I have a fondness for big, beautiful houses, the kind of houses the characters in Jane Austen’s novels live in, the kind we see in the film adaptations. My dream is to one day have such a house myself where I can live as in my own version of a Jane Austen story (dreaming away here…) and where I can host grand balls, to which you shall all obviously be invited!

So yes, I quite like these kind of houses. And so when the opportunity of visiting one came up last week I was rather pleased.

Sweden has its fair share of grand houses, and the region of Sweden where I live (Sörmland) is particularly rich in them! Which obviously I am happy about.

My mum and I had read in the newspaper about an exhibition which was to be shown at Nynäs slott, a grand estate about 1 ½ from where I live. This exhibition was on historic fashion, showing clothes from the very beginning of the 19th century. This sounded very interesting we though and decided to go there on the day they opened it, as the lady who had put it all together would also be there that day and talk about it. So that’s what we did.

The exhibition was lovely! The clothes on display ranged from about 1890 till 1915, and many had that Downton Abbey/Titanic look to them, which was great since that’s a new favorite era of mine! Most of the clothes had belonged to one and the same lady, and we got to hear about her and her life (and her clothes too obviously). It was very interesting and I loved seeing all the clothes! Unfortunately you were not allowed to take any pictures of them, which was a pity. There was one gorgeous black dress from 1900 which I particularly liked and would have loved to show you.

After finishing with the exhibition we spent some time just roaming around the gardens and grounds of this beautiful estate, had lunch in the conservatory, climbed a nearby hill to a little fort my brother Aron had spotted there and which we naturally had to visit. The view from there was quite spectacualr.

Welcome to my humble abode! (I wish…)

Spring flowers, and a beautiful house

My brother with the little fort…

…which we realized wasn’t quite that “little” after all

 Mum in the fort, with the beautiful view of the house

 Me and another view of the house

The cute little smithy. 

And this house was apparently used for the making of alcohol. It is pretty much three times the size of the smithy! It’s easy to see where their priorities lay…

Even the barns were pretty! They had some of the prettiest details (windows especially) I’ve ever seen on a barn!

All in all it was a lovely day out, and I just thought I’d share a with you few of the pictures I took that day. Hope you enjoyed them.

You know when you like something so much you can’t stop talking about it and you just want everyone else to like it too? Well that’s pretty much how it is with me and Jane Austen.

If you are reading this blog then you are already aware of me being just a tad bit obsessed about this wonderful authoress and her world, and I do like to “spread the word” of Jane Austen to as many people as I can.
A couple of days ago I had the final test/exam to do in a course I have been doing the last few months, and part of this exam was that I needed to do a short presentation on some subject. I was allowed to chose whatever subject I wanted and (I am sure you have guessed it already) I chose Jane Austen. They DID say whatever subject I wanted!

I began my presentation before the teacher (I only had to do it before one person) by stating that Jane Austen is, as I hoped he was aware, one of literature’s greatest authors through time. As I said this he looked very, well, guilty and apologetic, and my suspicion was confirmed: he didn’t know a thing about Jane Austen! The reason I suspected this was because there are just so many people in Sweden who don’t have a clue of who Jane Austen was or what she wrote! Sadly I am now more surprised if anyone DOES know of her, rather than if they don’t. It is a sad thing. I do think someone who works with education should know about her though! But apparently that doesn’t have to be the case.

I did my presentation however, and by the end of it he (the teacher) was full of questions, which I was more than happy to answer, and we continued talking about Jane Austen for quite some time. And before I left he said that he’s going to have to get hold of some Jane Austen books now and read them!! I walked away from there with a big smile on my face for two reasons. One was because I was finally done with this course that I was more than a little sick of, and the other was that I had introduced yet another person to the wonderful world of Jane Austen! That always makes me happy! Hope he goes ahead and actually reads it now too!

Oh and by the way, I needed to do a written part for the exam as well, and believe it or not I managed to write that about nothing less than Pride & Prejudice! What can I say? I am just a little obsessed.

…but they were wrong.

A short while ago I posted the trailer to ITV’s new miniseries about the Titanic, and last night I finished watching that same series.

Consisting of four 45 minutes long episodes this series, written by the amazing Julian Fellowes, tells the well known story of the beautiful ship that sank on its maiden voyage, exactly 100 years ago. But how do you tell a story that everyone already knows? Here they solved that question by telling us the story from a lot of different peoples perspective. This is one of the things Julian Fellowes has done so well with Downton Abbey, you have all these characters from different classes who all tell their own little story. And he does it again here in Titanc. That was rather expected of course, after all, why change a winning concept? But I think it works well. There has already been a fantastic movie made about the Titanic, so to simply make another love story set there wouldn’t have been the smartest idea. I mean, it would have to be pretty good to be able to live up to the mega hit that the previous Titanic was, and still is (with costumes to die for! Just had to point that out…)! So I think it was a wise decision to do it this way. And also, I love it when there are so many different characters and stories in one film like this!

After seeing the first episode I confess I was a little confused. It was good and promising the whole thing I thought, but everything felt very rushed! By the end of the first episode the ship was already sinking! How in all the world were they going to be able to drag the sinking out for another 3 episodes?? That’s not what they did though I discovered when I continued further. Over the remaining episodes they go back, we get to see the story from someone elses viewpoint, it fills in the blanks and that feeling of it being rushed or of us not getting to know the characters well enough disappears.
I think it is cleverly done, and though I wasn’t at first sure I liked it I came to the conclusion that I actually I really did. The only thing I will say is that it still wasn’t quite long enough, I felt, for me to really feel that I got to know all the characters as well as I would like, spoilt as I am with very long miniseries. But I guess I can see that they couldn’t very well drag it out much longer than they did. After all, how much could possibly happen to one person over the course of just a few days?

It ends of course in the only way it could end. It is a tragedy like few others. And seeing all those people clinging on to one another (and to the ship!) for dear life, or trying desperately to stay alive in the icy water is heartbreakingly sad! Even more so because we know that this actually happened!! It is a story that I believe leaves no one untouched.

So my overall impression of this series is very good. It has some good characters, some nice costumes (always an important thing in my eyes!), the ship is beautiful and hadn’t it been for the fact that it sank I would have loved to be on it! And of course, it’s got a story like no other!

I generally like a story with a happy ending, and I cannot pretend that this one has an ending even remotely happy, but it is good, I really think it is!

Today I want to write something which really has nothing whatsoever to do with Jane Austen or any of the other subjects I usually write about here. Today I want to write about my sister.

 There can be no situation in life in which the conversation of my dear sister will not administer some comfort to me. ~Mary Montagu

My sister Viktoria has been my constant friend and companion for 21 years, 7 months and 11 days, in other words since the day I was born. As all sisters do we spent our childhood playing together, and I will admit (because we were no saints) fighting, more than I care to remember! As we’ve grown up we’ve continued to share the closest of bonds, and I’ve come to realize how very fortunate and grateful I am to have a sister like you. I want to take this opportunity, since it IS your birthday, to say just how much I love you and how happy I am that you are my sister! I couldn’t wish for a better one! No one else knows me quite like you do, and thanks for all you’ve ever done for me. All the advice you’ve given me (even though I don’t always like all of it), all the times you’ve talked me through some kind of crisis, all the fun we’ve had together, those times we’ve laughed so hard we could hardly breathe. And in regards to this blog – all those pictures you’ve consented to help me out with, and all those period dramas we’ve watched together. After all, it is so much more fun when you watch it with someone and then afterwards go for long walks discussing the merits (or not) of the various characters, important issues such as was his sideburns too long, or where they just long enough? And didn’t he look good in his top hat and cravat? After all, those are very important topics of discussion

Me and my sister, years and years ago, in the very beginning of my Regency era obsession

Sisters annoy, interfere, criticize. Indulge in monumental sulks, in huffs, in snide remarks. Borrow. Break. Monopolize the bathroom. Are always underfoot. But if catastrophe should strike, sisters are there. Defending you against all comers. ~Pam Brown

I could go on for a very long time writing about all the things I am grateful and all the things I love about you, but that’s not what I’m going to do. I just wanted to write this to say happy birthday (even though I am more than a little jealous that you will be going to see Les Misérables in London, without me!!), and so here goes: HAPPY BIRTHDAY Viktoria, from that little sister of yours.

A younger sister is someone to use as a guinea pig in trying sledges and experimental go-carts. Someone to send with messages to Mum. But someone who needs you — who comes to you with bumped heads, grazed knees, tales of persecution. Someone who trusts you to defend her. Someone who thinks you know the answers to almost everything.~ Pam Brown

There is a time for every thing – a time for balls and plays, and a time for work.

~Northanger Abbey

I take some comfort in these words of Mrs Morland’s from Northanger Abbey now when all that seems to be going on is work. I long for those balls and plays, but they will come, eventually.

In the meantime there are still some nice things to keep me going. I am overjoyed to finally get back into sewing after ages of not doing that. I’ve started a new Regency gown , I can’t wait to finish it and show it to you all!

I have some plans to try my hand at a 1910-1915 style outfit sometime this year. After falling in love with Downton Abbey I really think I *need* an outfit like this! My problem with it is that there are faaaaar too many pretty dresses from this time, how could I ever pick just one to start with?! I honestly don’t know what to choose! Another reason for making an outfit for this time is that this year is the big Titanic year. As I’m sure you’re all aware it is 100 years since this splendid ship made its one and only journey, and this is an event that is acknowledged in a lot of ways this year. And since 1912 fits well and nicely into the time span I want to make an outfit from this is yet another great reason for it!

Something I am really excited about is the prospect of the new mini series about the Titanic which is due to be released now in April! Not only is it a period drama (which always is nice), but it is written by the fantastic Julian Fellowes: the genius behind Downton Abbey! Needless to say I have high expectations for this one!

Looks promising I think!

Oh and I just saw the trailer for a new version of Dickens’s Great Expectations! I don’t know exactly when this will be released, but I think it is sometime now in April too (as this is also the 200 year anniversary of Charles Dickens birth. Busy year!)..? Great Expectations is not my favourite of his books, but hey, it’s a Dickens! And even if it isn’t my favourite it is still good!

Can’t wait to see them!! I’m so glad to have some wonderful new costume dramas to look forward to!

Didn’t I say I would get better at writing more frequently…? Well, seems I have not… Once again I will try to defend my case by saying how very busy I’ve been. And this being busy has also (sadly) meant that I haven’t had the chance to do as many Jane Austen related things as I would wish. But I feel we are moving towards better times when it comes to that though!

A few Jane Austen related things however I have managed to squeeze in (couldn’t live without any altogether now could I?). One such was I got the chance to watch the great BBC documentary The Many Lovers of Jane Austen which was shown on TV not too long ago. This delightful show by Professor Amanda Vickery is an hour long documentary about Jane Austen (ha! Surprise, surprise!) and what it is about her work that still makes her so famous and loved, to this day. It was wonderfully interesting to watch, full of facts and interviews (I learnt a few new things!) as well as a part about the Jane Austen Festival in Bath and events in America. It was so fun to see those parts (well all the rest of it too obvioulsy!) because I spotted so many people that I know or recognize, quite a few of my friends had managed to make it into this! Both in America and England! I did keep a sharp lookout for any glimpse of myself in the scenes from Bath, but didn’t manage to find myself there. Oh well, guess you can’t have everything.

It was very interesting to hear all the views about why Jane’s work is still as loved as it is, it is a question I have often thought about myself (not that it is a wonder that her work is loved, I mean of course it should be! But it’s still interesting to think about WHY that is). It is a really good documentary, and very enjoyable to watch! So if you get the chance to see it, DO! Amanda Vickery does a very good job with this one I think, I haven’t yet seen her other very popular At Home with the Georgians, but I have heard a lot of good being said about that one too. And if it’s anything like this one I can well imagine it is good!

I tried finding something on youtube from this one, but didn’t find much. I did however find the clip about the festival in Bath!! Oh now I want to go back there really bad!!

Oh and by the way, in that clip there is the reference to what Winston Churchill is claimed to have said about his reading Jane Austen in the middle of the war, that antibiotics and Jane Austen cured him when he was ill. I read about that a while back and was really excited about it, it is yet another proof of my belief being correct that most things can be cured with Jane Austen! And I now choose to see Jane Austen as the person responsible for winning the war!

A long time ago I said I would do a post about my most recent ballgown, the one I made for year 2011′s Jane Austen festival. Well, took me some time to get around to posting it. But I felt I should do it, soon I’ll start making new things and it won’t do to wait even longer!

Taking pictures of a dress like this in the snow was cold. VERY cold! 

When I was going to Bath and knew I would be attending three balls in the course of one week (ah, those were the days!) I realized I would need to make another ballgown (there is something wonderful about actually needing another ballgown…!) and began thinking about what to make.  I had a few different ideas, but in the end I settled on just making a white cotton one. Doesn’t sound overly exciting perhaps, but I had just been watching War & Peace and had been quite taken with a few of the beautiful white ballgowns in that one. So I made my dress inspired by one of Natasha’s.

As you can see mine is “inspired by”, not a copy of. The ruffle is different, and so are the sleeves. 

Love the big bow!

As usual I used the Sense & Sensibility pattern as a base, and then did my own little adjustments and alterations. Actually there weren’t a great many alterations that I did, the thing about this dress that I really put the focus on was the trimming on the bodice. The little ruffle thing around the neckline and sleeve

Close-up of bodice.

The actual dress didn’t take too long to make, the trimming was what took time since most of it needed to be done by hand. It was an enjoyable task, but I managed to bend quite a few needles in the process of making this… But I must say I am quite pleased with the end result.

The dress is, like I said, made from just a plain white cotton fabric, the pink sash around the waist is however silk. I had spotted this lovely pink silk in the fabric store when I had been there with my sister looking for material for a dress I was making for her for a wedding she was attending. I really liked this silk and was trying to persuade my sister that it would be perfect for her outfit. She didn’t completely agree with me, so I didn’t get to bring that fabric with me home… But when I had come so far with my own dress as to decide what style I was going to make it, I knew straight away what fabric I was going to use for the sash! The fact that it was pink was very good too, for the reason that it would match my mask for the ball very well also.

Back view. Once again it is a dress whith buttons in the back. These are lovely mother of pearl buttons. The skirt is gathered rather than pleated in the back this time.

Cute sleeve detail

So yes, so much for the construction of the dress. I am very pleased with the result, and it was a nice dress to wear and dance in.

Note the shoes…

And now I have to show you something really nice! Remember a while back I posted about these Regency shoes that I wanted to get? Well, I’ve got them now!! These beautiful shoes were given to me as a Christmas present by someone utterly wonderful!! I was so happy and thrilled to get them, seriously an amazing gift! I know I’ve said it already but, THANK YOU!!!

Flashing my ankles in a very un-ladylike fashion! 

The shoes are beautiful and comfortable, and I am so excited that I now finally have some proper Regency shoes to wear with my ballgowns! Don’t get me wrong, the £5 ballerina flats that I found in some random shoe store years ago have served me well so far, but these are just sooo much nicer!

*sigh* I think they are sooo gorgeous! 

I received these very pretty shoe clips from a dear friend a while back, now I discovered they will work nicely on these shoes together with my red ballgown (which is the same fabric as what the shoes stand on in this picture)

Yes, so that’s my newest ballgown and my wonderful new shoes. I really can’t wait to get to use these shoes, and can’t wait to get started on some new Regency projects soon! I have quite a few ideas…

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear…! It’s been shockingly long since I updated my blog! I am heartily ashamed of myself! In my defence though I have been very busy lately. Right now I am both working and studying (doing a distance course) and it is unfortunately taking up a great deal of my time these days. It is only temporary however and will not last for very long (thankfully!), but that is the reason why my dear little blog has been so sadly neglected!

Here in Sweden winter is here in full force! After a relatively mild autumn and first part of the winter we have now these last few weeks been reminded of what season it really is! A few days of -20C has me dreaming of warmer places and of summer… I guess we’ll get there, all in good time (even if this weather and climate is making me rather impatient!).

Me in a big snow pile, with my wonderful “I love Mr Darcy” bag!

Talking of summer and warmer seasons, you know I wrote about some different Jane Austen events happening this year a little while back? Well I’ve come to hear of another thing which seems nice. It is a Regency Festival in Lincolnshire, England. It is the first year the festival will be held (but dare I guess it won’t be the last? Lets hope so at least!) and it sounds like it will be a lovely event! There will be sewing and dancing, talks and walks and visits to some amazing places like Belton House (ROSINGS PARK!!! The place I visited back in December!) and the home of Tennyson. And of course there will also be a ball! What is an event without a costume ball eh?! It sounds really nice, and I do wish I could go! But the dates are 24th to 27th of May, and it is a little close to the dates when I will (hopefully!!) be going to Italy. And I don’t think I can do both of them this time. But like I said, I hope they make this a yearly event! Have a look at their website, and if anyone who reads this decides to go, I’ll just say that I would love to hear what you thought of it!

This is a somewhat random post, I am aware of that, and I will make it even more so by adding this little youtube video which I really love! It is the theme song from Downton Abbey (it has become a new favourite song of mine. Soooo beautiful!) set to clips from the series. Please have a look at it, but if you haven’t yet seen all of both seasons, beware! There will be some spoilers in it!

*sigh* why don’t I live in the world of Downton Abbey?!

Hope you are all well and keeping warm! I will do my best to update a little more frequently from now on!

A little while back I read somewhere a new theory about Jane Austen’s death. What she can have died of and why and so on. They keep coming up with new theories for this it seams! Anyway, that reminded me of Cassandra’s letter to her niece Fanny, which she wrote just after Jane died. When I went to Chawton Cottage they had that letter there, up on the wall, next to a typed copy (which was a lot easier to read!). I had never read this letter before (even though I am sure it can be found on the internet and other places) and though it was very sad and tragic to read it, it was also nice in a way to hear it through Cassandra’s own words.

Anyway, I took pictures of it and just felt like posting them. I just realized you can see both my hands and my phone nicely reflected in the pictures…

What can I say, it’s just so sad!

Yet another year gone past and here we stand again, at the beginning of a new one, looking ahead, wondering what this year will contain! Personally I hope this year will, for me, include lots of wonderful events to travel to! There are so many wonderful events spread out all over the world, all through the year!

On March 24th there is the annual Regency Exhibition Ball in South Bend, Indiana. I’ve wanted to go to this event ever since the first time I came across information about it, it seems so nice, and people I have talked to who have been there have all said they loved it! Sadly the organizers of this ball have been losing money the last couple of years, and so there is a risk that this years ball will be the last one! Which would be a terrible shame and a loss to the little community where this ball is hosted. But with enough guests attending the ball could be saved! So I hope anyone who is in the search of a good ball to go to will consider this one! I would love to go myself, but unfortunately due to various things in my life right now I don’t think I can go over to Indiana in March. But I do hope this ball can be saved, because one year I want to be there! So spread the word, and if you can go yourself, I hope you do! More information on their website here.

Another event I hope to go to one year is the Jane Austen festival of Australia. Over the years I’ve heard a lot about this, seen lots of pictures and videos from there, and (no surprise to anyone) I would love to go! This year the festival will be 12 – 15 of April and will include all kinds of fun workshops and talks and (of course!) balls! Have a look at their website and see if you are not tempted!

An event that I do plan to go to this year, if everything works out as I have planned, is this years event in the Florence area in Italy. You may remember I was there two years ago, and loved it. Last year I didn’t go, but this year I really hope I can! It’s a Napoleonic Weekend in Lucca, Tuscany and will include visits to various grand houses (in costume), dance workshop and, obviously, a grand ball!

And then there is an event I am dying to go to! Or go on I should say. In July there is to be a Jane Austen Cruise!! That’s right, a trip on a cruise ship with the theme Jane Austen! Leaving from Southampton in England the cruise is 8 days and sails via Holland, Gurnsey, Spain and France, and then back to England again. And on-board there will be a costume promenade, discussion groups, talks, teas, a ‘film festival’ and a Gala Ball!! I like the sound of it, *fingers crossed I can go*! For more details look here.

In Spetember obviously there is the Jane Austen Festival in Bath. After 3 years of going to that there is no way I am missing out on this years! So the 14th to the 22nd of September is already booked in my calendar, those days I will be in Bath! Unless something completely unforseen happens that is.

Those are just a few of the many events happening, and there are so many I wish I could go to! Have you got any Jane Austen or other historic events planned for this year?

However that is, let me just take this opportunity to wish you ALL a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Wherever in the world you are, whatever you are doing, may it be a wonderful one for you!