Fun Fact: On This Day in 1868

When I was 12, Aunt Vangie got me my first copy of Little Women. Since then, the story has become a part of me. Do you have books like that? I reread parts of it every winter, often finding myself subconsciously relating things to parts of the book. It’s like an old friend.

little-women-1949

By middle school, I’d fallen in love with the movies. While I am normally a Katharine Hepburn devotee, I will forever picture June Allyson as Jo. Although, I confess my love for the 1949 version probably has more to do with my crush on Peter Lawford than anything else. And Liz Taylor as Amy? I mean, how could you picture anyone else? (Sorry, Kirsten Dunst.)

When I was in high school, I started collecting copies and also read Alcott’s books that followed: Little Men, Jo’s Boys, An Old-Fashioned Girl. I couldn’t help being fascinated by Alcott, her transcendentalist parents, and her influence on female writers in the late 19th century.

An illustration I did for a colored pencil, paper doll assignment in college.

An illustration I did for a colored pencil, paper doll assignment in college.

Louisa Alcott was quite a pioneer: she was an abolitionist, a feminist, and a critically acclaimed author by the time she was my age. And although, she was at first hesitant to write a story for girls when asked by her publisher, on this day in 1868 the first volume of Little Women was released. So I’d suggest pulling out your own copy and giving it another read.

And if you aren’t a fan of Little Women, perhaps there’s another book you consider to be an old friend that could use another perusal?
What do you think?

 

 

Hello, Gorgeous!

If you’re a new reader, “Hello, Gorgeous!” posts are a round-up of beautiful, random links that are making me smile this week. Enjoy!

Jackson Pollock, Modern Art was CIA weapon

Why did the CIA support them? Because in the
propaganda war with the Soviet Union, this new artistic movement
could be held up as proof of the creativity, the intellectual freedom,
and the cultural power of the US.

Without getting terribly political (at least for the moment), let me just say that I alway knew art could be used to change the world. The Independent ran a great article on how the CIA did just that during the Cold War.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mica Hendricks

“If she gets bored, we’ll do something else.
Yesterday, she wanted to be a superhero…”

Earlier this week, I heard an interview with artist Mica Angela Hendricks. She’s the mom who has gained some recent popularity by collaborating with her 4-year-old daughter on some really funky portraits. As it turns out, she wrote about the experience for Huffington Post that is worth a read. I especially love the lessons she shares at the end.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dr. Seuss "Nerd"

Did you know that Shakespeare invented the word “swagger?” Or that “Wendy” wasn’t really a name until J.M. Barrie? If not, you’ll love this article on HelloGiggles8 Everyday Words Invented by Famous Authors.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

If you’ve ever attended Fashion Week, you know these people. In fact, you may have been these people. After my week’s commentary on the runways, it seems only appropriate to share…

 

 

 

Hello, Gorgeous!

If you’re a new reader, “Hello, Gorgeous!” posts are a round-up of beautiful, random links that are making me smile this week. Enjoy!

"Follow the leader." Seagrove Beach, 2013

I have to admit, we couldn’t have picked a better week for our little beach trip. A day & a half back to work and then a long weekend? Don’t mind if I do! There are a few things that made me smile this week while laying on the beach or riding in the car and today I just wanted to share a couple with you.

Listen

valerie-ellen

Last week, Ellen Foord tweeted about Valerie June’s song “Tennessee Time,” and I have been hooked ever since. Valerie June’s voice is both beautiful and haunting–just perfect for a little weekend listening.

Valerie-June-hair

Also, might I suggest taking a moment of silence in respect of her fabulous hair?

… {silence} …

Thank you.

Read It: Jen Lancaster's The Tao of Martha

Read

My friend Beth has ridiculously awesome taste in books. It’s so good in fact that three of my most recent choices have been her recommendations. (Thank heavens she’s in Book Club.) After working together for a couple years, we are just now getting to know each other better so when she suggested Jen Lancaster’s latest book The Tao of Martha and I literally squealed, it caught her a little off guard. (She had no idea about the Martha idolization… probably for the best.) She had thought I would be excited about the subtitle “Why I’m Never Getting All of That Glitter Off of the Dog,” because of my well-publicized glitter ban following the great giraffe glittering of 2012.

Anyway, Jen Lancaster is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers, and I’m pretty sure we could be super fabulous friends in real life. You know, those quirky girls who have adorable lunches at nice restaurants and then drink too much and go home to glitter the Kitchenaid mixer? That could be us! I think she should be our first celebrity guest at a Book Club this Fall, don’t you?!

Check out the Tao book in which she documents her year of “living,” and then check out her blog: Jennsylvania. I could write a whole treatise on the book–she’s hilarious, she’s laugh-out-loud (aka not allowed to read in bed when Husband’s trying to sleep), she’s personal and relatable, her husband Fletch is a saint… yada yada  yada. Instead, let me just tell you that she inspired me. I love how she summarized things on the Today Show, and, coincidentally, in the last chapter:

“You have to try. You can’t fail, if you don’t try. And there were some things that went horribly awry but the things that didn’t were shocking…”

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Ranting About Quiet

Stephen Shore | Fort Worth, Texas in 1976

Stephen Shore | Fort Worth, Texas in 1976

“Are you an introvert or an extrovert?”

How many times have you gotten this question in the past few months? If you work in corporate America or spend any time on Twitter, I’m guessing you’ve read an article, read a book, or had a discussion relating to this question in the past few months.

Our selection for August’s book club was New York Times bestseller Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Won’t Stop Talking, and I have to tell you it’s spurred A LOT of conversations over the past month. So many, in fact, that my husband is now reading the book, one of my best friends is reading the book, and I’m still just a teensy bit sassy about authoress Susan Cain’s portrayal of extroverts despite the fact that according to her little quiz I am a quintessential ambivert. (I blame any and all of my introverted tendencies on being an only child, but birth order is soooo last decade so we probably shouldn’t even go there.)

I won’t give you my entire rant about Susan Cain’s book. (Although Caity Weaver basically covered everything on Gawker last week if you’re interested). Instead, I will ask two questions:

1. What are you doing to expand your thinking?

Are you reading anything that is making you slightly uncomfortable? Are you having conversations with people that have opposing views from your own? Is there anything in your life right now that is making you think through the why of what you believe?

I have loved how many conversations and debates this book has prompted. It’s challenged me to really think through what I believe about myself and also my relationship to pop-psychology.

2. How are you trying to relate to the people around you?

Yes, I have totally made cracks over the past month like, “If introverts are so quiet, why are their complaints all I’m reading about on Twitter?” But it has seriously been helpful to realize just how different people can be. I really love meeting new people and learning what makes them tick. This book is a great reminder that everyone has their own strengths and their own needs–by recognizing both, I can be a better friend and a better partner to everyone around me.

The gentle reminder I’d like to give Susan Cain: We need everyone. The quiet ones, the talkative ones, the inquisitive ones, the funny ones–people come with different personalities, hobbies, and interests for a reason. One isn’t smarter than another or more valuable. We need them all.

End of rant.

 

Start a Book Club

Book Club  #secretsofabelle

When I was little, my Woo-Woo used to talk about all the clubs she’d host at her house. With 7 kids and a job, I never could figure out why she would spend afternoons and evenings hosting so many random social gatherings. Then, as I got older I realized how hard it is to make new friends after a certain age. Did you read that article in the New York Times last year? It’s not just me, I swear! This is a real problem that seemingly normal people have too.

So earlier this year, I decided to start a book club. You see, I’m the type of person that knows a lot of people but isn’t necessarily prone to invest in too many relationships. For me, it’s all about trust. It’s hard for me to let people into my little box. Do you do that?

I have a constant feeling of competition–not with other people but with myself. What if people realize I’m a lot crazier than they originally thought? What if they see how scattered my brain really is and what a warped sense of humor I have? (I blame my parents for that one.) It’s not that I believe people could possibly see me as perfect, but more that I want to give them the illusion of *pretty together* for as long as possible. We could get into the psychology but suffice it to say that for the past year I’ve been challenging myself to get out of my comfort zone. Enter the book club.

It was the perfect excuse to mix something I love–something I’m really comfortable doing: reading–with getting to know people better. Interested in trying it yourself? Here’s a little help.

Book Club selections #secretsofabelle

Find books that will spark discussion.

We’ve had an interesting time with this so far. Nora Ephron’s “I Remember Nothing” was by far the biggest success. Although, our next book is “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain, and I’m really excited about it. Light fiction seems to be too subjective and a longer history book may get too cumbersome if you have a larger group. We read Deborah Mitford’s “Wait for Me!” and while I enjoyed it, it turned out to be quite arduous for a book club.

However, I will say that it’s important to read things that aren’t necessarily in your comfort zone. Quiet has made me really uncomfortable at times (because I’m more of an extrovert), but I think that will only make for more interesting discussion.

Name Tags for your guests.  #secretsofabelle

Make a guest list and set out the name tags.

Invite a mix of old friends and people you’d like to know better. I’m not gonna lie, it’s a little terrifying. The first thing I did was mention it on Facebook just to see who else was interested. Then, I talked to a few people and planned an evening. Asking everyone to wear name tags insures that no one will be uncomfortable approaching that girl that they may have seen in passing but never really met.

Book Club  #secretsofabelle

Have a party!

Ask your guests to bring food & drink. I’m not gonna lie, our food usually ends up themed and the wine has a tendency to flow. If you’re worried about the discussion moving, most publishers have book group discussion questions available on their websites. (For example: Here are the discussion questions for Nora Ephron’s book on Random House’s website.)

Book Club  #secretsofabelle

I guess the main thing I’m trying to say is this: Try something new! Make some new friends! You don’t have to start a book club. We’ve joked several times about just getting together to watch movies. But I promise, you won’t regret it.

 P.S. The gorgeous pics in this post were taken by Rebecca Ann Peters Photography! 

 

My mother was right…

Happy Weekending!

Proust is a bit heavy. Might I suggest Vanity Fair’s Proust Questionnaire? To be fair, Marcel Proust did not write the questionnaire rather answered it particularly well in 1890 when it was a popular parlor game. Today, it’s used as a model by James Lipton and Vanity Fair to profile particularly interesting personalities. You can google many of them (here’s a link to the ones on Vanity Fair), and it’s particularly fab weekend reading. On that note, I wish you a very happy weekend!

(P.S. the lingerie is Stella McCartney–my favorite!)

Afternoons Filled with Books

Storyteller: The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl by Donald Sturrock

On many afternoons this summer, I have been found on our front porch reading. As I wrote before, I’m trying to focus more–turning off the distractions and just concentrating on the words of the author. One of my favorites of late? Storyteller: The Authorized Biography of Roald Dahl written by Donald Sturrock.

When I was little I didn’t read much Roald Dahl. My mother didn’t want the attitudes of the characters to rub off on her 7 year old bibliophile that already had an attitude  problem. But last year I started reading a Dahl book every few months: First, Matilda. Fantastic Mr. Fox. The Giraffe the Pelly and Me.

“From then on, Matilda would visit the library only once a week in order to take out new books and return the old ones. Her own small bedroom now became her reading-room and there she would sit and read most afternoons, often with a mug of hot chocolate beside her…
It was pleasant to take a hot drink up to her room and have it beside her as she sat in her silent room reading in the empty house in the afternoons. The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives. She went to Africa with Ernest Hemingway and to India with Rudyard Kipling. She traveled all over the world while sitting in her little room in an English village.”
-excerpt from Matilda by Roald Dahl

Do you like to read? I used to read under the covers with a flashlight when I was little and always carried a book in my bag. Then, in high school, I got tired of being told what to read, as I suppose happens to a lot of people, and gave up the practice almost entirely. Then, last summer, a switch was flipped again and suddenly I love opening the pages of a book and experiencing a world completely separate from mine. Personally, I prefer reading children’s literature or biographies. But regardless of what one likes to read, the essentials are always the same, right?

What do you like to read? Looking for something new? Here are a few blogs & lists I’ve found recently that are adding titles to my ToRead List:

NPR Books’ 2013 Critics’ Lists

200 Books Recommended by TEDsters

Goodreads: 2013 Summer Reading List

What are you reading right now?

Hello, Gorgeous!

If you’re a new reader, “Hello, Gorgeous!” posts are a round-up of beautiful, random links that are making me smile this week. Enjoy!

I have tried very hard to reign in the fact that I am a Disney fanatic for the purposes of this blog. But this little short had me at hello, and I just couldn’t resist sharing. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the modern feminist movement and the tension that still seems to exist over ‘having it all,’ the definition of beauty, etc. etc. I’ll probably write about that at some point when my thoughts are a bit more organized.

In the meantime, I *love* the message of this video. I love how Disney is redefining & evolving a franchise so near and dear to my own heart, and helping little girls put value on things that really matter: bravery, loyalty, family, kindness… Enjoy!

 

myplate-first-lady-favs

This week in honor of MyPlate’s 2nd anniversary, the First Lady shared some of her favorite recipes on Pinterest! I’ve printed off a few to try and you should too!

I'd love to know who did this painting I found on Pinterest. Any ideas?

I’d love to know who did this painting I found on Pinterest. Any ideas?

:// Update on the paining above: A reader with a keen eye let me know that the above painting is actually a card from Black Olive Studio’s Hothouse collection! Isn’t that lovely? //:

Scientists in Great Britain have actually proven that a bit of bubbly really can boost your brain power. (Read all about on Forbes.com) You’re welcome, America!

illustration by Golden Cosmos for the NYTimes Book Review

illustration by Golden Cosmos for the NYTimes Book Review 

Looking for some summer reading ideas? I really enjoyed reading “What I Read That Summer” in the New York Times Book Review last Sunday. It’s a collection of short essays by famous authors about literary memories, and it is really beautiful.

Finally, were you sucked into Arrested Development’s Season 4 on Netflix for the past couple of weeks? Check out these 2 clips…

 

*Happy Sunday!*

 

 

Sweet Spring Days

anne-of-avonlea-quote

I like to say that Secrets of a Belle is where I share about “the art of living a more beautiful life.” And while my voice here in Blogland has been a bit quieter for the last couple weeks, life is pretty beautiful at the moment. It’s that perfect time of year in East Tennessee when the weather is just right for bike rides, tennis in the park, and *lots* of picnics. We’ve been experimenting in the kitchen with what comes each Wednesday in our CSA basket, reading several new books, and doing lots around the house. I couldn’t help but think of this quote…

“After all,” Anne had said to Marilla once, “I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.”
-L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Avonlea

Tell me, what’s your favorite simple pleasure of late?

 

 

Hello, Gorgeous!

If you’re a new reader, “Hello, Gorgeous!” posts are a round-up of beautiful, random links that are making me smile this week. Enjoy!

Mint Juleps | Secrets of a Belle

Read:

This article made me laugh out loud. If you have experienced Brooklyn as an observer over the past year and a half, you will love reading “How I Became a Hipster” in this week’s New York Times.

Listen:

The first thing I wanted to share is an episode of Fresh Air with one of my very favorite authors, David Sedaris. In it, he talks about journaling which I found particularly interesting. Also, I’m putting his new book, Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls, on my Kindle for a little weekend reading.

Listen Part II:

Have you heard the soundtrack for Baz Luhrmann’s new Great Gatsby? It’s incredible and also makes it very apparent that this version of Fitzgerald’s classic is going to be very Baz–i.e. a super modern telling of a well-known story set to a surprising soundtrack. Want to hear it now? Click over to NPR music. 

Walt Disney Doing Funny Things

Look:

I recently came across this tumblr called: Walt Disney Doing Funny Things. Given that, in real life, I am completely obsessed with Mr. Disney, I cannot stop clicking over to this little happy spot for a laugh.

Drink:

Mint Juleps, of course! I’m sure it goes without saying because, in the South, Derby Day is basically a regional holiday. We get dressed up, we gather with friends, and we make lots of cocktails. This week, over on Made + Remade my friend Deanne & I posted on the 2 Derby Day essentials: Mint Juleps & Derby hats!

Wear:

Need a little inspiration for your headwear? I’ve got you covered. Here are a few of the hats I’ve pinned throughout the year in preparation for Derby Day…

derby-hats-secretsofabelle

What else have you seen around the interwebs this week that you’ve just *loved*? Do tell!