The June Rain

After weeks of sweltering heat, a chance rainstorm rolled in, bringing with it cloudy skies and sweet cool air. It was a blessed hiatus from the usual sweaty days of summer, and I took as much advantage of it as I could. I even dragged out my gray fall/winter boots. It was a rather optimistic view, as the overall temperature did not fall that drastically, but it definitely FELT worth the effort. Thank you Rainstorms in June, for giving me some summer and sartorial relief.

I also felt reminiscent of Red Riding hood, what with the trees dark in the gray light, and my light hood protecting me from faint drops of sky. The air was damp and the world seemed hushed and muted. It was a perfect day for adventuring - or fairy tales.

Dress, shirt - thrifted

Rain jacket - Target

Boots - Modcloth

You can tell these were taken early of last month because of the green blackberries. They have since ripened and are dripping off the vine. Ah, I love the days of fresh wild blackberries. It's their highest redeeming feature from the usually terrible thorns that catch you unaware. 

The Secret of Roan Inish

I watched this fantastic little movie the other day about a little girl, an island, and a secret, all set on the wild coasts of Ireland. I had seen the trailer for it ages and ages ago on some old VCR movie, and I had always wanted to watch it. I finally saw it was on Netflix, years later, and jumped at the chance!  It is a haunting story and beautifully shot, with many sweeping views of the wild sea and rugged landscapes contrasted against closeups of people's lives, all viewed through the eyes of a solemn little girl.

 

I am wild about the ocean and many of its legends, and this film combines both wonderfully. I also took some style notes when watching it. The main character, a little blond serious child named Fiona, wears home-spun dresses with colorful little woolen sweaters along with a single dark maroon coat, and she always carries a cloth bow in her hair, or once, a single barrette. Throw on a cute little cardigan over a collared dress with colorful buttons and a grownup version of a bow in your hair, and you are all set to explore a day at sea!

I think the single blue barrette clipping back one side of her hair is genius.  

OR you could take inspiration from the lovely (spoiler alert!) selkie girl, and wear only a seal skin, or a long white dress with your hair unbound as you wade into the ocean. Sounds like a fantastic day to be honest.

 

 

 

Either way, The Secret of Roan Inish is now a favorite of mine. 

<3 The Magpie

Blue Daisies

This is another one of my long picture-story posts. That's pretty much any post where I feel the pictures have a narrative flow to them. Or maybe I'm just reluctant to delete any after I edited them. Call it what you will. Picture-story-post ain't going away any time soon.

These pictures were taken in the winter, when everything here gets green and lush. Ah Winter, you beautiful soul.

My favorite detail on the dress, aside from the cute blue checkered pattern, is the little chain of daisies right below the bust. I just can't resist a good little blue dress. Daisies are starting to become a favorite pattern of mine. I can't resist those either. I was so happy when daisy prints became a trend, although I'm pretty sure this dress is much older than that. Too bad clothes tags didn't come with the date they were produced, no?

I wore tights with this dress, not only because it was cool enough to do so, but it also seemed too short to still be decent. Turns out, I ended up wearing it a few weeks ago when I desperately needed something light and easy to throw on during a disgustingly hot day. I was still decent, I promise!

I also had a lot of fun with my makeup that day. Sometimes I can't resist the urge to draw on my face. I thought it made me resemble a fawn...which is never a bad thing, right? Bambi-lovers, whereuat?

 

 Looking at ducks.

Being a duck. 

I wanted that dog. 

I love this stupid picture. I don't know why. 

Panning! Poor stranger guy on a bike. He probably thought I was crazy.

Dress - thrifted

Shirt - Walmart

Tights and Earrings - Target

Shoes - DSW

Makeup - By me ;)

<3 The Magpie