Historic Novelists Society 2012

Way back in September, the napoleonic reenactment group I am a member of took part in the Historic Novelist Society conference. I say take part, we were more like eye candy. As the name suggests, it was a conference for authors who write historical novels. It was held at the University of Westminster, and there were lectures and talks by the authors.  We were there to show those who didn't specialise in the Napoleonic era, what would have been worn during that time - we did quite a bit of standing around!!!!

A few soldiers (not standing to attention as the were meant to!!!), during a book signing.

Being inspected by a senior officer.

James and Rosie having a rest between duty shifts! 

Beautiful frescoes on the walls of one of the rooms.

Stained glass window in the ceiling

Having lunch

Having a rest

Doing a bit of posing!! :)

Me being silly

A few of us being silly. :)

Towards the end of the day someone had a crazy idea - to go to a haberdashery shop that is about a 10 minute walk from the university. I was the only one who knew exactly where it was, so in a moment of madness I agreed to go. Ordinarily I wouldn't have minded going for a stroll in costume, but this was central London on a Saturday afternoon. Regent Street and Oxford Street to be precise, the two busiest shopping streets in London. All I can say is, never again!! 

On the return journey, I couldn't think of anything else but getting back inside the university building, but my fellow companions decided that it would be great fun to have a drink in a nearby bar!!! I wasn't brave enough to make a run for it by myself, so I joined them at the bar (well we sat outside) and spent most of the time sitting, sipping my diet coke and staring at the floor, think that at any moment someone who I was at school with would walk passed!  However, thankfully I survived, partly due to the fact that a fellow re-enactor had tied on my hat so tightly that I sort of had blinkers either side of my face!

Rosie and Andrew outside the bar

Me and (my mind has gone completely blank!!!)

Despite my stupid embarrassment at being thus dressed in central london, it was a great day with lots of laughs. :)

Horncastle Regency Festival : Part 3

After the promenade, we went back to the hotel and had a lovely refreshing drink of elderflower cordial in the courtyard.  Then the others went back to their rooms for a rest before the ball, and I decided to change into modern clothes and check out Horncastle's famous antique shops.  There was one just around the corner from the hotel which I was told was a must, so off I went.

This is what greeted me!!! I was looking for material for a regency or victorian gown and a friend told me this was the place to go. The fabric was on the top floor. It was crazy and reminded me of the theatre costume wardrobe at one of my schools. It was a giant Aladdin's cave of fabric, books and crockery. I am a bit of a clean freak and it was a bit too dirty-and-spiderweb covered for me, but luckily I bumped into a friend in the shop who happily dived into the piles and handed out things to me. :)

In the end I actually only bought two things - a lovely blue and white side plate and a 1930s book. Apparently the shop extended right back off the street into two large barns but I only had time to explore a few rooms as I had to get back to the hotel for the ball dance practice.

The Ball

Me outside the hotel during the pre-dancing drinks. The hair curling genius that is Emily, managed to curl my hair and it stayed curled all evening which is unheard of!

An adorable little bear that was sitting in the room where the official photographs were being taken.

The ballroom. I think it would have been nice with some decorations, but at least it was a decent size. The amount of balls I have been to where there just isn't enough room for everyone to dance. The people pictured dancing in this photo were members of the Hampshire Regency Dancers, who did a wonderful display of a few recently discovered Regency quadrilles.

The teddy bear from earlier found a few friends :)

As usual I didn't take many photos at the ball as I was too busy dancing :)

The ball was good but unfortunately the food that the hotel produced was not great. The main course was fine, and there were some delicious macaroons (I ate way too many!!) as part of the pudding, but the rest of the pudding consisted of  an under-cooked cake and some rock hard biscuits. When I say rock hard I mean break-a-tooth rock hard. 

I was going to write about the Sunday in this post but I think it will make it too big so will give the day its own entire post. :)

Amazing Libraries

I love historic buildings, especially libraries. So you can imagine how excited I was to see, whilst perusing the Two Nerdy History Girl's weekly Sunday breakfast links, a blog who's author has complied photos of some of the most amazing libraries around the world. 

Not all are historical but even the modern ones are amazing in a wacky/crazy way. Here is the blog enjoy. :)

Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion

As I was going to be spending most of my birthday on an aeroplane flying with my family to visit my sister in Argentina, my parents gave me a couple of presents to open beforehand. One was the book about the Regency costume exhibition that was held in Milan last year, 'Napoleon and the Empire of Fashion'!!

I had mentioned that I really wanted it but had no idea that they had actually got it for me. :) It is a beautiful book with fabulous photos of some of the gorgeous costumes that were on display in the exhibition, and of some lovely fashion prints.

Here are a few of my favourite:

I LOVE this spencer

...and this gown

...I wouldn't mind this one :)

The embroidery on this gown is beautiful

Closer look at embroidery

I really want a pelisse like this one

I really recommend the book, it is fabulous. I really hope the exhibition comes to England soon. :)