Shop Small: Gift Ideas (10)

 Since the holidays will be here before you know it, I thought I would share some cute gift ideas.

Instead of shopping online at places like Amazon, why not shop local?

If you have awesome local businesses, grab items from their stores of gift cards.

If you're shopping for people outside our area, why not get something super cute on Etsy?

I'm going to highlight a new suggestion each week. 

And if you want to support me (Thank you!), I do have a small Etsy shop.

And if you like something, but aren't purchasing it at this time, give the shop a like or the item a like! (This makes the seller very happy!)

ArtofNathannaErica

Makes really cool paper art. I love this one of Lady Mary from Downton Abbey

And of course this Hermione print is amazing too.

I've been looking at those two prints for years. 

And I just saw this one...

I fell in love with it. 

Nonfiction Review: Upstairs and Downstairs

I've been trying to read more nonfiction and at the beginning of the Downton Abbey season, I checked this book out of the library. I confess that I stopped watching Downton after what happened to Anna. But the time period is still fascinating. 

My Thoughts: This book describes life as a servant or a resident in one of these great houses beautifully. The pictures were fantastic and numerous making the book that much more enjoyable. I liked how the book took place throughout the entire day starting with the lowest maid before dawn and ending with the same maid at night.  A brilliant overview of the manor houses and the people who live there.

Cover Thoughts: Great - love the bells
Source: My library

If You Like... Downton Abbey

If You Like… is a feature highlighting blogger recommendations for books, authors, TV shows, movies, and music based on the things you already know and love. This week’s post includes recommendations related to Downton Abbey

I'm seriously addicted to this show!

Review: World of Downton Abbey

A look at both the secret history and the behind-the-scenes drama of one of my favorite shows.

The chapters include: Family Life, Society, Change, Life in Service, Style, House to Estate, Romance, War, and Behind the Scenes.


My Thoughts: I LOVED this book. I devoured it. I loved the history. I loved the behind the scenes information - the secrets from the sets. I loved the gorgeous photographs both from the set and from the show. I can't wait for more of this show. It's the perfect way to spend time with your favorite characters while awaiting the return of the show.


Note: This book does talk about the show through the end of Season Two.


Cover Thoughts: Wonderful


Source: Inter-Library Loan (although it's now also in our library's collection)

Sunday Matinee: Downton Abbey

I meant to post this last week, but I ran out of time before heading to Nashville for the weekend. Here are my thoughts on Downton Abbey

This is an EXCELLENT series and quite addictive. I love the drama (hate all the backstabbing - but also enjoy it just a little), the romances, the friendships, and the relationships between the upstairs and the downstairs.

I don't have PBS, so I watched it on Netflix. I imagine it would be hard to wait in between the shows. I know the wait until Winter 2012 will be brutal.

The Likes:
Lady Sybill and her rebellious nature
Bates and Anna
Gwen and her desire to better her career
Mr Carson
Daisy
Branson and his interest in Lady Sybill
Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham - for her snark, her wit, and her ability to change
The set - both the upstairs and the downstairs
Here's a look at Highclere Castle used during filming
The costumes (I think Mary has the best costumes most of the time)



The ending - so excited to see what will happen next (the new season takes place 2 years later)

The Dislikes:
How cruel the sisters are to each other
Thomas and O'Brien
All the backstabbing secrets
Daisy (how she's manipulated by Thomas)

The PBS website is also excellent - containing a family and servant trees, information about each character, and Q&As with the actors/tresses


If you like period dramas, I highly recommend this series.