Category Archives: Art

[A Holiday Shopping Spree for the Bookworm] Sixth Stop: Bas Bleu

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BAS BLEU

Bas Bleu is my favourite stop for smartly bookish gifts (and incredibly well-curated reading material). I’ve been a dedicated fan for a decade. Haunt their site for a few minutes, and you’ll understand why!

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

Reading Woman Wall Calendar

Reading Woman Wall Calendar. $14.99. Image from Bas Bleu.

Shakespearean Insults T-Shirt

Shakespearean Insults T-Shirt. $24.95. Image from Bas Bleu.

Dictionary Cat Print

Dictionary Cat Print. $13.95. Image from Bas Bleu.

DETAILS:

FIRST STOP: EDWARD GOREY HOUSE STORE

SECOND STOP: JANE AUSTEN GIFT SHOP

THIRD STOP: OUT OF PRINT CLOTHING

FOURTH STOP: THE READER’S CATALOG

FIFTH STOP: THE LITERARY GIFT COMPANY

Edith Sitwell Expired 49 Years Ago Today…

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Edith Sitwell, a most unusual poet and highly colourful character, died on 9 December 1964. She was 77 years old.

Edith Sitwell by Roger Fry, 1915

Edith Sitwell by Roger Fry, 1915

“I have often wished I had time to cultivate modesty…But I am too busy thinking about myself.”-Edith Sitwell

[A Holiday Shopping Spree for the Bookworm] Fifth Stop: The Literary Gift Company

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THE LITERARY GIFT COMPANY

This site is a book nerd’s paradise. Beware: it is a serious time waster for that very reason. On the plus side, their collection of literary goods is so wonderfully exhaustive that it is a one-stop shop for reading accessories. I hope you are wearing your comfy clothes, because you’ll be here awhile.

(MORE THAN) A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

Frankenstein Literary Transport Mug

Frankenstein Literary Transport Mug. $12.80. Image from The Literary Gift Company.

Save Me the Waltz by Zelda Fitzgerald Poster

Save Me the Waltz by Zelda Fitzgerald Poster. $17.63. Image from The Literary Gift Company.

On Writing by A.L. Kennedy

On Writing by A.L. Kennedy. $30.57. Image from The Literary Gift Company.

I Capture the Castle Strong Canvas Shopper

I Capture the Castle Strong Canvas Shopper. $17.63. Image from The Literary Gift Company.

Emily Dickinson Soft Toy

Emily Dickinson Soft Toy. $27.28. Image from The Literary Gift Company.

Watership Down T-Shirt

Watership Down T-Shirt. $32.11. Image from The Literary Gift Company.

The Wizard of Oz Jigsaw Puzzle

The Wizard of Oz Jigsaw Puzzle. $20.84. Image from The Literary Gift Company.

East and West Egg Bestie Necklace

East and West Egg Bestie Necklace-The Great Gatsby. $56.34. Image from The Literary Gift Company.

DETAILS:

  • THE LITERARY GIFT COMPANY: GO HERE
  • PREDICTED SHOPPING TIME: 45 MINUTES
  • BEST AWESOMELY UNEXPECTED ITEM: QUOTABLE CHOCOLATE BARS
  • PRICE POINT: AVERAGE
  • BOOKWORM HAPPINESS SCALE (OUT OF A POSSIBLE 10): 10+++

FIRST STOP: EDWARD GOREY HOUSE STORE

SECOND STOP: JANE AUSTEN GIFT SHOP

THIRD STOP: OUT OF PRINT CLOTHING

FOURTH STOP: THE READER’S CATALOG

[Alternative Muses] Coming and Going: Christina Rossetti/Claude Monet Mashup

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“Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down their head, The wind is passing by.”-Christina Rossetti (born on 12/5/1830)

Three Trees in Grey Weather by Claude Monet, 1891

Claude Monet (died on 12/5/1926): Three Trees in Grey Weather, 1891

[A Holiday Shopping Spree for the Bookworm] Second Stop: Jane Austen Gift Shop

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JANE AUSTEN GIFT SHOP

We all have at least one Pride and Prejudice disciple in our lives. Simplify your shopping list by visiting this enchanting site dedicated to a large and partially exclusive line of Jane Austen goodies. The online store is the retail arm of The Jane Austen Centre,  appropriately located in the English city of Bath (which means much to Jane addicts the world over). Let’s begin our shopping tour!

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

Jane Austen Places in Regency Bath Mug

Jane Austen Places in Regency Bath Mug. £10.00 GBP. Image from the Jane Austen Gift Shop.

Bookmark-Keep Calm and Read Jane Austen

Bookmark-Keep Calm and Read Jane Austen. £3.00 GBP. Image from the Jane Austen Gift Shop.

Initial Seal and Sealing Wax Set

Initial Seal and Sealing Wax Set. £7.99 GBP. Image from the Jane Austen Gift Shop.

DETAILS:

  • JANE AUSTEN GIFT SHOP: GO HERE
  • JANE AUSTEN WEBSITE: GO HERE
  • PREDICTED SHOPPING TIME: FOR AUSTEN FANS: 30 MINUTES/FOR NON-FANS: 10 MINUTES
  • BEST AWESOMELY UNEXPECTED ITEM: VARIOUS CLOTHESPIN DOLL KITS, INCLUDING THIS ONE
  • PRICE POINT: REASONABLE
  • BOOKWORM HAPPINESS SCORE (OUT OF A POSSIBLE 10): 8 FOR THE STORE/10+ FOR THE WEBSITE

 FIRST STOP: EDWARD GOREY HOUSE STORE

[A Holiday Shopping Spree for the Bookworm] First Stop: Edward Gorey House Store

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I love bookish goodies almost as much as I love actual books, and reading. Being a bookworm is not a hobby: it is an all-enveloping, personality-defining lifestyle. The holiday season is in full-swing, which means that it is time to go shopping-the literary way! Over the next two weeks, I am going to take you on a virtual bookish shopping spree to some of my favourite lit sites! Let’s get started.

EDWARD GOREY HOUSE STORE

There is no better way to show your love for one of America’s most unusual creative talents than by purchasing merchandise directly from the Gorey House in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts. The creator of the iconic The Gashlycrumb Tinies lived in the house for twenty-one years; it is now a museum.

The selection of Gorey goodies offered is impressive. Be sure to spend time perusing all of the categories, or you’ll risk missing the perfectly whimsical gift for that someone special. 

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS:

Gashlycrumb Tinies Lunchbox

Gashlycrumb Tinies Lunchbox. $16.99. Image from The Gorey House Store.

Dracula Toy Theatre

Dracula Toy Theater. $27.95. Image from The Gorey House Store.

The Doubtful Guest (with scarf) Mug

The Doubtful Guest (with scarf) Mug. $13.50. Image from The Gorey House Store.

DETAILS:

  • EDWARD GOREY HOUSE STORE: GO HERE
  • THE EDWARD GOREY HOUSE: OFFICIAL WEBSITE
  • PREDICTED SHOPPING TIME: 15-30 MINUTES
  • BEST AWESOMELY UNEXPECTED ITEM: SOAP
  • PRICE POINT: EXTREMELY REASONABLE
  • BOOKWORM HAPPINESS SCORE (OUT OF A POSSIBLE 10): 10

[My Top Cold Weather Writers] Honorable Mention: Christina Rossetti

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CHRISTINA ROSSETTI

Portrait of Christina Rossetti by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1866

Portrait of Christina Rossetti by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, 1866

REASON: When snow started falling today, my mind immediately turned to Christina Rossetti. Her words, no matter how passionate, are of the winter.

“And all the winds go sighing, for sweet things dying.”


If you missed My Top Six Cold Weather Writers, go here.

[Alternative Muses] Happy Birthday, Georgia O’Keeffe!

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Georgia O’Keeffe was born on 15 November 1887.

Georgia O'Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, 1918

Georgia O’Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, 1918

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.” *

Georgia O'Keeffe, taken July 19, 1915

Georgia O’Keeffe, taken July 19, 1915

“To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage.” Continue reading →