“It has made me better loving you...it has made me wiser, and easier, and brighter. I used to want a great many things before, and to be angry that I did not have them. Theoretically, I was satisfied. I flattered myself that I had limited my wants. But I was subject to irritation; I used to have morbid sterile hateful fits of hunger, of desire. Now I really am satisfied, because I can’t think of anything better. It’s just as when one has been trying to spell out a book in the twilight, and suddenly the lamp comes in. I had been putting out my eyes over the book of life, and finding nothing to reward me for my pains; but now that I can read it properly I see that it’s a delightful story.”
Extract from The Portrait Of A Lady by Henry James, via 1
The Outfit
Vintage Victorian Black Lace & Pink Satin Cape: passed down from granny Kiki
Vintage 1930s Purple Satin Skirt With Velvet Trim: made by granny Kiki for Kiki Couture
Black & Purple Beaded Top: a gift from a friend, originally from the high street
Black Wide Brimmed Summer Hat: from Next
Vintage Black Lace: from granny Kiki
Vintage Silver Earrings: from granny Penny
Vintage Ruby, Diamond & Gold Ring: my 'non-wedding' ring from Mr Eve
The Daffodils: planted by my own hands 5 years ago
The Soundtrack
Erik Satie: Gymnopedie
All photographs taken by me, self portraits using the self timer on my little digital camera.
I want to say a massive thank you to two wonderful blogging ladies:
Jill who in her gorgeous blog Tea With The Vintage Baroness featured me in Sunday's blog post as one of her favourite 'Dreamy Bloggers' - see the post here;
and Veshoevius, who I haven't forgotten gave me a Versatile Blogger Award a while back via her inspiring blog The Taxonomy Of My Wardrobe - see the post here - I'm still working on that response for you sweetheart!
All photographs taken by me, self portraits using the self timer on my little digital camera.
I want to say a massive thank you to two wonderful blogging ladies:
Jill who in her gorgeous blog Tea With The Vintage Baroness featured me in Sunday's blog post as one of her favourite 'Dreamy Bloggers' - see the post here;
and Veshoevius, who I haven't forgotten gave me a Versatile Blogger Award a while back via her inspiring blog The Taxonomy Of My Wardrobe - see the post here - I'm still working on that response for you sweetheart!
I'm delighted to be a part of Visible Monday, hosted by the lovely Patti from www.notdeadyetstyle.blogspot.co.uk, click on the website link to see her outfit and those of many others.
What a lovely look! Very elegant, I love that hat !:)
ReplyDeleteProperly gorgeous. Stunning photos and one of my favourite pieces of music ever.
ReplyDeletexx
Love your outfit. You look like you would come straight from a movie set.
ReplyDeleteOh, how beautiful!!! I can't believe all the magnificent garments you've inherited from your grandmother! The Victorian capelet is especially jaw-dropping!
ReplyDeleteJust amazingly beautiful and ethereal, as ever! I love that James passage, too :D
ReplyDeletebeautiful outfit. and photos. i love the piece from henry james. love lucyx
ReplyDeleteHow stunningly ethereal!
ReplyDeleteAnd such a portrait!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous ball gown style skirt. I am in the market for a black one to go with a sequin top and I found one that is way too small.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are always so lovely,
Becky :)
oh how divine, especially that last shot! xxx
ReplyDeleteEXQUISITE.
ReplyDeleteThat's it.
XXX
Stunning outfit and wonderful pics, I especially love the second one...xXx
ReplyDeleteOh don't worry I'm still working on your Leibster! You look absolutely breathtaking! That Victorian outfit is the stuff of dreams! I love your garden too - I have some daffodils coming up and blooming in our little patch of London dirt, but oh for a romantic crumbling wall and flower border like yours!
ReplyDeleteAh, lovely to see that sunshine! It's still either overcast or rainy here, and these photos and the daffodils are making me want the sun to come out again (I also want to plant flowers now.) These pictures are gorgeous, as are you and that stunning ensemble. The lace and the cape are amazing, and the skirt is absolutely beautiful! It's so wonderful that you have all these clothes from Kiki and Penny.
ReplyDeleteMy gourd, how I would frickin LOVE to come play dress ups and faff about all day long in your amazing garden! You look gorgeous beyond belief.
ReplyDeleteSarah xxx
lovely dress and pictures:)
ReplyDeleteYou look absolutely beautiful! That close-up of your pretty face makes me very happy indeed! xxx
ReplyDeleteLove you in that hat, and the flowers are beautiful!
ReplyDeletewooooow thats beyond beauty darling! the matching cape and skirt are a dream and that hat on your beautiful head;) you really look like you stepped out from victorian time and like sarah i would love to dress up with you and having tea in your garden;)
ReplyDeletelove and kiss,mary
OH you look wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteSuch gorgeous images of beautiful clothes and lovely you! Dreamy indeed! xxxx
ReplyDeleteamazing look! it's hard for me to choose dress or the hat. very stunning and the story behind this looks is dreamy.
ReplyDeletegreat shade of the dress and hat's size perfect for your face. adore
Lyosha
Inside and Outside Blog
You are well suited to your soundtrack. Congrats on the blogger love. And for looking so good in the sunlight.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treasure to have fron granny Kiki, ahhhhhhhhhhh
ReplyDeleteYou wear it with such a fabulous panache.
Every shot tells a story of wonderful magic.
Love the lace, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
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There is a poetic enchantment to this beautiful ensemble that captivates and enthralls. The flowing fabric and hauntingly lovely vibe it gives off resounding in one's memory for a very long time to come.
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
Oh to another delightful and enchanting visits! coming here never disappoints! Thank you for sharing YOU!!
ReplyDeleteFin de Siecle, probably my favourite period for clothing, the more bohemian the better. And I love that piece of music.
ReplyDeleteEmalina, I love it! You have truly captured the grace and the sophistication of the age! You are so fortunate to have all of those lovely pieces from your grannies. What a treasure! And how special it must feel to wear them! I especially love the picture of your pretty face, close up and peeking out from under the hat.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lynn Dylan
Oh my spring sure has come to beautiful England! Ahhh how fresh and lovely everything looks, your world looks like a fairytale and you yourself are a dream! I can't get over all of those daffodils, such pretty delicate flowers.
ReplyDeleteTHIS IS AWESOME!!! Such beautiful treasures you have inherited and you look beyond beautiful in them...LOVELY xxx
ReplyDeleteWhat gorgeous pieces from long ago, brought to the moment by your talents! Thank you for sharing these lovely looks with Visible Monday.
ReplyDeleteYou look exactly as though you have wandered elegantly from between the pages of a Henry James novel. You must have a vast wardrobe to store all the treasures you have inherited from Granny Kiki.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to play in the garden, so very enchanting. It is such a pleasure to get a glimpse into the treasure you have.
ReplyDeleteΥou seem to float in this magnificent outfit from other times.
ReplyDeleteThe art of dressing in all its glory. I love the self portrets,too.
Boy granny Kiki had such an impressive wardrobe! Love the black netted veil. I love how you paralleled your outfit with an extract from a novel:) Lovely dress:))
ReplyDeleteYou are ravishing! I am totally taken with your vintage black lace, which becomes very mysterious as you gaze through it beneath your black wide brimmed hat.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your well deserved recognition by other fabulous bloggers.
Wow you look like a vintage goddess in that beautiful outfit! Love everything! Jealous of all those amazing clothes you got from your granny!!! Can't wait to see more dear!!! xxxx
ReplyDeleteJust landed here from Patti's party & what fabulous style you have! Love this dress, the history & your photo's....looking forward to reading your blog!
ReplyDeleteDenise