What A Palava! (Beatrice Dress)

 Aloha, darlings! Originally Poppy then Bryony&co and now very appropriately Palava.. They really have been through the works when it comes to branding! However, that has not deterred them from being the wonderfully amazing business that they are today. From their unique prints to classic shapes - they really get it spot on. My dress came beautifully packaged in an illustrated paper bag which I thought was a thoughtful nostalgic touch. Every dress also comes with it's very own story book that I absolutely adored. They have paid attention to all the fine details that truly make the Palava experience a wonderfully unique one.

Suede & Sun Jellies with Georgia May

Aloha, lovelies! I hope you're all well. Today's post marks the first of many in a series as I will be joining forces with my close friend, sassy singer and blogger Georgia Harrup. We started our friendship a while ago through my facebook support group, Retro Mummies & Pregnant Pinups, where we hit it off from the get-go. Georgia kindly invited me to be an extra in her band's (The Northernettes) music video where we met for the first time. Since then myself and Miss Harrup have spoken pretty much every single day via many many many many voice notes ranting, raving and generally rambling.

We decided that we would make a great blogging duo a little while ago and have been eager to put our heads together and work on something fabulous ever since. We are both mummies to little girls who are a couple of months apart so we are both very familiar with striking up the perfect balance between being practical and looking sassy. We are firm believers in not sacrificing your style just because you're a mother. We both love vintage style, especially the 60's. Though we have many similarities we have our differences too which is why we thought it would be great to start this series. I am tall with long legs whereas Georgia is busty and petite. We both love similar things but we style them differently.

Bad Girl Style with Vivien Of Holloway

Aloha, peaches! Vivien Of Holloway is one of the most well-known vintage reproduction brands in the UK (and worldwide for that matter!) and they are one of my favourite brands. They get it spot on from the styles to the fit to the patterns. They have something for everyone whether that be a floral number, a novelty print or a single-coloured staple. One of my all time most loved dresses I own is their Lana dress which I reviewed here which is a 1940's autumnal dream.

I was kindly sent some styles by Vivien of Holloway which I was extremely excited to try out. I was sent the Pedal Pushers, the Raglan shirt and the HalterNeck Top. I knew instantly that the Pedal Pushers and the Halterneck top were destined to be paired together as I'm pretty sure they are the same material so they look like a badass jumpsuit. So sassy it hurts! I feel like these three items of clothing are essential for every retro gal's wardrobe as staple pieces. They can all be dressed up or down easily and the Raglan Shirt (which will be featured on my blog very soon!) is the perfect white shirt for any occasion.

My September Wishlist 2016

Aloha, peaches! So, if you know me you know that I am a total autumnal gal. I absolutely love it! Last year I did a whole post dedicated to why I love Autumn which you can view here<. It is to date one of my most favourite blog posts because it just sums up this season for me. Nothing beats wrapping up all cozy walking over fallen crunchy leaves whilst sipping a hazelnut hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte. If that doesn't give you warm fuzzy feelings then I don't know what will! With the new season comes new releases (and some older pieces!) from your favourite brands. Bring on the jewel-tones, faux fur and coats! My fave! Here is a list of all the things I am lusting after this month...

Dusty Jacket

Bright & Beautiful via Collectif

£54

I actually have the matching lace up skirt to this so naturally I need the complete set, amiright?

My Top Sassy Smart Suits (ft. Dolly & Dotty)

Aloha, lovelies! Apologies for the lack of blog posts recently. I went to visit my family, then got the flu (thanks Mum!) then got food poisoning so luck has not been on my side! I have just started to feel human again so I am back for some more regular posting. If you want to stay up to date with me and my goings on feel free to follow me on my instagram which is @amberrosetheron as I post there a lot. I have also been busy writing some articles for Vintage Life Magazine which is super exciting. I don't think I announced it on here but I am one of Vintage Life mag's new regular columnists so I will be published in there on a monthly basis which makes me all giddy with excitement! Wheeeeeee!

Anyway, on with today's blog post! I was recently asked by a friend if I knew of any nice suits that she could wear to work that had a retro vibe to them so she still felt herself whilst also looking professional. So, I thought it would make sense to list them all for you here as they can be tricky to find in the retro market. I was very kindly sent a gorgeous skirt suit by Dolly & Dotty who are an affordable UK-based brand who I love which I will also show you on here at the end of the post as I am absolutely in love with it. I am also wearing my gorgeous favourite black heels by Hotter shoes. The most comfortable heels I have ever worn!

The Secret Sadie 3 in 1 Bag by Glamour Bunny Review

Aloha! As a mumma to a young baby I find that I never get a chance to carry a nice handbag myself because I usually just chuck everything in the baby changing bag. So, when a beautiful pink Glamour Bunny box arrived on my door step with one of their amazing 3 in 1 handbags I was over the moon to get some new sassy anti-mum arm-candy. Now, I know what you're thinking - woah woah woah, did she say 3 IN 1 HANDBAG!? Yes, indeed I did. It is basically witchcraft (and some very amazing savvy design work).

Glamour Bunny is one of my favourite brands. It a UK based vintage-inspired clothing & accessory company. They make the ultimate bombshell dresses with genius design and shapes to flatter any body type. The quality is just superb and customer service is amazing which is something that is really important to me.

OOTD: Safari Sass (ft. Hell Bunny)

 
Aloha lovelies! We have been having some absolutely gorgeous weather here in the UK recently so I have been trawling my wardrobe for all of my crop tops and shorts to make the most of this boiling hot (by UK standards!) sunshine! If you have been following me on social media for a while you will know that I am a massive fan of matching two pieces. I just think they are so versatile and can be mixed up and changed whenever you want something a little different. When Hell Bunny first released their SS16 collection I was so impressed by the variety of new unique prints. The one that stood out to me the most was definitely the Safari print. I had never seen anything like it before which can be a rarity in the reproduction market. It is the perfect balance between novelty and chic. The print feels a lot more authentic than a lot of other 'different' prints I have seen before as they have kept the colour scheme pretty neutral and almost 'understated' which I love.

Somewhere beyond the sea... (ft. ForLunaSwimwear) + GIVEAWAY

Aloha, lovelies! Since having my baby back in January I haven't had the guts to sport a swimming costume or bikini. Having a baby changes your body undoubtedly so I am still getting use to my extra curves and my new shape. I had no idea about what swimwear would suit me and spent ages trying to find something that I knew would flatter me. I had always loved the vintage-style swimming costumes as they just looked so beautiful, feminine and were also quite modest but I could only ever find them in America much to my disappointment... Until I came across ForLuna. ForLuna stocks the infamous Esther Williams swimsuits and bikinis here in the UK in a massive range of colours and prints. There really is something for everyone. However, it was love at first sight when I saw the Emerald Green Jewel Swimsuit. It is a colour that I haven't really ever seen on a swimsuit before and it is one of my favourite shades. A lush alternative to the standard black's and navy's. This is one of those colours that flatters everyone no matter what your skin tone which makes me love it even more.

My Curly Girl Method Experience - Natural Hair Journey

Aloha, lovelies! As some of you may have seen from my recent posts on my social media I have been embarking on a new journey - My Natural Hair Journey. My hair is something that I have always had a love/hate relationship with. I loved the fact that it was curly and 'different' and never wished it was straight HOWEVER I always blow-dried it straight and put hot rollers in to smooth out my natural mane (which kinda seems hypocritical, right?). I guess after a while I kinda forgot what natural curls were like and I certainly didn't know how to look after them correctly. I love BIG hair and I'm not afraid of frizz, so why on earth was I hiding my own curls?! I guess I just wasn't use to seeing women embracing their hair, especially in the vintage scene. I can count on one hand the amount of ladies in the retro scene who I know who rock their natural hair and that upsets me a little because every time I post a picture of my hair in all it's glory I always get lots of comments saying 'Your hair is just like mine!' or 'Wish I could rock my natural curls'.

Turbans & Trousers (ft. Voodoo Vixen)

 

Aloha, honeys! I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the sunshine (if you're getting any!)! Today's post is about stepping out of my comfort zone... I have mentioned in previous posts that I feel my legs are my best feature so naturally the thought of wearing anything baggy that covers them sends shudders down my spine! I have always opted for a tight fitted leg as I just feel that's what suited my figure best however I do love the look of palazzo extreme-wide-leg trousers. I just feel they give off SUCH chic vibes and are just the epitome of class. I decided to break free from my usual-skinny-leg-chains and tried something that I usually run away from when I fell in love with the Nicola trousers from Voodoo Vixen (Use code ATOMIC20 for 20% off!). I loved how floaty they looked and the print was the perfect balance to make them look a little more interesting.

When they arrived I was NOT disappointed - they are even better in real life. As a mumma to a 7 month old, comfort is key and the Nicola trousers have an ELASTICATED WAIST. My prayers have been answered! A stretchy waist that is less OAP and more sassy s-ass-ee (I was tryna rhyme, cut me some slack :'D). They are really flattering because of the waist feature too as they nip you in the perfect amount and the flowing material on the leg hangs beautifully.

OOTD - Naturally Nautical (featuring Rockabilly Pinup)

Aloha! So when I started my blogging journey OOTD (Outfit Of The Day) posts were a regular feature here on www.atomicamber.com and I want to bring them back! I love seeing how people style certain pieces and I love drawing inspiration from them too. It's easy to get in a fashion-rut with your clothing so having a search and looking at how other people have paired their outfits can really help you work out how to bring a new lease of life to your existing wardrobe with new colour and pattern pairings and different accessories.

I live in Sussex by the seaside so naturally nautical outfits are my favourite especially when I have the perfect setting to photograph them! Beach huts, fish & chips and pebbles are all part of my local scenery and I LOVE it. I grew up near London and it was always my dream to live by the seaside.

Summertime with Emily & Fin (Isobel Dress Review)

Aloha, lovelies! I finally think we are *almost* in summer here in England! Although looking outside now it is rather grey and miserable! Typical! However, we have had the odd beautiful warm day recently. As soon as the sun comes out all I want to do is put on my shades, pop on a perfect summer frock and go for a picnic! So that's what I did...

Emily & Fin are a London-based brand that have now spread onto the international market. They create timeless dresses in beautifully unique prints. There is a shape to suit everyone. I chose the Isobel dress to feature here on my blog as I just fell head over heels for the scooped back. It is incredibly flattering and feminine and it has POCKETS! A must for every practical gal!

The Casual Pinup: How To Dress Retro Everyday!

Aloha, lovelies! Today's post is going to be one that I feel very passionately towards! I LOOOOVE casual dressing... I actually prefer it to wearing a dress. I would much rather wear jeans and a top over a dress & petticoat. Thing is... I am a women of comfort. I just love to relax and not worry about what I am wearing - whether my bra strap is showing, or itchy petticoats or my dress is tucked into my knickers. Some may call it lazy... I call it 'practical'. I've always preferred 'everyday' clothing but especially so since become a Mamma. I'm not gunna try and carry my baby, car seat, nappy change bag and shopping at the same time whilst wearing a big ol' flouncy dress. Obviously, I do sometimes like to pop on a frock and I have particular dresses that are perfect for casual wear so here is my post to help you with dress practically whilst also keeping your retro vibes!

Matilda & Me: My Top Baby Teething Recommendations! ft. COMOTOMO

 
Aloha, lovelies! Something a little different today. The first in a series of baby-related posts that I will be doing here on my blog. As you may or may not know, I am a mummy to a 5 month old Matilda-Mae who blessed my life 5th January 16. Being a mother is the best thing in the world and I have learned SO much since beginning this crazy-rewarding-tiring journey called motherhood. One thing that quickly became apparent to me, long before I actually got the meet my baby, was that support from fellow mums/mums to be is one of the most important special things you can have during this crazy life-changing period. Nothing can prepare for it so having other people in the same boat is a massive help. It certainly makes you feel less alone during those middle-of-the-night feeds. When I was pregnant I started a facebook support group for mums/mums to be who liked retro-style and it blossomed into the most wonderful supportive friendly community of beautiful like-minded women all going through the same/similar things. The group is called 'Retro Mummies & Pregnant Pinups' and for anyone interested here is the link - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1496059897361717/

Anyway, back to the actual reason for this post! Matilda-Mae started teething early and has been teething for over 2 months. She has only now just cut her first tooth with the second one attempting to make its way through now (boo!). As most Mumma's will know... Teething is HELL. I can't lie it is bloody terrible. So I've got my list of must-haves for this testing time that will hopefully help you get through the screaming-rosy-cheeked-dribbly phase of teething.

Button Back Door Dress Review by Love Ur Look | Atomic Amber

Aloha, peaches! We have finally had some beaaaautiful weather here in England and of course living here in East Sussex by the seaside it means only one thing when we get sunshine - TIME TO HIT THE BEACH! And that is what I did and I did it in style! I wore my gorgeous new dress that was kindly sent to me by Love Ur Look. We have been planning on working together since last year just as I got pregnant so it got held off but hey, good things come to those who wait! Good things in the form of the 'Button Back Door Dress'.

1940s Lana Dress by Vivien Of Holloway

Aloha, you gorgeous bunch! A lot of awesome things have been happening at Atomic Amber HQ and I have a feeling this year is going to be an amazing one! (It already has been with the birth of my daughter and all!).  I was lucky enough to be sent the gorgeous Lana dress by Vivien Of Holloway. The Lana dress is a *stunning* 1940's style day dress with features to make any vintage-loving woman swoon. I'm not usually a 1940's gal, as you may know, but after feeling sensational whilst wearing my Glamour Bunny 1940's Maggie dress I know I had to have more forties in my life! I just felt so elegant and ladylike as soon as I put the Lana dress on.

I was advised that the Lana dress sized large so I was sent two sizes - size 10 and size 12 however Vivien of Holloway do vintage sizing so be sure to check their size chart. I could never have dreamed of fitting into the smaller size so naturally I tried on the bigger size first... It fit nicely with breathing space. I thought I would only regret it if I didn't at least try to squeeze the smaller size... Well I did... and it FIT! Very snug admittedly, but I loved the silhouette it gave me. It nipped in my waist and skimmed over my curves beautifully. After much deliberation, I decided to keep the smaller size. I like a well fitted dress - I feel it makes you stand up straight and gives great posture. So, if you're going to give the Lana a go then I would definitely suggest sizing down if you want to be nipped in at the waist!

My Current Wishlist - April 2016

Aloha, lovelies! I have found myself lusting after a few higher priced items recently so thought it was overdue I posted my current wish list! Perhaps one day if I win the lotto, I can reference this post and buy EVERYTHING!

 

Tara Starlet 

The Loveheart Coat

£135 

Step Into Spring With Doll Me Up!

 Aloha, spring chickens! I just cannot believe it's APRIL already!? It's scary how quickly this year is going already... Even scarier when you have a baby who doesn't stop changing and growing every day! However, the great thing about the year going quickly is that the weather just keeps getting better and better! It's been so lovely to dust off all of the pastels and florals ready for the sunshine.

One of my favourite things about Spring is the new blossoming flowers. There is something about the bright colours of the florals that wash over your local parks and gardens that brings me instant happiness. When I was younger, I went through a phase of wanting to be a florist so I have always had a penchant for pretty blossoms. It's lovely and refreshing to see the once dead-from-the-winter trees and grass come to live again for a new season.

My Style Change: 60's girl in a 50's world

Aloha, sweeties! So, as some of you may have noticed the last couple of months my style has definitely had quite an obvious change. I discovered my love for 60's style back in November when I tried it out during my pregnancy with the Bright & Beautiful Tessa Babydoll Dress (blog post about it here!). I fell in love. I just loved the comfort and relaxed feel of it all - there is definitely another level of 'fun' with the 60's that I just didn't quite feel with the 50's. Maybe it's the freedom of wearing something short? I don't know. Just a disclaimer by the way - I do still love 50's pinup style, I still admire the aesthetic and think it does look amazing... All of my opinions are just based on my personal experience. I have dressed in a pinup/50's/40's style for three years and I just felt a bit 'stale'... A little bit 'been there done that' (aside from all the other things that I'll explain in my post), if you know what I mean?


So, back to how sixties makes me feel... You know, aside from super comfortable... I think especially since giving birth my body just isn't what it was and I'm totally okay with that. It's not far off and I know I am very lucky to have shrunk back to my old size (you clever uterus, you!) but I just don't feel as curvy and hourglass as I would like to if I was to wear my old 50's style. Now, don't get me wrong, I am by no means saying you have to be perfectly hourglass to dress in that way - I just feel like, for me personally, I knew I would feel better in a different style of clothing that I feel suits my body shape better.

OOTD: Sweet like chocolate... ft. Vendula London

Aloha, honeys! Even before I got into the whole retro thing... I was a sucker for anything kitsch so when Vendula London contacted me to see if I would like to feature one of their bags on my blog I was delighted. I had admittedly never heard of the brand before but I had definitely seen their iconic bags in various independent shops and because they are so recognizable it was easy to tell they were  by Vendula London. Upon browsing their site, my heart instantly longed for one of their infamous 'Grab Bags'. They are bags that look like various buildings from a pub to a sushi bar to a tea room to a florist to a perfumers - there is really something for everyone. I chose the Chocolatiers bag because... well, you know... chocolate. Also the fact that it is a gorgeous pink which is my favourite colour. Now what's not to love about a bag that combines my two favourite things?! 

When it came to styling this bag, I *instantly* knew what to pair it with. Hmmm... What could go with a pink bag that also goes with the chocolate theme... My Pinup Girl Clothing Harlequin Jenny Skirt in Chocolate Brown and Red (with lots of pink too!) of course! I decided to finish this kick-ass outfit off with a pink cropped fluffy jumper that I got a couple of years ago from good ol' Primark. I love this outfit and think the gorgeous bag ties everything together beautifully. I also kept with my as-always 60's vibes with a half-up-half-down beehive and my awesome Luxulite pink hoops.

The bag itself is superb quality. I was actually pleasantly surprised as sometimes more kitsch themed clothes/bags can be slightly lesser quality than say a plain black leather bag. It came packaged in a logo'ed dust bag which again was a really nice touch. As well as the standard short handles, it also comes with an additional long shoulder strap with is essential for me as I always prefer a longer strap so I can be hands free.

The Chocolatiers Grab Bag is surprisingly roomy and practical which is something I always look for. I can't be using those teeny-weeny-can-only-fit-lipstick-in clutch bags. The more crap I can fit in it the better :'D, especially as I'm a mum now (excuse for more crap!).

Outfit Details

Earrings - Luxulite

Fluffy jumper - Primark

Jenny Skirt - Pinup Girl Clothing (sold out)

Chocolatiers Grab Bag - Vendula London

 

 The little white hanging sign on the bag is actually 3d... It swings on the chains! Amaze!

 The longer shoulder strap

Thanks for reading my post and do give Vendula London a peek as they have some seriously gorgeous bags & purses. They would make the perfect gift, especially for Mothers Day!

All my love,