a personal style blog by Lauren Pfieffer

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Annabel Lee.











Red 1950's Hat, Black Dress, Earrings: Thrifted.
T-Strap shoes: Target.
Cameo Necklace: Gift from my grandmother for my birthday.

Annabel Lee- Edgar Allen Poe
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of ANNABEL LEE;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea.
But we loved with a love that was more than love-
I and my Annabel Lee;
With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven
Coveted her and me.
And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsman came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulchre
In this kingdom by the sea.
The angels, not half so happy in heaven,
Went envying her and me-
Yes!- that was the reason (as all men know-
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.
But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we-
Of many far wiser than we-
And neither the angels in heaven above,
Nor the demons down under the sea,
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee.
For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes 
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling- my darling- my life and my bride,
In the sepulchre there by the sea.
In her tomb by the sounding sea.

I've always been fascinated by the works of Edgar Allen Poe. His writing has such a dark and gritty edge, but yet there is such a startling truth. The way he weaves his words in and out of the reader's mind and uses the most profound word choice is so very captivating to me.

While trying to find a place to take pictures yesterday I came across this old and quite abandoned grave yard. All of the stones read dates from hundreds of years ago, and not one was even from this last century. It was very windy and the skies were tinged a dark and foreboding color because there was a storm approaching. Everything kind of just pieced together perfectly for this photo shoot and I felt as if I was some tragic character in an Edgar Allen Poe tale, or perhaps a lonely, wandering apparition. Somedays that's how I tend to feel anyway...

With much love, Lauren.

P.S. I've recently started a twitter... Here it is if you're ever interested in my incessant ramblings about life:
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21 comments

The Ragamuffins said...

I freaking adore Edgar and I loved your outfit to go with it. Very classical. I was just thinking the other day if I should (would, could) do a cemetery shoot. Probably will now. :)

Liz said...

That dress is flawless, I LOVE 1950's dresses oh my gosh. It looks beautiful on you, and I love the t-strap shoes with them...I think I have those in maroon, actually.

Shady Del Knight said...

These pictures are beyond awesome, Lauren! I am extremely impressed by the quality of these poses and shots. They certainly do evoke Edgar Allen Poe. Extraordinary!

Hannah said...

You look like something straight out of a movie! I'm a writer, and Poe has always been an influence of mine. His work is twistedly beautiful.

Laura said...

That necklace is very beautiful!

Laura
whitewinters.blogspot.com

Kelsey Cole said...

beautiful post:) you look so cute in those t-strap heels!

Jamie Rose said...

I'm really loving this Poe-inspired photo shoot. Your dress looks amazing on you and I adore the cameo necklace! I wish I had one like that. Everything about this is perfect and beautiful.

Jul said...

I think this is my favourite outfit of yours, and the poem and the location are perfect. I love visiting graveyards (this may sound creepy or morbid but it's not!), and reading the names on the stones and looking at the photos.
You look so stunning.

http://lifeisaromanticpoem.blogspot.com/

OrigamiGirl said...

I love the cameo necklace! Looks very classy. Im also a big Edgar Allan Poe fan. I got his completed works as a graduation present to myself and love reading all the short creepy stories.
Anyway I think your shots for today are amonst my favourite you have ever done!

Victoria / Justice Pirate said...

I have his complete works (poems and stories) and have loved this poem SO much since I was about 14. It's so great. You look so lovely!!!

Jenna said...

That poem, while beautiful, has always scared me!! That graveyard definitely matches the mood!!
And your necklace is so pretty!! Your grandma has great taste!! :D

Jenna said...

I just gave you a blog award!! :D

Kimberly said...

Hey !
That poem is so beautiful, I always loved it, Edgar Allen Poe is a genius !
That dress is stunning, love the background as well :)
Xoxo

Unknown said...

Very pretty pictures lauren :), Such an interesting poem too, i've never seen a fashion blog take pictures in a cemetary very original and it fits the poem perfectly!
-TaylorMarie

Mila said...

You have the most creative ideas for taking photos, and they always turn out so well! Your outfit goes along perfectly with the scenery, in a good way, and so does the poem. These pictures definitely look vintage! I love the dress too!

xoxo

Miranda said...

I was without internet access for the past few days, so Happy Late Birthday, Lauren!!! :D
P.S. You look beautiful as usual :)

Mariña " La Marquesa" said...

the first thing that I thought when I saw the pictures was "it is very edgar allan poe slylish" and when I open the post I realize of that was exactly what you was preteding..really cool pictures!!!! I ilke so much the poem and the style:D

SOJOURNED IN STYLE said...

the photos and poem go hand in hand. the rhythm in the poem is infectious and his dear annabelle lee is endearing. I like this throwback to a different time in such a classic silhoutte.

Maria Elyse said...

Wow, how incredibly amazing that you just came upon this graveyard!

You are so beautifully gorgeous...and I adore the Poe poem you used. I really like how you themed this outfit more vintage and less Victorian-esque...most people tend to do graveyard shoots in a a really mediocre way, but this is different and much more interestingly haunting. Gorgeous photos, Lauren! Definitely my favorite post of yours so far. :)

And I think I am in love with your cameo necklace...cameos are one of my favorite things ever. :)

xo
Maria Elyse
First Impressions
Flying Ships Vintage

Anula said...

Gorgeous shoes! Amazing dress!! You look fab!!
If you want we can follow each other! Have a magic day!!

Kezzie said...

What a wonderful poem! You look lovely! I like that hat! What does it look like on?!

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