Marie Antoinette's

I recently saw the Bazar behind the scenes footage from a photo shoot featuring Sarah who was the Duchess of York.  The visual cues connecting the image and scene to the 2006 film Marie Antoinette are obvious.   While one might ponder the deeper meaning of aligning herself with the tragic queen, I was taken by the...cakes and pastries!




The amazing pastries and confections were created just for the filming by the infamous Laduree bakery in Paris.  Sadly, they do not have a shop near me, but they do feature many of their desserts on the website.  They offer the Marie Antoinette tribute cake, which was featured in the film, and smaller bites. yum...just yum...

Inspired by all the talk of Royal Weddings, I have compiled some lush images straight from Sofia Coppola's 2006 interpretation of Marie Antoinette's royal wedding.  The wedding was only a brief chapter in the movie, but the filming, costumes, decor and choreography were very impressive.  The ceremony was shot in quite a bit more detail than I had expected, and even the reception is included (with full dances and toasts!).  Reception photos after the jump!

Ok everyone, enjoy all the royal wedding fuss! Lets have a relaxing weekend. Pull out the pearls and hey, why not open a bottle of champagne? Cheers!

 If you have seen the modern interpretatios of Marie Antoinette and Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire's lives on teh big screen, you may have noticed the amazing difference between the weddings each of the women had. 

Which did you perfer? Georgiana's ceremony? Private, glowing, formal ...cozy?



 Or perhaps you like Marie Antoinette's ceremony better? Lavish, sparkling, formal luxe?



What do you think?

Birthday scene from Marie Antoinette, 2006.

I have been on the hunt for candles that wont leave dark soot marks on my ceilings.  (Although it may be nice, my walls are not stone so I really need to keep them clear of such marks!)  I asked around on Twitter to see if anyone had any suggestions and @wwmariedo pointed me in the direction of the historic candle company, Cire Trudon.

The company was founded in 1647 when a shopkeeper, Trudon, sold candles, constantly working to improve the quality of each one. His craftsmanship of the candles did not go unnoticed and by 1719 Trudon was creating candles for French nobles and the royal family.

The business was a success and the family was able to carry on the company.  The company famously catered to the court of Louis XIV and supplied candles for Versailles, commissioned by Marie Antoinette herself.  Today the company still makes high quality candles in their historic tradition.  The vegetable based wax burns for a long time and they use a pure cotton wick.

The scents of the candles are almost like recipes, they are layered and sometimes blended.  I am particularly fond of the historic varieties.  The company has made candles for Dior and also supplied the candles that decorated and lit the screen for Sofia Coppola's 2006 version of Marie Antoinette. Did you notice the candles in the film??


Trianon
The picking of jacinth, roses, white flowers, wild herbs from the meadows and graminaccous plants, this bunch of flowers reminds us of an ideal nature, that of the Nouvelle Heloise and the country life dreams of Marie Antoinette. vibrating with the memory of a summer evening and the warm musk scent of torches, this candle is a homage to the Queen of taste who inspired so many candles to Maison de cire Trudon.
Head: Galbanum, cyclamen. Heart: Jacinth, Rose white flowers. Bottom: Musk

La Marquise
The cheerful and powdered air of a delicious boudoir: verbena and lemon stimulate the sensuality of the white flowers and the rose. This perfume at once tender and clever, keeps up all the sharpness of Madame de Pompadour's conversations and the voluptuous charms of the Rocaille chic.
Head: Verbena, lemon, citronella. Heart: Rose. Bottom: Cedar, Rosewood.

Roi Soleil
Fragrance of the Mirror Gallery and the vast wooden floor of the Chateau de Versailles, vapours of wax, candelabras and palace. This kingly and solar perfume blends a green and wooded wake of coniferous trees to the sumptuous dizziness of incense with a light ray of citrus.
Head: green leaves, eucalyptus, orange. Heart: fir's bark. Bottom: cedar, incense.


Versailles has recently begun selling Let Them Eat Cake Coconut candles, and I wanted to buy a few but they have already sold out, so I can't report back on them...yet.  But They are selling a bust of Marie Antoinette in candle form, by Cire Trudon! How fabulous is this!

There are several other fragrances and candles that look quite divine so I encourage you to check out the website at http://ciretrudon.com/.  Some other brands that I like include Voluspa candles and Bluewick.  If you have any other suggestions please let me know. If you try any of these candles I would love to hear what you think!

I would like to know who is responsible for this? Send them my way!! Bravo to the creator they made me nearly giggle out loud! Enjoy!

An account of preparations for Marie Antoinette's arrive onto French soil, in a prepared pavilion made of wood, and richly decorated. You may recall Sofia Coppola's vision of the ceremony which occurred there, posted below.


"The Crown Upholsterer is here; he brought furniture and tapestry from the Garde-Meuble, and is being assisted by the most expert workmen in the town. Cardinal de Rohan lends his own carpets to decorate the two ante rooms, French and Austrian. The Lutheran University lends a daïs,* and a state-chair, in crimson and gold; the Grand-Chapter a velvet carpet in the same colour; the Prince de Lorraine a cover for the principal table; other wealthy residents send tabourets et banquettes. It is hoped that all will be ready towards the end of April. Meanwhile the pavilion de remise becomes the aim and object of sightseers."


The arrival scene by Sofia Coppola, Marie Antoinette, 2006.


*A daïs is a raised platform.

Here is a friendly reminder that there are only 3 more days to enter for your chance to win a prize for the Gossip Party Give-Away!

Details on how to enter are at the bottom of this post!

You Can Win...
Up for grabs are Marie Antoinette, (2006 Region 1,) directed by Sofia Coppola. Candy classic for your collection! The costumes (if you have not seen it) are amazing!

Also the fun & fabulous book Queen of Fashion by Caroline Weber. It really takes a close look at what Marie Antoinette wore and when she wore it. I swear it highlights the significance of each piece of taffeta!

Lastly we have Madame de Pompadour: Mistress of France, in hardcover. This book is so engaging it will keep the pages turning! It has some great images inside and you really get a clear image of life during the court of Louis XV!

Get your entries in,and don't forget to enter Heather's Give Away for your chance to win The Duchess (DVD) & Georgiana (biography!) And finally, good luck!!

Architecture. It all starts with a dramatic view of fabulous architecture! This is actually what started my comparisons a few weeks back, the fun architectural shots! Here we have Marie Antoinette on the left and The Duchess on the right.

Men at Dining Tables. Introducing the 18th century man of the house. Husbands! they can usually be found at the dining table as is the case here!


The Upset Walk. Not everything is fine and dandy in a socialites life. Sometimes times get tough and overwhelmed you walk quickly through your home :o(


The Other Man. Things get a little happier though when another man comes around. The other man shot is a classic!


Dramatic Stare. But having another man is stressful! What are you to do with 2 men?? LIFE IS TOUGH **
:o( Here we get serious as we stare into our husbands eyes and think ____.


Running in Gowns. Unable to cope with it anymore emotions take control and the only solution is to run dramatically in full dress through the house!


Sex. Alright ladies! Time to cool down, 18th century style!


The Dramatic 'All Eyes On Her' Pose. After all is said and done we cannot forget that all eyes are on the stars here. The toughest part of being in the spotlight is that you cannot escape it.