AN HISTORICAL LADY: Going to an 18thc. English tea party in the sacque back gown~A gallery~

February 12, 2011

Going to an 18thc. English tea party in the sacque back gown~A gallery~

At long last. Here I am, ready for an 18thc. English tea with the ladies, in my gown a la francais, with my wig, my white lace neck kerchief, and the hat and floral nosegay pin I made. These photos are taken in a darker setting, but in daylight the gown is a delicious seafoam (a spectacular pale bluegreen), and gold. My hat matches perfectly, and I am so pleased with everything~

Pray, listen to 'Jenny Pluck Pears' as you view the gallery.

UPDATE, DEC. 2012~ I added metallic lace to this gown and we had 18thc. Christmastide High Tea at the Clipper Merchant in Maine. See some of the photos HERE~

The men, to their own devices!

4 comments:

Christine Crocker said...: dear Mary,

You are absolutely beautiful~
so perfect in every way.

Your gown, your bonnet,your newly styled coiffure, everything, ribbons and nosegays...

and looking for all the world, a proper 18thc. beauty.

Christine
Deerfield Farm; Saturday, February 12, 2011
Mary said...: My dear Christine,
I have missed you, and thought of you so often. It is delightful beyond words to hear from you!
I thank you for such high praise, and endeavor to deserve it!
Many, many thanks,
Mary; Saturday, February 12, 2011
ctlogcabin said...: Dear Mary ~~ Ditto to what Christine said !! Simply Beautiful !!
Hugs ~ Connie xox; Saturday, February 12, 2011
Mary said...: Hi Connie, my friend~
Thank you! You are always so sweet and dear! I so appreciate those who take time to comment.
XOXO
Mary; Monday, February 14, 2011

'One delightful day in the 18th century'...

...A PERIOD FASHION GALLERY AT TEA ON A SUMMER'S DAY~ My handsome husband, Adam models his 'anniversary' silk suit~ Far from an ostentatious French court suit, Adam is all class and elegance in his stunning dupioni silk coat and breeches, with embroidered silk waistcoat. This ensemble was inspired by his own considerable knowledge of both men's and women's period clothing of all eras, and his painstaking research. He chose a style from one he greatly admired in the VNA museum, and then found the lovely, almost silvery, pale bluegreen silk. I searched for a month, and found the perfect embroidered silk for the waistcoat, and covered each button for it myself using an individual flower on each, cut from the fabric. The suit was expertly made by the most wonderful tailor of men's period clothing, his friend, Chris Cook. Adam's exquisite ruffled shirt was my birthday gift to him. I ordered it from a source in the UK, and it was quite reasonable, and far better looking than anything I found here in the US. Adam made his cane with a $7. pool cue, which he sprayed with black gloss paint. I found the perfect brass knob for the top of it at our local hardware store for $4.! His clocked stockings are from Jas. Townsend Co.,---(my own gorgeous clocked stockings are from Burnley and Trowbridge.) The black silk ribbon tied over his white silk cravat is a period correct fashion accessory called a solitaire. CLICK ON THIS MARVELOUS PHOTO OF ADAM TO SEE OUR 18THC. GALLERY!~

A LOVELY NOTE ABOUT MY BLOG THAT WAS EMAILED TO ME TODAY, JAN. 27, 2011~

"Hi Mary,

I feel like I know you through your blog, which I have been following for about a year. My dearest friend is Karen Gillis, she just bought the beautiful apron from your site. Wanted to let you know that you continue to touch my life and encourage my intrest in history and reenacting. I share your blog with special people I meet along my day, so that they may know there is a gentle, softer, part of the universe. These are difficult times for all of us, and the humble grace and kindness that you share with others is a gift, and for that I want to thank you. I really love reenacting, my partner is Major Morgan of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Hopefully, we will meet face to face, until then, thank you my friend.

Marianne Lane"

A NICE LETTER FROM A READER OF MY BLOG~

I received this email personally on Friday, June 3, 2011 from a reader of this blog. I am touched, and so was Adam. I appreciate her kind words so much, and that she took time to email me.
It means so much that many people enjoy my blog, and sharing a little of my New England life with me.~Mary

Hello Mary -

I do hope you will forgive my familiarity in using your first name, but after finding your blog and reading it religiously, I feel as if I do know you.

My name is Lynn E. and I live in your old home state, Illinois. I do not live an authentic 18th century lifestyle but have loved and collected antiques for years and consider the past my home. I am from_____, but go all over to antique shows and imagine that I have been in your antiques booth in prior times.

I just wanted to drop a note to thank you SO MUCH for your blog and the stories and pictures you post on it. I check each day for new posts and am thrilled when you have put one on there. I am unable to comment on any blog for some reason, hence the reason for this e-mail. I just wanted you to know that I am sure there are many of us who follow your writings but cannot or do not comment for whatever reason.

The beauty of your home and your joy in history are so moving and so enjoyable for me. And the sweetness of your love story radiates from your stories. Again I thank you for sharing your life and stories. You are touching the lives of people you do not even know.

All best wishes to you and your good husband.

Sincerely,

Lynn

Our 18thc. wedding~

For one magical and memorable day, we brought a bit of the 18thc.to life. We were delighted that our friends helped make it so, coming in period clothing, and even bringing their own period drinking mugs, etc.! We incorporated many aspects of a country wedding in New England in the 1700's, and added bits that were our own, and very meaningful to us. I have heard some people say they would like to "dress up" in 18thc. clothing for their wedding---Ours was not a 'theme' or a 'play dress up' wedding, nor were any ideas 'borrowed' from anyone else. We have backgrounds in history, and long experience as living history reenactors. We live in an 18thc. house that we love and restored to period style, and we live an 18thc.-style life, as much as is possible, and as I have for many years. We met and courted in a serendipitous, and true 18thc. way! Our wedding was an expression of how unique we are. It was not a show, but an extension of all we are as a couple...THE GENTLEMEN WERE REQUESTED TO BRING THEIR FIRELOCKS. THEY HAD PREVIOUSLY ARRANGED TO HONOR US WITH A 3-VOLLEY MUSKET SALUTE... This was often done at 18thc. country weddings in New England. I HAVE A 5 PART SERIES OF POSTS ABOUT OUR WEDDING IN MAY 2011. CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO VISIT THE FIRST POST~

My own 18thc. hair~

I did my own hair for the Twelfth Night Ball last January, as well as several times since, posting about details for you in a post last winter. UPDATE~Thank you to all of you who noticed that a costume blogger out there shamelessly copied every aspect of my 18thc. hair (as well as a period hat idea), and wigs---coincidentally within 1 hour of her visiting my blog, and claiming them as her ideas! (There have been other "rip offs" by this person as well, who passes herself off as creative. Sadly some people are so insecure that they feel they must do things like this. It really is pathetic, and I, my friends, and my readers know that these were my own ideas, and nothing and no one can change that. I am grateful for the support of kind readers and I hope that I will always delight and inspire you! Click on photo for more~

Our 'DRESSING A COLONIAL LADY' program~

Some things I have learned~

In my own words~

Believe in your dreams. If people tell you they are silly or stupid, get yourself some different friends.

Fight for justice even if it is unpopular, difficult, or people act like you are a pain in the butt.

Never stay married to the wrong person. Be alone until you can be with your true soulmate.

Don't let gossip bother you; it's just 'jealousy' spelled differently. It cannot touch you, and if someone would not come to you for the truth, they are not a friend.

Seek forgiveness if you've hurt someone; true friends are a treasure. Even if you think they will not accept it, TRY.

If some people with no imagination or dreams of their own copy you, compare themselves to you, or disparage you, you don't need them, nor should you ever feel badly for one second about this.

There is a big plan. We sometimes can't see it, or the reasons for why things happen, but in the end there IS karma, destiny, and a goodness and rightness to our lives.

Believe in yourself.

BE BRAVE.

DO BRAVE THINGS.

AN HISTORICAL LADY

February 12, 2011

Going to an 18thc. English tea party in the sacque back gown~A gallery~

4 comments:

THIS BLOG IS COPYRIGHTED, 2012. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED~

OUR 18THC. WEDDING, MAY 27, 2007

Adam and Mary~An 18th century love story

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