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

68 comments:

  1. J'adore le fashion! It's amazing. The costumes from that period of time have always fascinated me.

    sarahjoyful (at) msn dot com

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  2. Congratulations on your second year of this wonderful blog.

    I love robes à la française , and the poufs Marie wore so brilliantly.

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  3. I love the fashion! I'm a costumer, and I absolutely adore doing dresses from that era - I have a big poofy pink one coming up soon!

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  4. As much as I love the fashion of the 18th century, I have to give the nod to the music as my favorite part.

    Congratulations on your second anniversary!

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  5. Anonymous3:58 AM

    First of all I want to congratulate you! I haven't been here from the start, but I'm looking forward to

    I know it's probably what most will say - but I've always loved the fashion! Ever since I was like 10 I've adored the fashion of the 18th century - but not only the fashion of the higher society. I often find myself admiring the dress of ordinary women in paintings. Clothing has a curious effect on me, it always makes me wonder and fantasize about what life was like for those who wore them and I imagine myself in their shoes. I love it!

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  6. Anonymous3:59 AM

    What I ment to say was I'm looking forward to many more years of gossip! ;D

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  7. Congrats of the anniversary to you and Heather. Well done ladies. The 18th-century never looked so good.

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  8. Anonymous7:10 AM

    Wow congrats on two years! I never really comment but I am a long time follower and reader.

    Well my favorite thing of the 18th century is really the fashion. But to give sone variety I'll share another thing - the philosophy. The age of enlightenment. In particular Rousseau and Voltaire. Loved reading Candide in college.

    Thanks for the giveaway ! I really enjoy this blog.

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  9. Dear Lauren, congratulations to the 2nd Blogiversary!
    I love all-Marie-Antoinette-things since I am 12 (ooh... many years back) and here's my reason why I love the 18th century:

    http://leylandresearchcenter.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-i-love-18th-century-part-2.html

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  10. I love the furniture and interiors of the 18th Century - music and fashion too!

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  11. Congratulations! I was going to say my favorite thing about the 18th century are the beautiful shoes! They really were works of art. However, I think my favorite thing is the dancing. I teach Scottish Country Dance, which was very popular in the eighteenth century and was inspired by French court dancing of that period. It's like enthusiastic ballet for couples!

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  12. Congratulations on two years! I look forward to your (and Heather's)blog every morning!

    My favorite thing about the 18th Century is the music! But I also love that reason, wit, talent, and ideas, were valued over the more superfical traits of today. ....oh and of course the clothes too! :)

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  13. I honestly love almost everything about the 18th Century! It's all so interesting, from the fashion to the people! =D But Marie Antoinette is probably my favorite person from it!

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  14. I would say the fashion but its more the lifestyle that i love! being dainty and fashionable and living in such grand estates! I do also love the fashion and the crazy hairstyles.

    congrats on your second year blogging!

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  15. Bon anniversaire, mesdames. . .
    I think the most facinating thing about the 18th century overall is how fashions and modes really came to have political and historical influence. I use that as an argument, so that I don't sound too shallow when I say that I love it!

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  16. Congratulations on 2 years blogging! I love how fashion in the 18th century was influenced by politics and what was going on in society at the time. The women who wore lavish gowns to court used as much expensive fabric as possible over their panniers as a way to display the (hopefully vast) wealth of their husbands. The result was enormous gowns that made fitting through doorways a challenge. Fascinating!

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  17. Much as I love the clothes, Mozart & Haydn are my favorite part of the 18th century. That CD looks fabulous.

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  18. Congratulations on your Bloggiversary!

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  19. Oh my! Thank you all!!

    Heather brought up a good point, we ship internationally so everyone can enter these giveaways!

    Looks like Fashion is most popular followed by music...love it!

    ~Lauren

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  20. Congratulations!

    My favorite thing(s) about the 18th century are: the Age of Reason, the effects of burgeoning fashion/consumerism, and....polonaises!!

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  21. The fashion and the color palette! I love the idea of feathers in my hair!

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  22. I must say that my favorite part of the 18th Century is the Enlightment. I love just about everything about it, but where would we be if we didn't have the Enlightment-- if we didn't have Rousseau, and John Locke, and Adam Smith, and Mary Wollstonecraft?

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  23. My first visit and I just love it all.
    The 18th century I loved was the etiquette, style and intrigue.
    My first visit here and I'm hooked already.
    What a wonderful breath of fresh air you've created in blogworld.
    Thank you for sharing!

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  24. Since I am convinced I was born in the wrong time period, I surround myself with things of this time...especially the music! It is my favorite thing from the 18th century which I can still really enjoy fully. Second would have to be the fabulous clothes...my husband just ordered me a period dress a la Marie Antoinette for an anniversary gift! I am so excited! Real women wear corsets!!

    Congrats..votre blog est tres bon!

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  25. There are so many things to love about this era. The clothing was so grandiose and whimsical, so immaculately crafted. The music as well, uplifting and groundbreaking. The question is, what's NOT to love about the 18th century?(well of course we can think of a few things...;))

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  26. The thing I like the most of the 18th century is its art: the music, the portraits and the architecture. Versailles is my favorite "thing" :P

    Congrats for the anniversary!!! I love this blog

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  27. Congrats to you both on your lovely blogs! You do fantastic work and here's to many many more bloggiversaries! [Stops to raise water as have no champagne in office.]

    And for the giveaway, I love the robe a la polonaise!

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  28. Oh !!!! I absolutely have to participate !

    what i love about xvIII... les femmes... LES FEMMES !!! l'image de la femme !

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  29. I know a lot of people have said fashion, and it is the same for me. Fashion is more than clothing, it's art. The clothing from that time period is some of the most beautiful art in the world. It's not just the clothing, but the hair and makeup, the look. In my mind it rivals the works of the master artists.

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  30. Happy Anniversary! I truly enjoy reading and learning from your blog - thank you!

    I love the clothing! Everything was so intricate and beautifully made.

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  32. The fashion, the music, the rouge, the people, the imagined atmosphere that one born of the present era can only dream!

    Every little informative morsel about the eighteenth century seems to be covered in sugar and rose petals as it has handed to you.

    These are the things I most love about the 18th century. o^_^o


    Also, a large congratulations on your anniversary! Your blog is absolutely divine!

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  33. I love the fashion, the decor, the furniture, the architecture, and the overall beauty.

    :)

    Happy Bloggiversary!

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  34. While I shudder at the thought of ever donning a corset or hoop skirt the intricate embroidery on beautiful brocade is just heavenly. And the slippers! Sigh. The slippers. Heart.

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  35. @LIG I always wonder how thin one would have to be just to wear the corset comfortably and to keep one's stomach in without dying for breath. Still, I like seeing other people wear these clothes! lol

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  36. I love the fashion! Thank you for the giveaway and happy blogiversary!

    Rachelhwallen@gmail.com

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  37. wow!!! congratulations 2 years aniversary!!
    thats so lovely that you are giving away those presents!
    thank for all the gossip!
    bye

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  38. @Tulip, well considering women were not really as skinny as they are today, they fit into those corsets somehow. Though I read that during the Edwardian period is when corsets were at their tightest lol!

    By the way, I must say you and Heather have done a marvelous job. I learn something new every time I get on. I left a comment on Heather’s blog as well but I will say it here too. My love for the 18th century started when I was in grade school and I saw Amadeus for the first time. The clothes, the decorating, the architecture, the hair, the music…everything was just so pretty and extravagant.
    Now I find myself wanting to learn more about life during this time in general. Philosophy and politics and domestic life. I enjoy looking at peoples portraits and every time I learn about someone I haven’t heard of before or take an interest in someone’s life, I try to dig up as many pictures and as much information about them as I can. Just this past year I’ve taken an interest in reading biographies of some of are favorite tarts and femmes too!

    Plus, (don’t laugh) but I feel that I was a woman from the 18th century in a past life. That’s why, inside, I understand and relate to them so well, and I feel like I’m missing something. And I want to go to Europe SO BAD and visit these places and maybe I can spark memory. Maybe I was Antoinette herself or maybe I just have an overactive imagination! Who knows. lol

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  39. Happy Bloggiversary!

    Like everyone of course I love the fashion, but I really adore the inspiration this era gives me for decorating my boudoir.

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  40. Candice1:35 AM

    Congratulations on your 2nd anniversary! The 18th century will always be an inspiration. I love the art, designs and most of all the fashion. Along with the social drama and political intrigue, it's a fascinating period of time.

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  41. Congratulations! The best thing about 18th century is the fashion. It´s so beautiful and feminine. And of course the gossip is also great.

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  42. My favortie thing about the 18th c is the hair~!

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  43. Miss Honnête2:45 PM

    The 18th century is a time of great changes in the course of history. The arts showed one of their most beautiful faces of expression. Music experimented a revolution with master minds such as Mozart, Beethoven and Paganini. Eyes were opened with new discoveries in the Science area. The inevitable consequences of the acts of previous governments took place. Excess was displayed in the most extravagant manner through vanity. Fashion rulers such as Marie Antoinette and Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire experimented their golden age. Freedom, democracy, itself as we know it nowadays was born.

    Certainly this is a period of great importance in history. History itself exits so that the future generations may learn of Great Personalities of the past victories and mistakes. A legacy was inherited to humanity.

    I'm truly amazed by your beautiful blogs. They contain the essence of the 18th century itself, and are most accurate with historical facts.

    If this message has found grace in your eyes I would be much honored if I receive the lovely mini Marie Antoinette inspired keepsake box.

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  44. @MarquisJacques

    Really, women weren't skinnier then? I thought we were the fattest ever in human history (or Herstory if you like).

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  45. Anonymous9:04 PM

    I absolutely love the fashion of that time! Though I don't think I would personally have been as determined to go through all they must endure to be beautiful! ha ha.

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  46. My favorite thing about the 18th century is fascinating in its mix of the changing mentalite of modern thought and the continuing medieval worldview held by the majority of people- Enlightenment and Cat Massacres, carnival and salon, stability and strife- all at the same time.

    Cheers, and happy Bloggiversary-
    Rod McCaslin

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  47. oh, what adorable boxes! FAB!

    In addition to my adoration of the fashion, I love studying the rituals. I'm glad I don't have to know them all, but I'm fascinated by the rules of court.

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  48. *Sheaths cutlass, plants fists on hips* I love Revolutions. Technology, philosophy, politics. From Boston to Bonaparte to Bolivar, all that is good in our modern age came from 18th century invention. Congratulation, Madame, et merci beaucoup.

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  49. For me it has to be the parties. What a sight they must have been!!!

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  50. It's a great giveaway.
    I like of this century the love and the return to the classicism.
    Bss
    Cecilia

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  51. The greatest thing about the 18th Century is the men!!! Yes I know, we have several men now, but 18th Century men are more scandalous. Hahaha!

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  52. I think my favourite part of the 18th century is the aesthetic. That's just a broad, fancy way of saying: I love the music, the food, the fashion, the etiquette, almost everything! I'm hoping to save up for a harpsichord at some point~

    Except for not having indoor plumbing. That must not have been pleasant

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  53. What I like about the 18th century? People seem to have time for things that matter the most.

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  54. For me it would have to be the beautiful and enigmatic Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire-what fascinates me most about her is that outwardly she had all the poise and confidence and more of what a woman of her class should have had but inwardly she must've been quite insecure being as she accepted her husband's lover, Bess. Not only accepting her but cherishing and loving her as much as her cold husband did. I very often wonder what a life like hers might be like-leader of fashion, of the 'ton' and admired wherever she went-it would've been a lot to live up to. I think Georgiana, when you read about her, was a normal person just like the rest of us, despite the wealth-with problems just like we experience today. The fact that you can still relate to a period as far back as the 1700s fascinates me greatly.
    Love your blog

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  55. I enjoy the fashion, the music, and a great deal of the architecture and arts. But, as strange as it may sound, I rather love the hair-dos.

    And congratulations!

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  56. Congratulations! I have enjoyed following your blog. I think my favorite things about the 18th century are the clothes and decor. The flowered prints and intricate design of the houses during that time is incredible. Thank you for hosting this giveaway.

    ajroyston@gmail.com

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  57. Anonymous8:12 AM

    I love this blog! Honestly, I love the hair of the 18th century the most. Some incredibly styles came out of that century!

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  59. Oh, congratulations. I just love everything about Antoinette and I love all the little facts you both bring to the subject and 18th century!

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  60. Congratulations, that is so exciting! I love the hats from the eighteenth century and the fact that everyone wore them. I am in the process of making a beautiful sun hat based off of one I found in a painting of the Duchess of Devonshire.

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  61. I am 15 years old and have been interested in Marie Antoinette for about 3 years. I love the movie and i try to read as many books as i can find on her! She was such an interesting person who at such a young age was forced into something and tried to make the best of it. And with that came everything like the glamorous fashion and the pouf that we all love. The 18th century just seemed like a time of passion,fashion, drama and love, which is why i love it. I LOVE this blog! It satisfied my Marie Antoinette cravings haha and i always learn something new.J'adore that jewlery box such a cute idea! Thank you and Congrats!

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  62. I love the fashion. The designs, the material, the everything. The architecture is another big favorite of mine. Palaces like Sanssouci and the Peterhof amaze me.

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  63. I love the beautiful, embellished fashions and accessories.

    Congratulations on your creative blog!!!

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  64. My favorite part is the clothing! I'm actually in the process of getting back to sewing and making some garments for myself and my husband to attend a picnic this autumn. I'm so excited! I must admit, I get more excited about fashions from past eras than I do now sadly. While I admit, I'm glad I don't have to wear stays and tons of fabric constantly... well, I admit it... I wish I had more excuses to!

    Best wishes to you and many more years!

    (oh yes, and a close second would be the amazing rooms and decorations... ooooh, to have my own office/sewing room all nicely done up like that to inspire me!)

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  65. I love the culture - the dances and the rules. I would probably hate them if it were me, but I'm completely fascinated.

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  66. Congrats on the 'bloggiversary'!

    As with many others, my first reaction is to wildly scream "the dresses! the dresses!"... and of course the glamorous mouse-ridden, less-than-fragrant wigs.

    But, on second thoughts, I am drawn to the eighteenth century because not only is it so beautifully romanticised, but it really sees the explosion of print culture which has given us some of the most amazing literature... Not just Austen, Fielding, Radcliffe, Defoe &c... but some of the NAUGHTIEST and most SCANDALOUS stuff I have ever laid my eyes on!

    For Marie Antoinette fans: try 'Le Godmiche Royal.' Saucy stuff.

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  67. Anonymous10:26 PM

    Happy anniversary! I've been racking my brain trying to come up with a different answer for my favorite 18th century thing than the one I left for the Duchess's contest, and I finally settled on: lady scientists! Like the Marquise Du Chatelet, Caroline Herschel, Princess Ekaterina Dashkova...

    I would *love* to have one of those beautiful boxes :D I can always do with more jewelry storage ;)

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  68. Congrats on your Blogiversary!! I don't know how I missed this post earlier. Félicitations à la reine!

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