Fashion is a Verb

Hanky Panky

Finding the right under garments can be such a challenge these days. With all of the different style tops and pants out there, it can be quite difficult to find under garments that give you the appropriate amount of coverage and comfort. One of the perks, of being a lifetime member to the itty bitty titty club, is that I can get away without wearing a bra – most of the time. However, whenever I find a great top that is sheer or has an open back, I am at a loss. Luckily, I have discovered a few brands that have made getting dressed so much easier!

shapers

These Breast Shapers are a game changer. Not only do they provide full coverage, but they actually give you some lift. On top of that, they are reusable up to 25 times. I love them. When it comes to a low back top or dress, these are perfect.

Free People bralettes are another favorite of mine. They come in a variety of great colors and they have so many fun designs. I actually haven’t worn a real bra in years because these bralettes are so stinkin’ comfortable!

If the Free People bralettes aren’t for you, then check out Hanky Panky. The one pictured above is my absolute favorite bralette. It is so unbelievably comfortable and the colors are great!

undies

I actually first discovered Hanky Panky underwear back in high school and was instantly hooked. I have just about every color they make in the boy short. The thong is one of their most popular styles, however, I am a huge fan of the boy cut. You can wear these under anything and you won’t see an underwear line. Not only will you love how comfy they are, but you will love the fact that you can wear the light colors under white pants and not worry about color showing through! I haven’t owned any other brand of underwear in years and I doubt I will ever find another brand that I love as much.

cami

As far as a camisole goes, Nordstrom’s has the best selection. The Nordstrom brand cami is my favorite because it is reversible from front to back and it is seamless. Most camisoles dig into your collar bone or are cut wrong so they keep riding up, but not these! This cami is perfectly cut and super comfortable. To top it off, they are well priced!

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I haven’t worn a real bra in years, but I have grown up watching my sister and mom struggle to find the perfect bra. I must say that Nordstrom’s has the absolute best selection of bras. I highly recommend going into your local Nordstrom and get properly fitted by one of their specialist. They will help you find exactly what you need and, as always, the customer service is excellent! One of my mom’s favorite brands is Wacoal, which she was introduced to by the Nordstrom’s lingerie specialist.

I hope this helps getting dressing a bit easier for y’all!

Beach Bag Essentials

Although the official start of Summer is still a month away, I’ve always considered Memorial Day weekend the start of Summer. So in preparation for the weekend ahead, I want to share my beach bag essentials! I always have my beach bag on standby so I can scurry on up to the beach at a moments notice and these are my must-haves for any beach day.

For as long as I can remember I have always used either a Billabong back pack or a Vineyard Vines tote as a beach bag. However, this year I am buying myself a woven tote because it is much easier to dump the sand out of than a bag with pockets. It is also way cuter! I have narrowed my choices down to the following three bags. The Kayu St Tropez tote (above) which comes in a handful of great colors.

sundry bag

This fun Sundry bag.

giselle

Or this Giselle tote. Each one is so cute but I have yet to make up my mind!

beach people

When it comes to beach towels, I am always trying to find a huge blanket style towel that actually will absorb water. The Beach People towels have been on my radar for a few years now and this guy is officially mine. They make a variety of great towels in tons of patterns and colors – which makes it hard to only buy one!

S&L

My other choice for a nice and big beach towel is Serena & Lily. The aqua color is perfectly beachy and the size is great for sharing!

bain

Now, being born and raised by the beach has given me years to test out all of the tanning lotions out there and there are only two that I use – and swear by. Bain de Soleil Orange Gelee has been an integral part of my tanning routine for years now and it is amazing. This stuff not only helps you tan it also seems to prevent me from burning. Of course, it only has SPF 4 in it, so if you have fair skin then I recommend using a much higher SPF.

maui

Maui Babe is my other favorite tanning lotion. This one literally smells like coffee beans, which I love! It does a great job of helping you achieve a dark tan. The only complaint I have is that the color gets all over your swimsuit when you apply it. The color washes out, but I would recommend the Bain de Soleil on the days that you are wearing a white swim suit!

nuetrogena

As much as I love a deep dark tan on my body, I never play around with my face and neck. My sister always makes fun of me because by the end of the Summer by body is ten shades darker than my face. However, I am trying to protect my face and prevent any sun damage – which could lead to premature aging. Neutrogena makes my favorite face sunscreen. I have been using this for several years and not only does it work well, it also doesn’t make my skin break out. I also use their Ultra Sheer Stick for my lips.

hat

To provide additional protection and to help keep the sun out of my eyes, I found this perfect cotton sun hat from JCrew. They have several great hat options – each for a great price! I particularly love this hat because it is soft and made from cotton which won’t make my head itch.

shades

One thing that you will never catch me on the beach without, is a pair of sunglasses. I typically like my Ray-Bans the best for the beach because they are polarized and sturdy. However, I also love a cute pair of shades that match my bikini, so sometimes fashion out weighs practicality.

The most important item in my beach bag will always be my water. I am honestly not a fan of the Swell water bottles because they don’t hold more than a bottle and a half of water. I drink a ton of water each day – especially when I am out in the sun. I recently discovered these awesome BKR water bottles which actually hold a liter of water. The little spiked guy is so cool, but, at the moment, the spiked collection only comes in the 500mL size. So for the time being I’ll stick to this pretty blue bottle and stay hydrated!

Two additional items that I keep in my beach bag at all times are It’s A 10 leave in conditioner and Off bug spray. The conditioner helps prevent my hair from turning into dreadlocks and of course, the bug spray always comes in handy when the wind suddenly switches and sends the bugs right at you!

I know this was a long post, but these are truly the essentials when it comes to packing a bag for the beach. Fingers crossed the weather is nice this Memorial Day weekend so I can grab my bag and head off to the beach!

Summer Denim

I cannot believe that Memorial Day is only a week away – which means it is time to bust out those white pants! I know white denim has been super on trend lately and it’s no longer considered a fashion faux pas to wear white during the colder months, however, for me, white pants are meant for Spring and Summer. Perhaps it’s because I have always associated white pants with warm, sunny days and a dark tan, but regardless of when you decide to wear white, these are the pants you’ll want in your wardrobe.

I have posted about these jeans a few times now – they really are that awesome. They fit like a glove, yet have so much stretch to them. I am a big fan of skinny jeans that truly are skinny from top to bottom and these Frame ‘Le Skinny’ jeans are perfection. Now the rips may not work for everyone, so if you prefer a milder version, than these JBrand jeans are another favorite of mine.

avedon

If you are looking for a classic pair of white skinny jeans, then look no further. These Citizens were the first pair of white jeans that I bought many years ago and I still love them. The quality is great and so is the fit. I actually have this exact pair in black as well! Being 5’9″, sometimes it is super difficult to buy a ‘crop’ or ‘ankle’ pant because they look like capris on me – however, these jeans are the perfect length which is probably why I love them so much!

These Hudson jeans are a new addition to my closet and I looove them. I would have never picked these out online, but when I saw them in person at South Moon Under I had to have them! They are so stinkin’ cool and unlike any other pants that I own. Hudson’s tend to stretch out a bit over time, so I recommend buying down a size.

shorts

One Teaspoon is most certainly my favorite brand for denim shorts. The cut is exactly what I have always wanted in a pair of shorts and the quality is excellent! I bought the ‘Bandits’ in the buoy wash a little while ago and fell in love. So, of course, now these white ones are going to join them!

Summer is officially creepin’ up on us, so check back tomorrow for my Beach Bag Essentials!

Gettin’ Graphic

I have always been a fan of feeling comfortable while looking chic and lately I’ve had this new found obsession with graphic tees. They are perfect for transitioning an outfit from day to night while still allowing you to feel nice and cozy. Below are a few of my favorite new tees and how I have been wearing them out and about!

The lighting in my photos doesn’t do this t-shirt justice, but it actually says “JEANS JEANS JEANS”. I mean how can you not wear this shirt with denim? It’s such a fun play on the classic t-shirt & jeans. My shorts are One Teaspoon and the sandals are from Madewell.

I am super obsessed with this tank top for two reasons. One – because I think that vintage band tees are so cool. Two – because the back of this top is open!

Now I know that everyone can’t get away with going bra-less, but I have recently discovered these Commando “covers” and they are life changing. I highly recommend them! Back to the outfit, my jeans are Blank NYC and the sandals are Madewell (same as above, but in black).

I have always loved the look of camo – perhaps, because I was raised on the Eastern Shore! This t-shirt is soooo soft and cozy, but really cool looking. It also comes in a few different color options. These jeans are also amazingly comfy and have a ton of stretch in them. I could have taken a nap in this outfit! My jeans are Frame and my sandals are Schutz.

Sadly, I don’t know much about the Rolling Stones nor the Grateful Dead, but I love these tees! I actually wore this outfit out to dinner last week for date night and got tons of compliments on my shirt. The back of this tee has all of the cities from the Stones tour, so it actually looks like a real vintage concert tee! It does run small though, so I recommend ordering up a size. My pants are Blank NYC, my shoes are Sam Edelman, and my sweater is Autumn Cashmere.

Thanks for reading!

Bikini Season – Part II

As I mentioned in my last post, there truly is no limit to the amount of bikinis you should have. With all of the amazing options out there, it’s impossible to choose just a few. So, I have a few more suits that I am adding to my list for this Summer!

Vitamin A has always been one of my favorite bikini brands. They have the best quality swimwear and some of the cutest beach coverups! This particular suit comes in a variety of colors but I am a major fan of this blue. My favorite part is the braiding detail on the straps – it adds that extra little something that makes this suit amazing!

I have mentioned my obsession with Andi Bagus in previous posts and how much I love all of their products. This top can be worn with the ties in the front which is super cute or it could be worn as an actual top – not just a bikini top. They offer a wide variety of bikini bottoms that you could pair with this top.

These bottoms are my favorite. Since the top is the statement piece, I want my bottoms to be subtle, and these are perfect. You can buy the top and bottoms in almost any color but this periwinkle is perfection!

Next up is this feminine suit from Marysia. I discovered this brand on Instagram about a month ago. They have a small collection of suits but each one is beautiful. This suit comes in white, pale pink, and black. Each color looks so amazing that I truly cannot decide which one I want the most!

mollyj

Another great Insta find was Molly J Swim. This top is perfect for girls like myself – lifetime members to the itty bitty titty club! I am not normally a fan of pink but this “dusty rose” color is so pretty and would look great with a tan.

Now all I need is for Summer to get here so I can break out all these great bikinis!!

Bikini Season – Part I

Every Spring, as the weather slowly gets warmer, I start to compile my Bikini wish list for the Summer. I feel the same way about bikinis as I do about shoes – you can never have too many. I am fortunate enough to live at the beach so, I spend all of my free time laying in the sun, working on my tan. However, I also feel like you need a solid bikini collection so that you aren’t re-wearing the same suit day after day. Not only because you want to keep them in good condition, but also because you wouldn’t wear the same outfit to work three days in a row!

I love this bikini from Indah. The top is so feminine and unique. I am also a big fan of a classic black bikini. The bottoms are a bit skimpy, but once you get some color on those cheeks, you’ll be fine!

Speaking of a classic, this white Kiini bikini would look amazing with a nice tan. I have wanted this bikini for a while now so, I will most certainly be buying it this Summer. The top and bottoms come in a variety of color options if you want something more fun!

This top from Frankie’s Bikinis is so cool. It will probably give me a horrible tan line, but it’s totally worth it. There are several different bottom options to choose from as well.

frankie 1

As far as color goes, I love the pale lavender color, but I am torn between that or this super cool tie-dye option.

I found this brand, Kai Lani, on Instagram back in the Fall and cannot wait to buy one of their bikinis for this Summer. I love this suit, but I am torn between the two colors. Any thoughts? I know I have several white bikinis on my list, but white just looks soooo good!

Beach Babe Swimwear is another one of my recent Instagram finds. I am obsessed with the color of this suit and the braiding details. The best part though is that it appears to be a great suit for swimming in the ocean. Since the top is nice and strapped in, you won’t have to worry about any nip-slips if a wave knocks you over!

Let me know which suits are your favorites! And don’t forget to check back later this week for the other half of my list!!

Best Products for Clear Skin

Ever since I hit puberty, I have struggled with my skin. It is super oil but also red and dry. I have tried almost every acne product on the market and NOTHING works. I finally met with a dermatologist back in high school and was put on prescription medicine for several years. However, now that puberty is over, so is my prescription medicine. So, I have been perfecting my non-prescription regime for the past three years and I my current routine seems to be juuust right.

wash

I have been using Kiehl’s forever and I love their products. This face wash is the best stuff I have ever used. They took it off the market for a few months last year to re-do the formula, and it was such a struggle to find a replacement. Once the new formula was released, I literally ran to the store to stock up! I wash my face every morning and night with this cleanser. I have one bottle in the shower and one bottle on my sink – it’s that great.

toner

After I wash my face, I apply this toner on my face and neck. If my skin is feeling dry, I cut back on the toner and only use it every other day or just at night. It works great on acne prone skin and it helps control the oil on your face.

These two products are amazing! I swear they have given me the best skin of my life. Since I started using them, I have received tons of compliments on my skin. I highly recommend using them together. Each time I run out of one, my skin definitely feels the effects. They are a bit pricey but I promise they are worth it. Sephora offers a set with both products in mini sizes so you can give them a try before breaking the bank. The Night Oil has retinol in it, which helps with acne and wrinkles. However, you can only use it at night and it works best if you let it sit for 10-15 minutes before applying the Good Genes lactic acid. I use the Good Genes twice a day and it both brightens and plumps up my skin. I’m telling you, these products work miracles on my skin.

oil

After I apply my Good Genes, I apply a small amount of Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Oil on my face, neck and the back of my hands. I have been using this stuff for years now and it really helps to keep my skin hydrated, especially during the Summer. This oil is only meant to be used at night time but Kiehl’s also offers a Daily Reviving Oil that works just as well. I personally stick to the night oil because I don’t want to look too oily during the day.

lotion

Last, I apply Kiehl’s Rosa Artica cream all over my face and neck. I only use this lotion at night time because I like to use a CC cream during the day. However, I have tested many night creams and this is my favorite. It smells great and is light weight. It also has anti-aging properties which will hopefully help to keep the wrinkles away!

While these products work well for me, this combination may not work for all skin types. Each product works amazingly so depending on what your skin needs are, they may work for you as well!