wanderlust wednesday

Château de Hautefort, France. Photo by tom-sabin on Flickr. The castle featured in Ever After. 

It has been a few weeks since I featured a Wanderlust Wednesday post. I have, however, been wanderlusting quite mightily as of late and thought it would be appropriate to share some of that with you this morning. I had to borrow someone else's trip photos for this collection. Normally I pull from my own travels, but I have not been to this place yet, which is why I am sharing it. This place is very dear to my heart because it is, quite simply, the trip of my dreams.

I feel like this is a bit of a redundant comment on this blog at this point, but I love Ever After. One of the sweetest, loveliest, purest wishes of my heart is to travel to the French countryside and visit every single chateau and orchard and river that was featured in that film. Just typing this out has given me goosebumps, although my office is also freezing, so it could be that. 

As Prince Henry might say, "What is it that touches you so?" 

I honestly couldn't say. I'd like to keep it simple and just say, Ever After is the reason I cry when love is true. At age 10, it unlocked the little romantic in me and led me to a future of sentiment, glitter, pretty dresses, and my boy band phase. There's an innocence about it, both nostalgic and refreshing. The opening music alone takes me back to that version of myself, and it's something I can neither fully describe nor share with anyone else. It's just perfect.

I'm embarrassed to say that I once messaged Drew Barrymore's makeup artist from the movie about their time there, and she actually replied, which has only solidified my desire to walk in their footsteps! 

Wow! What a wonderful idea for a trip. You will have a great time. I do want to suggest you go to some places Drew, Barbara & I went on weekends though. We went to a town called Rocamadour. It's a medieval village built into a mountain side. Beautiful and great food and shopping. We drove there so it must not have been too far. 
We also canoed down the Dordogne river. We would stop occasionally and Drew would read to us poetry by Lord Byron from a small book she brought. Such a magical day. 
Perhaps you can call Flower Films. They may be able to find out where we shot the lake scene. Or the film commission in France. Wish I could be more help on that. Regardless, you will have an amazing adventure! :)

So I will definitely be buying poetry by Lord Byron (why is Drew such a ridiculously lovable hippy?) and trying to invent boat shoes to recreate the "Looks like rain!" river scene. Sigh.

All of that to say, I am in a constant daze at the very thought of making this trip happen. I hope that it will someday. I would love to fly to Dordogne and lose myself in one of my favorite fairytales of all time, while enjoying gorgeous countryside and lush chateaus and French history, both real and make believe. It would be a beautiful thing. 

Wait! It's tradition. He always waves at the gate.
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For anyone who can quote Thomas More is well worth the effort. 
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I had a horse like you once...
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Now hand me that key, or I swear on his grave I will slit you from navel to nose.
(source)

And we, princess, are supposed to live happily ever after. 
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And, while Cinderella and her prince did live happily ever after...
the point, gentlemen, is that they lived.
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Ever After: Danielle de Barbarac

After reflecting on my love for Ever After in last week's post, I concocted an impromptu photoshoot with the help of my tripod and (for the last two outfits) my handy husband.
I had watched the movie on Saturday, and began to think about what a modern Danielle would look like.
Her hair is simple and classy, and I'm not sure two side braids would ever be "out of style", although it's definitely reminiscent of an old school 'do of the hippy persuasion.
I could see Danielle in bell bottoms - but maybe that's more because she's played by Drew Barrymore.

Top: Forever 21, Blazer/Necklace: Lux Clothing, Skirt: Ruche (similar), Booties: Urbanog

I wanted to experiment for this shoot, and took advantage of Pixlr-o-matic to edit all of these photos.
It was fun to experiment, but also gave every photo a more fantastic feel to it, allowing me to imagine myself away into another place, into another time.

Top/Dress (similar, similar): Ruche

Danielle: You have everything, and still the world holds no joy. And yet you insist on making fun of those who would see it for its possibilities. 

Henry: How do you do it?

Danielle: What?

Henry: Live, each day, with this kind of passion! Don't you find it exhausting?

Danielle: Only when I'm around you. 

Top: Ruche (remixed), Skirt: LOFT (remix 1, 2, 3, 4), Shoes: Zulily (remixed), Jewelry: Cookie Lee

Grand Dame: Her name was Danielle de Barbarac...and this was her glass slipper. 

Perhaps you will allow me to set the record straight?

Wilheim Grimm: Then...it's true! The story!

Grand Dame: Yes, quite. Now then...what was that phrase you use? Ah, yes. Once upon a time...

my love for ever after

Confession: I am a romantic. 

It's debatable when this became true, although I'm fairly certain it officially began in a theater in Phoenix, Arizona in 1998.
I was nine years old. I have an inkling there were signs of my Jane-Austen-loving soul long before then, but this movie-going experience is the first one I can think of that has hefty significance.

Ever After was, and is, the perfect movie.

I've often dreamed out-loud to my husband about how I would absolutely die of happiness if I could plan an Ever After themed trip, where we would travel to France and visit all of the filming locations of this delightful movie. There are many reasons why I love it so, but on this blessed Friday I have chosen to highlight a few to let you all in on why it is so very dear to my heart.

1. It Makes Me Cry

One of my very favorite scenes.

...of happiness. 
Don't get me wrong, I cry ugly sad tears in this movie as well. But for the perfect movie, tears are a must.

2. Books

Oh, the love of books! 
Most of it stems from the treasured influence of Danielle's father, who was a great teacher and loved to share his insights on science and philosophy with his young daughter. When he died, the last book he brought home to her, Utopia, became quite arguably her most prized possession. In fact, her application of its principals is one of the initial reasons she catches the attention of Prince Henry. He realizes this strength in her and later takes her to an astonishing library, hoping to woo her. She is, of course, completely woo'd. Because books! 
When he asks her to pick one, she says with wonder, I could no sooner choose a star in the heavens!
Her passion stuns him, because he is just a rich lost boy looking for his place in this world. Danielle is able to guide him with her sharp tongue and wise words, all of which she owes to her father and his gift of books. 

3. The Soundtrack

Try listening to "Utopia" or "The Homecoming" or even just the main "Ever After" theme without wanting to bawl your eyes out, travel the world, renew your hope in humanity or just fly away on your newfound wings.
This soundtrack is a piece of art, and is one of the biggest reasons why this movie gets me every time.
George Fenton, you angel, you. 

4. It Looks Like Rain

The fact that Leonardo da Vinci is in this movie at all is fantastic, but it's even better that he plays such a delightfully important character. 
His creative spirit inspires Prince Henry, and his solid advice and sweet (albeit sarcastic at times) personality play a big role in the central love story. 
The above sequence, in which he spouts "It looks like rain!" may be one of my favorite moments in cinematic history. 

5. The Gypsy Kiss

After their trip to the wooing library, Danielle is forced to save the prince's life from gypsies. They turn out to be good-hearted gypsies, thank the heavens, but it starts out pretty rough. 
Talk about a quirky side story that we all love. 
The best part? She saves him by picking him up when the gypsy leader announces that he will let her leave with "anything she can carry". So cheeky.
The gypsies erupt in laughter, and they go on as friends. In the heart of the gypsy camp near a warm cozy fire, Danielle and Prince Henry share wine, secrets, and eventually their magical first kiss.
It was the kiss to measure all other kisses by. 
Well, at least... according to my 9-year-old self, it was.
(Let's be honest, according to my 24-year old self, too.)

6. Justice

I still get the goosebumps of justice when Marguerite finally gets that punch in the face she's been begging for the entire film. 
Even though the result of this altercation leads to some of the ugly sad crying I mentioned earlier, (namely when Marguerite oozes pure evil and burns Danielle's beloved copy of Utopia), I still agree with the other not-so-evil step sister, Jacqueline: 

I shall never forget the way Marguerite's feet went up over her head like that. 

7. Glitter

For a girl of the 90's, this was the ultimate kicker. Cinderella with rhinestones. 
I don't know about you, but I bought an abhorrent amount of roll-on glitter sticks and tubes of glitter lotions and body sprays as an adolescent. This movie may be to blame.
If I could steal and perfectly replicate any look for Halloween (or just any ol' Friday night), it would be this one.

What are your favorite Ever After moments? What would you add to this list?
I would so love to know.

Happy Friday friends.

layering: lace and dresses

I couldn't be more excited for a Friday.

This week has been long and cold, and I'm ready for the slightly warmer weekend - I'm planning on cleaning, reading, sleeping, more reading, and drinking coffee and tea as much as possible. 

I had the pleasure of getting a long-awaited package in the mail this week!
I don't know about you, but I love mail. 
It's the most wonderful feeling, opening up our mailbox and seeing a letter or envelope for me. Or even better, a box waiting at our door!
This dress was an especially exciting delivery, because I paid $5 for it.
I often shop on Zulily, which is a site that has daily deals for women and their babies/kids. I don't have kids, but I still really love their deals on dresses and shoes! I've also found some great apartment decorations, and occasionally fun gifts like kitchen knick-knacks and grilling tools for the hubby.
Zulily kindly sent me a "thank you for being our awesome customer!" e-mail with a $10 credit to my account.

$15 dress - $10 gift credit = $5, and one very happy Caitlin.

Cardigan: Gifted/Banana Republic (similar), Top: Ruche, Dress: Zulily
Tights: Target, Boots: DSW

I've measured my life by these trees. Starting here...and all the way up there. And still, they grow.
So much life to live, but I no longer imagine it alone.
-Prince Henry, Ever After

This amazing cashmere sweater was an anniversary gift from my lovely husband.
It's probably the most extravagant article of clothing I own, aside from my wedding dress.
I have to resist wearing it every single day, so as not to wear it out too quickly.

This dress filled my desire to have a spaghetti-strap dress to wear with this fantastic lace blouse from Ruche.

I'm still experimenting with ways to wear it, but I like it best when layered with other pieces, as opposed to just wearing it by itself with a camisole. 

I'm slowly building my collection of peter pan collars. I have to say, I love them. A lot.

I recently looked up the history of the peter pan collar and found out that it was named after the collar of the costume worn by miss Maude Adams, when she famously played Peter Pan on stage in 1905.

I think this little historical tidbit has solidified my enamor for it. 

The pattern of this dress is funky in a way that I really like.
The golden buttons on it are a nice detail. I think I'm going to have fun remixing this dress for other outfits.
I love the slight bell-like flare it has coming down from the waist, and it's extremely comfortable.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Whatever they are, I hope you're staying warm and enjoying these magical winter months.

Rumor has it it's snowing outside at this very moment!

Without any windows in my little library office, I'm bursting at the seams for the clock to strike 4:30 so I can fly outta here and catch some snowflakes. 

Happy Friday!

Cait