GAL APPROVED Weekend! Being Jane Austen, The Butler, Tea, Cocktails & More!

By DIVAGALS | August 16, 2013 | Entertainment, Gal Approved

SEE. Jane Austen is the mother of all romance novelists, so we can see why a girl in love with love would want to experience life just like in Pride and Prejudice. In Austenland, Keri Russell is Jane Haynes (appropo), the ultimate Jane Austen fanatic, so much that her bedroom is an explosion of all things Austen (and a major man deterrent!). Jane saves up her savings to travel to Austenland, which promises an authentic 1800s experience on its regal grounds, complete with romance. The owner (Jane Seymour), isnΓÇÖt too pleased with JaneΓÇÖs bargain-priced deal, so she puts Jane in the maids quarters and gives her the wardrobe of a commoner. But plain Jane still catches the eye of stable boy Martin (Bret McKenzie, unrecognizable from HBOΓÇÖs hit series Flight of the Conchords), and Henry Nobley (JJ Feild), whoΓÇÖs definitely the resident Mr. Darcy. This movie is light, fluffy fun. At times the storytelling is a bit clunky ΓÇô youΓÇÖre not sure how you got from this plot point to that one. But with of cast of cute British men, hilarious outbursts from costar Jennifer Coolidge and costumes that rock, 19th century style, itΓÇÖs not a bad way to get in your own Mr. Darcy fix! Currently playing nationwide.

SEE2. Lee Daniels‘ The Butler is an important historical film that all Americans should see. Directed by Daniels, and featuring a stellar ensemble cast, the movie is based on the real-life accounts of Eugene Allen from his 34-year tenure serving as a White House butler. Starring┬áForest Whitaker in an Oscar-winning role, the film is entertaining, educational, heartwarming and shocking, and even has a dash of humor. We definitely Gal Approve this for the whole family.

SOOTHE. Those tempura sweet potato fries sound like a good idea, that is until youΓÇÖre holding your belly from having one fry too many. Thank goodness TV DivaGal had Alvita Ginger Peppermint. This organic herbal tea originated as a tea made from the herb alfalfa in 1922. Now the brand offers more than 40 single-ingredient teas, made from the highest quality organic, wild-crafted, or cultivated botanicals. My tea, filled with organic ginger root and organic peppermint, helped sooth my rumbling belly, and calmed it for a less immflamatory snack the future (though there will always be a place for tempura fries!) Alvita offers more than 40 types of tea. Learn where to buy at alvita.com.

While Alvita teas┬á So the (and does not contain alfalfa). If you would be so kind as to revise your post, that would be wonderful!

SIP. Fall is right around the corner, so of course the DivaGals are out enjoying every last moment of the summer. Image Gal hit a private party sponsored by Cointreau at Surrey Hotel. As I sipped a Cointreau Ricky in the plush environment, I was thinking this is the most delicious thing ever — Image Gal has the best job! Here’s the recipe for the Cointreau Ricky:

2 oz. of Cointreau
1 oz. fresh lime juice
4 oz. club soda
Pour over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves and lime. To take it up a notch, try adding 3 oz. of your favorite crushed fruit.

SNAP. If thereΓÇÖs any doubt in your mind about how well the 41 megapixel camera on the Nokia Lumia 1020 works, rest assured. The DivaGals got a first-hand taste of it at a Microsoft party, where we were shown an aerial shot of New York City, and then zoomed in on the area where the building we were in stood. With Windows 8 interface, it’s available at microsoftstore.com starting at $299.

SOIREE! We want to give a heads up to our honorary DivaGal, PR and marketing Guru Shante Bacon of 135th Agency. She was honored Pynk magazine last week at ReSette restaurant with a room full of New York CityΓÇÖs female media power players. We were honored to be there and honored to work with you Shante. Thanks for keeping our daily roster full of fun, fresh, Diva-licious content!