{quotable thursdays}

While I was in the UK, I watched Skyfall with my cousins. I hope this doesn't spoil the film (& I don't think it does-otherwise, I wouldn't post it here), but there's a moment when M (Judi Dench) recites the following lines from a Tennyson poem (last lines of Ulysses):


"Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

I think this is a brilliant quote. No matter how old we are, and even when we may be weaker physically--or even mentally--it is our will that carries us through. Personally, this can't mean more to me than right now--the idea of perseverance is so important and so relevant. If I lost the ability to strive, to seek, to find, I think I'd lose the ability to live. Hold on to your dreams. They will develop, but in their own sweet time, so just have patience and perseverance... & you might just find it's the unexpected that is what you were looking for all the while. Keep trying, don't give up, hold on, & wait!

{Judi Dench}

{via pentaluma}

{via inside movies}

{via  the telegraph}

some inspiration from 007:

{classic connery from ryan jones}

{shaken not stirred, via zsazsa bellagio}

{via coco+kelley}

{007}

{Bond girl, via swagger NY}

{follow your dreams! via julie leah}

{persevere but try to enjoy life while you're doing it--via dust jacket}

{blow those bubbles & follow your dreams! via zsa zsa bellagio}

xoxo
L

{london calling...}

{LONDON via print& pattern}

With the end of Upstairs, Downstairs on pbs, and still a few months away until Downton Abbey airs here in America, I need to get my Brit fix. so, I'm off to the UK:)

{London calling...via terrier & lobster}

{London busy-ness}

Looking forward to some lovely walks in wellies:

{brit wellies}

{Downton Abbey/Highclere Castle grounds}

{country cottage}

some pints with friends:

{glamour via terrier & lobster}

{& hopefully some cream tea!}

& a visit with my family: 

{my cousins at Downton Abbey/Highclere Castle}

{me & my Dad's cousin (with our ancestor behind us in the portrait)}

& I'm off...

{ciao!}

{via mrs. amber apple}

...which means, no quotable thursdays this week, but stay tuned for next week. (& to all my American friends, Happy American Thanksgiving!!)
xo
L

{birthday week/quotable thursdays}

{serving some glamour...via Julie Leah}

"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well."

                                                                                         -Voltaire

This week was my birthday--last week my bestfriend's. We are meeting up in Boston for a girls' weekend. CAN'T WAIT!

{via terrier & lobster}

{via terrier & lobster}

{yay for us birthday girls! via sauce loves}

more to come from our weekend away. I'm sure we are going to drink lots, laugh lots, & just have fun.
Looking forward to getting ready together:

{via zsazsa bellagio}

{shopping}

{looking at art together (katie & I met during our Masters at the Courtauld in London). We're definitely visiting the Gardner!! via man with past}

{yummy dinners via terrier & lobster}

{via zsazsa bellagio}

{cheers!!}

& off we go...

xo, 

L

{pumpkin carving (a little late!)}

I apologise--you are probably all pumpkined out by now, but things have been far too busy and I'm just now catching up on some long overdue blog posts.
A few weeks ago, before Hallowe'en, I had friends & their kids over for my annual pumpkin carving. Loads of fun... There were over 20 people, including 7 kids & all in all, I think we carved around 15 pumpkins!

{my invite}

{disguises for the kids & kids at heart}

{homemade mini pumpkin pies}

{amazing Day of the Dead el papel picado my sister who lives in Mexico gave me}

{mini pumpkin pies}

{some of the kids' pumpkins}

{guests}

{more pumpkins}

{end of the night shot}

{carving my cat pumpkin}

I also went to a Hallowe'en party where I dressed up in 1930s dress...

{my hair done up in a 1930s updo}

{& my fancy mask!}

Hope you all had a good Hallowe'en!!

xo, 

L