Holiday Tartan

 

Happy holidays! I'm pretty sure this is my last post of the year and I wanted to end it with a great dress. I don't dress vintage everyday anymore but when I want to look stunning I always check out Miss Candyfloss. Their designs are inspired from vintage silhouettes yet provide modern fabrics and inclusive sizing. This tartan dress was calling to me and I'm so glad I got it in time for the holiday season!

Dress- Miss Candyfloss

Shoes- Steve Madden

Hat- vintage

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder

The Inge-Silver dress has a faux jacket look with a peplum, contrasting colors on the cuffs and collar, pleated swing skirt with hidden side pockets, button and zipper front closure and a removable black belt. This dress is light enough for a southern California winter but can easily be layered for cooler temperatures. I'm wearing my usual size small in Miss Candyfloss and it is a great fit! As someone with a large bust, I appreciate that the button front closure actually covers my bust. This dress (like everything else they offer) is produced in sizes XS-5X. While this style is mostly sold out, they have so many other fabulous options for the winter season and beyond!

To anyone who still comes here to listen to my monthly ramblings: thank you. I started this blog in 2011, when blogs were the way we communicated with likeminded people. I know most people enjoy Instagram and TikTok to catch up on their favorite people (I do too!) but I have a soft spot for the time before everything was daily content at any moment's notice. This may be an ancient form of communication but I will continue to post here and share my outfits and photography for as long as possible.

I hope you enjoy the holidays, the rest of your year and sending you all the good vibes for 2024!

xoxo

Ashley

Carmen

 

Well, hello December! This year has kind of flown by for me but I'm kind of glad to see this one go. Full of high highs and low lows, I'm ready for a fresh start. One thing I'm living for is the cooler weather. As someone who loves to wear dresses year round, I was excited to pair this new Son de Flor dress with some Southern California fall accessories. Leave me in a wooded area where I can feel the crisp breeze and kick up some fallen leaves and I'm a new person!

Dress- c/o Son de Flor

Shoes- Steve Madden

Hat- Amazon

Tights- Target

Belt- from another dress

The mini Carmen dress is a 100% linen dress that features long balloon sleeves, open neckline, above the knee skirt with side pockets, a shirred back panel and a side zippered closure. It's such a great fall and winter dress! Super comfy, great layering piece and a wonderful fit. I went with a size small and I feel really good in it. You can find this dress in a few colors in sizes XXS-2X.

My favorite part of Son de Flor is that they're an ethical and sustainable brand. They use linen for all their pieces and work with local businesses in Lithuania to reduce their carbon footprint. They really care about their designs and the environment, which can sometimes be hard to find! You can also customize any of their designs for a fee, if you're looking for something tailor-made. Overall I feel like this is a great brand to support if you're looking for something that you can wear for many years. I can't wait to place another order (I'm thinking a skirt next time)!

xoxo

Ashley

Jane Eyre

Are you ready for the holidays yet? I can't say I'm there but I'm doing my best to get into the spirit with my outfits. This Selkie dress was an addition to my closet last year but I feel like it didn't really get its moment. The day dress style is my absolute favorite: it's made from a comfortable cotton, has a great silhouette and incredible fit. The festive plaid print gives me hope that I'll catch some of that Christmas cheer people keep telling me about.

Dress- Selkie

Shoes- Modcloth (old)

Hat- vintage

Bag- c/o Betsey Johnson (old but pink version is available)

Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Satin in Always Red

Selkie's sizing has always been a little complicated for me. I have sizes XS-M in day dresses so I'm always worried that my purchase will not fit when I get it. I purchased a size small and this was the perfect fit. Because of the wide neckline, I cannot wear a normal bra but I have a longline bra that I love so it's not a dealbreaker for me. As much as I love this silhouette I only wish it had pockets! That would seriously take this dress into the *perfect* category for me. Here's to hoping they eventually make that change!

This weekend is full of theme parks, family functions and holiday decorating so I'll be looking forward to enjoying these next few days (and hopefully resting well afterwards)!

xoxo

Ashley 

Pickety Witch

 

Is gothic western a thing? Because I feel like this outfit is the perfect example of a western goth. The hat, the corset dress and the Beetlejuice tombstone bag really came together for me when I got ready today! Obviously, this Pickety Witch dress from La Femme En Noir is the star of the show. A new style from their Cottage Witch collection, this dress hugs you in all the right places and the lack of sleeves is perfect for this Southern California fall weather. And by weather, I mean several 100 degree days in late October. It's fine, everything is fine 😬

Dress- La Femme En Noir

Shoes- Dr. Martens

Purse- La Femme En Noir

Hat- old

The Pickety Witch is made from a thick cotton sateen and features a corset bodice with boning, adjustable straps, adjustable lace up front with modesty panel, tiered skirt with lace trim between tiers, deep inset pockets and a back zippered closure. I mean it when I say this dress holds you in. I decided not to wear a bra with this dress and I felt very supported, and that's coming from someone who always wears a bra! I'm wearing a size small and I feel like I *just* get away with wearing a small. I have a large bust so I think I could have sized up but I feel like I would have struggled with a loose waist. I'm happy with the size I picked but if your bust is on the larger side make sure you triple check that size chart! The Pickety Witch is available in size XS-4X and was made right here in Los Angeles.

We are just a few days away from Halloween and I can't believe it! Part of me realizes that I let a lot of this season pass by me (thanks to grief) but I also realize that I did a lot of super cool things too. I can't wait to enjoy Halloween night with my family and eventually share this year's Halloween costume! Keep those eyes peeled...

xoxo

Ashley

Slime Green Spiderweb

 

I know black and orange are seen as the official Halloween colors but can we get some love for slime green? I love the brightness, especially when contrasted with black, and this Vixen by Micheline Pitt dress executes that perfectly. It's bright, spooky and has the perfect amount of vintage inspired flair. Basically, it's my new favorite!

Dress- Vixen by Micheline Pitt

Shoes- Amazon

Purse- c/o La Femme En Noir

Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red

The 1950's Sundress is made from a thick but slightly stretchy cotton sateen. It features a gathered bust, adjustable satin straps with attached bows, a full gathered skirt with huge side pockets, a removable grommet belt and a matching chiffon scarf. That's right, the scarf is included with the dress! I wear a size small in everything Vixen and this size small is a perfect fit. Considering the spooky season here in Southern California is very warm, I feel like this dress is perfect for a Halloween party or a day out at Disneyland.

This dress is available in sizes XS-4X and is also available in a classic black with white webs if slime green isn't your thing. Shop the entire Halloween collection HERE!

xoxo

Ashley

Margo

 

There is truly nothing better than fall. The leaves are turning, the weather will (hopefully) get cooler, the season is spooky and we'll enjoy all the best holidays until the end of the year. I feel fortunate that Bianca *still* likes to match with me so I couldn't wait for us to wear these Ivy City Co. dresses from their newest collection. Plaid is quintessentially fall for me but this color can also read as holiday. Who doesn't like a dress that can pull you into several seasons?

Dress- c/o Ivy City Co.

Shoes- c/o Modcloth (old)

Hat- old

Bianca's dress- c/o Ivy City Co.

Bianca's shoes- Target

Bianca's hat- Modcloth (old)

The Margo dress is a simple yet beautiful take on a midi dress. It's made from a cotton fabric and is fully lined. It features a sweetheart neckline with a large attached bow at the center, 3/4 slightly puffed sleeves, a smocked back for comfort, side pockets and a back zippered closure. Bianca is wearing her usual size 9/10 but I am wearing XXS. This dress runs quite large! I'm usually between a small and XS in Ivy City Co. and I was easily an XXS in the Margo.

This stunning dress is available in sizes XXS-5X and also comes in a shorter length version HERE. You can also grab this plaid in a baby dress, boy's shirt and men's tie so you can all match together! Use code 15OFFSCB for 15% off your purchase!

xoxo

Ashley

Cottage Witch

 

Feels nice to be back! This last month has been a bit of a rollercoaster for my family. We recently lost Punchy, our first family dog. It was unexpected and we're still kind of dealing with the feelings that come with that. While I love all things spooky, it's been very difficult to enjoy those things while I'm grieving. This week I decided to put on a nice outfit, do my hair and makeup and actually get out. I didn't realize how much I needed to get away from my comfort zone until I actually did. I've said it many times but being out in nature is very healing and that was exactly what I needed.

Pinafore- c/o Unique Vintage

Top- c/o Collectif

Shoes- c/o T.U.K. Footwear

Hat- The Beheaded

Purse- c/o La Femme En Noir

I'm no stranger to a pinafore and I love this bat print one from Unique Vintage. It's made from a thick stretch material and features adjustable ruffled straps, mini swing skirt with pockets and a back zippered closure. I'm between a small and medium in all UV things but because this is stretchy I went with a small. I think I might have been better in a medium, simply for a little more length in the skirt, but it's otherwise a great fit. I paired it with my classic witch hat, some fun Mary Jane shoes and my new cauldron purse from La Femme En Noir. I felt like a true cottage witch!

Here's to feeling a little bit more like myself and enjoying more of my favorite season.

xoxo

Ashley

Honey Bee

 

I don't know if this is good news or bad news but this is officially my last "normal" post before this space becomes all things spooky! The summer heat is in full effect but it's always a crisp fall morning in my heart. Before I switch gears to my favorite time of year, I wanted to share one of my favorite new dresses from JessaKae. This Honey Bee dress was perfect for my trip to NYC so I had to add it to my closet. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to wear it in New York but it was perfect for a morning stroll in nature.

Dress- JessaKae

Shoes- c/o Charlie Stone Shoes

Lipstick- Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Glowing Beige

The Honey Bee dress features a beautiful bee inspired embroidered bodice, basque waistline, puff sleeves, layered tulle skirt and a back zippered closure. I love that the neckline is so pretty but also has full back coverage. That means I can wear a comfortable bra! This is my first JessaKae dress so I went with my usual size small and it was a great fit. I didn't realize it until after I placed my order but there's a kids version as well. Guess I need to get one for Bianca too!

You can find this dress (and many other gorgeous pieces) in sizes XXS-6X. Shipping was super fast and this dress was so well made. I can't wait to add another piece to my closet soon!

xoxo

Ashley