Good Vibes

[bèlla]

City Living
Chicago

 

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Fashionable Men
Casual Elegance

 

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Thought of the Day

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

HOW TO EAT FANCY

This made me feel like one of the Barbarians at the gate. A very dainty lady teaches table manners.

Actually, I used to work on the server side of this but always felt at "home" because I belonged on that side. The fancy guest was on MY turf. But it’s nice to see good manners, maybe even I can learn how to eat fancy.

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

Ham and Cheese Croissant Bake
Quick and Easy
Recipe

Buttery croissants, Brie cheese, prosciutto, and mushrooms, all tossed together in a mustard “cream” sauce, then baked to golden, cheesy perfection. This a cross between your favorite ham and cheese croissant sandwich and your mom’s old school Christmas morning strata. It’s just as good for breakfast as it is dinner. And the best part? You can prep this croissant bake in advance, then bake it off just before you’re ready to serve. Perfect for holiday entertaining!

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Sent this to my Sister, hoping she’ll make it!

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

TIRAMISU

Been craving this for awhile but couldn’t easily find "lady fingers" (a dried Italian cookie). Gonna make this for my contribution to Christmas lunch. Found these accidentally while looking for something else and grabbed em.

It’s not a complicated dessert, except for finding ingredients, but it ain’t cheap! Mascarpone testing below...

 

[bèlla]

Sent this to my Sister, hoping she’ll make it!

That’s a great recipe for lunch or brunch. A definite keeper!

 

[bèlla]

Been craving this for awhile but couldn’t easily find "lady fingers" (a dried Italian cookie). Gonna make this for my contribution to Christmas lunch.

Good choice. You can pick up espresso shots from your favorite coffee shop to simplify things.

Next time you have a craving, grab them from Eately.

 

[bèlla]

Reflections

Christmas is about God's doing whatever it takes to be with me - and my doing whatever it takes to be with Him."
If He already gave you what was His *best*, He'll always give you what you need. So boldly, deeply rest. God's got you.

—Ann Voskamp

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

Stella Tennant RIP (1970-2020)

While not "good vibes" on the surface (due to the subject matter), yet this video captures something lovely about StellaTennant, the famous model who evoked aristocratic elegance.

Stella Tennant - Wikipedia

 

[bèlla]

Historical Costumes by Angela Clayton

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance. —Proverbs 21:5

Angela is a twenty one year old self taught designer and seamstress. She’s been sewing for six years and focused on period costumes and original designs for the last four.
In the past three years she’s made over fifty costumes, more than twenty hats, and dozens of foundation garments (including corsets, hoop skirts, and petticoats).

I love the wholesome ethereal quality she brings to costuming. I discovered her years ago and purchased a few patterns from McCall’s. She designs for them.

Angela is a positive example of discipline and a good work ethic. Her teens were spent productively and here’s the fruit of her efforts.

 

[bèlla]

Paris: Bread, Flowers, and Coffee

He has made everything beautiful in its time. —Ecclesiastes 3:11

 

[GOD Shines Forth!]

Paris: Bread, Flowers, and Coffee

He has made everything beautiful in its time. —Ecclesiastes 3:11

Idyllic cafe spot under the wisteria!

 

[bèlla]

Idyllic cafe spot under the wisteria!

Yes! It’s beautiful.

 

[bèlla]

The Beauty of an Ordinary Life

Comparison is the thief of joy. —Theodore Roosevelt

 

[JustSomeBloke]

'A girl not out has always the same sort of dress: a close bonnet, for instance; looks very demure, and never says a word.'

Jane Austen - Mansfield Park

 

[bèlla]

Letter-Writing Isn’t Dead

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. —Proverbs 16:24

 

[JustSomeBloke]

Must admit, I do like the pictures of the girls in bonnets and dresses, especially the girl in the blue dress and blue and magenta bonnet. Although sadly, I don't think that kind of fashion is ever coming back.

 

[bèlla]

Must admit, I do like the pictures of the girls in bonnets and dresses, especially the girl in the blue dress and blue and magenta bonnet. Although sadly, I don't think that kind of fashion is ever coming back.

Historical clothing didn't disappear entirely. The most prominent resurgence is Lolita streetwear popularized in Japan. It emphasizes the Rococo period with the requisite petticoats, bonnets, stockings, and so on. The style is commonly seen on younger women.

You'll see similar attributes in recent trends like cottagecore, dark/light/romantic academia, and the princess/royal aesthetic. Each hearkens back to earlier times. Historybounding is a modern take on costuming that allows the wearer to infuse period pieces in their look. That's another option.

The primary challenge with wearing historical attire is craftsmanship. You can purchase it from a vendor but its expensive. Especially garments from the Regency period and earlier. The sewing machine didn't exist and they were made by hand. The techniques and details are finer. They used natural fibers and the silhouette is the result of layering. You can't mimic it through modern clothing. The cuts are different.

If you want to dress this way you need to sew. You don't have to wear historically accurate pieces. Sewing patterns exist. But making your own clothes is cost effective in the long run. Or you can purchase it from vendors like Recollections.

Nevertheless, a dress + shoes + hat + gloves + bag = $$$ That's why sewing helps. You'd only have to buy the shoes. You can make the rest.

Some periods are easier to adapt than others. I like Regency attire. The day dresses are elegant and can be enhanced with gloves and jewelry for special occasions. If you've ever seen a Jane Austen film that's the look I'm referencing.

Keep in mind, they had far less clothing than we do today. It could take years to build your closet unless you buy it outright. Realistically, you're looking at 7-14 dresses at minimum for proper rotation. With the necessary additions for outerwear and cold climates.

In my experience, most fall in two camps on the subject. Costumers and reenactors and those desiring a lifestyle. I'm on the latter end and you may enjoy the book I'm reading now. This Victorian Life details their experiences doing the same.

I don't think this fashion is unappealing. But its cost prohibitive for most. Whether they're sewing or buying. The majority who do it are deeply attracted to early eras. They go to costume balls, Renaissance faires, or join organizations like SCA. It's a big part of their life.

Vintage attire is significantly cheaper. 1950s is a popular period. You can have an elegant look without breaking the bank and find pieces in thrift stores. There's a lot of sewing patterns and you don't need a corset.

I recommend historical fashion if you want to learn to sew, experience earlier cultures, love history, and want to be part of a community. The latter isn't necessary. But it's commonplace.

 

[bèlla]

Slow Living: Notes of Home

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. —Colossians 3:23-24