▼

Tuesday, 14 April 2009

34 - 24 - 34


Well I don't know about that...

Josephine looks more like she has an 18 inch waist than a 24 inch waist - but I am not going to depress myself by measuring. Josephine and I met yesterday - as she is a Napoleonic gal, it seemed only right that she be called Josephine - and struck up an immediate friendship when I was browsing the antique market in L'Isle sur la Sorgue. On the Easter weekend there is a three day fair where vendors travel from many different regions of France to set up shop and sell their goods. She had lost her home and all her worldly goods so I could do nothing but rescue her and bring her home. (I am unaware of the very sad and miserable circumstances that found her standing alone in a crowded market place but over time I am sure I will discover her life story.)

I have always been searching for someone like Josephine - I am not sure exactly why, but the idea of a dressmaker's form in my bedroom has always appealed. Think about it... She can eat as many chocolates over Easter as she wants without loosing her perfect figure (I hope I was not the only one who indulged in a big way this Easter - poor little E bunny was exhausted keeping up the chocolates) and she can wear whatever she wants when she wants. Josephine never has to worry about the season or if something is in fashion - she can be as eccentric as she likes. She is so tiny she can wear as many fabulous layers as she wants, so she will never be cold when the weather turns unexpectedly and she doesn't ever have to think about covering up her arms....isn't she a dream. Josephine is very well preserved for her age - she must have really looked after herself  - loads of exercise, drank masses of water, slept well...you know the drill. 

She is really an inspiration - if only I could look like that when I am 159....xv

on

57 comments:

  1. Fabulously French14 April 2009 at 09:12

    I adore her, she is exactly what I have been looking for.

    You are lucky to find one as they are getting harder and harder to find.

    à bientôt

    Leeann x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rebecca Corvese14 April 2009 at 09:19

    I agree, I agree! To have the body that we had when we were 18! And if only we knew how good we looked then!

    BTW... you've been tagged!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jan14 April 2009 at 11:25

    oh yes, she had to be rescued (will this be her final resting place I wonder?)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Zita - Mlle Magpie14 April 2009 at 11:26

    Josephine looks fabulous! I'm so glad you're giving her a good home, what with everything she's been through over all those years :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Debra14 April 2009 at 11:56

    I have a lovely lady friend that has her wedding dress {1950's} on a beautiful old dress form~ in her bedroom. It's gorgeous.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Amanda14 April 2009 at 12:07

    She is gorgeous, and such perfect shape! I too have a beautiful antique dressmakers mannequin, named Florence. She is a little more shapely like myself but still something I aspire too.

    Happy (belated) Easter! xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lee14 April 2009 at 12:26

    Josephine is simply beautiful and I am glad that she has found such a wonderful home where she will be cared for and pampered. Lee :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. A Gift Wrapped Life14 April 2009 at 13:33

    So strange!......was just thinking about these yesterday and how I would love one. You are so lucky to have found her....she does look fabulous for her age. Hope you had a great weekend. My questions are coming, finally!
    XO

    ReplyDelete
  9. ceecee14 April 2009 at 13:49

    Josephine is stunning! She is in such great condition - and shape! My mother wanted a dress form for the longest time and finally found one just as she moved into a new home last year. She put it in the bedroom and dressed it in her wedding gown. It scared my father half to death as he was trying to get acclimated to his new surroundings...In the middle of the night it looked just like a ghost standing in the corner!! Ha!
    Your weekend sounds wonderful.
    Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  10. Rose14 April 2009 at 13:50

    I agree- she is in great shape! what a lovely find- jealous me... surely not... Hope you had a great Easter

    ReplyDelete
  11. Mary14 April 2009 at 13:53

    A Napoleonic Barbie.....pretty - but - sigh - that ship sailed 40 years ago. But a wonderful reminder of what once was.

    ReplyDelete
  12. MrsLittleJeans14 April 2009 at 13:55

    I wish I had one too, or maybe not because my husband would throw his clothes on her. Also, my cat would wrestle her. Still, I really like her. Wow, what a figure, so elegant, such posture.

    Bon Mardi!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mary14 April 2009 at 14:23

    I love Josephine--thank you for placing her in front of the beautiful fireplace and mirror. Josephine must feel right at home in so beautiful a bedroom. Have a great week.
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  14. Linda@ Lime in the Coconut14 April 2009 at 14:35

    Ahh Poor josephine...and beheaded too. Not from Versaille you say?

    She'll be fun to decorate!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Millie14 April 2009 at 14:54

    The perfect union Vicki - you & the marvellous Josephine, you were meant to find each other! If we could read her mind it would be saying 'Oh thank goodness, I'm so relieved to be in such beautiful, elegant surroundings - exactly where I belong'.
    Millie ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mindy14 April 2009 at 15:02

    What a fantastic find! I cannot imagine owning Josphine. Think of all the people she has met and garments she helped create. I so pleased for you and a tiny bit jealous. She is truly magnifique!

    ReplyDelete
  17. benson14 April 2009 at 15:05

    such a tiny little thing :) You are so lucky to have such great flea markets...the flea markets around here don't offer such things as sweet Josephine. Enjoy her!

    ReplyDelete
  18. for the love of a house14 April 2009 at 15:42

    Josephine is lovely! What a great find! Ahh, L'lsle sur la Sorgue... sweet memories!

    I'm swooning over that floor, simply gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Unknown14 April 2009 at 16:15

    Josephine is beautiful! You were so lucky to find eachother! I must admit that I was not only staring longingly at Josephine but also at that gorgeous fireplace!
    Have a wonderful day Vicki!
    xoxo
    Judith~

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mélanie14 April 2009 at 16:37

    I adore your story , it is totally inspiring.
    I would love to be like her too

    ReplyDelete
  21. CashmereLibrarian14 April 2009 at 16:41

    Have you read "I Capture the Castle?" A family lived in a tumble-down castle; the two daughters shared a leaky bedroom with an individual who was perhaps a relative of Josephine's. I can't remember what they called her (Mrs. Blossom?), but she offered very sage advice. I'm sure Josephine is very canny as well, given all she's seen!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Di Overton14 April 2009 at 16:47

    Mine is called Bertha because she has big boobs. I have her right next to my desk with an antique lace collar and a vintage cream felt hat. I have had her since 1980. Bertha would be so envious of Josephine's waistline.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Unknown14 April 2009 at 16:49

    You lucky! I love this--I've always loved antique dress forms, I'm sure it will look fetching in your bedroom!

    ReplyDelete
  24. alice14 April 2009 at 16:54

    She certainly has aged well!
    She's a fabulous addition to your finds!

    ReplyDelete
  25. My Notting Hill14 April 2009 at 17:14

    I've been searching for a Josephine too! My daughter wants one for her room. Looking forward to seeing what she'll be wearing.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Auntie sezzzzzz...14 April 2009 at 17:47

    She isssssss lovely! Oh oh yes, wouldn't you just love to know the history of 'Josephine'????

    Then again, I'm sure you can compose one, after living with her, for a while. If you listen carefully, she'll probably whisper segments of her history to you, now and then. Please do come back and tell us.

    'Aunt Amelia'

    ReplyDelete
  27. Kelli14 April 2009 at 18:56

    Josephine is beautiful!!!
    I am sure you and her will become the best of friends.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Salon de Sucre14 April 2009 at 20:00

    ah she is pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Shelly Beson14 April 2009 at 20:13

    I remember being measured my freshman year in high school in sewing class and those were my measurements. Major sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Fifi Flowers14 April 2009 at 20:16

    Ooooooh... I soooo want those measurements!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Mrs. Limestone14 April 2009 at 21:14

    Love it! I've been on the prowl for a dressmakers form myself and I have yet to find one so pristine. A great treasure!

    ReplyDelete
  32. ~h~14 April 2009 at 21:16

    She's perfect! I have one in our bedroom, too. She wears my jewelry proudly.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Courtney14 April 2009 at 21:59

    Oh, Vicki, she is an inspiration at 159 years old, and I can see why you struck up an immediate friendship! I've wished to have a Josephine in my life as well, and maybe someday I will be so lucky too. xo

    ReplyDelete
  34. a.14 April 2009 at 23:11

    I love it! I have one used by Charles James.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Helen14 April 2009 at 23:48

    I can only imagine how much fun you are going to have 'outfitting' her. I remember when I was 17 and my waist measured 18". Unfortunately my bust was 24" and my hips 21". I looked like a stick figure.

    ReplyDelete
  36. FrenchGardenHouse15 April 2009 at 01:30

    She is a dream! You are right to adore her, just divine.
    {we can't even hate her for eating chocolates without gaining...she is so great!}
    Lidy

    ReplyDelete
  37. Katrina15 April 2009 at 01:56

    Ooo wow! She is lovely. How lucky to find her :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Miss Kris15 April 2009 at 02:21

    Hi Vicki~

    What a delightful FIND! You indeed did find a new friend, very sad to see this BEAUTY all alone at the market. Looks as though she has a new and FABULOUS home!!!

    A very sweet story! Miss Kris

    ReplyDelete
  39. annechovie15 April 2009 at 02:46

    How beautiful, Vicki - I dig Josephine! I also LOVE your floors!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Callie Grayson15 April 2009 at 02:55

    what a lovely find!
    Josephine will be very happy to be in your lovely home.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Jeanne Oliver15 April 2009 at 03:05

    She is beautiful...and has a great figure!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Pamela Terry and Edward15 April 2009 at 04:25

    Oooh, she's beautiful. I think I would be tempted to try my hand at dressmaking if she lived in my house!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. corine15 April 2009 at 04:35

    I'm not jealous of Jo but of you L'isle sur la Sorgue? Drool.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Anonymous15 April 2009 at 10:29

    That is a FIND to envy! I want one too!

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonymous15 April 2009 at 11:31

    I love Josephine. I've always wanted one but have never stumbled across one yet... one day xo

    ReplyDelete
  46. Irina15 April 2009 at 12:12

    don't know why it gave me 'anonymous'...
    i did put my name :-(
    Irina

    ReplyDelete
  47. Irina15 April 2009 at 12:17

    I would like to add... I love the room too! the fireplace, floor, basket, just gorgeous!
    Irina

    ReplyDelete
  48. My Castle in Spain15 April 2009 at 13:04

    Mon Dieu...oui Joséphine est merveilleuse !
    Vicki, you are so indeed lucky to have found her...
    i'm stil waiting for mine..ok, i've got a nice metal one in shape of a cage which i managed to get at a fleamarket here after fighting with a German man who wanted it too.
    did you have to fight for Joséphine too?
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Queen Of The Armchair aka Dzintra Stitcheries15 April 2009 at 14:56

    What a find Vicki...and I'm sure she has come to a good home. Had a chuckle at Ebunny keeping up with all the chocolates ♥x

    ReplyDelete
  50. Marie15 April 2009 at 15:40

    J'adore the dress form...every boudoir should have one! If I could only have those measurements now ;)
    -marie

    ReplyDelete
  51. Blue Muse15 April 2009 at 16:16

    Ohhhh Josephine is perfect. I have been looking for her for awhile now - I'm glad you found her and gave her such a lovely home!
    My search continues...
    xo Isa

    ReplyDelete
  52. ticklishfromadistance15 April 2009 at 19:59

    I would take the body I had at 25!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Noel Solomon16 April 2009 at 02:14

    Vicki, What a find. I have a dress form in my bedroom but don't love it as much as her. I love the dark stand shes on. And yes, if we could.. eat as many chocolates as we wish! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Anonymous16 April 2009 at 07:40

    Gorgeous!
    I've been looking for something like that for my elder daughter's bedroom for AGES. Guess I was just looking in the wrong places ;-).

    ReplyDelete
  55. Ali @ Betty and Violet16 April 2009 at 21:23

    I completely understand why she could not be left alone in the market all by herself ~ I too would have rescued her if I had the chance!
    She is beautiful ~ I would love another Josephine for my own home...sigh...

    ReplyDelete
  56. Josephine Tale Peddler18 April 2009 at 13:55

    I love her too and she has the best name! I have a black one and I love her except I'm never quite sure of where to put her!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Ingrid Mida24 April 2009 at 01:02

    I have an antique mannequin but I never thought of giving her a name!!! And I haven't even checked her measurements.
    Your blog is divine.
    Thanks for stopping by mine (Fashion is my Muse) and posting a comment.
    I adore all things French.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting French Essence... I love to read your comments and I hope you will be back often... xv