::curtsey::

Hello everyone. My name is Nicole. I'm 26 and live in Bellingham, WA USA. Let's see, where to begin...

I collect 'femirobilia': old etiquette, beauty, homemaking, and lifestyle books. My favorites include Vouge's Book of Etiquette,1948; The Cosmo Girl's Guide to the New Etiquette from 1968; Entertaining With Elegance, by Genevieve Antoine Dariaux, 1965; and That Girl In Your Mirror by Vonda Kay Van Dyke, Miss America 1965. Mrs. Dunwoody's Excellent Insturctions for Homekeeping would be one of my five in the 'stranded on a desert island' situation.

I also love reading about women in history, particularly the movers/shakers/naughty women. My absolute favorite is Madame de Pompadour (note the avatar). She is one of my personal heroines and a role-model for living graciously. Other favorites include Veronica Franco, Diane de Poitiers, Martha Washington, Elizabeth Armistead, and Agnes Sorel. I'm about to start reading a biography of Lola Montez.

I keep a framed picture of the goddess Hestia in my living room to remind myself to honor the spirit and sacredness of home.

Well that's the bare bones. Wonderful to meet you all!