costume planning

I've decided I'm done wishing there was a fun 1830s event. I'm going to make one. We're going to attempt to do this Pimpernel Dinner Style or Francaise Dinner style. I've emailed my top choice of restaurants the Joseph Ambler Inn, my first choice date is April 20th so that Katherine can come as it's her spring break.

Then Amanda came online and she's SO good at getting me all wound up and exponentially expanding our plans. So they have a lovely 12 acres of grounds and why on earth don't we do a picnic lunch on the grounds for anyone who wants to and then I could make a day dress. (obviously nto everyone would want to so it's more of a suggestion) and then formal hopefully-candle-lit dinner in the evening. And I need to find a butt load of candelabras.

Current short list of names:

• Princess Victoria Dinner
• King William IV's 7th Jubilee, please dress in the fashions from his reign
• Something British Empire something
• A romanticism party
• Hans Christian Andersons fairy tales were first publish, something something fairy tales
• Big sleeve party

I'm confess I'm struggling to find something elegant and concise but not a specific year. I'm kind of circling the drain. I do want to leave it open for people who aren't into the GIANT 1830s sleeves to err early or late.

Also Roku is on his way over the rainbow bridge. The little old chinchilla has been declining and yesterday he pretty much stopped eating. I knew he wouldn't live forever...but that doesn't mean I didn't want him too. I'm fairly sure he won't live through the night and I'm struggling to not just sit and stare at him creepily telling him I love him. 12 is really old for a petsmart chinchilla.