As I am typing this a huge storm is making its way through Denver. It is a joy to be sitting in front of a large open window enjoying it from my dry third-floor apartment. The cool air coming in is very welcome after the heatwave that we have experienced along with much of the [...]
Is it a dress? Is it a jacket? Regency outerwear has long been an interest of mine. It is elegant and quite deceptive! What often looks like a lovely early 19th-century coat is more often than not, a form-fitting jacket referred to as a “pelisse.” It has been top of my list to write about [...]
Have you ever ridden in a hot air balloon? Today they are novelties that many of us enjoy but also take for granted seeing on the horizon, especially on weekend mornings. It is easy to forget that when they were first invented they created a sensation around the world and led to what is now [...]
I love connecting with the Mrs. Claus actors in our community! I have had the unique privilege of connecting with one each year since beginning to write for Recollections in 2019 and am very aware of how lucky I am! I enjoy telling their stories because I know how useful their expertise is for our [...]
I have always associated ponytails with summer. I had my hair done every day growing up and my mom tended to put me in ponytails more often than not during the warmer months (or shall I say, hotter, as I am from Arizona). As someone who is well-versed in 19th-century fashion, I am aware that [...]
Late Victorian architecture is the stuff that fairy tales are adorned with. It was a time of expanding wealth for the “common man” and homes reflect the desire that so many had to embrace and display their abundance. Exteriors were adorned from top to bottom with as many embellishments as possible. The famous “painted ladies” [...]
Happy Christmas in July! I have loved writing blog posts for this fun occasion for the past two years. I have had the chance to meet some of our talented Mrs. Claus customers, learn about the history of Christmas in July, and offer ideas on how to celebrate. It seems that everyone is more excited [...]
I have loved sharing the stories of various female artists on the Recollections blog. I think that creative women bring such a special touch to the beauty they create and those that we include on the blog did so in times that weren’t easy for female professionals. My favorite illustrator is Joan Walsh Anglund, whose [...]
This summer we have been exploring the history of Victorian tea culture. The mass popularity of tea in the 19th century led to new furniture, a growing amount of teaware, and new household schedules. It also led to social occasions that society molded around. This included afternoon tea, high tea, tea parties, and tea dances. [...]