This crop top used to be a dress (like two years ago). There was a stain on the skirt, so I scissored it off. The hem is ragged, but I kinda like it. And I absolutely adore the lace sailor collar!
You can see a bit of my tattoo peeking out underneath. Here's one of the artist's preliminary sketches, to show you the general design:
// Avelino de Avila //
"Lo. Lee. Ta." It's a quote from the first page of Lolita, which is probably my favorite book. The subject material is difficult, but the narrative and characters are complex and wonderfully written. I actually prefer to listen to the story rather than read it; Jeremy Irons narrates excellently. But Amazon's blurb for the audio rendition offends me very deeply [trigger warning for sexual violence & apologism]:
When it was published in 1955, Lolita immediately became a cause célèbre because of the freedom and sophistication with which it handled the unusual erotic predilections of its protagonist. But Vladimir Nabokov's wise, ironic, elegant masterpiece owes its stature as one of the twentieth century's novels of record not to the controversy its material aroused but to its author's use of that material to tell a love story almost shocking in its beauty and tenderness.1) Humbert Humbert is a child rapist. Describing that as "unusual erotic predilections", as if his pedophilia were a harmless quirk, is despicable. 2) Lolita is NOT a love story. In what world is it love when a 36-year-old man abducts and abuses a barely pubescent girl? Characterizing that as romance rather than crime is almost as despicable as Humbert's "predilections" themselves. The book is about narcissism and mental illness. It scares me that people read Lolita and come away swooning. I worry for those people's daughters.
Okay. That's my rant for the day.
I have never heard of that book before and now I am curious!
ReplyDeleteI hope I haven't repelled you from it! Like I said, one of my favorites :)
DeleteEh. You say potato, I say child-rapist.
ReplyDeleteJust like Gigi is a charming musical about a young girl finding true love.
*shudder*
DeleteIt's certainly an extraordinary book! And thank you =)
ReplyDeleteI downloaded Lolita on my kindle a couple months ago after reading "Reading Lolita in Tehran," one of my recent favorites. I need to read Lolita soon, maybe after I finish this Agatha Christie book I'm in the middle of. - Leah
ReplyDeleteI love Agatha Christie =D And I've heard a lot about Reading Lolita in Tehran, I think that needs to go on my list.
DeleteThe first time I read Lolita, I read the whole thing standing in the bookstore, and then left without buying it (bad Syl) because I was so angry with all of the characters :-D That's how you know it's a good book, I think - when it leaves you with actual, strong feelings!
ReplyDeleteHa, I've done that! Maybe not for the exact same reason, but I've definitely gotten really sucked into a story while browsing. I agree--the best books are the ones that leave a strong impression.
DeleteI actually haven't read Lolita yet. It has been on my list forever. Maybe I'll actually read it after I finish this Ayn Rand book. On to the real matter: this outfit!!! It is so fantastical. I love the sailor top and the way it is cropped. I'm very envious that you can wear something so short and look so good!
ReplyDeletehttp://mattekat.blogspot.ca/
Oh gosh, Ayn Rand! I haven't been able to get through an entire book of hers. I just don't have the patience, haha. & thank you!
DeleteIt's that time of the season where some belly is going to be showing! :D
ReplyDeleteI have yet to be a good belly exposer. Maybe this year?
Based on what you said, I think I might finally put Lolita on my "To read" list. I have an actual list!
My list mainly exists in my head, haha. I hope your belly gets to see the light of day!
DeleteYeah, that description is pretty effed up. I like this look on you. It's got a 60s vibe to it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I would offer more of a response if I knew more about the 60s, haha
DeleteI love the top! It turned out great. I've never read Lolita but I am definitely intrigued by it, I'd like to read it someday.
ReplyDeleteYou look adorable! "Lolita" is mesmerizingly written, gorgeously paced etc etc. But in the end, it wraps up pedophilia in a beautiful package and presents it to the world as an odd but beautiful thing. I don't know that this was really Nabokov's intention, but it was the result. Humbert's actions are not really seen as abuse but as love. Any real disparagement gets heaped on the child in this unequal relationship. People commonly will label a young sexually precocious (or prematurely sexualized) girl as a "Lolita" for instance. Is there an equivalent term (a kind of humorously descriptive put-down) for a similar boy? Well, I'll stop now. Anyway, I love love love your outfit!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely! It's disgusting. & thank you!
DeleteI'm one of those people who's in the "dislike" camp for Lolita, not because it's badly written(it's not, it's beautifully written) but because I loathed him so much. I've never been able to make it through a reading without flinging the book at a wall. (however, I think part of it was part of the mentality at the time, there's a scene in war and peace where a45 year old man is chasing around a 12 year old girl he's getting ready to marry and it's considered pretty normal.). Anyways, yay for belly button weather!
ReplyDeleteI respect that opinion. & yes, hooray for belly button weather! I dunno when you Alaskans are going to get it.
Deletedid you see the movie? i never read the book but the movie i felt def glamorized it all and made her seem like much more of a seductress than i thought ever was supposed to be. although i think the book was written from his eyes (maybe), as was the movie? cant remember but anyway that movie totally rubbed me the wrong way & i'm def w/ ya on getting mad 'bout people obsession over the book online these past few years (maybe in person too but i'm not cool enough to know what's up w/ stuff like that in person). on a side note it also appalls me the whole "i should've been born in the 50's" stuff cuz um, i think you like having freedom to like go shopping alone/when you want/have you general actions not controlled but that's such a side tangent and you look really awesome in this crop top w/ the high pants! i also find it interesting how we have quite opposite body types. you're beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI actually haven't seen either of the movies! I'm kinda worried to watch them, because of the issues you mentioned. Re: everything else: I totally agree!
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