For Your Chateau

 

With another successful Fetes Galante complete at the Chateau de Versailles, I thought we'd have a Versailles-themed FYC. Enjoy this diverse collection of items from Etsy, from beauty to homeware, jewelry to books. 

The Era In Film: Love and Friendship

 Often a film will come out and, although initially intrigued, I won't watch it until well after its release date or when it appears on streaming services. Such was the case with the late-18th century inspired film Love and Frienship starring Kate Beckinsale (at left in violet). This movie originally debuted in 2016, but is available via Amazon Prime currently. If you aren't familiar with it, that's probably because it had a very limited release, although where it was available it met with much critical acclaim. 

Based on a little-known 1794 epistolary novel by Jane Austen called Lady Susan, it follows the machinations of widowed Lady Susan Vernon who is determined to find a suitable match for herself and her daughter, while fending off the rumor-mill of society amidst her own indiscretions. The plot zips along, and it has a characteristic Austenian slant towards ironic commentary on the part of all of the characters, who seem incapable of true self-awareness. Underpinning the story, is a theme of brazen 18th century feminism. At one point the main character remarks to her friend, an American played by Chloe Sevigny, "Why ever did you marry a man too old to be managed and too young to die?" And manage the men they do. Actually, all of the women in the film do; from Lady Susan's sister-in-law who refers to her husband as "always so obliging" while influencing him to return them all to London for her own ends, and her own wilting mother who regularly hides matters from her husband to avoid his interference. 

The dialogue takes full advantage of the witty repartee allowed by the genre, and the viewer can't help but laugh throughout, as the whole misadventure wends its way towards an expected conclusion. The fun is in the journey, and the whole thing has much the same feel as a light stage comedy of the era. 

The one criticism I would offer is with the costumes. I don't know if there was a lack of funding for the costumes, or if there was a confusion of ideas, but whether we assume that the events take place in 1794 or not, there is far too wide of a spread of styles evident across the characters, and at times some odd "costumey" half measures, as if some things were purpose-made, and others pulled from the local community theatre stock. This would make more sense if the latter were solely on background characters or ones who are seen only briefly. I'm happy to overlook the use of a sheer net overskirt for one of Lady Susan's dresses as a fanciful take on the period, but it's mixed with hyper-realistic pieces on her daughter, and then we have an almost 17th century-eqsue collar on her friend, and several times it seems that characters wear the correct outer clothing without the necessary supports underneath. In short, there isn't a clear and consistent aesthetic beyond "late 18th century." That being said, the hair is well-executed and the locations and set dressing are a treat. Despite the costume confusion, I did really enjoy the overall look of the piece. 

It was a really entertaining film, and I would highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys this period and is looking for something less heavy than The Duchess with the wit of Pride and Prejudice and a dash of ironic feminism.

July 18th, 1788

 

We are now at the end of our time in Riom with Maman, her husband, and Andre with his wife and new baby daughter. It seems that our isolation in pleasant Auvergne is likewise at an end, as I have been recalled to court to attend to Mme Elisabeth. I had thought to beg more time with my own child, but my husband was much against it. So it is that in a mere few weeks we must pack up the household, find lodgings for Aurelie and M-, (my husband), and resign oneself to committing my daughter to the care of her father and nurse. 

Aurelie's nurse is named Aimee, and was recommended to us through an acquaintance of Maman's, so I do not yet feel that I know her well. The baby seems fond of her, but then she is enamored of all who meet her gaze at present. The child is active, with a bright smile, and even brighter eyes of blue with long lashes. Many who meet her do exclaim that she strongly resembles me; a fact which displeases M- though he is loathe to admit it. I wonder if his insistence that I take I do not delay in taking up this post is to separate us more. Admittedly, he also makes much of the penury he feels we suffer under, and is relieved to know that my position comes with somewhat generous compensation.

I must send a letter to Elizabeth R- to inform her that I will be returning to Paris sooner than thought, and hope to visit with her and my god-daughter. Of course, I also thrill at the thought of introducing Aurelie to my dear friend whose counsel has often been of such use. It will be good to hear from her the news of late, for I am terribly ill-informed at present. 

So many tasks call that I will cut this short. Alas, I had thought there would be more time in these happy days of seclusion; but then are there ever enough?

-Olympe

For Your Chateau

 

Bringing it back! In today's For Your Chateau we look at costume and reenactment apparel; and with the success of the Bridgerton franchise I thought we'd encompass "the long 18th century" with some Regency items. Making repeat appearances are items from Etsy favorites RoseGalante and Sign of the Grey Horse. Don't forget that many shops are having 4th of July sales right now, so you might snag some historical styles for less!

Mantle Project- Finished!

 I'm finally getting around to posting the results of a couple of years ago, when we completed installing the Greek Revival fireplace and Delft/Spode/etc. tile insert. As this was originally done at Christmastime, you'll forgive the decor being odd for my summer posting.

Not only did it end up being, I think, a really perfect addition to the room, but it quite handily provided a better spot for the tv than the somewhat lower, all-black, massive console which had previously stood in its place (and which we donated to a local charity shop). In order to take care of the many irregularities in the wooden backing of the mantle itself my partner first build a U-shaped structure that attached to the wall. To fit it as closely as possible it was necessary to decide whether to cut into the existing skirting boards at the base of the wall, or to notch out the dimensions of the board from the base of the box. I was concerned that, should we decide to the move the fireplace unit with us to another home, that we'd regret making modifications to it, but my partner assured me that we'd likely meet a similar issue in the next home, and that he could replace the box easily enough. 

The next step was to build and attach the tiled insert, which we did with a piece of MDF (IIRC, from what he did), and to tile the front much as one would do in a kitchen or a bathroom. Since many of the tiles are original, and in some cases antique, Spode or Delft tiles I took the opportunity to photograph them from every angle, including the back first. I arranged them for him in an order that made sense to me, no two tiles being too similar next to each other. You'll note that several of them have nautical or boat themes, which is deliberate as several of the paintings in the room are either of water or of boats. That being done, he tiled the insert and attached it to the box, and then set about building the platform for the fireplace insert itself. This is really just a simple, small, rectangular box, which I then painted with the same paint I used for the sanded areas of the outer mantle. 

We plugged the fireplace in and scooted it into place, to check that everything worked. At this point we knew that there would be a small gap between the upper edge of the tiling and the lower edge of the mantle itself. Initially we thought that this might not be too distracting and would provide needed ventilation; but the insert actually vented very well from the front of the unit and I did find the gap distracting. The solution was the buy a piece of pre-painted white molding, cut it to size and adhere it to the inside edge of the mantle so that it sits above and in front of the tiled section. No one would ever be the wiser (except that it's on the internet now).

Finally, we moved the antique mantle into place, leveled it, and attached it to the box and frame, which are screwed into the wall with huge anchors. There was some touch-up painting, and some rather more extensive painting of the box; which should have been done before most of the rest of the process, but wasn't due to time constraints owing to when my partner could be in town.

It being Christmastime when everything was completed, we had to decorate with some evergreens and holly from our own property, as well as the blue and white porcelains which I collect. Then we hung some stockings. 

This year, almost a year after it was initially completed, my husband and I were able to hang one more in joyful anticipation of what the new year would bring. 

Now Playing On Youtube- How to Renovate a Chateau (Without Killing Your Partner)

    Started about a year ago, at the height of the global pandemic, the series How To Renovate A Chateau, has recently become a favourite of mine. There are, at the moment, many DIY chateau reno channels and programs, but although I've checked out a number of them, this is by far the best. It follows a couple (and their two children) as they do exactly what the title suggests; renovate a derelict chateau and turn it into a B&B. The difference with this one is that one of the owners is a former film-maker, and it shows in the clever and often humorous segments which range from true DIY with instructions for repair and construction projects, to tongue-in-cheek French lessons on everyday situations with one of their French handymen. There is a lot of banter and, despite the inherently performative aspect, a sense of genuine warmth that I find lacking in many similar and perhaps more pretentious vlogs. As there is rarely an episode which does not make me laugh, I suspect that they've discovered that the real secret to getting on with any renovation project without killing your partner, is to keep your sense of humor. 

June 25th 1788

 

More than a year has passed, but not in any idleness. I sit in the most pleasant of company beside a face sweeter than any in the world; that of my infant daughter. One year ago, I discovered that I was enciente, and after a difficult series of negotiations with the Chevalier and his family, we were wed. Thus am I no longer Marquise, and the Chevalier is become Comte d'Auvergne by this union. I had thought he would be disappointed when she revealed herself not to be the wish-for son, but he has been a most devoted father and writes often to me from Paris to ask after his adored daughter, whom we have named Aurelie. To me she is an answered prayer, and I spend each day in awe of her as she grows. Indeed, it seems that I awaken to a new baby each morning. 

As for our marriage, the Comte spends his time in Paris attending to family matters while I remain at present in Auvergne, currently in Saint-Saturnin. In two weeks we travel to Riom where my mother will rejoice to be reunited with her only grand-daughter, whom she also adores. Not long will Aurelie remain the sole grandchild, however, as Andre's wife will be delivered of her child sometime in the next month. The Chevalier, as I continue to think of him despite his new title, has two sisters, both younger than I. Neither is yet married, though the elder, Henriette, is promised to the younger son of a Marquis, whose name I quite forget. Thus Aurelie is the favored child in his family as well. I find his father aloof, and his mother having died many years ago, she is not present to facilitate our interactions. 

Today my jeweler delivered a watch I had made for Andre to celebrate the birth of his child, and which I will leave with Maman while when we are in Riom. I am having new clothes made in great quantities, as I find it curious how many of my garments are no longer tolerable, my shape having changed in curious ways since last year. Another time I will recount the story of her birth, but for now Aurelie smiles at me and seems to want me to relinquish my pen. I am powerless to deny her merest whim. Oh, how I love my child!

-Olympe, Comtesse

For Your Chateau

 

After a bit of a hiatus, brought on by a rather busy semester, FYC is back! If you enjoyed my (still ongoing) posts about the new fireplace with its blue and white tiles, then you may be thinking of something similar for your abode, in which case the hand-painted Delft tile may be just the thing. It would pair beautifully with the decorative wallpaper upon which you could always hang the chateaux prints, just to drive home the theme. Or perhaps the lovely, if expensive, painting from FrenchCountryGirl, which is a shop I just discovered. 

I'm on a bit of a lavender kick myself, and ever year I buy and grow more. Just today I was musing over the likelihood of putting in a lavender hedge this year. If not that, though, I may finally cave and get the decorative napkins I've liked for a while, or maybe bring the outdoors in with the tea towel. 

Purchased or made anything new for your personal chateau lately? I'd love to hear about it!

Humor for the ages

 

April 2nd 1787

Truly Spring cannot come soon enough! I am weary of the cold, weary of the wet, and at the moment exceedingly weary of house guests. The Chevalier as been at Portaberaud with me on a number of occasions this season, despite needing frequently to return to Paris to assist his father with some various duties in the running of the estates. He has not divulged exactly what affairs these are, and it has not alleviated my suspicious concerns one jot, but so it is. Where once I was want to entertain him for the duration of his visits I increasingly leave him to his own devices and go about my own tasks while he is here. There is a pleasing domesticity in this. 

Maman and her husband have also been to visit, though they are settled quite near me here in Riom and only stay as guests because we have a habit of playing cards or singing and playing music until it is quite late. The roads are good, but it is just much easier in the colder weather for them to wait until morning to depart in these cases. This has happened many times this year so far. 

My dear friend Elizabeth R- writes to tell me that, contrary to any rumors of the Chevalier's interest in other women, the only rumor related to his romantic entanglements involves our own and he is said to be much in love. This should cheer me greatly, however, I cannot seem to be easy in this regard. Too many nights I have found myself with a strange sense of impending disaster, as if some terrible calamity were close at hand. I cannot account for it. I had thought to distract myself from this when Emilie proposed another visit and, although she is not always a comfort, I did look forward to entertaining her again. Not surprisingly, given past observations of my own, her visit was to have coincided with one from the Chevalier, but at the last he was required to remain in Paris on business and she came away on her own. Gossip is her forte and I at last realized that very little response was required from me in order to keep her engaged. By this method we passed several days without my hardly needing to utter a single full sentence; such is her enthusiasm that she has a habit of speaking even as her conversation partner is yet speaking themselves. While this at first amused me, it became rather dreary by the end of the visit. Whether it was due to the Chevalier's absence, as I suspect, or her own sense of my tiring of her companionship, she left a day earlier than expected citing some pressing social engagement for which she wished to prepare. I must remember to ask Elizabeth about Emilie's prospects at present, as she is still young and likely to marry within a few years.

The rents are collected, but as has been true of the last few years the needs of my properties seem to outweigh the value. I am determined this year to expend considerable capital to ensure that next year the needs may be fewer and the profit more dependable. I have debts that must be serviced and it is my intention this year to spend less time in Paris or at Versailles, unless the Princess should recall me, and thereby save money with which to provide the capital for improvements. I have told Marianne that we will likely repair to Saint-Saturnin sometime in May when the weather has warmed, and written ahead to my steward to inform him of the same. 

Olympe

For Your Chateau- Under $100!

 

A little something for your home, a little something for yourself. From books to cushions to rings, and even a wall plaque to help you live your best French fantasy. There's even a gorgeous original painting (one of a kind, not a print or a series!) for under $100! The beautiful frame listed is only one of several from the same supplier, and honestly I was surprised to be able to find all of these delightful things for so comparatively little. I can just imagine creating a statement wall with that antique wallpaper, framing the waterlilies-esque painting with the rococo frame, and sitting down to read the Dumas book supported by those plump and pretty pillows. 

February 6th, 1787

 

It is a new year, but Spring still seems very far, however much we may long for its arrival. This past week was almost unbearably cold and there is no sign that this next one will be any better, with snow lingering in every shadowed corner and making it too slippery for the horses, which has halted many of the plans myself and my guests have had for the past few weeks.

Try as we might, Marianne and I were unable to locate any definite proof of the Chevalier's disloyalty, though I still feel a constant sense of unease about his affections. He is now returned to Paris, but did marvelously charm Maman during his stay in Riom. Charming though he might be, he was unable to hide his dislike of the town declaring it "provincial" in a manner which was unmistakably denigrating. He swears he meant it only in the strictest sense of the word, as it is a country province, but I know better. He insults the place I love, vastly preferring the city in every regard. Though it is allowable for two people to hold different views, it is hardly helpful for one's paramour to sneer at the things and places that one loves. I have not always preferred the country to the town myself, but increasingly I find it holds the peace I need. The city is too full of intrigue in large part because it is too full of people. Versailles is even more so.

The Comte de Vergennes is very poorly, and as such the Council of Notables has yet to convene. It is said that he has worked himself into exhaustion, but for well or ill the Council cannot long delay their work. The King, being very fond of Vergennes, is loathe to continue without him despite urgings from his other ministers. Vergennes enjoys support from Lafayette as well for his pursuit of French involvement in the American war in the colonies, which resulted in no end of favor for the Marquis (despite his disobedience to the King, which I shall never understand). This I mostly have from Elizabeth, Comtesse de R-, for it has been over a month since my last letter from Princess Elisabeth. Evidently my god-daughter continues well, though the Comtesse is much exasperated, declaring that the child has such lungs that she hopes we may expect a fine voice when she is old enough to begin music lessons. 

Andre and his wife have departed for their home recently, though it took them an extra day's travel to arrive as the roads were so bad. Mattieu has remained some days longer, but is eager to be on his way as well. Maman and I paint, but grow tired of the same daily activities and Riom has very little at present to relieve the tedium. If my latest letter from Menars is to be credited then my enemies at court continue their slanders, but I have little ability to counter this and less and less energy to even attempt it. Perhaps when the weather warms my energy will return.

-Olympe

Historical Humor

 

You know, I'm not much of one for these sorts of memes, but this one struck me as funny; and in light of all that is stressful in the world at the moment, couldn't we all use a bit of laugh? 

As an American who used to live in Britain as a child, I can kind of see the road to the revolution both ways. Of course, the British were only too happy to fight to protect their economic interests in the colonies, as the colonists were happy to have the help. C'est l'histoire. 

Burgundy Riding Costume In Progress

 

As with many places and programs, we had to cancel two of our shows this year and find digital alternatives for the others. Sadly, one of the shows that had to be canceled was the production of Amadeus which has been an absolute wishlist show for me for years. Worse still, since the students who were most going to benefit from the opportunity to work on that show are graduating this year, we won't simply be able to reschedule it for next year, and because of leadership changes in the program we aren't likely to be able to do it for the foreseeable future. Join me in mourning.

There's always a silver lining though, and I picked one costume from the designs to have some of my more advanced students work on. It's a burgundy velvet riding jacket and skirt for the character of courtier Strack, who is usually played by a male, but which in our production was intended to be female. Students worked on panniers as part of their exploration of structured garments, and we utilized the mock-up of the jacket bodice to discuss draping and fit techniques. The wine velveteen over one shoulder in the photo is the fabric that the jacket will be made out of. 

One precocious student cut and put together the quilted velvet skirt using accurate 18th-century methods which, once hemmed, will be more or less finished. There's still a lot of work to do to make the jacket, trim it all in silver and purple passementerie, and create a little tricorn with plum silk veil, but I think they'll enjoy the process. Updates to come. This will likely take the better part of the semester to do as the students involved and I are only in the Costume Shop one day per week owing to Covid restrictions. It'll be like a slowly-unfurling flower. 

For Your Chateau

 

If you're in possession of some holiday funds you're itching to spend, here are a few 18th century themed ideas for your home and personal enjoyment!

Starting the Year With A Laugh

 

December 8th, 1786

Received a considerable shock this Thursday last when, who should show up on my doorstep, but the Chevalier. Evidently he did not take my lack of communication as intended to indicate that his presence was no longer wanted at Portaberaud, and came to visit, as was his original plan. Being that he was already there I could hardly turn him away into the cold night, so he was permitted to stay, which led to us engaging in a rather frank discussion. In truth it hearkened back to the kinds of talks we used to have when we first began this misadventurous romance. It meandered through topics, dear and distant; and we expressed the deepest fears of our hearts as well as our cherished dreams. He insists that his relationship with that actress is naught but a fond friendship and asked if I would wish him to abandon her as a friend; to which I responded that I should wish for him to abandon her as a potential lover. He said he already had, and swore again that nothing of that nature had passed between them. I for my part shall continue to monitor all correspondence I may find access to, and toward this end I have enlisted the aid of my maid, Marianne. 

The Chevalier is to remain on with us for some weeks, departing again for Paris and his father's house just before Christmas. During that time Marianne will assist me in locating any letters, diaries, or notes which are between he and the actress or any other woman who is not already known to me. Nor am I so foolish as to overlook anything which may be addressed to a false name, or a coded reference. I wish to trust, but I find it necessary that I should protect myself from future pain and embarrassment by taking the reigns now and ensuring that my trust is deserved. I will find ways and reasons of separating him from his room and belongings, and Marianne will, in the guise of her duties, search for anything which seems potentially suspicious. These she will bring to me, taking care to note their position so that they might be returned as if undisturbed, and I will explore their contents for signs that he is or has been false. 

Should no cause for concern be found, so much the better. If something of note is discovered, it will be all the proof needed to cast aside his hollow oaths and banish him from my company forthwith. I will then need never wonder if I have been hasty or unkind; and he will be unable to defend his actions as misunderstood rather than sordid as they will have been indeed. I do not like having to pursue this course of action, but I think it must be done. It is too easy for my gentle heart to be abused, I do owe it protection where I am able. 

-Olympe

Mantle Project Update 1

I've been promising to do this for a while, and we are so close to having this project done so it seems like the perfect time for an update. First of all, you may be wondering why it's taken this long to actually make significant progress on the mantle. The main reason is simply that the majority of the work is being done for me by my partner who does not live with me full time, so we can only really do most of the tasks when he's in town certain weekends. We also had to pause when it turned out that I didn't have as many tiles as I thought I did and had to order more and wait for them to come in. All that being said, we have made it to a great place now and the project is looking splendid!

It started with a plan for how the fireplace insert and mantle would need to be connected in order to create the right look while still allowing us to pull out the insert for maintenance or to unplug it if, for instance, it needed replaced. My idea, after watching some tutorials and checking out DIY blogs, was for a sort of U-shaped shell attached to the back of the mantle, with a platform for the insert to sit on, and a thin flat behind the mantle that the tiles would be attached to. My partner quickly chucked this idea (and my measurements) when he realized that there was all kinds of crazy woodwork shenanigans going on behind the 19th century mantle. The platform remained a good idea though, and once the tiles came in we were able to adhere them to the simple backing panel, though they are admittedly more uneven than desired. Perfection was never the goal, on the other hand. 

The insert came from Wayfair, and originally I picked up one that was too small. I was trying to keep things as economical as possible, but it showed up looking absolutely diminutive compared to the hulking mantle and had too much space on the sides, so in the end I went for the Gibbs Flat Electric Insert at 19.9" H x 28" W x 8.5" D, which I paid just under $300 for (it's now a bit higher so I'm glad I got it on sale when I did).

My main contribution to this project, other than the research and purchasing, has been the sanding, of which there has been a lot! As an antique this mantle was never going to be perfectly smooth and unscarred, which is perfectly okay because I love its history and character. That being said, I did want to repair some of the peeling areas of paint and get rid of residual plaster from old finishes. There were quite a few areas that needed work, as you can see from the photos. The duck egg blue is obviously not original, but it is one of the things I liked about the piece when I first saw it online, so that stays. I found an interior paint at a local retailer that was pretty close to the existing color, and bought my first electric sander just for this (again, I went for a cheap model because I wanted to make sure I wasn't overspending on something I might not use frequently). Of course some of the areas are flatter and more accessible than others so I also had to buy a small hand-sander for the tight places and after that it was just a lot of elbow grease, which I don't mind. The holes in the top of the mantle were where it was originally fixed to the wall, and will be re-used here before being puttied and painted (probably, we'll see how visible they end up being). In recent days the repainting has been my main task with this, as my partner has been back home for a few days.

No sooner had he put together the box and attached the tiled panel than I was dying to try it all out together just for a sense of the finished project, but he was still cursing the odd dimensions. Not only was there a lot of patching on the back of the mantle that supported weaker areas, but it was very uneven meaning that one side stood out further than the other although not visible from the front. There are also standard sizes for things today, like an average height for a fireplace mantle, and that wasn't really true 200 years ago, so standard cuts of woods weren't lining up easily. Bless his heart, he dealt with it, adding a lip to the edge that the mantle slots onto and carving off fractions of inches to ensure that it all lined up. I should take a moment to mention that in his daily work he is NOT a carpenter and that this is not a typical kind of project for him, so I am extremely grateful and I think he did admirably well. And that's where he left it as he headed home Monday morning...

Of course I couldn't resist dragging the parts together to see how it was all going to look, more or less. 

Stay tuned as we're planning to finish this project this coming weekend, just in time to hang some stockings!

For Your 18th Century Gifting

 

I hope all those who celebrate Thanksgiving have had a marvelous one, with or without company! In the United States the day after is pretty much an unofficial-official holiday for excessive expenditure, or a time to get hopping on those end-of-year gifts. Per the usual, mine have all been order and most are wrapped at this point because I find it less of a financial strain if I pick up gifts throughout the year instead of all at the end. But that just me. For those who might be inclined to get others (or themselves, no judgement here) a little 18th century something, here are a few suggestions. Bonus:- this fits in nicely with the Shop Small/ Support Small Businesses movement.

18th century cartridge box- A note of warning before you fall too much in love with this item; it ships from the UK and has a current expected delivery date of anywhere from December 8th-28th so keep that in mind if planning to gift this. That being said, what a delightful gift it would be! It comes in a variety of color options or even as undyed leather, and there's an available insert to keep bullets tidy for an additional fee. Pretty sure to wow the military reenactor on your list.

Brass Cannon Genuine 18th Century Toy- Then again, if what you want is the genuine article, this little toy will give a thrill to any collector or historian. Found originally in the river Thames in England, it now resides in the U.S. and ships closer to home if you are stateside. 

Forget-Me-Not Buckle- It's no secret that SignoftheGrayHorse is one of my favorite Etsy shops, and you may recall that a month or two ago I bought a stunning stomacher jewel from them. So I can't recommend highly enough that if you are looking for the kind of buckles that ubiquitously adorned all manner of 18th century clothing, you might consider these charming reproductions which come in a variety of finishes. If that weren't enough to tempt you, they were created in collaboration with the talented American Duchess, whose fantastic line of shoes these would look fabulous on.

Shallow Crown Straw Hat- Another pretty dependably great supplier is FashionableFrolick and as usual they provide accessories that don't just approximate the time period, but really help take it from referential to real. It's easy to find cheap, plain straw hats in any craft store, but for the wide tightly woven kind with shallow flat crowns that you see in the portraits, you really do need to seek out a supplier of historical styles. The great thing about these is that they come in multiple widths and two colors, and can be styled trimmed to your heart's content.

Hair Powder Dispenser- LilBits has over 54K sales, and it's no wonder because some of this stuff is hard to find and their reputation for quality is truly excellent. One of the most authentic looks you can achieve for the 18th century is the powdered wig or hairstyle, and this is not easy to achieve by, say, sitting on your kitchen floor trying to filter flour over your locks from a sieve. Cough, not that I would know, cough. This little gadget would make things considerably easier for you or your favorite reenactor/costumer. This costumer gives it two flour-covered thumbs up!

Colored Hair Powder- Need powder for your dispenser? The HarriedHedgehog has you covered! Better yet, you can get it in a selection of period-appropriate colors like yellow and pink (though you may need to scroll through more of their stock for other options). It's organic and vegan and ships quickly. What's not to like?

Sadly the spinning top toys seem to be sold out already, but if you search for similar terms, you will still be able to find nearly identical items to keep your little tots appropriately entertained at your next event, even if they're in full public view.

18th century embroidered pocket pattern- PennyRiver has you covered if you're in the market for a gift for that crafter in your life. Their pocket pattern is affordable, comes complete with embroidery instructions and a guide to basic stitches, and will allow you or your loved one to make something uniquely all their own. 

Brass Straight Pins- It's impossible to overstate the importance and necessity of pins to the Georgian wardrobe. Dresses closed with pins, trim was applied in places with trims, stomachers could be pinned to stays with pins and then dresses to the stomachers with pins. You can use modern pins, of course, but for that really stepped-back-in-time feeling you want to invest in authentic pins. At $8.25 for a 10-pack and free shipping, it's a pretty good deal. 

Custom 18th Century Style Drawing- For my money, one of my personal favorite options is the personalized portraits offered by EmArtProject, but if you do go this route you'd better hop to it because they naturally take 2-3 weeks to execute. Send a photo and have yourself or your Rococo aficionado friend immortalized in a totally unique sketch that captures them in their preferred style. Surely this idea is hard to beat.

Used any of these services? Have other 18th century gift ideas? I'm always interested to hear them so drop me a comment!

November 24th, 1786

I write, in very ill humor, from my home, Portaberaud, in quiet Riom. The Chevalier has pursued me with letters, though they have now seemed to cease. That would make me piqued enough, but Maman was to have visited with her husband, and has chosen instead to inform me that she will not now come until close to Christmas, at which time she is bringing, not one but, BOTH of my brothers as well as my sister-in-law. Inhospitable as I might sound, it is rather unfair. I am fond of my family (Maman's husband aside), but I had hoped for a kind of time with my mother, just the two of us, and near to my birthday as well. She had promised that we would paint together. Now that is not to be. Add to that the expense and trouble of hosting fully double the number of people, as well as the fact that they have no clear wish to depart quickly and may stay through the New Year, and I am quite put out! Not a one seems to have had the consideration to think of their hostess in making these arrangements, and I find myself infuriatingly the last to know when it will most impact my planning and household. 

On the advice of a friend, and much to the horror of the gardeners, I have taken to assaulting the last of the summer's roses with shears, and generally tidying the garden as a way to give vent to my many frustrations. We have enjoyed great shifts in weather of late, one day sunny and quite unseasonably warm, the next frosted and overcast. I am glad I brought away with me all manner of clothing, though Marianne will grumble at the sheer amount of packing. It is, after all, her job. 

Menars, in his single letter on the subject, says that there are always rumors about single young men in the city, which would seem to dismiss my not-unfounded suspicions of the Chevalier's infidelity; yet also comments that he would not be at all surprised should these prove to be more than unconsummated affections. In short, I have been a fool, in the eyes of all of Paris. And at my age, too!

I am finishing a bonnet by my own hand for my little god-daughter and will send it to Elizabeth in time for Christmas. Tomorrow I turn my attention to preparations for the entire family to descend upon me, but tonight I think I will rest with a book, some sewing, and the companionship of my sweet dog. Tomorrow perhaps my mood will be less foul.

-Olympe