Downton Abbey

The Top Five–TV Shows (Revised)

My “Top Five” lists are never met to be set in stone, and in the six years since I first came up with a list of my five favorite TV shows, my favorites have changed a bit.

  • I Love Lucy–This has been my favorite TV show for a long time. I’ve watched every episode more times than I can count, and yet I never get sick of it. Are there elements of the show that haven’t aged well? Sure. But there are also funny jokes, moments of great physical comedy, fantastic guest stars, and outstanding fashion and interior design!
  • M*A*S*H—Scrubs used to appear on this list, but I basically swapped one medical show with another. The boys and I watch a few episodes every night before bed, and when we get to the end, we just start all over again, and we never grow tired of it. It’s a funny show, but it was also way ahead of its time in how it addressed social and political issues, and I’ve really come to appreciate that.
  • Downton Abbey–The glamour and intrigue of this show never grows old. I love watching the lives of those who live upstairs and those who live downstairs, and how those lives intersect. Plus, did I mention the glamour?
  • Rick Steves’ Europe–After planning an entire summer school around this show, I guess it should be no shock that it’s one of my favorites. I love asking “where should we go today?” and then turning on an episode. I always feel like I’m learning something when I watch, too, so it’s not just mindless TV!
  • My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic–The show is a bit of a wild card, but Bunny, Chickadee, and I are just finishing watching through the run of the show, and I find that I really love it. It’s so relatable, and each one of us has a pony whom we particularly identify with. It may be a children’s show, but it’s a lot of fun for me as an adult to watch, and I think I’ll look back and cherish this time that my youngest daughter, oldest daughter, and I had so much fun together!

I thought I’d feel bad about kicking Friends off the list, but while I do still enjoy watching it from time to time, I’m not as into it as I once was. I do feel a little guilty about removing Deep Space Nine, though…it is still my favorite Star Trek show, however!

Sartorial Saturday–Inspired by Downton Abbey

“I am not ‘miss,’ I am Lady Mary Crawley.”

Most of my wardrobe consists of retro fashions, and most of those represent the 1940s-60s (but primarily the 1950s). There’s something about today’s look, featuring the Melania-Abalone blouse and Becky-Bo skirt from Miss Candyfloss, that just screams Downton Abbey and the 1920s to me, though!

I love the bishop sleeves on the blouse, and the skirt is so soft!

I think the paired hat, which I’ve had for years, but looks like it was made to go with the outfit, is a big part of the look. So is the Art Deco brooch from Erstwilder and a long string of pearls. And the details on the blouse, including the sweet bow and lovely buttons, also add to the opulent feeling that reflects that time so well:

This is my first pair of separates from Miss Candyfloss, and to be honest, in a reversal of my usual concern over fit when buying a dress for the first time, I was really worried about how these pieces would work. I followed the size chart, which recommended a size larger than my usual in the skirt, and I’ll be honest…that was unnecessary. The skirt is quite big in the waist, and I’ll need to have it tailored eventually. For now, though, a pin in the back was enough to adjust the fit. The blouse, on the other hand, fits perfectly, and I couldn’t love it more!

I love this color palette and these fabrics for fall, and I’m looking forward to finding different ways to wear these pieces!

Quote of the Day

“There’s nothing simpler than avoiding people you don’t like. Avoiding one’s friends – that’s the real test.” Maggie Smith as Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham on Downton Abbey

Quote of the Day

“Isn’t that what the Monarchy’s for? To brighten the lives of the Nation with stateliness and glamour?” Elizabeth McGovern as Lady Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey (movie)