Advice from 1850

Today I was reading through the Godey's Magazine and Lady's Book from 1850.  I thought I would share a tid bit of the advice from it...

"VARIOUS USEFUL RECIEPTS, &c. OF OUR OWN GATHERING;

To remove stains from Silks, Linins and Wollen Stuffs-- Mix a wineglassful of rectified spirits of turpentine with half a teaspoonful of essential oil of lemons and keep it in a well-stopped bottle. Apply a little upon the stain with a bit of woolen or silk.  The colors of the fabric will sustain no injury from this application.

To remove freckles-- freckles may be removed, we are told, but do not vouch for it by the frequent application of spirits diluted, or alkaline solutions the latter of just sufficient strength to prick the tongue.

To cleanse the hair-- It is recommended to use a little soda in the water instead of soap.  Rosemary steeped in water cleanses the hair nicely; or an egg well beaten and mixed in warm water has the same effect.

A Piece of Good Advice-- Never seem wiser or more learned than the people you are with.  Wear your learning like your watch, in a private pocket, and do not pull it out and strike out merely to show you have one."

A Trauma of Redcoats

The British are coming! The British are coming! And boy do they look tacky!

For the past three weeks I've been on the hunt for British Redcoat costumes. Apparently they are not a readily found item... most of what I've found has looked like this;

and this;

which would be ok for Halloween (maybe) but we're really trying to make it look like this;

I've had several restless nights dreaming about redcoats. Either not being able to find them (a realistic variety of dream), being carried away by a tacky polyester clad British army (a slightly rediculous variety) and being buried in them (um... an obvious viariety)... until finally I found a store on ebay that sells these;


Normally these take a 3 week turn around but after several emails and finally a "I trust you just call me" phone conversation with a very nice and well educated vendor I've managed to get us four Revolutionary War costumes that will be beautiful and fit our actors. Hallelujah! Pass the ammunitions! Here's my $1300 and I am doing a Happy Happy dance around the living room.

Curtian Call/Costume Parade

Well, the theater posted this online and I think it's a pretty good costume parade...

Comedy of Errors photos

Right now I'm so tired and yet awake... not awake enough to make sense, but awake enough to post a few photos... I did bring the film camera this time. Bought a new battery for it and let's hope that's enough. If nothing else, the producer took some good shots to share with me and these at least give you the idea of what the show looks like. I'm actually pretty happy with it.