Lovely Books and Aesthetics of 2020

In no particular order, some of my favorite books and series of 2020, in aesthetic form of course ;)

Till We Have Faces

by C.S. Lewis

marble halls | philosophical thoughts | Greek gods | misty mountains | unrequited love | sheer fabric | myths | sword fights | weeping willows | sisterly love

The Artemis Fowl Series

by Eoin Colfer

stolen paintings | fairies | the rolling hills of Ireland | SNARK | fancy techy stuff | dastardly plots | child genius | unlikely friendships | bodyguards | black suits | acorns | old legends | blue sparks 

Sense and Sensibility

By Jane Austen

pale pink | sheet music | dry wit | ball rooms | quiet admiration | Shakespeare sonnets | small cottages | passion | wildflowers | long walks | exotic lands | short letters

Persuasion

by Jane Austen

cobblestone streets | patience | cloudy skies | ocean waves | silence | blue uniforms | green fields | assembly rooms | secret looks | tangled past

Romanov

by Nadine Brandes

boarded-up windows | red | ancient spells | black eyes | old journals | bullets | train whistles | royal blood | soldiers | family ties 

Cranford and Dr. Harrison's Confession

by Elizabeth Gaskell

quiet streets | gossip | etiquette | long lasting friendships | dried flowers | neighborly support | old lace | garden parties | sea green | tea cakes | ticking clocks  

The Ascendance Series

by Jennifer Neilson

long lost royalty | duels | ocean waves | gold coins | empty throne | courage | scars | rolling landscapes | whispers | band of thieves | old parchment | knotted ropes | head held high | enemies to friends and back again | pirates | schemes | sass | a sense of belonging 

The Scarlet Pimpernel

by Baroness Orczy

dark nights | alter egos | gold ballgowns | candlelight | reign of terror | chivalry | horse hooves on cobblestones | dastardly plots | theatres | black mail | lost love | large mirrors | adoration | cliff sides | lace handkerchiefs | loyalty  

And that's all for now! Have you all read any of these books and what did you think of them? I hope you all had a Merry Christmas! 

Yours Truly, 

Miss Woodhouse

Twelve Delights of Christmas Tag!

Merry Christmas frens!! 

I'm so excited that we're finally back around to that time of year! (except it's coming up wayyyy to fast! I still have so much Christmassy stuff I want to do!)

I've been wanting to do a Christmas themed post, but I had zero ideas, until what lovely person should happen to tag me, but Miss March! Thank you so much for the tag dear! 

 1.  A favorite Christmas tradition?

I don't know if this exactly counts as a tradition, but every year after we set up the tree, my family sits around the tree in the evening sewing, reading, drinking tea, and just hanging out doing cozy things, and it's lovely :)

2.  Say it snowed at your domicile, would you prefer to go out or stay curled up inside?

It really depends on the day. Some days I love nothing better than a good aggressive snowball fight and sledding day, while other days I'm just not in the mood to be cold and wet, so I opt for staying inside with a book!

3.  Tea or hot chocolate?

I drink tea year round, so hot chocolate for the Christmas season!

4.  Favorite Christmas colors (i.e. white, blue, silver, gold, red and green etc)?

I love them all really, but I think my favorites are green, red and gold.

5.  Favorite kind of Christmas cookie?

Wedding cakes! They're basically really sweet dough with walnuts, and rolled in powdered sugar and they are PERFECTION.

6.  How soon before Christmas do you decorate (more specifically, when does your tree go up)?

Much to  my chagrin, my family tends to be late Christmas bloomers. Our house decorations (lights, wreaths, candles) went up near the start of December and we are hopefully getting our Christmas tree tomorrow!! *fingers crossed*

We also jumped on the dried orange garland train this year, and I LOVE THEM. They're so pretty!!

7.  Three favorite traditional Christmas carols?

O Holy Night, Mary, Did you Know, and The First Noel.

8.  A favorite Christmas song (i.e. something you might hear on the radio)?

Hmmm I can't choose just one, so three it is ;)

Cold December Night by Michael Bublé, White Christmas by Bing Crosby (I mean, obviously), and Like it's Christmas by The Jonas Brothers. (generic I know, but I'M SORRY, THEY'RE GOOD)

9.  A favorite Christmas movie?

White Christmas!!!

Any excuse to gush about this movie, I'll take it!! The music, the costumes, the absolutely fabulous 50's vibes, the DANCING!! Absolute Christmas Perfection!

10.  Have you ever gone caroling?

I haven't, but I would love to one day!

11.  Ice skating, sledding, skiing, or snow boarding?

Ice skating and sledding!! I've never been snow boarding or skiing, and though I would like to try it, sledding and ice skating are both just such a blast!

12.  Favorite Christmas feast dish?

It might not count as a feast dish, but every year for breakfast on Christmas Day we have a blueberry strata!

I Tag...

Olivia 

Movie Critic

Thunderbird Queen

That's it friends!! Hope you are all having a lovely Christmas time!! 

Yours Truly,

Miss Woodhouse

Now, where to begin?

Hello lovelies!

If you haven't already guessed from the title, followed by the photos that Sorta Give It Away, I am about to write a post about the new Netflix movie Enola Holmes, aka The Movie That Left Me In Love, In Tears, and Gave Me Approximately 47 Heart Attacks.

*ahem*

I wasn't made aware of the existence of this movie until about two weeks before its release when a friend showed me the preview. The preview in itself was enough to make me very excited. So when it was released, I watched it as quickly as I could possibly hit the play button. 

AND YOU GUUUUUUYYYYYYYSSSSSSS

You know when you find a movie that just is so amazing that you want to share it with practically everyone, but at the same time, you don't, because it's your precious and you're afraid other people won't appreciate it like you do?

That is this movie for me.

The gorgeous aesthetic, the adventurous music, the perfect acting, the amazing storyline, the precious characters, THE STINKIN CUTEST SHIP!! 

Suffice to say

I Love It.

So I will share it because it deserves to be shared. And also because I NEED SOMEONE TO FANGIRL WITH!

So firstly, Millie Bobby Brown as Enola (which backwards, spells Alone, in case ya don't know) was perfection!! She was so cute and tough at the same time, and managed to pull it off without being annoying, which is a feat in itself.

I loved that she had the same smarts as Sherlock (who is also amazing by the by), yet is still learning how to wield them, and we see her slowly maturing throughout all her experiences as the movie goes on. All in all, she was perfectly perfect. 

(Also if I could learn karate now so I can be just as kick butt as she is, that would be great, thanks.) 

Of course, we must also address young Viscount Tewkesberry, the Marquis of Basilwhether

aka THE MOST PRECIOUS CINNAMON ROLL. 

HE MUST BE PROTECTED AT ALL COSTS.

*SEMI-SPOILERS*

which *cough* doesn't exactly happen... 

*distant sobbing*

*END SPOILERS*

Seriously though, he was a darling character. Him and Enolaaaaaaa. I mean that boy was smitten after knowing her for 2 and 1/2 seconds.

 And we stan our hopeless romantic, garden loving, slightly squeamish, yet extremely resilient Marquis of Basilwhether. 

*SPOILERS*

And as much as I wanted a Holmesberry kiss, I can very much appreciate where they left the relationship. It's obvious that they both have feelings for each other, but Enola isn't there yet. She's spent most of her life rebelling against the idea of a husband, so the whole falling in love thing is a bit of new territory for her and something she has to get used to. So I really like that they didn't force the relationship to move too fast just because that's what audiences want. I have no doubt that Enola will come around very soon, but for now, I am satisfied :)

(but the hand kiss was still great)

*END SPOILERS*

Ok, I will say no more on their score. Just that you should watch it and you will love it and you will ship it.

Enola and her mother had such a lovely, lovely relationship. Even though we only saw that relationship through mostly flashbacks, you get such a good feel for the two of them and I love it.

Helena Bonnaham Carter was fabulous, as she always is. For some strange reason, slightly eccentric characters are really my cup of tea. 

A Few More Thoughts in Bullet Points so that I Have Some Organization...

•  I must be allowed to geek out for a moment about the cinematography. The way they incorporated flashbacks with the present shots, as well as little moments like the shots of the cliff edges just made my creative heart go !!!!!!!
• The music makes me want to reimagine my life and go on an adventure. So yes, catch me listening to the soundtrack for the next forever and awhile. 
• The aesthetic is everything dried flowers, trains, cobblestones, windblown hair, old parchment, watercolor, long skirts, dark hallways, and golden fields. Which is another way of saying Practically Perfect in Every Way.
• "What made you like me more?"

• The relationship between Sherlock and Enola (all the great sibling relationship/teaming up/mentorship vibes)
• PLOT TWISTS
• "I know jujitsu" *does little karate hands*
• The breaking the fourth wall style of narration was very interesting. Normally, I don't love that kind of stuff, but it really worked in this movie. It was a really good method for showing us Enola's thought process.
• the costumes are fan-freaking-tastic!
• Sherlock. If you've seen it, you'll understand ;)

So, how to conclude...

Please watch this.

Please love it

And if you don't, please don't tell me, because I will take it very personally. 

(Not really.) (But Maybe ;))

So! Have you all seen Enola? What are your thoughts?! Hope you are all doing great! 

Yours Truly, Miss Woodhouse

Song Lyrics That Make me Feel Things

Everybody has those song lyrics that they just really love, whether it's because they really hit home, or because they are incredibly clever, or just because they are touching. So just for fun, I've put together a few of my favorite song lyrics that make me Feel Things.

"I need some way to prove that this was real. A memory is not enough. I'm scared that I'll forget the way it feels to be young and in love. So let me stay right here, just a moment longer. The picture is so clear, please let this last forever."

Photograph by Cody Fry

"And I'm happy, nothing's going to stop me, I making my way home, I'm making my way."
Go Solo by Tom Rosenthal

"Tell me why I look back and I want to cry. Sometimes I feel like we grew up to fast. You and I had the time of our younger lives, sometimes I sigh and think about the past. But that's alright, cuz everything changes."
Firebird by Owl City

"It doesn't matter how many papers I write, the end of the equation won't be you and I, and now I'm just another who got hurt, doing Annabelle's homework."

Annabelle's Homework by Alec Benjamin

So I'll drown it out like I always do. Dancing through our house with the ghost of you. And I'll chase it down with this shot of truth, that my feet don't dance like they did with you."

Ghost of You by 5 Seconds of Summer

"The fact that we can sit right here and say goodbye means we've already won."
Walking in the Wind by One Direction

"What good is living a life you've been given if all you do is stand in one place." 

Ends of the Earth by Lord Huron

"Tell me, did you sail across the sun? Did you make it to the milky way to see the lights all faded, and that heaven is overrated? Tell me, did you fall from a shooting star, one without a permanent scar and did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there?" 
Drops of Jupiter by Train

"And you call me up again just to break me like a promise, so casually cruel in the name of being honest. Now I'm a crumpled up piece of paper lying here, because I remember it all too well." 

All Too Well by Taylor Swift

"Do you still remember the way that we felt when we were kids, I wonder if that place still exists. We lived for the moment and fear was a stranger to our lips, I wonder if that place still exists." 

Invisible Things by Lauv

"And the cynics were outraged, screaming this is absurd, cuz for a moment a band of thieves in ripped up jeans got to rule the world... Long live the walls we crashed through, I had the time of my life fighting dragons with you. And long live all the magic we made, and bring on all the pretenders, one day we will be remembered."
Long Live by Taylor Swift

"If the whole world was watching I'd still dance with you. Drive highways and byways to be there with you. Over and over, the only truth, is everything comes back to you." 

This Town by Niall Horan

"Should this be the last thing I see, I want you to know its enough for me. Because all that you are is all that I'll ever need."

Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran

"So here's to the hearts that you're gonna break, here's to the lives that you're gonna change. Here's to the infinite possible ways to love you. I want you to have it all."

Have it All by Jason Mraz

Does anyone else have those songs that just hit you right in The Feels? Drop a comment and tell me what they are!

Yours Truly, 

Miss Woodhouse

Sunshine Blogger Award!!

Hello Friends! I'm back from my unintentional break! I was tagged for the Sunshine Blogger Award by Olivia from Meanwhile in Rivendell, and Grace and Katherine from The Maidens of Green Gables. Thank you so much Ladies!!

Rules

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog. (done :D)

2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.

3. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.

4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

Olivia's Questions

1.  Is there a particular song that you would show to people if you were trying to explain yourself -- your personality, your heart, your aesthetic, your inner landscape -- in musical form?

Ooooh, first of all, I love this question!!! 

Second of all, thanks a lot Olivia, it only took me like 30 years to pick just ONE song XD.

2.  Do you like tattoos or no?

I am not a fan. There are some pretty ones out there, like the tiny, cute ones, but I'm not planning on getting one any time soon. 

3.  What is your favorite thing about your favorite holiday?

Well Christmas is definitely my favorite, and I absolutely LOVE the whole overall feeling and aesthetic of it all. The snow, the coziness, candlelight, the spicy smell of the tree, twinkle lights, prettily wrapped presents :)

4.  What non-story-related hobbies do you enjoy?

I really enjoy photography! Also dancing, singing, and taking long walks in the rain.

5.  Top three favorite TV shows?

Oooooooffffffff

I'm terrible at choosing favorites....

I guess, in no particular order, Downton Abbey, Road to Avonlea, aaaand Gilmore Girls? Yes, we'll just go with that just to spare my poor brain.  

6.  What is one thing that the world needs more of, in your eyes?  (Serious or trivial.)

Hats. We need more absolutely fabulous hats. 

(also more Mr. Knightley's. We could definitely use a few more of those)

7.  What is one thing that the world needs less of, in your eyes?  (Serious or trivial.)

Mr. Collins's?

8.  Do you need more cool air or more heat when you sleep?

I'm a cool air person. I hate waking up in the middle of the night because I'm too hot. 

9.  What scents do you tend to love in candles, perfumes, etc.?

I love anything natural, woodsy, rain, type scent.

10.  Top three favorite animals?

Dolphins, cuz cute. Dogs, cuz real cute.  And Hedgehogs, cuz STINKIN CUTEST THINGS ON THE PLANET

11.  Socks or no socks?

Socks, although I usually forget to put them on XD. But if I remember, I much prefer them. Cute socks especially, make me very happy :)

Katherine and Grace's Questions 

1. If you had to spend a year in any place in the world, where would it be?

Hmmm, do fictional worlds count? If they do, I'm going to go with Narnia :)

2. Who is someone you look up to in life?

My mom for sure. 

3. What is your favorite history fact/story?

I've always been super fascinated by Abigail Adams. There is no particular story about her, but I've always loved learning about her as a person.

4. What's a new interest that you've discovered? 

Pinterest-ing, maybe? I really love creating aesthetic boards for characters I love, as well as storyboarding, and just in general making my boards look pretty. It's very satisfying :)

If you'd like to take a peek...

5.What would you sing at Karoke Night?

Love is an Open Door. I think that would be a fun one to belt.

6. What historical event would you have liked to witness firsthand if you could have?

The end of World War 2.

7. Would you rather learn how to keep bees and harvest honey or learn the uses for all the different wild herbs, plants and trees? 

I'd rather deal with herbs, plants and trees. Dealing with bees would make me to nervous.

8. What are two of your pet peeves?

    1.) People who slurp their tea

    2.) When you're about to go do something, and then someone comes in and tells you to go do that thing. Suddenly there is no way I'm doing that thing.

9. Do you collect anything?

I collect small things that remind me of events, or days that I enjoyed. Things like ticket stubs, seashells, and flowers.

10. What motivates you to work hard?

I work the hardest for something if I'm really really excited and passionate about the end result. 

11. What movie quotes do you use on a regular basis?

Oh, sooooo many...

"What are you talking of? I MUST have my share in the conversation!!"

"What do you think I am, dumb or something?"

"Throw it in the wash, it'll be grand."

"Tell Carson to bring the tea."

"I am in....Vancouver."

"Oh how the turntables."

"Ohhh, NOW I understand."

And that is just a few of them... ;)

My Questions for You!

1.) If you could be a fictional book character, who would you be and why?

2.) If money were not a problem, what would your dream job be?

3.) Describe your aesthetic in five words.

4.) Long hair or short hair?

5.) If you could only watch one tv show for the rest of your life, which one would you choose?

6.) Favorite way to spend a quiet day?

7.) Who is your OTP couple that always give you the fuzzies, and why do they procure said fuzzies?

8.) Dress it up or dress it down?

9.) Do you have specific books or movies you like to read or watch during a specific season? (i.e. books/movies that make you think AUTUMN, SPRING, etc...)

10.) Tell us one of your inside jokes, but don't explain it :)

11.) ARE YOU EXCITED FOR FALL!?!

And I tag...

MovieCritic @ Movies Meet Their Match

Thunderbird Queen @ The Winchester North Star

Cordy @ Any Merry Little Thought

Natalie @ Ramblings of a Redhead Girl

Bella @ Wanderlust and Story Dust

Beth @ Beth in Boots

Anna @ Bookends and Bwopper Eels

Ceci @ Ceci Creates

Mem @ Music, Mystery, Middle Earth and Mitochondria

Mary @ Sunshine and Scribblings 

Hannah @ Joy and Wildflowers

I can't wait to see all your answers (no pressure of course ;)) Also YOU GUUUUUYYYYYSSS IT'S OFFICIALLY FALL AND I'M SO HAPPY!!!! Anybody else over-the-top excited!? 

Yours Truly, Miss Woodhouse

Some Thoughts on the new Emma

Well Friends. I went back and forth quite a bit on whether I wanted to actually see this movie or not. The preview did not look very promising, and it appeared as though they were trying to turn my dear Emma into, well... a spoof. So I was very apprehensive going into this.

Yesterday I caved and watched it. 

And... I didn't hate it. I actually quite enjoyed much of it.

Does it replace my beloved 2009, Ramola Garai, Absolute Perfection, Johnny Lee Miller aka THE KNIGHTLEY, Emma? 

No it does not. 

But. I liked it more than I was expecting too. 

I will try to keep this post organized, but it will probably end up being a thought dump, so please bare with me.

To start, the overall aesthetic of the movie was veeeeery lovely. The colors, the houses, the clothes, the scenery, I loved it a lot. In fact, that was probably my favorite part of the whole movie. Nice aesthetics always make me happy, and as far as I am concerned, this movie nailed it in that department. 

Let's move onto Emma. This particular Emma was definitely a little too... sharp for my liking. And I don't mean that in a mean way, Anya Taylor-Joy is just not what I picture Emma to look like. Also, what was with the tight, miniscule curls? Those were a little weird. 

However, I certainly didn't dislike her portrayal of Emma. But I did find that her Emma was much more dislikable as a character. I don't know if this was a good thing or not. Even Jane Austen believed that not many people would like Emma. And half of the point of this story is to see Emma go through a character transformation from self centered, slightly spoiled young lady to someone who genuinely cares about others and their feelings. And while we do see this, I don't feel like the change was as noticeable as it could have been. Emma only got a little bit nicer, and a little bit more conscientious of others. But I didn't feel like the ultimate transformation was there.

However, I did really like other aspects of Emma's character, including the relationship between her and Miss Taylor, as well as her and Harriet. We got to see a much softer and emotional side of Emma. Her love for Miss Taylor was really very sweet, and her friendship with Harriet was much more genuine, and I really appreciated that!

There were several little vignette's that gave us a peep into Emma and Harriet's friendship and I really liked those scenes. It showed us that there was more to their relationship than Emma just wanting someone as a plaything. She genuinely cared about Harriet and their relationship, which I think was a very nice touch. 

On that note, I was much more inclined to like this Harriet. She was very sweet and naive, but she seemed a little less stupid then the other Harriet's I have seen, which was refreshing. (But also, her obsession with Mr. Elton, was slightly creepy...?)

And I feel it should be noted, even though he's a minor character, that Mr. Weston was much more likable in this adaptation! He came off as bit silly and stupid in the 2009 Emma, but I really liked him in this one! and no it is not just because he is played by Lestrade whom I also happen to love. that has nothing whatsoever to do with it. what a notion. 

Ahem.

Mr. Woodhouse was also rather funny. I quite enjoyed his character. I found his first little entrance hop quite amusing. Also his barricade of fire shields was funny. And that is all I have to say on his account.

As for Mr. Elton, you couldn't even see his face behind that collar that was something like two feet tall. But he was a good Mr. Elton. I just found it irritating that he had no neck to speak of.  

And of course, we mustn't forget Mr. Knightley.

hhhrrrrrmmmmmm...

I honestly can't make up my mind. There were many times when I did like him (the badly done scene was well done, if you will. haha.) But there were other times when he just wasn't working for me. Maybe it was because I couldn't even really tell what his face looked like behind all that shaggy hair and two foot collar...? I don't know. But for now, Johnny Lee Miller will continue to remain intact as THE Mr. Knightley. 

And it should be noted that I Am Concerned. What, if I may ask, the heck was with the bare rear ends??? 

That is not cool. No one needs that. So please, movie producers, chill.  

Also, can we talk about the proposal scene? They almost had it!! They were so close! I almost loved it! And then... and then...

HeR NoSe sTarTs tO blEEd??? 

Whaaaaat was that??

Weird, that's what it was. 

I also have very mixed opinions of the soundtrack. There were several times when it was just a rather loud choir singing old hymns and folk songs and while in a different movie I think I would have liked it, it just really didn't fit here. Whenever it was instrumental music I thought the soundtrack was lovely, but the loud singing was not for me. 

And that draws us to a close. It seems that I have a few more negatives than positives on my list, but I promise that I do not despise it. All in all, there was actually quite a bit here that was Good Stuff. I would certainly watch it again simply for the pleasing aesthetic, but I also wouldn't mind seeing it again just because I did find myself enjoying it quite a bit.

So! Have you seen the new Emma and what are your thoughts? Do you have a favorite adaptation? Let's chat!

Yours Truly, 

Miss Woodhouse