Tag: Annabelle Troy

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Eat Your Rosebuds While Ye May

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Alice in Wonderland, a character in Annabelle Troy’s whimsical novel Jane Eyre Gets Real, loves roses. To combat the #coronavirus blues she is planning on holding a celebration tea on June 8th, the day #NewYorkCity is scheduled to come out of #lockdown. Not only will she serve everything on rose-patterned china, the menu too will be based on this classic flower. Keep in mind that roses in their natural state are edible–beware though of long-stemmed beauties from the florist’s, as they might have been treated with insecticides harmful to humans. Alice’s Rosy Menu: Rose Jelly on Crumpets–aka Rose Jam https://www.gourmeturca.com/rose-jam Organic … Continue reading Eat Your Rosebuds While Ye May

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Very Victorian #Work from Home Problems

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As the #corona virus lock-down continues,  characters in the novel Jane Eyre Gets Real by Annabelle Troy remind you that #quarantine was no cinch for Victorians either. Here they recount some common frustrations from the past, when scarlet fever, measles or cholera forced men to stay at home–remember, women were always there anyway: You’ve Raided the Pantry More than the Mice You’ve Worn the Same Waistcoat Three Days in a Row   You Miss the Conviviality of Eating Eel Pie in Company Only Date You’ve Had in Months is With a Postcard This is Your #Netflix       Continue reading Very Victorian #Work from Home Problems

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Don’t Deface Queen Anne’s Lace!

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Jane Eyre, the heroine of Jane Eyre Gets Real by Annabelle Troy, is not pleased being stuck in contemporary NYC during #Covid-19. As spring commences she longs to be back in Thornfield Hall, dodging madwomen and strolling through the surrounding woods, picking flowers to make into medicine and jewelry. Jane’s favorite wildflower has always been #Queen Anne’s lace. Queen Anne herself was the last of the Stuart monarchs, reigning only five years (between 1702-1707). Best-known today as the gouty, rabbit-loving lesbian from the film The Favourite, where she is played by Oscar winner #OliviaColman, the real Anne was probably quite likable … Continue reading Don’t Deface Queen Anne’s Lace!

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Masks: Not Just For #Superheroes Anymore!

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Dorian Gray, the most enigmatic character in Annabelle Troy’s Jane Eyre Gets Real, knows all about #masks. Though #Covid-19 forces us to don disposable masks daily,  Dorian was imprinted with a permanent mask of beauty to hide his tormented soul and nefarious actions. More than anyone, he knows that all masks are not made of paper, recycled ocean plastic or cloth. For your distraction, Dorian presents his favorite masks: Venetian: Worn for centuries during Carnival, crafty Venetians also donned these elaborate creations for normal occasions, such as clandestine affairs and spying on their enemies. Because they really allow to you to … Continue reading Masks: Not Just For #Superheroes Anymore!

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Who Was That Masked #Easter Bunny?

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Heidi, the youngest character in Jane Eyre Gets Real by Annabelle Troy always looks forward to Easter. The holiday matches her own innocent, optimistic and spring-like personality. So she was especially proud to learn that in her home country, #Switzerland, you can buy chocolate bunnies wearing masks, a sweet response to #Covid19. Made in the tiny Baeckererei Bohnenblust Bakery of Bern–say that 3 times fast!–the little rabbits, each equipped with a spun sugar mask, are hopping off the shelves. To add to their charm every sugar mask is topped with a bright red heart. Bohnenblust may have been the first one to … Continue reading Who Was That Masked #Easter Bunny?

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How to Pamper An Invalid

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The concept of an invalid–a sick person confined for a long time to bed, usually at home– hasn’t had much play in modern life. But now that #coronavirus has changed everything, Jane Eyre is here to guide us on this very Victorian role. Below are some ways to spoil your special invalid during convalescence. Bed Jacket: First you might want to get them, if female, #transgnder or gender neutral, a Bed Jacket. This charming garment can be worn over a pajama top or tank then used later for evening wear or to dress up jeans. Lots of vintage examples, from … Continue reading How to Pamper An Invalid

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Gretel and Hansel: A #Grimm Tale

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Heidi, the youngest character in Jane Eyre Gets Real by Annabelle Troy, has always been something of a child icon. Therefore, she was eager to see Gretel and Hansel, a new movie based on the legendary fairy tale siblings. Spoiler Alert: review below does contain ending of film. Directed by Oz Perkins and starring Sophia Lillis, the film is beautifully shot. You instantly feel that you are trapped in a black forest, dark to the core. In this version Gretel is older than Hansel and, after their poverty-stricken mother goes insane, throwing an ax at her children to make them leave … Continue reading Gretel and Hansel: A #Grimm Tale

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Snow Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

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David Copperfield appears as a character in Jane Eyre Gets Real by Annabelle Troy. Some people say that Copperfield’s original creator, Charles Dickens, popularized the idea of a white Christmas–having written A Christmas Carol during a particularly stormy winter. Being then something of an expert on the subject, David gives us three variations of Victorian snow-related themes: 1. The #Snow Baby: a miniature figurine, in the shape of an infant or small child, engaged in some winter activity. The figure’s snowsuit is often covered in tiny pieces of crushed bisque which appear to glitter like snowflakes. The first snow babies were … Continue reading Snow Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

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Were Fairies the First #Ballerinas?

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If you are in any doubt, read The Grace of the Hunchback by Annabelle Troy–available on Amazon, for free Jan. 12, 13th and 14th. It is a novel based on real-life prima ballerina Marie Taglioni who, among other famous parts, played a sylph, the most ethereal type of fairy. The book is about her quest for love. However, it is not a romance; rather, it portrays Marie’s yearning for affection in a world where she plays a beauty on stage but spends her reality as an awkward outcast. Jane Eyre gives it 5 stars!     Continue reading Were Fairies the First #Ballerinas?

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Already Broken #NewYearResolutions

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The characters of Jane Eyre Gets Real by Annabelle Troy may be better known for their whimsy than their stamina. Below are the resolutions of the famous nine, which have proven to be a tall order: Hester Prynne: stop compulsively embroidering Alice in Wonderland: don’t follow strange rabbits Heidi: trade that dirndl for some North Face Emma Bovary: clip coupons Jane Eyre: don’t become engaged to already-married men Sherlock Holmes: no more mansplaining, even to Dr. Watson Mr. Darcy: never marry a bookish girl with an irritating mother & ineligible sisters David Copperfield: step up and be the hero of my own life … Continue reading Already Broken #NewYearResolutions

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Very Regency #Thanksgiving Problems

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Mr. Darcy, created by Jane Austen and recreated by Annabelle Troy in her book Jane Eyre Gets Real, didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. But if he had he might have faced these common Regency entertainment problems: Must Harvest Your Own Cranberries Plenty of Stove But No Stove Top Stuffing You WILL Be Judged On Your Napkins Your Dessert Just Isn’t Wobbly Enough Your Cook Thinks This Is A Turkey Continue reading Very Regency #Thanksgiving Problems

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Take It or Leaf It: Japanese Street Art

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Hester Prynne, of The Scarlet Letter fame, is the only Puritan character in Jane Eyre Gets Real by Annabelle Troy. As autumn comes to New York City, Hester keenly registers the turning of the leaves; as they drop she dreads the winter to come. Puritans viewed Nature as a hostile force (well, ok, they pretty much viewed everything as a hostile force..but Nature especially). They knew America would hold for them “a sharp and violent winter” (in the words of #Mayflower survivor William Bradford), in which sickness and starvation would be rampant. However, in modern day #Japan there are no such worries. A … Continue reading Take It or Leaf It: Japanese Street Art