Baking Spirits Bright

Holiday shopping is so much fun, isn't it? I love spending time scouring websites and stores in search of the perfect present. I actually pride myself on my gift-giving abilities. I don't like the thought of phoning it in and giving a loved one something generic. Fortunately, there are a lot of options available to me so that I can always find something truly special.

For many years, I've turned to ModCloth for gift items that are quirky, unique, and fun. My apartment is actually filled with housewares and office supplies I've found on their website, including dish drying racks, measuring spoons, candy dishes, silverware, mugs, and lots of other home accents. And while I've definitely purchased presents for others from their site, I'm always tempted to keep these items for myself. This time, I actually did – oops!

One of the things I knew I needed was this beautiful vintage baking book! I'm a big fan of The British Baking Show (and of baked goods in general), but I have virtually no skills when it comes to baking. I'm making a concerted effort to get more comfortable in the kitchen and this book looked so delightful... so I had to treat myself (literally). All of the recipes sound amazing. Maybe I can even add one of the cookie recipes into our holiday baking repertoire this year! For now, enjoy the sight of these cut-out cookies I made on a whim and have been eating ever since. And let me know what your favorite cookie is for this time of year – I'd love your input!

Outfit Details

Holiday Nights Knit Sweater: c/o ModCloth

Potluck Hostess Plaid Skirt: c/o ModCloth (similar)

Heels: ModCloth (similar)  ||  Brooch: similar

Gifts and Housewares

The Vintage Baker: c/o ModCloth (available here)

Writers and Their Cats: c/o ModCloth (available here)

Llama tea towel set: c/o ModCloth

Gingerbread house Pyrex: Target

Hearth and Hand candle (Fir and Leather): Target

I think the holidays are hard for a lot of people. I've always really loved them, but the last few years have included some sad times. This year might be sad for other reasons. I'm trying not to think about that, though I'm not always successful. Still, I am really looking forward to celebrating with my parents and with my friends. Focusing on finding just the right thing for everyone on my list has been a welcome distraction. Now I just need to wrap everything (and watch some Christmas movies)!

If you're still looking for some great gift ideas, ModCloth's Holiday Gift Guide has you covered. Plus, they're running a great sale through today (40% off orders $100+) that can take the sting out of holiday spending. They've already sold out of a lot of items – including just about everything I'm wearing or showing off in this post! – so don't wait too long! 

Have a great start to your week!

GIVEAWAY: Holiday Memories with RetroViewer! [CLOSED]

Happy December, everyone! I don't know about you, but I'm already gearing up for the holidays. My tree is trimmed, I'm planning to bake cookies and make latkes, and I've done pretty much all of my holiday shopping. I absolutely LOVE finding the perfect gifts for people I care about. But if you're stuck on what to get one of your nearest and dearest, I may have the perfect solution.

Some of you may remember this post from October wherein I talked about RetroViewer – a nostalgic viewfinder that you can customize with your own images and text. I filled mine with photos of my closest friends and had a ton of fun creating it. I commented at the time that I thought this would make THE coolest gift. And now, you'll have the chance to get one for yourself (or for someone on your list)!

Here's the deal: one (1) lucky winner will receive their own Image3D RetroViewer. You get to choose the body color and customize your reel with seven (7) images – and you'll get free shipping, of course. You can include the photos that mean the most to someone you love and give it to them for the holidays... OR you can treat yourself and put it under your own tree to open! It's totally up to you. Learn more about how to enter below (it's easy, I promise).

Giveaway rules: This giveaway runs from now until 11:59 PM EST on Thursday, December 6. Because you'll need to get your order in by December 10 to get it in time for Christmas, I made this giveaway a bit shorter in length than others – so don't wait to get your entries in! This giveaway is open worldwide, but you must be a follower of my blog to enter. The winner will be contacted via email (so provide a valid email address, please!) and must respond to that email within 24 hours; otherwise, a new winner will be chosen. The winner will be announced via the widget after their acceptance has been confirmed. It will be up to the winner to place the order for their RetroViewer (with the complimentary promo code provided by Image3D) in time to comply with holiday shipping restrictions. Thank you for your support and best of luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday Favorites #156: Black Friday 2018 Edition [DEALS AND PROMO CODES]

Happy Black Friday, everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and are ready to drop some cash. I put together a wish list of items I may be purchasing for myself this year (I promise, I'm buying things for other people, too!). Plus, I've rounded up a TON of promo codes and deals for you to use as a reference for all of your shopping needs. If you're planning on buying something today (or already bought something!), tell me all about it in the comments so I can live vicariously! :)

Please note that this post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of those links, I may earn a small commission that helps to run my blog. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

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And now for the deals and promo codes! I'll be adding to this list as others come in, so check back!

• aerie: 40% off the Aerie Collection / undies 10 for $35 / free blanket with $75+ purchase 
• ALDO: 20% off all regular-priced merchandise and 50% off sale section
• Ashbury Skies: 20% off all black styles with code BLACK
• ASOS: 25% off everything with code EPIC25
• B.A.I.T. Footwear: up to 40% off (prices as marked)
• ban.do: 30% off everything with code THIRTYOFF
• Barnes and Noble: 20% off orders $40+ with code BLKFRIDAY
• Bernie Dexter: 60% off with code BLACK60
• Betsey Johnson: 35% off + free shipping with code WOW35
• Betty and Veronica: 50% off everything with code FRIYAY
• Box Lunch: 20% off site and 50% off clearance
• Cakeworthy: 40% off with code BLACKFRIDAY18
• Cats Like Us: 25% off with code BCFM-18
• Collectif: 25% off everything with code BF25
• Dangerfield: 20-50% off storewide
• Dolly and Dotty: up to 70% of everything
• DSW: 20% off everything with code MADHOUSE
• Erstwilder: 30% off almost everything with code 30OFFEVENT
• Gal Meets Glam: 40% off select styles + free shipping with code GMGSHIPFREE
• Gap: 50% off everything with code BLKFRIDAY
• Heart of Haute: 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY (ends at midnight)
• Hearts and Found: 35% off with code BLACKFRIDAY35
• Hello Crumpet: 15% off everything with code FRIYAY
• Hello Holiday: 20% off with code BRIGHT
• Hey Chickadee: 25% off your order with code CYPURR25, plus up to 50% off 250+ items
• J.Crew: 40% off with code TOGETHER
• Joanie Clothing: 40% off everything (excluding sale)
• Karina Dresses: 30% off with code GIVETHANKS
• Kate Gabrielle: 30% off with code MISTLETOE
• Kitschy Witch Designs: 20% off sitewide with code WITCHCRAFT
• Loco Lindo: 30% off sitewide + free shipping with code BFSAVE30
• Lotta From Stockholm: 15% off (excluding sales and specials) with code BLACK18
• Madewell: 25% off your purchase with code DEALWITHIT
• Mischief Made: 20% off with code BLKFRIDAY
• Miss Candyfloss: 20% off (excluding new collection) with code BLACKFRIDAY
• ModCloth: 30% off $100+, 40% off $200+ (including sale)
• Modern Millie Shop: 15% off sitewide
• Nordstrom: 60% off select items
• The Oblong Box Shop: 30% off orders $75+ with code THANKS30
• Old Friends Vintage: 20% off Etsy shop
• PBTeen: 25% off your order with code OHWHATFUN
• The Pretty Dress Company: 25% off with code BLACK25
• Re-Mix Vintage Shoes: 10% off + free shipping with code SHOPSMALL
• Retro Glam: 25% off with code BLACK25 (or 20% off after today with CYBER20)
• Retrolicious: 30% off with code THANKS30
• Retrospec'd: 25% of everything with coupon BIGBIGSALE
• shopDisney: up to 60% off sitewide with code AMAZING
• Sirens Swimwear: up to 70% off
• Sourpuss Clothing: 25% off with code BLACK
• Steady Clothing: 25% off everything with code HOLIDAY2018
• Tatyana: 35% off with code BF35
• Too Faced Cosmetics: 30% off with code PINK30
• Top Vintage: 20% off sitewide
• Torrid: 40% off regular-priced items + free shipping over $50 
• Trashy Diva: 30% off everything with code TALKTURKEY
• ULTA: tons of mark-downs + free shipping on orders $35+
• Unique Vintage: 25% off everything with code BESTWEEK
• Vendula London: buy 3 select items and get 20% off with code CBW20
• Vintage Inspired By Jackie: 20% off select items
• Vixen by Micheline Pitt: 30% all regular-priced items with code BACKTOBLACK; 50% off sale items and 15% off pre-order items (no code needed)

Happy Shopping!

Sorry / Grateful

All images by Emma Rizzo Photo

My world has changed a lot in the last week. I'm not really ready to talk much about it yet, but suffice it to say that there's a lot to get used to and I'm spending a lot of time deep in thought or fighting back tears. Even when you feel a change is coming, that doesn't make it any easier or less heart-breaking. Knowing something might end up being for the best doesn't mean you're ready for it to happen.

Still, there's a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the people in my life who care deeply about me. I am thankful for everyone who has reached out to me with kindness and compassion. I am thankful for my home and for my job. I am thankful for my cat and for creativity and for laughter and for warmth and for comfort. I am thankful for sunshine and for the seasons and for the knowledge that time does heal (if not completely, at least enough that it won't always hurt to breathe or to remember). I am thankful for my health and for my desire to improve it. I am thankful for words and for music and for art. I am thankful for good deeds in this weary world. I am thankful to have known love; if I have lost it in the end, at least I found it and experienced joy even in the darkest of places and in the darkest of times. I am thankful... in spite of it all.

And now I'm sorry (hence this Sondheim-inspired title) that this post has turned into something more melancholy than I intended, especially because this autumnal dress from Voodoo Vixen should be the star of the show. Emma took some photos of my friend Kelsey and me on what was basically the last day of real fall here in Rochester. We got to capture some dreamy golden moments and my dress looked absolutely perfect against the backdrop of yellow and orange leaves. Now, everything's covered in snow. It seems appropriate that the cold came in all at once, without warning and without apology.

Back to the dress. This is probably the most beautiful plaid I could imagine for Thanksgiving – and you may be able to find it on sale this week for Black Friday. I was eager to get my hands on it because of the print and because it's actually called the "Samantha" dress. I love all the details (the pockets are so cute) and the plaid is even prettier in person. However, I will say that this dress runs small and that the fabric has no stretch. I actually ordered up from my normal size and it's still not quite big enough to comfortably accommodate my bust and my arms. If you want to snag it for yourself, Doll Me Up still has some sizes (and should be restocking soon); they have an accurate size chart to go by and I would suggest choosing your size based on your bust measurement. The dress comes with a matching fabric belt, so you'd be able to cinch it a bit if it's too roomy (plus, you need a bit of space for holiday foods). Other than that, it's truly a lovely dress and it's so perfect for fall festivities.

Outfit Details

Samantha Tartan Dress: c/o Voodoo Vixen

Coat: Hell Bunny (similar)

Tights: similar  ||  Shoes: similar

I'm a bit all over the place lately, but I'm trying to stay busy and focus on things I'm excited about. I've already started decorating my house for Christmas and I'll probably be putting up my tree this weekend. I've always loved the holidays and am trying not to think about the fact they suddenly feel a lot lonelier this year. I don't even feel that excited about pumpkin pie, which isn't like me. Maybe I'll feel differently tomorrow. That's all I really hope for lately – that I'll feel differently tomorrow.

Sending love to you and yours.

An Apple a Day

I've been sick for the last week, so it probably stands to reason that I should be eating more apples to keep the doctor away. Fortunately, we ended up getting a lot (plus donuts and cider, of course) at our trip to The Apple Farm. Apple-picking season is over by now, but I'll definitely be enjoying the fruits of our labor (literally!) for at least the rest of this month! I've never been one for apple pie, though... I'm a pumpkin gal all the way there.

This look is a bit more classic (read: maybe basic?) than I normally go for – but holy wow, this dress from Torrid is SO soft. I started shopping at Torrid for swimsuits and bras a while back, but hadn't ventured into real clothes until I purchased this. Although the elasticized waistband sits a bit high for me (which I easily fixed with a belt), this dress is really nice and sooo cozy. It looks like it's currently out of stock, but there's a red version that looks like it would be beautiful for the holidays! For anyone who's kind of on the cusp of straight sizes and plus sizes like I currently am, I'm definitely a fan of shopping with them. (Just wait until there's some kind of sale, which they have often!)

Outfit Details

Dress: Torrid (similar here and here)

Plaid scarf: available at ModCloth

Belt: similar  ||  Boots: similar
Basket: similar

I'm looking forward to the holidays this year – mostly for outfit-planning reasons, if I'm honest. I don't know what Thanksgiving and Christmas will bring this year. Things have been tough lately and I'm kind of in a period of uncertainty. But I think that probably means change is on the horizon. And while that can be scary, I'm inclined to believe that's a good thing.

Have a sweet start to your week!