Just popping in to say that I'm hosting an Instagram giveaway for a fun and festive "boo basket" filled with seasonal goodies (including Trader Joe's treats, Halloween hair clips, and a jack-o'-lantern purse)! Head over to Instagram to enter the Halloween giveaway!
Sunday, October 6, 2024
Friday, June 28, 2024
Where to Have Afternoon Tea in Rochester NY
I think that's quite silly – and so do many other ladies I know! So I've dedicated my time to finding all of the best places for afternoon tea Rochester NY has to offer! I've put together this guide so that local friends and Western NY visitors alike can enjoy a sophisticated spot of tea at virtually any time.
What is High Tea, Anyway?
What's on a Typical High Tea Menu?
- Scones (often served with jam, preserves, and/or clotted cream)
- Assorted finger sandwiches (popular fillings include egg salad, tuna salad, chicken salad, cucumber and cream cheese, salmon salad or smoked salmon, or ham and cheese)
- Savory and sweet baked goods (mini quiches, tarts, cookies, cream puffs, petit fours, cakes, etc.)
- Fresh and/or chocolate-covered fruit
- Assorted hot teas and other beverages
What is Appropriate High Tea Attire?
Where Can I Experience Afternoon Tea in Rochester?
Best High Tea Near Me (Rochester, NY Area)
Mad Hatter Restaurant and Bakery – Rochester, NY
Red Bird Café & Gift Shop – Brockport, NY
Geneva On the Lake – Geneva, NY
Unfortunately, high tea pricing is not spelled out on the hotel's website, but the menu indicates that their afternoon tea experience may feature three different types of sandwiches, a flatbread, a yogurt parfait, scones, and several different sweet offerings (including crêpes, éclairs, and cookies), as well as two glasses of Cava and your choice of loose leaf organic tea. It's unclear from the menu whether all of the selections are included, or whether guests are required to pick and choose – but my follower had only good things to say about their tea experience there!
Genesee Country Village & Museum – Mumford, NY (Seasonal)
Sonnenberg Gardens – Canandaigua, NY (Seasonal)
Hurd Orchards – Holley, NY (Seasonal)
The DeLand House on Main – Fairport, NY (Seasonal)
High Tea in New York State (<2 Hrs From ROC)
McFarland House Tea Room – Niagara-on-the-Lake
The Drawing Room (Prince of Wales Hotel) – Niagara-on-the-Lake
Asa Ransom House – Clarence, NY
Lana's The Little House – Forestville, NY
Alternatives to Tea Rooms in Rochester
- Crumpets: A small café on Monroe Ave. specializing in English crumpets with special toppings (you can order full pots of tea, too!)
- Happy Earth Tea: A local loose tea shop in the South Wedge offering over 60 organic teas and herbal blends available for in-person or online orders
- Good Life Tea: A Canandaigua-based loose leaf tea and tea ware shop with an online storefront
- The English Rose Tea Shoppe: Take a short drive to Medina for a beautifully curated store dedicated to loose leaf tea, teabags, and tea accessories
- The Chai Guy: With locations on Park Ave. and at the Public Market, this customizable chai shop lets you choose your tea base, sweetness level, milk, and flavorings for the perfect cuppa
- Mochinut: This chain does donuts and drinks right, with unique pastry toppings and options for milk tea, matcha, thai tea, and more – for an afternoon tea experience on-the-go
- White Rabbit Dessert Experience: While technically not a tearoom Rochester purists will accept, this family-friendly local chain will satisfy your sweet tooth while providing a nice selection of loose leaf teas and hot beverages
Where's a Spot For Afternoon Tea Rochester NY Tea Lovers Should Know About?
Friday, April 26, 2024
The Soubrette Brunette's 2024 Mother's Day Gift Guide
It's hard to believe, but Mother's Day is just around the corner. And since I've found myself with a bit more free time these days, I was able to put together a Mother's Day gift guide for this year! If you're looking for some last minute Mother's Day gifts or are racking your brain trying to come up with unique Mother's Day gift ideas, I've got you covered. Check out my 2024 Mother's Day gift guide below (or take a look at my previous Mother's Day gift guides for even more inspo!) to find the perfect present for the awesome mama in your life.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I may earn a small commission (which helps to run my blog and social media channels) at no cost to you. I link only to items I truly love! Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette.
Ideas for Mother's Day Gifts 2024
My Gift Guide for Mother's Day
a. Le Creuset enameled cast iron petal braiser
b. Kate Spade strawberry garden satchel
c. Roar! A Collection of Mighty Women book
d. Betsey Johnson floral pearl drop earrings
e. Floral ceramic berry basket
f. Earl grey tea caddy
g. Sunflower butterfly feeder
h. Fir + grapefruit bath bomb
i. Flower garden vintage puzzle
j. Colette round porcelain box
k. Gua sha + face roller set
l. Enamel hydrangea necklace
m. Spring garden serving platter
n. MacKenzie-Childs Rosy Check tea kettle
o. MacKenzie-Childs honeycomb planter
p. Chantilly fruit cake stand
q. Lavender + balsam candle
r. Bee spoon rest
s. Glass plant mister
t. Estee porcelain vase
I hope these Mother's Day gift ideas will get your wheels turning and help you find something your recipient will love.
Monday, February 5, 2024
The Soubrette Brunette's 11th Blogiversary Giveaway: Garden Party Time!
- $50 Ivy City Co. gift card (for the perfect garden party dress!)
- a dried bouquet, artisanal crackers, and Katie Daisy sticker from Sungrove Blossoms
- Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers
- vintage floral veil hat and vintage decoupaged floral purse
- lady head vase brooch by Lipstick & Chrome
- Colourpop "Heavy Petal" eyeshadow palette
- Rifle Paper Co. floral stationery set
- The Secret Garden book vase
- forget-me-not necklace
- pink tulle gloves
- assorted teas + other goodies
This giveaway is hosted and sponsored by The Soubrette Brunette, with generous contributions from Sungrove Blossoms. No other brands or businesses represented in this giveaway's prize selection are associated with or have contributed to the giveaway. Note that in the event of stock or availability issues, comparable prize selections may be made.
Monday, January 15, 2024
My Favorite Puff Sleeve Cottagecore Dress: The Abercrombie & Fitch Emerson Dress
In case you're not following me on Instagram or TikTok, you might not know that my go-to dress these days is the Emerson puff sleeve midi dress from Abercrombie & Fitch. If you're a fellow millennial, you may bristle at the mention of A&F... but they've done a massive overhaul in recent years (both in terms of style AND sizing). While there are still some styles that don't really fit my aesthetic, they've come out with some beautiful items within the last couple of years (which tend to sell out really quickly) – the Emerson dress among them.
Please note that this post contains affiliate links, but is NOT sponsored. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I may earn a small commission (which helps to run my blog and social media channels) at no cost to you. I link only to items I truly love! Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette.
This particular dress has become such a staple for me that I now own it in about 10 different colors and patterns. I wear it for everything from picnics to auditions; it really is that good. It looks great on EVERYONE I've seen wear it and it's pretty forgiving in terms of sizing. I actually wear a medium in this dress and it fits perfectly (so it does run a bit big!); it also comes in petite and tall versions, which is really nice. Abercrombie just came out with about 20 new colorways in this dress, so I went a little crazy with my most recent order and added 4 new versions to my already overflowing closet. I posted a new Emerson dress try-on haul video on both IG and TT so you can see my choices IRL (so to speak), but you can also check out my picks below.
Lemon print Emerson dress | Strawberry print Emerson dress |
Black and white polka dot puff sleeve dress | Striped puff sleeve Emerson dress
FYI, sizes in this popular dress are already selling or sold out, so don't wait to order if you've got your eye on one! I wanted to put all the links to this dress in one accessible place so they're easy to find. They're actually 15% off as I'm writing this, too!! Here are a few more patterns and colors that I love:
Shop all of Abercrombie's Emerson dresses here
Comment and tell me: Where's your favorite place to find cottagecore dresses?
Saturday, December 2, 2023
The Soubrette Brunette's 2023 Holiday Gift Guides
It's finally that time of year again: my 2023 holiday gift guides are finally here! I've had a lot of fun putting together the best holiday gift guides I can for the last several seasons (check out my 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 gift guides, as well as my HSP gift guide, for even more unique gift ideas). And this year was no exception.
For my holiday gift guide 2023 post, I've embraced some very niche aesthetics, as well as some more general favorites. If you're shopping around for Christmas gift ideas, scroll through my curated collections and get some great inspo for everyone on your list. You might even find something to ask Santa for this year!
The Soubrette Brunette's Holiday Gift Guide 2023
Without further ado, check out my holiday gift guides below and let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Please note that this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I may earn a small commission (which helps to run my blog and social media channels) at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette! Now, let's get shopping.
American Girl Doll Gifts for the Historical at Heart
2. The Care and Keeping of You earrings
3. Taylor Swift/Samantha doll sweatshirt
4. Red velvet hair bow clip
5. Addy Walker throwback bundle
6. Dolls of Our Lives book
7. Plaid Mary Jane heels
8. Josefina illustration
9. Taylor Swift/Kirsten doll sweatshirt
10. American Girls tote bag
11. Samantha "Rich Bitch" sticker
12. American Girl notecards
13. Gold heart locket necklace
14. Red striped pajama set
15. American Girl transit print
16. American Girl winter outfit illustration print
Marie Antoinette Gifts for Rococo Connoisseurs
b. cake slice hair claw
c. cake wine goblet
d. old Versailles map print
e. gleaming primrose hand mirror
f. Marie Antoinette cat oven mitt
g. Rose ribbon choker necklace
h. "The Swing" Rococo pin
i. Rococo fashion stickers
j. Marie Antoinette's Head book
k. Marie Antoinette tote bag
l. Marie Antoinette scented candle
m. Marie Antoinette heels
n. Versailles treats mug
o. let them eat cake sweatshirt
p. Selkie confection muff purse
Pickle Gifts for a Big Dill BFF
1. pickle brands sweatshirt
2. big dill pickle candle
3. pickle chip earrings
4. dill pickle lip balm
5. pickle tea towel
6. pickle grabber
7. dill pickle popcorn seasoning
8. pickle socks
9. pickle hair claw
10. spicy dill pickle almonds
11. pickle jar Christmas ornament
12. Tatty Devine "In a Pickle" Necklace
13. pickle bandages
14. lift-and-drain pickle jar
15. pickles of the month subscription
16. pickle jar earrings
Literary Gifts for Book Lovers
b. Little Women t-shirt
c. Owl Crate book box subscription
d. book shelf tote bag
e. books barrette
f. greatest first lines of literature mug
g. fictional characters long-sleeve tee
h. book stack sweatshirt
i. The Secret Garden book vase
j. no shelf control book socks
k. book lover's hair clip
l. Jane Eyre wallet
m. Merry Bookmas sweatshirt
n. reading valet
o. custom birth flower bookmark
p. collectible book scented candles
q. romance novels tumbler
90s Nostalgic Gifts for Sentimental Millennials
1. Boy Meets World embroidered sweatshirt
2. Hook "Bang-a-Rang" enamel pin
3. Clueless VHS memories crossbody bag
4. create-your-own reel viewer
5. Pee-wee Herman ornament
6. One in a Millennial book
7. Ms. Frizzle sticker
8. Reading Rainbow earrings
9. Whatever! An Activity Book for 90s Kids
10. Kate Gabrielle "Ella" bag in sparkle
11. Our Universe Barbie heart bag
12. "Now That's What I Call Anxiety" sticker
13. Clarissa mug
14. Hook "Bad Form" enamel pin
15. Friends trifle salt & pepper shakers
Murder Mystery Gifts for Armchair Detectives
b. Poirot bookmark
c. Lady detective role models t-shirt
d. murdle detective puzzle book
e. Sherlock Holmes book purse
f. "I'd rather be solving crime" keychain
g. miniature detective agency building kit
h. Arconia sweatshirt
i. Murder on the Orient Express wallet
j. Agatha Christie book weekender tote
k. Phryne Fisher enamel pin
l. Sherlock Holmes book teapot
m. The Great Bake-Down murder mystery
n. Only Murders Pickwick triplets hat
o. Clue movie poster t-shirt
p. magnifying glass necklace
Feminist Gifts for Your Favorite Badass
2. mediocre white man mug
3. don't tell me to smile sticker
4. 365 days of women-spiration calendar
5. joy is an act of resistance print
6. all bodies are good bodies sweatshirt
7. boyfriends are a social construct candle
8. iconic women bookends
9. "never a dress" color changing mug
10. fragile masculinity pin
11. Mary Poppins "rather stupid" pin
12. Wordslut book
13. Girl dinner sweatshirt
14. powerful women affirmation deck
15. fuck the patriarchy keychain
Best Secret Santa Gifts, White Elephant Gift Ideas, and Gifts For People Who Are Hard to Shop For
b. adulting merit badge mug
c. white elephant candle
d. The Thrifty Baker book
e. lavender heat wrap
f. corgi hair claw
g. slipper socks
h. hangry oven mitt
i. mini golf club bag
j. cozy tea bookmark
k. lavender sleep mist
l. yodeling pickle
m. condiments tote
n. gingerbread sipper
o. breakfast food apron
p. world's smallest Bop It
q. It's So You Kate Spade book
Friday, November 24, 2023
Black Friday 2023: What's in My Cart + Black Friday Coupon Codes!
Please note that this post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I may earn a small commission (which helps to run my blog) at no cost to you. I link only to items and brands I genuinely love. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!
2023 Black Friday Deals and Discounts
Black Friday Coupon Codes for My Favorite Brands
Abercrombie & Fitch: 25% off everything
Aerie: 40% off the Aerie collection + new deals all week
Aerosoles: 25% off sitewide
Anthropologie: 30% off + an extra 40% off sale items
ASOS: up to 80% off almost everything
April Cornell: up to 50% off
Ava Gowns: 30% off with code BF2023
ban.do: 35% off everything with code GOBIG
Betsey Johnson: 35% off sitewide with code BABE
Box Lunch: 30% off sitewide + up to 50% off cyberbuster deals
British Retro: 15% off everything with code BLACK15
Buffbunny: up to 80% off sitewide
Chelsea Crew: 15% off orders $150+, 20% off orders $200+, 25% off orders $250+
Chronicle Books: 25% off with code CBFAM
Claire's: 50% off almost everything
Coach Outlet: up to 70% off + an extra 25% off everything
Collectif: up to 60% off hundreds of styles
Colourpop Cosmetics: 30% off sitewide + extra deals
Dolls Kill: 40% off everything with code PARTY
Erstwilder: 30% off 100s of designs + bonus gift with orders $100+ (AUD)
Girlfriend Collective: 30% off sitewide + up to 60% off select styles
GOODAFTERNINE: 25% off sitewide
Heart of Haute: 25% off sitewide
Hill House: 30% off with code EVERYTHING30
Hollister: 40% off everything
Hot Topic: 30-50% off sitewide
Irregular Choice: up to 40% off select styles
Ivy City Co: up to 75% off (+ get an extra 15% off with code SAMMI15)
J.Crew: 50% off almost everything
J.Crew Factory: 50-70% off sitewide
JessaKae: 40% off sitewide
Joanie Clothing: 40% off everything
Kate Gabrielle/Sweet and Lovely: 25% off all pins, patches, and ornaments with code PEPPERMINT
Kate Spade: up to 50% off select items + extra 25% off new markdowns with code BFPREVIEW
Kate Spade Outlet: up to 70% off + extra 25% off with code SAVE25
Katie Daisy/The Wheatfield: 20% off everything
Katy Perry Collections: 40% off sitewide
Kitten D'Amour: up to 70% off select items
La Femme en Noir: 35% off sitewide with code BACKTOBLACK
Lulu's: 20% off sitewide with code BFSALE
Lulu Guinness: 30% off almost everything + extra 10% off with code EXTRA10
Luxulite: 15% off orders £30+ with code SHOPSMALL
Madewell: 40% off your purchase with code LETSGO
Miss Candyfloss: 35% off almost everything with code BWMC35%
ModCloth: 30% off full-price styles with code FULL30 + 40% off sale items
Modern Millie: 15% off sitewide
Old Navy: 50% off everything
Out of Print: Buy 1 get 1 free t-shirts
Packed Party: 35% off everything with code SANTA35
Pigment: 20% off
Pippi Post: 30% off with code BLACKFRIDAY30
Pottery Barn: up to 50% off select items*
The Pretty Dress Company: 30% off with code BLACK30
Princess Highway: 20-60% off sitewide
Pusheen Shop: 15% off sitewide
Quirks!: BOGO all Erstwilder + Lipstick and Chrome with code BLACKFRIDAY
Red Dress Boutique: 30% off with code BF30 + doorbuster deals
Retrolicious: 30% off sitewide
Retrospec'd: 30% off almost everything
Rifle Paper Company: 30% off everything
Samantha Pleet: 25% off with code MAGIC
Selkie: 7 days of sales (sign up for emails for further info)
Sephora: up to 50% off Cyber Week deals
ShopDisney: up to 50% off sitewide with code GIFT
Silverwind: 40% off everything with code HAPPY40
Sister Jane: 30% off everything
Sourpuss Clothing: 30% off everything with code BLACK
Steady Clothing: 25% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY23
Tarte: 30% off everything + free shipping with code CYBERSZN
Tatyana: 55% off everything + free gift with code BF23
Timeless London: up to 50% off your order
Too Faced: 30% off sitewide + 50% off fan favorites
Torrid: 50% off everything + free shipping
Trashy Diva: 30% off sitewide
Trixie Cosmetics: 30% off sitewide
Ulta: get $10 off $40+ purchase with code THANKS23 plus up to 50% off Black Friday deals
Unique Vintage: 30% off everything sitewide + daily cyber deals
Vans: 30% off sitewide
Vendula London: up to 60% off select items
Vixen by Micheline Pitt: 35% off sitewide with code BACKTOBLACK
Wax Poetic Clothing: 35% off in-stock items and 15% off pre-orders with code PAINTITBLACK
World Market: 20-30% off Black Friday deals
Happy Shopping!