Amy's Undies

This is the first time I've discussed undergarments on my Blog.  Which is pretty crazy, because your undergarments are so instrumental in your total look.  Undergarment no-no's can change, just as quickly as fashion does, but one of the biggest (which still makes me cringe when I see it) are panty lines.  I mean, I get it.  Thongs are not as comfortable as regular panties.  I struggle daily with wanting more comfort and coverage, but knowing panty line exposure is unacceptable.  There are a few clothing items that USUALLY require a thong: (1) Yoga pants, (2) Leggings and (3) Skinny jeans.  I call them non-thong-negotiables.

Well, it might just be time to start negotiating.  I emphasize "USUALLY" because there's a new kind of underwear out there that's changing all the rules.  They're called Amy's Undies and this revolutionary underwear is saying NO to "one size fits all".  We were all born with different body types and that includes the width of your thigh, waist and especially the size of your booty.  Amy's Undies are designed to fit any type of women's body.  Measuring around the high hip and the low hip, you find your personal difference.  Standard underwear have all the same "difference" for women.  Amy's Undies give you a custom difference in their sizing, allowing your underwear to fit right and never need to be adjusted.

With a stretchy lace waistband and soft, breathable material, Amy's Undies defy all panty line rules.  Watch this quick tutorial on how to find your measurements, which determines your difference HERE and check out all the different sizes and styles of Amy's Undies HERE.

"With Amy's Curve Sizing , we have expanded the sizing system by an additional 15 sizes to fit those of us that have been gifted with more in the backside than what manufacturers consider a woman has.

Traditional sizing allows for XS, S, M, L, XL etc. We have expanded on this to add the Curve that increases the sizes available by more than 300%.

If you suffer from eternal wedgies due to having your plumper backside being pushed into "normal butt" panties, be relieved, our patent pending sizing system ensures that is a thing of the past."  -Amy

Amy's Undies come in three styles: Cheeky, Boy Shorts and Bikini.  My personal favorite are the Cheeky, but if you're looking for a little more booty coverage, the Bikini is a great option.  I sent Amy my high and low waist measurements, and my underwear fit perfectly.  The Boyshorts eliminate the panty line problem, while still offering comfort and coverage.  I personally find Amy's Undies to be the "next thing" in underwear and love that they embrace that women are not "one size fits all".

New at StyleWe

Done Holiday shopping for everyone else?  Feeling a little flat from all the hustle and bustle?  You need a new amazing wardrobe piece that no one else has, but everyone wants.  StyleWe is committed to providing shoppers with original, high quality and exclusive fashion that you won't find anywhere else.  The site gives customers the ability to communicate with designers directly, to offer a more customized shopping experience.  

"We believe the fashion trend should not be controlled by the few, but rather be guided by the collective actions of every designer and fashion customer.  At StyleWe, our goal is to empower designers so that they no longer feel hidden behind the brand, but are able to proactively communicate directly with their customers throughout the entire fashion life cycle.  We believe fashion should be personal and diversified.  Fashion designers should not cater exclusively to the rich and famous.  We have dedicated ourselves to enabling talented fashion designers to build their own brands and achieve their dream.  Together with our designers, we will deliver high quality designer fashions to everyone."                                                                                                       

-StyleWe

Now you know the story behind StyleWe, but did you know they have the best collections of everything you want?  From two-piece dresses, bag and accessories, the ever-famous faux leather leggings, coats, athletic wear, your most-needed StyleWe kimonos and so much more.  Here are a few StyleWe pieces that I can't live without this year:

Yoga Pants & Wrap Athletic Top

Flirty Cocktail Dress

Kimono for Vacation

Faux Leather Leggings

Down Coat

Leather Backpack

Sporty Suit

Interested in learning more about StyleWe and their featured designers?  Check out their YouTube page HERE.  After all Holiday insanity, don't forget to treat yourself this year in the season's hottest trends from StyleWe. 

Let the Holiday Parties Begin!

I LOVE this time of year.  There's a smell in the air.  A feeling, if you will.  People are a little kinder.  Children are a little sweeter.  And there's a Holiday party around every corner.  I LOVE Holiday parties.  Love, love love, everything about them.  The excitement of seeing your friends or family, getting dressed up, the food, the cocktails.  Bring it on!

Of course all these parties do have their drawbacks.  Like running the risk of over indulging, finding a babysitter night after night and probably the most challenging, which is looking fabulous for each event.  The first year I attended multiple Holiday parties, I thought one holiday look was sufficient.  Oh was I wrong.  I thought I was being smart and no one would notice.  Well, people not only noticed, they commented.  Jerks!

Luckily, you live and you learn.  I'm not suggesting you buy a different outfit for each and every party.  We're not Billionaires here and the Holidays are probably one of the most difficult times of the year to buy yourself anything.  Instead I'm going to suggest some budget-friendly ways to stretch your Holiday party wardrobe dollars.  From experience, here's what I've learned over the years:

• I wore this (pictured above) same look last year, to a dinner party.  To draw attention away from the pieces that I'm re-wearing (i.e. statement necklace and sequin skirt), I swapped a faux leather top for a red blouse I already had in my closet.  Boom!  No one noticed.
• Burlington Coat Factory carries cocktail dresses for next to nothing.  You'd never guess.  I've scored floor-length gowns to fashion forward holiday dresses for under $30.  They also carry a large selection of very affordable shoes.  
• Change up a cocktail dress you've already worn with different accessories.  Over-the-knee boots are all the rage right now.  Instead of wearing tights and heels, consider a pair of boots that are even warmer and functional.  A statement necklace or earrings will draw attention away from the dress and make your look completely different.
• Buy and sell consignment.  That dress with the feathers was all the rage a few years ago, but now would stand out like a sore thumb... Sell it.  And if you purchase from the store that you sold at, they'll most likely give you more money in trade than cash.  One woman's old dress is another's treasure.  
• Lastly, consider trading/borrowing.  I have a ridiculous number of dresses and all my girlfriends know it.  I'm usually the first one they call when they can't find what they're looking for.  If you have a friend or family member that wears a similar size, ask if you can paw through their closet.  Just a piece of advice: Dry Clean whatever you borrow.  If you damage it, buy them a new one.  Mistreated or stolen clothing is an immediate unfriending, in my opinion.

Okay, so you have three Holiday parties this week.  No worries.  You got this.  No one will notice you're wearing your black work trousers, because you popped into H&M and scored a silky red blouse for under $20.  Next party, you look amazing in that second-hand dress you got at the consignment store that you didn't pay a thing for, because you traded an old one for it.  Luckily, the last party has a different crowd than the first two, so all you needed to do is swap out those heels for some boots and layer a bold statement necklace... That second-hand dress steals the show.

No need to stress.  Let the Holiday parties begin!  If all of this is still overwhelming, call me.  I can transform your look into an affordable and head turning night.

My Holiday looks consists of:

A Mirina Statement Necklace 

Red Blouse from H&M

Sequin Mini from Express

Over-the-knee Boots from ALDO

Holiday Shopping Special

The holidays are are a wonderful time of year.  Filled with family, friends, traditions... and stress.  The pressure of buying the perfect gift and looking amazing for all those holiday parties can build up and take the fun out of the true meaning of the celebration.  I can help.

My name is Chelsea K. Ray and I'm a Fashion Consultant.  I specialize in Personal Shopping and Wardrobe Organization.  With a Degree in Fashion from USC and over ten years experience helping Clients, family and friends with their shopping and styling needs, I can help.  There are a few variations of Personal Shopping services I offer, along with a holiday special that you may not know even know existed.

Wracking your brain, thinking of the perfect gift for that special someone?  Consider giving (or asking for) the gift of Personal Shopping and Wardrobe Organization to a friend or family member this Holiday Season.  The first hour is always FREE and Gift Certificates can be sent to you or directly to the person receiving.

Personal Shopping Services*:

*All Personal Shopping services begin with a FREE Client Consultation to determine Client's needs, budget and goals.  The Client can decide whether they would like to purge items at that time, or schedule another time to organize wardrobe.

Option 1:  Client hires Personal Shopper to assist in shopping.  Sticking to budget and previously discussed goals, Personal Shopper will help Client achieve a more fashionable wardrobe, while teaching techniques in efficient shopping and methods to flatter Client's body-type.

*This option requires Client to be present in the shopping process.  Client will need to try clothing on in store.

Option 2:  Client hires Personal Shopper to purchase pieces for them.  Sticking to budget and previously discussed goals, Personal Shopper will select pieces and present them to Client in the comfort of home or office.  Client purchases pieces they want to keep and Personal Shopper returns any pieces the Client does not want or does not fit.

Special Occasion Shopping:  Client hires Personal Shopper to purchase a full look for a special occasion.  The Client can decide whether they would like to use option 1 or option 2 for this process. 

Holiday Personal Shopping Special:  Client hires Personal Shopper to purchase gifts for them.   Sticking to budget and items listed, Personal Shopper will select gifts and present them to Client in the comfort of home or office.  This process saves Client time, frustration of lines, parking and stress.  Personal Shopper will also beautifully wrap presents, upon request.

If you're interested in hiring a Personal Shopper, please give me a call or e-mail.  In the meantime, follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest for weekly fashion Blog posts that specialize in affordable and accessible fashion.

Chelsea K. Ray

Fashion Consultant & Blogger

Http://chelseakray.com

207.615.4028

chelseakray@gmail.com

Business Hours:

Monday-Friday  8am-5pm

Follow me on Social Media:
-Facebook
-Instagram
-Twitter
-Pinterest

-A special thanks to my stunning Model and friend, Zephila McDonough.

Bodysuit

The topic of bodysuits is very personal to me.  Growing up, I was insecure about my height and weight.  See, in sixth grade I was six feet tall.  In the process of growing a foot in six months, I never gained a pound.  I had no hips, no boobs and if pants fit my waist, they were way too short.  I like to call it my "awkward years" and the result was a young girl who became very self-conscious.  Sad story.  I know.  It gets better, I promise.

Half way through sixth grade, my mom could tell I was struggling with my appearance and took me shopping.  She took me to my favorite store, KMart (I still love KMart, by the way).  Ironically, what was in style then, is almost parallel to what's in now.  Bodysuits were all the rage and I discovered that boy's pants come in different inseams (what?!).  It was my uniform.  Boys colored jeans, super tight bodysuits, a pair of chucks and a choker... and my first fashion compliment.  Not only was it my first fashion compliment, but it was from a boy.  A boy I liked.

I want to thank that boy for that moment that changed my life.  It may sound dramatic, but at that moment in sixth grade... I realized the purpose of fashion.  When you look good, you feel good and dressing your body to compliment what your mama gave you is what it's all about.  Knowledge is power and fashion works exactly that way.  Luckily for me, the boys eventually caught up with my height and I finally got some boobies and hips.  It took a few years, but my awkward body balanced out and my love for fashion grew.

Back to the topic at hand, bodysuits.  They're totally back in style from the 90's and you'd think I'd be sporting them daily.  Ironically, I only own one because my body now is completely different from my sixth grade body.  See bodysuits are designed for girls with exact opposite body type as mine.  I'm an apple.  Thin arms, thin legs and a thick waist.  Not exactly a flattering garment with a fitted bodice and predetermined length.  A bodysuit should be paired with a bottom that is either high-waisted or loose-fitting for balance.  I did find one bodysuit that fits perfectly once matched with a fit and flare faux leather skirt.

If you do have a slim waist and a normal length torso, bodysuits are great for you.  If you have large breasts, a long torso or a fuller waist, I highly suggest to avoid this trend.  I will give bodysuits credit that they were the start of my love for fashion, but as I get older, knowing what works and what doesn't, you probably won't see me in many.  The snappy crotch, the breast flattening aspect... I'm good.  The bodysuit has a much more powerful meaning to me, than fashionable purpose.

My bodysuit is from Target.  

The skirt is from TJMaxx.  

The boots are Aldo 

The black choker is Forever21.









Ryka Boots

Prime example of what I've been telling y'all for years... "Read fashion magazines for inspiration, (beyond my fabulous blog)".  I subscribe to three major fashion magazines (InStyle, People- Style Watch and Glamour).  None of which are known for high-end brands and all are known for featuring high-end... for less.  As much as I love Chanel, it's just not in my budget to bathe myself in it.  So in the meantime, I look for practical and unique pieces that I can actually afford.  

I wish I could take the credit, but Style Watch featured these Ryka: Microfiber and rubber boots in their November 2016 Issue (pictured above).  I instantly fell in love and ordered them in navy.  I knew they were going to be comfortable, but these boots are beyond.  The sole of them is made of a light rubber material, sort of like Crocs.  The microfiber top part is waterproof and you can lace them up to keep snow and rain out.  At $70 ($60 if you sign up to receive their e-mails), these boots are an amazing deal and incredible quality.

A few things to keep in mind when ordering these Ryka boots: They come with a second color of laces, so you can change the look of them depending on your outfit.  They run true to size, or maybe a half size big, but in the winter that just means you can layer an extra pair of socks under them for an extra cozy look.  They're super light and a cross-over from a sneaker to a boot, so expect to run, jump and take the stairs in them.  I'm completely in love and I've already fair-warned my husband that I'm ordering another pair in black.  A girl has to have options.

Winter is fast approaching.  Make sure you're ready with some fashion meets function Ryka boots.  Click HERE to shop all the amazing colors and sizes Ryka offers.

Shop Toko Indo

Although staying in line with "what's on trend" is something I find important in my line of work, wearing fashion that is different from what everyone else is wearing is equally important.  I'm always on the search for pieces you won't find anywhere else, and they have to be affordable.  What trumps (excuse the ironically political pun) all fashion rules, is comfort.  I refuse to wear something that pinches, bunches, squeezes, rolls, etc.  Life is too short to be uncomfortable and your clothing's lifespan is too short to pay a lot.

I love shopping locally.  My husband and I own a local business and we are big advocates of supporting Portland, Maine's economy.  Before I hit the Mall looking for fashion, I always sweep the local boutiques.  Toko Indo is a boutique on Exchange Street that has an incredible selection of hand crafted jewelry, accessories and gifts.  But what I'm in love with, is their line of clothing.  The pieces remind me of Free People.  A very boho vibe, trendy and the best part is, it's super affordable.  No need to go to the Mall and overspend.  Toko Indos got it, plus it's a local business and a portion of their proceeds benefit charities in the area.

Don't live in Portland, Maine?  Toko Indo has six locations all down the East coast.  Each location has different pieces specific to their region.  I always like to pop in when I'm looking for a unique gift idea for a friend.  Their selection of beaded and silver jewelry has something everyone will like.  Looking for a cozy winter hat and scarf?  I'm loving their knitted accessories.  Especially the beanies with a big flower or pom pom.  My favorite clothing items at Toko Indo usually have a hippy vibe with unique prints like paisley or floral.  

The long sleeve white knit top and knit gray flare pants (pictured above) are both from Toko Indo and were under $50 for the entire look.  It's something that I'll wear all Fall and into winter (until the snow comes).  I usually suggest a look to have contrasting fits.  For example, if you're wearing a loose top, pair it with some skinny pants and vise versa with a more flowy bottom.  But, this look works for a couple reasons: 1.) The pants are tight from the waist to the knees, so I treated them like a pair of leggings, and 2.) The top is asymmetrical, so I paired the flare pants to work with the shortest length of the top.  Balance is key and this casual look has just enough.  

I'm a huge advocate of Toko Indo and will continue to shop there regularly.  Unfortunately, if you don't live around one of their six locations, they do not sell their merchandise online.  No one piece is uniform, because it's handmade.  You'll just have to visit Portland, Ogunquit, Provincetown, Portsmouth or Key West to get their unique and stylish pieces!