Did you know that there is a 10 day Jane Austen Festival happening right now in Bath, UK?  Oh my goodness, an addition has been made to my bucket list.  I am now wondering if I could possibly get my hubby to dress up like Mr. Darcy?  Okay, if not Darcy then Edmond Bertram?  So this festival looks beyond awesome they have lectures, tours, talks, book readings and wait for it a costumed promenade!  Need I say more?  No, I didn’t think so.  Just look how much fun these Janeites are having?  The costume possibilities…oh my.  Clearly if you are not an Austen fan, then this is not your cup of tea.

I don’t know what it is in particular that I love so much about Austen, or how I can read the books over and over again.  I think it is her timeless characters that, although they are 200 years old now, still are valid in their pursuits and ideas.  I love that there is wit and cynicism amongst some of my favorites.  Fanny Price from Mansfield Park is my ultimate favorite Austen character.  Some facts about Pride and Prejudice….soldiers coming home from WWI were given copies to read for its soothing qualities.  Winston Churchill would read his copy during times of stress.   I myself find her books to be quite calming, more so like old friends when I read them over and over again.  I do have to say I like Winston Churchill all the more knowing he would turn to Ms. Austen in times of strife.

Well if you can’t get to Bath this weekend for the final days of the festival you might as well check out some of these fine Austen inspired items.  Get ready to get your geek on.

Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice Play Set – I’ve made my love for all things BabyLit known.  These little play set is just the cutest with little cutouts, what is not to love about it.

Keep Calm and Read Jane Austen Pillow – Can’t you just see this fabulous pillow in your book nook?   I am lusting for the pillow and the nook right about now.  The only real question to ask is which book to start reading first.

I Heart Darcy Tote – Darcy does get all the love, but it’s well worth it, don’t you think?  Perfect bag to cart books to and from the library or to your Jane Austen book club perhaps?

Pride and Prejudice Quote Print – I don’t mean to swoon, but this print is just lovely.

Mr. Darcy Plush – Seriously cute, perfect for even the smallest of Austen fans.

Books – Pride and Prejudice  or Sense and Sensibility – adorable primers for your petites.  Start those babies off on the right foot to be the next generation of Janeites.

Darcy’s Proposal Onesie – How cute would it be to have your baby, reading Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibilities board books while wearing this?!  I’m thinking my petite needs this immediately.  Baby Janeite, yes please.

Jane Austen Anthology of Seven Novels – this anthology has been out there for a while now, but its lovely leather bound cover and over 1200 gilded pages make it quite the Austen fan collectable.

 

 

Darcy’s Proposal Scarf – You can feel the chill in the air and what better to keep you warm than this adorable scarf.

 

Lizzie Bennet’s Diary – This diary was just published in the spring and it is so cute, has little flaps you can lift and is filled will all sorts of cuteness.  It gives a great introduction into the novel and does so in a way that looks like a scrapbook diary.

Pride and Prejudice T-shirt – I love this shirt, it is incredibly unique and everyone really should wear shirts, so why not wear a cool Pride and Prejudice one?

Hopefully this post will make you smile or find the perfect present for your favorite Austen fan.

Happy Weekend,
Erin