Edwardian and Victorian Coats

Various styles of winter coats from the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Chocolate Chips for Molly

The word cookie is derived from the Dutch word "koekje". Back in ye olde colonial America, hard cookies were convenient food for traveling because they kept well. Colonists would have eaten macroons, gingerbread cookies, and "jumbles"--the latter containing nuts, sweetener, and water. The cookies we are familiar with today are usually creamed with butter and sugar, which would have been uncommon in the 18th century.

Chocolate chips cookies were invented in 1937 by Ruth Graves Wakefield of the Toll House Inn located in Whitman, Massachusetts. She had chopped up chucks of Nestlé chocolate bars, and added it to her original cookie recipe. In 1939, Wakefield let Nestlé print her recipe on the chocolate packages in exchange for a lifetime supply of chocolate. (Hmmm, personally, I would had gone for royalties!) In 1941, Nestlé began selling the chocolate in "morsel" chip form to encourage consumers to use the chocolate for baking.

I use the recipe from the Nestlé packaging and during the holidays, I substitute the regular chips with mint Andes chocolates, which give them a green coloring. Of course, I have to unwrap and crack them all, but they are a real crowd pleaser.

These miniature chocolate chip cookies were made by Pippaloo. Molly could have made these if she was willing to spend her butter and sugar rations...

Blue and Black Duchess Inspired Gown

The Duchess, starring Keira Knightley, followed the life of Georgiana Spencer, the Duchess of Devonshire, who was a fashion trend setter in the 18th century.

This blue and black gown was one of my favorites from the movie.






Though the styling of this Terristouch caraco gown is different from the Duchess costume, it has a similar color scheme.

Candy Apple for Rebecca

Red candy apples were invented in 1908 and were found in the Coney Island area and other carnivals and fair grounds. Perhaps Rebecca could have had a candied apple? According to the Newark Evening News 1964:

"William W. Kolb invented the red candy apple. Kolb, a veteran Newark candy-maker, produced his first batch of candied apples in 1908. While experimenting in his candy shop with red cinnamon candy for the Christmas trade, he dipped some apples into the mixture and put them in the windows for display. He sold the whole first batch for 5 cents each and later sold thousands yearly. Soon candied apples were being sold along the Jersey Shore, at the circus and in candy shops across the country, according to the Newark News in 1948."

Candied apples are also popular during Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night.







Holiday candied apples I have come across. I bought the snowman at Disneyland.

Etsy Watch July 12 to July 16

Pippaloo


DollClothesbyEvie


NeedleinaHaystack


MinnieKitchen


TheDollyStand


ItsSewSusan


frivolousdistinction


cupcakecutiepie


SewFunDollClothes


I'm surprised this one hasn't been snatched up already. I got a dress like this from Kindred Threads and paid $60+, so this is a great deal if you are into custom dresses.
MarieGeorj

Light Green Regency Gown by Vintiquedesign

Light Green Regency Gown by Vintiquedesign

White Sprig Muslin Regency Gown

I think this is like sprig muslin... It was made by Vintiquedesigns.