The 18th C Tea weekend recap

[madamemodiste]

I am going to make this like a 'real' journal entry so that I can read it later and remember what happened. Otherwise, I forget most of it as I have a poor memory. Feel free to skip to pictures if you like!

SHOPPING IN GETTYSBURG
Upon bauhausfrau's advice, I stopped in Gettysburg, PA on the way to VA. As it's famous for Civil War battles, they have a lot of shops that cater to history buffs. That means SHOPPING!!! I bought a tiny ladies pocket watch that opens. Isn't it tiny and pretty? Now I need a watch pin so I can wear it on my bodice. I also bought a fan holder chain. It has a special clasp at the top that hooks over a waistband and at the end of the chain is a clasp to attach your fan (or lorgnette or whatever). I love this thing! I saw a lot of reproduction mourning jewelry, but though it wasn't super expensive, it was still more than I could spend. The "In memory of" pin I wanted was $52.00. It was really crowded because it was "bikers weekend", so I didn't drive and re-park the car to visit all the other shops in town. Next time I'll leave earlier so I can do that.

ARRIVING AT bauhausfrau'S HOUSE
About an hour after leaving Gettysburg, I pulled into the farm where L and her family live. Breathtaking!! 300 acres of farmland, rolling hills, trees, a pond, and deer. Not to mention a house to die for. Part of it was built in 1750! She welcomed me, I met her two boys, and we had dinner by the pool (bar b que chicken, fresh fruit, and salad) with her dad (who lives in another original building on the property).

After dinner, (we had changed into bathing suits) I watched everyone swim while I soaked my feet in the pool. I didn't want to get my hair wet so that it would be good for using a curling iron the next day. So wonderful and relaxing!

After dinner, she showed me her sewing room. HUGE!! Several mannequins and so much room! I saw the pattern, fabric, and trim stashes as well as her cedar-lined walk-in costume closet. After I was done turning green with envy, we talked about projects and general costuming stuff.

I also met L's husband, who is handsome and very nice! Poor guy was getting sick, though, so we didn't bother him much. Her two boys were the picture of perfect behavior, and so adorable, every minute I was there.

18TH C. TEA PARTY
Woke up at the crack of dawn (I slept in a circular room with a million windows for a panoramic view). Outside the closest window, I watched birds and deer in the early morning mist. It was incredible.

Spent the morning ironing the tablecloths for the tea as well as L's gown and underskirt and my petticoat. padawansguide arrived around Noon, and I was so excited to finally meet her in person! Such a sweet lady! I spent the next hour curling my hair and she helped me to arrange it when it was done. She was also gracious enough to offer help with my hat, which I couldn't get to sit quite right. She stuffed the crown with some tissue paper and advised me on how to angle it just right. Perfect!!

By this time, many of the ladies had arrived and we were all getting into our gowns, so there were chemises and stays and shoes and wigs and hats everywhere. It was heaven!

We then adjourned to the 1750 part of the house for tea, which holds the formal dining room and sitting room.


The beautiful tea table. Fit for princesses of the blood!



Relaxing in the sitting room



With padawansguide



Me with padawansguide and girliegirl32786



jennylafleur and girliegirl32786



bauhausfrau on her fabulous couch



marcine



Our beautiful hostess in the doorway



Taking a turn upon the grounds



Watching the fish in the small pond



I swear, Mr. Darcy was going to come out of the trees, shed his jacket, vest, and cravat, and dive into the pond! I was watching for him to arrive...



Shoes!



Admiring the rear of our hostess' home


A fine prospect


Rlaxing on the lawn



Many more photos can be seen here, thanks to padawansguide.

Later on, we shed our gowns, and changed into swim suits. It was over 90 degrees, so we deserved a refreshing swim!



Yours truly staying cool yet dry!



Later after cleaning up and finishing the food we hadn't eaten at tea, many remained to watch Marie Antoinette.

It was sad to say goodbye to my new friends. I had such a good time indulging in my costuming world with others of the same mind!

Until next time, ladies!!!

Comments

[marcine.livejournal.com]

Good to meet you this weekend! I love your sense of humor. And you looked fabulous in your new frock. Thanks for sharing pictures on you lj -- you got some great shots. I love the one of you and Maggie and the one of you three under the lovey tree. Smashing! Sorry I missed the MA movie fest. Silly, whiny "I won't see you this weekend" (we've only been married two years -- that will wear off soon, I'm sure. :))husband ended up going out to a club Saturday night anyway. Turned out okay since we ended up having a mid-mornign visitor.
Hope to see you at some more Luminere East events!

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

Great to meet you, too! You really looked like you should be gossiping with Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil from Dangerous Liaisons! Such a lovely gown and a lovely lady!

Looking forward to seeing you at the next Lumiere East event!

[stregapez.livejournal.com]

Your chemise turned out lovely! And... what an amazing house! Looks like everyone had a fabulous time... I'm jealous!

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, it was incredible to spend time with such talented and lovely ladies!

[jennylafleur.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you made the trek down! It was great fun meeting you in person and getting a chace to chat - it just wasen't long enough!

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

It was great meeting you! Thanks again for your help with the dress during construction :D I'll see you again at the next Luminere East Event!

[vienna-la-rouge.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous!! All of you!
I love how your chemise gown turned out, especially the hat.
Stunning ;-)

xoxo

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I thought the hat would be unwieldy, but it was surprisingly fine.

[standgale.livejournal.com]

I love the material of bauhausfrau's dress, I love that kind of fabric and the colours are beautiful!
And I love that you have a dainty little black umbrella for the sun!
The whole thing sounds great, and that tea table is so beautifully set, it looks wonderful.

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

Wasn't she stunning!? I know, her gown totally stole the show. All the plain white gowns really allowed it to shine the way it was meant.

[girliegirl32786.livejournal.com]

You got some great pics! Again, it was really nice to meet you and sit across the table from you at tea. Not only did you look lovely in your chemise dress, but I adored your bathing suit!
I cant wait to see you at the next even! :)

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

Yes, my pink sash sister! Glad you liked my suit. I really like the 1940's fashion, and it was just so perfect! And since it's a "Shape/Fix" brand, I can eat a big lunch and still look great!

[aseret-black.livejournal.com]

Applause, applause, applause!
You all look so lovely and the pictures are truly beautiful. I love the one of the three of you on the sofa. Little misses all in a row but mischief is afoot ;-)

[madamemodiste.livejournal.com]

Three pretty pretty princesses plotting perfect plans! Hee hee!

[vanityfairy.livejournal.com]

Jell-o-cy. I has it.
;)

[lisotchka.livejournal.com]

Very nice pictures! I love the ones of you in front of the lake, in the lawn and near the swimming pool! (the only thing we regretted yesterday was a swimming pool!)
Nice job on your chemise-dress!