Celebrating Roald Dahl

So this is where the magic happened. Where beloved author Roald Dahl imagined his beguiling stories for children and grownups alike (last Tuesday marked the 95th anniversary of his birth). I'd quite like to while away an afternoon in a holy place like this.

Oh, and how amazing is this cutout illustration from artist Jayme McGowan? James and the Giant Peach was my first and favorite of Dahl's books. You can view more of her brilliant artwork at Roadside Projects.


{Images via The New Yorker and Roadside Projects}

Downton Abbey

I hopped on the Downton Abbey bandwagon real late (I tend to do that with books and music, too). What can I say? I tend to eschew the hype because I'm generally a skeptical person by nature and usually hype isn't worth the interest (case in point: there's a reason why I haven't watched one second of The Jersey Shore). But sometimes I'm wrong. It took me years to start reading Harry Potter and then once I did, I fell for the books hook, line and sinker. Same goes with the Masterpiece production of Downton Abbey. It has all the makings of compelling television: the high drama, the lavish costumes and decedent set decorations, the intricately-drawn characters, excellent pacing and captivating plotlines, even the time period is fascinating (the series starts on the day the Titanic sank and spans the years leading up to WWI, a period of time that saw dramatic political and social change, and the ushering in of the modern era). The acting is superb; Dame Maggie Smith is a personal favorite, the lady has the best quippy lines. Since I got a late start, I was able to watch the series in its entirety in one go on Netlix. Now I have to wait until the second season airs in January. Boo hoo (lucky Brits get to watch all the drama unfold on the BBC this fall). January can't come soon enough.

{Photos of the ravishing blueblood Crawley sisters via Note to Self}

Kate and Jane

If she didn't already have enough going for her--marrying her prince, traveling around the world with said prince, having access to only the finest designer clothes--it's now official: Kate Middleton is the luckiest woman in the world. This is what solidifies it for me: it's being reported that she is distantly related to the late great novelist (and one of my personal favorites) Jane Austen. Swoon. Can she be my new best friend?

{Photo via here}

Some Pig

Meet Cinders. She's the rare pig who suffers from a curious case of mysophobia, according to A Word a Day (AWAD), a handy dandy email service that I've been subscribing to for the better part of a decade (they send you a fancy new word to learn every day, ranging from the practical to the super obscure). AWAD defines mysophobia as "an irrational fear of dirt", and by way of example, have appropriately included this adorable photo of little Cinders in all her glory in today's email. It appears as though Cinders's caretakers, the Keebles, have taken pity on her and have kindly outfitted her with mini Wellington boots so as to protect her precious feet from the mud. And just when this story couldn't possibly get any cuter, the BBC reports that Cinders has been fully accepted into the Keebles' home as a family pet and not as a potential meal. Rock on, Cinders.

{Image from AWAD via BBC}

A fragrance fit for a bride

If you're a perfume addict like I am, you may have been wondering which fragrance, if any, a recent royal bride wore on the big day (I may have a slight case of royal wedding fever, if you haven't already noticed). Lord knows the details of every other aspect of Kate Middleton's wedding to Prince William, from the exact route of the royal carriage procession to which dress the bride slipped into for the reception, has been dissected and discussed by the media to the nth degree, so it's no wonder that the subject of her choice in perfume is now creating a stir. It's recently been reported that Kate wore White Gardenia Petals by artisan perfume company Illuminum. Unsurprisingly, according to the Lucky Scent website, the perfume is now on backorder until late August, but can eventually be yours for a cool $140. Never underestimate the power of celebrity. Especially when a princess is concerned.

{Via Fashionista and Lucky Scent}

The Stuff of Fairytales

Last Friday, like countless other questionably insane Americans who eschewed a restful night's sleep for a little bit of storybook glamour, I stayed awake through the wee hours of the morning to watch the live televised broadcast of the English royal wedding of Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton (now officially the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). I have to admit, it was rather fun to participate in something so historical, so teeming with importance (depending on your view of the British monarchy and its place in society, of course; being an American and therefore rather like an observer looking into a very colorful fishbowl, I am somewhat intrigued by the royal family). I doubt I will ever do the same for another event of this calibre ever again, so I figured I may as well try it on for size now. And I have no regrets. Despite - or maybe even because of - the state of the world right now, it's a lovely thing to witness an act of true love on such a grand, magnificent scale.

But apart from all that, it's just fun watching a parade of pretty, flowy dresses and fantastical hair adornments in what can only be described as a circus act of colossal proportions. Best of all, the bride looked exquisite in her Alexander McQueen gown, designed by Sarah Burton. Elegant, graceful, and serene, Kate was already a queen before it was made official last week. I wish them both much luck and love.

P.S. The grumpy bridesmaid in the first photo just might be my favorite part of all - the icing on a deliciously decadent wedding cake.

{Images via NY Mag}