Hallows’ Eve Libations

The Spellbound Cocktail, courtesy of coco + kelley

Here on the East Coast, Halloween is an especially frightening time, thanks to Frankenstorm.  Many areas are still without power and coastal damage is immense, causing some cities and states to reschedule the holiday altogether. Luckily, Philadelphia was not hit as hard as many other areas, but for me, a quiet night at home still feels like the most fitting way to observe this scarier than usual occasion.

My prescription for a stay-at-home celebration of moderate proportions? A festive drink, a pumpkin-stuffed meal, and a classic scary movie (think The Exorcist, Rosemary’s Baby, Psycho, and the like.) For those without power? Up the creepy-shadows factor with lots of strategically placed candles, substitute a Ouija board (or rounds of monster-themed Scrabble) for the movie, and double up on the drinks. (You've earned it!)

Here are a few of my suggestions for the evening...

Milky Way Martini 

Ginger & Apple & Bourbon

Sherwood Forest Cocktail

Campfire Martini

Blood Orange Manhattan

Ghost in the Graveyard, Screwed-up Screwdriver, 

& Berry Scary Martini

However you decide to celebrate, here's hoping that your Halloween is (safe) and happy! Cheers!

Images: as linked above.

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Paris Blues, and beyond...

Last week, I stumbled upon a midday screening of Paris Blues on TCM. Have you seen it? A young Paul Newman (gorgeous), Joanne Woodward (delightful), Sidney Poitier (debonair) and Diahann Carroll (beautiful!) all shot in glorious black and white in Paris, the City of Light. I was charmed. The jazz, the budding romances, the social undercurrents - it was a truly unexpected and delightful surprise.  

I’ve always been a fan of Paul Newman’s (especially the searingly handsome young Newman) and I love seeing him and Joanne Woodward together.  And the fact that I’d never seen this particular movie, made me wonder, what other early films of his haven’t I seen? 

Turns out, there’s a bunch. And so without further ado, I am embarking upon a “Paul Newman - the Early Years" marathon. On the agenda, Torn Curtain (1966), The Young Philadelphians (1959), From the Terrace (1960), Sweet Bird of Youth (1962), A New Kind of Love (1963) and Harper (1966).

I realize there’s a chance that not one of these films will offer up the same viewing satisfaction for me that Paris Blues did. But with Newman as the lead, they can’t be all bad, right?

Have you seen many of the actor's early films? Which one is your favorite?

Images: 1, 2, 3

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