Just Stepping Out for a Quart of Milk…. Guest Post

Just Stepping Out for a Quart of Milk….
 By Barbara Jean Coast

Hi there, Kathy and the rest of the guys and dolls! It’s such an honor to be featured on your blog, Kathy dear. Thank you so much. Today, yours truly needed to step out to the market to get a few necessities. You know — milk, butter, eggs and a few unmentionables that will go unmentioned. Well, how flabbergasting it was to see the sea of flannel, ratty, plastic resemblances of shoes and tank tops that show a couple of bumps that should be well secured in holders, that I just had to explain to you how in my day we would just pop out to get a few things. Going shopping was an outing, an event — even the short errands. Why, it wasn’t a chore, it was a social whirl if done correctly. You never knew who you would meet and greet — could be your best friend, your man’s boss’s wife, a relative, or some dashing new stranger if you were looking for some fresh fish in the sea. You could end up at cocktails, lunch or both! You would dress to impress, to attract your admirers or exceed the expectations of your enemies. Here’s how getting ready for Mr. DeMille's close up was done.

 Let’s start down to the bare essentials — always have on clean underwear — heaven forbid you are out and a cute ambulance attendant sees an embarrassment such as a rip or worse while tending to your emergency. Your girdle should cinch just so — the hourglass leaves you with sand in all the right places. Your brassiere not only lifts and separates, but cantilevers the right angles by making sure you come to just enough of a point to be seen but not obscene. The photo on the right should help you. Be sure your stockings are free of runs, the weave lies straight along your legs, the toes and heels align properly. Your garters should have proper grips to keep your “legs up!”

Next, depending on your choice of attire, a nice, silky full or half slip will be in order. Choose either a silk or one of those new nylon blends for the economic minded. They’ll smooth out the sharp angles and tough seams needed to hold that super-duper girdle in place. Also, a little lace around the decollete and hem makes it just that much more special.

And ladies, don’t forget the crinoline to give your skirt that beautiful, wide sweep! Over the slip will keep the crisp, firm netting from feeling too scratchy on your dainty gams, or even worse — snagging your stockings!

For your dress, be sure to choose a kicky plaid, fun print or lively color in a cotton chintz or delightful duppioni to glimmer and shine just enough under those bright supermarket lights.

Now then, your other attributes — nails, hair and face. I must confess something to you. I have knowledge of the fact that Andrea and Heather have gone to the market ‘au naturale’ that is without painted eyes or lips, sillies, not the Lady Godiva version (perhaps with twenty years less on them they could have gotten their groceries for free, not so the case now…) but I have to be done. A swoosh of liquid eyeliner, a brush of blush, and a swath of lipstick with a matching tint on my nails will be just fine if I am in a hurry. Accessorize with patent pumps featuring a stiletto or kitten heel, matching handbag, string of pearls, and cotton gloves (just to the wrist) should suffice.

A dab of Chanel Number 5 behind the ears and on the wrists will do very nicely. A quick tease of your hair, maybe add a ribbon or bow at an adventurous and jaunty angle gives any girl that carefree, easy, breezy look.

Fashionable Murder - An Interview with Barbara Jean Coast

I'd like to welcome two authors to the blog today, Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff, together known as Barbara Jean Coast. They write the Poppy Cove Mystery series.

Kathy: I've heard that publishers believe that US readers are less likely to buy a book set in Canada than in the US. I know that some Canadian authors do set their stories in the US, including you. Was it your decision to set the story in California? If so, was it more to do with the plot, or marketing? For the record, I'm a US citizen who enjoys books set in Canada too. I actually live near the border of Southern Ontario.

BJC: Honestly, we never thought in terms of borders, regarding writing, or life in general – American, Canadian, anywhere, it never crossed our minds. We spend a great deal of time in California, so it was a naturally creative inspiration to set the series there, from the appeal of the culture, lifestyle and time. It had everything to do with the plot, the setting almost becomes its own character and drives the story lines. We do have plans for a series possibly set in Canada in the future, but the muse of California spoke first and we did the most natural thing for us and answered the call.


Kathy: Barbara Jean Coast is actually Andrea Taylor and Heather Shkuratoff. How do you write as a team? Does one person work more on the plot while the other writes the actual words?

BJC: We talk a lot. We sit and write together, talking out the scenes and plots, it’s truly a joint effort.


Kathy: Strangled by Silk takes place in 1957. What made you choose this time in which to tell your story.

BJC: It was a time when the clothing was beautiful and the handcrafting of a custom made garment was a skill that was valued, but not out of place in a mid-sized community. Also, the social mores and attitudes of the time were fascinating. Underneath the polished veneer, bad things still happened, and the way they were handled in the public just lent itself to a mystery.


Kathy: Margot and Daphne own their own dress shop. Are you a fashionista?

BJC: Both of us really appreciate fashion. Heather comes from a background of dressmaking and design, more of the technical side of it, and Andrea loves beautiful clothes and accessories, the overall picture of an outfit perfected.


Kathy: What first drew you to cozy mysteries?

BJC: We’ve both been reading them for years. We like how the characters develop and the details of their lives, work, hobbies and communities.


Kathy: Do you write in any other genres?

BJC: Andrea writes a couple of blogs, one on creativity and the other is poetry. She’s also got a novel on the go set in the 1800’s.


Kathy: Tell us about your series.

BJC: Poppy Cove Mysteries is a cozy book series set in the fictional town of Santa Lucia, loosely based on Santa Barbara in the late 50′s, early 60′s and revolves around the glamorous comings and goings of the social set of the town, with a little murder and mayhem thrown in for good measure. STRANGLED BY SILK, published by Cozy Cat Press, is the first in the series.

Kathy: Do you have a favorite character? If so, who and why?

BJC: Daphne and Margot, of course, we love. They are their own sense of fabulousness!
AT: I also really like Loretta Simpson, the Santa Lucia Times Society Editor. She always gets the scoop!
HS: I have a soft spot for Nancy Lewis. She seems to get the short end of the stick at times. I’m rooting for her to get it right.


Kathy: Did you have a specific inspiration for your series?

BJC: Probably the love of the beautiful setting, the glamorous time period, and the love of feeling fortunate to be given the gift to be able to tell it and share it with others.


Kathy: What made you decide to publish your work?

BJC: We were very pleased and honored when Patricia Rockwell at Cozy Cat Press chose to publish our first novel, and it felt like the right fit. We are very happy in our publishing home and feel fortunate to be in the company of some very talented writers.


Kathy: If you could have a dinner party and invite 4 authors, living or dead, in any genre, who would you invite?

AT: Tracy Chevalier, Charles Dickens, Susan Wittig Albert, and Michael Ondaatje. An eclectic group, there’s so many others as well.
HS: Let’s see to narrow it down, Lawrence Durrell, Daphne du Maurier, Alice Hoffman and Carl Hiaasen.
Our joint apologies go out to all those who we have to miss…can the rest of the unmentioned sit at the kids’ table ;-)!?!


Kathy: What are you currently reading?

AT: Pinkerton’s Sister by Peter Rutherford, Calamity at the Carwash by Sharon Rose and The Other Woman by Hank Phillipi Ryan.
HS: The Fall of Atlantis by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Don’t Cry Over Killed Milk by Stephen Kaminski.


Kathy: Will you share any of your hobbies or interests with us?

AT: Reading, writing, cooking, collage, watching movies and television, really enjoying Downton Abbey, Sherlock and Mad Men lately. Jogging, yoga and meditation helps keep me centered and organized in my busy days.
HS: I definitely agree with the jogging, yoga, and meditation. I also read and enjoy cooking, listening to music, especially alt/indie and jazz. Sewing, even though I had done it as a past profession, is still a great passion for me.
Keeping up our Barbara Jean Coast persona through Daily Tweets, quips on Facebook and Pinterest from her fashion perspective gives us great joy and inspiration.


Kathy: Name 4 items you always have in your fridge or pantry.


AT: Wine, peanut butter, cheese and jam.
HS: Nice one, Andrea. Caviar, olive oil, crackers and chocolate.


Kathy: Do you have plans for future books either in your current series or a new series?

BJC: We’re currently writing our second in the Poppy Cove Mystery Series (we’re bumping off a Beauty Queen!), and have a solid outline for the third, with more to come. We’re talking out ideas about a couple of other series, but they’re still in the ruminating stage.


Kathy: What's your favorite thing about being an author?

BJC: Being able to share our stories with anyone who is willing to read them, to welcome them into our world. It’s nice that the voices in your head have a place to go!



Want to learn more? Check out these links:


Blog: http://welcometopoppycove.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbaraJCoast

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/bjcoast/

Facebook: "Friend" Barbara Jean Coast & "Like" Poppy Cove Mysteries

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/BJCoast