Monday, January 31, 2011

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #19

PEACOCK SUPERSTITIONS

In the classic Nancy Drew book #34, The Hidden Window Mystery, Nancy's motherly housekeeper Hannah Gruen notes, "You know some folks think peacocks, especially the feathers in their fan tails, bring bad luck."

We also learn in the book that marks in the fans are said to be evil eyes and that in India, peacocks are held to be sacred. Peacocks are also bad luck to actors--or so Sheila Patterson believes.

If you want to learn more about the good or bad luck of the peacock, click here.

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #18

GOT PEACOCK INSPIRED FASHION?

Wear it with pride at the convention this year! The above one-sleeve ensemble is from Macys.

Mrs. Dondo's Pick:
Cami set from Anthropologie


Forever 21


Jenn:)

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Nancy Drew Cafe Press Shop: Free Ship Special

Nancy Drew Shop Free Ship on Orders over $40.00!

WHEN: Jan . 30 - Feb. 3, 2011

SAVE: Free Ship on orders over $40.00

CODE: CUPID

WHERE: www.cafepress.com/nancydrewshop

Thanks for your support!

Jenn:)

AZ Sleuths Book Discussion Group:Jewel Box & Old Attic

Dede, Judy, Jackie, and Becky

Our AZ Sleuths book discussion group met at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale today for our book discussion on the classic Nancy Drew books #20, The Clue in the Jewel Box and #21 The Secret in the Old Attic. They were both stories that members enjoyed--especially the spooky atmosphere of Old Attic!

Attending were myself and my mom, Judy, Dede, Arlene, Laura, Jackie, Becky, Beth Marie, Tina and two new members Sonia and Clare Marie!

Sonia, Laura, and Arlene

Beth Marie, Tina, and Clare Marie

Jenn:)

Saturday, January 29, 2011

New Nancy Drew Bags & Coin Purse at The Sleuth Shop

I've added a few more styles of the leather Nancy Drew clutch bags to our Nancy Drew Sleuth Shop:

www.nancydrewsleuth.com/thesleuthshop.html

2 styles include our Hidden Window Mystery theme for our Nancy Drew Convention this year in Charlottesville, VA. These new products will begin shipping around March 1st.

The Nappi third art cover for The Secret of the Old Clock.
New Russell H. Tandy clutch featuring The Secret in the Old Attic cover.

New leather coin purse featuring 2 sides with Old Attic and Old Clock images.

Jenn:)

Friday, January 28, 2011

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #17

Meet The Sleuths!

This year we have a mix of regulars and lots of newbies! Here's a few images from some of our past conventions to get to know a few of our regulars. If you're game, use the comments area of this Blog entry to introduce yourself to everyone attending.

Sleuth Dean above is posing with Nancy Drew movie costumes from our 2007 convention in Pasadena, CA.

Lea, Janet, and Carol 2010 Florida Con

Elizabeth & A.B. 2010 Florida Con

Amanda & Nancy Drew Shoes
2010 Florida Con


Kelly, Gina, and Jim 2010 Florida Con

Arlene & Laura 2010 Cruise

Dede & Judy 2010 Cruise

Jenn:)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #16

Peacocks at Z Gallerie

Sleuth Gina hopped in her roadster and was out sleuthing and shopping in downtown River Heights...er...Omaha, when she spied a few peacock clues! Clearly the home/decorator/fashion industry has been completely inspired by our Hidden Window Nancy Drew convention, trendsetters that we are... ;-) Check out the plates above.

Napkin rings anyone?

A Clever Butterfly
You can work decorative objects like these into your gift exchange--be it the gift itself or the gift wrap. So much peacock decor, so little time...

Jenn:)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #15

Nancy Drew Stays at Seven Oaks

In book #34, The Hidden Window Mystery, Nancy Drew and her chums stay for a short while at her cousin Susan Carr's home - Seven Oaks. Often when researching one of these Nancy Drew books, Harriet Stratemeyer Adams would include real life places or base places on real life places. When researching the Charlottesville area for the upcoming Nancy Drew Sleuths convention in Charlottesville, I tried Googling some of the place names in the book. Mostly, I didn't come up with anything, but a few things turned up.

Like this gem - a home on the National Register of Historic Places called... SEVEN OAKS! Located outside of Charlottesville, it has some similarities to the home in the book and would have been open for Garden Week back in the time period that Harriet wrote this book (1950s).

In the book, Seven Oaks is described as:

Seven Oaks--about 3 miles outside Charlottesville. A low brick wall ran across the front of the small estate. An iron gateway opened onto a tree-shaded drive with beautiful many-hued flower gardens on either side of it. Facing the end of the drive was a white clapboard two-story colonial house. At the entrance was as mall porch with Doric columns. Above the entrance was a balcony which Susan said opened off her bedroom." Brick paths throughout the garden.

Of course, the real Seven Oaks has gone through changes over the years and Harriet's details may have been a mixing of various homes she visited in the area, but there are some similarities.

Members of the Nancy Drew Sleuths group will briefly stop by this historic home for a photo op.

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew Cafe Press Sale Jan 25-27 '11

Nancy Drew Shop $3.00 of $30.00 Sale!

WHEN: Jan . 25 - Jan. 27, 2011

SAVE: $3.00 off orders of $30+

CODE: TJAN1130

WHERE: www.cafepress.com/nancydrewshop

Thanks for your support!

Jenn:)

New Nancy Drew iPhone Cases at Cafe Press

A special request for The Secret in the Old Attic and The Ghost of Blackwood Hall iPhone covers has led to the addition of these in our Nancy Drew Cafe Press Shop:

http://www.cafepress.com/nancydrewshop

Nice and Spooky!

Love This Ghostly Cover

Jenn:)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #14

PEACOCK ACCESSORIES

Still puzzling about what to wear to our mystery dinner? Conundrum solved. Pair peacock fashion accessories (they seem to be everywhere!) with a black dress or even a peacock blue dress (dresses shown from Macy's) for sweet results.

Stores/Website that I'm seeing accessories in: Forever 21, Charming Charlies, Macys, Anthropologie, Pier One, World Market, Etsy, Amazon.com.

Looking forward to the 50s party and seeing what you all come up with. Perhaps we can have a rumble. Pink Ladies vs. Peacock Ladies ;-)

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #13

Nancy Drew Sleuths Visit Ash Lawn-Highland

Ash Lawn-Highland is the home of our late president James Monroe. It is located near Monticello, the home of president Thomas Jefferson. Members of the Nancy Drew Sleuths will be visiting the home during our convention in Charlottesville, VA.

In the Nancy Drew book #34, The Hidden Window Mystery, Nancy visits Ash Lawn-Highland. Nancy's cousin Susan says, "Let's go on now to James Monroe's home. You'll find it more simple, but the gardens have the most beautiful boxwood you've ever seen." (pg. 56, revision)

Here's a beautiful peacock on the grounds of Ash Lawn-Highland.

Jenn:)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #12

Nancy Drew Sleuths Visit Michie Tavern!

Our Nancy Drew convention visit wouldn't be complete without a visit to Michie Tavern, a historic landmark in Virginia, serving visitors for over 200 years!

Members will tour the tavern located close by to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. They will also eat a scrumptious lunch at the Tavern featuring such fare as Southern Fried Chicken, Black-eye Peas, Stewed Tomatoes, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Hot Green Beans, Cole Slaw, Whole Baby Beets, Biscuits and Cornbread, and Peach Cobbler. A meal that rivals that of Miss Beulah from Nancy Drew #34, The Hidden Window Mystery, set in Charlottesville, VA. The meal is served by staff dressed in period attire in a rustic tavern atmosphere.

There's a lot to see and do, good eatin' (as Bess would say!), and lots of shopping opportunities! Visit their website for more info.

Jenn:)

Nancy Drew 2011 Convention Clues #11

PEACOCK FROCKS ANYONE?

Get a leg up on your fellow Sleuths! If you're not in the "bobby soxer/poodle skirt" kind of mood for the mystery dinner at the Nancy Drew convention, go with a peacock theme. Here's some peacock styles to inspire you:

Peacock Blue Leggings

Make a Statement!

Peacock Ball Gown Anyone?


Peacock Dress
Dazzle in Peacock Feathers

Casual Peacock Frock

Short & Flirty

Peacock Feather Suit Anyone? ;-)

Fancy Hosiery

Strapless Chic

Jenn:)