Happy Hour Beauty! My review of the Karina Dresses Margaret Dress in Happy Hour Print

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Today, I am reviewing the Karina Dresses Margaret Dress in their newest signature print, Happy Hour. Margaret is a v-neck dress with 3/4 sleeves, a sash tie waist and midi length skirt.  Margaret is perfect for this time of year when summer is giving way to cooler fall temperatures and winter is on the way soon enough.  Margaret provides excellent coverage but is also very figure flattering.  I am always afraid longer dresses will overwhelm my petite frame, this midi style is perfect for those of us who are on the shorter side.  This dress is fantastic, I look and feel like a million bucks!

This is my favorite Karina Dress design yet!  I love the style, shape and print of this beautiful Margaret Dress.  The Happy Hour print is a lovely black and white floral with a bold red backdrop.  Sophisticated yet whimsical I love the bold red with the soft floral.  This dress is the quintessential fall double duty dress, appropriate for work but easily transitioned for enjoying the evening.  Whether it's a night out with friends, a romantic dinner date or a trip to the pumpkin patch with the family, Margaret is stylish and versatile.  I styled my Margaret Dress with black accessories for a look that could be worn at work or at play.  A wide brimmed hat, large statement rose and gold hoop earrings, a vintage purse and suede peep toe wedges give Margaret a sophisticated yet fun style vibe that I just love!  I adore my normal pinup style but sometimes it is a nice change of pace to wear something a bit more laid back, this Margaret Dress is an awesome addition to my wardrobe because looks just as gorgeous plain as it does with a petticoat and retro accessories.  Karina Dresses are timeless so you get to chose what style you are in the mood for!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Margaret Dress in Happy Hour Print size XXL C/O Karina Dresses
Rose and Gold Hoop Statement Earrings from Walmart
Hat, Purse and Shoes are Vintage
Makeup: Tarte
Lipstick: Victory Red from Besame Cosmetics
Glasses from Zenni Optical

  I am wearing the Margaret Dress in Happy Hour Print in my normal Karina size XXL.  Fit is awesome, comfortable and adjustable thanks to the sash tie at the waist.  I love dresses that tie at the waist because it really emphasizes my shape and allows me to decide how tight or loose the fit will be that day.  The bodice is ample and provides nice, modest coverage.  The 3/4 sleeve is great because it provides a nice amount of arm coverage for cooler fall days.  I adore the midi length of this dress and the flow of the skirt, it is very generous and makes this dress look gorgeous and billowy.  Karina is very consistent on sizing, the fit of each of my Karina Dresses is the same which makes ordering easy.

I could go on and on about how much I love this Margaret Dress from Karina Dresses.  It is definitely a fast favorite for me, great for lounging at home but easy to accessorize for a perfectly put together fall look in a flash.  Karina Dresses always hit it out of the park with quality, price and style to fit everyone!

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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!

Winter fashion Lifesavers! We Love Colors Tights Review!

Good morning!  It is a glorious snowy day here in Michigan.  Winter has come at last and we have had enough snow the last few days to more than make up for what we missed in December.  Wintertime is a tough time of year for me.  I love the beauty of the season but let's face it, it's often too cold and impractical to wear dresses in the winter.  I was looking for solutions to this problem because I honestly only wear jeans if absolutely necessary, so when I discovered We Love Colors I was beyond thrilled!!

We Love Colors offers tights, fishnets and hosiery in the perfect selection of colors to match any outfit and sizes that fit women from 90-375 lbs. We Love Colors also offers leotards, unitards and other dancewear.  When they say We Love Colors, they are not kidding!  They offer 50 + colors of solid tights, as well as a vast array of stripes and fun patterns.  We Love Colors were kind enough to send me some tights to style and review. I have been having tons of fun wearing these bold colored tights under my dresses.

 Photos: Renee Ricket Photography 

Tights: We Love Colors in Fuschia

 Dress: Teal Deer Print 50's Dress 

When choosing colors I wanted to get something bold and fun but something that would match many dresses in my wardrobe.  I love wearing my Emerald Green and Fuschia Plus tights their fun colors really bring a bright pop of color into my winter wardrobe. The colors are fun but the best part of wearing the tights is that they keep my legs toasty warm while looking super cute and shapely!!

 Photos: Renee Ricket Photography

Tights: We Love Colors in Emerald Green

Dress: Santa Baby by Blueberry Hill Fashions

We Love Colors sizing and fit are great.  I received size C/D and they fit me perfectly.  They are easy to get on and comfortable without binding, pulling or being too tight at the waist as some hose can be.  I did not have to struggle to get into the tights, which makes me more likely to wear them.  In the past I have had issues finding sizing that did not make me feel as if I was stuffing myself into the garment.

I have been putting them through the paces for a couple months now and I am impressed with We Love Colors quality!  I have worn them running all over the place, at home, at church, family gatherings, at a photo shoot on rough wooden floors and they have not ripped, pulled or snagged yet!  I am rough on things, I am very active and I also tend to kick off my shoes when I am inside, so durability is a must!   I have never had a pair of tights or hose last through my rough wear for more than two uses, but my We Love Colors tights have each been worn six or seven times and show little sign of wear.  I have washed and dried them, as instructed and the colors are still bright and fit lovely.  I really love my We Love Colors tights!!  Thank you We Love Colors for your commitment to high quality products for all women to wear!

Katrina Parker Frocks Whoopie Pie in the Sky Review!!

September is here and summer is nearly coming to a close.  It's been a beautiful season full of adventures!  I've done fun shoots, tried new things, met amazing new people and enjoyed every second!

I love cooking, so when I saw that Alfie Jean's Pinup Charm School and Put A Smile In It Photography were teaming up for a kitchen disaster themed shoot, I had to be there!  Alfie Jean's Pinup Charm School is a comprehensive pinup class that teaches the history of pinup, makeup, hair and posing.  Alfie Jean is an infinitely gorgeous old soul, who obviously loves sharing her retro knowledge and empowering other women.  I cannot speak enough praise or recommend either Alfie Jean's Pinup Charm School or Brandy at Put A Smile In It Photography, highly enough.  They are beautiful, talented ladies who know their craft and truly exude a love for others that makes working with them as comfortable as spending time with an old friend.

Fortuitous timing introduced me at the same time to the fabulous Katrina Parker Frocks, who offer a lovely selection of hand crafted vintage styled plus dresses in sizes 0x-4x and whimsical accessories.  Katrina Parker Frocks philosophy is that clothing should be fun.  The idea that plus girls should have a love or hate relationship with food is absurd and Katrina Parker Frocks turns it on its head with their delicious novelty prints.  I contacted Katrina Parker Frocks because I fell in love with their philosophy and fanciful food based novelty prints, they were kind enough to sponsor my dress for this shoot.

  I chose the Whoopie Pie in the Sky Dress and it is absolute joy!!  Chocolate-y whoopie pies decorated with bright colored sprinkles and chocolate chips dance over a bright pink background.  This dress fits as delightful as it looks.  I'm wearing a size 2x and it fits just right.  The dress is made of super soft 100 percent cotton and fully lined, but be aware there is no stretch, so be sure to measure carefully and order according to your measurements. 

The bodice is fitted onto an adorable pleated full skirt that bells out in a graceful manner.  I love the vintage style and shape, the dress is flattering to women of many different shapes.  A wonderful surprise but welcome addition to this dress are pockets cleverly hidden in the folds of the skirt, perfect for tucking away your cell phone or money when you cannot carry a bag. 

I look delectable in this dress and love the cheerful brightness I feel when I wear it.  It was a hit with the other pinup gals at my photoshoot and I have recieved multiple compliments wearing it in my day to day life as well.  I love my Katrina Parker Frocks Whoopie Pie in the Sky Dress and I cannot wait to see what they come up with next!!

I am excited to be able to offer my readers an exclusive discount for 20% off purchases at Katrina Parker Frocks until September 30, 2015.

Katrina Parker Frocks has been very generous and I am also hosting a giveaway!  One lucky lady will win a gift certificate for half off your purchase from Katrina Parker Frocks!!  This giveaway will run for One Week on my Sassy Scarlet Facebook page, beginning today September 1, 2015 and ending at 7 PM EST on Tuesday, September 8, 2015.  The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, September 9 and posted on Facebook by 1 PM EST!  Good luck!!

Lux de Ville Cosmic Tote Review

Good evening!  I am reviewing my new Lux de Ville Small Cosmic Tote in Black and Silver Sparkle.  Lux de Ville recently had an Instagram competition to win a Cosmic Tote.  They asked for a photo of you with your Lux de Ville bag or a photo showing that You Love Lux de Ville, draw it write it or be creative.  I am lucky to be married to an amazing graphic artist and my husband Kevin quickly drew me an adorable representation of my love for Lux! 

Here is our entry next to me with my new bag!

While I did not ultimately win the contest I recieved a message from Lux de Ville saying they liked our entry so much they wanted to send a surprise.  To my delight, a week later I recieved the fabulous Cosmic Tote.  It is the perfect vintage accessory!!  The sparkle finish is reminiscent of vintage cars.

  The bag comes with a matching dust bag for storage, keeping your tote dust free when it is not in use.  I love the detailing, silver sparkle with black sparkle pin tuck front pocket, contrasting buttons and cute matching glitter dice that everyone are always trying to steal! 

The small tote is very roomy, it features card suit lining, a zipper compartment and two side compartments for storage.  I carry a lot with me being both a Mother and a pinup and this small tote is large enough to meet my needs.  I carry it everywhere, the black and Silver color scheme is neutral so it is a smart addition to any retro wardrobe!

At a church Family Carnival with my Lux de Ville Cosmic Tote
Dress: Torrid (an old wardrobe fave)

I'm in love with my Lux de Ville Cosmic Tote and I cannot wait to add more Lux de Ville bags to my collection!  My current favorite is this Starlite Kisslock in Violet Sparkle

What is your favorite Lux de Ville?

Wishful Wednesday- Beach Babe edition!

Good day!!  The sun is shining, its hot, humid and summer is in full swing!  Michigan is a beautiful state for summer fun.  The Great Lakes coast is ripe with opportunity, lakeside towns full of shopping, gourmet food and adventure.  Lake Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, bordered by sand dunes and woods, I can lose myself walking on the beach, soaking up the sun, the peaceful sound of the waves. In Michigan you are never more than 6 miles from a body of water so swimming is a daily part of summertime life.  This week's Wishful Wednesday is vintage perfection for beach babe beauty!

I've been self conscious my entire life.  I've always been bigger and I carry a lot weight in my thighs.  I have cellulite and that for years caused me to believe I should always wear swim skirts, cover ups, shorts or avoid swimsuits altogether.  I've finally come to a place where I realize all bodies are beach bodies!  Enjoying summer is not a size exclusive thing.  I posed in my swimsuit without a cover up, thighs exposed, noone died, noone was cruel and I felt fabulous!  

Swimsuit by Torrid
Photo by Era Exposures

Here are my top swim suit choices for plus pinup style beach beauty and a few must have accessories for protecting yourself from the harsh summer sun.

Pinup Girl Clothing Pinup Couture Marilyn suit in Green
The Marilyn - a gorgeous, gathered, skirted thing of beauty that evokes old Hollywood glamour is designed to hold you in and push you up, for an extremely sexy beach silhouette. The suit is fully lined with power mesh to define your curves, the bust has padded cups that help support and the gathered design hides any imperfections. Two removable rhinestone brooches attach to the straps adding a glamorous finishing touch, the straps are adjustable and sizes XL-4X are also fitted with wider straps for better support.  A beautiful classic suit to flatter any shape, Pinup Girl Clothing always does vintage right!

Unique Vintage Casablanca Halter Top and High Waisted Bottoms in Polka Dots and Red Bows
With its blue and white polka dot print and cute red bows, this swim top has the perfect all-American retro look paired with the matching high-waisted bikini bottoms. I love this style for its undeniably classic retro look!

Torrid Peekaboo One Piece in Leopard
Sexy and stylish this leopard one-piece gives a flattering shape and fit. Front ruching slims and controls while convertible wide straps give support and versatility. I love my Torrid Peekaboo suit, it is flattering and sexy!!  Meow!!

Red Dolly Swimwear Retro Pin-Up Bikini in Black and White Stripe
I love this twist on the classic Barbie suit.  An adorable retro styled high waist bikini with a gathered bust halter top.  Pair this suit with cute Cherry Red Lolita Love Retro Heart Sunglasses and a high ponytail for a Barbie at the beach look sure to get attention!

Mod Cloth Wade A Minute Swimdress in Flamingos
Very cute and versatile, this one piece swimdress features underwire padded bust with bonig at the sides, a tiered swim skirt and removable straps.  I would love to pair this fun flamingo print with these stylish Bearpaw Calla Wedges in Black and a wide brimmed hat like this Black and White Striped Woven Sun Hat with Bow for a casual beach babe look.

Whatever your beach style may be, remember to enjoy yourself because you are worth it!!!

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!!

Wishful Wednesday!!

I'm starting to get used to being a working mom.  Balancing my time between my family,  work and my blogging has been tough but I'm feeling content with my progress, I'm definitely proud of how far I've come!!  I never would have guessed a few years ago how much different my life would be but its an amazing journey and I'm always excited to see where I'll end up next!!  It's a gorgeous sunny day, a welcome change after a week of chilly rainy days.  Summertime is so close, my son Lennon is excited for school to get out and I'll be happy to enjoy the warm, carefree time together, a less hectic schedule will be a blessing.  I'm hoping for bonfires, nature walks, time at the beach with the family and fun with friends.  I'm especially looking forward to Pinups for Patriots events coming up!  I have been having dreams of exotic vacations lately so my  Wishful Wednesday this week is inspired by Hawaii, beautiful tropical paradise and perpetual summer bliss.

British Retro are a proud British made brand specializing in elegant, vintage style clothing from bygone eras.  They have a variety of fun prints and their dresses are made in small batches so they're a great choice for the gal who is always looking for something unique.  I choose their Hula Hula Scooter Girl dress, 1950s hula girls posing prettily and riding scooters on a background of palm trees and orchids.  This print is too fun, a retro Hawaiian vacation dancing across your dress!  The dress has a V-neckline at the front and back of the bodice, it also comes with a matching belt. The Hula Hula Scooter Girls dress is perfectly styled for creating a sublime hourglass silhouette, the fitted bodice draws you in at the waist and creates fullness to emphasize the full circle skirt.  It is truly a frock meant to swish and swirl about in on a beautiful day.

I recently discovered Bobò Chèrie Accessories on Facebook.  I adore her unique vintage inspired pieces, they are handmade from high quality craft materials.  I prefer items that are handmade, they have so much more charm and interest in comparison to mass produced items.  I choose Bobò Chèrie's Red Cherry necklace with leaves and the matching Bamboo earrings with red cherries.  The tropical tiki style matches the dress while drawing attention to red accents in the print.   Cherries are fun, fruity and bold, definitely not accessories to be ignored!

T.U.K. Shoes have hundreds of interesting and unique shoes perfect for any style you choose to rock,  designed to show your originality.  I love their selection of gorgeous heels, they have many fabulous pinup perfect styles available.  Their Cream Peeptoe Starlet Heels are my favorite!  These adorable faux leather cream peep toe heels include a cute knotted bow on the toe and an adjustable ankle strap with a matching cream wrapped buckle. These heels are about 4 ¼ inches high with a ½ inch platform and as if theyre not perfect enough, they're also vegan friendly!  When I'm buying shoes I want a pair that I know will not only stand the test of time style wise, but that I know will be something I can wear with as many outfits as possible.  I would love to own these Starlet heels in several colors, great shoes are a necessity for any pinup wardrobe!

I would finish this lovely outfit off with the Double teal blue cymbidium orchid hair flower from Sophisticated Lady.  Sophisticated Lady specializes in high quality handmade accessories in vintage styles inspired by the 1930s, 40s and 50s.  The Double teal blue cymbidium orchid perfectly accents the blue orchids on the dress adding just the right finishing touch.  I am a huge sucker for hair flowers, whether dressed in pinul style or not I love to finish off almost any outfit with a big colorful flower clipped in my hair!  Sophisticated Lady accessories are worn by some of my biggest Pinup inspirations like Miss Victory Violet and Acid Doll!! 

I have so many exciting plans, my summer is filling up fast with plans, some of which are photoshoots and Pinups for Patriots Michigan events.  I have some awesome items in the mail so I'm looking forward to future blogs, reviewing new brands and a few more personal stories I feel I need to share.  My passion is to help each person see the beauty in themselves but I am also hoping to show people that there's an entire universe of beauty waiting to be explored within each person we meet.  Check out my Facebook or Instagram pages for more fun!

Pinup picnic and Wishful Wednesday!

It has been a very fun but busy week.  Thursday April 30 was our first Pinups for Patriots Michigan chapter event, The American Red Cross Hometown Heroes gala, add family, work and a photoshoot to make for a very hectic schedule.  I will be blogging in depth about our Pinups for Patriots experience tomorrow.  I apologize for getting behind but I'm beginning to think I may need clones of myself to get everything done!! ;-) 

The Put A In It Photography Pinup Picnic shoot was Sunday May 3.  It was a gorgeous sunny day and very early for us (my sweet hubby Kevin went with me) starting at 6 am because Jackson is a two hour drive from our small town.  I arrived to a bustling studio filled with ladies getting hair done, touching up makeup, gushing over pretty dresses, Elvis was bubbling out of the record player, conversations and laughter surrounded me.  Brandy had a goodie bag for everyone that included a hair flower, it was also filled with fun girlie samples and gift certificates from local businesses.  We enjoyed a delicious Chicken Salad lunch from Panera Bread and headed to the park.  It was a sunny, warm day strolling with parasols enjoying the park surroundings, sniffing the blooming flowers, blowing bubbles and taking single or group shots.  I enjoyed laughter and bonding with other beautiful women of all ages, sizes and backgrounds, it was a perfect day!!  Brandy is a great hostess who thinks of every pampering detail, she's also a simply amazing photographer that has a knack for making everyone feel perfectly comfortable as themselves, which shines through in your photos.  It was unforgettable!

Today's Wishful Wednesday is inspired by sunny days and summery fun!!

Collectif Clothing was established in London in 2000.  They cater 1940s-50s style pinup and rockabilly pieces with a flare for originality.  Flamingos have adorned our summer gardens for many years, they're bright, playful and reminiscent of tropical places and summer adventures.  I love Collectif's kitschy Dolores Doll dress in Atomic Flamingo print.  Printed with flamingos, tropical fruit and atomic swooshes this dress is flirty, fruity flamingo fun!!  Classic 1950s styling with button detail at the bodice and a full swing skirt.  Perfect for sweet summer days lazing on the porch swing with a good book or a walk in the park with your sweetheart.

I love brooches, they are a fun, yet cost effective way to add personality to any ensemble, matching or contrasting for different effect.  My favorite Flamingo is by The Peach Flamingo, located in Australia, they make a variety of hand crafted, vintage styled, novelty brooches.  I would wear their  Vintage inspired Flamingo brooch in Pink with this outfit.  The beautifully detailed, graceful and bright flamingo is a unique piece guaranteed to be an attention grabber worn with any outfit.

I'm a huge admirer of Ceci Punch Designs.  I've featured her pieces on previous blogs, find her accessories perfectly suited to my style and she's a sweet person to boot!!  She's constantly bringing us gorgeous new designs.  I love the marvelous Mystic Teardrop earrings in Rosey Cheeks.  The Mystic Teardrops are limited edition, made from vintage marbled plastic with rhinestones inlaid dangling from vintage beads. Each piece is marbled slightly differently which makes each pair a one of a kind work of wearable art.  They are gorgeous and elegant with a flair that will catch the eye!  Ceci Punch's pieces are instant heirlooms.

I'm a big fan of ballet styled shoes, I find something enticingly feminine and graceful about a sweet pair of ballet flats.  Melissa shoes have been manufacturing eco friendly plastic shoes that are the perfect edition to your wardrobe, for over 25 years.  They've designed collections with high end fashion designers like Karl Lagerfeld and Vivienne Westwood.  I chose these Ultragirl Sweet II flats because they are neutral and ultra feminine.  The cream colored plastic with the bold gold polka dot bow detailing on the toe, adds a bit of extra sparkle to this outfit without clashing with the busy print of the dress.  Melissa shoes are perfect for a modern pinup princess!

I adore hair flowers and love Soda Sweethearts beautiful designs.  I'm just starting to branch out and wear pieces with more interest than just one lonely flower.   I'm really loving all the unique handmade pieces Soda Sweethearts offers.  I would top this outfit off with their stunning Peaches and Cream tropical floral hair clip.  It is whimsical and reminds me of Carmen Miranda's fun, fruity headpieces.  Fruity drinks on the patio, dancing or a stroll on the beach, its the perfect sweet accessory for this juicy look.  The best part of getting dressed is adding your own individual touches to an outfit with hair accessories, shoes and jewelry.  What would you wear with this dress?

Stay tuned!!  For lots more fun check out my Facebook or Instagram pages!

Wishful Wednesday!!

It has been very busy for me since last weeks photoshoot and is not slowing  down anytime soon!  I'm preparing for our first official Michigan Pinups for Patriots event tomorrow in Grand Rapids, then I will be going back to Jackson to have fun with Put A Smile In It Photography at their Pinup Picnic event on Sunday, so my bedroom looks like a tornado hit between planning and packing for both!  It feels good to be busy again though.  I look forward to summer in Michigan because there is so much to be done!  Michigan has much natural beauty, many fun festivals and gorgeous locations to be explored, you cannot possibly get bored.  I'm looking forward to adventuring this summer and have plans to shoot on the beaches of Lake Michigan, at antique car shows, in amazing vintage locales and wandering in flower laden botanic gardens.  I'm wistful and ready for summer, long hot days full of fun and friends.  Today's outfit is perfect for cool fun in the summer sun!

We all scream for ice cream!!  It's my favorite summer treat, the perfect way to cool off on a hot day, available in every shape, flavor and color, your ice cream choice is every bit as unique as you are.  That's why I adore this cute Flavor Fave dress from Modcloth.  It screams summer, I imagine walking around in a beachside town, browsing shops and enjoying an ice cream cone while walking on the pier at sunset.  The pistacio hued dress has pastel ice cream cones, a sweetheart neckline and cute white trim, pretty pastels look super chill on a warm day.  It has a boned bodice for shaping with a full skirt, creating a very feminine silhouette.  Another great feature is adjustable straps, as a petite girl who often has to pin or alter straps because they are just too long I prefer adjustable straps, having to fix a brand new dress to fit is my biggest pet peeve!  The straps also allow you the option of a cute criss cross back.  I love Modcloth's philosophy that all fashion is vintage inspired in some way, their varied selection and I am even more impressed that they carry many of their items in sizes from xs-4x.  I believe every woman deserves stylish clothing available in her size!!

While looking for accessories I used Google, I searched for the perfect ice cream fascinator.  I found the fabulous Pearls and Swine, they specialize in pop surreal millinery: hats, half masks, fascinators and avant-garde hair accessories for people who really want to get noticed.  That is exactly what I was looking for, a bold noticeable accessory.  I love this Ice Cream Hair clip from their Etsy shop.  The colors are a perfect match for this dress and what a yummy conversation piece this is!  Triple scoop ice cream cone made of felt with bead sprinkles and hand stitched accents.  Deliciously girly and creative, it is the perfect matching piece of whimsy and fascination!

I've mentioned before that I'm just starting my love affair with shoes.  I was born with clubbed feet, therefore I have wide feet, weak ankles and support issues.  Because it was hard to find shoes that are cute and supportive for many years I only wore plain shoes, no heels, nothing interesting, but lately I've grown sick of plain shoes so I've been looking for shoes that strike me, that make a statement!  I noticed John Fluevog shoes on Facebook first, they stand out because of their vintage sensibilities, interesting design elements and fabulous high style.  I absolutely love the Queen Transcendent Nefertiti, these shoes are amazing!!   Pink and black Polido leather gives a timeless antique feel, braided ankle straps, a slight platform, with aqua accents and the incredibly unique ball and claw heel, based on the legs of antique furniture.  They remind me of neopolitan ice cream, perfect to both match and add contrast to this outfit with the black trim.  Unique shoes are a must for me and the Queen Transcendent Nefertiti are incomparable!

What woman doesn't love a gorgeous purse?  They're a functional fashion statement and can make or break your outfit.  I personally keep half of my life with me in my purse.  I always try to chose a bag that I will love well also because of budget constraints I try to make a choice that will remain fashionable and well made enough to last several years.  Lux de Ville are created for women who love fashion.  Vintage sparkle with a punk rock edge and just the right finishing touch.  I chose the Bon Voyage kiss lock in black and baby green sparkle.  The fabulous sparkle baby green diamond patterned body matches this outfit while the black accent echoes the black on the shoes and adds a bit of interesting contrast, a little edge to all of the pastel colors.  The bag is also large enough to bring plenty of pinup essentials making it the perfect finishing touch!

Coming Friday: All about my first official Michigan Pinups for Patriots event!!!  Stay tuned!