#felicity porter icons

[nostalgc]

Felicity, S01E12 — Friends.

[kimberlyshaws]

[wainswright]

They seriously had beef about tampons? I hope whatever happened there is smarter than it sounds like it was.

A Brief History of American Girl Publishing in the 1990s.

The first American Girl books were published in 1986 and focused on the three dolls available at the time — Samantha, Kirsten, and Molly. The year 2016 was the first time American Girl was licensed with an outside publisher, Scholastic. The cookbooks are now published by Simon and Schuster while some of the fictional books are published by Random House Children’s Books. It’s tricky to find some of the original historical novels, but I saw a bunch on Etsy and AbeBooks. A few are available for Kindle as well.

The 1990s wasn’t just about the dolls, of course. There was the magazine and the monthly catalogs that seemed to find any house with a tween girl in it. Who didn’t while away an hour while circling all of those miniatures that were out of reach for most families? My friends and I also loved the advice books, which were a staple of sleepovers and when we ran out of embarrassing moments that were AG-approved, we took to the internet with much less wholesome results. AG had the market cornered on things like craft books, cookbooks, and guides on how to be a good friend and responsible community member. They now publish a line called A Smart Girl’s Guide, which includes A Smart Girl’s Guide: Digital World and A Smart Girl’s Guide: Race and Inclusion.

One of the best-known nonfiction titles published by AG of my era was The Care and Keeping of You, which was written by Valorie Lee Schaefer. It’s still being published and has sold over five million copies to date. A revised “older girl” book was published in 2013 but you can still get the original “younger girl” edition (though without the spread about tampons). This incredible article gives a great overview and history of this particular title. Spoiler alert: there have always been people who have wanted to keep us in the dark about our own bodies.

Valerie Tripp wrote many of the early American Girl books including books for Samantha, Molly, Felicity, and Josefina. The most recent book is Izzy Newton and the S.M.A.R.T. Squad (with illustrator Geneva Bowers) for National Geographic. She has also written about greek mythology and worked on middle grade adaptations of classics including Sherlock Holmes and Tom Sawyer.

The Kirsten books were written by Janet Beeler Shaw, who has also published two books of poetry‚ a collection of short fiction‚ and an adult novel‚ Taking Leave. She is also the author of the Ambersand Castle trilogy.

Shaw is also the author of the Kaya books. American Girl worked with Indigenous people to create the facial mold for the Kaya doll (other American Girls up to that point had smiles that showed their teeth, which would have been considered disrespectful). The brand worked with the Nez Percé (Nimíipuu) but did not hire an author with a related background, which is something they have done more often in recent years for both their historical and modern characters. Kaya’s books differ from the early American Girl books because her life milestones would not include things like Christmas.

Contributors to Samantha’s story were Susan S. Adler, Maxine Rose Schur, and Valerie Tripp. Schur has written other books for children including her most recent Finley Finds His Fortune and Child of the Sea. She is also a travel writer who has written a collection entitled Places in Time.

Addy’s books were written by Connie Rose Porter, who is also the author of Imani All Mine and All-Bright Court. Porter was honored as an Uncrowned Queens Culture Builder by the Uncrowned Queens Institute for Research & Education on Women. Porter and Brit Bennett also recently met at the American Girl Store in New York City for Bennett’s book release and the photos are great.

[ear-worthy]

Dear Felicity Podcast Debuts & Podcast About Travel Writer Who Was A Spy

What is it about a TV series that makes it a strong candidate to become a re-watch podcast? Length? TV ratings? Genre? All viable options. Perhaps, it is the loyalty and enthusiasm of the fan base that determines whether a canceled TV series warrants a re-watch podcast.

In the case of WB TV series Felicity, it definitely could be the loyalty and passion of the show's fan base.

Felicity revolves around the college experiences of the title character, Felicity Porter (portrayed by Keri Russell), as she attends the "University of New York" (based on New York University), which lies across the country from her home in Palo Alto, California. Like NYU, UNY is located in Greenwich Village near Washington Square Park, and the school is an important part of the show. The show ran for four seasons from September 29, 1998, to May 22, 2002, with each season corresponding to the traditional American university divisions of freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years. Last week, Spotify’s The Ringer and Bad Robot Audio announced Dear Felicity, an all-new, star-studded podcast revisiting the beloved series Felicity, 25 years after it premiered. Rather than the familiar episode-by-episode approach, Dear Felicity will have an innovative structure, with episodes covering themes and story arcs to facilitate broader conversations about Felicity, The WB, the careers of those involved, and how the television business functioned. Dear Felicity launched on Wednesday, March 13. New episodes will drop every Wednesday on Spotify and everywhere podcasts are available. Said Abrams, Co-CEO, Bad Robot, “The experience of Felicity was formative for so many involved. It is such a joy to relive that time, re-examine the episodes, and hear from so many of the wonderful and creative people who helped bring the show to life.”

Hosted by Felicity stars Amanda Foreman and Greg Grunberg alongside The Ringer’s Juliet Litman, Dear Felicity will bring together cast, crew, executives, and fans of the iconic series to discuss its cultural longevity and unique place in television history. Special guests will include Keri Russell, series creators J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves, Scott Speedman, Scott Foley, Tangi Miller, Amy Jo Johnson, Jennifer Garner, Brian Grazer, Keiko Agena, Andrew Jarecki, and more. Bad Robot was formed by filmmaker J.J. Abrams in 2001. The company has produced television series including Alias, Lost, Fringe, Person of Interest, Westworld, Castle Rock, Lovecraft Country, and Lisey’s Story, as well as feature films including SUPER 8, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, and the STAR TREK, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, and CLOVERFIELD franchises.

Check out Dear Felicity, if for no other reason to listen to Greg Grunberg (a former cast member) who is always eminently ear worthy.

********************************************** 

It's taken me years to get over the revelation (if it's actually true) that creator / host of The Gong Show, and creator of The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game Chuck Barris was a CIA operative.

After all, the U.S. was either desperate for spies, or so ingenuously clever that even Doctor Evil from Austin Powers would be flabbergasted.

Now, iHeartPodcasts and producer Lars Jacobson have debuted Fodor’s Guide to Espionage, with the first episode released on March 13.  

Based on the true story of Eugene Fodor, the podcast Fodor's Guide to Espionage will explore the greatest travel writer in the world, who secretly used his profession as a cover to spy for the CIA. Taking place in the 1960s, it is a globetrotting, jet-setting spy series centered around the biggest events of the Cold War that will take listeners on an exotic vacation and high stakes spy mission every week. 

 Established in 1949, Fodor's has published more than 440 guides on over 300 destinations, and currently has more than 700 permanently placed researchers all over the world. In addition to having sold hundreds of millions of guide books over the last century, Fodor’s remains one of the most popular travel guide publishers and internet tourist information sites to this day. 

Ethan Corn (“Criminal Minds,” “The Resident”), Lelia Symington (“Brut Force,” “The Marksman”), and Jacqueline Emerson (“The Hunger Games,” “FBI”) will take listeners through thrilling history, fine dining and navigating the world through travel. 

Creator and writer Lars Jacobson will be producing the series alongside Sabrina Jaglom (“Jane,” “Listening In”) and Noel Brown for iHeartPodcasts. “Fodor's Guide to Espionage'' marks the first podcast out of Teleforce’s first-look deal with iHeart. 

��Check out Fodor’s Guide to Espionage for its plot twists, narrative roundabouts, and weird blend of travel and international spycraft.

What's next? The Food Network's Pioneer Woman is a double agent.

[franandmax]

random felicity porter icons does anyone even watch this show (all s1 cus its her best hair season)

[northbndtrain]

Dear Ben, I dreamt once that I lost you. We were on icebergs, and I can't remember if you were floating away from me or I was floating away from you. But I remember waking up beside you. It was the middle of the night, and it was raining -- like tonight. And I heard your breathing, calming me. It was like we could speak without words. I wonder how and when we learned it, this secret language. I only know that at some point, in the silences, I heard you. And now I'm left with words -- these useless words -- when all I want is to be beside you again. To make you feel safe. To help you sleep. To bring you back to me.

          felicity awareness week 2017 → fav. ship → felicity ♥ ben

[lightgamble]

Endless list of Felicity scenes (20/∞) | Ben & Felicity

You look great by the way. - 2.02

[elizabethjenningss]

can you believe that feminism was invented when felicity elizabeth porter decided to decimate ben's ass with this speech? so iconic of her!

[aspirationalbrand]

"She's an extra small, so we buy mediums," Serijan-Fasmer says. "Everything is oversized." And flattering colors lit up her face, which meant that colors had to be restrained--navy, rust, olive, burgundy.

The Components: Felicity's closet revolves around pants (Levi's 501s are her favorite, followed by Army surplus or Abercrombie & Fitch khakis and other straight-legged pants), cotton shirts and dozens and dozens of sweaters--textured, nubby cardigans, turtlenecks and crew necks in patterns and earth-colored solids.

"We have every DKNY turtleneck made," Serijan-Fasmer says. Man-style shirts from stores such as the Gap, Banana Republic and Nordstrom are always worn out. Every single one is recut to look somewhere between fitted and baggy, but never with darts--darts are too sexy. Her shoes are strictly utilitarian, either Converse navy sneakers or Birkenstock boots or sandals.

You Should Know: "Keri says they're her favorite clothes of any show she's ever worked on," attests Serijan-Fasmer.

[nostalgc]

Felicity, S01E10 — Finally.

[kimberlyshaws]

[jeanvaljean24601]

How to Watch Mad Men and More Great Shows for Free Right Now

Another day, another brand new streaming platform out there begging you to subscribe to its service so you can ignore your family members and binge-watch a bunch of TV shows and movies in the name of entertainment. This time, it's NBCUniversal's Peacock, which offers a free tier as well as  two premium options (one with ads and one without). The service  features a number of programs for free, including Friday Night Lights and even Parks and Recreation, but Peacock isn't the only place you can stream great shows without breaking the bank.

Below, we've gathered up a number of shows that don't require you to shell out money for Netflix,  Hulu,  Amazon Prime,  Disney+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, Peacock, and/or  whatever other streaming service subscriptions are out there. Sometimes you just need a simple freebie. And you know what? You deserve it. So check out the list below and take comfort in knowing it won't cost you a thing.

Watch it on: IMDb TV

Until recently you had to have a Netflix subscription to watch Mad Men, AMC's Emmy-award winning period drama from Matthew Weiner that was dedicated as much to style as it was to substance. The 1960s-set series, which traced the rise and fall of flawed Madison Avenue advertising executive Don Draper (Jon Hamm) through his own complicated relationship with identity, was a pointed commentary on the toxic masculinity, sexism, and racism of the era. It also changed the way we watch and talk about TV. If you haven't seen it yet, now's the perfect time to do so.

The Dick Van Dyke Show

Watch it on: Tubi (complete series), Pluto TV (complete series)

Realizing  The Dick Van Dyke Show is streaming for free feels a bit like winning a secret lottery or viewing an exceptional piece of art without paying the museum admission fee. The popular comedy, which ran for five seasons, was created by Carl Reiner and starred Dick Van Dyke as the head writer of a TV show, while  Mary Tyler Moore portrayed his wife. It's a timeless classic — one that took home 15 Emmys during its run, and if you've yet to experience it, you literally have no excuse at this point.

The Dick Van Dyke Show Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Watch it on: ABC app (complete series)

Felicity is best known as the show in which Keri Russell cut her hair (not to be confused with the show in which Keri Russell wore a lot of great wigs, aka The Americans). Depicting Felicity Porter's (Russell) college years and the struggles that accompany trying to figure out who you're supposed to be, the show is also famous for Scott Speedman's whisper-talking and the ongoing battle of Ben (Speedman) vs. Noel (Scott Foley). Although the WB series was previously streaming on Hulu, you can now watch it for free on the ABC app.

A reimagining of the kitschy original series, Syfy's Battlestar Galacticastarred Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Tricia Helfer, Michael Hogan, James Callis, and Jamie Bamber and explored the aftermath of a nuclear attack by the Cylons, cybernetic creatures invented by man who evolved and rebelled against their creators. The show was critically acclaimed for the way it tackled the subjects of science, religion, and politics, and for the way it explored the deeply complicated notion of what makes us human. Everything from the miniseries to the two BSG films (Razor and The Plan) is currently available to stream for free on Syfy's website, so there's no better time to watch it. So say we all!

Watch it on: IMDb TV (complete series), Tubi (complete series), Pluto TV (first 13 seasons), YouTube (first 13 seasons)

For many millennials, the fourth series in the Degrassi franchise, Degrassi: The Next Generation, is the defining iteration of the long-running Canadian series. The drama series, which was sometimes so overly dramatic it was actually funny, tackled everything from date rape and suicide to sexual orientation and teen pregnancy. The series, which launched the careers of Drake (then known as Aubrey Graham) and Nina Dobrev, is streaming on multiple free platforms.

Watch it on: ABC app (complete series)

Eli Stone really had it all, which is to say it had Victor Garber singing George Michael songs, Loretta Devine singing George Michael songs, and George Michael singing George Michael songs. What else is there? ABC's offbeat two-season comedy-drama starred a pre-Elementary Jonny Lee Miller as Eli Stone, a high-powered San Francisco lawyer whose brain aneurysm gave him prophetic visions — which usually involved his friends, family, and colleagues breaking into song. Aside from a couple of ill-advised plotlines (the pilot, which suggests vaccines cause autism, is best forgotten), the show was a blast: a weird but memorable cocktail that should have stuck around for more seasons because, as I mentioned, Victor Garber sang George Michael songs. Also, Sigourney Weaver played God?! -Kelly Connolly

Watch it on: YouTube (nearly every episode)

A true Canadian treasure,  The Red Green Show was a long-running comedy starring Steve Smith as Red Green, a handyman who constantly tried to cut corners using duct tape and who had his own cable TV show. It was a parody of home improvement shows and outdoor programs and featured segments like Handyman Corner, Adventures with Bill, and The Possum Lodge Word Game. The show ran for 15 seasons, airing on PBS in the States. 

TV Premiere Date Calendar: Find Out When Your Favorite Shows Are Back

Watch it on: IMDb TV (complete series), ABC app (complete series)

Critically beloved but struck down before its time,  My So-Called Life has been praised for its realistic and honest portrayal of teenage life, not just via Angela Chase (Claire Danes), but through the show's young supporting cast as well. Now considered to be one of the best shows of all time, it tackled topics like homophobia, homelessness, drug use, and more without ever feeling preachy or like an after-school special. Also, Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto) could lean.

Watch it on: CW Seed (first five seasons), IMDb TV (first five seasons)

If you don't have Netflix but still want to watch  Schitt's Creek, you'll be happy to know you can watch the first five seasons of the heartwarming, Emmy-nominated comedy series, about a wealthy family who loses everything they own except the town of the show's title, for free on CW Seed and IMDb TV.

Dan Levy and Catherine O'Hara, Schitt's Creek Photo: Pop TV

Watch it on: Peacock (complete series); IMDb TV (complete series)

You may never know what it feels like to have Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) be proud of you, but you can pretend by watching all five seasons of  Friday Night Lights, a series that was as much about a Texas community as it was about the sport that united it. By the end of the show, you'll be asking yourself "What Would Riggins Do?" and tattooing "Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose" on your body, all while chanting "Texas forever!" Trust me, it happens to everybody.

Watch it on: CW Seed (complete series)

It is relatively easy to forget that The CW series The Carrie Diaries was a prequel to  Sex and the City, because the charming show, which lasted just two seasons, was able to stand on its own. The coming-of-age series that followed a teenaged Carrie Bradshaw (AnnaSophia Robb) was relatively innocent compared to the original series. The show's 1980s setting made it easier for the writers to focus on more harmless family storylines and teenage heartbreaks, but the show never shied away from the heartstring-tugging drama of young adulthood either. It's a shame the show never got the kind of ratings it deserved and wasn't able to exist beyond Carrie's high school years, but the Season 2 finale works well as a series finale, so viewers won't feel as if the story was left incomplete. android tv box

Watch it on: CW Seed (complete series)

It's a shame Bryan Fuller's saturated dramedy  Pushing Daisies, about a pie-maker (Lee Pace) with the ability to bring the dead back to life, couldn't bring itself back to life after becoming a casualty of the 2007-08 writers' strike. A whimsical delight, the show featured the pie-maker teaming up with a local private eye (Chi McBride) to solve murders by reviving the victims for a brief time. Known for its quirky characters, eccentric visual style, and Jim Dale's pitch-perfect narration, it remains must-see TV.

Watch it on: IMDb TV (first seven seasons); Peacock

Columbo kicked off nearly every episode by revealing the crime and its perpetrator to the audience, which means unlike most crime dramas, the show was less about whodunnit and more about Peter Falk's iconic raincoat-wearing homicide detective catching them and getting them to confess. Oh, and just one more thing: it's great.

Watch it on: CW Seed (complete series)

The charming and playful Forever, which starred Ioan Gruffudd as an immortal medical examiner, was the one show that could have saved ABC's Tuesday at 10 p.m. death slot. But the network still canceled the series anyway, enraging the show's fans, who have never let the sting of its death go. Luckily, it now lives on, ahem, forever (aka until the content license expires) on CW Seed.

Watch it on: IMDb TV (complete series)

It sounds odd to say The Middle, which ran for nine seasons on ABC, was unfairly overlooked, but it always felt like the series, which followed the middle class Midwestern Heck family, was a bit of a hidden gem. It wasn't as popular with Emmy voters as, say, Modern Family, and critics also failed to give it its due, but it was a real, heartfelt, reliable family comedy with mass appeal, and you can stream it on IMDb TV for free. h96 tv box

Watch it on: ABC app (complete series)

Trophy Wife's short life — it was canceled after just one season — can probably be chalked up to its unfortunate title, which was meant to be ironic but ultimately kept viewers from tuning in and experiencing the warmth of the show and the relationships at its center. Malin Akerman starred as the young wife of  Bradley Whitford's middle-aged lawyer, and the comedy explored the dynamics between the two, his children, and his two ex-wives, who were played by  Marcia Gay Harden and  Michaela Watkins. h96 max x3

Watch it on: NBC app (complete series)

Loosely based on the Biblical story of King David, Kings was a compelling drama before its time. Rudely cut down after just one season by NBC, the show starred Ian McShane as the king of the fictional kingdom of Gilboa, while  Christopher Egan portrayed an idealistic young soldier whose counterpart is David. The show also starred Sebastian Stan, which is reason enough to want to check it out.

Watch it on: ABC app (complete series)

Ray Wise portrays Satan in Reaper, a supernatural dramedy about a slacker (Bret Harrison) who reluctantly becomes a reaper tasked with capturing escaped souls from hell after it's revealed his parents made a deal with the devil many, many years before. The fact the show only lasted two seasons is a crime against humanity. Luckily, you can watch it in its entirety for free on the ABC app. h96 max x3

Watch it on: IMDb TV (complete series)

A team of experts led by a kooky old scientist (John Noble), his son (Joshua Jackson), and an FBI agent (Anna Torv) investigate strange occurrences around the country, X-Files style, in the J.J. Abrams-produced Fringe. The series is one of the best broadcast science-fiction shows of all time, particularly in its first three seasons, and perfected the art of the serialized procedural by weaving the show's deep mythology and excellent character work into weekly standalone stories, making it easy to binge or watch in spurts. And by the time the end of Season 1 starts, you'll have a hard time stopping. -Tim Surette

Watch it on: Tubi (complete series), Vudu (complete series)

Although American TV producers would eventually adapt  Being Human, the original British version, which followed three supernatural beings trying to live amongst humans, is far superior. The show, which ran for five seasons, starred Aidan Turner, Russell Tovey, and  Lenora Crichlow as a vampire, werewolf, and ghost, respectively. So skip the U.S. version entirely and watch the U.K. series for free.

Watch it on: Pluto TV (complete series),  Vudu (complete series), Tubi (complete series)

The Australian young adult-oriented series Dance Academy is not exactly what you'd call "great television," but it is great fun. Brimming with teen angst and melodrama, the series, which ran for three seasons and even had a follow-up movie, followed a handful of dancers at Sydney's National Academy of Dance as they trained in the sport they loved while also falling in and out of love with each other. The acting was sometimes questionable, but the series itself was addictive, not to mention one of the easiest binges you'll ever encounter. h96 max tv box

3rd Rock From the Sun

Watch it on: Tubi (complete series), Pluto TV (complete series), Crackle (all six seasons),  Vudu (all six seasons)

You might think a show about a group of socially awkward, 1,000-year-old aliens in human skin suits who are trying (badly) to pose as a human family and blend into an ordinary Midwest town might sound ridiculous, and, well, that's fair. But  3rd Rock From the Sun was still charming in even its most bizarre moments and gave its cast a lot of room to play up their roles and create an ensemble of weirdos that, at some point or another, start to tap into their newfound humanity and relish their new home here on Earth. -Amanda Bell.

[reactingtosomething]

Russell is a performer who speaks volumes in the quietest, most fleeting moments. She is neither frustratingly opaque like the younger, new crop of actors including Rooney Mara, who read as inscrutable, forcing audiences to project onto them rather than let them in. Neither is she an actor like those who populate the Golden Age of Hollywood, privileging pleasure and persona with fierce brio like Bette Davis, or a charming yet uneasy edge of mystery like Cary Grant. She doesn’t fit neatly into the harsh strictures of Method acting, either. Her performances are beguiling, and difficult to pin down.

Russell was only 15 when she got her start as an actor, in 1991, appearing for a few seasons on The Mickey Mouse Club. She lacks the grating affectations that most child actors fail to lose when they transition into adulthood, perhaps because the iconic role that led her to become fixed in the pop-cultural imagination came a bit later, with her titular role on the WB drama Felicity, which ran from 1998 to 2002. On the show, Russell played Felicity Porter, a student who travels cross-country to follow a guy to college in New York. In the role, Russell is earnest, and a bit reticent, with a genuine glowing warmth that makes her immediately easy to root for. Placing Russell’s most iconic performances as Felicity Porter and Elizabeth Jennings side by side, you can see the vast physical and emotional terrain she can handle as an actress.

by Angelica Jade Bastien

Click through above for the rest.

[theartofdreaming1]

Semester’s Reading List

I decided to do another semester’s reading list (if you are interested in my previous one, you can check it out here). Unfortunately, I didn’t get to read as much as last semester, but I guess I just tend to read more during the fall/winter months :)

These are the books I’ve read from April to mid-October 2017, including their summaries and my thoughts on them:

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen:

Summary: “Catherine Morland is a young girl with a very active imagination. Her naivety and love of sensational novels lead her to approach the fashionable social scene in Bath and her stay at nearby Northanger Abbey with preconceptions that have embarrassing and entertaining consequences.”

Thoughts: I think you can tell that it’s an early work by Jane Austen; it reads a little less polished than her later works in some ways. Some passages were a little drier than usual to read but I enjoyed it a lot! (It probably helped that I had seen the BBC’s adaptation with Felicity Jones beforehand which really made me love the story, I guess). I could definitely relate a lot to Catherine - I also get way too absorbed in the fiction I read (and watch), make up great scenarios how things could go in real life and then get disappointed when reality falls flat ^^  The characters are really great (I love Elinor and Henry Tilney!) and it really says a lot about Jane Austen’s observation skills and about how little people have changed over the centuries that when Mr. Thorpe is blabbering on about how great his carriage and horses are, you can’t help but think of all these dudes rambling on about their cars nowadays ^^ I believe ‘Northanger Abbey’ is currently my second favorite Austen.

Double Down (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond:

I already did this book last time - I just wanted to reread it before tackling the third book of the series. You can read about my thoughts on the first two Lois Lane books here.

Triple Threat (Lois Lane) by Gwenda Bond:

Summary: “For the first time, Lois Lane has almost everything she wants. Non-temporary home? Check. Dream job? Double check. Incredible BFFs? The absolute best. And now, her online crush, SmallvilleGuy, is coming to Metropolis. If all goes well, they’ll turn their long-distance friendship into a some-kind-of-fairy-tale romance. But when does all ever go well? Before she can check “boyfriend” off her list, Lois must take down a mad scientist plus a trio of mutant teens, protect the elusive flying man from the fed (including her dad), and navigate her very first date with SmallvilleGuy.”

Thoughts: This book’s mystery wasn’t as intricate as in in the previous ones and TheInventor wasn’t as awesome as I hoped (on the other hand, there had been quite the buildup from the prequels; it would have been very hard to meet my expectations, I suppose ;) Strong as always were the ties between friends and family that were portrayed and the best part was definitely Clark, his interactions with Lois, her family and friends. The teaming up of Lois and Clark - always awesome, fun and badass :)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling:

Thoughts: The thickest book of the series gives us holidays at Grimmauld Place 12, loveable and badass Tonks, our first introduction to the amazing Luna Lovegood - and who can imagine the HP world without her and the Crumple-Horned Snorkack? We get to read about Hermione, Harry and Ron creating the DA, learn to truly loathe Dolores Umbridge and root for Harry and the gang when they are fighting at the Ministry (the real, big fight with spooky, tentacled brains, huge planets and a creepy, baby-headed Death Eater, among other things)! Really thrilling!

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling:

Thoughts: Well, it’s the volume with the infamous “Yes.” -”Yes, sir.” “There’s no need to call me ‘sir’, Professor.” exchange between Harry and Snape, so what else do I need to say? ;) But in addition to that iconic moment, we also get to know a lot more about Voldemort’s backstory (and his mother’s), which is really interesting, great and funny interactions when Phlegm -I mean Fleur- and Ginny are involved (Ginny fake-retching into her cereal bowl, for example) and Harry’s inner conflict about liking his best friend’s sister ^^ But of course there are also a lot of serious moments and events taking place, which ultimately lead up to the final book in the series.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling:

Thoughts: This book is probably the darkest in the series, which is understandable considering everything that has happened before it. Because of that darkness, the last book is -naturally- a little less “fun” to read (when you think back to the first books,which, again, makes total sense), but it is a really great ending to an amazing book series. Reading the last pages of Harry Potter always makes me want to start from the beginning again, to relive all these adventures of our beloved Golden Trio :)

The Little Shop of Happy Ever After by Jenny Colgan:

Summary: “Nina is a bookworm who dreams of running her own little bookshop. But real life is a bit trickier than the stories Nina loves, as she discovers when she moves to the beautiful wild highlands of Scotland to turn her dreams into reality...”

Thoughts: I definitely related to the shy, introverted Nina who struggles to make her dream come true, putting it off despite really wanting to do it because she doesn’t want to risk her comfortable safety. But when the challenge arises, Nina faces it and handles it quite determinedly. While I really enjoyed Nina’s story arc concerning her little mobile book shop, I was a little disappointed by the love story... I just wasn’t really on board with the two options that were presented (the endgame just didn’t really convince me as a really suitable match, just my two cents). I’m also not really a fan of that trope that the shy introvert needs to get involved with town life to be truly happy (it just kinda made me sad when Nina realized that she had been reading less because of how busy she’d been). The writing style itself was very engaging though (I read the whole thing through in, like, 3 days, so there’s that, too ;) just wasn’t exactly my cup of tea, I guess.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald:

Summary: “Everybody who is anybody is seen at the glittering parties held in millionaire Jay Gatsby's mansion in West Egg, east of New York. The riotous throng congregates in his sumptuous garden, coolly debating Gatsby's origins and mysterious past. None of the frivolous socialites understands him and among various rumours is the conviction that 'he killed a man'. A detached onlooker, Gatsby is oblivious to the speculation he creates, but always seems to be watching and waiting, though no one knows what for.As writer Nick Carraway is drawn into this decadent orbit, Gatsby's destructive dreams and passions are revealed, leading to disturbing and tragic consequences.“

Thoughts: I had read The Great Gatsby before, but not in English yet and I had always liked it’s iconic cover, so I just had to get this one, of course ;) It’s an interesting read that never fails to get my blood boiling when I realize how superficial and selfish most of the people in this book are... It’s not one of these books that I want to read all the time, but every once in a while I get the desire to pick it up again ^^

Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist:

Summary: “On his first day at a new school, blind sixteen-year-old Will Porter accidentally groped a girl on the stairs, sat on another student in the cafeteria, and somehow drove a classmate to tears. High school can only go up from here, right? As Will starts to find his footing, he develops a crush on a charming, quiet girl named Cecily. Then an unprecedented opportunity arises: an experimental surgery that could give Will eyesight for the first time in his life. But learning to see is more difficult than Will ever imagined, and he soon discovers that the sighted world has been keeping secrets. It turns out Cecily doesn't meet traditional definitions of beauty--in fact, everything he'd heard about her appearance was a lie engineered by their so-called friends to get the two of them together. Does it matter what Cecily looks like? No, not really. But then why does Will feel so betrayed?”

Thoughts: I think I made it through the entire book in, like, 24 hours. It’s so well-written, with interesting characters and an intriguing story. It’s super funny and entertaining, while also getting you thinking about how reliant you are on your sight when it’s all you’ve ever known. I also liked that it was addressed how something basic as seeing actually requires a lot of learning (for example while Will can see colors soon after his operation, it takes him a long time to really recognize three-dimensional objects, since there are no receptors for certain shapes in our retina, after all - that was also I nice reminder of my biopsychology and cognitive psychology classes, when we learned about perception and the processing of sensory information ;) All in all, this book was just positvely awesome to read!

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

Summary: “When Elizabeth Bennet first meets eligible bachelor Fitzwilliam Darcy, she thinks him arrogant and conceited, while he struggles to remain indifferent to her good looks and lively mind. When she later discovers that Darcy has involved himself in the troubled relationship between his friend Bingley and her beloved sister Jane, she is determined to dislike him more than ever.”

Thoughts: I have lost count how many times I have read this book... I really like the characters and their relationships - the Bennets, Bingleys, Lucases and Darcys all have very different and interesting dynamics that I very much enjoy reading and I just adore Lizzie as the quick-witted protagonist... Pride and Prejudice simply is my favorite Austen book and definitely one of my favorite books, period!

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury:

Summary: “Guy Montag is a fireman. In his world, where television rules and literature is on the brink of extinction, firemen start fires rather than put them out. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television “family”. But then he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn’t live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television. When Mildred attempts suicide and Clarisse suddenly disappears, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known.”

Thoughts: Fahrenheit 451 is another of my absolute favorite books, ever. The importance of thinking for yourself, of looking at things from a different perspective and forming your own opinions instead of just consuming mindless entertainment and following a certain path in life because “that’s how it’s done” is the core of this story. Books provide an easy access to different worlds and different perspectives and therefore stand in the way of having people become mindless drones. Seeing Montag slowly becoming aware that the life he’s leading is not the life he wants to lead makes for an interesting and exciting read. Which is exactly why I keep coming back to this book to read it over and over again ;)

If you’d like to know more about these books (and/or my thoughts about them) feel free to message me at any time! :)

The summaries are from the back of the books or amazon pages.

[patriziadidio]

Nasce -La Vie En Rosalia- della collezione -La Vie En Rose-

NASCE “LA VIE EN ROSALIA” DELLA COLLEZIONE “LA VIE EN ROSE”

STAMPE ESCLUSIVE CREATE PER ESALTARE I SIMBOLI DELLA TRADIZIONE SICILIANA

Presentazione a Villa Niscemi con il vice sindaco Giambrone e con le sorelle Patrizia e Stefania Di Dio, amministratore delegato e responsabile stile

  Per celebrare i 40 anni di attività la società C.I.D.A. srl, operante nei settori dell’abbigliamento donna, con il marchio La Vie En Rose, che firma collezioni di prêt-à-porter femminile, ha presentato oggi a Villa Valguarnera Niscemi, il nuovo progetto, che prevede appunto un nuovo brand “La Vie En Rosalia”, alla presenza del vice sindaco Fabio Giambrone, di Patrizia Di Dio, amministratore delegato di C.I.D.A. srl, e Stefania Di Dio, socia e responsabile “prodotto” e ufficio stile. La prestigiosa sede istituzionale e altamente simbolica per Palermo, Villa Valguarnera Niscemi, è stata scelta per la presentazione del nuovo progetto imprenditoriale perché alla città, a Palermo e alla Sicilia, è dedicato questo nuovo progetto. La nuova capsule collection La Vie En Rosalia, della collezione La Vie En Rose, ha una forte connotazione di sicilianità, per valorizzare il “mood” Sicilia, l’artigianalità e la tradizione siciliana con le stampe esclusive, appositamente create, e l’immagine della nostra terra, la cui tradizione e cultura sono sempre più apprezzate nel mondo e dai turisti. L’ispirazione di questo nuovo progetto stilistico e aziendale nasce da Palermo dalle sue bellezze insite nel nostro territorio: la natura, l’arte, le radici e i simboli, popolari e culturali, la sua religiosità. Una bellezza non fine a se stessa, ma motore di sviluppo.

  LA VIE EN ROSALIA

Il nuovo progetto è una “capsule collection” inserita in collezione, da promuovere nei mercati esteri, on line, con una forte caratterizzazione della tradizione, della cultura siciliana. Stampe esclusive, appositamente create e ispirate dalla Sicilia e ai suoi simboli sempre più apprezzati nel mondo e dai turisti. Con La Vie En Rosalia l’obiettivo è quello di esaltare le icone e i simboli del patrimonio culturale e popolare declinandoli in chiave moderna e “fashion”.

Con la scelta del nome, Rosalia, l’azienda celebra uno dei massimi simboli della nostra città, la Santuzza, la Santa Patrona di Palermo, la liberatrice dalla peste, la donna suscitatrice di speranza, di voglia di ripresa, di rinascita, di nuova vita che prevale sulla morte, di liberazione la grande santa, venerata dai palermitani e non solo. Chi meglio della Santuzza rispecchia la città di Palermo? Quale marchio migliore si poteva dare alla nuova capsule collection? Che siano le stesse donne siciliane, le turiste o altri operatori della moda nel mondo, a valorizzare i nostri simboli.

“Siamo qui oggi – dice Patrizia Di Dio - partendo dal nostro ieri. Presentiamo La Vie en Rosalia come novità. Ma il nuovo ha un volto antico. Perché La Vie en Rose, in qualche modo, ha anticipato La Vie en Rosalia. Un progetto di amore per la nostra terra e la sua bellezza. Nel volere mettere nel mercato un business che esprime un sentimento di amore per la nostra terra, sconfiggendo degrado e rassegnazione, suscitando in tutti i modi possibili rinascita e bellezza. Con questo nuovo progetto non miriamo “solo” a vendere “prodotti”, bensì “significati”, a far innamorare della nostra terra e delle sue bellezze i siciliani e non solo. Il nostro desiderio – spiega Patrizia Di Dio, amministratore delegato di C.I.D.A. – è quello di valorizzare il “mood Sicilia”, sempre più apprezzato in Italia e nel mondo, esaltando le bellezze artistico-culturali che il nostro territorio offre. Con La Vie en Rosalia miriamo a contribuire a parlare della Sicilia e della sua bellezza. Bellezza della natura, bontà dell’eno-gastronomia, fascino storico-culturale e tradizione dei saperi e dei mestieri. Oggi – aggiunge - siamo consapevoli che la bellezza non è fine a se stessa, ma produce valore e muove sviluppo. I tempi sono finalmente maturi per poter affermare il nostro orgoglio nei confronti della Sicilia, di cui non avevamo adeguata consapevolezza della sua grandezza e della sua importanza. Anche l’impresa ne prende spunto”.

“Le fantasie dei tessuti utilizzati per la realizzazione dei capi – dice Stefania Di Dio - sono esclusive e caratterizzate dai colori e dalle icone della tradizione siciliana. Le fantasie “maiolica” rievocano le classiche ceramiche della tradizione popolare e dei palazzi della nobiltà. Tutti gli accessori sono realizzati artigianalmente ed ogni pezzo è unico e diverso dall’altro. Decorazioni barocche colorate, nappine, coralli e pietre dure impreziosiscono ogni accessorio richiamando le icone della tradizione siciliana. Ispirata allo splendore dei palazzi aristocratici siciliani; in essi ricche decorazioni si fondono dando vita ad un’immagine opulenta, magnifica e sfarzosa”.

“Sono molto felice che la presentazione de La Vie En Rosalia si sia svolta a Villa Niscemi – dice il vice sindaco Fabio Giambrone – perché l’amministrazione comunale non può che essere fiera di una azienda come La Vie En Rose, che è una eccellenza palermitana che si distingue nella moda ormai da tantissimi anni. Noi abbiamo il dovere di tutelare e sostenere tutte le aziende che portavano alto il nome della città di Palermo, poi, in questo caso legare il proprio brand a Santa Rosalia, patrona della città, caratterizza questa collezione che mette al centro la palermitanità e la sicilianità”, conclude Giambrone.  

  LA VIE EN ROSE

La Vie En Rose è il marchio della nostra società Cida. È registrato in Italia e in Unione Europea. Dà nome alla nostra collezione di “total look” distribuita attraverso negozi diretti, in franchising e multi brand, in Italia e all'estero. Quando è stato creato questo marchio, ci si è rifatti a un simbolo universalmente conosciuto, la canzone La Vie en Rose, melodia bellissima che parla della vita nel bello, in rosa appunto; il colore che associa la donna è il senso del buono e del giusto. E si dice in francese. Perché la moda e l’eleganza sono da sempre rappresentate dall’Italia e dalla Francia. Si evoca così la forza di un connubio vincente di culture e visioni. Da anni, La Vie en Rose realizza collezioni di pret a porter superando le difficoltà di fare impresa in una terra, sì bellissima, ma difficilissima. “Facciamo moda in Sicilia, quando tutti ritenevano non ci fossero le condizioni per farlo. Abbiamo materializzato un sogno – sottolinea Patrizia Di Dio -. Ma questa ormai è storia, è una sfida vinta. Da vent’anni la La Vie en Rose va. E punta sul Made in Italy, sul design italiano, sulle capacità artigianali italiane, sulla qualità che qui in Italia è favorita da norme che inducono al rispetto dell’ambiente, alla tutela di chi consuma e di chi lavora”. La Vie En Rose firma una collezione “day by day”, metropolitana, con un design moderno che capta e rielabora, caratterizzandole, le tendenze nazionali e locali. Muovendo su questo percorso, ecco ora una nuova tappa. un nuovo progetto di collezione che verrà promosso nei mercati esteri, on line, con il marchio forte dei simboli siciliani, della cultura siciliana, tutto quello che viene sempre più apprezzato nel mondo, da chi sa di noi siciliani e dai turisti che arrivano.

  LE STAMPE ESCLUSIVE DEI “MOOD” SICILIA 

Le fantasie dei tessuti utilizzati per la realizzazione dei capi sono esclusive, tratte dai colori e dalle icone della tradizione siciliana. Quelle in maiolica, per esempio, rievocano le classiche ceramiche della tradizione popolare e dei palazzi della nobiltà. Quelle damasco richiamano lo splendore delle tappezzerie dei palazzi aristocratici siciliani, quelle barocco fondono ricche decorazioni aristocratiche in una combinazione opulenta, magnifica e sfarzosa come il periodo a cui sono ispirate. Quelle arabesque riflettono l’influenza che, dopo più di mille anni, la dominazione araba continua ad avere nei segni e nei colori della Sicilia. Grande spazio non si poteva poi non dare alla natura siciliana, lussureggiante e unica, dove si incrociano piante e colture di luoghi dai climi diversi e del nostro meraviglioso mare.

  VESTE GRAFICA DEL LOGO LA VIE EN ROSALIA

Nella realizzazione del logo è stato deciso di reinterpretare la tradizionale ruota siciliana, rileggendola in chiave moderna, con la convinzione che tradizione ed innovazione debbano camminare di pari passo. Il logo del marchio raffigura una ruota; la scelta, in questo caso, può essere ricondotta a tre ordini di ragioni: la ruota è idealmente elemento tipico del patrimonio popolare siciliano, è il carretto siciliano sfarzosamente decorato, sia nella struttura centrale che nelle ruote, con i tradizionali colori rosso, blu e giallo. Peraltro, durante il festino di Santa Rosalia, la Santuzza, attraversa la città sul carro e anche qui si ritrova l’assonanza con la ruota. Inoltre, la ruota rispecchia l’idea del movimento, quindi lo sviluppo economico.  

  MOOD

I primi 4 “mood” vengono declinati in tanti modelli: abiti, pantaloni, casacche, accessori. L’attività è il “pret a porter”, quindi, durante tutta la stagione inseriremo nuove proposte di stampe e stilistiche.

  I NOSTRI PRIMI 40 ANNI…MA SONO QUASI 100

Oggi la famiglia Di Dio, con le collaboratrici e i collaboratori, vuole condividere un altro bel momento che dà ancora più significato a questo progetto. Quest'anno ricorrono i primi 40 anni dell’azienda. Era marzo 1979 quando il fondatore, Nicola Di Dio, costituì la società Cida. Di fatto, però, continuando un’attività iniziata nel 1965. Con la moglie Franca, Nicola portò avanti l’azienda coinvolgendo in seguito anche i figli. Oggi Patrizia e Stefania Di Dio continuano sulla strada avviata dai genitori. Ancora oggi, Nicola Di Dio è in azienda e Patrizia e la sorella Stefania dedicano questo nuovo progetto proprio ai genitori Nicola e Franca, genitori e imprenditori, dai quali hanno imparato a fare impresa e ai quali devono quello che sanno fare. Il destino dell’attività della famiglia Di Dio parte ancora da più lontano degli stessi anni ‘60 quando iniziò Nicola. La storia parte fin dai primi anni '20. A raccontarla è Patrizia Di Dio: “E’ una storia, che sembra la sceneggiatura della storia di una famiglia del Sud. Nostro nonno materno nasce a Pettineo, in provincia di Messina nel 1913. A 10 anni comincia a lavorare in una piccola bottega del paese dove si vendevano stoffe, prodotti di merceria con accanto la sartoria, dove apprende il mestiere di sarto. Continuerà a svolgere la sua attività di sarto insieme con i fratelli e farà anche da insegnante sarto ai ragazzi del paese. A causa delle emigrazioni interne verso i poli industriali del Nord e la scarsissima rendita dei prodotti agricoli, il lavoro artigianale in un paese rurale non aveva più clienti o quasi. Così, il nonno trasferì la famiglia a Palermo dove continuò l’attività di sarto. Nel 1964 i nostri nonni Michele e Maria si trasferirono a Modena, dove realizzarono un laboratorio artigianale conto terzi, cosiddetti “facon”, fino a metà degli anni ‘70. Sfruttando la sua abilità di sarto, nostro nonno creava i modelli base da sviluppare nelle varie taglie per le quali creava su carta i disegni di base per il taglio sul banco e per la produzione in serie. Prima per conto di un paio di ditte di Modena e Reggio Emilia (nascente galassia Max Mara), ma svolse l’attività artigianale conto terzi anche per aziende di Perugia e Nonantola. La ditta artigianale di produzione di abbigliamento femminile a Modena si chiamava GEMAR – acronimo di Gentile Maria, nostra nonna a cui era intestata l’azienda. Mio nonno Michele concluse la sua attività nel campo della moda a Modena, dopo circa un cinquantennio, guerre a parte. Raccontiamo questa storia perché riteniamo che sia una storia tipica di emigrazione, di talenti del Sud costretti a migrare.

Durante le mie vacanze a Modena, dove amavo trascorrere qualche settimana finite le scuole, nel laboratorio dei miei nonni, con gli scampoli delle lavorazioni, facevo i vestiti delle barbie che vendevo alle amichette di Modena. Il nostro destino parte già da li. Racconto una storia di riscatto perché siamo riusciti a rimanere, a impiantare qui l’azienda, e dal profondo Sud a far lavorare conto terzi i laboratori artigianali del Nord. Un tempo, un abile sarto del Sud lavorava per le aziende di moda del Nord. Noi adesso siamo un’azienda di moda del Sud che fa lavorare piccoli laboratori artigianali. Un’inversione di tendenza che abbiamo voluto raccontare per celebrare la nascita del nostro nuovo progetto, dei nostri primi 40/100 anni di storia imprenditoriale e familiare.

di Patrizia Di Dio Articolo originale https://ift.tt/2CGyvFI