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Season 1: Episode 21 – Donna Plays Cupid

18 Oct

Screen shot 2010-10-18 at 8.59.56 AM

Synopsis

Episode opens with Donna and Alex stepping off an elevator. Their arms are filled with a tray and baskets of food. They have come to provide sustenance to Dr. Beau who hurt his back. Donna realizes she forgot the hollandaise sauce in the car and sends Alex back out after it. While Donna is preparing to knock on Beau’s door he is inside being berated by one of his lady friends who is jealous. It appears he hurt his back rescuing a damsel in distress and the rescue involved a bottle of champagne. As Donna enters with a tray of food, the girl is enraged further and storms off. Alex joins them as Beau eats Donna’s food. He praises the vittles and the woman. Alex is hungry and grumpy. Donna and Alex leave to go home.

On the way home Donna tells Alex that Beau really needs a good woman. She brainstorms some possible names and Alex tells her not to meddle. Back home Donna prepares dinner and continues to ponder women for Beau. Mary gets in on the act and they both decide on Celia Pennington, who has recently split from her boyfriend, Herbie. The idea is cemented.

Donna goes to visit Celia and finds she is indeed single. Then Donna calls Beau and invites him to dinner. She convinces Celia that a night out is exactly what she needs.

Donna creates a lavish, romantic dinner. There are candles, roses, and music. Beau and Celia arrive separately and conversation is awkward. Donna and Alex leave them to get acquainted and Celia and Beau chat about being fixed up. They decide to pretend to be interested in each other to appease Donna. Donna and Alex return to the living room and find Celia and Beau slow dancing. Donna is thrilled.

There is a knock and the door and Donna answers. She looks shocked. She goes outside to talk. The visitor is Herbie, Celia’s ex, he wants her back. Donna manages to keep him outside until he hears Celia’s laugh. He barges in and finds her dancing with Beau. There is a brief skirmish. Herbie confesses that he loves Celia and wants to marry her. They embrace. Beau calls up one of his lady friends and exits. Herbie and Celia go off together. Donna and Alex are alone.

During dinner Donna is happy that Celia and Herbie worked things out, but she still wants to find someone for Beau. Alex tells her to leave well enough alone.

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Donna Reed Style Note – Have Fun

15 Oct

date night

Mary changed twice for her date. I actually liked the first dress, the one she discarded best. Of course, I am a sucker for a fitted bodice and a full skirt. While I would certainly wear this dress as is I realize it’s not necessarily the most fashion forward. Here’s an idea for a more fashion-forward date night outfit.

For a night out with the hubby I like to look pretty but also be comfy. Living in SF we walk a lot so comfy shoes are a must, so are layers. I really like this for a date night look.

Show Here:

  • Dress – Boden – $138.00
  • Jacket – Levi’s – $69.50
  • Shoes – Piperlime – $135.00
  • Bag – Kate Spade – $395.00
  • Tights – Gap – $12.50
  • Bracelet – Tiffany & Co. – $675
  • Earrings – Stella & Dot – $39.00

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Season 1: Episode 20 – Have Fun

14 Oct

Screen shot 2010-10-14 at 12.17.18 PM

Synopsis

Episode opens with Mary examining her reflection. She tells Donna how ugly and awkward she feels. She is in quite a fit of adolescent self-loathing. Donna asks her why she is so worked up and Mary tells her she has a date with an older boy. It was supposed to be a double date, but the other couple cancelled. Mary is a nervous wreck.

They get Mary ready in a lovely dress and go downstairs. Donna tries to get Alex and Jeff to help bolster Mary’s eg,o but they won’t play. Mary reconsiders her outfit and goes to change. The doorbell rings. Donna greets Herbie, Mary’s date, at the door; he is proper and distinguished looking. Donna goes to help Mary finish dressing and Herbie sits with Alex. They attempt conversation, but it is very awkward conversation.

Mary comes down and after a very stilted exchange she and Herbie decide to go to a movie. They leave and Donna and Alex head up to bed. Donna wants to wait up but Alex wants to go to sleep. Donna hears the door and runs downstairs. Mary is in tears, the date was awful. She felt awkward and no one said anything.

Donna tells Mary about her first date with Alex. It was New Years Eve and Alex took her to a party at a fancy hotel. She wore a borrowed dress that didn’t fit, she was tripping over things, and Alex kept leaving the table to make phone calls. It was clear to her that he wished he were with another girl. They danced and she kept tripping over his feet. When the clock struck midnight he didn’t kiss her, he ran over to see a buddy and Donna overheard him telling the buddy the he “Was stuck…” Donna left alone.

Mary goes to her bedroom and Donna returns to Alex. He asks how Mary is and then decides to go check on her. He tries to comfort her by relaying his version of he and Donna’s first date. It was New Years Eve and Alex took her to a party at a fancy hotel. He wore a borrowed tuxedo that didn’t fit and he was tripping over things. When they arrived Alex discovered there was a ten-dollar cover charge and he didn’t have the money. He kept leaving the table to make phone calls and see if one of his friends could come loan him cash. It was clear to him that she wished she were with another guy. They danced and he kept tripping over her feet. When the clock struck midnight he wanted to kiss her, but his buddy appeared and Alex ran to see if he could borrow the cash. He began the conversation by telling his buddy the he,”Was stuck…” and ending by wanting to introduce his gorgeous date. Donna had already disappeared.

Mary falls asleep and Alex goes back to Donna. The doorbell rings and they run downstairs. It is Herbie returning Mary’s handkerchief that she had left behind. He and Mary talk and he apologizes for the awkward date. It is clear there is a spark between the two.

Donna and Alex return to bed and discuss their horrible first date. It appears bad dates are a Stone family romantic tradition.

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Donna Reed Style Note – Jeff vs. Mary

13 Oct

outdoor furniture

It is a gorgeous day in San Francisco and I find myself wishing I had a private space to sit and sip an iced tea in, like the Stone’s backyard.

My fantasy outdoor space would look like this:

Shown here:

  • Sofa – Metro Retro Furniture – $1500
  • Chairs – CB2 – $149 each
  • Table – Ikea – $189
  • Umbrella – World Market – $99.99
  • Placemats – Williams-Sonoma – $36 for 2
  • Plates – Crate and Barrel – $8.95 each
  • Side Table – Green Home – $95
  • Glasses – Angela Adams – $32 each
  • Flatware – Macy’s – $55 for 5 piece setting
  • Pillow – Pier 1 – $23.96
  • Pitcher – Sur la Table – $12.95

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Season 1: Episode 19 – Jeff vs. Mary

13 Oct

Screen shot 2010-10-13 at 11.08.17 AM

Synopsis

Episode opens as a repairman is completing the installation of a home intercom system at the Stone’s residence. The intercom allows easy communication between the kitchen and Alex’s office. Mary decides she wants to be the one to test it so Donna goes to Alex’s office so they can receive the first communication. When Donna gets there she is surprised to find Alex talking with his friend, Dr. Beau, who has been away. The friends are getting caught up and don’t notice how long it is taking Mary to try the intercom. Finally, Donna presses the listen button on the intercom and overhears Jeff and Mary who are in the midst of a heated argument. Alex and Donna go to break up the squabble.

Jeff is not happy with the outcome of the parental intervention. He feels his parents always side with Mary and that Mary is the favorite child. He goes outside to sulk and is met by his buddy, Nick, who is also a younger sibling. They commiserate about the older child always getting the privileges and love.

Meanwhile, Alex and Donna are planning a party for Beau. Mary asks if she can stay up and play piano. Though it is an adult party, they agree she may stay to play one song. Jeff asks if he can do some magic tricks, but they say he is too young for an adult party. Jeff feels slighted again.

The night of the party Mary is playing piano and Jeff heads up to bed. Nick is outside his window and they again discuss how mistreated they are. When Mary’s performance receives echoing applause, Jeff decides to sneak out with Nick to get a chocolate soda.

The party ends and Donna heads up to tuck Jeff in. She is alarmed to find he is not there. She leaves to get Alex and Jeff sneaks back in and into bed. She returns with Alex and is confused to find Jeff “asleep”. She lifts the covers and sees Jeff is still fully clothed. Jeff confesses to sneaking out.

The next morning Jeff is sad and angry. Donna and Alex are baffled.

Jeff goes to see Dr. Beau and confesses his feelings. He is hurt and feels like he is second best. He leaves and Beau goes to Donna and Alex with Jeff’s confession.

Donna wants to find a subtle way to tell Jeff he is loved. He comes home and gets some ice cream. As Donna leaves the kitchen she switches on the speaker of the intercom. Nick comes over and Jeff runs up to get something in his room. It is just Nick in the kitchen when Alex and Donna start discussing how much Jeff is loved. Nick is very moved.

Nick switches off the intercom as Jeff returns. Nick lays into Jeff about what a jerk he is for not realizing how much his parents love him. Nick leaves.

Donna and Alex return to the kitchen and Jeff asks Donna to confirm things that Nick said. Donna and Alex confirm that Jeff is and always will be adored by them. Jeff is appeased and again feels like a valued member of the Stone clan.

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Donna Reed Style Note – It’s The Principal Of The Thing

12 Oct

work-clothes-thumb

Before I began watching the Donna Reed Show for this blog I had this notion that  Donna always cleaned her home dressed to the nines. I am both relieved and disappointed to discover this is not true. I am not sure where that idea came from, but I know it is one shared by many. However, I am now eighteen episodes into the show and Donna always cleans in some pretty practical outfits. They are just a bit cuter than what we would wear around the house today.

I really like this outfit a lot. It is cute and practical. It is one that would be easy to replicate.

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Season 1: Episode 18 – It’s The Principle Of The Thing

12 Oct

Screen shot 2010-10-12 at 10.10.22 AM

Synopsis

Episode opens with Donna vacuuming the blinds. The doorbell rings and she goes to the door. A man and his son are standing there. The man introduces himself as Mr. Popkin and inquires as to Alex’s credentials. Donna lists them and the man seems unimpressed.

Mr. Popkin and son go in to meet with Alex. Alex examines the boy and prescribes a course of treatment. Mr. Popkin cannot afford the treatment. Alex offers several solutions: a payment plan, delayed payment, and no payment. Mr. Popkin finds each of these solutions abhorrent and makes long speeches about servitude. He decides to postpone treatment for his son until he can pay in full.

Donna feels bad for the son and inquires as to what Mr. Popkin does for a living. He is an inventor. Donna assumes this to mean he is handy, so she hires him to do some work around the house. The table he was to fix still wobbles and his attempts to fix the wiring end in his electrocution. Alex forbids him from doing anymore work around the house and he leaves dejected.

Donna goes to visit his workshop. It is filled with his many inventions, most of them useless. One however, an adorable, animated toy rabbit catches her eye. She asks if she can take it to see if the toy store would like to sell it. Mr. Popkin hems and haws and finally relents.

Donna brings the rabbit home and shares it with the family. Jeff in particular is quite taken with it. He sets up a booth downtown to try to sell the rabbits. He is quite a salesman, he even has Mary pose as an enthusiastic customer. A cop comes and tells him to move on as he does not have a permit to sell there. Mr. Popkin comes by and hassles the cop. The cop brings Jeff and Mary to the station. Mr. Popkin calls Alex and tells him to go get his kids out of jail.

Meanwhile, Donna is charming the owner of the local toy store into taking the rabbits. He agrees and places a rabbit in the shop window, along with other toys. Mr. Popkin comes by and is offended; he feels his rabbit is not the focus of the display. He and the shop owner have an altercation.

Back at home Alex has had enough with trying to help Mr. Popkin. He lays down the law and says he is immediately treating the son for free. Then there is a knock on the door. In come the cop and the owner of the toy store. The whole town wants the toy rabbits. The toy store owner presents Mr. Popkin with a contract. Mr. Popkin fumes about the unfairness of the contract and then decides to accept it.

Mr. Popkin visits the Stones with his new invention, a portable barbecue. Donna agrees to try it and it blows up in her face.

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Donna Reed Style Note – Nothing But The Truth

11 Oct

eco party

Donna, being the ultimate domestic goddess, was able to throw together a fabulous birthday party for David at the drop of a hat. For most of us such an undertaking involves more planning. Of course, it helps if you stock some items that make spontaneous entertaining run a bit more smoothly.

The birthday parties of my childhood were wonderful, colorful, and joyous. They were full of colorful plates, balloons, and party favors. They were full of friends and family. Back then, we didn’t think about waste and landfills. We should have, we just didn’t know better.

I believe it is still possible to throw festive parties for children without generating tons of waste. Investing in sturdy, reusable items and choosing to decorate with objects that are multi-purpose are good first steps. Here are some ideas for a boy’s birthday party.

Shown Here:

Tablecloth – Crate and Barrel – 69.95

Bamboo Plates – sustainableparty.com- $24.95 (25 plates)

Napkins – kidskonserve.com – $24 (4 napkins)

Acrylic Glasses – Crate and Barrel – $3.50 each

Ceramic Pitcher – Target – $19.99

Balsa Wood Flyer – Giant Robot – $8

Wheat Grass Planter – ModCloth.com – $15.99

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Season 1: Episode 17 – Nothing But The Truth

11 Oct

Screen shot 2010-10-11 at 9.44.37 AM

Synopsis

The episode begins with a ringing phone on a Friday afternoon. Donna answers and it is David, the boys who spent Thanksgiving with them. He is calling to let Donna know it is his birthday and he has no plans. Donna, of course, invites him to spend the weekend and invites his friend, Mousy, to come over on Saturday for a party. Donna arranges for Alex pick up David after work. When they hang up, David turns to his friend and remarks that it really isn’t his birthday.

Donna and Mary are setting the dinner table and Donna expresses frustration with Jeff. It is clear he has done something to upset her. Alex and David arrive home and David is milking the birthday angle. Jeff arrives home and Donna sends David and Mary upstairs so she can talk to Jeff and Alex. She tells them that she received a call from Mrs. Wilgus, the nosy neighbor, saying that Jeff and some friends were shooting at her window with an air rifle.

Donna and Alex press Jeff on this and he takes a long time to confess. Finally, he gives in and says he was actually shooting at her weathervane but hit the window accidentally. Donna and Alex lecture Jeff on the importance of telling the truth. Mary and David come down as the conversation is ending and Mary tells Jeff he will not go to heaven if he lies. David looks nervous.

The family sits down to dinner, but David excuses himself saying that he has a bellyache. He goes upstairs to rest. Donna and Alex go up later to tuck David and Jeff into bed. After the lights go out David asks Jeff he believes that you don’t go to heaven if you lie. Jeff says he doesn’t know. David confesses to Jeff that he lied about his birthday. Jeff tells him to keep lying.

The next morning Jeff coaches David to maintain the ruse. They go down to breakfast but David’s belly is still upset and he can’t eat. Mary brings out a pile of presents for David. He begins to open them and then flees to the backyard; he is overcome with guilt.

Donna goes to check on him and he confesses. It is not his birthday. An older boy excluded him and Mousy, his friend, from his birthday party so David told him he was having a better party, that’s when David called Donna. David’s birthday is really three whole weeks away. Donna comforts David and says they are still having a party.

Donna prepares food as Alex goes to pick up Mousy. He returns with a car full of boys. A real party is had. Jeff is allowed to bring out is air rifle and he sets up target practice for the younger boys. It is a wonderful party.

At the end of the party, Donna and Alex remind Jeff and David of the importance of telling the truth. The boys get it. They leave the room and the phone rings. Donna answers. It is Mrs. Wilgus inviting Alex and Donna to play bridge. They clearly don’t want to go. Donna tells Mrs. Wilgus they must decline because Alex is going out of town. They hang up and are faced with the boys who overheard the conversation. They ask if Alex is really going out of town. Donna confesses that he is not. She tries to explain the very subtle difference between good lies and bad lies. David promises to pray for her.

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Donna Reed Style Note – Jeff’s Double Life

8 Oct

breakfast scene

When Donna and family sit down to breakfast or lunch in the kitchen it always looks so cozy. I’d love to sit down with them.

This is the rare occasion where I wish we could see the Stone in family in color because I just bet that table is full of warm and welcoming hues. If I were to set Donna’s table, it would look something like this.

Shown Here:

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