Style Lush

Taking care of your intimates

By Elisabeth

Now that we know where you can go to get your ladies fitted properly, let's talk about how to take care of these upscale undergarments to make them last for years to come.

My Nordstroms gal told me to hand-wash my bras with a gentle detergent. She mentioned one that they offered, but who in the world is going to buy detergent from Nordstroms? I was afraid to even ask how much they charge for such a thing!

She also asked if I have ever heard of Dreft. Um, ya. I've heard of it. I was told before having baby #1 that Dreft would be my ultimate friend in the laundry department with a newborn. (And you would pay an arm and a leg for it in the process!)

NO THANKS.

I think I bought Dreft once, then found All Free & Clear and never looked back. I asked the Nordstroms gal about All Free & Clear and she said that would be fine as well. Basically, no extra fragrances and nonsense will do the trick.

Our readers Darcey and Jen mentioned in the comments last week to place the bras in a lingerie bag and wash on the gentle cycle, then air-dry. So, that would be another option if you aren't able to hand-wash yourself.

I used to hang my bras off the door handle in the laundry room to dry. This is clearly a big no-no. Talk about asking your bras to lose their shape right off the bat. When you do air-dry your bras, lay them out flat with the cups facing up.

And the last thing she suggested was to only wear a bra for 2-3 days before you switch and wear another one. While this makes perfect sense, I can honestly say I wear mine for a lot longer than that. Clearly this could be the reason my old bras do not like me anymore, so I will do my best to give these new lovelies a rest.

 

What about you? Any other tips you'd like to share while handling your lingerie? Do you follow these golden rules when it comes to your intimates?

 

{photo credit: stuff.co.nz

Finding my very own Over the Shoulder Boulder Holder

By Elisabeth

A couple of weeks ago I went to Nordstroms to have my ladies official measured. I had asked my mother for a gift card for Christmas so I would force myself to spend good money on a good couple of bras. I deserved it and so did my ladies.

I mean, come on, after a roller coaster of three pregnancies, they might have returned to somewhat normal status, but let's just say they have lost a bit of...air, mind you. So, my go-to type of bra is a form of a push up to give my ladies that perky lift most 18 year olds take for GRANTED. (Just saying.)

In the past, I've taken myself to Victoria's Secret and had some young gal measure my bust line and hand me a handful of bras in the range she believed I was based on her glance. So, that basically left it all up to me to figure out if one of their sizes worked for me. Over the years, I have come to find out they really don't. I'm not typical. Or 18. Or have bodacious ta-tas.

Now, let me say something about being fitted at Nordstroms. If you can swing it, GO THERE. (or anywhere to get a real FIT.) The gal who helped me, Robin, put me in a few "sizer" bras to see exactly what I measured around and out in front. They weren't pretty, by any means, but we found what we needed. Funny enough, my size was the same as it's always been. It's just I didn't have the right kind of bra. A GOOD one.

The first one I tried on ended up being the one I went with. By the way, the fitting is not awkward or uncomfortable. She put every bra I tried on over my head standing behind me. Yes, there were angled mirrors, but I wasn't standing face to face with Robin with my ta-tas hanging out.

Now, these babies did cost me. $78 a bra to be exact. I got two. A pink and a black. Using my gift card helped out the final bill, but even if I didn't have it, it wouldn't have stopped me. I'm THRILLED with my new bras. See?

Isn't it lovely?

(I look just like this when I look in the mirror while wearing my new bra and just another pair of underwear I own.)

Bottom line: Get your girls measured correctly!! You may be measuring wrong OR just not wearing the right bra.

Enjoy the new you.

 

Tell me, who has had a bra fitting before? If so, what did you think of it?

 

{photo credit: Nordstroms.com}

 

 

 

What I bought: sweaters and scarves, oh my!

By Elisabeth

There has been a recent scarf swap amongst some fellow Twitterers and it has me wanting to go out and buy anything SCARF. As I mentioned last week, the polka dotted one I found in teal was so up my alley, I bought it for myself. (Also, the turquoise one I got for Christmas is now back in stock!)

And THEN, I found these adorable sweaters on sale for $8.50. Can we all say it together? EIGHT FIFTY! Priced down from $34.50. I bought two. The white and the gray. While I really wanted the cherry one, at the time, they were out of my size, but now it's BACK. How does this happen, btw?

As I began "researching" for this post, I came across this lovely.

It's on sale for $9.99.

It's in my shopping cart. (And... then it went out of stock while I was yapping about it. I got the navy. STILL. DARLING. Just, not as.)

I need help.

 

*Also, get FREE SHIPPING with code BLIZZARD, 1038 !

 

{photo credit: landsendcanvas.com}

 

 

How Style Lush & Food Lush Gift Guides made my Christmas

By Elisabeth

I'd like to thank the Style Lush and Food Lush Gift Guide for Christmas once again this year. The following are the lovely things I found wrapped underneath my tree.

The Woman's Feather Weight Gauze Wrap from Land's End in Turquoise.

My color is no longer available, but the Deep Clover Green is on sale for $20.99. SO PRETTY. The grey one is discounted to $12.99!

(Edited to add that the Clover Green literally went unavailable in my shopping basket!! BUGGER. But, I did find an adorable teal polka dotted one here for $19.99 and a wild cherry wool wrinkle scarf for $24.99!)

*****

Stila Lip Glaze Set

I've already used three colors and combined two of them for the perfect shade! Still available for $25.

*****

Fish Spatula

YES. It's a fish spatula. I know. Exciting, but hey, this thing works great and can be used for many different items.

*****

Anthropologie Coffee Mugs

Besides getting a letter E for myself, I bought my husband his initial and another one with our last name. They are so cute and larger than my regular mugs. WIN.

 

Do tell, did either of the gift guides make their way to your house this year?

 

{photo credits: Landsend.com, Sephora.com, amazon.com, anthropologie.com}

 

Birthstone Tag Necklace

By Elisabeth

Ever since I had my third (and final!) boy in April, I joked with my husband that I needed a 3-diamond pendant to wear around my neck since all three kids were born in the month of the diamond birthstone.

(Hey, it's a legitimate request, right? Say YES! Please.)

Of course, a necklace like that is definitely something to save up for. So, until that day, my husband surprised me with this birthstone tag necklace from Isabelle Grace Jewelry for Christmas.

Isn't it so cool?

I've had a love for Isabelle Grace Jewelry since my husband gave me their photo pendant necklace with my first two children.

Definitely the best gift under my tree this year.

{photo credit: me}

Countdown to Christmas ... In Your Yard!

By Elisabeth

Every night that my family and I are out and about after dark, my 6 yr old makes sure we drive past the house in our neighborhood that has a countdown-to-Christmas display in their yard. It's his thing and I enjoy giving him the thrill of seeing the numbers decrease as Christmas gets closer every year.

To make his day even more, I just ordered this countdown snowman counter for our very own!

Yes, it's a bit late this year, but I got it for 65% off for $24.98 with shipping! We may get to display it for a day or two, but the true magic will happen next December 1st. Then, we may just be the yard another little kid has to pass to see the numbers countdown to that magical day.

I CAN'T WAIT.

{photo credit: brylanehome.com}

Matchbox Advent Calendar

By Elisabeth

I am coming to realize I have a fondness for advent calendars. After re-purposing my Thankful Tree two weeks ago, I attended my last moms meeting of the semester and we made matchbox advent calendars.

Aren't they divine? They are so easy to make, too. All we used were empty matchboxes, scrapbook paper, two-sided tape, ribbon, and stickers for the numbers. We were also given a list of ideas for doing something festive each day of the month. Today was a low activity day (in my eyes), so I picked "making hot chocolate." Exciting for them, totally doable for me.

There are plenty of tutorials for all sorts of matchbook calendar ideas online if you're interested!

And don't think it's too late to try something like this. I started putting these boxes in the number SIX pocket of my wall calendar and both my boys didn't bat an eye!

{photo credit: justagirlblog.com}

The best holiday decoration for pennies!

By Elisabeth

Last weekend, our family took to the streets to find ourselves a tree. Basically, we drove up the street to my son's preschool and purchased a tree and drove straight back home. It was painless.

Little did I know, the next phase of our decorating plans were not going to go as well.

One-out-of-three of our white tree lights didn't work. So, I headed up to Walgreens with one of the kids and bought one large strand to fit our needs.

Not long after we came home, we realized the two strands of colored lights didn't work either.

SMART, AREN'T WE?

Two more trips later and we were in business. Too bad we had to pry the kids off the tree the entire time. All they wanted to do was start putting the ornaments on, but we like the lights to go first. It was not easy, nor pleasant, during this trying hour. Let's just say the holiday spirit was not among any of us.

BUT.

While we were at Walgreens the first go around, I found the best decoration of all.

 

Our very own Charlie Brown Christmas Tree!

FOR $6.99.

See?

Simple and sweet all in the same note. I love it.

 {photo credits: krumbruce.wordpress.com, wayneschulz.com}

Celebrate this holiday season with an Advent Tree!

By Elisabeth

Last week at a moms meeting, we made Thankful Trees like the one Emily wrote about making last year leading up to Thanksgiving. We were given tree limbs from around town along with rocks, a vase, ties for around the vase and circular paper cutouts to write down each thing we are thankful for this holiday season. It was a great project that has helped our family stop for a moment and recognize what truly matters. (Well, ideally. I do have a three year old. And he doesn't ever stop. So...)

I got to thinking about Christmas because who can't when it's only 37 days away. (I KNOW.) Since Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK, the tree would be taken down not long after. I'd be bummed to put it away so soon after I made it. (It's so PRETTY on our dining room table!)

So, I did some searching on Pinterest and found a darling way to display an Advent Calendar. On a tree, of course!

Now, I just need to get on the ball and create my activities for the month of December. It seems we have some very creative ladies here at Style Lush who have already made their plans for this year. Adding an activity to each day of the month is a perfect way to keep my crew on track and organized while celebrating the holidays!

 

 

{Photo credits: simplyvintagegirl.com, blog.paigerussell.com}

Oblique Pointelle Pullover or ... Just a Purple Sweater?

By Elisabeth

I haven't been a shopper of Anthropologie for that long. We just got one in our city a couple of years ago, plus I've been pregnant for one of those years, so I wasn't the ideal candidate to invest in their finer threads.

Luckily, I did ask for a gift card this year for my birthday, so I felt I had to do some kind of damage, right? I fell upon their "on sale" closet-type room (a penny saver at heart!) and found myself a few pieces I'm thrilled about.

This Oblique Pointelle Pullover, or Purple Sweater is such a beautiful color in person, I had to have it. Just don't be like me and forget how short it is and pair it with a low-riding pair of skinny jeans. Let me tell you, THAT was a look. Clearly a normal-waisted pant or jean would look great with this top.

I do have to say this secondary pose on their site made me laugh. The styling in this picture is just so ... over the top. (Or, people really do look like this and I should just start working on my french braids. Maybe I should get out more?)

{photo credit: anthropologie.com}