Seattle Winter, Patsy Cline, and Bright Swing Dresses

Dress and Bolero - Trashy Diva
Shoes - Miss L-Fire
Photo Credit - Tell A Story Studio 

When I first saw the Patsy Dress and Bolero from the Trashy Diva, I knew I had to have it. It's inspired by Patsy Cline, which is reason enough for me to add it to my wardrobe. I have a huge weakness for country music, and all that it inspires. So a retro-inspired Western dress is something I could never turn down. I love this dress over all, I get compliments on it whenever I wear it! My only small complaint would be that its a little tight around my chest, but I am fairly well endowed, so this is not a dress-specific problem for me. I already have quite a collection of Trashy Diva dresses, they are so beautiful and well made, I consider them each a collectable. This dress is beautiful, comfortable, and truly elegant, a perfect winter addition to any pin up girls wardrobe.

 

Winter in Seattle is tough, it doesn't get very cold, but its very damp and windy. How is a pin up girl supposed to hold her look together? The trade off is that I get to wear swing dresses, sweaters, heels, and light jackets all winter and not freeze! The rain may hurt my hair, but it does leave room for some serious fashion. The Patsy dress is truly perfect for this weather, so pretty it will lift the mood of everyone who sees you and really break up the gray day. It even came with extra rhinestones, so I don't need to worry about losing one when I dance. I highly recommend twirling in it, what else is a good swing dress for?

Love,

Rose Darling 

Ps how cute is this gif someone made for me?? 

I'll Be Your Valentine

Hair flower - Niccoco Creations
Top - Collectif Clothing
Skirt - Vivien of Holloway
Photo Credit - Tell A Story Studio

Happy Valentines Day! I have always loved this holiday, probably because I have never celebrated in a traditional way. My birthday is the day after, so Valentines Day has always been a day where I've (started) to celebrate myself, and frankly, that's how I think it should be. So heres to what makes you unique, weird, and completely special! Let's spend the day letting our freak flags fly! You can't convince me that you're not worth celebrating!

I think one of the best ways to celebrate yourself is to get dressed up, even if you have nowhere to go! A photoshoot is just icing on the cake! This is my Valentines Day outfit, the skirt is from Vivien of Holloway, the top from Collectif, and the hair flower is one of my favorites from Niccoco Creations!

       

Whatever you do this Valentines Day, I hope it's a great one!

Love,

Rose Darling 

My Playgirl Transformation, Or How Self Love Changed My Life.

Skirt and Top - Collectif Clothing
Shoes - Miss L Fire
Photo Credit - Tell A Story Studio 

One of the most common questions I get asked is, how did I get into pin up or become a pin up girl? I wish there was a simple answer, like I woke up one day with rollers in and lipstick on and never looked back, but in truth its been a much more complicated and longer transformation than that (the best and most important journeys usually are).  I don't want to clog this post with the various phases I went through as a teenager, or the varying degrees of angst I felt as I made may way as a young adult. Suffice to say, I have been dabbled in being grungy, punk, goth, and briefly a hippie. Finding myself was a long and very difficult journey for me and those who have known me for a few years. 

What sparked this fairly radical change was making the decision to make my own life and love myself for who I am. Once I began practicing self love, it became easy to view myself as a bombshell, and slowly morph my wardrobe and my hair and makeup around that new perspective. A soon as my internal beliefs changed, my surroundings began to reflect it. I started to trust myself more, and feel safe being who I am. I felt more appreciated by others as soon as I started to appreciate myself. I don't doubt myself in the same ways anymore, I'm not worried what others will think of me. I try and focus on how I can achieve my goals and be happy. My primary New Years resolution was to be my own Barbie, and I'm well on my way (watch out 2015)! 

Dressing as a pin up girl became a daily self love ritual for me, putting on my lipstick is as integral a part of this process as giving myself a compliment when I look in the mirror. Slowly my wardrobe has built itself, and my roller set skills and makeup have developed too. Self love takes practice as much as the perfect wing on your eyeliner does, but the results are killer. Pin up and self love just went seamlessly together for me. Setting my hair isn't a burden, its an act of self care. Dressing up everyday feels like a gift I'm giving myself. I can't imagine a better way to express that I deserve to be happy, sexy, and pretty than by doing it everyday of my life. 

 I'm still experimenting with hair and makeup, and still working on the contents of my dream closet. I have rough days, and am known to whine and cry (I like to think it's endearing), but without self love I know I wouldn't be where I am now. If I didn't practice loving myself and making my own rules, I wouldn't have the courage to dress up everyday and have the biggest hair in Seattle. I am so grateful for everyone who has inspired me and supported me, and I can not wait to see where my next adventure takes me. I highly encourage anyone to find a way to honor themselves everyday, even if you don't want to look like you're from the 50s. Find something that empowers you, and let it guide you to being your best self. I promise you, you won't look back. 

Love,

Rose Darling

Sparkling in Seattle - Dazzalite Jewelry

Photo Credit - Tell A Story Studio

Shirt - Collectif Clothing

I swooned when I first saw a pair of Dazzalite earrings show up on Instagram feed, and immediately followed knowing I had to keep an eye on what this fresh company was turning out. Then I started seeing them everywhere, it seemed like every blogger I knew and loved had their hands on at least one pair. I had to get mine too, they were too pretty to resist! It wasn't hard for me to make a decision on which pair, I wanted something a little bigger, not too expensive, and red seemed like an obvious color choice for me. I settled on the red medium Stutterin' Cindy earrings, submitted my order, and anxiously waited for these beauties to drop at my door.

Erynn Starr is not only a creative a successful jewelry designer, she's a complete babe and sweetheart too! She gave me incredibly kind, direct, and patient responses when I messaged her asking when I could get my earrings (its about a 2-3 weeks to make and ship). My first pair arrived in a box with a sweet handwritten note from Erynn, thanking for my business! With beautiful jewelry and the ultimate customer service, I was hooked. Then I saw white glitter earrings with pink flamingos in them, and I knew what my second pair would be! Erynn put them on sale on her Instagram, and I snatched mine as soon as possible (pictures coming soon).

Photo Credit - Tell a Story Studio
Bra - What Katie Did
Skirt - Collectif Clothing

These earrings are so beautiful, I get compliments on them every time I wear them. They add a little sparkle and glamour to every outfit, and don't irritate my sensitive ears at all. I think they are a must-have for every pin-up girls collection, I can't wait to get more!

Love,

Rose Darling

Tell A Story Studio

I'm a very lucky girl to have a close friend like Audrey, who will let me come over and turn her living room into a photo studio while I model and play dress up for hours. Audrey and I became friends after bonding over our love of Marilyn Monroe and old movies, and it has only grown since then. Our artistic partnership has only gotten stronger over the years, and so it made sense to us to team up for a Marilyn Monroe inspired shoot! I couldn't be more excited to share these pictures, or more grateful to Tell a Story Studio for making me feel so beautiful and glamorous. I hope you enjoy these images as much as we enjoyed creating them!

Love,

Rose Darling 

Vintage Halloween Movie Night

I would be lying if I said I didn't get into holidays. Halloween is just about to happen, and I can already tell you what I'm wearing and what I'm making for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love to dress up and be ridiculous on a daily basis, so it only makes sense that I would get a little wild on holidays! This doesn't just translate to my wardrobe or cooking, I like to start early with music and movies to get me in the mood.

I won't reveal my Halloween costume yet, but I will tell you the movies I've been watching while I've been making it! These are my favorite, must-see Halloween movies that are a little out of the box.... The box in your parents attic, that is. They aren't your usual Tim Burton or Universal Monster choices, these are fun ones to mix up your Halloween screening with!

Abbot and Costello Meet Frankenstein 

This screwball comedy is my favorite Halloween movie. It features almost all the original Universal Horror characters, but is hilarious and quirky too! Perfect for a quiet night in, or if you aren't a big fan of real horror but want to scream anyway. I have to see it every season, it never gets old for me. 

From IMDB:

The world of freight handlers Wilbur Grey and Chick Young is turned upside down when the remains of Frankenstein's monster and Dracula arrive from Europe to be used in a house of horrors. Dracula awakens and escapes with the weakened monster, who he plans to re-energize with a new brain. Larry Talbot (the Wolfman) arrives from London in an attempt to thwart Dracula. Dracula's reluctant aide is the beautiful Dr. Sandra Mornay. Her reluctance is dispatched by Dracula's bite. Dracula and Sandra abduct Wilbur for his brain and recharge the monster in preparation for the operation. Chick and Talbot attempt to find and free Wilbur, but when the full moon rises all hell breaks loose with the Wolfman, Dracula, and Frankenstein all running rampant.

I Married A Witch

A Halloween romantic comedy, this one truly can't be missed by any old movie fan. Completely enjoyable, the plot line is not heavy, but very cute and a great start to a bombshell Halloween! After all, who can resist Veronica Lake?

From IMDB:

In 1672, two witches (Jennifer and her father Daniel) were burned by puritan Jonathan Wooley. In revenge, Jennifer cursed all future generations of the Wooley family, that the sons will always marry the wrong woman and be miserable. In the 20th century, a bolt of lightning frees Jennifer and her father from the tree that had kept their souls imprisoned. Jennifer assumes corporeal form and decides to make up-and-coming politician Wallace Wooley, then unhappily engaged, even more miserable by getting him to fall in love with her before his wedding. Wallace is a straight arrow, though, and Jennifer has to resort to a love potion. As we all know, love potions tend to backfire, with comedic results.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari 

A classic for film buffs, I first saw this film in a class on Dada and Surrealism during my brief stint in college. I walked out of the classroom stunned, feeling like my life had changed. This film is definitely surreal and powerful, and if its mention in Portlandia hasn't urged you to see it yet, then stop waiting and do it now! 

From IMDB:

At a fair in the village of Hostenwall, Dr. Caligari obtains a permit to set up his tent show featuring Cesare the 23 year-old Somnabulist who has slept for 23 years. Francis and his friend Alan visit the popular show and Alan asks Cesare in his trance-like state to tell him his future. Cesare predicts that he will die that night and when Alan is in fact found dead in the morning it seems to be just one of many such crimes recently. Frances is determined to find his friend's killer, all the more so after Cesare tries to kidnap his fiancée. He follows him to an insane asylum but not all is as it seems.

The Little Shop of Horrors 

While you may be more familiar with the 1986 remake of this classic, I assure you the 1960 original is just as fun! I'm pretty sure this film is played in my parents every Halloween while they wait for trick or treaters, it's as traditional as the trick or treaters themselves! I can't get enough of it, and I'll give you bonus points if you wear this monster themed dress when you watch it. 

From IMDB:

Seymour is a young man who works in a flower store. He manages to create a carnivorous plant that feeds on human flesh. Nobody knows about it, so Seymour and the plant become good "friends". The plant needs food to grow up, so it convinces him to start killing people.

Arsenic and Old Lace

I could watch this anytime of year, but Halloween is most appropriate. Cary Grant dazzles in this quirky tale of love, family, and terror. It should be noted that Boris Karloff played Jonathon Brewster in the original Broadway production! It's a shame he wasn't in the movie, but Raymond Massey fills those creepy shoes very well.

From IMDB:

For the clan known as Brewster insanity runs in the family. Two sweet old aunts take it upon themselves to poison lonely old men with nothing to live for, as an act of charity. Their nephew Mortimer has just got married, and is trying to negotiate his way around the shenanigans of the house, while trying to keep his new bride from fleeing. Shady brother John returns from a world adventure involving using corpses to change his appearance to allude capture. The merry mayhem continues with bugle-blowing brother Teddy who is charged with burial duties.

Happy watching!! 

Love,

Rose Darling 

Moving into Fall!

A sneak peek of my  current project, I won't say what it is, but I'll do a full post when I finish.

This last full moon reminded me more and more to prepare for Fall! I've lined up my sewing and knitting projects (Fall really means early work on some holiday gifts for me), dug up my blankets and sweaters, and worn my favorite sun dresses one last time before I'll need to cover them with layers of tights and cardigans. I'm excited to break out my favorite pumpkin recipes, and start playing with root vegetable entrees, but a little sad to say goodbye to shorts, rompers, and sun. I felt inspired by our last moments of sunlight, so I woke up and made some vegan lemon poppyseed muffins this morning.

Lemon Poppyseed Muffins ! Recipe from Vegan Brunch by Isa Chandra Moskowitz

Seattle has had a beautiful, long summer, so it's hard to imagine that in a few short weeks we will return to our infamous grey, rainy weather. Until then, I'm soaking up the last few nights of sitting outside for dinner, light and bright colors, and a wide array of seasonal summer flavors! I think any season change is a great moment to re-evaluate what we need, want, and are working towards. I'm mid-reassessing my goals, and am looking forward to a little Autumn cleaning before I dive into the season with full force! What are you doing to prepare for fall? Are there any projects you've started to work on?