Latest Posts by marchesaofthemountains - Page 6
Grace Kelly
The Gnome falls in love with the Princess, from The Brown Fairy Book by Henry Justice Ford (1904)
Cleopatra, 1863 by Thomas Francis Dicksee (English, 1819–1895)
Joyful hobbies for the fabulous-minded
1. Learning languages
Learning languages is not only for communication but also for broadening your mind. Figuring out different modes of thinking, learning about other cultures, being able to pronounce words from different geographies is never not fun!
2. Gardening - inhouse plants
Not all of us is blessed with yards, but we can all appreciate taking care of beautiful greens. It teaches patience and train you to notice small details. Nothing makes a room pleasant as a beautiful plant. I have more than 30 plants in my house - the secret is to start with simplest species and up your way to more complicated ones.
3. Writing
Journaling has always been popular but I doubt it is everyone's cup of tea (including yours truly). However, writing small articles and collections for your own eyes helps clearing your mind. And why not try dabbling in fiction, if so inclined?
4. Dancing
A hard one for me! But for everyone who has a little rhythm inside, learning to dance with a partner is a fun challenge. I believe everyone should be able to waltz, even in the simplest way.
5. Sewing (or studying the basics of dressmaking)
Sewing is not only a hobby but also a life saver. Altering clothing to fit properly or designing items for you feels magical.
Understanding how garments are built is crucial for dressing yourself. Understanding cuts and materials also help you assess the worth of an item, so you can decide if a piece is worth splurging on. You could also choose to recreate an item for yourself if you are not able to purchase it for any reason.
6. Learning to cook (impressive recipes)
We all feed ourself in some way, but I strongly believe that everyone should have at least a few recipes with a wow factor in their arsenal.
7. Reading fiction
I see that reading self help books are quite popular, and I do understand the allure. However reading fiction (classics and also contemporary works) is at least as useful as non-fiction, it teaches as much. Fiction is a way to understand ourself and understand humanity, and it should be appreciated for personal growth.
Hope this short list makes you inspired to discover more joyful hobbies!
With love,
Marchesa
Charles James Ball Gowns, New York, 1948
Photograph by Cecil Beaton
A few notes on indulging in media consumption
When I pay attention to what media I consume and how those make me feel, I realize some of the things I enjoy actually affect me negatively on the long run.
I enjoy listening to Miss Taylor Swift and get nostalgic about previous loves as much as anyone, but I have to realize I gain literally nothing by doing that - I only get drained.
I quite like some shows (and some high quality ones are worth watching, art puts life into perspective) but binge watching Elite will never be as valuable as sitting down to study Castillian Spanish and I have to act accordingly.
I dislike overly-dramatic tear-jerkers, victimhood-inducing news, and all types of media indirectly promoting pity parties.
Writing this as a reminder for myself, as I quite enjoy such stuff from time to time. One needs to discipline herself in terms of what she puts into her brain.
With love,
Marchesa
Hello dears,
I'm starting this new account to document my journey further into becoming my best self. I've been dabbling in this side of tumblr for years now, and I feel like it's time that I dedicate a space for my endevours.
I will be documenting my experiences, sharing my thoughts and reblogging posts from the gorgeous people of this community.
With love,
Marchesa