Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Blogging from RWA National, Part 1

Dateline: Marriott Wardman Hotel, Washington, DC

July 15, 2009

Or is it 1809?

If you were sitting where I'm sitting, you might wonder. Where am I? At the annual meeting of the Beau Monde Chapter of the Romance Writers of America.

There's a four-piece ensemble playing late 18th century dance tunes as gowned women dance country dances--so called because they're danced in two facing ("contra") lines--laughing and chattering as they tread through the steps.

There are sets of reproduction playing cards printed from original 1750 plates, along with rulebooks for playing 18th and 19th century card games and gold foil covered chocolate coins to use for betting. Yes, this is how Regency authors have fun in their off-duty hours!

Don't you love these costumes? Marissa and Regina, alas, did not attend suitably attired, but we hope you'll like these:


I want that hat!


















And these shoes!















However, I'm glad I didn't have to manage the graceful but very long train on this beautiful dress!




















And aren't these two lovely dresses just stunning? The feathers especially made it for me. :)

5 comments:

QNPoohBear said...

That looks like so much fun! I love the attention to detail in the beautiful costumes.

Dara said...

Oh, that looks lovely! I've always wanted to re-enact a time period...

Thanks for the pictures!

ChaChaneen said...

Wow, how fun is that! Did I miss something, what did you wear?

Joanna said...

I wish I could have made it. It looks like it was so much fun!

Regina Scott said...

ChaChaneen,
We totally chickened out! We looked polished and professionally and utterly boring! I had a Regency gown all set to wear, but I couldn't keep the shoulders up (note to self: fix that!), so I abandoned it in the room and wore my civvies. Grrr. If you want to see what I usually wear, check out http://www.lapetitefour.com/sirreggie.html.