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.

Winter Tale: At The Snow Queen's Table

 

 

 

 

 

The snow-flakes grew larger and larger, till at last they looked just like great white fowls. Suddenly they flew on one side; the large sledge stopped, and the person who drove rose up. It was a lady; her cloak and cap were of snow. She was tall and of slender figure, and of a dazzling whiteness. It was the Snow Queen.

"We have travelled fast," said she; "but it is freezingly cold. Come under my bearskin." And she put him in the sledge beside her, wrapped the fur round him, and he felt as though he were sinking in a snow-wreath.

"Are you still cold?" asked she; and then she kissed his forehead. Ah! it was colder than ice; it penetrated to his very heart, which was already almost a frozen lump; it seemed to him as if he were about to die--but a moment more and it was quite congenial to him, and he did not remark the cold that was around him.

 

Extract from The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Anderson

via 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Outfit:

White corset: bought in the 90s when I was about 16 from M&S

White long sleeved top: very old from La Redoute

Vintage white lace skirt: by my granny from Kiki Couture

Vintage white fur scarf: from granny Kiki

Vintage white kid leather elbow length gloves: from granny Kiki, passed down from her mother or grandmother

White flower fascinator hat: bought years ago from the high street

 

White woollen scarf tied as a belt: a gift from a friend

 

White mohair scarf wrapped around hair: from H&M years ago

Faux pearl necklace: a gift from a friend

 

Faux pearl bracelets: Accessorize

 

Ponytail hair piece, attached to my hair to make it very long: from H&M years ago

Wellies underneath: Hunter, via ebay

 

 

The Soundtrack

The Caretaker: Patience (After Sebald) 

Photographs taken by my mother and by me, using the self timer on my cheap digital camera.

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.