The Ornamented Being

Calling all bookworms!! My flight is tomorrow and I am about to unleash myself upon B&N’s online Nook store and I need recs! I like historical fiction/non-fiction (obviously), fantasy (please no GOT recs, just the though of the Red Wedding sends me crawling into the corner), historical mysteries, anything about the Napoleonic era or British Regency… basically if it doesn’t have the words Twilight or 50 Shades of Anything in the title I’m up for it. Recs please!?

It’s a ruff job but someone has to do it.

Only 170” to go in what is being renamed the Lyze what have you gotten yourself into?!?!! project.

To amuse me as I embark upon this terrible lovely hand stitched, hand gathered, hand everything because we didn’t have sewing machines in the 16th century, journey :

Hey tumblr peeps. Does anyone have any idea what this is? It’s a little stretchy and feels rough like some sort of hair? I went to ask the first year who threw it out what it was and she squeaked and ran off ;{ Kind of hurt my feelings. I’m not that scary.

It’s perfect for my padded hem! I just need a bout a metre and a half more!

(I put a 20p and a 2p for scale. The copper two pence is the same size as a Us quarter)

Any one want to do some research for me? I’m near my wits end looking.

I need a dress from 1818 ( It would be AMAZING if you found one but otherwise I’m searching for something between the years of c.1815-1821 just because it suits my purpose) that has a train. I am interpreting a train on my dress and I need extant example to back that claim up.

It can be extant examples *crosses fingers* or fashion plates. At this point in time it really doesn’t matter anymore. 

This is my primary source from The Bowes Museum ca. 1821. 

I think this needs to be said. I have been getting a lot of message from high school students lately asking for advice about costuming and the very first thing you guys do is apologize for bothering me.

Let me make this clear: You guys are not bothering me.

I’m actually ridiculously proud of you for taking the time to research and ask questions. To go into the costuming field you need to do research! Picking out a university is important so compare them. Look at what you would study and compare it to another course, ask questions. Look at what you study in first year compared to what you would study in first year at another school (very important!). Look at the alumni, what did they go on to do. Who are the visiting lectures by? What museums are in the area of the school? Research is GOOD and questions are GOOD. 

Your high school guidance counselor is there to support you but most of the times they fail epically (and I went to a very well known International School who brags about their soon to be Harvard students and he would have nothing to do with me because I wanted to go into an arts based career.)

My mom ended up becoming my counselor (and my psychiatrist and my tough love buddy and that person who just agrees me when I need someone to agree! Mom’s rock like that). I took the make your own path and I’m still learning the hard way because I didn’t have someone to tell me take a look at this.

If I can help make the path to university even remotely easier for you guys consider my ask box always open. It’s always open anyway because I encourage questions and debate (I’m not an expert but I try!) but especially to high schoolers.

And I will write you back because I believe in encouraging the younger generation. You guys are my future and I wish you all the best.

That being said I’m really enjoying all the messages lately (I had 12 yesterday!!!)

I encourage you to read this, it’s the best piece of advice I have ever come across. I’ve printed this out and put a copy on my wall and in my moleskine.

“Health: Drink plenty of water.

Eat breakfast like a king Queen, lunch like a prince Princess and dinner like a beggar.

Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

Live with the 3 E’s - Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

Play more games.

Read more books than you did in 2010.

Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

Sleep for 7 hours. Let’s be realistic. I’m a full time student in my second year. My unofficial motto of university is I’ll sleep when I’m dead. I’m changing this to sleep 4-5 hours a night.

Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. (I live in London. I’ve got this one covered!)

And while you walk, smile.

Personality: Don’t compare your life to others.

You have no idea what their journey is all about.

Don’t have negative thoughts on things you cannot control.

Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

Don’t over do.

Keep your limits.

Don’t take yourself so seriously.

No one else does.

Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip.

Dream more while you are awake.

Envy is a waste of time.

You already have all you need.

Forget issues of the past.

Don’t remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past.

That will ruin your present happiness.

Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

Don’t hate others.

Make peace with your past so it won’t spoil the present.

No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.

Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

Smile and laugh more.

You don’t have to win every argument.

Agree to disagree.

Society: Call your family often.

Each day give something good to others.

Forgive everyone for everything.

Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

What other people think of you is none of your business.

Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick.

Your friends will.

Stay in touch. Life: Do the right thing! Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

The best is yet to come.

Your Inner most is always happy.

So, be happy.”

There was no author to this piece but I am thankful to whoever wrote this. 

ca. 1790

Baroque

Are there any French-speaking followers on my tumblr who could traduire en anglais. I recognize a few of the words but I’d rather someone who knows the language do it :D

AHA! monochronisme saves the day! The French means:

“More sincere than I am” “You will never have friends”

Oh ho ho I wonder who this was addressed too??

Thank you to everyone who assisted in that translation! 

EDIT: A great point has been up by quaintrelle-life

I think they might be worn the other way around and say perhaps “You will never have friends” “more sincere than I am”

Thank you!! That is an excellent point!