Wishful Wednesday!

Good day to everyone!  I apologize for my long absence from blogging but I've been super busy with my job, planning photo shoots, working on blog collaborations and spending time with my family enjoying the unseasonably warm weather here in Michigan.

  I have many exciting collaborations coming with Ains and Elke StyleHaus, Blueberry Hill Fashions, Summer Blue Jewelry, Heidi and Gretel, Fluff, Erstwilder and The Moby Duck, as well as reviews of new dresses from Igigi, Pinup Girl Clothing, Clarence and Alabama and Carolina Dress Room!  I'm so excited for the next few months and I'm always working on more!!  I've shot gorgeous photos with Renee Ricket Photography and this weekend is our big Halloween shoot at the beautiful, historic Forest Home Cemetery in Greenville, Michigan.  Forest Home is fascinating, a tribute built by a grieving father after the death of    Next week, I will be shooting with Jessica from Horvath Photography at Anderson and Girl's Orchard, my favorite local spot for outdoor fun and to get the MOST delicious cider and apple donuts!!

Last weekend, I enjoyed my favorite yearly treat, a trip to the Michigan Renaissance Festival with family and friends.  I love all historical eras and the beautiful and varied costuming of the renaissance era appeals to my love of dressing up!

  I purchased my gorgeous chemise, satin skirt and real dried leaf head dress at the festival, where they have dozens of amazing shops peddling everything from my favorite incense to didgeridoos.  My halter top, buckle front underbust leather corset is from Hips and Curves, this exact style is unfortunately discontinued but they have several similar leather styles available.  My Scarlet moccasins from Bearpaw were the perfect walking shoe for a long day watching live music, peeking fabulous sideshows and enjoying a huge variety of tasty food from the festival rite of passage, the turkey drumstick to delectable gyros and soup in a bread bowl.  Live jousting is hair raising entertainment performed several times daily.  The grounds are gloriously landscaped and there are multitudes of amazingly unique personalities in minutely detailed period costumes along with fairies, elves and many of your favorite fantasy characters from films, making the fest a delight for all your senses!!  The Michigan Renaissance Festival is a place of fantasy and fun, a fantastical leap backward in time!

This week's Wishful Wednesday was inspired by this fabulous Buzzfeed video:

First of all, I love how it shows that pinup is empowering for anyone!  Alfie Jean says that pinup is a gentleman, it holds the door open for any lady and she's correct, a pinup shoot will boost your confidence, plus it's a ton of fun!!  There are different styles of pinup and many gifted photographers, I encourage you to find your personal inspiration and go for it!!!

Second, this absolutely breathtaking Elizabeth dress in English Rose from Retrospec'd was featured.  I'm smitten and I had to put together my dream outfit!!  This gorgeous cotton dress features all over rose print, wrap top and a gorgeous full skirt.  Perfect for many different occasions and pretty as the roses upon it!  Underneath, I must wear a glorious ruffled petticoat and the Malco Modes Jennifer in Ruby Red available from Pinup Girl Clothing is a match made in heaven!

I would pair this with the Pinup Girl Clothing Gothic Lace Bolero in Dark Green.  This bolero is the perfect thing to wear when you want coverage but not too much warmth yet the derp green color makes me long to wear it for fancy Christmas parties.  Decadently dreamy with its all-lace body trimmed in ruffled lace at the neckline and cuffs. The high neckline and dark green stretch velvet trim add yet more glamour.

I'm proud to be collaborating with The Moby Duck.  Their beautiful selection of handmade resin creations have something to compliment every look.  Their quirky, cute accessories add flair to vintage or contemporary styles.  I would wear the Floral Bangle in Red and the Dark Red & Emerald Green Floral Bouquet Resin Brooch to compliment and enhance the roses on the dress.

I love Irregular Choice and their crazy, unique designs.  Their selections features styles from the elegant to the absurd but all are highly fashionable!  I would wear the drop dead hot Sher Bert heels in Red.  I love the sophisticated look of the buckle toe, scalloped edge and polka dot detail, giving us that little lattice look garden detail to our flowery ensemble. 

Check out my Facebook or Instagram for more fun, photos and sassiness!! 

Wishful Wednesday-Autumn Wishes!

It may be hot outside but it's September and my heart is already in the mood for fall!  My inspiration for this week's Wishful Wednesday is Autumn in Michigan.  Intoxicating colors, cool temperatures, pumpkins, cider and falling leaves!

I love Vivien of Holloway.  I've had the privilege to collaborate with them in the past.  Their line of high quality vintage reproduction clothing always provides the perfect retro styles for any occasion.  As a beautiful autumn colored beginning, I chose the 1950s Tangerine Halter Neck Dress.  Gorgeous bright tangerine colored cotten sateen dress with a classic halter neckline, a boned bodice that neatly nips the waist and a full circle skirt give us the perfect vintage silhouette. 

I just discovered the absolutely amazing Summer Blue Jewelry on Instagram and I'm smitten!! Summer Blue Jewlry specializes in one of a kind pieces that are handmade using vintage elements, as well as new findings, and some custom molds. Since all of the pieces are hand-made they will vary slightly from piece to piece.

Summer Blue carries such an incredible selection of vintage style Lucite accessories.  I love that there are styles available to fit any outfit, season or holiday.  I'm Autumn obsessed so I chose the Great Pumpkin Waltz Brooch, Acorn in the Meadow Earrings and Acorn in the Meadow Necklace.  The Great Pumpkin Waltz brooch is a gorgeous green sparkle Lucite accented by bright orange pumpkins and leaves dangling from a black chain, perfect for fall, Halloween or harvest outfits.   This brooch contrasts but matches our dress and will add whimsy to our look. The Acorn in the Meadow Earrings are sparkly confetti Lucite drop style dangling acorns with pretty sparkly button top.  These lovely earrings coordinate perfectly with the brooch and the Acorn in the Meadow Necklace, confetti Lucite acorns, brass and marbled Lucite beaded acorns, citrine yellow ferns, and vintage Moonglow Lucite Oak leaves dangling from a complimentary plastic chain.  These accessories scream fall in the forest, I cannot help but long to wear such lovely objects!!

 To finish off this look I chose the luxuriant Lila Velvet Heels from Miss L Fire's absolutely fabulous upcoming Autumn/Winter 2015 line.  I am a huge fan of velvet, I love the way it embraces my skin in its soft warmth.  These hot velvet heels feature a double bow detailed peep toe, ankle strap and 4 inch high heels.  They are the ultimate shoe for many different Autumn looks and I chose them for their neutral, earthy style.

I hope you have enjoyed my musings as much as I enjoy sharing!  Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and also on Facebook,  where I  currently hosting a giveaway!!

Wishful Wednesday

We love our pets!  They give us laughter, affection, unconditional love, each one has their own unique personality and quirks.  We have two Pomeranian brothers, Smokey and Teddy and two cats, Riley and Daisy who complete our family. 

Our cat Riley is the senior animal resident in our home, this big 17 lb black hunk-a burning love snuggled his way into our hearts and now rules the roost.  We adopted him in 2006 from Crash's Landing cat rescue to give our son his very own pet and he's become a member of our family.

This week's Wishful Wednesday is inspired by our resident black cat and dedicated to the pets who steal our hearts!

Heart of Haute's upcoming El Gato Gomez collection has me so excited!!  El Gato Gomez's iconic mid-century style art work inspired this collection of dresses with Black Cat & Asterisk motif, paired perfectly with matching cropped cardigans.  I love the Sarah Dress in Coral!!  A beautiful coral dress with sweetheart neckline, full circle skirt and whimsical El Gato Gomez print.  The Sarah is a lovely dress for summer and I'm thrilled that Heart of Haute has created matching cardigans which allow you to transition your summer dresses easily to the fall and winter seasons.  The Cropped Cardigan in Gato Coral is the soulmate of our Sarah dress but this cute kitty cardi would be adorable with a number of other outfits too!  I cannot wait to get my hands on this combo!

Meow!  The purrrrfect outfit needs fabulous accessories! Katrina Parker Frocks has an adorable, unique selection of plus dresses and accessories sure to please even the pickiest pinup.  The Cat on a Hot Ton Roof Bag is a petite PU leather bag with kiss lock top and cute kitty ear accent great for carrying the essentials in style!  Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is definitely a conversation piece, sure to turn heads and draw the eye!!

What is a kitty without her ears?  The Right Black Cat Ya Headband from Modcloth is purrfect.  A simple headband with black lace cat ears looks so whimsical nestled in curly locks topping our look off with graceful, catlike beauty.

Every retro look needs amazing shoes, the sexy but functional TUK Shoes Black Gathered Front Peep Toe Starlet Heels finish this look off with class.  The heels feature cute knotted bow, peep toe, buckle ankle strap and stylish but functional height with a 3/4 inch platform and 4 inch heel.  The Starlet heels are a pair I'm dying to add to my pinup wardrobe!

Don't forget to enter my Giveaway sponsored by Pop That Cassette, follow me on Facebook and Instagram.  Exciting new reviews, photoshoots and collaborations are coming, stay tuned!!!

Wishful Wednesday

Good day loves!  I've been hard at work writing, brainstorming and planning my summer.  Family activities, Pinups for Patriots events, photoshoots, singing and writing for the blog and work keep me hopping but I rather enjoy chaos to boredom.  I'm excited to have a ton of interesting ideas and have a lot in store!  I recieved my very first Pinup Girl Clothing order, the beautiful Ella dress in Mary Blair lips and roses print.  I have new photoshoots, Brand reviews and am very thrilled to be working on a blog collaboration with the amazing Pinup Persuasion featuring my favorite plus size pinup fashions!  I cannot believe how fast this year is moving and I'm sincerely humbled at the awesome opportunities I've had and those that are coming my way!  The future holds unlimited possibility!

This week my Wishful Wednesday is inspired by the beautiful summer weather, bright clean white clouds, garden beds of fragrant rose blossoms and twirling green vines full of life.  Delightful, whimsical, sweet,  Ahhhhh summertime!

BBW Couture is a UK based company offering a broad selection of plus size fashion at affordable prices.  They are a family run business who take pride in providing the latest trends that help you create stylish, unique looks.  I'm in love with their exclusive vintage dress collection, featuring a large selection of perfect vintage silhouettes in a variety of lovely patterns.  The Rose Vine 1950s party dress is the perfect summer frock.  Made of 100% cotton in a beautiful print for summer, the Rose Vine is lovely bright red blossoms with touches of black, pink and coral colors, accented by leaves and green vines on a crisp white background.  A V-neckline flatters the decolletage and the waist tie belt creates a vintage hourglass shape.  The dress is versatile and could be worn for entertaining or a casual day at the beach, it will keep you feeling gorgeous and pinup perfected!

I like to pick up on accent colors in prints when I put together an outfit.  Often I enjoy finding accessories that draw the eye to those colors and create interest.  Ruby Shoo offers contemporary, quirky, definitely fun designs, with a hint of vintage.  Based in north London, England, with a passion for creating unique shoes and accessories that generate smiles whenever they are worn.  Samantha Lines, Ruby Shoo's talented designer, introduces both archive and modern fabrics into every collection, often adding gorgeous embellishments.  The fabulous Ruby Shoo Eva, are a fresh and edgy low cut court heel.  A vintage inspired jacquard trimmed with classic cotton drill finished by contrasting flower trim detail and piping.  I love the contrast of a bold black shoe with the bright white of our dress and the shoes will bring attention to the accent colors black and coral in the rose print.  Ruby Shoo also has envelope style clutch purses available to match many of their shoe styles.

Rosita Bonita has printed leather jewellery, lovingly handcrafted in their East London studio. Original illustrations are screen-printed or foil-embossed onto fine leathers, then carefully assembled into unique and collectable treasures. Their design inspiration comes from glamorous fantasies of past times, faraway lands, encompassing icons of folklore, myth and legend.  These beautiful pieces are what dreams are made of!  The Toledo Hoops in Ox Blood are large leather hoops, foil-embossed with delicate designs of birds and flowers, hanging from embellished shields and gold plated ball studs. These classic vintage style hoops are the perfect addition to this outfit matching our red roses and adding delightful whimsy with their spanish garden inspired print.  I am a fool for detailed and interesting hoop earrings so I can see them instantly becoming one of my most worn pairs.

I recently discovered Lila-Jo on Instagram when I saw a fellow pinup wearing one of her gorgeous designs.  Lila-Jo offers a handmade collection of Pinup and Rockabilly accessories, specializing in floral hair clips and rockin handbags, all handmade pieces paying specific attention to detail and durability.  I love wearing hair flowers to finish off nearly every outfit.  I would wear the White shimmer and the Burgundy and black Rockabilly rose hair clips.  Both colors match our dress, the double hairflower adds fun and flair with a retro touch while highlighting the rose theme.  I am smitten with many of Lila-Jo's designs and I cannot wait to make my first order!!

I hope you enjoyed this week's Wishful Wednesday, I love fashion so I'm constantly on the lookout for new, exciting items and brands to feature!  Follow me on Facebook and Instagram, tons of exciting things coming in the future!!   Which of the BBW Couture UK Vintage collection dresses is your favorite?