Dear Frannie Friday--Lttcbro Review and GIVEAWAY!!!

As a long time lover of anything punk related, when Lttcbro contacted me about reviewing one of their Steampunk corsets, I was totes on board.  When I received the corset and tried it on, my husband, as he was lacing me up, noted that it looked like something to be worn at a metal concert (which we both love and frequent).  That comment gave me the inspiration for styling this absolutely amazing corset.   Also, today is his birthday!  Happy birthday to my favorite person!  What better day to review lingerie than on your husband's birthday, no?

Happy birthday Patrick!!!  I love you!!!

And a very merry unbirthday to you people because guess what?  You two can win one of these great products as well because Lttcbro is giving away one of EACH of these beauties.  You must follow Lttcbro on Facebook here and you must follow me either on Instagram, Facebook, Bloglovin or Pinterest.  Once you follow Lttcbro on Facebook and me on one of the places mentioned above, comment below telling me you have done so.  You may follow me extra places for extra entries, just leave an additional comment.  I will pick a winner on Saturday, February 6, 2016 (MY birthday :-) ) and announce it on Monday, February 8, 2016.  This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only--sorry!  The first winner selected will receive this corset, the next winner the nude waist cincher and the third winner the black waist cincher.

GOOD LUCK!!!

For some reason, I have been reviewing an inordinate amount of corsets and lingerie lately.  And admittingly I really don't know why I've been contacted to review these and am a little out of my element in doing so because I don't really have a corset friendly body (read: I have the chest of an adolescent per-pubescent boy).  But this corset . . . this corset . . . made me feel like a natural woman (insert song).

The craftsmanship of this corset is out of this world--the leather piping, the amazing clasps in the front, the detailing on the side, the lacing in the back.  It is all spot on.  I love the way that it is constructed.  It went on much easier than any other corsets that I have reviewed.  I did have to enlist in the help of Patrick but really, don't you normally need help in getting corsets just so?  I would think so.  (I certainly have anyway.)  The only thing that I have to say is that the ribbons in the back are a trite long.  But I just tucked them into the side.  Solved.

Lttcbro was kind enough to also send me two waist cinchers to review as well.  The first one is this really pretty nude colored one (I am wearing a nude tank underneath to try to give you the most modest, yet realistic, view of the product.

I loved the detailing and the lace of this waist cincher.  Unfortunately, as waist cinchers go, I have to say that unfortunately (as you can tell), this waist cincher is really . . . lumpy.  Granted I have had four kids, so my body in and of itself is pretty lumpy.  (Homie don't play . . . it is.  Trust.)  So wearing this really small H&M sweater over this waist cincher, you can really see all of the lumps and places where the bodyshaper didn't really . . . shape up.

The second waist cincher, this black one, was simple in nature.  It seemed to be much stretchier.  In complete honesty, I wasn't really as into it at first.  But when I put it on and used it under the really tight sweater, I liked it waaaaaaay better than the pretty nude colored one.  It hugged perfectly, shaped amazingly, and gave a great hourglass shape.  In fact, it was the only waist cincher that was comfortable enough for me to wear for several hours after reviewing it.  (I am still wearing it now.  For real.)

Thank you to Lttcbro for allowing me to review these lovely products!

Thursday Mixer--Hot Pink Heels

I bought these hot pink heels as a last minute purchase--spotting them on the clearance rack on my way to the H&M register.  They were a size too big--a 10--and I thought they would never fit.  Never say never I guess because they do fit and I love them to pieces.

As I said, these were a clearance find at $8.  I've worn them on here 11 times--pregnant, postpartum, before pregnancy . . . and apparently with a lot of black and white patterns.  A price per wear of 73 cents.  Worth it!

Top Left to Right-- Now, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Bottom Left to Right-- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 

 Black Culottes-thrifted

Black and White Striped Crop Top-Forever 21

Sleeveless Trench Vest-Charlotte Russe

Crossbody Bag-vintage Coach

Hot Pink Heels-H&M

Studded Belt-thrifted

Earrings-DIY and gifted

Wordy Wednesday--Coffee

I'm not making it official because then I am pretty sure that I will fail, but this year I want to shift my focus from clothing purchases to house purchases and fixing up my house.  Because I became a mom before I had moved out of my parents' house (basically when I was barely a legal adult), I have never had a "grown up" house with "grown up" things.  I would love for my house to have cute furniture and little knick knachs, but lo, I have a bunch of hand-me-downs.  When Patrick came into our lives it was a little better but . . . he came from Bachelordom . . . so not by much.  

The problem, of course, is trying to build a nice home while raising (financially, physically and emotionally) four children.  In other words $$$$$$$.  For some reason, while I am a lover of thrifting, I have always been totally overwhelmed by thrifting home goods and furniture.  I don't know why.  But recently, I have been obsessing (which you know if you follow me on Pinterest) over ways to make a house a home on a budget.  And was inspired by this coffee stand and I actually made one!  I am going to post about it soon, but for now, here are some amazing quotes about Coffee to celebrate.

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Windowpane Pants-Old Navy

Tank-really old

Hot Pink Blazer-thrifted

Mary Jane Heels-Forever 21

Bag-Bebe, gifted

Necklace-oNecklace,c/o

Earrings-DIY and gifted

Share the Covers--Take it Easy

Man you guys.  The past few weeks have really been a doozy on the music world, right?  So very sad.  My biggest personal loss was that of Glenn Frey of the Eagles.  I grew up listening to every single Eagles song as my parents were HUGE fans.  To date, I am also a HUGE Eagles fan.  RIP Glenn.  

Here is an original of one of the best Eagles songs . . .

 

 And a bad ass cover by Bruce Springsteen . . .

 

Corduroy Button Front Skirt-Vintage Willows

Rainbow Striped Sweater-New York & Co., thrifted

Cognac OTK Boots-Charlotte Russe

Red Bag-thrifted

Chambray Button Down-Style & Co., thrifted

Earrings-Charming Charlie's