Shop My Closet Update 2.0!

In the spirit of crossing some spring cleaning off my list, I've done a little update to my "Shop My Closet" store today! There are a bunch of new additions from ModCloth, ASOS,  Mata Traders, Coco Fennell, Emily and Fin and more (plus, a few novelty purses!). What you see below is just a little preview... click here to see the full selection of what's available!

Happy Friday + happy shopping!

At the zoo

"Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo..." I know it's not very politically correct to say, but I always really liked going to the zoo. I used to go all the time with my ex-boyfriend, but I hadn't gone back to one since we broke up. It used to be too painful, especially seeing the river otters (they were like, our "thing"). But I'm at the point now where I'm past all of that and can enjoy these types of activities again without feeling that pang of sadness. Noting that progress is important to me. Instead of being overwhelmed with memories from my previous relationship, I can momentarily acknowledge what I once shared with someone and still have a great time seeing animals I love.

I guess that sentiment's only partially true – not because of the ghosts of past relationships, but because even when the animals are well taken care of (like they are at the Seneca Park Zoo), I still don't love seeing animals being kept in captivity. Although it can be important in terms of conservation and education, I still can't imagine that lions and polar bears can both be totally at ease living in a zoo in Western NY. Of course, being able to see a gorgeous tiger in real life is pretty magnificent... but at the very least, visiting the zoo as an adult does make you think. Regardless, I still had a nice morning at the zoo with my best friend, Wayne – and I had to wear this adorable zoo-themed skirt from Bryony + Co. for the occasion! Unfortunately, I forgot my camera remote at home, so I didn't get any pictures of this outfit while we were actually at the zoo... but I snapped some outfit photos when I was back home in my own little jungle of a backyard.

I've admired Bryony + Co.'s themed collections for quite some time now, and their newest Zoo line is no exception. I own a couple of their older pieces (from back when the company was known as Poppy), and in my experience, the sizing has been a bit inconsistent from piece to piece. They do have detailed size charts on their site (which you'll need to convert from cm. to in. if you're US-based) for each item. I followed the size chart for the skirt I'm wearing here, the Elspeth Blue Zoo skirt, which told me I should size down to a UK 10. However, I definitely should have gotten my regular UK 12 size, as this skirt is too tight to be comfortable on me. The design is SO darling, but it's not an item I could wear all day long. If you're in doubt on your size after consulting the chart, I think it's better to be safe than sorry and order the larger size (so do as I say, not as I do!). I really like this outfit though, and the coordinating cardigan is of a nice quality as well – it's a great sweater for spring, and I love the different colored buttons! I also adore the fact that all of their items come with their own little illustrated storybook. It's charming details like these that make all the difference for me.

Outfit Details

Elspeth Blue Zoo Skirt: c/o Bryony + Co.

Women's Cardigan in Lemon: c/o Bryony + Co

Spectators: B.A.I.T. Footwear (similar)

Pink camisole: similar

Bryony + Co. was kind enough to offer an exclusive discount code for my readers! You can get 15% off all full-price items when you enter the code SOUBRETTE15 at checkout! :)

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Le Bomb Shop Instagram Giveaway! [CLOSED]

I normally run giveaways through my blog and Rafflecopter, but I'm trying something a little bit different today: I've teamed up with retro retailer Le Bomb Shop on an awesome Instagram-based giveaway! I've listed the rules of the giveaway here on the blog and on my Instagram account, but you'll have to hop over to Instagram to repost the image + follow the instructions to enter. (If you aren't an Instagram user, I promise I'll have another giveaway you can enter very soon!) Read on to find out more...

If you aren't already familiar with Le Bomb Shop, they carry all sorts of vintage-inspired pieces and pin up style staples (often for a better price than other retailers). They have tons of popular dresses, swing skirts (like the one I'm wearing here) and the cropped cardigans we all love, and they're often offered in multiple colorways and style variations. I like to have a good mix of affordable staples and higher-end pieces in my wardrobe, and Le Bomb Shop is always one of the first places I look for inexpensive items to supplement what I already have in my closet – especially if I'm looking for separates or layering pieces in a specific shade. There's so much variety to choose from, and one lucky person will win a $50 gift card to spend at Le Bomb Shop!

Outfit Details

Sail Away With Me Striped Top in Jailbird: c/o Le Bomb Shop

Twirl in a Circle Skirt in True Red: c/o Le Bomb Shop

Belt: from another dress  ||  Hat: eBay

Flats: Jessica Simpson via Amazon

INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY RULES:

One (1) person/user will win a $50 (USD) gift card from Le Bomb Shop! You must repost the image below on Instagram, follow @thesoubrettebrunette and @lebombshop, and write #soubretteLBSgiveaway in your caption in order to be eligible. Your Instagram account must be public (private entries will not be shown), and you can enter once every 24 hours until Friday, April 15th at 11:59 PM (EST). Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via Instagram direct message and notified (via tagging) in a winner announcement post. 

Good luck & have a great day!

Friday Favorites #129

Hooray, it's Friday again! I have some particularly fun finds in store for this week's Friday Favorites post, starting with these tea-riffic new releases from Kate Spade!

a   ||   b   ||   c   ||   d   ||   e   ||   f

Some of these would pair perfectly with this teapot print dress:

These brooches are fantastic!

a   ||   b   ||   c   ||   d

These purses are downright buzz-worthy!

a   ||   b   ||   c

I adore this springy skirt!

I may or may not have already ordered one of these bags... but I love them all!

a    //    b    //    c    //    d

I'm absolutely obsessed with this vegetable print dress.

I love carbs (and also Oprah's Weight Watchers commercial) and might need this brooch.

This harlequin print skirt by Shawna Lay Designs is everything.

Would it be totally bonkers to buy this purse when I currently have no marriage prospects?

And finally... one of each of these, please!

1       ||        2

Have a great weekend!

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I may receive a small commission, which helps to run my blog. I link only to items and brands I absolutely love. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

Jammin'

Most of you know that I'd be hard-pressed to find a food-themed outfit that doesn't make me swoon. But when I saw this skirt from Dangerfield – complete with its delectable croissants, jars of cherry jam and polka dotted bows – I'm pretty sure I let out an audible yelp and waited all of 2 seconds to purchase it. I was absolutely powerless to resist the urge of these buttery breakfast treats and accompanying marmalade... which is a sentiment that also applies for when I'm faced with these foodstuffs in real life! And of course, as I am nothing if not thematic, I had to wear my Erstwilder preserves brooch to complete this yummy ensemble.

This skirt is a perfect staple for spring and summer; the fabric is a lightweight cotton, and the black and white checked pattern is so picnic-esque. I sized up to a UK 14 in this skirt after looking at the provided size chart, and though it fits fine, I probably would have been okay with my normal UK 12 as well. Since Dangerfield is based in Australia, I was afraid of receiving a too-small skirt, and I always remind myself that it's easier to have something taken in, if need be. As it is, it totally works (though I swapped out the belt it came with for something a bit sturdier) and, as I like to say, it leaves me with "eating room!"

Outfit Details

Parisian Skirt: Dangerfield (on sale!)

Erstwilder Popular Preserve brooch: D&J Retro

Yellow top: Poshmark  ||  Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing

Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Twinkle

Although I don't own many galaxy printed pieces, I think they're incredibly pretty – and that's especially true of this circle skirt from Les Choses Délicates! This Canadian-based e-shop specializes in classic silhouettes using modern fabrics and contemporary touches. The garments are handmade (and are 100% cotton), and because I believe wholeheartedly in the importance of supporting small businesses and fellow artists, I'm so thrilled I got a chance to work with Sarah, the designer and founder of Les Choses Délicates.

A bit about this awesome skirt: it's an extremely well-made piece (with pockets, yay!), and I love how this print is both distinctive and versatile. It could easily be worn with a fuller petticoat for a more dramatic look, but since it's a fairly lightweight fabric and holds its shape well, it looks great without one too. I believe Sarah may have changed the sizing for her skirts since I put in my order – each skirt is now custom-made according to your waist measurement, which is a great feature; comparatively, I used a size chart she provided and may have overestimated what size I'd need, as the size 10 is slightly too big without a belt. However, I've already gotten a lot of wear out of this skirt (I wore it out to dinner the other night with this top and loved the combination), so it's certainly not a very noticeable discrepancy – and I'd rather have some breathing/eating room! This print is currently sold out (it'll be back in stock soon!), but there are many other cute designs to choose from in her Etsy shop (and she does custom orders, too!).

Outfit Details

Space Dust Galaxy Skirt: c/o Les Choses Délicates

Black peasant top: Pinup Girl Clothing

Necklace: ModCloth  ||  Belt: from another dress
Flats: Jessica Simpson via Amazon

I guess I'm sort of a galaxy print convert now... what's your take on this popular print?

Have a wonderful start to your week!