Five More Pinterest Boards You Should Know

Have you searched online for pictures recently? Chances are at least some of the results led you to Pinterest, and for good reason. The site has more than 50 billion pins, quite a few from museums, re-enactors, and readers. I covered some earlier, but here are a few more related to the 19^th century you should know.

Historical romance author Cheryl Bolen has assembled an amazing collection of interiors and exteriors in Georgian homes of England. Droolworthy! 

Regency author April Kihlstrom’s collection focuses more on clothing and pastimes, as well as an eclectic collection of boards on such things as knitting and Downs Syndrome. 

Likewise, historical romance writer Kristin Koster’s collection is wide-ranging and intriguing. Her Regency landmarks board is particularly useful. 

Stay-at-home mom and veteran pinner Lynn Ann has a beautiful board of Regency garb, much of it made today. 

I’ve been trying to collect pictures around the theme of a Regency summer house party.  Billiards, anyone? And I’ve recently started a board dedicated to cowboys.

And, ahem, my Sailing Ships Ahoy board now has 143 pictures of tall ships. Just saying.

Any boards you’d like to recommend?

Costuming the Author, and the Reader

Fall is in the air, and Halloween is coming!  Already I'm seeing advertisements for masquerades and costume contests.  Marissa has posted in the past about the types of costumes our nineteenth century lads and lasses might have worn.  They enjoyed playing dress up.  Today’s author of nineteenth century romance is not immune, and, I'm betting, neither is her readers.  So, to get you thinking about how you might design your own outfit, here are some examples from my sister romance authors.

You can, of course, pay a seamstress to design you a costume.  I am so envious of these amazing gowns worn by the talented Collette Cameron and the wonderful Ella Quinn.  Looking good, ladies!

Or, you might be handy with a sewing machine yourself.  Several patterns are available these days.  Immediately below is acclaimed Regency author April Kihlstrom in a fetching red gown. And farther down is Golden Heart Award winner Kristi Ann Hunter in one she and her mother made together.

Then again, you might find a costume awaiting you in your favorite thrift store.  Doesn’t the delightful Georgie Lee look festive in her frugal find? 

Finally, some fashions from earlier years can be readily adapted to “faux Regency.”  When I wear this one with the flocked orange roses next to Marissa in her seamstress’s creation, I always say I must be the poor relation.  J

But then again, I have another costume I much prefer.  That's Sir Reginald with the regal Marjorie Allen.  

What do you think?  Any of these approaches appeal to you?

Many thanks to my models, most of whom are members of my beloved Beau Monde Chapter of Romance Writers of America.^TM