Things I love about Halloween: singing Gospel and Disney while driving down a fly-over, alcopop that tastes like ginger beer, couple costumes, Sarah's 'Oo-er, cute boy alert!' glance, instant noodles at 4 A.M., cramming six girls and Vince into a car, and waking up to the call of cupcakes.
While waiting for the girls to arrive for our annual Halloween out: reading Luella Bartley's Guide to English Style on the sofa, blasting Dead Man's Bones' 'Flowers Grow Out of My Grave' on the radio, stealing Sam's pink peppermint cupcake, digging for Reese peanut butter cup bits out of a tub of chocolate ice cream.
Last night I was Dorothy Gale, glittering ruby shoes and all, tonight, a cowboy sans lasso.
After final exams is the perfect time to pick up a historical romance novel, flip through well-designed magazined, and watch a shallow and historically inaccurate action-adventure flick. Also, I bought a dozen wooden hangers, six Cath Kidston coin purses for future gift-giving, and a partridge in a pear tree.
Item: one vial of Juniper Sling; in one breath.—Gatsby's Daisy, gin and ginger beer, tennis and cricket whites, Le voyage dans la lune, teddies of all sorts, Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet Vane by the seaside, bobbed hair, hair of dog after those dancing nights, and bow ties are always cool.
I brought home a bottle of Lily of the Valley for my mother and Tudor Rose for my gran the last time I came home from England. Mum liked it so much she demanded directions to Penhaligon's, not that my detailed hand-drawn map did much good, she got lost two streets before Covent Garden. I do wish they had released this scent in spring for I know I would have loved it and called it my own. Just look at that Art Deco box! I am a sucker for well-designed tins, thanks, Gran.
Driving home with Innah and Felo after Torts finals, we discussed how much we hated the overpowering perfumes so closely associated with the female sex. Innah says it makes sense for us to like men's cologne more since the purpose of scent is to attract potential mates—ah, pheromones, gracias, Biology 101—girls wear flowery perfume ('Shall we play at Madonna or whore today?') because boys like flowery perfume. ;P
A mi, I love the smell of freshly laundered clothes, lemons and limes, petrichor, my brother's sports shampoo (Clear's for boys! See, it's blue!), old books and new books, cut grass, and mountain fog at sunrise. Clearly, Juniper Sling would be perfect, especially since it's being marketed as a uni-sex scent so no more arguments with batty old aunties and teachers about wearing more lady-like perfumes.
'Come further up, come further in!'
The Great Gatsby, a book which, if you're reading this, Albi, I still haven't read.
Just finished my fourth final exam in six days. Phew, I've got Torts on Friday then it's FREEDOM. I did take a bit of time to open a parcel. Lo and behold—my Loch Blue 12.5 inch school bag from The Leather Satchel Company!
I thought the handwritten message was a sweet touch, some personality in this modern age of faceless communication. It was so much fun to unknot the twine and tear apart the brown paper wrapping to reveal the glorious blue leather satchel.
Some notes to keep in mind for an in-depth guide on satchels, forthcoming on A Plus B in the Sea (oh, semester break, where art thou?):
I wish I had asked if they could have sent me complimentary leather samples to help me decide what colours to choose for future purchases! It's so difficult to determine true colour (BRITISH RACING GREEN) from Internet graphics as my own photographs can attest.
Ditto on the engraving. I should have requested either T.A.R.D.I.S. or Q.E.D.
Now that I own a bag from four different brands, I can honestly say they look and feel exactly the same. If they didn't have embossed logos, I would have thought that they all came from the same company! Well, if you ask for a classic design...
Ceteris paribus The Leather Satchel Company is the best vendor for one reason: a five-year guarantee against defects!
Also, it is the only one with a strap at the perfect length for a handbag, no need to mess around with the buckles and heavy excess leather.
I got levied with a huge amount of customs tax though. I forgot that Philippine customs will open FedEx and DHL packages and calculate astronomical fees. Next time I'll ask the company to send through Royal Mail instead.
What fits: an iPad, a wallet, a phone, headphones, the Civil Code, lip balm, and not much else.
What I desperately need: an aesthetically pleasing Sybil/Branson wallpaper to proclaim my love for the ship on my iPad. Livejournal graphics machine, where are you when I need you? Must I make do with Tumblr?
General thoughts on the third episode of Downton Abbey:
I am glad that Sybil and Branson had an argument about his decision to become a conscientious objector. I like that there is a solid friendship to build the foundation of their eventual marriage upon. Also, UST, hello.
The idea that the Romanovs would be spared the chop during the Russian revolution shows how naive Branson really is, something I hadn't realised before today. Ditto soup tureen of oil and cow pats (so adorable, I'd never have thought!). Clearly, it's not only Sybil who needs some Real World experience.
How did Branson get into Sybil's room? ;P
I loved Iain Glen in Game of Thrones and Wives & Daughters so I was perfectly fine with Sir Richard Carlisle and Lavinia previously having shacked up. Rather disappointed that it was nay on the shacking up and yea on the blackmail. Iain Glen needs more screen time in any case.
I felt rather sorry for Lavinia (she's ginger, how could I hate her?) in the scene where Matthew arrives with the general and he spoke with Lady Mary but barely glanced at his fiancee. So Carlisle/Lavinia, IMHO, would be parfait.
William, you stupid red shirt, you.
Mary is just fantastic. I love how she decided not to tell Matthew Lavinia's secret. She regrets having listened to her aunt (shades of Persuasion, so wishing hopefully with the same result) and vows to act based on her own feelings and principles instead of bending to the dictates of Society.
Looking forward to another fight between Sybil and Branson and Matthew MIA behind enemy lines. As my little brother says, 'Why does English television have to be so twisty-turny complicated?'
For fellow lovers of lady-of-the-house and chauffeur romance, may I recommend Stella Gibbons' Nightingale Wood? It is both laugh-out-loud funny and empty-tissue-packet sad, and I love it more than the critical darling Cold Comfort Farm.
Cutest local packaging ever: Nanny Rose's Sticks & Pulls [hon•ey wax] discovered at Watson's drug store. I love the recycled cardboard box and the spectacular price of PhP 220.00 for a 200g tub.
Nanny Rose's Sticks & Pulls [hon•ey wax] will spruce you up in the sweetest way possible. This sticky pot is a combination of locally produced honey, sugar, and lemon juice. It contains no harsh chemicals and ingredients that can cause allergies. Making use of ingredients that are closest to nature, you can be sure that every jar is made with love. It's a recipe, not a formulation.
I like the way it leaves my skin soft and smooth and with almost no red chicken spots. I've still got to work on behind-the-knee areas though. They are tough.
