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4 Family Films Set in the Victorian Era

By | June 28th, 2016|Categories: Civil War, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

Family Fun Under Summer Skies More than any other time of the year, summertime conjures thoughts of family togetherness. There are few drive-in theaters left in which the whole family can get outside and enjoy a movie together. Here are four movies set in the Victorian era that are worthy of moving the big-screen television [...]

Legends of Fashion – Christian Dior

By | January 28th, 2016|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized|Tags: , , , , , , |

by Donna Klein   When we think of Christian Dior today, perfume, makeup, and accessories come to mind, as well as a fashion label that has been successful for nearly 60 years. World War II brought austerity measures to every industry, even fashion. Once the conflict ended, women were ready to shed the masculine look [...]

Flexible Flyer – Sledding Fun Born during the Victorian Era

By | January 2nd, 2016|Categories: Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , |

It's Winter – Time to Grab a Sled and Find a Hill! We finally got our first big snowfall of the season up here in Northern Michigan – just in time for the New Year! I haven't been sledding in years, but I just might have to get out and do a little this winter. [...]

The Centennial Building; Alpena, Michigan: Part 4

By | October 9th, 2015|Categories: Edwardian Era, Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , |

by Donna Klein   Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3   Second Floor - Rooms to Rent and the Odd Fellows Banquet Facility   We've gotten some background information, visited the first floor and the basement. Next, we headed for the second floor. A massive stair case leads directly to the third floor, [...]

Halloween is Just Around the Corner!

By | September 3rd, 2015|Categories: Ball Gowns, Civil War, Downton Abbey, Edwardian Era, Fashion, Old West, Pioneer Dress, Roaring 20s, Uncategorized, Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , |

Halloween is Just a Hop-Skip-and-a-Jump Away!   Yes, the calendar just flipped from August to September, and the thermometer is still registering summer temperatures. But, make no mistake, it's almost heeeeeerrrrre! It's time to start thinking about autumn and one of its highlights - Halloween.   Themed parties, no theme parties, and everything in between [...]

Loudoun Ballet Company

By | June 15th, 2015|Categories: Uncategorized, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , |

The Founding of the Loudoun Ballet Company     Less than 30 miles from our nation's capitol is Loudoun County, Virginia. The county was carved from Fairfax County in 1757 and named for the Fourth Earl of Loudoun, John Campbell. Today, the county the third most populous in the state of Virginia, but it has [...]

Victorian Shoes: Booting the boot and bringing in the heel

By | February 17th, 2015|Categories: Victorian Era|Tags: , |

When you imagine the Victorian era, you probably imagine huge sunhats, enormous dresses, gloves, lace, jewels, and decadence. In fashion, when an era is simplistic, the era after it usually is extreme. The simplicity of the Regency era meant only that the Victorian Era would be grander than ever. However, a part of the outfit [...]

Besser Museum’s Season of Light

By | December 27th, 2014|Categories: Ball Gowns, Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , , , |

  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 [...]

CMSA Competitor Shawn Yospin

By | December 27th, 2014|Categories: Uncategorized|

  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 [...]

Oak Alley Plantation

By | December 4th, 2014|Categories: Civil War, Uncategorized, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , , , , , |

The Great River Road runs on both sides of the Mississippi River between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. In its heyday, sugar cane plantations lined the waterway, and today this stretch of the river is known as Plantation Alley. One of the grandest of these plantations is Oak Alley.   Oak Alley Plantation is located north of [...]

Dressing in Dickens Attire

By | November 13th, 2014|Categories: Fashion, Uncategorized, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , |

Winter seems the favorite time for Dickens Fairs and other Dickens-themed events. Who does not have the image of rosy-cheeked Dickens carolers, gathered in the soft glow of a gas lamp on a snowy evening while they sing lovely carols from long ago? If you are attending one of these events, and would like to [...]

The Edwardian Era

By | August 25th, 2013|Categories: Downton Abbey, Edwardian Era, Edwardian Fashion, Fashion, Recollections|Tags: , , , , , , , |

The Edwardian Era is named for Queen Victoria’s son Edward, who ascended to the throne upon her death in 1901. This was to become an age of unparalleled luxury as the bustles, stiff silks and wools of the 1890’s gave way to the new decorative Art Noveau style. The French termed this period la Belle [...]