A WASP IN A JAR

Photo

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 15:10:53 +0100

Photo

Sat, 13 Apr 2013 09:46:15 +0100

vintagemarlene: vintage postcard of the western washington fair...

Sat, 09 Mar 2013 18:50:24 +0000

vintagemarlene:

vintage postcard of the western washington fair now known as the puyallup fair (postcardcollector.org)

thisisbrett: A Parisian apartment left untouched for over 70...

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 18:44:13 +0000

thisisbrett:

A Parisian apartment left untouched for over 70 years was discovered in the quartier of Pigalle a few summers ago and I’ve been meaning to share the pictures with you. Time to unlock the vault …

The owner of this apartment, Mrs. De Florian left Paris just before the rumblings of World War II broke out in Europe. She closed up her shutters and left for the South of France, never to return to the city again. Seven decades later she passed away at the age of 91. It was only when her heirs enlisted professionals to make an inventory of the Parisian apartment she left behind, that this time capsule was finally unlocked.

The team that had the honor of opening what must have been a very stiff old lock for the first time in 70 years, likened the experience to ‘stumbling into the castle of sleeping beauty’. The smell of dust, the cobwebs, the silence, was overwhelming; a once in a lifetime experience.

There is a further twist to the story. In the apartment a painting of familiar style was discovered of a beautiful woman in pink. One of the inventory team members suspected this might be a very important piece of treasure. Along with the painting, they also found stacks of old love letters tied with colored ribbon.

With some expert historical opinion, the ribbon-bound love letters were quickly recognized as the calling card of none other than Giovanni Boldini, one of Paris’ most important painters of the Belle Époque. The painting was his. The beautiful woman pictured in the painting was Mrs. de Florian’s grand-mother, Marthe de Florian, a beautiful French actress and socialite of the Belle Époque. She was Boldini’s muse. And, despite him being a married man, she was also his lover. The art world went a bit nutty for the whole story and the painting was later sold for $3 million at auction.

First day of the holidays so I had a massive clear out and found...

Sat, 16 Feb 2013 20:10:21 +0000

First day of the holidays so I had a massive clear out and found this long-missing, presumed vanished handbag. Imagine my confusion when I found the stick on beard inside it. I have literally NO IDEA what that is doing in there but can only conclude that I have a secret double life (so secret that I can’t remember any of it!) (at Mrs Leno’s Boudoir 🎀)

Snow in the back garden. Animal tracks the only disturbance. (at...

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 13:02:38 +0000

Snow in the back garden. Animal tracks the only disturbance. (at the Bear Cave 🐻)

On our way to Shrewsbury #fmsphotoaday #day4 #theviewfromhere...

Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:07:02 +0000

On our way to Shrewsbury #fmsphotoaday #day4 #theviewfromhere (at M54)

Be still my #heart! Okay stretching it a bit I know but still....

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 20:28:25 +0000

Be still my #heart! Okay stretching it a bit I know but still. #day3 #fmsphotoaday (at Cineworld Birmingham)

This is Hilda, our new chili plant 😊 #fmsphotochallenge #day2...

Thu, 03 Jan 2013 20:28:08 +0000

This is Hilda, our new chili plant 😊 #fmsphotochallenge #day2 #new (at the Bear Cave)

Three dozen mince pies, one bumper mince tart for my husband....

Sat, 22 Dec 2012 18:02:26 +0000

Three dozen mince pies, one bumper mince tart for my husband. Just doing the pie cases for the pumpkin pies. #whomadeallthepies (at The Boiling Hot Kitchen of Doom)

The tree is in its net by the front door. Operation Christmas is...

Sun, 16 Dec 2012 11:36:11 +0000

The tree is in its net by the front door. Operation Christmas is (almost) go!!

The Ducketts (at Black Country Living Museum)

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:40:15 +0000

The Ducketts (at Black Country Living Museum)

METAAAAAAAL!! (It was actually a steam organ playing Last...

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:39:24 +0000

METAAAAAAAL!! (It was actually a steam organ playing Last Christmas.) (at Black Country Living Museum)

at Black Country Living Museum

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:37:47 +0000

at Black Country Living Museum

I MUST HAVE CHIPS!!! (at Black Country Living Museum)

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:36:58 +0000

I MUST HAVE CHIPS!!! (at Black Country Living Museum)

The Family (at Black Country Living Museum)

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:35:38 +0000

The Family (at Black Country Living Museum)

The family (at Black Country Living Museum)

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:34:27 +0000

The family (at Black Country Living Museum)

Chris in the fairground (at Black Country Living Museum)

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:33:03 +0000

Chris in the fairground (at Black Country Living Museum)

It’s that time again - Victorian Christmas pirate lady...

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 23:32:07 +0000

It’s that time again - Victorian Christmas pirate lady fortune telling time! (at Black Country Living Museum)

Festive FAIRISLE polar bear

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 08:47:16 +0000

Festive FAIRISLE polar bear