Friday Favorites #67

This week's post is a little short (well, short for me) because, frankly, I didn't put it together until last night and I got really sleepy while writing it.  So without further delay, here are some of my favorite finds from this week:

These knee-length tutus are fabulous!  Very Carrie Bradshaw.  I want all three!

This dress from Lady Petrova is soo dreamy:

What would a post be without pretty pastel coats?

a   //   b   //   c

This dress is so sweet!

I really loved this piece on why we should stop "fashion policing" women.

THIS IS A COUCH.  A PINK FIAT COUCH.

Cute Halloween sweaters!

a   //   b   //   c

I absolutely love this dress.  The color wouldn't work for me, but it's so lovely.

The scallop and bow details on these coats are perfect:

1   //   2   //   3

This velvet flower crown would be gorgeous for fall and winter!

Kitty cat time!

I love all of these photos of cat loaves:

You could be Pusheen for Halloween!

Finally, I loved this story about a little girl with Autism and her feline companion.

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 I absolutely love, from companies I wholeheartedly support.  Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

Goldenrod & Bluebells

I've never been good at color blocking.  I usually stick to one loud print or quirky focus; I'm usually so matchy-matchy that it can be hard for me to combine colors in unexpected ways.  I really admire people who are adept at it -- it's an art unto itself!  Marisa and Polly are especially incredible at it, and I'm always in awe of the outfits they put together.  This outfit is in no way an example of color blocking, but it is an attempt to combine some colors that I wouldn't normally try: mustard and cyan.

I bought this dress from Forever 21's website, and it ended up being a lot shorter than I had anticipated... I guess I thought a modest cardigan and a too-short hemline would cancel each other out?  I really like the top of this halter dress though, and because it's not the sort of dress I'd wear with tights, I had to figure out some way to get some wear out of it!  I love that the print is so vintage-inspired.  It was actually still pretty warm out when I took these -- if I had taken them now, I'd definitely need a jacket!

Outfit Details

Dress: Forever 21

Cardigan: Forever 21 (similar)

Cocktail ring: Mom's

Flats: ASOS (similar)

Maybe after this slight foray into combining unlikely colors, I'll get a little braver with it.  Do you have a favorite unique color combo?  I always really liked red and aquamarine, but do you have any other favorites I should try?

Have a great Thursday!

xox Sammi

Label Love: Hell Bunny

Today's installment of the Label Love series is a fun one!  Any girl who is as enamored with retro style as much as I am is most likely familiar with Hell Bunny.  Like many of my favorite brands, Hell Bunny is based out of the UK, and is one of my go-to labels for when I need a rockabilly look on a budget.  In addition to their 1950's style garments, they're also an excellent resource for darker punk looks and cutesy lolita-inspired attire.  Their clothing is very well-priced, especially for the quality.  I've always found their pieces to be really flattering and fun, which are two of the most important qualities in how I dress!

1    //    2

One thing to note about Hell Bunny is that they don't sell their clothes directly through their own website.  However, there are lots of popular retailers who carry their clothes (ModCloth, Hot Topic, Amazon), as well as tons of retro online boutiques (Tiger Milly, JBR Clothing, Beserk, Cats Like Us).  It's also a brand that's readily available on eBay, which can be really great if you're searching for a specific piece.  These three dresses are on my radar right now -- the first is available on a lot of websites, but the second two are much harder to find in my size!  I've loved the sunflower print one for such a long time, and I think the red polka dot bolero dress would be perfect for Disney World!

 Another thing to note about Hell Bunny is in regards to sizing: I've personally found that this brand tends to run a bit big on me.  Their garments don't usually contain stretch (the only exception is the short yellow gingham dress below, which has a shirred back), and normally in those cases, I'd wear a size large.  However, I wear a medium in all of my Hell Bunny dresses (and in the case of the one with the shirred back, I wear the size small!).  According to their size chart, I would fall between the medium and large, but believe me when I say that my size mediums have ample room.  I definitely wouldn't recommend ordering up in this brand, and in some cases, you may even want to size down!  The only garments I have in a large from them are actually the coats, and that's only because I wanted room to layer (and to make sure the buttons don't gape).

3    //    4

5    //    6

Although I love my Hell Bunny dresses, one drawback to the ones I own is that they're made in a lighter weight cotton; it's great for the summer months, but in Upstate New York, they definitely don't last the whole year round.  I sometimes pair them with nude stockings, but in general, I don't think they look quite right with dark or colored tights, so they usually sit in my closet until spring rolls around.  However, I do have one of their coats (shown below), which I absolutely adore.  It's surprisingly warm and fits like a dream.  I love that it's more of a lolita look, but it can still look great with my retro dresses.  I'm actually getting this same coat in pink for my birthday (shh)! 

(See this post here)

 I also recently purchased two of Hell Bunny's pretty petticoats!  I had been warned about the length of their regular-sized petticoats by several people, stating that they were ridiculously long.  I ordered these two on a whim, when they happened to be on sale for $17 at ModCloth.  I was afraid of what they would look like, but I was so pleasantly surprised.  The length is absolutely perfect on me, and they are ideal for my full-skirted dresses.  For reference, I'm 5'7", so they might not work on shorter ladies, but I wore one with one of my PUG Jenny dresses, and the crinoline didn't even peek out under it!  They are super soft and come in a huge variety of colors.  I'm not sure I would want to pay upwards of $60 for them (unless it was for a very special occasion), but they are much higher quality than my other crinolines, and I'm certainly glad I took a gamble!

My feeling is that Hell Bunny pretty much encompasses the ideal retro reproduction brand: they put their own spin on alternative clothing, and you don't have to compromise quality for the cost.  Dresses typically range anywhere from $60-$90 (and depending on where you look, you may be able to find them for less!), and they carry an incredibly wide range of styles, from the demure to the outlandish.  Their clothing is also widely accessible, and is carried both online and in some brick and mortar stores.  Their sizing may vary a bit from one style to the next, but I'll always be more likely to consider purchasing an item if I know it's made by Hell Bunny.

7    //    8

What about you?  Do you own any Hell Bunny dresses?  If so, has your experience with the brand been similar to mine?  And if not, would you be more likely to seek them out now?

Have a great Tuesday!

xox Sammi

Think happy thoughts

This is probably my favorite dress from Pinup Girl Clothing.  The shade of pink is lovely (it matches these BAIT spectators perfectly!), and who wouldn't love a print that's based on Peter Pan?  Best of all, I snagged a Hell Bunny pink petticoat at ModCloth for a steal, and the length of it is ideal for this dress.  I took these photos a couple of weeks ago, so there was no need for a sweater, but I do love styling this dress with a cardigan.  Oh, and I found this necklace from years ago in my jewelry box; it's pink pixie dust!  I couldn't not wear it with this outfit!

This past week has been rather difficult.  My best friend is still in the hospital, and not knowing exactly what's been going on is scary (though his mom has been writing online entries to update all of us on his progress, which is great).  In addition, I didn't pass my road test, which was surprising and upsetting.  I know a lot of people don't pass their test on the first try, but even my instructor was sort of taken aback by it, and I had gotten to the point where I was feeling really good about my driving... and now I feel sort of disheartened.  I think I was just nervous, mostly.  Is it weird that I feel like visualizing things has the opposite effect for me?  Whenever I visualize getting something I want (whether it be a job, a role in a show, etc.), I end up psyching myself out.  I typically perform much better when I don't care too much about it -- and it's also very hard for me not to care about what I do.  And now I have to figure out how I will get to work (and otherwise get around) while my parents are away.  I know I'll figure something out, but it's just adding more anxiety to a situation that's already stressful.

Outfit Details

Jenny Dress in Neverland Sateen: Pinup Girl Clothing

Hell Bunny pink petticoat: ModCloth (available here)

BAIT Footwear spectators: ModCloth (similar)

Fairy dust necklace: old

But no matter how stressful things get, this video always manages to put a smile on my face:

Have a great Sunday!

xox Sammi

Friday Favorites #66

Happy Friday, everyone!  Our Indian summer seems to be winding down here, which makes me feel better about my ongoing Halloween & winter coat obsession.  Take a peek at some of my favorite finds from this past week:

a   //   b   //   c   //   d   //   e

I love how this cape could work for a costume and for cold weather!

I'm obsessed with these shoes and matching clutch from Charlotte Olympia:

1   //   2

If you missed out on this Betsey Johnson bag from last fall, make sure you sign up for notifications for when this version arrives at ModCloth!

And speaking of great bags... this mini-clutch from Candy Strike is fab:

As are these pink coats:

1   //   2   //   3

This coat is really sweet, too:

More coats!

a   //   b   //   c

These retro dresses are super cute!

one   //   two

Although I tend to gravitate towards cat prints, I do love this doggy dress:

And finally, I love this list: 20 things to remember when you think you're not good enough.

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 I absolutely love, from companies I wholeheartedly support.  Thank you for supporting The Soubrette Brunette!

Advertise with The Soubrette Brunette in October!

It's been a couple of months since I've done a "call for sponsors" post, but I wanted to make sure I did one this month.  Because my birthday is at the end of October, I've planned a very big giveaway at the end of the month (yay!).  Historically, I've gotten a large response from my giveaway posts, and that means lots of interaction and attention to the ads in my sidebar.  If you were looking for a good time to advertise on my blog, now would definitely be it! 

 I currently offer 3 different sizes for ads (featured, large and small).  Featured ads get the highest visibility, but large and small ads are also in prime spots.  All of my ad prices are super-affordable (prices range from $5-$15 per month), so anyone can afford to advertise.  If you have a smaller blog and you're looking to generate some more traffic and gain some followers, any of these three ad sizes would be a great way to go about it.  I also love working with small businesses and artists!

Purchasing an ad is incredibly easy!  You can visit my advertising page here, and then all you have to do is choose the size you'd like, click "add to cart," and then "checkout."  From there, just fill out the information, upload your ad (the size specifications are displayed for each -- if you need an ad made, send me an e-mail), and pay for your ad spot!  Your ad will go live right after I approve it, and ads run for 30 days.

You can check out all of my updated stats, find out more about sizes and rates, and even purchase your ads right here -- or you can head directly to my Passionfruit page.  Space is limited, so don't miss out!  I'd love to work with you!  :)

Blogger Interview: Jenny from She Loves Dresses

Happy October!  This month is probably my absolute favorite of all -- autumn is in full swing, and it contains both Halloween and my birthday!  Since I adore this month so much, I felt it was only fitting that this month's blogger interview subject be one of my new favorite people: the adorable and ethereal Jenny from She Loves Dresses!  I first "met" Jenny on Instagram, and I was immediately captivated by her love of vintage and sense of whimsy.  She's also incredibly sweet and eloquent, and though she's relatively new to blogging, I always look forward to her carefully-crafted posts.  Get to know more about this gorgeous girl below and be sure to follow her blog and Etsy shop!

Name: Jennifer Baquing

Age: 26!  I'll be 27 on November 13th :)

Where do you blog?  I blog at She Loves Dresses!  I've been blogging for a little over a month and it's been a really great experience so far.  :)  I blog mostly about vintage fashion, but in the future I would like to write more critically about things I would like to see changed about the fashion industry as a whole, as well as intersectional feminist theory as it relates to pop culture and Millennials.  :)

Where do you work or what did you study in school?  In the evenings, I work for a financial company with my husband Josh in San Francisco, CA, and at an electrical company during the day. I also sell natural gluten-free health supplements and sell jewelry on Etsy. The money is very good at my traditional day jobs, but I don't see myself staying there for much longer. 

What's your dream job?  I would love to blog full-time and open my own brick-and-mortar vintage shop in either San Francisco, CA or Kyoto, Japan. I lived in Japan for two years and miss it terribly. 

Your favorite musical artist:  I really love listening to Hans Zimmer. I mostly prefer music without lyrics, because then my imagination can really run wild. 

Your favorite musical:  Wicked! 

Your favorite movie:   I really love the movie Serendipity. It's dreamy and romantic, and although I believe that hard work and hustle are what position a person for success and opportunity, the dreamer inside me also loves to hope in something bigger than myself such as fate and density. 

Your favorite guilty pleasure:  I love napping. I don't even need to be tired. I just love to sleep. I'm not getting nearly enough these days, but it's okay!  Hehe. 

Drink of choice: Chocolate chip cookie dough milkshake :D

Favorite food in the world? Sushi from Japan! And pizza! And ice cream! And cookies!

One character from a movie or TV series with whom you identify:  Kiki from Kiki's Delivery Service :)

Do you have a celebrity crush?  Captain America all day long. <3

Which actress would play you in a movie version of your life?  I really love Maggie Q and if she were down to cut some bangs for the role, then that would pretty much be perfect. ;)

Favorite book (from childhood or now): Winnie the Pooh!

What's one thing that most people might not know about you?  My left arm was entirely green from wrist to shoulder (like a birthmark) until I turned 12 and then they became a bunch of freckles!  No freckles on my right arm.  I think it's super cool! 

What's your favorite season and why?  Spring. I love bright colors and pastels in mainstream fashion. Although I don't wear many modern styles, I like being out and watching other people break out their delicate florals and happy prints.

How would you describe your personal style? 1950's fit and flare mixed with 1960's babydoll, mixed with Asian street style. 

What's the most beloved article of clothing you own?  My grandmother remarried in the 60's and wore the most beautiful crochet lace mini dress with bell sleeves. She gave it to me a few years ago and it is the most beautiful dress I've ever owned. 

If you could live during any other time period, what would it be?  Many vintage-loving gals have nostalgia for the early/mid 20th century decades, and although I love the fashion, I am happy that I was born in 1987. I don't think I would have had nearly as many opportunities had I been born at an earlier time, especially as a minority. 

Do you have a style icon?  If so, who?  My grandma, Dianne. She is the best dressed lady in my family and was a total 60's bombshell back in the day. Best leggies ever!!!

Your favorite place to shop or favorite clothing brand:  I love vintage shopping in San Francisco. The Haight Ashbury/Mission area has sooo many amazing shops! 

Go-to accessory?  Flower crowns!

If you could only wear one outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?  I guess... This really awesome red 1960's mini with gigantic bib collar!

How did you get into blogging?  I feel like there are gaps that need to be filled in the vintage fashion communities (and fashion blogging communities in general) in regards to representation for people of color. I want to bring awareness about social justice issues within the fashion communities so I can find others who are like-minded and want to work together towards true equality for women of all colors and all sizes. I work with a lot of vintage shop owners in the way that I do so I can help support small businesses as well as get my name out to other people in vintage fashion circles. 

What are some other blogs that you love?  Yours! Of course! SO many to name, but here are some off the top of my head that I read religiously: The Dainty Dolls House, feministkilljoys, Gradient Lair, The October Road, Nora Finds, Princess Lasertron, Prison Culture, and more.

What's been your favorite post from your blog so far (or favorite outfit you've worn)?  It's super hard to choose, but this has been my favorite blog post so far, and it's one of my favorite outfits!

Anything else you'd like to talk about??  I make super adorable jewelry!  

You can find it all in my Etsy shop, She Loves Cute Stuff!

A million thanks to Jenny for agreeing to be this month's interview subject!  I've so enjoyed getting to know more about her -- she is a truly beautiful person both inside and out.  Be sure to follow here here!  

Have a beautiful start to your October!

xox Sammi