Blue Stocking– is an educated,intellectual woman. Such women are stereotyped as being frumpy and the reference to blue stockings refers to the time when woolen worsted stockings were informal dress, as compared with formal, fashionable black silk stockings
Growing up I was always under the impression that being a blue stocking was a good thing. That could be because 1) my mom only told me the first part of the definition (educated? intellectual? I like that) and 2) I imagined smart women wearing bright blue (probably silk) stockings that looked rebellious under tweed skirts.
Actually, I think being a blue stocking is a good thing. I don’t care about the “frump,” and the word “worsted” is a little off-putting (do they make worsted stockings anymore?), but I like a lady or gent that has a large library. This library could be a double storied room with ladders, or the public library down the road. I just really like people who like books. If they wear literal or metaphorical blue stockings, all the better.
Instead of actual blue stockings, I opted for a blue dress (Rodarte for Target)- it’s already way too hot for stockings in the ATL. All of these photos are taken in my parents’ library. Oh, and you know how Cath and I like to color coordinate our bookshelves. Look who we got it from:
Our mom is actually covering the unseemly paperbacks with recycled paper (the hardbacks are color-coded, if deemed worthy of being. disrobed de-jacked).
We definitely get our book-worminess from our mom. See that book in the photo above that looks like it’s been placed there to look like someone’s reading it? Our mom actually is!
Our dad’s job in the library? He outfitted the bookshelves. They used to be drab Ikea things, but he refaced them with a wooden veneer and copious amounts of molding and paint.
Speaking of book nerdiness, what are you guys reading now? I usually have about 5 books in rotation at once (usually I finish about half of them). My current favorite is by far Just Kids (the Patti Smith book I mentioned here).
I enjoyed reading about the care that your parents used while creating this book display. My favorite part would have to be the pockets of silver on the shelves. Are all the silver bowls awards or family heirlooms?
The last book that I read was My Mother’s Clothes which is just a touching collection of a woman’s memories defined through her clothing. I plan on putting a copy in my mom’s mother’s day gift this year.
gah, two days later and i’m JUST telling you this but [cath] YOU WON MY ECO GIVEAWAY! (i suppose it is appropriate since it’s earth day, should have played it off like i had planned it so!!) haha, i hope you are excited for your insect free picnics in the future :)) email me your addy to jmarie1486@gmail and i will get the bundle sent out to ya,
have a lovely night
ps////GREAT BOOKSHELVES and color coordination, i like that!!
How sweet. The blue dress is a nice spin on blue stockings. But I suspect you’d make blue woolen stockings work anyway.
I’m drooling over that bookshelf right now.
I love those book shelves and that dress! I’m currently reading Persuasion by Jane Austen. I’m such a nerd that I actually love reading classics.
I’m reading my way through Midnight’s Children currently. 🙂
Ooo I have yet to try any Rushdie, Victoria! I’ve actually met him at a party in Atlanta, but never read anything by him (shameful, I know!).
what pretty pictures. i love your rodarte blue dress and that you girls colour code your bookshelf.
quite the bookworm myself although these days i’m reading less and reading online more. i must admit i am reading breaking dawn right now. i know it’s tacky but i can’t help it. i actually love classic eng lit like dickens, austen and bronte sisters. so i guess occasional tackiness is ok
Oh I’m totally the same way, Liv! I read things I’m embarrassed to admit and then balance it out with the classics.
Ooh! I’ve never heard of the term blue stocking, but it’s kind of a marvelous, wonderful term. I love these photos and I love love love it whenever you talk about books. I’m reading three books right now too, not including 2 books of poetry that I might never ever finish because I love starting things and I can’t ever finish anything.
xo
Ooo lovely, Jenny! I’ll try to mention books more often actually because I do read a lot (apart from AsianCajuns, it’s probably my biggest hobby at the moment ;)).
im in love with your dress. its divine, and the flower so pretty.
hope youre having an wonderful day lovely. i want to be a bookworm. but i get bored too easily but there are some books that really captured me completely. F.ex stieg larsson’s triology “millenium” and “kite runner” and “a thousand splendid suns”.
GORGEOUS pics!!! Your parents library is fabulous!
Pretty girl, pretty library. I can’t imagine what your dad must have gone through to get those shelves so beautiful! What a lot of work!
I’m plowing through a bunch of magazines, taking a break from reading books right now. I have three books waiting for me.
Where oh where did you find that dress? I love it!
Hi Jane! The dress is from Target when Rodarte did a line for them at the end of last year (Dec. 2009). I don’t think it’s in stores any longer- but do check ebay, etc.
you look dashing in this dress!!!!
love.this.dress.
Love the dress, SOOOOO pretty!! I must find me a target! 😉
Oh also, I’m reading “Stardust” by Neil Gaiman. So good 🙂
Le sigh. What a delicious, divine set of bookshelves. Gorgeous.
Right now I am reading a bunch of research articles, Distinction by Pierre Bourdieu, and Catching a Wave by Dicker. But what I would like to be reading is Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. She wrote The Hunger Games, which I just finished reading, and it was SO GOOD. Definitely pick it up if you get a chance.
Ooo I love book recommendations. Thanks, Emily!
Can you believe this is the first time I’ve heard the expression “blue stocking”? But if it involves wearing pretty blue dresses and frolicking in libraries full of wonderful books like you’re doing, well, sign me up please!
Hmm right now I’m reading the last book in Robertson Davies’s Deptford trilogy, World of Wonders. It’s just very, very good Canadian lit and he has this slightly archaic lilt to his narrative voice. He was definitely a product of the early 20th century’s education system and it shows in his writing. Many contemporary writers don’t write elegant and erudite prose the way he can.
The trilogy sounds awesome, Lisa! Thanks for the recommendation!
Oh wowwww your parent’s bookshelf is amazing. I am so amazed, it looks so beautiful. I love the little step too. I so love those shots of you with the books. You have a gorgeous smile Lar.in fact you both do!
I wish I was reading a novel at the moment. Apart from reading textbooks, I have Murakami’s, ‘The Wind Up bird Chronicle’ sitting beside my bed.but it’s been untouched for the longest time!
Lar. I envy your parents library!! It’s gorgeous. 🙂 I really do adore how your whole family color coordinates their books! As for reading, I haven’t really read a “good” book lately. I really should though.
. and of course you are looking as beautiful as every. I love the blue dress on you. I love how you pinned that oversized flower and I love that you are barefeet! 🙂 I hope you had a great Friday! Here’s to the weekend. Yipeeeeee!!
xx Love & Aloha
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wow really love that blue dress of yours
so adorable
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Those bookshelves are amazing! I am reading Caucasia and just finished Little Bee, which I did not like. I used to read lots of books at the same time, but now I feel like I can get them done faster and enjoy them more reading one at a time. But, that’s just me. Have you read Coraline? The book is awesome!
I feel the same about reading one book at a time, but I’m so capricious lately and can’t help it! I haven’t read Coraline, but I will definitely take up all your recommendations 😉 (maybe at the same time!)
I am currently reading Dead End Gene Pool by Wendy Burden
Going to read a synopsis now- thanks, Emma!
loving the dress:) cute post!<3
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I color coordinate my books too! my brother says it’s the most superficial way to looks at literature, but I insist I remember the color of a book cover better than what sub category/genre I might have filed it in.
Currently, I’m reading the God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. Heavy stuff, and very interesting.
Thanks so much for the compliment on the bookshelf. I got it at Design Toscano. I ordered it online.
I would like to see a post of what you girls carry in your purse. I will do a post like that as well on my blog.
The library looks beautiful and so do you! The dress is wonderful–I remember it!
I recently finished reading “Someone Will Be with You Shortly: Notes from a Perfectly Imperfect Life” and will revisit it.shortly.and read it again. Very funny. But first I’m starting “The Pig Did It” set in Co. Kerry, Ireland, for some Irish humor.
wow that dress is gorge xxxx
Your parents’ library looks so lovely! And this is such a perfect frock for you lady.
such a gorgeous library! I love it! I adore books, and you look lovely in blue!
Pretty in. blue! The dress looks so flirty and soft. Love your parents’ library! I’m currently reading Kelly Cutrone’s book and it is like a wake-up call. Really recommend it to anyone looking for a new book to read.
xo, becs
I’m so glad to find out I’m not the only one with OCD! I’ve also color-coded the books in my home library; sectioned them off by genre and then organized it in alphabetical order; created Excel sheets to index every book I owned; covered my first edition hardcovers with white paper; attempted to implement my very own version of the Dewey decimal system.it goes on.
Btw, love the photography here. And beautiful dress! It looks fantastic on you.
Those are legit bookshelves! As for books I’m reading? The Elegant Universe by Brian Greene is pretty good. Although I haven’t gotten all the way through it yet.
I’ve been reading those unpublished Salinger stories one by one.
Monocle magazine is always in my bag too.
thanks for the b-day wishes!
wow, beautiful dress! love how ur mom color coordinates her bookshelves. it looks great! i just purchased “happens everyday” by isabel gillies:)
wow, what a fun event! i love the installations and the concept behind farm tactics! thank u for sharing, becs! loving ur outfit, too:)
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oops i accidentally pasted a comment for another blog on the second part of my message. so sorry!! lol
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You’re too cute. I’ve never heard that term before, I learned something new!
I absolutely love that dress on you and I love what your mom and dad with the books and the shelves! Who says Ikea can’t look good after a few (or more than a few) touches?
I used to get blue-stockinged confused with round-heelednot the same!