Thursday, August 29, 2019

Cherry Picked

cherry dress
All images by Emma Rizzo Photo
Cherries are the quintessential pinup print... or they are for me, at least. So it makes sense that I've put together at least one cherry-themed post each summer I've been blogging. (You can find a bunch of my previous cherry-themed posts here.) It's become a bit of tradition, I guess. Cherries were never really my favorite fruit, but I can't resist a cherry dress – or a good orchard.

cherry picking rochester ny
cherries rochester ny
pinup cherry dress
cherry print dress
u pick cherries

This dress from Smak Parlour has such cute details! I love the pom-pom hem and the tie back. It has absolutely no give to it, so I'd recommend ordering up if you're between sizes. But even though it's a bit of a tight fit, I absolutely love the silhouette. It's on sale (both on their own website and at Unique Vintage) now that the season is nearly over. So if you're the kind of gal who likes to snag a bargain for the following year, here's your chance!

smak parlour cherry dress
u-pick cherries rochester ny
cherry print vintage dress
retro cherry dress
pinup cherry
cherry pick green acre farms rochester
vintage cherry hat

Summer has kind of flown by. I know a lot of people are ready for fall to begin, but (as always) I'm not quite ready to let the warm weather go. Technically, we have a few weeks left... and I'm not about to hurry things along. So you'll have to be okay with me posting summery content for just a bit longer! I'll get on the autumnal/Halloween train before you know it – I promise.

cherry outfit pinup
cherry hat vintage
embroidered cherry dress
soubrette brunette cherry dress
cherry picking
green acre farms rochester
Outfit Details
embroidered cherry dress: Smak Parlour
cherry hat: vintage (similar)  ||  clog sandals: available at Nordstrom

cherry bettie bangs
Have a delicious day!

Monday, August 26, 2019

The Soubrette Brunette's Summer Picnic Essentials

retro picnic

Summer may be coming to a close, but there's still plenty of time for picnicking! As one of my favorite pastimes, picnics are always on my to-do list when the weather turns warm. (But they can be just as fun when the leaves are starting to turn!)

picnic must-haves
belvoir fruit farms lemonade
sunflower picnic

I mean, what's not to like? Getting to enjoy the great outdoors with your closest friends while noshing on delicious treats? If I could picnic all the time, I would! But what exactly should you bring on your picnic? I'm sharing some of my picnicking essentials in today's post to help you pack like a pro.

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

sunflowers
PRACTICAL ITEMS

First things first: in order to pack a picnic, you'll need something to pack it in. Of course, you could use paper or cloth bags, but a picnic basket is much more fun. I was lucky enough to snag a couple of great picnic baskets this year – one is a novelty basket from Homegoods and the other was a vintage find. Although I tend to be drawn to picnic baskets that have undeniable visual appeal, the most important feature of your basket is how much room it offers. If there isn't enough space to feasibly hold the food and containers you plan to bring, keep looking. 

While you could easily spend almost $200 on a picnic basket (especially if it comes with plates, utensils, and napkins... all of which can take up valuable space), I'd personally recommend going with a more affordable option. I've included a few examples that I especially like below:

picnic baskets


a       ||       b      ||       c


Alternatively (or in addition to your basket), you could use a cooler. It's obviously a good idea if you're packing perishable foods that you won't be eating right away or want to make sure any beverages arrive chilled. It can also double as a tote or even as a garbage bag afterwards. Here are a few that I particularly enjoy:

picnic coolers
1   //   2   //   3

I tend to take care of the other logistics next before moving onto the fun stuff (e.g., the food). You'll need something to sit on during your outing – and sitting directly on the ground isn't an ideal choice. Naturally, you'll want to bring a big blanket along, too. I'm partial to something that provides a bit of heft and that will cover a large area, particularly if more than three people will be in attendance. Using multiple blankets can be a good strategy,  as well. If you want to make transporting everything a bit easier, you might consider getting a a picnic blanket with a sewn-on handle. No matter what kind of blanket you choose, make sure it's washable and that it isn't especially valuable. Here are a few options I think would work well:

picnic blankets

a   ||   b   ||   c   ||   d   ||   e

Whether you're picnicking in your backyard or a local park, you'll want to do what you can to be environmentally conscious. If you aren't sure there will be trash receptacles where you'll be picnicking, bring along a garbage bag or two with you (be sure to separate trash from any plastic or glass bottles). While plastic utensils and paper plates are convenient, aim to pack washable ones instead that you can reuse at a later time. As a bonus, cloth napkins and reusable cups can make the whole affair seem a bit more glamorous! If possible, pack your picnic items in Tupperware or Pyrex containers, rather than single use bags, to cut down on plastic waste.

A few of my other favorite must-haves include a Bluetooth speaker for music, some floor pillows, sun hats, lawn games... and your friends, of course!

what to bring on a picnic
1   ||   2   ||   3   ||   4   ||   5

picnic food
picnic basket baguette
stuff to bring on picnic
FOOD AND DRINK

The best part about planning a picnic, of course, is choosing the food you'll bring. I've covered the basics in the infographic below, but I'll go into a bit more detail here. In my opinion, the most important elements of a picnic include...
  • Beverages: I'm partial to something bubbly, like sparkling juice or Perrier, but there aren't really any rules here. I'd recommend opting for a drink that's vaguely fruity and very fresh. I like to bring a couple of options so that attendees can sample more than one thing. If you're not a teetotaler like I am, a bottle of wine is probably traditional. Iced tea and lemonade are also great options, as are these flavored lemonades from Belvoir Fruit Farms. Just make sure to bring along a bottle opener and glasses (if the drinks aren't in individual bottles or cans).

  • Fresh Produce: Picnics allow you to spend time out in nature, so what better way to enjoy the outdoors than to snack on what comes from the earth? We tend to go picnicking when many fruits and veggies are at their peak, so take advantage of what's in season and show it off. Strawberries, grapes, cherries, and plums all work well, as do watermelon, peaches, pears, and nectarines. Olives and cherry tomatoes are two of my go-tos, as well. Baby carrots, radishes, sugar snap peas, bell peppers, cornichons, and cucumbers are my top picks for vegetables. While you can certainly make a green or fruit salad to bring, I tend to prefer bite-sized morsels. These options tend to be versatile and will complement the other elements of your picnic with ease.

  • Breads, Meats, and Cheeses: Sandwiches can be an excellent addition to your picnic hamper. Personally, I'd be partial to an egg, chicken, or tuna salad, though a Caprese or a roasted red pepper and arugula sandwich would be divine. However, there's no denying that preparing sandwiches for each guest will require quite a bit more work. As a result, I like to keep things a bit less formal and allow attendees to combine the elements however they'd like. For example, a sliced baguette or cracker medley with a few of different cheeses (may I suggest a Rustic Red cheddar, a Jarlsberg, and a softer cheese to spread like a Gournay or a Brie?) might be ideal, particularly when paired with some salami or prosciutto. If you don't eat meat but like this idea, some vegan jerky or vegan "cheddar"-flavored chips might be a viable alternative. A jam or fruit preserve can be a delectable element, too.

  • Nuts and Desserts: I have a big sweet tooth, so none of my picnics are complete without dessert. I think the cookie is the ideal picnic treat, as they're extra portable and a real crowd-pleaser. But brownies and bars of any kind can also be delightful. Whatever you bring should be easy to transport and won't risk melting in the sun. I usually like to include some nuts, as well, like smokehouse roasted almonds, pistachios, honey roasted cashews, or candied pecans, which can be eaten throughout the meal to provide a bit of sweetness (or even spiciness) when needed. If you're looking for some nut-spiration, I'd definitely check out your local Trader Joe's to find some unique new flavors that will wow your guests.
picnic foods
pinup picnic
strawberries rochester ny

I made a little infographic (which you can feel free to share, if you want) to cover all the essentials! I know a picnicking checklist isn't all that hard to remember, but I had fun making it. Are there any picnicking must-haves that I left out? Will you go on a picnic before summer's officially over?

summer picnic essentials

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Monday, August 19, 2019

Garden Party

trashy diva garden party

Summer may be on its last legs, but I'm not ready to bid farewell to floral prints quite yet. This beautiful dress is from Trashy Diva's new "Garden Party" collection and I was eager to try out a cut I hadn't owned yet – the Norma Jean. I had to be a bit brave in this one, as it's definitely on the revealing side (something to keep in mind for fellow busty gals). But it's seriously so pretty and can easily transition into the colder months with the addition of a cardigan. Although I ordered my now-normal TD size in this one, keep in mind that the waist is firm and the bust is shallow. If you want a bit more breathing room and are on the cusp, I'd recommend ordering a size up. 

trashy diva dress
maplewood rose garden rochester ny
trashy diva norma jean

I had to be a bit brave taking these photos, too. I love the Maplewood Rose Garden, but I'd never been there alone before. It's actually located in an area I wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable walking around in (it's a really strange juxtaposition to have these beautiful grounds directly surrounded by stores and honking cars), so I usually bring someone along when I come here. That ended up not being possible, which made me anxious, but I went anyway. I'm glad I did. As long as your safety isn't at risk, stepping outside your comfort zone is an important exercise.

trashy diva floral dress
roses rochester ny
trashy diva dresses

Although the print on this dress is actually geraniums, I knew this flowery backdrop would complement them well. These roses are almost gone, so I'm happy I had the chance to capture some of the blooms that remain. It's another reminder that the seasons will soon be changing – something I'm not quite ready to admit. I always have trouble letting go of summer. Stick around just a little longer, please!

trashy diva norma jean garden party dress
red roses rochester ny
floral dress vintage
Outfit Details
Norma Jean Circle Dress in Garden Party: Trashy Diva
Necklace: vintage (similar)
Shoes: Toni Pons (similar)

trashy diva
Have a wonderful start to your week!
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