For those who feel as if they were born in the wrong era, The Quintessential Victorian is a place for you to indulge in all things Victorian. Fix a cup of tea, relax, and allow yourself to be transported to the most glorious era in history...

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Welcome to The Quintessential Victorian!

 
The Victorian era was one of beauty, grace, and gentility. As a Victorian trapped in a modern day world, I invite you to join me each week for articles pertaining to the 19th century and all it entails. Topics such as fashion, tea, literature, jewelry, amusements, and much more will be featured weekly in addition to special posts about Victorian places to visit.  Furthermore, ideas to bring the past into your present day life will also be shared. I hope you enjoy your time here at The Quintessential Victorian! Won’t you join me for a cup of tea?

Saturday, March 14, 2015

50 Shades of Mohair

50 Shades of Mohair (with a touch of cat hair:).
Silvery gray, pearlescent white, coffee brown, tawny tan, dusky black…ahh, the enticing shades of teddy bear mohair. In the dusty corner of attics to the deep recesses of ambrosial scented cedar chests reside the tantalizingly cuddly cohorts of childhood. With the seductive allure of glassy eyes, soft embroidered lips, and moveable limbs, the teddy bear is childhood’s hero, guarding little ones from the ever present dangers lurking beneath beds or within the darkness of closets. These cuddly companions provide comfort, friendship, and unmitigated devotion. A dedicated lot, they endure a mélange of frivolity such as the provocative enticement of tea parties, late night sleepovers, not to mention dressing up in all manner of costuming engaging in make-believe play. Their cottony memories safeguard childhood secrets and confessions while woolly mohair is bathed in the salty tears of disenchantment.
What begins as a soft furry playmate slowly morphs into a ragged companion enduring loss of stuffing, mending, petting, and snuggling. Fur fades, mohair wears, and glass eyes are lost, yet these treasured comrades persist, evoking a sense of contentment and gratification lasting a lifetime. Surrender to the repressed yearning of childhood merriment by indulging in a night of peace and tranquility found in the cuddly companionship of a mohair teddy bear.

Bearton Abbey Resumes!

http://beartonabbey.blogspot.com/2015/03/harley-persists.html

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Through Button Eyes: Memoirs of an Edwardian Teddy Bear, An Heirloom Story

Meet Sir Bearsley Tolpuddles, star of the soon to be released novel Through Button Eyes by author Kim Poovey.
Discover history of the Edwardian era and beyond through the eyes of an antique mohair teddy bear.
Stay tuned for more...


Sunday, May 18, 2014

Bearton Abbey's a Ball!

Visit to find out more...

http://beartonabbey.blogspot.com/2014/05/act-x-event-of-season.html


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Haunted Photo Shoot

Several weeks ago we were privileged to be photographed with dear friend Lynn on River Street, Savannah, Ga by photographer, David Hartfield.








Sunday, April 27, 2014

Wine and Sign at Folly Beach Pier

The first Wine and Sign event at Folly Beach Pier was a wonderful success! 
Thanks to all who attended!









Thursday, February 13, 2014

Bearton Abbey Selfies

Please visit Bearton Abbey for the latest on the cast:).

http://beartonabbey.blogspot.com/2014/02/bearton-abbey-selfies.html


See you there!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Bearton Abbey

Please visit my newest writing endeavor, Bearton Abbey at
Http://Beartonabbey.blogspot.com

See interviews with the cast members and other fun updates at 

https://www.facebook.com/Beartonabbey?ref=ts&fref=ts

See you at Bearton Abbey!!!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Memoires of a Closet Victorian

I am embarking on a new adventure regarding Victoriana existing in a modern day world. With several upcoming events and Christmas celebrations I have been a bit behind on my posts. I hope to be posting very soon about this new endeavor. Until then here are some photos of my Victorian Christmas dresses:).



Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Living the Victorian Life-An Awakening

Rustling taffeta, like the swirling of leaves on a blustery autumn morning, brushed the worn wooden floorboards of the mercantile as she stepped gracefully through the front door...

It will come as no surprise that my love of Victoriana and all that it encompasses fills my thoughts daily. I recently shared a link about a young woman who has embraced this elegant way of life leading me to redefine my own Victorian life, or should I say refine it.
Many of my facebook and blog posts as of late have focused on living a simpler more genteel lifestyle . I actually believed I had achieved the pinnacle of historic living until I read her article.
Humph.
There is more out there than I had imagined. Granted, I am in no position to abandon my car or the technology on which I am presently typing this post. However, I have come to realize there are more opportunities available in my Victorian pursuits. So I am endeavoring to try something different as I grow and refine my Victorian persona. I hope you will join me on this journey as I feel certain it will be entertaining (and maybe a bit crazy:).
Thus far I have shared my passion for brewing tea leaves and taking tea from delicate rose laden cups, dressing for reenactments, surrounding myself with Victorian antiques, and learning many of the period correct pastimes such as needlework and archery. Alas, there are still some areas I have yet to entertain.
I must say I am excited at the prospect of this journey and where it will lead...


Monday, November 18, 2013

Living the Victorian Life-Literally!

I stumbled across this article on Facebook the other night and it has haunted me ever since. I love that this young woman has embraced the Victorian lifestyle so fully and yet I have contemplated my own Victorian life ever since reading the article. Over the next few days I will be addressing how those of us who love Victoriana can live the life (perhaps not to the degree that this young woman has done) in a modern day world. I have ordered her book and look forward to reading it:).
Stay tuned for more...




http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2506542/Wearing-corset-liberating-Meet-woman-living-modern-day-Victorian-life--cell-phone-car-home-appliances.html

Monday, October 28, 2013

Living the Victorian Life-Archery

This weekend at the Battle of Brattonsville I took up a new sport, archery.
I had a wonderful instructor who was very knowledgeable and extremely patient. 
I never would have thought I would enjoy archery as much as I did and now I am hooked!
Archery was an acceptable and popular sport for Victorian ladies.






Monday, October 14, 2013

Emma's World-It's About Time


 Keeping time in the Victorian era looked much different than the digital world in which we live today.
Instead of an electrical cord or batteries clocks were wound with a key.
 
The clock was powered by the swing of a pendulum.
Some were very ornately embellished.
 
Clock faces varied greatly from simplistic to fancy designs...

 A series of gears, chimes, and other workings kept the clock running.
 
Various types of clocks could be found in Victorian homes including grandfather clocks, 
mantel clocks,
and shelf clocks.
 
Most clocks were eight day clocks wound weekly using a key.
Two holes in the face of the clock were used, one to wind the chimes and the other for the time.
 
The rhythmic tick tock of an antique clock announcing the hour with melodic chimes to pass the time of day is a comforting sound indeed.
How do you prefer to keep time?