Eye of Newt & Tooth of Hound

I didn't start out this collaboration intending to have a theme for the week, but here we are and I am seeing the pattern.  All of my Dolly & Dotty dresses from this collaboration are things I chose because they are perfect for summer and the seasons ahead.  Maximum wearability is what I am all about.  

Houndstooth is an all-year-round kind of print, but this black and white dress in particular makes me think of fall and winter.  For autumn, I'll wear orange and rust colors with it, and for winter I'll switch to reds and greens.  It's the perfect base!

Maybe I'm jumping the gun a little, but it's the last day of August and that means that Autumn and Halloween are on the horizon.  And, while I do have a few holiday specific pieces, what I really love to do is bring out all my fall colors in September and wear them all season long.  And, that includes things that don't just fall into the orange/red/yellow palette, such as this Lily Houndstooth print dress from Dolly & Dotty.

You may not be in a fall frame of mind just yet, (I always look forward to the autum colors, but personally, I won't mind if the summer weather lingers for a few more weeks) which is why pieces like this are so great, they make that seasonal transition right along with you, whenever you're ready.  

I added a black petticoat underneath for a little more fullness to the skirt, but again, with this color palette, you could add any petticoat to match your 'fit and have it coordinate beautifully.  You really can't go wrong anytime of year with a Dolly & Dotty Dress.

Outfit Info:  Lily Houndstooth Sleeved Full Circle Dress in Black/White-£50 

from Dolly & Dotty

Strawberry Versatility with Dolly & Dotty

When it comes to wardrobe versatility, I find that a strawberry print is something that works just as well for winter as it does for summer.  Sure, summer is the strawberry season, but consider the colors one finds in a strawberry dress and you'll see why I love strawberry prints like this Grace Pleated Bust Dress from Dolly & Dotty even, or should I say especially, in winter.

First of all, the traditional colors of the Christmas and in fact the entire winter season are red and green in much of the world due to the evergreens like holly, pine, cedar, and mistletoe, and of course the Cardinals do not migrate during the winter and so provide a delightful contrast against the snow. 

Red has been shown to boost the mood during the winter as well and has long been a part of decorations and clothing in countries where winters are bitterest.  Going back to strawberry prints, the reds of the berries and greens of the leaves combined with any background hue make for such a cheerful look in those long cold months.  

I love the contrast of the black background of this Grace dress because it really makes the print pop.  Throw some polka dots into the mix and the contrast of this warm red pleated bust line and I am in absolute vintage heaven.  This dress is so dreamy.  It's perfect for a summer picnic, suggestive of Christmas with these colors,  and wouldn't it make the perfect Valentines's date night dress as well?!  And all it takes to convert it to winter readiness is to add a cardigan and some wool tights underneath. 

I'm loving every minute of summer while it lasts and wearing this Grace dress as much as possible, but this pretty dress is definitely making a comeback for winter.

Outfit Info:  Grace Black Strawberry Pleasted Bust Dress from Dolly & Dotty, Bag is old from Collectif, heels are old.

Saving Summer with Dolly & Dotty

While I've had a special side project going for basically the entire summer, it's been really nice to have collaborations with Dolly & Dotty to give me an excuse to blog.  I very foolishly thought that I would only need a few weeks to get this project done, but instead it has stretched into months and it has consumed every single free day that I've had.  I don't regret taking this on, but I do feel a bit like I've missed out on summer, and I've definitely missed blogging.

Summer is for sipping lemonade on the veranda while wearing floral prints and light dresses.  White is wonderful for keeping cool, but I've always preferred ivory.  Add an adorable cat print and a gorgeous style and how could I resist this Amanda dress from Dolly & Dotty.  It's the perfect summer style.

You know I love a nice full skirt that hits just below the knee and a suggestive neckline with thicker straps, so it only stands to reason that the Amanda style has become a Dolly & Dotty fave.  DD has so many great prints, I am incredibly grateful for this collaboration partnership; it's been wonderful!

Well, I may have lost a month or two to this project, but there's still a little more left to go and I fully intend to make the most of it, so I'd best get to it.  In fact, I just made a peach cobbler and have whipped up a batch of homemade lemonade for sipping in this shade today.

Outfit Info:  Amanda Ivory Cream Flared Dress in Cat Floral Print from Dolly & Dotty, Cardi from YeMak, Chelsea Crew Heels.

 

Grace in Blue

It's just coincidence that I started coloring my hair around the same time I started my blog and began experimenting with styles and colors to try to find the right combos for me.  I went along for a number of years thinking I could wear any color.  But growing out my hair for the past year or so and going back to natural hair color has taught me differently.  

As it turns out, my ability to wear most colors was directly tied to my that rich red that I used to dye my hair, and now that it's back to a cool espresso brown with gray in the mix, some things just don't work well for me anymore and I really need a new palette. 

While pastels are now and always will be my favorite, they really don't do much for my complexion at this stage in life.  I find that the very best colors to warm up my skin tone and balance out this hair are vibrant shades like the electric blue of this Grace Vintage Style Jive dress from Dolly & Dotty.

I should also mention that the the Grace style is one of my all time Vintage favorites!  The pleated bust and this drop dead gorgeous neckline with a fitted waist and a full skirt, mean this dress is the most flattering for all sizes and shapes.

This dress checks all the right boxes and check out this back, by the way; it's just as gorgeous.  I love that Dolly & Dotty really follows through on the details, making each dress so lovely!

Outfit:  Grace Vintage Style Jive Dress in All Blue from Dolly & Dotty

Vintage Summer Morning with Dolly & Dotty

Collaboration time!  I've been enjoying such a nice reprieve from out usual full schedule and getting lots of things caught up around the house and farm, but I will always make time for a collaboration like this.  If there is one thing worth getting up early on a summer Sunday morning, it's the thought of modeling a gorgeous dress like this Tess Lace Sleeved Dress in Peacock Blue from Dolly & Dotty.  I love the fabric of this dress, it is cotton and perfect for these warmer days, plus it has this gorgeous eyelet at the sleeves, bodice top, and sweeping round the hemline too.  What a perfectly gorgeous dress!  And since I'm all dolled up we top off the morning's photo session by heading over to my favorite bakery for breakfast, enjoyed alfresco for people-watching.  It really was a perfect day in the perfect dress.

Outfit Info:  Tess Lace Sleeved Dress in Peacock Blue -£45 from Dolly & Dotty