Feeling Fab in Lilly & Lime!

Something I didn’t realize when deciding to get larger implants was how it would affect swim suit shopping.  It’s truly a pain!!  I was already wearing my proper fitting bras but when wearing swimwear you are very exposed and there’s always a chance of something showing that you would rather keep covered.  Showing off copious amounts of cleavage can be a bit awkward in public, especially when I’m with my 2 youngest kiddos and they are boys!  Suffice to say it’s been a struggle trying to find a cute and modest swim top as I prefer bikinis and triangle tops are much too revealing unless I’m staying in my own pool and not allowing visitors.  I have also struggled with very, very close set breasts so I was doubtful that anything other than a low plunge would work.  In fact, at first I told my fellow bloggers that I shouldn’t even try the suit for fear of it not working for my shape but boy am I glad I did after all (hint…I love it!).   I was kindly gifted the Stripe Balconette and the matching Stripe Hipster Tie Bottom by Lilly and Lime, a new Australian based swimwear company specializing in swimwear for D cup and up.  I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my package to find a very cute tote with my bikini inside, a special touch by the company that stood out to me.  I was even happier once I tried on my suit and my doubts soon faded as I finally found a modest and super cute bikini top that I can proudly wear in public.

I was sent the Stripe Balconette style in a 30GG which is my UK size and it’s the size I usually wear in Ewa Michalak unlined styles as well (this might help my fellow Polish bra junkies out there..wink…wink!).  The Balconette is the only style that has the option to be worn with or without straps which are fully adjustable.  For fun you could even cross the straps in the back!  As for fit…The band has a plastic clasp closure and is rather loose so I would definitely prefer a 28H so I could safely and securely wear it as the strapless option to avoid those extra tan lines.  The cups fit almost perfectly with nice projection and I would say they are comparable to my other 30GG bras but I would prefer the wires to be just a bit narrower.  The cups are lined with foam and there are no removable pads making it a stiff fit at first but the longer I had the top on the more it molded to my breasts and I must add that when the top is wet it kept it’s shape nicely.  I’m  also happy to report that my breasts were nicely separated  and the gore was actually comfortable!  This really shocked me as I have a very difficult time with high gores and this one is pretty wide too …good thing I didn’t judge it until I tried it 🙂  The wires are on the softer side so that probably contributes to the comfort, a huge bonus since that’s just as important as being cute for me.  As for support, I can’t accurately comment since the band is too loose for me to properly judge.  The bottoms are very cheeky for me;  I received a size 12 in the Stripe Hipster Tie bottom,  I usually wear a large or size 8 in US sizes.

I am an older mom of four and I nervously told my fellow bloggers that I didn’t think there was any way on Earth I could wear these cheeky bottoms after seeing pictures of other,  much younger girls in them.  Guess what …shocked again,  they look pretty decent and the ties are just the right fun touch.  I would still prefer more coverage in public and definitely in the waves but for floating in my pool they are perfect.  The fabric is very high quality, nicely lined and there’s a very cute Lilly and Lime signature metal tag detail that I love!  The stripes are a vibrant purple/blue shade and white…very hip and fun and for a twist this pattern would look super cute interchanged with either the Nectarine top or bottom.

Overall I am ecstatic about this new suit,  I feel young and confident in it…nothing could be better then that right?!  I look forward to more from Lilly and Lime!  There aren’t many larger cup options in swimwear so I am thrilled to find this new choice…super cute vibrant prints and high quality!  A huge Thanks to Lilly and Lime for this beautiful bikini!  My Stripe Bikini was graciously provided for review by Lilly and Lime.  All opinions are my own. Peace! 🙂

SM Triumf a Nude Necessity

Where do I begin….well there was a long time in my life that I only wore nude or black bras with the most padding I could possibly find to help even out my figure.  I’ve always been extra small on top and after nursing 4 kiddos I was very deflated and lacked fullness.  Couple that with larger hips and I was left feeling disproportionate  until I had my breast augmentation.  I recently went through revision surgery and now I am very happy with my new proportions and I love wearing unlined bras for the first time in my life, no more thick  padding for me!  So my Polish bra obsession kicked in and I will admit that I need to have every shade of the rainbow and I also swore to never look for a beige bra again.  I often find myself matching my vibrant, colorful sets to whichever top I’ve chosen that day,  a beautiful red strap peeking out of a red blouse is fine with me 🙂  Alas there are times when those brilliant pops of color just won’t work under a white tee-shirt or light blouse and not having a completely nude bra just won’t suffice.  Just as I started my search Ewa Michalak released the gorgeous SM Triumf  (an unlined balconette style) and immediately knew I had to add it to my colorful collection.  Little did I know just how stunning this bra would be in person and you just can’t beat the trademark Ewa Michalak fit.  Narrow wires and great projection. are perfect for my augmented breasts and with it hitting 115 where I live in the summer months an unlined bra is a necessity!

The floral patterned lace of Triumf is intricate, but not too delicate and it is the perfect shade to completely disappear under a white top on my complexion.

The gore is narrow and the wires overlap slightly so it’s a wonderful fit for my very close set breasts.  I’ve noticed that Triumf along with a few other SM styles I’ve tried have a firmer band and the wires feel stronger,  I’m not sure if it’s literally a stronger wire or if it just feels that way since it’s an unlined bra lacking padding.  It’s as if there is wonderful support with an almost airy,  freeing feeling since there isn’t extra fabric and I absolutely love the lightness!  I get a nice lifted round shape with forward projection that looks great under a fitted tee-shirt so it is exactly what I needed for my collection, a very un-boring nude bra with a subtle sexiness.

I ordered SM Triumf in a 65gg after reading that the unlined styles by Ewa Michalak ran on the firm side and I found this to be very true as I stated previously.  It’s a perfect fit on the loosest hooks for my 26.5 underbust.  The 65gg has a 3 hook closure for added band support and in my experience I prefer the extra stability and comfort it provides.

The cups are a strong non-stretch lace and where the cup meets the strap the lace is doubled-up I assume for strength so the lace won’t tear.  The band itself is a satiny, stretchy material that is soft and luxurious.  Ewa Michalak never disappoints when it comes to adding the perfect little extra touches on her bras… from the tiny bow and round crystal gore detail to the scalloped lace edging on the tops of the cups,  this nude bra is a stunner.

In my pictures it may seem as if it’s cutting in a bit when in actuality that’s just my relaxed skin after 4 pregnancies,  I call it my bra roll,  in a grumbled voice of course.  The bra sits nicely in my crease and the gore tacks well, although after a few hours the gore sort of folds to the right or left over itself since my breasts sit so close together.  It’s not uncomfortable and I’m not sure if it’s just an augmented breast issue but I could see others experiencing the same thing if they are very center heavy.  The cups are the perfect depth and filled nicely.

I’m thrilled to have another well-fitting work of “bra art” by Ewa Michalak in a nude shade and just in time as we’ve had a few 100 degree days already!  Have you tried Triumf?  I would love to hear your thoughts and if you’ve been eyeing this beauty I suggest adding it to your collection,  you won’t be disappointed.

Review: Anna Pardal Emeline

  

 

Anna Pardal Emeline Classic Plunge

On my search for an everyday black bra I found a stunner!  Emeline is far from any ordinary black basic bra even though it can pass for one easily.  The first time I saw it on the Anna Pardal website I was in love and decided I had to order it ASAP and luckily for me Erica from A Sophisticated Pair happened to have a 30g in stock…in stock!  Do you know how rare that has been for me, a bra ready to ship in my size is pretty much non-existent.  I emailed her immediately and she sent it quickly (Erica provides amazing customer service btw).   When I opened the package, just a few days later, it was even more gorgeous in person but unfortunately for me it was a tad too tall and a tad too large.

Since Erica didn’t have a different size for me to try and the new Anna Pardal styles were soon to be released I decided to reach out to Anna W. of Anna Pardal directly to ensure I got an Emeline thinking it would soon be discontinued and of course Sabine made it into my cart as well since I have no self-control lol.  I decided to try a 30ff and hoped that the unaltered size would work….sadly it was too small.  So I decided to send Anna pictures of the bras and ask her advice on what I should try next to get that perfect fit.  After telling her I loved the narrow gore and that the strap sort of dug into my narrow shoulders, she suggested I try a 30g with reduced cups and straps moved in 2cm and requested that the gore be made as narrow as possible and I also asked her to please add a pocket for an asymmetry pad to be inserted since I have one breast slightly smaller than the other.  Emeline arrived a few weeks later and you know that sound in the movies when the sky opens and you hear aaaaahhhhh, yep that’s what I heard as I tried it on and fell in love with this piece of Heaven.

The fit is exactly what I needed and it is my most comfortable bra I own,  but that isn’t even the best part.  Emeline is a sophisticated, elegant and rich looking work of art and I feel amazing wearing it each and every time I put it on.

Nothing can compare to feeling beautiful and comfortable at the same time and let’s face it there have been plenty of occasions when as a woman we’ve had to choose beauty over comfort….darn heels!

 

The Emeline Classic Plunge is a lightly lined molded cup bra and while it holds its shape it isn’t stiff like other molded bras I’ve tried.  The 30 band is firm and perfect for my 26.75 inch ribcage measurement on the loosest of 4 hooks and the reduced cups are the perfect depth and height.  The fully adjustable straps sit perfectly on my narrow shoulders and are stiffer then other bras I own but once I found the correct adjustment they haven’t budged and feel amazing.  The narrow wires and projected cup give me the most amazing lifted shape and the perfect amount of cleavage, nothing over the top.  Thanks to the narrow gore I don’t have any problems for my close-set breasts and it tacks perfectly without pinching or digging.  So for fit, dare I say perfect…Absolutely!

The bra is exquisitely made with high quality fabric and precisely stitched, even the bows are beyond elegant.  The antique peach flower print is subtle yet beautiful against the deep black background reminiscent of an oil painting.

I feel incredible wearing this amazing bra, the shape is fantastic and is nearly seamless under a fitted tee.  It has become my favorite bra and I reach for it at least a couple of days per week.  If I want to dress up or just hang out in shorts and a tank top I feel beautiful knowing Emeline is underneath.

I just can’t say enough about how impressed I am by this bra,  I love it so much and Anna has perfected her designs to suit all women of different shapes and sizes.  She is a true artist and even though she must be extremely busy she takes the time to respond quickly to emails and is so kind in her replies,  she truly cares about a perfect fit.  Somehow she created the most elegant, sophisticated and comfortable black bra that I have ever owned.  If you have been on the hunt for perfection, look no further…Emeline is still available in 4 news cup styles with the option of additional alterations for a small fee and if you subscribe to the Anna Pardal newsletter you will receive 10% off your first order at annapardal.com.  If you are anything like me once you look at the site Emeline won’t be the only item in your cart.  Have you tried Anna Pardal yet?  I would love to hear your thoughts!