style review - Natalie Wise Blog

Dear Kates Yoga Pants and Bralet Review

I love Dear Kates “performance underwear” and I’ve told you about them a few times before.

Last summer, they launched a Kickstarter for their new line of yoga pants and shorts, and you know I had to be in on that! They had a few delays in production, but did the BEST job of managing expectations and keeping customers in the loop and excited during the months that followed.

My Kickstarter goodies (and a few extras to review) arrived with brand-spakin’-new packaging and two luxurious Vosges Haut Chocolate chocolates. I adore Vosges and was thrilled to see their trademark deep purple box in my package. Dear Kates also gave everyone a free online yoga class for waiting so patiently. Good things come to those who wait!

My yoga pants, panties, and bralet are all new favorites that I will be wearing often, no doubt. This time I ordered Mediums in everything, since my Smalls were a bit too snug last time. These yoga pants don’t have a ton of stretch. Instead, they skim over your skin, which is nice but takes a bit of getting used to. Sizing varies on the items from DK, so take a look at each item before you order.

The real star here is the bralet, in my opinion. While the yoga pants are super comfy and thick, I am more impressed by the darling little bralet that is perfect for yoga, slackline and wearing under loose tees around the house. The little keyhole (where the two cups meet..hard to see in photo) and delicate crossed straps are lovely. I do wish it were a bit more stretchy as the thick material can take a bit of work to get over one’s head 😉 I love that the yoga pants have a band around the tummy (perfect for keeping things nice and smooth!). My yoga pants fit a bit higher in the front that the back, but did not fall down in the back, just sat lower. I’m not convinced about the crotch seam…I think that could use a bit of re-engineering.

My Ada hipsters in a Medium are perfect, and my Dear Kates favorite. The lace top is feminine and delicate, but the thick yet silky fabric beneath it feels wonderful. I highly recommend these!

The pros win! Let me know if you try DearKates yoga pants, bralets or performance panties. Don’t forget to give me a shout-out by using this code for $20 off your yoga pants!

Fascinator Giveaway with Vivo Masks-CLOSED

Exciting News!

I’m so thrilled that Vivo is letting me give away a fascinator to one of my lovely readers! This is the perfect opportunity for entree into the fun world of wearing hats and fascinators!

I’m giving away one of the under-$50 fascinators (the winner’s choice!), which are smaller and more manageable for wearing to Thanksgiving, a school dance, a holiday party, or a birthday. Or even just because, if you’re like me! Vivo has an amazing selection and I’m sure you’ll find one you’re in love with! Here are some of my favorites…

I think the hot pink one is my most-favorite. How about you?

Please enter and share!
I’m so excited for this opportunity for another lovely lady to wear a Vivo fascinator.
Entry closes at midnight EST on Monday, October 13th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xo
Natalie

Something Fascinating: What a Hat Can Do For a Girl

(fascinator provided to me by Vivo Masks in exchange for my honest review)

There is just *something* about wearing a hat or fascinator. Something utterly delightful and intriguing, don’t you think? It’s unique, it’s vintage, ever-so Princess-y, and entirely fun for the wearer and those who may admire the lovely hat or fascinator perched on her head.

Pin This Image: Hover and click the pink heart to pin any image.

What can a fascinator do for a girl? Here are 4 of the many things:

*A fascinator can bring interest and attention to your face, to highlight your natural bone structure and stunning eyes.

*A fascinator can show off your beautiful hair by adorning it with something special.

*A fascinator can visually balance your shape or outfit with a nice little lifting of the eye upwards.

Last, but CERTAINLY not least:

*A fascinator is a most beguiling way to show off your personality and sartorial flair.

It’s funny to me that these days we think it takes great courage to wear a giant flower on the side of one’s head, and perhaps it does, but just a generation ago, hats were a daily ritual for women. One I’m sad our culture as a whole has abandoned. Not I! It’s a ritual I enjoy greatly and am thrilled to show you my new favorite beauty, the Faith fascinator from Vivo Masks.

This is truly, truly a handmade work of art, with delicately ruched silk, horsehair and feathers. I simply had to take some more artistic shots to show you the delicate beauty of Faith:

So ethereal.

Utterly delightful to behold with the golden morning light behind it.

Here you can see the beautiful ruched silk on the disc and the vintage velvet polka-dot veiling.

What a cheerful and uplifting thing. Vivo calls it a “sensation” and I’m quite inclined to agree! BEYOND fun! One might think a giant pink flower would be difficult to wear, but I find it just the opposite. The delicate nature means that the hat itself won’t overwhelm an outfit. I can envision this with a black silk jumpsuit, a little white or cream suit dress, and any simple black dress.

Vivo Masks and Fascinators is based out of Traverse City, Michigan (and Canada) which tickles me pink. I love that this hat company has Midwestern roots, like me. Their hats are all handmade in Europe, and their Venetian party masks are handmade in Italy.

I was also very excited to get to wear some of my vintage glove collection with this outfit. Little lace gloves and pure white leather ones that I said are, “Like wearing marshmallows on my hands,” because these are the descriptors I come up with and they are SO.SOFT.

I’m also wearing some sentimental light-pink pearls that were given to me by my parents on the occasion of my first ballet company performance when I was a teenager. Pearl earrings as well, another gift, to complement the necklace.

The cotton brocade (imagine, it isn’t shiny!) dress is a lovely foil for the hat…the texture grounds the delicate nature of the feather flower, but the simple shape and straps don’t distract.
The coat is one of my favorite pieces, a Rebecca Taylor gray jersey, silk and sequin jacket that hugs nicely. And the boots are my beloved wine suede wedges from Steve Madden.

Just be sure your hat is properly affixed or you may end up with a wilting flower! 😉
However, I knocked this off my head myself (I’m graceful like that), but extensive wear testing shows the elastic stays
tight and neat in place for long periods of time and activity.

What’s that, you say? You’d like to try your hand (head?) at wearing a fascinator? Yes, please!
We’re having a GIVEAWAY for any under-$50 fascinator of your choice, starting Monday!
Check back then for your chance to win.

Happy weekend!
xo
Natalie

Dear Kates Yoga Pants and Shorts

Remember when I told ya’ll about the wardrobe secret weapon of Dear Kates underwear? Jenna and her team are back with an even more impressive undertaking: yoga pants and shorts!

They incorporate the attention to detail and “cute factor” of Dear Kates, as well as the Underlux fabric that makes them so fantastic (three words: no. camel. toe. #justsayin). They’re leak-proof and VPL-proof. And they’re guaranteed to make your tush look amazing, soooooooooo who isn’t on board with all of that?

as if that isn’t enough: a hidden key pocket, K stamp detail on the back waistband, and never-see-through fabric.

Their Kickstarter already raised $100,000 (their two stretch goals were reached to incorporate contrast color stitching (I’m all about the watermelon or ocean view!) and a longer short length. Their new goal is to add a sporty bralet to match (which one will win?! They are all so cute!).

Get in on the awesome-ness at Dear Kates Kickstarter campaign here.

The campaign ends on Saturday, June 28th, so get in while the gettin’s good. Discounts and goodies for backers galore! And yep, I’m in on it, too and pledged. Join me!

Natalie

Winners and Life Lately!

Email me and I will send you details and your code 🙂 YAY! Can’t wait to see what new specs ya’ll pick out! Be sure to tweet or instagram me 🙂

Around here it has been all vintage dresses and wonderful picnics, just the way I like June! Don’t you agree?

{vintage dress complete with pockets!}

{my favorite vintage cooler shaped like a picnic basket}

{his and hers drinks…mine was the DELICIOUS Strawberry-Rhubarb agave soda, and his was the grapefruit San Pellegrino}

{cold cuts, sharp cheese, homemade potato salad, chips and fruit snacks}

PS. You can find more of my summer adventures on my brand-new instagram! 🙂

We also had a stack of magazines to read and played Frisbee. Perfect summer evening.

Here’s to many more picnics this year!
And more giveaways with more winners!
🙂
xo

Natalie

Firmoo Review & Giveaway

It’s June! Lovely June, one of the fairest months of all, don’t you think? Quite lovely indeed, if I do say so myself (and I do! :)). Time for long dresses, sunglasses, and iced coffee. Did I mention sunglasses? Ya’ll know I have a soft spot in my heart for sunglasses, but sometimes with allergies I just cannot wear my contacts and that makes sunglasses almost impossible! Prescription sunglasses can be SO expensive.

But not from Firmoo. I desperately needed some new ones, as my old ones I’ve had since I was 15 (the frames were Salvatore Ferragamo and were actually my everyday glasses until I got a new pair and replaced the lenses with sunglasses). Those Ferragamo frames are actually still just fine but were about three prescriptions outdated, though, and since I’m not ready for fit-overs yet in my youth, it was well-due time for a new pair.

These are a really fun gray and black animal print with a slight cat eye. They are currently only available in red (odd?). The order process with Firmoo is perhaps the smoothest of all the online ordering I’ve done of glasses, and Firmoo is constantly running great deals. The glasses shipped to me directly from production in China, which bothered me slightly but was a surmountable obstacle. The price is great, and the quality is just fine. True, they aren’t Ferragamo, but the price wasn’t even close to Ferragamo either!

I got an 80% tint (I use these mostly for driving and I like dark glasses for driving) and of course an anti-reflective coating and UV protection (non-negotiables for me, especially for driving). Each additional coating is a slight increase in price, but certainly nothing compared to the cost at a traditional optometrist.

I think these pink and animal print frames would make fantastic sunglasses for summer!

Now for the best part! Firmoo has been generous enough to let me give away (!!!) five (FIVE) (!!!!!!!!!!!!) codes for $30 off frames. There are a lot of frames under or just over $30 that include free single-vision lenses, meaning you’d be able to get the frames for free or almost-free and just pay for lenses (and shipping, does not apply to discounted products) if you, like me, have a very high prescription or add on the bells and whistles. This is so exciting!

Up to three entries per person: If you’d love to add some fun new eyeglasses or sunglasses to your wardrobe this summer, leave a comment here for one entry. You can earn another entry by following me on Twitter (@fashionatalie). You can earn a third entry by tweeting about the contest here: Click to Tweet!

Please leave me a separate comment under this post for each entry.

Contest closes at midnight on Friday, June 6.

Have fun and happy sunglasses shopping!

Natalie

Your Wardrobe Secret Weapon: Dear Kate

It’s probably no surprise I like pretty underthings.
But I’m also a fan of practicality, and sometimes function wins over form (has anyone ever found a pretty nude strapless bra that is smooth? If so, please let me in on that secret).

But I’m about to let you in on a fabulous secret, something generally only your best friend might tell you. Have you heard of DearKate’s “revolutionary underwear”? They’re form-meets-function-meets-awesome.

These are underthings you can rely on. They’ve got you covered and feeling good all day long, no matter what the day brings: running, Zumba, yoga, comedy night out, extra confidence that time of the month, or visiting the White House (as I read in their testimonials section!). Any time you don’t want to leave anything to chance (and who does?) reach for DearKate.

They have athletic styles and everyday styles, all carefully crafted in NYC and packaged adorably like a letter. I chose an everyday pair from the Ella collection, with polka-dot lace and a little bow in green (how could I resist?).

Love the polka-dot mesh/lace and the thick but breathable (and silky smooth!) lining. I will caution you to be careful washing these in the machine straight-up (without a lingerie bag) because I made that mistake and they got snagged a bit. I also recommend sizing up one size.

I am so pleased to have found these and Dear Kate was kind enough to send me a pair to review so we can all ditch pantyliners, be free to live as boldly as we’d like & still wear beautiful underthings. I think that’s pretty revolutionary! These are not affiliate links, but I know Dear Kates are a bit on the expensive side so you can use code “goodgirlstyle” to get 25% off your order through April 30th!

Might I suggest you use it on their brand-new Vera collection? SO CUTE and I loooooove the color! Because I love you so much and DearKate is so generous here’s the code again:

I highly recommend keeping at least one pair of these in your lingerie drawer.

Natalie

Warby Parker & Why Nerd Glasses Aren’t For Me

{hi hat hair!}

Ya’ll are as obsessed with Warby Parker’s advertising as I am, right? So great. I want to LIVE the Warby lifestyle. Unfortunately, I think I’ve come to the conclusion through their Warby Parker Home Try-On Program that so-called “Nerd Glasses” are not for me.

Their Home Try-On program is sheer genius, though, and really takes the guess-work out of choosing glasses online. It’s simple: you choose 5 pair you want to try on, and they send you the frames in the mail. You have 5 days to try them out, then you use the pre-paid return label to pop them back in the mail at the UPS station. Easy and did I mention free? So much fun. So of course I simply HAD to take them up on this offer and try them out (yes, even though I just bought new glasses!). I mean, it’s Warby Parker, you guys! PS> I was compensated by Warby Parker for this post, though the opinion and words are entirely my own. These are affiliate links.

Here is the selection I tried! Top to bottom:

Mable in Gimlet Tortoise

Reilly in Marzipan Tortoise

Holcomb in Oak Barrel

Webb in Saddle Russet

Nedwin in Summer Green

The Webb and Nedwin were atrocious on me, so I’m not even going to show you those. The Holcomb is cute for a fun pair, but not something I would be likely to wear everyday. I loved the classic tortoise half-rims with a bit of a cat-eye though. Such a cute shape.

Now, on to some fun big sunglasses. We all know how much I love me some big sunglasses.The Reilly in Marzipan Tortoise was a simply gorgeous pair of sunglasses, but not my favorite for my face shape.

Now, though, the Mable did not disappoint. I adore the traditional tortoise and the octagonal shape. Classy, fun, bit of a vintage vibe. Sunglasses perfection!

Overall, the Warby Parker big sunglasses definitely won out in my book over any of the “nerd glasses.” I think very heavy glasses overwhelm my features and are a bit heavy for me. This Home Try-On program was well worth it though, and while it does require a credit card “just in case,” they don’t charge anything up front and the entire process is free.

Head on over to WarbyParker and get a box of beautiful glasses sent to your house. I’m pretty sure you’ll find at least one you love!

Natalie

Monogram Necklace Giveaway

Yesterday I shared my lovely Onecklace.com monogram necklace (check it out!), and I have exciting news! Onecklace wants to give one of my (fabulous, beautiful, sophisticated, lovely, brave, talented, and awesome) readers a $50 credit to pick out their own monogram jewelry! Well, isn’t this exciting ya’ll?

You could choose your name in gold or silver:

click on the photo to look at other samples on their website!

Or you could choose just an initial:

click on the photo to look at other samples on their website!

You could do engraved tags (love these!):

click on the photo to look at other samples on their website!

Or you could choose your full monogram like I have, with or without the circle around it:

click on the photo to look at other samples on their website!

ONE reader will win a $50 coupon code to be used at oNecklace.com!

To Enter:

Step 1: “Like” Onecklace.com on Facebook here.

Step 2: Leave me a comment here saying you liked them on Facebook and that’s your entry!

Additional entries for:

1.) Liking Good Girl Style on Facebook (leave me a separate comment that you did and don’t forget to hover over ‘Liked’ on Facebook and click, ‘Get notifications’ so we can stay in touch!)

2.) Following Good Girl Style on Twitter (leave me a separate comment that you did)

So that’s up to 3 entries per person.

One winner.

Giveaway entry closes on Monday, January 27th at midnight eastern time.

Good luck!

Natalie

Cheetah & A Monogram

Today I have a little cream box to share with you.

I think you’re gonna like what’s inside.

A beautiful monogram necklace from ONecklace.com 🙂

When they offered to let me review a custom monogram necklace, I had to try it. I mean, we see them on Pinterest all the time, right?

Now I know why they are so popular. I LOVE this necklace. I’m not generally a gold-jewelry girl, so I took the opportunity to try gold, rather than silver.

I’ve been wearing it every day! I love it with fall and winter colors: brown, wine, navy. And cheetah. Obviously.

(also obviously: these photos are from fall! ha!)

I also wore it with this fancy-fancy dress to a concert:

I really, really love this necklace and wear it almost daily. It isn’t the most high-quality jewelry in the world, but it’s a great gift or gift-to-self (Valentine’s Day?).

Join the fun!

Scarf: Charming Charlies//Sunnies: Local store//Necklace: Onecklace//Turtleneck: Target//Jeans: F21//Jacket: ON//Shoes: Aldo//Black Dress: TJ Maxx

Natalie

PS> Thanks for the necklace, Onecklace! 🙂