One of my most frequently asked questions around here is about my undergarments. It's one of those questions that seems a little uncomfortable to ask, but the reality is that we all have to wear them every day!

So I'm thrilled to be part of Vanity Fair's ambassador program this year, because they are one of the originals in bra making, and absolutely the experts. Over the next few months I'll be trying out some of their bras, sharing more about them and their designs, and I can't wait to share my favorites with you!

I flew out to New York City a few weeks ago to learn more about their brand, meet their team and the other ambassadors, and get a chance to learn about their most popular products, as well as their new products. It was a whirlwind trip, going back and forth across the entire country in two days, and I took San with me which made it a little bit trickier, but it was a total blast.



There is so much behind the scenes action that goes on for my blog, so I thought you might enjoy seeing some of it. Here's a few photos from our trip!

After a flight delay, we arrived in NYC at 1:30am, and got to the hotel by 2:30. San was awake and happy for the first half of the trip, slept the second half, and after a quick nursing when we got to the hotel, he fell back asleep and we slept in til about 10:30am.

Since it was almost lunchtime by the time we left the hotel, we headed straight for Shake Shack. It was my first time, and after all the hype I've heard for years, I was worried it wouldn't live up to my high expectations. But it. was. incredible. Literally the best fries I've ever had in my life, an amazing burger, and the salted caramel shake was perfect. I'm craving it just talking about it!

We spent the rest of the afternoon shooting a few looks and exploring the city, until it was time for dinner with the Vanity Fair team.

The next day was a full day with Vanity Fair, and although it was a little crazy bringing a baby around with us, San was so well behaved and everyone took turns holding and loving on him. Of course he didn't mind all the extra attention ;)

We first headed to the New York Fruit of the Loom showroom (F of the L is a sister company to Vanity Fair), where we had breakfast and got an introduction to all of VF's bras. They had the most GORGEOUS set up in the conference room with a table full of flowers. I'd just like that in my house, okay?

After we had breakfast and learned about the products, we each got a personal bra fitting. Also they had snacks for everyone -- how cute are those donut towers?? They're actually paper towel holders -- I'm totally stealing that idea for a future party.

Also, you guys, actually trying on these products after learning about them was so great. These bras are AMAZING. And actually wearing my correct bra size is revolutionary....(apparently 8 in 10 women are wearing the wrong size, did you know that?)

After everyone's bra fittings were done, we headed to People Magazine where we met a few of the editors, learned about their process of creating content for the magazine, and got to style our own shoot with Vanity Fair bras and our travel essentials. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to style San in my shoot -- and he fell asleep at the perfect time so he was passed out during the whole shoot.

It was a whirlwind trip, but it was such a fantastic trip and I had a blast meeting the other ambassadors and learning about this great brand. I can't wait to share more of this program with you, as well as my favorite products! 

Also, my white lace top is from here, my booties are old but this pair and this pair are super similar, and my jeans are these ones. And San's romper is from here.

photos by rad and happy

created in partnership with vanity fair

 

Tee: Vince | Denim: Current/Elliott | Sleeveless Trench: Theory (similar option) | Shoes: Chanel | Necklace: Vintage Chanel | Sunglasses: Celine | Lipstick: MAC Rubywoo + MAC Red.

When picking my outfit for the day, I usually start with one item I want to wear and I'll style it around that. In this case, it was the shoes and necklace, mixing old with new. Rather than over thinking it, I opted for all black to really let my accessories shine. You could say that's one of the main reasons I "invest" in accessories more than anything. They can make even the most simplest of outfits stand out.

photos by Keith Hodne

The post Less is More appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

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.

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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! 

Happy Saturday! Don't forget it's the last day of the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale tomorrow! Prices on everything go up on Monday. I've rounded up my outfits from the last week, as well as a few snaps I took from the dressing room. 

And at the very end of the post I'm sharing a few of my favorite pieces that are still in stock and on sale. 

SHIRT DRESS (also available in olive green! Wearing size small)  ||  DENIM JACKET  ||  BAG (on sale for under $30)  ||  SANDALS 

One of our favorite family date nights is to go get Pho. My boys love, and it's a good filling dinner that's pretty healthy. We have tried so many different places and finally found our favorite one a few months ago. Now we go at least once a month, and of course we always get mango boba smoothies with our soup. 

I wore this dress for our monthly pho dinner and it's the perfect lightweight dress that's easy to transition from summer to fall. It's on sale right now and comes in olive green too! I'm wearing a size small. 

JACKET (wearing an XS)  ||  SHIRT  ||  BAG (only $35!)  ||  JEANS  

You guys have been asking about military style jackets for ages, and I love this one that's on sale right now! It's so soft and feels so "lived-in." I'm wearing an XS (which is my normal size for jackets). 

Hurry and grab one before it goes back up to $100 next week!

JEANS  ||  SHIRT  ||  SPIKED BRACELET  ||  WATCH   ||  JEWELED BRACELET  ||  SHOES (so comfortable!)

Gingham and white is my go-to summer combo. Add a little pretty arm party and some super comfy heels and you're set for summer date night. 

SIMILAR TOP (original is j.crew factory from a few years ago)  ||  JEANS (buy your regular size!) ||  SNEAKERS

A basic momiform from a few days ago. These jeans are my favorite boyfriend jeans! The way I keep from looking to masculine in boyfriend jeans is to add something feminine, like a lace or eyelet top, a feminine purse, heels, or some statement jewelry. 

And here are a few last things from the Nordstrom Sale that are still in stock! Hurry -- the sale ends tomorrow!!

DRESS (also comes in baby blue and black!)

PLEATED DRESS (size up for length -- I'm wearing a 6 here, but bought the black version in an 8, which you can see right here)

A few more in-stock favorites in the widget below: 

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Happy weekend!

pictured above is my Celine collection.

One of the most frequented topics I get asked about is handbags. I get asked everything from where I buy (when it's second hand), how I choose my next bag, how I take care of them and where I sell them, when it's time to move on. So, I'm finally working on a post that's going to answer any questions you might have. If there's anything specific that interests you, please let me know in the comment section!

On that note, I'm also starting to think about what my next handbag purchase will be. From my own collection, there are several bags that I'm going to let go of (don't wear anymore and slightly over them), and "in exchange" I want to get something new and exciting. I have my eye on something I've been admiring for months, but the only way I'll know if it's "the one," is by trying it on with several outfits and coats. Of course, I'll keep you guys posted!

To all my handbag ladies, what's your favorite handbag of the moment?

The post Bag Talk appeared first on Brooklyn Blonde.

dress made by me (similar here),  similar striped espadrille sneakers,  rebecca minkoff bag, urban outfitter sunglasses (only $16!)

photos by rad and happy

The lace-up trend is one of my favorites for 2016. It's a simple detail that adds so much to a top or dress. I've been wanting to make a lace-up dress for ages, and finally am now getting around to it. 

I picked up this super light chambray at Jo-Ann's earlier this year and have been waiting for an excuse to use it. It's such a light, summery fabric, so it was perfect for this summer dress. 

Here's how to make it: 

MATERIALS: 

• 1 1/2 - 2 yards chambray fabric (I bought mine at Jo-Ann's about six months ago)
• matching thread
• large eyelets
• long shoe lace or cord (I needed about 1 1/2 yards)

1. Take your fabric and fold both sides in toward the middle so they (almost) touch, as shown. Now both outside edges should be folded edges. First, cut the FRONT of the dress. Use a tank top and a pencil skirt as a pattern, folding them in half and laying them on the folded edge. Cut around them, adding a 1/2" seam allowance. Repeat for the BACK of the dress, making the neckline a few inches higher. Next, cut out 2 SLEEVES, and a NECKLINE LINING front and back (cut the scoop of the lining exactly as you did the necklines on the FRONT and BACK, but making them 2" shorter in width so they have to be stretched when attached to the dress). 

2. Next, take the FRONT and BACK pieces and, with right sides together, sew them together at the shoulders. 

3. Now attach the sleeves. Line up the top of the SLEEVE with the shoulder seam of the dress (right sides together), and then pin them together, Then sew a straight stitch along the sleeve, attaching it to the dress. Repeat for the second sleeve. 

4. With right sides together, sew your dress from the end of the sleeve to the bottom of the dress, matching up the seams at the armpit. 

Then cut a slit down the center of the neckline. My slit was about 5" long — you can do shorter or longer depending on your preference. 

5. Take your two NECKLINE LINING pieces and, with right sides together, sew them together at the ends. They should now form a circle. 

6. Sew around your neckline, attaching the NECKLINE LINING. When you get to the slit, sew down the sides of the slit and bring your stitches to a point at the bottom. You can see a picture of what I'm talking about in this blog post here.

7. Sew with a straight wide stitch around the entire neckline, securing the lining in place. Then try on the dress and determine your desired sleeve and dress length, then hem. And you're done!

8. Insert the eyelets using the instructions on the packaging. I used this tool to insert them. Then lace it up and you're done!