The English Mademoiselle Diaries

Enter a vanished world: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962.
Where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver...

There's Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son's tragic death; Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue; and white Miss Skeeter, home from college, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared.

Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. No one would believe they'd be friends; fewer still would tolerate it. But as each woman fins the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another. Each is in search of a truth. And together they have an extraordinary story to tell...

Rating: 8/10

Other comment:

This enticing read that was given to me by my Mother and her book club ironically, keeps your attention and as you flick the pages you realise just how real this is, and that is was set just 50ish years ago in a place where there should be equal rights, not racism ingrained into the culture! There is no way I can review this without giving away the whole plot so can everyone just read this now, so I can discuss it with someone! If you have read it, comment your thoughts below please, I do reply honest!

The air was warm and sticky, as the ladies chinked their ice cold gin and tonics together. The misted tumblers glistened in the light as that all important topic of the nights party arrived, and it was with the quart once of venom in the voices of many that told the newbies that this was exclusive. You have to fight your way in with money, wit and good looks. Anyway back to the tale in hand, she sat just away from the main party by the art that had be laid against the wall, her head lowered just enough to create a sense of mystery about her. 

Later that evening, in the same attire she had donned earlier, layers of chiffon silk and a cotton tee, all cinched in tightly has her waist.  The summer weather called for a night of freshly cut grass, stars and swings. So as the sun set the party began, the icy champagne flowed from the bottles, as she began to swing higher and higher towards the sky, her legs outstretched until she jumped...landing with grace and poise next to the only eligible bachelor, who happened to be in the shadows away from the judging gazes of the many who surrounded them. She sat once more, but this time with a halo of light and flowers and a no longer single guy on her arm...

Dress from Angel Eye

T-shirt from New Look

Tights from H&M

Belt from New Look

Bracelets and ribbon are random 

xoxo Miriam 

The book club. For me a classic symbol of intelligence, and literary love. Exactly the sort of club I would love to belong to, but there is one problem. That problem is that I read a lot, and by a lot I mean 1-3 books in a week depending on where I am and what I am doing. Now I stopped reading so much for the last few academic terms, in order to learn... this was before I discovered my new reading spot.

I have migrated from my bed with its feather duvet and soft pillows, to my window. Now this may seen strange but it means I can sit and read as though I was outside, but without needing to find earphones that work properly. Yes I am one of those people who listens to music while I read, as a result all the books I read have a soundtrack, that only I can hear. 

Now back to this problem of mine, I read a lot. It has got to the stage where I now read instead of doing college work, which is why I am writing this post, to help with this rediscovered addiction to reading and book shopping! 

To make things worse my notepad with my to-do list in, is my bookmark!

So I have an idea. Probably one that no one will want to take part in...

An Online Book Club. One: it will control my reading habit, by one book every 2 weeks and two: I will discover books I would have never read before. 

So start I have reading list that I would like anyone who has read this far, to look at and comment their favourite. In my next post I will announce the winner and everyone will find a copy of this book, even if you have read it before and sit down with a cup of tea or coffee and some cake and just read. 

So here we are: 

The Help by Kathryn Stocket

Rules of Civility by Amor Towles 

The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald (The film is also fabulous and the soundtrack addictive!)

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini 

Eragon by Christopher Paolini 

This is how it will work once I have a winner, or I decide on a book, I will write a review and you can comment your views on the book, or if you have a blog write on there and tweet me the link! 

xo xo Miriam 

Inspired by the Delirium trilogy by Lauren Oliver, I painted these nails based on the character Lena's and also my favourite colour. Grey. "Not grey, exactly. Right before the sun rises there's a moment when the whole sky goes this pale nothing colour - not really grey but, sort of, sort of white, and I've always really liked it because it reminds me of waiting for something good to happen."  

So here is how to get my sunrise nails:

Step 1: 
Gather your equipment. 

(Moisturiser and nail file both Cath Kidston, make up sponge form boots, nail polishes: green from rimmel london, peach from barry m, and grey is a mavala colour given away by Elle magazine a couple of years ago)

Step 2: 
Moisturise your hands and file your nails.

Step 3:
Paint nails with clear polish and leave to dry.

Step 4:
Paint nails with a nude/peach colour.

Step 5:
Sponge a layer of pastel green/blue 3/4 of the way down the nail.

(Yes this is a messy process and I apologise for that) 

Step 6:
Sponge a light grey nail polish can be metallic on to the tips of your nails.

Step 7:
Apply a clear top coat and clean up around the edges of the nail.

(At this point I had not removed all the polish from around my nails.. Ooopps) 

xo xo Miriam

(if you try this, tweet me the results @coffeechanel) 

So it was time for the spring social, so naturally the dress code was black tie and masquerade.  With not a floral print in sight, the people of high society turned out to dance with the devil. An expression not to be taken lightly. I once heard that 'one has to be fearless to attend the spring social', I did not know why until tonight.

What does one do in situations likes this? Don't refuse the invitation  the stories, the lies, and the webs that are spun there are like nothing ever seen. I suppose you are wondering what I wore, as I am clearly not rich and famous, nor do I make clothes suitable for such an event, naturally I faked it. 

As the film states rather clearly, "The Devil Wears Prada". 

The second thing I think you ought to know, is that I can't tell you what happened inside, I was invited to tease and enthral readers of this blog I suppose, sworn to secrecy by the signed guest list. 

xo xo Miriam