Pretties

To counter balance yesterday's completely mom-centric post, I'm sharing some lovely new lovelies I picked up recently. Is there anything more fabulous than new bras and panties? Matching bras and panties at that, that scream honey sexpot and not messy-haired frazzled m-o-m?

 

I think not.

Essential Bras Every Girl Should Own

You know what day it is? ThrowBack Thursday! So I'm sharing a picture of my bra drawer, taken last year. None of these lovelies fit me today. Sad, but totally worth it.

And do you know what I got to do this week? WEAR A BRA. For the first time since getting my boob job 3+ weeks ago, I got clearance to wear a bra. An only-cotton no-underwire bra, but a bra nonetheless.  This is something I never thought I'd be excited about, but seriously, not wearing one at work - my corporate banking job - is probably one of the most awkward things I've encountered in my life. 

Buying an only-cotton no-underwire bra was a bit tougher than I anticipated because almost every bra out there contains some element of padding and/or lift; I finally tracked one down in the training bra section. Kidding! But it totes reminds me of my first training bra (that 13yo Ami begged her mom to buy her- out of desire, not need), only you know, much much bigger. 34C bigger! ::cue happy dancing::

Shopping for this bra did get me completely excited for when I can wear any old bra I want and how fun it'll be restocking my undergarment drawer.  In honor of this momentous occasion, I've compiled a list of essential bras every girl should own.

A few comfortable everyday bras are must haves. Look for smooth silhouette ones that can be worn under cotton t-shirts and pretty lace ones for pairing with work blouses. Necessary in black & nude.

Steal: Maidenform One Fabulous Fit T-Shirt Bra $34 

Splurge: Agent Provocateur Love Bra $190

Add a little vah-vah-voom to date night. Perfect for when you want to feel sexy.

Steal: Frederick's of Hollywood Hollywood Flirt Push Up Bra $36.50

Splurge: Kiki De Montparnasse Lace Insert Silk Bra $350  

Something silky and lovely to make you feel flirty and feminine.

Steal: Jezebel Indulge Woven Satin with Lace Bra $34

Splurge: Stella McCartney Fushsia Cherie Contour Bra $150  

We all agree that leopard is a neutral, so a gorgeous leopard bra is a staple and deserves a category all its own. 

Steal: Victoria’s Secret Dream Angels Perfect Coverage Bra $55

Splurge: Dolce & Gabbana Leopard Balconette Bra $200

Perfect under strapless maxi dresses, summer tanks, and formal wear.

Steal: Lilyette Defining Moments Strapless Bra $36 

Splurge: Simone Perele Celeste Strapless Bra $89

Yoga, running, spinning, weight training- whatever activity you partake in, you gotta keep the tatas secure.  Look for something bright and fun for some extra workout motivation.

Steal: C9 by Champion Sports Bra $14.99

Splurge: Lululemon Free to Be Sports Bra $42

What do you think? Are there any I missed?

Linking up:

My Top Five Spring MAC Lipsticks

It has rained here for an entire week. I'm over it. Luckily today, I woke up to sunshine and blue skies, which has got to mean spring has finally arrived, right? (Please say yes.) I made a personal resolution to wear more lipstick this season, probably because I worn it exactly three times this whole winter. Boo. I compiled a list of my favorite shades and paired them with some great lipstick-wearing occasions. I stuck with MAC lipsticks because it's my favorite lipstick brand. I love all the colors (I own over a dozen) and they smell so damn good and the formula is great.  All that for only $14.

Champagne Nails

Oh my lawd you guys, I am just getting over the second worst sickness I've ever had in my life. IN.MY.LIFE. The first was the flu I got back in January of this year, the one that caused me to miss celebrating the new year and caused me to miss celebrating my birthday and pretty much made me miserable and wanting to die and then for shits and giggles turned into bronchitis. Apparently this sickness was that sickness's little brother which brought a small scale flu and more bronchitis. Good times, good times.

Luckily I had just painted my nails fun and festively. Because really, if you're going to get sick and look gross and feel worse, you should at least have pretty nails. In fact, your nail beds are probably going to be the only parts of you that aren't screaming out in pain and exhaustion so why not baby them?

And this is the simplest polish tutorial ever: throw on a couple coats of a pretty champagne shade, let dry, then layer a coat or two of a sparkly glitter. Seriously, it's so easy you could probably do it while you're sick.

And if your mind is otherwise occupied with sweet fogs of NyQuil, or perhaps even floating away somewhere on a champagne-induced fluffy cloud, to which I say LUCKY YOU, here are some fabulous champagne-inspired hues to add to your polish collection.

33 days...

It's never too early to start thinking about one's St Patrick's Day outfits.

Monochromatic Valentine Nails

Here is an easy nail style perfect for Valentine's Day.

I used Lovie Dovie (a lovely pale pink), Watermelon (a juicy pink), and A Cut Above (a pink glitter), all by Essie.

On tin foil, I added white drops to each color to get a paler version of that shade, then painted each of my finger nails a different color. For my thumb, I added glitter over Watermelon.  Easy and fun.

OOTD(s)

Polkadots & pops of red.

Flower power.

Date night.

At Home Spa Treatments

Started my period and my family is gone for the day (pretty sure these two things are related; sorry family) so I'm taking everything I learned during my six month stint in cosmotogoly school to do some at-home beautifying.

Got olive oil & honey on my head and olive oil, honey, & egg yolk on my face.  Perfect, easy, chemical-free hair & skin treatments.

Found this online and I will be utilizing the bath mixture tonight.

In the meantime I'm about to drink a bottle of wine and wait for my mood to improve.

Princess Dresses and Sparkly Shoes

Oh we're going to Blockbuster and Dairy Queen? Clearly this calls for sparkly shoes & a fancy dress. She even dipped a comb in her glass of water to get that sweet hairdo.

And you know what? She's exactly right-

one should never underestimate the power of the perfect shoes & outfit.

♥ ♥ ♥

Let's Do This,Tuesday

New Hurr

I got my hair cut off a couple weeks ago. It was time. I haven't had it cut (besides the occassional trim) in years.  It was to the middle of my back. 

I've made the appointment to cut it about 13 times and each time I've cancelled.  I don't know why I was so hesitant- I've never been one to resist changing my hair.  Plus I like having short hair.

So I made the appointment and stuck with it. It's just hair. It'll always grow back.

And I love it.  I can still do it. I can still throw it in a pony. But it's short enough to keep a tease and a curl for longer than only an hour or two (something I was rarely able to achieve with my longer hair).  I only wash my hair twice a week anyway, but it's still cut my styling time in half.  Awesome all around.

Monday: washed & curled

Tuesday: side braid & side bun

Wednesday: twisted up with spinpins & clipped with a silk flower

Thursday: washed & flatironed straight

Friday: smoothed with a headband