i liked the hush, the gloom, the quaintness

"All these relics gave... Thornfield Hall the aspect of a home of the past: a shrine to memory. I liked the hush, the gloom, the quaintness of these retreats in the day; but I by no means coveted a night's repose on one of those wide and heavy beds: shut in, some of them, with doors of oak; shaded, others, with wrought old-English hangings crusted with thick work, portraying effigies of strange flowers, and stranger birds, and strangest human beings, — all which would have looked strange, indeed, by the pallid gleam of moonlight."

--Charlotte Bronte, Jane Eyre

Andy and I went to see Cary Fukunaga's Jane Eyre on Saturday. We both really enjoyed it. (Yes, even Andy did! Though he was a bit frustrated by how restrained everyone was.) It was beautifully filmed, and Mia Wasikowska was fantastic as Jane.

We went for cocktails afterwards, but we stopped first to take pictures in front of some of the old buildings that are across the street from the bar. I really like this part of downtown Grand Rapids. The streets are cobblestone and there are some great old buildings.

I have no idea what I'm doing here, but I wanted to show a picture of the Richmond Stamp Works sign. They are still in operation, and even have a website with the funny motto "For those with the unique creative ability to press down really hard." I think it's high time I visit them and have a stamp made.

The only thing I'm wearing that's vintage is the cardigan. But I'm carrying my beautiful plum leather bag from Jenny N Design on Etsy.

This building is boarded up, but still has the old, swinging wooden frame door on the outside. And I love the hand-painted sign on the heavy doors further down.

xo

K