Reblogged from The Book and Biscuit:

April 23rd was an important date in the life of Mr William Shakespeare- he died 396 years ago today, and is estimated to have been born 448 years ago today as a record of his baptism was dated April 26th 1564 though the actual date of his birth is unknown.

To celebrate this date in a slightly different way, I thought I would share with you a playlist of my Top 5 Shakespeare Inspired Songs.

Read more… 435 more words

True to its name, every Wednesday I hope to share with you videos which I have enjoyed and think you might, too.  We all need a bit of cheering up to last until the end of the week, don’t we?

So, Lizzie Bennet has a vlog. Thoughts?

Other episodes in the series can be found here.

I’ve decided to enter the Charles Dickens Reading Challenge hosted by Abby, from Newly Impassioned Soul.

I know I am a bit late to join and it’s not exactly the beginning of the year; however, I hope to read three of his books to celebrate it being the bicentenary of his birth. I have already finished Great Expectations earlier this year in January, so I suppose that counts as one to cross off my list. I have also read Little Dorrit, A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist; however, none of those were read this year.

As part of the challenge, I would like to read:

1. Great Expectations

2. Bleak House

3. Our Mutual Friend

How exciting! Thanks to Abby for organising this challenge.

Which Dickensian books are you reading this year?

Keep Calm He Understands Muslin

Keep Calm and Marry Her Nephew

Keep Calm and Admire the Veg

Thanks for your help! I am much obliged.

Update: Thank you to all who voted for helping me to choose. The winners were the second and third posters, which I will now duly enter in Miss Dashwood’s mini-contest. I’ll add a link to the post with the ones she picks! Prepare yourself for some hilarity.

Update: Unfortunately, none of mine were picked as finalists. But, it’s ok… sniff… Haha, I’m just kidding! The finalists are over here, go and check them out! They’re all excessively diverting. On the upside, I’ve posted them all on tumblr, and they’ve spread like wildfire! Reblog, please! Here, here and here.

Update: Congratulations to the winner! :)

STL.

Please note that all of the awards are optional and that you do not have to receive them!

In no particular order…

Firstly, I would like to thank Mandy, from Bork Adventures, for awarding me the Beautiful Blogger Award. What an honour, thank you! If you haven’t already visited her blog, you definitely should as she offers wonderful insight into the books which all bookworms have read, are reading or aspire to read. It’s all in the name: Books + Dork = Bork. In a cool way. Thank you so much, Mandy and thanks for cheering me on as I’ve started up my blog.

Edit: Thank you also to Tracy, from The HeSo Project for awarding me this, too! HeSo stands for your heart and soul and she has a lot of both! From reading her inspiring blog about her fascinating experiences, my favourite post being ‘A Lesson I Learnt From My Dad,’ I have learnt a lot and have been highly motivated.Thank you so much, Tracy!

The Beautiful Blogger Award:

• Thank the person who gave you the award
• Paste the award on your blog
• Link the person who nominated you for the award
• Nominate 7 bloggers or less
• Post links to the 7 blogs you nominated

My nominees: Charity U at Austenitis (one of the sweetest bloggers I’ve met so far!); Indi at The Nook (she has plenty to say!); Mandy at Little Maison (adorable blog); Vintagefrills at Vintage Frills (Vintage + Jane Austen = winning combo.); Anne at Scribblings of My Pen and Tappings of My Keyboard (can’t wait for hero week!).

Firstly, the Kreativ Blogger Award from Indi, over at The Nook. Thank you so much, Indi! I really appreciate your reading my blog. : )

I have to tell you all ten things about myself, and then nominate at least six others.

I like the smell of freshly cut grass. I prefer cows to sheep and Austen to Brontë. I don’t have a car, but if I did, I would like a Mini Cooper in cream or silver, or a VW Beetle in light blue. I like the look of Blogger, but WordPress is cooler (largely because it’s the one I have… Obviously*). The Simpsons is one of the best things ever invented. If I were an animal, I would be a monkey (and maybe a movie star, like Marcel). I like slipping in Friends references to see if anyone notices. The best kind of jokes are always Chuck Norris-related. I never run out of things to say…

*I kid you not. Ok, I’m joking… Can’t believe you actually thought I was that arrogant… I’m now slightly insulted…

My nominees are: Lisa at Carr Party of Five (a kind and highly inspirational blogger); Payton at Dirt and Dickens (just wonderful and her country-girl boots are bootaful); Miss Dashwood at Yet Another Period Drama Blog (brilliant writing style and I love her blog to bits); E A M Harris at E A M Harris (soon-to-be author!), Abby at Newly Impassioned Soul (her blog is gorgeous); Miss Elizabeth at Elegance of Fashion (a truly ‘elegant’ blog); Cassie at Books and Bowel Movements (see, even the name of her blog is creative – sorry, kreativ); Tracy at The HeSo Project (see above).

This Creative Chaos Award is from Indi at The Nook, as well. Thanks, Indi!

This award is a bit different. The Creative Chaos Award recipient must complete the following:
1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Take your best shot at 3 tasks listed below.
3. Nominate 5 recent followers.

The Tasks:
1. 3 weird things I do… Answer questions like this; not eat peanut butter; not drink tea/coffee. (“Whatttt?”)

2. You must tell why you look at the “glass half full” scenario and ask, “what? No coffee?”… I don’t drink coffee, so I would never say that; therefore, the only logical conclusion which I could come to in this situation would be that someone (probably an alien) has infected my brain and taken over my body. Someone who drinks coffee. I would then run to Sherlock, who would get me out of that mess. Or the Doctor. But I prefer Sherlock. (“Ooh, controversial.”)

3. You find yourself in a desolate place when the car breaks down. You have no phone service, no Wal-Mart, and only a candy bar for food. It’s 150 miles to the closest town. What color are your underpants and why?… That is so American! In the UK, we don’t have Wal-Mart; however, they own Asda stores, which is the same thing. We call ‘candy bars,’ ‘chocolate bars.’ I use kilometres, not miles (although a lot of people still use miles). We spell ‘color’ with an extra ‘u.’ We call ‘underpants,’ ‘knickers’ or ‘pants.’ So first, I would have to translate those American thoughts into English thoughts so that my brain would be able to function normally* (in 0.002145 seconds – faster than Google translate), and then I would reply to you, “That is a highly inappropriate question! Anyway, this happens all the time in movies and books. Let’s just do a Jane Eyre and run around wildly from house to house, then collapse with exhaustion until someone gives us food.” Jane Eyre annoys me. (“Ooh, really controversial.”)

*Jooooking. Random fact: I learnt fluent American English for emergency situations such as these. “No worries, y’all gad it under controwl wid de underpants thang.” (American accents are Awesome.)

My nominees are: Jenny at Caffeinated and Random (she is awesome and shares her coffee with me every morning… well, a picture of it); Thoughtsy of Thoughts Appear (Awesome – capital A); Jules from GoGuiltyPleasures (she will be able to sell her used tissues  for $100s when she is famous, mark my words); Mandy from Bork Adventures (already said how great she is, see above); Meg at Snobbery (the most crazy-in-a-good-way blog I’ve found so far. The bar has been raised, bloggers).

I kind of ignored rule no. 5 there a bit, oops. Couldn’t resist - sorry!

Again, thank you, Indi! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading The Nook!

The only requirement of The Reader Appreciation Award is to list the nominees.

My nominees are: ALL OF YOU DELIGHTFUL READERS! I appreciate every single one of you and cannot possibly single any readers out. I therefore would like to offer this award to anyone who would like to accept it, so that they can reward their readers too and show their appreciation.

You’re all brilliant. Thank you.

STL.

True to its name, every Wednesday I hope to share with you videos which I have enjoyed and think you might, too.  We all need a bit of cheering up to last until the end of the week, don’t we?

Charlie Brown reveals the truth behind the book reporter.  Kids’ cartoon, or satirical microcosm of the book blogger’s world?!

A collection of thoughts:

The S.S. Titanic

S.S. Titanic leaving Southampton

Titanic lifeboats on way to Carpathia

Titanic survivors on way to rescue-ship Carpathia

Survivors of Titanic on Carpathia

Getting “Titanic” news – White Star Office

We are still touched by the tragically poignant tale:

Behind the scenes at one of the greatest pieces of cinema of all time

I am currently watching Julian Fellowes’ new Titanic series, an interesting approach to the world’s most famous shipwreck. The finale airs tonight on ITV1 at 9:00pm.

Trending on Polyvore – Titanic Fashion:

A Titanic Memorial Cruise set sail this week to pay remembrance to the great cruise liner.

Eva Hart, the last person said to have any memory of the catastrophic event, died at the age of 91 in 1996. She described the plaque placed on the shipwreck at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean as:

“A tribute to man’s arrogance. [...] This was a ship which needn’t have lost a life.”

As a young child, I found the Titanic infinitely fascinating and devoured any mention of the vessel in non-fictional works, particularly encyclopedias. It is a tale which never ought to be repeated, nor forgotten.

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.

-Mother Teresa

Rest in Peace, the more than 1500 people who perished in the early hours of this day, 100 years ago.

STL.

Voting in Brisbane, 1937

No, I’m not running for American presidency! Or French presidency! Or presidency of any nation, actually (I’ll let you know, though).

Please vote for me at the Period Drama Advice Event if you enjoyed reading my letters of advice post, written in the voices of the characters Mr Tite Barnacle, Miss Marianne Dashwood, and Mr George Wickham. You can vote for me on the left-hand side bar of Elegance of Fashion’s home page! I would be extremely grateful if you enjoyed my stab at creative writing and would like to vote (for me and/or others!). I had so much fun entering the competition and the winner gets a badge for their blog! : )

In other news, I have a new ‘About the Somersaulter‘ page, for the stalker within you! I doubt anyone is particularly interested, but you never know!

I’d also like to quickly thank Mandy over at Bork Adventures for awarding me the Beautiful Blogger Award! Thank you so, so much! I can’t thank you enough! Keep a look out for a post all about that coming up.

Have a lovely day.

STL.

True to its name, every Wednesday I hope to share with you videos which I have enjoyed and think you might, too.  We all need a bit of cheering up to last until the end of the week, don’t we?

This is such a sweet animation, it will surely brighten up your day.

Found via The Happiest Cow! That blog is great.

To all of those who don’t follow The Elegance of Fashion, an amusing competition event is being held whereby we are given a plea of help from a fictional character, and must reply in the voice of another. Unfortunately, I’ve only just discovered her wonderful blog and this event, so I am entering the final stage; however, this was really fun! I hope you enjoy reading my three attempts (to make up for not entering before!).

ORIGINAL LETTER

'Cranford' (2007)
Photo: BBC

Dear Jane Austen Advice Column,

My name is Frank Harrison. I am a medical doctor and have recently taken up a new post in the small town of Cranford where I assist the elderly Dr. Morgan by attending some of his numerous patients. Cranford is a bit of an oddity where the women reign supreme (not unlike amazons!), careless of new fashions and fearful of change. I’ve already had to rid my wardrobe of a particularly handsome red jacket because Dr. Morgan told me the ladies of Cranford would think it fanciful. But on the whole I had found the residents of Cranford very welcoming until today when many things unseen to my eye came to a head. Upon my arrival here one of my first visits was to the vicarage where I met Reverend Hutton and his lovely daughter Miss Sophy Hutton. She is an angel! and I was making strides to ask if I might court her when her young brother Walter fell ill and despite all of the methods of modern medicine I applied soon died. You may well imagine what a rift this caused between the young lady and myself and yet I loved her more each day. Quite a few months later Miss Hutton came to trust me again and I was bold enough to ask her father if I might court her. What happiness when he gave his permission! Our courtship was going on so well until this afternoon while attending the town’s May festival, it came to the attention of the whole town that two other ladies felt themselves as good as engaged to me! Miss Tompkinson is a spinsterish young lady who lives with her sister in town and though I have attended her many times for palpitations and other maladies I was never aware of having shown her any other interest than that of a doctor to his patient. Likewise Mrs. Rose, who is my widowed housekeeper, seems to think that I have shown signs of love for her, which I never have done! The worst of the matter was seeing my dear Sophy stricken with horror at my supposed unfaithfulness and see her directed away by her father. I am in a state of shock from which I shall not soon recover! Please tell me dear sir or madam, what am I to do!?!

Desperate for advice,

Dr. Frank Harrison

REPLY FROM MR TITE BARNACLE JUNIOR, OF THE CIRCUMLOCUTION OFFICE

'Little Dorrit' (2008)
Photo: BBC

To a Dr Harrison,

Oh, I say! Now, look here, Dr Harrison. Upon my soul you mustn’t just barge into the place saying you want to be advised.

It’s not anything about— Wanting to Know— or that sort of thing, is it? No, no, it’s not? You want to be advised, you say? No, no, no, that simply will not work. You have no right to come this sort of move.

Look here. Egad, you haven’t got any appointment. Oh no. You really are going at it at a great pace, you know.

Then, look here, is it private business? If it is, you oughtn’t write to us. But I say! Is this public business? If it is, I tell you what! I’ll forward this letter on to the Secretarial Department next door. Here are some forms to fill in.

Upon my soul, you mustn’t just barge into the place saying you want to be advised, I do advise. That’s not the way to do it.

Signed,

Mr T. Barnacle Jr.

REPLY FROM MARIANNE DASHWOOD (Before she fell for Col. Brandon)

'Sense & Sensibility' (2008)
Photo: BBC

Sir,

I write to you with the utmost urgency so that you may follow my words of instruction directly and end this poor, beautiful girl’s misery.

Let me be clear, as opacity cannot be tolerated in times of life and death; you have been a deceitful man and betrayed the trust of a girl with youthful innocence, whom may never see any light in this world again. Do you not see what damage you have caused with your recklessness? A woman’s first love should be treasured indeed and you have caused havoc within her heart. The once peaceful sea within her chest has now evolved into a hurricane of storms. You say that you have not come to be in this position by choice. Well then, sir— and I use that word with utter disdain as I waver on the point of your having a gentleman’s soul, mind or character,— if that is true, in order to reverse this perhaps irrevocable mess, you must consult with her at once and admit your love in the most passionate of ways. I recommend you recite to her a favourite poem of yours— you must carry around Shakespeare’s Sonnets which you have read to her, if you are her true lover, to be sure— for there is little more that a girl with a soft heart could wish for and she will surely forgive you if she loves you as a lover should.

As for the other deluded, old fools, you must dismiss them immediately without any hint of sympathy. You must not worry yourself on their behalf; those past the age of seven-and-twenty can never feel or hope to inspire affection again. Particularly the widow, she must be deranged from the death of her first love, poor soul. I hope I die before my love, that way I will never have to endure the pain of living and breathing without them, weighed down by the pain of grief. If they continually persist, ignore them entirely. I would recommend elopement with your sweetheart, and perhaps you could find a pretty church somewhere in Scotland surrounded by wild flowers. That would be best.

Sending my warmest regards to the young lady,

Marianne Dashwood

P.S. Apologies for the holes which I have eroded into this parchment and for my hurried handwriting; however, in the seriousness of this emergency, the heart of the matter is more important than the façade, indeed, is it not?

P.P.S. I enclose within my letter a sonnet which I think would be highly suitable to recite by memory to your love.

'Pride & Prejudice' (1995)
Photo: BBC

My dear friend, Dr Harrison,

I am afraid that you have got completely the wrong end of the stick! Sir, if I cried out for help whenever there was a mishap between two lovers, I would be a gentleman of leisure, with no need for a profession! If anything, you now have the upper hand. Love is like a game of cards, you must pick and choose carefully until you hit the jackpot. Strike too early and you may lose all; bet too little and you may gain nothing; time the bullet perfectly and you just might make the kill.

I can say with complete confidence that having all of this attention amongst the female sex is making yourself as a suitor become even more desirable. Being a celebrity in your village should be used to your utmost advantage. Flirt to make the “indifferent”— or so they say— jealous. The more you play, the richer those who are “indifferent” will be. You have clearly come thus far in winning the real prize— who, as I have no doubt in your being a sensible gentleman, must be worth her weight in gold,— since she is already showing signs of trepidation. All you have yet to do is flirt with the other women until they start to swoon to the ground upon seeing your handsome face, and wait for your future wife to beg you to take her in to your humble abode and marry her immediately. She will not care about any other woman, only that she is the one you have chosen. She will be grateful to you everyday and her parents will be ecstatic that you have made their previously emotionless daughter so joyful, allowing you complete access to her dowry.

If all else fails, Harrison, elope with her— or take her hostage,— then order family or anybody who cares in the slightest to pay immediately so that you may be married, or else lead the family further into scandal. Alternatively, an inside source tells me that the British red uniform lies very well over in the minds of the New World’s finest, richest ladies. The gambling is also said to be reputable over there.

Yours faithfully,

George Wickham

Thanks for reading!  I’ll let you know how the short-listing goes!

STL.