After all this time? Always. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Script (Spoiler Free)

I grew up with Harry Potter. I want to be in Gryffindor and I have a model of Molly Weasley's wand (I made Gareth promise to buy me one when we went to Universal Studios a couple of years ago).  I cry every single time I get to 'that part' in the Deathly Hallows without fail. I have read through the books several times each and watched the film series multiple times through. As many people are, I am utterly besotted with the wizarding world of Harry Potter. 

When I heard that the story was going to continue in the form of a play, I was slightly dubious. I liked how everything had ended in both the books and the film adaptations and I worried that continuing to churn out material would begin to ruin the world and the characters which I grew up with. 

Yesterday, Gareth and I took a wander to the supermarket and as with all Harry Potter launches, there was a big stand at the front door with the script of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I picked up a copy to have a read of the blurb and have a flick through and Gareth kindly offered to buy me a copy as an early birthday gift. The book was finished before dinnertime. 

This is a play script, not a novel and most importantly, not written by J.K. Rowling herself. She did have input on the story but the play itself is by John Tiffany and Jack Thorne. As this is a play script, you don't have the same immersion by the world being built and painted around the storytelling. That being said, there are seven books and eight films which have already established that world in our imagination so when we read the synopsis of where the scene is taking place and what might be happening in the background it is easy to build that picture yourself. We also already know and love a lot of the characters and the few which are new to us are very endearing and relatable.     

I felt that the characters kept very true to the original series and despite being set nineteen years after the final novel, the play picks up beautifully from where we were left. I very much enjoyed the story which The Cursed Child follows. We are reminded of some fabulous moments from throughout the original series and we embark upon another magical adventure. 

I would love to see this on stage at some point, as I do feel that this story will be much better portrayed on stage. It was what it was written for, after all. I am looking forward to seeing how they actually do certain things without the use of CGI which played a massive part in the film adaptations. 

I have to say, I am very pleased with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I am still infatuated with the Harry Potter universe and I am sad that it has come to an end. After all this time? Always. 

Have you read the script yet? Or seen the play? What did you think? 

Lessons from Madame Chic

Every once in a while you come across an idea that just makes perfect sense. It clicks in your mind and you can't help but feel excited that someone else out there just gets it. When I first came across Jennifer L. Scott's book 'Lessons from Madame Chic - 20 Stylish Secrets I Learned While Living in Paris' I sat with bated breath while it downloaded to my Kindle, hoping that it would keep my inner Francophile satisfied. It is safe to say that I sat nodding along through the entire book and suddenly felt that I wasn't alone in looking for what is essentially a better quality of life without having to make any major changes, just those little things that make your day run smoother and leave you feeling more relaxed and satisfied at the end of the day.

Split into three parts and then broken down further into the 20 'secrets' this book encompasses all aspects of everyday life inspired by Scott's stay in Paris encountering two very different, yet very typical French women, Madame Chic and Madame Bohemienne who were her main inspirations. The three main sections of the book are Diet and Exercise, Style and Beauty and How to Live Well. From eating with pleasure but not to excess to ensuring that you look presentable everyday this book gives you the necessary tools to make living an art as the French do so well. 

My biggest takeaway from this book, as you may recall from earlier in the year, was the 10 Item Wardrobe (here and here). While I do have more than 10 'key' pieces in my wardrobe I have to say that taking the plunge back in March to seriously streamline my clothing has made a huge difference. I have attended weddings, been to parties and moved house (and decorated) and haven't once felt the need to buy something new in order to attend an event or to be comfortable, and more importantly, I have stopped buying for the sake of it. I know my wardrobe. I know what I have suits me, fits well and is my signature style and on the rare occasion that I do buy something, it compliments my other items well. I have to thank Jennifer for enlightening me to this mindset, because I just adore it.  

The French do a lot of things well, but let's face it, living well is the thing that they do best. I feel that Scott has tapped into their cultural habits perfectly in order to adapt them to life outside of l'hexagone. If you haven't already, pop this book on your Christmas list. It is a must read if you are a Parisian at heart like me.  

1940s Fashion - The Definitive Sourcebook

1940s Fashion The Definitive Sourcebook by Emmanuelle Dirix and Charlotte Feill is a beautiful piece of art in itself. With pages filled with beautiful photographs and sketches from the 40s which for myself who is a tad obsessed with all things 1940s is the perfect way to immerse myself in 40sness. 

With sections on Daywear, Outerwear, Eveningwear and Accessories it is a great reference book if you are looking to create 1940s looks on your own as you can look for inspiration in whichever section you like. 

Have you got this book? Or do you have the 1920s or 1930s sourcebook? I'm investing in those two soon myself! 

Inspirations

Hello again!

Apologies for not posting for a few days, working night shifts all week have left me a tad anti-social, tonight is my last one so I will be posting more frequently - I promise! 

I wanted to just do a quick post today about where I gain inspiration from. As I have mentioned, I love to make things and you will often find me at my sewing machine or sitting gluing and sticking things together. Now as much as I would like to tell you that everything that I make is all from the top of my head, I would be lying. I have a large amount of craft and cookery books which I love to flick through for inspiration as well as my monthly dose of Mollie Makes magazine. That being said, my biggest source of inspiration is probably the ever-so-wonderful Pinterest. (check out my boards filled with inspiration here) 

I love my craft books!

A mixture of craft and art books.

Mollie Makes lined up all pretty on my shelf!

A few recipe favorites. 

Where do you gain your inspiration for craft and cookery? Do you have a collection like I have?

Until next time,

Emily