Originally an instagram pic and that explains the title. But I admit, I like this photo. So am posting it here too. These are my new-ish Fluevogs which I refuse to wear outside because all it does is rain here and destroy shoes. And also my new argyle tights that I am completely crazy for. More from me soon…

And the problems born by the (somewhat slightly exaggerated) beaked bonnet. Image by Charles Amédée de Noé (1818-1879), known as Cham.

And that’s all I’m saying, so much work to do. With spring items coming soon too.

x Tara

On Pinterest, I am or I mean SWANclothing is. Come say hi. I like it there.

The hardware on them is so perfect. Precise, delicate and strong. And they are like new.

Also love the perfect box and gold paper lining. There are so many vintage ads for these. For example.

And lovely Tusia of the incredible braid that of course you can’t see here.

It’s true, it is.

Closing up shop for a week or so. I’m here if you need me though. X

How beautiful. How odd. How perfect? What is this? Is this real? I must have this… “Flirting Made Easy : A Guide for Girls {1882} by Charles Henry Ross & Dower Wilson“. I should add that it isn’t actually about girls but about women. And men.

My favourite chapters…

“I am not quite sure, but I rather think girls did not have ankles fifteen years ago. There was no occasion for figures, of course, because of the crinolines. It must have been the beauties of the mind we fell in love with fifteen years ago.”

“Women are fond of comparing men to monkeys, which is unjust to the men –or the monkeys. Monkeys are an imitative class and so are men. Many men get married through force of example. Woman ought not to be unkind to man on this account.”

And I’m not sure this is a chapter heading, but it is something great…

“I feel sure that that dear girl has been vigorously brought up, and is the possessor of biceps calculated to cause a male weakling considerable surprise. She is not the model maiden of my youth with the bell-rope curls and lackadaisical ways, whom good Miss Primmer was wont to teach that no lady ever crossed her legs, and that no one ever went to heaven who stirred her tea with the snuffers.”

Watch out for those snuffers. AND leg crossers. And a chapter that I’m sure we can all understand…

“This is how it came about. The unfortunate Winkle was led like a lamb to the slaughter. His skates were put onto him. He was launched into space. He flourished, and fell with a bump beneath the smiling black eyes of she of the boots… ‘T was ever thus, that the owners of black eyes and of brown and blue and grey have lured the helpless male thing to his doom, whilst they stood by in places of safety, looking on.”

Oh the cruelty of the young lady with the fur tops to her boots. Information aplenty to be had here to help in navigating some waters that may not exist exactly as they were, but I think only because they do in an even more subtle way. When it is subtle that is and not out and out boring. I’m also a fan of the unsubtle but that isn’t relevant here, at all, though sometimes on my tumblr I stomp around a bit. I think this book is actually meant as humour. I have to have this book.