By the sea with Dolly and Dotty

Some dresses muster up dreams of yacht cruises across the sea, surf, sun and good company. For me, the Darlene dress in Dark Blue from Dolly and Dotty screams nautical. From its full circle skirt to its off the shoulder neckline, the Darlene dress is fun, flattering and versatile. All the things I love in one dress!

Flowers ~ Red Rose Double from Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Earrings ~ Anchor earrings from Revere Folie
Beads ~ Red beads from Debstar Designs
Brooch ~ Kraken brooch by Erstwilder (discontinued)
Dress ~ Darlene dress in Dark Blue polka dot by Dolly and Dotty
Shoes ~ Red Loraine heels in red by BAIT from Royal Vintage Shoes

The Darlene dress is probably one of my favourite designs from Dolly and Dotty. The higher neckline has meant it’s both work appropriate as well as playful enough for weekend adventures which is something I consider in all items I add to my wardrobe. The Darlene features short sleeves that come to a mid arm length, that is great for gals who prefer coverage in this area. The off the shoulder neckline which also features a small button detail is a simple finishing touch that truly helps lift the dress. The neckline is one of my favourite features as it helps to make my smaller shoulders look more balanced against my lower half.

The Darlene dress features a seamless back as the closure is a side zip. I didn’t encounter too much hassle with this zip (I personally have a preference for back zips) which was good as I do find sometimes they can catch at the waistband. This size zip however does give this dress nice clean lines and minimizes bunching at the back.  The Darlene is incredibly easy to get on and off, as the larger opening means you can pull it on without too much damage to your makeup and hair. Getting it off however is a bit of an adventure and I do recommend taking off your lipstick first!

The waistband in the Darlene is wide fitted waistband that really help nip you in and help give the illusion of an hourglass shape. Combined with the circle skirt and a petticoat, it helps smooth hips and tummies while making a petite waist and a broader upper body shape the focus. This is a great dress for girls who aren't necessarily a natural hourglass but want that 1950's hourglass feel. The Darlene is made of super soft stretch cotton which allows for a comfortable fit. For reference I'm wearing their size 14 and this dress fits beautifully with or without my corset on!

For this review I headed off to one of Australia's bright Sandy beaches and shot this gorgeous dress infront of an old anchor, to help give the right feel. Accessorized with red, anchor earrings from Revere Folie and one of my favorite ever Erstwilder brooches (the Kraken from their by the sea release a few years ago) I achieved a simple nautical look that I can easily wear away from our bright beaches!

The Darlene dress retails for £39.99/$66.61AUD, which makes Dolly and Dotty a super afforable option for pinups on a budget. If navy polka dots aren't your thing, this style also comes in other polka dot colours as well as some block colour options too! Their shipping rates are also incredibly Australia friendly too.

I hope you've all enjoyed this review! Looking forward to bringing you more posts this coming February!

Disclaimer: Whilst I received this dress as part of a sponsorship with Dolly and Dotty, all opinions expressed are honest to help ensure the most accurate information for my readers. 

Style Swap Saturday ~ Blood Dye and Big Boots

Pinup, wasn't my first love.Alternative gothic fashion was my first fashion love. In reality, it was just as unobtainable for me to have at the time as pinup. In 2003 there were no big pinup brands accessible in Australia. You could only buy online was with a credit card, which a 13 year old surely didn't have. I was lost in the world of mainstream mid 2000's fashions while dreaming of being able to wear things I was more comfortable in. Ironically, it took me getting immersed in pinup fashion to feel open to trying new things. So late last year I decided to take the plunge and start dabbling more, so here is my first style swap Saturday review, talking about my first Killstar Dress!

 Bone Bow ~ Ebay

Brooches ~ Miss Mae Bites & FANGtastic from Miss Lady A Broad

Dress ~ Killstar Dye Fast Kindred Dress Blood from Tragic Beautiful

Boots ~ Swing 815 Patent Black boots by Demonia (also available from Tragic Beautiful)

I've had my Demonia boots forever (bought way back around 2011-12 from memory) but I only had 1 look that worked with them, so I was super excited to get a second outfit to match them, as I don't get much opportunity to wear them. I found Tragic Beautiful mid last year and had been umming and ahhing for ages. When they got Afterpay, I knew it was time to take the plunge and make this dress mine! Tragic Beautiful had it shipped the next day and I was super happy with their customer service. 

One thing I really love is that I found the confidence to step outside my comfort zone again and try this kind of look. While a big reason I didn't start dressing pinup or alternative was a lack accessibility, a secondary reason at the time was my weight...which is around the same now. I didn't feel good enough to try dressing outside of the box of what society saw as normal and a lot of the representations of gothic style gals I saw online were all incredibly willowy and thin. Now as a 26 year old woman who is in a much better place with her body, I'm finding I'm less inclined to shy away from things I want to try based on my weight. So here I am, reviewing my first 'Alternative' item of clothing at a weight I previously wouldn't have felt confident enough to wear it at. If thats not a body love win, I'm not sure what is!

The first thing I want to cover is the sizing. I initially found it incredibly frustrating, as it only covered bust size and as a curvier girl my bust is my smallest part. Being a bit unsure, I ordered the XL which is meant to cover an 86-92cm bust (for reference my bust is anywhere from a 94-96cm bust). Now the first thing to note about this dress is that its made from Jersey and has a lot of stretch. While waist size I could have sized down, length size it wouldn't have been practical as with my larger hips it would have meant it sat too short on my frame.

It doesn't feature a zip and is stretchy enough it can be pulled over your head. For closure of the collar it features two elastic hoops with buttons. I do like how easy these are to do up and undo. I also do like the opening at the back, its something different and a bit cheeky too. The length of this dress is something I'm still getting used to. Wearing pinup clothes I've gotten very accustom to knee length or just above the knee dresses and skirts. This length was definitely a step outside my comfort zone but one I'm absolutely loving trying. 

I accessorised this dress with two halloween brooches from Australian brooch designer Miss Lady A Broad for a pop of colour amongst the red and black. I've worn this dress twice and I love how comfortable it wears and tie dye style. The reds are truly vibrant and I love how easy it is to wear. I would like to look at investing in some belts that are less retro to help nip in the waist and better define my figure. As I expand this part of my wardrobe I'd also like to try this look with different styles of shoe and stockings in the cooler months. Also ironically I'm finding it a bit trickier to feel a more alternative vibe with my blonde hair, so I'd really like to invest in a wig or two for days I feel like rocking my more alternative vibe!

The Dye Fast Kindred dress by Kill Star is available from Tragic Beautiful for $69.95AUD + postage. I'm absolutely loving this dress and I cannot wait to add more Killstar to my wardrobe!

I hope you've all enjoyed this review and please bare with my while I get more in touch with my alternative side...I'm used to posing in pretty gardens in pretty clothes! Its going to take me a little while to get used to!

Safari dreaming with Priscilla from Lady K Loves

As a former redhead, there are days where I miss my Jessica rabbit locks. But I find I do compensate for this by wearing a lot of red and recently I’ve found a deep love for darker burgundy red colours. They have a definitely late 40’s early 50’s feel to them that just makes my 40’s lover happy. So when I saw the gorgeous Priscilla blouse from the newest release from Lady K Loves, I knew I needed to add it to my wardrobe!

Earrings ~ Hoops from Retro Resins
Brooch ~ Lionheart brooch from Erstwilder (old design)
Blouse ~ Priscilla Blouse in Burgendy from lady K Loves
Skirt ~ V2 Skirt in Leopard print from Lady K loves (review here)
Shoes ~ Brown Betty Sandals from Miss L Fire

The Priscilla blouse one of my favourite tops from Lady KLoves. Having got my first in my patio set (which I seriously need to shoot!) it’s a stunningly versatile and fun piece to add to your wardrobe. The Priscilla is a box cut blouse that honestly, goes with just about anything. It features a high yolk which makes it great for not just casual wear but work wear too, which is something I consider heavily when making purchases though for this look I had to go something that made me think safari, purely because of the shape and matching V2 skirt print.

The Priscilla blouse is made from 100% cotton, meaning it will work in both cool and warm weather. As a gal living in the humid hot climate of Sydney Australia, this is something I’m super grateful for. As we’re experiencing one of our hottest January’s on record right now, I can vouch for the fact this blouse breathes well and doesn’t get stuffy to wear. I also loved the shape and style of the sleeves as they give good coverage without being too tight or firm.

I do truly love the styling versatility of the Priscilla blouse. While my last one was patterned, (which made it a bit trickier to team with other things) this blouse being a solid block colour it’s much easier to style. The deeper earthy tones also have a 1940’s feel to me and I cannot wait to team it with some fun 1940’s and 1950’s style outfits. Whether its teamed with wiggles or swings, suits or pants I know this top will lift the look. The clear buttons also mean you don't have to accessorize it with any set colour and you can play around as much as you want with it. For those who aren't a fan of the burgendy colour, its also available in black, coffee, mustard and potion green.

To tie this look together I wore golds and yellows to work with the skirt and shoes. My amazing gold hoops are from New Zealand small business Retro Resins. My brooch is an older style Erstwilder brooch that features a lion, which I just adore. His face looks like a heart. I didn’t wear any hair accessories to keep the look minimalistic. I just love how the V2 Leopard print skirt and Priscilla blouse work so well together. My favourite pair of sunglasses topped off the look. These sunnies were bought on sale from Jay-Jay’s a number of years ago. If you know where I can snap up a similar pair, I would be forever grateful.

For size reference I wear a Large in the Priscilla and while my rounded shoulders do find it a little roomy it’s comfortable and fits well. The Priscilla can be yours for £32.00/$52.25AUD depending on the exchange rate on the day plus postage. Lady K Loves is an incredibly affordable brand for Aussie gals and their styles are fun, versatile and curve friendly.

Lady K Loves now also post internationally with DHL! So no long waits for your new goodies to arrive for those of us outside of England!

If you’re also interested in the fit of their V2 skirt, you can ready my review by clicking here!

I hope you’ve all enjoyed this review! I loved shooting it and so far it’s been one of my favourite looks from 2017.

Til next time darlings!

Disclaimer: Whilst I received this blouse as part of a sponsorship with Lady K Loves, all opinions expressed are honest to help ensure the most accurate information for my readers. 

Weekly Outfits ~ 9th February 2017

Hello darlings!

Last week was the second week of January and for me that meant back to work and back to doing a daily frock up! Last week also proved to be an incredibly hot one for us Sydney dwellers so my outfits last week were all about staying classy yet comfortable!

Monday

Flowers ~ Red Rose double from Daisy Jean Floral Designs

Necklace ~ Red Beads from Debstar Designs

Brooch ~  Senorita Sherry Blossom from Miss Lady A Broad

Dress ~ Blue Porcelain Vintage Dress from 1950s Glam

Belt ~ Red Retro belt by Hell bunny from Gwynnies

Shoes ~ Lorraine heels in red from Royal Vintage Shoes

Tuesday

Flowers ~ Orange Rose double from Daisy Jean Floral Designs

Necklace ~ Yellow Beads from Debstar Designs

Brooch ~ T Red the Tyrant King from Erstwilder

Dress ~ Palm Tree Button Back Dress from Love Ur Look clothing

Shoes ~ Betty heels in black from Royal Vintage Shoes

Wednesday

Flowers ~ Tiki piece from Daisy Jean Floral Designs

Earrings ~ Bamboo Hoops from ebay

Brooch ~  Lorie the Lorikeat from Erstwilder

Top ~ No brand white top

Skirt ~ Tahiti Queen Dolce Skirt from Hola Chica Boutique

Shoes ~ White Sandals from I love Billy Shoes

Thursday

Flowers ~ Jean double from Daisy Jean Floral Designs

Necklace ~ Pink Beads from Debstar Designs

Brooch ~  Vintage from my grandmother

Dress ~ Margaret Dress from Karina Dresses

Shoes ~ peggy heels in black from Royal Vintage Shoes

Friday

 Flowers ~ Baby Pink Scarf from Daisy Jean Floral Designs

Blouse ~ Priscilla top from lady k Loves (review coming soon)

Pants ~ Swing Pants in Sand Soft from Vivien of Holloway

Shoes ~ Saddle Shoes

Saturday

  Brooches ~ Miss May Bites & FANGtastic brooches from Miss Lady Abroad

Dress ~ Dye fast Kindred Dress in Blood by Killstar from Tragic Beautiful

Shoes ~ Demonia Boots

 I survived my first week back at work and my reviews from Miss Fortune UK and Karina Dresses going live too. I also got to fit in a Style Swap Saturday and I finally got round to shooting this Killstar dress to review in the coming weeks!

Also, don’t forget to check out my video review of Aussie lash brand Sarah Jean Lashes for their super quick and easy lash application technique.

I’ve got more coming this week too so keep your eyes peeled!

Garden Glamour with Karina Dresses

Some dresses are just made to be worn. Dresses that inspire thoughts of luscious gardens, beautiful people and good conversation. Dresses that make you want to go wandering down garden paths, stealing kisses behind tall hedges and holding picnics on sweeping lawns. The Mia dress from Karina Dresses is one of those dresses.

Flowers ~ White Rose Double from Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Jewellery ~ From my grandmother
Dress ~ Mia Dress in rose print
Shoes ~ Lacey Heels from BAIT Footwear

The Mia Dress in rose print from Karina dresses, is my first Karina dress not made out of its super stretchy fabric, giving it a more structured shape than previous Karina Dresses I've reviewed. Made of a woven Rayon, this gorgeous dress is ideal for summer weather thanks to its breathable fabric and lightweight design. It also has some stunning design differences compared to other Karina Dresses I have in my wardrobe.

Its also my first Kimono style dress, which feature a V front with fuller style sleeves and a waist tie, which imitates the cinched waist of a Kimono. These fuller sleeves are great for ladies who are a bit self conscious of their upper arms and like a bit of coverage and there is little risk of them being 'too tight' as they're made to be loose. Its also not a full skirt, more of a loose Aline which makes it very comfortable in warmer weather and less chance of it being caught in the wind and turning your walk outside into a Marilyn moment.. This dress doesn't feature a zip (simply pull over your head) and like all other Karina dresses doesn't require ironing, simply wash and hang up!

The print of this dress is what drew me to this stunning dress. I'm such a lover of floral prints and the stunning mix of floral blues in this dress is truly stunning in person. The blue hues just pop and as blue is my favorite colour it was really a bit of a no brainer. I love Karina dress prints as the fabrics stay vibrant and colourful even after multiple washes.

I also love the versatility of this dress. I feel like it could easily be worn on a casual day with a pair of flats and a hair piece or bring it up to something more formal with some heels and a string of pearls. I simply adore versatile pieces like this as it means I can wear it to work and with some tweaking also wear it for a night out. For this shoot I opted for a more formal look, wearing pearls and a brooch I inhertited from my grandmother who passed in April last year. This dress does remind me of her in her love of gardening and her love of flowers.

The Mia dress retails for $108US + postage which equates to $143AUD, depending on the exchange rate on the day. Karina dresses ship super fast too, with most of mine never taking more than a fortnight to arrive all the way to Australia. In this shoot I'm wearing a S/M, which is made possible thanks to my smaller upper body. As this dress does have less stretch than their other designs I'd suggest sizing up if you are worried about being able to pull it over your bust!

I hope you've all enjoyed this review and this gorgeous dress. I cannot wait to share more Karina Dress goodies with you in 2017! They're also having a site wide sale right now with 15% off! Simply use coupon HAPPY2017.

Til next time darling!

Disclaimer: Whilst I received this Dress as part of a sponsorship with Karina Dresses, all opinions expressed are honest to help ensure the most accurate information for my readers. 

Harbour dreams with Miss Fortune UK

I must admit, in the past few months I've definitely been bitten by the Wanderlust bug and I've found myself longing to go exploring far off places, which has never been something that has kind of been on my mind. I adore living in Australia and the amazing country it is. I've always been a little unsure of the outside world but find my curiosity grabbing me more and more and internally yelling that I need to go exploring. Sadly, internationally travel is quite a way off for me financially (Australia is so far away from everything except New Zealand lol) but that doesn't mean I can't live vicariously through my wardrobe!

Flowers ~ Blue rose Double from Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Earrings ~ Ingrid Retro Earrings in Antique Bronze from Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Necklace ~ Red beads from Debstar Designs
Brooch ~ Retro Brooch from Glitter Paradise
Blouse ~ Banned Apparel Dream Master Blouse from Gwynnies
Belt ~ Kmart
Skirt ~ Boardwalk Skirt Amsterdam from Miss Fortune UK
Shoes ~ Betty Sandals in Brown by Miss L Fire from Royal Vintage Shoes

The BoardwalkSkirt in the Amsterdam print from Miss Fortune UK is such a stunningly inspiring skirt. The mix tones of teals with reds, browns and blacks stirs thoughts of red bricks reflecting in cool water and bustling city. Now I've never been to Amsterdam, but it made me think of the section of Sydney that's behind me which features the wharf theater and made me want to day dream about walking the streets of Amsterdam.

The boardwalkskirt is a gathered knee length skirt which features a slightly wider waistband than some of my other skirts, a wooden button closure with a side zip. The gorgeous skirt also features a pocket, which is a feature I absolutely adore. Made of cotton, this skirt is incredibly comfortable, breathes really well and can be worn year round. The gathered waist also makes it ideal to wear with or without a petticoat, as the gathering gives it shape on its own.

The pattern on this skirt is literally buildings mirrored in the water, indicative of the magic that is Amsterdam. The blend of different colours also makes it a styling dream, as there are so many different colours to play with and ways to accessorize this skirt. For this shoot I kept it simple, opting for a cream blouse to let the skirt really shine. I really want to wear it with some deep red tones next. It’s a dream to accessorize! This skirt is made to order and sits at 26 inches long and is available from a XS to an XXL. I'm wearing the 

large for this review, which sits at a 32 inch waist.

The BoardwalkAmsterdam skirt is available for £46.99 which equates to around $77.76 depending on the exchange rate plus postage. Miss Fortune does ship worldwide, which means no matter where you are you can bring some magic into your wardrobe too! I cannot wait to play around with this skirt more and I hope you’ve all loved it as much as I had. Shooting this against the backdrop of the wharfs was a dream, even if it meant almost getting splashed with the wake of a Ferry!

Til next time darlings!

Disclaimer: Whilst I received this skirt as part of a collaboration with Miss Fortune Uk, all opinions expressed are honest to help ensure the most accurate information for my readers. 

Paper Barks and UK beauty ~ The Pink Ribbon Dress from Love Ur Look

 

For those who don't know, I'm an Aussie Based pinup girl and our summers get hot. Its crazy humid and I'm always looking for amazing dresses that I can wear all year round, that breath well in the summer but are also comfortable within the cooler months as well (though our cooler months do seem to be getting shorter and shorter!) and I am definitely in love with this incredible dress from Love Ur Look clothing!

Flowers ~ Yellow Rose Double from Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Earrings ~ Medium heathers teardrops in pearl pink from Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Necklace ~ Yellow beads from Debstar Designs
Brooch ~ Calming Miranda from Miss Lady A Broad
Dress ~ Pink Ribbon Dress from Love Ur Look Clothing
Shoes ~ Nita Heels from Royal Vintage Shoes (review coming very soon!)

I absolutely fell in love with the palm tree button back back dress from Love Ur Look Clothing and I was super exciting to get something that was a bit more versatile in regards to the weather! The gorgeous Pink Ribbon Dress arrived within 2 weeks to me down under all the way from the UK. Love Ur Look do amazing dresses with amazing distinctive details! In my last dress is was the back button detail. In this dress its the shape around the shoulders, bust and back.

I was so excited to get it out and feel the fabric. One of the thing I love about Love Ur Look is that they use 100% cotton in their dresses. As a gal with super sensitive skin, especially in the humid heat a cotton dress is an amazing way I can look glam and not have to compromise my comfort. It felt so soft when I got it on and it was so incredibly comfortable to wear. I've worn it on a few really humid days without any heat agitation which has been wonderful. This dress features a back zip for easy wear, a full skirt and also comes with a matching belt.

The cut of this dress also means that its perfect for a lot of different events and functions. Whether it be work, play, formal events or just for something casual. You can dress it up or down, its such a beautiful versatile piece. This dress also features sleeves down to just above the elbow, which is a great option for ladies who like a bit of coverage on their arms. 

I absolutely adore this dress and I honestly cannot wait to play with the styling of it. Plus the cut and sleeves mean I'll be able to wear it right through winter as well as through our warmer summer. For this shoot I loved teaming it with yellow. It looked so beautifully with the yellow netting around the bottom and the soft tones throughout the dress. I'm wearing an XL though I could have easily sized down to a large. I have had some darts put on the shoulders to help them stay, as my shoulders are quite rounded which can make sleeves and straps a bit tricky.

The perfect match for this gorgeous dress was the Calming Miranda brooch from Miss Lady A Broad. A brooch with a difference, $5 of every sale of this gorgeous brooch goes to the Headspace Organisation which is a youth Mental Health organisation here in Australia. A glam way to support a great cause.

This gorgeous dress is £52.00 which equates to around $87.71AUD/$63.93USD + postage. This is a great small company that also supports ethical work environments for the people who make their gorgeous garments. If this style isn't your thing, they have a range of different styles in their store so definitely give Love Ur Look a look!

I hope you've all enjoyed this review! As I said earlier this week, I've got a big January coming for you all so I hope you all love the posts I've got coming.

Disclaimer: Whilst I received this dress as part of a collaboration with Love your Look, all opinions expressed are honest to help ensure the most accurate information for my readers. 

Blooming into 2017 with the Annie from Dolly and Dotty

Hello darlings! 

So 2017 has finally begun and I don't know about you but I'm feeling like 2017 is my year to blossom, to keep on growing and to keep building a happier me. I have so much awesome stuff coming to the blog in 2017 and I cannot wait to share it all with you. To start of a year I'm hoping to blossom in, I wanted to start with the gorgeous Annie Dress in Pink Florals from Dolly and Dotty.

Flowers ~ Delightfully Dainty Double in Pink from Daisy Jean Floral Designs
Earrings ~ Lilac Eclipse studs from Revere Folie
Beads ~ Lilac Beads from Debstar Designs
Brooch ~ Vintage Rose Brooch
Dress ~ Annie Dress in Pink Florals from Dolly and Dotty
Belt ~ Lilac belt from Gywnnies
Shoes ~ White Sandals from I Love Billy Shoes

The stunning Annie dress has quickly become a favorite in my wardrobe for its comfortable fit, beautiful tones and versatile styling! When it arrived in Australia all the way from the UK, I was instantly taken by the bright pink floral pattern, which truly is more stunning in person than pictures give it credit. Lacking sleeves this dress is perfect for the coming summer months here in Australia or easily accessorized with a cardigan or bolero for ladies in cooler climates or who prefer to not have their arms on display so much.

The Annie dress is a versatile, simple style which makes it great for gals of a variety of shapes and for a variety of different occasions. The Annie dress features a simple bateau neckline with a high back: making it a great option for more corporate wear or formal occasions, as well as an everyday winner. The sleeveless design lends itself to the warmer months we all experience at varying times of the year. To help give a streamline figure the Annie also features box pleats to help smooth the hips and tummy, whether you're wearing a petticoat or not. She also features a back zip with an eye hook for easy wear.

The versatility of this amazing dress is really what pulled me to it. While the floral pattern may be very busy, the single colouring makes this dress a dream to accessorise! So far I've matched it with navy and lilac for this shoot. I cannot wait to see what other colours I can team it with. The Annie does come with a matching belt, but I prefer to personally mix bolder busier prints with solid colours to help the waist pop. 

The Annie is made from cotton and does have a little stretch. I'm wearing the size 14 which going off their size chart is the size I should wear. I've worn this dress a few times now before this review and have found it incredibly comfortable both with or without foundations. A gorgeous dress that flatters the figure, is comfortable to wear and is fun in its print. If pink florals aren't your thing, the Annie also comes in Wine Floral, Blue Floral, Black/Pink Floral, Black Floral as well as polka dots in white/red, black/red, black/white as well as a stunning beige check. There really is an Annie for everyone!

The Annie also won't break your bank, sitting at around £29.99/$51AUD + postage, depending on the exchange rate on the day. This is a great dress for gals new to pinup looking to add to their wardrobe as well as a great staple for more seasoned pinups as well. 

My amazing photos for this review were shot by Phil Ingram.

I hope you've all enjoyed this review and I'm looking forward to bringing you all more great posts in 2017!

Til next time darlings!

Disclaimer: Whilst I received this dress as part of a collaboration from Dolly and Dottys, all opinions expressed are honest to help ensure the most accurate information for my readers.