Mud, Life, & the Fashion of Me...

What do you think??

2011-12-12T23:14:00.003-05:00

My pretty headband from my Best Friend Sophia <3

(Forever21)

My new haircut!! Holiday season 2011

Another pretty headband from Sophia <3

(Charlotte Russe)

This one I've had for about a year (or two by now) but never really worn too often, even though I LOVE it. I THINK I got it at Rue21??? lol.

Nehemiah 4:14-16

2011-08-10T17:28:00.000-04:00

"After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your families, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.” When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah..."

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

"P" is for...

2011-06-18T19:47:00.000-04:00

Last summer while looking through a stack of antique linens that had been given to us by a friend, I found a particularly sweet (albeit well loved, and slightly imperfect) table runner, which I immediately fell head-over-heels in love with.

Later, as I was giving the runner a once over I realized it was monogrammed. What was the letter? you might ask... It was a "P".

I have been thinking of the things that "P" could stand for since it isn't part of my initials, and the runner is so lovely that I can't bear to part with it. After weeks filled to the brim with long hours of thought, it (FINALLY) came to me:

"P" is for Pincushion.

But how shall I do it?!?!?!?!

Here, my dears, is the answer to that dreaded question...

The magazine article that I used for inspiration is found in last years May/June edition of Victoria Bliss Magazine.... but I tweeked it a little as I went along and found what worked for me :)

My crafting supplies (minus the fabric...since I still have to search the external hard-drive for those pics) include: a mason jar and lid, cardboard (from a ramen box works), Gorilla Glue (you're supposed to use fabric glue but this is all I had), pillow fluff (not shown), and some mini-sewing kit supplies to go in the finished jar... consisting of a pack of machine needles, a pack of mixed hand sewing needles, assorted small white buttons, safety pins (the ultimate seamstress's life-saver -- aside from duct-tape which fixes EVERYONE'S problems), a thimble, some embroidery floss, some floral lace trim, and a pretty dark grey pearlized Butterfly button :)

My fabric cut out already... I have more pics of the full runner, but that is for a later craft-project post :)

Tracing out the lid onto cardboard... you are supposed to use two circles of cardboard like I have shown here, but I found it easier to use one. And, it's best if it is slightly smaller than the lid :)

Fabric, pillow fluff, lid and cardboard... time to center the "P" in the middle of the lid, and insert pillow fluff. Then comes the cardboard to hold it, and you glue the fabric to the cardboard to lock it all in place. Don't forget to trim the fabric after the glue is dry. Should look something like this...

And here is my finished pin-cushion...

Then you just fill the mason jar with a mini-sewing kit. Like this:

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

(I think I will redo this post with better instructions later... lol)

Pardon my Words...

2011-06-11T19:10:00.003-04:00

We have so much time and so little to do. Strike that, reverse it.

~Roald Dahl (1916 - 1990), Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

The Pages of Inspiration...

2011-06-11T19:07:00.000-04:00

Here's a sneak peak of the style (shot from a magazine)...

I can't wait to finish my room!!!

Lace, Flowers, and Flounces... Oh my!!!!

2011-06-03T14:43:00.009-04:00

With such beauty laid out before you, how can a girl possibly choose which ONE gown to mimic when she desperately wishes to own them ALL? lol. I think I can manage to get them all made over the next 2-3 years if I work on a few a year!!! ;)

Absolutely adore this dress! Though I am not always a fan of pink per-se, this lovely shade of rose is quickly growing on me...

Salmon and Taupe make very sweet combination in this gown

A soft Yellow and cream beauty... one of my favorite colors.

Simply striking in this shade of Blue...

Very complementary shade of green, for BOTH of our eyes.

Dainty White-on-White ensemble...

Lovely Blue, Green, and Silver floral damask with Yellow and Creamy White flowers... the perfect combination of ALL of my favorite colors.

Astonishing in Wisteria Blue... LOVE, love, LOVE this dress!!!

Yet another Creamy beauty... and a very handsome looking couple!!

Which would you choose?

This first day of June...

2011-06-01T21:06:00.007-04:00

"What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that it's fresh young beauty will ever fade." - Gertrude Jekyll

...as found in Bliss Victoria Magazine May/June 2011

A not so Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-01T13:01:00.000-04:00

Back in January I made and embroidered a corset to go with an Edwardian drawers and camisole set I had made just weeks before... all undergarments for a Ballgown I was in the process of making for the Patriots Ball. I had only a month to finish everything!! I have been so busy since the completion of all of my garments that I have hardly had the time to both take, and post, new photo's. (I was also trying to find a way to wear my corset that was both modest and pretty.)

I was inspired by my blog-world friend Aurora to take pics OUTside, so while I dig around for one of those pics to photoshop into glory... I hope this one will suffice :)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Too much to do...

2011-05-31T12:22:00.001-04:00

Where does a girl start?? Trying to burn a candle at both ends, day and night is NOT conducive to keeping stress at bay... lol

These is my "short" project list for the moment: (more will follow as the weeks go by, I'm sure!)

Re-decorate my room
Help clean and re-arrange house

Clear out/Organize Garage
Paint house with mom
Paint furniture

Pack my bag for a trip... again

Mail a package

Finish sewing a Wedding dress
Start and Finish sewing 3 Bridesmaids dresses (while doing work on a friends farm, where I am staying... at the same time)

Start collecting inventory for store (I open within two years HOPEFULLY!)
Start and finish a new corset, and short chemise-gown for Ball (...so I can wear next item on TDL)
Make a "Queen Victoria" style Ballgown

What's on YOUR to do list this month?!?!?!?

Raw Apple Cake

2011-04-14T21:33:00.000-04:00

Sorry I don't have a picture to go with this, but it all got eaten up before I could snap one!

This recipe is really easy for those days when you are in a baking mood, but go to the fridge and have none of the liquids required to bake with :) All you need is:

2 c. Sugar
2 whole sticks butter (or margarine)
2 eggs

Step one: mix together

2 c. flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder

Step two: sift dry ingredients together

1 1/2 c. chopped apples
1 c. chopped pecans

Step three: mix ALL ingredients

Step four: spread into pan*

Step five: bake at 350 for 1 hour.

* dough is tough to spread evenly in pan, so don't worry... just do your best!

I think I 16th-ed my apples and they turned out alright in this dish... also, I only baked for 45 minutes, but then again I am in Colorado so just keep an eye on it :) If you are cooking at a high alt. like moi, it would be best to use High Alt. Hungarian Flour.... it comes in a yellow bag :)

All the Best,
A Victorian Cowgirl

What would a girl be...

2011-04-08T17:48:00.001-04:00

Without a pair of fabulous looking shoes?!

Perfect for those going to a ball, or who just like the style in general. Hop on over to American Duchess' shop, and buy yourself a lovely new pair!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Target Deal of the Day: Jane Austen Bookends

2011-03-24T19:10:00.000-04:00

These JA bookends were on clearance for less than $5 at Target today!! The best part was that I wasn't even looking for them :) I love finding deals on things I love!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Mr. Bingley, how do you like my flowers for your Ball?

2011-02-26T18:07:00.000-05:00

I liked this updo better than the previous photo I had posted but I still wasn't satisfied with this style either.

I played around with my hair a few more times before the Patriot's Ball and finally decided on a few simple braids brought up and pinned to my head. I really liked the simplicity of the look AND I knew it would look even cuter with some flowers looped in at the back. I was very happy with the way the whole look came together :)

I did all of the work on the over-dress, the under-dress, the stomacher, the underthings, and the corset by myself with the exception of the hem on the overdress. I couldn't seem to get it to cut straight because of the silkiness of the fabric. I took it to the tailor who was altering my brothers suits/tuxedos and she zipped it out very nicely!

The dress held up well for dancing. I lost a few straight pins that were holding the stomacher in place so I was thankful I used multiple pins with each tab! The only real issue I faced was with the back of my underdress continuing to slip out of the top of my overdress. I had pretty much created the dress pattern on my own and had forgotten to take into account how high the back of the underdress was compared to the back of the overdress. If you view the video posted on my facebook page from a week ago you will see what I mean :)

Our family had a wonderful time in Bristol. We made many new friends and already have plans to visit with several of them over the summer. Plans are to make the Patriot's Conference and Ball and annual event and I am already excited to hear more about the plans for next year!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Fixing something old to fit...

2011-02-25T12:21:00.000-05:00

I'd set to fixing up an old gown of mine before our trip to Va, and turned it into a gown for one of my daughters... one of these days, many years hence, they'll find it in a box in some quiet corner of our family's attic, I'm sure. Hopefully they will enjoy it more than I ever had time to...

Though I completely changed the bodice from what it was before, I do have a picture saved to my compy of the fabric.

I somehow managed to save the lace from the neckline in front, and used it again on the new front bodice.. which was a blessing, so I wouldn't have to rip the lace from the back of the gown just to make it look right/even. One simple new gown for daytime that I hope they will enjoy :)

Do you ever think of taking your old gowns and altering them down for future (or present) children, or buy sweet little things you happen to see while passing a shop window and pack them away for sometime in the future? I find myself doing this often... oops! Then again, I always have felt I would be a wife and mom. Just waiting on God to bring around the almost perfect man... who wants perfect after all? Where is the fun in that?!

Fun, laughter, heart, feeling, and soul is much to be preferred.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

What to do with this moppet called hair...

2011-02-03T11:09:00.001-05:00

Trying to figure out different ways to do my hair in a Georgian or Regency style for the Ball WITHOUT having to buy a wig or padded/wired forms and use them... Good thing I have a history book that includes hairstyles from throughout the century's!!

I tried this one first, and then another style... but didn't have time to take pics of the second style.

And then... my attempt :P

Any suggestions? Any tips? Any tutorial links or blog post's you think might help me out? ANYTHING???? (lol)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A Georgian Gown for the Ball..

2011-01-30T08:09:00.000-05:00

Since I am still waiting on boning to finish off my corset, and reading far too many books, I have decided to go ahead and start on a new gown for the Ball. It's next month, and Georgian/Regency costumes are encouraged :D Since I already know what my inspiration is, and have a photo ready to share with you here, I shall...

Isn't it B-E-A-utiful?!? The floral that you see is actually Brocaded silk, and the gown really is from the 18th Century. I think it the perfect mix of Georgian and Regency and just right for a young woman who would've been around just as the fashions were changing. Even as you sit and watch Pride and Prejudice (2005, sorry dears) you will realize that Mrs. Bennet (and other such women of her caliber or more, for example Lady Catherine deBourgh) were still wearing the Georgian gowns they grew up with; while Jane, Elizabeth, and Georgianna where wearing modest and comely gowns in the new style - which suited their personalities just fine and seemed so sweet amongst their characters. And, even still the younger girls (such as was found in the characters of Kitty and Lydia) were extravagant with their "it's all the rage in London" 's.

Since I am noticing the lack of hoops in the photo above, I am relieved of another fear... I have neither the time nor the funds sufficient enough to include a set of hoops into my grand ordeal of a costume. * whew *

It sounds so lovely, I can only hope it works! Pray for me friends, and hope I don't mess up my stitching! At least I have some assurance of hope in the fact that I can use a new machine that works and not have to go at it by hand, which would be sure to be a disaster in the making... Oy vey!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A Tid-bit of Stitchery...

2011-01-27T13:43:00.001-05:00

I said in my last blogpost that I would put up a photo of the embroidery I've done on my corset when I had the chance... I finally had time to get around to it yesterday evening. Not only did I get a few of the embroidery, but I decided to take a few of my work so far as well. As you can see, it is just a simple Vine pattern w/ French Knot berries, and a few leaves...

Though the photo's probably aren't the best, here they are :)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

For my first set of stays; My true love gave to me...

2011-01-24T16:02:00.042-05:00

2 yards of muslin, and a new, working sewing machine ;)

When I was in Colorado visiting my fathers parents, my parents went to visit my mothers father for Thanksgiving and he sent two of my granny's sewing machines and a Serger home to me! Thank you Papaw!!!

I really want to try and make a Georgian dress but need stays for that, even more than I do for my Regency dresses. I looked through my stash of patterns and found this one from McCall's. I am making it out of a plain white muslin, and eyelet's instead of grommets for lacing (since I am HORRIBLE at putting in grommets). I am almost done (but for attaching lining to corset once the boning is in). While waiting on the chance to get my boning, I have decided that I will add a little decorative touch to one or two of the front panels. I started earlier today on the embroidery and will post a pic as soon as I have one. Though I fear my stitches are always very poor I think it will be all the more lovely knowing that I did it with my own hand, and hopefully one of my children can enjoy my toils many years from now when it gets passed down from myself to some dear little girl...

If you have any tips for corsetry (yes, it's a "new" word :P), please share them if you can spare a moment here. I am very new to this, and though I am using a modern pattern for my stays this time, I hope to learn from it and make a set of 18th Century stays somewhere in the near future. (Hopefully with the help of your tips, and also a little guidance from the quick hands of my dear friend Laura at Tryon Palace...)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Party Dresses for the New Year...

2011-01-17T13:00:00.000-05:00

Or at least, my picks for the season :D I hope you are all having a Beautiful week, and enjoy my little ditherings here...

First, we have a lovely RED dress. It's Vivienne Westwood's "Hybrid". The color is good (for me at least...), and the fabric looks really flattering the way it's gathered and draped.

You can find it here.

Next, we have a gown that I think would look absolutely lovely on.

It's Lanvin's Asymmetrical Washed Silk Gown.

You can find it here at Net-A-Porter.com. Isn't it a dream?!? I LOVE the color, and the draping... like a Grecian Goddess... and I bet it makes you feel that way too. My only hiccup here is the flower... though I'm sure anyone who wears it is more than capable of pulling it off.

My next choice is a bit more glam, and perhaps more "hip" (and SHORTER) than I'm used to. But, I like it anyways!

The nipped waist is very figure flattering, and the asymmetrical bottom adds intrigue to the style, and an extra appeal to the legs... now, as I think this would be too short to wear with my "mile long" legs, I would wear opaque tights, and black (or perhaps red or blue) velvet/suede pumps :D Unfortunately I can't remember where I found it, but if you happen to stumble across a link can you please share?

Here, we have a nice LBD.

Gotta love the Sparkle factor... it's enough to make any woman fall in love, whether she'd actually wear it or not. I'm not one to normally go after sparkles and sequins... but I am starting to realize how much I like them, and trying to make sure I at least try them every now and again :) The velvet belt is lovely in contrast, and helps to break up all the splashy sequins...

Unfortunately this is another one I can't remember the link for :( Be sure to leave a comment though if you find it, please!

What styles have you fallen in love with over the start of the New Year?

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Monkey/Gorilla Bread with a twist

2011-01-10T13:43:00.005-05:00

Okay, so Gorilla Bread is BASICALLY the same as Monkey Bread ... but with an extra ingredient. I made it extra special simply by adding 3 extra's. Those ingredients would be ... Raisins, Philadelphia Creme-cheese, and chopped/crushed Walnuts.

Now, for regular monkey bread you quarter the Pillsbury flake-y bisctuits, and toss them in the Bundt pan. But, with Gorilla Bread, you 1/2 them and roll a little cream-cheese in the slices... THEN toss them into the Bundt pan. Same for the special kind I made, but with * lots * more layers :D

I know my mom has the recipe for Monkey Bread on her blog already, so I'm gonna "steal" it and post here for you guys... then use a little ** sign and help you along with the extra's. LOL... I know, I know... But today I'm being lazy :P

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

6 cans biscuits

1 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

By the way, go ahead and preheat your oven to 375 BEFORE you get started with construction...

First, quarter all the biscuits and put to the side

next, get your butter, heavy whipping cream, and brown sugar melting together in a saucepan.

** I just whip them all together in a bowl, and don't bother heating them in a sauce pan... they turn into a nice sauce well enough by just being put in the pan with all the trimmings and biscuits, and left to bake like everything else...

Then, mix your granulated white sugar and your cinnamon together and start tossing the biscuit quarters into the mix

** Here is where you will want to start with your layers. One layers of sugared biscuits (about 1/2 of what you're using) then toss the raisins and walnuts in, spreading evenly throughout the section. Add about 1/2 of your sauce, and repeat the layers with what you have left...

Finally, layer the sugar and cinnamon coated biscuits with the sauce in your bundt pan... I like to do a few layers so that the oooey, gooey sauce gets into every little nook and cranny of the biscuits; [** see... ;) ] I dump whatever sugar-cinnamon mixture is left over on to the top of the pan -- waste not, want not ;-)

Make SURE you let your monkey bread cool down really well before you dump it out of the bundt pan onto a plate!!! Our daughter (that'd be me :P) nearly scalded her legs several years ago because she was in a hurry to get it turned out and didn't wait for me to come help... It was the grace of God reminding me of every first aid lesson I'd ever learned regarding burns that kept her from getting even a single blister!

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and my oddly worded post ;)

Have anything you like to bake or make in particular?

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Time for a Make-over!!

2011-01-07T12:33:00.000-05:00

I came home from 3 months spent with my Oma and Opa in Colorado to find my room bare of all artistic life. I had forgotten that I had taken down most things before I left. I had told my little brother that he could take over my room while I was gone. That never happened because my dad said he didn't want my room to smell like "boys" when I came back home...lol. At any rate, I didn't want my things to get broken...just in case... so I had packed most of my stuff away in my closet, as seen by the pics below -- pardon the sleeping bags and stuff all over the floor but we've recently had lots of company ;)

I didn't really think much about it until Mary, whom I love dearly and is my soon to be cousin once she and my cousin Joshua get married, walked in to my room and said "WOW! This is not what I would have expected YOUR room to look like!" Mary is an artsy girl just like me so I knew I better hop on turning my room into something that yells VICTORIA LIVES HERE!! as soon as they see it!

So I took out my sketch pad and started drawing and this is what I came up with:

It's in the works as we speak, and I'll be sure to keep you posted about the re-decor snags and successes along the way. What do you think??

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Old Meets New

2011-01-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

I tried on this dress and immediately fell in love with it!! It is the Brooklyn Dress from the Merona line at Target. I love the detail of the sailor buttons at the shoulder and the rope twist belt. It's so light and airy it would be perfect for a humid summer day :)

I didn't buy it because I'm hoping it will go on sale in a few weeks but if it doesn't then I will pay full price because beauty like this is worth it...

The dress is very vintage inspired and reminded me so much of this photo in my book: Catwalking: A History of the Fashion Model

The photo was taken by Erwin Blumenfeld, and is of Lisa Fonssagrives wearing a Lucien Lelong dress on the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The photo was taken for French Vogue in 1939.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Going to Tea

2011-01-04T09:49:00.000-05:00

I am back home from Colorado to a much warmer (and muggier) North Carolina! I am thrilled to be back home with my parents and three little monkeys once again :)

One thing I love to do when visiting my Oma is to go to tea with her at Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs near Garden of the Gods, another favorite hangout...

Who wouldn't want to go to tea when you get to be dressed up in your Sunday best like this?

My Oma and I went to a Victorian Tea (how perfect?!? lol) on this visit. They had sweet little treats and I especially loved the raspberry swirl cookies, as well as the Brie cheese. Brie is one of my favorite cheeses to put on anything from crackers to Granny Smith apple slices. If you buy the Brie that still has the wax on it then you can slice off the top layer and pop it in the microwave for a few minutes to get it all ooey-gooey. It's just so lovely :D

We recently discovered the yumminess of Brie en Croute (similar to this one) over the holidays and my mother recreated it for our own New Years Eve snack table. Hers was a little different than the Christmas one we tasted because she used her very own fig jam and pecans. It was scrumdiddlyumptious!!

Did you discover any new treats this holiday season?

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Creamy, Glitzy, Deliciousness!!

2010-12-27T14:24:00.002-05:00

I bought several new hats while I was staying in Colorado with my Oma and Opa and this one has become the inspiration for the redesign of my bedroom :) In a few days, when I finish my bedroom sketches, I will post them in a blog post for you all to see but for now this one shot will have to do.

I absolutely LOVE the feathers on this hat! My father calls it my Robin Hood cap...lol. I'm thinking it screams chaise lounge and old hollywood. What do you think?

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

My Christmas Present from Sophia :)

2010-12-16T13:49:00.003-05:00

I am leaving Colorado in a few days to return home to NC and be back with my family. So my friend, Sophia, and I decided to give presents early :) I decided to get her a present from her favorite store, Charlotte Russe... and apparently so did she for mine... lol. Unfortunately I can only find the link for the necklace I got her: http://www.charlotterusse.com .

I had gotten her a pair of earrings too, but I can't find them :'(

And here is my present from her:

Isn't it lovely?!?!

Here's a close-up :D

Have you gotten any special presents yet this year?? Do you think you will?? :)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Kate Winslet

2010-12-15T23:35:00.002-05:00

The beautiful curls of hers in Sense & Sensibility

My color may actually be closer than I thought.

Yay!!

Emma and Kate looking lovely

Lucky... I wish I could take a carriage ride :)

Well, it was one of the few ones where she DIDN'T have a hat on her head of some sort...
Oh well..

How could I possibly resist after seeing this??

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

My New "Holiday" Hairstyle

2010-12-10T19:25:00.000-05:00

LOVE!!

In Color

In Black & White

I think my hair looks like Kate Winslet's... but without her gorgeous color ;)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Mary Taylor Moore and Rachel McAdams

2010-12-10T15:29:00.000-05:00

I came across the photo of MTM when I was looking for pics for the PRADA post below...

When I saw it I was IMMEDIATELY reminded of Rachel's photo-shoot in a copy of Vogue this past year and just had to share :)

Rachel McAdams in Vogue for 2010

Mary Taylor Moore

Wow... I love the inspiration, but I still think RMA did it FAR better!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

PRADA... inspired by Mary Tyler Moore??

2010-12-10T15:17:00.000-05:00

I'll let you decide :)

Here is one of PRADA's new pieces

Mary Tyler Moore

Camilla Belle doing a MTM look

Any one else reminded of Meryl Streep in Devil Wears PRADA??

What do you think??

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A new season in life...

2010-12-06T13:59:00.001-05:00

Dear friends --

You all know that I have been in a courtship relationship since May. The purpose of courtship is to determine whether or not marriage is suitable for both individuals. When it is determined that either party does not feel comfortable with marrying the other person, then the courtship relationship ends.

This does not mean courtship does not work, and it does not mean that friendship ends. It does mean tho that hearts can and will hurt. I have come to terms with what is happening in my life right now, and am happy again for the most part. I will get back to regular blogging when I get home in two weeks or so :)

Thanks so much for your understanding and consideration!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Isn't she astonishing?!?!?!

2010-11-14T20:47:00.011-05:00

I have always absolutely ADORED this painting... Thank you Justin for sending me pics of my favorite :)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

(who's beau constantly makes her feel like a princess)

Union Station Rocks...

2010-11-10T22:02:00.000-05:00

Come to think of it... so does my beau, Justin. Aren't these pics he took awesome?? :D :D :D He saw the HUGE RED PUMP and decided it was the perfect pic for the evening. He's so sweet to send me happy pics he know's I'll like, while he's out and about...

We're so far apart, it's nice to have reminders of places we've been together to keep us going strong right now!!

My handsome man :)

Union Station

The lovely HUGE red pump

Would make a great slide for fashion loving girls...

Oooh ;)

From across the way...

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Quoth the Raven Nevermore....

2010-10-14T14:27:00.002-04:00

"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,

Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,

While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,

As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.

`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door -

Only this, and nothing more.' "

~Edgar Allen Poe

Trying a New Template

2010-10-12T22:16:00.006-04:00

Don't kill me... I am just trying out a spooky set-up this month. It's the first time I've ever tried doing anything different on my own, and I am going to have to do some MAJOR pleading with my mom in order for her to send me my original "Blue Lace Fashion Shoe" blog header via email, but I wanted to see if I could do it, and if it would work... I think it turned out okay :P

Before you read further, I would like to note that I'm a Christian and don't necessarily believe in Halloween. I do however enjoy the pranks and ghost/spooks stories we all tell trying to scare each other... Who doesn't love to get the chance to prank their siblings and get away with it?? :P Unfortunately, my siblings will be on the other side of the country this year, so I'll be a little sniffle-y during this years Harvest Fest time :( But, I digress....

Anyways. In light of all the spooks to come and the Halloween decor in stores, I decided to share a well liked poem of mine as a kid. It is "Quoth the Raven Nevermore" and the inspiration for choosing the blog header I did over at The Background Fairy. I had to memorize a few parts of it for English class in 7th grade. And, my dad used to quote bits with me every once in a while, so I have liked it for a while... SPOOKS and all :) Why don't you go over and read the whole thing, and I will try and get a few short bits up on my blog tomorrow.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A trip (onto the patio), Muggish Days, and Opa's Cast

2010-10-12T14:45:00.000-04:00

We've been having rather muggish, cold, and windy days here in the Springs. On Saturday, a nice bright day at the start, we decided to go out for breakfast since my cousin Austin was in town.

(Austin)

Walking out the door my Opa fell on the front porch by tripping over the itsy-bitsy door mat. We didn't know his foot was broken and we went about our day until he couldn't stand the pain :( It was rather muggish again in the end... When we came out of the commissary Pikes Peak was clouded by rain.

(Arrow points to the rain & clouds near Pikes Peak)

We took Opa to the ER and got the X-rays in the afternoon. EARLY this morning he had surgery, the result being a screw in his foot, stitches, and a cast. But, he was feeling much better when he got home!

(Opa's cast with ILY in English and German.. plus plenty of other silly things)

(Opa in his chair downstairs)

(Cast Art)

(It's close to Halloween & Thanksgiving so I was in an artsy pumpkin-y mood and he only had 2 Sharpie pens...

in 2 colors... Orange and Purple)

(Purple Cats are so much better than Black Ones :P )

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Simple Organization for Packing for a Trip

2010-10-05T16:16:00.006-04:00

I have been in Colorado for the last few weeks visiting my Oma and Opa. I started working on several blog posts before I left and they have been in limbo waiting for me to get time to finish them up. I don't have a lot of computer time for blogging but I do hope to get a few of them up eventually!

When we were small children my momma chose and packed everything for everyone in the family, except my father. As my brothers and I got older, she would give us a list of the types of clothes she wanted to pack that we would need for the trip but left the choosing up to us. She has only recently let everyone pack their own bag, but she still hands out a list of requirements. I guess she wants to make sure my brothers don't end up in church somewhere away from home in cargo shorts and a white undershirt! LOL.

I have sort of taken the list one step further when I pack my bags. Let me show you what I mean:

This was taken so I could have an idea of what the outfit & jewelry might look like.

Have to look good, right?!

The dresses all spread out on the couch. I only ended up bringing 1/2 of what was actually all over the couch.

Everything on the floor and ready to be packed,

BEFORE I had the genius idea to use space bags!!

Here two outfits are drawn on the same paper, one on each side. This happened because I didn't have as much space to pack with on one of my trips to see Justin. And since I didn't want to re-draw one of them, I just packed both outfits!

Something sweet for church, work, or out to dinner, etc. If I change the skirt to my beaded pencil and it's perfect for a night at the Kennedy Center in DC!!

This one is actually from my outfit/fashion journal. I liked it when I wore it, and wanted to make sure I didn't forget it. As you can see from reading the scribbles all over, I wore this one a "Skype date" with Justin. :) This is one of the more detailed sketches.

When each and every outfit has been drawn up, I sit down and go through them to narrow downsize my bag. In this case I think I nixed between 7 and 12 outfits from the list. Including two I took out of my bag at the airport to check my bag without the extra fees. Each outfit is then packed away. Generally for a short trip I have about 6-10 outfits.

When I pack my bag, I set the outfit drawings between each outfit as they go in. Here though I think I had over 20 0outfits, not including all of my dresses, for a 3 month trip to Colorado. I changed they way I packed for this trip by using space bags, and placing the outfit sketches in my purse. (New since I'm more than a little OCD about packing.)

Each sketch includes a description of the outfit and alternative ideas for key pieces (like the Kennedy Center sketch above), an idea of when/where I might wear it, any possible jewelry options and combinations, shoes, coats, sweaters, etc. just to be sure I have all bases covered. And then it's off to catch my flight, or stow it away in the car.

How do you pack for long trips?! Do have fun with it, are you SUPER organized like me, or do you just kinda toss it all in and hope your hotel has an iron when you get there?

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

There are prettier gardens at Tryon Palace...

2010-09-13T10:42:00.006-04:00

but this one is my favorite!!!

--A Victorian Cowgirl ♥

A Vote for Kate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-09-12T17:34:00.005-04:00

Please stop by Kate's blog, see her stuff, fall in love, and vote here for her :D It's so worth the trip!! She will definitely appreciate the votes I'm sure....

(photo courtesy of Kate's blog)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Giveaway at my mom's blog :)

2010-09-10T11:38:00.001-04:00

My momma is giving away an organization ebook over at her blog so I thought I would share with my friends over here. Hop on over and leave a comment at her post to enter to win :)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Hand Sewing & Weekend Plans

2010-09-10T11:34:00.000-04:00

Folkwear Sewing Patterns, Edwardian Underthings

I have been wanting to practice my hand sewing for a while. I found this pattern in a box in my closet along with a huge stash of patterns that a friend from church had given me. I had completely forgotten that I had them :) I thought the Edwardian underthings pattern was the perfect thing to practice with because the fabric is lightweight and the stitching is delicate.

My first day of sewing did not go so well, even though I sewed for about 9 hours straight. I am OK at keeping my stitches small, but I have a problem with keeping them straight. And, to top it all off, I discovered at the end of the evening that I had actually sewed the lace insets into two right sides instead of a left and a right. I have to very carefully detach the lace from the second piece because I do not have enough of it to make two sets!

I am spending the next few days with my mom at a démodé fashion weekend sponsored by one of our favorite local historic sites, Tryon Palace. The weekend will be full of 18th century fashion!! I met the young lady, Laura Poppe, who is the seamstress for the Palace, this past weekend at another event. She is very sweet and knowledgeable, plus I learned she is a fellow homeschool graduate! I can't wait to take part in all the activities this weekend and learn more! I hope to take lots of pictures to share with you next week.

J'espère que vous avez un bon week-end!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Hats, Hats...

2010-09-05T06:02:00.000-04:00

"If a woman rebels against high heeled shoes, she should take care to do it in a very smart hat." ~ George Bernard Shaw

"We just know inside that we're queens. And these are the crowns we wear." ~ Felecia McMillan

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Hurricane Earl is Coming

2010-09-02T15:24:00.000-04:00

The calm before the storm...

Noah and Jesse being their normal happily silly selves, and playing in the sand.

Jesse and the dolphin statue at the park.

Mom and Dad

Random beach-goers. Apparently it was a good day to go surfing :P

...making waves...

There weren't a ton of clouds in the sky, and the ones that were there were more whispy than cloud-like.

More of those crashing waves

Caleb looking out at the waves

Daddy

Just walking' along, and enjoying our time.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Silly boy....

2010-08-29T18:00:00.001-04:00

This... is Jesse. It looks like he was having fun over the July 4th holidays. Heck, We all were :D

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Oops! (Well, better late than never...)

2010-08-29T15:27:00.001-04:00

I can't believe how much I forget :P Okay so, I meant to post these pictures the day after my pincurls post, and TOTALLY forgot... yipes!!

This is how it all turned out the next day :)

This is right outside my house. I am wearing a Vintage strapless dress w/ floral hem, and my favorite navy blue cardigan.

The sun was in my eyes & I just couldn't keep them open long enough. But, this turned out to be a cute pic :P

And, this one was taken inside our lovely home!

Do you find blogposts or tutorials that inspire you?? How'd they turn out??

Have a blessed week,

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Sweet Little Dress Photo's

2010-08-28T12:17:00.001-04:00

Here is the process of making my little dress. The lighting wasn't super fantastic because I took them in the morning, and it has been raining all week:

The pattern drawn out on the shirt. Now, I don't have a daughter to borrow a dress from for a pattern, but I do have dresses of mine that my momma saved.

So, I used one of my pink easter dresses.

Detached Pocket

Goodbye sleeve...

And, there went the other one.

Close-up of the back, right before I cut the neckline for the dress.

From this photo you can't really tell but, I cut the neckline directly under the two buttons shown in the photo before this.

Side seam sewing :)

Belt loops, which I made from bits of the sleeve.

Attaching the belt loops

As you can see, I kept the pocket. I had plans for it!! I took more fabric from one of the sleeves, folded it in 1/2 and gathered it up, then attached it in a sprial to the pocket.

Ta-da!! It's a flower :D

It's almost finished.

I re-attached the pocket to the front of the dress where I felt a little girl could easily use it for hiding all her dainty little things, like a flower for mommy, or a card for dad.

Then I hand-stiched a button from my sewing box to the center of the flower, making sure not to catch the dress. Turns out, the button I chose was a larger version of the buttons already attached to the shirt.

Close-up of the flower on the pocket.

C'est Fini!!

(This photo was taken by momma later in the evening, hence the color difference.)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Do YOU think He'd make it??

2010-08-28T09:00:00.000-04:00

I think so :D

My brother's Noah (pictured above right) and Jesse (not shown) were goofing around in the kitchen last week when I grabbed the cam. and took the shot! Such a fantastic moment.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A cutesy little dress, for a cutesy little girl

2010-08-27T22:53:00.000-04:00

I found a tutorial a while back (okay, like WAY back in the Spring) on how to turn a large sized men's shirt into a dress for a little girl. Now, usually I try and at least post the tutorial video if I can, but tonight I am just going to post a link (I'm just THAT tired) : http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-shirt-dress.html.

Well actually, the way I did my little dress is from a memory of looking over a few different posts/tutorials on how to do this, when I saw them last... so I just kinda went at it with a general idea of how it worked. I wish I had a little girl sized white belt to add to it in the photo's, but I don't :( I used a Blue & White striped men's shirt that was given to one of my brothers, but ended up being too big for them.

Here is a similar one (I have yet to try, but maybe next week??? Looking forward to a new skirt, hopefully) on how to make a belted woman's skirt, using a similar technique: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/44969/how-to-make-a-belted-skirt-from-a-mens-dress-shirt

More pics to follow :D

--A Victorian Cowgirl

Beautiful Butterfly Biscuits..

2010-08-27T18:17:00.000-04:00

Don't let their lovely looks fool you.... They're tasty and delicious too!! (My momma found the recipe on the back of our "Clabber Girl Double-Acting Baking Powder" can.) I ate my butterfly bisquits smothered inside with plenty of butter, and topped with a lazy drizzling of honey. My brother, Caleb, says he had his with just plain maple pancake syrup. And, momma says hers were delightful when spread with butter, and topped nicely with a bit of fig jam that we had made last picking season.

Old Fashioned Biscuits

Ingredients:
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•2 1/2 teaspoons Clabber Girl Baking Powder
•1/2 teaspoon salt
•1/3 cup shortening
•3/4 cup milk
•1 tablespoon soft margarine or butter

Instructions:
In a medium mixing bowl stir together flour, Clabber Girl Baking Powder, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the milk all at once. Using a fork, stir just till moistened and dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl (dough will be sticky).

On a floured surface, lightly knead dough with floured hands for 30 seconds or till nearly smooth. Lightly roll dough to 3/4-inch thickness. Cut dough with a 2 1/2-inch biscuit cutter, dipping cutter into flour between cuts.

Place biscuits close together on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush tops with soft margarine. Bake in a 475° oven for 11 to 15 minutes or till golden brown. Serve warm.

Makes about 8 - 10 biscuits. ENJOY!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Pincurls meets Marie Antoinette & Rachel McAdams...

2010-08-26T20:34:00.000-04:00

I decided to give pincurls another go around. Hopefully this time it works!!

The last time I tried, I put just enough product in my hair but somehow (even after being pinned up from 12 pm to 10 pm) they must not have had enough time to dry. I was doing them because my beau, Justin, was coming in late that night after work for another lovely weekend visit. Well, I tried... and when I took them out to brush them into their proper place my hair felt ... well, just... ICK!! :(

I was putting them up tonight and when I had one left, I looked in the mirror. As I was brushing the 2" strand of hair out to make it silky smooth before curling up and pinning, I was reminded of the single little curl left down in the hairstyles of Marie Antoinette's time (and this post I had seen last night before bed. For some odd reason whatever I read an hour before and up to getting into bed I remember very clearly the next day, but never anything else. But, I digress) ... and I just smiled. As any silly girl who loves fashion would, I quickly went to work on my make-up... completely setting aside that last pin-curl for now. When I did my eye-liner I had a chance to glance down at my desk, and guess what I found?!?! An issue of Vogue magazine, with Rachel McAdams in BRIGHT pink lipstick on the cover.....

So, here's how it all ended up :D

The lipstick isn't as bright in the photo because of some color fixing thanks to the dang camera... but, hey.. it works.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Casey's 50's Tutorial in practice

2010-08-26T13:51:00.000-04:00

So, I said I tried the style out the next morning, and here is how it looked! (These pics were taken about the middle of the day when I finally got around to it)

Left side twist

(And, a sweet little over-the-shoulder pose.. very Vogue)

Rear-view

Right side twist

Front view

My general silliness.. such a poser :P

It turned out very nicely as you can see. And, I'm sure by now you've noticed I decided to go with a chic bun as opposed to the ponytail.. love it!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

50s style faux bang and ponytail tutorial

2010-08-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Thank you SOO much Casey for having such a wonderful blog!! I found this video VERY helpful, and I tried it the next morning. I also have been applying my make-up w/ a 50's style look (it only added one more step surprisingly.. eye-liner .. go figure it's the one thing I never could get right, until I had a reason to practice daily) and have loved it ever since. Your tutorial on applying it was extremely helpful for a few extra tips as well.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Blueberry Streusel Cake

2010-08-25T15:05:00.000-04:00

My mom and I love to bake. She made a Blueberry Streusel Cake for our breakfast this morning so I thought I'd share!

For the cake:

4 tablespoons butter or margarine, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup milk
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cups fresh blueberries

For the topping:

1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9 inch square baking dish.

Cream the butter or margarine with the sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, beat to combine, then mix in the milk until blended.

Pour the two cups of flour into the center of the mixture and sift the baking powder, salt, and cinnamon over the flour. Stir just enough to blend all the ingredients.

Add the blueberries and stir.

Transfer to baking dish, and set aside.

Place the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter in a separate mixing bowl and cut in with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Sprinkle the topping over the batter that is already in the baking pan.

Bake until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean, about 45 minutes.

Serve warm or cold, with or without a nice dollop of whipped cream! ENJOY!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Goodbye & Rest in Peace

2010-08-06T21:27:00.000-04:00

This blogpost is to inform you all that I will not be posting for a while. We just had a death in our family, and we are going back home to KY to take care of it.

Please keep my mom & our family in your prayers!!

In loving memory of:

Emma Belle Beard

Sept. 5, 1947 -Aug. 6, 2010

A good Christian woman, married to D.E. Beard for a good many years, and mother of 3.

Granny, Wife, Aunt, Mother, Daughter, Sister, Friend

You are loved Granny.

And many will miss you dearly but, we are rejoicing because we know you are in a far better place than here below!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Swoon!!

2010-08-06T12:51:00.000-04:00

I have spent my morning in between email, cutting the pattern for my Christmas Gown, and watching/listening to the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice as I go along...

When I got towards the end and heard Darcy's simple words "You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love.. I love.. I love you!"
I couldn't think of any better way to say it.

And, I realized just how much I dearly missed my own special someone.

-- His dear Brownie girl :)

Red Pennies, Truffles, and Rust..

2010-08-04T20:20:00.000-04:00

Just like the title says.

(Can you guess which is which?!)

This dress is another find from my Thrift Store shopping spree.

I came home & looked it up...
This dress is David's Bridal sz. 4
Online it is on Sale for 80$ .. I bought it barely used, for 7$!!

I bought the Cameo at a Farmer's Market in Shepherdsville, KY many years ago. I realized after buying the pendant/pin cameo that it is in fact authentic, even if the gold & crystals surrounding it are not. The Pearl & Swarovski Ring is passed on from my momma!

I was given the Pearl, Gold, and Jet Bead chain one year for my Brithday, I think. And, the clutch (5$) is the result of a sale at TJ Maxx a few months ago.
The shoes.. you guessed it.. 50$ on sale for 15$!! I bought them to wear with a Peach colored dress for a friends wedding this Spring.

My mom and I had plenty of fun,

just getting out and snapping photo's of my new dresses!!

What a day!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Frugal Findings of A Victorian Cowgirl

2010-08-04T11:46:00.000-04:00

I have been CRAVING a shopping spree for about a month now.. I was able to put it off for as long as I could stand NOT shopping... but, I had to go & buy some pretty Swiss Dot fabric for a new shirt I want to make, and the CGF Thrift Store was calling my name from just around the corner!! So, I had to, of course, pay a little visit :P

Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this lovely little number!

For only $5.00 I had to buy it whether it fit or not
(I tried it on, and IT FITS!!)

I just HAD to take photo's to share with a special someone what good fortune I had had shopping...

It's just so... well, you know.. Lucy!! :)
And, then I thought, "Well, this would make a GREAT blogpost!"
So here it is :D

I found this dress in New Bern. And, I fell in love with it!
It is EXACTLY the style of thing I wish I could wear everyday of my life..
I mean, who can resist the allure of the 1930's-50's?? BUT, I'm so tall & thin that I can't ever find things long enough, or small enough :(

I found a steal with this one!! And, it makes me feel so Va-va-va-Voom .. you know?!
Do you have a dress that makes you feel that way?? I think EVERY woman should!

Well, there aren't any tags in it, and I noticed that it is home-made :D There is a matching belt at the already cinched waist line and, it is the perfect length for me. Looks so good with heels.. another bonus! It is so amazingly comfortable. Who says you have to sacrifice comfort to be stylish & classic?!

I hope you have such luck in your shopping this week, Girls!Oh, and Thanks Kater, for being such an inspiration in the blogosphere!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

An expirement in RED

2010-07-30T12:53:00.000-04:00

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Put a little Ooh la la..

2010-07-29T08:54:00.000-04:00

In YOUR life...

This is for Mimi :D

(since none of your blog buttons seem to work on my blog)

LOL

- A Victorian Cowgirl

The Photo of a Lifetime..

2010-07-22T10:29:00.001-04:00

I love this Photographic Panorama taken by one VERY handsome man... with his iPhone!!! Can you say WOW!! to fantastic technology (this coming from the woman who is not in the slightest technologically inclined).

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Oh dear goodness!!

2010-07-14T17:20:00.001-04:00

Oh wow it has been a whole month EXACTLY since I posted. In the words of Americas sweetheart, Miss Shirley Temple, "Oh my goodness!!". I have had guests to stay, and I am now on vacation in MD with the most wonderful family and my dear sweet Justin. I thought I would share a few photos so here goes...

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A walk with you, 337 miles away...

2010-06-14T21:45:00.001-04:00

We find ourselves missing people as we go throughout our days.. So, why not come up with a fun way to spend time together no matter what the distance that separates you is?

Today Justin and I took a "walk" around DC. He took photo's with his phone, and sent them to me, so I could see what he was seeing!! It was very fun to receive the photo's and to know that this was a new experience, and a fun one... that we were doing together.

Some of the detailing on the window and it's grates...

Some very pretty architectural detailing as well!

Lovely photo here :D

One of my favorite sorts of photo's are something called "Dutch Angles". This wonderful Dutchy shown here, was taken by Justin. Isn't it Fabulous?!

More in the way of beautiful architecture..

Love the pillars, and the little rosette ceiling pieces that join the corners of the squares together :D

Lovely Garden view...

Isn't the little spiral topiary adorable? I love sculptural things like that in a garden, they add so much visual interest, besides there just being pretty flowers.

A close-up of the Sun dial

Full Sun dial.. isn't the silvery hedge beautiful?

I bet it would be a breath taking site to see on a moonlit walk..

Outside of the Smithsonian Castle

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

The Silver Tree :)
Now, if only there was a money tree...

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

The Fountain :D

A view of the Fountain through the Gates

More of the lovely Fountain!

I have been to all of these places before with Justin, on my last visit to the DC/Maryland/Virginia area. So seeing them through pictures, and knowing we had walked there before was an extra special treat full of many fond memories..

So, when you find yourself missing that special someone, or your dear, dear friends..
Take a walk down memory lane, or see what interesting ways you can find to see eachother!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Ps: More photo's to come later.. when I have more time.. and more sleep!

Shared Tutorial in Practice...

2010-06-11T13:14:00.000-04:00

So, I worked on it a little while and made 3 flowers. I made more through out the day, but only wore just the first 3 in my hair :)

...The flowers, & twist...

I have one little one off to the left side of my twist...

and to the right...

I have one larger one, coupled with a smaller one.

All of my flowers have 3-5 Swarovski Crystal beads at the centers.

I hope you enjoy making yours as much as I have enjoyed making mine, and sharing the photo's!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Sharing a Link for a Tutorial

2010-06-11T07:52:00.000-04:00

I read an article this morning about the common misconception that girls who stay at home either just sit around twiddling our thumbs while we "wait for our prince charming" or that we only know how to cook and clean. Those are good things to know, by the way, but if I only did that I'd be bored stiff. Anyway, that isn't the purpose of this post so I'll move on.

The author of that post is Emily Rose Brookshire of Simply Vintagegirl. I love all things vintage and beautiful so I just HAD to go visit her site when I saw the name of her blog :)

I found this lovely tutorial for fabric flowers and wanted to share. The post is at http://www.simplyvintagegirl.com/blog/index.php/2010/05/29/tutorial-how-to-make-lovely-fabric-flowers/

I have known how to make different sorts of fabric and ribbon flowers for a while but I never thought of using a tealight to crinkle the flower edges. They remind me of old english roses or peonies (which I love!!). I am making some of these today... how about you?!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

I've been sick...

2010-06-07T08:58:00.000-04:00

... and I miss someone very much :(

I hope to get back to regular blogging as soon as possible!

In the meantime, though, I do appreciate your kind prayers while I try to recover from this nasty cold that I can't seem to shake!! I am much better today but still need to recover fully without pushing myself too quickly. Usually I am the person in our family that gets sick the least amount but this time I even had to reschedule my dentist appointment (I know, poor me...).

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

I like...

2010-05-28T16:57:00.000-04:00

walking on the beach....

BUT

walking on the beach with a friend is so much better!!!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Pride & Prejudice

2010-05-27T16:52:00.000-04:00

It has been a while. Sorry. I have been.. distracted.. of late. :)

But, in a good way... more on that later...

I was watching Sense and Sensibility this morning, and working on a new Spencer Jacket and Regency Dress, which made me think of Pride & Prejudice just now... the 2005 with Keira Knightley version... ooohhhh!! And, hearing "Knightley" makes me think of Emma.. but I digress...

I thought I would share a photo that I found at a Jane Austen site:

Lizzy Bennet

My Recent Trip to Maryland and Washington DC

2010-05-17T01:54:00.000-04:00

Inside the Smithsonian Castle

Outside the National Gallery of Art

With my dear friend, Justin, touring museums in Washington, DC

Another closer shot of Justin and I reflected in the mirrored artwork outside the National Gallery of Art

The inner garden at The National Gallery of Art

I had a GREAT time on my recent trip to the DC area, and I can't wait to do it again...

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

It's Sunday...

2010-05-09T14:59:00.000-04:00

Happy Mothers Day Momma :-D

You are a wonderful woman,

and I am very blessed to have a mother such as you!!

Sallie Anderson

http://www.mikeandsallie.com/seasidetales

Back from my trip :-(

2010-05-03T13:25:00.000-04:00

I went up to MD this weekend to spend time with a very good friend of mine, and had a great time!! :-)

Now I am home again :-(

I will post what few pictures I have, when I get a chance :-)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Spencers and Gostwicks... expanding the family tree

2010-04-23T08:46:00.000-04:00

I recently posted a fan image of my family tree extended out 4 generations. I said in that post that one of our lines is Spencer, but that it was a different English line than Princess Diana. I thought I might post a bit more about this line today.

(photo courtesy of my family)

Virginia Spencer was my great-great-great-great grandmother. The Spencer's, and marriages within that line, are some of my favorite parts of our family tree. There is so much history tied up with them :-)

For instance, Moses Spencer, who was Virginia's great grandfather, was a soldier in the Virginia Continental Line during the Revolutionary War. He received 100 acres for his service to his country.

Farther into the line we find Col. Nicholas Spencer, who was married to Frances Mottram. Nicholas served as President of the Council of the Virginia Colony. His cousin was Thomas Colepeper/Culpeper. Nicholas played a major role in securing the land grant for what would become Mount Vernon. I have an opportunity next Saturday morning to perhaps see Mount Vernon and I am very excited about that!

Nicholas' mother was Mary Gostwick (my 12th great-grandmother). Mary's father was Sir Edward Gostwick/Gostwicke. He was the 2nd Baronet Gostwick of Willington. He was also the Sheriff of Bedfordshire! I have always found Edward very interesting and is probably the tomb I'd like to see the most of all my ancestors (how morbid is that?!). I have read in several places that his body is laid in a glass or marble tomb in a church in England. I don't know how true that is but it would be interesting to find out for sure!!

the crest of Gostwick of Willington

(image courtesy of http://www.british-history.ac.uk)

I will post other family lines in the future but I thought this one was a good place to start :-D

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Music to my ears...

2010-04-22T11:09:00.000-04:00

For my mothers thirtieth birthday gift to herself, she gave piano lessons to the two of us. She had always wanted to learn and wanted her children to have the gift of music in our lives also. I had been singing solos and in children's choirs at church for as long as I could remember and I was thrilled to be able to learn an instrument finally!!

We lived in Okinawa at the time and our piano teacher was Denise Stone, a Marine wife (her husband was in the Marine Corps band), and a music teacher in the DOD school system who also happened to be our church pianist. Miss Denise was a strong teacher and refused to let me slide on anything! What I didn't appreciate as tough love very much back then, I truly appreciate now. Maybe that is because all of my other teachers have told me what a great beginning they can tell I had!

We didn't have a piano or keyboard when we first started the lessons so I could only practice on a real instrument by going to church early and getting a few minutes of practice time. I was taught that I didn't need a piano necessarily to learn the finger movements and so I spent a lot of time at home just reading the music and practicing moving my fingers. We did eventually buy an electric keyboard to practice with at home. Miss Denise also wanted to make sure I trained my eyes and hands properly and it was always a concentrated point to "sit up straight, and look ahead at the music...not at your fingers!!" She would even cover my hands with a long piece of black felt so that I couldn't see the keys :-) My first, and only so far, piano recital was at our church in Okinawa. I even played a duet with my mom. I wish I could remember what it was but I haven't got a clue. I do remember we both wore navy blue dresses (and were given beautiful Opal rings as a gift from both momma and dad..) and that I realized I was actually more afraid of singing in front of people than I was in playing the piano. Maybe it is because you are actually looking at the audience when you are singing and with piano you can solely focus on the instrument in front of you.

After we left Okinawa and moved to Arizona, we were able to purchase an old piano. I love our old Bailey! It was built in 1902 and is a pretty good instrument, though currently in need of a good tuning. We recently moved it to a different room in the house and it sounds better already. It could be the acoustics of the room, or it could be the location in general. Either way, I'm happy with the improvement!

Now that we live in North Carolina I have considered starting lessons back up again on a more permanent basis. The problem with different teachers (besides their own style, of course) is that each teacher likes different publishers. In Okinawa I used Bastien. In Arizona it was Faber. Now our music director at church prefers Alfred. I have went ahead and purchased all the Alfred books needed and took a few lessons but I am now in debate mode over whether or not to continue taking the classes on a regular basis. I have taught myself so much over the years and in between teachers (due to moving) that I wonder if I'm able to concentrate on starting over with a new teacher and learning their style. I get easily frustrated and lack patience. I think its a matter of choosing which battle is worth the fight and right now I'm not sure learning a new teachers style is a patience battle worth fighting. Does that make sense?

I WISH I could play by ear but I'm not talented in that department. My younger brother, Jesse, has actually shown a great deal of talent in that area. He has always had a love of all things instrumental. We have pictures of him before he was even two years old sitting in my dads lap strumming on a guitar. He has most recently been interested in the drums but is starting to really play around on the keyboard and piano as well. It amazes me that he can sit at the piano and just run his fingers over the keys at random and make something sound pretty. That is a gift from God, I think :-)

The two most important things I think I have gained from piano lessons in general is the ability to read music, and the ability to understand fingering movement. Even though I can't play by ear like my brother, or my dad or some of my friends, I know in theory how to "make" music. I can sit down and practice something I might create, even if I can't quickly pick up something someone else has created. That always is fun to do!!

One of the best ways I have kept up my fingering practice over the years is through using Preparatory Exercises For the Piano. You first begin with individual hand playing and then you add both of them together. It has been GREAT practice and I love it! I also have a book of short songs for the pianoforte copyrighted 1916. This book has been invaluable to me in learning timing. I would probably be wise to purchase a metronome to help with that as well, but do you know how expensive a really good one is?!

I play daily. Sometimes several times daily. I wonder though sometimes if that is enough. The question always lingers there in my mind I guess if I should take lessons regularly once again. Mom didn't continue lessons after the first year or two because one of my brothers started taking lessons as well. Finances weren't enough for all of us to take lessons back then but I can pay for my own lessons now if I want. The main thing really holding me back I guess is that it would mean spending approximatley 30% of my income on lessons every month. I'm not sure I can justify that :-(

I guess I'll think about it for a little while longer...

--A Victorian Cowgirl

Rachmaninoff - Vocalise For Violin

2010-04-21T23:18:00.000-04:00

I posted this on my facebook page but wanted to post it here as well.

Rachmaninoff is a favorite. You will soon learn I have lots of favorites :-)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Scrum-didlly-umptuous Dinner :-P

2010-04-18T23:45:00.000-04:00

Tonight (this was in my draft box for the past 2
days because I forgot about it... OOPS) we had our dinner courtesy of The Pioneer Woman. I am telling you... Mrs. Ree knows her stuff!! Our "menu" for dinner was her recipe (from: The Pioneer Woman Cooks ~ recipes from an accidental country girl ) for Chicken Fried Steak. Can you say "YUM!!" !?!?

I cooked our cubed steak according to her recipe variation for a quick, simple dish. I tossed in a dash .. or two.. (okay, so I am not great in the "exact measurements" department... LOL) of our selection of Emeril Essence spices.

I then sandwiched (ha, ha, ha..) the steak in between 2 slices of whole wheat bread, with mayo, and mild cheddar cheese. Serve with salad (I had a strawberry Yoplait yogurt cup for dessert..) and Voila!!

God Bless,

A Victorian Cowgirl ♥

2010-04-16T15:41:00.000-04:00

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."

-- William Shakespeare

More Pics from Tryon Palace with L.L.P.E.

2010-04-15T17:39:00.000-04:00

OK, So.. I said I would have to split it up and put it into two different posts.... VOILA!! Here it is :-)

I thought this was a cool pic. He snapped this one of the candleabra and ended up getting me in the background... the reciprocal of this (the one of him I snapped at the same time) is in the original post...

Someones first Pepsi... LOL

Pepsi-Cola Birthplace

More Pepsi-Cola

...Mr. New Bern Bear...

The Iron work on the 2nd Entrance Gate was beautiful... Just had to get a pic.

Pretty flowers at a Lilac house in the Historic District/Downtown New Bern

...Another pic of the flowers...

The wedding I was speaking of in the original post

....RUN....
LOL

Me, at the Guards Watch Station at Tryons entrance

Justin, at the Guards Watch Station...

A bench and the cool tile/brick walkways inside the Carriage House

Above the entrance hall outside of Tryon Palace

The brick work on the walkway, near the Guards Watch Stations...

--A Victorian Cowgirl

Tryon Palace With Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Elegance

2010-04-15T12:36:00.000-04:00

I recently (... ok, so I was supposed to get all this up like 3 weeks ago right after it happened, but I was being lazy...) went to Tryon Palace with Justin. So, here is me putting up all of the pics ... FINALLY!!

I know I posted this pic the other night, but I just love it!!

I was playing around and being silly with the camera, and so was suprised when it turned out like this. I just wish his shadow wasn't in the flower bed... LOL

The "Butterfly" Garden

The carriage house. We realized that they designed a way to keep the entire mansion very semetrical by making something as simple as a carriage house, have the same look as the other side where the kitchens/laundry rooms are.

I caught this one by accident,

but I love the way the suns rays came through.

God really does some amazing things!!

"Dutch Angles" are Ahhh-mazing :-)

Didn't this one turn out to be a good one?!?!

This really is one of my favorite pictures!!

Reading about the different gardens at Tryon right

before we entered the "Butterfly" Garden.

...Early Spring flowers...

I really like the iron detailing on the brick water well here.

I wish there were more flowers when we went, because I went back about a few weeks later and it was in full bloom, with tulips and roses everywhere!!

We sat here for a little while, and had a nice chat, while we took a breather from walking...

I think somebody was having fun with the all the photo-taking. :-)

All of the photo's here today actually are from both of our camera's so it was a very good day. Thank you Justin for the pics!!

I love this how this pic turned out... This was the good one. And, I am glad I was able to catch a view of both gardens!! We had a good time in the garden shown in the background through the gate with the statue. Unfortunatley, we were having too much fun (ok, so not so unfortunatley.. LOL) to remember to take any photos.

Statues in the Center Garden...

Beautiful early Spring flowers!!

More flowers...

BTW, all of the candelabra's you see are from a wedding

being held at Tryon that day.

So, I realized this morning that I am going to have to split this up into two seperate posts because of all of the beautiful pictures I want to share!! LOL

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

College... to be or not to be, that is the question!

2010-04-14T10:49:00.000-04:00

Like any other "normal" high school graduate I have thought long and hard over whether I should go to college or not. The path of decision has taken me around many curves, and up and down many trails. Honestly I'm not sure what I am supposed to do. I think the decision is even tougher for a girl than a guy. Guys have to provide for their families. Girls, at least ones who think the same way I do, believe in staying home and taking care of their families. The question then is whether it is worth it to go to college and "learn" (which I think you can do outside of a classroom anyway, BTW) and get a degree while also going into debt, or should you forget it and just stay at home learning more about doing the things you will want to do for your own family should God choose to provide you with one. Debt is a HUGE thing for me. My parents have always tried to teach me that debt is NOT a good thing. They have also told me that with four children at home they can't afford to pay for college and that it would be my own responsibility, should I choose to go that direction. My own question has been whether debt for a college degree that I may or may not use be WORTH saddling my future spouse with?

Here is my conundrum, I guess. I don't know if I WANT to go to college! I completed my high school studies early by working hard and combining my junior and senior years of high school. That is easy to do when you home school. However, it meant that I was officially finished with school by the time I was barely 17. I knew (and my parents knew as well) that I was not mature enough to attend college away from home at that point in my life so, with my parents permission, I took a year to work on my sewing and homemaking skills, and to just try and make a final decision on what I wanted to major in IF I decided that college was the right thing for me.

I completed my SAT in November of last year and was only partially happy with my score. I received above average scores on the reading and writing sections but scored right at the below average/average line on math. I don't like math but I love reading and writing (which, BTW, is funny because my English & my grammar is terrible... ) so that really wasn't a shock to me. I now have a choice of retaking the math portion but I don't know if I even want to bother.

As far as college majors go, I had been tossing around an art major for a few years with a focus on either Interior Design, Fashion Design, or Art History (because I love museums) but I still wasn't sure which route to take. I also knew I wanted to minor in something but was torn between French (a language that I had three years experience in already "trying" to learn and that I knew would definitely be needed if I was going into Fashion Design), Business (because if I ran my own business then I would need to know what I was doing), or Education (because I might want to use my creative talents in the future to teach my own children, or maybe in a home school co-op).

I don't like classrooms. I really don't like traditional school settings. I don't like debt (I did say that already, right?!). This made the decision for college even harder for me. I prayed about it and asked God for guidance. In the end I chose three schools that might be an option. The first two were Berea College in Kentucky and Warren Wilson College in North Carolina. Both schools are part of the work consortium college network which basically just means that I would be able to receive a scholarship for my tuition at the school and then be able to work at a job on campus to pay for my books and other expenses (room and board and so forth).. pretty debt free set up there :-) The third college was our local community college here in town. I had my SAT scores sent to each school but after even more prayer I felt like my best option would be Berea.

Berea was the school that had absolutely everything I wanted and would work with me on an independent major. I completed my application process, including an interview and tour of the school in January. I received word a few weeks later that my application for the scholarship and admittance were denied. They were very kind in their encouragement about all the extras I had included on my package but were quick to let me know my math score really needed to be better.

I prayed about finishing the application for Warren Wilson but after speaking to several people about it and viewing some videos of the school I just felt it was more of a liberal school than I wanted to go to. They seem very "new-agey" I guess. With some iffy "Womens (aka Feminist) World View" studies that I would have to take at least ONE class course in... I was DEFINITELY NOT interested!!

The community college is still an option I suppose. My father wants me to sign up for classes in the fall but says he is willing to work with me on it. I don't think he expects me to take a full load of classes (I am able to take inidividual studies -- ie. cake decorating, etc. -- separate from a degree studies course...) but I know he doesn't want me to be a "slacker" either. I would much prefer working with a seamstress as an apprentice but it is almost as if every door I try to go through lately gets most definitely closed. It can all be very discouraging!

I did have a good talk with my cousin and it seems she is having some of the same decision making problems as myself. I guess I feel better about that at least! Maybe it is just a girl thing.... or a non-feminist, Christian girl thing at least! Who knows?!

--A Victorian Cowgirl

100 things... give or take a few :-)

2010-04-13T09:08:00.000-04:00

My mom and I had a great discussion the other night about personality traits and knowing your own self. I'm finished with "school" but that doesn't mean I'm finished with learning and so every once in a while she will give me an assignment (other than typical homemaking kinds of things). This time she asked me to write 100 things about myself. The list could contain likes or dislikes. Here is my list:

I LOVE GOD!

I like my legs.

I do not like peanut butter (except on toast).

I like scrapbooking.

I like to sew.

I like food, and cooking, and baking.

I do not like that I am not very patient :-(

I like my strict-ish parents (mostly..lol).

I like reading my Bible.

I do not like that I don't read it oftener... or more often... whatever :-P

I like talking -- wish I did it less.

I like listening -- wish I did it more.

I like my brothers when they are sweet, and when they are ornery.

I like pistachios (my absolute favorite!!).

I like cleaning -- some days.

I do not like cleaning -- other days.

I like my pretty handwriting (which, of course, you can't see here...lol).

I like to play piano.

I like speaking/learning French, but it's a slow process because I don't practice enough :-(

I like being artistic.

I like my blog -- good English and creativity practice!

I like steak. A lot.

I like our dog -- just not always.

I do not like the cat so much, not that Ollie isn't ok most days... but maybe I'm just not a cat person?!

I like to decorate.

I like my hair.

I do not like that my hair isn't longer... but I guess that is what happens when you cut it :-P

I like designing wardrobes -- the clothing sort...not the wooden cabinet sort...LOL

I like making creating menu's and completing the grocery shopping that accompanies the menu's.

I do not like laundry, sometimes. Maybe I just do not like dirty laundry ;-)

I like being a simple, chic, country girl at heart.

I like reading.

I like my eyes.

I like pizza.

I do not like it when onions make me cry -- but sometimes they are a good excuse maker for some situations... as in "No, I'm not crying. I was just chopping an onion!" ROFL

I do not like it when I clean and then mud or some other bit of dirt gets tracked in on shoes.

I like candy.

I like butterflies.

I like walking barefoot on the beach.

I like getting a pedi/manicure every once in a blue moon.

I DO NOT like blue cheese. YUK!!

I like going out with my mom.

I like working.

I like staying home.

I like Granny Smith apples.

I do not like other kinds of apples (except for the ones we used to eat in Japan that were so huge that one apple would be a snack for four people!!).

I like poetry.

I like music. All sorts. But mostly country and classical.

I like the beach.

I like watching the news.

I like to dance.

I like yoga (but NOT as a religion...just for exercise).

I like swimming (like a mermaid...hmm, that doesn't sound right. Like a mermaid that is dressed...LOL).

I like seas shells.

I like remembering things.

I like sea glass.

I like when dad reads bedtime stories (so what if I am 18?!).

I love skype :-D

I like Opera.

I like photography.

I like embroidery.

I like my birthstone.

I like being eclectic.

I like watching movies.

I like it when daddy plays his guitar.

I like looking at French Country and Romantic Homes magazines.

I like birds singing in Spring.

I like crytal lamps and chandeliers.

I do not like thunderstorms.

I like my diamond earrings.

I like to wear scarves (but they can sometimes be annoying!!).

I like Okinawa, Japan.

I like my kokeshi dolls and Lladro's.

Hmmm.. I will keep this one to myself...

Hmmm.. this one, too :-)

I like to dance. Oh wait, did I say that already?! It's worth a repeat :-)

I like to dance AND listen to music while I clean -- it makes it go so much faster!

I like the song...oh, wait, never mind.. another secret keeper!

I like Rain Drops on Roses from The Sound of Music.

I like being happy -- a lot of that lately :-D

I like my nose. Mostly. But not always.

I like my LONG fingers.

I do not like PMS because I get sick and have lots of headaches.

BUT, I like that I can have kids of my own one day (Lord willing) and so PMS is a good reminder of that.

I like my iPod -- it enables me to do things like #77 :-)

Hmmm.. yet another one I shouldn't list...

I do not like heights (at least not the coming down part... YIPES!)

I like to have fun.

I like football.

I like jewelry making.

I like flowers. All over. I mean like EVERYWHERE!

I like being 18 :-)

I like my high cheekbones.

I like my genetically crinkled ear.

I like my high metabolism.

I like going for walks.

I like spending time with friends.

I like taking time to smell the roses... and tulips... and daisies... and dandelions... and magnolias...

I do not like cole slaw or potato salad.

I like being me. :-) Because I am who God made me and I wouldn't change being His creation for anything in the world, or for any price! "For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose his soul?" Mark 8:36

Maybe some bits of my list seem cheesy, or unimportant. It wasn't as if I was trying to write a document that would save children in Africa from hunger or give us a strategy for universal peace. It's just a bit of me. So that I don't forget who I am.

--A Victorian Cowgirl ♥

Friendship...

2010-04-12T00:50:00.000-04:00

"A friend may well be reckoned the masterpiece of nature."

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Family

2010-04-06T10:48:00.000-04:00

My mom is a HUGE family tree person. Her mom took her to a dusty old library basement to look up family records when she was a little girl and she has been hooked ever since. This is only a portion of our tree but I thought it would be fun to share (and give me something to post...LOL). Other names in our tree are Spencer (a different English line than Princess Di's), Rutherford (which can be traced back to about the 1200's), Hatfield, McCoy (yep, both of them!!), Laird, Johnstone (my small bit of Scottish pedigree), Basham, Wyatt, Lamson, and SO MANY MORE!!! :-D

My mother was actually adopted by her step dad (granny and papaw got married when she was less than two years old) but she has completed some research on her biological fathers tree as well. Her grandmother is from the Kentucky Back family, who are descended from a German line of Bach. There are quite a few JS Bach's in that tree so I'm definitely interested in learning more of that blood line!

Feel free to click on the family tree fan to enlarge it and have a closer look :-)

Let me know if you see any names you recognize. Mom has a box of copies of records out in the garage so I might be able to help out if you are facing a brick wall in your own tree.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Trying New Things

2010-03-30T12:17:00.000-04:00

I seem to be trying new things a lot lately! I have an older widowed friend at our church who makes cakes as part of her income. I was trying on hats at her house one evening and she and my mom where chatting while she prepared some decorations for a wedding cake she was working on. She encouraged me to try my hand at making a few small simple tiered cakes and that seemed like a pretty good idea :-)

My mom and I have a favorite lemon cake recipe from Betty Crocker called a Lemonade Party Cake. You can find the recipe for it here. It is AWESOME!! Very tart... and sweet... just like me... ROFL

I have recently seen several lemon cakes with a raspberry filling and knew I wanted to give this combination a try. My mom already owns several small specialty round and square cake pans so I was able to start experimenting with this new adventure without two much out of pocket expenses: a few cake mixes, frosting containers, and a jar of jam and I was set!

The trick to stacking the cakes (and trust me when I say I tried several different ways!!!!!) is to freeze your cooled cakes and then frost the bottom layer completely first. Next, add a layer of raspberry jam to the bottom of the top tier and GENTLY place it on top of the already frosted bottom layer. Then, frost your top layer to blend the two layers together. This keeps all the jam nicely hidden and the tiers remain in their proper place without sliding all over the place!!

I will warn you that this cake was very rich. I think perhaps the next time I make it, I will use a fluffy white frosting instead of lemon, and I probably will not use the lemonade concentrate... or at least not as much. It WAS very good. But not everyone may like lemons as much as I do ;-)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Dancing is Awesome... via Emma :-)

2010-03-25T07:29:00.000-04:00

I recently watched the newest version of Emma online at PBS Masterpiece theatre. Funnily enough, I watched it with a friend of mine, Justin, and we commented back and forth on a very long thread on Facebook about it...more than 60 comments...lol. It was probably one of the most interesting "movie nights" I have ever had! If you have never watched a movie with a friend this way, you simply must :-D

This dance sequence is one of my favorite parts of the movie and I wanted to share it on my blog. Many thanks to Justin for providing me with the screen stills! He has promised to do a review of the movie on his blog soon. Maybe this post will be the prodding he needs to get to it ;-)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

A Victorian Cowgirl Goes Shopping!

2010-03-23T15:27:00.000-04:00

I went shopping with my mom yesterday and today, and finally was able to buy a few of the items I have been needing and also a few I have wanted to buy for a while now. You see here a new cream turtle neck sweater, a pair of white ballet flats, and white stockings for a Ball in June, and a cute little home decor birdie that I was finally able to get my hands on!! :-D

--A Victorian Cowgirl

Playing Catch Up

2010-03-22T19:08:00.000-04:00

Hi all,

I know it's been a few, so I will make a new post very quickly :-) I have had a friend staying at the house this weekend, and have been having a marvelous time!! My Saturday was fantastic, and my Sunday was even better. I however have been running on not nearly enough sleep since about Tuesday of last week, and am paying for it sorely... not that how I spent said time wasn't worth it, I just need to get some rest!! LOL

I will post pics from my AHHH-mazing weekend/ spring break, and pics for the Eliza post as well, as soon as I have a moment in which to do it. :-)

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Eliza!!

2010-03-16T23:35:00.000-04:00

Ok, so here is a link to my absolute favorite magazine... http://elizamagazine.com/blog/ :-)
I will show pics of my stacks of copies from them, and some of my favorite pages in the morning. But, for now I am going to bed.

--A Victorian Cowgirl

2010-03-16T22:35:00.000-04:00

"I haven't had my coffee yet, DON'T make me kill you!!"

Vicky & her favorite GREEN coffee mug :-)

--A Victorian Cowgirl

What to do, what to do?! Life is great!

2010-03-15T22:24:00.000-04:00

Hi Hi Hi All. :-) I am busy cleaning, and buying things I probably don't need but want because they look good on me so I will look good :-P I am just sooooo excited that I am having company coming and so I am now in that rush zone, where you are trying really hard to make sure everything that needs to get done gets done, and everyplace that I need to get ready to go to, I am ready for and getting gone :-) I can't wait!! This is gonna be fun. YAY.

I get to go to the rifle range this weekend and then to Tryon Palace here in NC, and spend some time with a friend. And, I have been invited to go to a Baptist Men's Mission Conference by the Wilber's so I am excited to go out then and learn some more, and have a fabulous time at dinner. And, I got my hair cut, and bought a new shirt, and a new sweater (those things I was talking about spending unnecessary money on LOL). And, I am having fun cleaning, and hanging out with my family, eating amazing food, and getting to be the dorky, laid back, southern girl that I am, and always have been.

God Bless y'all,

--A Victorian Cowgirl

Ommm, nomm, nomm, nomm, nomm... It's delicious :-)

2010-03-12T23:54:00.000-05:00

Hi all. I know I have missed quiet a bit of time for posting, but I am still trying to get into the habit of doing this more often than I used to (every other few months).

So, I went out for a singles night at church. We ended up going to see "When In Rome" (which I have decided I love, BTW). And we all had a really great time just hanging out. After the movie we ended up going and hanging out and Dunkin' Donuts/ Baskin Robins until maybe 10:30-ish, which was AHHH-mazing. :-) We had coffee, Ice cream, and doughnuts, and chatted it up about the movie, how our week went, and just goofing off in general. All around a really swell night!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl :-)

Boys are back in town, the boys are back in town...

2010-03-10T07:03:00.001-05:00

Hi All :-) I'm back in town (and I'm a girl..LOL... but the title meant my whole family). I had taken a side trip last weekend to go see a friend in the DC area!! And, then this weekend to a friends wedding.

I will post pics later :-)

Many different faces...

2010-03-05T08:46:00.000-05:00

Liberty Park in Jersey...

A bit of rest...

Stilts... not as though I need the hight

I love, love, love HATS!!

My Daddy & Me

Pride & Prejudice anyone?
That's what mom says this one reminds her of anyways...

And the ever present cowgirl in me...

-- A Victorian Cowgirl ;-)

Good, good, good!!

2010-03-05T08:15:00.001-05:00

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2010-03-05T06:23:00.000-05:00

Just a few little things about me.... again :-P

Since I am new, as I said previously, I know people don't know a whole lot about me. So, I thought I'd post the "short story". (Which may not in fact end up being very short!!)

I love fashion! (Always just been sort-of a DUH! factor with me, LOL.) A few favorite stores/designers have always been Ann Taylor LOFT (http://www.anntaylorloft.com/home.jsp), A. Byer, Bebe (http://www.bebe.com/?extid=af_k150006Zenex%20Marketing), White/Black (http://www.whitehouseblackmarket.com/store/home.jsp?CMP=KNC-GOOG_NB), Modcloth (http://www.modcloth.com/), Funky Frum (http://www.funkyfrum.com/), etc. I alter/make my own clothes when I have the time, but for the most part I just stick to altering them :-) I try to dress modestly, and so, I am sure you will most likely find modesty posts & modest outfit posts often in the future! My favorite MODESTY magazine is Eliza (http://elizamagazine.com/blog/).

I also have this dream of running my own dress/skirt shoppe (from home) with my family, AFTER of course, I find and marry God's best. :-) I currently have 3-4 notebooks full of vintage style modest designs. I, of course, will not set any of this into motion without the full permission and support of my future husband (another topic you will be sure to find me posting about). :-)

Speaking about designing!! LOL I also hold great interest in interior design. I am constantly and forever experimenting on my room here at home, at work in the office, and by helping my mom when she asks for ideas (not that she doesn't have plenty of her own... which I suppose is where I get it from). Another sort of thing I LOVE to post about, for sure!! I can find ideas of what I like and mix them all together at http://www.houzz.com/, one of my favorite home decor ideas sites!

In closing I will say this, I love my cowgirl boots (these are the pair I would like to get to replace the ones I am rapidly growing out of : http://www.sheplers.com/promo/womens_159_boots/031313.html) and Jane Austen (favorite is P&P: http://www.familyvideo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=220257) hence the name...

-- A Victorian Cowgirl ;-)

Cards :-)

2010-03-04T09:15:00.000-05:00

OK, :-) Good morning all! I hope you are having a WONDERFUL day. I am trying to make sure that I post at least once a day.... something of a change for me since I normally only post every few months or so.

I am a crafty person in general, I suppose. A few evenings ago, sitting in my room, I decided I was bored and would find something productive to do... I love to scrap-book, and I have three or four of them. :-) So, as I went through and organized my desk, I found a set of blank thank you/ event card-stock cards. Naturally, with the way my brain works, I grabbed my scrap boxes out of my closet and set to work!

I spent the evening planning, cutting, pasting, cleaning my work area, picking paper and trimmings, etc. and came up with this Set of 12 cards. I haven't decided what to call the set yet though, so if you have any ideas, feel free to leave a comment!!

Thank you SOOOOOOOOOOO much for stopping by dears.

--A Victorian Cowgirl

Will Work for Shoes....

2010-03-03T23:19:00.000-05:00

I have a wedding on Saturday so I spent almost my whole pay this week for a new pair of shoes. Shoes are a fault that must be allowed for a girl :-)

What is pure?

2010-03-03T15:01:00.000-05:00

Ephesians 5:27 says, "...to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle, or any other, blemish, but Holy and Blameless." God wants us to be pure and completely blameless when we marry our husband. 1 Corinthians 11:2 mentions that God wishes to give us away to ONE man, our husband, as virgins. It is the plan He has for women.

But, He goes on in verse three, that He fears we will be led astray from purity and devotion to Him as Eve was led astray by the devil (Genesis 3:1-6). An example of impurity, other than Eve of course, is of David and Bathsheba. We know from the story (2 Samuel 11:1-27) that lusting, or any form of impurity is wrong in the sight of the Lord. We can back this up by reading Matthew 5:22-28, "....If you look on a woman (man) with lust you have committed adultery in your heart...."

We need to safe guard our hearts! Not only do our hearts need such protection from impurity, but our minds as well. Proverbs 4:23-27 states, "Above ALL else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life... look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.... Do not swerve to the left or to the right; keep your foot from evil."

We find the strength we need to do such tasks in God. Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do anything if we trust that God is our strength! In Jeremiah 29:11 we find God saying, "for I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you..." God is our strength and our salvation. He guards our purity and has planned a wonderful future for us in Him!

-- A Victorian Cowgirl

Welcome

2010-03-03T14:20:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog :-) I am new to this area of the blogging world, but have another blog on my parents site. I guess I should say a little something about myself, huh?

So, for starters... I am 18 years old, a Christian, military brat, who is a graduated high school homeschooler, and a wife in training. My favorite place to get coffee is Starbucks :-) and you can bet that more likely than not I will order a Venti Latte, no foam, no sugar! I love fashion and designing my own clothes. I AM having problems making pencil skirts, I hope to remedy that little hick-up soon :-) LOL.

I plan to write about purity, faith, courtship, fashion, home decor, thoughts of the day, life in general, and family to name a few.

I hope you like what you see, and if you have any questions about something I post feel absolutely free to leave a comment and I will respond as soon as I am able.

-- A Victorian Cowgirl :-)

PS ~ I would like to thank Sallie (my mom) and my other friends for helping me get this thing up and running!!