Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » living in: two for the road

Some girls are rabid Audrey Hepburn fans. They dress up like Holly Golightly every year for Halloween and watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s once a week. Perhaps I’m going to get crucified far and wide across the internet for saying this but, um, I tried to watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s for the first time last year and I just couldn’t get into it. To each their own. I’d rather watch Two for the Road over and over again, anyways. Few movies show the true nature of relationships so honestly; happiness, heartbreak, boredom, jealousy, misery and all. Plus, the story is told over a serious of different road trip flashbacks. All road trips, all movie long. It’s amazing.

[image above, clockwise from top left: headband $12,Diana f+ camera $103, passport cover $20, suitcase set $395, fermob bistro table $337, espresso cup and saucer $60/ set of four, classic MG rental, cashmere sweater $95, fermob bistro chair $189/set of two]

What could be more painfully charming and utterly adorable than Audrey on a lifetimes’s worth of road trips through France? Ummm… nothing. Highwaisted jeans, classic convertibles, striped shirts, kerchiefs and suitcase sets. So maybe renting the MG is a little, ahem, impractical for your average weekend getaway, but a girl can dream and dream she will. -amy m.

[image above, clockwise from top left: suitcase set $395, hermes scarf $375, clown hat $13, striped top $22, dresser $798, canvas rucksack $8, schoolhouse clock $128, Corrigan chair $1998]

amy merrick, living in

Amy! I believe I’m the first comment! Maybe I won’t be by the time I write this but it would be fun :)
I want to see this movie now, I’ve never even heard of it. And you know, I was watching “Practical Magic” the other night and I thought – I should suggest that for Amy’s movie blog! Whaddya think…;)

I must check ‘Two for the Road’ out! Like the style. But I must say you really need to give ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ a try again. At least read the book by Truman Capote. It is seriously a brilliant little piece about a nutsy, endearing lady.

I love this movie! My parents drove a car across Europe last year and I took this film out of the library and watched it while they were away. There’s something so nice about being able to watch a couple weather through their relationship. You got the style and the mood down perfectly!!

I have to say too, I didn’t love B@Ts. Maybe I should have watched it a long time ago or maybe there was too much hype, but it didn’t capture me the way I was expecting it to. I’ll check this movie out. Sometimes there’s nothing better than watching an old movie.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s is not my favorite Audrey movie, either. Don’t feel bad. I didn’t think it had much of a story line. I did, however, love Funny Face. I have never seen Two For the Road. Gonna have to find it.

REALLY love this one… and have never seen the movie, so I’ll have to Netflix it next! Thanks! Also, not a fan of Breakfast at Tiffany’s either. It’s just plain not very good. Much rather watch Roman Holiday!

Amy, I just want to say what an awesome job I think you’re doing with this column–it’s fantastic every week! And for the record, my fave Audrey Hepburn movie is Wait Until Dark. Love it! …though probably not Living In material.

Because it was one of her more mature movies, I did like Two for the Road the second time around. Roman Holiday will always be my all time fave. But enough of that, let’s talk about the dresser that looks like stacked luggage! Of course, it has to be from Anthropologie.

Amy, I definitely agree with Moriah, you should read the short story. I’m a huge Audrey fan (yes, I’ve dressed up as her for Halloween) and I too was disappointed by the film. However, after reading Capote’s story, there was more depth to Holly Golightly and I enjoyed the movie much more! I haven’t heard of this movie, I’ll be sure to check it out!

Re: Breakfast at Tiffany’s (I know, slightly off topic) – but, oh my goodness, there is no loving the movie after you’ve read the book. The outcomes, even the tone, is completely different. I prefer the honest, darkly romantic novel.

And don’t forget us little girls who played every song from My Fair Lady on the piano all day long :O)
And at 28 yrs naming my first cat, “Cat”… because I always swore I would if ever I were to have a kitty, since the first (of many) times I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s…. I do adore her! This is great. I’m loving the pink suitcases.

I must say that I found Two for the Road much much more bearable than Breakfast at Tiffany’s. The movie is amazing! My wife and I argue about which one is better all the time. I am extremely surprised that Two for the Road is not more popular than it is! I was excited to see that you used it for inspiration.

Two for the Road is my all time favorite Audrey film. The first time I watched Breakfast I couldn’t get into it either. I’d give it another try if I were you! I LOVE it now.

(and I am going to have to get that red sweater!!!)

Breakfast at Tiffany’s isnt my favorite either – that honor goes to How to Steal a Million (Wildly fantastic clothing in that movie! I’d love to see a Living in.. post about that!) But Two for the Road is pretty close to HTSAM. I can’t believe you found that funny pom pom hat!

I’m going to stick my neck out here for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, if only because when I saw it, I was 13 and I thought it was the most charming Audrey ever was. I still prescribe to the wisdom that diamonds are a bit…mature for a woman of my age.

that said, my favorite is Charade, which would also make a great “living in.” Two for the Road is fabulous, too, especially the spacey, futuristic period.

Amy,

You are not alone. I watched Breakfast at Tiffany’s a few years back and I just didn’t understand what all the hullabaloo was about, but I can definitely see myself needing to rent this flick after your post.

Thanks for the review! It was adorably Auburn-esque :)

had to post because i too LOVE two for the road!@ it’s one i never ever get tired of watching. i especially love the scenes with the really obnoxious couple with the kid who throws their keys into the dirt. I also love breakfast at tiffany’s (sorry) – first saw it at 14 and fell in complete love. maybe the key was catching it early? back in 1990 it wasn’t so popular… And my 3rd favorite is Charade. those 3 are definitely my top picks. thanks for the post!

OK, I’ve never seen this movie, but that luggage is enough to make me a believer.

ps) I do like Audrey, but I IDOLIZE Katharine Hepburn. Someone once told me that the world is divided into two types of people: those who prefer Audrey, and those who prefer Kate. Hmm… :)

Amazing post! Makes me want to buy everything and be that character. I suppose I should see the movie first.

I’m with Newly Domesticated. The visuals and charm of Breakfast at Tiffany’s is enough to keep me coming back!

I love this film – the part when they drive their Merc onto the plane as if it’s the most routine thing in the world always cracks me up. And you’re right, it shows all the small but important things about a long term relationship, is funny and full of amazing vintage cars plus Audrey and Albert. (I also still love Breakfast at Tiffany’s but for very different reasons…)

after reading this post, i simply HAD to rent Two for the Road from iTunes… the perfect film for a bitterly cold night in the midwest… i love your “living in” posts… i wish i was “living in” mid-century europe!

Interesting “Two For the Road” tidbit -
they say Audrey and Albert had an affair during the filming of the movie. She was in an unhappy marriage and Albert made her very happy for awhile. I can’t watch this movie without thinking of that! Good going Albert!

i love this movie, I just watched it on showtime or starz like a month ago!….

If you want to know who made her sunglasses throughout the movie, they were by Oliver Goldsmith, the company is still around, just google oliver goldsmith sunglasses, they have the best sunglasses in the world.

for all of you who didnt “get” breakfast at tiffanys, read the book first, trust me the book is better and you will like the movie alot more after you understand what its all about.

I love all her movies, but nobody can beat elizabeth taylor in anything…cat on a hot tin roof, cleopatra, national velvet, whose afraid of virginia wolf? come on all of those could be a “Living In”…

This is one of Audrey’s and Albert’s absolute Bests!! They are both just perfect in it. I agree it’s one of the very few films to show a realistic relationship over time, while relying on the fun & romantic structure of road trips! Hard to look as fab as these two, but I love your picks!! Thanks :)

I think you should give Breakfast at Tiffany’s another try. I didn’t like it the first time but it grows on you. Especially when I found out that Truman Capote was upset that Audrey got the role of Holly Golightly. He wanted Marilyn Monroe but I think that would have ruined the movie.

I haven’t seen this movie before but I do love Funny Face and Roman Holiday. I need to give this one a try. Awesome job with the Living In… I look forward to this every week!

You know that question about having dinner with anyone from history that people ask for social icebreakers or job interviews? My stock answer has always been Audrey Hepburn because of her love of children. Two for the Road has always been a favourite because of the reality of Audrey and Albert plus that hauntingly beautiful music. Funny Face is my escape from reality movie…that music and those clothes….especially the wedding dress…The scariest movie….Wait Until Dark….she had great hair too!

Thank you! Breakfast at Tiffany’s is very offensive to me. As an asian, I was always greatly offended by Andy Rooney’s racist caricature of an asian man. I always hated how people fawn over that movie. If it was Andy Rooney in blackface, no one would think it was cute.

When asked, I always responded tht TFTR was my favorite film. I have seen it over and over. Albert Finney was gorgeous … oh yes, Audrey was too. Hard to watch without feeling you are living it with them.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this movie, but I tried to give it to a friend once and I think I ruined her excitement/willingness to watch it. I said it was a great movie but kind of a downer. What? Well, it is. It really does show the true nature of relationships.

I absolutely adore this movie! One of my absolute favorites, the kind that I watch on a sick day, or Valentine’s Day, and sigh about. I think the whole style of the film is perfectly lovely.
And I have to admit that out of all of the Audrey movies out there, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is pretty darn close to the bottom.
Wonderful post!

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