Rhapsody in Blue

Green Linen skirt // Kellie Falconer Design

Blue gingham blouse // Ralph Lauren

Floral scarf // Fabric.com

sunnies // thrifted - pearls // gift

I found this copy of Rebecca at thrift store last month - I always love adding to my library, and I'm thrilled with this latest addition!  It was published in 1940, the same year that the breathtaking Hitchcock adaptation was released, and on the title page is printed the autographs of Daphne du Maurier, Joan Fontaine, and Lawrence Olivier.  Stills from the film are scattered throughout as illustrations.  And, of course, Manderley house is embossed in ominous majesty on the cover.

I haven't had much time for reading lately, and have been heavily relying on audiobooks to quench my bibliophilic soul.  Mainly Dickens.  But every once in a while I can squeeze in time for a good read, and boy is this book worth it.  This is my first of her works, and du Maurier has such a gripping, melodic writing style.  Such a treat.

I'm also delighted with my thrifted Ralph Lauren blouse!  This blue gingham is just so... wonderfully preppy.  Loving it paired with the green linen half circle skirt, which is fast becoming a staple in my wardrobe.  My favorite color, and such a classic shape.  Plus, those pleated pockets!  Happiness.

We had quite a full weekend... Two family birthdays, two epic parties, not to mention Friday finally feeling like a proper early summer day like we get up here every once in a while in the spring.  As in, warm enough to go out in short sleeves and work like crazy on all of those outside projects that always beckon.  Also, we set up The Spa for the year again!  I've been waiting for it to warm up enough to get the outdoor shower going like there's no tomorrow... all winter I dream about our clawfoot tub.  A hot soak is sounding amazing right about now.

It's been far too long since I've listened to Rhapsody in Blue.  I realized that while I was searching though my Spotifiy library for the perfect song to go with this outfit.  I'm definitely enjoying this new pattern of sharing a song with each outfit post.  I get to expound a little bit more on the inspiration of the outfit, as well as the mood I'm in while writing, than I ever could by rambling on.

Plus, it takes care of what to name those pesky post titles.

This song is so drama laden, even at times disturbing.  There's something about it that is impossible to understand, let alone communicate.  But underlying the dissonance, the latent power, is a current of flamboyance, glamour - of bold hope that fills me with an indescribable sense of life and purpose and determination.  

I hate pain.  

Physical pain, yes, but especially soul pain.  The kind that tears your heart and threatens to crush it.  The kind that is caused, perhaps, by caring too much.  Perhaps by watching someone that you dearly love drift away forever, helpless to stop them or relieve their suffering.  Perhaps by feeling, at times, utterly alone and small and afraid.

My first instinct when that kind of pain hits my soul is to put up barriers, to seal off my heart from caring.  It's seems so easy, not caring.  Easy in the sense of flowing down stream painlessly and quietly in life.  But somehow, it's easier to deal with that raw pain than it is to live life in a sealed off vacuum, cold and still and quiet.

For some reason, life is pain.  As the Dread Pirate Roberts said so truly.

And I love life.

I'm discovering that living life means being strong enough to feel pain, face pain, know and conquer pain - then turn it into something beautiful and great.

Pain, I accept your challenge, and with God's strength, I will defeat you.

Because I love this life, and the God who created it, so much more than I fear any other thing.  

.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.:.

And that ought to be quite enough mind rambling to accompany all whopping eighteen minutes of this musical masterpiece.  Be sure to click the music player at the top of the post♥

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