Remebering Titanic

101 years ago early this morning the Titanic laid to rest at the bottom of the ocean whilst thousands of people lost their lives.

My interest in RMS Titanic started back in 1997 with the release of the epic film staring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, written and directed by James Cameron.  It started off as a Leo obsession, which many girls my age I'm sure also suffered from.  But then it grew and I've been fascinated by the tragedy since.

 

Titanic being constructed in Belfast, Ireland, 1909-11.

Harland and Wolff were the shipbuilders.  They had a long relationship with the White Star Line going back to 1867.

 

The majesty of the finished product.  It measured 882 feet in length and it's displacement was 52,310 tons.

 

Leaving Belfast for her sea trials on 2 April 1912.

 

Titanic waiting at the docks in Southampton, England before departure.

 

Leaving Southampton.

 

A beautiful painting of the Titanic at sunset.

 

The faithful crew.  Many perished with the ship including Captain Edward John Smith.

 

That fateful night, 14 April 1912.  It hit the iceberg at 11:40pm (ship's time) and she sank 2 hours and 40 minutes later on the morning of 15 April 1912.

 

A collapsible lifeboat filled with saved passengers.  Only one lifeboat, lead by 5th Officer Harold Lowe, returned to the ship to save more passengers.

 

The dreadful news made front pages worldwide.

 

Margaret "Molly" Brown awarded the Carpathia's Captain Arthur Rostron for his efforts in aiding the Titanic.

 

A haunting image of white china in neat rows on the bottom of the ocean.

Still beautiful hidden by the ocean.

As many of you know, last year was the 100 year anniversary of the sinking.  There was lots of hubbub and some neat things came out.  Life magazine put out a gorgeous magazine full of images and history.  There were several documentaries about the making of the ship and excursions down below to see the remnants.  There was also a really good mini series, aptly named Titanic.

Unfortunately this year they didn't replay many of these programs.  I suppose it was more so since it was 100 years later then.  I still feel they should have re-aired them.  Oh well.  I'm currently doing my yearly tradition of watching the 1997 film.  Such an emotional film, but not nearly as heart wrenching as the actual tragedy that ended the lives of so many people and destroyed countless families.

 

My Week According to Instagram

This past week we had some really gorgeous (albeit hot) weather.  I wasn't quite prepared for it being that hot this soon.  A couple days it got into the 80s and that made for some very warm photo taking.  But it is so nice to have it be spring at last.

It was really pleasant to be able to take photos several days in a row this week.  I'm getting behind again on my outfit posts so I need to keep up on them.

1-4. Last Sunday's outfit.

5-6. It was Lucy inspired.

7. Holding a bottle of Vitameatavegemin.

8. Last week's Instagram post.

9. I've reached over 1000 Instagram followers!

10. I love these two authors: LJ Smith and Claudia Gray.

11-12. Monday's outfit for volunteering at the library.

13. RIP Margaret Thatcher.

14. My beautiful grandma Ruth in the 1930s/1940s.

15. Photoshoot at Conrad Weiser Homestead.

16. Shared this post via Instagram.

17. Another shot from Monday's post.

18-19. Tuesday's outfit.

20. One of my favourite pairs of heels.

21. This is so accurate, at least for me.

22. I cut my hair again! Took around 4-5" off it Tuesday night.

23-24. Wednesday's warm weather outfit. So simple but I love it.

25. Went out to take outfit photos.

26. My garden is finally in bloom.

27. Watched The Hobbit again. Love this film.

28. Lucille Ball was this week's Style Crush.

29. I've been bitten by the Sherlock bug and am now addicted.

30. Loved this cute Lord of the Rings cartoon.

31-32. Thursday's outfit for running errands.

33. Grandma Ruth with some kittens in the 1930s.

34. New (to me) hat! I am in love.

35. The hat's new home upon an old radio.

36. I have been all-consumed by a Benedict Cumberbatch obsession, thanks to Sherlock.

37. Some finishing touches to the antique radio.

38. Re-decorated my antique side table.

39-40. Sherlock, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and a Shakespeare quote.

 41. Pinup Barbie.

42. Benedict again. I can't help it...

43. Dear Willow a few months back. She's even bigger now.

44. Two gorgeous vintage hats I was given by a sweet lady at church.

This week I (finally) watched Sherlock.  I've been meaning to for quite some time and at last got the first series from the library.  It was love at first sight.  Oh Moffat...  Benedict Cumberbatch is the perfect Sherlock Holmes.  He portrays the witty, and sometimes socially inept, detective flawlessly.  And the always adorable Martin Freeman plays Dr. John Watson with such charm.

Yesterday was my nephew's birthday party.  He turned 6 on Friday.  It's hard to believe he's that old already!  I went over to my brother's house and had some good food and hung out with them and a lot of my sister-in-law's family.

Today has been the usual Sunday routine.  I go to church in the morning with Mum and then head back to her house.  We make dinner and dessert together and then play games.

Do you have any weekend rituals that you do?

Style Crush: Lucille Ball

Style Crush is back and this week is featuring the gorgeous, talented, hilarious Lucille Ball.  I've watched I Love Lucy for as far back as my memory goes.  It's just such a classic, wonderful show.  Full of laughs and certainly fabulous fashion!

I love this casual look she's wearing in this photo with Desi.  Those pants are divine!  I also adore the photo of her in the floppy hat and playsuit.  Such a beautiful look.  Plus below, green always looks fantastic on a redhead.  I'd love to find a green polka dot dress like that!

There's something about the photo above that makes me want to stare.  Her hair and makeup look and incredible.  She was such a beauty.

People remember her most as goofy Lucy but she was more than that.  I remember seeing her in Du Barry Was a Lady (1943) and was amazed at her in it.  She was so beautiful and sang so wonderfully.

This last photo, I've got to say, is one of my most favourites.  That hat is amazing and she looks so glamorous.  Lucy will always hold a special place in my heart as a fellow ginger.  I still watch I Love Lucy and even though I've seen the episodes repeated times, she still makes me laugh and smile.

What are your fondest memories of Lucy?

Of Birdcage Veils and Navy Blue

We now bring you your regularly scheduled blog post.  I've been pretty much MIA last week except for the usual Instagram post, which just so happened to be my 100th post!  I think I'd like to do some sort of giveaway to celebrate this milestone.  I am also a few followers away on Instagram to reaching 1000!  It's so exciting.  So in honour of that I'll probably post a giveaway for you all here and one for my Instagram followers.

I know I've said this a few times recently, but this is one of my new favourite outfits.  I think this dress may be a contender for World War II Weekend in June.  I am going to have a very hard time narrowing my choices down.  This was the first time that I wore this navy straw hat with the birdcage veil.  I've had it for awhile but it's just been a decoration in my flat until now.  I like to keep my hats displayed all over so that I may enjoy them when not wearing them.

Monday's are when I volunteer at my library in the morning.  It consists of lots of shelving and putting things away in alphabetical order.  I love alphabetical order.  Plus all the ladies that work at the library are so nice and I enjoy spending time with them.  I feel at home surrounded by books.

After the library, I went out and took outfit photos at my usual location of Conrad Weiser Homestead (not this outfit, taken at my mum's house).  I can't believe how gorgeous it was and still is today.  It got all the way up to 75 and the next few days are going to be just as nice.  Wednesday they are calling for it to be in the low 80s.  I think spring is finally here to stay.  I just wish the temperatures would be a bit more transitive.

Today would have been my grandma Ruth's 92nd birthday if she was still alive.  She passed away back in April of 2008 and was the last of my living grandparents.  She was a very beautiful, talented woman.  An incredible pianist, artist, and writer.  I miss her and my other grandma Charlotte so much.  I never knew either of my grandfather's as they were both gone before I was born.

Outfit Details:

vintage dress, vintage hat, vintage gloves, belt {thrifted}

vintage handbag {gift}

wedge sandals {payless}

I'm sure I've said this before, but there's just something about the warmth and sunshine that puts a bounce in my step and spreads happiness throughout.  Hopefully the coming warmer temperatures will lift my spirits and keep them up.

Want to see what photos didn't make it on the blog?  Head over to Facebook for the rest.

Ruth Ava (Knowlton) Parker

8 April 1921 - 26 April 2008