Even as a small child I was never very comfortable wearing traditional girlie costume of ribbons, frills and dresses. A pair of trousers and boots was always much more my style and has remained so ever since with one or two notable exceptions. As a student I collected all sorts of vintage items, amongst which were a number of vintage ball gowns dating from the early 1920’s to the 1960’s. Drawn to these glorious items by their fairytale associations, their delicate fabrics, the astonishing craftsmanship in every stitch and bead, I have always thought of them as my Cinderella dresses and somehow dressing up in them from time to time has never felt in the slightest bit strange. I have had the delight and pleasure of wearing most of them to balls and evening do’s at some time or another and perhaps because every girl, whatever her daily life makes of her wardrobe choices, has a little of the princess hidden somewhere inside, I have been very happy to be Cinderella for an evening………..
View from a French Hillside 
Lovely pics, lovely post (especially that little lilac number)….. 🙂
But I do need to get summat off me chest…
I dated, for a fairly extended period in the 80’s, an astonishingly attractive French girl. Very well turned out, an absolute vision, (think Beauty and the Beast)…
BUT…… I did have to introduce her to anti-perspirant !
(and she was by no means the exception to a rule)…..
What’s that all about?
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Blimey sh, not sure about that one, perhaps in the 80’s they were a bit more au naturel (or perhaps that should be eau naturel)? These days they’re obsessed with cleanliness and the supermarkets have more brands of deodorants and personal grooming products than you could possibly imagine! No nasty niffs round ‘ere sir! 🙂
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Maybe it was just the circles I moved in….
🙂
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😦
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Beautiful Sunday to you Jane!! I don’t know WHY these didn’t show in my Reader??!!
I have nothing but absolute LOVE for both of these posts — (Parts 1 and 2) Gorgeous photos and narrative!! The gowns are magically enchanting and the way you’ve showcased them is extraordinary… can I come over and play “dress up?” ??? ❤
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west517 – I have exactly the same problem – sometimes WP is total RUBBISH at showing new posts from people you like! Was a bit worried letting you know I’d posted in case you thought I was being a bit too much – I’m always very backward at coming forward – but I’m glad I did ’cause I thought you’d like them! Thankyou so much for the positive comments – I work so much in isolation here it’s great to get feedback from photographers I appreciate! As for ‘dress up’ it’s a date ….! 🙂 PS How do you make that heart icon – I really am not very good at this!!! 🙂
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So true about WP not displaying posts — I have that problem ALL the time with seeing new posts from bloggers I like! So thank you for the reminder– feel free to drop me notes anytime I’ve missed something 🙂
And… I’d like to try on the lilac gown first– I’ll bring my glass slippers! …and the heart icon is this symbol and the #3 — like this:
< + 3 = ❤ (Only minus the + and spaces … ) I hope that makes sense — 🙂
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Brilliant west517, I don’t currently have any glass slippers, just the black ones, so if you happen to be a size 6 this would be really cool !! ❤ think I got it! 🙂
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Yes!! That will work!! I’m a size 5 1/2 – 6 ♥♥
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Figured you might be….. !! 🙂 You don’t have long lost twin or anything do you? 😀
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!!!! hahah 🙂
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…oh and the TITLE IS PERFECTION!
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Merci! west517…:)
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Hello! LOVELY pictures! Here’s to all our “inner” Cinderella’s! 🙂
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No matter what – dirt, mud, dog hair, cobwebs – Cinderella still keeps a small place in there somewhere, just waiting to burst out when a given a tiny window of opportunity!
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Hi Jen – glad you like the post, I’ve just been looking at your blog, that really is some adventure you’re having there, I’m fascinated to know if Costa Rica is a popular destination for Americans wanting to get back to a simpler life, a bit like France is to we Brits but much wilder and scarier I imagine ? I know nothing about the country but will follow your blog to find out some more!
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