Beautiful Brocade! My Review of the Lindy Bop Tiana Twin Set

 Today, I am reviewing the Lindy Bop Tiana Twin Set in Burgundy.  The Tiana Twin Set consists of an off the shoulder dress with a flare skirt and matching bolero jacket.  The Tiana Twin Set is made of  luxuriant burgundy floral brocade, brocade is a heavy fabric with very little stretch.  This beautiful set is practical and perfect for the seasonal transition from summer into fall.  I love the vintage style of this set!  The best thing about the Tiana Twin Set to me is how versatile it is.  Michigan weather varies wildly in the fall months, some days it is 60 degrees and other days it is 80, this makes dressing for the day a bit difficult, Tiana solves this problem for me!  I can wear the jacket and dress together when the day starts out chilly but if the temperatures warm up the dress looks lovely on it's own. 

Outfit Details:
Dress: Tiana Twin Set in Burgundy Size UK22 Care of Lindy Bop
Earrings: Mystic Drop Earrings in Ivory From Ceci Punch Designs
Makeup: Tarte Cosmetics
Lipstick: Red Velvet from Besame Cosmetics
Shoes: Steve Madded-Thrifted
Hair Flower: Handmade by Me
Hairstyling by Alyx Halsey

 The Lindy Bop Tiana Twin Set flatters my curves and makes me feel like I just stepped out of a retro movie.  The dress is an off the shoulder style with bow detailing on the shoulders, a nipped in waist and full flared skirt.  I am wearing a petticoat under my skirt for fullness.  The jacket is a 3/4 sleeve bolero style with a rounded neckline that hits just at the waist.  Comfortable and classy for day wear or dressed up, this set can be accessorized to be appropriate for almost any occasion.  The floral brocade material is so luxurious and really feels like it is a true vintage piece.   It is a poly/spandex blend with very little stretch so be sure to look closely at the measurements on the size chart before you order, I generally check these because each Lindy Bop garment has a unique fit according to its style.  I am wearing The Tiana Twin Set in a size UK20.  Fit is just right, the bodice is snug with a bit of stretch, the waist nips in to flatter and the skirt can fit a full petticoat but also lays nicely without due to pleating at the waistline.  This shade of burgundy is just right for the coming fall colors but will also be lovely for the Christmas season.

This is my first Lindy Bop Twin Set but it makes me want to go snap up their other sets because these make a great addition to my wardrobe!  Lindy Bop consistently releases beautiful new designs, I cannot wait to see what else they have in store for the Autumn/Winter season.  The Lindy Bop Tiana Twin Set will give me a ton of wear for the upcoming holiday season, it is classy, timeless and versatile.  I adore Lindy Bop, they give me beautiful vintage style clothing with a huge variety of styles to choose from, great quality and an affordable price so I can refresh my wardrobe for each season without breaking the bank!

Terrific Tiki! My review of the Lindy Bop Misty Tiki Dress

 Hello everyone!  It's finally summer and I am giddy beyond belief!  I am so excited that the weather is finally warm and beautiful here in Michigan after the incredibly long winter we had and the nearly complete absence of spring.  I love to spend time outdoors in my garden, flitting around doing garden chores, enjoying all of the different varieties of plants that I have worked carefully to plant and grow so I can enjoy my backyard oasis.  Everything is green, flowers are blooming and it is finally the best time of year to wear pretty dresses!

Today, I am reviewing the Lindy Bop Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress.  The Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress is a gorgeous teal dress with a bright and whimsical tiki print; with hula girls, hibiscus flowers, tiki gods, and palm trees, this dress screams tropical.  One of my favorite eras is the 1950's, I love the styles of that time and one of the biggest crazes was Hawaii.  I remember growing up seeing some really neat pieces of Hawaiiana that my grandparents had picked up in the 50's and 60's, kitschy hula girl lamps, tiki themed pieces, shell necklaces and hibiscus shaped jewelry, everything to do with the islands was all the rage.  Tiki has always been a big part of the pinup style so I was thrilled when I saw the Misty Swing Dress in this gorgeous Hawaiian themed tiki print.  Lindy Bop has the greatest selection of vintage style clothing, they have become a leader in the retro repro fashion market and their novelty prints are one of my favorite ways to add personality to my wardrobe. 

Misty features a gathered neckline with bow, adjustable straps, a fitted waist and a full gathered skirt.  Made of comfortable and breathable stretch cotton, this dress is fabulous for the hot summer months.  I am wearing the Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress in UK22/US18.  This is my normal size in Lindy Bop dresses.  Fit is wonderful, the bodice clings to my curves and tapers nicely to accentuate the waistline.  The skirt is very full, it allows for a petticoat, which I am wearing here but the gathering at the waist makes the skirt float around you gracefully giving it volume even without a petticoat underneath.  The thing that I was the most excited about was the inclusion of adjustable straps.  In the past with Lindy Bop dresses, they generally did not have adjustable straps so because of my petite height, I always had to have the straps on my Lindy Bop dresses tailored to fit.  It is so fabulous to have adjustable straps so I do not have to go through the hassle of waiting for a seamstress to be able to wear my dress.  This dress also includes another big winner for me, pockets.  It is so nice to be able to tuck my phone, keys or any other small items I may need in my skirt pockets on a day trip instead of having to lug around my heavy purse!

I cannot get enough of the Lindy Bop novelty prints!  Lindy Bop novelty prints are always rich scenes full of detail and that makes me love them.  The Tiki print on this Misty Swing Dress is kitschy and so much fun.  All over the pretty teal of the dress are red and white hibiscus flowers, the backdrop features volcanic mountains, water, palm trees and the sun looking down on it all.  Hula girls dance festooned with flowers and leis in front of huge carved tiki gods.  This dress has so many colors and fun details in the print that it is a dream to accessorize.  I am always trying to add dresses to my closet that can be worn and interchanged with other items that I own so I can maximize my wardrobe with minimal effort.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress in size UK22/US18 C/O Lindy Bop
Earrings: F-ineapple Earrings from Ceci Punch Designs
Shoes: Rockin Tiki Stiletto Heels in Red from Lucky Lous Shoes
Flower Crown and matching wristlets from Amazon
Petticoat: Dancing Days Petticoat in White from Banned
Makeup: Tarte
Lipstick: Victory Red from Besame Cosmetics
Vintage Parasol from The Intersection

 I had so much fun playing with accessories to put together the perfect ensemble with the Misty Dress.  Adding fun Hawaiian details was a must so I wore Lucky Lous Rockin Tiki Heels in Red, buttery soft leather stiletto heels which feature hand carved wooden tiki god soles, Ceci Punch "F-ineapple"  pineapple dangle earrings and a green hibiscus flower crown with matching wristlets.  The beautiful vintage hibiscus print paper parasol came from my favorite local antique shop and was the perfect finishing touch!

The Lindy Bop Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress was such fun to wear outside, dancing, twirling and posing in beautiful Dow Gardens where the rhododendron and azalea blossoms provided the perfect tropical backdrop for my virtual trip to the Hawaiian Islands. My Misty Teal Tiki Print Swing Dress is sure to get a lot of wear in the summer months because it is so comfortable and eye catching.  I cannot wait to wear and accessorize it with more fun vintage flair.  Lindy Bop is the best for keeping you looking pinup perfect without breaking the bank!

Outrageous Oranges! My Review of the Lindy Bop Saskia Polka Dot and Orange Print Swing Dress

 Today, I am reviewing the delightful Lindy Bop Saskia Polka Dot and Orange Print Swing Dress 

 Lindy Bop is one of my favorite vintage style clothing designers.  They have such a fabulous selection of retro styled dresses, tops, skirts, accessories and even shoes that they have quickly become one of the leaders in the vintage fashion movement.  I love the huge variety of styles and prints available, something to fit every personality.   Lindy Bop also has some of the most competitive prices available for quality vintage style garments, there is definitely something to please everyone at Lindy Bop.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Saskia Polka Dot and Orange Print Swing Dress in Size US18/UK20 C/O Lindy Bop
Hair Piece: Orange Blossom Fascinator by Lila Jo
Petticoat: Dancing Days 26 inch Petticoat in White by Banned
Earrings: Green Glitter Rectangles by Put on the Ritz
Makeup: Tarte
Lipstick: American Beauty by Besame Cosmetics
Glasses: Zenni Optical

The Lindy Bop Saskia Polka Dot and Orange Print Swing Dress is a lovely vintage styled dress with a fitted bodice, full skirt and deliciously juicy orange border print.  I love the contrast of the black polka dots and bright, bold orange print.  The polka dot background is draped with bunches of delectable, juicy oranges that look good enough to eat and lovely frilly white orange blossoms for a dress that is both classy and whimsical.  

I am wearing the Saskia Polka Dot and Orange Print Swing Dress in size US 18.  The Saskia dress is sized well, the measurements are spot on but the elasticated panel in the back gives a huge amount of stretch to the bodice.  The size 18 is my usual Lindy Bop size but in this instance I could have easily sized down for a better fit because the elastic back has a ton of give and the material has a decent amount of stretch to it as well.  The soft matte finish stretch poly blend fabric feels lovely on my skin and makes the dress as comfortable as it is cute.  The only drawback is the lack of adjustable straps, as a petite gal, adjustable straps on dresses and tops save me from the expense of having to have a seamstress adjust them to get the correct fit.  The straps were quite a bit too long for my torso so I had to have them fixed to get the fit just right before I could wear the dress, however this dress is so cute that it was worth it and I find that the straps being too long is a common problem I run into at my height.  The Skirt has a lovely fullness that looks pretty on it's own but is large enough to accommodate a petticoat for extra flair.

The bodice is adorable, I love the orange accent of the straps, on the cute split collar and along the border of the dress.  The polka dot print is very interesting and eye catching with its alternating pattern of solid and scribbled dots on a black background.  The oranges are the clear star of this dress.  The print is so lifelike, I can almost smell the fresh floral scent of the orange blossoms intermingling with the tart citrus from the oranges.  I love wearing fun food prints, we all love food and these bold prints make an outfit really stand out.  I received a ton of compliments on this glorious dress, almost everyone commented that it made them crave oranges!  The Saskia Polka Dot and Orange Print Swing Dress was a hit with everyone that made me look and feel sweet as well.  I have many Lindy Bop dresses in my closet because they give me exactly what I am looking for, amazing style, high quality and a reasonable price that allows me to afford a dress to perfectly fit my every mood!  Thanks Lindy Bop!!

Everything's coming up roses! Lindy Bop Bernice Swing Dress in Mint Rose Review

Today, I am reviewing the gorgeous Lindy Bop Bernice Swing Dress in Mint Rose.  I  discovered Lindy Bop dresses from the very beginning of my pinup modeling because they were in the wardrobe rooms of every photographer I worked with.  I loved the styling, quality and fit so naturally I had to add Lindy Bop to my wardrobe.  Lindy Bop is home to fabulous retro styled wardrobe pieces that are affordable and high quality.  I have had my eye on this gorgeous Bernice Swing Dress in Mint Rose since it was released so when I had the chance to do a blog review for Lindy Bop, I absolutely had to have it!

I am a sucker for roses, they are my favorite flower, although I haven't met a flower yet that I didn't love!  Roses bring back memories of my childhood, my Grandmother Beatrice had a beautiful rose bush in her yard that she would let me cut blooms off each year.  I have fond memories of waiting for the roses to bloom so I could enjoy their sweet perfume and it brings back feelings of blissful childlike joy.

 The Bernice Swing Dress in Mint Rose combines one of my favorite colors to wear, mint green with a beautiful vintage red rose print.  This print is so very retro, scattered with rosebuds and cascading to lovely rose border in full bloom.  The Bernice Swing Dress fit me perfectly except for one issue, being quite petite at 5'3", the straps were much to long for me and unfortunately they are not adjustable.  I did have to have a minor alteration made to the dress by a seamstress, having the straps shortened, this was not a difficult fix but I would love to see Lindy Bop offer future dresses with adjustable straps so the fit can be easily personalized.  After having the straps fixed the fit is amazing, Bernice hugs my curves and flatters beautifully!  

I am impressed with the quality of the material.  The Bernice Swing Dress is made of a lovely soft cotton material and fully lined with viscose, this dress does not have stretch so measuring yourself well is key to a great fit.  The lining is a thoughtful feature giving structure to the bodice and shape to the skirt. I love wearing petticoats but sometimes in the summer it can be rather uncomfortably hot.  The skirt of the Bernice Swing Dress has a nice drape and fullness giving a graceful vintage silhouette without a petticoat but has room for the addition of a petticoat if more fullness is desired.  One of my favorite features of this dress is the pockets!!  Pockets are a welcome addition to any dress giving us convenience of carrying necessary items with without sacrificing style.  The pockets on the Bernice Swing Dress are cleverly hidden in the gathered full skirt and are roomy enough to carry a cell phone or wallet inside.

Photography: Photography by Hanah Tepe at the St Joseph North Pier and Lighthouse
Dress: Bernice Swing Dress in Mint Rose, Size US 18 , courtesy of Lindy Bop
Earrings: Mystic Drops in Ivory by Ceci Punch Designs
Brooch: Red Rose courtesy of The Moby Duck
Bracelet: Red Floral Bangle courtesy of The Moby Duck
Purse: Vintage Inspired Handbag in Red courtesy of Lola Von Rose (review coming soon!)
Shoes: Vintage White Floral Print Wedges
Styled with Hair Products courtesy of Beauty and Pinups
Lipstick: Red Velvet by Besame Cosmetics

  The bodice has a flattering sweetheart neckline that is accented by perfectly placed gathers and cute matching buttons, tapering in the waist with a full gathered skirt.  The Bernice Swing Dress comes with a cute contrasting white belt that cinches the waist and accentuates your curves.  The dress looks lovely with or without the belt so you can change up your style.

I love this dress so much!  It has fast become one of my wardrobe favorites.  I love the contrast of the red roses with the mint green background so I chose to accentuate that contrast by matching the Bernice Swing Dress with lovely red rose themed vintage styled accessories.  This dress can be styled many different ways, it is beautiful enough to wear casually with pretty accessories or it could be dressed up with the addition of a red petticoat, red heels and pearls.  In the winter it could be styled with a white lace trimmed petticoat, red tights and a mint cardigan.  I love styling my dresses for wear in any season, I enjoy finding new variations in my wardrobe pieces that way things never become stale!  Lindy Bop is one of my favorite vintage inspired designers, I cannot wait to see what they come out with next!!!

Lake Michigan Dreams....

I had a lovely time taking blog photos at one of my favorite places in Michigan, St. Joseph.  St. Joseph is filled with fabulous dining, quaint shops, beautiful beaches and so much charm I find it intoxicating.  I was thrilled to get a chance to work with the amazing pinup photographer, Photography by Hanah Tepe from South Bend, Indiana.  Hanah and I had a glorious time creating magic on the North Pier with the newly restored St. Joseph Lighthouse as a perfectly Pure Michigan backdrop.  Tiscornia Beach, The North Pier and its lighthouses are beautiful to enjoy a peaceful walk while listening to the music of the waves, feeling the wind in your hair and enjoying the seemingly endless panorama of Lake Michigan.

Wishful Wednesday Winter Wonderland!

Wishful Wednesday is back after a long hiatus!!!  I have been so busy working, doing family things, reviewing and shooting that I've sadly neglected my Wishful Wednesday blogs but no more!!  

  

I love the holidays!  Winter in Michigan brings it's own unique beauty and the Christmas season with brightly colored lights, sparkly tinsel, vintage decorations and activities with loved ones is my favorite holiday of the year!  This week's Wishful Wednesday is my favorite Winter or Christmas themed pieces for tons of interchangeable wardrobe fun whether it's a casual gathering or a dinner party, the pieces will have you outfitted in style!

1.  Bernie Dexter Veronique Dress in Winter Wonderland Print  

Bernie Dexter's Veronique in Winter Wonderland Print is classic. It features a fitted bodice with flattering pleated shoulder details, belted waist and a full skirt with hidden lipstick pockets.  The print is magical, like stepping into a Thomas Kinkade painting, it evokes a dream of snowy serenity.  Veronique in Winter Wonderland Print is an enchanting fantasy dress!

2.  Lindy Bop Renee Green Alpine Print Twin Set

 I love Lindy Bop's new Alpine themed print and the Renee Twin Set is my favorite of the new items they have available in this print.  The Renee Twin Set features a Sleeveless Dress with sweetheart neckline, gathered straps and a full pleated swing skirt; and a matching cropped cap sleeve jacket in complimenting print.  Renee is versatile because each piece is lovely separately but they can also be paired with other items for unlimited potential!

3. Lindy Bop Humphrey Red Knitted Cardigan

  This adorable 1940's inspired Intarsia cardigan features contrast placket with embroidered flower detail, gathered shoulders, long sleeves and button down front.  I would love to wear this cozy cardigan over a dress or paired with a shirt and skirt.  Humphrey is the perfect retro styled cardi!

4.  Hell Bunny Noelle Dress

The Noelle dress from Hell Bunny is a Pin-up perfect cotton frock in a frosty blue winter print with a retro silhouette evocative of mid-century styles. Powdered with snow, the short sleeved sweetheart bodice features princess seaming to the natural waist where a removable white contrast belt nips and cinches into a tightly gathered circle skirt that gracefully falls just below the knee. A festive scene featuring foxes, fawns and birds frolicking around the hem, Noelle is whimsical with pine boughs and woodland creatures, sure to bring a smile to anyone who sees!

5. Folter  Holiday Leaves Dress

A sweet retro styled frock featuring a fitted bodice and full swing style skirt with pockets.  The Holiday Leaves vintage print is festive with birds, acorns, pine branches, holly, Christmas ornaments and presents.  Worn with a cardigan and tights this dress is sure to be a winter wardrobe favorite because of the unique pretty print!

6. Vendula Snowflake Mini Purse

Vendula's Snowflake Mini Purse is great as a purse or mini evening bag.  Silver vegan friendly leather with appliqued snowflake design and a double chain strap make this the perfect compliment to carry with any winter ensemble.

7. Viva La Lux Snowman Confetti Sparkling Brooch

 This fabulous handmade 1940's-50's style Snowman Brooch is covered in Confetti with a sparky top hat!! This is a classic statement piece of jewellery which has been lovingly created to get the most authentic looking finish possible.  Winter in Michigan lasts give or take about five months, so having a Snowman Brooch in my collection would mean months of possibilities!

8.  Erstwilder Tis the Season Resin Brooch

Erstwilder does it again with their latest Holiday themed range.  This adorable ornamented Christmas Tree made from layered resin reminds me of the quirky cute bottle brush trees my Grandmother used to scatter around.  Tis the Season is sold out at the moment but keep your eyes out and you may be able to add this beauty to your collection!

9. Funky Lazer Glitter Reindeer Necklace

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, You'll go down in history!!  Everyone loves the tale of the Red Nosed Rudolph which has become a Christmas classic our family enjoys watching every year.  This sparkly and bright shiny red Glitter Reindeer Necklace from Funky Lazer will let you take Rudolph with you to your holiday parties and he can lead you to Christmas cheer!!

10.  Irregular Choice Rudy Heels

Embrace the magic of the festive season with Rudy, featuring everyone's favorite red nosed reindeer and a unique handpainted Santa heel.  These cuties will have you Christmas party ready in the (saint) nick of time!  Fun to wear with dresses or jeans, Rudy is the perfect statement for the holiday season!

Do not forget to visit Facebook and Instagram for more fun and your chance to win a Rosita Bonita Mermaid Choker!!  Happy Holidays!

Fall in love with Erstwilder!!

Monday morning!!  Coffee's on and I'm hard at work starting out a fabulous new week, the possibilities are endless!! 

Today, I am going to share with you about my Erstwilder obsession.  Last winter, I discovered the quirky Erstwilder through one of my favorite blogs, Junebugs and Georgia Peaches and I was entirely intrigued.  I kept seeing their glorious outfits perfectly accessorized with a seemingly never-ending cast of adorable characters.  Like any fashion fanatic, I had to seek them out and get myself a brooch!! 

Erstwilder is a Melbourne, Australia based company that design collectable, limited edition layered resin adornments.  Their cast of eclectic characters contains a plethora of creative and colorful friends.  I was lucky enough to win my first Erstwilder brooch in a contest.  My review of the She's so Foxy brooch.  I fell in love with my She's so Foxy brooch but retailers in the US were few and far between until recently when Erstwilder began selling direct, before that, I contacted Erstwilder and they were kind enough to send me a few of their lovely pieces for review and to shoot with.  I had a glorious time shooting my Erstwilder feature photos with Renee Ricket Photography! 

I chose the Oscar Wildenfox and Thomas Taffy Cat brooches; and the Betty and Bo Sparrow Necklace.  I had a tough time choosing from their huge selection.  There are so many conbinations that can be made so I took a look in my closet and the choices I made were to match as much of my wardrobe as possible.  One of the most fab things about Erstwilder is the variety which makes it easy to find just the right accessory!

Erstwilder's pieces come packaged in cute round boxes, each containing a collectable card with a blurb about your new pal.  Each character in the Erstwilder universe has their own story and personality just like the people who wear them!  The quality is obvious.  Each character is fully three dimensional and completely unique.  The resin is bright and lovely however the brooches should be handled with care because they can break, I have had no issues with this myself with normal wear.

Oscar Wildenfox 

You can do a lot worse than follow the wisdow of our Oscar: "Be yourself everyone else is already taken." 

Oscar Wildenfox is a bespectacled Fox with a studious expression.  He has been available in a few different colorways but my favorite is this lovely turquoise floral version.  He looks adorable perched on the shoulder of my dresses or pinned to a shirt with jeans.  I love wearing him when I volunteer at the Lakeview Museum.  In my photos I am frollicking around my Mother-in-law's lovely garden and reclining in a friend's apple orchard, I love how much beauty there is in Michigan!

 Being bespectacled myself Oscar and I have a kinship because of the glasses perched on our face.  He has accompanied me on many adventures and I recieve a slew of compliments whenever I wear any of my Erstwilder pieces, but his glasses always get the most remarks.

Dress: Lindy Bop Lana

 Betty and Bo Sparrow Necklace.

Betty and Bo show us that true love is never narrow.  It's rather alive and free.  How it is meant to be.

Love is in the air with Betty and Bo Sparrow.  Lovebirds smooch midair suspended from your neck.  Adorable with a variety of pinup or rockabilly styles.  I have worn them with my Unique Vintage cherry dress print and with jeans and a tee. This particular Erstwilder piece is sold out but the have several other adorable bird necklaces.  I enjoyed having summertime fun cooling off in the pool wearing my Torrid swimsuit and my Betty and Bo Sparrow Necklace.

Swimsuit: Torrid
Shoes: Bearpaw

Thomas Taffy Cat

Just like the candy he is named for, our Thomas is colourful, light and fluffy.  A bit of a stretch?  Surely not.

Thomas sits with his tail curled looking at you in the typical indifferent cat fashion.  I have always had cats so as a cat lover, Thomas was the perfect addition to my wardrobe and my husband helped me chose him so he's a special friend!  I am wearing him here with my Voodoo Vixen Kitty Dress.  I love the contrast of his bold shiny blue body sitting still, tail curled around him. Thomas seems to watch the black cats on my dress slink by as he calmly contemplates his day.

Dress: Voodoo Vixen Kitty 

Once upon a time, you had to find a retailer for Erstwilder but now thank goodness, there is the new Erstwilder shop so you can find all of their designs in one place and order direct from them.  They are constantly releasing new and interesting collections with something for everyone!  Which Erstwilder design is your favorite??