#hungarian folk dress

[cornflakesdoesart]

Cseke and Róka fullbody color refs from...a year ago haha

[erzsebetrosztoczy]

Hungarian postcards

[imaginarycostumemuseum]

Interpretations of the Vlasca (Romania) dress.

[ghostfartooo]

Countess Orlok and her guards

[petermorwood]

So, I visited Europe for the first time in my life a few weeks ago - Rome specifically, right after the Pope opened the Christmas season there - and for the first time in my life tried roasted chestnuts. Are they always that sweet? I will admit to not liking nuts so the fact that they were easier to choke down than I expected was somewhat revelatory, but like still odd. Do you like roasted chestnuts? Also, how does conkers work?

Mostly asking because youre my best European source of knowledge of such things - there's no chestnuts to be had in America

First, there are two kinds of chestnuts, the kind you eat (Castenea, Sweet Chestnuts and the kind you don't (Aesculus, Horse Chestnuts).

(Water chestnuts, which don't grow on trees, are something else entirely.)

Second, there are definitely Castanea chestnuts in America, though I'm betting they're a regional thing so if you're not in the region, hard cheese, and they even appear in the first line of "The Christmas Song".

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,  Jack Frost nipping on your nose,  Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,  And folks dressed up like Eskimos.

The edible ones are definitely sweet, it's even in their name, but the burnt smell of them cooking might suggest they'll taste otherwise, so that can come as a surprise.

I don't care for them myself, though roasted chestnut purée mixed with rum, then topped with unsweetened whipped cream and maybe chocolate sauce is another matter entirely.

This treatment is variously credited as Hungarian, Italian and French; those who want to argue about it can sit over there, because sensible people who want to get on with eating it will be sitting over here...

*****

As for Aesculus conkers, the easiest way to explain them is to point you to this post.

Wearing schoolboy caps, oversized wellies or a severe short-back-and-sides haircut isn't compulsory, but might help. Or not.

[thecatslug]

Let’s Flesh-Out Barovia: Part 1

As an amalgamation of Polish, Romani, and Hungarian/Transylvanian ancestry, I feel it my duty to try and flesh out Barovia, because WotC does a shit job at it. This series is meant as somewhat of a love-letter to my slavic/Magyar background and to make Barovia feel real, instead of a Bram Stoker caricature. So without further ado, let’s kick things off with what should be a core part of Barovian culture: Clothing

The CoS module has a blurb about barovian clothing which- if memory serves- goes something like “they dress in shades of gloomy black and grey.” Ok WotC, I know you’re bad at portraying peoples based on irl cultures (*cough* Vistani *cough*) but what hottopic emo spirit possessed you here? Screw the “oh it’s vampire and Slavic so it’s emo” mentality. We’re going back to our roots kids, and taking a deep dive into Hungarian, Polish, and even Russian traditional clothing to make Barovia logical again.

Slavic and Magyar peoples are known for their brutally realistic and somewhat gloomy dispositions, but that doesn’t actually extend to their entire lives. Take one look at any Slavic or ESPECIALLY Hungarian clothing or folk art, and you’ll realize they are among the most creative and colourful peoples in Europe. When your people groups have struggled for centuries against horrible conditions, you tend to develop gorgeous art to combat the lingering depression and hopelessness. Barovia should be no different. Barovians may be gloomy, pessimistic, and suspicious- but they take pride in their clothing. While they might trend towards darker colors for practicality’s sake, heavily embroidered and embellished clothing should be the norm! It’s a jarring difference from the horrors of Ravenloft, and should give a sense of humanity to the people of Barovia. While they may not care for the elaborate silks and frilly fabrics of other nations, their pain stakingly hand embroidered clothing should show their industrious and creative nature- a nature which is still down to earth and practical.

So let’s do a summarized rundown of how Barovian fashion should be, in a more realistically grounded Barovia.

Hand embroidered everything. Women’s clothing will be far more extensive, but even men will have embroidery around their cuffs and collars and shirts. Formal and celebratory clothing will obviously be more heavily adorned, but even their daily clothes have some spark of personal creativity.

Now this is still an edgy gothic setting, so Barovians will trend towards darker base colors for their clothing. However this is also out of practicality, because light garments are harder to remove stains from… and dark clothing, especially blacks and reds, hides blood fat more easily.

Fabric wise, you’re looking at utilitarian cottons and linens for your base garments. They’re breathable but warm in a pinch. For vests, under garments, and insulating outer garments you’re looking at wool which might be of brighter accent colouring, depending on the person. You will RARELY see satin, velvet, or silk save for accent sashes/garments, highly formal outer garments, or styles bleeding over from domains like Richemulot. Any sort of extravagant accenting is carefully cared for, and partially influenced by the Vistani in the area. Silk headscarves and sashes are about as flamboyantly impractical as commoners will get for daily attire.

Of course, furs are a big part of Barovian clothing and fashion. Fur hats, boots, lined cloaks, etc. are ALL common to Barovia, as are lamb skin vests. Wolf fur is the most commonly used, because they’re endemic to the region. You will almost never find a barovian without at least two hearty, fur lines, winter cloaks and hats. No expense is spared when it comes to keeping warm, especially in the freezing northern regions or around the central mountain range.

So because of all these hyper specific and unique clothing traits, foreigners stand out like a sore thumb. Worse still, adventurers who poke fun at barovian fashion will quickly find themselves on the receiving end of a verbal roasting. Other domains are canonically extremely snooty and look down on Barovian culture as being “behind the times.” Barovia’s north western neighbours are general the culprits here (looking at you Dementleiu) and Barovians are fiercely defensive (because they’re right, north western Ravenloft fashion is impractical and sucks. That’s my biased slavic opinion). Needless to say, players who openly embrace Barovian attire will quickly find themselves in the good graces of the common folk (and Strahd, tbh) ESPECIALLY if they partake in trash talking other fashion trends, and adopt Barovian fashion when travelling to other domains.

When it comes to finding clothing claims/inspiration (if you’re *that* nerdy DM like me) you’re going to want to search up medieval Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian clothing, as well as Slavic folk clothing and ESPECIALLY Hungarian folk embroidery! Traditional Slavic/Magyar clothing isn’t just western clothing with some flowers on it. It has its own very unique cut and style. Please Google it! I’ll add some example pics at the end, but Pinterest is your BFF here.

To round this little article out, let’s finish up with how this effects Strahd (and the other big bad Barovian NPC’s) attire. While he is absolutely going to stick to blacks and reds where he can (it’s on brand and it hides blood) he’s going to adhere to the same hand embroidered and Slavic fashion senses as his subjects. This will make Strahd look somewhat odd to the players! He’s not going to be the gothic knockoff Dracula in a Victorian vest that they expect! He’s going to have embellishments and personal touches to his attire that could catch players somewhat off guard. It humanizes him in the weirdest way. After all, Barovians are the medieval goth kids of Ravenloft! Everything is somewhat handmade or hand modded, and Strahd is no different! Of course, this means that poking fun at his attire (or any barovian attire in his vicinity) could lead to some rather sadistic repercussions. He wouldn’t kill the players… but he might burn their clothing and put embargoes on selling clothing to the party until they learn to appreciate the local culture!

(Thank you if you’ve read this far! Welcome to my corner of Slavic/Magyar ramblings. I’m here for the long haul to help bring life to the pretty bland Barovia. I’ve got all this stuff in my DM notes, so might as well share with the world! Feel free to comment, steal, etc. y’all know the drill!)

[mahiiimahiiii]

A/n: Hi folks! This is from my late night writing folder- I wanted an excuse to write nobility durgetash. May I present:

Our Lady Of Debauchery...(and other things)

(Durgetash)| DUrge x Lord Enver Gortash | named durge

Our music choice:

+*+

Tyrants palace, known to the locals as a den of debauchery was filled. Carriages of all colors and sizes flocked to the grand staircase, each holding its precious cargo- nobles.

The tyrants right hand wasn't used to this.

Wynne, child of bhaal sat on a dressing room chair attended too excitable human staff attempting to style her recently washed and un-pressed hair.

As a drow, her hair had two settings- unruly and wildly beautiful curls, or silky and pin straight hair (often times recently pressed with a steel comb). She held back tears as they continued to pull her hair into an updo, lining it with pins and sweeping her bangs into waves. She looked like the ads of women she so envied as a child, whatever that was to a drow. They set curls next to her eyes spinning her around to apply makeup... It would've been simpler to using a transforming scroll at this point

Her study as she liked to call it was colored a deep green, the walls embelised with a golden flower pattern, and dark wood paneling. Instead of a bed it held a shelved nook coated in lavender sheets and pillows. A hearth and a lavish blue rug lay to the other side of the bed with a dark wood desk with matching chair, a large plus armchair sat next to the hearth and sat at her vanity, decorated with bottles of cremes and combs.

The girls whispered about the guests, a young elven magistrate with long silver hair was found out to be a bachelor, he gave lord gortash a run for his money. Orin would be making appearance was well as another famous lord from across ferun, sent an invite for the temptations he would bring. She only had one plan and one target, the next in lead for the flaming fist. The dread fours mole has been chosen, a lord named Ravenguard.

This would be the first step in their plan, it should and it must go well.

The dress fit over her shoulders and was pulled down, corset pulled taught by two other women. This was abnormal, she felt uncomfortable in all the layers. .

She had forgone the heels deciding that a nice pair of embroidered flats should suffice.

She must admit this dress was lovely, and she would be it's first tester. The sage green complemented her soft brown skin and silky silver hair, pink florals decorated the base and hems, a delicate embroidery.

Gortash had chosen this dress for her, as often the lording would prefer for the future lady gortash to be at least fashionably adept.

She would just prefer to wear a button down and loose slacks

She sighed clipping in her singular pearl earring, a heavy teardrop shape, another gift from her lover. She made the final adjustments, dusting rouge onto her nose and oiled charcoal onto her lids, her eyes darkened by the deep colors. The assassin sighed with contempt taking a final look in the mirror. She looked decent enough to perhaps pass as a noble.

Wynne cleaned her hands off, the trail of the dress lagging behind. "Is master gortash ready? Our appearance is within ten to twenty minutes."

"He's been ready ma'am, waiting for you in the parlor for a bit now"

She chuffed, lifting up the train of her gown greatly disturbed by the lack of movement. How she hated this, Enver Gortash will never hear the end of this. He was no lord to her, simply an officer of the law seeking out the greater ideal of grand design, something she sought out for purpose. It was lucky- when she suggested to her long time lover about it. It was even luckier when the szarr family had allowed her to use the Library without incident. Or it could be the blessings her father continually blessed her with as the more successful child.

And now, one little dance, one small appearance, one night of suffering- and then it will be back to pants.

"Enver? Darling? Are you ready?"

She called out.

A confirming hum sounded from down the hall, his eyes lit up when he saw her. their warm and rich depths drinking her in . His hair was slicked back, this was not a good look for him.

"You look gorgeous! My beautiful huntress..." He cupped her chin kissing the bridge of her nose and her cheeks. "You look delicious...ugh, what a shame we have an event to attend." His eyes glittered.

"I hate this." She frowned "I hate your hair that way. I hate heels, I hate dresses, I hate people, I want to go lay under my blanket and have a large glass of wine and dwarf meat pies."

"Come now, don't be a downer. Does your blade not hunger for a cull? You'll be getting a sweet bloody treat later on- I'll let you keep the flesh."

She paused, thoughtful. "I do like flesh....."

"That's the spirit darling. Come now, we should be announced soon." He shook out his hair, no longer slicked back but slightly long and unruly. She liked it that way- as wild as his dark eyes.

From the parlor the manor house changed, dark flooring to beautiful creme tile, matching creme walls and chestnut panneling. Gold, and blue accents and paintings of nymphs and sleepy goats lined the walls.

One portrait was new, a woman with brown skin, deep burgundy eyes with a sad expression, her lips held a solum pout. Her hair was silvery blue, almost ethereal- she wore a simple blue dress and held items of selune.

"My heart- is that portrait new?" she admired the details as they passed. They walked arm in arm one of his hand petting her hand attached.

"It is indeed" he rumbled "I asked for your likeness- is it to your expectations?"

"Do I always look that sad then." She tilted her head, attempting to force a smile. Her lips found it hard to mold around.

He shrugged "I suppose, perhaps that's what the artist saw in your face. Asked them to use the portrait you gave me."

"ha! My father's portrait of me hm? I do look sad in that photo, mainly because I was hungry ."

"Perhaps we shall take more photos. Maybe we will capture your beautiful smile-" he plants a gentle kiss on her lips, his stubble gently scratching against her smooth skin.

They exhaled, contented, and anticipated the rush of noise following their announcement

"Enver, I am never doing this again. "

"I don't expect you too my darling"

The doors opened up and their names were announced

*Lady Wynne, paladin of selune and Lord Gortash of Wyrmere*

She shifted, uncomfortable at the attention. "I would much rather a discreet entrance but if this is the... Tradition. I shall do it."

She waved to the eyes and turned her way a cheesed smile plastered on her face.

"Think of it as any other scenario where I ask you to blend, remember you can be out of the dress after the first dance. Then our goal is to take out the target." He hummed, one hand on her waist. "Now because we are hosting this gala we must sit at the head of the table.

"Ugh just say I'm sick for that- Ill with the plague or some shit."

"Of course my darling." He helped her down the grand staircase, wary of her footing in the dress. She managed to look like she was floating down the stairs, she had an impression to make, this was her first noble circle appearance after all

The hall was loud, filled with a symphony voices each as distinct as a snowflake. Temples and churches sent their representatives, a contented looking, tall teifling escorted you to your seats. Her smile bright and her hands warm. Karlach her name was. One of Gortash's best.

Karlach was it? Beautiful creature she was. Would be a joy to see her innards.

Unfortunately within the realms of polite company such actions or thoughts are shamed.

Wynne smiled and introduced herself to the swarming hive of chatter, hands shook, flesh on flesh. Her ears rang with sound much louder than before: string instruments.

A dance had begun a good sign to keep her eyes peeled. A slight ping from her earring sent her catching Envers eye, he nodded toward the floor, before stopped by a shorter man dressed in a brilliant green frock.

They shook hands and fondly discussed things like old friends. The tyrant waved her over a tired "hold-it-together" smile on his face.

"Here's the lady of the hour!" He hummed taking her hand "lady Wynne, this is ... Lord? Astarion"

"Please - it's just Astarion, Astarion Anuncinn. At you and the lord's service." He paused "I am.. unfamiliar with the custom of meeting drow - is there a specific greeting?"

Her ears wiggled in odd excitement, "while I find it imensly charmed that you would ask, a handshake is fine. Our culture is no different than the norm."

The magistrate paused for a second, his eyes were gentle and thoughtful. "I'm sorry I hadn't meant to offend you" curls framed his face, silvery like spider silk, or a fine Iron. His milky white face bloomed with a faint pink in his cheeks, beautiful streaks of watercolor. How he'd make a pretty corpse.

"I can assure you none was taken. Now, astarion was it? What do you do for work?"

She hadn't expected to become this social. Hadn't expected someone charming such as the magistrate. His voice sung of an un-quenchable desire for something. Knowledge? Hunger? Power? Men and their secrets.

"hm? Me?" His hand was gloved "my lady, we have been hardly introduced- and you're already prying! How naughty." He took her hand and kissed her knuckles delicately. "Charmed. would you like to go somewhere quiet to discuss then?"

"Oh no!" She hummed "I'd like to leave period."

He raised his brow, something sparkling in his eye. "why does a sweet treat like you want to leave? I'm sure you'd be the belle of the ball"

"That's the point- I do not like the attention." His hand covered hers in a comforting way, his hands were cool, a low thrumming pulse emminating from them, though not sure from whom it was.

He hummed slowly, almost quizzical. His long lashes lowered and looking through them, "then why are you here."

She had never expected a question so personal. "I suppose.. it is my duty ultimately, as is every noble. Though I do not consider myself amongst their *ilk*"

He adjusted his ruffle collar "neither do I, I appear for my father often. He's less inclined to show up to parties like this." He paused for a moment "would you like to dance? Or perhaps we can find another quiet area to experience each other's company... Completely."

She hummed rocking back on her heels. "I am unsure how these parties work. Would you be willing to teach me?"

His smile was wide, cupids lip pulled taught and ready to fire. "I would quite like too."

*Don't get too carried away love. Remember to have a job to do*

He held out his hand, the smile not quite reaching his eyes. Wynne gingerly set her hand in his.

A string quartet played a slow and alluring rhythm as he spun her about. Careful and mindful of her feet- soft padded heels clicking against the floor

Perhaps this was the last time in her life she would have fun. Perhaps she should savor it.

Who knew.

[psikonauti]

Eszter Szabó (Hungarian,b.1979)

Ladies in folk dress, 2020

Acrylic on Canvas

[merrymorningofmay]

*sees photos of a folk/vintage dress that slaps so so hard* sigh it's hungarian isn't it *scrolls down to see it's indeed hungarian* darn it

[budapestbug]

n Hungary and in Hungarian communities worldwide, a key element of celebrating Christmas is a traditional custom, the Bethlehem Shepherd’s play (Betlehemes játék). The present-day version of the Bethlehem folk play originates from the 19th-20th century, although it may date back as far as the medieval times.

The players called “Betlehemesek” go from house to house, dressed as Mary, Joseph, angels, shepherds, and the Three Kings, narrating scenes about the birth of Christ. An essential part of the play is the homemade manger or small church, carried along by one of the players.

The Bethlehem Shepherd’s play acted out by peasants and shepherds at first, and later mostly by children, usually covers the following events:

* There is no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn. * An angel of the Lord comes to the shepherds, who keep watch over their flock by night. The heavenly messenger brings the good tidings in Latin, a language not clearly understood by the shepherds, which creates misunderstandings that put a smile on the audience’s face. * Once they understand the message, the shepherds go and worship the little Jesus.

At the conclusion of the play, the Betlehemesek ask for alms (candy or other gifts), which is gladly given, in the spirit of Christmas.

At the turn of the century, there was a tradition in Szeged, which involved the shepherds marching into the Church for the Midnight Mass, sounding their bagpipes, and offering a lamb to the priest. At the end, an equinox dance followed, with the members of the congregation.

The Christmas-table was set after the Midnight Mass, decorated with a consecrated candle in the center of a bunch of wheat shoots grown from seeds planted on St. Lucy’s Day (December 13). The table was covered with three tablecloths woven and decorated during the weeks of the Advent, and wheat straw was spread under the table, which can be interpreted as a symbol of Jesus and the Sun.

The family sat around this home altar, the Christmas table, and the host sliced the apple "dipped into golden water" into as many pieces as there were sitting around the table. Sharing the apple symbolized not only the togetherness of the family but also the oneness with the Universe.

Fish, meats, sweets (including the indispensable beigli or bejgli), and fruits (apple and walnut) are served for the Christmas Eve dinner.

[vero-niche]

Your tarjáni busz example reminded me of this guy i keep seeing on the bus i take biweekly. I've been seeing this man for years. He dresses in full camo and wears a fedora with a feather stuck into it. Looks kinda like Petőfi.

One time i sat next to him and he was sketching Makó embroidery patterns in his sketchbook. Then he flipped through it and the whole thing was just hungarian folk art. Pages upon pages of just that.

Last time i remember seeing him he was talking loudly for the entire 1.5 hour long bus ride with a middle aged man about how kids should learn about foraging and traditions and spend more time in nature. It was like. you know how men with similar opinions get stuck in a perpetual loop of agreeing with everything the other says and further explaining the same thing before being validated back? It was that. For an hour and a half.

....And then at the end of the ride right before getting off they shook hands and introduced themselves

vhdztsisgshddhdzzsusts hello????

love is real and you can find it in the strangers on the long distance bus rides <3

[fuszulykaleves]

pink haired Gizella. Sigh, sure why not, at least her voice should be good right? NOPE. HORRIBLE. Cant sing AND walk for the life of her.

After the screeching, István's voice is a godsent, like a balm on my poor ears. But why the hell is he circling her like a vulture???

Ok, so folk dancing to a love song is a very bad, no good choice. Those poor dancers. I honestly believe the only instruction they got was to just dance as they see fit, and so we got utter chaos.

Asztrik is definitely the weakest character so far. I hate how he is played. Its too overly dramatic and doesnt fit the high-priest image imo.

Ok im excited about the nobles. So far there were never an adaptation where the nobles were played badly. Lets see.

ok so, them being two-faced bastards is a bit on the nose,BUT! At least they are played well. I don't know about the costumes, i guess it just comes with this being a "modern adaptation". Great singing voices too.

Now, the next big hit or miss. Réka. Koppány's daughter she is stuck inbetween two opposing forces.

she wears a red dress, here most likely Koppány's color, or the color of the pagans, but has a blue scarf, suggesting that she is a christian, thus on István's side. Nicely done. The voice? Meh, not good, not bad, tolerable. Ok shr kinda sings like she isn't hungarian. She is stressing the wrong syllable.

ok so this is not Koppány. My bad. Couldn't tell the differences between the red guys, sorry. This is Laborc, Koppány's right hand man. I love Laborc in the original and original only. He needs to have a certain rage and conviction and sadly none has been able to replicate it. He sings my favourite song, lets see how this turns out.

Sigh. Not good. No rage, just conviction. He should be outraged for Réka's betrayal (turning christian), but here? He is just, meh, oh well, i will just rip my guitar like a badass!! YEAAHHH! Voice is so-so. Pretty good, only needed some anger in it.

He just fucking destroyed the guitar. Why...ugh, whatever.

Now comes my favourite part. The funeral of lord Géza, István's father.

Uuuhh, what are those strange banners? As far as im aware, those "symbols" have no meaning in hungarian history. So really, no point in having those banners. Also the singing and the music is strangely disjointed? Like it not in sync. Strange.

And now the return of Dj Rapper Asztrik. He sounds hoarse. Its not a good sound.

Ah István, my beloved. Its good to hear your voice again. Tho it is strange when you say "And here lies my dear Father", and there isn't even a coffin there.

This is Koppány. THIS. Are you kidding with me? This is not Koppány, this is a fucking pimp! And god his voice! HIS VOICE! He is making himself sound deeper and rougher than it is and its making him sound like a JOKE.

I like the fact that they made Sarolt,István's mother, ready to throw hands when Koppány appeared.

It was definitely a wrong choice to have people chanting "István! Koppány!", while István is singing his melancholic song.

End of act 1. Hurray.

[dariascultureblog]

Dacians & Romans War

The Dacians were the first to inhabit the territory of modern-day Romania. The Dacian empire becomes more powerful under the rule of Bure Bista (82 BC-44 BC). However, the Dacians did not escape the expansion of the Roman Empire. The Hungarian Kingdom had conquered Transylvania (the middle part of Romania) already in the 11th century. The Ottoman Empire was threatening the Romanians during their siege to Central Europe, in which they were successful until the fall of Constantinople in 1453. ​The Romans then colonized and lived within the territory (until the 3rd century AD), now called Romania. Centuries of migratory tribes' invasions followed the fall of the Roman Empire. Roman Dacia was of great importance to the military stationed throughout the Balkans and became an urban province. In 101, the Dacians led massive assaults on the Roman legions. In 102 Trajan moved his army down the Danube to Oescus. There the Roman armies converged for a final assault and defeated the Dacian army at the Battle of Tapae this led to the end of the conflict between the two and they were at peace in the end.

Map of Dacia soldiers

This is a tiny bit of the map where the Dacians had marched to invade and protect their contry away from the Romans. The areas circled in red were all the areas they had fought and marched in during the AC period. The Dacians wanted to remain out of the borderline for more safety so the Romans do not have an easy way of winning over or causing deaths.

History Fashion

The Romanian popular costume finds its roots in the part of Thracian, Dacian and Getae ancestors and resembles that of the peoples of the Balkan Peninsula, of course with differences consisting of decorative and colourful details. Before the occupation of Romans over Dacia, the women’s clothing differed from nowadays traditional clothing and we get this evidence from the portrayal of Dacian women in the Trajan column. Dacian women wore shirts rippled at the neck, sleeves were either long and wide or short, and the dress was long to the ground over which sometimes was attached a wide draped mantle. On the feet, they wore leather sandals in summer and fur sandals in winter. This idealisation of Romanian clothing appeared in the mid-19th century in order to differentiate their culture from the other ones. Nowadays, the Romanian people as a national motif during certain events and celebrations in folk dances. 

Decebalus

Decebalus was the last Dacian king as he was famous for fighting within three wars and success in every war he had, he was the bravest and strongest king that fought with the other Dacians beside them. He was honoured and respected for his help in saving them and fighting for his own people. He fought against the Roman Empire bravely and tried to protect his people first. He had changed their world completely. After raiding south across the Danube, he defeated a Roman invasion in the reign of Domitian, securing a period of independence during which Decebalus consolidated his rule. When Trajan came to power, his armies invaded Dacia to weaken its threat to the Roman border territories of Moesia. Decebalus was defeated and remained in power as a client king but continued to assert his independence, leading to a final and overwhelming Roman invasion north of the Danube in 105 AD. The sculpture shown here was Decebals face that was carved in throughout time to remember how brave he was for us and protected their country well because of him, he cannot be forgotten as he is on a high cliff based in Romania. To this day, the Decebal statue is still standing and able to visit.

Here is more information if you would like to know more about the history of Decebal and how he became a brave hero in Romania.

[littlefluffbutt]

Happy Halloween! October’s custom is the Pussycat Princess:)

There are several stories where a princess is turned into a cat but this one is based on the animated tale The Pussycat Princess from the Hungarian Folk Tales series (you can find it on Youtube). And no, she doesn’t have a name yet surprise, surprise.

In the story she is set some tasks, one involving putting together a pretty bouquet and another to weave a super nice handkerchief. Now was the prefect time to use the floral handkerchief I’ve been saving for just such an occasion! I love the cute little flowers and the ruffled edge. It took me a bit to figure out how to get the gathered look at the bodice (solution: a ribbon, who knew?) AND to get it to drape right but I finally did it!

I painted an extra MH ears headband (please ignore the paint job) and beaded a tiny crown which I attached to the headband. The crown tutorial is DIY Tiny Seed Bead Crown on youtube by The Corner of Craft. (tutorial starts about the 1:11 min mark) I’ve made a bunch, they’re very addicting!

 She had been repainted before with gold eye shadow and pearly pink lipstick and I painted her eyes with the color shift purple paint which look silver-ish in certain lights.  I found a tutorial for making fake bangs which was just sectioning out some hair when I did her twist and securing it under the headband, pretty nifty!

Made her some beaded bracelets to match her crown and added CAM cat shoes which are one of my favorite pairs of shoes. She was going to have cat paw boots but I decided they wouldn’t go with the dress very well:p

I waffled for a long time about giving her a tail as her dress makes it hard to attach one but I finally came to my senses and made her one. Unlike her boyfriend Kurt’s hers is fairly long but not as fluffy.

Nyah! She’s so sweet:)