by | Jan 31, 2013 | Fashion, From the Heart |
For the last three years, my hubby and I have been following the chronicles of Downton Abbey with much enthusiasm. I am a big fan of movies and television shows set in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. So when I learned about Downton Abbey was coming to Masterpiece Theater on PBS, I was eager to watch.
DowntonAbbey.com
After watching the wonderfully scripted shows for the past three seasons, I found myself taking a liking some of the characters, and a certain dislike to others. Probably my favorite of all the characters was Lady Sybil.
Sybil-downton-abbey
I especially liked her because she was so real in every way. She put no one above her and no one beneath her. She treated everyone the same, whether you were a Lord or the butler. She wanted to learn to do things for herself that would never have been expected for someone in her social class. One of my favorite scene was when she came downstairs to learn from Ms. Patmore how to cook; and her mother came down to say something to her but stopped and was really proud of her.
Downton Abbey (Sybil in the middle of the picture)
Watching the last episode was especially difficult for me. Sybil’s death after child birth was completely unnecessary and preventable. To have grown men argue about what was the best care for her was unimaginable and a shame. When Lord Grantham decided to believe Sir Phillip, the doctor to the royals, over the doctor from the village; it was against all what Lady Sybil believed in. She would have been cheering for the underdog and making sure that their voice would be heard. The argument scene seem like it went on for hours going back and forth, forth and back and all the sudden the baby was born.
I was telling my husband that it seemed too quick, too easy and then all the sudden Lady Sybil was gone. The only one in the the Downton Abbey manor who thought both of her sisters were nice people. Such a sad day in Downton. Tom, Lady Sybil’s husband, is stubborn but I know that he will miss her dearly. He has to raise a child now by himself now. I wonder how he will be as a single father.
Do I blame Lord Grantham and Sir Phillip for not taking Dr. Clarkson’s advice that she may be seriously ill and would need to give birth to the baby via cesarean? What can I say, I think that she should have been taken to the hospital; but it is too late for that now. Lady Grantham blames Lord Grantham and Sir Philip for Sybil’s death. Lady Grantham believes that if the Dr. Clarkson was able to get her to the hospital; Sybil would still be alive and there is some truth to that. It will be interesting to see the Lord and Lady Grantham’s relationship will play out in the coming episodes. Will she forgive him and allow him back into their room? Or will she forever blame him for her baby not being there now?
For more about the fashion styles of Downton Abbey, check out my other post by clicking here.
To learn about the seven beauty lessons learned from Downtown Abbey, check out the article on Daily Glow by clicking here.
by | Jan 14, 2013 | Fashion, From the Heart, Inspirations |
Hi Elegant Friends,
Hope you had an awesome weekend and a fabulous Monday!
I ask the question, “What does it mean to be in love forever? To share a bond that will never separate.” Is it easy? No! Is it worth it? Most certainly yes.
Having God as the center of our relationship I know is the key.
I put these questions in your mind because my hubby and I went to a friend’s wedding this weekend. The couple was renewing their wedding vows after 30 years of marriage. Totally awesome! The couple looked so grand. A highlight was when their son came down the aisle with shades on, a cell phone and a briefcase in his hand labeled ring security. That was really cute, he was really looking like a secret service agent.
The wedding reception was beautiful also, the talented husband and family of musicians. It was a privilege to attend such a special occasion.
Everybody was line dancing and having a lot of fun.
I get questions often on what to wear to occasions like this one. I love to dress up, however I like to be comfortable yet chic at the same time. I wore black and white which can be typical. However, I kicked it up a notch by adding a contrasting of color in my tights.
I enjoyed wearing this outfit it is breath of fresh air. Would you believe I have on a dress with a close fit to the body cardigan? I constantly say get pieces of clothing that work for you in your wardrobe.
If you wear black or monotone, add an eye-popping tight to your ensemble , completely changing the game.
by | Dec 23, 2012 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
What can we accomplish alone?
Nothing.
Live Second
Written by Doug Bender
I am blogging about Unity from the Live Second Devotional book written by Doug Bender.
(Day 7: Unity on page 51)
My husband and I have been heavily involved in our church’s Christmas program. We have a production team and a host of actors, lighting crew, computer crew, directors, lighting crew, stage hands, parents, seamstresses, make up artists, and a host of others making up an intricate team.
Being behind the scenes made me look at how each person in this Christmas program has an important part to play to make it successful. I work as part of the computer ministry in my church. We make sure that the narration slides are up and incorporate videos on the big screens to make sure that there no black holes shown during transitions of actors going on and off stage. The program was a great success because everyone worked together like a hand fitting in a glove.
When you are a part of a team it’s not about me it’s about us. Sometimes we don’t agree on everything but we always try to work it out so that everyone agrees. It’s not easy but that what unity represents, it represents working together, caring and having concern.
For example, I would not say I want the transitions to be this way, if the director would like to have it another way. The director has a vision and it is my job to make that vision work. If I think advice can be made to enhance the vision, then I will say so.
God’s love engulfs us and never leaves us or forsakes us.
In the Live Second devotional, this scripture is so revealing of how we have to be unified to truly be effective in the body of Christ.
My prayers is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one-I in them and you in me-so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
(John 17:20-34)
I have to be loving to everyone I meet, with love because my actions speak louder than words. If I do not treat my husband and family with love how can I be kind to a stranger?
How are you unifying relationships?
by JTwisdom | Nov 26, 2012 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
30 Days of Giving Thanks
(continued)
Day Nineteen
I thank God for the opportunity to travel with my wife to Memphis early this year for the Duran Duran concert. My wife had always wanted to attend a Duran Duran concert; but never had the chance to do so. She grew up listening to the tunes of this British band and seeing them in concert was a dream come true for her. It warmed my heart to look over at her during the concert and seeing her sing the countless hits. But I have to admit, I was singing along myself. We had a great time and enjoyed our first, but brief, visit to Memphis.
Day Twenty
I thank God that my wife and I had the opportunity to witness the great horse show known as Cavalia when it came to our city. My wife and I love animals and horses are high our list of favorites. The show was a belated Valentine’s Day present because we couldn’t celebrate on the actual day. We were in the second row and were so close to the horses. The show included horses from all over the world and featured acrobatics, trick riding and horse stunts. The two-hour show include a back stage tour of the horse stables. I can’t recommend this show enough.
Day Twenty-One
I thank God that my wife and I had the chance to see the Lion King musical at the Fabulous Fox Theater as a birthday treat for me. This was our first Broadway musical and the first time that I had ever gone to the Fox. It was indeed a treat for us. The Fox is an ornate theater built in the 1920s. The architecture is indeed over the top; but that is what makes the Fox so great. The Lion King proved to be better than what I could have imagined. I was not a big fan of musicals, but the Lion King changed my opinion of that.
~JAY~
by JTwisdom | Nov 25, 2012 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
30 Days of Giving Thanks
(continued)
Day Fifteen
I thank God that, in spite of the hustle and bustle of life, I still have a place that I can go to get away from all of it. And that place is my home. My home provides me with a place to spend time with my wife and my doggies and to get a release from all that is going on in my life. With a full-time job and volunteering at my church my schedule full most of the time. It is great to have my home to be a quiet place and a refuge that gives me the chance to rest, recharge and prepare for the next day and its challenges.
Day Sixteen
I thank God for Gio and Vinny, my two doggies. They are a rowdy and boisterous duo; but they provide a spark of vitality to our house. Gio, the big brother, is a beagle who is always on the hunt for squirrels in the backyard. Vinny, the little brother, is a Collie is always wanting to play with this big brother. Their personalities are completely different. Gio is needy and loud and Vinny is laid back. Gio talks to me with deep stares and tail wagging. Vinny talks back with ruff ruff and roul roul . But I won’t have them any other way.
Day Seventeen
I thank God that my wife loves me for who I am; but also wants me to be better. I know that I am a work-in-progress. We all are. But my wife loves me in spite of my flaws and all. She just doesn’t leave me with my flaws and weaknesses; but she helps me to improve myself and shows me a better way. She hasn’t given up hope on me and is always helping me strive to do better. I love her for that. Being a better man is not just for me; but for God first and her too. If I can make myself better, it will make me a better man and husband for her. We both benefit from it.
Day Eighteen
I thank God that my wife is always helping me through difficult situations with her Godly wisdom and advice. God has placed in my wife so much wisdom and knowledge that she knows the right words to say or the right advice to give. I can always count on God first and wife to see me through the difficult situations and be right there with me. It is as if God is speaking directly to me through her yielded voice. I am amazed by what God is doing in her life to help me grow and becoming a better person.
JAY
by JTwisdom | Nov 22, 2012 | From the Heart, Inspirations |
Thirty Days of Giving Thanks (continued)
Day Eleven
I thank God for the men and women who served in the Armed Forces and in the Military how fought to give me the freedom to live in this country that allows me to be free. These men and women sacrificed time with their own friends and families to fight for a cause they many of us take for granted. The United States of America was founded on the concept of freedom in 1776. And to this day, that fight continues. Be sure to thank a veteran for your freedom.
Day Twelve
I thank God for my daddy who, unfortunately, left this Earth too soon. My daddy taught me so many things, in the years that we shared together and even in the years since has has been gone. My father was a respected business man, great father and a loyal husband. I have heard countless stories of his goodness and his kind-hardheartedness from my mother, my family and others. I take those stories and let them mold me into a better person.
Day Thirteen
I thank God for my mommy who had to raise me as a single parent after my daddy died. Not only has she been a great mother, but always a great father. She not only took great care of me but also provided me with a solid of how to be as a man. I will never forget her working long hours in a hat factory to provide me with everything needed to make my life happy in spite of losing my father at such an early age.
Day Fourteen
I thank God for being a world traveler with my world-class wife. Growing up in a small town, I only dreamed that I would be able to travel out of the country. But that dream did come true last year when my wife and I went on a seven-day Caribbean cruise on the largest cruise ship of them all, the Oasis of the Seas. We experienced the culture of the Bahamas, Saint Thomas, and Saint Martin. We also had a chance to see the dolphins in Tortola and the alligators in Fort Lauderdale. We had a great time and would highly recommend everyone go on one cruise in their lifetime.
JAY
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