Resolutions & Wrap-Ups

Happy New Year!  I normally feature a blogger Q&A interview post on the first of the month, but since today marks the beginning of a brand new year, I wanted to share some of my 2015 resolutions with you.  I've found that it really helps me to write down my goals by hand and then display them; I know some people have enough will-power to keep them in mind all the time, but I need a good visual component.  And speaking of visuals... I know I recently did a seasonal round-up of outfits from this past autumn, but I wanted to include a small sampling of my favorite outfits from the last 365 days -- just to remind myself that although this was a tough year, it was filled with a lot of great ensembles!

I came up with a goal chart earlier in the year, at a time when I was feeling very lost and in limbo.  I found it helpful to divide my goals into different categories, so I decided to continue with that for my resolutions list.  For instance, my health goals include sticking to my Weight Watchers tracking, implementing more exercise into my day, a specific weight loss goal, and to focus my attention on my skincare routine.  My financial goals are to limit and keep better track of my spending, and my career resolutions include finishing my professional website, finding a new (or second) day job, and putting definitive plans in motion to move.  My blogging resolutions are to continue to expand my readership, improve my photography and establish sponsorship with brands.  I also wanted to make sure to include some other resolutions that are focused on my well-being, like getting a car of my own, seeing friends more often, getting a massage, reading more, and making an effort to keep a clean and organized personal space for myself.

There are times when coming up with resolutions makes me focus too much on what I didn't achieve during the previous year.  Because I don't want to discount all of the good things that happened in 2014, I made a little list of what I achieved from my other goal chart.  These accomplishments included getting my driver's license, being cast in some new and exciting projects, surpassing my blog readership goals, and taking some much-needed time to focus on myself.

But my last (and favorite) resolution is to keep dressing in ways that make me happy!  It was hard to pick just one outfit per month from 2014, but here are my favorite 12 outfits from the past year -- all of which brought me a lot of joy:

January  //  February  //  March  //  April  //  May  //  June

July  //  August  //  September  //  October  //  November  //  December 

Thank you all for spending 2014 with me (and sticking with me through these past 12 months)! Although it's been a bit of a tough year, it's been a very valuable one, too.  I'm eager to see what the next 12 months will bring.

So tell me: if you make resolutions, what are some of your goals for 2015?

Have a great start to your year!

xox Sammi

A toast to 2015

I'm totally dismayed -- how is it almost 2015?  A lot has happened over the past year.  If I'm being perfectly honest, it's been a very difficult year, filled with a lot of loss.  I've struggled a lot to find my footing and figure out a direction for my life (which is something I'm still working on).  But there's also been a lot of soul-searching and self-discovery, and learning more about yourself and what you want (or don't want) is never a bad thing.  Navigating your mid-20s is tricky enough without essentially having to scrap the plan you had for your future, but if nothing else, being adaptable -- and daring to re-imagine something more for yourself -- improves character and makes you realize how strong you truly are.  I am fortunate to be surrounded by people who care about me and I've been given some great opportunities along the way.  And even if my life doesn't currently look like how I envisioned it, I am looking forward to what the new year might bring.

One of my favorite facets of caring people in my life include the dear friends who I have met through blogging.  Even though I haven't met most of these blogging ladies in real life, their friendships have meant the world to me, and I feel very lucky to have made these virtual connections with such wonderful individuals.  Two of these individuals are Amanda and Katie of Junebugs and Georgia Peaches, who were kind enough to send me this beautiful Voodoo Vixen dress!  I drink very rarely (I'll have a cocktail maybe twice a year), but this martini print dress is so darling, and I thought it'd be perfect for New Year's Eve.  I usually like to opt for sparkle or luxurious fabrics for NYE, but this is such a fun alternative!  Although I'm working all day and planning on a low-key night in (not my ideal choice, but them's the breaks), I still like to dress up for the occasion!

What are your plans for New Year's Eve?  And more importantly, what are you wearing?  :)

Outfit Details

Dress: gift from Amanda & Katie

Black coat: Tatyana Boutique

Belt: from another dress

Heels: Aerosoles

Ring: Forever 21

Petticoat: eBay

Tights: ASOS

I hope you all have a fantastic & safe New Year's Eve!
xox Sammi

Advertise with The Soubrette Brunette in January!

Once again, it's been a while since I did a "call for sponsors" post.  But since it's almost the new year(!), I thought it was about time!  My little blog has grown quite a bit over the past few months, and if you're looking to grow your own blog or get some traffic for your shop, advertising is a great way to go about it.

I currently offer 3 different sizes for ads (featured, large and small).  Featured ads get the highest visibility, but large and small ads are also in prime spots.  All of my ad prices are super-affordable (prices range from $5-$15 per month), so everyone can advertise, even if you're on a budget.  Speaking from personal experience, advertising on a few different blogs was a really good (and inexpensive) way to get some more traffic and followers, and it also allows you to form relationships with other bloggers.  I love working with bloggers, artists and shop owners -- especially those with a similar aesthetic to mine!

Purchasing an ad is incredibly easy!  You can visit my advertising page here, and then all you have to do is choose the size you'd like, click "add to cart," and then "checkout."  From there, just fill out the information, upload your ad (the size specifications are displayed for each -- if you need an ad made, send me an e-mail), and pay for your ad spot!  Your ad will go live right after I approve it, and ads run for 30 days.  Featured ads are featured in the order they're purchased (so it behooves you to purchase early!), and both large + small ads are shuffled so that everyone gets equal exposure.

You can check out all of my updated stats, find out more about sizes and rates, and even purchase your ads right here -- or you can head directly to my Passionfruit page.  Space is limited, so don't miss out!  I'd love to work with you in 2015!

Have a great Monday!

xox Sammi

Santa Baby

Finally: my third holiday outfit option!  If you missed the first two, you can catch up here and here.  This gorgeous red dress was a birthday present from the sweet people at Unique Vintage.  I was so touched that they wanted to send me a dress of my choice, and I knew that this one would be perfect for Christmastime.  It has a built-in crinoline (always a bonus), and though you can't tell in these photos, the neckline is scalloped!  Plus, it goes perfectly with this Christmas ornament clutch from New Look.  What more could a girl want?  :)

For the past few years, my parents and I have had a traditional Jewish Christmas (i.e., going to the movies and out for Chinese food).  This year, we saw Tim Burton's new film, Big Eyes, which was really great.  I wasn't expecting to see so much midcentury loveliness (tons of classic cars and vintage dresses!), so that made it even better.  I didn't end up actually wearing this dress on Christmas Day, as it seemed a tad dressy for the movies (if you follow me on Instagram, you might've seen my real Christmas Day outfit), but I'm looking forward to remixing this dress for other occasions.  It would be such a wonderful Valentine's Day dress, too.

Outfit Details

Red dress: c/o Unique Vintage

Ornament clutch: New Look

Capelet: Target (similar)

Tights: ModCloth
Shoes: thrifted

Have a great Sunday!

xox Sammi

Friday Favorites #76: New Year's Eve Wish List

Happy Friday!  I hope your holidays were magical!  I'm getting a slightly later start on today's post because of yesterday's festivities, and it's a shorter post than usual... but I wanted to share my picks for New Year's Eve finery!  I tend to go for luxe items for NYE -- faux furs, deep jewel tones, velvet, satin and sparkle.  Here are a few of my favorite items that I wish I were wearing to ring in the new year:

a   //   b   //   c   //   d   //   e 

f   //   g   //   h   //   i

There are lots of good sales going on today, too!  Pinup Girl Clothing is having a 20% off site-wide sale (use the code CC20NYE), and so is Lindy Bop (no code required).  Sourpuss Clothing is having a 35% off sale (use the code BLOWOUT), and Unique Vintage is offering 25% off all full-priced items with the code COUNTDOWN25.  

Happy shopping & have a wonderful day!

xox Sammi

Winter Wonderland

Merry Christmas Eve!  For most people, Christmas Day is probably more exciting... but in my family, Christmas Eve has always been the main event.  We make a ton of yummy hors d'oeuvres, gather around the fireplace and open presents.  (We do save silly stocking stuffers for Christmas morning, though.)  Even though I'm Jewish, I've celebrated both Chanukah and Christmas my entire life, and because Christmas Eve holds a special place in my heart, I just had to wear the most special, beautiful Bernie Dexter dress ever made for the occasion.

This dress was an early Christmas present from my mom.  I'd been lusting over it for over a year!  It's actually on sale right now on Bernie's website, but since I know some sizes have sold out, she also makes it in a Veronique style and in a separate top + skirt (which would be perfect for Aussie gals, who are currently experiencing a hot summer).  I hemmed and hawed over how to style this dress; I've loved seeing this print styled with furs and brooches, but in the end, it's such a gorgeous piece on its own that I didn't want to detract from it.  I decided to go with a simple snowflake necklace, my new hair flower from Stardust Dames Boutique, and my silver Mary Janes from ASOS.

My mom has been baking and cooking up a storm, and I finally finished wrapping presents last night.  Although I love receiving gifts (I am an only child, after all!), I really love giving gifts just as much.  Coming up with just the right gift for someone is a really fun process for me -- though I always worry the recipient won't love it as much as I'd hoped!  I think I have proven myself to be a pretty formidable gift-giver, though.  I know most of what I'm getting this year anyway, so being able to surprise my family and friends with presents is even more exciting than opening my own.

What are some of your holiday traditions?  What's your favorite gift that you've given (or received) this year?  And what are you wearing for the holidays?

Outfit Details

Jubilee Winter Print Pin Up Dress: Bernie Dexter

American Apparel pettislip: Amazon

Hair flower: Stardust Dames

Necklace: Forever Bella

Heels: ASOS

Have a very Merry Christmas!  <3 

xox Sammi

Mistletoe

This is the second out of four Christmas-themed outfit posts that I've planned.  (If you missed Saturday's post, it contains a great novelty print holiday dress + clutch!).  I really love vintage square dance dresses.  I think they're so charming and unique.  I certainly can't wear them for every occasion, but I'd had my eye on this one from The Braided Bandit forever, and I knew it'd be perfect for Christmastime festivities.  I feel like a storybook character in this dress!  Hannah has so many gems in her store, and I'm always impressed with the amount of care and thought she puts into both her curation and packaging.

While trying to come up with a name for this post, I started thinking about the holidays -- specifically, what it's like to celebrate them alone.  Well, I'm not really alone; I'm incredibly lucky to have great parents with whom I can celebrate.  But the fact is that I spent quite a few holidays with someone who I thought was the love of my life.  And even though it's been more than a year since we broke up, I'm still adjusting to celebrating sans boyfriend.  It's still weird to not be buying him presents or to be making plans for New Year's Eve.  And even though kissing is something I miss during the rest of the year too, it seems like those holiday kisses are a little more important, somehow.  When you're faced with constant reminders -- whether they be sprigs of mistletoe or the ball drop -- it's hard to forget that you're single.  I came to the realization recently that the issues that plagued my ex during our relationship will probably follow him for his entire life (it's a long story, but if you feel like googling "Pure OCD," you might get the gist), and I know that I deserve to be with someone whose mind doesn't make him question whether or not he loves me or is attracted to me.  But there is still a significant part of me that misses what we shared, and it hits me especially hard around this time of year.  This is not to say that I think I need to be with someone for the holidays.  I don't want to be with someone for the sake of not being alone.  I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who love and care about me.  All that I'm trying to say, really, is that I wouldn't mind being kissed this Christmas -- with or without the presence of mistletoe.

Outfit Details

Dress: The Braided Bandit Vintage

Hair bow: American Apparel
Shoes: estate sale store

Petticoat: eBay
Bracelet: old

Have a marvelous Monday!
xox Sammi