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 Wedding

I watched it all. And I loved it. Well, some of the ceremony was boring, but I loved when the now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared glances and smiles together. I think those bits would be the favourite bits of my wedding, if and when it comes.

Loved the dress. Very Grace Kelly was my first reaction, and the reaction of my friends. I liked that the train was small. I wanted more flowers and a tiara more like Diana's wedding tiara, but that's okay. Very demure and graceful.

Her sister Pippa looked absolutely stunning! Hot hot hot! Gorgeous. Nearly upstaged Catherine. Nearly.

Loved gossiping about some of the guests outfits, hats, shoes, coats. The amount of people wearing black or white amazed me! I know black is kind of okay for weddings now, but I would have stayed well away from it had I been invited to a royal wedding. Same with white. You just don't go there, ever.

And, of course, what the hell was going on with Beatrice of York's hat/headdress/antlers? All I could see was Lady Gaga's lobsters. It was terrible.

Same same, but different?

My favourite moment of the whole thing? This.

Beautiful!

Images mostly from various articles on the UK's The Daily Mail. Link here.

Royally excited!

Image source: WeHeartIt

I've been sucked into watching those delightfully crummy morning shows about the Royal Wedding. I was intrigued by the wedding before this, curious to how a modern royal wedding would unfold today. But wonderful Kerri-Anne Kennerley has just informed me that it seems the wedding will take on a more whimsical style. Now I'm much more excited! A royal wedding with a fairytale style wedding?? Could it get much better? Hahaha!

I do wonder how Kate and William feel about some of the sacrifices they've no doubt had to make in order to keep with tradition, and the media. I hope it is still a wonderfully intimate and love filled affair that becomes a beautiful and happy day in their lives together.

For those interested, you can get the official programme online here.

Edit: I also came across a short 6minutes video about the history of royal wedding dresses. I found it really interesting the symbolism used in wedding dresses past. To watch the video, click on this link.

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:

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!

The King's Speech

I finally got round to seeing The King's Speech the other night. The cinema was absolutely packed! This is after leaving one cinema complex because the line was too long and driving 20minutes to another cinema which had the film on later that night.

My mother and grandmother had urged me to see it. They claim every time they've seen it (yes, they are addicted to Colin Firth and this movie), the audience has burst into applause at the end. Although our theatre didn't applaud, I know I felt like doing so.

It's a wonderfully enjoyable film. It's sweet, charming, smart and cute. Colin Firth definitely provides award-winning performance as King George VI. Geoffrey Rush is delightful and darling as the unorthodox Australian speech therapist. And Helena Bonham Carter? Awesome wardrobe. And I love her love for etiquette.

Also spotted: this film also featured a number of BBC's Pride and Prejudice lovelies, including Jennifer Ehle (Elizabeth Bennet), Colin Firth (oh-so-spunky Mr. Darcy) and David Bamber (Mr. Collins). I was very excited by all this :)

Lizzy and Mr. Darcy re-unite, on the big screen <3

Now I really want to go watch Wallis & Edward (2005), starring Joely Richardson (Catherine Parr in The Tudors) and Stephen Campbell Moore. The love affair warranted a mention in Sex with Kings and I'm interested to learn more about it all.

Rose without thorns

I have begun to watch my beloved Tudors. Season 4 is the final season (*cries inside*) and begins with the flighty and frivolous Catherine Howard. At the end of Season 3, I already hated the stupid Catherine Howard, but now I find myself warming to her.

I believe if I were to suddenly and unexpectedly became queen, I'd carry on like her. I'd giggle away everything, enjoy every splendor the wealth and status brought with it.

Already, Season 4 is more visually beautiful than ever. I'm so excited!

Nonsuch Palace

I'm currently re-watching the last few episodes of The Tudors Season 3 in preparation for my watching of Season 4. I loved Joss Stone as Anne of Cleeves. Giving her up for the giggling Catherine Howard (Tamzin Merchant) is going to be hard.

I loved these final scenes though. I only wish Nonsuch Palace survived history! I know Blogger will kill the beautiful colours in Henry's (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) clothes, but they truly are a wonderful rainbow.

And now to Season 4! Horrah!

The Young Victoria

Let me continue on with my Emily Blunt love. She is stunningly beautiful and classy, as seen in Foyle's War and Gulliver's Travels. And my love for her acting and beauty continues into The Young Victoria (2009).

The whole cast of The Young Victoria is fantastic. I love Mark Strong (who starred as Septimus in Stardust), Miranda Richardson (Queen Mab in Merlin), Paul Bettany (Master and Commander, A Beautiful Mind) and gorgeous Rupert Friend.

However, I feel that the plot of the film is... lost. It seems to attempt to focus on so many different things, but in doing so, it loses itself. I admire the characterisation of Victoria as a strong, independent feminist before her time. The love story is sweet. The rivalry and challenges between Victoria and Sir John Conroy is a fantastic power struggle.

If it is meant to be a love story, which with the way the film ends, I think is cut short. I would have loved to watch out the relationship between Victoria and Albert grow, as I have with The Duchess and Marie Antoinette. I like watching lives. Perhaps they'll make a sequel?

Costume-wise... The dresses are lovely, as you can see. The hair styles... seem dowdy and awkward to me. And unlike with Marie Antoinette, I feel no need to mimic Victoria's hair styles. I do love the constant use of fresh flowers in Victoria's hair, dresses and hats. It brings an extra bit of freshness to the whole appearance.

It's worth watching for the beauty of it all, but I do feel robbed of the potential of a fantastic story.

Chrissy Joys

I hope everyone had a wonderful fun and delicious Christmas :) I know mine definitely was: three days of family feasts and festivities. Definitely looking forward to relaxing over the next few days with some of my Christmas goodies :)

Yep, Tudors Season 4 now eagerly awaits me. I also got Young Victoria and Beauty and the Beast on DVD. I'm watching Beauty and the Beast now, and the DVD quality is amazing compared to the good ol' VHS!

I also have some reading to do: Sex with a Queen by Eleanor Herman and what looks to be a yummy piece of fiction: The Empress of Ice Cream by Anthony Capella.

And yes, that is a teacup with King Henry VIII, with some of his wives and Wolsey (the other three wives and Cromwell are on the other side). My wonderful boyfriend found these teacups on the internet somewhere for me. Very lucky girl, I am :)

So I'm off to relax some more. Happy Holidays everyone!

Dress like Modern Marie Antoinette

And so I've become obsessed with Marie Antoinette. Quite easy to do, with her amazing life story and gorgeous and dazzling fashions. I've been obsessing over her fashions particularly after coming across Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette (2006). Such beautiful colours and dainty decorations. So, how can you imitate Marie's stunning style?

Skin

Marie Antoinette was famous for her beautiful glowing porcelain skin. Queens were often showered with compliments from those at court and this Queen was consistently and constantly complimented on her pale skin, delicate neck and hands. To replicate this you're going to have to moisturise up, baby! Water is also a god to clear and perfect skin. Add in some sunscreen for those sunny days and you should be well on your way :)

Make-up

You can further your pale Marie Antoinette complexion with a pale foundation base.

Add some warm pink candy rouge to the apples of your cheeks - women in the French court would cake on thick pots of red rouge on their cheeks as a symbol of their wealth. Many visitors to Versailles thought it was an awful fashion, so you mightn't feel the need to go all out on the rouge as they did back then!

A modern Marie Antoinette would most definitely play around with whatever make-up was available to her. Think false eyelashes, funky coloured mascara and jeweled eyeliners. Don't go too overboard- we don't want to look like Du Barry!

Use a lip stain instead of lip gloss or lipstick - we can't go losing our lips while we're eating our cake and sipping our champagne, can we dearies?

Hair

To disguise her ghastly high forehead (as it was thought, back in the day!), hairdresses pulled her hair up higher and higher. To get this height, try smashing your hair into a messy up do. Curling your hair beforehand, teasing it and hair spray will give you extra height without the need for a wig.

And/or, decorate your hair. Find pretty clips, fake flowers, head-bands, feathers, ribbons, birds, butterflies... anything that catches your eye and add them to your hair. Don't be afraid to grab these pretties from the Little Girl's section :)

Clothing

Colours: If you're wanting to imitate Sophia Coppola's Marie, stick to pastels. The colour palette of a simple box of macaroons intended to guide the colours used in the film. So stick to pale pinks, lavender, soft sky blues, buttercup yellows, mint green and lacey white. The deep reds, lush purples and blacks were reserved for Du Barry, the lady who 'is said to give pleasure to the King (Louis XV)'.

Style: You may wish to imitate the corsets and structured dresses through more fitted, almost 1950s style dresses that support the bosom and flair at the waist. It's a flattering shape that will suit any lady. Otherwise, find delicate white dresses that allude to the chemise that Marie Antoinette made wildly popular and fashionable.

Decorations: Lace, frills, buttons, sequins, beads, floral patterns, jewels. Anything and everything with that slightly darling almost whimsical girly feeling. If it makes you squeal with delight, it's probably a good find!

If you're after more on Marie Antoinette, check out these blogs:

Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide to the 18th Century

Titillating Tidbits About the Life and Times of Marie Antoinette

Website:

PBS Marie Antoinette

Or check out 'Marie Antoinette: The Journey' by Antonia Fraser. My review here.

Marie Antoinette

I have finally purchased Antonia Fraser's biography of Marie Antoinette. I have finally opened the pages and begun to read it. I can't help but slipping in images of Sofia Coppala's Marie Antoinette (2006) film with the writings of Antonia. Of course, it was this book that was used in writing the script for the film.

The full portrait of Marie at 15, because it's beautiful :)

So far, it seems quite dense, but I am enjoying it. Such an amazing life!

Sex with Royalty

I've found it really hard to get into 'relaxing' mode these holidays. I had 8 large assignments due in the last two weeks of uni, with a total of 24 assignments for the semester. You'd think it'd be oh-so-easy to put up your feet and relax after that... but I have (weirdly) really struggled. But, I think (and hope) that I have finally conquered it.

And how can I tell? Why, I finished a book!

Sex With Kings

Eleanor Herman

2004 HarperCollins

I have been reading this book for a long time. Or rather, I started it last holidays, was forced to put it down to complete my 24 assignments and only just finished it. And it is awesome!

At first I was a little put off by a few things. Firstly, Eleanor Herman is a journalist, not a historian. Secondly, I was hoping for more of my beloved Henry VIII's wives; particularly Anne Boleyn. And finally, I was slightly confused while reading it. See, each chapter is based on a theme, rather than giving narrative biographies of royal mistresses. With the book centering largely on around a small selection of women (largely, but not limited to: Madame de Pompadour, Madame du Barry, Marquise de Montespan, Lady Castlemine, Nell Gwynn), it seemed thematic approach lost some of the details of the lives of these lavish ladies.

However, after letting go of my grudges, I found the book to read like a juicy juicy gossipy book. I couldn't help but love it and become sucked into these different worlds. More than once I longly thought to myself 'oh, if only I could become the king's mistress!' The dresses, the jewels, the extravagance and scandal! Wow. Definitely worth a fun and exciting read :)

I was touring Borders trying to scout out a good book on Anne Boleyn (anyone got any suggestions?) when I found that Eleanor Herman has also written a book Sex with Queens. That is most definitely on my Christmas Wishlist!

Check out this website for more info.

The Tudors

I have quickly become addicted to this show. Never before have I become so addicted to a television show that I have gone out and purchased the DVDs. Normally, for me, watching the one episode once is enough for me. Otherwise my sister borrows the DVDs from her friends and we watch them together (The Hills, Gossip Girl) or I borrow them off my friends (Gilmore Girls <3). Generally speaking, I'm a movie kinda girl. My sister on the other hand is addicted to tv shows and rarely wants to watch a movie and prefers to watch zillions of episodes in a row.

Anyway, so out of the kindness of my heart I've lent my copy of Season 1 to a lovely friend. Problem is, I've been having withdrawal issues. I pretty much sucked the juice dry out of Season 1. I would watch every episode twice before moving onto the next one. I would try to ration out my viewing. I watched the season over and over and over. I love the dialogue, the historical accuracy and hints and allusions to well-known facts at the time (for instance, in one episode Henry asks Boleyn's father if the King of France has nice thighs like Henry because back in the day, thighs were the sexiest part of a man's body and a good way to determine how masculine he was, and naturally King Henry VIII was well-known for his beautiful thighs), I love all the actresses and actors, I even love the historical inaccuracies. The costumes, the sets, the music, I love it all!



Natalie Dormer is a fantastic intelligent, sexy and manipulative Anne Boleyn. I like that they have a spunky actor (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) playing King Henry, rather than someone dressed up in a fat suit. Instead of being focused on how disgusting Henry is/was, we're allowed to be attached, and feel for him and understand where he is coming from. He is no longer a hideous monster of fat and diseased wounds. Maria Doyle Kennedy is fantastic as Catherine of Aragon, a strong and beautiful woman dedicated to her faith.

And Charles Brandon? *drools* Hello Henry Cavill!


So now I'm off to watch, absorb and love Season 2!

Marie

How I'd love to adapt a bit of Marie Antoinette flair into my own wardrobe! Who wouldn't love such expensive luxurious tastes and delicacies.



Feathers, flowers, lace, pastels (the pastels inspired by Sofia Coppola's film Marie Antoinette (2006)). These shall be my tributes to the French Queen of Fashion. And if only I could get the hair....


Until then.... http://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/beauty/3357315/The-body-beautiful-be-a-modern-Marie-Antoinette.html

Let them eat cake...

I have become obsessed with films about royalty of late. The Other Boleyn Girl, The Duchess, Marie Antoinette, the two Cate Blanchett Elizabeth films, the television series The Tudors. I cannot wait to see The Young Victoria with my grandma soon.


Not only are these stories full of drama, sex, intrigue but it's the marvelous costumes and sets that I love so much. If only I could have their wardrobes! And the jewelery... And their shoes! And their castles and mansions!




And the cakes!