Downton Abbey Day

Last Saturday, I attended the Downton Abbey Day at William Ashley China on Bloor Street in Toronto.  It was a day spent with the experts on fine china following on the theme of the famous British TV Show, Downton Abbey. The store presented the type of China, silver, culinary items the Crawleys used during their Afternoon Tea and during their formal dinners. They also presented the cooking wares used by the downstairs staff in the Crawleys' kitchen. All around were pictures of the Crawleys and their downstairs household staff. There was also a presentation by the Spadina Museum on Downtown Abbey Fashion Style from the 1920s. During the event, the fun thing was that we were served free tea using their famous China teacups from the store together with sweets. All of the guests freely mingled and listened to their presentations while we drank tea and ate the sweets. Too bad, we didn't meet Matthew Crawley or Lady Mary but we all glimpsed their lifestyle through the China, Dinnerware and Silver that they used during their meals at the Castle. As you know, their lives and drama revolved around their meals whether upstairs or downstairs in the Castle. The day was completed by the display of vehicles that the Crawleys use to travel around town. I am excited for the next Episode to begin!

Mr. Carson, the Butler, welcomed us to the Event.

We saw huge silver candelabras, champagne goblets, and the Imari China which was one of the China famously used by the late Queen Mother Elizabeth.

Old Imari China, favourite of the late Queen Mother Elizabeth.

Planning to join the Crawleys for dinner soon?

Photos of Lady Mary, Lady Edith and Lady Sybil.

More family photos of the Crawleys including the late Matthew Crawley with Lady Mary and their newborn son. 

Photo of the downstairs Kitchen staff. 

This Spode Blue and White Collection was the Grand Prize for the contest in-store.

Tea set that is perfect for Afternoon Tea at the Castle.

There was live music in-Store.

Ladies and gentlemen came in their own stylish hats.

We drank tea in William Ashley's variety of China tea cups.

The Crawleys' Car Collection.


Happy Queen Victoria Long Weekend here in Canada! 

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New Year's Style Resolutions

 During our High School Reunion in Manila last October, my High school friends and I spent the two days Weekend celebration wearing mostly white pants for our Dance Performances (photo above). Luckily in Manila, the weather there is always warm which allows them to wear white all year round. Coming from Canada, where wearing white pants stops on Labour Day (September), I had to bring my summer clothes for that trip including only one pair of white pants. I ended up purchasing another pair of  white pants at Marks and Spencer in Manila. We enjoyed wearing white pants during our Reunion Weekend that I now miss wearing it. I now own several pairs of white pants which I can start wearing again from Spring until the Labour Day Weekend here in Toronto. What is your Style Resolution for 2014?

View the rest of the Style Resolutions inspiration from Holt Renfrew.

I have ordered my copy of  Forever Chic written by Tish Jett from the Blog A Femme d'Un Certain Age. Tish is an American living in France. In her Book, she shares her discovery about the French Women's secret in dressing so chic, about Beauty, Style, Diet, their strengths, attitude about ageing and life. Hopefully, this Book will inspire us to further develop our Style and attitude about ourselves. I will post a Book review later.  

Finally, this Sunday is the premiere of Downton Abbey Season 4 at PBS here in North America. This much awaited show will start from where it ended on Season 3 with the sudden death of Matthew Crawley, husband of Lady Mary. It is quite exciting to see what will happen next. Take the Downton Abbey Quiz on Vogue.com. I will definitely watch on Sunday and stay indoors to keep away from the super freezing temperatures and snow storm that we will continue to experience here in Toronto this Weekend.

Wishing everyone a marvelous Weekend!

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The Real Downton Abbey

The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon with their staff and backdrop of Highclere Castle.

A story from The National Post, a national newspaper here in Canada, was about the Real Downton Abbey. The Real Downton Abbey is at Highclere Castle, the real home of the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon located in the Hampshires.  Highclere Castle has been owned by the Carnarvon family since 1670. The current Castle was designed by Sir Charles Barry in 1850, the architect of the Houses of Parliament. The popular TV Series, Downton Abbey, was inspired and filmed here at Highclere Castle. The story was actually written  and created by Julian Fellowes, inspired by the story of Lady Almina, wife of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon. Mr. Fellowes, wrote about the lives of  an Artistocratic family living "Upstairs" and their staff, who are living and working "Downstairs."  In the TV series, we watch about the the lives of the Crawleys and their staff. It is one of my favourite TV shows. That's why I can't wait for Season 3 to be shown here in Canada till January 2013. Lucky for the UK residents, who are now currently watching Season 3 from ITV Channel.

The current Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.

This is the Book written by the current Countess Fiona of Carnarvon about Lady Almina, wife of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon.  Lady Almina was the illegitimate daughter of Alfred de Rothschild. She brought into her marriage a large dowry which supported the Earl and their family.  The 5th Earl of Carnarvon is also famous  for his Egyptian Exploration and found the tomb of Tutankhamen with Howard Carter in 1922. Lady Almina also opened the Castle as a hospital for WWI wounded soldiers which was also shown in Season 2 of Downton Abbey. Lady Almina was known for her generosity and philanthropic works. Then the Earl had a huge collection of Egyptology. There is an Egyptian Exhibit in the Castle's basement and some of their collection were sold by Lady Almina to keep the Castle and support the family. 

One of the Drawing Rooms in the Castle.

The grounds of Highclere Castle.

The gardens of Highclere Castle. There are tours to visit the Castle.

TV Series.

Lord and Lady Grantham with their family and staff.

Lord and Lady Grantham. In the show, Lady Grantham, is the wealthy American born wife of Lord Grantham. Apparently, in Season 3,  the current Lord Grantham admitted to his wealthy American born wife, Lady Cora Grantham, that he lost her fortune in some reckless investment.  So the story unfolds in Season 3.

English belles. The Crawley Sisters.
Lady Mary (sitting down), Lady Sybil (in red) and Lady Edith (in Gray). 

The most romantic scene in Season 2. The handsome Matthew Crawley proposing marriage to Lady Mary Crawley outside of the Castle under falling snow. So romantic! Of course, Season 3 will show their wedding.

The formidable Grandmothers: Dowager Countess, Violet, played by Maggie Smith  and Shirley Maclaine, as Martha Levinson, mother of Cora, the Countess of Grantham. 

The Dowager Countess is very well known for her sharp lines:

Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham: Your turn will come.

Lady Edith Crawley: Will it? Or am I to be the maiden aunt? Isn't this what they do? Arrange presents for their prettier relations?

Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham:  Don't be defeatist dear, it's terribley middle class. 

Watch the Video:  Mary & Matthew, Where We Belong.

Watch the Video: Downton Abbey, Season 3 Trailer. 

Photo credits: National Post Newspaper and Vogue.com

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