MimiMatthews.com is presently undergoing a complete website redesign. My new website will launch in the next week or two. My web address will be the same, but my entire website is going to look very different. Don’t be alarmed! It’s still me. All the same content will be available to you—including my archive of articles […]
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MimiMatthews.com is Moving to a New Website Provider. Don’t Get Left Behind!
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The Scent of Violets: Perfume, Cosmetics, and Crime in the Late Victorian Era
“The fondness for violets increases with time, and many women of fashion will tolerate no other fragrance.” American Soap Journal and Manufacturing Chemist, 1895. In 1893, a woman by the name of Margaret Gainer was arrested, charged, and ultimately sentenced to thirty days imprisonment for stealing a bottle of violet perfume from a hairdresser’s shop. […]
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A Passion for Auburn Hair: Victorian Views On Reddish-Brown Tresses
“Her friends call her hair auburn, but her enemies call it red.” Sylvia’s Book of the Toilet, 1881. Auburn hair has long been admired for its beauty. In the sixteenth century, Titian famously painted beautiful women with hair of a reddish hue. While in his epic Regency era poem Don Juan, Lord Byron waxed rhapsodic […]
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A Few Words on Disappearing Posts…
Some of you may have noticed that my archive of articles on Victorian fashion and beauty has recently become a bit thinner. I know that many of those articles—specifically my Victorian Lady’s Guides and my Visual Guides to Victorian Fashion series—were incredibly popular, so I thought I’d take a brief moment to explain what has […]
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A Victorian Wife’s Best Friend: The Role of Cats & Dogs in Cases of Spousal Abuse
The nineteenth century news is filled with reports of hero pets rescuing their masters and mistresses from various catastrophes. Dogs routed burglars and saved children from drowning, while cats meowed the alarm when the house was on fire or when a family member had stopped breathing in their bed. Both cats and dogs were also […]
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The Etiquette of the Victorian Golf Course: Twelve Tips for a Co-Ed Game
During the Victorian era, golf was a hugely popular sport. Both men and women played for pleasure and for competition. Much of this play was done in the company of those of the same sex. However, by the end of the century, it was becoming more common for men and women—especially husbands and wives—to golf […]
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The Lost Letter: Book Excerpt and Goodreads Giveaway
As many of you know, my debut Victorian romance, The Lost Letter, will be released on September 19. It’s currently out on review and—I’m pleased to report—the advance reviews have been truly wonderful. Kirkus Reviews calls it a “beautifully told” historical love story with “consistently refined and elegant” prose. And Chicks, Rogues and Scandals calls […]
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The Jersey Pug’s Funeral; and Other Dog Funerals of the Late Victorian Era
“If this sort of thing keeps growing, it won’t be long before we shall hear of dog undertakers, and perhaps marble cutters who devote their time and talent to the construction of monuments to pet dogs. There is no calculating the extent to which infectious folly will go.” The Saint Paul Globe, 25 November 1888. […]
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The Tottenham Station Railway Disaster of 1860
“Great injury was done after the engine ran up the platform. The brickwork was swept away, and a large portion of a wall was thrown down; in fact, one carriage was thrown completely through the platform wall by the violence with which it was hurled over the line.” The Era, 26 February 1860. On 20 […]
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Fashionable Frocks of 1860
When it comes to Victorian fashion, it is often difficult to choose a favourite year—or even a favourite decade. The romantic gowns of the 1830s vie with the enormous crinolines of the 1860s which, in turn, rival the sleek, bustled skirts of the 1870s. As someone who researches and writes extensively on historical fashion, choosing […]
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Winners of My Victorian-Themed Letter Writing Giveaway!
In my last author newsletter, I offered an exclusive, Victorian-themed letter writing giveaway to celebrate the upcoming release of my debut historical romance novel The Lost Letter. This very special giveaway included: A signed, advance paperback copy of The Lost Letter A Victorian-style writing set, with quill pen, steel nibs, and ink A stationery box […]
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The Etiquette of the Victorian Handshake: Advice on Opposite Sex Greetings
“Among friends the shaking of the hand is the most genuine and cordial expression of good-will.” The Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Etiquette, 1877. When we think of nineteenth century greetings, many of us naturally picture bows, curtsies, and subtle inclinations of the head. But these were not the only types of gestures with which to greet […]
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A Simple Coiffure: Basic Hairstyles for Victorian Women of Moderate Means
For balls and other formal events, fashionable women of the early 1860s often arranged their hair in elaborate styles with artificial tufts, pads, and false plaits. On a day-to-day basis, however, Victorian women of more moderate means stuck to more practical styles. These styles included firmly pinned plaits, simple chignons, and rolls bound up in […]
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The Lost Letter Release Day, with Victorian-Themed Gift Giveaways & More!
It’s release day for my debut Victorian romance novel The Lost Letter! To celebrate, I’ll be visiting a different website or blog every day this week. There will be interviews, history articles, exclusive excerpts, and giveaways. I’m also hosting a special Victorian-themed release day giveaway here at my own website, featuring quill pens, stationery, and […]
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The Lost Letter: The Story Behind the Story
I don’t usually blog about my writing process. However, since this is launch week for my debut Victorian romance The Lost Letter, I thought I’d share with you a little bit about how the story came into being. For those of you who have read it, you’ll know that it’s dedicated to my mother. My […]
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Winners of The Lost Letter Release Day Giveaway!
Last week, I offered a Victorian-themed letter writing giveaway to celebrate the release of my debut historical romance novel The Lost Letter. This giveaway was open to all my subscribers. The grand prize included: A signed paperback copy of The Lost Letter A Victorian-style writing set with a peacock feather quill pen A stationery box with […]
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Victorian Handcuff Bracelets for Engagement and Marriage
Gold bracelets and bangles were popular throughout the Victorian era. They came in a variety of styles, including thin bracelets, heavy bracelets, and bracelets adorned with jewels. Most were fairly commonplace in appearance; however, in the late nineteenth century, a new style emerged on the scene in the form of gold bracelets made to look—and […]
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The Spinster’s Numeration Table: A Guide for Nineteenth Century Men
Recently, while researching, I came across a “Spinster’s Numeration Table” printed in the 1837 edition of the New Monthly Magazine. This table lists out the various ages of an unmarried woman and corresponds them to certain characteristics. It is meant to be humorous, but—as with all humor of this sort—there is a grain of historical […]
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The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter: Exclusive Cover Reveal at USA Today
Today, I’m thrilled to be over at USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog with Joyce Lamb for the exclusive cover reveal of my next Victorian romance novel, The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter. You can click through to the USA Today website HERE. I hope you’ll all stop by and have a look! Set in […]
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The Learned Dog, Lily: A Whist-Playing Victorian Canine
Recently, while researching Victorian pleasure gardens, I came across a listing of acts scheduled to appear at Cremorne Gardens in 1857. Among the humourists, contortionists, and tight-rope walkers were various animal attractions. Most notable of these was a little English spaniel billed as “The Learned Dog, Lily.” According to the 17 July edition of the […]
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