Paperdolls...

Regency paper dolls Made for me by Mabel. 

♥Emaline

1890's Bicycling Outfit

 Bicycling is one of the great enjoyments of life! 

I simply love pedaling down the lane to say hello to the neighbors or to look at the horses or to search for signs of Spring! Just feeling the wind in my hair puts me in a more amiable mood.

And of course, if one is to go out for a bicycle ride, one must have the proper attire. Like these lovely pieces from the era.

 And here is my bicycling outfit made for me by my witty friend Kacie. She actually made it for her own doll Ophelia, but I oohed and ahhed over it so much that she decided I should have it. I will be forever grateful. ♥ She also made the 1894 Tailor Gown that I posted about.

 Here is the chemisette. Soft cotton with a beautifully delicate trim around the collar, tiny pearl buttons (actually, seed beads) and a luxurious red satin bow tie! Oh, happiness!

It ties neatly around the torso and is so much less bulky than a blouse would be.

Then the bloomers. What can I say but, fabulous...

The jacket is so sophisticated and beautiful. I love the gold buttons. 

It has a large collar, sewn down for perfect practicality. 

 How much better can it get than "Leg o' Mutton" sleeves!?

The waist points in the front and the back which makes it so elegant. ♥

And of course, the hat! A Tam was very popular to wear with Bicycling garb as you can see from the 1890's illustrations and pictures. And they're so cute!

Thank you Kacie! And thank you all, dear readers for coming to see me!

I hope you may all get out and go for a ride this spring! And if you haven't read the "Don'ts for the Lady Bicyclist", you must go and read it! It is simply hilarious!

♥Emaline

Don'ts for Lady Bicyclists 1895

 Well... Here is a real gem!

I was so thrilled when I found this article!

'Don'ts for the Victorian Lady Bicyclist' 

...Some of these should be embroidered on a cushion. :] 

• Don’t be a fright.
• Don’t faint on the road.
• Don’t wear a man’s cap.
• Don’t wear tight garters.
• Don’t forget your toolbag.
• Don’t attempt a “century.”
• Don’t coast. It is dangerous.
• Don’t boast of your long rides.
• Don’t criticize people’s “legs.”
• Don’t wear loud hued leggings.
• Don’t cultivate a “bicycle face.”
• Don’t refuse assistance up a hill.
• Don’t wear clothes that don’t fit.
• Don’t neglect a “light’s out” cry.
• Don’t wear jewelry while on a tour.
• Don’t race. Leave that to the scorchers.
• Don’t wear laced boots. They are tiresome.
• Don’t imagine everybody is looking at you.
• Don’t go to church in your bicycle costume.
• Don’t wear a garden party hat with bloomers.
• Don’t contest the right of way with cable cars.
• Don’t chew gum. Exercise your jaws in private.
• Don’t wear white kid gloves. Silk is the thing.
• Don’t ask, “What do you think of my bloomers?”
• Don’t use bicycle slang. Leave that to the boys.
• Don’t go out after dark without a male escort.
• Don’t go out without a needle, thread and thimble.
• Don’t try to have every article of your attire “match.”
• Don’t let your golden hair be hanging down your back.
• Don’t allow dear little Fido to accompany you
• Don’t scratch a match on the seat of your bloomers.
• Don’t discuss bloomers with every man you know.
• Don’t appear in public until you have learned to ride well.
• Don’t overdo things. Let cycling be a recreation, not a labor.
• Don’t ignore the laws of the road because you are a woman.
• Don’t try to ride in your brother’s clothes “to see how it feels.”
• Don’t scream if you meet a cow. If she sees you first, she will run.
• Don’t cultivate everything that is up to date because you ride a wheel.
• Don’t emulate your brother’s attitude if he rides parallel with the ground.
• Don’t undertake a long ride if you are not confident of performing it easily.
• Don’t appear to be up on “records” and “record smashing.” That is sporty.

article found here 

 Now, you are fully informed of what not to do when riding a bicycle. ♥

My bicycle is beckoning me from the shed! What do you like to do in April?

♥Emaline

 

 

The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady

 As you may have guessed, I am reading The Country Diary of and Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden.

  I have always wanted to read this book but never really got through it. So, I thought I would read each month's section during that month. And that is precisely what I've been doing. It is much better than reading about July in March and becoming discontented with the season at hand. I am enjoying it immensely!

Reading it this way helps me to appreciate each month (and the weather) more. ♥ I am also very inspired to start an art journal of my own!

I hope you all have a lovely month and whether it is like a lion or a lamb I bid you to delight in it and see with open eyes the wonders of God's creation!
All my love,
Emaline

Things to do in March...

Go sight seeing..

 make or write music..

 Go for country walks with friends..

 Look fabulous..

 Do something spontaneous..

 Write a letter or two or three..

 Go out for tea..

 Stay in for tea..

 Dance..

 Go hunting..

 Read books..

 Go for a bike ride..

Aren't these good ideas? Aren't you inspired? Ha ha! I must say I have been inspired to do all of these things and have done some. ♥ 

Reading, drinking tea ("Obviously." - Mary Poppins), writing letters, making music, going for walks, looking fabulous ;), dancing, and even spontaneity.... Next on the list- sight seeing, going out for tea, "hunting" for some essential clothes for spring and bicycling.♥

Love to you all, Emaline

an adventurous month

 I am very fond of the month of February.  Because it is the month in which I was born and also because it is so very unpredictable. One day it is sunny and 58 degrees and the next everything is frosty and sparkling. And the next day it could snow a whole foot! So, some might call it fickle or changeable or say that they are "SO ready for spring!" But as for me, I should not like to waste a whole month or even a moment of the time I am given.. So I shall call it an adventurous month and enjoy every bit of it! 

Here is a poem I would like to share with you. It is one of my favorites.

To the Daisy

by William Wordsworth

 In youth from rock to rock I went,
From hill to hill in discontent
Of pleasure high and turbulent,
Most pleased when most uneasy;
But now my own delights I make, -
My thirst at every rill can slake,
And gladly Nature's love partake
Of Thee, sweet Daisy!

Thee Winter in the garland wears
That thinly decks his few grey hairs;
Spring parts the clouds with softest airs,
That she may sun thee;
Whole Summer-fields are thine by right;
And Autumn, melancholy wight!
Doth in thy crimson head delight
When rains are on thee.

In shoals and bands, a morrice train,
Thou greet'st the traveller in the lane,
Pleased at his greeting thee again;
Yet nothing daunted,
Nor grieved, if thou be set at nought:
And oft alone in nooks remote
We meet thee, like a pleasant thought,
When such are wanted.

Be violets in their secret mews
The flowers the wanton Zephyrs choose;
Proud be the rose, with rains and dews
Her head impearling;
Thou liv'st with less ambitious aim,
Yet hast not gone without thy fame;
Thou art indeed by many a claim
The Poet's darling.

If to a rock from rains he fly,
Or, some bright day of April sky,
Imprisoned by hot sunshine lie
Near the green holly,
And wearily at length should fare;
He needs but look about, and there
Thou art! -a friend at hand, to scare
His melancholy.

A hundred times, by rock or bower,
Ere thus I have lain couched an hour,
Have I derived from thy sweet power
Some apprehension;
Some steady love; some brief delight;
Some memory that had taken flight;
Some chime of fancy wrong or right;
Or stray invention.

If stately passions in me burn,
And one chance look to Thee should turn,
I drink out of a humbler urn
A lowlier pleasure;
The homely sympathy that heeds
The common life our nature breeds;
A wisdom fitted to the needs
Of hearts at leisure.

Fresh smitten by the morning ray,
When thou art up, alert and gay,
Then, cheerful Flower! my spirits play
With kindred gladness:
And when, at dusk, by dews oppressed
Thou sink'st, the image of thy rest
Hath often eased my pensive breast
Of careful sadness.

And all day long I number yet,
All seasons through, another debt,
Which I, wherever thou art met,
To thee am owing;
An instinct call it, a blind sense;
A happy, genial influence,
Coming one knows not how, nor whence,
Nor whither going.

Child of the Year! that round dost run
Thy course, bold lover of the sun,
And cheerful when the day's begun
As lark or leveret,
Thy long-lost praise thou shalt regain;
Nor be less dear to future men
Than in old time; -thou not in vain
Art Nature's favourite.

Happy February to you all!

Emaline

January

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

I thought you might like these pictures from Edith Holden's 'Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady'. They are so lovely!

Happy January to you all!

-Emaline

and a very Merry Christmas to you!

Merry Christmas everyone!! 

I hope you all have a blessed and joyful day celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

My very best wishes to all of you on this fine Christmas day!

Love, Emaline