Hello!
I’m Susan Ardelie, your lady in question, and passionate history blogging host.
To tell you the truth, I used to hate history class. If anyone here thinks reading about moldering dead president is awesome, keep your hand down for god’s sake. You’ve come here to learn about the tart and titillating and that’s exactly what you’re gonna get. Tarnished reputations, big fat secrets, and anything that would make an historical lady gasp- that’s the sort of history that demands my attention. In the words of one 18th century lord: Publish and be damned!
If you’re new here, prepare to be scandalized by dead people. If you’re not, say hello, tell me what your favorite period in history is, tell me what you’d like to see on the blog. You can even tell me how much you like cake! I welcome suggestions, but I put my foot down at sending desserts in the mail. They never arrive as expected.
Ways to Connect:
I just stumbled upon your blog (drawn in by your post about Watteau!) and am skimming it a bit and it is SUCH fun. Your passion and curiosity is immediately apparent. I am a person who is curious about nearly everything – but now that I am living in France, I particularly am into juicy tidbits about french history and culture. Most blogs about France however are about life in Paris or life in the countryside – I love that yours is so random and that you post about whatever piques your interest in a given moment! I’m excited to learn from whatever you are learning about 🙂
I’m pleased you like the randomness. I’ve wondered if perhaps it elicits sighs of annoyance from readers as they don’t know what to expect. But apparently not for curious types like you! That’s wonderful. I’m so curious too about everything–and envious you live in France. Marvelous country! Hope to see you around more, zoetropic 🙂
Anyone who raves about the Eighteenth Century gets my vote! Throw in food, fashion and France and you’ve ticked all the boxes!
Love it
Mike
Thanks, Mike! I’m lovin the love!
Out of courtesy I would mention that I have put in a link from my site to yours – I love the blog even if it does leave me standing in awe in terms of ‘professionalism’ and output! Keep it up
Mike
http://georgiangentleman.posterous.com/#
Thanks, Mike. I’m glowing with the kind compliment you have just lavished upon me 🙂 When I get a little time, I will certainly be reading through your site. Your book created from the papers you inherited from your 4x great grandfather sounds fascinating!
this is a terrific blog. i stole one of your Fragonard paintings (stolen kiss) for one of my posts –
http://www.melancholykorean.com/post/8627160926/sir-thomas-wyatt-a-rondeau-translated-into-modern
keep up the great work. and if you like Marie Antoinette, you’ve read Nancy Mitford’s bio of Madame de Pompadour, yes?
Thank you! Feel free to steal all the Fragonard (or other C18 art work you like). He is meant to be shared.
Haven’t read Mitford’s Pompadour but I do have a biography by Christine Pevitt languishing on my shelf. The Mitford one is older, I think. Worth reading? When there are numerous bios I have trouble choosing which one to get 🙂
I have enjoyed reading many of your post. Clearly we have the same appreciation (obsession perhaps not too much of a strech) with all the FAB life styles of those amazing times.
I don’t know where you live, but I am lucky to have a semblance of the high drama & beautiful living in one of two cities caught in the past in the deep south: Savannah, GA.
Until soonest dahhhling…
I love Savannah. It’s a great city, right on the riverfront and full of beautiful old homes.
Love your blog! I believe we must have been sisters in another time, England in the 1700s perhaps. My animal familiar is a white Italian spitz. I’m currently re-reading Jane Austen’s collected works. My latest jewelry purchase is a replica pair of Marie Antoinette’s huge diamond earrings on display in the Smithsonian from QVC. I predicted the comeback of powdered wigs to the fashion runways. Ta, ta for now.
Ha! I always wanted a sister and your animal familiar is from a lovely dog breed so you’re in 🙂 I had to look up Italian white spitz–they are beautiful. I’m re-reading Emma right now myself. Since I’ve never shopped QVC, I also had to take a look there. Those Marie Antoinette earrings are definitely a must for any C18 girl’s collection. Love them!
I hope to see you around here on the blog, Alisa, and thanks for stopping by.
Susan, I enjoy your blog so much I’ve nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blog Award in my latest post http://lauradpurcell.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/very-inspiring-blogger-award/. 🙂
Goodness, Laura! Thank you! You have just made my day.
I promise not to use the above seven tidbits about me in the upcoming post, though it is tempting! I used to consider myself shy 🙂
dear susan, considering your merits, this lovely blog has been elected to win the equally “lovely blog” award here waiting to be picked up http://madamedepique.wordpress.com/2012/12/12/madame-is-oficially-lovely/
Thank you, Madame, and congratulations on being the former recipient of this award! It was very thoughtful of you to pass it on to me. It’s lovely to be lovely (and, of course, to be recognized as such!). Now I must mosey on and see who else is lovely AND new to me in the blogging world…
I’ve just spent 1/2 hour considering two 18th century portraits and trying to reason why I prefer one above the other. Was time ever more well spent?
Looking forward to visiting your salon again!
Thank you, Aubrey! I was delighted to see a vote for Halliday and one so well articulated. I share many of the same sentiments . . . Except, of course, about the sandals 🙂
An 1/2 is very well spent! I find myself examining paintings for hours sometimes, and I usually excuse that behavior by sharing them on this blog or on Pinterest. But it’s secretly R&R for me.
Liebster lauds are bestowed upon you!
http://madamedepique.wordpress.com/2013/02/23/liebster-lauds-again-my-way/
Thank you, Madame!
You’re bestowed (again) fthe “Versatile Blogger Award”! Come here to claim it! http://madamedepique.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/versatile-blogger-award-reaches-madame/
Thank you, madame! I shall have to tend to the previous award as well now, lest I look ungrateful!
This page is turning into quite the trophy room! I have nominated you for yet another Very Inspiring Blog Award. Keep on writing.
Thank you, Lady M. That’s very kind! Your comment got relegated to spam but I have retrieved it from the pile and will now head on over to your site!
Titillating Tantalization! I came across your blog while doing research on the visargo sleeve. I became so engrossed in your blog that forty-five minutes had passed! Luckily for me, I managed to pull away just in time to go to class. Of course, I have book marked your page. I can’t wait to see what else you have in store!
Thanks, Anjie. I’m flattered that my blog almost made you late for your class! I get so engrossed in writing some of the posts that I completely forget where the times goes. Happy reading and hope to see you around soon!