Friday, December 22, 2023

Holiday Tartan

Miss Candyfloss Inge-Silver Tartan Swing Dress Southern California Belle
 
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!

Miss Candyfloss Inge-Silver Tartan Swing Dress Southern California Belle

Miss Candyfloss Inge-Silver Tartan Swing Dress Southern California Belle

Miss Candyfloss Inge-Silver Tartan Swing Dress Southern California Belle

Miss Candyfloss Inge-Silver Tartan Swing Dress Southern California Belle

Miss Candyfloss Inge-Silver Tartan Swing Dress Southern California Belle
Hat- vintage

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

Friday, December 8, 2023

Carmen

Son de Flor Mini Carmen Dress in Brown Checkers Southern California Belle
 
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!

Son de Flor Mini Carmen Dress in Brown Checkers Southern California Belle

Son de Flor Mini Carmen Dress in Brown Checkers Southern California Belle

Son de Flor Mini Carmen Dress in Brown Checkers Southern California Belle

Son de Flor Mini Carmen Dress in Brown Checkers Southern California Belle

Son de Flor Mini Carmen Dress in Brown Checkers Southern California Belle
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

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Jane Eyre

Selkie The Jane Eyre Day Dress Southern California Belle

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.

Selkie The Jane Eyre Day Dress Southern California Belle

Selkie The Jane Eyre Day Dress Southern California Belle

Betsey Johnson Tree Purse Southern California Belle

Selkie The Jane Eyre Day Dress Southern California Belle

Selkie The Jane Eyre Day Dress Southern California Belle

Selkie The Jane Eyre Day Dress Southern California Belle
Dress- Selkie
Shoes- Modcloth (old)
Hat- vintage
Bag- c/o Betsey Johnson (old but pink version is available)

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 

Wednesday, October 25, 2023

Pickety Witch

La Femme En Noir Pickety Witch Dress in Black Southern California Belle
 
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 😬

La Femme En Noir Pickety Witch Dress in Black Southern California Belle

La Femme En Noir Pickety Witch Dress in Black Southern California Belle

La Femme En Noir Pickety Witch Dress in Black Southern California Belle

La Femme En Noir Pickety Witch Dress in Black Southern California Belle

La Femme En Noir Pickety Witch Dress in Black Southern California Belle

La Femme En Noir Pickety Witch Dress in Black Southern California Belle
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

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

Slime Green Spiderweb

Vixen by Micheline Pitt 1950's Swing Sundress in Slime Green Spiderweb Print Southern California Belle
 
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!

Vixen by Micheline Pitt 1950's Swing Sundress in Slime Green Spiderweb Print Southern California Belle

Vixen by Micheline Pitt 1950's Swing Sundress in Slime Green Spiderweb Print Southern California Belle

Vixen by Micheline Pitt 1950's Scarf in Slime Green Spiderweb Print Southern California Belle

Vixen by Micheline Pitt 1950's Swing Sundress in Slime Green Spiderweb Print Southern California Belle

Vixen by Micheline Pitt 1950's Swing Sundress in Slime Green Spiderweb Print Southern California Belle

Vixen by Micheline Pitt 1950's Swing Sundress in Slime Green Spiderweb Print Southern California Belle
Shoes- Amazon

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
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