#1 Ladies Detective Agency-colorful on every level

#1 Ladies Detective Agency-colorful on every level

LOVE the caption for the show “Never underestimate a woman’s intuition”

I’m writing this blog post because of a casual comment by Pat Zahn left on my blog post about tea, she said: “Also reminds me of the book series, #1 Ladies Detective Agency; I got into Red Bush tea because of that series – the ritual of the tea permeates the stories.” OMG, how could I have forgotten about these fabulous, fabulous, fabulous books and HBO TV series?   (see…inspiration CAN come from everywhere!) What does this have to do with Little Bit’s of Beauty ™ you ask? Well, in an era of violence, crudeness and utter banality on TV, this show is beautiful in it’s simplicity!  I LOVE the cadence of the speech of all the characters. The slow simple lifestyle depicted is beautiful, the characters are funny, irreverent and downright human…plus the colors and patterns used in the show’s homes, dress, and artwork used for the intro to the show are all stunning and inspiring to me as a designer!   

LOVE the teals with oranges, marigolds pinks and burgundy

The show takes place in Botswana and depicts the strength of the women in a culture that is not always supportive. It gives us an insight into a culture completely foreign to us and a way of life we no longer know here in the western “civilized” world. Underlying themes are typical everyday “love & relationship” issues that are universal, sprinkled with a hint here and there of the political situation inherent in that part of the world.

Botswana is just above South Africa

The lead characters, Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe and Anika Noni Rose as Grace Makutsi, her awkward and efficient side kick are terrific individually and together. How can one not just love this show?

Will you look at that blue and those patterns?

According to Precious Ramotswe, the owner of Botswana’s No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, “There is no problem so great it cannot be solved by a cup of bush tea.” Growing up in the country, Precious learned a great many things from her father: to rely on her wits, patience and memory, and most importantly, to follow her dreams, no matter what. And so, for her beloved country of Botswana, Africa and its people, Precious has started her detective career in Gaborone determined to do good with the time that God has been given her.

The show has also inspired me to add Botswana to my bucket list of places to visit, and soon! The breath taking countryside, the gentleness of the people and the depiction of the mundane pace of everyday life are all draws in my effort to slow down my own life. And, as I said, the fabrics, textures and colors are great for use in fabrics for interior design!

via Soul, Substance, Style & Irina Graewa Designs

I watched the series through netflix after reading the books. I highly recommend both to anyone who values their time and wants to see or read something that is inspiring, quirky, will pull at your heartstrings and is absolutely human. Not to mention those of us who wish to escape and travel to a place that is as different, yet the same, as our lives here in the western world.

Check out the teaser below…Have you heard of, read or watched this series? Would you after hearing about it here? Do you sometimes watch a show or read a book to simply slow down? Leave me a comment, I’d love to know!

Comments

comments

18 Comments

  1. Jennifer Duchene 14 years ago

    Irene, reading your post touches my heart in a special way. Having grown up in South Africa, these pictures, colors and words take me back home, to Rooibos Tea and the cadence of a much slower richer life. Talking tea, there is another country that uses tea to alleviate problems, and that is Good old England. No problem is so great that putting on the kettle for a cup o tea cant solve. Tea is so dear to me, because of all the memories it stirs up.

    Jennifer Duchene
    Home Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle laughter & Diva Dens

    • Author
      Irene Turner 14 years ago

      Yes, I can understand why you might want to go back home, and soon! Did you see the show Jen?

  2. Pat Zahn 14 years ago

    Irene, thanks for the “shout-out!” So you found that the series is true to the books? I’ve put off getting them from Netflix because I didn’t want to “ruin” the effect for me. Reading them is something special my daughter and I share.

    • Author
      Irene Turner 14 years ago

      I did like the series…a lot. It was visually beautiful, always good in my book, and very sweet. I’d wait awhile between reading the books and seeing it, and don’t make any expectations, but it is very lovely

  3. Beryn Hammil 14 years ago

    Great blog, and what a surprise that HBO already ran the series, but under the radar, airing it at 3:00 PM on weekdays. Who watches TV then? No wonder they cancelled it. What a pity.

    I loved the books and would wait with bated breath for each new book to arrive. Now I’ll do the same with Netflix to watch it.

    Thanks for sharing and reminding, Irene.

    • Author
      Irene Turner 14 years ago

      You’ll love it Beryn, thanks for stopping by!

  4. Bill Hannant 14 years ago

    These are great books and the seies is not a disappointment at all. The TV characters never look exactly as you may have envisioned, but the producers really did a great job.
    In a very simple, even and unassuming way, A.M. Smith creates an atmosphere that not only soothingingly draws you in, but also has you running to the store for Bush tea.
    We have something to learn from this culture that has retained traditions of civility and respect for all of it’s citizens, and those of the world.

    • Author
      Irene Turner 14 years ago

      We certainly do have a lot to learn, or re-learn about slowing it down a bit in our current crazy on speed society Bill. That’s why I am a big proponent of the Slow movement as a whole. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

  5. BioBasics 14 years ago

    Thanks for sharing. Peggy

  6. I wasn’t familiar with this series but after reading your post I’m putting it on my read/watch list. Thanks for sharing with us on Sensational Color.

    • Author
      Irene Turner 13 years ago

      Oh it’s a terrific show Kate, I think you’ll enjoy it. The books are pretty terrific as well!

  7. cover letter 13 years ago

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  8. Ardella Boehnlein 13 years ago

    Your post is short by taking the value of information and straight to the point. It has been a delight to go through. Thanks!

  9. i like your article about #1 Ladies Detective Agency Real goood.

  10. Garmin nuvi 255w 13 years ago

    Thanks i love your article about #1 Ladies Detective Agency

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