Flattering by Gaslight: Fashion Advice for Nineteenth Century Ladies
The gas-lit ballrooms of the mid- to late nineteenth century weren’t as flattering to some colors as they were to others. For example, the 1897 edition of Hill’s Manual of Social and Business Forms warns that pale shades of yellow became “muddy in appearance by gaslight,” while shades of rose simply disappeared. Similarly, most shades of purple, as well as darker shades of blues and greens, were known to “lose their brilliance in artificial light.”[…]Continue Reading
The Work of Art Release Day: Blog Tour, Giveaway, & More!
It’s release day for my new Regency romance The Work of Art! To celebrate, the eBook price is reduced to just $2.99 for the entire week. I’ll also be embarking on a virtual book tour this week, complete with reviews, exclusive excerpts, and a special giveaway.
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Inside a Victorian Bathing Machine
(Wellcome Images)
During the Victorian era, ladies visiting the public beach couldn’t simply wade out into the water and enjoy an invigorating swim. To protect their modesty, most ladies on a seaside holiday utilized a bathing machine. Though the name puts one in mind of a mechanized device, a bathing machine was really nothing more than a wooden dressing room set up on two wheels. The interior was usually equipped with both an entry and an exit door, and generally featured benches on either side, and hooks on the walls.[…]Continue Reading
Strawberry Water, Lemon Cream, & Grape Lotion: A Victorian Sun Care Primer
Victorian women didn’t have our knowledge of ultraviolet rays and SPF, but like us, they had a healthy respect for the damage that too much sun could wreak on their complexions. A fair, unblemished countenance was one of the hallmarks of a lady. It helped to distinguish her from the lower classes. To signal that she wasn’t obliged to engage in any outdoor labor.[…]Continue Reading
The Work of Art Cover Reveal
Today, I’m thrilled to reveal the cover for my new historical romance novel, The Work of Art! This is one of my favorite book covers so far. It features a lovely lady (who looks very much like the heroine of my story), garbed in a Regency era dress and spencer, set against the backdrop of the English countryside. […]Continue Reading
