvious, necessary even, that we search out local haunts that would get us into a circus "headspace." 

Now that's a great sign!

The circus, as a theme, is rife with possibilities.  Imagine (sometimes it helps to close your eyes) a donut shop with a trapeze artist, a clown, a balloon-animal artist, an elephant, and a ferris wheel.  Now imagine a donut shop with a faux-mansard roof painted in the red & white stripes of a big-top circus tent and the complete and utter absence of a trapeze artist, clown, elephant, or ferris wheel.  The latter describes Circus Do-Nuts.  That might sound like a little bit of a dig, but given the exciting potential, the management at Circus Do-Nuts doesn't allow the theme become fully-realized. 

Don't you kind of want to paint the chef's hat with a rainbow
afro and turn the man wearing the striped pants and See's Candy
 dress into a clown?  A circus clown.

Let it be said that I actually think Circus Do-Nuts is cool.  While it is definitely not the greatest donut show on earth, we truly appreciate any outlet of fried delicacies that maintains a charm and character that is so lacking in contemporary establishments of its kind.

The good bones are there including molded fiberglass chairs,
sherbet-colored formica....

...and checkerboard linoleum.

And then there's the donuts!

Are you getting tired of hearing me say that donuts (and practically everything else worth eating) are not on Mr. Tiny's current eating plan?  You are?  Well, trust me, not nearly as tired as Mr. Tiny is of not eating this delicious stuff!

My favorite part was the novelty toy vending
machine in the back corner of the shop.

Don't make fun of her...it only took her about
fourteen tries to put the quarters in.
Sometimes working a machine that is intended
for children can be really hard.

"Poo!"

We decided on the gag set - two whoopie cushions and a rubber spider.

If you're ever out and about in Torrance, be sure to check out Circus Do-Nuts.  It may not be the only place to buy donuts, lottery tickets, ice cream bars, and whoopie cushions, but for our money, it is the best circus-themed establishment in Torrance, CA at which to do so!

Circus Do-Nuts
1500 W Carson St
Torrance, CA
(310)320-7604


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

What Were You Doing New Year's Eve Eve? Yodel! Yodel! Yodel!

What in the heck is this?

Is it a Vistavision spectacular from Paramount Studios come to life? Nah.

A treacherous, snow-capped, mountain peak that would intimidate
even the most accomplished climber?  Getting warmer.
(Source)

If you guessed "Matterhorn Cake Pop," you'd be right.  Cake pops are so very au courant, and usually I am anything but, but when our friends Kevin and Jody hosted a Matterhorn-themed fete for their New Year's celebration, I knew I needed a wacky tacky treat that teamed with the theme.

The Abominable Snowman is a little camera shy
but he held the cake pops so I could take a quick photo.

Charles Phoenix and Kevin Kidney show off their Matterhorn cake pops - an honor to say the least.
Apparently, Mary disapproves of cake on a stick.

The real story here is not about cake pops, however; the parties held in the home of Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily are truly magical.  Kevin and Jody are extraordinary hosts and the wonderful variety of people that surround them are creative, gracious, brilliant, and generous.  Moreover, the earnest desires of the wacky tacky heart are fulfilled around every corner.  Two words - "player piano."

The fun always begins with a sing-along around the player piano.
Rolls included "Edelweiss" and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and a Christmas medley.
The best part came when we got to play Swiss bell ringers with a children's handbell set.

Other alpinists took a turn tickling the ivories.

One of our amazing hosts, Kevin calling everyone's attention with a handbell.
He is wearing traditional lederhosen and holding one of the
 three, 16mm reels to Walt Disney's Third Man on the Mountain
starring James MacArthur and Janet Munro - the evening's featured entertainment

Third Man on the Mountain (1959)

(Source)
To learn more about the history of this movie, please
check out this article from the Walt Disney Family Museum Blog.

The backyard movie theater.
 The film was projected against the wall of their barn/studio.  Guests huddled (and cuddled)
around glowing fire pits and sipped warm cider, mulled wine, and hot cocoa, while snacking on
popcorn, pretzels and other Swiss taste sensations - Yodels & Swiss Cake Rolls not included.

The most spectacular part of the evening was getting to meet Fred Burri, the original Matterhorn Yodeler at Disneyland.  At 85 years old, he still has major yodeling chops and everyone at the party was enraptured by his performance.

Fred Burri on the Matterhorn in 1963
(photo from davelandweb.com)

First Man on the Mountain
Another image of Fred on the Matterhorn
(photo provided by Dave at davelandweb.com)

We were only able to capture a tiny bit of one song (sorry for the poor video quality).

Rest assured, it was amazing!

Mary with the evening's guest of honor, Fred Burri.
His voice is still heard everyday in ride's the recorded music.

He still wears the exact same outfit from over 50 years ago!

An auditory E-Ticket for sure!

This was without a doubt one of the best parties of 2011!  It began what is one of the best weekends, and certainly the best New Year's celebrations, I have ever enjoyed!  Thanks Kevin and Jody and thanks to Mr. Burri!

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

p.s. Mr Tiny's New Year's resolution is to get a better camera and become a better photographer so the pictures and videos brought to you in this blog will be worthy of your readership.  Any tips on a good camera are welcomed and much appreciated.  Thanks!