Barbie Dream Birthday

Dress - Pin Up Girl Clothing
Earrings - Dazzalite
Tiara - Disneyland

Its not a celebration until there is a costume change, and I knew this Voodoo Vixen dress from Pin Up Girl Clothing would be a perfect finale dress. I felt like Barbie in it, which means it's pretty close to perfect. I'm a little bit obsessed with PUG, their clothes are expertly designed and incredible quality. On top of that, their prices are fairly low, they have sizes for everyone, and their site is huge! Needless to say, I'm a huge fan. 

I was nervous about this dress at first, mostly for sizing. The fabric stretches a little, and I had heard that with this dress you don't need a bra, that it is fairly supportive. I tend to be in between sizes, and as previously mentioned, pretty busty. When it arrived however,  it fit like an absolute dream. My guests even gave me a standing ovation when I came down the stairs in this number! Of course it was only complete with my flamingo pink Dazzalite earrings, and my tiara! 

After the party, my wonderful friend Audrey sent me this video she made! I absolutely died when I watched it, it's the perfect little memory! I'm so grateful to have so many loving and supportive friends, they really made my birthday great!

Love, 

Rose Darling

Party Like a Playgirl

Dress and Brooch - Enz's NYC
Tiara - Disneyland 

I am one of those people who's birthday is not a day, but an entire month. My real birthday is February 15, the day after Valentines day. This year I was able to extend it all the way through March 7, because with a little ingenuity a girl can do anything.  I started my birthday in New York City, but have no pictures from it because it was so cold and I was so busy. I managed to stop by two amazing stores while I was there, SlapBack NYC and Enz's NYC. I highly recommend both to any retro-inspired shoppers visiting New York! I found some amazing things in both shops, including this dress I got at Enz's. The moment I put it on I felt like Cinderella and I knew it would be perfect for my party. 

I haven't actually thrown a birthday party in three years! The last one I had was so over the top I didn't think any other would match it, but I was proven wrong. One thing I love about my birthday is how close it is to Valentines Day, everything is pink and red and covered in roses! It's perfect for decorating! With Valentines decorations still up, I baked cupcakes (with pink frosting), cookies, Elvis sandwiches, vegan chicken nuggets, fries, and chips. My friend Audrey found a vintage cocktail shaker, and mixed up some wonderful pink cocktails for us! In my book, it was perfect. The best part was my friends obliging me and dressing up like it was 1959. Everyone looked amazing, and it really made my birthday! I'm so grateful my party was such a success, I hope every year can be as great! 

This is only part of my birthday! Expect another post with a couple surprises soon! 

Love,

Rose Darling

My Favorite Country Music, My Guitar, and the Patsy Dress

To me, winter is the perfect time to sit down and work on projects you might be too busy for when it warms up and you get more active. Practicing guitar is always a project for me, I've been 'playing' for over 10 years, but mostly that means strumming a little while I sing a little too loud. I'm not a natural with my guitar, but I do try and that counts for something. I love music, especially country music, too much to hold back! Since this dress was inspired by Patsy Cline, I couldn't resist taking a few photos with my tiny guitar. I may not be able to play like a real Grand Old Opry star, but at least I can dress like one. 

Here is a little playlist I put together, in honor of my favorite country stars, and in honor of Johnny Cash's birthday (2/26/1932)! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! 

Love, 

Rose Darling 

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