Design your own Coiffure

Have a good chunk of time on your hands?  No?  Well you may find yourself going to this link anyway.  The V&A have developed a new distraction game in which you can design your own eighteenth-century wig.  You've been warned.

You can go for somewhat accurate

Slightly OTT

Or just go nuts.

Enjoy! Design a Wig

Familiar Figurines

For those parents/aunts/uncles/godparents etc who like to nudge children in the right direction in terms of (historical) interest I have discovered some Playmobil selections for you to spread the influence with.  I have past posts on subliminally influencing children to follow the path of Enlightenment.  Perhaps you can follow up your 18th century children's book selections with toys.  Anyhow, in my course for wasting valuable time today I found some Playmobil figures that reminds me of some friends of ours.

18th C Playmobil by GeorgianaGossip on Polyvore.com

Look at their little toy fans! A boudoir complete with a unicorn and crown... Does anything scream "Madame DuBarry" more?  And such a brash yellow-gold on a gown reminds me of Maria Josefa. I am also sure I've seen that hunky Marquess of Londonderry wearing that hat.

Horrible Fan Histories

While participating in the fan giveaway, Rebecca pointed out not one, but two Horrible History videos that have escaped under my radar.  Both regard fan language in the delightful way we expect to be educated by Horrible Histories.  Check them out!

Wouldst Thou Dance Wiv Me?

How many of you are familiar with Dizzee Rascal? No, no, he isn't fop or the subject of a George Stubbs painting. Dizzee is a rapper hailing from East London. Well known in the UK, but not so much in the Colonies, Lauren and I were introduced to Mr. Rascal via one of our shared favorite djs, Calvin Harris*. See for yourself:

Catchy, no? Well rumor has it that in working on his latest album, Dizzee has drawn inspiration from some interesting sources. "Dizzee hopes reading poetry will broaden his horizons and make him an even better rapper. He knows he has to push himself to make a great fifth album and reading accomplished poets can only help." Those "accomplished poets" that Dizzee has gotten close with happen to be John Keats, William Blake, Lord Byron and William Wordsworth. An interesting collection if you ask me; I thoroughly approve! I am very curious to see the effect of these fellow Englishmen on Dizzee.

Keats: Woman! when I behold thee flippant, vain,
Inconstant, childish, proud, and full of fancies;
Without that modest softening that enhances
The downcast eye, repentant of the pain
That its mild light creates to heal again -Woman When I Behold Thee

Blake: But most, through midnight streets I hear
How the youthful harlot's curse
Blasts the new-born infant's tear,
And blights with plagues the marriage hearse. -London

Byron: Fill the goblet again! for I never before
Felt the glow which now gladdens my heart to its core;
Let us drink ! --- who would not ? --- since, through life's varied round,
In the goblet alone no deception is found. -Fill the Goblet Again

Wordsworth: Heed not tho' none should call thee fair;
So, Mary, let it be
If nought in loveliness compare
With what thou art to me. -To Mary

Rascal: It's not a long ting, your the boom ting.
Maybe more than a hotel room ting.
I'll never know if I just walk past, I really wanna dance so I guess I'll just ask. -Dance Wiv Me

What I would love to see Dizzee do is a well-done adaption of the classic poetry, just like the psychobilly band, Tiger Army (another fav of mine) did with Poe's Annabel Lee.  He could totally bring back Byron's Fill the Goblet!

The Sun
Spinner



*For a funny story, ask either of us about the time we met Mr Harris!

Okay Ladies...

...Who was it who showed up to Chatsworth this weekend for their bachelorette party dressed as tarts?

The Lady-Love of the Blacksmith's Son

Considering my mysterious love of Dodge muscle cars I am convinced that I may have pitched the idea of this commercial myself...I just don't remember doing it.  This could just be the best commercial yet.

Dodge and its fabulous sports cars have a history of 18th century themed commercials of awesomeness.  Remember the Challenger one?

A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away...

I was quite proud yesterday that I was able to slip in a Star Wars reference into my post.  That got the gears turning: can we find any sort of relationships between the beloved Sci-fi series and the over-the-top century?  Take it away Google.

Mattias Adolfsson, a Sweden-based artist brings us an antiqued Star Wars

The Palace of Caserta, a former royal palace in Southern Italy was used in filming interior shots of the Palace of Naboo.  No computer animation needed for the House of Amidala!

Handel's opera Rinaldo's premiere in 1711 was the Star Wars at the time, stunning viewers with its special effects.

When I was reviewing Lydia Syson's book, I was so excited to find a Star Wars reference I had to quote it in my review.

So my fellow nerds, has anyone out there found any more Star Wars/18th Century relationships to share?

Friday Tee-hees

I just came across a Horrible Histories video I hadn't previously seen, so I had to share.  We all know what a big fan of his wife the Prince of Wales was not, here is some musical commentary on just that.  I think they need one from Caroline's perspective as well, don't you?  Happy Friday!

For the 18th Century Enthusiast- Fun Distractions During the Superbowl

Looking for something to distract you in between Superbowl commercials?  I am, and if I had planned ahead I could have made a great post with fun links and distractions, however the genius idea didn't strike me until just now so the choices are limited but hopefully just as distracting!

Games
Learn Georgiana's favorite card game and play online...in a saloon?
What Color Should You Powder Your Wig?
Videos
Marie Pigtoinette
Best Promo Ever
Walking on Broken Glass Pop Up Video
Georgiana Gossip
Her favorite compliment
The Georgiana Queen Victoria Connection
A Toiling Schedule
Another Toiling Schedules
Why Canis isn't all that Bad
Horrible Histories
 The 4 Georges
Georgian Doctor
Georgian Make-Up
Benjamin Franklin
How to Make a Clock
Drunk History

Pop Up Video- Walking on Broken Glass

I've written before about my love of a good 18th century themed music video.  It takes a great diva like Annie Lennox to do our century proud.  The younger audience may not be familiar with Pop-Up Video which delivered great trivia while watching music videos; it personally made me undefeatable at Rock and Roll Jeopardy when that was still on.

The good people at Spin the Bottle have many of these pop-up classics, and we can thank them for the video below which contains both the amazing Walking on Broken Glass video and the fun trivia that goes with it.  I was surprised there was no mention of Hugh Laurie which shows America's general ignorance to his existence in the mid-90's.  Enjoy, and learn something in the process!

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!

Georgiana Drinks

This weekend Lauren, Vic and I began a conversation on Twitter about drinks themed after our favourite icons. Being the lush that I am, I proclaimed I would come up with a Georgiana-inspired drink (or two) just in time for Cinco de Mayo.

Devonshire Brown Martini
Drizzle chocolate syrup into empty martini glass
1 oz VanGough chocolate vodka
1/2 Godiva chocolate liqueur
1 oz Devonshire Irish Cream
Top with whipped cream and or cherry

Kisses For Votes aka Blue and Buff
Champagne of your choice
A dash of Blue Curacao liqueur
Top with cherry

Duchess of D--
3 oz Everclear
8 oz Sprite
6 oz Strawberry Margarita Mix
Blend together with ice and serve in chilled glass

Johnny Weir is Marie Antoinette NOT Snookie

God Bless America. The land where figure skaters have the freedom to pouf (a la francaise ne Jersey Shore pas) their hair and have no regrets about it. Check out this interview with Olympic figure skater, Johnny Weir where he clears up those nasty rumors about who inspired his hairdo (about the :55 mark).

Bon Jovi on the High Seas

Our scout in Finland, CenturyLydia, just notified me of another sudo-18th century commercial. Not only does it have tri-corn hats, it has pirates and Bon Jovi! Or at least, Bon Jovi songs. Enjoy!

Powder Me

Do you spend your mornings being tortured with the decisions of what to wear? Should it be the polonaise or anglais, the red waistcoat or the green? There is simply just too much to think about. And what about that hair? You have the style down but what about the powder? The eighteenth century had people powdering every inch of themselves creating an endless demand for those in the powder business.

You could powder your hair just about any color you wished ranging from the pristine white to the macaroni-approved, unnatural colors, such as blue. In the early part of the century, white was the established color of choice but by the end grey seemed to take over in popularity. Of course, you could always just go without...but then again with all that pomade in your hair and lack of regular shampooing, maybe powder was the best way to go.

Just for fun, I thought I'd whip up an online quiz (a short one, mind you) to help determine the right powder color for you. But as for brand or scents, that is up to you; personally you will usually find me with Lush's Candy Fluff in my hair (no lie) because my hairdresser to this day always recommends it to prevent over-washing. See, they knew their hair then! Take the quiz here and don't forget to tell us your result!

Squee! Emma Twitter Party!

Don't forget, North American Austen-fans; part one of Emma premieres tonight at 9:00 on PBS!

Also, don't forget to join us for the Twitter party happening at the same time. Mr. Collins would want you to know only the most illustrious people will be there. Here are some that I know are attending:

Yours Truly, @GeorgianaGossip
Lauren of Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide, @MarieGossip
Vic of Jane Austen's World, @JaneAustenWorld
Laural Ann of Austenprose, @Austenprose
Masterpiece on PBS, the grand MC of the party @masterpiecepbs

What a witty crowd! Don't forget to label your party tweets with #emma_pbs.

For other hilarious Austen giggles I have to include Under the Mad Hat's Pride and Twitterverse.

Will you be joining us? Let me know with your twitter user name. See you at the party!

Resolutions

I normally don't like making resolutions for the new year because they are just made to be broken. But this year I will give it a try. My resolutions for 2010 are:

Only gossip behind the shield of a fan (and blog).

Stop teasing the rakes.

Do you think I will be able to uphold them? I know I can manage at least one...

So what are your New Year resolutions?

Bad Girls Club --18th Century Edition

One of my guilty television pleasures is The Bad Girls Club on Oxygen. The show is just so silly and the whole premise is waiting for a disaster to happen among a collection of women who have no redeeming qualities. In other words: let's put all these girls we hate in one house and see who comes out alive! If only there was an 18th century version of this low-brow show; which begs the question: who would you want in that Georgian bad girls house?

The Candidates:

Jane, Duchess of Gordon
She is not only a seductress but an abductress.
The Bossy One







Lady Letitia Lade
She's makes a hobby of riding 'em. Horses, that is.
The Gold-Digger








Elizabeth Lady Holland
Girls just want to have fun, right? That means late nights, men, and exotic locales.
The Prankster







Hecca Sheridan
She throws herself in the arms of unworthy men...and throws a temper-tantrum afterward.
The Hot-head







Mary Toft
She'll do just about anything for attention...no matter how crazy.
The Liar









Harriette Wilson
She loves a good time, just don't get on her bad side.
The Blackmailer







Albinia, Countess of Buckinghamshire
Dodging the law at every turn, she gambles with her life just as she does her money.
The Gambler








Lavinia, Countess Spencer
Who does she NOT have a problem with?
The Diva





Vote for your choices in the poll in the sidebar!
Lauren will also be polling to see which French ladies would do well in the house. Which of these tarts and femmes would be the most reality-tv worthy?

Happy Chinchilli Day!

God bless those brave Chinchillas.

Gossip Guide Humor in Live-Action Form

Lauren just brought to my attention that a book series I enjoyed in my carefree years, Horrible Histories, is now producing shorts and putting them on Youtube. I totally geeked out. Here is Georgian Doctor and The Four Georges.

Meanwhile, the book series should grace history-phile's library. They mix fact with humor. My copy of The Groovy Greeks is practically destroyed due to frequent reading. Books in the series that are a little more appropriate for this particular blog would probably be England and Gorgeous Georgians.