The sea is a place full of wonder and awe. Intriguing and terrifying all at the same time. So much beauty lies beneath the blue wavy surface, but so much mystery and awe too. I’ve always loved being by the water – any type, from the ocean to the lake, even a pool or a fountain. There is something so calming and peaceful about it! Funnily enough, I have also always had a fear of what lurks beneath the water. I may love to be near it, but I don’t always love to be in it. Heck, even the pool, which I spend every day in in the summer sometimes gives me a fright as I near the deep end. Maybe I have the pool episode of Are You Afraid Of The Dark to blame?! No matter what, my water rule is – I need to be able to see my feet!

Having a love and fear of water is healthy. I enjoy the happiness it brings, but I also respect the turmoil that can churn below the surface. It also makes the mystery of the deep blue all the more intriguing. While they may not be real, one sea creature that I have always found enchanting (but would not want to run into on a swim) is mermaids. (Unlike Are You Afraid Of The Dark, this one may have come from The Little Mermaid.) Something about them brings whimsy and freedom to whatever they adorn. They have quite an interesting list of things they represent, as all mythical creatures do.

First and foremost, mermaids embody femininity. Their creation likely derived from Greek Goddesses, such Amphitrite, the goddess of the sea. They symbolize awareness and insight, and being in tune with the world around them. Some cultures believe they signify life and fertility, while others view them as destructive, or bad omens for storms, luring sailors to their deaths. Being part human, part fish, some believe they represent the ability to adapt to change. All of these things, minus the bad omens, makes me love mermaids even more, for all that they represent. It proves why The Little Mermaid is a Disney classic, and highlights the powerful message it portrays. That love for enchanted, mythical creatures doesn’t have to end when childhood does.

I fell in love with this Lilly Pulitzer shirt dress for the style and the abstract coral pattern. It was chic and classic and could be worn from the coast of California, to the coast of Main, and anywhere in between. I didn’t do much examination before purchasing…like Ariana Grande said, “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it.” So imagine my surprise when it arrived and while trying it on, I spotted her in the mirror. The gorgeous mermaid embedded in the coral print of this dress! Upon closer inspection, there were many mermaids to be found. It’s something I always love about Lilly Pulitzer patterns, they are full of surprises. If you look closer, or from another angle, you’ll see something new. It’s also the same thing I love about the sea!

Dress: Lilly Pulitzer (print is from last year, but the style is still available)   Shoes: Tommy Bahama   Sunglasses: Francesca’s (similar here)   Necklace: Francesca’s (similar here & here)

Signed with Style,

 

 

 

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