ASOS Keeping it Real

Last week I saw this Rip Curl bathing suit pop up on my facebook feed.

I clicked on the link, and it took me to Nordstrom where I was able to check out the back of the suit as well.

I like the suit, but 1) there's no way that would cover my a** and 2) there's no way her a** actually looks like that. I showed my friend Taylor and she quickly agreed on both points. Then she told me that ASOS (a C&C favorite as you know) no longer airbrushes their bathing suit photos, so I had to check it out.

And it's true. Stretch marks, skin rolls, dimples, lines, skin discoloration...it's all there. Finally retailers are "Keeping it Real" and showing what women ACTUALLY look like in their bathing suits.

Here are a few of the suits I like on their site (there are lots of really great ones). Yes, most of the women are still very thin, but at least they show a true representation of what these women actually look in the suit, not an air brushed false reality.

Monki Stripe One Shoulder $48

Warehouse Frill Detail Swimsuit $62

Vero Moda Printed Dip Dye Tassel Swimsuit $51

White to Wear

I'm attending a "white party" at the beginning of August and am on the hunt for a white dress. Since I don't wear white often, I don't want to spend a fortune. Here are some of the dresses I am considering.

These are the two front runners that I have actually ordered.

AQUA Circle Lace Midi Dress sale price $77

AQUA Lace Empire Dress sale price $69

If neither of these work, round 2 will include these dresses.

I love the low-v and the back detail of this dress, but who knows what it would be like on...

X REVOLVE MIDI DRESS sale price $66

Off the shoulder/strapless isn't a style I would normally choose, but I love the gigantic lace of this dress. 

ELOPE DRESS REVERSE $85.00

ASOS Mixed Panel Pinny Midi Pencil Dress sale price $53

This one is much more casual, but it looks comfy! 

ASOS Cotton Midi Dress with Ladder Trim $65.00

Which is your favorite?

I also have some friends with white dresses, so I may just end up shopping in one of their closets instead. I'll be sure to do a "What I Wore" post after the party. 

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ASOS for the Win, Yet Again

I saw this dress on liketoknowit last week and was excited, but not surprised, to see it was ASOS and only $73! ASOS has the best dresses!

Bold Stripe Shift Dress $73

When searching on the ASOS website for a shift dress, these other ones also popped up. 

Tie Front Shift Dress $73

Natural Fibre Dress $39.50 (sale price)

Striped Shift Dress $62

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Reader Challenge

A friend and reader has a big trip to Las Vegas planned and she is in need of dresses for her weekend of events...including a black tie dinner and a Maroon 5 concert. 

She's considering using Rent the Runway, which is always a safe bet. I told her I would look at ASOS and suggest some dresses, since it seems to be my "go-to" for event dresses. 

I didn't find as many black tie dresses as I had hoped, but I did find a few dresses that she could wear at some point over her weekend! 

ASOS Cross Over Floral Pleated Maxi Dress $110.00

I LOVE the back of this dress!

Warehouse Criss Cross Dress $138.00

The lace on this dress is gorgeous! 

Warehouse Premium Lace Full Midi Dress $267.00

It also comes in black! 

And this dress is just sweet and fun and flirty! 

ASOS Midi Dress with Structured Frill Hem $73.00

What I Wore: The Maternity Finale

As I wrote two weeks ago, I'm officially done buying maternity clothes. With five weeks to go (and yes, I am counting every damn day), what you see is what you get. Which at the office means they basically see the same outfits every week. Of the four things I got in my last ASOS order, I kept just one. I figured this dress would work out since the style and fabric looked very similar to this dress I bought early on in my pregnancy. And, it did.

Paired with a white denim jacket (Old Navy, non-maternity), a pair of wedges, and two Angela Caputi bracelets, I didn't feel half bad. With summer in full swing here, I know I'll be getting at least another three or four wears out of this before baby McB arrives.

What I Wore: Maternity Layering

I know, it's been a while. "What I Wore" posts just aren't the same when you're wearing the SAME THING day aftery day. Up until last week the weather in D.C. was unseasonably cold and rainy...while the rest of the world was upset, it was music to this pregnant person's ears. Enter some good old-fashioned layering. A long vest or cape, a slimming pair of pants, a button down shirt (the blue one is borrowed from Dr. B (#maternityprotip) and a bump-defining belt...and you're in business (and comfortable at that). 

Once the bump makes its appearance, there's definitely sartorial benefits to defining it. And while I was somewhat slow to do that in the beginning, there's no way around it now (no pun intended). With seven weeks less, I put in one last clothing order to ASOS. Otherwise, I'm making due with what I've got. Here's what's on its way to me as I type...stay tuned for the winners.

Belted Bell Sleeve Wrap Top

Midi Dress in Floral Print

Knot Side Midi Bodycon Dress

Ruffle Neck and Peplum Midi Scuba Dress

C&C on the Move

This past weekend Katie and I (and our +1s) met up in Seattle and made the trip North to Bellingham, Washington for the wedding of a dear friend. The weather could not have been more perfect, and we enjoyed every minute of the 48 hours we had together.

After we picked up Katie and Dr. B at the airport in Seattle we made a quick stop for lunch at Agua Verde. It was the perfect pit-stop on a gorgeous 70 degree day.

Katie & Dr. B

Then we continued north to Bellingham and The Chrysalis Inn and Spa.

The window seat in our room

A view of the hotel from the over water walkway

On Saturday morning we woke up early and had a great breakfast at The Old Town Cafe.

Then Katie and Dr. B explored Bellingham while Tom and I went for a hike. There was no shortage of amazing views, from both in town and high on the mountains above it.

The view along the waterfront walkway

We did a great hike that included a stop at the Oyster Dome, a gorgeous view overlooking the San Juan Islands.

Panoramic view of the San Juan Islands from Oyster Dome

After the morning's activities we refueled at the Electric Beet Juice Company. It's located inside the  Terra: Organic & Natural Foods which also had a whole host of tasty and healthy foods to choose from. 

The wedding was held at the Woodstock Farm, a gorgeous venue overlooking the water.

It could not have been a more perfect day. 

And how better to top off the evening than with s'mores? 

I was excited to wear my new Zara dress. Remember a few months back when I posted it (link here)

 It's definitely a keeper! I got tons of compliments and it was even more comfortable than I anticipated.

Katie's dress is from ASOS, and in case you missed it, she posted it on the blog last week (link here).

Showered With Love

With 11 weeks to go before baby McB arrives, my mom, sister, and the mini fashionista were so sweet and threw me the most special baby shower. AND, to top it off, five of my college friends from the Northwest, an old friend from Sun Valley that lives in California, two friends from Boston, and my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law from New York all came to town. Baby McB is already so loved and she hasn't even arrived yet!

With the "out of towners" we got in some touring and a really fun dinner at Fig & Olive at City Center (my go-to these days) before the big party on Saturday.



The shower was a brunch and they had Point Chaud come and make all-you-can-eat sweet and savory crepes. I need to find another excuse to throw a party, as they were a HUGE hit. Crazy delicious and really easy for people to eat. 

I feel so lucky to have such amazing family and friends to welcome our little girl into the world. With family so far away, I know we'll be leaning on our DC network as we make our way through parenthood.  

 

And, while there are only select sizes left, here's the ASOS dress I wore to the shower. I love everything about this dress...the sleeves, the cut, the stripes...and that says a lot because overall I'm pretty medium on maternity clothes.