On It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

The tree is up and starting to be decorated.

The mantel is adorned with a prim Victorian magazine, a delightful caroling book, and the jolliest of holiday coloring books.

 

The manger my great-grandpa made is gracing the coffee table.

The kitschy decorations are making their way out of their boxes.

I've donned my poinsettia skirt and one of my reindeer pins...

(and posed in it in a ridiculously silly manner)

and pulled out some favorite cds, records, and movies.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! ♥

On “The Magnificent Ambersons”: A Book Review

Title: The Magnificent Ambersons 
Author: Booth Tarkington
Genre: Fiction

About the book….
Written in 1918 by Booth Tarkington and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 1919, The Magnificent Ambersons is a novel that approaches the changing atmosphere at the turn of the century. The Ambersons have always been a prominent family in their small town, but as the town continues to grow at a rapid rate this is proving to no longer be the case. George Amberson Minifer, however, is unable to accept this growth and with high expectations of maintaining the prestige his family has held for so long, he brings about a destruction to those close to him that is equally as damaging as the changing times.  

What I think… 

This book had been on my reading list for a few years now and having come across mention of it online several times and then the actual book recently, it seemed like it was about time I read it. Now, having this one I’m more than ready to read Alice Adams and some of his others because I really enjoyed this book!

It was excellently written, entertaining, and filled with interesting reflections on industrialization. I was able to get into very quickly and didn’t really want to put it down once I started reading it. 

When I think about industrialization, I don’t really focus on the effect it had on societal standings as I do other areas, so I liked being able to gain a better understanding of that aspect. In keeping with that, I found the characters interesting in their own ways in relation to how Tarkington addressed this issue. George Minifer’s disagreeable behavior, as result of being spoiled rotten, really helps to develop the attitude of the time and just how much society changed as the world progressed. I also felt that his relationship with Lucy Morgan, the woman he falls in love with and a very sensible character in comparison, really showed this change as well in the manner of someone who was able to adapt to the changes.

My one disappointment was that the last chapter seemed rushed, but while being so, it did wrap the story up in a reasonable way.

To sum it all up… 

A thoroughly enjoyable read about the turn of the century, the changes that occurred, and how it affected those living through it. I would highly recommend it for those looking for a modern classic! ♥

On My Book Skirt from Last November

I have a handful of things I’ve sewn over the past two years that for some reason or other haven’t made it up on my blog (including my most favorite dress ever) and I figured since it’s now been almost precisely a year since I made it, it’s about time I shared my book skirt. 

Like the Venice dress, this is a David Textiles reproduction print from the Victoria and Albert Museum, in this case having been off of a 1954 furnishing fabric by Jacqueline Groag.

I had a very limited amount of this fabric to work with, so, no surprise to those who’ve been following awhile, I turned to Simplicity 3773 (Really, I do sew more than just this pattern!). It was quite a challenge to get all the pieces to fit, but I did it and only had to do matching on one panel. Things even worked in my favor and I was able to match the design almost perfectly.

Almost a perfect match! So close that I had difficulty determining if I was taking a pic of the right section.

While I’ve worn it a few times, I only have this one picture. 

Just in case anyone is wondering, no, I don't normally sit on the tables at work.

I had made a light pink blouse to go with it, but as a result of sewing the buttons on further over than I should have and making an interfacing mistake, it was a little too big. However, I have found that I love pairing my magenta blouse with it and I was certainly glad it matched so well! ♥

On "Highland Fling": A Book Review

Title: Highland Fling
Author: Nancy Mitford
Genre: Fiction, Comedy, Romance

About the book...
Written in 1931 by Nancy Mitford, Highland Fling presents the world of English aristocracy with a comical twist. When the Sally and Walter Monteath are invited to host a hunting party at Sally's aunt and uncle's Scottish castle, they view it as a great way to escape from their financial troubles and be economical. Along with friends Albert Gates and Jane Dacre, they soon find themselves surround by the "stuffy" older generation and the traditions they hold so dear.

What I think...
I was expecting to like this book a great deal more than I did. This isn't to say I disliked it, but it just wasn't the right choice for me.

On the negative side, parts of it carried on for a bit longer than I cared for. It also was a much more up and down sort of story as far as the way it carried out than I generally prefer.  Having been in a dismal mood lately, the frivolity of the characters annoyed me at points, as did the way they overreacted to things (I know this book is supposed to be poking fun at the aristocracy, it just wasn't as funny to me in this case).  

That being said, there are still a handful of things that I did like about it. Mitford presents a wide array of characters, which really captures the changing attitudes between the generations of the time and added a comical touch to the relationships between everyone. Parts of it were very funny, such as a soggy hunting expedition, a staged ghost sighting, and the accidental eating of an entire picnic lunch followed by a second lunch, which I thoroughly enjoyed. 

Overall, Mitford's first novel is definitely not the one for me.

To sum it all up...
If you're looking for a lightweight book from the 30's you might want to give it a try, but if you're in the mood for something more substantial and less ridiculous, avoid it. ♥