by Marie | Aug 26, 2013 | Everyday Edwardian, Fashion & Costuming, Hair
One of my favourite ways to bring a bit of Edwardian charm into my day-to-day life is an Edwardian inspired hairstyle or two. They’re perfect for my long hair, and the ones I’ve devised are easy, elegant, and they wear well today (that is, they are not overly poufy and pompadoury). I love them with or without hats (especially Downton Abbey like ones), and they work well for both day and night.
This is a hairstyle is one of my favourite originals, and one of the most wearable ones I’ve seen.
Downton Abbey hair—this is what I’m taking my inspiration from.
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by Marie | Aug 4, 2013 | Clothes, Everyday Edwardian, Fashion & Costuming, Hair, Jewellery
Just in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m pretty enamored by the Edwardian era. Obviously I love Titanic, but Somewhere in Time, Tuck Everlasting, and Downton Abbey also have a special place in my heart. I love the layered skirts, the elaborate updos, the beautiful jewelery, and the corseted figures. Sigh.
Not quite so “everyday” here…
Whenever I watch any of these films I am overtaken by a rather ridiculous and overbearing desire to be there… despite the fact that I would have been barely more than property back in those days. Oh well. I feel like the stunning homes and incredible dresses would have made up for it (scratch that if I would have been a servant, though… we all know this fantasy only works if I get to be stupidly wealthy).
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by Marie | May 26, 2013 | Everyday Edwardian, Hair
I don’t know about you, but every single time I try to re-create the epic hairstyles I see in historical films like Titanic, Pride & Prejudice, and Ever After, it ends in fits of frustration and about 300 bobby pins distributed through my hair like a metallic bird nest. It’s always made me wonder what’s changed since the early 1900s. What did everyone know about hair styling 100 years ago that I, somehow, have yet to figure out? It turns out it’s hair pins.
Up until very recently I thought hair pins and bobby pins were exactly the same thing. I mean, a bobby pin is a pin… for your hair… so I never really thought much about it. Most of the women I’ve talked to about this are under the same impression. Ladies, we have been grossly misinformed. (more…)
by Marie | Jan 25, 2013 | Everyday Edwardian, Soap, Very Crunchy
It was only a matter of time before my love of Titanic merged with my new soaping hobby. The first class soap on the RMS Titanic was called Vinolia—Vinolia Otto Toilet Soap. The “otto” being for the type of rose, I presume, as the soap is said to have smelled of lemon and rose.
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by Marie | Nov 12, 2012 | Fashion & Costuming
The great thing about pre-owned leather boots is that they’ve been broken in. The leather is soft and supple thanks to someone else’s labour, so you’re less likely to get blisters and what not. That can also mean, however, that they might just be a little bigger than they were when they were made. Meaning that even if you order your shoe size, it’s still a bit of a gamble.
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by Marie | Nov 10, 2012 | Home, Very Crunchy, Vintage
For a vegetarian, I really like leather. In fact, I’d say I like leather a lot even for a meat eater. Especially for shoes. I really love leather shoes. And purses. And wallets. And boots… oh lordy. Especially boots. I have a boot problem (damn you, eBay!). I like to buy nice leather boots and then maintain them, rather than go out and buy a new pair every year after the previous crap pair falls to pieces and are so poorly made they cannot be repaired. Having a good cobbler is essential for when zippers go, heals wear away, and holes show up in soles (I like Conti’s here in Calgary). For more day-to-day care, waterproofing and homemade leather balm help maintain the leather.
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