Monday 29 October 2012

Jane Austen Festival 2012: Part 2

The following day we went on a second promenade, the Mini Prom. As the name suggests it was shorter than the one the day before and there were less people, but it was great fun. It was really a history walk around part of the city. Our guide was the Centre's meeter and greeter Martin, and the tour ended at the Holburn Museum where the intention was to have a picnic in the garden. 





I love this lady's pelisse.

The entrance to Laura Chapel, where Jane Austen worshiped. Sadly the church is no longer there.

Jeanette and Aylwen 'rummaging through their reticules'. :)

Really want this riding habit. 

Taking photos outside Jane Austen's  house, 4 Sydney Place. 

This lady's outfit was amazing. She made everything. So want this outfit.

The Holbourne Museum. The weather wasn't great, so after having a piece of lovely quiche with some friends, I went inside to the museum to join Aurora and Aylwen in the cafe.




After lunch we set off for Queen's Square to attend an embroidery class. It was run by the very talented seamstress, Charlotte Raine, who gave the reticule class I did at last years festival. As with the last class, it was great fun, though I do feel there were too many people, and that the 2 hours allotted for the class wasn't long enough. In the reticule class there were only about 8 of us and we all had such fun chatting about all things regency, sewing, drinking tea and eating biscuits. This year there were too many people to chat to everyone and it was less cosy and sewing circle like. However, it was very well taught and I did enjoy it.

A few people staring at the ceiling before the class started :).

Aurora and Jeanette

Other attendees

The ceiling-staring people hard at work




Sadly soon after the class I had to leave the lovely regency world and catch a train back to London as I had work the next day. But happily I was able to go down the following weekend for the balls. :)

Monday 22 October 2012

Jane Austen Festival 2012: Part 1

I am slowly but surely catching up on my blogging! Next for your perusal is my report on the Jane Austen Festival 2012. Sadly this year, as I predicted, I wasn't allowed to take time off work, so I missed out on the events during the week. But at least I got to go to a few on the weekends. 

Well of course the first event of the week was the promenade, the grand opening, where everyone shows off their smartest daywear. :)

Aurora wearing her gorgeous new pelisse and hat. Me serious want!,

Waiting in Queens Square for the promenade to start.



The promenade begins...

Walking past the Jane Austen Centre.

An adorable dog that turned around just as I was taking its picture. :(

A traffic jam in Milsom street. 

Priscilla and Claire looking ever so elegant! 

A lady wearing a beautiful open robe.

Admiring the soldiers in Parade Gardens (where the promenade ended). 





The dancers of Steps in Time performing in the gardens.

Two girls wearing beautiful spencers!

Promenaders watching the dancing.

Aurora, I and Jeanette

Shopping at the local village shop :)


That evening we went to see a Georgian play at the Guildhall. Apparently it was originally written for the actor David Garrick.
I have to admit that the first half was rather hard to follow (a mixture of strong scottish accents and georgian language) but the second half was much better.


Here are a few photos of the actors:









Next post: 2nd Promenade and embroidery. 

Thursday 11 October 2012

The New Costume Gallery at the V&A

I am holding off on posting about the Liebster blog award as I can't decide on which blogs to award it to (there are to many amazing ones). In the meantime I am going to write up some post that are long overdue.

A few months ago I went to the V&A and spent a fabulous couple of hours drooling over the costumes in the museum's new costume gallery.

Here are a few (actually quite a few!!) photos of my favourite costumes/accessories. :)























I really want a spencer like this 
EDIT: Opps I meant pelisse not spencer!!!



Oh and gown like this
















Oh and this













The gallery is wonderful and so much better than it was before. It's definitely worth a visit to London to see it.