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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Marie Antoinette

What is it about Marie Antoinette? What does she symbolize? Does she symbolize excess, indulgence, and gross consumption? Do we equate her with pampering, primping & priss? Was it her beauty, style, glamour & love for fashion? Are we enamored with the stories of her lavish lifestyle? Does she really represent sadness, loneliness and depression? Was she self-centered and selfish? Was she misunderstood? I feel we know so much about her, yet so little. For someone who was 'hated' at the time, she's surely loved now. HaHaHa Do you own any Marie Antoinette inspired items? Surprisingly, I don't own one thing! I love looking at everything, but I never buy anything. I think it's because I'm so perplexed about the woman herself. HaHaHa On one hand, if someone sent me to Paris, I would go crazy over all of the fashion and buy everything. On the other hand, how can you buy all of that stuff when your country and citizens are financially downtrodden. Then she was very ill and sick, when sentenced to death. It's a sad, sad story. But I do love the glamour portion! HaHaHa


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50 comments

  1. I think we love her because of all that and more and of course the glamour. OH, the glamour!! She's such an enigma! I love all these esp. the pillow and those earrings!! Beautiful post.

    Regina
    http://margaritabloom-glamourville.blogspot.com/

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  2. You are one of the very few people to blog about the trinkets and glamour but at the same time touched on the fact that she was hated. I'm happy you're not simply buying into the whole romantic vision of her. That vision simply doesn't exist in France, it's a completely American fabrication and I have no idea why... Thanks for a far more balanced post than people usually deliver :-) xo

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  3. There is something very intriguing about Marie Antoinette. I'm not sure what the fascination is with her, but perhaps we are drawn visually to excess, but also fascinated by those who led tragic lives? Either way, these prints are cute ;)


    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  4. I love excess, ahhhhhhhhhh
    I am baroque alright.
    have a lovely Tuesday, dear Kim
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

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  5. Hiya Kim!! Well, you and I have talked about this and the true nature of her. I think the movie made about her distorted the real events of her life. Yeah, maybe she had loads of objects and money, but if people were starving and left to be poor, then she was not doing her job. But, with history, it's not always clear what was really happening unless you were there. It's like we have all these facts, but no knowledge as to if they are true or not. And if she did live such a life of such riches while letting people go so poor, well then she's not so great. But, the stuff I've read about the end of her life and her children being imprisoned is horrible. We get caught up in this part of her life, but ignore the rest, I mean what does that say about us really!?! More than what it says about us. We don't see the downside of what her life entailed. Sad really. These pieces are gorgeous. I just wish we knew more true facts about her life. Have a lovely day doll :))))

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  6. Oh wow those earrings! #5 is beautiful! :)


    I know she had incredible fashion and shopped a lot, but I don't know much else. Sad story, she was focused on things so much it makes you wonder if she could even understand or have a frame of reference for what the people were experiencing, if she was brought up in luxury her whole life.


    Away From The Blue

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  7. I think she symbolises living a life of beauty, joy and femininity in everything, from the clothes to surroundings to food despite everything that life has planned. Basically, celebrating being a woman. x

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  8. I adore all things Parisian/French! Yup, I'm a Francophile. ;) My great grandmother came from France, so I often was told about French ways and stories of France as a little girl. :) I adored the movie Marie Antoinette--and like you, it was the glam, decadent, girly stuff that I enjoyed the most (versus the reality of what history wrote). Great post--as always, Sweets! xo T. http://tickledpinkwoman.blogspot.com

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  9. Hi Kim! Now that you made me think I neither own any things about her, maye a set of cups for tea but I neither know where they are now:P Is a character that always makes me think...though I remember from when I was I child I always admire her beautiful dresses!:)These inspired items are gorgeous, love the earrings most!:) Have a good day dear, kisses! xo

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  10. Those earrings (#5) are far out, Kim! I myself am fascinated with her as well, esp. after seeing Sofia Coppola's movie.

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  11. Great question!

    I don't know much about her but I like her style. She's like a pretty frosted cupcake. At least that's the way she's portrayed in our culture.

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  12. Plus, I like that she didn't do what she was suppose to do.

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  13. So pretty! Love all the soft colors and graphics!

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  14. Great theme Kim, the story of Marie Antoinette is such an intriguing one. Love those gorgeous earrings and the pretty diary. I think I will try to only recall the glamourous part of her life

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  15. The note cards are really cute! I just love the dresses of that time :)

    -Sharon
    The Tiny Heart
    So Kate Giveaway!

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  16. I have to admit that I don't know much about her, save some basics.

    always, koru kate

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  17. I love everything about her! I'm very interested in history and I read some books about M. Antoinette and then watched sophia coppola's movie. Her life is sad with a very bitter end :/ but she created the french fashion and made macarons famous :) next time I'm planning to visit versailles when I travel to france.

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  18. great questions and interesting dilemma! I'm not sure I'd buy too much stuff with her on it, but I do love looking at it. It's gorgeous and although her story is tragic, her lifestyle was just so beautifully portrayed in movies and I think that is what we are caught up in... obviously not the reality of her life. And these are gorgeous!

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  19. ahhh Marie Antoinette. She has been such a inspiration. Most definitely for her bon bon glamour!

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  20. LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I wanna go watch the movie with Kirsten Dunst now!

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  21. she is everything I want to be hhahahaha really loving the inspired pieces

    Delightful Ideas
    $25 Paypal Giveaway

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  22. Wow... I'm a stranger in these parts but I must say that these are a beauty! I guess I need to do a lil homework... Thank u for sharing!

    Xoxo
    Lynn

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  23. Those earrings are stunning!

    Corinne x
    www.skinnedcartree.com

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  24. Oh, you've found such fabulous items! The detailing on those earrings is just amazing! I actually don't have any Marie Antoinette inspired items either. The dessert forks would suit me perfectly, I do love cake. Haha! Have a fabulous day!

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  25. I don't have a vastly strong opinion of Marie Antoinette personally but I think her ostentatious lifestyle is admired now for its aesthetic value. I appreciate that she didn't give up who she was as a person. =)
    xo,
    nancy

    http://adoretoadorn.blogspot.com

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  26. I don't think poor Marie was in touch or had a clue why her people were so livid. She layered and insulated herself from facing truth I believe and couldn't see the dangerous element out there that mob mentality can have.

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  27. she was definitely sensationalized. very glamourous, but also very sad. i don't own anything inspired by her, but i'm sure i wouldn't say no to it, either!

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  28. wow! i love that artwork! gorg!

    http://simplysassysstyle.blogspot.com/

    dawn

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  29. It's funny, about Marie Antoinette. She's portrayed as a glamourous, selfish, haughty woman but the longer I lived in France and learned about her life, the more I came to feel for her. I think she lived a very unhappy, unsatisfying life. These pieces are lovely, though! They have a fairytale quality :)
    xox,
    Cee

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  30. i actually do not let alone know anything about her haha hope your well kim..

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  31. I love everything Paris inspired! I think its such a beautiful city. I too would probably run around and buy everything in sight! :)

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  32. I do not have any Marie Antoinette items but I do have to say that I find her very interesting. I think much of my fascination comes from her being so glamorous.

    Tracy @ Sunny Days and Starry Nights

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  33. inspiring http://differentcands.blogspot.kr/2013/09/plaid-shirt.html

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  34. It is interesting that a woman who was reviled in her time is now something of an icon. I do enjoy the baroque styling of items inspired by her though it's not really consistent with my sense of style. Thanks for this thought provoking post Kim!

    Rowena @ rolala loves

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  35. I love the fact that she supported art and talent but her need for over consumption was a bit too scary. I believe in good balance and being aware of the conditions around you before indulging in something fancy. I love the details from those times though. :)

    xx
    Heel in Mint

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  36. It definitely was the glamour! Love all these picks from etsy!

    Have a great day!
    Grace
    A Southern Drawl

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  37. I'm not sure I'd ever buy anything with Marie Antoinette on it, but it's certainly fun to look at all the ball gowns and glitz.
    Chic on the Cheap

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  38. What an interesting post! I do like the style. Love those earrings, would just need an occasion to wear them :D. Trip to Paris would be great!
    sparkle2day.com

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  39. this was like a fun history/style lesson! she is a style icon!

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  40. Have read her story so many times and I however love the glamor to it too and the sadness.
    The earrings I would buy for sure.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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  41. Dear Kim, I wrote an essay of her as a student, she is indeed a very interesting figure.Thanks for your twist on her - made me think of her again- haven't done that in years. Happy day sweets,
    Ax

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  42. i have yet to delve into her story..all i know about her is this glamorous image she has in pop culture today.

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  43. True had everything and yet he felt empty, maybe I did something more for his people had not been so sad, this selection is beautiful, I have nothing of Marie Antoinette, you left me thinking Kim! I think I want something :)
    Someday I'm sure Paris will travel.

    www.urbanikamoda.blogspot.com

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  44. I don’t own anything Marie Antoinette but her story and life is pretty interesting.

    I enjoy these quirky posts of yours.

    Love,
    Sonshu
    www.thesonshu.com

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  45. I read a book about her and her last days during the revolution a causality of circumstance. Maybe you could be her for Halloween

    Ali of Dressing Ken

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  46. I'm intrigued by her....
    i had not realized there was a "style" dedicated to her.. where have i been ?
    BTW -the earrings are mad.

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