A Bra For Every Day* 7 must-have bras for your wardrobe.

Fall is a season… not something your boobs should do.

                                                             -Taryne J. Thorpe

Not that I'm the Lingerie guru or anything but… people have been asking me: what are the top 7 must-have bras for your wardrobe? This is perfect timing for entering into the fall season and for anyone going back to school will get a chance to tackle these categories and will always have the appropriate look for ANY ensemble!

-T-SHIRT
-STRAPLESS
-T-BACK/RACER BACK
-MINIMIZER
-PUSH UP
-SPORT
-LOUNGE
1. You must own a basic everyday t-shirt bra. This style should be moderate coverage and you should be able to wear it with anything from a white tee all the way to a formal gown. This will be a staple in your bra wardrobe.

My newest addition from b.tempt'd: 'Fancy That Memory Foam Underwire T-Shirt' bra 

2. Fashion has changed and once upon a time, you only needed a great fitting strapless bra during the summer months or for special events. Not so much anymore... a strapless, is now necessary all year long! I recommend purchasing two per year depending on how often you wear them, since they will stretch out slightly faster than a regular bra. One nude and one black because both colors are necessary.

3. A t-back or racer back bra. Current designers of brands such as anthro, free people, top shop and nasty girl etc. have focused immensely on cut-outs, missing shoulders and draping necklines now being the standard. With a strappy bralette it's trendy and super sexy when it shows, but if you wear these brands with an exposed regular bra, it does your ensemble such a disservice!

4. Have you ever wore that fall season buttoned down jean/denim shirt? This is a classic look, but there's nothing classic about when your buttons are screaming (hanging on by threads) and ready to pop open because you're wearing the wrong under garments! First and foremost, let's make sure you're purchasing the correct size shirt. If you're like me, you'll need to go petite so that you can get the right fit in the bust and not have so much fabric everywhere else. But every girl needs a minimizing bra no matter what size she is. Get an unlined smooth lace bra or bralette that may not technically be labeled a "minimizer", but will act as one. Numerous amounts of brands specialize in this style. If you're a D cup and lower, try Calvin Klein unlined bra's, urban outfitters, free people or hanky panky lace bralettes. If you're a DD cup and higher, try unlined Freya,  Wacoal, Chantelle or Panache bras. Some of these brands go up to a U.S 'L' so I'm sure most of you gals can find something suitable to meet your needs.

Shirt: The Loft
Skirt:H&M
Bra: Josie Bardot Unlined

5. The ever so sexy push up bra is definitely a must! A push up bra depending on what size you are can mean two totally different things. Some of you ladies in Gs and H cups feel like you may not need a push up, but every push up bra does not have additional padding. It simply gives you great lift and an awesome profile and definition which Every woman needs no matter her size. The smaller cup ladies would be able to get away with additional padding, if that's what they desire. Big or small one must be high and lifted up!!!

6. Sports bra. I know, I know this is a touchy subject because we over promise to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, only to stop and start again so much that it's sickening even to ourselves! The secret is to make the investment in a quality sports bra so that when you decide to execute discipline, you're already covered in this area. We all know how painful it is to workout unsupported in your bust-eek!

7. After a long week of school and Saturday night delights your Sunday lounge wardrobe must be Everything!!! Lounge bras are amongst my favorite things right now! Again, based on your size this could mean many things. D cups and under can circle back around to the bralettes and bandeaus.

Hanky Panky Bralette

DD cups and above can indulge in beautiful lace bralettes as well, you just have to research and locate the ones that are made for fuller fits. For example: Wacoal's  'Halo Lace' wireless bras can fit up to a G cup depending on your band size.

Wacoal Halo Lace Wire Free Bra

*You can purchase all of these must-haves but if you're not in the proper size, it'll be useless! GO GET FITTED AND FIND OUT YOUR PROPER BRA SIZE!

Happy Lingerie Shopping...

All Laced Up

My recent lingerie purchases have been interestingly random because of the importance of stocking up on seasonal must-haves. It literally took me 3 MONTHS to find a racerback bralette that almost fits!!! I've had the most success at #UO . This GORG ocean blue all lace bralette is a pure dream to me.

I have a favorite style of loungewear that I like to wear on a daily basis. I have to be aware of how many chemises that I actually buy that are this same style and make it a point to switch it up a bit. In bloom by jonquil is one of my "go to" brands. I have several pieces from them and I like the cut on their size smalls; though not perfect, but closer than most. I bought this beauty in black.

Out of all of the lingerie that I have, I realized that I did not own a red bra?! Like… really? So I solved that problem rather quickly by snatching up Calvin Klein's (Black Collection) Range Scarlette Perfect Push Up Bra. The racerback feature really enticed me and it's just extremely sexy. What more could you ask for?

I love how the red lace peaks out ever so gently like… hello there!!! 

Walking through Target I almost gasped at these adorable floral panties that caught my eye! I had to have them! I never indulged in Targets lingerie, but they are actually comfortable and seamless. No matter where I am, a beautiful pattern and lace gets me every time!

*The need for my own Lingerie line is even more imperative than I could have ever imagined! Small waist and bigger bust ladies are so deprived in the summer months that it's almost depressing. The imprisonment of remaining confined to a portion of designers and clothing styles all because of how we were beautifully and wonderfully made. My line will consist of pretty, chic and beautiful lingerie for All women; but specializing in naturally small band/big bust body types.

Spring Clean

 I have successfully transformed my entryway into something I'm proud of! FINALLY! It took many unsuccessful attempts but with the help of both old and new touches paired with fundamental simplicity, the space now has a fresh, bright and eclectic finish that I treasure! The spring and summer air, keeps me wanting my version of a minimalist and open designed territory. My love for a shabby chic world will sometimes fall under the cluttered category and during the holiday season it's fun and warm, but it's time to execute the good old spring clean!
UO  was truly a life savior with these GORG mirrors that could give any room an old world/mid century stamp combined with a soft chic additive. My entryway so screams summer time to me! The area rug and faux potted plant were jewels from my beloved Homegoods store or what I like to call "treasure island".

I switched the living room area around (as I oftenly do) to also reflect a lighter and more airy feel; adding punches of color. I pulled the greens, reds, golds and teals and have them sprinkled throughout the common areas to remind your senses. It may seem like many colors but there is a great amount of open white wall space and my furniture is neutral central so the burst of colors gives this canvas a splash of life.

Our dining room table always makes me laugh because my husband absolutely hates it!LOL I completely understand that it's antiquated and looks like something out of the 70's via your Aunt Bernice's house growing up back in the day but, I DON'T CARE! I love mixing old and new and revitalizing what one may call dead. I decided to strip all color this season and fuse, romance and shabby chic over the bare wood. This setting is effortlessly sexy. Currently, I've been searching Anthro's tea cup collections for the perfect accessory to complete the look.

*My next project will be transforming my compact walk-in closet into a "pretty chic" and multifunctional space that I can make into my own little private quarters-I can't wait!!

:))

I am someone that is totally against walking into a store and buying a complete furniture set! I immensely enjoy hand picking every piece that enters our door. This is why it will actually take me years to complete my interior decor even in such small spaces. When my hubby and I graduate to our dream home we may possibly have to furnish rooms in this fashion, depending on how big we go but for now,  I am having so much fun exploring and trying new things. I love how creative I can be while we're renting verses when you buy a home the decisions you make are a lot more permanent and most likely more expensive to make mistakes.
There are items that we've purchased that I'll know not to buy again and great finds that I know I will always have and take with us where ever we go. From Z Gallerie frames, antique and estate sale gems to West Elm and Anthro touches; I carefully place the pieces together to this puzzle. Items may start in the bathroom and end up in the living room and shift from one corner of the room to the next. That actually happens often!!
I am OBSESSED with the details in a home. To me, that's what makes it home and not just obviously placed furniture in a room. It speaks volumes about an individual and can absolutely "speak to" guests! Have you ever been in a home where you feel uncomfortable to sit down anywhere because you might break something or the home just feels cold and unlived-in? Have you ever entered into a persons home and it makes you want to cuddle up on their big couch, wrap their throw around you, put your feet up and sip tea??? THAT is everything to me! I will drop a stack on a lavishly plush throw that feels good on your feet and like butter on your skin; trust me I have several. So with that being said, the DETAILS are what makes me ponder at night. I'm not crazy but its such an unsettling experience when something is incorrectly arranged and I have to look at it every day?! Yeah…no!
The placement has to feel right and if every time my eyes drift I smile; then I know it's in the right place.

 

There's something effortlessly grand about the finishing touches of fan pulls. (SMILING)

 

When I walk into our bathroom and I'm hit with the subtlety sweet aroma of lavender mixed with the carefully arranged color placement of potpourri. (SMILING)

Le Jardin Botanique is a municipal botanical garden located at Place Bardineau, Bordeaux, Gironde, Aquitaine, France; 

One may ask why on earth does a wooden beat up box make you smile… but it does!

After being moved from beside the television to along side the couch, I feel very good about where this prized eclectic splash is placed within our living room. Vintage boxes used as a side table is every shabby chic lovers dream! (SMILING)

Searching for my next jewel! 

*Don't hesitate to send me pics of small treausures in your home that make you smile-I'll post them!

Lingerie Update

Happy New Year!!! My apologies for being so tardy to the party but life is busy, busy and more busy! I hope everyone had an amazing holiday season filled with lots of family, love and food. I have finally bitten the bullet and took down the very last of my Christmas decor. If you're like me, you feel as though you're boxing up precious memories of joy and laughter into these plastic containers until the next holiday season. Au Revoir to my vintage-themed Christmas holiday

Let's dive right in… I have traveled into UNKNOWN waters and purchased my very first set of PAJAMAS!!! If you know me well, then you know that "We" (me) don't do tops and bottoms, but we hosted for the holidays and under these restricted circumstances, one must remain appropriate. Target had these super cute printed PJ sets with the tapered leg for $21! They were very comfy and perfect for hosting family-Great Find! I've always wanted a cozy plush robe for the winter, but because I'm so petite, I have strayed away from my search. I hate when I feel like I'm being swallowed by fabric and bulky, long robes tend to do that. Until I found this Betsey Johnson jewel! I LOVE that it is plush but super short so that it keeps you warm but shows off plenty of leg. It even comes with a hood and pockets for your phone-LOVE!

I rekindled my love affair with my Freya bra. I had forgotten how amazingly perfect it is because my Charcoal colored one had gotten a little stretched and I began to wear it less. I decided to order the nude color online and when I received it, I remembered why this is my FAVORITE everyday basic! The lift is 100% Real! I love that this bra comes in a size '30' band as well. Now, on the days when I'm not working and just need to tackle a couple of errands, I eagerly resort to my Josie! I am smitten by this incredibly sexy yet comfy bra. Ladies do not charter this territory if you're looking for anything other than comfort. This long lined beauty has more of a relaxed fit and less structure. I have it in black but I feel like I'll be ordering a fashion color and matching thong. It's an adorable set! Josie also has a cute sports bra I picked up as well. It's that time of the year when you Must hit the gym now or you'll be sorry later… My heart is telling me that I need a sleek and classic all black robe. You know how you need like 5 different robe styles depending on what you're doing?! Which reminds me of why I'm literally on the verge of hyperventilating because Victoria Secret is having their Semi-Annual Sale and I feel like if I dare to dawn their door, I will get in HUGE trouble for overspending!! But yeah, definitely going anyway. Not to mention, my beloved Valentines Day is swiftly approaching. Should we do scandalous or subtley sexy? These are the dilemma's that we face!! The homework assignment before Valentines Day is:

•  Put on a simple dress that's easy to slip on and off in order to try items on 
• Understand that you're not going to lose 10lbs by next week so get over yourself 
• No matter what shape, size, color or anything else, there is ALWAYS becoming lingerie for you
• Grab a cup of coffee and 

 HAPPY LINGERIE SHOPPING! 

 p.s Don't forget, it is better to give than to receive. My donation bag is ready to go!