I was feeling a little silly about writing about this show, and then saw a few of my favorite bloggers doing the same thing so I know it’s cool. Also, do you ever have stuff just floating around in your brain that you absolutely must share with someone? And then you try to talk about it, maybe just in casual conversation, and you realize the topic that seemed so utterly urgent and possibly even worthy of an entire book club meeting, well it’s just, hmmm, not?
Case in point: the other night I was out with friends and somehow (I totally know how, I forced the topic) arose the subject of those Neiman Marcus items Target had for sale over the holidays. Did you ever notice those? Oh, I see. You’re still marveling at how I managed to work this topic into casual conversation over some margaritas? I’m a PRO, people. But I will admit, it came across as a tad random and met with sub-enthusiasm.
While we’re on the subject (ha! I did the same thing to YOU!), what DID you think about that? Here’s what I thought, just the other day as I noticed all that high-end (in name) merchandise gathering dust in Target’s 70 percent off bin. It goes like this: the people who want a Marc Jacobs scarf are not going to be willing to get the Target version of that item. Same with the Skaist Taylor fur vest, the Oscar del la Renta pet bowl and the very, very cute Prabal Gurung cape shawl which I’ll admit right here I had been eyeing since back when it was $79.99. And then it got down to $20 and I couldn’t bring myself to buy it. I did try on the fur vest and stood in the mirror mulling things over when I suddenly remembered I wasn’t currently fronting a rock band touring major U.S. cities. I’m cool, but not that cool.
I noticed some girls on Twitter (friend of a friend, I don’t know them IRL) lamenting the fact that Tory Burch was being sold at Target and how horrible it was because “it cheapens the brand.” Of course I laughed, but it reminded me of a time, forever ago, when I was obsessed with Martha Stewart. I referred to her books before making any kind of home decorating decision and while I couldn’t afford any of the items for sale under her then very limited brand, I was in love.
And then she came to K Mart and I knew, after studying ad nauseum her line of Arucauna-inspired interior paints and obsessing over her vast collection of jadite and McCoy pottery, that Martha would never buy anything at K Mart. She just wouldn’t. So why would I buy some Made In China mixing bowl with Martha’s name on it if she herself would never settle for anything less than (at the very least) vintage Americana but more likely procured in a French flea market. Or an auction at Christie’s.
Wow, this is shaping up to be a really snobby sounding post but bear with me. That’s not what I’m getting at. I’m really just curious, from a marketing standpoint, what happened with the Neiman Marcus line at Target, and why it didn’t sell much at all (based on the fact that the before and after sale racks looked to have the same amount of items). People who want the high-end name want the real deal, not the “made for the masses” version.
Okay, thanks for putting up with that (whoever is still reading). Again, gotta get these thoughts out and like I said, bringing it up at Margarita Night didn’t meet my need of over-analysis.
MOVING RIGHT ALONG!
Everyone seems so relieved that Edith didn’t end up with Sir Anthony (I’m talking about Downton Abbey now, not Martha Stewart).
Are you relieved they didn’t wind up together? I don’t know, for some reason I was excited for her. She seemed so happy to have a sense of purpose and it really seemed to me (based on the tee-iny amount I know and understand about that time in history) that she really didn’t have any outlets for meeting anyone else. Where would she have met someone? I guess I read somewhere about her maybe traveling to America for adventure. Maybe that will work out?
But take our need for a sense of romance and youth and beauty out of it (although Sir Anthony wasn’t too bad to look at, right? He wasn’t overly geriatric, dangling arm aside), it would have been a nice set-up for Edith. The large house, the large staff, a life outside of her parents. What’s the big deal?
I’ll admit that I was a tad annoyed that people were so down on the union until the Dowager Countess stepped in. I read somewhere that this action seemed out of character for her but it made me feel like the break-up was the right move. Up until then I was rooting for the sweet old/young couple to get married. And then Gramma stepped in and said everyone knew breaking up was the right move and so, not one to disagree with the Dowager, I nodded my head in solemn assent. It must be this way, Edith. I am so sorry.
Also, I wish I could record footage of Paul’s reaction to Matthew about that stupid letter and the stupid money. Matthew was being such a martyr about the whole thing and the best part was I thought Paul was going to reach through the television and wring Matthew’s neck. Get over yerself, Matt dude. Just chill. (p.s. I knew all along that Lavinia didn’t die thinking Matthew was her besmitten and it was QUITE revealing that he had such a high opinion of himself in the situation. Oh, heck, I don’t know that I totally agree with what I just wrote there.) But the bottom line was his schtick was getting real old real fast. Thanks goodness Mary has a brain and knows how to use it.
One last thought I’ll share, unrelated to Downton but along the lines of “this must be shared with someone” is the fact that someone spilled an entire cup of milk in my van two days ago. And now my van smells exactly as it should had someone spilled a large cup of milk all on the carpeting two days ago. Oh my heck, whoever said you shouldn’t cry over spilled milk never had a kid spill one. In her van.
I was very sad for Edith! And Sir Anthony! Didn’t like that bit at all
And normally I’m all for Granny’s buttinski-ness but this was kind of mean, IMO. Agree with you wholeheartedly about Matthew and the $, even though normally I like Matthew a lot–notsomuch Mary, but I’ll put up with her. Bring on more Anna and Bates!
I’m ready for Bates to be out of prison though. I was much more intrigued by their story back when it was happy and fresh!
Old spilled milk is the worst of smells! Makes me gag. I would be crying, and cringing, too!
I bought this huge “diffuser” thing at Publix. Hoping that will help until I can shampoo rug. Bleck.
My mom shared this with me when one of my toddlers threw up spaghettios and hot dog in the third row of the Suburban. After cleaning up as much as possible repeatedly apply paper towels soaked in a vinegar water mix (I just guessed – 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 water), blot, apply, blot, etc. It definitely helps get rid of the odor.
Edith should have married Sir Anthony. And Matthew, needed to get over himself and Mary will help him:)
I like that Mary doesn’t put up with his histrionics.
We have a new-ish rule in our home (car?). No milk in the car. Ever. If we’re eating on the run, and a child REALLY wants chocolate milk with their happy meal, that’s just too bad. Mom rules all.
Why do we have this rule? We were exactly where you are now. I left the car in the garage and kept the windows open for about 2 days.
Good luck!
Smart lady. I will never, NEVER allow a Tervis tumbler filled with chocolate milk into the van again.
I’ve been there with the spilled milk, I recommend baking soda, scrubbing it and then Febreeze to keep covering it up until the smell is finally gone, gone, gone. I would rewet the site, sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda over it, scrub into it…let sit (but don’t forget it) and then re-wet and use a wet/dry vac to suck it all up. This was what we did, with fairly good results.
As far as Lady Edith and Sir Anthony – I was TICKED, I liked their union and wanted to see them happy together. Especially, after Mary messed with them the first season (although Edith was a pill herself).
Matthew was about to get clobbered in this house too, and we were all SOOO happy Daisy spoke up and the matter got neatly taken care of.
I do love that show, love it!
Oh about Target and the Neiman’s brand…..I was excited about the clothes until I saw the price tag. At least when Martha Stewart marketing her stuff for K Mart it had K Mart prices. The Neiman’s stuff was still as Neiman’s prices and I go to Target for the classier merchandise that is still at a discount – I believe that is why they didn’t sell. Neiman’s should have known the audience and either pulled those people to Neiman’s or marked the items down to closer to Target pricing – just my 2 cents and I didn’t even need Margaritas to ply them out of me, LOL!
Thanks for the tips for the rug. And I agree — I’m all about the cool, nice stuff at Target. But I don’t go there to spend $80 on clothing pieces.
I have to say I like the actor who plays Matthew a whole lot better in Sense and Sensibility. (A PBS version that was done a couple of years ago.) Check it out. He has longer brown hair and is knee-meltingly handsome.
I can’t stand him as Matthew. So priggish and full of himself. Get over it, Matthew!
The guy who plays Sir Anthony was in another PBS production, “Emma”. He played Mr. Weston. Ironically, Mr. Weston marries a younger woman, Emma’s governess, Miss Taylor. Check out that one, too!
Will check those out! Thanks!
Okay- as if Ross needed one more speech about how we can move anywhere as long as it’s Augusta or Savannah. THIS post, more than any of your wonderful, thought-provoking, encouraging, inspiring ones (not that this one isn’t), solidifies that I wish we could be more than internet friends. Stalkish?? A), Right on about NM for Target. B) even if I agree that maybe selling at Target cheapens the brand, kind of snobbish to put on twitter. C) I was sad for Lady Edith but wondered if the “this is my life’s work” speech would get old as quickly as Sir. Anthony. Also, apparently Sir Matthew is as self-righteous in real life as he was about that money because the always accurate US weekly (please don’t judge) said he’s not coming back next season to pursue other interests. Okay enough. Now I’m a stalker and a Downton groupie. #gettingalifequicklypromise. xo
Keri,
Thanks for the US Weekly update. Wonder if Sir Matthew will get killed off on the show?!
Come visit us sometime! We’d love to have yall. xo
Rachel, I couldn’t finish reading your post because i am behind on DA so I didn’t want to read any spoilers, but I totally get the conversation about Target, etc. I always have those deep thoughts about random things and my poor husband ends up hearing the “You know what I was thinking about today….” monologue about shopping carts, parking lots, certain packaged food directions, etc, and politely saying “Hmmm, I think I see what you mean.”
So, I just wanted to say, I would have totally been into the discussion at Margarita night!
Well I’m just glad I have ya’ll to discuss all these important topics with!
Few thoughts here:
1. I’m glad you are back to posting again.
2. I too felt bad for Edith, but hopefully she finds someone else?
3. I also reccommend the Febreeze. But forget about spraying it. Just uncap the whole bottle and pour, baby, pour! Worked for me. (Don’t use the whole bottle, but a good maybe a 1/4 cup depending on the spill size).
I will keep Febreeze in mind. I bought some kind of “scent sucker” that supposed to eradicate ALL smells. WE shall see.
Can I get a prize for staying a loyal reader? No, I’m kidding, because even this post was funny.
Ok, I did buy my wife the Downton book for Christmas 2011 and I did watch a couple of episodes over here in the uk. I, eh, can’t comment on Matthew.
And now I know why I live in Scotland. We have so many of these abbey-type places to visit all around us and spilled milk in the car doesn’t bother us so much as we only have about a couple of weeks of hot weather every year. The rain washes out the milk.
Thank you for your loyalty and comments, as always!
I’ve never commented, but I do enjoy reading your words. And when I saw you had written about Downton, oh my, I had to speak up. I, too, was very happy for Edith, because she seemed genuinely happy with the situation. Looking back, though, she completely forced the situation. Was Sir Anthony ever actually happy with her? He always came across as just bemused with her. Also, is something brewing with Molesey? He always seems so…uncomfortable. Finally, yes, Matthew was being ridiculous, and that whole plot was just tiring. Didn’t we all know that he would eventually fork over the money, because the show’s title is Downton Abbey, not just Downton New House.
Whew, glad I got that off my chest. Thanks for your blog!
I’m glad to be here to you to share! I hear you about Mosely…I’m waiting for something to happen. I just don’t like the tension. I feel the same way about Thomas. He’s so horrible, and yet he continues to be just horrible enough without having anything “permanent” come of his wicked ways.
I just love that you wrote about Downton. I stumbled upon it a few years ago after surfing Netflix while being sick with the flu. It was the perfect cure! I love that you love it, too!
Still waiting for pics of your new living arrangements!
I will share soon! I’m painting this week and then hope to post about it.
I adore this post. #1: The Marc Jacobs/Neiman stuff at Target–huge fail. We had bins of scarfs and clutches on super clearance–which was unimpressive for a Target clearance anyway. And I noticed racks and racks of the same “little black dress”. . .so sad. Plus, if I may be so bold, most of it was pretty not pretty.
#2: Edith and Sir. I was pulling for them. I thought it was a good fit. I still don’t really see why everyone was so very opposed, especially given that nobody seems very fond of Edith and it would have been a good way to see her put away neatly. But, I guess I underestimated their *love* for her. Also, I was a little creeped out by the utilitarianism of her comment that she loved him because of his bum arm, so that he might be her life’s work. That moment between them made me question my original bias in favor of the coupling.
#3 Matthew acting like a self-important little ninny about the inheritance was a huge disappointment in his character development for me. Maybe this was the only way they saw fit to round him out, but I thought it was really inconsistent. I imagine your conversation with your husband was similar to mine with mine.
#4 Odoban the heck out of the milk spill.
Oh my gooodness, I had to keep from laughing out loud so I didn’t wake the little guys!
Totally agree about Martha and the Big K. Never made sense.
Kari, I also cringed when Edith said that Anthony would be her “life’s work.” What man wants to hear that?
It would also be nice if at least one DA plot line would take longer than 30 minutes to resolve (besides Bates in prison). IMHO.
A gallon of milk broke in our station wagon just a few days before my brother was to use the car for his big prom date. Never will forget the long lingering odor – and this was back in the day when a family only had one car.
I’m glad Edith/Sir Anthony didn’t work out – mostly because poor Edith’s trials as the middle sister are so entertaining! As for the milk – I’ll just say that about 6 or 7 years ago, a crock pot of hot cheese dip tipped over in my husband’s car on the carpet. Despite a massive clean-up effort on our part, Febreeze, shampooing, etc., on the occasional hot Atlanta summer day, you can STILL get a whiff. I advise professional cleaning in there!
(Huge DA fan here, just jumped on the bandwagon this fall and Netflixed the earlier seasons so we’d be ready for Jan. 6th.)
But really I just wanted to offer one more suggestion about the spilled milk – pour strong coffee on the same spot. It should help reduce the smell and if you smell coffee instead, all the better! Good luck.
I felt the same way with Edith!? Why couldn’t she love a man with a disability? Why couldn’t she try for her own happiness and start a life away from her family? I honestly didn’t understand why everyone was so down on her when they don’t appreciate her being around anyway! And the whole Matthew thing-agreed!