Friday, April 17, 2015

Friday Favorites #90

It's Friday again, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the springy weather here. Here are some of my favorite finds from this past week, starting with something I'm already dreaming about: swimsuits!

It can't get much better than novelty print retro swimwear, in my opinion. Hell Bunny has just started making bathing suits(!), and I'm dying for their seahorse printed ones. I also really love this watering can printed swimsuit from ModCloth.

retro swimsuits
a   //   b

 This jellyfish print dress is electrifyingly cute:
jellyfish dress

This nail polish novelty purse is so much fun!
betsey johnson purse
I adore this new style of scottie dog dress that Hell Bunny just released:
hell bunny scottie dog dress
I don't think I can justify another new pair of glasses, but this Skunkboy + BonLook collaboration makes adding another pair to my collection all too tempting. I'm especially taken with the pink frames!
bonlook skunkboy
I really love the idea of this outfit. This Voodoo Vixen dress is so sweet, and I love this boater hat from Pinup Girl Clothing. I'm a sucker for a real wicker bag, but this faux wicker tote is a great practical substitute!

voodoo vixen dress
a   //   b   //   c

Betsey Johnson just released a bunch of darling daisy jewelry:
betsey johnson daisy jewelry
1   //   2

I can't believe I forgot to post this flower cart dress from Tatyana! It may or may not be currently hanging in my closet...

tatyana flower cart dress

I could never afford the pretty Kate Spade version of this purse, so this Aldo purse might have to do:
aldo just married bag
These handmade novelty bags are amazing!
etsy novelty bag

This story about spotting the only black flamingo in existence is so cool!
black flamingo

And this flamingo pink Trashy Diva dress is so pretty:
modcloth aisle be there

And finally... LOOK AT THIS KOALA FLYING FIRST CLASS!
koala first class

Have a great Friday!
xox Sammi

PS: You have until Sunday night at midnight (EST) to enter my giveaway with Hey Viv! The winner will receive a peasant top of her color choice, plus a package of retro accessories. Enter here!

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 link only to items and brands I absolutely love. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Florals Galore || Unique Vintage Blog

Spring has finally sprung here in Rochester, so it's high time to break out my floral print dresses! Personally, I'm of the mind that floral prints can be worn at any time of year, but there is something that feels so much cheerier about wearing them when everything is starting to bloom. I'm sharing some of my favorite florals over on the Unique Vintage blog today, and sharing a few tips for making the most out of your floral frocks and pretty prints.  Follow me over to Unique Vintage, won't you?


Have a wonderful Wednesday!
xox Sammi

PS: Don't forget to enter my giveaway with Hey Viv! The winner receives a peasant top of her choice, plus an awesome retro accessory prize package. Enter here!

Sunday, April 12, 2015

GIVEAWAY with Hey Viv! [CLOSED]


I know Sundays can sometimes be a downer since they signal the end of a weekend, but I have something to up your spirits today: a giveaway! I've partnered up with Hey Viv!, an adorable online boutique that specializes in providing retro clothing and costumes for spend-thrifty gals. Hey Viv! carries some of my favorite retro reproduction brands – like Hell Bunny, Heart of Haute, Sourpuss and Folter – and they have their own line of products, as well. The white peasant top I'm wearing in these photos is from their own clothing line, and you can enter to win one yourself!


I admittedly have a difficult time with incorporating separates into my wardrobe; I usually just opt for a dress for both ease and cost. But when Hey Viv! asked if I'd like to try one of their peasant tops, I jumped at the chance so I could pair it with this skirt. I think I've only worn it once or twice before, due to the fact that I don't have many things to go with it, so this top is a great addition to my wardrobe. Peasant tops are a great staple for pinup looks, and they've become more popular as of late. These look great with a full circle skirt, and I love that they can be worn both traditionally and off-the-shoulder! I thought the white would be a bit more versatile for my needs, but I adore the bubblegum pink color option, as well.  Not only will the winner of this giveaway win a Hey Viv! peasant top in the color and size of her choice, but she'll also receive a great accessory prize package! Read on for more details and enter to win!

Outfit Details
peasant top: c/o Hey Viv! // hair flower: c/o Unique Vintage
heels: Aerosoles // skirt: ModCloth
petticoat: eBay // belt: from another dress

THE DETAILS
One (1) winner will receive: a Hey Viv! pleasant blouse of your choice, a pack of retro colored scarves, a polka dot headband, and a Hey Dollface! daisy bouquet necklace.

Enter using the Rafflecopter 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, April 19th. The winner will be chosen at random through the widget and will be contacted via e-mail by Monday, April 20th (so be sure to use a valid e-mail address!). The winner must respond within 24 hours, or a new winner will be chosen. Thanks for entering & best of luck! <3

Friday, April 10, 2015

Friday Favorites #89

Happy Friday, kiddos! I've been acclimating to my new job this week, and so far, I'm really loving working from home. I'm starting to realize that I probably thrive in less conventional work environments -- but only time will tell. Either way, the change of pace has been really refreshing... just like these springy picks from this week:

These Bettie Page shoes are so delightful!

bettie page shoes
1   //   2   //   3   //   4

Hello, sweet little ice cream dress of my dreams!
modcloth ice cream dress
This pink rotary dial telephone purse from Bananas is everything.
telephone purse
I also love this cloud bag (and coordinating dress!):
lazy oaf cloud dress
a   //   b

How darling is this pink dress?
dear creatures pink dress
I don't own many skirts, but I love these photographic print ones:
chicwish midi skirts
a   //   b   //   c

This botanical print dress from Lindy Bop and bee brooch from Erstwilder are a perfect pairing!
erstwilder lindy bop
1   //   2

I also adore this sheet music print skirt!
chicwish music skirt
This newspaper clutch is so fun!
dolls kill newspaper clutch
Read all about it: novelty prints galore! Ballerinas, toucans and city scenes!
novelty print modcloth
1   //   2   //   3

These Samantha Pleet dresses are absolutely magical:
samantha pleet
a   //   b

Has anyone been watching Better Call Saul? I was always a big fan of Breaking Bad, and I loved the first season of this show. (I also may or may not have a strange crush on Bob Odenkirk.) I took notice of a bunch of these Breaking Bad references in this spin-off, but I didn't notice all of them!
better call saul gif

That's all for this week! Have a great Friday!
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 link only to items and brands I absolutely love. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Sun Jellies Bag Swag on Junebugs and Georgia Peaches

sun jellies bags

Good morning!  I have a quasi-crafty post in store today.  Ashley and I are posting over on the Junebugs and Georgia Peaches blog -- along with resident Junebugs Amanda and Katie -- to show you how we each embellished our Sun Jellies tote bags for spring!  I've fallen head over heels for these colorful, versatile bags, and I loved seeing the spin we each put on our totes.  Plus, I'll take any excuse to have a combined post with my three best gals!  Follow me over to Junebugs and Georgia Peaches to see how we styled our Sun Jellies bags!

jelly bags

xox Sammi

Monday, April 6, 2015

Really Good Hair Club

sophie mcmahon artist

I don't wear separates very often, but when I saw this t-shirt from You Were Swell, I knew I had to find a great skirt to go with it.  I've admired Sophie's work for quite some time, and I'm so glad I finally have one of her pieces!  This particular design also comes in tote bag and print form, but I'm glad I bought the top.  My only regret is that you can't see more of the graphic with this outfit!  These photos are from a couple of weeks ago, so apologies for the abundance of snow.  I was so sick of trudging through all of it in my backyard, so I tried to make the front walk work for a location.  I can't wait for nicer weather so that I can scout out some other places for blog photos!  

you were swell etsy
really good hair club
hair club t-shirt

Quite a bit has happened over the past couple of weeks.  I've spent the last 3 years working in the box office for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and I finally made the decision to leave my job there to start working as an assistant for my mom.  I'm not sure whether or not I've mentioned this, but my mom is a publicist for a lot of arts organizations in Rochester (including the orchestra I was working for), and her business has grown so much that she now needs extra help.  I really enjoyed my time at the box office, and I'm really going to miss my coworkers and managers.  But after three years, I decided that I had gotten about as much out of it as I can, and I felt it was time for me to go in another direction and gain a whole new skill set.  It was a tough decision (and leaving was very bittersweet), but I think this will be good for me in the longterm.  Going out of your comfort zone is a scary thing, but I'm embracing it so that I can grow and figure out my next steps.  I'll be working from home, doing some writing, working with media and learning a lot.  I'm excited to see what the future holds!

pink saddle shoes
Outfit Details
Really Good Hair Club tee: You Were Swell
Hell Bunny skirt: Modern Pinup
Saddle shoes: Unique Vintage
Cardigan: ModCloth
Petticoat: eBay
Socks: similar
Belt: old

hell bunny pink skirt

Have a great Monday!
xox Sammi

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Easter Bunnies

easter dress
bunny dress
bunny print dress

Happy almost Easter!  As a lover of pastels, I have quite a few dresses that are especially apropos for Easter, but I couldn't resist wearing this adorable bunny print dress from eShakti this weekend!  It's such a perfect shade bubblegum pink and looks great with a petticoat.  And it's currently on sale!

pink dress
carrot brooch

This outfit also gave me a chance to wear this vintage carrot brooch.  I found a great shadowbox at Marshall's to put some of my brooches in (I usually just keep them in a box and I'm always worried I'll ruin the more delicate ones), so I've been having fun organizing them for display.  I had actually forgotten just how many brooches I have -- I couldn't even fit all of them in the case!  At least this will remind me to wear them more often.  

eshakti dress
rabbit dress

I've heard that it is supposed to snow tomorrow (ugh!!!), so I've been enjoying the springy weather during the past couple of days.  And since we celebrate both Passover and Easter is my family, this weekend has been filled with lots of yumminess.  Maybe some Reese's eggs will offset a snowfall?

pink eshakti dress
Outfit Details
Bunny dress: eShakti
Cardigan: ModCloth
Carrot brooch: vintage
Shoes: ModCloth
Petticoat: eBay

Have a wonderful weekend!
xox Sammi