Sleeping Cemetery

I had wondered if it was going to be creepy, sleeping near a cemetery. Often, when passing by houses next cemeteries saying "I could never live there".

I was a bit excited and inquisitive to find out that our Port Fairy campsite was next door to the local cemetery. I was prepared for ghost sightings, spooky noises, even random chills. (I'm easily sucked into those haunted house shows :P)

It was a beautiful place. We wandered about at dusk.

It was quite touching; reading out wonderfully old-fashioned names, admiring long lives and what they must have seen and the brief glimpses of others.

We all slept perfectly peacefully that night :)

Museum Date Day

Date days are wonderful, warm and fuzzy days :) My lovely boy and I shared one just last week.

It all started with some delicious French toast cooked by Mr. Boyfriend after a lazy sleep-in. Strawberries, banana, honey and creamy vanilla yoghurt were added for yumminess. I'd never had French toast before. Consider me converted!

And then we ventured out and explored the Melbourne Museum*.

Despite my thesis being focused on museum learning, it seems to have escaped into realm of Missing Socks and was able to enjoy the day without thinking of too much theory. We had good fun giggling about while playing with the exhibits. The history of human dissection was equally gross and interesting!

Then it was time to head back home and relax with some left overs, tv shows and movies. Beautiful :)

*For $10 Adult entry and free student/concession entry, it's well worth an exploration!

Check out the Melbourne Museum here. And end spruik.

Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne.

I think I have a new favourite place. I truly am in love with the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne. I have taken these photos on various days and nights throughout the year. Most of the inside shots are from the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show.

Like my Paint photoshop skills? :P

A vintage heads up

Hello lovelies! I promise I haven't forgotten you! I've been super busy trying to tutoring at a holiday program the past week. It was a long slog, but I've gotten some good money out of it and it's burning in my pocket!

Image source: Weheartit

Lucky for me, there is a vintage fair on this weekend in Melbourne. Not only will there be stalls with vintage dresses and antiques and goodies, there will also be a fashion parade showcasing the fashions of the Titanic. Count me in!

Vintage at the Willi

The Melbourne Vintage Fair

Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 July, 2011

Old-fashioned tea party

Care to join me for a tea party? Isn't she a wonderful find? :)

My grandparents sent some birthday money, with which I was determined to find something special with. I initially had a finding a piece of jewellery in mind, but then I wandered into good ol' Ratty and Moles Antique Shop and found this.

Gorgeous! :)

Anne.

"I heard say the execution was very good, and I have a little neck", and then put her hands about it, laughing heartily"

- Account by Constable of the Tower, Anthony Kingston

Anne Boleyn is one of my favourite characters in history. She's just fascinating. Her relationship with Henry and the impact she had on history for love is huge.

Today, in 1536, Anne Boleyn was executed. She had been accused of high treason, adultery and incest. Many historians believe today that Anne was innocent of these charges. Instead of having her beheaded on the block (as her lovers were), Henry employed a French swordsmen to remove the queen's head.

While Anne never delivered Henry the son he so wanted, she produced one of the most famous, magnificent Queen of England, Elizabeth I.

Karma's a bitch, hey Henry?

For more tidbits of Anne info, check out this post :)

Edit: Just found this video and found it really interesting. Worth checking out :)

The Borgias

Has anyone else been watching The Borgias?

People have been dancing about suggesting that The Borgias are the new Tudors. As you may well know, I'm a major Tudors lover. Having watched about four or five episodes of the Borgias, it's lacking the Tudors love and intrigue. That's not to say I'm not enjoying it. It just lacks the beautiful dresses, romance and royalty of the Tudors.

I do like the overload of betrayal about the place in the Borgias, but I want a love story or two or more as well. Which is why I loved this little story (above) between Lucrezia (Holliday Grainger) and Prince Djem (Elyes Gabel).

My favourite character is definitely the assassin though, Micheletto (Sean Harris, above). He sparks the most intrigue for me.

Above: Two other characters I am fascinated by are love are Cesare (Francois Arnaund) and Giulia Farnese (Lotte Verbeek).

I don't know much around the history of the Borgias and, unlike the Tudors, I feel uninspired to search out the truth. I'm waiting for it to blow me away with awesomenesss. Fingers crossed!

What do you think?

Lest we forget.

When researching wars of the past, it is always the letters home that capture me. The individual journeys through battle, fear and love. Their stories are unbelievable. Heartbreaking too. You read them desperately hoping they made it out alive; that they could return to the warm arms of their homes. Not all do.

For the full letter, click here.

This is a love letter written to an unknown ANZAC soldier by a Frenchwoman, Marthe Gylbert, on 25 August 1918.

My Darling Little Sweetheart, Just few lines hoping that my letter find you in the best of Health. I am very well myself at present and my family the same.

Well Lovey, you see I am faithfully thinking of you not too one else only to you. You know I love you very well my Little Husband. I am never love any body else. if you [illegible, probably 'get'] killed I stay every time with my little Baby. if you give me one. I hope to see you very soon. Darling I Dream about you last night I see you married with one else. I don’t thing you [illegible - looks like 'daw date'.]

So will close now with the best Remembrance from all my family and me. Best Love and Kisses XXX from your ever Loving Little Sweetheart. Wife to be very soon.

Martha Gylbert

We don't know what happened to this soldier.

He was loved though. I think that's important to remember. That every soldier was and is still loved by at least someone. They are human, like us.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

The Tudors Love

Why I love The Tudors:

1. Kings, Queens, Mistresses. Love triangles, life and death, and all that juicy drama. I love it.

2. History. Henry VIII lead an extraordinary life, you cannot deny that.

3. Inaccuracies. I really love the inaccuracies. Some are just ridiculous and funny (for example, Margaret). Others are more sneaky. Why do I love them though? They make you hunt for the truth. You learn in the truth hunting - plus a whole lot more!

4. Costumes. The sets. The computer graphic castles, not so much. Everything else looks awesome. I want some royal bling baby!

5. Natalie Dormer. Henry Cavill. Sarah Bolger. Beautiful people, wonderful actors. Or, more accurately, this:

Cheri

I have just finished watching Cheri (2009). I remember it failing to recieve much love in the cinemas when it came out, so I didn't expect a lot out of it. I loved it. Deliciously beautiful.

I loved the fashions, the drinks in the greenery, the witty dialogue. Reflecting on it, the plot wasn't fantastic but it was so easily watchable and enjoyable. I really enjoyed it.

Rupert Friend in all his charming glory.

The above has to be my favourite outfit of Michelle Pfeiffer's many in the movie.

Felicity Jones was simply stunning too.

Such beautiful colouring throughout the film. I could happily live in any of the places shown.

Definitely worth checking out, if only for the visual pleasures :)

Modern Anne Boleyn

I really enjoyed creating my own 'Dress like a Modern Marie Antoinette' post last year, so I thought I'd create another on another of my favourite royal women, Anne Boleyn. They do take a lot of effort to create, however I'm considering making it a monthly feature. What do you lovelies think?

You either love or hate Anne Boleyn. It seems it's always been that way. Hated for stealing King Henry VIII away from the beloved Catherine of Aragon. Hated for poisoning the mind of Henry and the consequential Reformation.

Personally, I love her. She seems to have real pizazz! I especially love Natalie Dormer's portrayal of her in The Tudors series. Beyond that, I find her easily the most complex and fascinating of Henry's six wives.

Have a calling to seduce Johnathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII? I know I do. So let's follow Anne's guide...

What made Anne stand out from all the other beauties at Henry's extravagant and entertaining court?

Hair

Majority of the ladies of the English court had blonde hair and blue eyes. Unlikes these, Anne had luscious dark hair and deep dark eyes to match. Even those that hated her had to admit that these were her most beautiful traits. She either wore this trademark hair out and flowing or carefully pulled off her face in a tight bun to reveal her stunning dark eyes. If you're fully committed to 'Going Anne', consider dying your hair a dark raven colour.

Another of Anne's trademarks was her French hood (as seen below on Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn in The Other Boleyn Girl). It distanced herself from Catherine of Aragon who mostly wore the English hood (as seen in the first portrait of Anne Boleyn). Anne probably also saw the French hood as a connection with the fancy and fashionable French court, where she had spent time as a young girl. As a Modern Anne, try wearing a thick headband or scarf around your head instead.

Jewelery

Unlike Catherine of Aragon, Anne loved to splurge on beautiful things. Including jewelery. Anne was easily identifiable at court with her string of white pearls which held onto a golden "B" with three pearls dangling below. Have a go at making your own - there's plenty of guides if you search on Google. Or, stick to a lovely string of pearls.

Big golden broaches can add to any outfit. You might also like to invest in a locket to keep an image of Henry close to your heart, always.

Clothing

Colours: It's difficult to determine what Anne's colour palette was when it came to fashion. Due to her perceived calculating, manipulating and evil character, she is often portrayed in dark, rich colours. Think royal reds, amethyst purples (the colour purple being reserved for royalty in the past), poison apple greens. You may even like to play up the fact that she was later called a 'witch' and stick to blacks.

Style: There are two ways you could go about this. Either stick to the modesty (*cough cough*) of the era and cover up with long flowing skirts. Or you could insert Anne's coy character into your clothes with shorter skirts and tights. Ensure that your delicate bosom is on show with low, square cut tops.

Behaviour

Anne was reportedly a furious flirt. She loved to be loved, and to do so she would flirt with all those around her.

It's not easy to flirt and maintain the amusement of a horny king however. Especially when you're courting a man for seven years and holding off the thing he wants most: sex. So how did she entertain the king? She was a fabulous and graceful dancer. She also had wit and humour and was reportedly very skilled in musical instruments. And didn't mind throwing a tantrum in front of the king. Don't know how that'd go down today!