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In the Leed…

Monday, September 8, 2014

Clearly, I have an obsession with castles.  It was barely a week ago that I went castle climbing near my house and now, I'm wandering around Leeds Castle!  It was interesting to be able to actually go inside a castle and not just scale the remains of the outer walls.  Leeds Castle is particularly interesting, because in the 1930s, it was purchased by 26-year old American heiress, Olive Baille (later, Lady Baille… rough life… needing to purchase a castle at the tender age of 26). 

She gutted and redecorated the castle to the highest fashions of the times and spent her days entertaining the likes of Noel Coward and the Kennedy's.  For real, I got to twirl in a room that Noel Coward likely performed in, and actually King Henry VIII likely danced around in the same room centuries earlier.  Not bad, eh?

As in every castle I visit, I am on the continual hunt for ghosts.  Call it an occupational hazard (I haven't mentioned my love of ghost hunting in a while, have I?).  While, I got totally swept away by twirling and such, I completely forgot to ask the docents about ghost stories (!!!); however, I did find this quote that goes some lengths to explain my love of ghosts and castles.  And it was written by one of my favourite British spooky book authors.  

“They told of dripping stone walls in uninhabited castles and of ivy-clad monastery ruins by moonlight, of locked inner rooms and secret dungeons, dank charnel houses and overgrown graveyards, of footsteps creaking upon staircases and fingers tapping at casements, of howlings and shriekings, groanings and scuttlings and the clanking of chains, of hooded monks and headless horseman, swirling mists and sudden winds, insubstantial specters and sheeted creatures, vampires and bloodhounds, bats and rats and spiders, of men found at dawn and women turned white-haired and raving lunatic, and of vanished corpses and curses upon heirs.” 

… and with that, I leave you to explore Leeds Castle.  Don't even get me started on the library here… they had Oscar Wilde on the same shelf as Shakespeare… ahhhhh, love affair… 










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34 comments on "In the Leed… "
  1. For some reason this castle reminds me of the on in *Beauty and the Beast*, I'm unsure why. Oh, maybe because of the library. Very cute outfit, I like your skirt because I'm obsessed with floral print <3

    berrystylishofficial.com ♥ *@ItsBerryStylish*

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  2. Breathtaking photos! So much fun! And I just adore this midi skirt on you! XO

    Anna
    alilyloveaffair.com

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    1. Thank you! I love this skirt! It translates so well into every season!

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  3. Nice shoots!
    XOX, Gap.
    www.gaptoothedgirl.com

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  4. That skirt is so pretty! I'm loving it!!

    Kay // Fashionably Kay

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  5. I loved this post! I LOVE castles and all the stories behind them - but I'm too scared to ask for ghost stories I'm afraid (fascinated by the supernatural but equally terrified by it... does it even make sense?! Haha) We have a tv programme here in Spain that I think you'd like, it explores different myths and legends about ghosts and all things supernatural and it can be quite creepy actually! Definitely gonna think of this post next time it's on haha

    Tania x | thearistochats.blogspot.com

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    1. I totally know what you mean! I cannot stand horror movies and I hate being alone in my house (cos it's clearly haunted), but I adore ghost stories about other places!

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  6. My daughter would go crazy for that library (she's a bit of a modern day Belle). Loving your skirt and brogues together!

    xx Cara
    www.carascliche.com

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  7. You look lovely! Such a gorgeous place too!

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  8. Looks like a glorious daydream!
    Hope
    hchdesigns.blogspot.com

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  9. Ok, can we please just stop and talk about how jealous I am of you right now. I think every girl dreams to be at least inside a castle at one point. I've only been to one back in the motherland but you are exploring them all. Please continue to explore because I live mini vacations when I look through your posts.

    www.jerseygirltexanheart.com

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  10. Love your skirt! You look wonderful, awesome post (lovely library). Will you check out my blog? It would mean a lot to me if we followed each other, thanks xx
    -Fleur
    hermorningelegance.net

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  11. Wow great photos! It's actually my dream to visit a castle! Lucky you. :)
    And I love your skirt here!

    xo,
    Janine

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  12. Those photos of you in the castle looks adorable. I see why you like them so much...xx
    Nika's Beauty Land

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  13. The skirt is absolutely beautiful as are the pics! And who wouldn't love a good castle...I mean seriously?!
    Debbie
    www.fashionfairydust.blogspot.com

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  14. Wow! This castle is so captivating! I hope to travel and visit castles too!
    I must say that you are really brave to enjoy ghost hunting!
    Btw your outfit is really lovely!

    xoxo
    Jessica
    www.jessthegrrl.blogspot.com

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  15. Great photos and you look like you're having an amazing time. Just love your outfit, the skirt is perfect on you. xoxoxo

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  16. So, so beautiful! Absolutely love it!

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  17. amazing place and i love your skirt! :)

    xoxo,
    Alice's Pink Diary

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