Topsy

The end of this decade is winding down and I'm just kind of overwhelmed by the whole thing!  This year in particular was one of really high highs but also a year that passed me by so quickly I feel like I didn't fully get to enjoy it.  My blogging has definitely taken a back seat and I've been posting here less.  Not because I don't love it, I just have a normal job and a family now, which takes up so much more of my time (compared to when I started nine years ago).  For example, these pictures were taken in April and I have just now had the time to post them.  In the last year or two I've opened my style outside the "vintage" bubble and explored other silhouettes/brands.  One of my favorites is Sister Jane.  This UK brand is very Marie Antoinette for the modern woman and I am all over it!







Dress- Sister Jane
Shoes- Target
Lips- c/o Julie Hewett in Biba

This Topsy Regina dress is a bib dress with a parachute style bodice.  Made from light chiffon and fully lined, this dress features long sleeves with stiff contrast cuffs, an attached pink tie at the neckline, and an above the knee length skirt.  As someone who was constrained to shape wear and tight fitting clothing for years, wearing something that allows you to be as you are is so freeing!  This dress has so much style that I didn't even think about accessorizing it at all.  Just throw it on and you're ready to go!  Unfortunately, this dress is no longer available but they consistently offer similar silhouettes and release many collections every year.  My only gripe is that they don't make sizes beyond an XL.  I'm hoping they expand their range to plus sizes in the near future.

I have no idea what 2020 will bring me but I'm hoping I can carve out a little more time for my blog.  I love it as much as I did when I started so the passion is still there... I just need to find the time!  What are you looking forward to in the new year?  Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Ashley

Tilly Tartan

We're deep into the holiday season which means I shop for all the party dresses!  The Pretty Dress Company has been my go-to for years and this season is no different.  Their dresses are impeccably made, last for years (even with heavy wear), and are incredibly easy to wear.  I'm showing off their Tilly tartan pencil dress and let me tell you: I am in love!








Dress- c/o The Pretty Dress Company
Shoes- c/o Restricted Footwear
Hair bow- Free People
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red

This Tilly dress is made from a luxurious stretch tartan and features a delicately gathered off the shoulder detail with side bows, boning in the bodice for structure, and a figure flattering pencil skirt with back slit for comfort.  I love the stretch in this fabric, it allows me to easily step into this dress (instead of pulling it over my head).  I'm wearing my usual size UK8 in The Pretty Dress Company sizing and I find it translates to a size small or a size 4.  I have many of their pencil dresses because they hug my body so perfectly.  I'm serious, I have yet to find a dress that fits me better!

While this dress is definitely holiday ready, you can easily wear this tartan all year.  This might even be my birthday and/or Christmas dress!  What are you planning to wear to your upcoming holiday soirees?  Let me know in the comments!

xoxo

Ashley

Pete Cromer

The day has finally come: the Pete Cromer x Erstwilder range is now available!  This much anticipated collaboration (which is expected to sell out *very* fast) is a brooch exclusive collection featuring eighteen pieces.  Seriously, these brooches are literal works of art!  Bianca and I were lucky enough to pick and shoot our favorites for this range and honestly, it was so hard to choose!  You can check out which ones we picked below:

The Earnest Echidna

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Earrings- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- Claire Heinui
Jacket- c/o Sarsparilly

This echidna was number one for me!  I love how many colors and layers of resin he is.  He matches with so many things in my wardrobe and I can see myself wearing him all the time.  I feel like he might be one of the first to sell out!

The Kooky Kookaburra

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- H&M
Jacket- H&M

The kookaburra is one of Bianca's favorite animals so she was super excited to model this one!  This brooch is so incredibly detailed and features so many beautiful colors.  He really pops with some pink behind him too!

The Sweet Sugar Glider

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Earrings- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- Claire Heinui

As usual, I will pick any collection with a sugar glider.  They are my favorite animals and it's definitely my dream to have one as a pet!  This little cutie is simple but makes such a big impact when you put him on.  I love his mid-flight stance so much!

The Thoughtful Tawny

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- H&M
Jacket- H&M

Another one of Bianca's picks was this gorgeous tawny.  We love his muted colors and the attention to detail on him.  You have to see him from up close, he's so beautiful!  Bianca loves him so much and has already worn him a bunch!

The Comical Cockatoo

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Earrings- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- Claire Heinui
Jacket- c/o Sarsparilly

He certainly lives up to his name!  As someone who used to have a cockatoo, I knew I needed to have this one.  I love the bright colors on his contrasting white body.  I received many compliments from strangers the first time I wore him.  He's definitely a conversation piece!

You can also shop the new range of Essential Earrings that match this entire collection.  Bianca and I received a few of them and we both wear them frequently (seriously, I wear different variations of the crescent moons every day).  They're a great add on and an even better gift/stocking stuffer!


Make sure to shop your favorites now (direct link HERE) because this collection is definitely going to sell out quickly.  They're also offering a free gift when you purchase three or more pieces from this collection!  Get a cute little druid free with your order while supplies last!  I think I'm going to go back for a few more myself...  Which ones are your favorites?  Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo

Ashley

GIVEAWAY: Deer Arrow Retro Christmas!

Who's in the holiday spirit?  I'm feeling all the Christmas vibes lately, thanks to Deer Arrow and their Retro and Christmas release today!  Whether you love holiday inspired or vintage inspired jewelry, Deer Arrow has a little bit of everything in this release.  I'm showing you just a portion of these amazing ranges and if you scroll down, you can enter our giveaway to win a Retro Christmas prize pack of your own!

Astro the Retro Kitty with matching earrings

Brooch and earrings- c/o Deer Arrow
Coat- Miss Candyfloss
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Infinite Rose
Eyes- c/o Urban Decay Naked Cherry

I love how perfectly retro Astro is!  This cute little kitty sports cateye glasses and a very dapper bowtie.  He also matches the new range of drop earrings!  Because if anyone loves to be matchy-matchy, it is definitely me!

Oh Baby Doe

Brooch- c/o Deer Arrow
Top- H&M
Skirt- c/o Chicwish
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Infinite Rose
Eyes- c/o Urban Decay Naked Cherry

Oh Baby Doe is easily my favorite of the bunch!  I love her cute little curled up pose and her red bow is the perfect pop of holiday color!  She can definitely be worn outside of the holidays and I feel like she's going to get a lot of wear all year.

Vintage Chevy

Brooch- c/o Deer Arrow
Top- H&M
Skirt- c/o Chicwish
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Infinite Rose
Eyes- c/o Urban Decay Naked Cherry

Pretty in pink!  This classic Chevy is the perfect companion to any retro outfit.  I love the perspective of this brooch and it's a great size too.  I have an original wooden Chevy brooch from Deer Arrow and I love the acrylic version as well!

Retro Earrings

Brooch and earrings- c/o Deer Arrow
Coat- Miss Candyfloss
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Infinite Rose
Eyes- c/o Urban Decay Naked Cherry 

These earrings match with Astro the Retro Kitty but they look great on their own too!  These ones feature teal, yellow, orange, and black so they're super easy to match with a colorful outfit or jazz up a classic black dress.  They make a statement and I'm all about them!

Delicious Diner Shake

Brooch- c/o Deer Arrow
Top- H&M
Skirt- c/o Chicwish
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Infinite Rose
Eyes- c/o Urban Decay Naked Cherry

Another classic Deer Arrow style is back!  They offered their milkshake brooch back when they made wooden styles and now we have an acrylic version!  Delicious Diner Shake is the perfect shade a pink, almost good enough to eat.  It's a great size and I love that I can wear this piece of Americana any time of year.


You can shop these pieces (and so much more) on the Deer Arrow website right now!  Their goodies tend to sell out quite quickly, so if you missed your favorites you'll have another chance at 7pm AEST.  And if you missed it all together, you can enter our giveaway for a Retro Christmas Prize Pack!  Check out the widget below to enter and win a pair of retro earrings and two brooches from the Retro Collection.  There are several ways to enter and you can enter as little (or as much) as you want.  This giveaway is open internationally and will end on November 25th.  Once a winner is picked, contacted, and confirmed, they will be announced right here!  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway
 xoxo

Ashley 

All Wrapped Up

Are you feeling the holiday spirit yet?  Erstwilder just released their new holiday collection, All Wrapped Up, and I'm so excited to show you the pieces I've chosen from this range!  This collection is filled with Christmas cheer: sixteen brooches, two sets of earrings, and two necklaces.  It was seriously so hard to pick just a few (and thanks to Bianca loving this collection so much, I'm going to pick up a few more) but here are my favorites from All Wrapped Up.

The Night Before Pink-Mas

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- c/o The Pretty Dress Company
Coat- ASOS (similar styles here)
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red
Eyes- Urban Decay Naked Cherry

Is there anything more perfect than a pink tree?  This super festive and super sparkly Christmas tree brooch is basically everything I've ever wanted.  It's actually quite small so it can easily be a part of any holiday ensembles.  This one is by far my favorite!

Little Red The Puppy Sled

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- c/o The Pretty Dress Company
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red
Eyes- Urban Decay Naked Cherry

As someone with five dogs, little red had to be a part of my collection!  I love that he's not directly holiday related: I can wear him all winter!  His resin is so pretty and I love how it looks like the wind is carrying his ears back while he sleds.  Such a great design!

Past Midnight

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- c/o The Pretty Dress Company
Coat- ASOS (similar styles here)
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red
Eyes- Urban Decay Naked Cherry

I love that Erstwilder gave this brooch from a previous holiday collection a pastel recolor!  I much prefer these colors and I think it's works perfectly with my "white Christmas" motif this year (everything is pink, blue, and white).  Bianca has already stolen this brooch from me though so maybe I need to get a backup!

Doe-Eyed Deary

Brooch- c/o Erstwilder
Dress- c/o The Pretty Dress Company
Lipstick- Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain in Always Red
Eyes- Urban Decay Naked Cherry

If you can't already tell I love: animals and brooches that can be worn for many seasons.  The All Wrapped Up collection has a good amount of both blatant holiday pieces and holiday-related pieces.  Doe-Eyed Deary is such a cute little winter piece but I can easily wear her all year if I want!  Also, her resin is seriously amazing!


You can check out the entire All Wrapped Up collection HERE!  I would definitely get your favorites while you can, pieces always seem to sell out right away.  Also, if you purchase any three pieces from All Wrapped up, you'll receive a free gift brooch!  Looks like I'm scooting over to the Erstwilder site now to get my holiday shopping on!

xoxo

Ashley