Book review time! I first saw this book when I went in for an interview earlier this year and jotted down the name super fast - Hell's Princess - The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men. Honestly, how does that title NOT catch your attention? After reading the synopsis later, I knew I had to read it based on this:
Victorian/Edwardian Eras - We all know I'm a huge sucker for this subject alone.
Real life murder mystery - Let's just not mention how many serial killer documentaries I've watched, it's bad.
It's not Jack the Ripper - Seriously, anytime a Victorian serial killer is brought up, it's usually Jack the Ripper or H.H. Holmes, so it's nice to have some new material.
It starts like most true crime stories do. Brynhild Paulsdatter Størset (Belle's original name) was a Norwegian immigrant to Chicago, Illinois, during the latter half of the 1800s. She had a seemingly normal childhood, aside from some noticeable character flaws, but nothing that was outside of the norm for that time. She worked, later married, had some children and a buried a couple, adopted another child, and then the husband died under questionable - but not completely mysterious - circumstances.
And that's the first 16 pages of the book.
In May, I was invited to the New Concord Library to do a Victorian Tea Event. I did a brief talk about Victorian history and major highlights of it, a dress demo in my early bustle dress so that everyone could see the layers, and we made fans and calling cards afterward while enjoying tea and nibbles.
I've mused for eons and toyed for forever about what to do with this blog. Over the last couple of years, I drifted into other realms of sewing and research and moved somewhat away from all things Victorian. As they did not go with the theme I had originally set up, I did not do heavy posting, but I've sincerely missed blogging. Sooo long story short, I figured the best thing to do was hit re-boot.
So The Modish Victorian is further more Calevey's Closet.
I've titled the blog after the name I do other social media postings under ("Calevey" is just a name my weird little brain came up with, and "Closet" refers to where I keep most of my interests stored), and then that way, I'll be able to connect everything together seamlessly as well. With a broader name, I can then encompass all my interests as well.
A small update on life as well. I recently began a new job working at the local library (aka, my dream job). For now it's part time, so I've had more time lately for sewing, but I also get to wear more of my creations as I'm not limited to a black and white only wardrobe for work. Huzzah!
As I'm about to do a small flood of posts for what I was up to during the month of May, here's a picture of Daisy the Dog, part-time sewing companion, often times couch lounger.
