Wednesday 10 April 2013

Fin De Siecle














 
 
 
 
 
 




“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!



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.

38 comments:

  1. What a lovely look! Very elegant, I love that hat !:)

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  2. Properly gorgeous. Stunning photos and one of my favourite pieces of music ever.
    xx

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  3. Love your outfit. You look like you would come straight from a movie set.

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  4. Oh, how beautiful!!! I can't believe all the magnificent garments you've inherited from your grandmother! The Victorian capelet is especially jaw-dropping!

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  5. Just amazingly beautiful and ethereal, as ever! I love that James passage, too :D

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  6. beautiful outfit. and photos. i love the piece from henry james. love lucyx

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  7. Gorgeous 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.
    Your photos are always so lovely,
    Becky :)

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  8. oh how divine, especially that last shot! xxx

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  9. Stunning outfit and wonderful pics, I especially love the second one...xXx

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  10. Oh 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!

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  11. Ah, 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.

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  12. My 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.

    Sarah xxx

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  13. You look absolutely beautiful! That close-up of your pretty face makes me very happy indeed! xxx

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  14. Love you in that hat, and the flowers are beautiful!

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  15. wooooow 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;)
    love and kiss,mary

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  16. Such gorgeous images of beautiful clothes and lovely you! Dreamy indeed! xxxx

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  17. amazing look! it's hard for me to choose dress or the hat. very stunning and the story behind this looks is dreamy.
    great shade of the dress and hat's size perfect for your face. adore

    Lyosha
    Inside and Outside Blog

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  18. You are well suited to your soundtrack. Congrats on the blogger love. And for looking so good in the sunlight.

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  19. What a treasure to have fron granny Kiki, ahhhhhhhhhhh
    You wear it with such a fabulous panache.
    Every shot tells a story of wonderful magic.
    Love the lace, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  20. 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.

    ♥ Jessica

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  21. Oh to another delightful and enchanting visits! coming here never disappoints! Thank you for sharing YOU!!

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  22. Fin de Siecle, probably my favourite period for clothing, the more bohemian the better. And I love that piece of music.

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  23. Emalina, 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.

    xoxo
    Lynn Dylan

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  24. 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.

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  25. THIS IS AWESOME!!! Such beautiful treasures you have inherited and you look beyond beautiful in them...LOVELY xxx

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  26. What gorgeous pieces from long ago, brought to the moment by your talents! Thank you for sharing these lovely looks with Visible Monday.

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  27. You 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.

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  28. What 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.

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  29. Υou seem to float in this magnificent outfit from other times.
    The art of dressing in all its glory. I love the self portrets,too.

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  30. 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:))

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  31. You 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.

    Congratulations on your well deserved recognition by other fabulous bloggers.

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  32. 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

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  33. Just 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!
    Denise

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