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!

BIG BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY! [CLOSED]

My (27th!) birthday is this week, and longtime readers of my blog know what that means: it's time for my annual Big Birthday Giveaway! You guys make me feel special 365 days a year, so I like to celebrate by showing my appreciation for all of your support. This year's giveaway is extra-awesome because it features a bunch of brands and artists I absolutely love... and there are three incredible prize packages up for grabs! Read on to find out more...

In the past, I've always had one huge prize package for one winner. This time, you can enter the giveaway to win 1 of 3 awesome packages that I've put together with my amazing sponsors (which means more chances to win, yay!). I've put all of the entries into one big widget, so once you've completed the mandatory entries + whatever optional entries you'd like, you'll be entered to win all three packages. In the interest of fairness, prize package selection will be determined by the order in which the winners are chosen (i.e., the first winner chosen will be awarded prize package #1, and so on). These prizes are so good that it almost makes me wish I could enter my own giveaway! :) Here are the details on each prize package:

Prize Package #1: Cherry Tierney Halter Dress from Unique Vintage, choice of Mandie Bee Sweet Sweater + accessory goodie bag from Heart of Haute, your item of choice from Erstwilder, Disney jewelry pack from Femme de Bloom, butterfly hair bow from Beauxoxo

Prize Package #2: Choice of cardigan from Voodoo Vixen, Retroversible Crop Top from Julie Mollo, Super Floozy pink & black purse from Sourpuss Clothing, pink lucite Disneyland jewelry set from Match Accessories, vintage brooch + barrette set from Mane Message

Prize Package #3: $50 gift certificate to ModCloth, floral headphones + other goodies from Ankit, a Leslie Knope brooch from Kate Gabrielle and a unicorn brooch from I Love Crafty, disco travel mug and kissing booth + Sims hot date lapel pins from Hello Holiday, adorable cupcake novelty purse, copy of Style Me Vintage: Tea Parties, e.l.f. eyeshadow palette, 1/2 lb. bag of salt water taffy (my favorite treat!)

Enter the giveaway through the Rafflecopter widget below. Three (3) different giveaway winners will be chosen at random through the widget; prize packages will be determined by the order in which the winners are chosen. You must be a follower of The Soubrette Brunette to enter (no unfollowing after the giveaway ends, please!). The giveaway is open internationally and will run until 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday, November 4th. Winners will be contacted via e-mail (so be sure to provide a valid e-mail address!), and must respond within 48 hours, or a new winner will be chosen.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks so much for entering + best of luck!

At home with Ankit

I am both a homebody and a slave to technology. I rely on my Apple devices more than I'd ever like to admit, and these days, I can't wait to kick back on my couch in the evenings. It should also be of no surprise that I love being surrounded by pretty, quirky things – which is why I was so happy when Ankit reached out to send some of their awesome items for review.

Ankit has so many fun pieces to choose from (you've probably seen them at Forever 21, ModCloth, Nasty Gal and other stores), but I was most taken with their home decor and tech sections. We recently bought an adorable midcentury-inspired futon for my room, and I realized that this pillow would look perfect with it. It looks even prettier in person than on their website! It's of very nice quality, and the vibrant colors really brighten up the space.

I inadvertently went with a floral theme, since I also chose these lovely floral headphones and cactus power bank. The headphones are a great alternative to my normal earbuds, and they're noise-isolating, which makes them great for long trips or when you just want to tune out the rest of the world. Plus, they're way more beautiful than most headphones you see!

I'm also a huge fan of power banks and mobile chargers; my battery tends to drain pretty quickly (and always at the most inconvenient times!), and I love that this one is both adorable and super-functional. It provides up to 8 hours of talk time, and works with both Apple and Android products! The one drawback is that you do have to provide your own power cord (the cord that it comes with is just for recharging the device), but it's an easy fix. Power banks are a total life-saver (especially this one – it comes pre-charged!), and it's the perfect size and shape for your pocket or purse.

This post is Pumpkin-approved!

Many thanks to Ankit for these items (they were sweet enough to send me their fun emoji coasters and a daisy contact case, too)! Their website is filled to the brim with unique gift ideas, tech must-haves and adorable decor additions, so be sure to check them out! 

Please note: This post is sponsored, which means I was gifted items in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% my own.

Name game

Outfit Details:

Customized name necklace: c/o oNecklace

Top: ModCloth (similar here)

Pants: ModCloth (similar here)

Cardigan: Forever 21 (similar here)

Character shoes: old

As a blogger, one receives an influx of e-mails from companies looking for exposure for their products or services.  Many times, the company's offerings will not be in-keeping with my personal aesthetic (or "brand") -- or sometimes will be totally impersonal or just plain bizarre -- and I will have to decline.  But sometimes, a new company will reach out to me, and I'll find that their products are a great match to my own point of view.  I always want to stay true to who I am, and I would never accept any item or service for free if I would not fully endorse or purchase it on my own.  Luckily, when oNecklace contacted me, I found that their jewelry was perfectly suited for my taste, and I'm ecstatic to have a necklace that bears my name!

I was tempted to give in to my desires to emulate Carrie Bradshaw with this necklace, but then I saw the retro-inspired script of this necklace, and I knew it would be a perfect fit for my many rockabilly dresses (though I am wearing pants in this post -- so rare!).  The chain is actually a bit longer than what's shown here, and the quality is fantastic.  Most of my jewelry is definitively on the cheap side (I don't often spend more than $15 on any one piece), but this necklace is 24 karat gold plated, and the difference between this and my inexpensive, now-tarnished necklaces is pretty obvious.  I'm also a sucker for customization, and not only can you customize exactly what you want on the necklace (you can get initials and monograms, too!), but you can also customize the type of chain and its length!  You can even preview how your name would look in different fonts before you order.

I've turned down jewelry sponsorships before, but I'm really glad that I decided to partner up with oNecklace.  I can be really picky about the kind of jewelry I wear (I dislike flashy things, and I'm drawn to either kitschy, unique pieces or very simple, delicate ones), and I can say nothing but positive feedback about my communication with the company representatives, their prompt shipping, and quality of the necklace itself.  If you'd like to snag your own customized piece, the kind folks over at oNecklace have offered a 10% discount when you use the code soubrettebrunette at check-out!  :)

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post, but did receive a product for review purposes.  All opinions are completely my own, based on my experience.  Any company or product endorsed on this blog is one I fully believe in and support, and would continue to do so, regardless of whether items are gifted or are paid for by me.

Have a great Thursday!

xox Sammi

Cupcake cutie

Outfit Details:

Fifi Lapin cupcake phone case: c/o iconemesis 

Nishe cupcake skirt & top set: ASOS (old)

Cardigan: dELiA*s (similar here)

Pink coat: ASOS (similar here)

Tights: ModCloth (similar here)

Cupcake ring: Claytime Designs

White boots: eBay

As you may know, Nishe is one of my favorite labels of all time.  I probably own more Nishe pieces in my wardrobe than those of any other single designer.  I have two dresses from this same cupcake line (see how I wore them here and here), and when I saw this peplum bustier and skirt set last year, I couldn't stop myself.  Although I really love both pieces, I'd never worn either one before this, namely because I've gained some weight back since then and the skirt is not at all forgiving.  I'd wear the top on its own if I could figure out what else to wear it with, but the pink scalloped skirt is so darling, and I feel weirdly guilty at the thought of splitting them up, or loving one half of the ensemble more than the other.  Which sounds super-psychotic now that I read it back.  But suffice it to say that both pieces have been waiting on the hanger for an opportune time.  I knew this outfit would be ideal for this post, in particular, since it encompasses all things sweet, kawaii and pink!

When the kind people at iconemesis reached out to me to ask if I'd be interested in a phone case from their collection to feature on my blog, my eye was immediately drawn to the phone cases featuring the adorable Fifi Lapin, and one sweet case in particular jumped out at me:

My current phone case is actually a rather cheap silicone one, and though I tend to like soft cases rather than the hard shell kind, this one is so charming that I am rethinking my preferences.  I like having the option of being able to switch out my phone's "outfit" to match my own, and although this case probably wouldn't provide quite as much protection as my other phone case, I really love the fact that it snaps on easily and securely, and is all one piece (rather than two that snap together, as has been my experience with previous hard cases).  It's also very helpful that iconemesis provides much of the same case selection for iPhone 4, 4s and 5/5s models; I have the 4s, and it's incredibly frustrating when I see a phone case I love and then discover it's only available for the newest iPhone!  I've already found several other cases I adore on their site (1, 2, 3)!  I've found a new accessory site to love. 

Disclosure: I was not financially compensated for this post, but did receive a product for review purposes.  All opinions are completely my own, based on my experience.  Any company or product endorsed on this blog is one I fully believe in and support, and would continue to do so, regardless of whether they are gifted items or paid for by me.  

Have a sweet day!

xox Sammi