Summer Fun! Luxette Shoot with Fairshadow Photography

This summer, Megan and I joined forces for a sweet, retro themed shoot. While we wanted to have the essence of an "action pinup" shoot, we wanted to keep it demure and subtle. Carla Haglund of Fairshadow Photography was the perfect choice for this type of shoot. She has a fun and feminine eye, is great at retro editing and just has fun doing what she does.


On Victory Memorial Parkway in Minneapolis, MN


Cropped Blouse and Bows by Megan Maude, Green Bloomers by Samantha Rei
Model: Loud Louisa


Pink Romper and Belt by Samantha Rei, Headband and Bow Necklace by Megan Maude
Model: Cristina Peterson


Sleeveless Blouse and Kanzashi by Samantha Rei, Denim Jumper by Megan Maude
Model: Tuyet Do


Checkered Dress and Headband by Megan Maude
Model: Cristina Peterson


The designers

This shoot was a lot of fun. Megan and I work really well together and we'd been working on the concept over the phone for a few months. We're looking forward to doing a fall collab as well, so keep an eye out!

For the entire set, please go here.

Hair: Mari Durene
Makeup: Kati Hackett
Inside Location: Victory 44

Until next time, stay beautiful, stay handsome, stay Luxette!
<3Samantha

Veronica's Dollhouse

A few weeks ago, while visiting Miami, I happened upon a most pleasant surprise! Down a side street in bustling South Miami, there's a refreshingly charming new boutique nestled in among the tired, trendy shops. Veronica's Dollhouse is the name of this little oasis of fanciness, and it couldn't be more delightful!

While looking for parking in the busy downtown area, I drove down a little street off the main drag that I normally wouldn't pay any mind save for finding a choice parking spot. However, the storefront for Veronica's Dollhouse caught my eye. I promised myself that I would go in and have a look after the meeting I was hurrying to get to. I mean, how could I not go in? Just look at these enticing window displays promising both Elvgren dresses and Vivienne Westwood purses!

Walking through the door, I was transported to a collection of the stuff that Luxette dreams are made from. I didn't know where to look first, but a display of delicious shoes and adorable dresses beckoned for my attention. Every pair of shoes and every dress seemed to be specifically chosen for their unique and lovely qualities. Unlike in other boutiques, I didn't have to sift through mundane filler items to find something drool-worthy. Everything was adorable!

Once I tore myself away from the frocks and finery, I started to take in the rest of the store. I noticed the sitting area complete with fanciful fishtank and television in a gilded frame. What could be the purpose of such a decadent use of space? As it turns out, the shop hosts tea parties complete with tea, tasty treats, parlor games and Victorian hats! What could be more perfect in a place that feels just like its dollhouse namesake?

As I continued my starry-eyed perusing, one of the owners, the eponymous Veronica introduced herself. She was exactly the kind of adorable person I had hoped would be behind such an enchanting establishment. She informed me that the shop was the brainchild of both herself and her sister Andie. While Andie wasn't there on the day I paid my visit, I did get a shot of Veronica sitting in front of the "Andie's Candies" section of the store.

Aside from new goods, Veronica's Dollhouse boasts a fine collection of hand-selected vintage items housed in a corner of the store appropriately named "The Attic". There's everything from dresses you were coveting 5 years ago to frocks your grandmother was coveting 50 years ago. There's a nice selection of vintage jewelry as well. While such a collection may seem less impressive to people from other parts of the country, veteran shoppers of Miami can attest to the severe lack of decent vintage shopping in South Florida.

The sisters left no detail out when outfitting their boutique. Even the fitting room is dressed to the nines. The baroque mirrors and tasseled bench serve to help you believe that your life can be so lovely if you'll only just buy the luscious finery you're trying on.

Even the cash register area keeps with the all-encompassing dollhouse fantasy. Purchases are carefully wrapped up and placed in darling blue bags emblazoned with the ornate Veronica's Dollhouse logo.

All in all, Veronica's Dollhouse was beautiful and inspirational as well as being the perfect example of a Luxette shop. Samantha and I have been hard pressed to sum up Luxette in a simple way, but I feel like this shop wraps it all up into a nice little package. If you happen to be visiting the Miami area, this little gem is well worth the time out. I know I'll definitely be paying the dollhouse another visit on my next trip to The Sunshine State!

Enough from me! Go forth, and be fancy!

<3 Megan

~~~Veronica's Dollhouse Boutique Information~~~

You can follow the boutique on Facebook here.

website: http://veronicasdollhouse.bigcartel.com/

Address:

7221 sw 57th court

South Miami, Florida
33143

Hours:
Monday - Saturday 11am-7pm
Sundays - 12pm-6pm

Contact:
(305)662-2966
AVdollhouse@gmail.com

Style Icons

China's it girl Bingbing Fan is so gorgeous, cute and classy. She was recently featured on Kelly's Obsessions on Fashion Police and I fell in love.



Christina Ricci has always been an individual as far as her fashion sense goes. Whether dark art school student chic or classic starlet glamour, she always keeps us on our toes.




From Harry Potter to the Broadway stage, we've watched Daniel Radcliffe grow from a precocious bespectacled wizardling to an accomplished actor in the last 10 years. He has really become a dapper young gentleman and has kept his poise and manners all the way through. Plus he doesn't look bad in a suit :)



We were all worried about RDJ for awhile there in the 90s and then he disappeared for a time only to be reborn in one of the hottest franchises, Iron Man. He also breathed new life into the classic Sherlock Holmes. Even when he's not the Victorian detective, he still looks classic, well dressed and handsome.

Weekly Indulgences - Acid Trip

One problem with other fancy subcultures is both the fear of color and the fear of risk. Luxettes are not afraid of incorporating daring colors into their look. Below are some splurge items as well as some inspiration images!



This is actually the inspiration for this entry. An amazingly styled photo from Viona Art. This woman is a costumer who takes liberties with historical fashion that are exhilarating. When looking to other more OTT garments for inspiration for your look, take some key look points and incorporate them into your look. These include but are not limited to style lines, silhouette, fabric, color, texture.



Cake themed corsets by Maya Hansen. 'Nuff said.







To be a Luxette, you must care about your appearance. Not in a vain jerk way. In an, "I'm proud to be me," way. Make sure your hair is clean and styled, make sure your face is clean, and above all, look appropriate for the situation. You don't HAVE to wear makeup. You don't have to have overly styled hair. And on top of it, if your hair is colored, make sure it's freshly dyed. The Luxette is absolutely able to have crazy colored hair. Choose a color that looks good on you and is easy for you to maintain. If you're more fickle, a good choice for you might be wigs. A newish wig company, Cosplay Wigs USA also has the offshoots Rock Star Wigs and Lolita Wigs. They have a lot of great heat resistant wigs in fun colors and styles. Another good choice is Minty Mix. Very cute wigs!






Tarina Tarantino makes candy colored confections that catch everyone's eye. She makes items that carry over beautifully from workplace to cocktail hour, so if you buy one piece you can use it for many things. I personally have a black bracelet and I can wear it with most of the items in my closet.



Sugarpill Cosmetics are well known for their great customer service and absurdly bright makeup. If you want to make a statement, this is the way to go.






Lollia makes luxurious bath and body items. They come in amazing scent combos as well as bright colors to liven up your bathroom! They also offer pjs and fittings for your bedroom.













And last but not least, dressing your feet. Irregular Choice offers insanely beautiful shoes that shout risk-taker! They also offer choices in bags, clothing and accessories.

Thursday Style Icons

Adrian Brody is Luxeur for sure. He screams old Hollywood in his delectable suits and gorgeous voice (as we've heard it in the Stella Artois commercials. So classy! He's even been named in many best dressed lists! And we believe them.



Did you ever think Kelly Osbourne would get it together, clean up her potty mouth and be a polite fashionista? I know I didn't, but I'm glad I've been proven wrong. Now a host on Fashion Police, Kelly's cute dresses and shy blushing makes that show so much fun to watch! But our little alt girl still sticks up for the risk-takers on the red carpet, such as the Rihanna and Helena Bonham Carter, and for that we love her :) Also, look at those shoes!!!



Dita Von Teese can go from subtle to sex-pot in the blink of an eye. This vintage burlesque beauty has amazing taste in clothing, both on an off the stage. She balances the dark and the light, Gothic and old Hollywood, and looks like she must roll out of bed fully coiffed every morning. Gorgeous, feminine and strong, Dita is a Luxette we love.



Anna Tsuchiya, half Japanese, half Russian actress, model and singer is a gorgeous and talented girl who emanates punk rock fire. She played one of two lead actresses in Kamikaze Girls, a funny movie about a Lolita and a Yanki who reluctantly become best friends while mutually benefiting each other as well as sang the opening theme of the anime series NANA. She balances the look of model, rocker and starlet so convincingly and looks adorable while doing it. Sometimes she could be a little too rock and roll in her antics, but she has grown up much and has chilled out :)