As it's December already...

Blue Christmas Tree :: Ontzy @ sxc.hu

I've gone festive for the month. 6 days late but it's St Nicholas' Day today it seems fitting that I get on the Chrimbo band wagon.

Much of my shopping is done (courtesy of everyone's fav online store - you know the one: It's the name of a river...) and I've got a few bits and bobs from elsewhere.

Most of my cards are bought...not quite written or posted but at least they are bought. Well, except for a very important one. My husband's! I want to find a On Our First Christmas as a Married Couple type card but haven't managed it so far. Might have to make one myself via Hallmark, Funkpigeon or Moonpig. Need to make a decision quick as time is ticking away...

Website :: Past Perfect

I was having a casual root around Amazon for some reviews of the film Coco Before Chanel (I've just finished watching the DVD. Very good. Recommend). Following some of the links to what other customers have bought I stumbled across a range of CDs from a company called Past Perfect. I did a search for them on the internet and it's actually a website / company selling a variety of vintage inspired items - from music to more home related items. Haven't checked it out in detail yet so I'm heading there now...

Book Review :: The Unfortunates by Laurie Graham

The Unfortunates by Laurie Graham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Laurie Graham as an author - have read many of her books and found them very funny and this was no exception. This is a light-hearted review of the last century but the references to 1920s - -1930s I particularly liked. What I particularly liked was the way the book was written in what I assume is authentic language of the day.

I've got a bit of a thing for the 1920s - 1930s at the moment so this book was perfect for me. It told the story of a woman and her family who were Jewish, living in NYC. She was born pre-war, bit of a rebel, parents sort of practicised Judaism but were a bit lax (but later some members were much more dedicated). They are a wealthy family and so she enjoys the trappings of this wealth, travelling to Paris, the UK, becoming an aviatrix. References are made to various historical events including the sinking of the Titanic and WW1 / WW2 and effect it had on home front in NYC. The story then continued into the 1950s / 1960s / 1970s documenting the ups and downs in the life of the main character.



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Metro Stations :: An Open Buildings Collection

Ok, I admit it...I am a bit of a building / architecture nerd. Saw this collection of Metro stations, from www.openbuildings.com advertised on Facebook and thought I'd share.

We went to Munich this summer so I'm quite miffed we didn't get to see more of the Munich subway / metro / tube (for us English!)

I have been to some of the others including the Oriente Station is Lisbon, Portugal. Beautiful architecture (if you like it modern). Maybe I will post some pics if I get the chance.

Book Review :: The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

I know a lot of people have liked this book but I couldn't get into it.

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Book Review :: Stalin's Ghost by Martin Cruz Smith

Stalin's Ghost by Martin Cruz Smith
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is part of a crime series set in Russia post WW2 / pre end of Communism. Good easy reads.

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Book Review :: Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer

Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer


This just didn't appeal. It was bought as gift and now is being recycled on Read it / Swap it...

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