Popina: A Review and Being Brave

When Will from Popina swim wear contacted me about doing a review for one of their suits I was over the moon. I've been needing a new vintage inspired swim suit in my life and their Jantzen Vamp did just the trick.  I've always been interested in trying out Jantzen swimwear because of the history, and I was not disappointed in the quality or loveliness of the suit. Popina also has some other lovely vintage inspired swim wear as well.

The first thing I would like to say about dealing with Popina is that these people are seriously friendly and helpful. I've been contacted by some companies/people that are not helpful at all and really have no interest interacting with you. This case was the total opposite, they were really wonderful. Even suggesting sizing options about the suit I chose since it ran small.

This is a really big deal for me showing photos of me in a swim suit. I have never been comfortable in one and definitely not having my photo taken in one. I'm also still in the process of loosing weight, so I'm a bit more self conscious than usual. I have a pear shaped body and it's taken me a long time to come to terms with loving my body just how it is. I just want to be honest. Here's to facing fears and being brave and bold.

 

 As I said I'm usually not comfortable in a swim suit but I really am in this one. I feel like it flatters my body and is super comfortable. I usually can't wear one pieces because my waist is so long and my booty so large (also I'm super short) so it always ends up giving me a wedgie or hardly covering my chest, so I was very impressed that this one piece actually fit! I did go up about two sizes because they said it ran small and the waist is also short, and it worked perfectly.

swim suit c/o popina

skirt q's day dream

shoes swedish hasbeens

hat j crew

sun glasses anthropologie

The straps are also removable on this suit so you could wear it strapless. I wouldn't personally do this as I feel my booty gravity would win out and it would fall down, but it's a good choice to have.

I feel like I will wear this suit all summer as a top. It looks incredible paired with a skirt and I bet it'll look super adorable with shorts as well.

Altogether, my experience with Popina was wonderful and the suit was of great quality and I'm sure I'll be wearing it for years to come.

xo,

 Em

Peasant Blouse

The other day one of the ladies at my work surprised me by giving me three lovely vintage skirts that had been her older sisters (and perhaps mothers?) in the 50's and 60's. She talked about how one skirt in particular she remembers her sister wearing with a lovely peasant blouse, and so I immediately knew I had to have one to wear with my darling new skirt. I can't really afford much new clothing at the moment, but I did have some fabric and so decided to grab a pattern and see if I could swing it. I have tried sewing on and off for several years now, and it just never seems to stick. However, this blouse turned out pretty well! I'm already plotting a few more, and I'm gonna try to stick with it this time.

Those who actually sew will scoff at me I'm sure for how nervous I was making this super simple blouse. It was really nerve-racking though! I did it, it's far from perfect, but I will make a few more, and who knows maybe I'll try to make a skirt or dress?

 blouse made by me

skirt gift

shoes anthropologie

belt thrifted

scarf target

What have you all been sewing lately?

xo,

 Em

40's Bling

I've been struck with a bout of sickness this month that just didn't seem to want to leave. A couple weeks ago I had a horrid sinus infection and laryngitis. As soon as that left I promptly caught a nasty virus and pink eye...and then laryngitis again. Oh, the joys of working with kids. Any way, all that to say I look a bit peaked in these photos. No eye make up because my eyes are still sensitive from the pink eye and my roots are looking rough, but whatevs, that's life. 

I bought this awesome 40's dress over the weekend. It's too big for me, but I belt it really well, and I think it works. I couldn't walk away from the amazing detailing.

 dress katy k's ranch dressing

belt thrifted

shoes remix

I had so many plans this weekend. I was going to paint our bedroom and stay outside as much as possible (the weather here has been oh so lovely), but all of those plans were dashed with more sickness. I also have a really lovely review coming up soon for you all! It will all happen in time, and I plan on enjoying this week to it's fullest, even if my voice does sound like a man's. How has your weekend been?

xo,

 Em

Style Inspiration: Stoker

Tyler and I went to see Stoker at the Blecourt a while back, and while it was a bit disturbing and creepy, the style was incredible. I don't do well with scary things, being a huge scaredy cat, but anything that has amazing style I have to see. I really loved Stoker as a movie (plus it was filmed here in Nashville!), despite it disturbing me a lot (haha), the style has left a deep imprint on me. All I want to do this summer is dress like India, played by Mia Watsikowska. Light cotton dresses and blouses, crisp and buttoned up. The character also revived my love of the dark hair I've been sporting. I've been getting a bit down because I've been missing my natural color which is still gonna take a while to grow out. While watching the lovely India go about with her darling dark hair parted down the middle, it made me excited to have dark locks.

Have any of you seen Stoker? Did you like it/dislike it?

xo,

 Em

In Color

This past weekend was not only Easter, but also my littlest brother's birthday. He turned 15...it's just so weird. I'm the oldest of five, if you didn't already know, and I'm having a hard time seeing all my little siblings grow up. I can't even imagine how it must feel to be a parent!

I also had the fortune/misfortune to get a new car! (read as: used car). My old car was a piece of crap, and finally the repairs were too expensive to keep it around, so out we went to get a newer, steadier, and better car. Sadly, this puts house hunting on hold as all our savings went to the car. BUT, I have a car where all the lights work (all the time!), the horn works...I really missed that... and most importantly the breaks work, so it's ok in the end.

 So, I'm pretty much in love with this dress. I wore it a lot this winter, but it didn't get the spotlight it deserved here on the blog. I'm addicted to the Sweetie style dress on the Trashy Diva website. They have the perfect 40's silhouette, and the most amazing prints.

dress trashy diva

belt thrifted

shoes swedish hasbeens

xo,

 Em

Interview with Brynn

When Brynn of Being/Elliot asked if we wanted to swap interviews with one another I thought it'd be super fun. She is a lovely lady who has a great blog and I always love interviews. I also thought it would be interesting to interview a modern lady on vintage style. So, here is Brynn!

What is one of your favorite decades and why?

I love, love, LOVE the '60s. There is something about that decade that gets me. Maybe it was the bold stand-out patterns? The colors? Or, perhaps it was the mini-dresses and jewelry. Whatever it was, I am hooked and I always find myself buying '60s style looks. You can just call me Twiggy.

I also have an affinity for '70s Boho style. I love a good pair of light-washed bell bottoms and a wide brimmed hat.

Throw in some '20s style flapper fringe and I am good to go.

How has your style developed and what do you draw on as inspiration?

My style is in constant development. I don’t think it will ever stop changing. I went through many phases in my style development, both good and bad, but all the phases I went through helped me learn how to construct outfits and piece things together.

Through all this, I have found that style is all about quality verses quantity.

Today, I find my inspiration by looking to the past.

I love looking to female musicians from years ago like Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, June Carter, Cher, and Stevie Nicks for style ideas.

I feel like these women were bold, and worthy of recognition both musically and style-wise. 

 
What vintage styles do you see in modern or mainstream fashion?

Oh my goodness, I see it everywhere! I feel like fashion is always in constant flux and often looks to the past for inspiration. Right now, the '60s looks are coming back with the rising popularity of period shows like “Mad Men” (a personal favorite).

While I was at New York Fashion Week in February, I also saw an outpouring of '20s stylish evening wear. If I can predict anything from the S/S 2013 shows, it seems that the glitz and glamour of the flapper era is going to gain popularity. 

What are some vintage styles or aesthetics that you incorporate into your own wardrobe?

Elements of '60s fashion are worn almost on a daily basis for me. My closet is stockpiled of '50s style day-wear, '60s style coats and jackets, and '70s style high-weighted denim.

Vintage is the largest aspect of my closet, simply because it is better for the environment, and it is a way for you to have a unique and precious item no one else will have. So it’s a win-win. 

What old movie star would you most love to dress like?

Such a hard question! There are so many total foxes, it is so hard to choose! If I had to pick, it would probably have to be Lauren Bacall. She is a total vamp with her gorgeous defined brows and tilter beret.

She would absolutely dominate on the screen with her sultry voice and cool debonair which translated on the red carpet as well.

I love her versatility.

Do you have any begone trends of the past that you wish modern designers would embrace?

I would love for the fashion industry to embrace more of the '20s style headdresses and hair bands. I love the elegant look that the intricate pieces give off. They feel very royal and distinguished to me.

 photo credit: jackie osborne

I hope you enjoyed the interview with Brynn, and go check her blog out Being/Elliot for my interview! 

xo,

 Em 

Blue

This is one of two lovely blue dresses I recently bought, with spring and summer in mind, however as I write this it has been flurrying off and on all day, so it seems as if I will have to wait to wear them as proper spring dresses for a bit yet.

 I wore this on a date night where we ate tasty food at Taco Mamacita's and went and saw Stoker at the Belcourt. Whooo, it was good and creepy, and now I want all of Mia Wasikowska's clothing. Even if a movie is quite scary (which I don't do the best with) if it is aesthetically pleasing I'm sold.

dress hip zipper

tights target

shoes nine west

I hope you all have had a lovely start to your week. Has anybody else seen Stoker? Yay or nay?

xo,

 Em