A Book and a Movie

I promise I will be back with something decor-inspired soon.  But so far my summer has been filled with fun activities and relaxing.

If you are into relaxing with a good book, I just finished "Honolulu" by Alan Brennert and would highly recommend it.

Source: goodreads.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

"Honolulu" tells the story of a girl named Regret, born in a Korean village around the turn of the 20th century.  Regret wants more for her life than the life of a repressed Korean woman can offer.  She decides to become a picture bride (basically a mail order bride) for a Korean man living in Honolulu.

Once in Hawaii, Regret quickly learns that the streets aren't lined in gold and life is not as she expected.  Regret learns to make her way in this new world.  The author does a great job of weaving real history into Regret's story and brings life to Hawaii of the 1920's and 30's.

I liked "Honolulu" so much that I'm now reading Brennert's first book, "Molokai."

Source: goodreads.com via Emily on Pinterest

"Molokai" is the story of a young Hawaiian girl who contracts leprosy and is taken from her family to live in the leper colony on Molokai.  I'm only a few pages into this book, but it already seems like it will be just as good as "Honolulu."

As for the movies, I took the girls to see "Dolphin Tale" at the dollar movie theater this week.  I don't know how we missed this movie when it was in the theater (it's already out on DVD.)

Source: amzn.to via gina on Pinterest

I am such an animal lover and love inspiring animal movies.  I rarely cry at movies featuring humans, but throw an animal in there and I'm a blubbering mess.  This movie was no exception.  The girls and I deemed this movie, "our new favorite."  If you are looking for a great family-friendly movie, get this DVD.

Have you read any good books and seen any good movies lately?

Random Musings on New Pillows and Downton Abbey

I recently dropped off this stack of fabrics at the seamstress:

The seamstress is named Margie and her shop is called Margie's Stitch and Sew.  Margie is at least 80 years old, probably closer to 90.  Her business occupied a little storefront in my town until recently, when Margie slipped on the ice when coming in to work.  Now, she works out of her home and she gets around on a little scooter.

I asked Margie if she could make some piping to put around the pillows and how much it would cost to complete pillow covers.  She said it would be between $3 and $5, depending on the size.  I couldn't believe the price!  I left the fabric with Margie.  She didn't take down my name, phone number, or any other information.  She just told me to come back in a few days to see if the pillows were done.  I wasn't sure what to expect.

When I came back, I saw a stack of four pillows piled neatly in the corner.  I had asked for a simple envelope style cover, but Margie went ahead and put in invisible zippers.

I could tell she was not thrilled with my color choices.  She wasn't sure why I wanted orange piping on the pillows.  To each his own, right?

I'm thrilled with the way the pillows turned out.  My only complaint is that on the dog pillow above the fabric is upside down on the back - the dogs face one way on the front, and then they are upside down on the back.  But for $5, I am not complaining!

I will definitely be bringing more projects to Margie in the future.  My sewing skills are not good and it's worth paying a few dollars to avoid the frustration and time it would take me to sew something.

Come back on Wednesday to see the "big reveal" of Mary's room as the One Room Challenge wraps up.

In other news, who watches Downton Abbey?

I watched the season finale last night.  Big K, who has watched maybe three episodes, even got teary eyed at several points during the show.  It was SO good and now I'm anxiously awaiting season three.  Does anyone know when it comes out?

Check out the Downton Abbey site on the PBS website while we're waiting for the next season.  If you are freakishly slightly obsessed with the show, the website has all kinds of video clips, cast interviews, and other interesting stuff to keep you occupied.

This weekend, I also watched True Grit.  Talk about the opposite of Downton Abbey! Big K has been bugging me to watch this with him for awhile.  I wasn't interesting in seeing it because I thought it would be a boring Western.  I was wrong.  It was a great movie and I would highly recommend it if you haven't seen it.

Books and Movies

I'm back!  Did you miss me?

No, I didn't think so.  Thanks to all of my fabulous guest posters last week!  It was so fun to learn about your favorite things.

We had a great vacation in the mountains, but now we are ready for the whirlwind of back to school.  My oldest two start elementary school on Wednesday and my youngest starts preschool on Thursday.  I am looking forward to getting back on a schedule, which hopefully includes getting the house back in order after a crazy busy summer.

The night before I left on vacation, I attended a Southern-style party and the movie "The Help."

Source: google.com via Annelisa on Pinterest

I absolutely loved the book.  Usually this means I won't really like the movie since movies rarely live up to a great book.  This was not the case with "The Help."  The movie was fabulous and I would recommend it to all of you.  Just be sure you bring Kleenex...lots of it.  I was sobbing like a baby.  Kind of embarassing.  Especially since the party and movie were hosted by my boss who I do freelance work for and have  met in real life just twice and most of the other attendees I didn't know.

While on vacation I read "South of Broad" by Pat Conroy.

Source: patconroy.com via Carrie on Pinterest

I really liked his other books including "The Citadel" and "Prince of Tides."  I think Conroy's writing and description is beautiful.  Unfortunately, this book was just so-so.  A lot of it seemed cliched and formulaic.  I did enjoy his description of Charleston, South Carolina.  The city and its historic homes sound gorgeous, as does its seaside location.  I'm ready to hop on a plane and visit.

I'm always looking for books to read?  Do you have any book recommendations for me? 

As for furniture and decorating...they are kind of on a back burner right now.  I have a little chevron piece that I can hopefully share with you later this week.  I have some large pieces to work on...maybe once the kiddos are back in school.

I hope you are enjoying the last days of summer!