Postcards from Montauk

Lucky me got to spend a beautiful weekend in Montauk with some of my girlfriends this past weekend. I preshopped the Journelle swim sale at their Atelier after work last week, so I got to take my new Marysia scallop bikini for a spin on the beach too, complete with my summertime fun Illesteva Leonard sunglasses.

Guys, life is good.

Sunglasses: Illesteva / Bikini: Marysia Swim (top and bottoms) / Rings: (left and right) Catbird NYC, (center) Ariel Gordon Jewelry

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It's Still Summer, Right?

Summer is my most cherished season, and I feel like this one has been slipping through my fingers. I had two almost back-to-back business trips (I won't complain about going to Paris), and then upon return from my second trip, I had to start reporting for Grand Jury duty. So yeah. Grand Jury. That's what I've been doing for the past two weeks.

There have been two perks to jury duty that I have identified so far:
1. Close proximity to Smile to Go, where I've been eating lunch pretty much every day. Finally allowed myself a sweet treat today, and am kicking myself for not trying out their incredible chocolate chunk cookies with sea salt earlier.

2. An okay walking distance to Gargyle on Orchard Street. It took me about 15 minutes to get there from the courthouse, and I was on a mission: to find and purchase this Poppy-print triangle bikini by LOVER.

I've been harboring a borderline obsession with LOVER swimwear ever since I bought this Ikat-print bandeau a couple of years ago. The fabric is such great quality—so soft yet a hardy spandex that keeps it's shape and wears incredibly well. When I saw this darker colorway peppered with white flowers, I loved the painterly nature of the print and knew this needed to be my 2013 bikini. The only thing in my way was Gargyle's free shipping threshold of $150+. Um, hello hashtag pet peeve.

But no matter for this (temporarily) downtown gal, and my mission that day was successful. Found my size in the store and I was in and out of there in 10 minutes.

Welcome home, LOVER. 

LOVER Poppy-print triangle bikini, $177 - on sale for $88.50. Available at Gargyle.com.

Beat the Heat: Summertime Bra Roundup, Part 1

If you live in NYC (the tri-state area, including eastern Pennsylvania), you'll know what I'm talking about when I say "IT'S TOO DAMN HOT TO WEAR A BRA". These seemingly incessant heat waves even continue with thunderstorms that aren't powerful enough to break the miserable weather.

But let's be serious—I love wearing white in the summer, thus I can't not wear a bra. But I do have a few that have been my saving grace these past couple of months, mostly made of the softest mesh and lace that are still utterly breathable and comfortable even as I run around the city dripping with sweat (SO ladylike, I know). Beat the summer heat with these styles (mostly wireless) that won't add another layer of sweaty misery to your outfit.

1. Mimi Holliday Tarte Tartin Non-padded bra, $90, on sale for $63. Available at journelle.com.   2. Only Hearts Whisper Bralette, $58. Available at charlieandlee.com.  3. The Lake and Stars Miracle Box honeycomb mesh & fishnet bra, $135. Available at net-a-porter.com.  4. Only Hearts Venice Lace Bralette, $53. Available at charlieandlee.com.  5. Araks Antonia Softcup, $72. Available at journelle.com.

A Very Special Giveaway - BOOM!

I know this summer has been the season of giveaways here on Pretty Little Underthings. Well, to show my appreciation for my amazing NYC-based fans, this one is 'specially for my wonderful readers in the New York Metro area!

I'm gonna get a little personal here: I'm on team bikini wax. I know some people view the technique as masochistic (which, let's face it, I guess I am) and prefer to shave, but I can't deal with the stubble. And let's be honest—a little grooming is necessary, especially in the summer if you wanna sport that gorgeous swimwear you've been eyeing!

My personal favorite destination for personal hair grooming & removal here in NYC is the snazzy little Boom Boom Brow Bar in Greenwich Village and I've been a loyal fan since they opened in 2007. The New York Times wrote an awesome piece on them a couple of months ago, and after you read it, you miiight understand why I love it there so much. They don't believe in prolonging the pain of waxing, so they have you in and out of there in under 20 minutes for bikini waxes (changing time included!).

So the wonderful owner of Boom Boom, Malynda Vigliotti, is generously giving away three bikini waxes—that's right, THREE—to help three lucky readers get ready for summertime! These are good for their basic bikini wax ($26 value) and if you'd like to upgrade to any other bikini waxes, like a Brazilian, you just pay the difference!

If you're new to giveaways on Pretty Little Underthings, here are the rules (and follow them or your entry will be tossed out):
1. Like Boom Boom Brow Bar on Facebook
2. Like Pretty Little Underthings on Facebook
3. Leave your email address

Extra points for:
4. Follow Boom Boom on Twitter (@boomboombrowbar)
5. Follow me on Twitter (@e5thelove)

Please only enter if you live in the NY Metro area. This giveaway will close on Friday, July 29th at 12pm EST. Good luck!