Tea at Trianon: Shabby Apple

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Shabby Apple

For women and girls who are searching for clothes that are feminine but tasteful and fun, a pleasant surprise awaits you at Shabby Apple. They specialize in dresses that have a timeless quality, stylish with a touch of retro and more than a touch of elegance. Women's sizes are available as well. They also carry a charming line of maternity dresses and as well as dresses for infants and small girls. Have fun browsing!

Julygirl said...: Very nice!; December 7, 2010 at 1:52:00 PM EST
The North Coast said...: That wrap dress is a utter classic and that style has been around for over three hundred years- painter Elizabeth Sophie Cheron wears a beautiful, simply-styled wrap dress in her 1672 self-portrait, and the style was very prevalent in the 1780s with the emphasis on simplicity, grace, and comfort of that decade. The only real diff between then and now is the skirt length, and the extra embellishments such as the lace fichu worn in the 18th century, or the shawl in Sophie Cheron's portrait.

That skimpy little sheath, not quite so classic. It looks good, but only on women who are slim and have really flat stomachs.

Notice that the most classic styles are simple, and do a good job of accentuating female curves while concealing female figure flaws, which is what our clothes are all about.; December 7, 2010 at 4:46:00 PM EST
elena maria vidal said...: So true, North Coast!; December 7, 2010 at 4:49:00 PM EST
Christina said...: Oh, thanks for reminding me about this wonderful site! I stumbled on it a few years back via a Google ad. It was refreshing to see elegant dresses from designers who obviously understood that modest doesn't have to equal frumpy. And since I'm currently 7 months pregnant, I love that they have maternity dresses that don't look flimsy or cheap. I might actually be able to have a nice new dress for Christmas after all.; December 8, 2010 at 11:14:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Great! I am so glad you found something!; December 8, 2010 at 11:49:00 AM EST
Theresa Bruno said...: Love the site! Now I just need to find an occasion. I also love how they offer advice, because lord knows how much I need it.; December 8, 2010 at 3:54:00 PM EST
Anonymous said...: I love Shabby Apple!; December 9, 2010 at 8:44:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Thanks, Ladies, I love it, too.; December 9, 2010 at 8:58:00 PM EST