{downton fever}

Are you loving Season 3 of Downton Abbey as much as I am? I can't get enough. As you may know, I visited Highclere Castle (the home of the fictional Downton Abbey) in the spring, and having experienced walking through those rooms--oohing and ahhing at the grand entry hall with its neo-gothic design & grand staircase, the lovely library, & the dining room with van Dyck originals...it brings the telly series ever more to life.
But this season has really gone off with a big bang. I'm dying for Sunday's airing of episode 3. Here are some of my favourite parts so far of season 3 & some inspiration from it:

{the hairdos}

& some Downton inspired images:

{via wedding bee}

{simply stunning  French dress, c. 1935 from the Met}

{another simlpy gorgeous gown}

& who can resist this gorgeous detail on Lady Mary's dress?:

{via zsazsa bellagio}

*loved the simple decorations of white bunting around the town:

{white bunting}

{english country wedding invites}

The interiors are stunning too: 

{love the colours, the fireplace & frames}

some Downton inspired interiors: 

{via zsazsa bellagio}

{great mix of objets d'art}

{via d*s}

What awaits us tomorrow???
xo, 

L

{upstairs, downstairs}

Well, I'm certainly in Downton Abbey withdrawal, so I've been watching Upstairs, Downstairs. Originally a telly series in the 1970s, a new edition has come out, and is available on pbs here in the US.

{via behind the curtain}

So, actually not a copy of Downton Abbey,but a precursor... It's pretty good, but I'm finding that it skips between episodes a bit--so that you feel like you've missed something from episode to episode. The fashion & interiors are exceptionally good though...

{via the guardian}

{lovely exterior, typical of a  London home via the tattler}

{via little Augury}

{via austen prose}

{I can't stand her character, but I do love her hair}

{this & the one above, from austen prose}

{elegant drinks}

{via the guardian}

So some upstairs, downstairs inspiration: 

{via my modern met}

{elegant dining}

{via zsa zsa bellagio}

{light green walls}

{martinis & drinks are often being consumed on the show}

{via d*s}

{long silhouettes}

{some glitter}

{shimmer}

{& glamour}

{via zsazsa bellagio}

{Downton Abbey}

{via britmovietours}

I have recently become obsessed with Downton Abbey. Yes, I know I'm a little behind on things...it seems it's everywhere from design*sponge to lucky mag...but I've been watching the first season on pbs online, and now, tonight, season 2 is airing on the telly. yay! We, in America are behind, since Season 3 is currently airing in the UK, on itv.
What's not to love about this tv show? Amazing costumes, great characters, wonderful plot, and we get both sides of the story of a great estate home--from the servants downtairs to the aristocracy upstairs (in this way it's similar to Gosford Park). The setting is breathtaking too.

{via huffington post}

Highclere Castle in Hampshire is where most of the filming takes place. I've not been before but I just checked with my good cousin Choo, who is eager to bring me there this summer, when I'm back in the UK. Can't wait!

{via daily mail}

Set in the time of King George V, the lifestyle and the clothing are fantastic.

I love the striped dress Miss Crawley wears in Season 2: 

{via cntraveler}

They dress for dinner & eat formally every night:

{via P&P blog}

They have tea (still a tradition in the Clark family) every afternoon:

{tea on the lawn via austenprose}

Inspiration:

{fashion}

{popyacollar}

{from fancy treehouse}

{amazo}

{decor8}

{from me to you}

{via coco+kelley}

{brunch at saks}

{brunch at saks}

{bhldn}

{dining} 

{via hooked on houses}

{ritzy bee}

...with proper dining etiquette:

{brunch at saks}

 {tea}

{tea at downton via black tie & flip flops}

{holly mathis interiors}

{the perfect palette}

{interiors}

{via kpbs}

{popyacollar}

{elements of style}

{zsazsabellagio}

{pinterest}

{lifestyle}

{graphic exchange}

{Christmas Special, the Hunt via culture concept}

{via the guardian}

{house&home} 

{travel/adventures in merry ol'}

Watching Downton Abbey makes me nostalgic for times when I lived in England, and the yearly visits I now take. Merry England wouldn't be so merry without my great cousins--especially Choo & Liz who take me to lovely castles found across England's pastures green. Here are a few photos...(click here & here for my visit to the UK in 2011) 

{Arundel Castle. part of The Young Victoria was filmed here}

{Sandringham, the country retreat of Her Majesty the Queen}

{my cousin & me at Brighton Pavilion residence of King George IV}

{Strawberry Hill, home of Horace Walpole}

{Waddesdon Manor, home of the Rothschilds}

{Loo & Choo at the country estate (that's our ancestor in the painting in the left background and I'm wearing Granny Handover's fox stole (a real one with little teeth!)}

Can't wait for Season 2 tonight, and can't wait for more adventures in Merry England this summer!