Friday Favorites #58

Happy Friday!  Here are some of this week's favorite finds:  

I'm going purse-crazy lately, mainly because I need a good purse for traveling!  None of these picks are very practical, but gosh, are they cute!  I'll always pick adorable over functional.

a  //  b  //  c  //  d  //  e  //  f

1  //  2  //  3

All of the above purses and shoes are from Amazon!  Many thanks to Jana for showing me one of those pairs (which I now own in lavender)!  The amount of variety on that site is kind of astounding.

Not only is the lilac color of this dress divine, but I love that the print is of constellations!  Swoon!

Litographs is an amazing company that makes visual and wearable art out of works of literary art.  Their designs are made solely out of the texts from classic books and plays.  When looked at from far away, they illustrate a theme of the work in question; when looked at up close, one can actually read the text (of up to 40,000 words)! 

1  //  2  //  3

Speaking of classics... the whole Disney line at Black Milk Clothing is incredible, but I especially love this Beauty & the Beast skater dress.  I love all the stained glass depictions of the story!

I think Belle would have loved these book-shaped bookends (they're also vases!):

I think I'm really into sweatshirts lately.  They're cozy and I actually really love layering them over dresses and skirts.  I don't want summer to end, but I do love sweater weather.  The one on the left reminds me of something from Little Golden Books.

a  //  b

And I'm dying over these new deer shoes from Irregular Choice!

I really adore companies that offer customization of their clothes, and Bow & Drape is a great example of one that's getting some great exposure lately.  Their pieces are already really fun and tie in to a lot of pop culture references, but I really like all of the other options they offer for creating your very own items!

1  //  2  //  3  //  4  //  5

These Loly in the Sky flats are so darn cute.  

I love this music-themed Kate Spade watch!

I always end up liking heels that look like character shoes, and these look so much like character t-straps (but are actually far less expensive)!  They'd be perfect for retro looks.

a  //  b  //  c

THIS BETSEY JOHNSON PURSE IS EVERYTHING:

 And I just want to hug this Shiba Inu who "works" at a shop in Japan:

Have a great weekend!

xox Sammi

This post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, I may receive a small commission, which helps to run my blog.  I only link to items I absolutely love, from companies I wholeheartedly support.  Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

I'm in the Sunglass Warehouse Summer Lookbook!

I have some exciting news!  I was chosen to be a part of the newest Summer Lookbook for Sunglass Warehouse!  Their new collection is retro-inspired, so when they reached out to me to see if I'd like to style a pair for them, I jumped at the chance!  I'm totally obsessed with these new cat eye frames they sent me to style, and they've quickly become a staple in my summer wardrobe. 

I hadn't really been familiar with Sunglass Warehouse prior to working with them, but I was happily surprised to see what a huge selection of frames they carry and how reasonable their prices are.  I can justify splurging on a lot of things, but because my sunglasses get so much wear (and often live at the bottom of my purse), I definitely require frames that are stylish, durable and inexpensive.  Luckily, they have tons of sunglasses that fit the bill, and which made it incredible difficult for me to choose!  These retro cat eyes were right up my alley, and I knew I had to style them with 1950s flare!  I opted for a casual yet put-together vibe, so I chose to wear this nifty printed dress and red Mary Janes with my new sunnies. 

I was also thrilled to see that I'm amongst friends in this lookbook!  Three of my favorite blogger ladies are also featured -- June and Amelia (from Junebugs and Georgia Peaches) and Hannah (from The Braided Bandit) are all in it!  We all did fun little interviews, as well.  You can check out mine here!  I love being able to draw inspiration from fellow bloggers (especially ones that I know well and already adore), and I feel very honored to be in their company.

Outfit Details

Cat eye sunglasses: c/o Sunglass Warehouse

Yumi '50s print dress: ModCloth

Red Mary Janes: Urban Outfitters

Many thanks to the kind folks at Sunglass Warehouse for allowing me to be a part of this Lookbook and letting me style these lovely frames!  Be sure to go check out all the retro-inspired sunnies on their site and take a peek at my interview!

Have a great Wednesday!

xox Sammi

Toadstool

Outfit Details

Dress: Lindy Bop

Shoes: BAIT Footwear (similar)

Mushroom brooch: ASOS (Cath Kidston)

Mushroom purse: antique co-op

Isn't the collar on this dress wonderful??  This is my second dress from Lindy Bop (I have yet to wear the first one the blog).  I've featured a lot of their dresses in my Friday Favorites posts, but hadn't taken the plunge into purchasing anything until very recently.  I think their pieces are fantastic for girls who want to achieve a 1950s or pin-up style look without breaking the bank.  Their dresses tend to be made of a lighter weight cotton, which is a nice option for summer.  Both of my dresses came quite wrinkly (God bless the portable steamer!), but I suppose that's a small price to pay for a difference in price.  Sites like Pinup Girl Clothing have pieces of excellent quality, and it shows in the craftsmanship and the fabric itself (many of their dresses are made of heavyweight sateen), but even so, I can't often justify the $150 price tag when I can get a dress like this for less than $50.  I will say, though, that the belt that came with it is really not of very good quality, as it's very flimsy and seems like it might rip easily.  Luckily, I have other belts that will go with this dress.  My guess is that I may actually get more use out of this dress than I will with my PUG dresses, simply because this is something that can be styled in a multitude of ways, for a variety of occasions.  Lindy Bop carries an incredible variety of silhouettes and styles, and their pieces are perfect for a budget-friendly treat!

On a non-dress note, I had a driving lesson yesterday (my first since last year), and it went way better than I'd thought!  I have a lot of anxiety about driving (it stems from high school, but has gotten worse since, after having avoided it for so long), but I have a new instructor now that has made me realize that I actually have a lot of natural ability and don't need to stress nearly as much about that as I have been.  It's really amazing that a different instructor can make all the difference.  Sometimes you simply click better with certain people.  That's been a factor in other areas of my life (like past acting teachers and vocal coaches), but it's applicable here, too.  It's a really nice feeling when someone can make you believe in your own abilities, and it's such a great motivator.  I've been struggling with a lot of things lately, but finally facing my fears -- in a non-threatening way -- has done wonders for my mood!  :)

Have a great Tuesday!

xox Sammi

Gonna make a pie with a heart in the middle

Outfit Details

You're In Luck Dress in Pie: ModCloth

Betsey Johnson pie purse: Macy's (similar)

Shoes: BAIT Footwear (similar)

Fork necklace: ASOS (similar)

Pie ring: gift from Kate

Belt: Forever 21

Anyone get the reference in the post title?  It's a very sweet song from one of my favorite movies, Waitress.  If you haven't seen it, you absolutely should do so immediately.  It's a little gem of a film, and I thought it was a very fitting reference for one of my favorite dresses, since it's all about a girl who thinks only of pies!

This pie print dress is incredibly dear to me (is it weird that a dress is "dear to me?").  I've styled it a couple of other times on the blog (you can see those posts here and here), but this might be my favorite styling thus far.  I knew that when I got this purse, I would have to style it with this dress.  Sadly, the purse is no longer available, so I'm glad I got it when I did!  I thought the yellow belt (with hearts on it - how perfect is that?), red spectators, pie ring and fork necklace would complete the outfit really well.  Also, did you notice that all of my outfit posts this week were food-themed?!  It was totally unintentional, but I sort of love that my week consisted of ice cream, popcorn and pie!  I guess I have junk on the brain.

Speaking of Waitress, did you know that it's being made into a stage musical?  And that Sara Bareilles is writing the music for it??  I tend to dislike when movies are made into musicals, for a couple of reasons.  One reason is that I hate that it isn't a fully original concept.  Another is that film is sometimes a better medium for the story in question anyway, and something gets lost in translation when it's adapted for the stage (the opposite is also true, for when shows are adapted into films).  However, I am pretty eager to see what happens with this one.  Since the film has an offbeat, indie quality to it (even though I'm pretty sure it was handled by a major distributor), it's not a super well-known movie.  In my opinion, it's a little less likely to be ruined in its adaptation.  I get kind of territorial about little cult classics that I love, so part of me sort of wishes it could remain a well-kept secret, but on the other hand, it's a great story and it deserves more recognition.  I think the fact that there are also really tragic circumstances surrounding the death of the film's writer/director/actor, Adrienne Shelly, could also mean that their creative team will take pains to stay true to her vision.  Plus, you know, Sara Bareilles is great.

Have a scrumptious Sunday!

xox Sammi

Blogger Interview: Mariah of Rya Pie

Happy Friday, everyone!  Can you believe it's already August 1st?!  I sure can't.  But the first of the month means that it's time for another installment of my Blogger Interview series!  Today's interview is with the beautiful Mariah of Rya Pie, who always enchants me with her stunning photos and playful fashion sense.  Get to know more about Mariah below, and be sure to follow her blog!

Name:  Mariah Alysz
Age:  21
Where do you blog?  I blog over at Rya Pie!  It started out as a way to be creative and show my outfits, but has expanded to incorporate all parts of my life, like the yummy things I bake or trips I take with friends.
How did you get into blogging?  I started blogging on a bored whim.  I found some blogs online, thought to myself, "that's pretty snazz," and decided to create my own.  It started out on Tumblr, and looking back, I really had no idea what I was doing, but now it's grown into a true passion of mine.
Where do you work or what did/do you study in school?  I currently work at Victoria's Secret, which I am loving, and I'm a full-time student at The Evergreen State College, aiming for a bachelor's degree in cultural studies.
What's your dream job?  Honestly, if I could just stay at home and blog for a living, that would be so spiff, but I'd also like to do more photography jobs (nothing full-time).

Your favorite musical artist:  Definitely Joshua Radin.
Your favorite musical:  Oh gosh, so hard! Mama Mia has been my current obsession, even though I've cried when I've recently watched it, because I miss my mom!  Haha.
Your favorite movie:  Elizabethtown, a highly underrated film.  Go watch it!
Your favorite guilty pleasure:  Cheese fries. Or cheese sticks. Possibly Maury.
Drink of choice:  Diet Crush orange soda.
Favorite food in the world:  Mac'n'cheese.  I could eat that until I die.  I think I'm realizing I have a clear addiction to foods involving melty forms of cheese.
Favorite season and why?  Summer, without a doubt.  I love the heat and the length of the days.  I love the carefree feeling I get, and that amazing smell in the air.  I love being in Arizona when I step outside and it feels like I walked into an oven, or the monsoons there during a hot August day.  Arizona summers forever!

One character from a movie or TV series with whom you identify: My mom and I always thought that I was Elliot from Scrubs.  I'm pretty crazy, and most definitely don't always make sense, but am lovable in the end (no matter how silly I can be).
Do you have a celebrity crush?  I'm defaulting to Johnny Depp for this one.  He is my forever crush.
Which actress would play you in a movie version of your life?  If I could pick, I'd probably go with Kirsten Dunst, just because I think she is beyond adorable and I love her.
If you could live during any other time period, what would it be?  Hmm, the '20s were so exciting, but the fashion of the '50s always tugs at my heartstrings.  I'm going to go with the '50s.
Favorite book (from childhood or now):  Pride and Prejudice.  I love the movie (the newer one with Kiara Knightley), and I used to fall asleep to the books on CD every night growing up.  It is my comfort blanket.  Sometimes Michael reads it to me now when I'm going to bed.

How would you describe your personal style?  I suppose the best way I could describe my personal style would be... reflective.  I wear what I'm feeling, and thus my style reflects my mood. Lately, I've decided to transition into girlier pieces, because I feel those best capture who I really am, inside and out.
What's the most beloved article of clothing you own?  Hmmm, this is a hard one, but probably what I've come to call my Cosby sweater.  I got it in high school because we were all really into ugly sweaters at the time, but then I just got so attached to it that I can't imagine a winter (or even a cold night) without it.  It traveled everywhere around Ireland with me.  It's definitely something I won't ever get rid of.
Do you have a style icon?  If so, who?  Twiggy was a huge influence on me earlier in life.  She was the first fashion icon that ever caught my eye, and even though I don't channel her particular style, she was definitely the first to draw my eye to fashion.

Your favorite place to shop or clothing brand:  I kind of bounce all over the place, but lately I've been really obsessed with ModCloth and a local shop called Hot Toddy.
If you could wear only one outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Oh jeez, this is hard.  One part of me wants to say a super cute yet comfy dress with some good wedges, but the other part of my wants to say I'd just steal one of Michael's button-ups and rock it with some skinny jeans and be way too comfortable... but I'd probably choose a dress, like the one above.  I already have this in three different colors, so I'm part-way there!
Go-to accessory?  Lipstick.  I always forget to buy jewelry, so my collection is pretty small, but the perfect lip color always pulls a look together for me.

What are some other blogs you love?  I love The Clothes Horse, What Olivia Did, Delightfully Tacky, Scathingly Brilliant, and of course, this one <3
What's been your favorite post from your blog so far?  This was a pretty difficult question, but I have to choose this recent post.  Everything just seemed to come together for it, and I felt so comfy and cute.  Michael even had the genius idea to incorporate the watering can, and my favorite posts are the ones where both the outfit and photos make me feel good.

Thanks a bunch to Mariah for being my interview subject for this month!  If you're interested in being considered for this monthly Q&A series, feel free to e-mail me.  

Have a great start to your August!

xox Sammi