Victorian Photographs of the Dead

I just learned that Victorians would often keep the body of an infant and, once it was mummified, they would dress the baby's body and keep it as a memento. It was the equivalent of the modern day taxidermy of a treasured pet. Creepy.

www.environmentalgraffiti.com/history/news-victorian-memento-mori-photographing-dead

The woman on the left is wearing her hair down and free-flowing, something which in the Victorian period was generally only considered appropriate for little girls and for adult women in the intimacy of their boudoirs and bedrooms. However, in 1879 Denmark marked a phase between little-girlhood and adulthood, or more correct the status of marriageable but not engaged. The free hair or a hair without hat/bonnet shows that a young girl was free to become engaged.

In Denmark at that time when hair was wore down and free-flowing was only worn by virtuous young women, after religious confirmation (in the spring time about the age at 15), before becoming engaged.

Text in image (spoken by little girl to her mother), "Mo'er! Når jeg bliver stor, må jeg så også blive kæmmet ligesom en hest?" The English translation is, "Mother! When I become grown-up, must I then also become combed like a horse?"

Visit Victorian Hair for descriptions on styles.

These beautiful little cookies are a work of art. They are so dainty and reminiscent of days gone by.
Valentine Coach and Chubby Cherub cookies.
Faux Wedgwood cookies.

True Love in a Teacup

True Love in a teacup? Can this tea be that good? Maybe I should set aside the box of chocolates and say I love you with Valentine's Tea.
www.adagio.com.

Valentine's Tea deliciously combines the luxurious flavor of fresh-dipped chocolate-covered strawberries with the taste of premium Ceylon black tea. Since I love chocolate and I like strawberries, me and this tea could be a match made in heaven. If anything, it has certainly has captured my curiosity - maybe even my heart!

Mint Tea Facial Toner

I like splashing cool mint tea on my face afer I wash and rinse it. It works like toner and smells pretty nice. You could also use a cotton ball to apply tea to your face. Brew tea as you usually would and let cool before applying.

What do you do with tea?

Besides the health benefits, there are tons of things tea can be used for. Over the next month or so I'll be sharing some of the ways I use tea.

Tea Tan: a healthy alternative to sun and tanning beds
Tan your skin with tea by brewing 2 cups of strong black tea, let it cool, pour into plastic spray bottle. Make sure your skin is clean and dry. Then spray the tea directly on your skin and let it air dry. Repeat as desired for a healthy looking glowing tan.

So, what do you do with tea?