I'm currently working on a post for my personal blog so for mini reviews and more exposition go to www.tulipnoireblog.wordpress.com on Friday!  I really thought that I should post this part here first because Pinup Girl Style has been a big part of helping me get to the point I'm at today. <3

Like many other die hard pug fans my first encounter with pug was when my body changed.  I literally put on 60 pounds in the course of a year, my senior year in college.  By the time I graduated I really couldn't fit in my clothes anymore, I would have panic attacks and cry because I didn't feel like I could look pretty when I was going out.  In a period of no confidence I took to the internet to find clothes and once I found a full time job I started to purchase some new pieces for my wardrobe.  I bought cheap clothes from places that had good return policies.  After trying and returning so many pieces I became really picky about what I was buying.  Circle skirts and dresses became my favorite items as they didn't pinch my belly fat and allowed me to further my love of the retro aesthetic.  After a couple of months building my wardrobe I discovered PUG. I immediately fell in love, not only did PUG cater to my ever growing love for vintage silhouettes they were clothes made by women for women, boasting an impressive range of sizes.  It took a little time before diving in and making a purchase.  The prices frightened me, I simply couldn't imagine paying over $100 for a dress or around $80 for a skirt.  I kept my eyes out for sales and joined their mailing list, finally when Black Friday came I made my first purchase.  I got two Doris Skirts one in black and the other a deep red.  I was so excited and nervous hoping I had made the right decision. When my package finally arrived I ripped it open to see my pretties, and nearly cried.  The waist looked impossibly small, holding it up to me I kept saying there is no way that this will fit.  Against my better judgment I tried the skirts on and they fit!  I literally jumped up and down they were beautiful, unlike anything else I've ever owned.  My Doris skirts became a wardrobe staple, I wore each at least twice a month, learning  that you get what you pay for.  However, my journey with PUG did not end there.  I still felt fat and unattractive, but I began building my wardrobe based around two facts - the vintage style I've always wanted was attainable and well made clothes are worth the higher price tag.  I made more purchases some from PUG some from other retro brands, but it wasn't until the PUG online yard sale that my self worth and perspective would inevitably change.  During the yard sale I purchased two items that I had avoided for the past two years; pants and a wiggle dress.  I had been under the impression that neither of these styles would work for me but once again I was wrong.  I fell in love with the cropped trouser immediately, but the thin silk wiggle dress took longer.  My poor Tamara dress sat in the closet for over a year, I even tried to sell it on eBay.  Until one fateful day, I was attending a burlesque production that I had assisted on and I wanted to wear something that I wouldn't wear everyday (I love getting completely dolled up for burlesque, it just feels right). So I picked up Tamara a waist cincher and vintage shaping panties and put myself together.  I was shocked, not only did I look gorgeous I looked thinner then in my swing skirts.  PUG literally changed my life that day, I started to gain my confidence back and even bought a couple more wiggles.

Without any further to do lets dive into the PUG in my closet.