Little Nymph

There was a time in my life, not so long ago, that I wanted to be a faerie. Yes. You read that right. It was an interesting time in my life known as Jr. High and High School. I did a fairly good job at keeping this secret, but deep down in my soul I wanted to be a faerie. And spell it correctly.  I have many theories as to why I wanted this so badly ranging from one Welsh songstress's album, to being insane, but the true stem of this desire was my facination with Greek Mythology, specifically nymphs. I've spoken many a time about my love of Mythology, even incorporating that love into this blog's title, but I honestly adore it. I find it very interesting and incredibly romantic. This facination added to my already over-active and highly romantic imagination, and you have yourself the nutty girl who would sneak into the back yard at night and tiptoe in the mud, hoping flowers would spring from her feet. I never said it was logical.

Hair Ribbon- Joanns
Earrings- DeLuxe (RIP *sniff sniff*)
Necklace- Made by me
Bangles- Stolen from Delaney
Cardigan- Anne Taylor Loft
Belt- That old one from Torrid
Dress- Thrifted
Shoes- Payless
Lipstick- Rimmel London Bordeaux 

At the same time I wanted to be a faerie I also had plans to be an international superstar with a heart of gold, who may or may not get mixed with the "wrong" crowd, change, nearly die, find herself, get a film deal, go to Scotland to film (the film was, by the way, the tale of Eleanor of Aquitaine and I would be playing the young Eleanor), I would go a-wondering off, fall and twist my ankle, and then, in rather Mr. Willoughby style, my co-star/future husband would come wondering down the moors in pouring rain and carry me to safety. Naturally I needed to add a gimmick to this vomit inducing idealized life and being a faerie was it. Yes I would be parading about the Scottish Highlands in flowing chiffons like some will-o'-the-wisp, giving no heed to the rain, as it and I had become one with nature. After my stint with fame and fortune I planned on starting a line of clothing inspired by faeries. Laugh all you want, but personally I think it's a step up from when I was seven and wanted to be a Russian Peasant Girl caring for the farm on my lonesome while my father was off fighting some war and my mother was dying in her bed.... 

While I have since given up on somehow becoming a mythological being, there is still a part of me that wants to lag about the countryside/forest/my back yard writing poetry, and communing with nature. So when I happen to be at Goodwill and I happen to see a dress that could very easily make me slip back into my old delusions, I have a very hard time letting it go. So I play a little game. I say "Okay Ashley, you can try it on, but only because of how ridiculous it is, and besides, it's not going to fit you."  So I go to the dressing room and I try it on. And then I say "Okay Ashley, so it fits, but it's a million feet long, and it's not like you could hem it or anything and besides it needs a belt and it doesn't come with one and it's not like you own any."  So then I find myself at the check out repeating to myself that this is completely ridiculous and I will never ever wear it. And then I find myself at home parading in front of the mirror in my newly chopped up faerie dress, swirling the skirt, twirling my self, and suddenly feeling a great camaraderie with Elfine Starkadder. 

The weather couldn't have been more perfect for this shoot!

Saying that I am in love with this dress is an understatement. It's everything my younger self could ever hope for. It's a beautiful colour, I actually do like the cut, it's cool and flowy, and it makes me want to wear leaves in my hair. I don't know about you, but for me that's about as good as it gets. Especially since I would, of course, be an autumn faerie and wear nothing but dark, rich colours, and play the lute or something equally ridiculous. (Speaking of ridiculous...) And in all honesty this is one of the colours I've been trying to incorporate more of into my wardrobe this season. 

The lesson I learned from all this, is that while it is a very good thing that I am no longer quite as insane as I once was, maybe I should let a little bit of those ridiculous dreams live. I mean, I don't plan on dancing naked under the moon anytime soon, but it's okay to have a faerie dress, and to maybe get a little carried away by the romance of it all. But it's okay to depart from my usual dress and add a bit of silliness in. Heck, I might even bust out some Russian Peasant Girl next....

Now excuse me while I go work on that flowers springing from my feet business....