Wednesday, September 30, 2009

An Actual Answer To The Julia Child's Monogrammed Pin Question


It's my birthday today. (I know, that's not the answer to the question about Julia Child's pin, but I'm getting there.) Kindnesses are happening today, phone calls from friends and family, none the less appreciated for their familiarity. It is clear to me that 53 is a most uneventful of birthdays. The real significance is skeins of affection, drawn about me like a knitted shawl. I don't know what brought me that image but since I can't even begin to knit for myself the metaphor is apt.

Kindness, however, has extended to the Internet. The Queen of Cashmere emailed me to let us all know she has the answer to our questions about the monogram pin that Meryl Streep wore in Julie and Julia. (See? Just takes a little time.)
"Not long ago, I spoke to Ann Roth, the Academy Award winning costume designer who transformed Meryl Streep into Julia Child. The pin was commissioned for the movie using Julia Child’s initials and was inspired by one in Ms. Roth’s personal collection. She was unsure if Mrs. Child had actually owned a monogram pin of her own — though we agreed it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination. Ms. Roth, a dynamic octogenarian, was definitely amused to think that anyone found monogram jewelry newsworthy as it was a look from a bygone era and one she remembered well."
Ha! Ms. Roth, little do you know. And the Queen, along with her hotline to Hollywood royalty, has a secret source of diamond monogram jewelry for the 21st century. With photos that may incite a riot of desire.

As another surprise, Peonies and Polaroids, not knowing it was my birthday today, wrote me a thank you note. So nice. A thank you note is almost never a mistake. Exquisite manners are almost always good for all involved.

The rest of the kindnesses I'm experiencing are more random, maybe unmeant, probably unseen, still felt. I read many blogs. I comment where I have something to say. Sometimes people send me emails. Sometimes people comment on what I write. This has made my life richer in ways I could not have predicted. To you all, many thanks.

Labels:

46 Comments:

Blogger Lisa said...

Julia did indeed own/wear a monogram pin. In the book "Appetite for Life:The Biography of Julia Child" by Noel Riley Fitch, there is a photo of Julia (with her cat) dated January 1950 with a rather large monogram pin slightly askew on her jacket.

September 30, 2009 at 2:35 PM  
Blogger LPC said...

And yet more answers! Thank you.

September 30, 2009 at 2:48 PM  
Blogger Susan B said...

Happy Birthday!!! And thanks so much for the info on the pin.

September 30, 2009 at 3:00 PM  
Blogger Headbands and Hand Bags said...

A happy happy birthday to you!

September 30, 2009 at 3:09 PM  
Blogger Mona said...

Happy Birthday to you!!
And thank you for the info.

September 30, 2009 at 3:13 PM  
Blogger Kate said...

Happy happy birthday!

September 30, 2009 at 3:40 PM  
Blogger La Belette Rouge said...

Happy Birthday!!! Bask in all the love and celebration you so deserve.:-)

I didn't notice the pin in the movie. I couldn't keep my eyes of Meryl/Julia's face and all the joy she exuded.

Thanks for noticing all the details!

September 30, 2009 at 3:50 PM  
Blogger !Tb0n3! said...

I just discovered your blog today, happy birthday!

September 30, 2009 at 3:52 PM  
Anonymous Jan said...

A riot of desire, indeed! It's enough to make one wish her initials were "M W".

Happy birthday, hon. And remember, NO birthday is uneventful when it's yours.

September 30, 2009 at 3:53 PM  
Blogger Jill said...

Oh Happy Birthday you WASPY Chica, you!

September 30, 2009 at 4:30 PM  
Anonymous Nat said...

Happy Birthday from Canberra Australia!!

September 30, 2009 at 5:03 PM  
Blogger QueenBeeSwain said...

Hello Hello!

Hope that your day has been as fabulous and full of charm as you :)

xoox

kHm

September 30, 2009 at 5:45 PM  
Blogger f8hasit said...

Happy Birthday!

I do the visuals for Brooks Brothers...they had a monogram deco cubic pin last season that was fabulous. Very much like the one used in the movie. It was so fab, I had to have it...even though it isn't my initials!

Someday, someone will be thoughtful enough to commision one for me!

:-)

September 30, 2009 at 6:52 PM  
Blogger Maureen@IslandRoar said...

Your Birthday! Happy Birthday; I wish I had something special for you. I'm sure you deserve it. A Libra; yes, I can see that. My parents are both Libras.
Fun to learn the answer about the pin. Thanks, and I hope you had a great day!
Birthday Hugs.

September 30, 2009 at 7:18 PM  
Anonymous One Barefoot Bride said...

Ah ha, the universe has given you a perfectly classic Bay Area fall day for your birthday! Happy day!

September 30, 2009 at 8:10 PM  
Blogger Lori said...

Happy birthday you wonderful woman!

September 30, 2009 at 8:10 PM  
Blogger Buckeroomama said...

Happy birthday, LPC. If I can slip "serendipity" in an small ecru suede pouch and secure it with brown leather thongs... that would be my present to you. Have a beautiful day.

September 30, 2009 at 8:13 PM  
Blogger Kristen said...

Happy Birthday! And likewise, thank you for contributing to my blog.

September 30, 2009 at 8:18 PM  
Anonymous Delia Lloyd said...

And thanks to you, LPC! It is a pleasure to read your blog and read your comments on mine. Happy Birthday!

Delia Lloyd
www.realdelia.com

October 1, 2009 at 2:21 AM  
Blogger Duchesse said...

A very happy birthday! There is a conncection: monograms are your very own, so are birthdays. (Yes of course there are other LPCs but only one that is combination of talents, temperament and life experience that is YOU.)

I posted awhile ago on monograms, with sources for monogram jewelry.

October 1, 2009 at 4:27 AM  
Blogger Sevenbeads said...

Great piece of reference work, Lisa! I'm a librarian and love good questions like that.

Happy Birthday, Privilege!

October 1, 2009 at 4:57 AM  
Blogger Plus Size Bride said...

Wow! I didn't realize anyone other than me was STILL obsessed with that monogram pin!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOO!!!! I hope you spend at least part of the day doing something to spoil yourself. So this makes me wonder...what is your favorite kind of cake for your birthday?

October 1, 2009 at 6:22 AM  
Blogger Miss Whistle said...

Happy Birthday belatedly. And I do so adore your blog.

Miss W x

October 1, 2009 at 6:27 AM  
Blogger materfamilias said...

Happy Belated Birthday! Your blog brings me much pleasure, so I'm glad your special day brought you some as well.

October 1, 2009 at 7:05 AM  
Blogger Princess Freckles said...

Happy Happy Birthday! And thank you for the answers on the pin! Now if only I could buy one for myself! And one for you as a birthday gift! I hope your day is fantastic! :)

October 1, 2009 at 7:46 AM  
Blogger Twenty Four At Heart said...

Happy Birthday! I have a fall birthday also - it's a great time of year to be born. I hope you have a fantastic day!

October 1, 2009 at 8:07 AM  
Blogger Beth Dunn said...

Happy Birthday!!! I hope you have a terrific one full of kindness and grace xoxo

October 1, 2009 at 8:11 AM  
Blogger LPC said...

Thank you all so much! Those who have been around from early on like Maureen and Muffy and smiles4u and those who are new like Miss Whistle and !Tbon3! and What A Splurge and to everyone everyone everyone. Each person who reads this blog makes me very happy, those of you who say something happier yet. I had a wonderful day. Wishing the same to all of you.

October 1, 2009 at 8:31 AM  
Anonymous Jacqueline@Bliss said...

Well then, Happy B-day, LPC! I hopped on a link and a moonbeam over at Peonies and landed here. And I think there's nowhere else I'd rather be at this moment. I shall return! Consider yourself blogrolled.

October 1, 2009 at 8:46 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Oh Happy Birthday! And here's secretly wishing for you to get a diamond pin of your own (hugs)

October 1, 2009 at 9:10 AM  
Blogger JMW said...

First off, happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day. Secondly, I thought about your last post addressing brooches and pins when I heard an interview with Madeleine Albright on NPR, discussing her new book, "Read My Pins." I must start sporting the pin that was my grandmother's. There's something so wonderful about them.

October 1, 2009 at 9:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! I hope it is all cake and chocolate and champagne and flowers (if you like things like that) and that the next year finds you in the perfect job.

October 1, 2009 at 10:53 AM  
Blogger Maria | Vintage Simple said...

Happy birthday - a day late... I hope you had a wonderful day, filled with everything you could have ever wanted (and it sounds like more). Love, love, love.
-maria

October 1, 2009 at 10:54 AM  
Blogger Maya @ Completely Coastal said...

Me too...., late, late. But hope it still counts. Happy happy birthday!!

October 1, 2009 at 1:37 PM  
Blogger M said...

I hope you had a lovely birthday!

October 1, 2009 at 2:15 PM  
Blogger Julia said...

Dozens of comments! Happy birthday - late, sorry, I was busy honeymooning.

October 1, 2009 at 3:13 PM  
Blogger What Kate Wore said...

Oooooh, a belated Happy-Happy Birthday! I hope it was fun and fabulous, everything you hoped, and then some.

Sending you a big birthday smile,
tp

October 1, 2009 at 5:51 PM  
Blogger LPC said...

It all so counts. Late, early, in the moment. Thank you so much every one.

October 1, 2009 at 7:22 PM  
Blogger Lisa said...

I'm so ashamed! In my haste to make the point of Julia wearing a monogram pin, I completely forgot to wish you a "Happy Birthday". I have cards that I mail to friends for just such infractions, so I will state it here: I so regret my behavior on September 30. etc etc.

Hope your Birthday was the happiest.

PS i'm right behind you so let me know how the year goes :)

October 1, 2009 at 7:36 PM  
Blogger LPC said...

Lisa - I am completely with you on the rush to truth sometimes overwhelming social courtesies. I took your information about Julia as a present, no apologies required but I commend you on the grace to make it anyway.

October 2, 2009 at 6:12 AM  
Blogger Amanda said...

MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THE DAY, my dear! I hope somebody brought you a balloon. And a Useful Pot for Putting Things In.

xo, A.

October 2, 2009 at 7:28 AM  
Blogger Summer is a Verb said...

Happy Belated Birthday! XXOO

October 2, 2009 at 7:42 AM  
Blogger Tickled Pink And Green said...

How did I miss this? Happy Happy (belated) Birthday!! And you have an incredible way with words.

:)

October 3, 2009 at 10:26 AM  
Blogger Little Bow Prep said...

Happy belated birthday! Oh, and lovely post as always!

October 4, 2009 at 11:29 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy belated birthday!

Birthday-wise, you and I are bookends for September, so to speak. I rather like that.

October 6, 2009 at 1:29 PM  
Blogger LPC said...

Thank you all! Belated or not, it's wonderful. And I'm thinking about honey pots. Full and empty.

October 6, 2009 at 2:29 PM  

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