Best Dressed: Lily James

I think you will see a lot of period drama actresses in this series. I loved Lily James in all the movies I've seen her in.  Lily suits blonde hair so well and yet she is a brunette naturally.
I recently saw her in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and she was great.
Her accent is adorable and she has a sweet smile.

No.1

What a simply lovely skirt this is! Light, flowery and beautiful.
I would wear a cardigan over the top just to cover my shoulders but otherwise, the top itself has a modest neckline. The only other issue I would have with the top is that it is a little bit too fitted.
As for the skirt, it's perfect. I can't quite see the length of it but it appears to be at least at knee-length.

No.2

A long casual grey cardigan like this is on my to-thrift list. I love long cardigans, and grey ones especially.
Her dress has both a modest hemline and neckline. It also appears to be one of those pretty flowy dresses that swishes nicely.

No.3

I can't get enough floral print! Pink and a floral print! How much more girly can you get?
I would totally wear this dress if I had a fancy occasion to wear it to! Would you? I am not a fan of shoes with pointed toes though.
What I love: It's pink, floral, modest length and neckline
What I don't love: yeah just the shoes!

No.4

Isn't this one just gorgeous? A pair of statement color with lace. I adore lace and believe that it makes almost everything better. The lace makes it look complicated and extravagant.
What I love: LACE!, the red (red is such a great colour), it's very long
What I don't love: Having lace at the top makes it a little bit see through

No.5

This is an outfit you would totally see me wear. I have been wearing these sort of shirt more recently.
I also love a pencil skirt! (I love how you can see Cinderella costumes in the background!) Lily has a pretty smile to top it all off!

No.6

I'm not sure if you can see the tiny white buttons down the front but they give me Edwardian/Victorian feels.
What I love: The buttons, the length, long sleeves, soft and smooth look
What I don't love: the neckline is just a bit too low, and the shoes...

What do you think, which was your favorite?

xoxo
Hannah

Another Period Drama Tag

I feel like I can't say 'another' period drama tag because I never did the '1st' one. Anyway, I was tagged by my fellow blogger, dear follower and fellow lover of period drama, Elanor. Elanor writes her musings on her blog. She also created this tag. Thank you, Elanor for tagging me! Now on to my answers!


1. What was the most recent period drama you watched? Share what you thought of it.

Jane Eyre. I watched it with my mum. It was.......not what I expected. I expected it to be a bit like an Austen movie. I was wrong to expect that. I liked it but it was sad and a little gloomy. 

2. Do you generally prefer period dramas in the form of a movie or TV series/mini-series? Why?

I really don't mind as long as it's a good period drama!



3. What is your favourite musical period drama?

Singin' in the Rain! Love, love, love it so much. It's the perfect movie to brighten any rainy day!
(The Sound of Music too! It is such a classic! It's truly lovely and I can remember watching it a lot when I was younger and singing all the songs).

4. Read the book first or watch the movie first?

I have normally watched most period dramas before reading their book. Not actually making the decision to but we just end up watching it and then I'll most likely want to read the book. Also, I've been wanting to use this photo for so long!

5. What valuable life lesson have you learnt from a period drama?

What a deep question Elanor! Um, Cake is my one weakness!

6. Which period drama hero would you be likely to fall in love with in real life?

Henry Tilney ♥ Partly because JJ Field plays him in the movie but also because I love his character. He is so gentlemanly, kind and respectful! All things I admire.

7. Do you ever like to binge-watch a period drama series?

Would I like to? YES. Am I allowed to? No.

8. What things go best with watching a period drama?

My family, a mug of something hot, something sweet to eat and a cold night. But these could go with any movie.

9. Which period drama do you think you would fit into best?

Call the Midwife I think. I consulted my mum and siblings and they agreed! I like the fashion around then and all the characters are so lovely! (I was so shipping Jenny and Jimmy but it was not to be I suppose)

10. If you could have any period drama character for a best friend, who would it be? And why?

Lady Rose would be such a fun bestie! We could borrow each other's clothes(I do love her clothes so much, except the first dress you see her in. Remember that one?), go dancing, talk over some tea, have fun with friends. We are both social people and so we would go well together!

11. Show us a picture of a period drama costume you wish you wear in real life.

THIS DRESS! Soft, rosy, flowy, sparkly, perfect! I love a lot of Lady Rose's wardrobe. ♥


12. Are there any period dramas you like to watch during a particular season or holiday?

No, anytime is good for any period drama. Though I would like to watch the Downton Abbey Christmas Finale each December!

13. Which period drama has your favourite soundtrack?

The Call the Midwife soundtrack makes me smile! And The Light Between Oceans soundtrack is beautiful!


14. Dream cast your favourite actor and actress in a period drama of your choosing; tell which parts they would play and why.

Ooh, this is such a hard question! After some thought, I decided to cast Abbie Cornish and Michael Fassbender in Emma. I love Ramola Garai and the others in Emma but it's the one period drama I don't mind re-casting. The actors I chose are not my absolute favourites either but I thought they could pass as Emma and My Knightley.

15. Are there any period dramas you like more than one version of?

Not really. Either I have only seen one version or I only liked the one version.


16. What are the top three period dramas that you haven't seen on your to-watch list?

Breathe, The Man Who Invented Christmas and Victoria S2!


17. Show us a picture of your favourite period drama hairstyle.

Another Downton Abbey answer! I'm sorry but it is one of my favourite period dramas ever!
Lady Sybil has gorgeous hair and I love this hairstyle.


18. What was your favourite wedding in a period drama?

As much as I wanted to say Mary & Matthew's wedding, Amy & Arthur's wedding was also long-awaited. It made me so happy to see them so happy at last!


19. What is your favourite biographical period drama?

A United Kingdom. I love stories, true or fictional, about the whole coloured situation. I have got the book of this but haven't read it yet. This movie is done wonderfully. They are an amazing couple!
And Belle! ♥♥♥

20. Which historical novel will you forever recommend to anyone and everyone?

I keep saying how I NEED to re-read this book! I do recommend to ALL who read this post and those who do not. (Also, Little Women is a must read for every girl ♥)

Well, that was jolly fun! Some hard questions but nevertheless, fun! Thank you again, Elanor.
I do not know who to tag as most of the other bloggers I know have already done this tag.

I tag:
Any of you who have not done it yet!

A Disscusion about Thomas Barrow

I have been hesitant to write about this topic but I have many thoughts in the matter and had to share them with someone.
First, I will introduce Thomas Barrow to those of you who are less acquainted with him.

A pretty classic pose for Thomas

Thomas Barrow starts as a footman and works his way up to being butler at Downton Abbey. It seems he enjoys making people unhappy and in constantly getting into people's business. He smokes far too much for his own good. One other important fact about him, is that he is gay. It is this fact that prompted me to write this post.

So now you know a bit about him I will say that he doesn't stay all mean and heartless. In the last few seasons of the show, we do see some change in his behaviour towards others. He becomes kinder, more sensitive to others feelings, and more helpful.

I do not agree at all with his affections towards other men. I find it very gross and disturbing. However because of this downfall I do not think we should just dismiss him as a horrible person and stop at that.
Thomas is a person who has problems and could if he put his mind to it stop doing it. I thought it would have been good if there was a woman who maybe was in love with him and maybe it would help him. You know what I mean?
If someone 'showed' Thomas what a real relationship was like, I feel that would have made a difference.

Towards the end we see him very disturbed, so much so he nearly kills himself. I think he his confused and needs people to care for him.
I love the scenes with Thomas and George, I think they are so cute.

I did feel quite sorry for him in the end. Because of his meanness, there were very few people who liked him or trusted him and so he had few friends. But as they were somewhat kind to him despite the way he had treated them,he showed a change of heart.

I always like to look for the good in people and there is good in Thomas Barrow. Normally everyone has some good in them. Sometimes it just stays hidden.

So I suppose my conclusion is that I don't hate gays like Thomas Barrow (even though he's not a real person), I just hate what they believe and do.
As Christians we are commanded to love everyone, not with the exception of gay people.

Movies I want to watch

What's on my list of things I want to watch? You will find out now. If you keep reading!
For some reason most of these might be period dramas soooo....
P.S. I do not like the Keira Knightley version of P&P but this picture was nice so I used it. ⬆⬆⬆⬆

☆ Wives and Daughters 1999 ☆

Since recently watching Cranford I have been interested in seeing this too. 

☆ The Paradise ☆

My parents have seen this and well almost everything on this list anyway but it looks very fresh and fancy to me. 

☆ Jane Eyre 2011 ☆

I have yet to venture into the worlds of the Bronte sisters. I own a copy of Wuthering Heights and it is on my list to read Jane Eyre too. I never really stick to reading the book first, you can't always do that.

☆ Mansfield Park 1999 ☆

I have watched the 2007 adaptation of Mansfield Park but this version looks better to me for some reason. 

☆ Sense and Sensibility 2008 ☆

I mean Dan Stevens is in it guys. DAN STEVENS. Of course I have to see it. I am used to the 1995 adaptation of this (seen it 3 times, yay to me!) but I have to watch this one too. 

☆ Poldark ☆

(maybe?)

I confess, part of why I may want to watch this is because of Kili/Ross Poldark/Aiden Turner. And my parents are watching it. The scenery looks lovely and I am listening to the soundtrack already! 

✩ Saving Mr Banks ✩

This simply sounds interesting, my parents have seen it long ago and I have heard good things about it.

✩ The Crown ✩

I didn't realise that Claire Foy (Amy Dorrit from Little Dorrit) acted in this. Probably because I hadn't seen Little Dorrit at the time when I saw the trailer for this. Anyway, it looks interesting. 

✩ Viceroy's House ✩

Hugh Bonneville, another Downton Abbey star on this list, Horray! Yes, this looks good too. It is a new movie and I will be curious to see what it is like.

✩ Bright Star ✩

I have heard that this isn't that great but I would like to give it a try all the same. This picture looks really pretty. That's one thing I don't like about New Zealand, we don't really have meadows or fields of wildflowers around.

✩ Becoming Jane ✩

Well it's got to do with JA so of course I want to see it. End of story!

✩ God's Not Dead 3 ✩

The picture I included for this one is from Gods Not Dead 2 because it is still early days for this movie and there aren't any pictures for it yet. But yeah, I would like to see this because the other two have been great.

✩ The Man Who Invented Christmas ✩

Another Dan Stevens film. To be honest, I think he look a bit strange as this character, Charles Dickens I think, but oh well. It's here on this list.

Others I thought I would mention

Victoria & Abdul, Loving Vincent, Goodbye Christopher Robin, The Zoo keeper's Wife, Victoria Season 2, Belles on their Toes, Swallow and Amazons