These antique baths from the mid-1800s feature several styles and shapes. Some appear very appealing for a relaxing soak with lots of bubbles. See them here.

This delightful tea party planning book combines the magic of Alice in Wonderland with the timeless charm of tea. Authors Dawn Hylton Gottlieb and Diane Sedo show readers how to create six of their own magical tea parties with “Alice” themes. Taking Tea with Alice: Looking-Glass Tea Parties and Fanciful Victorian Teas features recipes for … Continue reading Taking Tea with Alice →

Hemingway, Kerouac, Salinger. There are a few authors who might come to the mind of a young man in search of life lessons. But in this wonderfully readable new memoir, William Deresiewicz reveals that it was the works of Jane Austen that profoundly shaped him. Weaving his own story–and that of the creator of Pride … Continue reading A Jane Austen Education by William Deresiewicz →

Could this be a portrait of the Austen family around 1780? Is that little Jane reaching up? Visit Jane Odiwe's blog for an interesting discussion as to whether this could be the work of Ozias Humphry, presumed painter of the "Rice portrait." Scroll w-a-y down to the March 21 entry. (Two earlier entries lower down … Continue reading JA Family portrait? →

This campaign, "Become Someone Else" by the Lithuanian Agency called Love for Mint Vinetu is a clever concept, well executed. Here is what they said about it,"When one reads books, he/she starts living it and identifies (or not) with main hero. These print ads for the Mint Vinetu bookstore, which sells lots of classics, focuses … Continue reading Become someone else… →

There will be several performances of a new musical version of Emma at the Professional Performing Arts School at 328 W. 48th in Manhattan. The "workshop" performances (not fully staged) will run from May 11 to May 14 and cost $15. For further information please visit http://www.waterwell.org/

Craig Gillespie Appears Ready to Direct 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'Film School RejectsAuthor Seth Grahame-Smith took a Jane Austen classic about social repression, marriage, estates, and all of that 19 th century England stuff that Austen liked to write about, and he infused it with subtle elements of a zombie story. ...See all stories on … Continue reading Jane Austen on the Web →

Family history can take you on the journey of a lifetime. Not long ago this would have meant literally traveling to libraries and other locations around the world to scroll through reels of microfilm in dusty basements.Today it’s amazing what you can learn about your ancestors — and yourself — with just a little digging … Continue reading Starting Your Family History →

[Easter Bunny Fraktur, attributed to Johann Conrad Gilbert (1734–1812). Winterthur]Together with the Christmas tree, the custom of the Easter rabbit and colored eggs was brought to America by immigrants from southwestern Germany in the 1700s, and has become a favorite American tradition.Recently, the Winterthur Museum acquired one of the earliest known American depictions of the … Continue reading Happy Easter! →