M.J. Rose

A little something pretty to temper this strange month…

From Bored Panda,

Woman Builds Tiny Houses For Birds That Visit Her

“Portland, Maine-based illustrator and bird-lover Jada Fitch creates amazing little houses for her tiny bird friends. Filled with tasty treats and beautiful decor, Fitch attaches the houses to her windows at home so she could watch the little fellows from up close and capture photos and videos of them.

These tiny house luxuries aren’t up all day, though, as they’re neither squirrel nor waterproof. Fitch only leaves them up for a few hours a day and has the permanent bird feeders further in her backyard…”

Click here for all the pics.

Don’t let your tutu catch on fire…

From The Daily Dose,

The Ballet Girls Who Burned To Death

By Fiona Zublin

“Le Papillon, in which a kidnapped princess is transformed into a butterfly, is sillier than your average ballet. It’s not even scientifically accurate — the climax involves a butterfly’s wings burning after it flies into a torch, even though, unlike moths, butterflies aren’t attracted to bright lights. In fact, the most significant thing about the production was that its star, Emma Livry, became famous for playing the flame-injured butterfly. And for dying when she drew too close to an open flame.

The young ballerina wasn’t the only one; scores of dancers are believed to have died after gas lighting became popular in 19th-century theaters. A gas light, a flimsy tutu and — bam! Ballerinas in Philadelphia, London and Paris perished in what was referred to as a holocaust. But Livry stands out, both as a defiant voice against change in the ballet world and as a catalyst for it…”

For the rest, click here.

Let us distract ourselves with some old school decadence…

From The Vintage News,

Meet Cora Pearl- The decadent 19th-century French Courtesan once had waiters carry her naked on a silver plate

“Cora Pearl was a 19th-century courtesan of the French demimonde who enjoyed her greatest celebrity during the period of the Second French Empire. Working as a street prostitute, she made a connection with a procurer, a “Monsieur Roubisse,” who set her up in more suitable quarters, taught her the business rudiments of her new trade and tutored her in refining and broadening her repertoire of professional skills. After six years, she despaired of ever freeing herself from his all-encompassing influence. However, fate stepped in, the procurer died of a heart attack, liberating her.

Her first lover of distinction was the multi-titled, twenty-five-year-old Victor Masséna, third Duke du Rivoli, and later fifth Prince of Essling. He set her up in opulence, showering her with money, jewels, servants and a private chef. He provided her with funds for gambling when she visited the casinos and racecourse in the fashionable resort of Baden, Germany. He bought her the first horse she ever owned, and she became an accomplished equestrienne; it was said “she rode like an Amazon” and “was kinder to her horses than her lovers.” Her liaison with Masséna lasted five years. While cultivating Masséna, she was simultaneously sharing her favors with Prince Achille Murat, a man much older than Masséna….”

For the rest, click here.