From Quick Rinses to Luxurious Rituals: The Evolution of Face Washing
For optimal skin health, one must establish a consistent cleansing routine.
Charm, Power, and Strategy: Cleopatra’s Political Genius
Cleopatra cultivated a persona of divine authority, believing herself to be a living goddess.
Victorian Etiquette: What “Art of Good Behaviour” Can Teach Us Today
In Facts for the People, or Things Worth Knowing, published in 1850, there is a section called, “Art of Good Behaviour.”
Timeless Tools for Life’s Challenges: Lessons on Character and Integrity
Life is a challenging journey, one where dangers threaten our most valuable treasures: our character and virtues.
The Duchess of Bedford’s Delight: The Evolution of Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea owes its existence to Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford.
Visiting-Cards: A Forgotten Tradition Worth Rediscovering
The visiting-card was once ubiquitous, an expectation for making social connections.
Rediscovering Wassailing
The Edwardian guide book, Entertainments for Every Month, was published in 1916.
A Taste of Tradition: Oyster Soup
Today, we have a classic Oyster Soup recipe that delivers something simple and flavorful.
The Lost Art of True Gentility
A Gentleman - I knew him for a gentleman by signs that never fail.
Why Homemade Cream Cheese Is Better—and How to Make It
Cream cheese is a pasteurized, unaged dairy product with at least a third milkfat.
A Taste of the Past: Exploring The Complete Housekeeper
The Complete Housekeeper was published in 1803, and it’s an extensive guide to the essentials of the kitchen.
Vintage Wisdom on Fashion and Wellness: Lessons from H. Stanley Redgrove
Today, we have an excerpt from a 1930s beauty guide that provides some thoughts on clothing.
Is the Emersonian Gentleman Still Relevant Today?
The gentleman is lord of his own actions, and expressing that lordship in his behavior not in any manner dependent and servile, either on persons or opinions or possessions.
Rethinking Neuroses: George Lincoln Walton's Rational Approach to Mental Well-Being
George Lincoln Walton contended that the root of most neuroses lies in irrational thought patterns.
The Art of Newlywed Cooking: Reflections on A Bride's Cookbook
A Bride’s Cookbook was published in 1962 for young wives who were just learning the art of homemaking.
Betty Crocker's Green Salad with Homemade French Dressing
This recipe combines crisp salad greens with a simple dressing.
Breathe Your Way to Radiance: Lessons from a 1905 Beauty Manual
This advice comes from Beauty Through Hygiene, published in 1905.
Edwardian Beauty Secrets: The Surprising Power of Cornmeal
Cornmeal, a staple food derived from ground dried corn, is available in a spectrum of textures.
Beauty, Beyond the Surface
The 1898 guide Beauty Culture not only provides advice for daily beauty maintenance, but explorations of the topic on a conceptual level.
Health: The Secret to Eternal Beauty
There exists an undeniable correlation between physical attractiveness and overall health.
A Window into the Past: The Culinary World of 1911
The recipe compilation Banquets of the Nations was published in 1911.
From 19th Century Dining Rooms to Modern Tablescapes
At Home and Abroad; or, How to Behave, provides etiquette advice for all sorts of occasions.
Turning Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones
Annie Payson Call draws a metaphor between handling the obstacles of life and stepping over stones in our path.
A 1913 Twist on Modern Entertaining
Published in 1913, The Art of Entertaining for All Occasions offers seasonal entertaining ideas.
The Timeless Elegance of Bordeaux: A Holiday Wine Guide
It may be time to consider wine pairings for our holiday meals.
Beyond Politeness: The Art of Meaningful Dialogue
The 1836 social guide, L’Art de Briller en Société outlines the various rules, spoken and unspoken, of social success.
Beauty's Timeless Guide
The Art of Beauty was intended as a guide to those seeking a better understanding of physical beauty and its ideals.
Lost Connections, Found Health
Strong friendships can boost your health, reducing the risk of depression and other ailments.
A Taste of the Past: Vintage Fall Cake Recipes
Southern Living is sharing some vintage cake recipes.
A Step Back in Time: Black Mountain, NC
Here at Vintage Ladies’ Guide, we’re always looking for travel destinations that allow us to experience a vintage feel.
Roaring Twenties Reads
When we think of the 1920s, images of flappers, Prohibition, and The Great Gatsby often come to mind.
Bouillon: The Kitchen's Little Secret
Pronounced “bwee-yohn” in the original French, bouillon is a versatile stock that adds depth of flavor.
Mid-Century Modern: A Timeless Trend
The Spruce gives some suggestions for incorporating Mid Century design into home interior spaces.
The Secret of the Stable: A Home's Transformation
An antiques dealer specializing in Gustavian pieces lives in a beautifully restored stable in northern Germany.
Wealth Inequality and Social Unrest: A Recurring Pattern in American History
Writer Justin Klawans describes the Gilded Age in The Week.
The Perfect Wedding Gift: A Guide to Etiquette and Timing
There are many expectations around wedding etiquette that can be difficult to navigate.
A Timeless Beauty: An Arts and Crafts Home
The Times has recently featured some beautiful photographs of an Arts and Crafts style home.
The Power of a Red Lip
Writer Sali Hughes delves into the enduring appeal of red lipstick.
Embroidery 101: A Beginner's Guide
On the differences between digital and free motion embroidery, from Gathered’s guide to the latest embroidery machines.
Old-Fashioned Applesauce
Rich in pectin, applesauce aids digestion.
A Thousand Ways to Please Your Husband: A 1917 Guide
A Thousand Ways to Please a Husband was published in 1917, and offers new wives a guide to entertaining and homemaking.
A Hearty Steak and Kidney Pie
We share a recipe for English Steak and Kidney Pie, which involves preparing beef kidneys by browning them with steak and onions.
Uncover the Secrets of Traditional Cuisine with Cock-a-Leekie
Cocka Leekie dates back to the 14th century.
The American Experiment: A Cautionary Tale of Etiquette
In The Value of Good Manners, Margaret Emerson Bailey posits that the democratic ideal of equality in the United States has contributed to a decline in etiquette.
From 1897 to Today: The Enduring Power of Gut Health for Skin
An 1897 beauty guide proposes that indigestion is the root cause of many skin issues.
A Tale of Tyranny: The Unfortunate Marriage of Hortense Mancini
The tumultuous marriage between the young Ortensia Mancini and her eccentric husband makes for quite a story.
Beauty in the Georgian Era
The Royal Museums of Greenwich offer a fascinating blog.
Easy Moules Marinières
The name Moules Marinières literally translates to Mariner-Style Mussels.
The Powers Secrets of Charm
The 1954 guide Secrets of Charm was co-authored by John Robert Powers, of Powers School fame.
Rediscovering Russia's Culinary Heritage
As we delve into the nostalgia of bygone eras, let's not overlook the simple pleasure of food.
The Power of Listening
Lord Chesterfield advises us against forwardness and self-promotion.
Wrinkles and Wisdom: The Impact of Expression on Aging
The Edwardian beauty guide, Practical Face Treatment and Natural Beauty, was published circa 1900.
Unearthing a Culinary Gem: Green Tomato Soup
We’re sharing a recipe for a creamy tomato soup, this time with green tomatoes, rather than fully ripe ones.
Vintage Hacks for Modern Wounds
The following advice for wound care comes from Receipts and Remedies, published in 1908.
Your Mind Matters: Annie Payson Call
Our mental state and physical health are intricately linked.
The Dark Side of Ambition: The Story of Agrippina
Agrippina the Younger was a powerful influence on her son, the Roman Emperor Nero.
A Century-Old Guide to Mental Health
Annie Payson Call explains that many nervous illnesses stem from character defects rather than physical ailments.
Timeless Tips from a Bygone Era
In 1914, Mme Lina Cavalieri published a beauty guide for ladies.