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“A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation.
These gatherings often consciously followed Horace’s definition of the aims of poetry, “either to please or to educate” (“aut delectare aut prodesse est”). Salons, commonly associated with French literary and philosophical movements of the 17th century and 18th centuries, were carried on until quite recently, in urban settings, among like-minded people.”
Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era. Don’t get me wrong, I love all the modern conveniences like a washing machine, my computer, my kindle, and most of all meeting others through the blogosphere. But, I would have loved to have experienced when men actually courted women with romance, and beautiful balls where people waltzed in large beautiful rooms that sparkled from crystal chandeliers and picnics were held every sunday by a calm river with small hand-cut watercress sandwiches and blueberry tarts.
O.k. I know I live in a fantasy world, because there were so many things about the old-fashioned societies I would abhor. But, I know I would have loved a traditional “Salon Gathering.” No, not the kind of beauty salon that has Mabel and Alice sitting under hair-dryers talking about their favorite brand of dish soap. I’m talking about salons that usually women held in their houses where interesting people would gather to socialize, learn about each other, gossip and meet new people.
There were literary salons, much like a modern day book club, except usually authors made an appearance. There were political salons, which were really controversial when women listened to those who demanded equal rights and political advancements in a time where women were just supposed to look pretty and/or be mothers. I mean you name it, they had a salon for.
I decided since I don’t really have the time and most of you live too far away to invite you into my house for a salon, I would host a virtual “Saturday Salon” here on my blog for us to gather together. I’ve asked some really wonderful people to be to be a guest salon blogger so far and hope you’ll enjoy meeting them or getting to know them better. I’ve posed a type of interview questionnaire to each of them that is unique to whom they are and what I find interesting about them which you can then see on Saturdays.
There will be a giveaway here and there, so you have to tune into the “Saturday Salons” to see what’s happening. My first salon guest will be here this Saturday and I’m excited about having her. Please feel free to ask the guest questions or leave comments and/or visit them on their blogs if they have one, or do nothing at all, but simply enjoy them.
’m looking forward to seeing all at my “Saturday Salons.” Tea, candied violets and ladyfingers will be “virtually” available for your pleasure.
© 2011, Wendy S.. All rights reserved.
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This sounds like it’s going to be a ton of fun! Can’t wait to meet your first guest.
Happy weekend, Wendy!!! 
xoxo Theresa
a Lovely idea, I’ll try to come very week! you are missed. I have to check into your last few posts, I’ve been busy, and dealing with extra pain due to the 2+ weeks of rain and dampness here.
This Saturday is also the memorial day weekend blog hop for OPERATION WRITE HOME, and I am participating, but I will certainly stop by at some point.
June 4 is Skull Appreciation day, and I am participating in a art blog hop being held but the smudged and smeared art community, But again I will try to stop by.
Smudged and smeared is inviting others to join in the blog hop also (not in their community) and the “Skull-a-day” website is asking to spread the word about skull appreciation day. You can click the yellow skull on my blog to be taken to that site, and also the smudged and smeared button for the blog hop is there also.
I hope you are feeling better these days.
Hugs and blessings,
Sue
What a cool idea! I’ll pop by again on Saturday for tea and ladyfingers!
Sounds like a lot of fun! Hope I am able to check it out!
What a wonderful idea. I think that this may be exactly what I need. I love the idea of dressing up, eating dainty treats, and having good stimulating conversation, even if it is in a virtual sense. I look forward to your Salons and will be here tomorrow with bells on. blessings
Wendy! I’m just catching up on your blog before I go back to being a slave to my exams. This is an excellent idea and I have read your Saturday Salon with Melissa albiet a little late as today is Monday!.
You and I are exactly the same- when my sister and I where little we used to pretend we were Scarlet O’Hara with her sixteen- yard dress and even now I fantisize about the balls Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy would attend. *Sigh*. Then again, there is the downside- apparently the average person would only bath once a month and wash their hair twice a year!. And I read somewhere the amount of information that you can read in one weeks copy of The New York Times is the same amount of information someone would come across in their lifetime back then!. That wouldn’t suit me at!. And face it…sex for a girl must have REALLY sucked back then. Ok! I’ve said too much!. All the best for this new venture!