Pique-Nique Preview: October Corn Maize Extravaganza

Ah, my dears, here we are again planning the next fabulous Pique Nique! We ladies here at HQ have decided to skip September, as it is a very busy month for many of us and you, and so the next Societe event will be in OCTOBER.

This time we are traveling to a Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch, to spend a day frolicking, getting lost, finding ourselves again, and enjoying the lovely October weather, a delightful luncheon, and the fabulous companies of one another!

Details are forthcoming, regarding location, though it may be a spot more of a drive than usual, to get out to the farm fields. There will also be a small fee for those wishing to go through the maze or purchase pumpkins - this is payable to the farm, not to Le Societe de PiqueNique.

Suggestions for costume:

Victorian, Neo-Victorian, Goth, Steampunk, Edwardian, and Gorey-esque. Georgian, and Regency are also welcome. Add a historical twist to a witch, zombie, warlock, vampyre. The possibilities are endless!

Do keep in mind that this location is a farm setting, so dress for dirt and walking!

More details and information will follow, along with the proper announcement, invitations, and so on, the closer we get to October.

Photos: Italiana!

What an overwhelming success Le Societe's "Italiana" picnic was!

The setting was beautiful, the weather really quite tolerable (though I heard there was some stripping down to corsets and petticoats *GASP!*), and the company superb!

Enjoy these photos from the day! Photos are by Greg Dougherty and Leo Braz.

Ladies, If You Please...

My dear female readers, on behalf of a dear friend would you kindly fill out the poll? We here at Le Societe thank you!

Photos: Sphinx & Drinks Egyptian Pique Nique

This past Sunday was Le Societe's second event, the "Sphinx N' Drinks" Egyptian-themed picnic at the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose, CA.


It was a lovely event, with perfectly warm and breezy weather, a handful of old friends and new ones, and many fabulous costumes. Enjoy the pictures below, and do be enticed to attend our next event, "Italiana!" (click through to view the invitation).This past Sunday was Le Societe's second event, the "Sphinx N' Drinks" Egyptian-themed picnic at the Rosicrucian Museum in San Jose, CA.
It was a lovely event, with perfectly warm and breezy weather, a handful of old friends and new ones, and many fabulous costumes. Enjoy the pictures below, and do be enticed to attend our next event, "Italiana!" (click through to view the invitation).

Event: Italiana! at Villa Montalvo

Come join Le Societe on the front lawn of the incredible Villa Montalvo in Saratoga, August 23rd, for picnic-time fun, games, lounging, and lookin' pretty.August's event is all about the flavors of Italy. Dress up in your Venetian and Florentine clothing (yes, we're inviting Renaissance!!), or imagine you're touring the vineyards in your favorite Victorian, Regency, Georgian, or Edwardian costume.


Wine, cheese, and tasty Italian meats are a must at this event. Also remember to bring plenty of drinks, a blanket to sit on, sun protection, games and diversions, and your camera. Le Societe does not provide food, drinks, or music, so bring along these things if you like.


Hope to see you there! This event is open to everyone, so bring your friends!

Date: Sunday, 23 August 2009
Time: 11:00a - 5:00p
Villa Montalvo
15400 Montalvo Road
Saratoga, CA

(Click the image to view a large version of the invitation.)

Fun With Summer Sips - 3 Drinks from RealSimple

It's true, a certain Societe blogger has been very bad about writing updates about the upcoming "Sphinx N' Drinks" picnic.

To make up for it, here are three drink recipes I picked up from Real Simple magazine. Make up a pitcher to bring to the picnic, or mix the ingredients yourself and teach us all how to do it!

Sparkling Pineapple Ginger Ale
-1 12-ounce can of ginger ale
-1.5 cups pineapple juice
-4 pieces of fresh pineapple cut into triangles

Combine the ginger ale and pineapple juice together and serve over ice with the slice of pineapple perched oh-so-tropically on the rim of the glass.

The Hard Tack: Mix in half a cup of rum



Watermelon Mint Cooler
-4 cups of seedless watermelon chunks
-1.5 cups lemonade
-1/2 cup of fresh mint

This is a make-ahead sipper: blend the watermelon and lemonade in your blender. Strain if you prefer, then stir in the mint and serve over ice.

The Hard Tack: Mix in half a cup of vodka or tequila

Cucumber-Lime Spritzer
-2 12-ounce cans of club soda
-1/4 cup of fresh lime juice
-1 thinly sliced cucumber

Combine the club soda and lime juice, then drop in the cucumber slices. Serve over ice. If the drink is not sweet enough, try adding a little powdered or raw sugar and mixing well.

The Hard Tack: Add a half cup of gin for giggles.

Costume Inspiration: Egyptianesque

Who doesn't love classical influence? The fashion world has been obsessed with Greek, Roman, and Egyptian motifs since these lost civilizations were "discovered" in the 18th century. Familiar design elements worked their way into all manner of 18th century clothing, until the clothing itself started to change and reflect the classical silhouette, in the Regency era. The love of geometric patterns and luxe, exotic trimmings continued through the 19th c. and emerged again, full force, in the early 20th century, making itself the primary mode of decor in the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods.

So let's experiment with classical tidbits to add to our costumes, specifically Egyptian influence for our Egyptian Pique-Nique in July. Here are some lovely references to spark your creativity. Enjoy!

A beautiful early 19th c. portrait of a lady in Classical dress. This costume was only worn for the portrait, not in everyday dress, but her shawl, with the great Egyptianesque detail on the hem, would have been.

Check out this Regency gown with the embroidered border. Very exotic, yet subtle.

Another superb Regency example, with a lovely russet color and a deep embroidered hem and fringe. If you're thinking of wear a Regency gown, don't feel you need to go all-out like this one...just add a little trim around the empire waist and neckline and call it Egyptianesque!

A whole mess of Regency costume images, with all manner of shawls, decorations, turbans, and other Arabesque influences.

Here's an interesting painting - it looks to be later 19th c (1880s?). The costume is lovely, just a draped gown with gold bangles and a killer necklace and earrings.

A romantic depiction of Ancient Egypt, the painting being from the 19th c. Please, nobody come topless. The drapey gowns and interesting prints are more what we're about!

How about a primary source? If you want to wear full-on Ancient Egyptian dudds, try one one of these simple sheath dresses in a soft linen. Don't forget the gold jewelry, and if you're brave, a big wig.

Gentlemen, wear your "regimentals!" Please leave the camels at home.

Simple and pretty - a gold scarf in your hair, a cord tied around the empire waist, a bit of sparkly trim at the neckline.

A later 19th c. depiction of Egyptian costume, possibly for theater. These are intricate, so take from them what you will - a sash tied around a loose white gown, bengals, a sparkley cord braided into your hair...

Another fantastic Regency gown. The robe is Egyptian silk, with what looks like a very subtle stripe. I love the design of the sleeves on the robe - very modern.

So go to it! Remember, Le Societe encourages wearing comfortable costumes you already have in your closet, so please don't feel the need to make something brand new!

If you'd like to learn more about Classical influence in historical fashions, The Dreamstress has just started her new collection for 2009: "From the Streets of Pompeii to the Salons of Paris"