Smartypanties had the honor of being asked to attend Essie/Haviana’s spring kick off party! While we didn’t need anyone to get us psyched about two of our fave brands, this party sure didn’t hurt! One pedicure, one Nuvo cocktail, five appetizers and countless cupcakes by Baked by Melissa later I was ready to concentrate on the new lines:

First up, I checked out the Summer 2009 collections: Bright Lights Big City

From left to right: Flirty Fuschia, Perky Purple, Funky Limelight and Punchy Pink (then they repeat)

I mean can you even? The display? Complete with Baked by Melissa matching cupcakes! Don’t even get us started on those cupcakes. That’s for another day. We love ‘em. Despite the fact that we probably ingested a lethal amount of food coloring…it’s worth it daahhhhling…

I got the Perky Purple for my pedi and love it. It’s a summer version of my fave dark purple shades. Rock out with your toes. the color intensity is amazing.

Then I checked out Here Comes the Sun Collection:

My Faves:

Not Just a Pretty Face

Chubby Cheeks

We love these lively yet subdued hues. They feel classic and timeless. And they can be worn everyday.

*Note that Essie polishes are now 3-free- NO DBP, Formaldehyde or Toulene. Phew!! Not to mention, is it just us or does Essie stay on way longer than OPI? Essie collections are limited-edition, available now at www.essie.com and fine spas, salons and beauty stores for approximately $8.00.

Moving on, we got a glorious free pair of Havianas! We basically own a rainbow of these guys. However, we’ve always had one little problem–we love the slide on ease but we hateeeeee the floppiness. Is it just us? That noise and the fact that they nearly fall off with every step? Well, Haviana has solved all my problems–they created a sandal now with a strap that goes all around your foot and can be tightened. It’s a delight. And my feet were not bleeding by the time I got home! (Good sign! Most of my shoes have a breaking in period but these were fine–so far anyway!)

Even the Jappy girls wear these ones, gals. They’re stylish and only $30 so anyone can own a pair (or several…) Visit Havianas.com to purchase.

Something about all the colors get us every time! And if you’re looking for last year’s styles of just the regular flip-flop they’re in abundance at Loehmann’s for like $10, I think. Or they were a few weeks ago…

Thanks to Havianas and Essie. Great party! Amazing new lines! I can’t wait to show off my pedi tomorrow!

All these colors make me think of the Rolling Stone’s song, She’s a Rainbow

Rock out with your bad selves…

We just LOVED this commercial…

Everyone has gone ga-ga for Matt Williamson’s new summer collection for H&M, which consists of summer dresses, bathing suits and more.

Prom is such a fun occasion. We wish we had it to do all over again. The makeup, the hair, the pictures. Sigh…We loved! We’ve been meaning to get around to a post but just haven’t had the time with all of our out of town visitors recently.  So we were thrilled when we came across this post by Broke & Beautiful, which explains what bra to wear if you have big boobs followed by a slew of dresses that are complimentary as well as offensive. 

She noted the importance of finding the perfect strapless bra and suggested one by Va Bien, which costs $55. Be sure that, if you’re buying a strapless bra for a larger chest, that the back has at least 3-4 rows of hooks. Anything less won’t be supportive enough. 

I’m Katie and I have big boobs (that was supposed to reference an AA meeting, I’m not sure it did) Anyway, we’ve been frustrated for years when we try on dresses that just don’t do it for our twins, here are a list of offenders followed by a list of dresses that’ll be sure to rock your prom if you’ve got a large rack  Here is the rest of her glorious post (please give Broke & Beautiful all the credit for her adorable jokes!):

Okay! Dress time. I’d like to start by saying that, while it’s stinks, there are some types of dresses that busty gals simply shouldn’t wear. Whether it’s for comfort (sometimes, boobs make things worse), fit, or while-wearing-appearance… They’re just not good for us and our girls! Here’s the scoop:

A. The Boob Scooper
Offense: Uniboob with unattractive cleavage line.
Summary: The front of this dress basically scoops up both of your boobs, pushes them together, and ties it with a bow. The little gap in the center will show a gigantic “\)(/” that just… isn’t… good.

B. One Shoulder Off(-ering)
Offense: You might lose a boob.
Summary: The side of this one-shoulder dress is cut SO LOW that you will surely have sideboob offerings for all your Prom-attending friends. If the shoulder-less side were cut a little higher (i.e. closer to the armpit), then things would be okay.

C. Flat Top Strapless
Offense: The old flatten’n’pop.
Summary: This dress’ top has some darts to allow for some flesh in the bodice, but not enough. If you attempt to wear this, not only will your boobs be as flat as a pancake, but you’ll get a healthy dose of double-boob at the top of the dress, as well.

D. Too-small Triangles
Offense: Literally, nipples everywhere.
Summary: The “boob” areas of this dress are actually triangles, similar to the bikinis that you always almost fall out of. Since the majority of the support from this top comes from the sides of the bodice, it’ll end up pushing your girls to the center, causing several opportunities for “nip slips” to occur. You definitely don’t want to be that girl at the high school reunion.

E. Smocked Up
Offense: Literally NO support, and uniboob.
Summary: “Smocking” is basically a way of elasticizing fabrics in a garment. This will possiblyfall down, give you one big, lumpy boob and make your glorious girls look saggy.

F. Shapeless Frock
Offense: Making you look like a big, booby box.
Summary: This dress has no shape, and the fabric basically covers your boobs and, at the fullest point, just drops off, leaving you with a big sheet of fabric that extends from the tip of your bust, down to… well, wherever the dress ends. Yuck.

So now that we know what we can’t use, let’s see what we can…

I don’t have to list through these, because they’re the good guys (i.e. no “Offenses”), but keep an eye out for these styles while you’re shopping! F is a little shakey, depending on how you’re shaped, but a good option if you’re still pretty *ahem* firm on top. I also wanted to mention A, because it could be considered a “one shoulder” dress, but because of that extra supporting strap, as well as the rise under the arm, this would accomodate a strapless bra and give you an extra hand with that little, decorative strap.

Umm, so seriously? Chloe’s high wasted shorts cost $1,635 so clearly we’re not in any rush to run out and buy them. Off of a person they theoretically seem cute, right? Maybe? But when I picture them in my size, on me, I think like, one bad pair of Mom-shorts that will accentuate my ass and stomach–and I’m by no means a big girl but they just don’t seem like a good idea. They are pictured below…and then of course a pair at Forevs that perhaps some of you could actually afford. 

Chloe, $1,635.00

FarFetch.com for $157–not terrible!

Forever 21, $24.00

Disclaimer: I do realize these are NOT as cute as the Chloe version, but comeon they’re 50 times cheaper!

This darling designer is living the dream of being a the fashion designer every girl dreamed of growing up! Inspired by her grandmother she now aspires to make vintage-eque dresses for the modern woman.  After graduating from University of Michigan and New York Law School she decided to forgo law and pursue her dream of being a designer. She fuses the magical spirit of women of yester-year with the raw edginess of women of today.

In addition to her line, bringing together talent from season five of Project Runway, former contestant Jerrell Scott and Ani Lee founded Jane Doe John Doe, a shop which features a rich array of exclusive designs from budding designers.

The store also carries exclusive pieces from winner Leanne Marshall, finalist Korto Momolu, contestant Stella Barbara, Emily Brandle and many more.

Check out some of our fave dresses from her Spring 09 Collection:

Katy Perry recently wore an Ani Lee jacket. Yep. She’s got style…

Watch this little cutie pie! We heart her!

Shopflick: Get Ani Lee Silk Kristie Tunic yourself!
See more of Jane Doe John Doe on Shopflick!

Shopflick: Get Leanne Marshall Grey Dress yourself!
See more of Jane Doe John Doe on Shopflick!

Visit Ani-Lee’s Website or Email contact@ani-lee.com if you have questions about purchasing dresses!

Thanks, Toutie Blog

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