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Archive for the ‘Jane Austen Merchandise’ Category

Pride and Prejudice: A Rose by Any Other Name…

Posted in Jane Austen Inspired, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , , on 1 May 2013 | 11 Comments »

Image of the Pride and Prejudice rose by Harkness @ 2013 Harkness

As an avid garden and Jane Austen enthusiast, I have been waiting patiently for this…a rose named after one of my favorite novels, Pride and Prejudice!

It was inevitable that some rose breeder would cash in on the Pride and Prejudice bicentenary. I am just surprised it took them so long to name a rose after one of the novels or characters created by my favorite author Jane Austen.

Huzzah! Just announced by Harkness, a specialist rose growers in the UK, Pride and Prejudice, a floribunda rose in pale peach. WOW! Here is the description:

Pride and Prejudice

  • Family: Floribunda
  • Star Rating: 5
  • Scent Rating: 4
  • Flower Diameter: 8cm
  • Petals: 35
  • Flowers Per Cluster: 7-11
  • Plant Size: H90cm x W60cm
  • Colour: Pale Peach

We are delighted to introduce the new Pride and Prejudice rose, to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s classic book. The detail and characters are so well constructed in the book, the dialogue so elegant with scenes capturing the essence of the period.

Not sure if they ship to the US, but it is great to know that someone FINALLY named a rose after the most popular classic in literary history.

Image of the Pride and Prejudice paper rose by HBixbyArtworks @ 2013 HBixbyArtworks

For those who want to continue on the P&P rose theme, here is something fascinatingly creative…a paper rose made from the pages of Pride and Prejudice.

Etsy artist HBixbyArtworks has cleverly crafted roses from paper, and in this case from the pages of Pride and Prejudice. Imagine a bouquet of P&P paper roses? Stunning! Artists description:

This listing is for one vintage book paper rose which is about 3- 3.5″ in diameter. This paper rose is fashioned from the pages of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, (which is a very popular book,) and I made several dozen paper flowers from it!

The rose is on a 8″ wire stem, so can be put into a vase, or can be made into a brooch for a small extra charge, or you can buy several and have a whole bouquet!

A complimentary ribbon can be tied around the stem upon request :)

P&P roses and ribbons? How delightful!

Image of book cover of Pride and Prejudice @ 2013 Harper Teen

AND…who could forget the Pride and Prejudice cover resplendent with roses by Harper Teen from 2009? It is eerily familiar to the designs for the Twilight book covers, but I think that was the point…to entice younger readers to read the classic mentioned by Bella and Edward.

Image of the rose garden @ 2013 The Huntington Library and Gardens

For those not lucky enough to be a climate where the roses are already blooming, like the rose garden at my favorite place in the world (so far), The Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino, California. This photo of their famous rose garden, where I have spent many happy hours enjoying the sights and scents, is a delight. Hope you can visit there too!

Happy May Day Janeites!

Cheers,

Laurel Ann

Images courtesy of © 2013 Harkness, © 2013 HBixbyArtworks and © 2009 Harper Teen; text © 2013 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Jane Austen Stamps On Sale Today in the UK and Online

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , on 21 February 2013 | 15 Comments »

Jane Austen Stamps (2013)

The Royal Mail has released six new Jane Austen stamps today in honor of the 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice. Designed by artist Angela Barrett, they include illustrations of scenes from the six major novels: Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice as first-class stamps and Mansfield Park, Emma, Northanger Abbey and Persuasion in other values, and can be purchased through the Royal Mail Shop online. My favorite is the illustration from Northanger Abbey which includes the ponderous chest so mysterious to heroine Catherine Morland.

There are several collectors sets to select from including a special Presentation Pack with additional text by author P.D. James and a First Day Cover pack where the special stamps are affixed to a cover featuring a Jane Austen signature and cancelled with a Steventon, Basingstoke postmark, chosen because it was the home of Jane Austen for many years.

Jane Austen Presentation Pack (2013)

The Royal Mail also announced that letters posted in Chawton in Hampshire, where Austen spent her last years, and Steventon, near Basingstoke, where she was born, will have a special postmark for a week, featuring the Pride and Prejudice quote “Do anything rather than marry without affection”.

Jane Austen Bicentenary Stamps (1975)

Some readers might remember the previous set of Jane Austen stamps that were issued in 1975 in honor of the bicentenary of Jane Austen’s birth in 1775. They were very beautiful too, and now quite collectible. I am pleased to own a set which I display in pride of place on my Austen bookcase. You can read more about the creation of the 1975 stamp set by following the link at the bottom of this post.

Now for your enjoyment here are images of the six new stamps and the quotes that inspired them.

Jane Austen Stamp Sense and Sensibility (2013)

Sense and Sensibility

“On opening the door, she saw Marianne stretched on the bed, almost choked by grief, one letter in her hand, and two or three others laying by her. Elinor drew near, but without saying a word; and seating herself on the bed, took her hand, kissed her affectionately several times, and then gave way to a burst of tears, which at first was scarcely less violent than Marianne’s. The latter, though unable to speak, seemed to feel all the tenderness of this behaviour, and after some time thus spent in joint affliction, she put all the letters into Elinor’s hands; and then covering her face with her handkerchief, almost screamed with agony.”

Jane Austen Stamp: Pride and Prejudice (2013)

Pride and Prejudice

“At last it arrested her – and she beheld a striking resemblance of Mr. Darcy, with such a smile over the face as she remembered to have sometimes seen, when he looked at her. She stood several minutes before the picture in earnest contemplation…”

Jane Austen Stamp: Mansfield Park (2013)

Mansfield Park

“…pausing a moment for what she knew would not come, for a courage which the outside of no door had ever supplied to her, she turned the lock in desperation, and the lights of the drawing–room, and all the collected family, were before her.”

Jane Austen Stamp: Emma (2013)

Emma

“She had not been able to speak; and, on entering the carriage, …then reproaching herself for having taken no leave, making no acknowledgement, parting in apparent sullenness, she looked out with voice
and hand eager to show a difference; but it was just too late.”

Jane Austen Stamp: Northanger Abbey (2013)

Northanger Abbey

“So, placing the candle with great caution on a chair, she seized the key with a very tremulous hand and tried to turn it; but it resisted her utmost strength. Alarmed, but not discouraged, she tried it another way; a bolt flew, and she believed herself successful; but how strangely mysterious! The door was still immovable. She paused a moment in breathless wonder. The wind roared down the chimney, the rain beat in torrents against the windows, and everything seemed to speak the awfulness of her situation.”

Jane Austen Stamp: Persuasion (2013)

Persuasion

“It was evident that the gentleman, (completely a gentleman in manner) admired her exceedingly. Captain Wentworth looked round at her instantly in a way which shewed his noticing of it. He gave her a momentary glance, a glance of brightness, which seemed to say, ‘That man is struck with you, and even I, at this moment, see something like Anne Elliot again.’”

© 2013 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Giveaway Winners Announced for the Naxos Pride and Prejudice Alert Tone

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , , , on 14 February 2013 | 4 Comments »

Pride and Prejudice (Naxos AudioBooks), by Jane Austen, read by Emilia Fox (2005)23 of you left comments qualifying you for a chance to win one of six alert tones available from Pride and Prejudice by Naxos AudioBooks. The winners drawn at random are:

  • Danielle Sales who left a comment on February 08, 2013
  • Christina B. who left a comment on February 07, 2013
  • crindalyn who left a comment on February 07, 2013
  • Virginia Claire who left a message on February 13, 2013
  • kfield2 who left a comment on February 07, 2013
  • Felicia who left a comment on February 07, 2013

Congratulations ladies! To claim your prize, please contact me with your full name and address by February 20, 2013. I have several giveaways running, so please state which item you won. Shipment is by digital download.

Thanks to Naxos AudioBooks for the great idea of an alert tone for our cell phones and iPad’s and for the generous giveaway copies. I hope they will take our advice for other new alert tones from P&P!

© 2013 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Naxos AudioBooks Offers Giveaway of New Pride and Prejudice Alert Tone

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , on 7 February 2013 | 24 Comments »

Naxos AudioBooks Pride and Prejudice Ringtone (2013)

Last month I reviewed the Naxos Audiobooks edition of Pride and Prejudice, read by Emilia Fox. It is my favorite audio edition of Jane Austen’s classic novel. I was thrilled to learn that they have also created in honor of this year’s bicentenary of publication a clever alert tone for iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch of a select section of the recording.

Wouldn’t it be totally cool and so chic to have actress Emilia Fox as Elizabeth Bennet saying, “It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy.” when you receive a new email or text message on your electronic device? Well, now you can.

It is only accessible within the iTunes store on your iOS device. Once it is downloaded, you can set your new tone as your default tone or assign it to a Contact. Why not try it?

Gentle readers, please bear with this Luddite who does not own a cell phone, iPod or iPad. If I make a mistake in the description or process to purchase, please forgive me. My computer and NOOK are as a techie as I get.

Here are the instructions:

Available from:

Apple Mobile App Store (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)

Tones

You cannot purchase ringtones and alert tones from your computer, but you can purchase them using your iOS device with iOS 5 or later. You can purchase tones on iPad, iPhone (3GS or later), and iPod touch (4th generation or later).

To locate tones in iTunes on an iOS device:

  1. Tap the iTunes app.
  2. Tap Tones. If Tones is not visible, tap More > Tones.
  3. Browse for tones. Once you purchase a tone, a dialog is displayed. The dialog gives you an option to set your new tone as your default tone or assign it to a Contact.   If you don’t want to do anything with the tone just yet, simply tap Done.
  4. Tones purchased using your iOS devices are synced to your iTunes library when you connect your device to your computer. On an iPod touch or iPhone, you can find tones in Settings > Sounds. On an iPad, you can find tones in Settings > General > Sounds.

A Grand Giveaway

Naxos AudioBooks graphicNaxos Audiobooks has generously offered 6 alert tones of Elizabeth Bennet saying, “It’s your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy.” available to Austenprose readers. You must have iOS device. Just leave a comment stating what quote from P&P you would like them to create next! It must be one sentence. The contest ends at 11:59 pm on Wednesday, February 13, 2013. Winners will be announced on Thursday, February 14, 2013. They will receive an iTunes card to purchase their new Pride and Prejudice alert tone. Good luck!

2013 Naxos Audiobook, Austenprose

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A Jane Austen Christmas to Everyone!

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , on 25 December 2012 | 8 Comments »

A Jane Austen Christmas card by David Price, All Port Editions (2012)

Wishing Janeites everywhere a very Merry Christmas.

I am sharing my Christmas card online this year. Appropriately, it is called A Jane Austen Christmas. It is by David Price. You can buy your very own boxed set from Allport Editions of Portland, Oregon.

Happy Holiday,

Laurel Ann

© 2012 David Price, Allport Editions

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Hot off the Press! ~ Jane Austen's Regency World Magazine, No. 61

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , on 21 December 2012 | 2 Comments »

Reblogged from Jane Austen in Vermont:

Click to visit the original post

The January/February issue (No. 61) of Jane Austen's Regency World magazine, marking the bicentenary of Pride & Prejudice, has just been published and is being mailed to subscribers over the holiday period.

Read more… 142 more words

Huzzah! A new issue of JARW mag.

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My Top Picks for Jane Austen-inspired Holiday Gifts for 2012

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , on 3 December 2012 | 23 Comments »

Happy Holidays Janeites!

Tis the season to go shopping, and Janeite family and friends always need suggestions to fill the reticules, stockings, and gifts under the tree for those whose special interest is everything Austen. I have several categories to select from – and I would happily be the recipient of any of these fabulous items!

Ephemera

Pride and Prejudice Playing Cards

Pride and Prejudice Playing Cards

DOWNLOAD INSTANTLY! Who wouldn’t want Mr. Darcy as King of Hearts, Mr. Collins as the Joker or all of the other memorable characters from Jane Austen’s classic novel filling the roles of King of Spades, Queen of Diamonds, Jack of Clubs and more???

From the talented Etsy artists Vectorian Designs, this delightful printable Pride and Prejudice playing cards: a full deck with 4 jokers. Printed out on card stock these make excellent gifts! The illustrations are from Hugh Thomson. (the editor in us wished they would spell Victorian correctly though…:-)

You get: 56 high quality (300 dpi) images (2.3″ x 3.3″) on eight 8.5″ x 11″ sheets for easy printing. Watermark will be removed. All the items are in jpg.

Special Offer to Austenprose readers: Receive a 20% off on all items in the Vectorian Designs Etsy shop until December 13, 2012 by using  discount code JANEAUSTEN20PERCENT applied in the Etsy checkout cart!

Pride and Prejudice poster by Pemberley Pond 2012

Pride and Prejudice Poster

From the Pemberley Pond Shop at Etsy, by the wonderful Italian graphic artists Lalla and Luisa Lodetti, this colorful poster displays the names of the characters and the places from the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, collected in a clean modern graphic. Colors are red, blue grey and brown. Professionaly printed on thick ivory paper (170 gr). Measures approx. 12,60 x 18,10 inches (320 x 460 mm)

Books

Emma: An Annotated Edition, by Jane Austen and edited by Bharat Tandon (2012

Emma: An Annotated Edition,

by Jane Austen, edited by Bharat Tandon

Eye candy for any Janeite, this new sumptuous annotated edition of Jane Austen’s last novel is sure to blow off any Janeite’s bonnet. Filled with hundreds of full color illustrations from the era, helpful notes and scholarly insights, every Jane Austen fan needs this to display with pride of place on their coffee table. Read my preview for more details. Several of my Janeite friends will open this for the holiday!

Jane Austen Made Me Do It, edited by Laurel Ann Nattress (2011)

Jane Austen Made Me Do It

edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

I am waving my own flag here, but, being prejudiced about my own book only displays my pride in the twenty-four authors who contributed Austen-inspired short stories to this new collection. Regency or contemporary, romantic or fantastical, each of these marvelous stories reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history’s most cherished authors. Join the celebration in Austen’s legacy!

The Complete Novels Heritage Edition 2012The Complete Novels of Jane Austen:

Emma, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Lady Susan (The Heirloom Collection), by Jane Austen,illustrated by Jacqui Oakley

This new illustrated, hardcover set includes five volumes of our Jane that this Janeite would love to get her mits on! This beautifully packaged set includes Austen’s six great masterpieces, along with Lady Susan, an epistolary novel. Each handsomely bound volume features charming four-color illustrations and gorgeous design elements throughout. Housed in an elegant slipcase with a magnetic closure, this collection is an essential addition to every Austen fan’s library. Embossed slipcase with magnetic closure & Five hardcover volumes each featuring a ribbon marker and four-color illustration throughout

Audio Books

Jane Austen: The Complete Novels (Naxos Audio) 2009

Jane Austen – The Complete Novels (Naxos Audiobooks)

Together for the first time, the complete and unabridged audio recordings of Jane Austen’s novels handsomely presented in a boxed set. Counting 69 CD’s and running over 83 hours, this is the Holy Grail of Austen audio book recording as only Naxos could present with superb readings by Juliet Stevenson, Emilia Fox, and Anna Bentinck. Included are Austen’s six major novels, the novella Lady Susan and her unfinished novels Sanditon and The Watsons. This is definitely the essential collector’s item. ‘Nuff said!

Movies

Pride and Prejudice (1995) restored (2010)

Pride and Prejudice 1995 (Restored)

Five hours and twenty three minutes a pure Janeite bliss re-mastered & restored from the 1995 classic A&E/BBC miniseries.

Few will challenge that this is the most reverent screen adaptation to Jane Austen’s masterpiece. Viewers reveled in British actors Jennifer Ehle’s pert and spirited Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth’s dripping with sex Mr. Darcy. The costumes, film location and cast places this production at the pinnacle of screen perfection for Jane Austen fans. I reviewed this edition when it was released in 2010 and still think it is Incomparable.  Blu-ray edition too!

Downton Abbey Season 2 DVD

Downton Abbey 2011 Season 2

Even though the hit mini-series Downton Abbey is set in the Edwardian-era, one hundred years after Jane Austen published Pride and Prejudice, who cares? Season 2 of this ultimate bonnet drama  takes us into the trenches of World War I and into the hearts of Lady Mary and Matthew Crawley, and others.

Janeites raved about this upstairs/downstairs drama full of characters and plot that Austen would have delighted in. If by some freak accident you missed this miniseries created by a joint production team of the UK’s ITV and the US’s PBS, both sides of the pond were glued to their television screens for nine hours that we will never forget. Buy it and gear up for season three that airs in the US on January 6, 2013. Need further details? Check out the Downton Abbey Season 3 website of this smash-hit series.

Magazines

Jane Austens Regency World Mag No 60, 2012

Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine

The ultimate Austen indulgence, your Janeite friends and family members will huzzah when they receive an annual subscription to Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine which includes in depth articles on Jane Austen, her world and our modern interpretations. Highly collectable, Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine offers a great resource and enjoyment to all Austen fans. I proudly own a copy of the first issue!

Jewelry

Jane Austen Literary Charm Bracelet by Justbedesigns 2012

Jane Austen Literary Charm Bracelet

Jane Austen bling — oh YES! Here from the Etsy shop of Justbedesigns, are the beautiful designs of Bianca Fleischman, a girl from Queens who knows her jewelry.

Austen’s powers of subtle discrimination and shrewd perceptiveness is revealed in this stunning charm bracelet. There are 9 handmade cameos featuring portraits of pretty Jane herself. In addition to the cameos are charms of a a vintage hair comb, an umbrella, a teapot, a cameo a rhinestone heart charm and more. The bracelet measures 8 inches and can be altered.

Calendars

Jane Austen Amiable Rancor 2013 Wall Calendar

Jane Austen’s Amiable Rancor 2013 Wall Calendar

The year would not be complete at Woodston Cottage without my copy of The Republic of Pemberley’s Amiable Rancor Wall Calendar. Filled with witty and acerbic Austen quotes, important dates, and beautiful Regency era fashion plate illustrations, any true Janeite would be tickled to hang this large, high-quality calendar in their home or office.

  • Each page measures 11″ x 17″, image measures 11″ x 11″
  • Full bleed dynamic color
  • 10pt heavyweight high gloss paper, wire-o bound
  • January 2013 – December 2013, US holidays marked

Food

Bingleys Teas

Bingley’s Teas

There is nothing like a fine cup of tea to put you in a Jane Austen mood, and Bingley’s Teas, a specialty tea company, brings us a variety of tea blends inspired by Jane Austen’s characters. One of my favorite’s is  Marianne’s Wild Abandon:  A blend of lively green and black teas with colorful flowers and passionate fruits, throwing themselves together for a stimulating combination! This blend will surely entice you to run free and express your heart.

Toys & Games

Pride and Prejudice Trivia Game

Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice Trivia Game

Do you know your Pride and Prejudice facts and tidbits? Here’s your chance to challenge each other and test your knowledge of the classic book. With 300 trivia cards, including 8 bonus Jane Austen facts, you’ll determine without a doubt who can claim the title of Pride And Prejudice Champ!  Great for tea parties, girls’ night, book club meetings, etc.  For 2 or more players, ages 8 & up.

Miscellaneous

Three-Tier Regency Cakde Stand

Three-tier Cake Stand

“One can only keep in tolerable order by more cake than is good for them.” –Persuasion

WANT, WANT, WANT! What proper lady can live without a three-tier cake stand for her afternoon tea in the garden with friends? I CAN’T!

New from the Jane Austen Centre Giftshop, this very pretty  and practical three-tier Regency style cake stand, IS perfect for afternoon tea. This delightful mismatch of three cake plates with a gold colored stand is made from fine porcelain and metal. Part of the Regency Collection, which also includes a set of matching cake tins (very hard to find), tea cups and saucers, and a sugar and creamer! *SWOON*

Happy Holidays to all of my readers! I hope that Santa brings you a few items from my list!

© 2012 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine Nov/Dec 2012 Preview

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , on 26 October 2012 | 2 Comments »

Jane Austen's Regency World Magazine (No 60) Nov Dec (2012)Hot off the presses is the November/December 2012 (No 60) edition of Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine, the ultimate Austen reading indulgence. Here are the featured articles!

  • Some great Christmas gift ideas for the Jane Austen fan in your life
  • You shall go to the dance – public and private balls in Jane Austen’s time
  • How keeping a bawdyhouse could be a tough business
  • Baiting, coursing and fishing: blood sports were big business in the Georgian era
  • Looking at Jane’s use of fashion accessories in Emma
  • The life of Sir Thomas Bernard, a prominent philanthropist
  • Jane in the Garden of England

This new issue also includes reports from the recent Jane Austen Festival in Bath and the JASNA AGM in Brooklyn; news, letters, book reviews and much, much more!

Need a seasonal gift?

A subscription to Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine is the perfect gift for friends and family who enjoy Jane Austen. To subscribe simply follow this link to their website and have your gift mailed six times a year from Bath, England

© 2012 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Giveaway winners announced for Penguin Hardcover Classics

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , , , , on 10 May 2012 | 3 Comments »

Persuasion, by Jane Austen (Penguin Hardcover Classics) 201258 of you left comments qualifying you for a chance to win either the Northanger Abbey or Persuasion edition of the Penguin Hardcover Classics, by Jane Austen, inscribed by the book designer Coralie Bickford-Smith. The winners drawn at random are:

  • Jennifer who left a comment on April 28, 2012
  • stilettostorytime who left a comment on April 26, 2012

Congratulations ladies! To claim your prize, please contact me with your full name and address by May 16, 2012. Shipment to US addresses only. Enjoy!

A big thank you to book designer Coralie Bickford-Smith for inscribing the new editions for our readers and to her publisher Penguin Books for offering the giveaway copies. Congrats to the winners. Enjoy!

© 2007 – 2012 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Hot off the Press! ~ Jane Austen’s Regency World ~ No. 57

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , on 29 April 2012 |

Jane Austen's Regency World Magazine No 57 (2012)Hot off the Press! ~ Jane Austen’s Regency World ~ No. 57.

Via Deb at Jane Austen in Vermont, here is the the info on the new issue of Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine May/June 2012.

  • Mozart’s Sister: a stunning new film tells of the talented musician eclipsed by a famous brother
  • Oops, I did it again: drink, drugs, sex and gambling… lax morals prevailed in Georgian England
  • Taking a tour around Steventon, birthplace of Jane Austen
  • Rage against the machine: how the Luddites sought to protect their jobs and their families
  • Exploring the character of Elizabeth Bennet

and…much more!

Thanks Deb!

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Follow Friday: Jane Austen’s Regency World March/April 2012 Preview

Posted in Jane Austen Inspired, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , on 2 March 2012 | 2 Comments »

Jane Austen's Regency World Magazine March/April (2012)Hot off the presses is the March/April (No 56) edition of Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine, the ultimate Austen reading indulgence. Here are the featured articles!

  • Romance of the East: how the Regency travelers of Jane Austen’s time were fascinated by Islam and the Orient
  • In Jane Austen’s footsteps: enjoy our tour of Chawton village
  • Best-selling novelist Karen Doornebos asks why grown women swoon over Darcy
  • How Charles Dickens, the bicentenary of whose birth is celebrated this year, was influenced by Jane Austen’s contemporaries
  • Frances Burney’s experiences with the Royal Family
  • Jane Austen’s nieces in Ireland – the amazing true story of May, Lou and Cass
  • Finding the fools in Northanger Abbey

Plus the Jane Austen Society, JASNA, the latest Austen news, letters and book reviews. You can download a free preview article here.

Watch out for your copy in the mail – or subscribe at the Jane Austen’s Regency World website.

Can’t wait for my copy to arrive.

Happy TGIF everyone!

Cheers,

Laurel Ann

© 2007 – 2012 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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New Jane Austen-inspired Facebook Game Announced by the BBC & Legacy Interactive

Posted in Jane Austen Inspired, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , , , on 24 February 2012 | 16 Comments »

Rogues and Romance Interactive Facebook Game

Happy news for Janeites and gaming fans…

The venerable BBC, who have brought us the monumental mini-series of Pride and Prejudice in 1995 and 1980 and many other classic film adaptations, announced today that they will be releasing a new Jane Austen-inspired interactive game, Rogues and Romance, for Facebook next month.

Fitzwilliam DarcyDeveloped in partnership with Legacy Interactive, the game will re-create the world of Austen’s novels “allowing players to take part in an imaginative adventure that follows the path of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy after they are married.”

I had the pleasure of meeting Legacy Interactive CEO Ariella Lehrer last December at the JASNA Southwest’s Winter Symposium in Los Angeles. She is a true Janeite and thrilled to translate her secret obsession into a fun social game. “We are determined to deliver an experience that passionate Austen fans will love, as well as gameplayers who know of Austen but have never read her novels.”

Robert Nashak, EVP, BBC Worldwide Digital Entertainment & Games, explains, “Social interaction is at the core of Austen’s work and we felt that was a concept we could explore that had a natural synergy with Facebook. Rogues and Romance is a fun romp of a game that celebrates the world of Jane Austen.”

I think it is a brilliant notion and if you do to, Legacy Interactive is giving Austenprose readers an incredible opportunity to be one of the first group of players to experience Rogues and Romance first hand during a “closed beta” testing period.

You will have the opportunity to “test drive” the new interactive game “which takes Pride and Prejudice as its starting point following the newly married Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy on a hidden object adventure with an intriguing twist. Players will be able to take their place in society leaving calling cards, attending and hosting receptions and pursuing courtships. Each player will have their own manor house and be able to indulge their penchant for fashion with a choice of Regency-era costumes.” Emma WoodhouseYour feedback will only make this game even better before its official launch next month.

Yep, you heard it first on Austenprose, so do visit the official website for Rogues and Romance, and then email betatester@legacyinteractive.com with the email address that you use for your Facebook account if you are interested in participating. Please put in the subject “Jane Austen Facebook game beta test.”

We shall see who really knows their Jane Austen, and who needs a refresher course.

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Laurel Ann

© 2007 – 2012 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Giveaway Winner Announced for Bingley’s Teas Valentine’s Pack

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , , on 14 February 2012 | 6 Comments »

Bingleys Teas Limited Logo

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of our lovely readers.

Now, only one lucky Janeite out of the 134 who qualified will be the winner of the lovely Valentine’s package being offered by Bingley’s Teas, Ltd.

Without further ado, the lucky winner is:

Paula, who left a comment on February 01, 2012

Congratulations Paula! To claim your prize, please contact me with your full name and address by February 20, 2012. Shipment to US addresses only.

Thanks to all who left comments, and to Bingley’s Teas, Ltd. for offering this lovely Valentine’s gift that any Janeite/tea lover would love to have.

© 2007 – 2012 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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A Jane Austen Inspired Valentine’s Day Giveaway with Bingley’s Teas

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , on 31 January 2012 | 135 Comments »

Bingleys Teas Limited Logo

We drank tea again yesterday with the Tilsons, & met the Smiths. I find all these little parties very pleasant. — Letter from Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra 1811

Tea was at the center of social gatherings during Jane Austen’s time. Today, we enjoy tea everyday too, but the varieties and blends available would make any early nineteenth-century tea lover swoon.

I had the pleasure of tasting the wonderful array offered by Bingley’s Teas, Ltd. at the Jane Austen Society of North America’s AGM in Fort Worth, Texas last October. Their Jane Austen series is beautifully packaged as gift items and I bought two: one for a dear friend who had an upcoming birthday and one for myself. While I am still savoring my little parcel of Bingley’s tea, I would like to recommend them as the perfect Valentines gift for any Janeite or tea lover.

In celebration of Jane Austen and romance, Bingley’s Teas is offering this lovely giveaway. Included are one 55 gram package of the best selling Longbourn Wedding tea, one 50 gram package of the new Sweet Romance tea, one vintage inspired rosebud tea cup and saucer, and one ounce of pink rosebuds. Pure romance for the special person in your life – or yourself!

Bingleys Tea Valentine Giveaway (2012)

Longbourn Wedding Tea

Sparkling Champagne flavor, Rose buds and Raspberry are dressed in a Lovely White Tea.  Exquisite Silver Needle and pai mu tan white tea hold this blend that is sure to make a special moment whenever you share this tea! For very festive occasions, chill your Wedding tea with simple syrup and add to a glass of Champagne with rose petals.

Sweet Romance

Black Tea smitten with sweet marzipan and toasted almonds, graced with pink rose petals and a hint of rose flavor.

A Grand Giveaway

To enter the giveaway contest for the Bingley’s Teas, Ltd. items, just leave a comment stating who is your favorite romantic hero or heroine from any Jane Austen novel, or which of the Bingley teas is the most appealing to your sensibilities by 11:59pm PT, February 13, 2012. Winner to by drawn at random from the comments and announced on Tuesday, February 14, 2012. Shipment to US addresses only. Good luck!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all.

Cheers,

Laurel Ann

© 2007 – 2012 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Holiday Austen Potpourri

Posted in Jane Austen Inspired, Jane Austen Merchandise, JASNA, tagged , , , , , , on 15 December 2011 | 18 Comments »

Holiday Jane Austen stuff (2011)

I am so behind in blogging, so here are the whirlwind highlights of what I have been doing at Woodston Cottage and in California these past two weeks…

My Trip to California

I left my snug cottage in Snohomish and flew to Los Angeles for a quick Jane Austen-inspired long weekend. On Friday, author Syrie James and her husband Bill picked me up at LAX airport and whisked me off to a screening at the Writer’s Guild Theater in Beverly Hills for a viewing of Twilight: Breaking Dawn. (is Edward really the new Darcy?). Inquiring Janeites would like to know!

Mr. Darcy or Edward Cullen?Darcy vs. Cullen?

On Saturday we attended the Jane Austen Society of North America – Southwest Chapter’s Winter Symposium at the Los Angeles Athletic Club. Four of my authors from Jane Austen Made Me Do It were in attendance: Syrie James, Diana Birchall, Laurie Viera Rigler and Brenna Aubrey.

Laurel Ann Nattress and Syrie James signing Jane Austen Made Me Do It Dec (2011)

Signing Jane Austen Made Me Do It

We signed copies in between speakers and three of the ladies read excerpts from the anthology during lunch. The symposium was one of, if not the best run, event I have every attended. Beautiful historic building with amazing California plein air art, gourmet luncheon of prime rib and poached pears, and three fabulous speakers: Dr. Cheryl Kinney spoke on “A Dangerous Indulgence: Women’s Health in Jane Austen’s Time;” Arnie Perlstein spoke on “Concealed Pregnancies in Jane Austen’s Novels;” and Walter Nelson spoke on “Quackery, Snake Oil & Flim Flam Medicine.” Before lunch there was a wonderful toast to honor Jane Austen’s birthday cheered by all with mulled wine. What a fabulous event. Many thanks to JASNA – SW RC Nancy Gallagher and her team of organizers for graciously including me and Jane Austen Made Me Do It in your wonderful day in honor of Jane.

Yvonne Yao Jeweler Jeweler Yvonne Yao

Next we were off for a brief visit to a local craft show to meet Syrie’s daughter-in-law Yvonne Yao who is a talented handcrafted jewelry designer.  I was tempted — and succumbed. Who can resist beautiful bling?

Union Station, Los AngelesUnion Station interior

Then we were off to rejoin the event speakers and anthology authors from the JASNA event that day at dinner in the historical Los Angeles Union Station. Wow! Of course I had to tell the family story of how my father left Union Station in 1944 to go off to WWII. He almost missed his train because he was in the bathroom shooting craps! My dad always lived on the edge and fondly told that story.

A Day at The Huntington

Syrie and Bill James at the Huntington Library & GardensSyrie and Bill James

The Huntington Library and Gardens Rose GardenThe Rose Garden

Japanese Garden at the Huntington Gardens and LibraryThe Japanese Garden

Sunday saw us journeying to the happiest place in my Janeite world. The Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino. When I lived in California, I visited it frequently, but had not been there in over ten years. We were lucky to get in. The Pasadena area had been hard hit by a powerful and dangerous wind storm and the roads to the Huntington were littered with downed trees and debris. They had closed the grounds for two days to try to clean up.

Huntington Garden ancient live oak blow over after wind stormAncient California Live Oak blown over

There were still branches everywhere, paths blocked and huge live oak trees totally uprooted. That of course did not stop us. The weather was beautiful and clear (huzzah) and we walked the sumptuous gardens. I saw the new Chinese Gardens and many new building that they have added in the last few years.

Pagoda at the Chinese Garden at the Huntington Library and GardensThe Chinese Garden

The Tea Garden at the Huntington Library and GardensThe Tea Rooms

The highlight of the day was a high tea in the Tea Rooms followed by tour through the Art Gallery which includes the Thornton picture gallery and the rest of the palatial manor house. The art collection contains some of the most fabulous Georgian and Regency era portraits anywhere. I of course visited my two favorites:

Lady Emma Hamilton by George Romney

Lady Emma Hamilton, by George Romney

Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse by Josiah Reynolds

and Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse by Joshua Reynolds.

Both ladies were great beauties of their generations and infamous for entirely different reasons. Lady Hamilton was Admiral Nelson’s mistress, which scandalized Britain, and Sarah Siddons, the most famous dramatic actress of her day. Jane Austen wanted to see in London but missed the chance.

Art Gallery at the Huntington Library Dec 2011 Art Gallery

The Huntington is renown for it’s incredible library of books, including a Gutenberg bible, and first editions of all of Jane Austen’s novels. Scholars come to visit and study its numerous and unique selection, all locked up in the rare collection room. In the main house there is also a small library of twentieth-century editions that I always enjoyed skimming through in the past. All the classic are there, including a Chawton edition of Jane Austen’s Novels. Syrie’s eyes lit up when I mentioned that I always searched for them every time I visited the Huntington. It had become a ritual for her too. As we oohed and aahed over the leather bound volumes, a kind gentleman with a great camera took this shot for us and emailed it to me. The binding is much bluer in person, but it is great to have the image and know that Syrie and I, two ladies passionate about Jane Austen, had admire them so independently of one another until this day! Ironically, the set is next to an edition of The Brothers. Do any other Janeites see the humor in these two authors paired together? The first person to know the answer, and leave a comment, wins a signed copy of Jane Austen Made Me Do It! (shipment Internationally)

Chawton Edition of Jane Austen at the Huntington LibraryChawton Edition of the Novels of Jane Austen

Of course the day would not be complete without a trip to the gift shop, one of the best museum shops I have ever been to. I purchased some treasures: Jane Austen magnets which I featured in my recent Austen-inspired holiday gift selections, beautiful tree ornaments of pie slices, candy and gingerbread houses and a hat! Syrie and I enjoyed the special Jane Austen section which featured her novel The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen and Margaret Sullivan’s Jane Austen Handbook. Monday I traveled to San Clemente to visit my sister and mother and then Tuesday I flew home. My cat Herman was VERY happy to see me after being looked after by family. It’s so nice to be missed! ;-)

Syrie James and Laurel Ann Nattress at the Huntington Library Gift shopSyrie and Laurel Ann in the gift shop

Home at Woodston Cottage

Jane Austen attends the JASNA - PS Dec meetingJane attends the JASNA – Puget Sound birthday party!

Since I returned home, I have been trying to catch up on email and blogging — and the holidays. I attended my own Puget Sound Chapter of JASNA’s birthday celebration of Jane Austen birthday last Sunday.

Julie Arnold, Mary Robinette Kowal, Laurel Ann Nattress and Marilyn LaBeck at JASNA - PS Dec 2011 birthday partyJulie Arnold, Mary Robinette Kowal, Laurel Ann Nattress and

Marian LaBeck at the JASNA Puget Sound December Austen birthday soiree

Guest speaker, novelist and puppeteer Mary Robinette Kowal from Portland, discussed the challenges of writing a Jane Austen-inspired Regency era novel. Her highly acclaimed Shades of Milk and Honey was embraced by Jane Austen fans as very Austenesque in style and language. She discussed the evolution of language since Jane Austen day and its challenge to modern writers. Determined to get it right, Mary had used a database of words from Jane Austen’s novels and letters in an attempt to check certain words against her new novel, Glamour in Glass, that releases in April. I had a chance to chat with her after her talk and mentioned that she might find the Austen Thesaurus helpful. She was not aware of it – and if you are not either – you can put any word in and it will pull comparable words that Jane Austen used. It’s called Write Like Jane Austen – and they are not kidding.

Charlene Kern with Jane Newly elected Regional Coordinator Charlene Kern with a friend

The JASNA – PS celebration was very festive with toast to Jane by Debra Alderman, pictures with Jane, and a food spread that Jane would definitely have approved of. It was great to see my chapter friends Marian LaBeck, James Nagle & Julie Arnold. A very enjoyable day was had celebrating our favorite author’s birthday.

Jane Austen Birthday Soiree 2011

The Jane Austen birthday celebration is building for the Friday, December 16th, an all day long birthday bash by 32 bloggers. Don’t miss out of the blog hop with each of the participants writing a post in honor of Jane, and giveaways galore.

Austenprose's Jane Austen birthday giveaways 2011

Austenprose’ birthday swag

I will be joining the festivities with a discussion of the new Fourth Edition of Jane Austen’s Letters and a giveaway of Austen-inspired note cards by Jennifer Shaphren, designer of Jenny Did it!, a copy of Jane Austen Letters (third edition) and a signed copy of Jane Austen Made Me Do It. It should be a very busy day on Friday hopping around the blogosphere and leaving comments on all the blogs to qualify for the giveaways.

Laurel Ann's Infamous Golden Fruitcake the fruit cake

Lastly, yes, I am almost finished. The holiday decorating continues at Woodston Cottage. I am decking the halls with wreaths, garland, candles, poinsettia’s and fruit cake. I talked about my famous golden fruitcake last year. It’s not that sticky, gooey, candied fruitcake that people joke about being shipped around the world ten times. This is made with dried fruit soaked in bourbon. It is a knockout and tastes fabulous. May I brag about it some more? It takes two weeks to make, and no time at all to consume! Here are few slices showing how the fruit and nuts make it so showy! I am now qualified to be called the fruitcake lady.

Slices of Laurel Ann's Infamous Golden Fruitcake the proof is in the pudding

Also on my dinning table are two new arrivals: Downton Abbey season two screener from my friends at Masterpiece Classic PBS (happy dance), and an advance readers copy of Forbidden, by Syrie James and Ryan M. James. She co-wrote it with her son Ryan and it is one of the most highly anticipated teen novels of the season. My reviewer Christina can’t wait to get her mits on it.

Phew. I did it! So much news that just needed to get told. Please check back on Friday for Jane’s birthday bash. It shall be an incredible day for Janeites!

Cheers,

Laurel Ann

Woodston Cottage

© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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My Top Picks for Jane Austen-inspired Holiday Gifts for 2011

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , on 10 December 2011 | 15 Comments »

Winter at Pemberley note card by Paula Wendy

Note card: Winter at Pemberley with Elizabeth, by Wendy Paul

Tis the season to go shopping, and Janeite family and friends always need suggestions to fill the reticules, stockings, and gifts under the tree for those whose special interest is everything Austen. I have several categories to select from – and I would happily be the recipient of any of these fabulous items!

Books

Persuasion: An Annotated Edition, by Jane Austen, edited by Robert Morrison (2011

Persuasion: An Annotated Edition, by Jane Austen, edited by Robert Morrison

Eye candy for any Janeite, this new sumptuous annotated edition of Jane Austen’s last novel is sure to blow off any Janeite’s bonnet. Filled with hundreds of full color illustrations from the era, helpful notes and scholarly insights, every Jane Austen fan needs this to display with pride of place on their coffee table. Read my full review for more details. Several of my Janeite friends will open this for the holiday!

Jane Austen Made Me Do It, edited by Laurel Ann Nattress (2011)

Jane Austen Made Me Do It, edited by Laurel Ann Nattress

I am waving my own flag here, but, being prejudiced about my own book only displays my pride in the twenty-four authors who contributed Austen-inspired short stories to this new collection. Regency or contemporary, romantic or fantastical, each of these marvelous stories reaffirms the incomparable influence of one of history’s most cherished authors. Join the celebration in Austen’s legacy!

Audio Books

Jane Austen: The Complete Novels (Naxos Audio) 2009

Jane Austen – The Complete Novels (Naxos Audiobooks)

Together for the first time, the complete and unabridged audio recordings of Jane Austen’s novels handsomely presented in a boxed set. Counting 69 CD’s and running over 83 hours, this is the Holy Grail of Austen audio book recording as only Naxos could present with superb readings by Juliet Stevenson, Emilia Fox, and Anna Bentinck. Included are Austen’s six major novels, the novella Lady Susan and her unfinished novels Sanditon and The Watsons. This is definitely the essential collector’s item. ‘Nuff said!

Movies

Pride and Prejudice (1995) restored (2010)

Pride and Prejudice 1995 (Restored)

Five hours and twenty three minutes a pure Janeite bliss re-mastered & restored from the 1995 classic A&E/BBC miniseries.

Few will challenge that this is the most reverent screen adaptation to Jane Austen’s masterpiece. Viewers reveled in British actors Jennifer Ehle’s pert and spirited Elizabeth Bennet and Colin Firth’s dripping with sex Mr. Darcy. The costumes, film location and cast places this production at the pinnacle of screen perfection for Jane Austen fans. I reviewed this edition when it was released in 2010 and still think it is Incomparable.  Blu-ray edition too!

Downton Abbey (PBS) DVD (2011)

Downton Abbey 2010 Season 1

Not Regency by a hundred years, but who cares? It is the ultimate bonnet drama that any Jane Austen fan would swoon over! Find out what a weekend is to an Edwardian Lady who does not have a clue about the working class, and why those pesky entails so prevalent in Jane Austen novels, still matter in 1912 England.

Janeites raved about this upstairs/downstairs drama full of characters and plot that Austen would have delighted in. If by some freak accident you missed this miniseries created by a joint production team of the UK’s ITV and the US’s PBS, both sides of the pond where glued to their television screens for six hours that we will never forget. Buy it and gear up for season two that airs in the US in January 2012. Need further details? Check out my preview of this smash-hit series.

Ephemera

Jane Austen quote magnets set by Museum Store Products, Inc

Jane Austen Quote Magnet Set

What better to don your refrigerator than Jane Austen’s witty and acerbic prose? My fridge never looked so stylish and spoke so eloquently before! I purchased this set of 18 magnets recently on my trip to California at The Huntington Library and Gardens gift shop. You can have your own set by purchasing them online. Which one is my favorite? Why, Catherine Morland’s famous line from Northanger Abbey, “I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.” Many other pert and profound quotes from our favorite Austen novels are included.

Jane Austen's Regency World Magazine No Dec 2011

Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine

The ultimate Austen indulgence, your Janeite friends and family members will huzzah when they receive an annual subscription to Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine which includes in depth articles on Jane Austen, her world and our modern interpretations. Highly collectable, Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine offers a great resource and enjoyment to all Austen fans. I proudly own a copy of the first issue!

Jewelry

Mr Darcy jewelry by HoolalaMr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice Saucy Riding Boots Locket Charm Necklace

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy….sigh…..he is an archetype of the aloof romantic hero, and of course the romantic interest of Elizabeth Bennet from the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I am sure any young lady (or older) imagining him in white breeches, leather riding boots and a heaving steed between his legs would come over all peculiar, perhaps even swooning, only to be revived by smelling salts….

Handmade by Hoolala, this necklace is designed for hopeless romantics everywhere. The silver plated locket measures 35mm x 23mm and the chain measures 62cms. The necklace will arrive gift wrapped and ready for gift giving (or keeping ;).

Calendars

Jane Austen Amiable Rancor 2012 Wall Calendar

Jane Austen’s Amiable Rancor 2012 Wall Calendar

The year would not be complete at Woodston Cottage without my copy of The Republic of Pemberley’s Amiable Rancor Wall Calendar. Filled with witty and acerbic Austen quotes, important dates, and beautiful Regency era fashion plate illustrations, any true Janeite would be tickled to hang this large, high-quality calendar in their home or office.

  • Each page measures 11″ x 17″, image measures 11″ x 11″
  • Full bleed dynamic color
  • 10pt heavyweight high gloss paper, wire-o bound
  • January 2012 – December 2012, US holidays marked

Food

Mariann's Wild Abandon Tea, by Bingley's Tea

Marianne’s Wild Abandon Tea

From Bingley’s Teas, a specialty tea blended to bring out the sensibility in us all. A blend of lively green and black teas with colorful flowers and passionate fruits that throw themselves together for a passionate combination! Candied fruits along with the vibrant flowers in this blend will entice you to run free and seek your heart’s desire.

Toys

The Austen Games

The Austen Games

This is the mystery gift suggestion of the season, cuz, the designers have been chatting about its development on Twitter for months, but darn if their website tells us anything. I believe it is a new role playing game, and all the details will be revealed on December 16, 2011, in honor of Jane Austen’s birthday. Developed by Adam Spunberg (Jane Austen Twitter Project) and my crack Austenprose reviewer Kimberly Denny-Ryder, this highly anticipated collaborative project has involved dozens of Janeites and should be quite intriguing, if not addictive!

Miscellaneous

Tea for One from the Jane Austen Centre Giftshop

Blue and White Porcelain Tea for One

Any of my friends and family will know that I adore blue and white pottery, so this beautiful rose design, three piece, tea for one set really feeds my need for British porcelain.  Janeites can brew one large cup of tea to enjoy while reading your favorite Austen novel or viewing a movie adaptation. Available from the Pemberley Collection online by the wonderful folks at the Jane Austen Centre Giftshop.

Happy Holiday to all of my readers! I hope that Santa brings you a few items from my list!

© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Naxos Audiobooks Collection of Jane Austen 25% Off

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , on 3 November 2011 | 1 Comment »

Naxos Audiobooks UK Sale Banner

UK readers will be pleased to discover that the entire Jane Austen collection by Naxos Audiobooks is 25% off online until January 31, 2012 at NaxosDirect.co.uk.

I adore this collection, many of which are narrated by the Incomparable Juliet Stevenson! That’s the entire Jane Austen collection, all six major novel and her minor works – and the complete collection – so make haste while the discount lasts.

Many thanks to faithful reader Tom Brown of Naxos (who admits to being an Austen nut) for alerting me to these great savings for UK residents.

Cheers,

Laurel Ann

© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine Nov/Dec 2011 Preview

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , on 27 October 2011 | 6 Comments »

Jane Austen's Regency World Magazine No 54 Nov/Dec (2011)Hot off the presses is the November/December 2011 (No 54) edition of Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine, the ultimate Austen reading indulgence. Here are the featured articles!

  • Stunning pictures from the Jane Austen Festival in Bath
  • Review of P&P: The Musical live from its staging in New York
  • Reports from JASNA’s AGM in Fort Worth, Texas
  • The Night Before Christmas: Georgian literature from the US
  • Choose the perfect seasonal gift for the Austen fan in your life
  • A new series of the Georgian courtroom drama Garrow’s Law
  • Do the men in Sense & Sensibility disappoint?

‘I sexed-up P&P’

Andrew Davies at the JASNA conference in Fort Worth, Texas

The man who made the famous Colin Firth adaptation of Pride & Prejudice told the Jane Austen Society of North America’s annual conference in Fort Worth, Texas, how he “looked for opportunities to get the characters out of their clothes whenever possible”. Read the full report in the new issue of Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine – out this week

Plus all the latest Jane Austen news, reviews, reports from JAS and JASNA, quiz and competition.

Need a seasonal gift?

A subscription to Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine is the perfect gift for friends and family who enjoy Jane Austen. To subscribe simply click here and have your gift mailed six times a year from Bath, England

© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Preview of the Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine Issue No 52, July/August 2011

Posted in Jane Austen Book Sleuth, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , on 25 June 2011 | 4 Comments »

Jane Austen's Regency World Magazine issue 52 Jul/Aug 2011The July/August 2011 issue of Jane Austen’s Regency World magazine is now on sale and has been mailed to subscribers.

In the new issue:

• JANE AUSTEN FESTIVAL IN BATH: A preview of the exciting programme lined up for September, 2011

• THEATRICAL PAINTINGS: The amazing set of costumed portraits collected by Somerset Maugham is now in safe hands

• COAST DELIGHTS: How Jane Austen depicts the seaside in her novels

• FORGOTTEN BROTHER: Maggie Lane traces the life of George Austen, Jane’s little-known brother

• LUNAR RIOTS: The day a Georgian society in Birmingham was attacked by a mob

• WHEN WE ARE GONE: How did Cassandra handle Jane’s legacy, and what about ours?

• JANE’S MEN: Our favourite author was not only an expert on women, she had a strong insight into the minds of men

Plus: All the latest news from the world of Jane Austen, as well as letters, book reviews, quiz, competition and news from JAS and JASNA.

Jane Austen’s Regency World will be at the following events, and look forward to meeting many subscribers, old and new:

  • July 9 &10 Jane Austen Festival, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
  • Sept 17 Jane Austen Festival, Bath, UK (country fayre)
  • Oct 13-15 JASNA AGM, Fort Worth, Texas, USA

For further information, and to subscribe, visit Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine

© 2007 – 2011 Jane Austen’s Regency World Magazine, Austenprose

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Mailbox Monday: The Elusive Jane Austen Bobble-head

Posted in Jane Austen Humor, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , on 20 June 2011 | 28 Comments »

Jane Austen bobble-headFor years I seriously thought that the Jane Austen bobble-head was a Janeite myth. I had never seen one in person, only “read” about them in my online travels. I once saw one listed in an eBay auction that went for an exorbitant final bid. Who would pay that much for a toy???

It became my Jane Austen Holy Grail. The ultimate Jane Austen accessory to add to my collection. I had to have it, so I patiently waited and watched and won one last week on eBay. She arrive in my mailbox today! Myth busted – and she is quite fetching indeed.

So who made this charming figure and why are they not available for sale? Further research on the Internet revealed that Greenwood Publishing Group gave them away at the ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) annual conference to publicize their mammoth edition of “All Things Austen” in 2005.

Now they can only be obtained second hand. The problem was, who the heck would want to give one up? Who indeed? Of all literary fans Janeites are quite passionate about their obsession.

So how did this beauty come to my attention? One advantage to having a blog about Jane Austen is that you can gush about her and her incredible mega-star-pop-culture status and people don’t think you’re nuts (well, only a little). I once listed the Jane Austen bobble-head on my Janeite Santa wish-list. It only took three years and six months for Santa to come through. (glad to know he is not entirely deaf to my whims) The seller actually alerted me to the auction and I was the winning bidder. Huzzah!

Jane now occupies a place of honor on my bookshelf right next to my complete set of Oxford Illustrated Jane Austen! *gloat*

Cheers, Laurel Ann

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Jane Austen Centre Online Giftshop Website Re-Launch

Posted in Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , on 24 May 2011 | 6 Comments »

Jane Austen Centre online Giftshop

Becca Hemmings, manager of the Jane Austen Centre Giftshop has contacted us to announce the re-launch of their new online website, selling exclusive and unique Austen merchandise Worldwide! This wonderful retailer offers an incredible assortment of Austen-inspired, books and craft items.Pride and Prejudice Peacock Shopper

One of my favs is the Pride and Prejudice Peacock Shopper. It is a complete replica of the 1894 cover of Pride and Prejudice designed by Hugh Thomson, and is gorgeous!

Be sure to visit the Jane Austen Centre Giftshop to check out the new website design and items available today!

© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Play Along with Matches & Matrimony: A Pride and Prejudice Tale

Posted in Jane Austen Humor, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , on 23 April 2011 | 6 Comments »

Matches & Matrimony: A Pride and Prejudice Tale (2011)OK Janeites, it’s Saturday AND a holiday weekend. Let’s have some mindless fun with a Pride and Prejudice gaming action! This new sims-like game, Matches & Matrimony, created by Reflexive® Entertainment was released in February. According to online reviews at Gamezebo and by Janeite, Jennifer at The Bennet Sisters Blog, it is quite diverting, but the 2D images are quaintly paperdoll painful. The upside is that they use much of Jane Austen’s text verbatim (huzzah!), it requires a lot of reading (oh horrors!!!) and you have to answer questions posited by the characters (thinking? double horrors). I am of course being very cynical (big surprise) and actually think this rather a great way to introduce someone to Pride and Prejudice, or for an acolyte of Jane Austen to expend a few hours of harmless diversion in pleasant company. Here is the game description from its creator.

Take the starring role in Jane Austen’s most popular novels as you become one of the Bennet sisters in search of a husband. Will you pursue Mr. Bingley, whose good nature has already endeared him to your sister, or perhaps Mr. Darcy, the famous protagonist from Pride and Prejudice? The narrative of Matches & Matrimony comes from the combining of 3 different novels, allowing you to create new storylines from Miss Austen’s most famous works! As you play you, will pick your daily routine to improve your characteristics, and then select your own path through the intersecting stories. With 9 different endings to be discovered, Matches & Matrimony can be played again and again as you create your own tale of classic romance.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet in Matches & Matrimony: A Pride and Prejudice Tale (2011)

  • 9 Different endings!
  • Hours of replayability!
  • 6 suitors to pursue!
  • 3 Novels in one game!
  • Thoughtful and Provocative gameplay!

Even better than the description, you can watch the game being played in fourteen parts by Michael at Big Fish Games on Youtube.

We admit to being a bit perplexed over who Hortensia Humperdink Walter III is and why Col. Brandon is in a P&P game, but throw up our hands in resignation and just go with it. You can also watch part two, and the rest of the segments online. Enjoy!

Happy Holiday everyone!

Cheers,

Laurel Ann

© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Follow Friday: Mr. Darcy Valentine by MellyMo

Posted in Jane Austen Inspired, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , , , , on 4 February 2011 | 7 Comments »

Mr. Darcy Valentine paper doll by MellyMo

All alone for Valentine’s Day? I think not! Celebrate with the only man you need, Mr. Darcy! He’s all ready for a date with you…he’s got the clothes, champagne, and presents! Great gift for yourself or any Austen fan…He’ll be a perfect companion on your fridge, locker, or office filing cabinet!

Make haste and visit MellyMo’s Etsy Shop to purchase this clever Mr. Darcy paper doll Valentine ’s Day treat for yourself, family or your fav Janeite! If you need it by V-day, please use the Priority Mail shipping upgrade. Be sure to check out the Elizabeth Bennet paper doll too!

Everyone deserves their very own Mr. Darcy, right?

© 2011 MellyMo, Austenprose

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Winner Announced in the Bingley’s Teas, Ltd Grand Gift Basket Giveaway

Posted in Jane Austen Inspired, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , on 4 January 2011 | 5 Comments »

Bingley's Teas, Ltd. Logo

121 of you weighed in and left a comment qualifying you for a chance at the Bingley’s Teas, Ltd. Grand Gift Basket Giveaway. The winner drawn at random is Felica, who left a comment on December 21. You luck duck. To claim your prize please contact me before January 11, 2011 with your full name and address. Shipment to continental US and Canadian addresses only.

Thanks again to Bingley’s Teas, Ltd for the great selection of Jane Austen inspired teas and the great giveaway.

© 2007 – 2011 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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Bingley’s Teas, Ltd. Introduces the Jane Austen Tea Series

Posted in Jane Austen Inspired, Jane Austen Merchandise, tagged , , , , , , on 21 December 2010 | 123 Comments »

Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet sipping tea in Pride and Prejudice 1995

We drank tea again yesterday with the Tilsons, & met the Smiths. – I find all these little parties very pleasant. —Letter from Jane Austen to her sister Cassandra 1811

Tea in Jane Austen’s society was not just a beverage, but a social ritual. Her novels and letters brim with references to her characters, herself and her family buying, preparing, serving, and drinking tea. It is mentioned no less than twenty times in her novel Mansfield Park.

Bingley's Teas at the Jane Austen Society of North America AGM Portland 2010

While attending the Jane Austen Society of North America’s conference in Portland this past October, one of the booths at the Milsom Street Emporium was Bingley’s Teas, Ltd. They were introducing a brand new line of teas the – Jane Austen Tea Series – beautifully packaged and aptly named after many of Austen’s famous characters:

Marianne’s Wild Abandon

A blend of lively green and black teas with colorful flowers and passionate fruits that throw themselves together for a passionate combination! Candied fruits along with the vibrant flowers in this blend will entice you to run free and seek your heart’s desire.

Compassion for Mrs. Bennet’s Nerves

At last there is compassion for what poor Mrs. Bennet suffers with her nerves!

A tisane of chamomile, peppermint, passion flower, rosehips, and lavender, sooth the most agitated of moments in a delicious cup. We recommend a touch of honey for added bliss!

Wicked Wickham

Dashing tart flavor with a candy like after taste in a humble white tea. A tea with so much charm it may lead you into temptation! The naturally withered, Pai Mu Tan White Tea and Pomegranate are both reported to have many anti-oxidant health benefits. Wicked Wickham, how bad could he be?

Bingley's Teas, Ltd. Jane Austen Tea Series packaging

Bingley’s Teas, Ltd.’s President Julia Matson has combined her passion for Jane Austen and fine teas and created the Jane Austen Tea Series, a line blended to match the personalities of the characters developed by the much loved author, Jane Austen to characteristics of fine teas. With a passion for studying tea and the works of this timeless author, Julia has striven to select the finest teas and presented them in gift quality packaging. “For me, through Bingley’s Teas, Jane Austen’s inspiration manifested itself via one of her favorite things, a quality cup of tea.” She is a member of the Specialty Tea Institute, training as a tea sommelier, and member of JASNA, with studies in English literature, languages and biology and healing arts.

Bingley's Teas Ltd. Jane Austen Tea Series Grand Gift Basket

Grand Gift Basket Giveaway

Enter a chance to win this beautiful Grand Gift Basket from Bingley’s Teas, Ltd., $75.00 value, which includes: one box each of Mr. Darcy, Miss Elizabeth, Longborn Wedding Tea, Compassion for Mrs. Bennett’s Nerves- Herbal Tisane, the novel Pemberley Manor, by Kathryn Nelson and a beautiful China Tea cup. Just leave a comment stating which of the tea pairings of Austen character personalities to teas appeals to you, or which of your favorite characters you would like included in the series by 11:59 PT, Monday, January 3, 2011. Winner to be announced on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Shipment to US or Canadian addresses only. Good luck to all participants!

Bingley's Teas, Ltd. Logo

© 2007-2010 Laurel Ann Nattress, Austenprose

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