Modest Dressing: Modern Regency Look

It's that time of year for me---the in-between pregnancies time when I'm so so SO tired of the maternity clothes but the regular clothes aren't quite fitting yet!  (Yes, this really is a yearly thing for me!)  One of my favorite things to do during this time is to experiment with what I have in my closet and see if I can come up with some new outfits!

Here is an idea that readers of all generations might like to try out:

I often find so many cute dresses that I'd love to wear but they're too short!  Here is a gorgeous burgundy, high-waisted dress that I found last year at Motherhood.  It hits just above my knees, which is shorter than I'm comfortable wearing. 

I found this black, flower-print skirt at a yard sale a few years ago and fell in love with it (even though I don't normally wear a lot of black).  The only thing I didn't like about it was that it was semi-sheer and I didn't like how the outline of my legs could be seen when light shined through the fabric.  So, I stuck it in my mending pile and planned to *someday* make a lining for it.  

I sprayed the two pieces inside and out with Scotch Guard to keep them from forming static and layered the dress over the skirt.

Because the top of this dress is a little big on me, especially post-maternity, I layered a lace-topped camisole from Maurices underneath.

My jewelry included this vintage-style necklace that I found at Maurices last year.  I've gotten so many compliments on this necklace---I love it!

I finished the look with a light-weight sweater (also from Maurices).

 I like to call this my "Modern Regency Look".  Whenever I wear this dress over another skirt, it reminds me of this pattern that Mrs. Jennie Chancey created for Simplicity:

 

This dress is a popular style today and is reminiscent of the lovely empire-waists and puffed sleeves of Jane Austen's England.  

Here's an image from Ackerman's Repository of a Regency lady wearing a Spencer jacket.  I suppose my little black sweater could serve as a Spencer jacket for my modern-day walking dress!

Hmmm, now to find me a bonnet...

Have you entered my Giveaway?  Check it out here!

This article was published in The Christian Home Magazine, Issue 37.  Check out this great online magazine here!

Linked with:

Homemade Candy Giveaway!!

I've been busy busy making candy for my new Etsy shop!  I used to make fudge, carmels and other sweets for my mom's local candy store and have decided now to try and sell some online.  I've done really well so far with several orders coming in both on the site and from local friends.  I've got a couple yummy varieties in there now and plan on adding several more throughout the weekend.

To celebrate my new shop, and the fact that I've won several giveaways myself lately, I want to offer the opportunity for one of my readers to win an order of my fresh, homemade candy!  Don't think you can hold out long enough to win a batch?  Use this special discount code and place your order at 10% off today!  This code will be valid through the end of November:  NOV2011

Here's how to win...please leave a separate comment for each step completed. You can do one, some or all of the steps to enter and you don't have to be a follower to win!  Winner will be chosen on November 27th---please make sure I have a way to contact you!!

1.  Leave a comment on this post telling me what flavor of carmels and/or fudge you would like to see in my shop.

2.  Become a follower of this blog.

3.  Subscribe by email (this one gets you 3 entries!)

4.  Put my giveaway button on your blog.  (See below)

5.  Put either my blog button or my Homemaking Link-Up Weekend button on your blog (up to two entries for this one)

6.  Blog about this giveaway with a link back.  (this one gets you 3 entries too!)

7.  Like my shop's Facebook page here 

8.  Visit my shop here


Don't have a blog?  Feel free to email me and let me know what steps you completed and I will enter you in the appropriate number of times!  Here's that button and Good Luck!

Remembering a Special Veteran for Pink Saturday

Today I want to remember a very special veteran: my grandpa Henry Andrew Bourrie.  I have such sweet memories of my favorite grandpa and miss him so much!  He passed away eight years ago, Thursday---the day before Veterans Day.

My grandpa Henry grew up on the fishing docks of Maine and New Hampshire and always had a story to tell about his days on the docks, in the military, or later, when he worked maintenance at the local hospital here in Pendleton, Oregon.

He always called me Punkin and looked at me as if I were the most special thing in the world to him.  Several of my kids have that same mischeivious twinkle in their eye like Grandpa did!

Here he is with a group of guys in Portland, Maine in the late 1940s.  They were enlisting in the Navy:

(If you think you might know someone here, let me know and I'll put up a list of the names and hometowns)

This is him, seated in the middle, just as he's signing his enlistment card.  How crazy is it that I've got a picture of one of the most proud moments of his life?

Grandpa served as a Fireman in the US Navy in Korea.  Here's a little information about the responsibilities of the Fireman:

The training received as a Fireman or in the related engineering skill specialties is equivalent to that received as an electrician, electrical or power plant/co-generation plant operator or supervisor, diesel mechanic, or electronics repair technician. Equipment associated with Fireman training includes propulsion and electrical generation gas turbines, and diesel engines; electronic machinery plant control systems and networks; and intricate electrical wiring and distribution systems.
The name Fireman enjoys a proud and storied history. The name originated in the days when the Fireman was responsible for keeping the fires burning in the ship’s boilers which were used to make steam. The steam powered large turbines then produced the ship’s electricity and turned the ship’s propellers.
After completion of recruit training, enlistees in the Fireman Apprenticeship Training program attend a three-week course on naval engineering fundamental skills in shipboard operations and evolutions.
After successful completion of this training, Firemen are usually assigned to shipboard duties where the Navy needs them the most.


I found that info here.  Thank you, Grandpa, for your service and your love!

Now, for some PINK!

I was the proud winner of Connie's Apron Giveaway a couple weeks ago...isn't it beautiful?  Thank you, Connie, for your generosity!

On top of that, I was the winner in a second giveaway too!  I just happened to hop to a blog that I'd not seen before and ended up winning this Digital Scrapbooking Software Suite from My Memories!  I'm really looking forward to playing with that this weekend after my husband helps me figure it out!

Check out MY Giveaway here!!

Hope everyone has a lovely weekend and HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!  Please take a little time today and visit some of the other pinkies at Beverly's place!