At the moment I am re-reading the Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It is probably my second favourite tale of hers, after A Little Princess and starts off in a very similar way. Young Mary Lennox is forced to leave India after a cholera epidemic and she goes to stay in Misselthwaite Manor. Mary finds that the Manor has many secrets, the garden being only one of them.

I find the idea of a Secret Garden so enchanting. A private place away from the world where one can be alone, or share it only with their loved ones. A walled paradise, each season refreshing the decor. There would be a swing with climbing roses running down the ropes and a little lake with golden fish. Great oaks and ashes would grow around its edges with delicate silver birch in between and every flower imaginable, narcissus, lillies, violets would grow wild between the paths. I would love a garden such as this.

The French have a concept, Le Jardin Secret, which I admire. It is a metaphor for one’s private inner sanctuary, where the most secret emotions and dearest memories are kept. It is peaceful place where you can go to be most truly yourself and enjoy your own dreams and fantasies I think we all have a place like this, even if there is not a term for it in english, and it is very closely linked to my own idea of what it means to be a Princess and a Lolita. For me, beautiful clothes and songs and stories are the keys to this place where I feel truly at peace with who I am.

Merci Julie, Victoria and Amélie for your help with defining le jardin secret