2-year Blogiversary Giveaway! [CLOSED]

I can scarcely believe that my little blog is two years old!  The Soubrette Brunette has grown quite a bit over the last two years, and I'm really pleased with what I've managed to accomplish in that time.  So much of what I've done with this blog has been complete trial and error, and though I've made mistakes (style-related and otherwise!), I've always tried to keep learning -- and to keep having fun with fashion.  What started out as just a way to showcase my ever-growing collection of dresses has evolved into something about which I care very deeply.  The friends I've found through the blogging community are incredibly dear to me, and being able to connect with all of you has been such a rewarding bonus.  As a thank you for being such an important part of my blogging life, I'm hosting my second annual blogiversary giveaway!  I hope you'll be just as excited as I am about this year's prizes (a package worth over $250!).  Here's what's up for grabs!

One (1) lucky winner will receive:

- $50 gift card to Modern Pinup (formerly JBR Clothing)

- $40 gift card to The Braided Bandit Vintage

- Lime Crime Lipstick in Glamour 101

- a retro TV brooch from Poison of Choice

- New Look milkshake clutch

- a copy of Style Me Vintage: Hair
- a pink faux fur tie-on collar

- a 3-pack of hair scarves from Hey Viv!

- DVDs of Grease and Pretty in Pink

- a pack of typewriter note cards

- a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses

- a cake print cosmetic bag

- an adorable pink hair bow

- Taffy-scented gel pens

- Pink flamingo paper clips

Entering the giveaway is easy!  Just use the Rafflecopter widget below.  You must be a follower of The Soubrette Brunette to enter (no unfollowing after the giveaway closes, please!), and you can earn additional entries in several ways.  This giveaway is open internationally, and will close at 11:59 PM (EST) on Sunday, Feburary 8th.  The winner will be chosen at random through the widget and will be contacted via e-mail by Tuesday, Feburary 10th.  If the winner does not respond by Wednesday, February 11th, a new winner will be chosen.  Thanks for entering & best of luck!  <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Polka Dots & Lipstick with JBR Clothing

Happy Monday!  Personally, I think there's nothing quite like a strong red lip and a flouncy dress (especially a polka dotted one) to start the week on a good note.  One of my favorite retro retailers, JBR Clothing, was kind enough to send me this darling dress to review for my blog, and I was actually excited to get some colder weather so that I could wear it!  I chose this particular dress because 1) one can never have too many polka dotted pieces and 2) I don't currently own many long-sleeved dresses, and since it'll be freezing cold here for the next few months, I leapt at the chance to add one to my wardrobe.

I wasn't too familiar with H&R London, who makes this dress, prior to this review.  They're a wholesale company, so their items aren't available to purchase directly through their own website, but JBR carries a ton of their pieces.  To be perfectly honest, one of my favorite aspects about this brand is that it's quite inexpensive; this particular dress retails at around $50, and though it's easy to assume that would indicate an item of lesser quality, I am pleased to say that is not at all the case.  Retro reproduction pieces can really break the bank, and as someone who is trying to be more careful about her spending, I really appreciate companies that are providing viable options for gals who want to obtain a vintage-inspired look on a budget.

This dress is made of stretch cotton, so it's not the warmest of garments, but I found it to be very well-made and figure-flattering.  I sized up to accommodate my bust (which can often be a problem for dresses with button-down fronts), and I was pleasantly surprised to find that there was absolutely no gaping!  And even the buttons on this dress are charming -- they're striped!  Because I went up a size, the shoulder portion of the dress is a tiny bit too big, but that's far less of an issue than gaping buttons.  This dress comes with a built-in crinoline along the hem, which wasn't evident from the photos provided, but it was actually nice to have the option of not wearing an additional petticoat.  Although the dress comes with a matching fabric belt, I opted to swap that out for one already in my closet for a more defined waistline.

One of the things that I love about JBR Clothing is that they're essentially a 1-stop shop for retro brands.  They carry tons of other brands that I love, including Hell Bunny, Stop Staring!, Voodoo Vixen, Tatyana, Folter, Steady Clothing, Heart of Haute and B.A.I.T. Footwear.  They also have lots of options for both straight and plus sizes, and have reliable size charts for each brand they carry.  I find that, more than any other style, retro-inspired brands seem to be the most dedicated to making women of all sizes feel beautiful and special -- which is one of the many reasons I love incorporating these pieces into my wardrobe.  JBR has seriously won over my heart with both their awesome dresses and the impeccable customer service I've received; not only do their orders ship within 1 business day, but they also offer free domestic returns.

But the best thing about JBR Clothing?  They're offering my readers a 15% discount now through December 15th!  Just use the code Soubrette15 at check-out!  It's the perfect time to snag some gifts for vintage-loving friends, or a holiday dress for yourself!  Here are just a few that I'm currently coveting:

a   //   b   //   c

Outfit Details

H&R London Corinne Dress: c/o JBR Clothing

The Best of Times Heel in Black: ModCloth

Lipstick brooch: c/o Modern Girl Blitz

Belt: from another dress

Thanks so much to JBR Clothing!  And be sure to let me know in the comments if you use the 15% off code -- part of staying on track with my spending is living vicariously through others!  ;)  

Have a marvelous Monday!

xox Sammi