/ 2017

Well bodysuits are trending these days. I owned one or two back in the 90s and like the versatility of them. The ones I owned had snap-buttons on the bottom. This time I would rule out anything with lace, mesh, long-sleeve and white. If it had some visual interest like being a faux-wrap style or a print that might be nice.


I like this slouchy tee option from TopShop with the bodysuit bottom. This Eva Mendes Collection bodysuit has a very feminine style and comes in three colors: white, red and pink – all perfect for Valentine’s Day. I really like cap-sleeves of the J.Crew Cashmere bodysuit but that’s just seem too high of a price for a bodysuit. My store didn’t have any in stock for me to try so I’ll have to head to Gap or Madewell to try them on and see if I really want to invest in this trend again.

What do you think of the bodysuit trend? Are you in or out?

/ Bella Picks

During my last vacation, my Missoni for Target carry-on finally bit the dust. It was able to hold together through the whole vacation but I noticed it had started to come apart at a seam that couldn’t be repaired. It made me really sad as it went everywhere with me – Italy, New York, Vegas many times, San Diego, San Francisco and SE Asia. It was always easy to spot among the sea of black and gray.

Thus began my search for a new travel buddy. I have always wanted a leather weekender and originally considered the Transport Weekender. But I also wanted something that could be rolled around instead of being carried everywhere. Because of that, I turned my focus to an actual suitcase. I knew I wanted something chic and I love the look of the old vintage style steamer trunks and cases. That took me to Steamline and Globe-Trotter, which would be fabulous to have, but I just couldn’t justify the price. I know they are well made but for most of the year, it would be in a closet, unseen.


I finally found something that is so chic and that I absolutely love from Amazon. I bought the Vanity Case and the Small Carry-on. Against my better judgement, I chose the white with dark brown accents and straps. I just couldn’t resist the white over the other colors, knowing full well it will get dirty. There are some covers for them but even though that would keep them clean I wouldn’t be able to show them off.

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They items came from Japan and took about a week, which was quicker than I expected. The material is PVC/PU and the brown does look a little cheap. The small trunk is a carry-on size and so lightweight, especially compared to my last bag. I could have used it in place of a kettle ball for workouts.

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The vanity case can sit on top of the small trunk and there is a little strap that you can hook around the handle so nothing falls off.

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The inside of the small trunk. There’s a small pocket on the top. The bottom has a cover, with another zip pocket, so that everything looks nice and neat.

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So there is one thing bothers me about this trunk. The poles for the pull-out handle take up a little room inside the trunk. You don’t start out with a flat bottom. Now, I haven’t seen, or even been able to find, pictures of the inside of the Steamline or Globetrotter trunks so I don’t know if they have the same issue. For the price, I doubt it. If you roll your clothes then you can work with this issue. Sometimes I roll, sometimes I use additional inserts.

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I’m all packed! I have six outfits in here including pants, shorts, a dress and tops. They are all Summer items so the material is thinner than a sweater, but everything fit comfortably. The leather straps that you see buckle and there are two key locks on either side.

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The vanity case has two pockets on one side but no cover on the other. Since there is no pull-out handle, the bottom is flat. I have some additional shoes underneath my toiletries and make-up bags. The leather straps snap to the case and there is a combination lock for the case. I’ve actually used this case for weekend trips to see our friends in Dallas.

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The wheels on the small trunk spin and the handle is easy to pull out. The proportion is good for me and not overwhelming. I always hate to see people struggling with such large bags. I think I’d rather have two small trunks than one large suitcase to manage.

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In addition to the small strap to connect around the handles, the vanity case also comes with an over-the-shoulder strap.

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I am contemplating ordering the Medium size, with a cover, so that it would be more useful traveling during Winter or for longer trips, when I need more clothes. Of course, I also hate checking a bag so I may just get another small trunk. I did use this a few weeks ago traveling to Vegas. I was forced to check the small trunk on the way there and it did get dirty and a little scuffed up. When I got home I got a little baking soda and water and made a little paste and all the dark scuffs and dirt came right off. I did choose fashion over function with these two bags but I’m really pleased with my purchases.

/ Bella Picks

As soon as I ordered the Gingham Sandals with the Ankle Wraps I knew I wanted a white shirtdress to wear with them. Now, I have the J.Crew Short-Sleeve Shirtdress but I wanted something more structured as well as flattering. The J.Crew white shirtdress is too short for the sandals, which has a 3 5/8 inch heel. I liked the Michael Kors white dress but the arms looked like they might run a little tight.

I found a few dresses at TheRealReal but not in my size. The Ralph Lauren dress was sleeveless and eyelet, making it too Summery. So, what did I find?


The Sophia Shirt Dress from Boden and it was on sale. I ordered the white in an 8 Regular. It is a perfect fit! It’s a little stretchy but not too much. It has cap sleeves and is a fit-and-flare style with the length hitting me just at the knee. Perfect!

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You can see the pockets on the white shirtdress dress and I am wearing nude-colored undergarments. I think this works instead of finding a slip to wear under the skirt portion.

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The most surprising and best part of the dress are the reverse buttons. I don’t know what the official name is but basically, the dress buttons to the inside and outside. This is especially helpful at the waist and bust where gaping can happen.

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And, to tag along with the shirtdress, I found the cutest booties. They style is very reminiscent of my Rag & Bone Newbury Booties (TheRealReal in Leopard). I love the Leopard calf-hair on these and the stacked 3 1/2 inch heel. There’s a low-heeled bootie if you prefer that instead. I am usually a 7/37 but Boden suggested I order a size 38. They fit a little loose in the toe box but I am pretty sure I bought the right size. I will be wearing socks with these so that will help make them more snug.

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The zippers are on both sides of the bootie, in case you need a wider space to get your foot in.

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Through tonight you can take 20% off at Boden. That will decrease to 15% on Friday and 10% Saturday and Sunday. If you have an account you should see a code or prices automatically updated to reflect the discount.

/ Random

Searching for the right “something” that you have in your head or that you’ve seen in a picture or on Pinterest can be a task. I find it’s best to ask yourself the following questions.

  1. Is the actual item in your budget? Are there lower cost alternatives?
  2. Will said item work with what’s already in your closet?
  3. Lastly, do you think you’ll get enough use out of it now, and for years to come, or is it just a passing trend?

I saw this Pin image a few weeks ago and loved the blazer. A little Googling told me it was more than likely Balmain ($$$$$$) and way out of my price range. That answers the first question…not in my budget.

A little more searching and I found a few “lower cost alternatives” that could work instead of the Balmain. The Boy by Band of Outsiders has some interesting buttons on it, though I’d probably change those out. Also at Yoox.com is the Met Blazer and at a great price. You can use FRIENDS for an additional 20% off right now at Yoox.com.

I think the Mango Double-Breasted Blazer is the one that’s most similar to the Balmain. I’ve never tried Mango but according to their size chart a Medium should fit me just fine. But just because this blazer is stuck in my head doesn’t mean I’ve come up with three ways to wear it.I’ll probably always wear it with jeans. It will be the tops that will be different. After a quick look at my Stylebook App, I’m not sure I have enough tops to go with this color of blazer. I don’t think it’s big enough to accommodate a sweater, unless it’s thin like the Tippi. Question 2 is probably a no, which make Question 3 a no as well. I really don’t think I will get a lot of use out of this color of blazer. Or even this style (Military) of blazer. I’ll try to recreate the look with my J Crew Wool Oxford Blazer in Iris instead.

What do you do when you see something that takes required searching for? Do you ask yourself any other questions I should consider?