Emma

When it comes to books I generally prefer mine with a little age.  The softened corners of often turned pages are hallmarks of being so well loved they've been carried around in various pockets or bags to read on the move and if there are notes or inscriptions then so much the better . . . . Yet show me a brand spanking new copy of an old favourite in a special/limited edition binding and I've got to have it.  I'm a walking contradiction!

That was exactly what happened with this copy of Emma by Jane Austen: it screamed 'buy me' before I'd even glimpsed it properly and was bought and bagged inside 2 minutes as there was only 1 in the shop and I knew it wouldn't be left on the shelf very long!

This edition is from the White's Fine Editions series produced by White's Books of London.  The pattern on the clothbound cover and the endpapers is by textile designer Amy Gibson and although it bears little relevance to the novel it totally won me over!

The title page is simple and elegant and I've really enjoyed reading it because the paper feels amazing.

Even the typeface had me swooning and now I have Emma I'm already eyeing up the other editions from the series . . . we'll see if I can exercise some self control though!

Take care,

Jem xXx

The Man With The Dancing Eyes

I picked up this book on eBay fairly recently after having enjoyed Sophie Dahl's cookbook 'Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights' and watched the follow up cooking programme on BBC Two this time last year, at £2.69 with free postage I thought I'd give it a whirl . . . .

It's an ex library copy and has that lovely plastic wrapper keeping the cover pristine, I'm fascinated by library stamps and have been wondering ever since it arrived how many people borrowed this book from  the library it used to live in.

The art work on the inside covers is stunning; birds of all shapes, sizes and colours.

As an illustrated novella it was a very quick read at 20 minutes but I absolutely loved every whimsical moment of it, idealised and slightly far fetched but a sweet, modern fairytale and worth picking up if you like a little whimsy and come across it on your thrifty travels. 

This is possibly my favourite image, Pierre the heroine who looks like she's attempting to direct traffic with flashing neon hearts. 

Though the best line in the book in my opinion is about the owner of a rare book shop called Mr Beany who drinks a pint of Guinness and a teacup of Jameson's for lunch every day.  Who wouldn't want to sip their booze from a teacup?

Suitably airy post for a Monday, hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Jem xXx

A New Favourite Thing

Last weekend T went out on a doughnut seeking mission also armed with a receipt for a plant stand I'd bought the day before and instructions to pick it up.  Half an hour later he was wheeling this around the corner on a trolley and grinning like the Cheshire cat . . . .

I've wanted a writing bureau since I wrote my first little book aged 7ish, it was about a boy who laughed so hard his head fell off (but there was a happy ending!), so T knew he'd scored an absolute blinder with this.  Apparently he was wandering past the market and immediately decided I'd love it, he sent a grainy iPhone picture with a 'do you want this?' and before I had chance to reply he was calling to say he'd bought it and was sure it'd fit through the door.  It's not amazingly put together and is also missing it's pull down lid but for £20 I think he's beaten me hands down in the bargain hunting stakes and I'm already excitedly planning a makeover, but I couldn't help grabbing a few things that were nearby and arranging them on top to take a 'before' picture in the mean while. 

This is the £4 plant stand, or is it a plant stand?  I can't really fathom exactly what it is designed for, the lady in the charity shop suggested it was a drinks cabinet of sorts or a phone stand for a landline which makes sense, but I'm imagining it minus the little banisters on the top surface and painted either a french grey or soft white and distressed around the edges.  The most exciting thing about it is the little drawer though - that was what sold it to me, the poor thing has been totally outclassed by the bureau so I'll probably take pity and pop it to the top of the makeover list!

Take care,

Jem xXx