"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." And so begins this very romantic poem penned by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the Victorian era's foremost poets. What a great love she and Robert Browning shared. This poem was written early on in their relationship; during courtship and early marriage. History.com relates that [...]
This episode should have been entitled the War for the Progressive. Between Tom’s dinner outburst, Mary’s sexcapades, and Rose’s radio, the battle waged all episode. Before we go any further, if you missed the season premier last week, you can get the highlights here. Lord Grantham continues his campaign of whining across the Abbey, arguing [...]
Downton Abby has become a sensation all over the world, and now more than ever, it is easy to get the look of your favorite characters. At the same time, the development of Pinterest makes it easy to search quickly and efficiently for fashion. It also has the benefit of allowing its users to see [...]
The hill that will give the rest of the season momentum. Spoiler Alerts Like so many others, I cuddled up with a cup of tea and a scone to watch PBS’s Season 5 premiere of Downton Abby on Sunday night. Waiting on the edge of the couch to know exactly what would happen to Edith’s [...]
There were three distinct fashion trends during the Victorian era, and all are considered “Bustle Dresses”. These were the Early Bustle period (1869-1876), the Natural Form period (1877-1882), and the Late Bustle period (1883-1889). The combination of a tight bodice and a very full skirt with bustle and drapery was thought to enhance the look of a tiny waist. A 15-inch waist was considered ideal, and fashion plates of the day always illustrated women with impossibly small “wasp waists”. The Early Bustle period (1869-1876) is characterized by tight-fitting bodices, which were worn with separate skirts. The bodice usually had a very high neck, and long closely-fitted sleeves. The sleeve was “dropped” from the shoulder a bit more than we are used to seeing today, and there was very little fullness at the sleeve head. A bustle was worn under the skirt, as well as two or more petticoats. There was usually an overskirt as well, either in the form of an apron-like drape across the front of the skirt, and/or an elaborately draped and pleated overskirt which covered the back of the skirt. The skirt itself was usually embellished with layers of ruffles, rouching or other trims. […]
Recently, Recollections held an apron design contest. It was open to all employees and subcontractors. Once the final designs were chosen, you, the Recollections customer were the judges! Sales determined the winner, and the people have spoken. First place winner, Dani, designed a Civil War era pinner apron (#140961). The bib of the [...]
By Donna Klein On the northern edge of Alpena, not far from the Thunder Bay River, is a gem of Northeast Michigan called the Besser Museum. Named for Jesse Besser, a pioneer in modern concrete technology, the museum is home to a variety of exhibits. Each year, the museum hosts a "Season [...]
By Sue McDonald Madelyn Le Page is probably THE most faithful attendee of the “Somewhere in Time” weekend at the Grand Hotel every fall on Mackinac Island. She and her husband have attended all of the "SIT" weekends except the first one. So, she believes that's been 22 weekends that they have attended. One of [...]
By Sue McDonald Recollections’ faithful client Shawn Yospin wasn’t exactly born in a barn, but that’s where she spends much of her time, as she currently lives in a barn on the same farm in Central Virginia where she grew up. “My parents live just up the hill from me and my horse [...]