Whatever Has Happened To Miss Laurie?

Dear Friends,

Please forgive my long absence and general lack of interesting posts over the last few weeks. This summer has been super busy with work, weddings, church activities, etc. But last weekend something happened that is shortly to change my life completely.

A couple weeks ago my mother's 90-year-old grandmother had a nasty fall and broke her shoulder. She's needed lots of help and her extended family had been bickering about how to best care for her - nursing home or in-home care. My grandfather and the rest of our branch of the family favored in-home care - which is where I come in. With my 6+ years experience of working with dementia patients and my healthcare skills and my state of singleness I am the perfect candidate to care for Gram. The family asked if I would go to New York to care for her and...I said "yes".

Saying yes was easy but then the hard part began. Going means quitting my cafe job here, saying good-bye to my wonderful work family, leaving my caring church family, uprooting my life from my immediate family (who I've never lived away from), packing my belongings for an extended stay and moving the 9 hours away from Kentucky to New York state. At this time it is uncertain how long Gram will need me - until her shoulder heals for longer as her memory fades.  I can't quite accurately describe the emotional roller coaster I've been on for the last week. Monday when I told my boss and co-workers I was leaving I got so many hugs and near tears it felt like it was actually my last day of work - but then I had two weeks of work to get through. I will miss the folks at the Creation Museum more than I can say, they have been so very special to me!

God keeps confirming my decision to go by working out the details and also working on my heart through scripture, sermons and songs. I know moving to care for Gram is what He wants me to do but at the same time it is hard to leave my life here in KY because I love it so much and was really looking forward to lots of things this Fall/Winter and beyond.

Please pray for me as I continue to make my preparations for the move. Pray for the drive up to NY with my family scheduled for September 6th. Pray that I will have wisdom in how best to care for Gram. Pray that I stay healthy and well from sickness. Most of all please pray that my words, actions and attitudes will be a testimony to God's faithfulness and to the joy that comes from serving Jesus. There are a lot of people watching me right now and I want to show them how much I love them and love the Lord..

While I have these plans ahead of me it looks very much like I shall be forced to take a break from posting at Old-Fashioned Charm for a while. Please bear with me during this silence that I hope will break towards the end of September.

Thank you for your patience and your prayers!

God Bless,

  

Musical: Into The Woods (1991)

When one of my co-workers mentioned this was his favorite musical my interest was immediately piqued. Finding this 1991 filmed stage version on Netflix I started to watch with fairly low expectations but soon found that it was much more entertaining than I could have thought!

Into The Woods is a cleverly written musical that intertwines the stories of several fairytale characters into a hilariously fun but twisted story. Now the songs are stuck in my head and it's definitely one of my favorite musicals too.

This review is particularly about the 1991 film recording of the of the Original Broadway Cast but since many of you probably haven't heard of this musical it will focus on the musical in general. I also have a few words to say about casting news for an exciting new movie version planned for 2014.

The Witch visits the Baker and His Wife.

Story: A baker and his wife journey into the woods in search of a cow, a red cape, a pair of golden slippers and hair the color of corn to lift a curse that has kept them childless. In the woods they meet up with characters from Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood and Jack and the Beanstalk. Each character wishes for something but soon finds that their wishes coming true might not be what they really wanted.

Cinderella sings about Prince Charming.

Costumes: In this production the costumes are very fairytale-like, a mixture of Medieval through to Victorian styles. Cinderella and her stepsisters have some lovely dresses. My favorite costume was actually the dress that the Baker's Wife wears, it has lovely flow to it and I like her hat/hairpiece. Costume changes by a few of the characters were very quickly accomplished. There are a few quite low cut gowns on a few of the ladies but nothing too bad.

Jack, his mother, magic harp and Milky White.

Sets: They suggest the fairytale setting very simply but are easily moved and changed. The props were also simple and easily moved, even the cow was easy to run away with! Hehe :)

Rapunzel's Prince.

Music: Lyrics and music were composed by Stephen Sondheim (lyrics for West Side Story, lyrics for Gypsy, A Little Night Music, and Sweeney Todd) in 1987. In 1988 it won a Tony Award for Best Musical Score. Most of the music is light and fun but there are some sweeter and more serious songs toward the end of the musical. There are some hilariously funny lines spoken and sung. The tunes themselves get stuck in your head and it's hard to get them out. :)

Cinderella's happily ever after.

Favorite Songs: At first I didn't like all of the songs but now I have so many favorites! Here's a bit about some of the best...

"Hello Little Girl" - The wolf delays Little Red Riding Hood on her way to grandmother's house and fantasizes about eating her. Red is such a funny character, probably my favorite!
*Watch Song On YouTube

"Hello, little girl, What's your rush? You're missing all the flowers. The sun won't set for hours, Take your time."


"A Very Nice Prince" - In the woods Cinderella meets the Baker's Wife and tells her about attending the balls at the King's Festival and about meeting the Prince.
*Watch Song On YouTube

-He has charm for a Prince, I guess...
~Guess?
-I don't meet a wide range.


"Giants In The Sky" - This is probably my favorite song now! Jack tells about climbing the beanstalk and meeting giants. A fairly simple melody but a strong voice is needed to do the song justice!
*Watch Song On YouTube

"A big tall terrible Giant at the door, A big tall terrible lady Giant sweeping the floor."


"Agony" - Brother princes meet in the woods and talk about the frustrations of wooing Cinderella and Rapunzel. Definitely quite hilarious!
*Watch Song On YouTube

-Am I not sensitive, Clever, Well-mannered, Considerate, Passionate, Charming, As kind as I'm handsome And heir to a throne?
~You are everything maidens could wish for!
-Then why no-?
~Do I know?
-The girl must be mad!



"It Takes Two" - A very sweet song sung by the Bake and his Wife as they finally decide to work together to get the items the Witch demands.
*Watch Song On YouTube

"You've changed. You're daring. You're different in the woods. More sure. More sharing. You're getting us through the woods. If you could see- You're not the man who started, And much more openhearted Than I knew You to be."

Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf.

Characters:

• Tom Aldredge as The Narrator - He starts out the story with the ever famous words "One Upon A Time" and helps move the story along. There is a hilarious moment when the story characters realize he's there and take him captive! "Some of us don't like the way you've been telling it." Yes, the story does get a bit crazy!  
• Bernadette Peters as The Witch - One of the main characters, the Witch appears all evil but there is more to her than first meets the eye (literally!). Bernadette Peters adds so much to the Witch including amazing humor, and makes her one of my favorite characters. Her voice is quite amazing too, "Last Midnight" is just amazing! "A giant, a giant's just like us only bigger. Much much bigger. So big!" 
• Chip Zien as The Baker - He's sort of the moral compass of the story, always doing what is right even though he'd really like to steal the items he needs. He does have some funny moments but overall is very sweet. Chip Zien's voice is very smooth and perfect for the character.
• Joanna Gleason as The Baker's Wife - An interesting character who does have quite a few humorous lines. Joanna Gleason is perfect in the role, such light and movement, warmth and smarts. Her voice is strong and blends perfectly with each character she sings with. It's no wonder she won a Tony award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical  for this role!
• Kim Crosby as Cinderella - The perfect fairytale heroine she is sweetness itself, talks to birds, has her wishes granted and cares for everyone. In an interesting twist she attends a series of balls at the King's festival and though she dances with the Prince each time she runs away from him uncertain whether she really wants to be pursued by him. Kim Crosby's voice is gorgeous and she's usually quite graceful but she does have amazingly funny pray falls that get the audience giggling at her.
• Danielle Ferland as Little Red Riding Hood - Probably my favorite character from Into The Woods! Red is greedy and comically stuffs her face at every chance, she is also very matter-of-fact and says whatever comes to mind whether it's nice or not! "You can talk to birds?!?" Danielle Ferland was amazing in this role, her song "I Know Things Now" is pure genius!
• Ben Wright as Jack - Young and devoted to his mother and his cow but easily led astray. Played by an older actor but he captures the youthfulness of the character. 
• Barbara Bryne as Jack's Mother - Very concerned about providing for herself and her son, she sends Jack through the woods and on to the market to sell their cow Milky White. Although she's slightly annoying she also has her funny moments brought to life amazingly by Barbara Bryne. 
• Robert Westenberg as The Wolf - A bit creepy and very greedy but he too has his funny moments. Only one song but long enough for us to realize that the guy under the wolf suit also plays Cinderella's Prince, a similarly greedy character. The costume they have him wear is a bit odd.
• Tom Aldredge as The Mysterious Man - With his funny introductions and mysterious appearances he helps the story along but without making much sense until toward the end of the first act. 
• Robert Westenberg as Cinderella's Prince - "I was raised to be charming, not sincere." This quote just about sums up both princes. He is bold in his pursuit of the maiden and rescuing her but not very heroic when it comes to his kingdom. Robert's voice is very rich and suits the character perfectly. An interesting fact is that in real life the Cinderella and Prince Charming characters met and married through this production!
• Pamela Winslow as Rapunzel - Very young and a little dim witted. She sings constantly and isn't very interesting although her story is made interesting by being part of the Witch's story. Her screeching scenes toward the end of the production is pretty funny.
• Chuck Wagner as Rapunzel's Prince - I rather like him more than Cinderella's Prince but his character is very similar. The duets he does with his brother prince are brilliantly done and some of my favorite songs! "Dwarfs are very upsetting!"
• Lauren Mitchell & Kay McClelland as Lucinda & Florinda - Cinderella's stepsisters who are both very mean and have endings they deserve. Small characters but well done. 
• Edmund Lyndeck as Cinderella's Father - Another small part but he's a bit like a Mr. Bennet character and has a few witty lines.
• Joy Franz as Cinderella's Stepmother - A very mean character she leads her daughter is absurdities to try to get the Prince's attention. The way Joy Franz speaks sometimes was odd but she did a good job.
• Merle Louise as Red's Grandmother & Cinderella's Mother - Small parts but necessary to the story. 
• Philip Hoffman as King's Steward - Another small part but he moves the story along helping with the search for Cinderella and has a few funny lines.

Rapunzel in the tower.

My Recommendation: This production is fairly family friendly. There are a couple low cut gowns worn by a few of the ladies, the Witch's curse on the Baker is a physical one so he acts like she's struck him between the legs a couple times. The after happily ever after second act gets very tangled up and includes a bit of adulterous behavior that doesn't get graphic here and there's also some death. I don't altogether like the mess that's made of the fairytales but it is interesting and cleverly done. "This is ridiculous, What am I doing here? I'm in the wrong story!"
The ending songs make up for all the messes and the cast is given a well deserved standing ovation. I highly recommend Into The Woods (1991) if you love musicals and fairytales like I do.

Into The Woods (2014) - A film adaptation of Into The Woods has been in the works for quite a while now and it seems close to being made and released! It seems Disney may have a hand in the production and that James Lapine who wrote the original story/book has written the screenplay for it but there's rumors that some of the characters have been cut. There's a lot of rumors going around about cast but here's what IMDb is currently listing and I like them very much in the roles! James Corden as The Baker, Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife, Meryl Streep as The Witch, Anna Kendrick as Cinderella, Chris Pine as Cinderella's Prince, Johnny Depp as The Wolf, Daniel Huddlestone as Jack (Gavroche!!!!), Christine Baranski as Cinderella's Stepmother, Lucy Punch as Lucinda, Tammy Blanchard as Florinda, Mackenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel, Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel's Prince, Tracey Ullman as Jack Mother and Sophia Grace Brownlee as Little Red Riding Hood. Traditionally the roles of Jack and Red have been played by older actors so having actual children in those roles could be great, especially having Gavroche in another film! Meryl Streep will make a great Witch but I'll miss the original Witch Bernadette Peters. James Corden could be hilarious as could Emily Blunt and Johnny Depp. Anna Kendrick will be a perfect Cinderella! Looking forward to more news about this film!

"Wishes may bring problems,
Such that you regret them.
Better that, though,
Than to never get them..."

Have you heard of Into The Woods or ever seen this or another stage production of it?

Did you watch the film clips? Which was your favorite?

My Regency Accessories

Here they are, the promised photos of the reticule and handkerchief I purchased at the Jane Austen Festival in July. 

My new Reticule with basket bottom. I greatly admired this style last year and am so pleased to have one of my own now!

The reticule has plenty of room for the fan I purchased at the Festival last year and the handkerchief. It might also fit an iPhone or camera perfectly for easy photo taking.

Fan I bought last year - it really came in handy this year in the hot weather!

Pretty blue butterfly detail on the handkerchief.

My Regency collection is building! The goal for next year is to have a dress to wear. ;)

What color dress would you pair these items with? 

A Room With A View (2007)

Not too long ago I reviewed A Room With A View (1985) (Read my review) and received some questions about this newer version. I had seen this film once before but couldn't remember very much about it so I re-watched it and also listened to the book on LibriVox (book review coming soon!). A Room With A View (2007) was better than the 1985 film in some ways but worse in others.

Story: Florence, Italy, 1912. Lucy Honeychurch is eager for adventure, but finds herself in a safe haven of English tourists, spinsters and clergymen. Add to this the huge disappointment of rooms without views contrary to what they were promised.  When fellow guests, the socialist Mr. Emerson and his railway worker son George, step into remedy the situation sparks fly between Lucy and George, but Lucy does her best to ignore them. After an astute observer purposefully mistranslates her request for the good men (clergymen) and sends her into the arms of "a good man," Lucy receives a passionate kiss from George in the middle of a field of poppies. Meeting the Emersons could change Lucy's life forever but, once back in England, how will her experiences in Italy effect her marriage plans to the most suitable Cecil Vyse?

Scenery: Very nice, not quite as grand as the 1985 version but it is made for TV so the colors are more gentle and not quite as bright. A great deal of Florence was shown but many of the scenes were not as grand as the older version.

Music: Light and pretty. Composed by Gabriel Yared who has composed mostly for French films but has done a few films I've seen before.

Costumes: The cut of the clothes seemed a bit later than in the 1985 film, less poofy and more like the first season of Downton Abbey in many ways (one of Lucy's dresses was even worn by Lady Edith!).  

Objectionable Content: In some ways it is better than the 1985 film but in some ways it is a bit worse. So the scenes aren't of full nudity but there are more questionable scenes scattered through the whole film. George Emerson talks to Lucy in the hallway, having just come from a bath he has a towel wrapped around his waist. There are four intense kisses between the hero and heroine, the first two they are completely clothed, in the last two it is indicated that the gentleman is undressed and then that both are characters are undressed (only their bare shoulders are shown). At the end of the film the two main characters are shown in bed together (although only their faces are seen) and later they lay in bed (covered by a blanket) and talk. The bathing scene seems to be less objectionable in this film than in the 1985 film, frontal nudity is not shown but bare backsides are. I watched most of this one and the part where Lucy, her mother and Mr. Vyse meet up with the three bathers is quite funny and a lot more like the book.

Characters & Actors:

• Elaine Cassidy as Lucy Honeychurch - Lucy is the heroine of the story, a rather quiet and thoughtful young lady with a bit of an artistic temperament. After growing up in an English country village she is ready for adventure in Italy. In this role I actually didn't like her as much as Helena Bonham-Carter. Elaine seemed a bit older to me, a bit more acquainted with the world and seems to know what she wants a bit more. She also here seems to enjoy George Emerson's attentions more and almost seems to ask for them. She works better as the older Lucy, smart and bright, and although she's very pretty I just don't get the same feel for the character.
• Sophie Thompson as Charlotte Bartlett - Lucy's chaperon who is very particular about how things are done and keeping to propriety and watching how things might look to others. She also has a tendency to make others feel bad for her to get what she wants. Sophie Thompson get the making others feel sorry for her but she whines a bit too much is too over-emotional. The secrets Charlotte has are more believable in this weaker version than in the stronger version of the book and the 1985 film. 
• Timothy Spall as Mr. Emerson - He's a straightforward kind of person with no nonsense about him. He is a bit odd at times and has a lot to say but his heart is always in the right place. He wants his son to have a purpose in life and tries to direct him on the right path. I prefer Mr. Elliott's portrayal to Timothy Spall in the newer adaptation. Timothy Spall is a bit rougher, grittier in his portrayal and a lot more of Mr. Emerson's atheist beliefs come out in this film. He's a wonderful actor but his speeches to Lucy didn't seem as heartfelt as the 1985 version. 
• Rafe Spall as George Emerson - He's quiet and rather listless at first not finding much to interest him in life. He has a very kind heart though and cares deeply about the things in life that really matter. When he meets Lucy he immediately likes her and you can tell his love for her is genuine because he starts taking an interest in life and becoming all that he could be. He helps Lucy out of a few scrapes and is always gentlemanly. Rafe Spall is more my idea of the character after listening to the book. He's a big chap and a bit handsome so it's fairly easy to like him. His scenes are often breezed through though and I don't think his words to Lucy often hit home as well as the 1985 film does, especially at the end. It was neat seeing him act alongside his father Timothy Spall! 
• Mark Williams as Reverend Mr. Beebe - The new vicar of Lucy's home town who she and Charlotte meet by chance in Italy. The insightful Mr. Beebe is a very necessary character because he often interprets the silences and helps Lucy understand herself. Mark Williams was interesting in the role, more boyish and academic like in the book. He actually make the character a lot of fun to watch but still helping Lucy through decisions she needs to make. I liked him a lot more than Simon Callow but he was still a bit different than in the book.
• Sinead Cusack as Eleanor Lavish - A free thinking romance writer who Lucy and Charlotte meet and befriend in Italy. She is adventurous and clever though essentially a silly tourist. As much as I loved Judi Dench in the 1985 version I preferred Sinead Cusack's more open and less businesslike take on the character, it seemed more in keeping with the book too. She was another fun character to watch in this film and it was neat to see her do another period drama role since Mr. Thornton in North & South (2004).
• Elizabeth McGovern as Mrs. Honeychurch - Lucy's mother who features much in the latter part of the movie when Lucy is back at home. She is very kind and wants the best for her children although she doesn't always know how to help them. As a widow she also longs to have Lucy settled and provided for. I actually didn't care for Elizabeth McGovern in this role very much. She was okay but too much like Lady Cora in Downton Abbey.
• Tom Byam Shaw as Freddy Honeychurch - Lucy's younger brother who is quite annoying at times! Freddy is a troublemaker sometimes but often moves the story along by telling others things they should know but that Lucy won't tell them. Tom wasn't as memorable as Rupert Graves in the 1985 film but he was still fun and interesting.
• Laurence Fox as Cecil Vyse - Lucy's fiance who is very proper but very stuck up. Only Laurence Fox has a take on the character which is much different than the 1985 film or the book really. He was much more likable, but more of his despising simple country life came out. His portrayal didn't really work for me, he didn't even wear glasses, and he smoked constantly. He was odd but not so odd that you couldn't like Cecil and Lucy together. More of an artistic temperament and his clothing also suggested artist. I like Laurence Fox a lot but this role was just weird for him.
• Timothy West as Reverend Eager - This is a character I didn't mention in my review of the 1985 film but he's actually quite a big part of the story that takes part in Italy. Timothy West is a wonderful period drama actor and he did a very good job portraying the uptight clergyman who thinks he knows so much about Italians. 

My Thoughts: A Room With A View (2007) is quite like the book in many ways but different in others. It has the added plot details of telling the story from an older Lucy's point of view. That element is interesting and adds a bittersweet element but I'm not sure if I like it. I don't like the casting of the characters as much as in the 1985 version, but it is neat to see the actors in another period drama. It is cleaner than the 1985 film in some ways but also has some inappropriate content and is almost worse in others. Overall it's a neat story and I do like it for the most part. 

My Recommendations: I can't recommend it wholeheartedly so I'm not sure I should recommend it at all. It's a nice story but this film does have some brief scenes that could be considered objectionable. Older views can watch at their own discretion and fast forward whatever scenes they want.
After listening to an audio recording of the book I can highly recommend that. Hopefully I'll be able to review it soon.

Have you seen A Room With A View (2007)? How about the 1985 version?

Any thoughts about the costumes featured in these photos?

Among The Janeites

There's a new Jane Austen related book coming out tomorrow adding to the plethora of Austen related books to date. I don't usually get too excited about the release of such books but this particular one has a special connection for me because...I - AM - IN - IT!

Just before Thanksgiving in 2011 former journalist writer Deborah Yaffe emailed me about a new book she was writing about the fans of Jane Austen and she wanted to interview me about "Jane Austen's appeal to her many Christian fans". After much prayer and talking it over with my family I decided to agree to a telephone interview. Although my heart was pounding loud with some nervous excitement when I answered my phone at the appointed time after a few minutes I was able to relax and just enjoy chatting to a fellow Janeite about how I met Jane Austen and why I loved her and her characters.

Book Description: For anyone who has ever loved a Jane Austen novel, a warm and witty look at the passionate, thriving world of Austen fandom

They walk among us in their bonnets and Empire-waist gowns, clutching their souvenir tote bags and battered paperbacks: the Janeites, Jane Austen’s legion of devoted fans. Who are these obsessed admirers, whose passion has transformed Austen from classic novelist to pop-culture phenomenon? Deborah Yaffe, journalist and Janeite, sets out to answer this question, exploring the remarkable endurance of Austen’s stories, the unusual zeal that their author inspires, and the striking cross-section of lives she has touched. 

Along the way, Yaffe meets a Florida lawyer with a byzantine theory about hidden subtexts in the novels, a writer of Austen fan fiction who found her own Mr. Darcy while reimagining Pride and Prejudice, and a lit professor whose roller-derby nom de skate is Stone Cold Jane Austen. Yaffe goes where Janeites gather, joining a pilgrimage to historic sites in Britain, chatting online with fellow fans, and attending the annual ball of the Jane Austen Society of North America—in period costume. Part chronicle of a vibrant literary community, part memoir of a lifelong love, Among the Janeites is a funny, touching meditation on the nature of fandom. - quoted from Amazon.com

This Tuesday Among The Janeites: A Journey Through The World Of Jane Austen Fandom by Deborah Yaffe will be officially released! I am excited to get my copy tomorrow to read on my Kindle! Quite vainly the first thing I'll do will be to search through it for my own name and see what parts of the interview she included. And I have to admit that I've already searched "Laurie Michael" in the book preview on Amazon and it seems I'm mentioned briefly in three places (one of those is in the Introduction)!

From the reviews I've read at Austenprose and AustenBlog the book sounds very interesting and seems to be a very sympatheric look at the various ways that our fandom of Jane Austen's works manifests itself. I'm very much looking forward to reading it soon!

After I have a chance to read the book I plan to review it so keep an eye out in the next week or so for that post.

Have you heard about Among The Janeites?

Are you interested in reading it?

Regency Fashion Show - JA Festival 2013

Last year I did a separate post about the Regency Fashion Show at the Jane Austen Festival in Louisville, Kentucky (read it here). Because Miss Elizabeth had to leave before the Fashion Show I promised to take lots of photos. Unfortunately I had forgotten my camera battery and only had an iPhone to take photos with but I think I did get photos of each of the dresses in the show. I don't have a lot of info about each dress but I'll add a few comments when I can remember.

It was neat to see some familiar faces among the models and this young lady was one of them. Isn't her striped spencer smart! Her hat is a Roman Centurion Style and was worn in the fashion show last year.

Love these two outfits! The colors on the brown dress are so pretty!

Isn't her hat pretty!

This young lady in blue reminded me of a Fanny Price character: quiet, mousey and reserved. 

The shawl she carried was such a rich color and pattern. The lady on her left was next in the show. Her dress was such a lovely fabric! She carried a reticule with a basket on it which reminds me of the one I saw last year inside the historic house.

Her dress is a actually a ballgown and the skirt is cut above the ankles for ease in dancing. Her gloves are on a nankeen cloth that would become a deeper yellow color with use and washing. The hat she's wearing was featured in the show last year where we were told it was actually bought at Target. When Betsy Bashore asked if anyone knew where it was bought I stuck my hand up high and called out "at Target!" Hehe :)

A very pretty print dress in cotton. Love the colors and accessories!

There were just two gentlemen in the show this year.

This outfit (with the target hat above) was featured in the show last year. The spencer has the prettiest pleats in the back!

The red dress is such a pretty color and has some nice accessories!

This lady modeled for the show last year. This year she wore a similar color to last year. 

Aren't the sleeves on the blue dress interesting? I forget the exact time period of the cut but it is pretty.

The lady on her far left is next with a very smart outfit!

It's hard to describe how pretty the fabric on this dress is! It's a light yellow-ish color with rose colored flowers. The fabric is sheer-ish and laid overed the main dress fabric. The bonnet she is wearing was featured last year.

I love the color pairings on this crossover style dress. 

Longer cuffs were actually quite popular for gentlemen in this time period and masculine fashions influenced the ladies style a bit. 

The young lady on the left is wearing a popular Prussian (or was it Russian) military style hat. Love the color of her dress! 

This lovely young lady modeled a purple sari ballgown last year and this year she modeled my favorite dress from last year! The color is so gorgeous on her and the red shawl accentuates the lovely scarlet embroidery so well!

Paired with gloves and a shawl she looks set for an evening dinner.

The lady on the left wears an opera cape!

The intricate edging on the opera cape is used at the bottom of the gown she's wearing.

Such a lovely look for an evening at the opera in Bath or London!

Lastly a couple in traveling attire. The gentleman's trousers are of nankeen that turns more yellow with washing, a very popular fabric for gentlemens attire.

The lady's bonnet has a long veil perfect for keeping flies and dirt out of her face when she's traveling and hide her face from other travelers. 

Her green pelisse features lovely lace on the back!

Here is her dress after she took off her hat and pelisse. Isn't that fabric lovely!

This comb with the tines belongs to the model. She bought it and really enjoyed wearing it with her Regency costumes. Not too long after she found the red and yellow piece and even though it didn't have the tines she figured she could pin into her hair to decorate Regency updos. Then one day when she was polishing the silver comb the top broke off and she discovered that it was actually made to change out the decorative bit at the top and that the other topper fit on it perfectly - as if they were made for one another! So lovely!

Many of the regular guests at the festival have such lovely costumes that I love to admire! This young lady's outfit was perfectly styled for the warm summer day! 

You can't quite see it here but this lady's bonnet was so lovely and the trimming at the bottom of her dress was so elegant!

Miss Emily Waterman in the green spencer has the most lovely costumes, my favorite of all the costumes I saw that day, she makes them herself and they fit so nicely - like a fashion plate!

Well, I hope you enjoyed this glimpse at the Regency Fashion Show from the Jane Austen Festival! If you are planning to attend the festival next year we should really make plans to sit together during the fashion show! 

See official photos of the Regency Fashion Show.

Which outfit from the show is your favorite?