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Thursday, August 28, 2014

Guest post: GracefullyVintage

Dress - Trashy Diva
Cropped Jacket - 1950s vintage
Shoes - I Love Billy
Stockings - Ebay
Umbrella - Vintage
Hi, I'm Kayla from GracefullyVintage and I am very excited to be guest posting for the wonderful Harlow!

I wear a range of reproduction and vintage clothing. This dress has been one of my favorites since buying it at the start of the year, it is versatile for both hot and cold weather, and can be easily dressed up too.

I always enjoy wearing warmer clothes during winter but am very excited to bring out summer clothing again!

You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Guest Post - Leah Loverich and The Lady's Book of Manners

Harlow Darling Leah Loverich vintage blog
 "Good manners are never out of fashion..."
Harlow Darling Leah Loverich vintage blog
 "Politeness in life is ever more commanding than vulgarity."
Harlow Darling Leah Loverich vintage blog
"Of all the sinners against the law of politeness, the bragger or the liar is one the greatest."
Harlow Darling Leah Loverich vintage blog
 "Never be ashamed to acquire the smallest grace by study and practise."
Harlow Darling Leah Loverich vintage blog
 "Nothing detracts more from the character of a real lady than the exhibition of envy." 
Harlow Darling Leah Loverich vintage blog

Hello my name is Leah, and I am absolutely delighted to be guest posting here on Vintage at Heart for the most lovely Harlow Darling! Harlow Darling also became a guest on my blog Confessions of a Vintage Hoarder back in July of 2013, her post on wearing Vintage Reproduction can be found here

Today I have put together this post in order to show a glimpse into a book I picked up from Kensington Palace on a past visit to London. I bought this book (originally published in London in the 1890s) as a novelty, expecting it to contain the most ridiculous rules for a lady of the 19th century to follow, and though yes there is some rather laughable "advice" within, there is also surprisingly a lot in this book that I feel both women and men of the 21st century should consider bringing back into action and following, some of which is shared above and below in this post. Do let me know if you agree or disagree with any of this 19th century "advice"!

"HOW TO BECOME A PERFECT LADY

Words and actions - Politeness seems to be a certain care, by the manner of our words and actions, to make others pleased with us and themselves.

The grand secret is to have an intention of always doing right.

CONVERSATION 

A lady's guide to talking well  - Do not pretend to be what you are not, for no pretension can hide what you really are.

Warm affections are as necessary to the talker as a clear intellect. Only the words which come from the heart go to the heart.

Giving advice, unasked, is another piece of rudeness. It is, in effect, declaring ourselves wiser than those to whom we give.

LOVE AND COURTSHIP 

Do not permit his attentions - If you cannot love him wholly and solely, do not allow his addresses, however gratifying; do not permit his attentions, if you cannot give him hand an heart; such coquetting is highly blameable, and has frequently marred the happiness of many a worthy man.

In seeking a partner for life, look to it that you be not entrapped by beauty of person merely. Choose a man of intelligence. Seek gentleness of spirit. Seek a lover of home. Let it be whom, to use the beautiful Arabian proverb, "you can make the keeper of your soul.

DRESS

First impressions - First impressions are generally most permanent, it is desired that they should be favourable ones. Be careful, therefore, to dress well, remembering that mental qualities are often judged by exterior.

A girl with neatly and properly dresses feet, with neat, well-fitting gloves, smoothly arranged hair, and a clean, well-made dress, who walks well, and speaks well, and, above all, acts politely and kindly, is a lady, and no wealth is required here.

CHOICE OF FRIENDS

Hold sacred the secrets of others - However candid and explicit you may think proper to be on your own affairs, remember to hold sacred the secrets of others, they belong not to you, therefore you have no right to make use of them.

Distrust and friendship never do well together.

BEWARE OF FLATTERERS

One or Two - Expect not many friends, but think yourself happy, if through life, you meet with one or two who deserve that name. 

Smooth talk is often sweet poison."The Lady's Book of Manners

This little book is a must for anyone who is intrigued by the sometimes bizarre, insulting, or even sensible etiquette codes and rules of the past, and can be purchased from Waterstones.com

Leah Loverich
xx

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Monday, August 4, 2014

Guest Post - Lovebirds Vintage

Dress - 1960s Vintage from Uncle Sam's Vintage Clothing in Oxford
Hair band - High street (New Look, maybe) | Shoes - Primark | Bracelet - gift
Hi everyone, I'm Helen from Lovebirds Vintage. I'm very happy to be here guest posting for Harlow while she is away.

I picked up this handmade 60s dress in Oxford when I was visiting last year. It's perfect for the hot weather we've been having recently (by English standards at least) as its quite loose fitting and comfortable. The blue and yellow colours make me think of Snow White so I added the red hairband to complete the look. I thought the heart padlock bracelet was a nice nod to the box that is meant for Snow White's heart.

The dress needed a little TLC before I could wear it. One or two of the seams needed mending and a button was missing. It originally had six buttons (so was down to five buttons with the missing one) and since I've so far not found a matching replacement, I just took the odd button off and went down to four buttons instead. I've kept the odd one just in case I ever find a match though!

Find me elsewhere: Facebook / Pinterest 

I hope you have all enjoyed Lovebirds Vintage lovely guest post, it has been a pleasure to be able to share Helen's wonderful blog with you all! Over the next few weeks I am looking forward to sharing with you some of my favorite vintage and retro blogs so keep your eyes peeled for more guest posts!
-Harlow