J-J de Josephine: How It All Began...

I’ve often written about how much I loved reading the Josephine Bonaparte Trilogy. The 3-book series is not only my personal favourite read; it’s also the closest (that I’ve ever read) to a real rendition of Josephine’s life through a historical fiction novel.




Just recently, on Dar’s blog: Peeking Between the Pages, Sandra Gulland wrote a most interesting guest post. For anyone interested on reading about how she developed her Josephine novels and what spurred her to write about the Empress to begin with, please see here.


It’s always fascinated me to learn about the story behind the story. I can imagine that writing about the life of a historical figure entails lots of research ups-and downs-for sure… But, the effective completion of bringing a character back to life for interested readers must certainly be gratifying, as well as, the most giving experience in a writer’s journey. And- for a reader, I believe there’s nothing better than the feeling of truly being immersed –as though you were really there.



Please note that next Thursday, May 7th, Sandra Gulland will be guest hosting le Jeudi de Josephine. I will also be doing a Giveaway of Mistress of the Sun. Please come!




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Venetian Snack...or Delicacy

Baccalà Montecato can simply be translated as Cod Mousse or Cod Spread.
This wonderfully light and succulent spread makes for a delicious afternoon snack or, if you want to get fancy, you can even serve it as an hors d’oeuvre. In my family, this spread was usually given to a ravenous kid coming home from school. My mom would save a portion from the baccalà to be cooked for the main meal, and work it into a mousse. I would get to spread this delicious creamy froth on melba toasts or crusty bread- perfect to hold me over until suppertime.


My Venetian grandmother, with whom I spent all my summers with, used to serve this with Polenta. This was even tastier and, much more of a treat. But of course spoiling grandchildren is a Nonna’s specialty:) Delicious!


I didn’t know then, that some people could actually consider this a delicacy. To us, it was just a healthy snack to keep a pesky kid from nagging all the way to suppertime. And, by the way…I used to hate fish- so I guess this was also a way for my mom to serve up nutrition without me even knowing what I was eating. She would call it: 'un crostino alla cremina' (creamy toasted bread)- or 'Polentina alla crema' (Polenta and cream). A perfect snack actually.


Here’s a recipe that will make enough for 6 people:


-Boil ½ Kg. of cod (salt and pepper to taste…just remember that cod is naturally salty though).

-Peel the cod and rid of any scales.

-Add ½ glass of oil (about 4 to 5 oz.)

-Add the juice of one lemon

Here’s the fun part- Do it the old fashion Venetian way (You’ll need two medium sized soup bowls): Pour the mixture into one of the soup bowls, cover it with the other and then shake the bowls vigorously for about 3 min. You should obtain a creamy, frothy, delicious mousse.

Serve it with a sprinkle od chopped parsley and Enjoy!

Try it and let me know how you like it.

Another Jeudi de Josephine : Roses are Red, Violets are Blue…

I smell wonderful, and so do you!


Not too long ago, Lucy from Indieperfumes contacted me to tell me that she had linked me in her post : “Interesting Perfume Conversations”. She suggested I do a post on Josephine’s love of rose and violet musk perfumes. So, of course that got me going….

Was this royal couple really into perfume? Well, actually, yes…Quite a bit.

Josephine was in fact the one who introduced her young beau, Napoleon, to scented baths and perfumes. Napoleon soon became accustomed to smelling great. He loved preparations of citrusy oils from Eau de Cologne by Houbigant and Aqua Admirabilis, created by Gian Paolo Feminis. The Emperor loved to bathe in diluted water from these colognes. He also enjoyed monthly rubdowns from these fragrances.


Josephine, on the other hand, preferred more exotic scents that included cinnamon, musk and vanilla. Josephine loved the combination of these scents that were muskier and more seductive in essence. She also loved the floral scents when she revelled in lavishing baths splashed made by Houbigant’s ‘Quelques Fleurs’.


But how did it all begin…


For this, we have to go all the way back to Grasse, France, to the House of Rancé, which was known, at the time, for its exquisite perfumed gloves.


In 1795, Jean Francois Rancé diversified the company by specializing into producing perfumes. Rancé had total admiration for Napoleon and wanted to honor his hero with fragrances made especially for him. Amongst some of the fragrances created, he named one ‘Le Vainqueur’ (The Victor or the Conqueror). Josephine absolutely loved this scent on Napoleon. Being totally impressed; the Empress asked that something be created for herself as well. Rancé created L’Imperatrice for Josephine. He made sure to present it to her in a lovely Sevres porcelain box.


The most interesting thing about this story is that Napoleon specifically asked Rancé to create a clean and fresh fragrance that should not, however, overshadow the one to be created for Josephine. The perfumes had to be wonderfully pleasant on their own person as well as perfectly in harmony when they two lovers were together. Their scents blended perfectly while accentuating the blissful fragrance. The perfumes were so exquisite and original that courtiers everywhere were enthralled by the combination of these scents. Everyone wanted to smell like the Emperor and Empress!


Well Napoleon made sure that didn’t happen. So, what Napoleon wanted from Rancé was exclusivity. And, that, he got. The Conqueror demanded (and left specific instructions as well) that the scent not be reproduced or sold for 200 years!


After 1805, Rancé moved its location to Milan, Italy, where it still operates today. You could say that the 200 years are finally up since Rancé re-launched both fragrances a few years ago. ‘L’Imperatrice’ has been renamed ‘Josephine’ and sells for about $80 for a 50 ml.




'Josephine' perfume



Bonaparte’s perfume, 'Le Vainqueur'




I really believe that scents do tell you a lot about a person. It’s not only about hygiene and cleanliness…perfume is in some way a means of communication…You can be attracted, interested, calmed, excited… or even repelled by it- it’s such a personal thing. I recall a passage in the Josephine trilogy that describes Josephine picking up one of Bonaparte’s shirts and inhaling his scent for comfort when she missed him…wonder if it was filled with that citrusy aroma that made him all hers…

For a review of Rance Josephine (the perfume) see: http://perfumesmellinthings.blogspot.com/2005/11/perfume-review-rance-josephine.html


Source: www.giorgianindex.net, www.oregonlive.com, www.fragrantica.com


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Must be...Award Season!

Another wonderful Award! What can a girl say…I’m especially honored- and – totally thrilled!

The exquisitely talented, charming and ever-so-nice Catherine from A Thousand Clapping Hands, has bestowed me with this incredible “Renee Award”.





"It is one of the most meaningful awards in the blogworld because it honors someone who is incredibly inspirational in her intelligent and witty writing. And by doing so, this award celebrates women's smart, strong, and inspirational spirit. These women are like Renee; the acorn, a small package becoming a tall and sturdy oak giving more acorns, becoming tall and sturdy oaks, giving acorns..."


I would like to pass this award on to:

Ingrid at Blog of a Bookworm for her delightful reviews which continue to inspire as well as inform

Joy at Cupid’s Charm for her interesting posts on Marie Antoinette- and her creativity

Judith at Paris Atelier who continuously amazes me with her fabulous finds

Sue at the Book Chook for the best-ever reviews on children's books

Arleigh at Historical-fiction.com for her wonderful reviews, non-stop giveaways and oh-so-informative site

...And…

I’ve just been awarded another Proximidade Award! (Hey, a girl can never have too many of these). I have to thank the super-nice Susan of Writer of Queens for this one. Thanks Susan! Go check out her blog…it’s all about royalty.




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The Princess of Celle- Book Review

Being a history devourer of the French and British monarchy, this German-based novel was an unexpectedly welcomed and delightful read. I enjoyed the differences of customs and comparisons to the French court in terms of gallantry, food and fashion. To continue reading please see here

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Happy Orthodox Easter!

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Le Jeudi de Josephine: Precious Memoirs!!!

Madame de Rémusat


Today I will share with you the object of my absolute pure, sheer joy and happiness…I have recently received (after much searching) the “Memoirs of the Courts of Europe-Empress Josephine, Volume 1,” by Madame de Rémusat; copyright 1879…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


The book is in very good condition considering it’s over 130 years old. I’m a big (and crazy for) collector of old wonderful books. You can just imagine how I feel when I find one that’s about Josephine.


Who was this Madame de Rémusat? Claire Élisabeth Jeanne Gravier de Vergennes de Rémusat (1780 -1824) was, at her most important position in history, the lady –in-waiting of Empress Josephine Bonaparte. Her father and grandfather were victims of the Revolution; killed just before the fall of Robespierre. Her mom had no choice but to take Claire and her sister to the valley of Montmorency, where they could live a more peaceful life. A young man, Augustin de Remusat, followed them as well. Augustin then married Claire when she turned sixteen.


Amongst her neighbors, lived Josephine; then known as Madame de Beauharnais. The families became very close and so it was natural for Claire to follow Josephine as her lady-in-waiting when Josephine left for Paris to assume her Royal position. Augustin was made Prefect of the Palace in 1802.


Madame de Rémusat was extremely loyal to Josephine and completely on her side on every issue. She stayed with Josephine even after her downfall, and followed her right up to her retirement. That is when Madame de Rémusat decided to write about all the historic people she encountered and of the days of the Royal court. She said she was inspired to write by her ‘love of truth’, and that this is what these memoirs are all about…


Initially, she had attempted to write the memoirs in 1815, but for fear of compromising her family due to the obvious residual consequences of history and the fact that Napoleon had been exiled, Madame de Rémusat decided to burn these. She resumed her writing ‘afresh’ in 1818. This present manuscript, which was left unfinished due to her death in 1821, was only published sixty years later by her grandson, Paul de Rémusat. So now…


…Here I am with a copy of this book printed back in 1879!!!!!!! Can you just imagine the thrill of me having this book in my possession? I can’t wait to share interesting details that I read with you! Besides the obvious review that I will give it, you can be sure that I will be posting all that I find fascinating and new to me in this precious book.


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