Jane Austen Birthday Party: Decorations

Party time!

So I have been planning my Jane Austen 29th birthday party for a few years, and when the lockdowns happened last year I began to grow worried that I wouldn’t be able to have it. But we moved down a tier, so I decided to continue and we had such a wonderful time.

So in my previous posts I went over the invitations, the prizes, and now I thought I would discuss the decorations.

You know how I like to party plan!

So the first thing I decided was to reuse the table runners and Jane Austen framed quotes from my bridal shower. Yes, even though the marriage didn’t work out the decorations from the party did.

So besides the floral table runners and framed quotes: I also used three of my teapots as vases and filled them with fake flowers. Each one sat in a wicker tray and of course had books and doilies. The white teapot with the diamonds on it and the Chinese teapot both used to be my grandma’s while the doilies were made by my abuelita. Even though they couldn’t be with me, it was nice having them there in spirit.

On the food table, I used another teapot to hold flowers and placed my Mr. Darcy in a stick from Modesto Jane Con. I had wanted to do that with all my teapots, have different Austen heroes, but I just ran out of time.

I also put flowers on the dessert table, and around the cake although I forgot to take a picture of it. The cake sat where the little cupcakes are featured in this picture.

So far all the decorations were ones that I already owned, which saved me a lot of money. I only had to pay for the tablecloths ($1 each at the Dollar Tree). I also hung up Chinese lanterns in the trees and was able to get a pack of 5 for $9 on Amazon.

For plates I could have just gone to the Dollar tree, but for $18 I found this pretty floral set of 144 Pieces (Serves 24) of Pink Floral Paper Plates, Napkins, Cups and Plastic Cutlery. Since I hadn’t spent that much on decorations, I decided to splurge on it.

In the back of the above photo, you can see how we also put these flowered hoops up in the tree and decorated my parent’s backyard bench with lace and flowers. The tables were borrowed from our church or ones my mom owned. The chairs were a mix of borrowed ones from church and ones we owned.

As I mentioned in a previous post, from the beginning I wanted to have a teacup for everyone and have those be part of their favors. All the cups I purchased were about $2-$4, most being $2.50. I found a few in local thrift, resale, and vintage shops-but I really lucked out when I went to Reno and their Goodwill had sooo many. I laid them out on a table and let everyone pick out the one they wanted to use.

I’ve been having so much fun sharing all these things with you, and even though the party has ended I will be continuing to share all my other party plans!

For more of my Jane Austen Birthday plans, go to Jane Austen Birthday: Prize One

For more Jane Austen party ideas, go to Jane Austen Birthday: Teapot Piñata

For more on Northanger Abbey, go to Northanger Abbey Audiobook Narrated by Anna Massey

I Want to Give You What You Love: Age of Adaline (2015)

Most Romantic Moment #2

The Age of Adaline (2015)

So I was recommended this film by a friend, but I didn’t like it.

It wasn’t horrible, but this sort of thing has been done before and I felt this film didn’t really do anything new or different. I also didn’t like how she was with both the father and son.

But there was one thing I found extremely romantic, so I wanted to include it in my countdown.

Adaline Bowman was born on New Year’s Day on 1908. She married and had daughter, only to sadly become a widow a few years later.

In 1937 she was driving in a snowstorm and fell into a freezing pond. She died, but was brought to life when lightening struck the water.

What?!

Since that day, Adaline doesn’t age, remaining 29 and being forced to constantly be on the move.

I need to get out of here

This New Year’s Eve, she meets Ellis Jones at a party, introducing herself as Jennifer. He’s interested, but Adaline knows it isn’t the best idea to be romantically involved, as she has had things go wrong 40 years ago.

However, Ellis won’t give up  and the two begin to seriously date. He invites her to come with him for his parents 40th anniversary. When they get there Adaline realizes that Ellis’ father is one of her past boyfriends, William, the one from 40 years ago.

At first William seems to buy that the women he met all those years ago is not Adaline/Jennifer, but “her mother”. But then William spots something that confirms that she is the woman from years past. Will Adaline be able to live in peace or have to take off again?

Most Romantic Moment: I Brought You the Type of Flowers You Want

So you guys know what I think of being given flowers.

I would prefer something that will last a long time.

So Ellis has tried a few things to woo Adalind, but nothing has worked.

Hmmm….

But then he realizes what Adalind really loves:

And instead of bringing flowers, he brings books with flower names.

How sweet!

This is so romantic! He took the time to think and see what would make her happy and give her that, instead of something clichéd or easy.

To start Romance is in the Air: Part V, go to I Did It for You: Edward Scissorhands (1990)

For more Moreland quotes, go to Sleep is Not Important

For more on books being the best gift, go to Post Approved

Here’s to Another Year

So I’m sure you all have been wondering where I have been. Vacation?

Kidnapped?

Saving the world?

I’ve actually been sick.

Yeah, not fun. But now I am well and back in business.

So today marks a very special day here at Jane Austen Runs My Life. It is our four-year anniversary.

And with the fourth year, it is fruit or flowers. Now you all know how I typically feel about getting flowers:

Yes, usually I don’t like them as a gift.

I mean they are just so fleeting. I’d rather have something that will be sticking around long term.

But in this case I’ll make an exception.

In fact let’s get a little creative.

So thank you all for a fun four years of Jane Austen, along with a bunch of other fun and interesting things. What will this next year bring?

Who Knows!

For more anniversary celebrations, go to Oh, Moses, Moses: Happy 60th Anniversary to The Ten Commandments

For more on my anniversaries, goto Year of the Anniversaries

It’s Not What You Buy, But the Reason Why That Matters: Playing Heart to Get, Barbie Life in the Dreamhouse (2013)

Most Romantic Moment #7

So yes I am a Barbie girl. I grew up with Barbie loving the message I can do whatever I want to. I liked Barbie the way she used to be, she may not have been proportionate but she looked healthy, not like the thin stick dolls they make today.

So this webisode show is available online and on Netflix. It is done in the way of The Office or Modern Family. Events with a pause for interviews, etc.

I started watching this with my niece, and really enjoy. The characters and situations are hilarious, and hands down; Ken is the perfect boyfriend.

It is Valentine’s Day and Ken is out shopping for the perfect gift for Barbie. While at the flower shop, he is seen by Ryan; a guy who is out to steal Barbie away.

Ryan watches Ken pick out a small bouquet of roses, and then decides to purchase a giant horseshoe shaped wreath.

Ken then travels to the Candy store and buys a small heart box full of candy. Ryan buys a life size Chocolate Statue of himself.

Ken then goes to the card store, but can’t find one he likes. Ryan buys a custom card that is his size and has himself inside singing a love song. Who will Barbie choose?

Most Romantic Moment: It’s the Meaning That Counts

So the most romantic moment comes after Ryan has displayed his gifts and Ken shares why he picked out his. He choose the small bouquet of roses because they were Barbie’s absolute favorites.

He bought her the box of Chocolates, because they were the same one she loved as a girl.

And then he handmade her a card saying that she’ll always be his girl.

How romantic

What a guy right? The fact that he got her everything she loved and things that actually meant something is worth more than millions. They are perfect. HE is perfect.

Just another fictional man ruining reality.

To start Romance is in the Air: Part IV from the beginning, go to I Can’t Pretend, I Have to Be: Casual Sex? (1988)

For the previous post, go to Even Though I’m Furious with You, I Still Love You: War Room (2015)

For more on Barbie, go to Sucky Sequels: Mean Girls 2 (2011)

Crazy Book Lady

So you all know how much I love to read, right?

So the other day I was at church when someone gave flowers to their spouse for their wedding anniversary. I was telling my friends that I think flowers are nice but they die. And what does that say about how you feel?

I mean they are nice, but they really don’t send the right message. You know what would be better. A book.

Think about it, a book lasts forever (or typically longer than any human will and much longer than flowers). You can take it any where with you. Enjoy it over and over and over again. Yes, books are PERFECT !!!!!!!

Yep:

So as I was telling my friend this, a young boy overheard our conversation and said that if I loved reading books I was boring and was going to live the rest of my life alone.

So I guess instead of being a crazy cat lady, I guess I will be a crazy book lady.

Sounds good to me!

For more book filled posts, go to Preowned Perfection

For more of my everyday life, go to Walking on Pins and Needles