Cute dress!

Anonymous wrote:I am 5'4" and weigh about 140 - I am small framed so this is a lot of extra weight for me (I used to be 120ish but have gained a lot post -menopause and need to work on that - not the point here!). Most of this extra weight is in my waist - I'm very apple shaped now. I would like to invest in a decent pair of jeans to try to boost my self-image - can anyone recommend a good pair for my size? Thank you.

'

You honestly don't sound overweight at all. My sister swears by Blank Denim which she finds at Marshalls. Either way, make sure you get at least 2% spandex.

Anonymous wrote:One reason I don't shop at JCrew as much anymore is because they don't allow reviews on their website. Someone mentioned how Anthro's clothes can feel cheap - yes, some do, but that usually comes out in the online reviews and I avoid those items. Also, I'm tall, long-waisted with long arms, so I need to know how something fits before I buy. When I shop online at JCrew I feel like I'm blind.

(And to add a couple of other places to shop - Athleta & Title Nine)

I totally agree that reviews would be helpful. Right now I go to J Crew Aficionada, Gigi Gone Shopping, or My Closet my baby, and I for reviews.

http://jcrewaficionada.blogspot.com/
http://www.gigisgoneshopping.com/
http://ema-shoppingmycloset.blogspot.com/

There are other good ones too.

Anonymous wrote:Nude. Defintely nude. And don't let the people at the gate scare you with their threats and their thick-necked security guards and their dragging you off the property and all. They're always looking for a good laugh.

Now you REALLY need sunscreen!

I pick out my clothes the night before (like jewelry, shoes, everything). I put everything on a hanger and mist my clothes with some plain water. I do this at like 9pm and by morning everything is lovely and wrinkle free! Try that before you buy a steamer maybe.

Don't forget to buy some new makeup to go with your gorgeous new clothes!

Don't forget a sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses for everyone!!!!

The thing is that these cropped jackets or cardigans can be hard to wear. If you have an ample chest, and the cut is sort of boxy, it can make you look heavier than you are. They're not the most fashion forward item of clothing, but this is a wedding you're talking about, not the met ball.

The one you linked ends just below your natural waist. This is why the model is leaned over the way she is. I think it might make you look a little boxy, no matter how lovely your physique. The color is hard to wear and might make you look a bit washed out. But this is just a guess. Take a photo of yourself from behind and one from the front in daylight (the harshest light). It might suit you just fine.

One more thing. This is a rayon bolero, which means you will sweat badly if it gets warm. Its also expensive for a rayon garment. $60 for a rayon, mushroomy bolero I doubt very much you'd wear much? Hmmmm I'd probably give it a pass.

I'd probably wear a pashmina for what it's worth.

This thread really speaks to me as I have been deeply in love with j crew for years, but havent lately.

The quality of their sweaters, shirts, and general fabric has been going steadily downhill while the prices have risen. Check the labels- a lot of what they offer is blended with polyester. I am still pretty shocked when I see a poly dress being sold for over $100 at full price.

I have since stopped shopping there, although I still think they have wonderful belts. I look elsewhere for costume jewelry (now almost as expensive as the real thing with cheaper materials). The same goes for their poly blend sweaters, shoes (rubber soles on everything when it used to be leather), coats (lots of poly), cashmere sweaters (thin and pill after one wear), and thin thin thin t shirts. Their dresses are cut way too short for me, and tend to be for flatter chested women.

I shop occasionally at h&m, very very carefully at forever 21 (like plain t shirts), outlet malls, sample sales (gilt etc are NOT usually good deals in my opinion), and Marshall's. Target has good stuff occasionally, and it's definitely true that some designer pieces last longer. DVF makes beautiful dresses that last forever. Calypso makes exquisite underpinnings (camis, etc). I dropped a fortune on a purse that looks as amazing as it did the day i bought it.

I think boden is sort of matronly and expensive. Zara has good stuff but I can never find anything I like enough to buy. Banana republic has never fit me properly. Gap has some nice stuff, but again never anything I like enough to buy for the price. The great thing about all this is that I'm definitely spending less money and getting more use out of my closet.

I'd love to hear anyone else's ideas.

I'm glad you liked the tips!

I use both psssst and oscar biandi. Oscar Biandi smells better (lemoney) but pssst is easier to apply as it is a spray. Both work great!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm curious to know who uses this type of service. Are you a working professional getting a blow out during lunch break? A SAHWife?

There was already a thread on this. And if you really cannot figure out why someone whether its a teen, working mom, or SAHM would want this service thats ridiculous.

It's not ridiculous. Does one have a party tonight and need to get their hair styled? I can understand that. If not, once you go to bed tonight, won't the style get ruined?

A good blowout will last a few days.

It even survives "bed hair"? How about washing hair? Does that mean you don't wash the hair for a few days?

A good blow out will even survive bed hair. You can use dry shampoo if you feel your hair is too oily.

This all depends on your hair type of course, but generally, you shouldn't be washing your hair every day.

If I get a blow out today (wishful thinking), it should last me until Monday. I would use dry shampoo on Saturday, maybe wash some front pieces and dry them. I would blow dry my hair briefly after a shower (like maybe a minute or two) to make sure all the dry shampoo is out.

Honestly, sometimes blowouts look better a few days out as they look more natural.

Some people think wrapping your hair in a towel during a shower keeps the style longer as shower caps hold in humidity. And as everyone in the DC area knows, humidity makes your hair frizz. I either clip it up and keep my hair out of the direct stream of water (and blowdry briefly), or put on a hilariously ugly shower cap I bought at like safeway for 99 cents.

I'll sprinkle on some dry shampoo before my shower and leave it in my hair during my shower. I keep my showers brief during this time (no hiding from the kids while the husband is on duty, haha). Once I'm out of the shower, I leave the shower as soon as possible to avoid as much humidity as I can. I then brush my hair, and then will briefly blow it out, making sure the last of the dry shampoo is out and it's nice and straight again. This process sounds like it takes a long time, but it maybe takes 5 minutes.

Just my two cents. Hope it helps.

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone used this brand for their keratin treatment? Anyone use the "zero" version which supposedly does not have formaldehyde in it. Did Keratin last year but different brand. Am curious as to people's experiences and where they had it done. Thanks!

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning letter to the importer and distributor of Brazilian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution (GIB LLC dba Brazilian Blowout) identifying this product as adulterated and misbranded because it contains methylene glycol, which can release formaldehyde during the normal conditions of use, and because the label makes misleading statements ("Formaldehyde Free" or "No Formaldehyde").

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/hazard_alert.html

I am a very similar size to you and have found that GAP makes a pretty good one.

http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=807495&locale=en_US&kwid=1&sem=false&sdReferer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gap.com%2Fproducts%2Fwomens-bra.jsp&scid=807495142&vid=0

I would definitely go try it on first. Keep in mind that Gap has 40% off coupons on Wednesdays.

I would never get a keratin treatment. Your hair will look amazing, but there have been a lot of really alarming reports on formaldehyde exposure because of these treatments.

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/formaldehyde/hazard_alert.html

When Oregon OSHA tested more than 100 samples of various salon hair-smoothing products (after receiving stylists' reports of breathing problems, nosebleeds, and eye irritation), they found some of the highest levels of formaldehyde—almost 12 percent—in a Brazilian Blowout formula that was labeled "formaldehyde-free." Numerous other products had formaldehyde concentrations of anywhere from 1 to 7 percent. The FDA says it's in the process of investigating Brazilian Blowout "and similar products."

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/style/Keratin-Hair-Treatment-Facts-Is-Keratin-Hair-Smoothing-Safe#ixzz2Sogxa7fZ

You're grandma is right. These are sun spots. They are, unfortunately, a sign of sun damage. A dermatologist will probably prescribe you Retin A ,which can do a number on those sun spots. The most important thing you can do right now is put sunblock on ALL THE TIME. The sunblock will prevent more spots from forming, and will make sure these brown spots don't get browner.

Keep in mind you cannot use Retin A if you are nursing, pregnant, or trying to have another baby.