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}

The Longest Day of the Year

"In summer, the song sings itself."

-William Carlos Williams

Happy Summer Solstice!

{Image from Etsy, via Pinterest}

The Owls Are Gathering: Pottermore

If you're a Potterfile like I am, then you've noticed that the internet has been abuzz recently with news of an "announcement" soon to be made from author J.K. Rowling. A new website, Pottermore, features a pair of owls bookending the cryptic message: "Coming Soon", along with what appears to be the author's signature. There is even a Youtube page counting down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until said announcement will be made.

We don't know much about the content of this news; all that has been revealed is that it's not in reference to a new book, but will be "something equally exciting", according to MuggleNet. My guess? Pottermore will be a sort of encyclopedia of information about the Harry Potter series, detailing the complete backstory of all the important characters who appear in the book, and maybe even some of the minor ones, as well. Rowling has intimated before that she would release something like this, so perhaps now is the time for her to do so. Either way, I think all Potterfiles will be in for a serious treat! Is my excitement transparent?

{Images via Pottermore and J.K. Rowlin's YouTube page}

The Girl With the Owl Tattoo

I am not a tattoo person. I've never entertained even for a second the idea of getting my skin permanently inked. It's just not my thing. But if it were my thing, I would be all over this owl tattoo. Seriously. I'd bring this very photo with me to the tattoo parlor and say, "This. I want this."

{Photo via The Sartorialist}

Perfect Summer Tote

Behold the perfect summer tote. Ideal for beach days, school days, and every day in between.

Bonus: The bag is handcrafted by artisans in Kenya and is a fair trade product.

{Image via Madewell}

Book Scenes

Book lovers rejoice! Now you can proudly display your favorite book, words and all, some place other than your bookshelf. Each design at Poster Text depicts a classic book by arranging its text in such a way that recalls a memorable scene from that book's pages. The above image is taken from Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment.

Seen above are images from Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Stoker's Dracula, and Homer's Odyssey. Wouldn't any of these designs look fetching hanging from a wall? I particularly adore the Austen poster (who can resist Elizabeth and Darcy? Not this blogger).

{Images via Poster Text}