Anglophile, bibliophile, Janeite...

You can call me all of those things, as my recent purchases completely support these statements! It is no secret on this blog that I have a slight obsession with "Pride & Prejudice" (ok, maybe more than slight), as I've watched the 1995 BBC TV series more times than I can count while in high school, and after the 2005 film came out on DVD, I've watched that at least 10 times. The TV series is truer to the book, but I loved the chemistry in the film more, so I love them both equally.

Lately, I've been obsessed with trying to find a copy of the book that is lifted directly from the original 1813 text, as the current versions that are published now have been revised since sometime around the late 1800s/early 1900s. (The original also happened to have been published in three volumes, but now they are all combined into one book.) Even if it's difficult to read, I want to try, but it seems that no one has bothered to create this version, aside from a collector's miniature set, where the books measure 3"x 2". That's too small to really read from! And frankly, I don't have £7,495 to buy the original; really, a copy would suffice!

Anyhow, on a whim, I purchased an 1895 illustrated copy of the book, and I love it. This is not the first time that I've purchased antiquarian books, as I did that when I was a child at local flea markets (what I did with them, or where they are now, I have no idea), but this is the first time I really pursued a book that I loved. Although this copy isn't in any mint condition, I still love it for all the whimsical illustrations. I can't wait to re-read this book!


In addition, while I was perusing the Regency period on eBay UK, I came across this fashion plate, which is equivalent to their version of fashion magazines back in the day. I love the look of this woman, where she looks back at you with such clarity, and she looks so proper in her day dress, which is similar to what I imagined Elizabeth Bennet might have worn, minus the bonnet and purse (I see her touting a book with her hair in a loose bun, curls unfurling in the wind as she wanders through Derbyshire). I purchased this as well, and plan to frame it and hang as wall art.


Although this was not the most glamorous or romantic period in history, I must say that from both film, TV, and books, it's become romanticized, and I like the simplicity of the times, that it wasn't very gaudy, vulgar, or over-the-top in regards to the way that ppl acted or dressed. Women sewed, read, played music, danced...it was all very un-posh, which is why the human mind and connectivity were so important. It is more and more difficult to capture that feeling in this day and age.

Coming up Roses...not!

I have long been an avid fan of anything that smells remotely of jasmine and/or lily-of-the-valley, so I must, I MUST recommend this fabulous home fragrance. I use it in my office at work, and thankfully, it's a wonderful, clean, sweet smell that isn't too heavy. It makes my office smell like fresh lilies all day long. From West Elm (they have some other fabulous scents, too, such as Lavender Mint and Grapefruit/Mandarin), I chose White Flower because it was just too perfect for what I was looking for.

Fragrance is a funny thing in that everyone is different in what they like, and it's easy to annoy someone with a scent that someone might think is too much and they start to develop migraines, but thus far, this scent is nice in that it's not so over-powering that the scent drifts out of my office, and it keeps me serene and calm and happy. If you are near a West Elm, def. walk in and get a good sniff; you won't regret it (or have headaches!).

West Elm Diffusers and Sticks - White Flower - on sale for $19 (retails for $24)

La la lacey

I just purchased these two gorgeous embroidered tulle pieces from La Redoute. I'd come upon this site quite by accident, looking up Christian Lacroix dresses (who happened to have designed several pieces for this web store), when I was smitten by this lace bolero and tulle dress by UNITÉ La Redoute.


While at first glance they look a little old-fashioned, I really love the feel of these pieces, mainly because they have a vintage feel while retaining very modern lines.

I was curious about who designed them, when I found out that this line was created by Michèle and Olivier Chatenet, a husband-and-wife team who head up E2, a French "company." I put "company" in quotes because they make one-off pieces, salvaging vintage designer pieces and re-creating them into contemporary pieces. You can see some of their more extravagantly priced designs here. They obviously have a real appreciation of the old, but with a contemporary sensibility that breathes new life into the clothing.

I definitely got a bargain here, because several of the UNITÉ La Redoute pieces are currently on sale. I can't wait to receive them in the mail and start dressing up! I imagine that the bolero would be very cute worn over a simple tank top, long skinny jeans, and heels. The dress is a wonderful piece to be able to wear out to dinner or the theatre. Definitely check out this site for more French-inspired designs!

UNITÉ La Redoute Embroidered Tulle Bolero - $29.99 (formerly $89.99)

UNITÉ La Redoute Embroidered Tulle Dress - $24.99 (formerly $159.99)

I feel pretty...

In about 3 weeks, I will be walking down the aisle, not for myself, but as maid of honor for one of my best friends from college. After a lot of drama and stress, I can't believe that her big day is coming up right around the corner, and despite the god-awful wintry snow showers we're getting now, maybe by then, the clouds will have lifted, the warmth will have arrived, and she will have the most perfect day that any bride could ask for.

For the last two days, I was running around malls looking for the perfect pair of shoes to go with this gorgeous chiffon dress that I will be wearing. While dress-hunting, the bride-to-be's only mandate was that we all chose dresses from the same color palette, which was coral. I opted for a long, billowy, romantic dress, with exquisite beading and shirring that flattered every curve, nook and cranny. The scintillating peachiness is yummy on the skin, but what kind of shoes would go best with it? I'd originally thought I would get silver shoes, but after I tried some on, the starkness of a white shoe up against a warm fabric didn't jive, so gold felt like a better option, although I really didn't like the hard, bright golds that were out there. Then, I came upon the perfect compromise. I found a pair of matte gold fabric shoes, low-heeled, with two rows of delicate crystals all across the top, which I came across quite serendipitously at Macy's. What I also loved about these shoes were that they had an ankle-strap, which is added support for a long day, so that's it, this is my MOH uniform. What do you think?


I still have to think about additional accessories, such as a delicate purse, and jewelry to go with the whole ensemble, but I'm quite excited for her, in terms of how we will all look together as a bridal party. Most of the other girls will be wearing a shorter, more casual dress, but I love my gown, I absolutely felt like a princess in it. I hope to feel the same way about that ~other~ dress one day, whenever that is. :p

David's Bridal Spaghetti strap long chiffon dress with beaded empire waist, wrap included - $150

Karen Scott Betina Evening Sandals - $49 (sold out online) - Photo Source

sporty chic

While wandering through the local mall today looking for shoes to wear in a friend's wedding, I dropped into Kohl's and impulsively bought this lovely jacket.


Everything from their Simply Vera collection by Vera Wang was on sale, between 30%-50% off, so I had to take a look, even though I haven't been too fond of her products. There have been some jewels, such as the silk evening dress from her 1st collection that was the iconic piece used in all the marketing materials, a dusty rose spring jacket that I had to have, as well as the lovely lilac pleather bags and clutches. However, for the most part, the pieces run on the large size, most have some garish plastic-like crystals sewn on, and fabric used in the pieces are on the heavy side, so they don't move very fluidly on the body, but rather, drag on the body.

The photos of this jacket really don't do it justice. While I had already wrote off cropped jackets 'cause they are the least flattering for most body types (and mine is of the petite and curvy kind, therefore I look like a short pregnant woman when I normally try them on), the cut and details on this piece make it a very smart and chic addition to every wardrobe. The key presentation on this jacket is the funnel neck (so you can go from sporty to frilly to clean w/ a simple yank on the lace) and the back has a lovely wide pleat.


With some skinny jeans and a simple top underneath, I imagine getting a lot of style for very little money. And since this jacket retailed for $88, and I got it for only $44, it was definitely worth stumbing upon. No longer available online, check out your local Kohl's to see if you can get a shot and owning this very cute jacket.

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