Country Homes: Hartwell House

Location: Buckinghamshire
Famous Inhabitants: Marie Therese (daughter of Marie Antoinette)
Website: Hartwell House

Fashionable Contrasts

Gillray's print, Fashionable Contrasts may be familiar to many of you. But whose feet are those?

This was the satirical artist's marriage gift/big English welcome to Princess Frederica when she married Prince Frederick (Duke of York). Yup, as if it weren't cruel enough to be named Fred, the couple now each had a spouse also named Fred. Frederica had notably dainty feet, which was apparently easy fuel for Gillray's satirical fire. But were her feet really that tiny? Sources say they were a mere 5.5 inches long. That would be the equivalent to about a children's shoe size 7 (US). Given, Frederica was reportedly pretty short even for the 18th century but she became quite famous for her tiny toes.

Yay or Nay? Ernestine von Weissenwolff

'Drab' was on the majority's mind when Juliana Maria showed up in her white Brunswick. Although it was a close call, she was met with a Nay. Better luck next time your majesty. We'll continue judging our women's wear this week while ignoring any menswear that may have jumped into the picture...no matter how fabulous the boots.


Martin van Meytens paints Ernestine Aloisia Ungnad von Weissenwolff (1760) in her heavily embroidered blue and ivory gown. Yay or Nay?

[Metropolitan Museum of Art]

Presenting... His HIghness

I have Miss Honnete to thank for what I imagine is soon to be my latest obsession. I know I am quite possibly to be the last to know about my new favourite macaroni, not being a subscriber to America's Got Talent. Luckily, crafty reader, Miss Honnete clued me in and sent me the following Youtube video which I was just about to become bored with...until he stepped into the picture.

Fortuitously, I didn't have to do much further internet sleuthing because his highness has his own website. Enjoy!