Thursday, March 7, 2024

Black Illuminated

Samantha Pleet Armour Corset and Daydream Pants in Black Illuminated Southern California Belle

Spring has been peeking through here and there and I couldn't be happier! Don't get me wrong, I love California winter but throwing on a bit of color and feeling the warm sun on my skin sounds like absolute perfection right now. I've been saving this stunning set from Samantha Pleet for a warmer day and I had to photograph it when that day finally came.

Samantha Pleet Armour Corset and Daydream Pants in Black Illuminated Southern California Belle

Samantha Pleet Armour Corset and Daydream Pants in Black Illuminated Southern California Belle

Samantha Pleet Armour Corset and Daydream Pants in Black Illuminated Southern California Belle

Samantha Pleet Armour Corset and Daydream Pants in Black Illuminated Southern California Belle

Samantha Pleet Armour Corset and Daydream Pants in Black Illuminated Southern California Belle

Samantha Pleet Armour Corset and Daydream Pants in Black Illuminated Southern California Belle

The Armour Corset and Daydream Pants are both in Samantha's Black Illuminated print. It's colorful and full of flora and fauna (including a unicorn!), perfect to welcome back spring. The corset has boning and a functional lace up corset in the front. Luckily, it also has a zipper in the back so you don't have to lace it up every time you wear it. The pants are high waist and super wide leg, perfect for my hourglass figure. I mean it when I say I'm obsessed with this outfit, I wish I could wear it everyday! The pants get more use because I can also pair them with a black top for more coverage but I truly love these pieces together.

Samantha Pleet is offering their entire Black Illuminated collection at a discount right now! There are dresses, accessories, separates and even kid's dresses in this stunning print. She also offers sizes 0-22 and XXS-5X. Inclusive sizing is very important to me and I'm always happy to support a small woman-owned business that has the same values as I do.

Now I need to know what I need more: the matching hair bow or the bodysuit!

xoxo

Ashley

Friday, February 2, 2024

Peanuts BFF

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Medium Streamline Tote Southern California Belle
 
Bianca and I both love Snoopy and the Peanuts gang so we were very excited when we were asked to shoot pieces from the new Harvey's collection! This arrangement of bags, dog accessories and more are focused on the BFF friendship between Snoopy and Woodstock. Since Bianca and I are BFF's in real life, we had the easiest time getting into the spirit for this launch!

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Snoopy Medium Foldover Crossbody Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Snoopy Medium Foldover Crossbody Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Snoopy Medium Foldover Crossbody Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Medium Streamline Tote Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Pet Leash and Dog Collar Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Medium Streamline Tote Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Medium Streamline Tote Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Medium Foldover Crossbody Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Medium Foldover Crossbody Southern

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Mini Streamline Tote Southern California Belle

Harveys x Peanuts BFF Mini Streamline Tote Southern California Belle

All bags, collar and leash- c/o Harvey's
Red polka dot dress-Target
Red turtleneck dress- Vixen by Micheline Pitt
Bianca's cardigan- c/o Sarsparilly

You can shop the entire collection on the Harvey's website HERE! Happy February to you all!

xoxo

Ashley

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Midnight Masquerade

Lively Ghosts Midnight Masquerade Dress Southern California Belle
 
Black is my favorite color to wear and I can't imagine having too many black dresses in my closet. When this stunning Midnight Masquerade dress from Lively Ghosts dropped I knew I needed it! Definitely more on the formal side but comfy enough to dress down, I had a lot of fun wandering the woods in this hauntingly ethereal piece.

Lively Ghosts Midnight Masquerade Dress Southern California Belle

Lively Ghosts Midnight Masquerade Dress Southern California Belle

Lively Ghosts Midnight Masquerade Dress Southern California Belle

Lively Ghosts Midnight Masquerade Dress Southern California Belle

Lively Ghosts Midnight Masquerade Dress Southern California Belle
Dress- c/o Lively Ghosts (use code SCB10 for a discount)
Shoes- Amazon

The Midnight Masquerade is a layered dress of satin, lace and mesh and features a satin collar with self ties at the neckline, mesh cap sleeves with a lace trim, voluminous skirt with lace adorned throughout and finished with a side zippered closure. I'm wearing my usual size small in Lively Ghosts (although sometimes if it has a button front I will wear a medium) and the fit is lovely! The skirt of this dress is fluffy enough to be worn without a petticoat and it's the perfect dress for twirling. This dress, like all their clothing, is available in sizes XS-5X. They also carry unisex and men's clothing, housewares, harnesses, hats, bags and so much more! I get so many gifts (for myself and others) at Lively Ghosts because there's so much to choose from. You can get an extra 10% off your order with code SCB10 too!

I'm a little out of sorts lately because my family is going on our first family vacation in a few weeks! Since we rescue and rehabilitate senior/special needs dogs, we've never had the chance to go away as a family. Someone always gets left behind! So we decided to take Bianca to Disney World! We're going all out for this trip and while I'm excited, I'm also stressed about what to pack. I'm used to California weather, what do you mean it just rains on a whim?! Wish me luck trying to get everything together before we leave!

xoxo

Ashley

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Mourning Dove

Sister Jane Evening Doves Midi Dress Southern California Belle
 
Welcoming 2024 with lots of realistic hope! While I know we're probably gearing up for lots of big changes, I want to make sure I keep a positive center whenever that's possible. I've had my share of loss these past few months (two of my dogs passed away) and this mourning dove print dress from Sister Jane felt like the representation of how I've been since then. I also have a very big family of mourning doves that I feed daily in my backyard so this dress works in more than one way!

Sister Jane Evening Doves Midi Dress Southern California Belle

Sister Jane Evening Doves Midi Dress Southern California Belle

La Femme En Noir Cauldron Bag Southern California Belle

Sister Jane Evening Doves Midi Dress Southern California Belle

Sister Jane Evening Doves Midi Dress Southern California Belle

Sister Jane Evening Doves Midi Dress Southern California Belle
Shoes- ASOS
Hat- old
Belt- from another dress

The Evening Dove Midi Dress is a poly dress that features puff sleeves, contrast collar, functional pearl button down bodice, midi skirt with hidden side pockets and a side zippered closure. I've said it many times before but Sister Jane dresses can be tricky when you have a big bust! This dress is a medium and it *just* fits in the bust but I am swimming in the waist. I opted for a belt to complete the look. I love that this dress has pockets (most of my Sister Jane dresses do not) and I hope to see more pockets in 2024! I am a huge fan of this dress and I love that the print feels very personal to me.

While I love Sister Jane designs and I look forward to every release, I do want to mention that they do not carry sizes above an XL or US14. I know they've revamped their chart and now offer up to an XL, but there's always room for inclusion and I hope they continue to move in that direction.

2024 marks the 13th year here on this blog! I'm impressed that I've continued (although sparingly) to post here through so many major life milestones. While social media comes and goes, I'm glad I have this space to share a bit of what I'm feeling at that moment. Hoping this year has a lot of great things in store for me and you!

xoxo

Ashley

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
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