Every September, I kick off the fall movie season by making an event of the First Viewing (proper noun, of course) of You’ve Got Mail. The You’ve Got Mail fan club is a loyal, passionate group of individuals who may argue over the best quote from the movie—“thank your”— but agree on the fact that it’s a cinematic masterpiece, one of the best feel-good movies of all time. Besides the comforting 90’s nostalgia (ah, the sound of a dial-up modem connecting to the Internet), there is a buffet of sensory delights that never fails to charm me no matter how many times I’ve seen the movie (over 50, I’m sure.). That buffet includes Kathleen Kelly’s timeless fall wardrobe (last year, I recreated four of her looks with a 9-piece Kathleen Kelly capsule), New York in the fall, every little charming detail in Kathleen Kelly’s apartment that would be just as darling today as was when it was filmed, coffee shops, a streets-of-New York moment featuring the song “Dreams” by the Cranberries that will make you never be able to hear the song again without thinking of Meg Ryan walking under a canopy of fall trees, and then…the bookshop. Oh that little children’s bookshop with its enchanting twinkle lights and pumpkins and lamps and story hours.
…I’m getting carried away. All that to say, I save this movie every year to watch in the fall, with a fire in the fireplace and a mug of cider in my hands. This year called for a little more though, so I invited a few friends to join me (we are keeping our circle very small for anything indoors) for all the fall things we’re craving and an entire evening dedicated to You’ve Got Mail. I made my mom’s red lentil soup, served it with New York soft pretzels and tried to inject YGM love into all the details.
Naturally, Kathleen Kelly pajamas:
Tall Decaf Cappuccino cups that we did not use for Tall Decaf Cappuccinos.
The friendliest flowers, of course.
The shoe books…
“I bet you just love that Mr. Darcy”…
My father-in-law printed me a movie poster. :o)
New York in the fall cookies.
I painted little treat bags with YGM symbols…
…and filled them with:
– a candle (to make your apartment smell mossy)
– a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils
– NY 152 stickers (I bought this 6-pack and added my own label)
– Tall Decaf Cappuccinos
– and a handkerchief (“a handkerchief is a Kleenex that you don’t throw away.”)
We all wore pajamas and feasted on the perfect movie snacks after soup.
It was a very Kathleen Kelly-approved cozy friend night, and now I want to repeat it every weekend.
We didn’t twirl, but I did do my best convince them all that Tom Hanks is sexy. Cheers to that.
Know a You’ve Got Mail fan? Make a themed gift box for them for a holiday gift this year.
What the heeeeeeeck?!!!!! This is so amazing. What a way to celebrate all the good things in life – friends, books, fall!
You should invite the real deal Kathleen next year!
Cozy, cozy, cozy. Honorable mention to Greg Kinnear, one of my favorites!
I just have no words! You are the most creative fun human I have ever come across. I love this movie so much and you just made the thought of watching it again even better!
I love this so much! My husband and I have a tradition that we watch the same movie on the first day of each season (such as Love, Actually for winter and You’ve Got Mail for fall). You inspired me for next fall since we just watched You’ve Got Mail. We’re away from our home in NYC right now, and watching it made me tear up and miss the city even more. Love your creative parties!
I can’t even imagine how sad it was watching the NYC scenes. Just think of how emotional it will be to return when things are better.
Sounds like a great time!
What a wonderful break from this crazy world, to come to your blog and see your beautiful pics and enjoy your movie night vicariously! I’m lucky enough to have a movie room and YGM is one of my fall movie posters that goes up every year. My brother in law made me frames for my movie posters and every season it’s a ritual to change these out. My husband jokes that I would spend my last $20 on a movie poster and it’s true. Now you have given me some inspiration to plan an extra special movie night!
How cute and fun. You have the best creative mind for parties. Love your hair.
I am the only person I know besides you who can quote ridiculous amounts of dialogue from that movie. Wish I’d been at that party! Life right now is like THE THIRD RAIL….
This is magical and I want to do it. Tell us though, where do you put your family when you have these beautiful ladies nights?
The kids usually go to my dad’s house, and Brett walks across the street to our neighbor’s house. :o)
I found your site through your fall movie list on Pinterest!
As a HUGE You’ve Got Mail fan, I just love this idea!