Friday, November 20, 2009

Isle of Sark


Here is another place I want to visit! I forget how I happened upon this wonderful place, but right away I knew it had to be added to my list of places to visit one day. The Isle of Sark is the smallest of the English Channel Islands. Want to know why I want to go? Read on!

First reason: cars are not allowed on the Isle of Sark!

Your choices for transportation are: walking, bicycling, pony carts, or tractors!

Second reason: it looks simply gorgeous!

There aren't many paved roads, just lots of trails and winding paths.

Third reason: no snakes or reptiles!

Hehe, yeah I'm not a fan of those.

Fourth reason: They seem to have fun events there. Including sheep racing!

How fun is that!?! If you are interested in learning more, please check out the lovely tourism site for the island:

Link

Monday, November 16, 2009

An Age I Want To Visit


My family and I have long been fans of the series of computer games called Myst. The amazing graphics, the eerie music, and the stunning idea that you could travel to other worlds (ages) via hand-written books have always drawn me to these games.

I've always felt a pull to visit these fictional places, because they look simply amazing!


Recently I stumbled upon this link that put me in mind of this silly wish:

Earth's Most Bizarre Landscapes

One of the places listed on there is Cappadocia, Turkey. I found this picture of a hotel there, and it reminded me very strongly of a Myst Age. So needless to say, I want to go there. :)

Maybe someday....

Pride and Prejudice


I recently re-watched the loooong mini-series Pride and Prejudice starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. This is definitely my favourite version of this classic book. There are so many great lines and the actors pull them off admirably!

Jennifer Ehle is lively and engaging in her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennett.

Colin Firth is appropriately stern and disapproving.

And the Bennett family as a whole was by turns silly, loud, and sarcastic.

Recommended for: Book purists and people who love BBC mini-series.

Overall, I like this one the best. However, the others are good too! If you are a fan of the story, I suggest you watch them all!


The oldest version is pure comedy. Liberties were taken with the story, as the movie is based on the play version, rather than the book! Also, the time period was moved to much later than is usually shown, probably to play off the popularity of the big skirts in Gone With The Wind.

This movie moves at lightning speed. Mr. Darcy (Laurence Olivier) plays a much nicer Darcy than in the other versions. Lizzie, played by Greer Garson, is lively and charming.

Recommended for: Hyper people or fans of old movies.


This next one was made in the 1980s and it is probably my least favourite. Still, it sticks very closely to the book and it has some lovely moments.


Recommended for: Die-hard fans of BBC mini-series.


The newest version has created a whole new wave of fans for this story. It pushed the time period back a bit, to include the earlier lower waistlines. I'm not a huge fan of this newest version, but there are good things about it.

Rosamund Pike played a very pretty Jane.


Claudie Blakly and Tom Hollander were amazing as Charlotte Lucas and Mr. Collins.

Recommended for: Everyone

Sunday, November 15, 2009

A Fun Find


I recently stumbled upon this gem in a local antique/thrift store. She was hiding demurely behind a couch, but I spotted her first thing and fell instantly in love. At first I assumed that it was an engraving, but upon closer inspection I now believe it to be an actual sketch! Here is a (rather bad) picture of the corner. You can just barely see traced lines around the edges of the whole picture.

I just love the composition of the whole thing!


Her face is beautifully and softly done.

The spinning wheel is a neat touch. I'm a little confused about the little cup. Anyone have any ideas what that might have been used for?

Saturday, November 14, 2009

New Victorians


I found this slideshow recently and to be quite honest, it thrilled my soul!! Hurray for Victorian fashion coming back around!

Link

There is even a slideshow about the creation of tintypes:

Link 2

On a side note, isn't this dress gorgeous? I don't care for the color that much, but the way it is made almost looks like icing. So pretty!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Partition


While I was at the beach I watched a movie called Partition. This movie really took me by surprise, because I was expecting more of a bloody war movie and what I got was a tragic Indian love story that bore striking resemblance to the fairy-tale Beauty and the Beast. (Which was a favourite of mine, growing up.) The costumes were lovely, the acting good, and overall it was an interesting movie. It doesn't delve deeply into the history, but it did teach me a little and piqued my interest! Which is really all I ask from period dramas, otherwise they would be dry and boring. ;) I really liked this movie.


One lonely, but lovely CdV


Such pretty trim!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

I <3 Folk Music!



Folk is definitely one of my favourite genres of music. I'm always delighted when I find a talented artist that I haven't listened to before. A friend of mine posted a song of Kate Rusby's and I was sold! Her use of traditional instruments and traditional songs, combined with her lovely voice, make her music unique and beautiful.

You can listen to a lot of her songs on YouTube. Here's a link to a whole bunch of them.

Monday, July 13, 2009

An Interesting Interview

I have long since loved the BBC mini-series North and South:



It has beautiful costumes, gorgeous locations, a lovely soundtrack, and some amazing acting! Richard Armitage plays Mr. Thornton, the hero of the story. On the DVD is a great interview with the actor that I greatly enjoyed. Here is another that was recently posted on another site:

http://vulpeslibris.wordpress.com/2009/07/08/in-conversation-with-richard-armitage/



More old photos coming right at ya!


A gorgeous CdV. I love the slight smile she wears!


Another beautiful image. You can really take in the fabric of her dress.



Boys these days! :P



Awww!



Such a sweet picture.



Her curls are so beautiful!


This is one of the most adorable photos I have ever seen!



Awww! Again. ;)



This one is most interesting. It is an advertisement for a photographer! The head was taken from a real photo and superimposed onto the drawing. I love how he is riding the camera and all the little characters in the background are photography related to making daguerreotypes. The little card he holds reads "Happy New Year's"



This one is similar! This one is for an ambrotype photographer.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

CdV posting of the day

More CdVs


An interesting dress, it looks sheer to me.


Gorgeous shot and you can see right where her crinoline ends.



Love the trim!



The description on this one said it was a 'sexy vest' when really it is a swiss waist, I believe. However, if it is so sexy why aren't we all wearing them? :P



A post mortem picture.



Sooo cute!



I love his hat!



I think everyone will be dressing like this next season. ;)



Her hair is so pretty!



Very dramatic.




A picture of a doll.



All dressed up for winter.



Short sleeves!



That's a cool chair.




Her trim is so pretty!