Making me happy

My slipcover project is coming along, slowly but surely.  I really am very close to being done and am quite pleased with how it is turning out... the trick has been leaving it in stages where there aren't too many pins sticking out so Fidget doesn't run in and poke herself.  So far, so good.

However, instead of working on it last night, I ate the last piece of cake and curled up with the second half of Jane Austen's Sense & Sensibility on PBS.  And then I checked my DVR and -- BONUS! -- we had recorded Emma as well and so, why not?   

So it was Ferrars and Brandon vs Knightley last night.  I think Knightley wins, don't you?  Brandon (S&S) is romantic and steady, indeed. Ferrars (also S&S) came off as some Austen-esque Hugh Grant to me and, while I do enjoy me some Hugh, I couldn't see past that for every scene he was in...

All the same, S&S had the most beautiful location shots which took my breath away.  Emma was just ok for me.  I loved the book, but the movie isn't one of my faves.

(For the record, Darcy wins, every time.  But he wasn't playing last night, so I let the other three duke it out.) 

I just read this bit and if you don't read Austen, I'm sorry, for it makes no sense at all.  I haven't even mentioned the gorgeous moody bad-boys (Oh, Willoughby!) just the heroes, if you will. But you should.  Read Austen, I mean.  I envy someone sitting down with her novels for the first time.  *sigh*

(*photos recklessly stolen, cropped and modified, from the PBS website)

Other, more practical, things I like?

• Kerastase Oleo Relax Hair Serum.  It's pricey, but the bottle is HUGE and lasts for a couple months.  I have ridiculously thick, coarse, wavy hair and this makes it feel like silk without being too greasy.  For a lot of people, it would be way to much.  I can use two or three squirts, no problem.  I have also tried Chi (dries my hair) and biosilk (leaves a heavy film) and some others, in case you are wondering.  The only one that compares to the Kerastase product is the Phyto hair Serum, which is also wonderful, but way too expensive to be at all practical.  And the bottle is tiny, so it would only last me like 3 weeks. 
• Downy Lavender and Vanilla Liquid fabric softener.  It just smells delicious.  And see this post for how to make your own antibacterial sheet spray with it and a little vodka. 
• Dove bar soap
• Oil of Olay 7 Daily Effects moisturizer
• Coppertone 2-in-one self tanner/ instant bronzer -- in light to medium.  It shows where it goes and doesn't streak.  This is a great last minute fix to lily white legs.
• New pens
• Mrs. Meyer's Lemon Verbena All Purpose Cleaner  I use it on my floors and mix up kitchen spray.  It smells wonderful and it's family and earth friendly.  I like buying the big bottle so I reduce packaging waste.  ;)
• For that matter, I also like the Method line of products, especially their grapefruit wipes (biodegradable).  The kids like to help clean up and I am happy to let them use these to pitch in.  I do wish they made the wipes in a bigger container, because I worry about waste with these, although they can be recycled.
• My Mek jeans.  They are pricier than I ever thought I'd be willing to spend on denim, but worth every penny and I will buy more.  They fit great, wash well, and I wear them all the time.  My other jeans kind of hate my Meks, as they have been relegated to the back of my closet.  Poor dears.  I may have to turn them into capris or something useful.

There's more.  So much more, but I'll have to share another installment on another rainy day.  There was also a very hefty thrifting haul this morning, but I've got to get to work.  (Anyone have a 'tried and true' method for cleaning afghans and such?  I don't want to ruin them, but I do prefer a sterilization process before I introduce them into the house... )

Have a happy Thursday!

Comments

[laeroport]

I recently watched the Gwyneth Paltrow version of Emma(from a bad taped off HBO videotape) during the fund drive when I was having JA withdrawl and I love love love Jeremy Northam as Knightly, so the PBS Knightly didn't really light my fire. Willoughby, on the other hand. OH my. HE was a hottie with the ruffled up hair. Somehow I doubt his extensive use of hair product was very "period", but hey ho.

And I'm with you on the Downy, Oil of Olay and Method Grapefruit wipes.
And good jeans - they make anyone's day - rain or shine.

[kirsten]

yeah, i agree with lori, jeremy northam is THE mr. knightley. the other one was too mean and fierce, i think.

and i have to say that the newest mr. darcy is way better than colin firth. for various reasions, but i think he did an awesome job.

[lera]

I started to comment, but my computer kicked me out and by the time I rebooted it, I forgot what I was doing! :-)

Anyway, I have declared this autumn/winter I am finding THE jeans. I don't care how much they cost. I am finding them! ! !

[Jade]

All such good stuff! Thanks for sharing with us! Happy Thursday!!

[stacy]

..sniff.. I just ordered a treadmill repair. Perhaps my good jeans will fit again.

Mrs. Meyer is my idol (if she even exists?). I could O.D. on the smell of her baby blossom scented surface spray.

Thanks for the Method Wipes tip. I like the Method stuff - but I hadn't used those yet!

[Melissa @ Breath of Life]

I recently watched Emma Thomson's Sense & Sensibility with Hugh Grant, which I liked. I haven't seen the PBS adaptation.

I also haven't seen all of the PBS P&P yet. I love Colin Firth, but the newest version with Kiera Knightly is such a beautiful film and that Mr. Darcy is absolutely fantastic.

[Staci]

omg I love Jane Austen! P&P is my personal fav and oh my Darcy gets me everytime in both versions and in my imagination just from reading about him. I always wanted to be Elizabeth, lol.

Colin Firth....mmm

Thanks for the heads up recently for the PBS showing of P&P! :)

[Lil' d]

I had to read hundreds of classics while at school, but never an Austen, so I finally got to read P&P recently. Such a great book.

Then I ended up renting the new movie just to compare it with the Firth version showing on PBS and thought both Darcys were rather nice (but who on earth cast Keira Knightley as Elizabeth??)...