T3: Under The Poppy’s Lovers' Eye

For Thoughtful Third Thursday (T3), we are supposed to create an outfit based on a quote or synopsis of a book we’re reading.  I’m deviating from that a little bit in that my outfit is based not on a quote or synopsis from the book, but on something I learned about from the book.  Oh, and it’s not a book I’m currently reading, either; I actually finished it a couple of days ago.

That being said, the book is Under the Poppy, by Kathe Koja, and it was confusing as hell for me.  I’m honestly still not sure what it was about or what happened.  Things I do know: The Poppy is a whorehouse, there was a lot of confusing wartime intrigue, and the Madame of the whorehouse wore blue lovers' eye brooch.  That brooch was given to her by her brother, who got it from his sugar mama and it eventually ended up with the lead whore although I’m not sure how.

Anyway, it was that brooch that inspired today’s outfit:

Yes, those are eyes on my blouse.

The blouse, obviously, represents the brooch.  And the red belt represents the fact that a lot of people were killed, usually by a knife, in this book.  The rest is just there because coming to work in nothing more than a blouse and a belt is seriously frowned upon.

Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of lovers' eye jewelry.  But, according to Wikipedia, they are “Georgian miniatures, normally watercolor on ivory, depicting the eye or eyes of a spouse, loved one or child.”  The fad started in the late 1700s and the pieces “were often worn as bracelets, brooches, pendants or rings with richly decorated frames.”  

Here are some examples of lovers' eye jewelry:

image via charcoalalley.com

Personally, I find those pretty darned creepy, but delightfully so.  Just like I find this vintage eye-print blouse creepy, but delightfully so:

Seriously, I love this thing.  When I found it in the thrift store, I snatched it up like someone would try to steal it from me.  I'm starting to think that's not true; I may be the only one who would want this.  But, that's okay too!

Happy Thursday, All!  And thank you so much to My Closet Catalogue for hosting Third Thursday Threads!

Gracey

P.S., if you want, you can get a custom made lovers' eye for yourself or your loved one at this Etsy shop!