Peter and Wendy

 

I treasure this book. In fact, it's my favorite thing that I own. I searched for a copy for years and years scouring the shelves of antique bookstores every time I walked by one and constantly checking online auctions. This copy found me by way of a rare book dealer at the Brimfield Fair a few years back. There's an inscription on the inside from someone named Martha's uncle gifting them the book for Christmas in 1924, which probably hurts the value of the book but I absolutely love. I'd like to do some research and see if I can find out anything about her. 

Peter Pan was always one of my favorite Disney movies. I was never really into the princesses. In fact, I found (and still find) most of them to be a bit annoying, at least in the cartoon versions. Peter Pan always had a bit more adventure and an ending that wasn't a happily ever after. Which I'm a bit more partial to. There's actually quite a bit of sadness surrounding the story. The character of Peter Pan was inspired by J.M. Barrie's older brother David, who died the day before his 14th birthday in an ice skating accident. The name of the character was in part inspired by Peter Llewelyn Davies who suffered from many inner demons. After lingering outside a bar in London he threw himself under a train as it was coming into a nearby station in 1960. Peter's brothers, the real George and Michael also died tragically. George was killed in action during World War I in 1915 and Michael drowned in 1921. 

For those of you who don't know, Peter Pan was originally introduced as a character in another book by J.M. Barrie, The Little White Bird in 1902. The chapters with the character were later extracted and republished in 1906 under Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. He was then featured at the center of the stage play Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up in 1904. Then, in 1911 Barrie adapted and expanded the story into a novel published as Peter and Wendy. The book is absolutely beautiful and filled with these gorgeous illustrations by artist F.D. Bedford. 

What I'm Wearing: 

Dress: Amazon | Flats: Sam Edelman

This dress was my first clothing purchase from Amazon and I'm really happy with it. I'll probably wear it a million times this spring and summer. It's true to size (I'm wearing a small) and the fabric is really soft and cool cotton. It also comes in at under $30. It's supposed to be a midi dress but it fits me like a maxi and I'm okay with that, hooray for no hemming! I'm thinking I should start giving dresses a rating for their twirl factor since I spin in them so often, and this one is pretty good.

 

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