Leading Ladies

It's Women's History Month, check this out!

Five Things to know about Elsa Schiaparelli: 

1. Elsa studied Philosophy at the University of Rome.

2. Schiaparelli fled to London to avoid the marriage to a persistent suitor, a wealthy Russian whom her parents favored and for whom she herself felt no attraction.  

3. She collaborated with other artists like Salvador Dali, Alberto Giacometti, and Cecil Beaton among many other artists of her day. 

4. Her clothes were worn and celebrated by some of history's most adventurous and creative women, including Amelia Earhart, Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. 

5.  She invented and/or redefined the jumpsuit, the wraparound dress, see through raincoats and colored tights. 

(image) 

this week's favorites...

As usual after I was flipping through the sweetest picture book on e.e. cummings last week,  I couldn't help but spend the next few days reading his poetry, his life story and his model wife, Marion Morehouse. What a beauty. These photos made me particularly happy this week :) 

(images)

The Grammarist

Not many people know I grew up being terrified of speaking or performing to the public. Yet, my childhood was filled with dance recitals, theater/piano performances and presenting twenty minute to half an hour long presentations in college and my masters program. And because of the trauma of screwing up, I never missed a note in a piano recital, a line in a theatrical performance or a step in a dance routine. I know I've fumbled over a few words presenting my senior thesis to my professors and peers but for the most part, I've always come out of the experience feeling happy with the end result.  As Children's Librarian, all I do is host programs, events and read to a decent sized audience in story time every week.You're probably wondering what does this short story have anything to do with today's grammar lesson?! As someone whose been on the other side of the stage many times, I'm wondering if you all know the difference between a podium and a lectern because so many people get the two confused. So on with today's lesson! 

A podium is a slightly raised platform that a public speaker or conductor stands on so that he may be seen. A podium is also a low rise which functions as a pedestal or foundation. The plural form is podiums or podia, either is correct. Podium comes from the Greek word podion  meaning foot of a vase.

A lectern is a tall stand with a top suitable for holding a book or notes for a speech. Lecterns are common in classrooms, churches and auditoriums. Due to the confusion between the words podium and lectern, a lectern is often incorrectly referred to as a podium, especially in North America. Lectern first appears in the fourteenth century as lettorne or lettron, from the medieval Latin word lectrum, which in turn comes from the Latin word legere which means to read.

...and in case you're still confused here is an image :)

(image via uppercase)

The Grammarist

Since I have been posting quotations every Monday for the last three or four years, I would like to keep Monday (an inspiration day?!) designated to all things English Grammar and English Lit related. So to change it up a bit and because I think I'll learn a few things along the way, let's turn our attention to English Grammar. I'll be honest, my grammar is the worst. So today is our first lesson :)

I first heard the phrase "In the doldrums..." in the fifth grade in my first attempt to read The Phantom Tollbooth. I do not remember why I never finished it but I do remember learning about the doldrum characters in the story. Now I'm pretty sure everyone knows what this phrase means, right?! If not, here you go. I'll include the definition and origin for you. Have a great Monday!!! 

In the doldrums is a phrase that means dispirited, feeling listless or mildly depressed. In the doldrums has a maritime origin, the Doldrums is an area in the ocean that is situated north of the equator and between two belts of trade winds. The trade winds meet in the Doldrums and neutralize each other, leaving the area windless. A sailing ship may be stranded in the Doldrums for a long period of time, running out of supplies and patience, waiting for a wind to blow it further on its journey. The term has been appropriated into common language to mean listless, languishing in depression. Doldrum comes from the Old English word dol, meaning foolish, dull.

(definition and origin thanks to grammarist, image via uppercase)

The Daily Escape

In the mood for complete relaxation and a trip where I can spend hours in museums, food markets, cathedrals and walking along small and winding European city streets, Italy is calling my name. Calabria, Italy to be exact. A vacation meant for nothing other than soaking up Ancient Roman History, lots and lots of gelato, margherita pizza, contemplating art and being romanced by a beautiful language.  Isn't this view gorgeous? What are you dreaming about? 

(image via) 

Leading Ladies

Five things to know about Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

1. She spoke four languages: English, French, Italian and Spanish.

2. She spent her first two years in college at Vassar, then was off to France her junior year at the University  of Grenoble and the Sorbonne. Upon her return to the states she finished at George Washington finally graduating with a degree in French Literature.

3. When it came to fashion, more than anything she loved black and white combos. However she preferred white bottoms and a black sweater or blouse.  

4. Jackie's first job after her college graduation was as a photographer for the Washington Times-Herald. 

5. As a lover of culture, history, language and art, Jackie felt it was her duty to make the White House a national monument. Eventually after writing letters requesting donations, she was able to transform the White House into housing important historical artwork, artifacts and furniture-in which she gave a live tour on national television!