The Legend of Lucy

We, like much of the U.S., trudged through an icy, snowy, absolutely frigid week last week. Schools were closed, work schedules and travel were upset… we found ourselves shivering and exhausted by the weekend. And then… Saturday morning as we were sitting around listless, we found it – the antidote to winter blahs, life woes and the lift my life always responds to… an I Love Lucy marathon. This time on Hallmark Channel,these marathons come around a few times a year and for me, they bring with them, joy, laughter, lightheartedness, fun. Lucy Ricardo, Ethel Mertz, Ricky and Fred… my friends. I have watched since a very young age. I can recite every line of dialogue from every episode. I still am entertained. And over the years, have grown to appreciate the show and the woman’s genius more and more.

In journalism school, we learned of Lucille Ball – the first female head of a tv studio, in the 1950s when the glass ceilings of the entertainment industry were actually made of cement, and when television was new. She had no role models nor precedent for the inventions that followed as she and husband Desi Arnaz created Desilu Studios and introduced concepts like the three camera shooting technique, or live audiences in the studio during shooting.

When I moved to Los Angeles in 1990, Lucy was sick and there was a huge banner across the Hard Rock Café across the street from Cedars Sinai Medical Center, where she was hospitalized – the banner said “Hard Rock Loves Lucy.” I was delighted to understand I was part of such a large community – a true fan (I don’t “fan” easily). She died a few weeks later. No matter. She lives on and on in her shows. I am not an avid collector of Lucy memorabilia, but every year, I do try to get her calendars, I have some Lucy dolls, mugs – and of course, my favorite thing: a pink terry I Love Lucy bathrobe – a Christmas gift from my father probably 10 years ago. I adore it.

Lucy was also a style icon of the 50s – I borrowed from her look for one of my Jaya Designs dresses… in honor of Lucy, legend and laughter, you can get this dress for 50% off during the month of February (available in children's and adult sizes!). Send me an email to let me know if you’re interested!

Until then, here’s to love and Lucy!