Go Backless

 



 

I've heard it a million times, "I can't wear that because I can't wear a bra with it".  I get it.  I've been there.  Approaching my mid-thirties and having nursed a baby, I get it.  The girls are not what they used to be.  But, we're not dead... yet.  When you put restrictions on yourself, you're only holding yourself back.  The backless trend is totally fierce AND here to stay, so I say embrace it and invest in a backless bra.

 

I remember visiting my friend, Ali, at What The Frock, a high end designer consignment boutique.  I had this amazing backless dress that I couldn't wear a bra with and was hoping her in-house seamstress could do something with the straps to hold me in better.  I put the dress on and they both kind of laughed at me.  Ali got out some double sided tape and a backless bra and said, "here".  Boom!  My girls looked amazing, felt completely secure and the backless bra was more comfortable than my strapless. 

I couldn't believe it.  All those years, struggling with going braless and feeling uncomfortable every time a breeze went by.  There was a simple solution to all my problems.  I now have invested in a couple backless bra.  One is made of silicone and has the same feel of moist skin.  It's the best solution for backless looks that are very revealing.  The only problem with it, is it's sticky on the entire inside of it, so at the end of the night when it's time to take it off, it practically feels like you are peeling your skin off.  My favorite backless bra is the Soma Backless Strapless one pictured above.  It's only sticky on the side panels and has an underwire for extra support.

 

Backless bras don't come cheap.  Both of my backless bras were shy of $45 each, BUT they are totally reusable, as long as you reapply the backs to the sticky parts.  Be sure to store it back in the box or on the mold it came with and you can probably get 5-10 uses out of each.  I mean, it's really a small investment in the grand scheme of things.  You buy a $200 dress that you can't wear because you don't have the right undergarments... Wouldn't a $45 backless bra be small potatoes knowing you look and feel great?  Confidence is priceless.  Go backless!

Stay Golden

I can't stop.  And why should I?  Just because the Holidays are over, why do I need to stop wearing my sparkles?  I mean, a red blingy satin gown might be a bit much for January, but my golden sequin top from H&M... She'll keep shining all Winter.  Speaking of gold, the 24 carat gold woolly mammoth skeleton behind me in this picture is on display at the Faena Hotel on Miami Beach, if you're interested in seeing something spectacular. 

I struggle a bit this time of year, working in the fashion industry.  I live in Maine where the cold temperatures hang around until April, but am constantly surrounded with Spring fashion.  My philosophy: Wear what is appropriate to your region and climate.  Which means that Spring fashion will have to wait until Spring actually comes. Or, I'll just have to keep traveling to Miami, Florida.  I'll take the latter. 



Getting back to my golden top from H&M... I scooped it up for almost nothing.  I actually scooped up five pieces from H&M last week, all priced at $10 a piece!  The golden sequin top had a matching golden sequin pencil skirt, so I had to get the set.  I also scored a green long sleeve sequin dress for next year's holiday parties, a pink satin drop waist dress for Valentine's Day (to be featured next month) and a pair of black pumps (which are surprisingly wearable). 

I left H&M with my five "unseasonable" pieces and $50 (plus tax) less in my wallet, feeling high as a kite.  There's something to be said about getting a great deal.  If you're smart, you'll shop like I do and scoop up holiday pieces at a fraction of their original price for next year's season.  I do the same thing for late summer sales.  Once August rolls around, all summer clothing and accessories are put on clearance and you can get some incredible deals.  After I come home with my unseasonable purchases, I put them in my summer bins and have a delightful surprise come spring when I open my bin and have NEW clothes to wear.



It's okay to shop smart and it's okay to wear your sparkly pieces after the holidays.  Wear what is appropriate to your region and climate.  What I wear in Maine is totally different than what I wear at the same time in Miami (mostly because of the temperature difference).   Scoop up all the deals you can and stay golden.

Gold Top: H&M
Jeggings: Express
Lace-up Heels: Steve Madden



Oh Deer, 2016 is Here!

 

Happy New Year!  I can hardly believe 2016 is already here.  I find the older I get, the faster time flies by.  2015 was a great year for me and my fashion blog.  I learned a lot.  Hard work and persistence pay off, and attention to detail and following through are extremely important.  I have achieved my goals for 2015 and am now focusing on the year ahead.

 

As you can see from the picture above, I'm on vacation in Miami.  When I get back to Maine, I have set some goals for 2016 and I'm excited to share them with my followers.  I find if I actually write them down for the world to see, I'm held accountable for what I say.  My first goal is to purchase my own domain.  I really should have done this years ago, but have recently seen the advantages (or disadvantages of not having my own).

 

My blog will still focus on fashion that is affordable and accessible, but my brand will become Chelsea K. Ray.  Everyday Fashion on a Budget is truly what I live by, and I will continue to wear everything I feature on my blog, but to keep things consistent, I am my brand.  The consulting side of my business is gaining momentum and my blog continues to gain followers everyday.  Thank you for your love and support.

 

Another goal I have made for 2016 is to feature more diversity on my blog.  It will still have affordable fashion, but you (hopefully) won't see me modeling as much.  I understand everyone isn't in their 30's, six feet tall and has my body type.  I believe my followers would like to relate to different styles on different bodies, at different ages.  With that said, I'm looking for models!  The job is unpaid, but I promise you'll have fun doing a photo shoot and I always promote you and your business in each post.  The pictures I take are yours to keep.  E-mail me in you're interested.

 

Good bye 2015.  I'm getting better at everything with time, so 2016 is sure to be a great one.  I'll continue to share my ups and downs and hopefully gain more and more success as the year progresses.  I love what I do and thank my lucky stars everyday that I have the opportunity to do it.  Happy New Year!

 

Romper: Top Shop

Platforms: Steve Madden

Bag: Michael Kors

 

 

 





Merry Christmas Eve

 

It always comes and goes so quickly.  One second, you're thinking, "I have weeks to shop".  The next, you're racing against the Christmas clock.  With all the rush, be sure you're ready for it with a stylish and functional holiday wardrobe.  Kind of a place where festive fashion meets Christmas function.  A place where you blend all the things you need to do with all the things you want to do and still look good doing it.

If you're anything like me, the days leading up to Christmas can be a bit chaotic.  The kids are out of school (in my opinion, for way too long), so you're not only juggling all your cookie making, holiday shopping, Christmas caroling, gift giving, party going, etc., but you're doing it with kids in tow.  One second I'm at the grocery store getting all my ingredients for fruitcake and the next I'm bowling, then shopping, then wrapping... Is it cocktail time yet?

Yes it is.  Champagne, please?  With all the Christmas chaos, we sometimes forget what the holidays are really about.  There's so much emphasis on what to buy, what to wear, who to see.  Let's get back to what's really important... being with the ones we love.  In black faux leather pants, an oversized white checked sweater and lug sole booties, I can forget about all the running around and present buying and focus on my friends and family.  Once again, comfort and function trump contemporary fashion.

This year for the holidays, I'm throwing on functional and fashionable pieces that allow me to focus on what's really important.  Don't forget that this time of year is meant to be spent with the ones you love.  If you can't be with the ones you love (my sister and her family live in Atlanta, GA and I only get to see her every few Christmases, so I get it) make sure you call them and wish them a very Merry Christmas.  Before you know it, it will be 2016 and we will be busy fulfilling our New Years Resolutions. 



Make an early resolution this year and give your time and love to the ones that really matter in your life.  Children don't stay small forever, so cherish them now.  Our elders too will not be around forever.  Make sure you reach out to them.  Forget about all the grudges you hold and offer joy and forgiveness in your heart.  This is a time of year to reflect and spread Christmas cheer!  I offer everyone that reads this special Christmas blog a very Merry Christmas.





Sparkle

 

It's no secret that I LOVE sparkle.  A pretty dress is one thing, but when you add some bling to it... Ohmigod.  This time of year is the ultimate time to sparkle, so get your shine on!  I know you have at least one holiday party this year.  Everyone is looking for that perfect red dress, or white cashmere sweater, but why not really stand out this year and wear some sparkle?

 

Not sure where to start?  Don't want to look like a disco ball?  There are some simple guidelines to wearing sparkly clothes and accessories this season.  Limit your shine to one piece, like a blazer, a blingy necklace or pumps.  Head to toe sparkle will look a bit outrageous.  My girl, Zephi* (photographed above) looks show stopping in her INC gold sparkly dress.  She kept the rest of her look clean with black pumps.

 

 

This incredible silver sparkly dress is the perfect way to bring your bling to any holiday party.  Wear it with sheer black tights and heels, and your look is complete.  You'll turn every head in the place with a full on sparkly dress.  This one is from Forever 21.

 

 

Don't want your sparkle from top to bottom?  No worries.  There are lots of other ways to feature a little bling.  This skirt from H&M has blue and gold tones and is the perfect compliment to a black blouse and heels.  It says sparkle, without screaming it!  My favorite pair of holiday pants are leggings I got from H&M last year that are covered in silver sequins.  If you'd rather highlight your top half, the easiest way to pull sparkle off is with an embellished top.  Keep your look streamlined from head to toe and throw a little sparkle on your top with a pin, a scarf or even a bold statement necklace.

 

For the totally timid sparkle enthusiast... wear your sparkle on your feet.  It says, "I'm fun, but not over the top".  There's two ways to show off sparkle on your feet.  Either with your shoes, like these peep toe pumps from Target or my favorite which is painting your toe nails with some glittery paint.  People might just notice your sparkle, if you get out on the dance floor and show them what you got. 

 

However you like to show your sparkle off, 'tis the season.  Bring a little bright shine to your next holiday party, or just to cocktails with friends.  Either way, it's definitely sparkle season.  Show it off!  

 

*A few thank you's:

 

-Thank you to the Westin Hotel in Portland, Maine for allowing us to do our shoot in their stunning lobby.  If you're looking for a beautiful picture, the Westin is the spot.

 

-Thank you to my stunning model, Zephila McDonough:

 

Zephila McDonough is mother of a beautiful 5 year old. In addition to having a full family life with her daughter and husband, she is an entrepreneur who is dedicated to becoming a better version of herself everyday. She loves being of service to women in her community through mentoring. Zephi has an extensive background in the restaurant industry at many capacities. Her love for fashion and beauty brought her to becoming an esthetician and make-up artist in Boston. She is now owner of her future through a network marketing company called Arbonne.

 

-Thank you to the incredibly talented hair stylist and makeup artist, Christine Libby:

 

5 years in the beauty industry providing hair and makeup services.

Have a passion for making people both look and feel beautiful

Love providing services for all types: photo shoots, weddings, special occasions
Fun, energetic, outgoing

 











Stand Out at a Holiday Party

I'm always a huge advocate of standing out from the crowd with style.  Looking like everyone else is lame.  This mentality has been embedded in me since I was a toddler.  My parents believed that independence in a young child is extremely important and allowed me to dress myself every morning as young as preschool.  As long as I was warm enough, pretty much anything went.  I took full advantage of having a stylish mother and older sister and would layer satin pajamas and sequined scarfs over everything.

Of course, having a "different" sense of style didn't come without harassment.  Kids really can be so mean.  Eventually, I got to an age where I just wanted to fit in and shopped at GAP exclusively.  Such sad days.  Luckily, college arrived and my fashion balls came back full force.  Those Southern girls would all wear the exact same thing.  Hair in a pony tail, pearls, t-shirt, jeans and flip flops.  Lame.  Super lame.  I made it a point to stand out in my super short mini skirt and "What Boyfriend?" t-shirt.  I liked the shocked looks and jaw drops.  Looking different is cool people.  Make them look.

With holiday parties coming up (tonight is my first one of the season), my philosophy of standing out runs strong.  There will absolutely be an element of bling, maybe some fur, maybe a romper?  A little black dress just doesn't cut it.  There's tons of great ways to stand out at your next holiday party.  Here are some ideas:

A Black Jumpsuit

One thing to keep in mind if you're wearing a back jumpsuit... pair it with heels.  The key is to elongate your legs and keep the jumpsuit looking fresh and dressed up.

 

Embellished Heels

Can't wear high heels?  I'm almost six feet tall.  I get it.  Invest in a pair of kitten heels (the shoe looks just like a pump, but the heel is only 1/2-1" high).  Wedges are really easy to walk in.  There's no gap between the ball and heel of your foot.  Just make sure they have some sparkle or they are brightly colored.

 

Feathers

Feathers have been all over the fashion scene the past couple years.  I've even seen them on wedding dresses!  Just want a little feather embellishment?  Try a pair of feather earrings or embellished heels.  Love the feather look?  A feather coat or clutch is the perfect statement piece.

 

Picture credit: Pages from People Style Watch!  It's my favorite fashion magazine right now.

 

 

 





Your Holiday Party Look

This picture looks straight out of a magazine, or a movie or a Christmas card.  The cool part is, I took this picture.  Although I can't take all the credit.  The stunning model you see is a dear friend, Zephila McDonough and she did have her hair and makeup professionally done by Christine Libby.  Be sure to scroll down and read their bios*. 

Achieving perfect isn't the name of the game when it comes to your holiday party look.  Simplicity is the key.  Making one piece of your look the star, and keeping the rest simple is what it's all about.  Take Zephi's red dress, for example.  She knew that the dress was going to be the star of the show, so she left her accessories simple.  Black heels, a pearl choker and a sleek side pony allow Zephi's red strapless midi ruffled dress to do all the talking.



What you wear to your holiday parties this year depends so much on the type of event.  They key is to not show up to an Ugly Sweater Party in anything but.  If you are dressed inappropriately, people will be talking about your look... and not in a good way.  A work event? depending on the venue, professional attire is always appropriate.  A party at the office?  Just exchange your pumps and blazer for a silk button down and strappy heels.  The party is at restaurant, hotel or holiday venue?  I'd up my game and go for a dress or something with a little sparkle.

 

Zephi is so "boss" in this dress.  She owns her look and is confident in what she's wearing.  If you're not a "dress person", there's a million ways to still shine at your holiday party this year.  And when I say shine, I mean it.  A little bling will take your look up ten notches.  Try a sparkly statement necklace with a sheer button down blouse.  A pair of sequined pants/leggings with a cashmere sweater is always a head turner.  If you like to keep your look a little understated, layer on a light sparkly scarf over your outfit or make a statement with some show stopping shoes.  A little pop of sparkle or color will really complete your holiday look.

 

This year, put a little extra effort in your holiday style.  Finding your holiday party look is as easy as letting one piece be the star.  Whether it's a red strapless dress, or an ugly sweater or a sparkly necklace.  Know your venue, dress appropriately, wow them with a statement piece and for heavens sake, have a very happy holiday!

 

-A few thank you's:

 

*Thank you to the Westin Hotel in Portland, Maine for allowing us to do our shoot in their stunning lobby.  If you're looking for a beautiful picture, the Westin is the spot.

 

*Thank you to my stunning model, Zephila McDonough:

 

Zephila McDonough is mother of a beautiful 5 year old. In addition to having a full family life with her daughter and husband, she is an entrepreneur who is dedicated to becoming a better version of herself everyday. She loves being of service to women in her community through mentoring. Zephi has an extensive background in the restaurant industry at many capacities. Her love for fashion and beauty brought her to becoming an esthetician and make-up artist in Boston. She is now owner of her future through a network marketing company called Arbonne.

 

*Thank you to the incredibly talented hair stylist and makeup artist, Christine Libby:

 

5 years in the beauty industry providing hair and makeup services.

Have a passion for making people both look and feel beautiful

Love providing services for all types: photo shoots, weddings, special occasions
Fun, energetic, outgoing

Contact: Christine Libby: Big Day Beauty
(207)272-0381
christine_haeger@yahoo.com