a book I didn't know about...and a pink dress

One of my favorite books, as a girl, was Little Women. Pure sweetness, tragedy, and love were on each and every page. Being the oldest of four girls in the family, I was very familiar with the emotional ups and downs of my own little tribe of "little women."

My Maw-Maw made each of us four girls a rag doll to represent one of the little women. My doll was Meg and I still have her to this day. I also read any Louisa May Alcott book I could get my hands on. I still have a few Alcott books displayed in my home. My sisters and I went to see the movie "Little Women" when the newest version came out some years ago and had a night out on the town with our Mother.

 

Last week I came upon this book at a garage sale and bought it purely for its beautiful dust jacket. I loved the name of the book and the colors are so pretty.

(I'm participating in Pink Saturday at Beverly's today. Go see lots of links to pink!)

 
If you judge a book by its cover, this one says...romance, history, intrigue, innocence, dancing, fashion, and genteel conversation. Then, I opened up the book and lo, and a behold...look at the author!

 
This is one of her books I don't think I ever knew about! I'm excited, except now I will look for the original version as this is the abridged version compiled for children. Some excited young artist decided to begin a masterpiece on the inside of the book by coloring in the illustrations.

 
Until I track down my mystery Louisa May Alcott book, I listed this dress in my Etsy Shop.   It has that same sweet Rose in Bloom sort of feel as the book. Isn't it dreamy? It reminds me of the brand Gunne Sax that was so popular in the 1970's. Oh how I loved those dresses when I was a teen. I don't believe I ever owned one as they were out of my budget!  
I can just imagine a teenager asking her mother to buy a beautiful Gunne Sax dress for a special occasion, and a mama looking at the price tag and putting her foot down, "No way honey, I can make that dress and for a lot less money!" This particular dress is made by a very good seamstress that added all sorts of details to make it special.

 
Hope your Tuesday is full of Roses in Bloom!

Linking up with this fun vintage blog: 

Comments

[Haley]

Oh I love the eight cousins they are so real! We have that exact same beautiful edition of Eight Cousins but we don't have Rose in Bloom yet, I will have to check the Kindle Store.

[Katharine]

I think I had the A Rose in Bloom. It was pink with a pretty girl (like the one in your illustrations) on it. It was by Louisa May Alcott. What's funny is that it didn't catch my attention like the Little Women books. I've seen almost every version of that movie. Two other favorites, from similar time period, are Secret Garden and The Little Princess.

[Southern Lady's Market]

Thanks for linking in at Southern Lady's Market! Great dress!

[Kaye Swain]

What a fun post. I'm another fan of Louisa May Alcott and loved many of her books. My favorites are still Little Women, Little Men, and Jo's Boys as you get to see everyone growing up in them. I'm hoping to read Little Men to my grandsons eventually, but so far they prefer Daniel Boone. :) But I do remember Rose in Bloom as well.

[Gigi Lorenc]

I am so happy to read your post. I felt the same thing as you did growing up. I think I was lucky now not to be able to afford those beautiful dresses, as they were the inspiration to sew. I now have skills that I can pass on to this younger generation. They were lovely dresses, thought as the one pictured is,too!
Thanks for sharing!

[Beth]

Love all your beautiful pink. I am here visiting from Pink Saturday. I too lvoe Little woemn. How wonderful that you found that book. I hadnt heard fo that one either. What a pleasant surprise and find. My sister is a book collector I will have to ask her about that.
Blessings

[Patsy]

I've never heard of Rose in Bloom either, but what a find! I love the cover. Oh how I remember Gunne Sax, but I never had a real one either, just homemade copies (which were probably better) but oh how I wanted that label in it!

[Julie]

I love the little artist that added color! Something I probably would have done:)
I grew up when you did but I never heard of this dress maker. My first dress was from Sears for my 8th grade graduation...otherwise, handmedowns. YOu have a knack for finding and writing.

[Judy Nolan]

I have heard of Rose in Bloom, but I'm so glad you found the version you did; it is lovely! I also recall Gunne Sax dresses. You've told a story about something in your shop in a very special way.

[Zuda Gay Pease]

I've never heard of Rose in Bloom either, what a find! What a lovely dress, I've made some Gunne Sax patterns up in the past. So fun to add all the girly frills.

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

I've always wanted to read more of LMA's books, but have never made the time. I've only read Little Women, and it's a favorite of mine too. Love that pretty pink dress, and your pink radio too!

[Jill Roberts]

Lovely dress! And what a great story!