Drive-ins + Diners

Gosh, I can scarcely believe it's already June! It definitely feels like summer, which makes me think about all the fun things I want to do over the next couple of months – including a trip to one of the drive-ins in the area. I think they mostly show modern movies, which is sort of a bummer, but I have to do some more research. Luckily, I'll have this adorable drive-in + diner print skirt to hold me over until I can get to one!

This outfit is on the loud side, even for me, but I kind of enjoy it. This skirt is the same style as the one I wore in this post last month – I like the red one a little bit more for its versatility, but I couldn't pass this one up either. I'll probably wear it with a more neutral top in the future, but since there are so many options for color pairings, I wanted to try it with this top from Collectif. I own a lot of the peasant tops from Pinup Girl Clothing, which are great quality but are often a little too revealing, so this Dolores top is a great alternative. (This colorway isn't available directly from Collectif anymore, but I tracked it down at Stars and Swallows in select sizes.) It's not as structured as the PUG top, but I feel more covered in it and I love the matching buttons! Both of these pieces will pair well with the subtler basics in my wardrobe, but it's nice to know they can be worn together when I'm feeling a bit adventurous.

Outfit Details

Collectif Dolores Top in Pink: Stars and Swallows

Banned Diner Skirt: ShopVDM

Pancake brooch: c/o Erstwilder

Kate Spade flats: 6pm

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Beachy Keen

I've been a fan of British-based brand, Emily and Fin, for quite a few years now. They always have the cutest prints and they make some really flattering styles. I'm totally swooning over their newest collection, which features all sorts of spectacular summery pieces and prints – from synchronized swimmers to sailboats – and this seaside printed dress is my absolute favorite of the bunch! I thought this fantastic print would be a great choice for Memorial Day, since it's often seen as the unofficial start to summer. My best friend and I decided to head down to Charlotte Beach (which is right on Lake Ontario) to soak up some sun and grab some Abbott's frozen custard to celebrate.

I was first introduced to Emily and Fin via popular sites like ModCloth, ASOS, Unique Vintage and Hello Holiday, which I've found to be great resources for finding awesome overseas companies. I've owned a couple of other Emily and Fin styles before, but this was my first Isobel dress... and I fell in love immediately after putting it on! I really like the scooped neckline (there's a deeper scoop in the back, which makes for a very nice silhouette), and I think the shape works really well on me – plus, pockets! The dress is fully lined and is 100% cotton poplin, which feels a bit more luxurious than a regular cotton dress but is just as great for hot summer weather. I love that this print works well for the summertime patriotic holidays (it comes in other prints as well), and it'll be definitely be getting lots of wear over the next few months!

Outfit Details

Isobel Dress in By The Seaside: c/o Emily and Fin

Red belt: from another dress (similar)

Heels: B.A.I.T. Footwear

Have a happy & safe Memorial Day!

PS: in case you missed it, I added a ton of new items to my Shop My Closet store – and you can get 10% off your purchase when you enter the code SOUBRETTE10 at checkout! :)

Shop My Closet Update 3.0!

It's that time again... I'm cleaning out my wardrobe and I've done a HUGE update to my Shop My Closet store! Lots of awesome brands (including Bernie Dexter, ModCloth, the Pretty Dress Company, Nishe, Tatyana and more) and a variety of sizes! I've also slashed the prices on a bunch of what's still in my shop. Below is just a small sample of what I've added... head on over to my store to see everything! And don't forget: my readers can save 10% on their total purchase with the code SOUBRETTE10. Happy Friday & happy shopping!

Hamilton

The last few days have been absolutely gorgeous, so I've been spending as much time as possible outside. Since I live right near the Erie Canal (which is always a nice perk during the spring and summer months), I decided to head into the village and snap some photos in this adorable dress from Unique Vintage.

The Hamilton Dress – which has proven to be almost as popular as the hit musical that shares its name – definitely lives up to the hype. This lightweight cotton dress is perfect for summertime adventures, and I love all the unique little features: the asymmetrical buttons, the large right-side pocket, the shoulder and waist ties all make this dress truly special. I found the fit to be spot-on, and it's pretty rare to find a dress that's as cute as it is comfortable. It's the sort of dress that can instantly transport you to another time and place; it feels so classic and yet totally current. It's certainly going to be a summertime staple for me!

Outfit Details

Hamilton Swing Dress: c/o Unique Vintage

Boater hat: similar  ||  Flats: similar

Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Smokin'

If something is even slightly kooky or kitschy, there's a good chance it'll pique my interest. In the case of this cigarette-themed skirt from Shawna Lay Designs... I immediately became obsessed. I'm not a smoker (nor do I condone it... even though I'm currently dating one), but this design beautifully captures the 1950's Hollywood glamour of it all. Shawna makes some really incredible pieces and does a lot of custom work, and this skirt has quickly become one of my absolute favorite pieces. 

Although Shawna initially displayed this skirt in a beautiful cyan, I opted to go for black, as I think it makes it a bit more versatile. The skirt itself is made of cotton sateen, which is a really nice choice in terms of quality and isn't too heavy for the hotter months. I love the little pops of red and butter yellow in the design, so though I could easily wear this skirt with another neutral, I have more colorful options for separates as well. Shawna offers custom waist and length measurements as well, so this skirt is perfectly suited for me. She'll also work with you on a totally custom idea, so be sure to message her if you're feeling creative!

Outfit Details

Matchstick & Cigarette Skirt: Shawna Lay Designs

Peasant Top in Red: Pinup Girl Clothing

Brooch: vintage (get it here)  ||  Hair flower: similar

Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing

Flats: Aerosoles via Amazon

I'm currently recovering from my show (we had a sold out closing weekend, which was great) – I'll miss doing Heathers, but my body needs a break! Hope you have a great start to your week!

Life is a circus

There's no truer statement to sum up my existences as of late than "life is a circus." I feel like it's hard for me not to get a little bit overwhelmed by what I'm doing and what I have to cross off my checklist. I have four performances left of Heathers, the Musical (we got a really nice review in one of the local papers, which you can read here if you're interested), and I've been nursing one of a few injuries sustained during the show on my off days. I dealt with a slight MacBook emergency earlier in the week (which luckily did not result in losing any of my data, thank goodness!), and once the show closes, I need to focus on making some pretty big changes in my life  – namely, finding a new job, getting a car of my own and moving to my own place. It's scary, but exciting... and definitely necessary. I've never been great at juggling several big tasks, but for now, I've got to keep all the balls in the air.

I'm still catching up on editing some newer sets of photos, so I'm finally getting a chance to post these ones I snapped a few months ago. Since I've started wearing separates more, I've tried to amp up my collections of basics, which include adorable t-shirts and plainer skirts. This red skirt from Le Bomb Shop has gotten a ton of wear; I love the stretchy scuba material, and it's an easy grab-and-go piece that retains its shape. It comes in a bunch of other colors, too! I thought this vibrant red went perfectly with this adorable, cozy tee from Miss Ladybug. I've featured a couple of other tops from Miss Ladybug, and the quality is always great – plus, I'm a sucker for anything carnival or circus themed! This outfit was incredibly comfortable, but still allowed me to feel totally put-together (which is an A+ in my book!).

Outfit Details

Life is a Circus tee: c/o Miss Ladybug

Twirl in a Circle Skirt in True Red: c/o Le Bomb Shop

Heels: B.A.I.T. Footwear

Have a great day!

Cottages

Although I've always been fond of this cottage print, I felt like it was a bit too busy in the dress versions I've seen. I love a loud print more than almost anyone, but sometimes, too much is simply too much. I think it's perfect in this skirt version though, since you can easily break it up with a solid-colored top, and it's a great casual piece. It's not available on her site anymore, but I was able to nab it during one of Bernie Dexter's Zulily sales (keep an eye out for them!). 

I'm finally feeling somewhat normal again, after dealing with some injuries from my show. I woke up on opening night with pretty severe back/neck pains and, after an emergency appointment with a massage therapist, I'm finally feeling a bit better. I also fell during our final dress rehearsal, which resulted in a huge gash in my knee, and on opening night, there was a mishap with a bench that caused a few of us to take a tumble (and I have a big bruise on my bum to prove it). Apparently, I'm cursed! I'm feeling a lot better, but it's made me realize that I do need to take better care of my body. Getting in shape is definitely a goal of mine for the summer!

Outfit Details

Bernie Dexter skirt: Zulily

White peasant top: Pinup Girl Clothing

Belt: from another dress  ||  Boater hat: similar

Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear (similar)

Have a splendid start to your week!