• Home
  • About
  • La Contessa
  • La Contessa & Friends
  • Press / Publications

The Vintage Contessa

  • Home
  • About
  • La Contessa
  • La Contessa & Friends
  • Press / Publications

SEPTEMBER SHOPPING?

September 1, 2026 31 Comments

HELLO!

Lovely Readers.

I just FINISHED READING THEO ON GOLDEN.What a delightful uplifting book!I saw OPRAH interview the author on her podcast instagram page and what A NICE GUY HE IS!Wow, he had never written a book before but has been a lawyer, judge and musician!I just plain old LIKED HIM.So I purchased THE BOOK.Then gave it away to another nice guy you will meet HERE later on the BLOG!

I am having a bit of difficultly copying and pasting my buddies pages for you to shop but then I thought I can use a PHOTO from their INSTAGRAM!

HA!I WAS SO PROUD OF MYSELF I ate another handful of potato chips!

I have gained some weight since the first of the year and it doesNOT come OFF ANYMORE!

Is 66 the year that THE BODY changes and you see your MOTHER’S arms and legs ARRIVE TOO?

WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?I think WE all need to discuss this but NOT TODAY.

Let’s have some BEAUTY and FUN and maybe LEARN a few things!

I almost cut these long branches they have a name in the rose world, which ESCAPES me now.They all gave me another BALL bouquet of SALLY HOLMES blooms!

SUCKERS!!! That is the name of the long branches that grow and grow! I couldn’t recall but this rose is a climber; so I hesitated which turned out to be a good thing!

This statue was a STEAL. I paid TEN DOLLARS for her!Can you make out her KNEE it is DEFORMED, bent inwards.She is all concrete and as heavy as can be!My Italian was not too happy with me.I couldn’t leave HER there to perish in a pile.PLUS SHE WAS ONLY TEN DOLLARS!

I was reading my new GARDEN BOOK FLOWERING OUTDOORS garden and parties by MARGOT SHAW this morning when MISTER LOVER BOY came a purring and wanted some SPECIAL TIME.I was happy to stop reading but he ended up on my stack of pillows.Betty at my feet.The next thing I knew he was resting his HEAD on the PAGES!

Tigre, we are also calling him GATTINO now which means small cat in Italian followed us to the neighbors yesterday and waited for us in their garden.As soon as I came out of the front door he did his loud MEOW!Telling me he was there and back home we went. Feet and paws in sync!

HE REALLY IS ADORABLE.

MORE DOG than CAT!

I captured this shot before all the pages closed back on to HIM and he jumped a mile in the AIR and away from me!

I apologized immediately but NO WAY was he coming back to me!

This was MY FAVORITE BOOK as a child.Did anyone else have this as well?I LOVED everything about this book.She was so happy with her team of MICE and even though she lived in poverty compared to those UGLY STEP SISTERS she MADE EVERY DAY A GOOD DAY!

I am certain this helped shape MY LOVE for animals.I can even remember I loved her kitchen frock and apron.

I think I have told you this in the past but WALT DISNEY got his inspiration for DISNEYLAND in OAKLAND, California,

FAIRYLAND was there and he visited and captured the idea to build THE MAGICAL SETTING CALLED DISNEYLAND TODAY.My favorite ride was THE PIRATES of THE CARIBBEAN at Disneyland.

Did you have a favorite ride?

Sometimes I think I am the ONLY ONE LEFT who has her photos PRINTED!

DO YOU?

I try to ADD New photos throughout out the year but it is terribly hard for me to REMOVE A PHOTO!

WHY IS THAT DO YOU THINK?

I have double sets in there albums!

Yes, the long haired bearded KID is a SON who has had this LOOK since college and that was OVER TEN YEARS AGO!

STORY TIME with my old MINI BOOKS.This photo was taken by my ITALIAN shooting through a mirror in her room.

It was close to bedtime as you can probably tell.

I NEVER DID NAME MY BIKE and you all came up with some fantastic suggestions!I do get on her every day and pedal to somewhere EXOTIC!!Although, today was a roundtrip to LOS ANGELES and back.

NOT THAT FAR AWAY……….nor exotic TO ME!TO MUCH TRAFFIC!

It will come to me in time……………the name that is.

Most of the time I pedal to EUROPEAN CITIES and TOWNS……….ROMA and POSITANO you name it I’ve been there in MY QUEST of getting OUT OF HERE and finding BEAUTY!

Had a GOOD STRESS TEST and visit with the DOCTORESSA.We are leaving everything as is until our next visit in SIX MONTHS!

It has been 29 years since that HORRIFIC ACCIDENT IN THAT PARISIAN TUNNEL…………………

Her brother has written a book that will come out in SEPTEMBER; I believe the 22 of September.

I think WE ALL REMEMBER WHAT WE WERE DOING THAT DAY WHEN THE NEWS CAME……………..

This is an INSTAGRAMMER I have followed for a decade maybe MORE!

BIJOUXVICTIM on Instagram.(Sorry no link!)

He saw some dishes I had GIFTED another INSTAGRAM FRIEND and made a COMMENT!I told him I had other dishes I could give HIM!SO, back and fourth we went with photos and me saying I will be in your NECK OF THE WOODS soon can we meet up!SO, here we are in the KAISER MEDICAL BUILDING parking LOT.I had just finished the STRESS TEST PEDALING AWAY!We had a GOOD MEET AND GREET and passed off the dishes………….in the parking LOT!

SEE WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF YOU COMMENT!!!I may track you down and GIVE YOU SOMETHING!

It was SO GOOD TO MEET HIM AND GIVE HIM A HUG!

DAVID deals in antique jewels and antique objects. He has traveled the world for his work and owns TWO GORGEOUS DOGS.He is a lovely soul very soft spoken and HAS WONDERFUL TASTE IN HOME DECOR and JEWELS!Please take a PEEK if you are on INSTAGRAM.I know a lot of YOU have already started FOLLOWING HIM from my post there and I get such a THRILLED when you FOLLOW my DIRECTIONS!

THANK YOU for trusting me and giving me a LIFT to MY DAYS.

Do you feel the NEED to do a little shopping for the HOLIDAYS?Or better yet yourself?CLICK THE LINK BELOW for some MODERN WHIMSY JEWELRY hand made by my friend Debra.She is a kind loving soul who has FOUND HER PASSION in her SIXTIES!Has two grown SONS and has ALWAYS had a LOVE for MODERN ART!She has sleep issues as we all seem to do in our aging years so finds herself making her BEST WORK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!

I bet she would BE THRILLED to make a personal item for YOUR SPECIAL BEING.

She creates COLLECTIONS BY MONTH TOO so search your BIRTHDAY MONTH!

TAP BELOW to contact HER!

https://modernwhimsyjewelry.com

The last bit of NEWS I want to share is a FREE ZOOM CLASS this coming SATURDAY with another INSTAGRAM FRIEND who lives in ITALY!She is an ART HISTORIAN and has several degrees.Also does WALKING TOURS on her days OFF!If any of you are headed to ITALY this coming year you may want to contact her!

: Paola50122@gmail.com

Send her an email for more INFORMATION!I am so sorry but I am unable to copy and paste or upload as they have CHANGED IT ALL since last; I did a POST!Have I ever vented my FRUSTRATION TO YOU ALL HOW MUCH I HATE THIS TECHNOLOGY?Well, I DO…………..

PAOLA does these ZOOM CLASSES once a MONTH in the FALL this one on SATURDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER 5, is FREE.If you have NEVER done the ZOOM CLASS it is just TAPPING a couple buttons.IF I CAN DO IT YOU CAN TOO!Please write her and tell her you want to JOIN so she can send you the EMAIL LINK!YOU will need that to start the class.

ATTENTION ALL AUDREY HEPBURN LOVERS!!!

PS. IN a ZOOM CLASS COMING UP SHE WILL SPEAK WITH THE GRAND DAUGHTER OF AUDREY HEPBURN WHO LIVES IN TUSCANY!I would imagine THAT CLASS WILL FILL UP FAST!I will be in attendance and YOU can WAVE AT ME!In fact, you can wave at me SATURDAY in the ZOOM CHAT.No participation required.Just LISTEN and ABSORB.You can ask questions at the end of the hour.

HER EMAIL IS ABOVE……….PAOLA50122@gmail.com

That is it from me TODAY!Off to pedal somewhere EXOTICA.

YOU BE WELL and TAKE GOOD CARE EVERYONE!

XXX

LA CONTESSA

TO COMMENT OR ASK ME A QUESTION KEEP SCROLLING DOWNWARDS…………..I do my BEST to answer each and everyone of YOU.

Related

31 Comments
Share

31 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Judith Sharpe
    · Reply

    September 6, 2026 at 8:57 AM

    Ciao Contessa, Thanks for all the information you impart. I need to get rid of more ‘stuff’, particularly as the ‘kids’ are not interested in our treasures! It has been so very hot here in the NW corner of Andalucia, that I have been extremely lazy, spending half the afternoon having a siesta then not emerging until well past 5.00 pm. Today is (hopefully) the penultimate day of the heatwave at 36 degs c. Not at all good for the elderly.

    I’ve never been to Disneyland nor to the US. I would’ve loved to have visited some of your glorious national Parks but it’s simply not going to happen. I would have loved to have visited NYC, walked the High Line and dined at Balthazar. Most of our travel these days is within Europe and Morocco but we’re saving up to visit our son and family in Sydney for Christmas 2027.

    Glad to hear your exercise regime is working – keep up the good work.

    Hugs, ???

    • La Contessa
      · Reply

      Author
      September 7, 2026 at 12:50 PM

      Judith landscape architect Extordinaire!Why do we feel the need to get rid of stuff instead of enjoying what we purchased and collected all of our lovely years?I think I need to do a Post on that and interview different women!!Part of me thinks yes dump and a bigger part of me says WHY?
      I recently thought about taking a road trip with The Italian to see some parks!!
      I’ve only been to Yosemite which you all heard our head of country MIS-Pronouncing recently!!!!!!!
      I doubt he has ever been to a park in his lifetime.
      Australia and a SON SOUND GRAND TO ME!!Those people are Lovely!!
      Beyond Kind! We have changed a lot in the last 20 years and I can’t say for the better.But I don’t get out much anymore.So just my opinion.
      What’s not to like about Europe and Morocco!
      Xxx

  • Ellie's friend
    · Reply

    September 5, 2026 at 11:28 AM

    P.S. I love your statue!!!!! And I’m looking forward to Earl Spencer’s book about Diana, Princess of Wales!

  • Ellie's friend
    · Reply

    September 5, 2026 at 11:26 AM

    Buon giorno la Mia Contessa,

    Yes I too still get prints made of my photos but have been having prints made of the negatives and prints I’ve found among the papers I’ve been sorting. I would just shred the papers in the remaining bags but in each bag/box I’ve found photos and other treasures. The latest treasure is a photo of an aunt modelling a bathing suit when she was 15 in 1945. I’m trying to compile photo albums of all of the photos and the copies. What a job! but fascinating (well, to me!). Yes I was definitely a cinderella fan — I think I had that book… more recently I’ve watched the modern day Italian version on YouTube which I also like. do you live anywhere near Oakland?

    • La Contessa
      · Reply

      Author
      September 7, 2026 at 1:57 PM

      Yes!I live very close to Oakland!
      Xxx

  • Kathy in NC
    · Reply

    September 4, 2026 at 7:27 PM

    I love the ball bouquet of Sally Holmes roses and adjacent statue too!
    My favorite ride at Disneyworld is any roller coaster! Disney FL was always a favorite family vacation starting when my kids were in pre-school.
    What is better than reading to a child, especially a grandchild??
    What a good idea to have your bicycle outside!
    I remember my husband yelling to me upstairs that Princess Diana had died. I yelled back down, “What a horrible thing to say!!” Never did I think he was serious. Why-o-why didn’t she wear a seatbelt?? The only person in the car who lived had his seatbelt on. Heartbreaking on many levels.

    • La Contessa
      · Reply

      Author
      September 7, 2026 at 12:36 PM

      Kathy!
      A roller coaster!!You are a wild woman and brave as can be!I never made it to Disney World.A trip there lasted for months in your memories!Hope you are adjusting to your new house well it’s been what 3 years?If you tell me more I will be FLOORED!!Time is speeding by for me.
      Hope you and the hubby are well and enjoying some cooler weather.It sure has been crazy this year!
      Xxx

  • Cara S. FL
    · Reply

    September 4, 2026 at 7:34 AM

    Hi Elizabeth,
    It’s so charming that all cats have the instinct to lie on anything one is reading or working on.
    Even as babies the kittens were attracted to papers and cloth. Now that they’re larger, I can’t mend anything by hand without 5 of them conspiring to make it impossible! They love to get into anything people are doing.

    Have a wonderful September.

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 4, 2026 at 9:49 AM

      CARA,
      YES,the fur babies like to be around people.Mine stayed in last night and slept with me all night long I think!It was raining all night so that put a damper on his escapades!He is funny.Does not like to be picked up but loves to be caressed and petted.Especially likes me to pull his long, long tail!He loves to PUR as well…………..
      XXX

  • Jill James
    · Reply

    September 4, 2026 at 1:08 AM

    Elizabeth , your posts bring so much joy and beauty to our lives. Your are such a talented photographer too. I must admit to not printing my photos very often. Such a shame considering in my younger years I worked for Kodak here.
    Glad you are enjoying your bike and escaping to interesting places.
    You are so kind sharing the wonderful folk you enjoy.
    Take care.

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 4, 2026 at 9:45 AM

      Jill,
      I LOVE sharing FUN GOOD PEOPLE!I do recall you mentioning you worked for KODAK once upon a time!HAPPY SPRING to YOU down there in TASMANIA!We have some awful weather brewing over here but hopefully we will not be in the way!I look forward to seeing your SPRING GARDEN soon!
      XXX

  • Judith
    · Reply

    September 3, 2026 at 8:31 PM

    Yet another enjoyable post! You are a wonderful storyteller. Did you notice that your Instagram friend bears a strong resemblance to the Italian? At first I thought it was one of his relatives. How lovely to meet a kindred spirit. Do I spy a picture in that grouping of the little princess wearing a powdered wig? Wish I could zoom in. I like the idea of pedaling to exotic places; congratulations on keeping up with the biking. Stay well, Contessa.

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 4, 2026 at 9:40 AM

      NO WIG on the LITTLE MISS.There is a postcard with a man in a wig………..
      In fact, a few people thought DAVID was the ITALIAN on the instagram!It proves a lot of people doNOT read the words one writes!!I know WE are ALL IN A HURRY most days!!Yes, I will be biking to CAPRI TODAY!Guess I will ditch the bike on the dock and swim to THE BLUE GROTTO!SMILE SMILE SMILE……………
      THANK YOU!
      XXX

  • D.A. Squires
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 6:57 PM

    Loved Cinderella and had that same book or one very similar.. and Sleeping Beauty… and so many other fairy tales. Books, as Dolly knew, are the both an escape and so important at a young age.. really cannot get over all that she accomplished and her vast philanthropy. I saw one small sign in pink and white chalk that said Dolly for President, and have not stopped thinking about that–IMAGINE all the GOOD she would have done. And the contrast to what we have could not be more stark. So happy you have that bike to pedal to lands near and far : ) And that tests are good!!
    Your silver coffee pot is ablaze with roses and other flowers… my 72nd.. yikes. Have to think about retiring she said : ) Sending XOXO

    • La Contessa
      · Reply

      Author
      September 3, 2026 at 8:32 AM

      Happy BIRTHDAY!!!
      You areNot ready to retire it seems to me!!Yes!Dolly as President would have made America Greater for Sure!Someone who cares and has empathy would go a long long way!Especially,since she has seen both sides of the spectrum.Dirt poor one of 12 kids to her own wealth!!She was a GIVER NOT A TAKER.
      Have the best birthday week!!!
      Xoxo

  • Katherine
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 3:57 PM

    Hi Elizabeth,
    I am so glad that you have a great sense of humor, if you lose it once in a while it’s probably because nothing moves you to be funny or teased at the time. You doing your exercise to Europe appeals to me too, peddling to LA not so much. We will never drive to La la land again. It gave me high anxiety, my husband did not even enjoy our last journey. Wow they are super aggressive, even in Beverly Hills where my family lives. The traffic is horrid too. Enough of my venting.
    I have had Theo On Golden on my to read list for so long, I have heard it’s awesome.
    Your garden is so beautiful, the sculpture is fabulous. You would hate our garden, like you I love flowers all around me, oh well, thankful I have a garden with roses. The sail shade was just removed, to see those poor roses with our oh my heat, it looks like they have survived, they are our children.
    Love your photo montage, good for you, photos are great, I like them too. Yes they are vintage. Who cares.
    BIG congratulations on your stress test. You worked hard to achieve this. Pats on your back!!!
    I will make a note of Charles Spencers book coming out on September 22nd thanks for the “heads up.” I will never ever forget where I was, at our home retreat in Oak Creek Canyon (Sedona). My husband came up to our home early on I think a Sunday morning and shared this horrid tragedy. I had a long cry. I loved Princess Diana. I still think of her. She had a hard life, being in the public eye is HARD.
    Take TLC care of yourself. You sound like you are in good spirits. Yippee!!!

    • La Contessa
      · Reply

      Author
      September 3, 2026 at 8:40 AM

      Yes Katherine it was a Sunday morning!We were building a garden wall!!Had just put the boys on a flight to Spokane,Washington to visit friends!
      I’ll never forget it!!
      La La Land did you like that movie?I can’t really recall it but wasNot TAKEN with it!
      Hollywood has changed so much!I have a wardrobe mistress here on Instagram following me and she shares some snippets of actors personalities!Fascinating!!
      Your ROSES SURVIVED!!!
      That’s what is important!!!
      XXX

  • Jan Philpots
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 3:56 PM

    Hi
    Just wanted to say I enjoyed your blog very much
    Very interesting indeed. I am pleased to hear your health has improved. Will get the book Swan Song sounds very good. Off now girls lunch abd fashion parade.
    Stay well
    Cheers Jan

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 2, 2026 at 4:43 PM

      JAN< I wish I could join you gals down there in AUSTRALIA!That fashion parade would be something to SEE!A TRUE VISION OF BEAUTY!
      Thanks for popping in here.Its good to know who are here reading along!
      XXX

  • LA gal
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 3:20 PM

    Ma Chere Contessa,
    Your photos are worth a thousand words.
    I loved the one with your granddaughter!
    The one with Tigre was good too and you on the exercise bike!
    Keep up the good work and achieving those good health reports!

    Thanks for the good cheer!
    LA gal

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 2, 2026 at 4:42 PM

      THANK YOU BUDDY IN LA………….I hope LIFE down there is treating you well.
      XXX

  • Rachel
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 8:41 AM

    Tigre Gattino is growing into a lap cat! My sister Lisa adopted her friend’s cat Toby, also a sweet ginger. Her Mexican American husband would always call him Toby, di gatto. So that became his full name – Tobydigatto Hahaha I enjoy your menagerie off animals and your upbringing that led you to this point. Pedaling somewhere exotic it’s a good idea. I like to imagine I’m walking the camino de santiago while in on the treadmill. Sometimes I will listen to that song by the proclaimers (500 miles/I’m gonna be).

    Sending you happy happy wishes from the south bay!

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 2, 2026 at 4:40 PM

      RACHEL,
      I ALWAYS wanted to do THE CAMINO!!!Before I knew I had the lung and heart issues.Somehow I knew I would NEVER make it so never looked into it!That would be a real experience!And SPAIN I have never been too!SPAIN and GREECE were HIGH on MY BUCKET LIST……………….XXX

  • Linda Henderson
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 8:34 AM

    I am happy to see you on your bike visiting exotic locales. And I adore Tigre! I had a cat named Joe that would accompany me part of the way on my evening walks. I learned to always return home the same way as he would be waiting on me. Such an adorable boy. He was part Siamese and beautiful. Glad you are posting.
    p.s. I read Theo of Golden and I liked it but didn’t love it. Guess I’m an outlier!

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 2, 2026 at 4:37 PM

      LINDA!
      That happened to me with THE CORRESPONDENT!I just couldn’t follow along and was BORED!I think I put it down too often and to much time lapsed in between.Sometimes books hit us at the right moment and others Not.Don’t feel bad.I read today he is working on a sequel to THEO.One interesting fact he wrote Theo on Golden all in LONG HAND!No Typewriter involved.
      I had a part SIAMESE CAT as a child.He had Blue eyes…………….gosh that was so long ago!
      XXX

  • Nancie Nelson
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 6:31 AM

    My daughter was fascinated by the Little Golden Book Cinderella. Maybe because her name is Ellery? By the time she was 3.5 she could recite the entire book from memory, not leaving out a “the” or an “and”. That’s how many times I read it to her…and that is not a short book! Her wedding dress, which I expected to be slinky and sexy, ended up being a total Cinderella dress with a ten foot train and a skirt with double fluffy slips; their first dance was “So This is Love”. Cinderella was definitely a fan favorite at our house.

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 2, 2026 at 4:31 PM

      NANCIE!

      I LOVE IT!!I don’t think my Mother read it to me many many times to memorize but I sure loved LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS!Then reading it when I could!And of course it came on Television once a year back in the day……..THAT was always an EAT DINNER WATCHING TV NIGHT!!!!I can remember “BEGGING” to eat dinner in front of the TV when those special shows came on once a year!
      I just knew someone would recall this BOOK!
      XXX

  • Dawn
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 6:26 AM

    I thought I was the only one getting my photos printed. Nice to know there is at least one other person doing it too. although I must say it is quite the hassle as I have to go to the drug store and sit at their computer and upload my photos from my phone. Sometimes the connection just stops and sometimes it will give me three copies of one photo. Frustrating. I liked it better when I could just drop off my roll of film and then pick up the prints the next day. So much simpler. I guess I’m a lot like you, plus I’m 66 years old too – the good old days eh?

    • LA CONTESSA
      · Reply

      Author
      September 2, 2026 at 4:25 PM

      Dawn,
      We are TWO PEAS of the same POD!
      Try developing your prints with MPIX.COM it is a mail order.I have never had issues with them.Sign in today so you get the emails.They have sales on a rotating basis.First 25% off then it goes to 30% and finally 50% off prints.If you save up say three months worth of photos its easier as there is a shipping fee but well worth the ten dollars and get a parcel in the mail!I donot have the patience for the drug stores anymore been using this for years!
      YEP!I SURE MISS THE GOOD OLD DAYS TOO!
      XXX

  • Vikki
    · Reply

    September 2, 2026 at 5:13 AM

    I am on the train from Brighton to London Victoria but had to say hi and great blog this time!
    I met Diana’s brother awhile back. Remind me to tell you the story! I will need to get the book. Your kitty seems to be a treasure. I want a cat but had to fight hard to get Ginger. See you soon!!!
    Vikki

    • La Contessa
      · Reply

      Author
      September 2, 2026 at 4:10 PM

      Your trip looked grand from what you shared!Loved it!
      I too met Charles Spenser back in the day at a book signing!It was shortly after her death I believe.
      Why do men not want animals?
      A cat would make him laugh!
      Call me once you are home and back into the swing of things!
      XXX

Leave a Reply

Your email is safe with us.
Cancel Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Contessa & Banksy!

Contessa & Banksy

Email:

  • iolacontessa@gmail.com
Subscribe Box

© 2026 · thevintagecontessa.blog · designed by ITVida · Privacy Policy

Prev Next