Just A Few Laughs

On a dark and cold November day such as this, we could all use a little something to brighten up the day. 

And what does that better than a laugh? 

Here's a few things from the internet that has made me laugh a lot recently, so I thought I would share it with you:

                                        
Those pictures are a very fitting description of my life at the moment:-)

                                                                                         

Just rewatched Singin' In The Rain - even though Lina is kind of the villain she has the best lines ever!

                                  

                                        

Oh...to be able to politely insult people like Jeeves!

                           

The struggles of an introvert!

And for the finale!!! If this video doesn't make you laugh or at least smile, I don't know what will.

5 TV Shows I Follow Avidly

The fall season has been upon us for a while and we all know what that means:

NEW SEASONS OF ALL MY FAVOURITE SERIES!!

A more appropriate title for this post might actually be: TV Shows I am completely obsessed with that make me look forward to certain weekdays, and don't mention the title unless you are prepared to talk lengthily about it!
But I thought that would be a bit long...

Back on track - these are the series I follow with big interest this season.


Doctor Who

I might have mentioned it once or twice before, but Doctor Who is my favourite TV Show EVER! Where else can you find a series that have heartfelt drama, traumatising monsters, uncontrollable laughter, iconic quotable lines, tears, confusion and all that in the span of a single episode (no, I am not even exaggerating).

Why you should watch it: if you like science fiction, London, an alternate take on history, impossible science, characters with surprising depth or just Britishness in general this is definitely a show you will like.

Side effects of watching it may be: An irrational fear of certain everyday items (such as angel statues, shadows and broken clocks), emotional outbursts when someone mentions random words like ponds, roses or bow ties, listening for the TARDIS sound at all times, considering "Aliens" a plausible explanation for everything.

But if you can live with that (and I can), you should definitely watch it - life will never be the same again.



Once Upon A Time

                             

 I have always loved the adventure genre, especially when inspired from fairy tales, and this show certainly embodies all that. It's so well thought through and has so many twists that you will never be bored. To say that the premise is fairy tales with a twist would be quite an understatement.
Let's just say that you will never look at your favourite fairy tales the same way again.

Side effects may include:  not trusting that the original fairy tales tells the full story, being overly attached to the villains of the stories.

So if you like fairy tales, daring sword fights, complex characters and a world where everyone is related, you should definitely watch it.


Sherlock

                           

If you like the Sherlock Holmes stories you will love this show. The visuals are great, the plots are cleverly adapted to today's world while still keeping the spirit of the old stories, and don't get me started on the brilliantness of the actors. Once I rewatched the series just to enjoy every minute of the acting.

The only downside I can think of is the long wait between seasons, but with only a little more than a month left until the Christmas special, my enthusiasm can't be curbed.

Side effects may include: trying to deduce things from strangers (and failing miserably), hiatus induced craziness (don't worry though, most of the fandom has it).



Agents Of Shield

                         

You might as well know: I'm a big Marvel fangirl! So of course I would love a TV-show made by Marvel, filled with references to the Marvel universe that ties in with the Marvel movies.
As I don't really know anything about the comics every twist and turn this series take is a surprise to me, and it has changed so much since the beginning. The suspense, the plot twists and the moments that leaves you speechless are, however, the same.

If you like Marvel, superheroes or an action packed series filled with suspense you will also like this series.


Agent Carter

                                     

Another Marvel show - it probably doesn't come as a surprise that I love this show too. But that is not the main reason for my love of it. The reason I adore this show is that it's set in the 40's!! It's so rare to find movies/TV-shows set in this time period that does not revolve around WW2. But here it is! Filled with gorgeous 1940's fashion, brightly coloured diners and one of my favourite female heroines: Peggy Carter. I could keep talking about this show for hours, but it won't suffice.

All I can say is: watch it! If not for the suspenseful plot, then just for the dresses, the setting and the many one-liners.


So, that was a few of my favourite TV-shows.

What are some of your favourite shows?

Movie Wardrobes: Emma (2009)

3 blog posts in on week - no I have not gone on a crazy blogging spree! But I had this post in the works and the theme fits so well with Naomi's Jane Austen Week that I thought: "Why not get it up early?"

 But enough chitchat - on to the post.

Emma Woodhouse's wardrobe in the 2009 series is my favourite period drama wardrobe ever. Besides, studying Emma's outfits in depth also gives a good lesson in how to get a versatile wardrobe with some good key items. Don't believe me? Then look at all the evidence collected below.

(As this post is gonna contain every dress worn by Emma in a 4 episode series, it will be quite lengthy. Consider yourself warned)

I think Emma is supposed to be around 16 when she wears this dress, and the simplicity of the dress beautifully underlines the youthfulness and innocence of a girl not quite out in society yet. I love the little details in the embroidery on the fabric, it really gives the dress a little something.

I love the pattern and colour scheme of this dress that Emma wears to Miss Taylor and Mr Weston's wedding. Very festive and elegant. And is it just me or does it not just signal autumn?

This is one of my absolute favourite dresses. It's just so summery with the pale yellow and the flowery pattern. Also notice how it can easily change between a dress worn in summer and in winter by simply wearing long sleeves underneath it. 

Here's a lovely everyday dress, Emma often wears around the house. It seems quite simple but when you look closely the fabric actually has a beautiful golden shimmer in it. And it has a little bit of puff in the sleeves, what's not to like?

I really love this dress. It might have something to do with my love of anything blue at the moment, but I also really like all the little details in the neckline, and how you can change the appearance by wearing different ribbons/sashes.

This dress is a beautiful example of an autumn/winter dress. I just love the colour contrast the sash gives. And again, it can be dressed down for everyday use by wearing a shirt underneath.

Emma sadly only wears this dress once, at the Westons' Christmas party, but I would have enjoyed to see it more. It's a really lovely green shade and isn't the little bow on the back adorable? On another note I also just love the red ribbons she has weaved into her hairstyle.

Who says you can't be elegant just because it's cold outside? I love the details on the front, for some reason it makes me think of a military jacket of some kind. And look how it billows!! I've always dreamt of having a long coat that billows dramatically in the wind as I walk.

Another gorgeous winter coat! The cut is completely timeless, I for one, have been looking for a coat exactly like that for winter. I also love the way the colours coordinate.

Apparently those little detail at the front was a general fashion thing at the time- Emma sure has it on a lot of her clothes. I really like the colour and simplicity of this dress. Perfect for those cold winter months.

I know, this is technically not a dress, merely a shawl, but look at it! It's so gorgeous. The pattern is so pretty. Emma wears it a lot over her party dresses when going outside, making it double as a coat, I imagine, on those tricky nights where it's too warm for an actual coat yet too cold to go without.

Another pretty party dress. The miniature checkers pattern is really pretty and gives the colour a little more life. And I love the way the belt/sash accentuates the waist.

Is it too much to dedicate 2 pictures to a spencer? Not if it's this one. For one it's the only black thing Emma wears, we could really use that advice today - only have a few black items in your wardrobe and focus on pastels instead. Did I mention the fastenings? I love the fastenings.

Finally, the ball gown! It's just so beautiful and dreamy and shimmery that I don't think I can find words to do it justice. Let's just agree that it's amazing.

Ahh..another one of my favourite dresses. The colour, the red ribbon, the little details at the front - it's just gorgeous! And again, take notice how it is easily transformed into something to wear in the colder months.

Here's a light little summer dress. It's relatively simple but still pretty and very suitable for a picnic or just sitting in the garden. Also, that hat she wears! Isn't it pretty?

Again, one of Emma's more simple dresses. I like the little details in the neckline, but otherwise it is not very noteworthy among all the other dresses in her wardrobe.

And here's Emma's dress for the Box Hill party. Again - love the colour, and the gold at the waist and neckline - so beautiful. It's also a really pretty little spencer she has, it changes the look of the dress completely.

Another pretty dress in pastels. I especially like it with the red toned sash, but it is also pretty in its own right.

At last, Emma's honeymoon dress. It's a much deeper colour than her other dresses - maybe to signal a new chapter in her life has started. Nevertheless it is a lovely dress, with the sleeves and the trimmings - I really love it.

And that my dears, was the last dress Emma wore. I never realised just how many different dresses she owned until I started this post. But they are all just gorgeous.
And because this post just isn't long enough, let's take a moment to appreciate all Emma's hats:

I really wish people still wore hats today for what an amazing accessory it would be.  And they are so versatile - just switch the ribbons and you have a brand new hat all at once.  My favourites are the ones with the wide brim, especially the one down to the left.

I actually had also planned to look at some of the dresses worn by the secondary characters, but that surely needs a post of its own.

Which dress is your favourite?

The Jane Austen Week Tag

This week Naomi is hosting a Jane Austen Week here. It's filled with Jane Austen related goodness, and games and fun. And of course it also has a tag.

The Questions:

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of a Jane Austen fan do you consider yourself?

A solid 9. She is my favourite author ever, I have read all her major works (still miss the juvenilia, though), seen adaptions of them all and love to learn about the regency era to understand her novels better.

 

2. If "they" would make a new Jane Austen Movie, and you would be able to be cast in it, which Jane Austen character would you most like to play?

Well, I think we really need a new movie version of Mansfield Park, but I fear I wouldn't be able to play any of those characters well..

I have always dreamed of playing Elinor Dashwood, as we are very much the same in many aspects!

3. Is there any felicity in the world superior to a walk?

No, except perhaps that of the company of a good book.

4. Who's your favourite Jane Austen 'villain'? (As in 'villain' meaning 'the bad guy.')

I really like Henry Crawford. Not that I in any way condone his actions, but I think he was a nice layered character that had the potential for both good and bad. (Just a shame he chose wrong) 

5. What/Who introduced you to Jane Austen?

The first time I really heard of her was when the Pride & Prejudice 2005 version came out, and shortly after my mother bought the book.  After a while until I read it, and I have been hooked ever since.

6. Did you love/enjoy Jane Austen immediately, or has there been a time when you hated (um, prejudged) it?

Yes! 

7. Who, in your opinion, is the funniest Jane Austen character?

Mrs Norris. The way she can talk herself out of doing anything that would have a cost, while at the same time taking full credit for the deed, and the way she always claims to be saving money for her aquaintances while she is basicly living off of their income is just laughable. 

8. Do you quote Jane Austen randomly in public?

Sadly not. I think people would stare if I suddenly out of the blue started talking english, as it is not the language I use in my everyday life. (But if it was, then yes, I would never stop quoting JA)

9. Are children allowed to eat cake on weddings?

Certainly! How else would you keep them occupied and happy?

10. What is your reaction when you hear that an aquaintance (e.g. A lady at Church) of yours loves Jane Austen?

Hello, new best friend!

11. Who writes better letters, Mr Darcy or Captain Wentworth? (If you forgot what the letters were, shame on you, instead tell me if you prefer Strawberries to Chocolate or not.)

That is really hard to decide as the letters in themselves are so different. Captain Wentworth's letter was really sweet and romantic, but Darcy's letter shook me to the core and completely changed my perception of everything I had read this far, so I'm gonna choose that one.

                                   

12. Which Jane Austen heroine do you relate the least to?

Emma Woodhouse. She just never really spoke to me.

13. What's your favourite Jane Austen house (from one of the movies)?

Pemberley from the 2005 version of P&P. The real name of the place is Chatsworth and it is one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. (Did you know that Chatsworth was most likely the original inspiration for Pemberley?) I really want to go see it someday.

                                

14. What's your favourite Jane Austen dress (from one of the movies)?

How is it possible to choose just one?  I really adore this dress from Emma 2009, the colour and the pattern is so light and summery. 

15. Can you turn off lit candles with your fingers?

I probably could, but I have never tried as I wouldn't dare to touch the flame.

                              

That was all for now, but don't forget to pop over at Naomi's blog for a lot more fun and talk of Jane Austen.

What I've Been Doing - October Edition

I always enjoy reading those delightfully random posts on other blogs, so I thought to write one myself to fill out the waiting time until I have finished those 4 or 5 half finished drafts I am working on currently.
So without further ado; here's a little of what I have been doing this last month.

Reading

Hamlet, as part of Hamlette's delightful read-along here. It always makes me very happy, when I can say that I'm reading some iconic classic work of literature, so I've been very happy this month when people asked me what I was reading. (And I may have started up the subject more than usually)

Besides that I'm also reading Cranford (have been for several months now). It is quite a slow read. Mostly because it's composed as a collection of little short stories, which makes you feel like you finished the book after every chapter. But I will conquer it and have forbidden myself to start any new reading projects until I'm finished with this one.

                        

Watching

Quite a collection of classic 50's movies. It all started out with a rewatch of State Fair, which lead to researching movies starring Jeanne Crain, which lead to researching  movies starring Cary Grant, which lead to finding every single movie from the 40's and 50's available on Netflix (there's quite a few luckily). This far I've watched: People Will Talk, Monkey Business, On The Town, Singin In The Rain, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and The Great Escape. 

I also started watching Jeeves & Wooster again - I completely forgot how funny that series is.

                                         

Listening To

My gorgeous 1940's mix - they sure knew how to make music back then.

The soundtrack to Pocahontas - one of the best Disney scores ever made.

                           

Writing

Blog posts - and lots of them. I have made a resolution to publish a post at least once a week, and I'm trying very hard to stick to that.

I've also finally pulled myself together to really start working on a story that have been lurking in my mind for the last 6 months - if I succeed you will hear much more about it in a future post.

                           

That was all for now.

What have you been doing this October?