Happy Monday, Everybody! Every so often I put together a READER QUESTIONS post, and today’s one of those days! I’ve gathered up a handful of questions I’ve received over the last couple of weeks and I’ve got some answers for you. I figure for every question I receive, there’s at least another 10 or so of you that have the exact same question, so I’m hoping this post will be valuable to all of you!
Let me also say, if you’ve e-mailed me recently and haven’t received a response, I’m working on it! E-mails sometimes overwhelm me, and it takes me a little bit of time to work through them. Thank you for your patience!
READER QUESTION #1: DENIM SHORTS
Hi, Sheaffer! I’ve never written a blogger before. Heck, I’m not even sure if I’ve ever even commented on your blog before, but I’ve got a very important question. Several weeks ago you said you were going to review some longer denim shorts. Did I miss that post? I’m in desperate need of some! Please help! Lots of love, Lauren (See, told you it was important! Ha!)
Hey, Lauren! Thanks for the question! And I agree with you 100%, a great pair of denim shorts is serious stuff. I have 3 different options to share with you today!
I showed THIS pair a couple of weeks ago that have a 7″ cuffed inseam. These are quite a bit longer than my shorts, but I still thought they were cute. I liked the medium wash and the minimal distressing. Size References: I sized up to a medium in the tee, the denim shorts were true to size (I’m wearing a 4), and I sized up 1/2 a size in the sandals.
tee / tassel necklace / denim shorts/ slide sandals
After showing the above shorts, I got a lot of feedback from y’all that 3 inch shorts are too short for you ladies, but 7 inch shorts are too long. I had actually ordered a couple of pairs of 5″ shorts, but they were on back order. Well, I finally got them last week! So, today I have two more pairs of denim shorts to show you…and they are both the perfect in between length. SHOUT OUT TO 5 INCH SHORTS. They are also both Kut from the Kloth, and this brand actually has a great selection of denim shorts of varying lengths.
Click HERE for this 5″ pair of frayed hem denim shorts below. The medium wash is great, and they are distressed, but not too distressed. I liked these a lot, and they were true to size (I’m wearing a 4). I think the 5″ shorts are going to be just what many of you are looking for.
Click HERE for the frayed hem shorts in white. Even though these are virtually the same shorts from the same maker (but just in white), I feel like the white ones are a bit stretchier. Also, these aren’t distressed at all. These are true to size as well. If you are looking for some white shorts, I highly recommend these!
I’m hoping one of the above 5 inch pairs works for you, Lauren!
Personally, I’m still hanging on to the shorter shorts for myself this year, and I found two pair last month that I love. I’m just under 5’4″, and I’m still obsessed with these $39 denim shorts. They are a light wash and have a tiny cuff (and the cuff is permanently tacked up, so it doesn’t fall down in the wash). I have my regular size (27), but if you are between sizes you might want to size down. They are soft, stretchy, and comfy.
white tee / necklace / denim shorts / sandals (size up 1/2 a size) / DARLING PALM BAG c/o Barrington / $12 sunglasses / sunglasses case c/o Barrington (use the code PTMTSAVE10 for 10% OFF)
I also ended up keeping these dark wash and distressed shorts. I ordered my regular size and really like the fit. When reading the reviews, some sized up and some sized down. These are also soft, stretchy, and comfy.
white tee / $12 cami / short necklace (type in “engraved bar”) / agate and pave necklace / dark distressed denim shorts / guitar strap / cognac sandals (size up 1/2 a size) / gorjana small stud earrings
Both are short (3″), so if you are 5’5″ or over, my shorts might not work for you…but I ADORE them. 😉 If you are 5’4″ or under, you might like them too!
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READER QUESTION #2: BARINGTON BAG
Hey, Sheaffer! I’ve been thinking about getting a Barrington bag for over a year, I can just never seem to pull the trigger. I’m petite, and large bags tend to overwhelm me. However, since I’m wanting to use this as a work bag, I’m not sure the smaller bag is going to be big enough. What do you think? Any advice is appreciated! -Caroline
Hey, Caroline! I get a lot of questions about my Barrington bags, and many of them are people trying to decide between the St. Anne tote (the bigger one) and the Savannah tote (the smaller one). Like you, I prefer a smaller bag, so the Savannah tote is the one I love. I also love that it has a zipper. Sometime today I will put some videos up on my instastory showing you what all fits in my Savannah tote (which again, is the smaller of the two main totes they offer). Spoiler Alert: It easily fits my laptop, wallet, make-up bag, and other items!
REMEMBER: THE CODE PTMTSAVE10 will get you 10% OFF your entire Barrington order!
But for now, here’s an outfit with the bag. The top looks like kind of like linen, which I love…but it’s cotton, so you don’t have to deal with the wrinkles you would be dealing with if it was linen. I also really love the curved high low hem (it covers your hiney) and the fringe finish. For size reference, I’m wearing a small in the tunic and a 27 in the jeans, so they are both true to size. I sized up and am wearing a medium in the cami.
frayed hem cotton tunic (plus size version HERE) /nude cami / grey frayed hem ankle jeans (plus sized option HERE)/ earrings /short necklace / (type in engraved bar) / necklace (type in “Dalilah”) / savannah tote bag c.o. Barrington
Get The Look For Yourself Here:
And remember, check instastories today for some videos of this exact bag so you can see all that it holds!
Also, my exact jeans are sold out :(, but these are very similar…just darker. And they are ONLY $42. #BAM
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READER QUESTION #3: STRAPLESS BRA RECOMMENDATION
Hi, Sheaffer! I recently started following you after several of my friends recommended that I do so. I’m a busy mom of 5, and even though I love to shop, it’s just too hard with 3 kids that still aren’t school age. However, I like looking cute, so they said you would be perfect. So far I’ve ordered the AOS frayed hem ankle jeans, the madewell embroidered top, a pair of shoreline converse, and the slide sandals (that have the little gold hardware on the side). I love everything, so I’m a believer in your recommendations. So, here’s what I need right now: a great strapless bra. I have a rather large chest (36D), and I just cannot find a strapless bra that doesn’t make me angry. My boobs are always spilling over the top and I’m constantly tugging on the bras to stay up. Do you have one that you like? – Stephanie from Oklahoma
Stephanie! So happy to have you as a new follower! I’ve got great news for you, because I don’t just have a strapless bra I like, I have one that I LOVE. And with summer upon us (and tons of off the shoulder and strapless fashions), I know that lots of you ladies are in the same situation as Stephanie. In fact, I’ve actually received around 10 or so e-mails in the last month or so asking for my recommendation for a strapless bra. If you’ve followed me for awhile, you know I’m OBSESSED with one particular strapless bra.
However, if you are relatively new here, you might not have heard me FREAK THE FREAK OUT ABOUT THIS BRA. I present to you THE BEST STRAPLESS BRA EVER. In the history of ever.
Stephanie, you won’t believe how this strapless stays put. You will seriously wear it and not even want to rip it off at the end of the day or your event. You might even wear it on days where you don’t have to wear a strapless bra! I’m not even kidding.
Click HERE for the bra. It’s true to size for me, but some people recommend sizing up 1 cup size. Read the reviews and see what you think. Click HERE for a version by the same maker for those with a smaller bust.
Stephanie, I promise that this bra will blow your mind.
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READER QUESTION #4: PERSONAL MAKE-UP FAVORITES
This last question I received just this weekend after I posted this make-up collage!
I’m wanting to try some of your make-up recommendations, but I can’t get all of them, so I wondered if you could recommend 2 or 3 of your absolute favorites. – Laurel
Hey, Laurel! Well, I own AND LOVE all but one of the items in the below collage. If I had to recommend only two or three, I know for sure I would say the Urban Decay Naked Palette. I’ve had mine since Christmas, I use the colors every day I put on make-up, and I’ve barely made a dent in it. It’s a lot of bang for your buck with all of the color choices, and I like that they are all really pretty neutrals (some are matte and some have some shimmer in them).
Recommendation #2 is harder, because I really do use and love all of these products. I would say that the Stila eyeliner (I use “alloy”, the black is too dramatic) is the best I’ve ever used. It goes on so easily, doesn’t smudge, and is still on at the end of the day. And the Dior lash volumizer makes my lashes look longer and definitely gives my eyes an overall brighter look. But that being said, I couldn’t imagine not using the shimmer brick or having my favorite lipstick! Ha!
Click HERE for ALL the make up on sale, but my personal favorites follow. I already own and love everything, except for the eyeshadow primer. But don’t you worry, I’ve now ordered it for myself. You ladies love it so much you would think it makes you rich and skinny. Anyway, you convinced me.
make up primer / eyeshadow primer / urban decay palette / shimmer brick / eyeliner / bronzer brush / eyelash volumizer / lip gloss / lipstick (I wear “fashion icon”.)
Hope this post was helpful to y’all! I actually have several more questions that I think will apply to the masses, so I’m planning another post….possibly even next week! Have a happy Monday, everybody! Oh wait, one more thing before you go…there’s a lot of great Madewell stuff on sale, so go check it out! fringy lace up sandalsMy darling little are still on sale as well, and you’ll be seeing them in Wednesday’s post. True to size and so much fun!
Shay Shull says
EVERYONE should listen to you about the strapless bra. That is one of your all-time BEST finds!
Erika Slaughter says
I love posts like this!!!
Elizabeth says
Seriously the best denim shorts!
Xo, Elizabeth
http://stripesandsolitaires.com/
Carly says
I have the 5″ Kut from the Kloth denim shorts and I think they are absolutely the perfect length. I’m 32 and 5’7″, and I feel like they are youthful, but modest. The perfect combo for me! I also own several of your make up favorites (based upon your recommendation), and they are now my favorites as well: the urban decay palette, the eyeliner, the smashbox primer, and the shimmer brick. I’m going to have to get the eyeshadow primer now too. Fun post!
Narci says
Agreed about that Strapless bra (and all the rest of your bra recs!!) also, I tried on those distressed denim shorts, and they are so comfy and cute!
Diane says
Those STS shorts are everything! So comfy! I found them at The Rack for less than $30!
Rachel says
To the reader who can’t splurge on all the makeup, I just discovered NYX makes a dupe of the Smashbox primer. It’s called NYX Studio Perfect Photo-Loving Primer – $13. I got the Smashbox one as a sample and loved it, and the NYX version is pretty great so far, too!
CSL says
Another product to use instead of the Smashbox Primer is Monistat chafing relief powder gel (sounds gross, but it’s not!) Got this recommendation years ago from Allison at Get Your Pretty On and I haven’t bought another primer since. The tube is about $6 and last for an eternity.
Christina says
You will love the eye shadow primer…it works great! I might give the UD pallet a try. I have the Naked pallet and love it but more nudes than one really needs.
Casey says
Here’s my question: we’re going to a Texas Rangers game this summer and will be in an indoor/outdoor suite with my husband’s company. They said to dress casual, but I still feel like I need to look cute and not in a tshirt and plain tennis shoes! What should I wear?!
Sheaffer says
Hi, Casey! I think you could wear shorts if you wore a shirt that’s more special than just a tee (like an embroidered top of some sort) and some sandals! Or maybe a t-shirt dress with a cute necklace? xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Casey says
Thanks so much! I’ll look around for a cute embroidered top!
Steph C says
Can you add a link for the navy t-shirt you are wearing with the 5″ in seam shorts? I think my daughter would love it.
Sheaffer says
Hi, Steph! It’s Bobeau from Nordstrom, but it’s sold out in pretty much all colors and sizes right now. I’m watching it closely for a restock! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
gail wilson says
Any idea when the 10% price matching for cosmetics is over? It’s not much, but when my foundation is $55, it sure helps!
Also, the Bobeau t-shirt you mention looks fairly well stocked in petite sizes. My PS in black comes in a few days; can’t wait!!
Sheaffer says
Hi, Gail! I wish I knew, but I have no idea when the sales end! So sorry! 🙁 xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Elizabeth says
I almost never comment, but LOVE your recommendations and I have to say… Kut from the Kloth jeans and shorts are AMAZING. I got my first pair of shorts in a Stitch Fix box and that’s when the love affair started. I HATE myself in shorts and am obsessed with these shorts. They are perfection!
Sarah says
I saw a review of a barrington bag on another blog, and she mentioned that the leather straps sometimes stain light colored clothing…. Have you by chance noticed this?
Sheaffer says
Hi, Sarah! I’ve never had this happen, and I own several of their bags!
Sarah says
Oh that’s great to hear, especially since I already ordered one! Thank you!
CSL says
I have a Barrington bag and it’s super functional and cute…BUT I CAN NOT GET IT CLEAN!!! It’s gray and white stripe. I’ve spot cleaned it at home with diluted oxy clean and taken it to the dry cleaners. They won’t touch it. HELP!!!
Sheaffer says
I would recommend contacting Barrington directly to see if they have any tips on cleaning! I know I use a magic eraser on lots of things (like shoes), maybe it would work on the bag? What’s on it?
CSL says
I think I will give them a call. Just thought you might have a recommendation. And it’s just everyday dirt…nothing major. Thanks!
Rebecca says
Random…..
I purchased the Kate Spade bling gold bracelet you recommended and I absolutely love it however the clasp on mine always opens up the bangle! ????
I read Macy’s reviews and others have had the same issue. Does yours have this defect as well?
Sheaffer says
Mine doesn’t, but I bought mine several years ago. I’ve had a couple of readers say the same thing…so I wonder if it’s new models or something? So sorry! xoxo, Sheaffer 🙂
Naomi says
Love all of those embroidered tops!! Great finds. Love that pom pom necklace too! I have to check out those Sam Edelman slides. I completely agree- he makes the best shoes!
Allie Pacek says
I do not think that Nordstroms sells them yet, but Jcrew always has great shorts in multiple lengths. I have been wearing the 5inch and the 7inch shorts for a long time now. They always work for multiple years, I probably have some from 10 years ago that would still work. Just some advice for anyone looking for longer shorts.
Thanks Sheaffer for all your style advice!!