Review of LuLaRoe’s Julia Dress (unsponsored)

Note: I don’t sell LuLaRoe, and I paid for the dresses that I show in this post. This post does contain an affiliate link to Amazon.

I love, love, love the Julia dress from LuLaRoe. Now I typically like to spend no more than $30 on a dress, so I’ll wait for the department store sales before I go dress shopping. But the Julia –priced at $45– is worth the money, in my opinion.

Since it’s a form fitting dress, I was originally skeptical that I would like it. But the fit is so, so flattering! I did size up larger than the recommended size. In the Loft or Ann Taylor, I wear an 8 or a 10 in dresses (usually an 8). The Julia size chart recommends that I order a medium, but I already have an Ana dress in medium, and I don’t like how tight it is in the rib cage and the arms, so I ordered the Julia in a large, which is supposed to fit sizes 12-14.

What is also great about the Julia dress is that my friend who is built completely opposite than I am also loves it. Nicole is much shorter than I am, and has a very curvy but athletic figure (think hourglass), where my figure is more straight up and down (rectangle). The fact that two very differently built people both love this dress really shows how great this dress is.

The Julia is a midi-length dress, but I have two of them, and the geometric print dress is shorter than the other as you can see in the photos. At 5’10”, I prefer the longer length. My knees are not exactly my favorite part of my legs.
Julia collage

This dress is so comfortable! I’ve been wearing it to work, and I basically feel like I’m wearing a pajama t-shirt all day. Throw a complementary blazer on, and Julia looks completely professional. I’ve been unexpectedly called into a meeting with high-profile “customers” while wearing a Julia (I work for a DOD school that’s for service members, so basically our “customers” are the career field managers from all military service branches). I felt completely confident that I was dressed appropriately, and I believe I presented myself professionally. And I was so comfy doing it!

Julia
Wearing Julia at work with a teal cardigan, brown tights and brown chukka boots.

By the way, if you like my cardigan sweater in the photo above, it’s the BIADANI Women’s Crewneck Button Down Sweater on Amazon. The teal cost me $14.99, and I’m very impressed with the quality. The fabric is thick, and it’s difficult for me to find tops with long enough sleeves for me.

I love how many colors and patterns are constantly available. I’m planning on buying a couple more Julias in more casual prints or fabrics as go-to dresses for this summer. I think this dress will be perfect for the playground or walking around outdoor shops, etc.

Do you own a Julia? What do you think about it?

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Review: Dapper Snappers Toddler Belt

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
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I was sent a Dapper Snappers Toddler Belt in beige to review. And I don’t usually start off my reviews like this, but I love this belt! Little J has a big head but is otherwise skinny. Almost all of his shorts and pants will fit him in length but are much too big around the waist. His pants constantly sag and start to fall down. That’s even if he’s wearing a big cloth diaper. It’s even more of an issue when he’s in a disposable!

Occasionally, I can find pants or shorts for him that have adjustable elastic, which is great. But they’re not always easy to find, and I really don’t want to spend the money. Little J has perfectly good shorts and pants handed down to us by friends and relatives.

The Dapper Snappers Toddler Belt is a half belt that doesn’t get in the way of potty training or diaper changes.

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The belt is made of suspender elastics with snaps. Thread the belt through the back three belt loops, and bend the ends back over the outer two loops, and then snap.

Dapper Snappers are available in a variety of colors and patterns and are recommended from ages nine months through six years old. And, they’re made here in the USA! As I mentioned

The Dapper Snappers company also sells maternity belts, big kid belts, mitten clips, and belts with clips (for skirts or pants without belt loops). Use coupon code 2014MAYBR for 15 percent off your purchase!

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I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Review: Corset Chick

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

For years now I’ve watched other women wear corset tops, and I’ve loved the look but never thought I could pull it off. I have no idea what body type I have. I take the online surveys and read the guides, but to no avail…I don’t fit in any one mold. I think maybe I’m a little bit inverted triangle, but my shoulders really aren’t super broad…so I just don’t know. I do have a small bust for my height and build, which is why I never thought I could pull off a corset top. I thought it would just gap on me around the chest. But when I was given the opportunity to review a corset top, I thought…why not?

I received the black burlesque with pink stripes corset, currently on sale for $18. I wasn’t able to choose which one I wanted. If I had been, I’d probably have gone with a solid black corset, because I was really hoping for something I could wear to a restaurant, etc., on the rare date with my husband.

Pink Corset Top

The first time I put the corset on, I struggled with it a good 10 or 15 minutes. I had to loosen the ribbons (laces) in the back, and then they ended up too loose and started coming off all the way. Eventually I realized there’s a zipper on the side of the corset. Oh. So all you really need to do is loosen the ribbons, zip the corset around you, and then tighten the ribbons. It would still be easier to tighten them, if you have someone to help you, but I think it’s something you can get better at the more you do it.

There are actually two sets of laces in the back. One starts on the bottom, and the other set starts at the top. This allowed me to get different fits for my thicker waist and smaller bust. When I pull really tight on the top, I’m able to get the corset tight enough that it doesn’t gap around the bust. Score!

I was pleased with the quality of this corset. It’s a lot nicer than I would’ve expected for an under-twenty-dollars corset. As I’ve mentioned, it laces up in the back, but there’s a zipper on the side. The corset itself is about 14 1/2″ long (for reference, I’m 5’10”). The bra cups are underwire for support, and there are 12 light-weight bones throughout the corset to give it (and you) shape. It also comes with a matching black thong.

Since I wanted a corset I would feel comfortable wearing in public, I ended up cutting off the bows and pairing the corset with skinny jeans and a black knit cardigan. I think it’s probably still a little too ruffled for a regular date night. What do you think? Any changes you can suggest that would tone it down a bit?

Corset Top from Corset Chick

Corset Chick also carries plus size corsets, as well as leggings, shape wear, and other types of lingerie. They have a large clearance section too.

Which corset top would you choose?

Note: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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