Friday, November 23, 2018

Friday Favorites #156: Black Friday 2018 Edition [DEALS AND PROMO CODES]

Happy Black Friday, everyone! I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving and are ready to drop some cash. I put together a wish list of items I may be purchasing for myself this year (I promise, I'm buying things for other people, too!). Plus, I've rounded up a TON of promo codes and deals for you to use as a reference for all of your shopping needs. If you're planning on buying something today (or already bought something!), tell me all about it in the comments so I can live vicariously! :)

Please note that this post contains some affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of those links, I may earn a small commission that helps to run my blog. Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!
pastel gift guide 2018
a   ||   b   ||   c   ||   d   ||   e
f   ||   g   ||   h   ||   i   ||   j
k   ||   l   ||   m   ||   n   ||   o  

And now for the deals and promo codes! I'll be adding to this list as others come in, so check back!
Happy Shopping!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Sorry / Grateful

voodoo vixen plaid tartan dress
All images by Emma Rizzo Photo
My world has changed a lot in the last week. I'm not really ready to talk much about it yet, but suffice it to say that there's a lot to get used to and I'm spending a lot of time deep in thought or fighting back tears. Even when you feel a change is coming, that doesn't make it any easier or less heart-breaking. Knowing something might end up being for the best doesn't mean you're ready for it to happen.

voodoo vixen dress
modcloth shoes
camel coat

Still, there's a lot to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the people in my life who care deeply about me. I am thankful for everyone who has reached out to me with kindness and compassion. I am thankful for my home and for my job. I am thankful for my cat and for creativity and for laughter and for warmth and for comfort. I am thankful for sunshine and for the seasons and for the knowledge that time does heal (if not completely, at least enough that it won't always hurt to breathe or to remember). I am thankful for my health and for my desire to improve it. I am thankful for words and for music and for art. I am thankful for good deeds in this weary world. I am thankful to have known love; if I have lost it in the end, at least I found it and experienced joy even in the darkest of places and in the darkest of times. I am thankful... in spite of it all.

plaid dress vintage
rochester ny autumn
portraits rochester ny

And now I'm sorry (hence this Sondheim-inspired title) that this post has turned into something more melancholy than I intended, especially because this autumnal dress from Voodoo Vixen should be the star of the show. Emma took some photos of my friend Kelsey and me on what was basically the last day of real fall here in Rochester. We got to capture some dreamy golden moments and my dress looked absolutely perfect against the backdrop of yellow and orange leaves. Now, everything's covered in snow. It seems appropriate that the cold came in all at once, without warning and without apology.

voodoo vixen samantha dress

Back to the dress. This is probably the most beautiful plaid I could imagine for Thanksgiving – and you may be able to find it on sale this week for Black Friday. I was eager to get my hands on it because of the print and because it's actually called the "Samantha" dress. I love all the details (the pockets are so cute) and the plaid is even prettier in person. However, I will say that this dress runs small and that the fabric has no stretch. I actually ordered up from my normal size and it's still not quite big enough to comfortably accommodate my bust and my arms. If you want to snag it for yourself, Doll Me Up still has some sizes (and should be restocking soon); they have an accurate size chart to go by and I would suggest choosing your size based on your bust measurement. The dress comes with a matching fabric belt, so you'd be able to cinch it a bit if it's too roomy (plus, you need a bit of space for holiday foods). Other than that, it's truly a lovely dress and it's so perfect for fall festivities.

plaid dress
fall leaves rochester ny
highland park rochester ny
Outfit Details
Samantha Tartan Dress: c/o Voodoo Vixen
Coat: Hell Bunny (similar)
Tights: similar  ||  Shoes: similar

plaid dress vintage retro

I'm a bit all over the place lately, but I'm trying to stay busy and focus on things I'm excited about. I've already started decorating my house for Christmas and I'll probably be putting up my tree this weekend. I've always loved the holidays and am trying not to think about the fact they suddenly feel a lot lonelier this year. I don't even feel that excited about pumpkin pie, which isn't like me. Maybe I'll feel differently tomorrow. That's all I really hope for lately – that I'll feel differently tomorrow.

Sending love to you and yours.

Monday, November 12, 2018

An Apple a Day

apple picking rochester ny

I've been sick for the last week, so it probably stands to reason that I should be eating more apples to keep the doctor away. Fortunately, we ended up getting a lot (plus donuts and cider, of course) at our trip to The Apple Farm. Apple-picking season is over by now, but I'll definitely be enjoying the fruits of our labor (literally!) for at least the rest of this month! I've never been one for apple pie, though... I'm a pumpkin gal all the way there.

plaid scarf women's
the apple farm victor ny
torrid sweater dress
picking apples rochester ny
fall plaid scarf

This look is a bit more classic (read: maybe basic?) than I normally go for – but holy wow, this dress from Torrid is SO soft. I started shopping at Torrid for swimsuits and bras a while back, but hadn't ventured into real clothes until I purchased this. Although the elasticized waistband sits a bit high for me (which I easily fixed with a belt), this dress is really nice and sooo cozy. It looks like it's currently out of stock, but there's a red version that looks like it would be beautiful for the holidays! For anyone who's kind of on the cusp of straight sizes and plus sizes like I currently am, I'm definitely a fan of shopping with them. (Just wait until there's some kind of sale, which they have often!)

gray sweater dress
apple picking photo
fall gray dress
apples upstate ny
where to pick apples upstate ny
Outfit Details
Dress: Torrid (similar here and here)
Plaid scarf: available at ModCloth
Belt: similar  ||  Boots: similar
Basket: similar

torrid dresses

I'm looking forward to the holidays this year – mostly for outfit-planning reasons, if I'm honest. I don't know what Thanksgiving and Christmas will bring this year. Things have been tough lately and I'm kind of in a period of uncertainty. But I think that probably means change is on the horizon. And while that can be scary, I'm inclined to believe that's a good thing.

apple farm upstate ny
Have a sweet start to your week!

Monday, November 5, 2018

Jolly Holiday

atomic jax mary poppins dress
All images by Emma Rizzo Photo
Happy Monday! I meant to post this look by Atomic Jax before Halloween, but I kind of forgot how trips to Disney World don't provide much downtime. Fortunately, you can Disneybound at any time of year – and with the new Mary Poppins movie coming out next month, I'll bet I'll be wearing this dress when I see it in theaters!
disneybound dress
mary poppins lapel pin
vintage inspired by jackie

This was one of those days where everything went wrong (fellow bloggers will know what I mean!). I wanted to take photos on this historic carousel, but it was inexplicably closed even though it was supposed to stay open through Columbus Day. Fortunately, Emma is a master at rolling with the punches and managed to capture some nice shots on the boardwalk. We also had to deal with some heckling from old white dudes playing volleyball on the sand, which we captured on video and powered our rage for the rest of the afternoon. Just the kind of feeling we'll want to hold onto going into tomorrow. Which reminds me: VOTE. Our lives literally depend on it.

emma rizzo photo rochester ny
disneybounding
charlotte beach rochester ny
Outfit Details
Custom Bert Swing Dress: c/o Atomic Jax
Cropped cardigan: available here
Mary Poppins penguin pin: similar
Flats: Aerosoles  ||  Boater hat: similar

rochester ny boardwalk charlotte beach
bert disneybound mary poppins
the soubrette brunette

Speaking of Disney characters, thanks to everyone who entered my birthday giveaway! I had a great time in Orlando with my mom (I'll put together a post with some photos soon), though I'm definitely feeling my age now... I spent most of the weekend in bed, which gave me time to pick a giveaway winner. Congratulations to Aly and stay tuned for future giveaways!


Have a great start to your week!

Friday, October 26, 2018

Fall Florals with ModCloth

floral dress modcloth

Greetings from Orlando! We arrived at Walt Disney World early yesterday morning and have been going non-stop since. It's been great so far, but I'm definitely feeling my age (or older) – and yet I'm recapturing my youth at the same time!

poppy print dress
The Soubrette Brunette: Fall Florals with ModCloth
modcloth floral dress

One thing's for sure: it doesn't feel very October-ish here. But there are a lot of beautiful flowers that are still in bloom. I do love the juxtaposition of florals in the autumn, which is probably what made me "fall" for this fabulous fit and flare dress from ModCloth. Don't tell anyone, but I normally really don't like navy blue! But with the other beautiful colors in this poppy print – a vibrant orange-red and a soft periwinkle lavender – I actually like it a lot. Plus, the skirt is super full and it has pockets!

modcloth dress
fabulous fit and flare floral dress with pockets
rose gold t-strap chelsea crew heels

I'll add that I ordered way up based on the reviews (which said it really wasn't forgiving in the bust), but I probably could have gone with an XL. It's not terribly noticeable, especially with a cardigan, and I don't mind extra eating room (especially with the holidays coming up). This fabric doesn't contain stretch, so I'd rather be safe than sorry anyway. I paired it with these gorgeous rose gold t-strap heels, which I will definitely be wearing for every single holiday event this December. This dress would look equally cute with flats, but I felt like making it as festive as possible.

george eastman museum rochester ny
Outfit Details
Dress: c/o ModCloth
Shoes: c/o ModCloth
Cardigan: available at ModCloth in other colors

floral print dress

I'll be rather busy this weekend celebrating my birthday, but I hope if you're celebrating Halloween early that you have a safe and spooky time! Oh, and don't forget to enter my Disney-themed giveaway! :)