Love It: Michael S. Smith and Ann Sacks

Athens Silver Cream tile by Ann Sacks - Love!

Intrigued by the Ann Sacks LED-lit backsplash in Carrie and Big's Sex and The City 2 apartment, I found myself on the designer's website to see more.

{via}

While there are a ton of beautiful items on the site, I was immediately drawn to the Cosmati collection by Michael S. Smith.

I love a grey tile and the clean look of a white bathroom or kitchen, so this Michael S. Smith Cosmatiemilio grid (incarrara, nero marquin and marino blue) with an Alexandria border (carrara and marino blue) really speaks to me. Some other tile styles:

Valencia

Palais Royale

Venice

 

Alexandria

Seville Deco in Willow from Smith's Labyrinth Collection

I also thought this flooring (Parquet de Versailles in Bronze and Shagreen in Multicolor Wash) by Charles Stone was pretty cool - it can be used inside and outdoors.

Sex and the City 2 Review and a Guest Blog Appearance

I'm taking a break on the Getaways Guest Blog Series this week, but check back here next Thursday to hear all about another fab blogger's vacation faves. So let's talk Sex and The City 2 instead.

First let me say that I didn't love the first movie. I was so happy with the way the series ended (unlike some TV shows that left us with a bunch of loose ends--Lost, I'm talking to you) that I was really worried that a movie would just sour it. I like  a happy ending, I want these girls to be happy, and I'm always afraid another movie might decide to ruin all that. Even though I was apprehensive I couldn't stay away. I mean, aside from the fact that seeing the movie with friends is a great bonding experience, I couldn't pass up the chance to spend another few hours with these characters.

{These glittery gold Louboutins should really be mine}

And, sure, I've heard the SATC criticisms. The girls are materialistic and flighty. No one bakes with their kids wearing vintage Valentino, etc., etc. Thing is, a movie filled with shoes and hundreds of thousands dollars worth of clothes? There is no way I'm resisting that, product placement be damned. I read something like Carrie changed outfits every three minutes in the movie and, let me tell you, it was glorious.

Add to that the beautiful interiors (Carrie admits that she'd recently been "cheating on fashion with furniture") and I was sold, regardless of plot. Charlotte's white kitchen? I want it to be mine and was thinking of something similar for the new house.

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Thing is, I liked this movie. Carrie and Big seem to be stuck in a watch-too-much-TV two-year marriage rut. Charlotte is struggling because even though all she ever wanted was a family they are now proceeding to drive her crazy (and, as she acknowledges, she has help!) Miranda is trying to strike a good work-life balance while dealing with a misogynist boss, while Samantha is fifty, fabulous, and suffering through menopause. Harry and Steve are awesome as always even if their roles are small. I don't want to give too much away, but Big surprised me. Not in a bad way. I think one of the most touching parts of the movie was the little tête-à-tête mommies Charlotte and Miranda have over a few cocktails. The only thing that really grated on me were all the bad puns and innuendos--girls, consider this an interfriendtion, it's got to stop.

I don't know what it says about me, that I can disagree with so many critics, but there it is. Have you seen the movie? If so, what did you think? If not, do you plan to? And check out these great ideas for a SATC 2 themed party.


Speaking of all things fab and fashion check out Marchesa's new line of handbags, which just recently went on sale.

I'm also guest posting on the lovely Alaina's Live Creating Yourself.

Hop on over to check out my Movie of my Life blog post. I love the concept of this series and was so happy to be asked to participate. I can't wait to read the answers of the other guest bloggers that Alaina has lined up, I just know they are going to be amazing!

Sex and the City 2 - Trailer

One of the 2010 movies I'm anticipating most - can't wait!




To be honest, I wasn't sure about the first Sex and the City movie.  I thought the TV show ended so perfectly, I didn't want anything to get screwed up.  I kind of feel the same way about part two, but I still can't wait to see what Carrie and the girls get up to--and what they'll be wearing while doing it.


Alla Prossima

SJP Hints At 'Sex & The City' Sequel

We are liking Sarah Jessica Parker's look at the Oscars last week. (Okay, a little prom-esque but if you can't get crazy formal at the Oscars, where can you?) The actress wore a Dior Haute Couture silver gown to the ceremony last Sunday night.

While on the red carpet, Parker, 43, hinted at a 'Sex & The City' movie sequel in the works. When asked about the likelihood of a sequel to last year's film adaptation of the popular television series, she said: "It looks very promising. I do not know anything yet, not one single thing."

She also added that the movie's producer/director/writer Michael Patrick King is hauled away somewhere writing a script for the new movie. The last movie was such a huge hit, we're sure all the Sex & The City crew will be back for me, they'd be crazy not to, there are loyal fans out there everywhere!

Party Time At My House! I'll bring the Metameucil!

86-year-old LEGEND Bea Arthur (here with Angela Lansbury) was inducted into the Academy Of Television Arts And Sciences' Hall Of Fame last night in Beverly Hills.

OK, for the record: when/if ANYONE here at Pop Culture Madness turns 86, I hope that we ALL look as good as this woman right here. God I love Bea. I want to be adopted by Bea. I want this woman to be declared a saint by the Vatican (who cares if her real name is Bernice Frankel?).

Although Rue McClanahan and Betty White weren't there, I have no doubt that Estelle Getty was raising a toast to Bea in Heaven.

FYI: Bea is ten years OLDER than Elizabeth Taylor. Go Google Madame Liz and see what booze and pills does to your body.

ANYWAY, in honor of My Make Believe Grandma, I'm sharing her finest moments on TV and beyond with all of you here today.

First and foremost, MAUDE:


Maude starred Beatrice Arthur as Maude Findlay, an outspoken, middle-aged, politically liberal woman living in suburban Tuckahoe, Westchester County, New York with her fourth husband. Maude embraced the tenets of women's liberation, always voted for Democratic Party candidates, strongly supported legal abortion, and advocated for civil rights and racial and gender equality. However, her overbearing and sometimes domineering personality often got her into trouble when speaking out on these issues.
(You can see where I might like her...)

The program was a spin-off of All in the Family, on which Beatrice Arthur had portrayed the title role of Maude, Edith Bunker's cousin; like that show, Maude was a sitcom with topical story lines created by producer Norman Lear.

Next up...THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD PART 1 (THE ROMAN EMPIRE):



(at about the 2:10 mark)

"Occupation?"
"Philosopher!"
"Oooooh...a BS artist!"

Beautiful.

Naturally, no Bea Arthur post would be complete without THE GOLDEN GIRLS:



Indeed.

And though she was a stage actress above all else, nothing can make you laugh quite as hard as Bea's Sex and the City parody starring Sally Struthers, Katherine Helmond, and Charlotte Rae:



CONGRATS BEA!! We love ya, girl.

'Sex and the City' tops box office

'Sex and the City' scored $55.7 million in its opening weekend, making it the biggest rated R comedy opening of all time. The film exceeded box office projections, and nearly doubled Warner Bros. head of distribution Dan Fellman's expectations of a $30 million debut.

"Women power," Fellman said. "It was outstanding this weekend."

Many analysts believed 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' would stay at the top of the weekend box office, but it took in $46 million in its second weekend, slipping to second place.

'Sex and the City' topped the $45.1 million opening for "American Pie 2," which previously held the record for best debut for an R-rated comedy. The film also opened fifth on the all-time list of R-rated films (1. 'The Matrix Reloaded' 2. 'The Passion of the Christ' 3. '300' 4. 'Hannibal')

"This is a blockbuster for women. This was to women what 'Indiana Jones' and 'Star Wars,' let's say, are to men," said Paul Dergarabedian, president of box office tracker Media By Numbers.

According to Fellman, females made up 85 percent of the 'Sex and the City' audience Friday.

Sarah Jessica Parker talks "Sex and the City"

Sarah Jessica Parker was on The Today Show this morning, and she talked to Meredith Viera about her role as producer and co-star of Sex and the City: The Movie, which opens in theaters tomorrow.

The Sex and The City Premiere is almost here!

Are you looking for a fun way to celebrate the premiere of Sex and the City? Do it like the girls of SATC and connect with friends over a Cosmo and a movie! Enter the Sex and the City Party Idea Contest for a chance to win a private screening for you and 200 of your friends! One weekly prize winner will also be chosen at random for two free movie passes to see Sex and the City.

See Celebrations.com for entry details.


Don’t forget you can be the first to see Sex and the City on Thursday May 29th at the “Ladies’ Night Out” screenings in select markets. Check the links below to find a late night screening near you.

Movietickets - http://www.movietickets.com/movie_detail.asp?movie_id=60729
Moviefone - http://movies.aol.com/movie/sex-and-the-city-2008/30247/main
Fandango - http://www.fandango.com/sexandthecity_111021/movieoverview

Feeling especially daring? Our friends at Celebrations.com suggest playing hooky and having a Girls’ Day Out. We know you’ll be good girls like Charlotte and take a planned vacation day (wink wink). Check out Celebrations’ expert ideas and host your very own Sex and the City party!
http://celebrations.com/category/tv-theme-parties

For even more Sex and The City goodness here a few links to some very cool video to help you pass the time until the premiere!

Slide Show from iVillage about Carrie's many (many!) men on SATC

TODAY’s Meredith Vieira talks with Kim Cattrall about her role as Samantha in the new “Sex and the City” film.

Sex and the City Movie: A Little Older, A Little Wiser, Just as Sexy

The Sex and the City Movie is not going to pick up exactly where our favorite NYC ladies left off. Instead the film begins in the present; four years after the last episode aired.

The original series dealt with the sexcapades of four women in their thirties, but with 10 year gone by the fact that the characters should have reached forty is a subject that needs to be addressed.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Sarah Jessica Parker stated “When we started cobbling together the movie, we knew there was only one road we could take. You cannot pretend we’re 32, still running around New York drinking with liberty and looking for interesting sexual partnerships. It would have been vulgar. None of us wanted to do that.”

“We couldn’t pretend that time didn’t pass. Our point is to tell it like it is,” says Kristin Davis, aka Charlotte, and Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda, claims that there is a new “maturity” in the way the characters “confront their problems” and even in the way they dress. Although they will certainly still be wearing fabulous fashion-forward clothing, their style will be age appropriate.

Kim Cattrall’s character, Samantha Jones, who went through breast cancer in the last season, was always assumed to be a little older then her gal pals, and it’s been hinted that Samantha might be celebrating her fiftieth birthday during the film.

In order to relate to younger viewers, twenty-six-year-old Jennifer Hudson has been brought in as Carrie’s assistant, but for the most part, it seem like the fearsome foursome will be tackling their dramas from a grown-up perspective.

Cynthia Nixon joins breast cancer organization

Cynthia Nixon, the forty-two-year-old actress who plays Miranda on Sex in the City, is going public with her story of breast cancer and has recently joined the breast cancer organization Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Nixon, who also helped her mother through breast cancer, had a lumpectomy two years ago and underwent six weeks of radiation. The actress will share her cancer experience through several Web videos and will serve as an ambassador for Komen.

Nixon made the following statement about her illness and involvement in the organization:

“As the daughter of a breast cancer survivor, knowing my personal risk made me more aware and more empowered when I faced my own diagnosis. I want to help Susan G. Komen for the Cure educate the 1.1 million women around the globe who face a diagnosis each year.”

Nixon is starring in the Sex and the City movie which will come out in theaters May 30th.

No Sex Tape for Sex in the City Star

The circulating and lurid video stills of Sex and The City star Kristin Davis are fake. A rep for Davis told Access Hollywood that "This is not a photo of Kristin Davis,” and that “There is no sex tape.”

Davis has been busy filming the highly anticipated Sex in the City Movie where she plays good girl Charlotte York Goldenblatt. Those interested in seeing Kristen Davis in a real “sex” tape should check out the film which is scheduled to be released May 30th.

UPDATE: TMZ is reporting that the pictures of Kristin Davis are real and were taken by a former lover, Eric Stapelma in 1992. They also claim that there aren't quite twenty pictures and that there isn't actually a sex tape. Davis’ rep still vehemently maintains that the pictures are fakes.

New Sex and the City Movie!

An updated trailer of the much anticipated Sex and the City Movie is avaiable at Jezebel.com. The two minute extended teaser gives quite a bit away. According to the clips, Carrie may be left at the altar and Steve may have cheated on Miranda. On the upside, Charlote's pregnant! The film is scheduled to come out May 30th, and I for one can't wait.

Mr. Big is now a dad!

Chris Noth, better known as Mr. Big on "Sex and the City," became a first-time dad on Friday.

Longtime girlfriend Tara Wilson had 7 lbs., 10 oz. Orion Christopher Noth in Los Angeles.

"I am happy to confirm that Chris Noth and Tara Wilson are the proud parents of a happy and healthy baby boy," a rep for the actor said. "Chris and Tara are thrilled and all are doing well."

Sex and The City Movie Trailer

It is coming soon, and I know I can not wait for this one!