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A Trip to England and Wales

A Trip to England and Wales

Lauren here.... ....here in Reno, and not in the UK where I have been and would like to still be. ;-) For the first time in years (and for the...
American Duchess
Costuming Books from Christmas 2014

Costuming Books from Christmas 2014

I know we're well into 2015 already, and Christmas is a distant, fading memory, but I forgot to share with you the books I received as gifts and also found...
American Duchess
Christmas Tea at the Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV

Christmas Tea at the Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV

This past Saturday good-sized group of us Great Basin Costumers invaded the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City, for their afternoon High Tea. There was no set period for costume,...
American Duchess
V343: Costumer's Christmas Swag

V343: Costumer's Christmas Swag

Some of the lovely, lovely items I received for Christmas... Costume books! The one beneath is an illustrated shoe reference guide - good stuff! A lovely beaded 1920s style purse....
American Duchess
V336: The Geneva Hand Fluter - Experiments

V336: The Geneva Hand Fluter - Experiments

Last to arrive from my round of eBay acquisition was the Geneva Hand Fluter, a ridged iron that was used to flute, or crimp, all kinds of things, like cuffs,...
American Duchess
V276: Review: 18th Century Bath Products from Litttle Bits Clothing Company

V276: Review: 18th Century Bath Products from Litttle Bits Clothing Company

A little while ago I received some lovely 18th century beauty products from Litttle Bits Clothing Company, and I have had the chance to test out the bath products. I...
American Duchess
V265: Vintage Haul of Random Things

V265: Vintage Haul of Random Things

I should have known when I popped down to Junkee Clothing Exchange (one of the coolest stores in Reno-Land, choc full of all manner of sweet costumer swag, from hot...
American Duchess
V248: 1772 Colonial Spice Tea by Litttle Bits Clothing Company

V248: 1772 Colonial Spice Tea by Litttle Bits Clothing Company

This morning, with the power out and no internet to eat my soul, I had a chance to slow down and enjoy a fine cuppa new tea I got from...
American Duchess
V184: My First Real 18th Century Shoe Buckles

V184: My First Real 18th Century Shoe Buckles

Ebay is such a wonderous place. I won an auction for these awesome 18th century shoe buckles - only $35!! They were quite brown when they arrived from England, but...
American Duchess
V171: A Vintage Button Hook

V171: A Vintage Button Hook

We've all seen these funny little tools. What are they for, even? We no longer wear button-up shoes these days, but back in the 1920s and prior, this was an...
American Duchess
V158: Pocket Trash

V158: Pocket Trash

What is Pocket Trash? I first heard this term used by the lovely Miss Emily Waterman and her Doctor, in regards to items carried on your person, while re-enacting, or...
American Duchess
V106: Titanic Memorial Tea, Reno

V106: Titanic Memorial Tea, Reno

Yesterday, like so many of you, us ladies and gents up here in Reno held our Titanic Memorial Tea at The Isles Tea Shoppe. After many pots of tea, a...
American Duchess