Long may she reign!

Today marks the day when Queen Elizabeth became the longest reigning British Monarch of All Time. This makes me very proud. I love Queen Elizabeth - she's probably my favourite Famous person ever. She's always been there (seriously, when was she not there), she so humble and, and - gaaack, I just love this lady. I have the highest respect for her.

She's been reigning for Sixty-three years. Or 23,226 days, if you prefer. JUST. Wow.

Of course, as an immensely huge, ginormous, biggest-fan-EVER fan, I know a lot about her life and about her love story (which will never make me not-squeal) and so on. So of course a dedication post is in order. Also, her fashion taste in the 40's and 50's was flawless, so some picture are in order.

And don't you love the new official photo's? (Up there.) It's so lovely with the pink dress and red mail box. I'M SO PROUD TO BE BRITISH AHHH.

Elisabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was born on the 21 of April, 1926. 1926. That's like, Downton Abbey time period. It's crazy, right. Right. Anyway, you guys all probably know this, but she wasn't intended to be the future Queen when she was born. Watch the Kings Speech, and they you'll understand. But anyway, her dad became King instead of her Uncle, and then, BAM, she was the heir to the throne.

Margaret Rose, Elizabeth's younger sister: Does this mean you're going to be the Queen one day?
Princess Elizabeth: Yes.
Margaret Rose: Poor you.

(Apparently that's a conversation they really had.)

The books and newspapers often say that the sisters had a good childhood - Corgis and Simple family pleasures were a Thing. As the new movie 'A Royal Night out' presents, the two princesses went out in London on VE day and mingled in the crowd with some of their cousins and friends. (The movie is rather fictionalised, however, and the Queen wasn't very happy with it. Apparently. Praps it's zee gossip.)

The Queen sang very well when she was a girl, and she loved animals. Horses and Corgis were her speciality. She still loves 'em. Especially the Corgis. She now has the great-grandchildren of the Corgis she had when she was a girl.

And now I'm going to squeal about her and Prince Philip. (Who, LOOK, was seriously the handsomest man in his times. A blonde naval officer. No wonder she married him.)

So, Elizabeth met Philip first when she was thirteen. They are, after all second cousins. They have a mutual great-grandma. (No-one else than our one and only Queen Victoria, the second longest reigning monarch.) Elizabeth, it has been reported, developed a crush on his (you know, the blonde hair and the blue eyes) and she started a correspondence throughout her teenage years with him.

When Philip was seen helping Elizabeth with her coat at a wedding of a cousin, the love rumours started to spread all across the UK. People were furious, because Philip had sisters who had Nazi husbands, and he was half German. You know, what with the War going on - it caused controversy. (What doesn't cause controversy. Hehh. Nowadays something always riles someone.)

Apparently, half of the UK was against the match.

This is not the taking-off-coat incident that caused the rumours. This is a gif of them as a married couple. Awww'ness.

Elizabeth didn't give up on Prince Philip. She had a picture in her room of him, and her Nanny told her she shouldn't, because people 'would talk.' So instead of throwing the picture away, she drew a beard over it so no-one would recognise him. (Seriously, true story. Cutest story ever.)

Also, her Nanny noticed that she kept on listening and relistening to 'People will say we're in Love' (the song from the musical Oklahoma, which she went to see with Prince Philip. So they say.) Isn't it cute? It's exactly the right song for Elizabeth and Philip, that song.

Then, after a lot of fuss about changing Philip's surname and his identity to a British one, they were finally Engaged. They waited a long time - they were still in love - and then they maaaaarried. (Which caused a lot of controversy again, because it was still ration-time, so if they spent too much money on the wedding, people would be Cross. Also, Philip's sisters weren't invited because they were married to Nazis. Life is complicated.)

But ANYWAY. They married. And had two children. And then two more. And look, they're STILL IN LOVE. I know, it's so cute. Awwww.

"He is someone who doesn't take easily to compliments. But he has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I and his whole family, in this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim or we shall ever know." 

Elizabeth with two of her children. (These are not her two first. I'm just using the cute pictures.)

Then, very unexpectedly, while Elizabeth and her husband were away in some far country, Doing Royal Stuff, her father died. She was only twenty-five. A mother of young children, and a young wife of a young naval officer.

Needless to say... yeah. Becoming a Queen is a Busy Thing.

But she did, and still continues to do, a fantastic job of it. She had hardships, as most monarchs have - her children had some rummy marriage businesses, then there was the whole Diana-death crisis (you know, when people blamed her for it. I mean, whaaat.) And so on. But she always went through with dignity and whatnot. Always looked good. Always the same hairstyle.

Being a Queen can't be easy. But she's so good, she makes it look easy. (Also, she has the sassiest eye twinkle, ever.)

Some things I like about the Queen.

1. Her husband calls her 'Sausage.' (My father calls all his children 'sausage' too, so I know what it feels like to be called 'Sausage.' Haha.)
2. She makes such good Christmas speeches.
3. The Queen is very witty.
4. I love This conversation between her and... some other important person. They are talking about her diary.
Elizabeth: My diary is not as detailed as Queen Victoria's.
Man: But it is written in your own hand.
Elizabeth: Oh yes. (after a while) I can't write in any other!
5. That she wrote in one of her letters to her parents as a newlywed, 'Philip is an angel - he is so kind and thoughtful.' I just find them the cutest couple EVER.
6. Her nickname. 'Lilibet.'
7. That she went to work in the army.
8. Her hairstyle.
9. The speech her son, Prince Charles gave in the honour of her. "Your Majesty. Mummy.' :-D
10. That Prince William and Prince Harry describe her as a 'very normal, fun grandma.' I WANT TO HAVE TEA WITH HER. :-)

Congratulations, Your Majesty on beating Queen Victoria. I love you for it. Bravo.

As we like to say, she's un-die-able.

And as the whole of London is saying, 'Long may she reign!'

Swooning over Costumes.

Hello, dearest people. If you've stuck around me for a time, you'll have noticed that I like (um, perhaps I should change that word to 'love', because the word 'like' is a bit of an understatement) to swoon over costumes in Period Dramas. I pin endless pins of Period Dramas and I see endless pictures of Period Dramas in my life, so I always have several costumes to swoon over at the same time. So now and then I devote a post to my favourites. People think those posts are a bit boring, because it's always the same. You know, 'LOOK AT THAT' and 'JUST LOOK' and 'WOW ISN'T IT GORGEOUS' and 'I WANT IT' and very often, 'I NEED IT.' That's boring. So apologies in advance, folks.

Today I'm going to swoon over some costumes. (I just happen to be very good in pointing out stuff everyone is already aware of. It's not hard, you know.)

Our family watched 'Summer Magic' recently, and I thought the dresses the girls wore to the party were absolutely gorgeous. They remind me a bit of something Liesl von Trapp would wear, strangely enough.

(Actually, that's not so strange, because Liesl's outfits are gorgeous too. So it's pretty obvious these gorgeous dresses remind me of Liesl's gorgeous dresses.) (I'll stop rambling.)

As long as I live, I will NEVER get tired of the Downton Abbey costumes. Never, and I repeat it again, Never. Lady Mary's wardrobe used to be my favourite, but now, in the later series, I've started eyeing Lady Rose's wardrobe somewhat more. Her wardrobe is just to DIE for. (Not really, though. Because of what benefit is a lucious sparkly, girly, perfect wardrobe when one is dead? None.)

This outfit of Rose's is also gorgeous. Just sayin'.

I need to see 'Somewhere in Time' so badly. Reason number one: Because Emma, my dear friend, has been wishing me to do so ever since we bumped into each other. Reason number two: Because Eliza's wardrobe is seriously the STUNNIEST thing ever. The outfit pictured above is my favourite one of hers. (Sink me, she's on the header.)

The lace, people. Matched with the pearls and the light pink. *fails*

My siblings, my father and I are watching 'Singing in the Rain' at the moment. I LOVE IT. It's just such a fun, squeeful, jolly, toe-tappy, one-gets-tumbled-inside-the-story musical. I have always adored Kathy's wardrobe, but this time watching it I only realise how much. It's just so adorable. Of course, it helps that Kathy is acted by the most adorable actress of all time, but seriously - her dresses, HER DRESSES!!!! 

My favourite so far is this sheeny, cloudy dress. It looks like it's as light as a fluffy feather (especially in this picture). Isn't it a coincidence that it matches with the backing scenery? I don't think so. :-P

Anna in 'The King and I' has the most PERFECT hoop-skirts ever made. Just LOOK. (Ha, I told you was going to tell you to look sooner or later.) Is that not the most PERFECT shape? I'm obsessed with Anna's dresses.

One day I shall wear such a perfect hoop. I need to so badly.

You know, I'm not a very big fan of Victorian Styles. Admit it, some of them can be pretty weird. 

But (you were waiting for that 'but', weren't you?) the dresses Victoria wears in 'The Young Victoria' are AMAZING. Really. Her yellow ball gown is my favourite, because it's draped in endless lace (lace is always a good idea) but, because I'm sure I've swooned over that one already, I'll show you my second-favourite Young-Victoria-gown. This lavender one.

THE FLOWERS. I knowww. It's not fair.

Cosette's wedding gown is beautiful, by the way. Give me those puffs. 

(I have a question for the Les Mis experts. Does this gif actually come from the movie? It's HAPPY! Because that's pretty darn adorable, that he twirls her around. I might have to watch Les Mis. (Or at least the wedding scene. It's surprisingly HAPPY, for Les Mis.))

What are some costumes you've been adoring lately?

Be honest - do these post bore you?

My top 10 most beautiful movies

I stole this idea from Olivia, who posted her list here - she graciously allowed me to steal it. Thank you, Olivia! :-)

A lot of movies are good. Just plain awesome, and all that. But some really stick out in their beauty. There are some movies where every screencap is beautiful; every angle filmed is pause-worthy. These are the movies I want to drool over today. So here are my ten prettiest movies... in no specific order, because I'm cryingly bad at putting things in orders (although the ones at the beginning I love more than the ones at the end - roughly.)

1. Downton Abbey

My, my. Downton Abbey is beautiful. Every screencap makes me want to make a new header to put it in it. :-) No really - every single one (weeelll, practically all of them, okay) is just a delight to look at. The bobbing hats, the jingling dresses, the steamy kitchen, the fancy stairs, the crunchy village. It's a feast for the eyes. :-)

Gah, I can't describe how beautiful this series is.

2. Cinderella 2015

I haven't seen this yet, but I know is breath-takingly gorgeous. It's fairy-tale-like gorgeous, with twinkly swishes, colourful elegance and magical attic-rooms. I've seen pictures of the ball, and totally fallen in love with anything and everything about it. It's all so fresh and sparkly and.... *sigghh* I really have to see this movie so badly.

3. The Sound of Music

When I think of 'The Sound of Music', a picture of the beautiful gazebo, the elegant lake and the pink lemonade in tinkly glasses comes to my mind, and THAT'S BEAUTIFUL. This movie is also sheer delight for the eyes. The interiors of the von Trapp's house - the exteriors of the garden - and even the dark shades of the Abbey.

4. Anna Karenina

I haven't seen this movie, so I can't recommend it, but I've totally swooned over screencaps and pictures. The dresses are such pastel-coloured statements, and the men are so dashing in their blinking light costumes. The ball room is all twinkly and perfectos. I want to see this movie just for the beauty of the rooms and costumes and areas. It's beautiful.

5. The Great Gatsby

Again, I haven't seen this, so I can't recommend it - but I know this movie is BEAUTIFUL. In fact it's perhaps even over-the-top bling-ish. There's shattering glassy parties, with sparkling dances and bubbling champagne. There's breezy rooms with white fluttering curtains. I've seen pictures of darling houses with purple and yellow flowers all over the place. It looks so pretty. I just wish the story was good.

6. Gone with the Wind

Despite the fact that it was filmed in the days when camera tricks weren't possible to make it more swoon-ish, this movie is a feast for the eyes. Especially those scenes with the blazing red skies. I remember when I watched the movie first, I thought it was so beautiful - I really practically lived in Tara for several months. I wanted to have a white frilly dress and sit like a queen on the butterfly-like porch. Ahhh.... it's pretty.

7.  The Young Victoria

I remember, after watching this, emailing Emma in all caps, screaming about the sheer beauty of this movie. I did, didn't I, Emma? Because it's TRUE. This movie is beautiful. Julian Fellowes might get some things wrong, but he does know how to make a movie pretty. He really does. The Young Victoria is a royalty movie, so obviously there's loads of rich lavish-ness about it. But even the rainy out-side scenes and beautiful... ahhhh.

8. Marie Antoinette

This a movie I'm probably never going to watch because I've heard it has some very unsuitable stuff in it (argh movie makers.) But my, I wish I could, because it's BEAAAAUTIFUL. No really, it deserves all and every cap. It's EXAGGERATINGLY beautiful. It's scrumptious, sickly-pink, candy-sweet kind of beautiful. I've seen loads of pictures. The gowns are like cupcakes. The shoes are frilly and lavish. EVERYTHING is ridiculously over-the-top-amazing.

9. Chariots of Fire

I have an unquenchable fondness for the seaside, and Chariots of Fire starts with the seaside. Therefore I find this movie beautiful. But it really is. The Scotland highlands are perfectly beautiful - there are English garden scenes, with fluffy garden robes and perfectly creme-coloured fluttery dresses. It's charming, charming. And the prettiest part is the five-second scene where Sybil Gordon finds out that Abraham won and we see her bedroom - filled with glass perfumes and hair stuff. It's gorgeous. I wish I could find a screencap of it, but I can't.

10. Singin' in the Rain

This is another of those lavish, roaring twenties, magical-like movies. All the lights in the dark nights and movie-stuff. And the fact that it's a musical makes it all jumpy and cheerful and even more twinkly. I really love this. I also love that everything is so perfectly symmetrical (there's a musical for you. :-P)

What are some of your 'prettiest movies?'

We ARE amused... said queen Victoria

The only picture of Victoria smiling aka the only picture where Queen Victoria didn't do what the photographer told her to do.

'We are not amused' said Queen Victoria.
At least, it is SAID that she said that. But in reality, we are pretty sure that she did not say that. Quite the contrary, her diary is filled with phrases such as 'I was very amused' and 'I was very much amused.'

That girl looks so much like Diana Barry

Anyway... now I come to the point...
It is the same with pictures we see of Victorians. Always looking sour and strict, colourless and sober. (Well, the colourless isn't their fault.)
Look at the above picture. (btw. The girl looks like a Diana Barry, don't you think?) I found this picture- this is a girl in the Victorian/Edwardian time and she is smiling. The girl is just a normal girl, like us. (That is if you, my reader, are a girl, which I think you are). She's a teenager, fashionable (just look at the scrumptious hat in the far right picture) and she loves having fun. Well, judging by the look of these four pictures, I imagine she loves fun.

Same with the above picture! This girl looks alive. Up until now I had never realised that Victorians could smile. Pictures of Victorians smiling are just so rare! Un until now I had never properly realised that Victorians were people- real ones, like us.
Well, I did know it, but I never really knew it.

Another example of smiling Victorians (left). The first picture is pretty 'normal' for Victorians. Then there's an embrace and giggles. They both seem to have burst into laughter.

Victorians loved doing silly things, like us. Ahem.

Now that's just romantic.

I really think hats should come back into fashion. Hats ought to be essential.

I'm just SO inspired. Victorians were REAL people, just in nicer clothes, that's all. They are PEOPLE. Not historical THINGS. The smile changes everything.

You look so much prettier by putting a smile on your face. It just changes EVERYTHING. Now I know why I always thought Victorians were ugly.

So.... WELL DONE and a pat on the shoulder to the Victorians in these pictures for not listening to the photographer and smiling in the photo.

PS. Sorry for signing with such a mournful picture.

PSS. Another sorry for posting twice on one day.