Bloggiversary *Two* and Giveaway!

*snaps fan*  looks around at all the guests... Today Heather and I are marking the second bloggiversary of the Gossip Guides!

So I would like to thank all of you who have been here from the start, or are just chiming in, for your intrigues and wit!  If there is one thing I love here it is all the great conversations we have!

To celebrate there is plenty of champagne and other sparkling drinks, dainties and profiteroles and of course good conversation!  To top it off, rather than fireworks, I am hosting a fabulous giveaway and winners will be announced Friday 14 May.  Be sure to check out Heathers giveaway too!

Give-Away!

To enter:  Leave a comment on this post by May 14, telling me what you like best about the 18th century! Anything goes! 

What is up for grabs?

One lucky commenter, drawn at random, will win a copy of Le salon de musique de Marie-Antoinette (audio CD).  This album is a compilation of songs from Marie Antoinette's time and world. There is a variety of composers including "Mozart, Gluck, Grétry and Paisiello, with a tender song by Marie-Antoinette herself."

The luck of the draw does not end there! Two other commenters will receive a lovely mini Marie Antoinette inspired keepsake box, in the shape of a book, with a green tea vegetable based barre de savon! There is even a little cameo on the inside lid! (by Punch Studio)

The three winners will be posted on this blog May 14th so do check back!
Good luck and I can't wait to hear from you!

~Lauren

A most splendid Toilette!

 One of the most lavish weddings held at Versailles was that of the Duc de Bourgogne to the Princess Adelaide of Savoy.  During the elaborate celebrations of the wedding, everyone was outside to view a firework display.  As luck would have it the wind picked up and it began to rain forcing everyone to rush into the palace.  All was not lost, guest were able to walk though the palace and view madame's toilette, all of which was prepared to display luxury and, of course, elegance!

"All the court passed then to the chamber of Mme la Duchesse de Bourgogne, which was brilliantly lighted, and in which, the day before, they had set up a magnificent bed and canopy of green velvet embroidered in gold and silver. The court saw there, also, the toilette of the princess, which was much admired, both for its articles of gold and silver and for its embroidery and lace."

Leaving Her Mother's City: Marie Antoinette

"On the morrow the Dauphiness left Vienna. The whole city crowded out, at first with a sorrow which was silent.

She appeared; you saw her sunk back into her carriage, her face bathed in tears, hiding her eyes now with her handkerchief, now with her hands, several times putting out her head to see yet again this palace of her father's, whither she was to return no more. She motioned her regret, her gratitude, to the good nation which was crowding here to bid her farewell.

Then arose, not only tears, but piercing cries, on all sides; men and women alike abandoned themselves to such expression of their sorrow. It was an audible sound of wail in the streets and avenues of Vienna. The last courier that followed her disappeared, and the crowd melted away."

Account by witness (Weber)