Victorian Hotties of the Week: The Entire Professorial Staff of the Tuskegee Institute, Circa 1902

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George Washington Carver, Tuskegee

After our lengthy hiatus, we are long overdue for some Victorian hotties.  I know I owe you all, like, 125 weeks worth of hotties, so this week I bring you not one, not two, but…well, several.  Behold, the professorial staff (or some subset thereof) at Tuskegee Institute, circa 1902.  I found this while reading about George Washington Carver on Wikipedia earlier today.  He’s front row, center.

Yeah, I’m into most of the front row.  Far left and far right, I request your private tutelage.  Front row, second from left, I will be at your office hours every day.  I kind of can’t stop staring at Mr. Far Right.  The cheekbones! That smirk!  This is me in his class.

Can anyone identify any of the other men in this picture besides Carver?  Wikipedia didn’t have any links or references for anyone else in the photo.  I need names!

Happy Friday, everyone!

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Mr. Jefferson, my 2-year-old thanks you.

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thomas jefferson

Heather wrote a lovely post about our favorite Founding Foodie Thomas Jefferson a few years ago.  We’ve talked a lot about how amazing Mr. Jefferson was and how much we both admire him.  Somehow, I’ve managed to find a NEW reason to love Mr. Jefferson.  Thanks to him, there is always something on the kids’ menu my two-year-old daughter will eat.  Thank you, T.J., for macaroni and cheese!

Great Big Story Mac and Cheese

The linked video says that President Jefferson even served mac and cheese at a State dinner.  I love that idea!  I wanted to have BBQ at my wedding but thought maybe people would think it wasn’t “classy” enough.  But mac and cheese at a State dinner?  That’s another level.  Thank you, TJ!  As the video said, “Every time you reach for your favorite guilty pleasure cranky-child-placating-device, say a little thank you to Thomas Jefferson.”

 

 

Victorian Body Odor, also Happy Valentine’s Day?

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#lord melbourne, rufus sewell, Victoria

I covered Rufus Sewell’s charming portrayal of Lord Melbourne a few days ago. Let’s see him again, just for giggles.

I could cut myself slapping that face.

For all of you Vicbourne shippers out there (points at self), I have an article that might just ruin it for you. In case actual history hasn’t already ruined it for you (me).

There’s a new book out called “Victorians Undone: Tales of the Flesh in the Age of Decorum” by Kathryn Hughes.  The book doesn’t focus specifically on Queen Victoria, but the tidbit the Daily Mail picks out is about her and Lord M.  Apparently, Lord Melbourne advised Victoria in more than just matters of state.  He suggested she bathe more often and eat less.  I dare a man to tell me to eat less.  Bathe more…ok, sure.

Here’s the article: Daily Mail says Victoria smelled

According to Hughes’s book, when Victoria started gaining weight, Lord M recommended that she only eat when she’s hungry.  He also suggested she bathe more frequently because apparently she smelled pretty funky [1].  So all those soulful looks Rufus Sewell gives Jenna Coleman in Victoria are really just him concentrating really hard on breathing through his mouth?  No wonder he keeps sending her flowers to wear.

Imma take a step back.

Here’s a review of the book in The Guardian.

[1] But didn’t everyone smell back then?  Who was bathing regularly in 1830’s England?  I’m doubt Melbourne smelled like Old Spice all day long.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hiddleston

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cranford, crimson peak, tom hiddleston

Just yesterday, Taffy Brodesser-Akner posted a wonderful profile of one Tom Hiddleston in GQ. It’s extremely delightful, just like its subject, and is highly recommended reading (his enthusiasm about the Bolognese made me grin). Today also just so happens to be his actual birthday! If you’ve been following this blog for any period of time, you might be aware that we’re rather fond of this charming, dashing, sincere gentleman. I personally had the utter pleasure and delight of meeting him at Wizard World Philadelphia in 2016 and I still haven’t recovered from the encounter. He was incredibly kind, gracious, and endearing; so many people turned out to see him and he stayed late into the night to make sure everyone got their autographs and pictures. He also donated the entirety of his convention paycheck to charity.

(And, yes, since I know you all are wondering: he is, in fact, heart-stoppingly gorgeous in person. I’ve done a decent job thus far maintaining my composure in the presence of some of my favorite celebrities at conventions, but he’s enough to make even my steely hands shake.)

I truly can’t say enough wonderful things about him; I was crazy about him before but seeing his generosity, enthusiasm, and warmth in person cemented things for me for perpetuity.

So, to honor his 36th birthday, I give you an indulgent post filled with pictures of his beautiful self wearing Victorian period clothing. Let’s start with Crimson Peak, shall we?

Manatea

I received the cutest gift from my husband for Christmas.  It’s a manatee tea infuser! My favorite animal and my favorite hot beverage?  Yes, please!

The body of the manatee splits in half, and you fill his tail with tea leaves.  Then, you put him back together, and he sits in your mug.  It’s freaking adorable!  Now I can enjoy all the fancy loose-leaf tea that Heather brings me back from England at the office.  No teapot required.  I love him.