I'm sorry I have taken so long to update but have had a really busy time. A few weeks ago I went to the Medieval Christmas fair at Ludlow which has many more stalls this year and some really yummy food. I had my first taste of mulled cider, which was actually really tasty. Here's me on the right with my sister and our two lovable but loud dachshunds Bertie and Seth with the imposing Ludlow castle in the background.
I also recently went to see The Nutcracker at the Birmingham Hippodrome which was incredible and left me breathless will all the exquisite sets, especially when the Christmas tree gets bigger and bigger and the toy soldiers come to life. It really helped to get me into the spirit of Christmas after spending the day writing my bibliography for my dissertation and traipsing to university through the torrential rain. This is the outfit I wore, the clothes are modern but I feel that they have a real vintage feel and evoke something of the spirit of the 1920's (hopefully). The second picture is with my sister who was very apprehensive about seeing it as she is not a fan of ballets but thankfully she really enjoyed it.
I have now finally broken up for Christmas and have been busy decorating, which basically involved me throwing tinsel haphazardly round my room, making paper decorations whilst the dogs are trying to get my attention and eat the decorations and stop them eating through the wires for my Christmas lights.
When it came to decorating the Christmas tree we left it quite late this year as we decided to have a real tree for the first time in years. I'd forgotten how nice they smell. Unfortunately the cats think of it as their own climbing frame for them to explore and have taken to climbing it and knocking of all the baubles whilst the dogs drink from the water in the container underneath. Poor tree!
My decorations are put to shame though by the decorations that adorn the rooms at Wightwick Manor, the National Trust property where I volunteer as a room guide. The manor has the most beautiful original Victorian Christmas decorations. They always do such a good job decorating the rooms and one can really imagine spending Christmas day there with your family. Over Christmas there is also a lady who comes in at the weekend and plays Christmas carols on the piano. The house is truly a riot for the senses at Christmas, there are beautiful decorations for you to behold, the whole house smells of pine, cinnamon and oranges- due to the traditional Victorian decorations, and the sound of carols resonate throughout the house.The children's day nursery is my personal favourite, with its own Christmas tree, which I believe in the past has been decorated by local school children. There is also always a glass of milk and a carrot left for Santa and Rudolph.
This is a beautiful picture of the Great Parlour, it far outshines my Christmas tree, taken by a local newspaper (cameras are not allowed inside so I can't take any photos when I'm there) -
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/12/14/victorian-festive-magic-at-wightwick-manor/
It truly is a magnificent room all year round but at Christmas it dazzles.
I always find it funny how people react to me when I'm their, some comment on how nice I look. I had a very sweet older gentleman a while ago say it was so lovely to see a woman wearing a dress for a change. Some people gawk or laugh as if they think I am completely oblivious and have no idea how they are behaving. I have also scared a few visitors before by standing very still and staring at one of the many beautiful paintings at Wightwick, after which I realise someone has just entered the room so I turn round and give them the shock of their lives. One woman had thought I was a mannequin (I don't think most National Trust places actually utilise mannequins though?). This is the outfit I wore to volunteer a few weeks a go. The jacket is part of a beautiful 1940's suit, the dress is a 1950's summer dress which I know is not appropriate but it has such a beautiful pattern I couldn't stop myself from wearing it! Finally the necklace is a beautiful green (my favourite colour) vintage piece. (Ignore the non vintage watch my old pearl watch recently broke and the jacket didn't have a pocket for my pocket watch!)
Finally, I couldn't do a Christmas post without discussing my favourite Christmas film of all time, which I'm sure nearly everyone has heard of it, It's a Wonderful Life. It is the quintessential Christmas film. Not only is the film a heartwarming story about a great man, George Bailey who embodies the true spirit of charity and selflessness but the character is also played by the dashing James Stewart. Additionally, being a lover of 1940's fashion, the outfits are a feast for the eyes, my personal favourtie is this exquisite dress with its tiered ruffled skirt, which looks even more sensational in motion.
Actually when I think about I was probably more endeared to the dress as James Stewart and Donna Reed are dancing the Charleston, before they plunge into the swimming pool.
Finally I would just like to again wish you a Merry Christmas. I'm going to go carry on writing my dissertation with a glass of Asti whilst listening to the legend that is Ella Fitzgerald singing Santa Claus is coming to town.
Evalily Harlow xxxx
