Fashion, sealed with a kiss! My SWAK Designs Lookbook

They say summer has ended but its hanging on here in Michigan, we have been experiencing a rather warm start to September with the heat of the summer season continuing.  I can see touches of autumn all around me though, so change is in the wind.  The tips of the trees are turning red, apple cider is being pressed fresh at our local orchard and Halloween decorations have taken over our stores.  Fall is my favorite time of year.  I love the bright beautiful leaves and the earthy colors that overtake everything but I do get a little melancholy because I love wearing pretty dresses and the weather here in Michigan can be rather brutal.  Wardrobe is trickier in cooler weather but being stylish doesn't have to be a summer thing!

For today's blog, I am thrilled to be working with SWAK.  SWAK (sealed with a kiss) is one of my favorite plus size retailers, they make trendy and affordable plus size fashions for sizes 14-36.  I have been a huge fan of SWAK for many reasons, they provide a great fit for real plus size bodies, high quality material and the fab style of their designs make me reach for them again and again!  I have been wearing SWAK for several years, their dresses are among some of my favorite wardrobe pieces.  I am excited to be collaborating with SWAK to bring you this lookbook highlighting some of their new pieces, sharing how I styled them and talking a bit about how I plan to transition them into cooler weather fall fashion.

The Eternity Maxi Convertible Dress in Forest. 

 I am smitten with this absolutely amazing dress!  The Eternity Convertible Maxi Dress can literally be worn any way you can imagine, an eternity of style.  The dress is a basic strapless maxi dress that has two long flowing panels of material attached at the top that can be wrapped in a multitude of different ways to create your own unique personal style.  I had a blast playing with this dress, watching videos on the SWAK website with instructions for some of the different styles to wrap the dress and have enjoyed how easy it is to change up the style.  I wrapped my Eternity Convertible Maxi Dress into a V-neck style that can be sleeveless or cap sleeved depending on how I move the shoulder material.  This dress is soft and flowing, it felt ethereal and lovely. I love how it moves in the wind, it is a very graceful dress.  Fit is generous and easy, I am wearing a size 1x/3x here and it feels perfect.  The dress is very long so as a shorter gal like myself you will want to wear heels or have it hemmed to fit.    I accessorized my Eternity Convertible Maxi Dress with nude heels, a homemade fall flower and leaf crown, the Acorn in the Meadow Necklace and pretty Amber Drop Earrings for a forest fairy fantasy.  This dress is a great wardrobe piece because it is wearable for every occasion and can be wrapped to fit any style, weather, or mood.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Eternity Convertible Maxi Dress in Forest size 1x/3x courtesy of  SWAK
Earrings: Amber Drops by Ceci Punch Designs
Necklace: Acorn in the Meadow C/O Summer Blue Jewelry
Hairpiece: Homemade Fall Leaf and Flower Crown

For my next choice I went completely outside the box.  I have been challenging myself to get outside my comfort zone this year and my next outfit really steps out of my norm.  First of all, since I have discovered pinup fashion I have worn dresses almost exclusively, I can actually only count three to four times I have worn jeans since I started this blog nearly two years ago.  Second, when I do wear pants, I ALWAYS wear a long top or if the top is shorter I wear a tank top underneath.  I have a bit of a belly flap that I am not comfortable with, this is one of the things I am working on being more accepting of in my journey to body love so its a big step for me to wear a shirt that doesn't come past my butt or nearly to my knees.  I am proud of myself for taking these chances and I could not have made a better partner than SWAK to dress me!

The Autumn Chiffon Top in Coral Leaves and Holly High Waist Jeans.

This is the ideal autumn outfit for a cool day enjoying a color tour, at your local orchard picking apples or searching the patch for that perfect pumpkin.  I love fall colors so I could not resist this bright coral top with its pretty leaf print and feminine lace hem.  The big flowing belled sleeves are one of my favorite styles to wear and the cold shoulder is trendy as well as flattering.  The Autumn Chiffon Top is light and sheer so I wore a plain brown tank underneath for modesty sake.  Fit is fabulous, I chose a size 3x so I could be sure that the bottom of the top would fit well over my butt/hip area, I generally wear a 1X in most tops but as I have a very extreme hourglass figure the hip measurement was the key to getting proper fit here.  I felt like a fall flower child in this top.  I added Amber Drop Earrings, contrasting teal peep toe wedges and a sunflower in my hair to give a cute autumn touch.

Outfit Details:
Top: Autumn Chiffon Top in Coral Leaves size 3x c/o SWAK
Pants: Holly High Waist Jeans in Dark Wash size 3x c/o SWAK
Earrings: Amber Drops by Ceci Punch Designs
Shoes: Bow Front Peep Toe Wedges in Teal by Qupid

The Holly High Waist Jeans are a dream!!  I have such a hard time fitting jeans on my figure.  My waist measurement is 38, my hips at the largest point are 56, with an 18 inch difference pants that will fit in the waist never make it around my butt or if they fit my butt they hang from my waist by a belt.  These were the reasons ]why I gave up on pants.  The Holly High Waist Jeans have saved me, I now have a pair of flattering jeans that fit great for those days when a dress or skirt is absolutely not practical.  They are a high waist style with a ton of stretch.  I am wearing a size 3x here, measurements on the site stated that they fit up to a 46 inch hip but the amount of stretch that this material has is phenomenal because they fit me perfectly, not to tight, just like a glove.  They are soft and comfortable, easy to move in, not stiff in the knees at all like some stretch jeans tend to be.  The high waist style will work with my vintage style wardrobe as well, I can't wait to pair these with a peasant top and ankle boots for a fun retro twist!

My first jeans in two years and exposing the self hated belly flap, I FEEL FREE!!!

The Farrah Maxi Dress in Black and White.

The Farrah Maxi Dress is a gorgeous wrap top maxi in fun bold prints that features adjustable waist and straps for the perfect fit.  The Farrah Maxi Dress features a bold black and white print that is a rarity in my wardrobe, I tend towards brights, florals, novelty prints, all things retro themed.  The Farrah Maxi Dress has a modern feel my wardrobe is lacking.  I felt like bold colored accessories would be perfect, a Red Mum in my hair, a chunky red necklace and sky high red platform heels gave the Farrah Maxi Dress the sophisticated feel I was looking for.  Fit is fabulous, the bust area is generous, the waist tie makes it easy to get a flattering fit and the skirt is generous.  The dress is very long, I had to have it hemmed because it was about 7-8 inches to long for me, at 5'3" it is not common for maxi dresses to be too long.  The Farrah Dress is perfect for a day spent shopping or date night out with your special someone.  I can easily transition this dress into the cooler months by adding a cardigan and ballet flats- or- a jacket, scarf and boots.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Farrah Maxi Dress in Black and White size 3x c/o SWAK
Earrings: Rose Drop Chain Earrings from Gigi's Traveling Boutique, our local fashion store
Necklace: Vintage Red Beaded Necklace
Shoes: Vintage Style Red Platform Heels by Madden Girl

I hope you have enjoyed my SWAK Lookbook as much as I loved putting it together for you!  What are your favorite pieces from SWAK?   Let me know in the comments!!!

Decadantly Draping!! My Kiyonna Divine Draped Maxi Dress Review

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Today I am reviewing the Kiyonna Divine Draped Maxi Dress in Emerald Bay.  I am continuing my year of taking wardrobe chances by stepping out of my pinup box.  Pinup styles of the 1940's and 1950's are my favorite to wear but I have an affinity for free flowing flower child fashion as well.  I have always loved Maxi Dresses,they always give me a pretty, hippie vibe.  The Divine Draped Maxi Dress from Kiyonna is a gorgeous style for summer festivals or a fall party.  This style features a fitted bodice with halter neck tie feature, elbow length sleeves that can be styled on or off shoulder, a gathered waist and draping hi-lo hem.

Outfit Details:
Dress: Divine Draped Maxi Dress in Emerald Bay, Size 1X, courtesy of Kiyonna
Earrings: F-ineapple Frosted Pineapple Earrings by Ceci Punch Designs.
Flower Crown: Wal-Mart.

 The Kiyonna Divine Draped Maxi Dress is luxurious and comfortable.  The halter tie around the neck is a feminine and unique accent that adds a fun flair.  I love how this dress flows around my body, I have to admit, I was a little worried about how it would fit around my mid-section but the gathering makes it so flattering it easily hides the tummy issues I am constantly camouflaging. The soft rayon spandex blend material is lovely and flowing with a nice bit of stretch to hug your curves.

 The Emerald Bay color is a lovely deep emerald green that is perfect for summertime but it is a shade that will transition easily into your fall wardrobe.  I paired my Divine Draped Maxi Dress with frosty pineapple earrings, a pretty contrasting pink flower crown and matching pink kitten heels for a free wheeling, hippie style.  I looked and felt like a summer fairy or an art nouveau goddess floating about in this dress!  I also envision wearing it with a ballet flats and pumpkin accessories this fall.

I always worry when buying a maxi dress because at 5'3" I am quite short so most maxi dresses have to be hemmed before I can wear them.  The Divine Draped Maxi Dress is a hi-lo hem, the front of the dress hit a few inches above my ankle and the back was just short of touching the ground without heels on.  I found the length to be just right for me but if you are shorter you may need to have the dress hemmed.

The Divine Draped Maxi Dress is so comfortable and beautiful I find myself reaching for it again and again.  I cannot say enough about Kiyonna, I am blown away at the quality, fit and beauty of every style I have tried!

Pretty, pretty petals! The Dolly and Dotty Petal Floral Swing Dress Review

Today, I am reviewing the lovely Petal Floral Swing Dress in Purple by Dolly & Dotty.  I love Dolly & Dotty, they offer vintage inspired garments in an amazing variety of prints and styles.  I reviewed their May Dress earlier this year and am delighted to be working with them once again!

Outfit Details:
Dress: Petal Floral Swing Dress in Purple Size UK 20 courtesy of Dolly & Dotty
Hair Flower: Delightfully Dainty in Pink by Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Earrings: Mystic Drops in Ivory by Ceci Punch Designs
Hair: Alyx Wiltse
Lipstick: Red Velvet (1946) by Besame Cosmetics
Shoes: Thrifted Vintage Floral Wedges

The Petal Floral Swing Dress is a gorgeous dress that features a figure flattering V-neckline tapering in at the waist with a full swing skirt.  The Petal Floral Swing Dress is made of a soft and comfortable Cotton blend material that has minimal stretch so be sure to measure well.  The dress is lined in a contrasting color cotton material which gives it a nice bit of structure and modesty.  The V-neckline is flattering without being too revealing.  The wide straps are gathered slightly which gives them a nice feminine touch.  This dress tapers in nicely at the waist and flares into a generous full skirt.  This is a dress made to flatter your figure to perfection!  I love dresses that are whirly-twirly and full so this dress is a delight!  The skirt has a lovely shape without a petticoat as I am wearing it here, but it is large enough to accommodate a petticoat easily.

The print is a lovely pattern of different colored roses twine along green vines on a solid background.  This is not a traditional purple but more between a burgundy or plum so its a bit darker than most florals I own which makes me reach for it even more, it really stands out!  I love how Dolly & Dotty send two fabric belts with each dress.  The Petal Floral Swing Dress came with a belt that matched and one that contrasted matching the peachy colored material the dress is lines with.  I chose to style without a belt in my photos, I love that Dolly & Dotty give the wearer lots of options if I want a belt and not having belt loops attached makes the dress look complete with or without.

The Petal Swing Dress comes in a huge variety of different shades and patterns, there is definitely something for every season and every wardrobe.  I love my Petal Floral Swing Dress and wear it often, I cannot wait to style it this winter with a cardigan and fun colored tights!  Which Dolly and Dotty Dress is your favorite?

The Perfect Purse! Lola Von Rose Vintage Inspired Handbag Review

Another beautiful sunny day here in Michigan!  I am enjoying the weather as much as possible.  The summer is coming to a close, the cool temperatures and colors of autumn will be here before we know it.

Today I am reviewing the Lola Von Rose Vintage Inspired Handbag in Red.  This gorgeous reproduction handbag was inspired by fabulous retro plastic and lucite handbags of the 1950's.  I have always loved the style of these cute little purses but the price of an actual vintage bag in good condition can be quite high.  I was delighted to come across Lola Von Rose on Instagram and instantly fell in love with their modern interpretation of this vintage classic.

  The Red Vintage Inspired Handbag is gorgeous!!  Made of sturdy bright red plastic, it measures 9.5 inches long, 3.25. inches high (not including the strap) and 4.75 inches wide.  This bag is roomy!  I had my wallet, cell phone, two Besame Lipsticks and powder inside, a vintage perfect way to carry the essentials.

  I love the stylized rounded handle and ovoid shape.  The plastic exterior is glossy and sturdy, I also found out while shooting on the pier that it is water tight as Lake Michigan washed over the pier trying to steal both my purse and shoes!

Photography: Photography by Hanah Tepe at the Pier and Lighthouse in St. Joseph, Michigan
Dress: Bernice Swing Dress in Mint Rose by Lindy Bop
Purse: Vintage Inspired Handbag in Red by Lola Von Rose
Earrings: Mystic Drops in Ivory by Ceci Punch Designs
Brooch and Bracelet: Red Rose Brooch and Red Floral Bangle by The Moby Duck

This Vintage Inspired Handbag in Red has become one of my favorite accessories, it's adorable and matches so many of my outfits.  It's easy to grab on the way to any event, it compliments my wardrobe and helps keep me looking pinup perfect while being practical!  I love my Lola Von Rose Vintage Inspired Handbag in Red!  Which Lola Von Rose Vintage Inspired Handbag do you love most?

Summer love! Kiyonna Luring Lace Dress Review

Summertime is so much fun!  It gives me such joy being out in nature, traveling and wearing pretty dresses that aren't practical in the winter.  I have been seeing sexy strap styles all over the internet and since I have been challenging myself to get out of my fashion comfort zone I had to get in on the strappy summer action with the stunning Kiyonna Luring Lace Dress in Ruby.

Dress: Luring Lace Dress in Ruby size 1X courtesy of Kiyonna
Earrings: Kelsi Ear Jacket by Gorjana via Rocksbox
Necklace: Rayne Necklace in Ivory Pearl by Kendra Scott via Rocksbox
Ring: Hexagon Pave Ring in Moonstone by Olivia and Grace via Rocksbox
Lipstick: Red Velvet by Besame Cosmetics
Shoes: Vintage Sprigged Floral Print Wedges

The Kiyonna Luring Lace Dress is a trendy twist on the classic summer sundress.   A gorgeous off-shoulder dress with floral lace sleeves, fitted bodice, adjustable straps and flared knee length skirt.  The Luring Lace Dress is fully lined which provides modesty and structure to the garment but it is still lightweight and flows beautifully.  

The Luring Lace Dress is easily my favorite style from Kiyonna, I felt positively luscious in this dress, it strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sexy!  I rarely get into modern trends but I felt this style has a bit of vintage glamour to it as well.  I am a sucker for off-shoulder styles, I find them to be a lovely way to show a little skin while still being modest.  When I thought I couldn't love the dress more, we get to the best part, the straps.  The Luring Lace Dress has adjustable straps that can be worn can be worn in a couple different fashions to cater to your personal style.  I love the look of a v-neckline with the straps crossed in back:

Dress: Luring Lace Dress in Ruby size 1X courtesy of Kiyonna

Earrings: Jenny Bird Flagstaff Earrings in Gold/Lapis via Rocksbox

Necklace: Gorjana Vivienne Necklace via Rocksbox

Bracelet: Nakamol Pearl and Multicolored Bracelet via Rocksbox

Lipstick: Red Velvet by Besame Cosmetics

Hair: Alyx Wiltse using Beauty and Pinups Fierce Firm Hold Finishing Spray
Shoes: Vintage Sprigged Floral Print Wedges

But you can also wear them in this lovely keyhole style with the straps crossed in the front, as shown on the Kiyonna Website:

Photo: Kiyonna

The Luring Lace Dress is very flattering, hugging my curves and flaring out into a graceful knee length skirt.  I am wearing a size 1X, fit is perfect and the length hits my 5'3" frame at just below the knee.  The dress fits and flares so I suggest choosing the best fit for your bust/waist as the bottom of the garment is more free sized, I can wear a 14/16 top but need a 22/24 bottom and the fit of the 1X which is a 14/16 is form fitting and flattering on me.

The knee length is a step outside the box for me.  I have always had a love/hate relationship when it comes to showing my legs but this dress looks so amazing, I'm pretty sure no one would notice my legs anyway!  The Ruby color is dramatic and lovely, I rarely wear jewel tones in the summertime but I am trying to break out of those style ruts and this shade really pops with the green summer foliage.  I wore my dress for a romantic stroll in the garden while out on date night with my husband, accessorizing it with sparkly gold and pearl jewelry from Rocksbox.   Absolutely perfect to wear for any summer activity, comfortable and fashionable, I could go on forever about how much I love this dress!  Kiyonna has the hottest styles and sizes tailored to fit real plus size bodies beautifully, this is why they are my favorite plus size retailer!

This dress strikes the perfect balance between sweet and sexy!

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.

Sweetly Scalloped:Blueberry Hill Fashions Tulip Top Review!

Hello everyone!  It's definitely a summer scorcher today in Michigan with the heat index reaching over 100 degrees with high humidity.  A perfect day to stay inside enjoying the air conditioning and catching up on indoor things.

Today I am reviewing the Blueberry Hill Fashions Tulip Top.  I own several pieces from Blueberry Hill Fashions, I love their beautiful designs, high quality and availability in many sizes.  This fabulous Tulip Top is no exception to the rule.  It has fast become one of my favorite wardrobe staples!

Outfit Details:
Top: Tulip Top in White size 14 by Blueberry Hill Fashions
Skirt: Pinup Couture Jenny Skirt in Mary Blair Yellow Train Border Print size 3x by Pinup Girl Clothing
Earrings: Yellow and Red Teardrops by Put on the Ritz
Shoes: Athena in White by Bearpaw

Made of durable and stretchy knit material, the Blueberry Hill Fashion Tulip Top is a beautiful addition to any summer wardrobe.  Scalloped edges around the entire top are pretty and girly, the off the shoulder style is super trendy and great for keeping cool on hot summer days.  This top is super comfortable and adorable as well.  I have worn it several times now, each time I constantly get stopped and complimented on my look.  I love when people take the time to compliment one another, it gives a boost to your day and it is a great way to make someone else feel good!

Outfit Details:
Top: Tulip Top in White size 14 by Blueberry Hill Fashions
Skirt: Twirling in Tulle in Melon Marvel size 2x by Kiyonna
Jewelry: Rocksbox
Shoes: Athena in White by Bearpaw

The material has a ton of stretch so I suggest sizing down on this top, I generally wear anywhere from a 16-20 in tops depending on the measurements and I easily fit into the size 14 Tulip Top.  Stretch and a great longer length make this the perfect top for wearing with any skirt or high waisted pant.  I love the versatility of the top, I have so many different skirts in many styles and it is flattering with each one.  I like to wear it alone or sometimes pair it with a wide belt to give emphasis to the shape of my waist.  The material is stretchy but thick so it is not see through at all, white tops can have issues with this. 

I am continually impressed with Blueberry Hill Fashions, constantly coming out with innovative new designs and delivering super high quality garments; they are definitely one of the best companies to help you add beautiful and unique styles to your wardrobe.