Our Heroines

I can't believe it I have just passed 100 pages in typing my story... whoa that feels huge! In my post on Friday I mentioned how I feel ashamed about my writing because I have never finished a story. Well I have never gotten this far in a story either and it feels like I am making this huge step in my writing life. I hope you will  check out my full post on my other blog Sisters of Pine Haven having this space and my lovely readers has really kept me going in my story so thank you so much.

{Pic}

If the heroine of this story was Kathryn James this would be a lovely end but heroines of this story sat in the third row of the church on grooms side, though in reality Emmy felt closer to Kathryn her own cousin. She took in all the beauty of the day and made sure to take active mental notes so she could write back to her mother in full detail. The ceremony was traditional, nothing to go into great detail about. Kathryn and Nicholas had five attendants on both side. Kathryn didn't have any sisters so her cousins and two friends schools stood to her side wearing matching crimson dresses, to complement the autumn colors and holding a smaller bouquet of white roses much like Kathryn's. Nicholas had Ethan Foster, Caleb James and three other friends standing next to him wearing their finest morning suits in a very traditional manor with tails.

            After the wedding Victoria Danford untraditionally threw a luncheon for the couple with the family and close friends. Even though it was just a luncheon it was a very formal meal with multiple courses. In very modern fashion Victoria served French cuisine that had become popular to serve all over Europe and the finest families in America. The newlyweds stayed through the meal then took off to train station. Kathryn told Emmy that they would go to New York than take a cruise line over to Italy and they planned to stay there at least till spring. Kathryn had never been to Italy and gushed over everything she wanted to see while they were there. Emmy was happy for Kathryn but was a little jealous as she had never been anywhere and wished she could be going to Europe. Once the couple left the party started to break up but Victoria insisted that the Cromwell girls stay around. She felt guilty that they spent so little time together after all they were family. Emmy rolled her eyes at the idea of family obligation.

            "I can stay if you like?" Brandon said seeing Emmy rolling her eyes.

            "Oh no Mrs. James you are too kind."

            " It is no problem I want to be useful to you."

            "Thank you Mrs. James."

            Emmy took a look around the room and did not see Caleb who she really wanted to see.

            "Are you all right?" Brandon asked noticing Emmy looked distracted.

            "Yes, fine I was just wondering where your brother is?"

            "He told me he had to go back to his mother's house to get some work done. Work on his sister's wedding day can you imagine?"

            "He must be very busy."

            Brandon could tell Emmy was still in love with Caleb just in the tone of her voice.

            "Yes his business keeps him quite occupied. Excuse me, Miss Emmy, I see Mrs. James waiving at me, she might want to leave."

            "Of course it has been a long day."

            Mrs. James did not really waive him over but he had to walk away. He could not see why Emmy still loved his brother when he has been nothing but cold to her since he left Pine Haven. Brandon had done everything he could think of to show Emmy how much he cared but she only had eyes for Caleb. That Monday Brandon went to the Ambassador to make plans to go back to England. But for today he left making his apologies to the hostess and Mrs. James but said nothing to Emmy.

            Laurel did not have a grand time at the luncheon either. Ethan Foster kept his distance, she tried to talk to him but he kept getting flustered. They used to talk for hours together now though she could not think of what to say leading to some awkward silent moments. Then he left the party shortly after Nicholas and Kathryn left. She wanted to leave then too and hated that there was family obligation to stay because Aunt Victoria felt guilty.

            The party was hardly a success for our heroines and with that in mind they would never have expect the following events. However without these events the story would not exist.

To read more click here

{Pic}

Love of Fashion!

{pic}

{pic}

I love fashion history!  I am very picky too about my fashion history to be accurate. I mean I got upset at Barnes and Nobles because they had a cover of Little Women with women in Empire waist dresses and a copy of Emma in Victorian dresses those are backwards. Of course at that time I was in high school and none of my friends understood but this is example of how specific I like it to be. 

When I am writing a story I always want to make sure the way I describe dresses is historically accurate. I have a whole pin board on pinterest board dedicated to Edwardian Fashion. This part of the story was really fun as I not only got to look at Edwardian wedding dresses  I also learned about Edwardian wedding customs. Apparently they didn't have receptions like we do today usually the married couple were just escorted to the train station and then they were off on their honeymoon. (I might take some artistic liberties here).  


Here are some links I used for my writing
1. The Wedding 
2. Wedding Traditions

{pic}

The insert story below is from part of my newest post Kathryn's Wedding ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday passed uneventfully, Mrs. James threw a little dinner in Kathryn's honor. Mrs. James insisted that it end early to make sure the wedding party slept well. Truth be told no one slept very well. Kathryn woke up several time to make sure she had not over slept and she got up walk to the closet and looked her dress. They had found it last spring in one of the best shop in New York that imported directly from Paris. It was a beautiful cream white silk with lace cuff on the sleeves, lace around the neck and some subtle beading in the bust line and skirt that flowed into at least two foot train. Her veil came with its own tiara that fell half the way of the train of the dress and had the same beaded pattern along the edge. It would all be glamorous and while Kathryn longed for a quiet ceremony she loved this dress and felt like a princess when she stepped into it. Her mother told her face glowed when she first tried it on in that New York shop. She felt her face glow every time she looked at the dress. Looking at the dress now she could not wait till Nicholas saw her in it tomorrow.

            "Miss," a voice startled her.

            Kathryn flinched then turned to see her petite maid "Bea, you startled me."

            "I am sorry miss, I saw the light under the door and I was just making sure things were all right."

            "Yes Bea, things are wonderful. It is a pretty dress isn't it"

            "Yes Miss. You will be a princess in it."

            "Thank you Bea."

            "Do you need anything Miss?"

            "No Bea, you go back to bed, tomorrow is going to be a long day and mother will run you raged if you are not will rested."

            "Yes Miss, you need your sleep too, we would not want you falling asleep at your own wedding."

            "I won't Bea, I am too excited."

            "Yes Miss, good night Miss. The future Mrs. Nicholas Danford."

            The sound of her new name sent a thrill up her spine. She walked back to her bed and fell asleep till Bea woke up for good. The James house buzzed starting at sunrise. Mrs. James made sure everyone ate a full breakfast especially Kathryn. She was not going to have Kathryn gouge on food at the luncheon making her look wild beast on the biggest day of her life. Kathryn was then tugged into a corset. Kathryn could tell Bea was ordered to pull the strings extra tight, she could also tell that these orders made Bea uncomfortable as Kathryn winced. She took her last deep breath of the day and told Bea as happily as she could that it was all right. She tried to laugh it off that beauty was pain.

            The church was done to the tops filled with the fragrance of yellow and orange color trumpet lilies that made the air smell sweet for miles around and were the perfect color for autumn. Mrs. James thought lilies would be fragrant but Kathryn wanted lilies more than anything. They were no in season anymore, so they had to be specially grown for the occasion. No expense was spared and Kathryn used the fact that her mother wanted to prove to all of Boston that her daughter was worthy of the Danford name as leverage to get any lavish touch she wanted. Though the church was filled with yellow and orange lilies Kathryn just carried a simple bouquet of white roses that were the same shade of the cream that match her dress.

To read more of the story click here

Friday's Feature...

My favorite blogger Soundtrack to I do  had a great post last week in which she writes a letter to her future boyfriend/husband that I really loved so I wanted to direct your attention to it.

Dear Mr. Someday,

Since you are a male, and I am a female, there is one thing I know for sure: I am going to confuse you sometimes. Probably a lot. So, I thought I’d give you some pointers, now, ahead of time, to help a brother out. Because it would probably be pretty annoying if I was giving you pointers once we were dating. Plus I won’t want to, because I’m going to want you to magically know how to deal with treat me. Amiright, ladies? Oh sorry Mr. Someday, back to you. So, here’s my list of handy dandy tips, which I may casually print and leave lying around somewhere for you to find one day, when you’re mine. (These are not in order of importance, or any order at all, really.)

to read more click here.

Royal Wedding (1 year ago)

HAPPY 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!!!

{Pic}

It has been a year since the Royal wedding and I can say I am still obsessed with this couple. Maybe I am an ultra hopeful romantic and I still believe in happily ever afters. But last year I got swept up in all the romantic notions of this wedding.

{Pic}

{Pic}

I loved her dress... it was so classic but all the little details made it so great. 

{Pic}

She is so pretty. 

Granted I did not wake up in the middle of the night to watch the wedding but as soon as I got up I watched any news channel that was playing it.

Kate arrives at Westminster Abbey

I love her dress. 

At 2:40 you see Prince Harry look back at Kate.

I wonder what he says to Prince William

I know it is traditional for the British not to look back at the bride but I wonder how tempted Prince William was to see Kate. I can't wait to see my husband as I walk down the aisle so wonder if Kate wanted Prince William wanted to look at her.

{pic}

Prince William and Kate see each other

{Pic}

A great detail shot

{Pic}

The happy couple leaving Westminster Abbey

{Pic}

The Royal kiss

{pic}

Look at her she is so happy 

I love them driving off in a little convertible.

{pic}

I loved how everyone compared the dress to Grace Kelly's dress because both are beautiful women.

Here are some of my own personal things from the day:

I can't lie I bought "The Royal Wedding" donut... it was very sweet, I couldn't finish it. 

Also from all the magazines I bought I cut up the pictures and made a collage. 

{Pic}

I hope they have a long and happy life together.

Don't judge me by my pin boards

Okay you can judge by my Pinterest board... 

I mean after all I have "planned" my whole wedding via Pinterest and I am single. 

Best to make fun of myself

And yes I have planned out my entire imaginary wardrobe and I never go clothes shopping

 and designed my future dream home. 

But I have used it mostly to find pretty and funny pictures to use for my blog.

But I have also found great songs and videos on it. 

And my obsession for Downton Abbey, Gilmore Girls, Jane Austen, Coffee and Chocolate, 

and all things pink are quite obvious.

But yes I do collect recipes I hope to one day have to have the skills to make. 

And yes I do have pin boards dedicated to being a hopeful romantic and to flowers I like. 

And I have a board dedicated to all the places I want to see. 

I even have a board dedicated to men I have Hollywood crushes on 

(there are too many to show pictures of).

And for my rebellious side I have a wall dedicated to the tattoos I would get if I was to ever get a tattoo. 

(Don't worry mom... I am not getting a tattoo) 

But seriously if your not on Pinterest what are you waiting for.

Here is a little tutorial.

If you want an invitation you can contact me and I will be happy to send you one.

A Sap at Heart

I was going to write and post this Tuesday but I had to get some actual work done..

Does any one still love Dawson's Creek?... Well even though I haven't watched it in years and my copy of the 4th season that I own is buried in my guilty pleasure pile, Monday night while I was procrastinating doing my homework I found my self watching sappy YouTube videos of Pacey and Joey. Yes I openly admit I like Pacey over Dawson. Basically what I am saying is I am a sap at heart.

I know most people will not be surprised when they read this but I kind of am...just writing it. I am sappy romantic person deep down. Some times I feel I try to be independent and tough on the outside. But deep down I believe in soul mates, I believe you can find some one that compliments you so well it was as if you were made for each other, and I can't wait till the day I walk down the aisle to the man I am going to spend the rest of my life with.

But I can wait because I know the Lord has it all planned out for me and I love being on this journey of seeing what God brings next to my life. I have no reason to doubt it, even though I might get upset and impatient, God has giving me so much...Boston, a great church, a great group of friends that are like family, a supporting family, and into the Grad school I have dreamt of going to since I moved to Boston. I have to remind myself when I get impatient or annoyed that he has given me so much why would he not take care of this too. So I am waiting and right now enjoying the life of a single girl.

Until then I think I will keep watching shows like Dawson's Creek, Gilmore Girls and reading books from Jane Austen or Jennifer Donnelly. Where I think the heros and heriones with all their flaws teach us to fight for love. And honestly that's the kind of fighter I want to be.


You can find all my pics at Pinterest

I will also be praying for my future husband and praying for our relationship that we will have together.


In case you were wondering this is my dream dress

Friend's Wedding... (Weekend Away part 1).

Hello Readers,

First let me say I am sorry I did not post on Friday the internet at work was not working. Then on Saturday I hung out with my friend and we got lunch and sat in the Commons, she read and I worked on my story. Later another my friend of mine spent the night because we were getting up at 4 AM to ready to leave Boston at 5 AM... And I am so not a morning person.

We drove 6 hours to upstate New York. Kueka, NY near Rochester, NY in the Finger Lake area. That was actually interesting because my favorite Young Adult novel A Northern Light takes place in the Finger Lake area. We did this to see our some good friend get married at the Esperanza Mansion.

I love weddings. I know its part of my hopeful romantic ways to cherish these moments when people dedicate their lives to each other and pledge their love and faithfulness to each other. As I said in the post after my sister's wedding "It was kind of like watching the end of the fairy tale but only to know their life will go on and they will spend the rest of their lives together" (click here). And this was just the same. Even the pastor said that in this day contracts are easily broken because people are no longer happy but marriage is more than a contract its a covenant, God made a covenant with people of Israel to protect them and watch over them. It is a life time commitment.

For me it is always cool and wonderful for me to hear vows being taken because I longingly hope to make vows similarly to a man I love. And it reminds me of what I want. I loved when my younger sister promised to love God first and, husband second. My friends promised to put each other's wills before their own. One day I want to say my husband these wonderful things and to "give him control over the remote" and he will promise to give it back to me.

Then after the beautiful ceremony and the great speeches where the bride's sister cried we danced the night away. I am not a good dancer, total white girl, but I love it. I also love my dress, it might sound totally vain but I loved it with its frills that when I danced swished around. It was so much fun! The DJ played everything from Love Shack to Micheal Jackson, from Lady Gaga to Grease songs. I also wish the place was closer to Boston because it was a beautiful place.

More parts to come, but this post I want to be about how wonderful the wedding is.

From the Car... (Weekend Away Part 2)

Click here

Best Friends to a Single Girl... (Weekend away part 3)

Click here

From a Hopeful Romantic

This weekend I watched my younger sister marry the first man she ever loved. (I say that in past tense because it is grammatically correct but its not really past tense as she continues to love her new husband.) It was kind of like watching the end of the fairy tale but only to know their life will go on and they will spend the rest of their lives together. Which is great because in movies the movies you only see the couple till they get together and then its over, you never see beyond that. In life the love story continues. I have also been given the chance to watch many love stories unfold from my friend to family. Their marriages may not be the fairy tales people imagine but from an outsiders perspective it has been cool to watch the way love grows.

I guess I have always been a hopeful romantic, I believe love will always win and that it is worth fighting for. I guess that why I own 60 plus movies and most of them have a love story and why I subscribed to Bride magazine when I was in high school and sometimes buy them when I am in a book store.Its probably why I watched/read anything I could because I am a hopeful romantic. Its probably also why that if you read my story you will discover that it is a love story. I want a story book love but I also know a love that will last will be a love that is sacrificial and not a feeling but a choice every day (and it may not always be easy). It will be the type of love that is talked about in 1 Corinthians 13.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.(The Message)

You might this is just a girl sighing over a lovey dovey stuff but its not... this a girl wishing for this type of love. A love that would last a life time. So I will continue to cry when I see people get married and I will continue to tear up over love stories. And I thank all my friends and family who through their relationships have shown me more and more what I want.


P.S- I hope since I am not using names its okay for me to use your pictures but if its not please let me know