My Second Most Favorite Show (After "True Blood")

I'm a latecomer to "Mad Men" even though I've been aware of its existence since it started.  I have no idea WHY I haven't been watching it other than I watch "True Blood" on Sunday night and for some reason I thought, oh, I don't know why, I just haven't watched it.  OK?  The first three seasons are now on DVD so after I rob a bank I'm going to buy the set, plop myself down in front of the TV and blob out on "Mad Men."

Fact:  I adore Jon Hamm but I prefer him as Don Draper over his own actual real person self. 

(The Don Draper Ken doll comes with a briefcase, raincoat--which he seems to really enjoy tossing at the receptionist every day--and fedora.  Imagine prancing into your office today and throwing your raincoat at your Gal Friday.  She'd turn right around and strangle you with it!  Oh, and you want coffee, Mr. Draper?  Of course!  Where do you want it--in your crotch or over your head you sexist muthaeffer!!!!).  I'm the proud owner of all four Barbie Does Mad Men dolls seeing as how I'm a card-carrying Barbie Fan Club member.  Barbies are about the only new things I collect, though--I have this really weird aversion to bringing previously-played-with Barbies into my home. 

Fact:  I was employed in the fabulous world of advertising and public relations for many years and I remember being able to smoke at my desk.  It was wonderful!  Plus I was a bitch Assistant to the Boss so no one dared complain.  Even more wonderful!

Fact:  Those overhead fluorescent lights made everyone look like they were about to throw up.  

Fact:  Even though the show LOOKS authentic, I beg to differ.  For instance: In researching my font style for my new blog banner (which is Amazone and is period-correct la de dah) I learned that many of the fonts used on the show are NOT period-correct.  OMG!  Call the Font Police!  They're using fonts from 1986!!  Obviously I, and the person who wrote a whole blog post about this, have waaaaaaaay too much time on our hands.

Speaking of period-correct stuff, start drooling now.  I found me some barkcloth, boys and girls!

I found two 33-1/2"x84" panels--someone had removed the curtain rod stitching in case the next owner wanted to make pillows or seat cushions, I guess.  I'm thinking these would look fabuloso in La Condo's master BR.  Now if I can just get the hubby to stitch them back up we'll be good to go!

Here's what they look like from the back.  I'm pretty certain they're vintage and they're in incredibly good condition.

I've noticed in many of your posts that barkcloth is highly desirable when decorating the "new vintage" home and I've also noticed that everyone mentions how expensive it is.  NO FREAKING KIDDING!  I nearly fainted the other day (prior to getting these) when I saw a couple vintage panels (again with the stitching removed) for over $300!  Someone told me they're still making barkcloth in the old patterns so it's possible to get the look without going into too much debt but of course everyone's first choice would be vintage.  So there I was, wandering around my new favorite antique store, Blue Moon in Pensacola, FL, and there was a booth way in the back with one shelf labeled 50% OFF.  Guess what was sitting on that shelf?  Yup.  I got those panels for $19.95 each.

VintageChristine be proud of herself, she is. 

Here's the latest reincarnation of one section of my Mississippi living room.  Last night before "True Blood" and "Mad Men" I pulled my repro Crosley "Traveler" record player out of its box (finally--I've only had it for six months but that's my secret trick for when your husband notices it and says, "Hey, when did you get THAT?" you say, "Oh, I've had that forEVER") and put on a Ray Coniff album.  I LOVE the Ray Coniff orchestra!  When you play his albums you don't need to know the words to the songs (The Way You Look Tonight, They Can't Take That Away From Me, Someone to Watch Over Me, etc.) because his singers don't either!  All they do is go "dee do DAH dah, DEE dee dee dee do."  His use of wordless voices (an actual term which I personally did not make up) is awesome.

(Please overlook the potential fire hazard at the wall outlet.  I meant to hide that.  Sorry, but hey, I TOLD you I'm bad about staging).

Before "Antiques Roadshow" comes on tonight I think I'll listen to a little "The Hits of Louis & Keely" (from the album jacket: "By all odds, the combination of Louis Prima and Keely Smith shouldn't work.  How could Louis, a confirmed inciter to riot, and Keely, normally a model of smoky-voiced sobriety, do anything but clash? But clash they don't.  Explode they do!  The repercussions have set uncontrollably rocking the otherwise blase' patrons of such fun zones as Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe's South Shore and night spots like New York's Copacabana.  Here, in short, are Louis and Keely at their antic, frantic--even romantic--best.")  If you're not familiar with Louis Prima (who is from New Orleans) use this link to learn about this incredible entertainer.

The Jerry Murad's Harmonicats album, featuring harmonic renditions of "Moon River", "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing" and "Over The Rainbow" may have to wait, although the liner notes make it hard to keep on the back burner: "Those who mistakenly consider harmonica playing a notch above wheezing through tissue paper stretched over a comb had better take stock of their listening habits!"  Jerry Murad totally looks like he pasted a caterpillar above his upper lip but maybe that helps when playing the harmonica.

(Yes, I KNOW those are supposed to be cat shadows behind them but it still looks like Batmen)

Man, did I learn alot today!  Hope you enjoyed it!!

Oh and regarding "True Blood"--if Alexander Skarsgard gets any sexier I'm going to have to bring an inhaler with me when I watch the show because he just freaking TAKES MY BREATH AWAY!  Plus I know that Bill will recover from Lorena's slice and dice but if I were her I'd be making sure my life insurance was paid in full because you KNOW Bill and Sookie are comin' after her sorry butt!!