Monday, June 27, 2016

Records & Radios

bernie dexter record dress

There's no better way to start off the week than a good ol' novelty print... and a novelty bag, to boot! I've loved this print from afar for quite a while, but when Bernie Dexter made one of her Paris dresses with it, I had to take the plunge. (It IS a kitschy, retro, music-themed print, after all... it can't get much more perfect than that in my book.) And I couldn't resist pairing this Betsey Johnson radio bag (which actually plays music – you can hook your iPod up to it!) with this dress! By the way, Bernie Dexter is currently offering 25% off all orders when you use the code 25dress at check out, so if you've got your eye on something, there's no time like the present!

record dress
betsey johnson radio bag
1950s print dress

There's been a lot happening in my life lately. My mom and I looked at a bunch of apartments, and I found the perfect apartment of my dreams. Of course, it's more than I was looking to spend, but I think it's doable, and living there would make me really happy. Best of all, my application was accepted, so I just have to work out the final details (and sign the lease). Fingers crossed that it all works out!

bernie dexter dress
bettie bangs
novelty print bernie dexter
Outfit Details
Paris Dress in For the Record: Bernie Dexter
Radio purse: Betsey Johnson (other styles here)
Name necklace: c/o Onecklace

Have a great Monday!

Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Picnic

trashy diva lucy red gingham

Apparently, this past Saturday was International Picnic Day, so I felt it was a fairly appropriate time to finally post these pretty picnicking photos (better late than never)! My best friend Wayne and I decided to have a picnic in Highland Park a few weeks back, right at the end of lilac season. Rochester has a huge lilac festival every year, and Highland Park is the best place to go when they're in bloom (they have over 500 different varieties!); they're my favorite flower (peonies come in at a close second), and being surrounded by their beautiful scent whilst snacking on delicious treats was such a delightful way to spend the afternoon.

picnic
trashy diva dress
red gingham dress
trashy diva
picnic basket
lucy dress trashy diva

To be honest, I'll use any excuse to have a picnic, and finally getting the chance to wear this Trashy Diva dress was a much better excuse than most. My parents surprised me with this beauty when they returned from their recent trip to New Orleans, and it's seriously one of the most flattering dresses I own. I love the features of this "Lucy" style: the oversized pockets, the adjustable tie straps, the cute buttons, the fit, and of course, the gingham print! Red gingham is an obvious choice for a picnic outing, and I finished off this subtly thematic look with my picnic basket purse and Erstwilder soda pop brooch.

trashy diva gingham
erstwilder brooch
red gingham dress retro
Outfit Details
Lucy Dress in Red Gingham: Trashy Diva
Sal's Soda Pop Brooch: c/o Erstwilder
Picnic basket purse: Accessorize
Boater hat: similar
Shoes: Aerosoles

trashy diva lucy

I'm finding out that "adulting" is no picnic. This is going to be a bit of a transitional kind of summer for me. I'm most likely going to be accepting an offer for a new job this week, and then I'll be moving out and living on my own. It's definitely time, but it's scary. But I'll never get anywhere new if I don't push myself outside my comfort zone, and I've been putting off having an actual adult life for too long. I tend to question my own capabilities a lot, but I guess none of us knows what we're doing at first. I've always been a little behind everyone else in reaching certain milestones – there's nothing wrong with that, I suppose, but you have to know when it's time to leave the nest and fly on your own, even when it might feel safer to stay. And I guess this little bird just needs to trust that she knows how to flap her wings and find her own way.

lilacs

Monday, June 20, 2016

Priscilla

the pretty dress company priscilla dress

One of the little things I enjoy about blogging and social media is being able to match outfits with virtual friends across the country. Acquiring one-of-a-kind pieces brings a me particular kind of joy, but I also love being able to share a sense of style with other girls around the world – and being able to "twin" with my bestie is... well, it's the best! Ashley featured this same dress on her blog last Monday, and since I recently acquired one for myself, I decided to style mine today. Even if it's delayed by a week, I still get a kick out of showing off our coordinating ensembles!

unique vintage dress
harlequin diamond dress
unique vintage pretty dress company

This dress by The Pretty Dress Company is just so... pretty! This print was too great to pass up, especially since Unique Vintage is now their exclusive retailer for the United States (see their full selection here). This is only the second dress I've owned by this brand, but from my own experience, the quality is really nice. The fabric is thick stretch cotton, and it's surprisingly comfortable (and has pockets!). The bodice is a bit roomier than I'd like (probably due to the fact that the fabric has some give to it – plus, I followed the size chart and went up a size from my normal selection), and because of that, I wish that the straps were adjustable... but at least shortening the straps would be an easy tailoring fix, and it certainly won't keep me from wearing this beauty.

unique vintage priscilla miami midi dress
wildflowers
pretty dress
Outfit Details
Priscilla Miami Midi Swing Dress: Unique Vintage
Shoes: B.A.I.T. Footwear (similar)
Petticoat: Pinup Girl Clothing
Belt: similar

the soubrette brunette

I had a pretty low-key weekend that included seeing Finding Dory (which was wonderful), watching the first couple episodes of OITNB and spending Father's Day at home with my parents and grandparents. I'm still going through a bit of an emotional time, but I keep reminding myself to "just keep swimming," and that seems to help. :) Have a great start to your week!

Friday, June 17, 2016

Friday Favorites #134

Happy Friday! I'm very glad this week is coming to an end. And there's no better way to start off the weekend than to look at what I've been loving over the last few days... starting with some pretty printed dresses!
novelty print dress

a    ||    b    ||    c

This strawberry-shaped kitty house is one of the cutest things ever!
cat house

How lovely is this skirt? It reminds me of sherbet.
chicwish skirt
These book brooches are beautiful.
book brooch
1    //    2

I need this impressionist-themed coloring book!
monet coloring book

This carousel swimsuit is downright adorable.
modcloth swimsuit

This mixer is just marvelous.
smeg mixer

I may or may not have purchased three pints of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams to have shipped to my door... I admit nothing... but honestly, who could resist an ice cream with peach jam and biscuits mixed right in?!

jeni's splendid ice creams

plaid dress

Oh, mint wicker handbag. You are so beautiful (and yet so impractical – sob!).
wicker handbag
This nautical skirt is wonderful.
nautical skirt

These flats would be so fun for the 4th of July!
cute flats

And finally... Happy OITNB and Finding Dory day, everyone!



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Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Arlecchino

harlequin skirt

Like a number of pieces I've been featuring here on the blog lately, the harlequin print items from Pinup Girl Clothing were never very high on my wish list. I don't know why, but they just didn't tickle my fancy at first. But sometimes things grow on you, and by the time this colorway was re-released, I decided I might need it in my closet after all. The next thing I knew, I owned 3 out of 4 of the harlequin colorways (oops!) – though this is the first one to appear here on the blog. It's kind of fitting that I ended up liking this print, though... as one of the first "big" roles I ever played was Arlecchino (Harlequin) in a Commedia dell'arte-based play when I was little.  :)

pinup girl clothing
harlequin print skirt
peasant top pinup girl

I've been focusing on myself recently, and trying to check some tasks off my list. I'm doing well on Weight Watchers thus far and have been making an effort to take a walk every morning. My fitness level has been pretty low lately, and while I do want to join a gym this summer, I need to build up my stamina again (and it's nice to get outside). I've also been applying to jobs, and am trying to figure out my next direction in that regard. And having some more free time has been nice, since I've been able to see some more movies (Maggie's Plan was great, and I finally saw Zootopia, which I loved!). This is a time of transition for me, which can be a bit overwhelming, but I'm trying to handle it with grace and take things one step at a time.

jenny skirt pinup girl clothing
Outfit Details
Jenny Skirt in Turquoise + Black Harlequin Print: Pinup Girl Clothing
Peasant Top in Mint: Pinup Girl Clothing
Flats: Amazon

Have a great Wednesday!