Lady and the Tramp

My search for the elusive and highly coveted vintage Lady and the Tramp skirt may never truly end, but at least I finally have this wonderful reproduction version! I hinted in a post a few weeks ago that I'd soon be styling this creation from Vintage Inspired by Jackie, and I ended up loving this entire outfit. It's almost a Disney-bound, actually (if only I lived closer to Disney World or Disneyland!). 

I've always really identified with the character of Lady for some reason, and I bought this brooch from Lillian Madison designs a while back just in case I'd ever find my own matching skirt. The movie's become even more symbolic because I recently learned my boyfriend's favorite Disney film is Lady and the Tramp (which is funny because I've always thought of him as the Tramp to my Lady!). After going through months of trying to get a skirt like this from a different seller (who, unbeknownst to me, made it a habit of stealing other peoples' designs and taking money without fulfilling orders), Jackie saved the day with this one! The design is absolutely spot-on. While I do wish the fabric were a bit thicker and softer to the touch, I'm so glad a skirt like this is mine now! This skirt isn't currently listed in her shop, but Jackie regularly takes on custom orders. Be sure to message her if there's something you're dreaming of!

Outfit Details

Novelty Dogs Border Print Skirt: Vintage Inspired by Jackie

Cardigan with Faux Fur Collar: eBay (similar)

Lady Brooch: Lillian Madison Designs

Belt: from another dress (similar)

Heels: similar

The snow is gone here for now (fingers crossed that it stays that way), but I don't think spring will arrive for a while yet. At least it's sunny outside today! I always forget how much that impacts my mood. I hope you have a great start to your week!

Friday Favorites #147

It's been a while since I was able to put together a Friday Favorites post. I officially have spring fever, so you'll notice a lot of florals in this installment! Here's some of what I've been loving lately.

These Betsey Johnson bags are absolutely scrumptious!

a   ||   b   ||   c

This new Hamilton dress colorway from Unique Vintage is EVERYTHING.

This Kate Spade iPhone case is gorgeous.

...And it goes perfectly with this Chicwish skirt!

This chair from Anthropologie is so dreamy.

I can't get over how pretty this floral flock is!

I can't resist this Mrs. Potts and Chip brooch set:

I want to try this Anastasia Beverly Hills eyeshadow palette.

And these Irregular Choice shoes are so much fun!

And finally, these floofs are everything I need right now.

Have a great weekend!

Curtain Call

I gradually (and unofficially, I guess?) came to the conclusion a while back that I didn't want to pursue performing full-time. For a while, I was staying in Rochester because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do or where I wanted to be. That isn't really the case anymore. The weird thing is, it doesn't feel like I'm giving up a dream. (Maybe because I've made new ones?) Being on Broadway or making a living as a working actress might have been what I really wanted for a while, but as I've gotten older (and hopefully wiser), my priorities have changed. I don't want to live in New York City. I don't want to work a survival job I hate in food service or at a temp agency just so I can go to auditions and face constant scrutiny and rejection. For a lot of people, the pay-off is well worth it; it just isn't for me, and that's okay. I'll always love theatre and performing and still consider myself to be a highly creative artist who's capable of doing really great work. I put my degree to good use every day, and I've never once felt a twinge of regret for going down that path. I still agree to do only paid projects with peers who take their craft seriously. But now, I control how involved I am in the theatre world and am able to have a life outside of it. And I've found that that's a lot more personally fulfilling for me. I really admire my friends who are still pounding the pavement and are finding success in the professional world. I may be a little wistful for my youthful optimism, but I think my attitude towards my own path (i.e., not comparing it to anyone else's) is a lot healthier now than it used to be. The bottom line is that I'm happy with how things are going, even if they're totally different from how I envisioned them playing out.

That being said, I am – and always will be – a performer. So when I saw this stage curtain print skirt by Retrospec'd go on sale at A Classic Paradise, I finally took the bait and made it mine. I love the fact that you might not notice what the print actually is at first, and then when you take a closer look, the detail is really extraordinary. It reminds me of book illustrations I used to love as a kid, actually. So I suppose this skirt may be all about nostalgia and magic for me. What could be better than that?

Outfit Details

Deadly Dames Jailbird Top: Pinup Girl Clothing

Retrospec'd Opera Curtain Call Skirt: A Classic Paradise

Chase & Chloe heels: Amazon

Necklace: similar

Have you ever been through anything similar? Is your life drastically different from what you thought it'd be? It always helps me to know I'm not the only one!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Lovebirds

Considering that Valentine's Day was yesterday, I thought it was high time I shared the dress I bought from Trashy Diva's Lovebirds collection. This was the heritage print that TD brought back into circulation after its initial release. While I wasn't sold on it initially (I was rooting for a couple of other older prints instead), I changed my mind once it came out. It's such a sweet print but because it's black, it's still very versatile.

I chose the "Gia" style for this collection, which is pretty much the same as the dress I have in the Venice Nights collection. Along with a slight difference in sleeves, the Lovebirds Gia runs a bit tighter and it actually seems a bit shorter in comparison. I believe the waist may be slightly higher, as well, but I personally didn't have an issue with the shorter torso. While it doesn't have as much give as VN, I ordered my Trashy Diva normal size and found that it was perfect. I actually have a couple of cardigans that will be perfect with this print, but since I wanted to show off the sleeves, I braved the chill for these photos.

Outfit Details

Gia Dress in Lovebirds: Trashy Diva

Opal necklace: similar

Heels: Chase & Chloe

I hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day, sweet things!

Dotty For You

Happy almost Valentine's Day! I had planned on trying to squeeze in two valentine-y outfits this year, but I'm afraid the weather isn't going to cooperate for that. In case it doesn't, I wanted to make sure I posted this beyond-adorable polka dot frock from Dolly & Dotty. I got the chance to try a Dolly & Dotty dress last year (see my post here) and found it to be a great fit and of really nice quality. Much to my delight, I found the same to be true for this "Annie" dress.

The "Annie" is one of the brand's staples and is available in several other colors and prints. It's a great staple dress and is quite comfortable (and affordable!). While I've seen similar dresses on the market, this one has the longer length and fit I'm always looking for. Plus, it goes perfectly with this heart brooch from Femme de Bloom! I can't wait to style it in other ways as the weather starts to warm up.

Outfit Details

Annie Dress in Red and White Dots: c/o Dolly & Dotty

"My Sparkle Heart" brooch: Femme de Bloom

Cropped cardigan: available here

Heels: similar

Did you do any celebrating this weekend? We just relaxed, but I'm hopeful for at least some yummy chocolate in my near future! :) Have a great holiday!

Beauty Shop

Unique Vintage has done it again with this new novelty skirt! I'm a sucker for nearly all of the ones they produce, but when I saw this beauty salon skirt – a collaboration with another favorite brand of mine, Erstwilder – I knew I needed to be mine.

Like their other skirts of the same style, this skirt runs true to size and has pockets (what more could you want?). I love all of the little details of the design, and the fact that at least one of the girls in the print is wearing a dress that UV actually carries! Talk about meta. Unique Vintage also sent me the matching "Rollin' With Katie" brooch that Erstwilder made for this release, which is simply adorable. There's also a dress that matches the brooch, which you can find here.

Outfit Details

Beauty Salon Swing Skirt: c/o Unique Vintage

Erstwilder Rollin' With Katie Brooch: c/o Unique Vintage

Sweet Sweater in Black: Heart of Haute
Black camisole: similar
Heels: Aerosoles

I'm not sure whether I'll be celebrating Valentine's Day this weekend or next, but no matter what, I'm hoping to relax, catch up on sleep, and do a bit of blogging. Last weekend ended up being quite busy (I had a hair appointment, cleaned my apartment, and watched the Super Bowl), so I'm looking forward to not having anything too major on the docket. But next week will have a few Valentine-y outfits, so stay tuned. :)