Monday, January 31, 2011

Review: Adam Bede

Another movie in The George Eliot Collection, my mom and I saw this a while ago. We were going through the collection and wanted something short to watch before we went out for lunch. We saw that this was only 102 minutes long, so we decided to watch it. We were also interested in it because Susannah Harker, who played Jane Bennet in the 1995 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice, was in it.

Synopsis
The story starts in a court room with a woman named Hetty Sorrel (Patsy Kinsit) is on trial for murder. She is found guilty and sentenced to death, at which she faints.

The story flashes back to the countryside and we are introduced to our characters. Adam Bede (Iain Glen) is a hardworking farmer and has fallen in love with Hetty Sorrel, who lives on her uncle's (Mr. Poyser) property. Hetty's cousin, Dinah Morris (Susannah Harker), also lives with them and is a lay Methodist preacher. Hetty falls in love with Captain Arthur Donnithorne. The story revolves around this love rectangle between these four characters.

Characters
There are a couple of actors/actresses that you might recognize in Adam Bede. Iain Glen (who plays Adam Bede) was Mr. Preston in Wives and Daughters, Susannah Harker (who plays Dinah) was Jane Bennet in the 1995 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice, Julia Mckenzie (who plays Mrs. Poyser) was Mrs. Forrester in Cranford, and Patsy Kensit (who plays Hetty) was Eppie in Silas Marner.

Adam Bede (Iain Glen) and Dinah
(Susannah Harker)
The whole time I was watching this movie, I thought there seemed something wrong with Hetty. The way she acted throughout just seemed really strange to me. You could say that she almost acted childlike, but she even acted strangely for being childlike. Something just didn't seem right with her.

This next part is a Spoiler. I thought the whole Adam/Dinah relationship thing came on rather suddenly. The whole movie, they seemed like they were friends... only friends. Then all of a sudden at the end, they're going to get married? Adam really got over Hetty really quickly after being engaged to her and then once Hetty is sentenced to Australia and the engagement is over, all of a sudden he's engaged to Dinah? It just seemed too sudden. End of Spoiler

Costumes
The costuming wasn't too bad. The story takes place in 1799, which would be during the early Regency Era, but the clothes seemed to resemble some earlier clothing. Considering that the characters are farmers, it would be understandable that they don't have the latest fashions.

Hetty (Patsy Kensit) with
Arthur Donnithorne (James
Wilby)
Dinah is very plainly dressed; she always wears the same black dress with a white kerchief and a white cap. This goes with her humble attitude. Since she is a lay preacher, she is trying to live her life simply. You can compared Dinah's attire to Hetty's, which had much more color. There was a red dress paired with a white kerchief that Hetty wore that I thought looked nice. Considering that Hetty is not as humble as Dinah, her clothes being more colorful would go with her personality.


Music
The music didn't really stand out to me. There are some miniseries/films which you hear the music and it immediately stands out in your memory for a long time. In the case of Adam Bede, I can't remember there being any outstanding scores.

Overall: 2/5
I didn't care for this movie. It seemed like the movie was more about Hetty than about Adam. There was a bit of a mature scene, so if you do watch this movie, be warned. Susannah Harker did do a nice job of acting, so she is a plus to this movie. I probably wouldn't watch it a second time...

Adam Bede is available on DVD in The George Eliot Collection or sold separately. It runs for about 102 minutes on one disk.

army vs. lovely




Dress Yumi, Black jeans Nudie, Cardigan H&M, Shoes Post xchange

Firstly, I want to apologize for almost not blogging last week. I promise it won't happen again!
Army vs. lovely, that was my source of inspiration by choosing this outfit. You would probably not combine these shoes, which would survive in war, with this Alexa Chung inspired cute dress. But that's just what it makes it interesting.
Life would be so boring if everything would fit perfectly together..

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Spring Runway Looks 2011

Leafing through my multiple folders on the computer, I stumbled across a folder containing spring runway photos. :) You can imagine how happy I was, since I know can post my favorites on this little blog. What a sweet surprise! Thank you, God. :) Here are those long belated photos! Enjoy! :)
(All photos are from Vogue.com)
The glittery cardigan is so cute, and those
pants are what I would call modest. What
do you all think? :) Diane Von Furstenburg
D&G were really fantastic this season... as
shown by this gorgeous and modest lace dress!
Wouldn't you LOVE to have it? :)
I love her make-up and hair... and the dress
is really cute. :) Ralph Lauren
I heart these spectacular pants! It is SO hard
to find modest pants, but those are really nice!
(And yes, I think the turban is just plain cool. :)
Giorgio Armani
D&G were really high on my list this season!
Just look at all that pink!!
Another beautiful dress from D&G
I actually like something from... Alexander
McQueen?? *Gasp* But, this dress is gorgeous!
I almost screamed when I saw this!!!!! I LOVE
it! So classy and chic. *Sigh* It surely has a price
tag to match. :P This is by my favorite designer of
all time (drumroll, please) Oscar de la Renta!!!! 
That hat is sooooo cute! And the dress would
be nice, if it were on a different person. :)
Oscar de la Renta
Gorgeous. Oscar de la Renta
I love this maxi! And the shirt would be really
chic, if it were miles higher on the neckline. ;)
Can you guess? Oscar de la Renta
So classy and modest!
Oscar de la Renta 
This is one of the only jumpsuits I have seen
and like. Pink and ruffles score high on my list!
Oscar de la Renta 
Seriously, the person who buys this dress
and wears it will feel like a princess!
Oscar de la Renta
He just made black lace classy. This man
is a genius! Oscar de la Renta
*sob* I really want this dress! (anyone know
how to get a dress exactly like this for... less? ;)
Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta
The print is a little weird, I admit. But, it has
gloves and a dress!!!! (the top part is NOT modest,
just to clear things up ;) Oscar de la Renta
Beautiful!!!!! Same thing for the top part :)
Oscar de la Renta

So pretty! Oscar de la Renta
GORGEOUS. Yes, with capitals ;)
Oscar de la Renta
Does this guy read my mind or something??
Oscar de la Renta
Oscar de la Renta
Ralph Lauren. I love that dress!!!!
Some of you do not share my style, so I will
show you a photos of something modest that
I would never wear. ;) So, maybe that is a bit
better for you? ;)
Who is your favorite designer? :)
Blessings,
Southern Belle

Saturday, January 29, 2011

New Banner

After so long, I finally made another banner!


It's a little darker colorwise than I anticipated, but I think it was blended nicely.

Friday, January 28, 2011

My Style Paragon

The woman who inspires my style may surprise you. Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie Kennedy all have lovely style, but my creativity is immediately sparked whenever I see a picture of this woman. Her name is Vivien Leigh. Although I don't endorse all of her films, she was a very classy woman, who was rarely seen without a pair of gloves and perfectly matching clothing. (All the rage back then! :) There is a faraway look in her eyes, a melancholy sweetness that touches my heart. Sadly, Vivien Leigh suffered from Manic Depression, and did not experience the peace and hope that comes from trusting in Jesus as her savior. I find sheer genius in her style, and I would love to share with you a few of my favorite photos of her. Well, maybe a lot. All right, a TON! :) This lady has class and style. God bless!













































From a movie, I believe :)
vivandlarry.com
So happy!
http://www.corbisimages.com/images/67/C98333B7-59C9-4760-9B2F-2D14F01EF051/U537165ACME.jpg
Beautiful!
http://www.art247.com/images/large/MIRRORPIX/GL/GL705851.jpg
Gardening, while gorgeous!
http://cache4.asset-cache.net/xc/3430425.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=45B0EB3381F7834D143D6D48A59508C5182C4E9D2C0D8863CA52222F25EC092C

They are so cute together! With Olivier, of course :)
http://www.the-movie-library.com/c/7242/7242_2.jpg
So gorgeous!
http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/12200000/Vivien-Leigh-and-Laurence-Olivier-vivien-leigh-12244730-800-600.jpg
She is sooooo stylish!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Vivien_Leigh_and_
Laurence_Olivier_disembarking_plane,_Brisbane_1948.jpg
This is so beautifully modest!
http://www.doctormacro.com/Images/Leigh,%20Vivien/Annex/Annex%20-%20Leigh,%20Vivien_11.jpg
A funeral look? Anyway, she looks spectacular!
http://images2.fanpop.com/image/photos/12000000/Vivien-Leigh-vivien-leigh-12040617-1150-1511.jpg
What simple, quiet beauty!
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lepsd43iqW1qbp27uo1_400.jpg
What a beautiful dress... (although immodest :/ )
http://images2.fanpop.com/images/photos/4700000/Vivien-Leigh-vivien-leigh-4758971-763-961.jpg
This girl is uberchic!
http://www.hpvf.com/catalog/aa_1_b_3856_1.JPG
Traveling in style, with husband Olivier :)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/George_Cukor,_Vivien_Leigh,_Laurence_Olivier.jpg
So chic... :)
http://29.media.tumblr.com/iHh03P2VOosnk0tzwRW6wOOko1_400.jpg
I love this photo of Vivian! She looks soooo
beautiful! :)
http://images.npg.org.uk:8080/OCimg/264_325/4/6/mw11846.jpg
Quite immodest, but I love this style!
http://www.vivien-leigh.net/vivien%203000small.jpg
So casually stylish!
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Vivien_Leigh_and_
Laurence_Olivier,_Broadbeach,_Australia,_1948.jpg
I love the dress, though it is fairly immodest :(
http://www.correvedile.com/ciencias/medicina/mujeres-hermosas/vivien-leigh.jpg
After winning an Oscar!
http://www.hollywoodgoldenguy.com/VIVIEN-LEIGH.jpg
In "Gone with the Wind" (she really did have the MOST amazing eyes!)
http://www.classicfilmstars.com/img/Vivien-Leighgonewind39-300.jpg

A gorgeous lace scarf.... *bliss*
http://www.twolia.com/blogs/heres-looking-like-you-kid/files/2010/01/vivien-leigh-lace-wrap-head-scarf.jpg
This was for a movie!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DzskcQgu3L4/SJVEOGm6rwI/AAAAAAAAAdI
/2qpQ4kAV1yQ/s320/vivien%2Bleigh%2Bhat.jpg

Don't judge me. I like fur :)
http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldr2y0uoaS1qzi1ujo1_500.jpg
With husband Olivier. Oh, don't you just love those gloves??
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ldlf89XOm31qcdxwoo1_500.jpg
She is so pretty! AND she is wearing a head scarf!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbmh6cklOP7KJDEEiXz9hRjP89-w0wV45ZQXowiEmhKjvfvhGT0rAMNI3D3Jp2x0tUCgOS58jkFqE0LEzWh5S_mCrPLrkxLnSJLb71Epes1ZBUuAyUm_LONiW3z33ahpdX9PGZXW6hxPC/s400/london_001.jpg
I love her style!!!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQcUXH4m1X8FbWkKow4FDGnHcO_3XQJRCFhsm7iepN-hjQD7AiAhyHYSns5Y-wnQgxh3yNysVEtNrpbRlDAuEhiYop4GkZoYgLhy2G8fHdy-fZWGJnPnKFoGmf-Rlvc-isqcorOmnJgZA/s1600/Vivien+Leigh.jpg
I love, love, love, love her hair! And I love this
casual look!!! :)
http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcqvb6z7dd1qazanuo1_500.jpg
Gorgeous!!!
With husband
Olivier
mvpyimao.wordpress.com
How ladylike!
mimknits.com/wordpress/
She has amazing eyes!!!
lilylemontree.blogspot.com/
I LOVE her smile!
fanpix.net
With husband Olivier
puppylovepreschool.blogspot.com/
With her husband
Laurence Olivier
hillsclassicfilm.blogspot.com/
Beautiful Vivian :)
The angle of her head is
weird, but I love color photos
of her, as there are so few :(
planetpooks.wordpress.com/
Another gorgeous smile :)
connect.in.com
She has very defined cheekbones ;)
nndb.com

*Sigh* Vivian Leigh truly is my style paragon. She embodied grace, class, and poise, although she had a very tragic life. At home and in the public, her style was classic and dramatic... pure gorgeousness. I hope that you were inspired by Miss Leigh's exquisite style. :)
God bless, my dear readers! :)
~Southern Belle