Fun Fact: Rock ‘n’ Roll High School is one of my all-time favourite movies!
I always liked the Ramones, but after watching that movie I really fell in love with them. This is my little ode to Riff Randell and the Ramones. If you’re looking for something to do on this holiday monday may I suggest kicking back and watching Rock n Roll High School!
Photos by If You Fall Photography
Hello lovely readers!
One of my favourite pinup clothing stores in Toronto, Rosie the Rebel, is having a retro pinup contest. I would really appreciate you votes!
To vote please click the photo below and ‘like’ it on their Facebook page.
xoxo Thank you all for your votes!
No matter if you are single in a relationship or just have a cat, someone out there loves you! Make Valentine’s Day about the people in your life that you love!
xoxo Dolly Monroe
Photo by If You Fall Photography
Fun Fact: Back in 2010 my sewing partner Laura and I both competed and made the top 10 Nationally in the Triumph Lingerie Competition!
The theme of the competition was “Shape” and I decided to put a retro spin on my look with the very pronounced shape of a Bullet Bra. I also made matching high-waist panties with attached garters and a billowy shear cape with velvet rose pattern. It was a really great experience being in this competition and we got to attend a lovely brunch/fashion show and see our creations come to life on models. I have been doing a lot of lingerie work recently and it’s nice to look back on one of my first creations with pride. There will be many more lingerie posts to come!
I was lucky enough to get to make two costumes this year for the Girlesque Expo in Toronto. One of these costumes was for the stunning and talented Gigi Vanilla. Gigi came to me with a beautiful vintage photo of a dancer and a pink colour scheme. From that I created a chiffon dirndl skirt, covered and decorated a bra top and made matching one-finger gloves and a g-string. I love the bits of pink lace on the bra and waistband, it adds beautiful texture to the outfit and the sparkle which was partly an applique and partly hand sewn gives it a real showgirl feel. Gigi did a wonderful job at the Girlesque Expo and really brought this costume to life. Check out the video at the bottom of this post!
This outfit was inspired by two things. Firstly this incredible fabric I found with the lovely embroidered scalloped edge along the bottom. I am absolutely obsessed with fabric that has a scalloped edge and I’m always in the hunt for it. I also love the fun blue plaid and thought it looked like the perfect fabric for a summer outfit. Secondly the design was very much influenced by the outfits worn by Dominique Swain in the Adrian Lyne adaptation of the novel Lolita. The matching belly top and skirt look is so adorable and speaks to an era where outfits were tailored to match. Enjoy a summery Dolly on this cold winter day!
Photos by If You Fall Photography
Can’t you picture me rocking this bathing suit? I would totally rock this bathing suit.
Has anyone ever ordered from www.monifc.com before?
You lipstick fiends look hungry for some new flavours!
After my last post about my favourite lipsticks I got so many awesome suggestions for longwear lipsticks to try, so I went to Sephora and picked up a couple. My friend Kate suggested I try the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in “001 Always Red” which I grabbed along with a new product Sephora has launched called Rouge Infusion Lip Stain, which I got in the shade “Cherry Nectar”.
Sephora Cream Lip Stain – Always Red
As I sit here with this lipstick on I am realizing how much nicer it is than the MAC equivalent! They are almost identical in colour and at $16 it definitely beats the $29 MAC product, though I think the MAC longwear is still the longest lasting of all the ones I’ve tried. Still, it is doing a great job of staying on while also being very light and comfortable to wear. The MAC lipstick is really dry if you don’t use the top coat, but this lipstick has more moisture and I can hardly even feel it on my lips. This will probably be my new go-to for an everyday, classic red! Thanks Kate for your wonderful suggestion!!
Sephora Rouge Infusion Lip Stain – Cherry Nectar
Guys… I can’t believe I’m saying this but, this is my new favourite lipstick. Not only is it a luscious deep, sexy, purpley red, it also lasts really well (passing the makeout test). It goes on wet and stays really moist on your lips. At first I was concerned that it wasn’t drying but when I pressed my lips to my hand there was no transfer. It almost feels like a lip balm but stays like a longwear. Excellent product, I’m very impressed with it and will definitely be going back to get a few more colours.
As a designer and seamstress I am lucky enough to have many beautiful burlesque performer clients. Last summer I was contacted by Laura Desiree, the Big City Kitty, and we began working together on some lovely pieces for her acts. The first outfit I created for Laura was a tight fitting, ivory gown with a plunging sweetheart neckline, leg-revealing slit completely decked out in swarovski crystals. To go with her gown I also made matching garter belt and g-string and sparkled-up a pair of gloves. I absolutely love the way this dress hugs Laura’s curves. She is a total old hollywood vamp in this outfit!
Top 3 photos from Photolena
Yesterday my lovely friend Brittany and I went to the Windsor Arms for their high tea. It was a beautiful venue filled with sparkling chandeliers, tufted couches and delicate tea settings at each table. We had such a lovely time sampling scones and treats and we got to pick a tea from their extensive selection. Of course, being ladies of style, we got all dolled up for the occasion. Brittany wore a lovely corset from Victoria Wilson (that I got her for Christmas!) and a black velvet, mermaid skirt. I wore a black dress with lace that I made, a Victoria Wilson waist cincher and a beautiful fascinator given to me by my best friend Laura. I think we were appropriately dressed for such a fancy tea date!
CLASSICALLY CURVY 