"Her conviction that love did not find its expression in a letter was not perfect."-Ian McEwan

Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

Valentine's Day posts have always been a bit varied here at Think Classic, so it is no surprise that we are doing something different yet again this year.

Have you ever written or received a love letter? It is a notion that has always been romantic, especially in our world of technology today. Many people seldom take the time to sit down and write out their thoughts and feelings for someone the old fashioned way. Somehow that makes it even more special and poignant when we do.

Writing a letter is often regarded as a lost art, making letters like the ones we have to share with you today all the more valuable. It is amazing to think that while some of these people may be gone, their words--so full of meaning, emotion, life, and intention--remain.

We are excited to share a few genuine love letters with you for Valentine's Day, including a letter written by Hollywood's own Elizabeth Taylor (#3) to her husband, actor Richard Burton.

                                           "Dear Annie,

Today being Memorial Day and not having to work but half

a day, I decided to stay at home. I had just finished eating

breakfast and was sitting thinking about you and wondering

whether you had forgotten I was living or not.

As I had not heard from you since Sunday when the mail

carrier brought your letter and you can't imagine how

glad I was to hear from you. I wish you could be over here

with me today as you know we all are delighted to have you

come at any time, especially myself."

                                          "Vaun Darling,

I love you! Your letter of sweet endearment arrived yesterday

afternoon. Very timely too. Jerry had received a letter from his

girl in Wash. professing great love, etc. He let me read it and bet

that yours could be no better. So I had to let them read yours.

We all got a big charge from it. I assumed that you weren't serious.

Cause actually I'm such a swell fella I can hardly stand myself. So

you just couldn't really believe that I'm conceited.

I was so glad to hear that you got your reservations. Now if you'll

let me know when your train arrives, I'll meet you and hug and kiss

you so hard you'll wish you hadn't been so mean. (I cried myself

to sleep last night!)

Freshman stunt night was last night. All your friends wish you

were here but your man misses you 60,000,000 times as much.

All my love always,

Max

(over)

P.S.- I love you! I love you! I love you!"

                                      "My Darling (my still) My husband,

I wish I could tell of my love for you, of my fear,my delight,

my part animal pleasure of you- (with you)- my jealousy,

my pride, my anger at you , at times.

Most of all my love for you, and whatever love you can

dole out to me- I wish I could write about it but I can't.

I can only 'boil and bubble' inside and hope you understand

how I really feel.

Anyway, I lust thee,

Your (still) Wife

P.S.- O' Love, let us never take each other for granted again!

P.P.S.- How about that- 10 years!!"

"Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind.

And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."

William Shakespeare

"And yet, to say the truth, reason and love keep little company together nowadays."

William Shakespeare

"She would have laid down her life for 'ee.I could do no more."

"She philosophically noted dates as they came past in the revolution of the year...She suddenly thought one afternoon, when looking in the glass at her fairness, that there was yet another date of greater importance to her than those; that of her own death, when all these charms would have disappeared; a day which lay sly and unseen among all the other days of the year, giving no sign or sound when she annually passed over it; but not the less, surely there."

Tess of the D'urbervilles
1891 novel
by Thomas Hardy

Tess Durbeyfield is a young woman, and oldest daughter of poor Wessex merchants, Joan and John Durbeyfield.When her father is informed of his familial connection to an old,noble,and long-forgotten family by the name of D'urberville, he is overjoyed.There is a last section of the D'urberville family living in a manor in Tantridge.They urge their beautiful,innocent daughter Tess to go and "claim kin," not knowing that this family purchased the D'urberville title long ago.
At first, Tess is against the idea, but eventually agrees, wishing to make amends for accidentally killing her father's only horse.After her visit to her supposed relations in Tantridge, Tess is offered a job on the estate, which she accepts.While living at Tantridge, Tess is introduced to Alec D'urberville, the unruly son of the late Mr. D'urberville, and the blind, invalid Mrs D'urberville, who Tess works for.Tess wishes to make connections with this extended part of her family, but is wary of Alec's behavior towards her.She discovers that she has just cause, when Alec rapes Tess in the middle of the night.
Tess immediately returns to her home in Marlott, where she soon after discovers that she is with child.She gives birth to a child, whom she names Sorrow.Tess loves her child, yet hates his connection to Alec.Sorrow falls ill and dies in the middle of the night not long after he is born.Tess buries him in unconsecrated ground.She decides to leave this all behind her, as she takes a position as a dairy maid at Talbothay's.
In the rural valley where Talbothay's is situated, Tess begins to feel at home,as if she has a new chance at life.She befriends her fellow dairy maids, as well as one Angel Clare, the son of a reverend in Emminster, who is learning agriculture in hopes of owning his own land one day.Angel is equally captivated by the beautiful Tess Durbeyfield.Their friendship soon develops in to more, and Angel, believing Tess to be a saintly virgin, asks for her hand in marriage.Tess,who had previously said she would never marry, eventually accepts, knowing that she truly does love Angel too much to refuse him.
The newlywed couple is immensely happy until their wedding night.Angel confides in Tess that he is not spotless himself, having had an affair with a woman in London.Tess forgives him, and feels that he will surely understand that her virginity was forcefully taken from her.She tells him the truth, seeking forgiveness, but is shocked to find that Angel is mortified, and cannot forgive her, even though he still claims to love her.Angel immediately makes arrangements for Tess to go back to her parents home, while he goes to South America to establish himself as a farmer, the plan being to send for her once he is ready.
Tess, heartbroken, does as Angel desires and the two separate.At first, Tess sends him letters of love and support.Not knowing that Angel has fallen desparately ill, which is why he has not responded, she then writes a letter saying that she does not forgive him, and she never wishes to see him again.
Shortly after this time, Tess runs into Alec D'urberville again.At first she lashes out against him and tries to avoid him.Alec persists, however, professing his undying love for her.He eventually offers her some kind of "proof," which is never revealed, that Angel is never coming back to her.That, along with promises to provide for her poverty stricken family, persuades Tess to become his mistress.
Angel eventually recovers from his illness and rushes back to England to find Tess.He searches for quite some time, eventually finding her staying in a boarding house as a Mrs. D'urberville with Alec.Tess is shocked to see him again, and tells him it's too late, and to leave.Angel does as she wishes.Tess returns to Alec, furious with him for lying to her about Angel being gone forever.The two fight, and Tess stabs Alec and runs away to catch up with Angel.She confesses her sin to Angel, and the two flee from the law together, hoping to make it to a neutral country so that they can escape.
The police find them eventually, and take Tess into custody.Tess is willing to pay for her crime, and departs only after making angel promise to marry her younger sister Liza-Lu, and to try to love her as much as he loved Tess.In the end, Tess is put on trial and sentenced to death.

The story of Tess of the D'urbervilles is not exactly light-hearted, but is a passionate, heartbreaking love story, as well as a commentary on some of the social rules and religious views of the time.

You can find Tess of the D'urbervilles at any bookstore.
Also, if you're interested, BBC made it into a movie in 2008.
You can see the preview here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snhZ_flom1Q
OR you can begin watching the actual movie here, and follow consecutive links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFLSYxx9Jvo

"I can never buy a garment without thinking about the woman who owned it."-Phoebe Swift

A Vintage Affair

2011 novel by Isabel Wolff

I know what you're thinking: 2011?That's not very old.

And you would be correct.

It's a modern novel with some very vintage twists and throwbacks.

PLOT

The story centers around Phoebe Swift, who lives in England, and has recently quit her job as an auction house buyer in order to fulfill a dream by opening her own vintage clothing shop, Village Vintage. Phoebe is also trying to adjust to her new life without her best friend, Emma, who died recently. To acquire new merchandise for her shop, Phoebe goes to auctions, buys and sells online, and also makes house calls to inspect and buy peoples vintage clothes.

Through this, she meets an elderly woman named Mrs. Bell, who is a WWII survivor from France, and is dying of cancer. While inspecting some of Mrs. Bell's clothes, she is highly intrigued by a child's handmade blue coat. When she asks Mrs. Bell about it, the older woman tells her that it is not for sale, and she does not want to talk about it.

Eventually, Mrs. Bell comes to trust and admire Phoebe, and does tell her the story of the blue coat-a story of friendship, and betrayal. A story that Phoebe finds she can surprisingly relate to.

The book takes you through all of Phoebe's adventures while she looks for new clothes, new friends, new lovers, and a new start at life.

If paints a colorful picture of the south of France in the 1940's, and gives the reader a look at some of the most prominent names of vintage fashion.

It's funny, touching, historical, romantic..

And I loved it.

If you're interested in reading it for yourself, head over to your Barnes & Noble.

It's also available in paperback, and for NOOK books online:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-vintage-affair-isabel-wolff/1018391104?ean=9780553386622&itm=1&usri=a%2bvintage%2baffair#Details