Balloons & Blogiversaries

After two years of blogging, I finally fulfilled my (admittedly cliché) desire to do an outfit post with balloons!  Of course, I didn't realize just how windy it was until I got outside... it was a bit of a struggle, to say the least!  But I managed to snap enough decent-looking photos in the end, and even though my toes were frozen, it was worth it!

I inadvertently matched my outfit to both the balloons and my blog layout, which seems sort of fitting for a blog anniversary post.  I wear so many kooky prints on here that it almost seems strange to play with just color!  I hadn't worn this dress in a while, and it makes me wish it came in more solid colors.  I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of PUG's spring line, so who knows, maybe they'll expand their range of Jenny dresses!  I'm also pleased with this little record player brooch I made (though I use the term "made" loosely, since all I did was hot glue a pin on the back of a dollhouse piece I found on eBay).  Even the name of the little record felt right for this outfit -- it reads: "Give Myself A Party," and I guess I decided to do just that!

I mentioned this in my 2-year blogiversary giveaway post (if you haven't entered yet, get on that!), but I wanted to reiterate how thankful I am for all of you who continue to follow and support my blog.  When I first started blogging, I often felt the need to downplay or apologize for it; I was worried that people would think it was a really superficial and silly thing to pursue.  But over time, I realized that while my blog isn't something that'll change the world, it certainly makes my own little world a lot more joyful -- and that is more than enough of a reason to feel proud of it.  I've chronicled a lot of ups and downs on my blog, and I truly appreciate all of you who've left such kind and encouraging comments and decided to stick with me through it all.  Getting to connect with all of the people who love to have fun with fashion has been the most rewarding outcome of this entire venture.  I'm excited to see what this next year has in store for my blog, and thank you all for taking this journey with me!  </sappy blabbing>

Outfit Details

Jenny Dress: Pinup Girl Clothing

Cardigan: gift from Kate (similar)

Petticoat: ModCloth (available here)

Hair flower: Forever 21

Brooch: made by me

Shoes: similar

Belt: ASOS

Have a wonderful Wednesday, and make sure to enter my blogiversary giveaway!!  The prizes are pretty major (if I do say so myself), and it ends on Sunday at midnight!  Enter here!

xox Sammi

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

1 year blogiversary + a BIG giveaway from ModCloth, ASOS & Forever 21! [CLOSED]

Just a few of my favorite outfits from the past year...
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6
7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

I can scarcely believe it's been a whole year since I started this blog.  Like any other anniversary, it's sort of a strange dichotomy of feeling like I've been doing this forever, and yet feeling like hardly any time has passed.  This first year has seen its share of ups and downs, but I am ultimately so glad that I went through with starting my blog.  Not only has it served as a much-needed creative outlet for me, but I have met so many wonderful, kindred spirits because of this experience -- and that alone has made the whole thing worth it!  I feel very lucky that I've been able to gain a substantial number of followers (that's you!!) in my first year in the blogosphere, and I'm also overjoyed that I was asked to join the ranks of such lovely ladies over at the Flock Together blog.  If that weren't enough, during this past year, I became an affiliate for certain brands and finally started making some money from blogging, had a dress named after me, was featured a few of times on ModCloth's social media channels (1, 2, 3) and on the ModCloth site itself (which I somehow managed to miss?!), was interviewed for an article about the popularity of vintage clothing, and Betsey effing Johnson tweeted a photo of me!  So all in all, I'd say it's been a pretty great year on the blogging front -- and I have to express my utmost gratitude to each and every one of you who follows and reads my blog, even if it's only on a semi-regular basis.  I have experienced so much support and kindness from those of you who read and comment on my blog (especially during my very difficult breakup), and I feel incredibly fortunate to have found myself in the company of such fantastic individuals, all of whom I admire so greatly.  I'm still a novice in many ways, and I've always been the sort of person who learns by watching others.  I'm still figuring all of this out as I go, so it means the world to me that I have such staunch supporters of my little blog world.  While I always try to dress for myself and wear what makes me happy, it is always nice to hear that your style and point of view can also resonate with other people and can perhaps put some joy out into the world around you.  Thank you, thank you, thank you -- from the bottom of my kitschy heart.

...And a few more!
1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6
7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12

So because of you, dear readers and friends, I am hosting (what I feel to be) an awesome giveaway in honor of my 1 year blogiversary!!  It includes lots of things I love (in fact, I may or may not have bought an extra one of some of these for myself... oops!), and I hope you will love them too! :)

So without further ado...
  

One (1) winner will receive:

a $50 gift certificate to ModCloth 

PLUS all of the following:

Lilac scalloped satchel bag, pink kitty cat coin purse, pink heart headband, mint bow headband, pink hair bow, apple necklace, cupcake shower cap, "F" is for Friendship greeting card & pink polka dot makeup brush kit (valued at nearly $100)!

This is a big giveaway, and I don't do them very often, so there are lots of chances to win!  Read the rules below & then enter through the Rafflecopter!

RULES:

- Giveaway starts at midnight on Sunday, February 2nd and will close at 12:01 AM (EST) on Sunday, February 9th (which means you have an entire week to enter!).

- You MUST be a follower of my blog on either GFC or Bloglovin' in order to be eligible (this is one of the mandatory entries on the Rafflecopter, and please no immediate un-following after the giveaway ends, as that's not very nice and I will know if you do it).

- This giveaway is open internationally, which means anyone can enter and win!

-Please remember to leave a valid e-mail address in your comment (also mandatory) so I can contact you if you win!  Winner will be notified on Monday, February 10th via e-mail.  If I don't receive a response from you confirming this within 24 hours, I will pick a new winner.  This e-mail address will also be used to send the ModCloth gift certificate, so make sure it's one you check regularly!  :)  All other prizes will be snail mailed, so be sure to respond to my e-mail with a valid postal address!

- Winner will be announced here on the blog (as a formality) on by Wednesday, February 12th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Best of luck, and thank you so much for making my first year of blogging such a sweet one!  <3 

xox Sammi