05 Monday Jan 2015
Posted in Downton Abbey
We’ve been waiting soooo very patiently and the time has finally arrived!!! Downton Abbey starts in a few hours. 
Follow along as I live tweet (@DowntonDame) all the excitement and zingers. Squeeeeeee!!!! I can hardly wait!!!
24 Monday Feb 2014
Posted in Downton Abbey
First there was tea, then lotions and potions, and jewelry, and paint, and fabrics, and heaven only knows what else, except for stamps. But don’t fret my fellow Downtonians because now we will have stamps in the near future.
Knockout Licensing has granted the U.S.-based Inter-Governmental Philatelic Corporation the rights to create Downton Abbey Postage Stamps as well as Protective Stamp Albums, Presentation Art Frames, and other philatelic items.
“We are delighted to put our stamp of approval on this deal with IGPC,” says Carole Postal, co-president, Knockout. “IGPC impressed us not only with the quality of their postage stamp designs, but also their knowledge of the international stamp industry, close relationships with official government postal authorities and large distribution network of international stamp dealers.”
(Did the Knockout co-president intend to make a pun? Or was “putting our stamp of approval” on a stamp design unintentional? Either way, it made me chuckle.)
IGPC is looking forward to working with the team at Knockout Licensing and NBCUniversal, as well as Postmasters General at our government postal authority clients, to create beautiful Downton Abbey postage stamps, which will be not only great items for fans and collectors, but also a wonderful testament to the worldwide popularity of this captivating television program,” says Yossi Malamud, executive vice president, IGPC
“Whether it is used for postage fees on envelopes mailed internationally or as a unique collectible treasured by international stamp collectors and enthusiasts, an official government issued postage stamp serves as a travelling ambassador of the nation for which it was created,” says IGPC Executive Vice President Yossi Malamud. “IGPC is looking forward to working with the team at Knockout Licensing and NBCUniversal as well as Postmasters General at our government postal authority clients to create beautiful Downton Abbey postage stamps which will be not only great items for fans and collectors but also a wonderful testament to the worldwide popularity of this captivating television program.”
I can’t wait to see what countries will have Downton Abbey stamps. It doesn’t really matter what countries though, because I plan on collecting all of them!
~~~ Happy Shopping ~~~
24 Monday Feb 2014
Posted in Downton Abbey
On the Tonight Show, Will Farrell combined his love for ice skating and Downton Abbey (which he has never seen) in to a routine as Carson, the Butler.
Check it out and see if he would have won a medal in Sochi:
Wonder what Carson would like in a skin tight tuxedo??? May we NEVER find out!!!
11 Tuesday Feb 2014
Posted in Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey has old and new characters this season. Among those new characters are three handsome men who happen to be inside the February issue of Vogue. Julian Overden (aka Charles Blake), Tom Cullen (aka Anthony Foyle, Lord Gillingham), and Gary Carr (aka Jack Ross) are seen looking dapper and picture perfect.
They even dished about their time filming Downton.
Cullen, on refining his natural Wales accent to that of a British aristocrat: “I pretend to be my English grandmother. She’s so posh her jaw doesn’t move when she speaks.”
Ovenden, on the contentious relationship between Charles Blake and Lady Mary: “He stays in the house, which is awkward, but they discover things about each other that are perhaps less different.”
Carr, on his character possibly encountering racism: “As a black man in the twenties, he’s already a celebrity. He doesn’t have such a chip on his shoulder. He’s wearing tails and sharp suits. It’s really great.”
Looking good, gentlemen.
10 Monday Feb 2014
Posted in Pride and Prejudice
Tags
A&E, BBC, Colin Firth, Downton Abbey, Jane Austen, Jennifre Ehle, Merchandise Monday, PBS, Pride and Prejudice
Woohoo!!!
Okay, I know you shouldn’t start an article with “woohoo” but I am so excited I just had to “woohoo”.
There is a new version of Pride and Prejudice out on Blu-ray!!! It is the Pride And Prejudice: Keepsake Edition Blu-ray and includes new featurettes.
The mini-series is the granddame of period costume dramas. In my opinion, if this version of Pride and Prejudice hadn’t been made then Downton Abbey and other period costume dramas would never been made. This film has inspired countless other period costume dramas and for good reason.
In 1995, the BBC and A&E collaborated in to bring Jane Austen’s clasic 1813 Regency romance Pride and Prejudice to television. It stars Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy (((swoon))) and American Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth “Lizzy” Bennet.
I remember watching it on PBS and being mesmerized. The costumes and the music were wonderful. It was charming and captivated and you could lose yourself in Regency romance for a few hours. The story was told almost just like the book which is always admirable. And who can forget the Pemberly pond scene!!! Okay. So, that wasn’t in the book but in my mind, Jane Austen would have approved of that little bit of delicious artist licesne. I just had to buy the VCR version of the series. It was 5 tapes long and was $89!! That was a lot of money for 1995 but so worth it. Shoot, that is a lot of money for 2014! And then it came out in DVD and I bought that and that was worth the money. The Blu-ray came out but I never got around to getting that version but it was always on my Christmas list. But I will certainly be getting this version.
The Blu-ray extras include ” ’Pride and Prejudice:’ A Turning Point for Period Drama,” “The Definitive ’Pride and Prejudice,’” “Love or Money? Courtship and Marriage in ’Pride and Prejudice,’ ” “The Music of ’Pride and Prejudice,” “Lifestyles of the Wealth in Early 19th Century England,” “Technical Restoration,” and “Lasting Impressions.”
“Pride And Prejudice: Keepsake Edition” Blu-ray Set is $29.99 and available at Shop PBS. And if you act quickly, you can get 20% off until 11:59pm PT on 2/10/14.
~~~ Happy Shopping ~~~
06 Thursday Feb 2014
Posted in Downton Abbey
Tags
Ever wondered what would happen if cats ruled the world? The Pets Alive animal rescue in Middletown, New York remade the opening of Downton Abbey to show us exactly what it would look like.
Sort of scary, if you ask me. Cat domination might be right around the corner. EGADS!!!
And don’t worry, no animals were hurt in the making of this film and all cats are available for adoption. (Just click the Pets Alive logo below to get to their site.)
03 Monday Feb 2014
Posted in Downton Abbey
Are you bored during the week waiting for Sunday night so you can watch Downton Abbey again? Don’t fret. There is a new board game to keep you entertained until the next installment of our favorite family and staff is available.
The $64.99 game (£21.99 in the UK) is being sold on Amazon and is based on our beloved Downton Abbey characters.
_____________________________________________________________________
It sounds a lot like cross between Monopoly and Clue but without Park Place and Colonel Mustard in the drawing room. Since I have always loved Clue and Monopoly and I definitely love Downton Abbey, this is going on my wish list. (But I won’t be playing with my sister – she cheats when we play board games, just like I imagine Thomas would do if he played board games.)
~~~ Happy Shopping ~~~
03 Monday Feb 2014
Posted in Downton Abbey
Tags
Bluestone 42, Death in Paradise, Downton Abbey, Foyle's War, Gary Carr, Masterpiece, PBS, PBS Masterpiece
Chat live with Downton Abbey’s Gary Carr Monday at 12n ET with Masterpiece on PBS.org 
We met the American jazz singer Jack Ross on Downton Abbey a few weeks ago. Did you know Gary Carr’s character is based on a real-life cabaret star Leslie Hutchinson, who had scandalous affairs with white British socialites?
Best known for his role in Death in Paradise along with roles in Bluestone 42 and Foyle’s War, Carr will participate in a live chat with Masterpiece on Monday, February 3 at 12n ET on PBS.org.
Get your questions ready and find out what it has been like for Carr to join the cast of Downton Abbey.
20 Monday Jan 2014
Posted in Downton Abbey
First there were soaps and lotions, then wine, fabrics, ornaments, and heaven only knows what once the producers of Downton Abbey started licensing the rights for Downton Abbey products.
The latest addition is from Heritage Lace and will be everything from napkins and pillows to gloves, ladies shawls and shower curtains.
Heritage Lace has obtained the licensing rights for an extensive line of well-crafted home décor and textiles associated with the award-winning PBS series Downton Abbey.
The new Heritage Lace collection captures the color, texture and tactile appeal of fine laces, sheers, linens, velvets, burlap, natural wovens and embroideries that would be right at home in Highclere Castle – and fit right in with modern tastes and sensibilities.
There will be more than 200 products in the collection which will begin to show up in stores and online later this month.
I just love the pillows shown in the picture!! It is going to look perfect on my couch.
To receive exclusive updates and the first to know when the Downton Abbey collection will be available for purchase online, fill out the form at heritagelace.com .
19 Sunday Jan 2014
Posted in Downton Abbey
Downton Abbey was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. And although the show didn’t win this year, the stars of Downton Abbey dazzled everyone on the red carpet.
Michelle Dockery left Lady Mary in the dust in this low-cut stunner of a dress.
Lady Edith may be the middle child but there is no way Laura Carmichael could be overlooked in this dress.
Sophie McShera may be dowdy in the Downton kitchen but on the red carpet she is glamorous.
Well done, ladies!!! You look marvelous!!
Best not to think about it
the Story within the Story
Writing; wondering; creating
A Library of Literary Interestingness
Downton Abbey Fanfiction, Downton Abbey crossover fanfiction archive with over 55 stories. Come in to read stories and fanfics that span multiple fandoms in the Downton Abbey universe.
A lifestyle blog for stylish, independent and proper young ladies
Everything & Much, Much More for the Downton Abbey Devotee
The Downton Dame 