Showing posts with label Lake Michigan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lake Michigan. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Raspberry and ruffles! Kiyonna Barcelona Wrap Dress Review

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Today, I am reviewing the Kiyonna Barcelona Wrap Dress in Raspberry Cooler, size 1x. The Barcelona Wrap Dress is a soft, flowing A-line wrap dress with ruffle accents and cold shoulder detailing. This dress is trendy in so many ways! Ruffles are really coming in this season, which thrills me because I love the flirty, feminine feel they give to clothing . I have also been seeing the cold shoulder style everywhere, from dresses to sweaters, its really hot! I had to try this dress because I am trying to modernize my wardrobe a bit, while I love retro styles, they are not always practical. The Barcelona Wrap Dress is perfect, modern but with a vintage vibe I love!


Outfit Details:
Dress: Barcelona Wrap Dress in Raspberry Cooler size 1x courtesy of Kiyonna
Earrings: Kendra Scott Sophee Drop Earrings in Silver c/o Rocksbox
Bracelet: Kendra Scott Candice Cuff in Silver c/o Rocksbox
Shoes: Mudd Plaid Peep Toe Flats-Thrifted
Photography: Tedd Gorman

This dress is lovely, very comfortable, and compliments my figure. I am wearing a size 1x, which feels perfect, the polyester spandex blend material has just the right amount of stretch for a flattering yet comfortable fit. The bodice wraps you in ruffles, ties at the waist to give shape then flares into a skirt that flows beautifully over your curves. The construction of the dress is high quality, the material is sturdy and it doesn't cling as some wrap dresses tend to do.

   
The style of this dress makes it very versatile, it's a great dress to wear for a day spent adventuring or to a dressy dinner party. I wore my Barcelona Wrap Dress for a fun day with my bestie in St. Joseph, Michigan, we took advantage of some unseasonably warm fall weather by exploring the shoreline of Lake Michigan.



The Barcelona Wrap Dress is a great dress for this time of year when the weather is cool and crisp in the morning but afternoons can get quite warm. The sleeves provide good coverage, hitting me just at the elbow and the barrel sleeve style is very flattering as well as comfortable, no pulling or binding around the arm. Raspberry Cooler is a perfect shade for Autumn, a muted yet rich berry. It's adorable with cute flats, heels or you could warm it up for autumn with a pair of knee high boots. I styled my Barcelona Wrap Dress with matching plaid peep toe flats and pretty silver jewelry from Rocksbox for a modern, casual look. This dress is dreamy and feminine as well as trendy and flattering, exactly what I'm looking for in my wardrobe! Thanks Kiyonna!!



Friday, June 12, 2015

Pinup Girl Clothing Mary Blair Collection Ella Dress Review

Hello everyone!  Its been a terribly busy week here with family, work, Pinups for Patriots, singing and to top it off I've been struggling with internet issues so I was unable to put up this weeks Wishful Wednesday because of this, I apologize and am happy to be back online, blogging again.  I am excited to be working on my guest blog with Pinup Persuasion featuring my experiences and thoughts on a number of plus friendly vintage style brands.  I will be posting more reviews, photos, wishlists and blogging about all of my recent adventures with Pinups for Patriots Michigan chapter, expect lots of goodies to come, sometimes I think I need clones of myself to keep up!!

I have admired many styles at Pinup Girl Clothing for several years now but on our family budget it had always been more dream than reality.  When they announced their Magic of Mary Blair Collection I fell in love and as soon as I saw the Ella dress in lavender lips and roses print, I knew I needed to own that dress so I began saving and was lucky enough to scoop her up at a great deal during the recent Memorial day sale.  I am a princess at heart and I have no doubt that the Disney movies that I watched as a young girl are the reason.  I loved Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty and I wanted to be them.   I grew up in Michigan in the country surrounded by nature. I spent many hours as a child prancing around the woods singing to my pets, pretending to be a princess.  The Mary Blair Ella dress in lips and roses print immediately reminded me of the Disney princess movies I grew up loving and this is because Mary Blair was the woman responsible for the fantastical vision behind many Disney classics made from 1943-1953.  The Mary Blair print is gloriously whimsical, beautiful pink and green roses with their twining vines dance on white across a brilliant contrasting lavender background accented with fluttering red lips like little butterly kisses.  I love this print, it is perfection, summery, lovely and unique, it reminds me of Sleeping Beauty.



  The Ella dress is cut beautifully flattering to any figure, I bought a size 2x and it fits like a glove.  The material is a high quality cotton blend, 97% cotton 3% spandex, this gives the material decent weight and nice stretch.  I am actually up a few pounds at the moment from a long, lazy winter but the 2x still fits me although it is snug it looks lovely. 



 The gathered bodice is scooped and finished with a cute black velvet bow.  The adjustable straps are better made, larger and more adjustable than any other brand I have tried, although their width does make them slightly difficult to adjust.  The back is elasticized on either side of the zipper which allows for a shapely fit in the bodice of the dress.  The dress then tapers in under the bust into a wide waistband, I find that this style really emphasize a small waistline.  The skirt is absolutely enormous, it is gathered full and heavy, the most generous skirt I've seen on any brand of  vintage style dress I have purchased.




 The skirt has hidden pockets on the sides, a very nice touch and well designed they do not stick out awkwardly as some pockets on other brands I have tried.  This skirt is long and heavy, I think that you really need a petticoat as the skirt lies very limp without, it looks much more lovely with the volume of a petticoat added.



  I wore a 120 yard, 26 inch long very full, cream petticoat underneath for my photos and I think that with the length of the skirt I would like to try a longer petticoat, that would give me the look I desire.  I am looking at the Malco Modes Cossette Petticoat in Light Pink.  I had nothing but compliments on the dress when wearing it, I enjoyed every second because I felt so lovely, I really am a prancing princess.  I love everything about it, the cut, fit, material and print, well worth the price considering the beauty and very high quality of the garment.  Thank You Pinup Girl Clothing for creating quality Couture for Every Body, it is wonderful to have companies like you who cater to every woman and realize that beauty has no size, there is no number to define personal style.  I cannot wait to add more pieces from Pinup Girl Clothing to my wardrobe!!!




My photos were shot along the beautiful coastline of Lake Michigan at Duck Lake State Park in Muskegon by Alyx Wiltse.  I love my home state, Michigan is filled with such varied natural beauty and a rich history.  I enjoy walking through the thick of the woods over grass covered dunes to the beach searching for beach glass and fossils.  I get lost in the peacefulness there, seemingly never-ending skies over, my toes in the water and the sounds of waves crashing to shore, Lake Michigan is majestic and enchanting.



  I am blessed to be able to have the chance to travel all over our state with Pinups for Patriots this summer, I cannot wait, stay tuned as Monday I will be writing and sharing about our recent events! 

Be sure to follow me on Facebook and Instagram for tons more fun!!