Robertson's Reads
Robertson's Reads - Arts / Culture
Rarely do I rave about television shows, however since season 1 of Downton Abbey aired last January on PBS's Masterpiece Classic, I've been hooked! For almost a year, I've been eagerly anticipating the second season. What better way to spend the bleak winter evenings of January and February then curled up in front of the fire with a cuppa, my family, and this exciting Edwardian epic.
You may remember my musings about the show last January, before it really took off this side of the pond. Julian Fellowes, the genius behind Gosford Park and Vanity Fair, has brought the story of the Crawley family and their servants to life, and I for one, can't wait to see what happens next.
Last season left off with the declaration of war, as well as several other questions:
- What will happen between Matthew and Mary, especially if he goes to war?
- Will O'Brien change her wicked ways now that she's learned the truth?
- Will Bates and Anna finally get together?
- Who will go to war and will stay at Downton?
I love indulging in an entertaining and enlightening book, and this Assouline collectible hardcover just so happens to be both (and so much more). Lanvin details the evolution of the high fashion brand, and it's namesake founder, Jeanne Lanvin.
Lanvin's got an incredible story, from her exciting personal life to her illustrious career as not just a couturier, but also as an interior designer and fragrance creator.
Lanvin by Elisabeth Barille is filled with illustrations and photography, and whether you're interested in clothing construction, costume design, or fashion history, this is a book you'll love looking through.
Bonus? Completely affordable, this hardcover book is a great gift idea for any stylish woman on your gift list this holiday season.
Assouline Books Lanvin by Elisabeth Barille, $25, Net-A-Porter
To be entirely honest, I've always had a love for fairy tales. There was just something about those Disney princesses that inspired imagination and brought life to otherwise basic words. And, if we're talking favourites, the story of Sleeping Beauty was always my first choice, and I even went through a phase where I wanted to name one of my children Aurora (I was five, deal with it).
When I heard that one of my favourite fashion writers, Camilla Morton, was working alongside some iconic designers to blend fairy tale with biography, I was absolutely elated. Morton's voice is quirky and often humourous, and she has a way of writing that really appeals to me (have you ever read A Girl for all Seasons or How to Walk in High Heels?). Mix that with the brilliant talent of famed fashion designer Christian Lacroix (Lacroix illustrated the book), and you've got a magical treasure that you'll read over and over again.
Morton puts a contemporary spin on the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty in Christian Lacroix and The Tale of Sleeping Beauty: A Fashion Fairy Tale. The story strays slightly from the original, as it's actually an imaginative version of Lacroix's own life and career in fashion. One part actual and one part eccentric, this book is entirely electrifying.
Buy it today: Christian Lacroix and The Tale of Sleepign Beauty: A Fashion Fairy Tale, $17.32 CAD, Amazon.ca
Robertson's Reads - Arts / Culture
Remember earlier this year when I gave you my top 5 suggestions to help you be and live your best? I wasn't joking; those suggestions really came from my heart.
Considering the fact that we're half-way through February and my schedule's only getting more complex, I need a way to keep track of it all. If you're anything like me, your BlackBerry is like your right hand, but it doesn't always work the same wonders as a good ol' fashioned daytimer. I'm no Hemingway, but a Moleskine notebook is a life-saver.
As evidenced by my intermittent website updates, 2011 is proving to be a hectic — albeit rewarding — experience. From an exciting radio stint to a second undergrad, there's a lot going on in my little world. The perfect place to keep track of it all is in a classic Moleskine cardboard-bound, threadbound diary. Available in a plethora of colours, black has always been my favourite.
Pick up a Moleskine notebook today for $14 on Amazon
Robertson's Reads - Arts / Culture
"The sun is rising behind Downton Abbey, a great and splendid house in a great and splendid park. So secure does it appear, that it seems as if the way of life it represents will last for another thousand years. It won't."
And so the stage is set for the story of Downton Abbey, the first season of which has just finished airing on PBS. Is anyone else obsessed?! From the opening episode, which introduced us to the Crawley family and their troupe of servants, I have been absolutely enamoured with the show. Set in 1912 at the Crawley country house, the series was filmed at historic Highclere Castle in Newbury. Downton Abbey tells the dramatic tale of Downton's dynasty — the Crawley family and counterparts — which are a group of complex and unique characters. Watching each episode is like peeling another layer deep into a delectable (and often dark) domain. Downton Abbey was created and written by Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes, and the series has no shortage of excitement and interweaving story lines. I am just thrilled that there will be a second season!
Many of you will remember Gosford Park, Vanity Fair, and most recently Young Victoria. Julian Fellowes was the creator of all of them, which made so much sense to me after watching the first episode of Downton, because each story just crackles with complexities and certain undeniable similarities. Beyond the creative genius of Julian Fellowes, I am absolutely taken with the stunning scenery and costume creation for this series. Really! Those dinner dresses are sheaths I would style even today. Whether with intricate beading, lace details, or both, Lady Mary and her sisters never came to the table looking anything short of sensational.
In case you missed the first airing, you can always order the DVD from PBS, or watch the episodes online. Even if you're not normally into period dramas, this is one that will instantly captivate you and leave you wanting more.
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