A long time ago in a land far, far away called Michigan, a certain gentleman looked at me while I was in minimal clothing and uttered the words, "good god, woman." If you've never had that happen, make sure you put yourself in that position, sooner rather than later. It sounds horrible when it's not you, but I can assure you when you provoke a reaction like that, you feel like a natural woman, indeed.
Not only do I want that for you, I'm going to actively facilitate it by showing you this incredible swimsuit that is not only mind-blowingly sexy, but also very affordable. It's a tiny but over my cap, but once again, I am making an exception for an item that's totally worth the extra 5 bucks.
Today's item comes to us from Target's Mossimo collection. I'm not usually a fan of the knits, especially when it comes to swimwear, but the 70's feel of the design suits the knit and the color pattern really well. The waist cutouts are sexy but not over the top--an important part of the overall allure. Also, the top features a good amount of structure and coverage, which is also very important both when choosing swimwear and considering balance. Rule of thumb in clothing and most everything else: if you're going to show a lot of one thing, dial the rest back or you risk laying all of your cards on the table way too soon. One of the first rules of playing a good game of Euchre or Spades is to keep a trump card until the end where you can lay it down and really shake some trees. This is no different, friends. [Editor's note: I know this contradicts the story I began this post with a bit, but in my defense, I was technically clothed and 22 at the time of said occurrence. Hell, I'd do it all over again, who am I kidding?]
Life Lessons aside, this suit does a great job of choosing one thing to highlight and keeping the rest of it fairly modest. There is one thing I would like to stress at this point: this suit is not for everyone. This suit is a gift to my ladies who have what I like to call the "opposite build". This means that, much like me, you have some up top but not a whole bunch, a flat stomach, and ass for days. A suit like this is meant for women like us. There are plenty of suits to show off a nice chest, but it's rare when we get to shine the way we should. Waist, hips and ass is what this suit is all about. Flaunt it, my opposite sisters, for this is your day. Make me proud.
Mossimo® Black: Missoni Monokini - Multicolor, $34.99 at Target stores or Target.com
Buckets of eager, but not overly earnest love, Kase
So if you're looking for gift ideas, I'm going to make it easy for you. Go to Kohl's or kohls.com and pick this dress up for me in a Medium.
Now that that's out of the way, I can share with the rest of you this lovely dress that I actually found on Kohl's a bit ago, but have been waiting for the price to drop. Well, the day has come, y'all. I checked today and it now fits under my price cap. I couldn't be more thrilled.
This lovely piece is from the ELLE collection at Kohl's, which is in my opinion, right up there with Isaac Mizrahi for Target. Fashionable, affordable, and even fairly well constructed garments for the price. Get them while you can and especially before everyone else finds out about it. You probably can't make an entire wardrobe from it, but you can find some really great stand-out pieces to work into your existing closet.
This dress is made from a polyester blend, which means it's fairly thin and has a LOT of movement. Perfect for spring/summer days when we don't need anything sticking to us. The waist is high and a little empire without being over the top and making it look like maternity wear. Also, what you cannot see in this photo is that there is a DARLING bow in the back of the dress at the waist. Movement, striking color, universally flattering...what else do you need? You need it to be under 30 bucks, you say? Well, it's done that too. So stop your demands and buy it already.
Elle Bold Floral Dress, $29.99 at Kohl's or kohls.com
Lots of Summer-breeze infused love, kasey
In keeping with the posts of late and featuring wild print patterns and color palettes, today I stumbled across these gems on one of my favorite sites.
Etsy (etsy.com) is a really, really great place to buy stuff. All items are handmade, so not only are you supporting an artist, you don't have to feel bad that the trendy item you just got has been made with the sweat off some small child's brow. Transactions are really simple, and I have always had success with the items I have purchased. Plus, it's a really great way to work some truly unique pieces into your repertoire.
I found this shop today - Kaylah 7, from Cleveland, OH. You know I heart the Cleve, so of course I looked a little deeper to see what she had cooking. And wow! Love the pattern choices, the craftsmanship is good, and the prices are right.
I've chosen 2 bags to feature. They are both small and would work really well as a coin purse/clutch or a makeup bag, depending how much makeup you have. The mushroom print is completely adorable and the camera print is just a solid color way with a great choice of print. If you bought BOTH of these bags, you would still come in under 20 bucks. So I shall give you the link and set you loose.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5022897
Blue Camera Zipper Pouch, $8.00 Mole and Mushroom Zipper Pouch, $7.25, at site listed above.
Lots of bright, repeating love, kase
Have you missed me? I have missed you terribly. The fog has lifted, the storm has abated and I am once again free to find you pretty clothes. YAY!
I write this as I anxiously await the "Rock of Love" reunion show where a preview clip shows Heather finally beating Daisy's ass for putting her melted-candle finger in people's faces one too many times. Long Overdue, Heather, long overdue. We midwestern girls are very nice, but can only be pushed so far, and are NOT afraid of a good old fashioned throw-down. If you remember nothing else from this blog, keep that piece of advice in your pocket.
Forging ahead - I found this bikini a few weeks ago and have been waiting for the price to drop so it can fit under my $30 cap. I'm pretty sure it's hit rock bottom, and the two pieces total $40, but screw it - I love the print, you're not obligated to buy it, and I run this blog. A suit this cute deserves to break a rule or two and I hope you'll agree.
I found this at Jcrew.com and after scouring the local store, I'm fairly sure it's only available online. Have I already said that I'm in love with the print? The color palette is right up my alley AND it gets extra points for reminding me of a couch we had when I was little crossed with my laptop case. If I hadn't already bought a Jcrew swimsuit a few weeks ago, I would snap this up. Hopefully one of y'all will.
The top will fit small, medium and large chests, and is fairly universally flattering. It has a bit of padding, which should keep everything in its right place. The bottom is so cute I can't stand it as well, and is also cleverly cut high on the leg. One piece of advice - order a size up in the bottom as the elastic can cut into your hip and create bulges where there doesn't need to be any.
I really, really hope someone gets this bikini. It's the bees knees, the cat's pajamas and the cream of the crop all rolled into one.
I also really, really hope that himself knows what's good for him and will turn off Battlestar Galactica before 9pm. I don't want to give him a midwestern wake-up call. I'm kidding. Kinda.
JCrew Cherry-Print Padded String Top and Lowrider Bikini, $19.99 each at jcrew.com (under sale section).
Lots of sun, sea and salt-drenched love, kasey
I know, I know. Just give me 6 more days and my schoolwork will be over, and I will be back to loving you the way I should. Promise.
Today I bring you a beautiful little dress from Newport News. This company has some serious staying power. I remember getting the catalog at our house when I was like 12 and flipping through it, admiring the sometimes-sexy, sometimes-ugly clothing and the ultra-low prices. Well it's 16 years later and NN is still going strong. I can't believe the sheer VOLUME of what they sell, and I don't even want to think where or how they get it manufactured to be able to sell it so cheaply.
NN never fails to amaze me with their approach. They really seem to run the gamut. From faux-victoria's secret sexy to faux-fredericks of hollywood stripper to faux-50 year old mom chico's, they have it all.
Today I found this banging dress for less than 30 bucks! I sorted through a LOT of sand to get this piece of gold, let me tell you. I love the styling of this dress - the halter looks like it has a lot of room but great drape, meaning it flatters small and large chests. The tailored waist carves out an hourglass shape, which is unusual in a halter dress, as they tend to just hang from the chest down. Kudos to whoever designed this, they really thought it through.
Another thing that makes this dress truly great is the length. I truly appreciate the restraint shown. The top is so sexy, this could have easily slipped into trashy territory, but they kept the length modest, and the end result is a sexy but not over the top dress that I might get a newport news card just to buy.
So feast your eyes, channel your last studio 54 party, and enjoy.
Drapeneck Satin Dress in Gold, $27.99 at NewportNews.com
Givin you that gold, kase
Have you ever seen something this ugly? Seriously now. Who made this? More importantly, who got paid cash money to design this?? This has GOT to be an April fool. This is the Essential Home Fairies Collection at Kmart, and these accessories are 8.99 each. You read that correctly. The cup? 8.99. The soap dish? 8.99. Overall, it costs you more than 30 bucks for your bathroom to look this ugly. I know ugly of this caliber is not easy to come by, therefore it may be worth it for you to snatch it up. In the event that you are short on some ends, the kmart website has informed me that a payment plan is possible.
I can't stop laughing.
Essential Home Fairies Collection, $8.99 per piece, Kmart.
Yours in merriment, kase
