Stephanie Verni's Blog, page 108

January 13, 2013

Naming Your Home

The idea of naming your home, manor, mansion, or castle came into play in Britain and is a custom for those who were incredibly well-off. Often, the home was linked to a place in which it was located. But it wasn’t just the rich folks who named their houses; you would also find tradesmen and merchants naming their homes as well. Soon, it became common practice that anyone could name his home. Here in the States, it is not a [...]
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Published on January 13, 2013 09:10

January 11, 2013

Coffee & Books

There are few things that bring me as much pleasure as seeing lots of books and smelling the smell of coffee. I think that’s one of the greatest appeals to bookstores with coffee shops in them; the two intertwine and make you want to sip and read. It’s still early in January, and it’s not too late to make a resolution to read some good books this year. We haven’t talked about books much in a while, so this is [...]
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Published on January 11, 2013 13:15

January 10, 2013

Thoughts on Teaching & The Spring Semester

None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody—a parent, a teacher an Ivy League crony or a few nuns—bent down and helped us pick up our boots. ~ Thurgood Marshall This year’s winter break has been a short one. I’m still getting my ducks in order and readying myself for the spring semester. It never feels daunting to me, but rather like a breath of fresh air…spring air. [...]
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Published on January 10, 2013 08:08

January 8, 2013

Mitch Albom, A Time Keeper, and Popularity

After I had my teeth scraped, cleaned, flossed and gagged on my fluoride treatment this morning, I headed off to one of my favorite places on the planet: Barnes & Noble. My Mitch Albom book had arrived and was waiting for me at the front desk. When she handed me my copy of it, I stared at it. “The Time Keeper. A Novel.” I love the cover. The cover of this book is very simple, yet very cool. Most of [...]
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Published on January 08, 2013 10:10

January 7, 2013

Writers & Art: Some Inspiration

This is one of my favorite quotes by Andy Warhol. I love the simplicity of it. As someone who is in the throws of writing a second novel, there are days when I wonder about it. Is it any good? Are my characters believable? Am I telling the story the best way I can? For fellow writers out there, this quote is one of those to keep next to you…just keep going. Just keep making more art. Filed under: 8-Creative [...]
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Published on January 07, 2013 15:06

January 6, 2013

What Maggie Smith Brings To “Downton Abbey”

There is much hype as the anticipation builds for tonight’s season premier of “Downton Abbey.” Most of that spotlight has been grabbed by Shirley MacLaine, as she will be playing the mother of Cora (played by Elizabeth McGovern), Martha Levinson. And while fans are looking forward to seeing the character come to life through MacLaine’s portrayal, this blogger desperately looks forward to Maggie Smith’s return as the Dowager Countess. The writer’s of “Downton Abbey” are ingenious. Maggie Smith gets all [...]
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Published on January 06, 2013 08:13

January 4, 2013

Fashion Friday: 5 Winter White Pieces for Your Wardrobe

Someone asked me the other day why I don’t post Fashion Friday tips any longer. The answer is that I only did it for fun during the summer. I still like fashion and enjoy dissecting my wardrobe once in a while, and one thing I don’t have is white in my wardrobe. Most days, I can be found wearing black. However, as the post-holiday doldrums are setting in, and some of us have the post-holiday blues, I thought I’d brighten [...]
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Published on January 04, 2013 14:59

January 3, 2013

Disagreeing with the Critics—And Adam Lambert—About “Les Miserables”

He had me at “The King’s Speech.” Tom Hooper, director of the aforementioned film, has now tried his hand at directing a musical: the film adaptation of the Broadway sensation “Les Miserables.” To clarify, the gentleman did not just try his hand at directing this emotional musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, but he succeeded with high marks. It is a moving tribute to the book, and Hooper’s camera glides effortlessly from scene to scene, leaving you amazed in [...]
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Published on January 03, 2013 13:09

January 2, 2013

Five Al Fresco Dining Spots You Won’t Want to Miss

I don’t know about you, but I thoroughly enjoy al fresco dining. Feeling the fresh air on our faces whilst we enjoy food or a cocktail is, as one friend used to say, “simply the best.” It’s cold here in Baltimore, and the holidays are over. I’m no longer dreaming of a White Christmas, but rather of a night out sipping cocktails and enjoying a splendid view in warmer weather. In fact, after reading an article in The Baltimore Sun [...]
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Published on January 02, 2013 17:04

Ignoring the “13” in 2013

I already had to write the date on something. I scrawled it out in cursive: January 1, 2013. I’m not typically a superstitious person, though after knowing my friend Jenny for over 20 years, you tend to recognize and feel bad ju-ju right away. (I tell her laughingly all the time that if she put a turban on, grabbed a crystal ball, and sat at a circus booth she could probably make a small fortune). She’s got good instincts about [...]
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Published on January 02, 2013 05:34