BODY CON DRESSES + THE BEST SHAPEWEAR

DRESS  ||  HEELS (less expensive version here)

With the holidays approaching, we're heading into party season. I love a good party dress, but along with all the holiday treats, I also like some good shapewear to make sure those dresses look the best they can. 

Shapewear is tough, so I did the grunt work for you today and tried out a few different brands and styles to tell you all the pros and cons of each!

Every woman should have at least one piece of shapewear in her closet, so do yourself a favor and pick one up now so you're not scrambling at the last minute when you're headed to a holiday party and that dress just isn't laying quite right. 

There were three styles that I tried: slip dress, bodysuit, and shorts. 

BRAND #1: Commando. 

I hadn't ever tried this brand, but I tried both the shorts in a small and the slip dress in a small, both in the "nude" color. I really liked the color -- it was a good, natural nude so it wouldn't be obvious if it showed. They had no hems, so the bottom laid flat against my legs and didn't create a line under my clothing. 

The fabric on both of these were really lightweight but gave great control. You could wear these all day and night and never feel constricted or uncomfortable. The shorts were great for tummy control, and smoothed everything out nicely without being tight. The slip was the same -- great smoothing capabilities, and I liked that it came all the way up over my bust, rather than cutting underneath. It even gave my bust a little lift which I'll never complain about ;) The length is a little longer, which gives great coverage and shaping down your leg, but not great for shorter dress hemlines. It hit me a few inches above my knee and I'm 5'6".  

The price on the Commando brand is very reasonable -- the shorts are under $60 and the slip is just under $100, and based on the fabric they are sturdy and will last for many, many wears. Definitely recommend. 

BRAND #2: Yummie. 

I tried both the slip (in x-small) and shorts (in x-small/small). The slip was definitely more of a standard slip, but in a strange plastic-y fabric. It claims to smooth and slim, but honestly it was so paper thin that it did nothing for me, and the straps felt like they were going to snap because they were so thin. And even in the x-small it was slightly loose. I don't recommend this one. 

However, the shorts were great. They were thick and very fitted -- a little more challenging to get on, but comfortable once they were on and had great control. They do have a hem though so if you're wearing a dress with thin fabric, the hemline could show through. It had built in silicone dots at the waist for no-slip control. I actually liked these quite a bit, and these are a great price point. 

BRAND #3: Spanx. 

Of course Spanx is the most commonly known brand of shape wear and has become a proprietary eponym (have you ever looked up a list of proprietary eponyms? So interesting). Since it's such a well known brand, I was excited to see how it stacked up against these other brands. I tried the high waisted shorts in a small, this bodysuit in a small, and this bodysuit in a small. 

The shorts were my least favorite of the three Spanx pieces I tried, and definitely not as good as the Commando or Yummie ones. You can't tell from the product photo, but the nude is more of a gray color rather than a true nude. Also the tummy was very tight on me, while the legs were normal. Probably great if you're a pear shaped body type. 

I liked both of these body suits -- the one with the open bust was very thin and comfortable and a good nude color (although fairly light), but if you carry weight in your tummy and have a large bust, this cut-out will probably cut you off in the wrong way, and the next one will probably be better. 

The second bodysuit was perfect. Great color, super comfortable, sucked everything in, and I loved that it had built in shaping elements you could actually see. Plus it had chest support and, like the Commando one, gave my bust a little lift. 

Shop the post here:

photos by rad and happy

LITTLE WHITE DRESS

DRESS (wearing size medium - sized up for length) ||  HEELS  ||  BAG (30% off right now!)  || SUNGLASSES 

Here I am, over a month after New York Fashion Week, finally posting my last look from the week. I bought this dress a few weeks before my trip, and I was completely unsure if I would wear it or not. I loved how it looked on the model, but once I tried it on, the sleeves were so bold that I just wasn't sure if I could pull it off. 

Even once I was in NYC, I was feeling undecided about wearing it. But after putting it on, Leanne and Jordan went crazy over it and those two votes of confidence were all I needed. And then it turned out to be my very favorite outfit from the week! 

It's definitely a bold statement piece, but fashion is all about taking risks and honestly anyone can wear anything if you just have the confidence to wear it. How is that for deep Monday thoughts?? ;) 

a few similar and other pretty white dresses linked below, many of which are under $100! 

photos by jordan zobrist

DIY SUEDE MIDI PENCIL SKIRT

Sponsored by Zappos

SKIRT (made by me, tutorial below -- similar here and here)  ||  SHIRT  ||  HEELS  ||  BAG  ||  SUNGLASSES ||  COCKTAIL RING

When I was prepping for Fashion Week earlier this month, I bought this faux suede fabric. I'd planned to only use it to make a dress (which I did here), but then I loved it so much I ended up making a skirt too.

I haven't made a tailored skirt in a long time, so it was a fun little challenge for me and I'm super happy with how it came out. I'll be sharing the tutorial at the end of this post!

Once the skirt was done, I chose a striped button up to wear with it, and then it was time for accessories. Since the look of a pencil skirt and button up is very sophisticated, I wanted to add a little bit of edge. So I picked up these studded stilettos at Zappos, and also this pretty little quilted crossbody bag with a chain strap. The studs and chain make the look a little less secretary ;)

Also, did you hear that Zappos just launched a reward program?? Now you get rewarded just for shopping! I'll be sharing more about it in the coming weeks, but you can check out details early right here.

Click READ MORE below to find the tutorial (or click here)

ALL ABOUT THAT LACE

DRESS, wearing size 4  (also comes in light blue!) ||  HEELS (budget friendly version here)  ||  BAG  ||  SUNGLASSES  ||  COCKTAIL RING

When I was growing up, I felt like anything lace seemed so old lady. But lace has come back with a vengeance in the last few years and not only it is young and fresh, it's so feminine and intricate and adds such gorgeous detailing to any look.

I picked up this cream dress for Fashion Week and was instantly drawn to the gorgeous lace detailing. Unlike some lace dresses, this one is sturdy so I wasn't worried about ripping or damaging it when I was running around the city. I regretted not bringing a black ribbon to tie around the neck underneath the collar because I felt like that would have completed the look with the black bag and shoes, but I didn't think of it until I put it on, and by then it was too late.  But if you get it, wear it with a black ribbon and black accessories -- it will look so chic!

I rounded up a few more of my favorite lace dresses below. And don't be afraid of the white ones -- even though they might feel more summery, they're perfect for wearing in the fall and winter with a leather jacket, or dark accessories (like a burgundy lip or deep velvet pumps).

photos by jordan zobrist 

ONE SUMMER DRESS, TWO WAYS FOR FALL

NECK SCARF  ||  CHAMBRAY  ||  WHITE DRESS  ||  SIMILAR STYLE ANKLE BOOTS (another good styling option here)

SIMILAR BLACK LEATHER JACKET  ||  BLACK HEELS (less expensive version here)

Although I love the changing seasons (not that we have much of that in SoCal), I hate putting away my summer clothes for several months while they're not as appropriate.

But instead of putting them away for Fall, a little styling makes them totally appropriate for cooler months.

I picked up this white midi dress from Nordstrom (which also comes in pink!) a few weeks ago, and although I should have bought it months ago since I could have worn it all summer, a little layering completely changes it up.

I paired it with a black leather jacket and heels for an edgy black and white look. It's a really simple outfit, but makes a statement with the bold black and white. Plus I love the combination of the romantic, flowy midi against the leather.

And for a more casual look, I wore a knotted chambray, some ankle boots, and added a neckscarf (which are super trendy -- and this one is only $12, but I'm also loving this one). The ankle boots make the outfit feel more seasonal, and the chambray and neckscarf add some warmth and texture.

These are two easy ways to change any summer dress into a dress appropriate for next season, but you can also see it here without any layering!

Shop more of my favorite midi dresses below -- I'm completely in love with the print on this one and this one, and this is a great transitional one!

photos by rad and happy

created in partnership with Nordstrom

SUMMER PINSTRIPES

ANTHROPOLOGIE TOP  ||  BLANK NYC JEANS  ||  SIMILAR STRAP ANKLE BOOTS (also very similar black version here)  || BP. CROSSBODY BAG  ||  SUNGLASSES (only $16!)

I cannot get enough of stripes, ever. Wide stripes, thin stripes, navy, black...really any kind. But there's something about pinstripes that just feels so summery. This summer blouse has pretty puffed sleeves and a subtle peplum, and makes a simple pattern such a fun statement top. I picked it up for New York and thought it would be perfect for a morning of meetings, but then it turned out to be hot as blazes the week I was there, so not that perfect after all. Ah well.

The perfect pairing with stripes for summer is white jeans. I wore mine to death last summer, so I picked these up this summer and wear them at least twice a week, I think. I love that they're easy to dress up or down because they don't have distressing, they're the perfect length, and they're thin and stretchy but not see-through. They're stocked in all sizes right here!

Also every girl needs a pair of neutral ankle boots in her closet. I bought the pair I'm wearing two years ago during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, and have worn them a million times. Whenever I have one of those in between casual and dressy outfits, I wear it with these shoes. They're sadly long gone, but I found two really similar pairs right here and here.

p.s. in case you missed it, I shared my eyelash/mascara routine over on my facebook page over the weekend -- go check it out! 

DATE NIGHT WHITE

FIND MY OUTFIT DETAILS HERE

Now that San is almost three months old (anyone else think that went by really fast??), Philip and I are trying to get back in the swing of regular date nights. We feel so lucky to have a babysitter that we trust with San even though he's still so little, and also feel super happy that he takes a bottle so well. Both things make it so much easier to sneak away for the evening and focus on each other.

As long as we're not going out for spaghetti and meatballs (that's a stain waiting to happen), an all white look is one of my favorites for summer date night. I played around with a bunch of textures and slight color variations in this dressy date night look, and I love how it came together.

This is one of two looks I created with maurices this summer. I'm over on their blog today sharing tips on wearing white with kids, and how to put together a killer all-white look, plus sharing info on all the pieces I'm wearing. Head over and check it out right here!

Happy Friday!

SUMMER WEDDING INSPIRATION (NURSING FRIENDLY!)

NAVY MESH SKIRT  (20% off this weekend with code HISUMMER; wearing size 4) -- similar here for under $50! ||  WHITE RUFFLE SLEEVE TOP  (on sale for $18! wearing size small) |  HEELS  (similar here for under $70)  |  SIMILAR BAG

Wedding season is upon us, and although I have no friends getting married this year, I've had a lot of questions about wedding attire. Also some of you have asked for nursing friendly options! So today I've rounded up a bunch of great options, all of which are skirts so they're nursing friendly.

The one I'm wearing above is one of my very favorites. It's a recent purchase (but selling out quickly!) and it's one of those skirts that would work in any season. I love it with a crisp white blouse and nude pumps for a summery feel.

This striped skirt would look so good with a bright coral or cobalt top, or with something neutral like a lightweight white or blush blouse.

I have this lilac pleated skirt and it would be gorgeous with a striped top, or just a basic off-white blouse. The skirt also comes in nude, black, and white. I'm also loving this blush pleated skirt!

If you're more of a pencil skirt girl, I love this black and white striped one. It would look beautiful with a pastel top!

This is also a pretty pencil skirt, and is great for more casual weddings since it's a stretchy jersey material. The texture makes it look more expensive even though it's only $28. Pair it with a crisp white blouse (tucked in) for a dressier look, or a breezy swing top (untucked) for a more casual look.

This pastel lavender pleated skirt is stunning and would be so pretty with a black, striped, or white top.

When I first saw this two toned pleated skirt I wasn't sure about it, but the more I look at it, the more I love it. It's such a unique skirt and it's so summery. It would look gorgeous with just a crisp white button up and nude ankle strap sandals.

This white lace pencil skirt is stunning, and would be beautiful with a blush or lavender top -- remember, the biggest wedding faux pas is wearing all white, so stay away from that!

Shop all my favorite summer wedding skirts in the widget below: