Welcome to the Abiblog!

Transition away from Blogger

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 00:23:00 +0000

Blogger is shutting off FTP publishing on May 1, which is how I post to this blog, so over the next few weeks I will be transitioning to Wordpress. If all goes well I will entirely republish all of MissAbigail.com using Wordpress. It's a little embarrassing but I've sort of lost track over the years of how to update the regular old HTML pages on this site (other than this blog), so this will be a good thing.

But there may be some bumps in the road as I transition. Apologies in advance. As that gets sorted out, please do visit me over on Facebook.

Miss Abigail's Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:15:00 +0000

Hey, look at what the producer just launched:

http://www.missabigailsguide.com/

1933: The Question of Nudism

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 20:40:00 +0000

Here is a little insight to how I pick the classic advice quotes to share with you. It is incredibly scientific and thought out process, as you shall see.

This week, in the Washington, D.C. area, we hit 90+ degrees for a few days straight, sending shockwaves into our gardens and bodies ~ after all, it was only a mere two months ago when a few feet of snow blanketed this region.

So I think, "Oh, it's stinkin' hot out, let me find a quote on perspiration or dressing in cooler weather, to share with my lovely readers." I poke around in some beauty and health books, and find something that was okay, but a little long to type. So I keep looking, and instead come across this paragraph in a book called The Truth About Beauty, written in 1933 by J. Howard Crum. This seemed way more fun than perspiration. It's sort of related to the heat (ie. stripping off your clothes to get some relief), wouldn't you agree?

~~
The question of nudism may be in the minds of some of our readers. As a therapeutic agent we believe in it, but as a beautifying agent it has little to recommend it. We believe that nudism is bound to increase when the public adopts a more lenient attitude toward it. Ten years ago one would have been promptly arrested for appearing on the beach in a suit that might be considered modest today. Personally, we think hoop-skirts and pantalettes about the most immodest clothing women ever had to endure. We wish it were possible for us to spend a month every year in a nudist camp, for we know it would do us untold good and fill us with an energy and vitality that are almost impossible to gain in any other way. We have not had the opportunity of really living the nudist life, owing to lack of opportunity and possibly to false modesty; but we do believe in it ~ and who can tell what we may be doing ten years hence?
~~

The Business of Getting Well

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:01:00 +0000

All this talk about the downright rude behavior of our politicians debating the health care bill has me feeling ill! Makes me wish Bernarr MacFadden's International Health Resort was still around. I found this little undated pamphlet in my pile of "flat things" while looking for a book jacket for something else. It has some wonderful answers to the questions "why should I go way from home for treatment?" when one gets sick, and the reasons why you might want to visit his particular health resort, such as: "You will enjoy a complete change of scene - new places and new faces exert a wonderfully improving influence upon people who are sick." And, "You will have the daily services - not of one physician, but of many specialists,each of whom will study your case in detail." Or this one, which sounds like a lovely little vacation: "You will enjoy your stay here. Interesting health talks, musical concerts, refreshing games and drills in the big gymnasium; the association with cultured men and women, interested like yourself in regaining health, will make every day of your stay pleasant and congenial."

Scans of the entire four-page pamphlet are posted over my Flickr account for your reading pleasure.

This reminded me also that I still need to read a bio about MacFadden. I said I was going to awhile back but never did. Bad me! I just ordered it. The author's website has a ton more information about him, as does this site.

1950: Sleep

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:21:00 +0000

I don't know about you, but with this latest time change I'm having a heck of a time adjusting. I just don't do well getting up when it is still dark out, and I am of course staying up way too late. What's a girl to do? Why, dig up some sleep tips of course. These are just a few suggestions of things I might try from Ida Bailey Allen's Youth After Forty, published in 1950. She has a whole chapter devoted to the topic!

~~
What to Read Before Going to Bed
If you have been using your eyes steadily all day, reading should be avoided. But if you must read, choose what I call a "drowsing book," unexciting, mildly interesting or amusing, or frankly dull. Or select something philosophical, or comfortingly religious, that induces a feeling of security in the Infinite to which you are about to entrust your body and soul in sleep.

Bedtime Routine
But don't think you can merely jump into bed and have a good night's rest. Getting ready for bed should be an unhurried process. After undressing arrange your hair for the night. Adjust a sleeping net to keep it in order, and have a pretty one. If you bathe at night, the bath should be tepid, not hot. If you are very tired, take a lazy relaxing bath. Then come the nightly facial and hand routines. Now stop a moment to check. Windows adjusted for fresh air? Alarm clock set? Glass of water on the bedside table? Carefully turn the covers way back. Lights out and into bed.

Get Tense to Relax
Stretch out full length until you feel tall. Stretch the arms wide on each side; rotate the feet. Rotate the legs. Wriggle the toes. And here's the pay-off for real release from ordinary tension: To overcome tenseness resulting from the day's push and rush you must first get tense. To do this stretch every muscle of the body as taut as possible, clench the hands, tense the feet, the toes ~ then slowly go limp all over and relax completely. Do this several times. Finally you keep that relaxed condition. The eyes slowly blink and finally close. Your whole body feels grateful for this release from tension. You welcome sleep.

Sweet Sleep Inducer ~ My Best Recipe
Lie flat and still. Don't think about the day; its sorrows; disappointments; joys; triumphs. Don't think about tomorrow. Forget yourself and give out something to others. What? Kind thoughts or blessings to everyone near and dear to you; to friends, acquaintances, persons in public life you perhaps have never met but who have helped others. You might even include some people you don't like. This will make you more tolerant, and tolerance induces relaxation. If you try every night for the rest of your life you'll never finish the list, sleep comes so soon and is so deep and "sweet."

1949: Correct Proportions

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 02:15:00 +0000

Someday I'll do a comparison of all of the "average" or "ideal" weight charts, by age and height, in all of my books. I just stumbled across another one, a bit surprisingly in the Searchlight Homemaking Guide, revised in 1949 from an earlier 1937 edition published by Household Magazine. The chapter title, nestled among the ones on cooking and cleaning, caught my eye: "Exercise and Good Looks."

But instead of focusing on the weight chart right now, I'd like to share something the authors titled "Correct Proportions." This caught my eye, as I have recently been "reducing" as they used to say, and also had to get myself measured for the wedding dress in the past few months.

~~
Many women like to have some basis for correct proportions of the body to guide them, especially if they are attempting to gain or lose weight. The following figures will serve as a guide. Measurements should be increased a little for persons of greater height, and reduced a little for shorter persons.

Height..............................5 feet 5 inches
Shoulders, over arms...... 42 inches
Bust................................. 34 inches
Waist............................... 26 inches
Hips................................ 38 inches
Ankle.............................. 8 inches
Wrist............................... 6 inches
Weight............................ 122 pounds
~~
Who knew there were guidelines for what the ideal size of women's wrists and ankles should have been!?

1936: Oatmeal Porridge

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:18:00 +0000

Today, March 7, is National Cereal Day! I love cereal of all sorts, and love to mix cold cereals together for a unique combination. In winter time, though, we have a steady diet of blueberry oatmeal cooked overnight in the crockpot (trying it yourself? use steelcut oats and frozen blueberries). Top some maple syrup and maple sugar on top with some milk in the morning, and YUM.

So in honor of National Cereal Day, I bring you these oatmeal porridge methods (requiring slightly more effort than our trusty crockpot) from the classic Mrs. Beeton's Household Management. My edition is from 1936, and I bought it years ago when visiting London. At 1680 pages plus advertisements, it was a bit challenging to carry home, but worth it. Happy cereal eating!

~~
Ingredients. Oatmeal, salt, water.
Method. There are several ways of making porridge. The one generally adopted ~ although by no means the best ~ is to sprinkle the oatmeal into boiling, slightly salted water with the left hand, meanwhile stirring briskly with a wooden spoon or spatula. When the porridge is thick enough, the stewpan is drawn to the side of the fire, and the contents slowly cooked from 20-30 minutes, being occasionally stirred to prevent it sticking to the bottom of the pan. A better method is to soak 4 ozs. of oatmeal in 1 1/2 pints of cold water overnight, and in the morning strain the water into a stewpan, and when boiling add the oatmeal, and salt to taste. Twenty minutes' gentle simmering will sufficiently cook it, and it must be well stirred during the process. Probably the best plan of all is to use a water-jacketed saucepan for making porridge, for it is always desireable to have oatmeal thoroughly cooked, and as the water in the outer pan obviates the necessity of frequent stirring, the porridge may, with little trouble, be cooked for 2 or 3 hours on the previous day, and reheated when required; a pinch of salt should always be added to the porridge. Fully and partially cooked oatmeals can be prepared in a few minutes. Full instructions are given on the packages.
~~

1956: Framework for your Lingerie Trousseau

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:51:00 +0000

Last time I introduced you to the concept of the lingerie trousseau, and promised more details from Marguerite Bentley's Wedding Etiquette Complete. Her entry on this special trousseau continues below. This should help brides-to-be (or others just trying to stock up) plan their shopping lists.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I have compiled a sort of framework for your lingerie trousseau that may serve as a reminder from which you may choose in making your ultimate selections. There is enough here for any bride; too much for you perhaps, or not enough for you if you are to live on a grander scale that requires more garments because of frequent trips, deferred laundering, and other reasons. But here it is for your inspection ~ and do not forget nylon with its quick drying quality!

Lingerie Trousseau

Bridal Set ~ "best"
Negligee ~ lace-trimmed
Bed jacket to match
Slip to match
Panty or step-in to match

"Second-best" sets
3 lace-trimmed or somewhat fancy nightgowns
3 slips to match
3 step-ins to match

Tailored sets
3-6 tailored nightgowns, or pajamas
3-6 slips to match
3-6 step-ins to match, or short, close-fitting panties of glove silk

Miscellaneous Suggestions
Tailored crepe robe ~ also nice for traveling
Quilted robe or woolen housecoat for winter
1 negligee ~ soft, dainty type
Bed jacket
Tea or hostess gown ~ not a "must," but nice to own
2-3 pairs of mules or bedroom slippers
2 daytime girdles or foundation garments
2 sport girdles
1 evening girdle
2 evening slips
6 daytime brassieres
3 evening brassieres
6-12 pairs of day stockings ~ the same shade for economy
6 pairs of sheer stockings for late afternoon and evening

Monograms are always as much of an addition to lingerie as they are to linen. Have them embroidered on your sets if you can afford this.

1956: Your Lingerie Trousseau

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:49:00 +0000

I'm in the midst of wedding planning, which amazingly is going quite well, thanks to the fact that I am not worrying one bit about where people are going to sit, and whether the napkins will match the flower girls' dresses. Oh, and having a wonderful sister who is an experienced event planner helps!

There is an amazing amount to get caught up in in the wedding industry mania, so to ground myself and to think about what's truly important (like marrying the person you love), I've been reading some of the old wedding guides in my collection. Certain that having a "theme" (isn't marriage the theme?) and "colors" (how about all colors? I like color!), are relatively new "traditions," I was looking through one book from 1956 for something to back me up. However, I got a little distracted by this information, from Wedding Etiquette Complete written by Marguerite Bentley. What ever happened to the tradition of the lingerie trousseau? I think we should bring this one back.

~~
Assembling your lingerie trousseau can be a thrilling task, because the items you will buy are so dainty and beautiful. Here is your chance to indulge in your fondest wishes, but you must use your head as well as your heart in the selection of the pretty things you like best and will need most in your new life.... In our great-grandmother's day muslin nightgowns with dainty bits of embroidery were as useful twenty years afterwards as the day great-grandmother was married. This is not so today. Styles change, and new lingerie additions are refreshing notes to a wardrobe only too soon. You should, however, purchase enough lingerie to last for the first year or two with plenty of changes; this matter must be regulated by your future mode of life. If you intend to have a maid or maids in your household who will launder your lingerie carefully on stated days, more garments will be needed than if you intend to wash out each piece yourself in your small apartment the day after wearing it...

Three types of lingerie always seem to me to be the general basis of every trousseau. First and foremost - and here you may indulge your heart's desire - the bridal set! This may be as fragile and unutterably lovely as you care to purchase, as it's a once-in-a-lifetime buy. On the other hand, you may prefer to be more practical. After you have selected your bridal lingerie, you begin to think of your nightgowns, slips, and step-ins that may be lace-trimmed, a sort of second-best to the bridal set, dainty and beautiful. Last, but by no means least, are those practical but beautiful tailored sets in flat crepe, often monogrammed and bound in another color. These are smart for your daily life, and you will love their sleek-fitting lines. They may be handmade if you can afford it; if not, there are many machine-made garments that will answer your purpose beautifully.
~~

Stay tuned! Next time I'll share the author's framework for a lingerie trousseau.

1922: A Love for Beautiful Things

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 14:13:00 +0000

Here's another sort of love described: a love for beautiful things! Let's read what Mabel Hale, in her 1922 book Beautiful Girlhood, had to say in a chapter which focuses on "A Few Faults Discussed":

~~
Another fault is an inordinate love for pretty things. I say "inordinate," for there is a proper appreciation for those things that are beautiful that is allowable in every one. But she who has too great a love for these things sets great value upon their possession. Pride and vanity follow close in the wake of a love for personal adornment. Money that should go for more necessary things is given for things beautiful. The girl becomes dissatisfied with the home and surroundings as she finds them, developing a deep dislike for what should be dear to her, all because they do not meet her ideal of beauty.

Such a girl needs to learn to look well to the good that is about her. Where love is, real beauty can be found. There is nothing more beautiful than a happy, satisfied heart. If your love for pretty things so fills your heart that you can not see the good that loving hands and hearts would bring to you, then you need to give serious attention to that which is obstructing your vision.
~~

1897: What Love Is

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 22:54:00 +0000

"Love is the essence of every existing thing: the root of life! the recompense for death," so says author Ella Wheeler Wilcox in her 1897 book titled Men, Women and Emotions. In this week before Valentine's Day, it seems appropriate to share some quotes about love. Here's the first, with more to come as we get closer to the 14th. Wilcox continues:

~~~
It is the all creative spark, the vital force of the universe. There is power to achieve in the mere utterance of the word ~ Love... Love is the natural element of all things. The illimitable oceans of space are composed of the waters of Love. Whoever loves most widely and warmly is most in harmony with the universe. Love is the key to success. To love your work is to excel in it. To love observingly and nobly any worthy object or aim is to eventually obtain and attain it....

To love is to know happiness but not contentment, rapture but not peace, exhilaration but not satisfaction; for contentment means inertia, peace means stagnation, and satisfaction means satiety, and these three cannot exist where Love is. Love and action are co-existent, and there is no repose where Love is, but there is rest even in its restlessness, ecstasy in its misery, hope in its fear, joy in its sorry, and sweet in its bitter.
~~~

1923: Snow Man

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:09:00 +0000

I live near Washington, D.C., where we are preparing for Snowpocalypse II: The Revenge!!, so I thought I would dig up some snow activities for those of us who may be spending a lot of time at home, bored, this weekend. I have a number of game and recreation books for kids, and found this fun one in a book called Four Hundred Games for School, Home, and Playground, which was written in 1923 by Ethel F. Acker.

Oh, and just because this is written for children, doesn't mean you grownups can't play too!

~~
Snow Man

This game affords an opportunity for legitimate snowball throwing. Any number of children may play. Two goals some distance apart are chosen. The two opposite boundaries of the playground may furnish these goals. One child is chosen to be the snow man. With a good supply of snowballs, he stations himself at a point halfway between the goals. All the other children are stationed at one of the goals. Then the snow man calls out, "Who's afraid of a snow man?" If the children hesitate at all about running, he calls out again, "Oh, you're afraid of the snow man! You're afraid!" At that all must run to the opposite goal and the snow man proceeds to hit as many as he can before they reach the goal. Any who are hit must take a place beside the snow man and make balls. Those reaching goal safely without being hit, wait there until again addressed by the snow man; then they run again to the opposite goal, and again the snow man snowballs them. The last child to be hit between goals becomes the snow man for the next game. No one hit on goal is counted out, but no one may stay on goal after the snow man calls the last sentence. As will readily be seen, this game requires a wide as well as a rather long running space.
~~

Music Etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:47:00 +0000

Passing along few more etiquette rules from an 1848 book for gentlemen, featured earlier this week.

This one goes out to all the musicians (and music lovers) in the crowd!

~~
If you intend to sing, do not affect to refuse when asked, but at once accede.
~~
Endeavor to adapt the style of your song to the character of your audience.
~~
If you are singing a second, do not, as it were, drag on, or tread upon the heels of your prima; people seldom attribute this to superior knowledge, but usually to want of judgment.
~~
If playing an accompaniment, do not forget that your instrument is intended to aid, not to interrupt; that the instrument is to be subordinate to the song.
~~
Never converse while singing or playing is going on.
~~
When a lady is going to the piano, if near her, rise and give her your arm; if you can read music, turn over the leaves for her at the proper time.
~~
If you are at a concert or a private musical party, do not beat time with your feet or cane upon the floor.
~~

Conversation Etiquette from 1848

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:46:00 +0000

"Be sparing of anecdote, and only resort to it when you have a good illustration of some subject, or a piece of information of general interest. Do not attempt to relate every particular; but seize upon the grand points. Never relate the same anecdote the second time to the same company."

This tip comes from the 1848 itty bitty book (about 2 x 3 inches), A Hand-book of Etiquette for Gentlemen, penned by an unnamed "American Gentlemen." Here are a few more miscellaneous conversation rules to keep in mind while posting on Facebook:

~~
If you are a wit, do not let your witty remarks engross the whole conversation, as it wounds the self-love of your hearers, who also wish to be heard, and becomes excessively fatiguing.
~~
Flattery is a powerful weapon in conversation; all are susceptible to it. It should be used skillfully, never direct, but inferred; better acted than uttered. Let it seem to be the unwitting and even the unwilling expression of genuine admiration, the honest expression of the feelings.
~~
When conversing with young and gay women, do not discourse of metaphysics, but chat about the last fashion, the new opera or play, the last concert of novel, &c. With single ladies past twenty-five, speak of literary matters, music, &c., and silently compliment them by a proper deference to their opinions. With married ladies, inquire about the health of their children, speak of their grace and beauty, &c.
~~
Never introduce your own affairs for the amusement of the company; such a discussion cannot be interesting to others, and the probability is that the most patient listener is a complete gossip, laying the foundation for some tale to make you appear ridiculous.
~~

About Drinking

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:36:00 +0000

"Boys and girls, do practice self-denial and do not drink much soda water either. Remember that soda water is very bad for growing bones and teeth as well as for your stomach. Besides, by taking it, you get into the habit of drinking, and if you must have soda when you are young, you will probably think you must have much stronger drinks when you are older. Those who 'cannot resist' a glass of soda now, will not be able to 'resist' taking a glass of some stronger drink later on."

This gem comes from a chapter called "Good and Bad Drinking Habits," found in a 1913 book for children titled Yourself and Your House Wonderful (written by H.A. Guerber). Now, I don't normally see advice books for young kids with such grownup topics (this book also has a chapter "About Smoking and Chewing"), so I had to learn more. Reading the introduction, I saw that the author explains "to parents and teachers," and is quite confident sharing such information:

"I have become more and more convinced of the pressing need of a work dealing frankly and explicitly with all the matters usually discussed, but also of excretion, sex, and reproduction, topics to which most books merely allude, which good people approach in fear and trembling, and about which none but the impure speak freely at all times and refuse to be silenced." He goes on to say "our children have the right to know the exact truth about themselves."

Here's some advice from the same chapter for young girls:

"I would advise every girl who reads his book not only to be very careful about her own food and drink at all times, but when she grows up never to marry any man who is too self-indulgent in this matter. If she does, she may find herself with a drunken husband, sickly children, ruined health and leading a most unhappy life.

When it is thoroughly understood that no good woman will ever marry a man who drinks even a little, the men who expect to marry some day, and have homes and children of their own, will realize that they must keep away from temptation. So you see, girls, even if you cannot vote or change the laws, you can help to bring about a better state of things. Are you willing to do it?"

Your Nighttime Beauty Routine

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 15:14:00 +0000

A reader wrote this week to ask if I could share the "nighttime beauty routine" from Constance Hart's Handbook of Beauty. I featured the one-night-a-week beauty routine and the morning beauty routine years ago on the website, from this 1955 beauty paperback. All of these refer back to other sections of the book; if you'd like more details you'll just have to dig up a copy for yourself.

This is a bit more time-consuming that probably your usual routine, but if you get started before dinner and devote the evening hours to this instead of watching TV or other trivial pursuits, I'm sure you can accomplish all of this!

~~~
Your Nighttime Beauty Routine (for both housewives and working girls)

BEFORE DINNER:
1. Remove all make-up with cream.
2. Cream-cleanse or soup-and-water cleanse face.
3. Rest for 10 minutes in darkened room with feet up and cotton pads soaked in witch hazel over your eyelids.
4. Take a warm bath (see chapter on bath). This is optional if you plan to take a bath before bedtime.
5. Wash hands and nails; push back cuticles.
6. Apply hand lotion or hand cream.
7. Change into fresh clothing.

AFTER DINNER:
Brush teeth.

BEFORE BEDTIME:
1. Massage scalp for at least 2 minutes.
2. Pin up hair if necessary; if not, brush hair for at least 50 strokes. This brushing is optional if you've had your brushing session in the morning.
3. Do 5 minutes of general and special exercises (see chapter on exercises). This step is optional if you've exercised earlier in the day.
4. Take a warm bath (see chapter on baths). Skip this bath if you've had one before dinner.
5. IF not bathing, scrub hands, nails, forearms, upper arms.
6. Apply body or hand lotion or cream to elbows, backs of heels, and any other rough spots.
7. Check fingernails for rough spots; file them with emery board.
8. Apply petroleum jelly or oil to nails (fingers and toes), lashes, brows, and (if you're not going to have a bedtime snack) lips.
9. Apply emollient cream to areas around eyes.
10. IF skin is dry, apply a thin film of emollient cream all over your face; if skin is half-and-half, apply it only to dry patches. In both cases leave on overnight.
11. Apply touch of perfume, toilet water, or cologne below nostrils for easier sleeping.
12. IF underweight, have a light snack. IF overweight, write down list of what you've eaten during day and record the calorie count.
13. Massage gums for at least two minutes.
14. Use mouth wash.
15. Check bedroom for proper sleeping conditions (see chapter on sleep and rest).
16. To bed and lights out.
~~~~~~~

Source: Hart, Constance. The Handbook of Beauty. New York: Dell Publishing Co., 1955.

Now on Facebook!

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 02:28:00 +0000

Hello all,
Please Join me on Facebook, where I'll be posting probably a bit more regularly than this blog, thanks to the ease and brevity of posting. Sad, isn't it, that blogging is too hard now?

I hope to feature fun new (I mean, old) advice from the books, and highlight some favorite authors, post some book covers, etc.

Miss Abigail: The Theatrical Production!

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:07:00 +0000

Some exciting news to share: My book, Miss Abigail's Guide to Dating, Mating, and Marriage has had the theatrical rights optioned by a Broadway/off-broadway producer, Ken Davenport. Check out his website to read more about him and his many hits, which include Altar Boyz, the Awesome 80s Prom, and My First Time.

I will keep you posted as this shapes up!

Speaking of Marriage...

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 19:38:00 +0000

Just saw this over at Boing Boing: images from and commentary about a 1962 book titled When you Marry.

Mrs. Abigail

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:56:00 +0000

Miss Abigail is going to become a Mrs.! The question was popped amongst the redwoods at Big Sur. Obviously he did his homework and read about best places to propose in my book. In the chapter titled "Rules of Engagement," I quote author Helen B. Andelin and some of her tips on where a proposal might take place, for instance, the perfect setting of a park or garden ... "A stroll through some beautiful garden, or in the hills or mountains, or in the woods, can often superinduce the atmosphere desired. There is nothing like getting back to nature to encourage a man to follow nature's impulse to take a mate for himself." Worked for us!

For more advice about getting hitched, visit this section of my site.

I guess I'll finally be able to put all those wedding etiquette books to work!

Future Advice Book Collectors, Take Note

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:50:00 +0000

Just came across this handy list, for anyone thinking of starting a book collection in oh, about 50 years. Just think, your collection could take a loving look back on the quaint era of the early 2000s!

Some Things of Interest

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:27:00 +0000

Gosh, summer has gotten away from me. Forgive me for my negligent posting schedule.

Anyway, here are a few things I stumbled across in my library-life that you might find fun and interesting:

First up, a new digital collection from Duke University Libraries:

AdViews: A Digital Archive of Vintage Television Commercials. Described as "a digital archive of thousands of vintage television commercials dating from the 1950s to the 1980s," this archive is sure to provide you with some entertainment, you can explore to find health and beauty ads (the "for clearer skin, use Camey" song is now stuck in my head), as well as some great old food product ads. And possibly the first "Don't squeeze the Charmin" commercial! #22 of the Charmin ads, described as "Doesn't feature Mr Wipple. Wife is wearing hippie dress. Husband disapproves. Stockboys sing a song about tenderness" is great too. Can't link directly, looks like you have to use iTunes to view them.

And item number two:

Fellow book lovers, especially those who love old pulp fiction books, will enjoy this artist's work.

Awful Library Books

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:15:00 +0000

What may not belong in a library any longer, could have a home on my bookshelf. These books are great, in an awful way, as the bloggers so rightly describe. Librarians, send them my way!

Facebook Manners and You

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Fri, 01 May 2009 01:48:00 +0000

If you've ever enjoyed ye olde health and hygiene films, you'll enjoy this, with a more modern twist.

Wedding Fashion

noreply@blogger.com (Miss Abigail) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:50:00 +0000

Readers of this site might enjoy this exhibit from the Victoria and Albert Museum, Wedding Fashion. Some beautiful images here! And sorted by "fashion period," so you can read about wedding advice from the past then go look up some pictures, to get a well-rounded experience.